It was one of those weekends devoted entirely to family which was a good thing. We attended a birthday party for Matt’s Aunt’s 90th birthday, and it was a family reunion with everyone traveling far distances to celebrate. Seeing loved ones you haven’t seen in a long time is a reminder of how time marches on far so fast. The kids grow older so quickly, and we’re all getting older too, and it makes you realize how each days really is a precious gift.

I started clearing out closets on Sunday, minimizing clutter in my quest for a home that is simple and meaningful, and then spied a project I started a few weeks ago so I finished it.  When we visited Hawaii in March I was inspired by the motifs I saw in the traditional Hawaiian quilts that date back to the early 1800s, a technique brought over by missionaries. Funny, in previous years I’ve never been drawn to them but something about the intricate and handcrafted nature spoke to me on this recent visit.

I came up with an aloha inspired appliqué pillow cover, one that adds a dose of watery aqua blue for summer and also adds a touch of the islands I miss so much.

In Oahu, I visited the Polynesian Cultural Center and spent half an hour chatting with the Sisters. This quilt was on the wall was so impressive, that green pattern is cut from one single piece of cotton cloth and sewn by hand. Incredible.

You spy these patterns all over Hawaii in shops and hotels, I love the unique designs that repeat around a central point.

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Hi everyone! Thanks for all the sweet compliments on yesterday’s dresser makeover post!  What are you up to this weekend?  We’re celebrating an aunt’s 90th birthday and more than anything I want to catch up on some books I’ve been meaning to finish. I have a few sitting on the nightstand, but what would you recommend for a good summer read? 

And a few other links I enjoyed this week:

50 designer tips for choosing a sofa. 

Oooh I want one: a mason jar coffee brewer 

Have you seen GeoGuessr?  You have five attempts to guess where you are in the world based on Google map images and get points based on how close you get. My high score was 8,561 after three tries and a lucky guess. Turning the image helps.

This lip sync battle on Jimmy Fallon is hilarious (via Iowa Girl Eats)

Which summer movie are you looking forward to? For me it’s a toss up between Star Trek and The Lone Ranger.

I had no idea there were this many Sherlock Holmes.

Here’s a gorgeous (and educational) print on pairing food & wine.

I’m taking notes for the future on this stunning Sonoma vineyard wedding.

A reflection on surviving divorce and the rainbow after the storm.

A not to miss photo dress up series for girls.

Hexagons are so hot in design right now. Here’s a fascinating look at the Honeycomb Conjecture and why bees create this efficient and elegant shape in their hives.

Have a fab weekend! 

top image + book letters via Design Milk

I was talking with my friend who wants to update her master bedroom and her style is coastal meets modern (love!) and she was saying she could use a new dresser in the space. I mentioned I had an idea for an original piece (my latest crush is furniture with fabric texture) and asked if she’d be willing to let me create something really cool for her and she agreed.

Last week I headed to IKEA to pick up a basic six drawer pine dresser I know they carry in stock. I brought it home, we assembled it, and then I primed and painted it, adding blue burlap inset panels to the front for texture, color, and dimension and satin nickel ring pulls. It’s quite a transformation and totally reinvented with a modern look!

This project is in partnership with ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape and The Home Depot to kick off the Summer DIY Blog Hop. To recreate a similar version, here are the supplies you’ll need and the step by step to go with it. All supplies purchased at The Home Depot (except the fabric, pulls, and dresser). 

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Greetings everyone, today I’m excited to announce a fabulous event happening this summer, in partnership with ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape and The Home Depot! I was so happy when the brands contacted me to play host for an exciting event – it’s a Summer Blog Hop where 30 bloggers will be getting creative with ScotchBlue Tape and I’ll be hosting links to all the projects right here – the projects featured will help inspire this year’s painting season!

I’ve been using ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape for such a long time, it’s my go-to tape whenever I’m working on furniture or painting doors. This brand doesn’t grab like traditional masking tape but sticks just enough to paint perfect stripes or line up hardware – even on top of freshly painted surfaces and it won’t pull up the paint, I love that.

I’ll be featuring the blogger projects here and linking back to this page over the course of the summer whenever a participating blogger completes a new project. Follow along and don’t miss a thing by following both the ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape’s Facebook Page and the ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape Pinterest Page for all the latest ideas and inspiration!  Be sure to like The Home Depot’s Facebook Page for all the latest in the Summer Blog Hop.

I started the big summer event with this dresser makeover, click on the image to read the full details using ScotchBlue tape and products purchased at the Home Depot. 

This post was brought to you in partnership with The Home Depot and ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape.

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