How a Toolbox Helped Me Get Organized!

 i just purchased this very usable rusty big ol' metal toolbox

from Kara at LuLu Belle's Junk Trunk at Needful Things Addiction - 

the store where my homewardFOUND shop is located.

(hazard of the vintage industry... we buy each other's stuff!)

admittedly, i bought it because of the patina and color. it's my thing!

but i knew that with all the compartments and shelves inside, 

it would come in handy in my studio/office.

so i brought it home, sat it down on the floor, snapped a few photos... and saw THIS:

lord, i need help. i'm so Disney that i see animated faces in everything.

ANYWAY....

as i was sitting at my desk on the computer, i needed something.

and when i went to get it, i couldn't find it. frustrating, right?
well, it was office supplies. and my office supplies are all over the place - 

as in, not in one place but in many drawers and buckets and shelves.

talk about an AHA moment!
continue reading to see what i did:

Covered in Canvas

 while homewardFOUND is generally all about seasonal decor ideas,
sometimes I like to pop in ideas for furniture, too...
all totally do-able projects for you to try out!

this dresser was found on the curb. free.
With lines like the ones on those drawers, I couldn't pass her up!

the case was solid, but the veneer on top and on the drawers was just wrecked.
no amount of putty and paint was going to make her presentable...

she went beyond needing mere 'makeup' into the realm of 'plastic surgery'!

while I was sanding her down, I had a brainstorm...

the dropcloth that she was sitting on in the prep room had some great texture.

i looked at the drawers, and then at the dropcloth, and that light bulb went on:
 cover the entire dresser with a new canvas dropcloth!

dropcloths are a great way to get a LOT of fabric for a ridiculously low price

and they come in many sizes and weights. 

i used the heaviest weight for this project, which covered up all of the 'blemishes' in her complexion.

continue reading to see what i did!

Ready to ReDecorate!

it's a new year, and new things are soon to be 'in store'!

this new year has me filled with new energy... how about you?!
i've had a bit of recalculation in my head about what i want / need hwF to be,

and much of that is coming from the responses that the shop and merchandise in it

have been getting from you - my readers and customers (my HOMEees!)

* i watch what you click 'like' or ♥ and comment on, both here and on social media.

* i take into account what posts are getting views, and from where.

*i notice what you've been pinning and re-pinning from the blog and my boards.

* i keep an eye on what is selling in the shop - and what isn't -

and i have been asking myself one very simple question:

 "if this thing doesn't sell, would i put it in MY home?"

sometimes, the answer is a resounding 'nope'. and i'm not okay with that.

i loved my initial concept for the homewardFOUND blog AND shop - 

but it doesn't fit anymore. it's not where i am going personally, or as a designer.

so, i'm gonna' change it all up!

<< click 'continue reading' to see what's coming!

Simple Winter Table

winter, for me, is all about sparkle and texture.

rough with smooth, crystal with wood, tarnished silver with crisp white.

mixing it up wherever i can brings a warmth and comfort to the 'bareness' of rooms

after the holiday overload is gone...

my winter color / texture palette this year is
white, crystal, rough wood, and glowing copper.

the simple tablesetting here shows yet ANOTHER way that i use an everyday item:

my standard white ceramic dishes.
you've seen them oh, about a million times here on the blog - 

i do that purposefully, to show you how

a very BASIC item can be re-imagined and presented in fresh ways each season.

continue reading for more details!