Never Say Never to A Can of Spray Paint

Glossy black spray paint is a staple in my house and it yet again came in handy so I could get some artwork up in my bathroom. The art itself is "borrowed" from a book I got from a museum bookshop (yes I saw the exhibit) so pretty pictures, and one quote in cool font, check. The frames were all bought at local yard sales for a total of maybe $15 so budget, check. Hit the Depot for a can of paint plus primer in glossy black and the local hardware store for a custom piece of glass to fit one of the yard sale frames, and I was ready to go. The whole project took about an hour and cost less than lunch, ok, lunch with a glass of wine.

One grouping

The frames are strong enough that nothing else is needed on the wall which is painted in my new favorite gray.

One pair of frames ties two distant walls together. The black frames help the accent in the original 1930s tile work  make more sense in the space.

One of my favorite frames, now that it's black!

Have a project you think a quick spray paint job with solve but need a little help? Send a photo to liz@ermillerdesign.com

Roll It On Wallpaper: NotWallpaper on Etsy

If the thought of hanging wallpaper scares you then you're in luck. NotWallpaper, a shop on Etsy, offers patterned paint rollers so all you have to do is dip your roller in paint and roll the pattern right onto your wall. The shop founders picked up the idea from an antique roller they found in Kennebunkport, Maine. This is also great for a table top or tray, for those of you that work on a smaller scale. They are $19 for the roller and $39 for a roller and applicator. Here are my favorite patterns:

Petite damask

Spring Bird

Sweet Dreams Floral

More patterns are due this fall from NotWallpaper: www.Etsy.com/shop/Notwallpaper

Get Ready for your End of the Summer House Guests: 10 Cheap & Cheerful Side Tables

We had guests this past week and it got me looking at some empty spots in my house that need a little help. Cheap and cheerful side tables (of course also great as bedside tables) always do the trick. Here are a few that caught my eye so you can get ready for your summer house guests. 

The Audrey
Photo courtesy of Etsy  

 The Catalina Barrel
Photo courtesy of Crate & Barrel

Cigar
Photo courtesy of Worlds Away

Marilyn
Photo courtesy of Clayton Gray

Milano
Photo courtesy of Clayton Gray

Tini Table IV
Available in 16 colors and 9 top options
Photo courtesy of Oomph

And the budget version at Target
Threshold End Table with Woven Top in Plum/Red
Photo Courtesy of Target

Peekaboo
Photo courtesy of CB2

Slim
Available in 3 sizes as round and 10 colors
Photo courtesy of Room & Board

Threshold Campaign side table
Available in 3 colors
Photo courtesy of Target

Threshold Tray in Teal
Photo courtesy of Target

Vintage Finds from Brimfield

Brimfield Flea Market happens only a few times a year but when it does open up there is more than you can handle so make it a whole day trip and take it ALL in. Here are few things that caught our attention:

The rain followed up most of the day but it turned each vendor's lot into little tents to explore inside and out. 

Put this long sign over a doorway in your kitchen (after a good clean up) and plant some mini herb pots for the window sill. A great reminder to keep up the fresh cooking.

A fun propeller base game table for a play room. The clock is another story. 

Add some history to your billiard playing

Display more than foliage in a basic glass dome.

A model church would make an amazing bird house. 

You can't go wrong with mini rosemary trees and polish up this large silver bowl for a stunning Dining Room console display.

Delicate patterns in blues, reds and browns on these delft tiles add an accent in your kitchen or bathroom tile work, make a dramatic addition to an inset top on a side table or coffee table top, or for those of you less craft inclined, just one makes a simple and elegant trivet.

Custom built tables with early 1900s cast iron bases and new metal tops.

With a copper twist!

Woodard patio set needs a coat of spray paint but add some colorful pillows and you're ready to relax in style (and comfort!)

A fish shaped lounge chair is ergonomic as well as an eye-catching addition to any beach house. 

And of course a pair of molded Knoll chairs for the kiddos!

Looking for something vintage? Email us at info@ermillerdesign.com. 

Our E.R.Miller vintage finds for sale on our Etsy shop. 

Ex Libris: An Architectural Summer Read

If you're suffering from a staycation this summer or need a one day summer read, try an architectural guide to your home city. Ok, ok it's nerdy but you don't have to tell anyone. Make it as long or as short of a book as you want since most are basically an encyclopedia (if you remember what those are) of all the buildings in a particular city organized by neighborhood. There are always maps and photos too so they are easy to follow.

Grab a copy here on Amazon, and impress those summer guests with your new found knowledge of your own urban backyard. Or, just lay back in the sun and find out if where you work is actually interesting or if where you get your coffee is where people have been coming for decades for their morning brew. No matter how you read it you'll find a way to love where you live that much more.

                                       

                                                 

p.s. If you live in Washington DC or New Orleans you're in luck. Yep, they have an app for that. Here you go: DC AIA Guide & New Orleans AIA Guide