Creative in Chicago

Hi!  No, I’m still in PA, not Chicago but I’d like to introduce you to someone “Creative in Chicago”.

Creative in Chicago: a decorating blog

Meet:  Zoe.  She is currently decorating a house that boasted brown in EVERY room.  Here is her journey to make her home fresh, light and airy.

Before
Now – soothing and peaceful!

Basement – Boring to Fun!
Blah before
Fun after
Boring before
Makeover magic…
family room makeover
Zoe has an awesome list of accomplishments:   before and afters AND great how-to’s including everything from painting paneling to homemade deer repellent!  She addresses her blog to her Chicago house and the changes that are taking place. Check it out! I love her latest project too.  So cute!
Looking good, Zoe!  Thanks so much for sharing your hard work! I look forward to seeing more!

DIY Stenciled Wallpaper

Meet:  Heather from

Heather just started a DIY-Organic Food-and-Soiree blog!  She’s a full time teacher but in her spare time she enjoys helping others decorate their homes on a budget, entertaining and cooking.  

With a small budget, Heather gave her dining room wall a new look.  $15!  Using paint pens, she created this DIY stenciled wallpaper:  

Helloooooo beautiful! Look at that diva chandelier sneaking into the beautiful wall’s close up!  Love her too!

Big improvement from the boring before:

The power of paint never ceases to thrill me. $15,a little DIY and Heather’s dining room looks completely glamorous! Reminds me why I put make up on before leaving the house! 

Gorgeous job, Heather!  After scraping layers of wallpaper off so many walls and even ceilings, THIS is my idea of wallpaper!  I’ve done it in my own home too and really love to personalize the “wallpaper” look!  Thank you so much for sharing!
See the HOW TO at The Lovely Cupboard for the full tutorial.  Know what else you can see?  DIY project going on in Heather’s 1943 cottage.  Kitchen envy and more!

Have you stenciled a wall in your home?  Feel free to include a link in the comments so we can all check it out!
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Last day to enter the vintage doorknob hanger giveaway!

Weekend Homemaker – Big Girl Room Before and After

Meet:  Crystal from 

She’s a crazy busy mom but manages to blog with some really helpful tips, great posts and a little DIY!  🙂 
Utilizing Craigslist, garage sales, eBay and her own DIY projects, Crystal started with this sweet nursery…
before
And transformed it into her daugher’s beautiful big girl room….
soooo pretty after
A few of my favorite details besides the pretty color scheme are the gorgeous girly chandelier:
I love this pink and green paisley fabric in the drapery and bedding…
DIY/free printable art…
See all of the details, more pictures and sources at The Weekend Homemaker.
Sweet, isn’t it?  What do you think?  Has your little one graduated to a big kid room?  Were you able to incorporate some creative DIY details and thrifty deals?
Thanks so much for sharing your amazing transformation, Crystal!  You did an awesome job on a ‘real’ budget with designer results!  LOVE it!