before & after: bedroom corner

Before my old changing screen was my headboard, it was used to conceal some pretty ugly electrical boxes and wires on one of my bedroom walls. So after I moved the screen I decided I would make some drapes for my naked window, as well as for the wall of electrical materials. I had since been on the hunt for cool ikat material but couldn’t find any I loved. I recently stumbled upon these amazing ikat drapes, on sale, at Anthro. Score! I don’t think I could have made curtains for as cheap as Anrtho had them on sale! I love how the color and pattern of my bedspread compliment them perfectly.

before & after: swap meet side table

(Before)

I love this table. I think the carved details are amazing. And I practically stole it at the swap meet for $15. I had this vision of painting it beautiful chartreuses green. So I brought a sample of the color I wanted to the Home Depot so they could match it. The boys at Home Depot must be blind because the paint they created for me was an awful puke green. Seriously. It was bad. Maybe it was my choice of a bad color? (Sorry Home Depot boys).  So I scratched the idea of green and decided on a pretty shade of purple, appropriately named “radicchio”. I like it. For now. The Home Depot is only 5 minutes away if I change my mind next week, right?  

(Using paint stripper to peel of the old paint)

 (Stripper might be one of the coolest things ever...the paint just curdles up!) 

(The green doesn't look bad in the sunglight...)

 (...but bring it inside and BAM! puke green)

(After)

inspired

A couple of weeks ago I posted a DIY capiz chandelier made out of wax paper (seen here). But that DIY chandelier now has some competition. Behold: a DIY bead chandelier. These chandeliers are made out of Mardi Gras beads from the Dollar Tree Store. Say what?! I can’t decide which one to make! Which chandelier do you like best? The faux capiz chandelier? Or the bead chandelier?

via Gus&Lula

via Gus&Lula

via Dollar Store Crafts

swap meet sundays

This past weekend my mom came to visit. She lives in the Central Valley and uses me as her “excuse” to visit SLO. Since she was here on a Sunday, I took her to the swap meet. My mother has always been skeptical of the swap meet and is usually in shock when I send her pictures of the great things I find. We left my apartment at 5:55 am, grabbed a coffee from Pete’s, and we were there by 6:15 am. The swap meet was swamped! I had never seen so many people there that early. The vendors were being a little stingy. No one was wanting to bargain (reminder to the vendors: it is a swap meet). However, I did score a working lamp for $1.     

(Some Pete's coffee to give us a jump start)

(A seriously cool hydrangea light. It was $75. I was tempted but have absolutely no place to put it. We came back 30 minutes later,and it was gone!)

(A Fiesta dinner ware set that my mother loved)

(Vanity stool for $3)

 (Vintage mirror) 

 (Old suit case from the 1920's)

(A really cool trunk)

 (1960's side tables for $20)

(70's style lamps)

 (Moroccan inspired masks)

  (An old window Ashley bought for $5. I can't wait to make it into a cool statement piece for her room!)

 (Old stroller) 

(A mother-of-pearl inlay table for $140)

islay street style

Something look a little different? I am so excited to reveal the new and amazing version of champagne trinkets: islay street style. Since I started my blog in January the name “champagne trinkets” never quite flowed. Readers had trouble pronouncing the name, my Grandma Judy would call it “Kristin’s trinkets”, and some people just have issues saying the word champagne (me included). So after many notepads and brainstorming, the name islay street style hit the spot. I love that the word "style" can encompass so many things; from fashion to furniture, and from flea markets to architecture. I also love the name Islay Street because it is the home of my first apartment. I have so many thanks to give to my friend and graphic designer, Lauren Jochum. She designed my new blog, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results!

(Before)

(After)

friday happenings

My favorite part of the day is walking to work in the morning. Most people take for granted their usual route, and I was totally one of them. I never really noticed the green hills, the morning fog, and the beautiful houses on every corner. So the other day I took time to enjoy some of these gorgeous homes. Each one is so unique, from having a pink door to scalloped siding to unusual entrances (I’m slightly obsessed with the turquoise and cream bi-level house!). 

thrifting

My new favorite activity on my days off is thrifting (not sure if “thrifting” is a verb, but it should be). SLO has some great thrift stores, with even better prices. I’ve been finding so many great things; I don’t know how to contain myself! You might see me on the TLC show “Hoarders” in a couple years…just kidding? I only let myself buy the white lamp today. I figured I could spare $8.25 (that’s the equivalent of a Chipotle burrito with guac!). Now I’m on the hunt for a lampshade. I love the one’s from Anthropologie, but I’m going to wait until they go on sale. Which lamp shade is your favorite? 

(I'm slightly obsessed with this table. The inside has two shelves, so it's perfect for a night stand. How cool would it be painted in a glossy orange? I'm so tempted to go back and buy it for $20)

(This table was $35. I love the curved details)

(I apparently had a thing for tables today...)

(A vintage candle holder for $4)

 (My new lamp. I can't wait to find a shade. Anthro, please hurry up and have a sale!)

(Pictures via Anthropologie.com)

inspired

The Cal Poly Wine Festival was held on Saturday; so needless to say, I didn’t make it the swap meet on Sunday morning. Fail. So while nursing my wine hangover I found pictures for inspiration. Which room is your favorite? 

before & after: tv stand makeover

I paid $5 for what I call my new TV stand (I think it’s actually a bedside table). But it turns out it is worth way more than $5. You see I was prepping to paint the table by taking out the drawers. And guess what someone had stashed behind one of the drawers? You guessed it, some good ol’ mary jane. About $40 worth, actually. As one of my friends said, “winning!” HA! Anyways, today has been my first day off in 7 days so I decided to get down to business. I headed to Sherwin-Williams for some paint to get started on my TV stand. After a few coats it is almost complete! I still have some work to do on the inside (so excited for you to see what I’m going to do!). And I’m on the hunt for some cool knobs (probably going to order some from Anthro).        

(Before)

(Sanding)

 (Taking off the hardware)

(Taking off the doors...)

(...but I could only get one off!)

(I bought the "sample paint" for $5 a quart compared to the regular paint at $20 a quart)

(First coat)

(Metallic gold paint)

(Almost done!)

 (I highlighted the molding with the metallic gold paint)