An old classic!

When I think of my parent's dining room the first imagine that comes to mind is the silver cabinet.  The house I grew up in was an old 1930's home and the dining room still has the original built in corner china cabinet.  You don't see many of them anymore, definitely not in LA, but they are one of my favorite old things.  My mother filled her cabinet with all of her silver trays and serving ware. The silver only really came out for special occasions so therefore, it always made me think how special it was.

When I was registering for my wedding I loaded up on every piece of serving ware I could find.  Crystal and China galore! However, it was extremely difficult to find any fine silver.  I soon realized that they really don't make the ornate silver pieces like they used to.  It broke my heart a little but I accepted the reality.

Shortly after my wedding I discovered a thrift store by my house.  I had always driven by and I could tell from the window that shockingly, there were some nice pieces...not just crap!  One day I decided to go in.  Upon entering, I found rows of tables with vintage glassware and china and serving pieces.  I was in heaven!  As a new wife I had embraced my domestic self to the fullest (maybe a little too full), and stocked my home with every piece of cookware, utensil and serving ware imaginable. I was prepared to cook for and serve an army.  I could have a party for 12 and each person would be able to have  any cocktail they wanted, in the proper glass and change their drink each hour.  Needless to say, I did not need to be shopping for any more pieces in a thrift store. 

However, what I found during my magical thrift experience was that I was missing out on this whole world of vintage pieces.  Everything I had at home were brand new shiny out of the box presents ranging from Waterford to Crate and Barrel.  But this was a different world. There were blue glass dishes, tall water pitchers from the 1960's, crystal candy dishes, vintage Waterford bar ware....and then I saw it.... a round footed silver ornate tray.  It was completely black and looked like it hadn't been polished in a decade, but it was beautiful.  It was a heavy substantial piece.  The feet were in perfect condition, the border around the tray was extremely detailed, and I could tell on the back that the piece had been signed even though with all the tarnish I couldn't tell by who or what.  Then I looked at the price tag....$6. OH MY GOD.  There was no turning back.  I bought that tray immediately, got some silver polish ($3) on the way home, and got to work.

Within moments of polishing the tray, all of the tarnish washed away and it started to sparkle. My world was rocked. Now I know most people aren't going to have a deeply religious experience over a silver tray.  I do realize I'm in the extreme minority, but I think there really is something to that moment of finding a hidden treasure, working with it, and making it something beautiful that can be part of your life. It's the same basic principal that an achievement will always mean more when it is truly worked for. 

Now at this point you are probably thinking "She has made me read this entire story about finding a silver tray and I still don't know what to do with it!!!" Well honestly, they are great for all kinds of uses.  Most commonly I use the trays to protect my wood furniture from getting wet when I want to set a vase or bowl carrying water directly on the surface.  It adds a little sparkle and some more dimension and it's useful!  Another thing I like to do when I'm entertaining is to place glasses on it or something that is going to be poured (again, helpful to project furniture).  I think they are great for making a station.  It shows your guests what you are intending them to use.  

Another great way to use them is to dress up your normal every day life.  Using a tray for a Sunday morning breakfast makes the start to the day much more luxurious even if you are just having coffee and some fruit in your PJs while watching TV. The uses are endless!  When I'm not using them for functional purposes I like to store my trays in a place where they can be displayed. They are a great space filler over or inside cabinets.  You can use plate stands to prop them up as a nice backdrop or just keep them out on a dresser.  They can even be a great mail station.  After all, we are modern domestics and it's important that we find multiple functional uses for everything we have!

So let's recap....

Silver trays are hard to find,

Silver trays are one of a kind,

functional use for everyday,

lots of sparkle, little to pay!

Happy Homing

A simple little window fix

I genuinely detest apartment blinds.  I believe they are the scum of the earth and I do everything I can to avoid living with them.  When I walk into my home the last thing I want to look at are apartment blinds.  I feel like they are talking to me when I walk in the door.  "Hello, I am your apartment blinds.  I am reminding you that you do not own this place, you are merely a visitor. Clank Clank Clank Swish Swish....Crash!"  I HATE THEM!

So...instead of making my life miserable looking at apartment blinds everyday, I bought myself a screw driver and took those babies down! Now I know to most apartment owners this seems like a huge inconvenience and you never know where to put the old blinds and then you have to go buy new ones.  But I'm telling you, it makes a huge difference in your day to day enjoyment of your home. Put the blinds under the bed or behind the TV stand or tucked away on the floor in a closet. Make it work. Drapery is not very expensive and you can find what you are looking for at all different price points.  Bed Bath and Beyond has a great selection of window treatments and you can use up some of those 20% off coupons that you get in the mail constantly! (and by the way, in case you all didn't know this - those coupons never expire!). 

Most of the drapery in my home I have purchase off the rack with little customization other than my own creativity.  However, this weekend I decided to take on a little project for my hideous bathroom window.  It's a small window and I need it to still be functional but it just ruins the entire feel of the bathroom when it's bare.  So I did a little sewing project. 

Now, I know that most people (especially in apartments) don't have sewing machines.  I highly recommend that you get one! Mine was a gift from my mom.  But you can get them fairly cheap at places like Costco, Jo Ann Fabrics and even occasionally Tuesday Mornings.  Even if you don't know how to sew now, it's OK.  I hadn't sewn since the 7th grade and I just retaught myself how.  It's really not that difficult.  It just takes a little patience and practice and you'll be on your way to sewing whatever you like.  Trust me, it's a wonderful investment!

Back to the project- All I wanted for my window was a small valence that would stay in place when the window was open and the breeze came through, but that would add a little bit of subtle color.  I decided that instead of using a curtain rod, Velcro would hold my valance in place and I wouldn't even have to break out any tools to hang a curtain rod on the wall (it was cheaper too!) 

1. I picked out some fabric at my local fabric store (F and S fabrics on Olympic in LA is amazing!) and cut the fabric a couple inches larger than my window.  Measure twice, cut once!

2. Then I started sewing.  I first hemmed my fabric on all four sides (about 2 inches in).

3.  Next I cut out some black lining (the fabric was somewhat translucent in the sunlight and didn't show off how pretty the pattern was so black lining worked best).  I sewed the lining on to the valence making sure to tuck the ends of the lining in for a nice hem. 

4. Next I cut out my Velcro and sewed the Velcro onto the back edges of the three sides of the valence that were going to touch my wall.  (When I purchased my Velcro I bought one set of sew on Velcro and one set of sticky Velcro which would adhere to the wall.  Just make sure that you buy opposites so the Velcro will actually stick to each other).

5. To finish off the project I connected my Velcro on to the valance before I placed the Velcro on the wall. This way I could make sure that the Velcro lined up with each other.  Just peel off the back of the sticky Velcro, stick it on, and your done!

I did this entire project on a Sunday morning while drinking my coffee, watching a movie and talking with my husband and it only cost $20.  I can't tell you the difference that it has made to the whole room.  It softens the window and adds just the splash of color I needed. When I wake up in the morning and walk into the bathroom it makes me happy that not only do I have a beautiful custom window treatment but that I made it myself! Until next time...


Happy Homing!

Hello! I'm here!

Well hello out there! Welcome to my very first post of my very first blog.  I must say, I'm very glad that you are here to visit! Now that you are here you are probably asking yourself WHY you are here.  Well let me explain...

I am a modern domestic.  I work at a desk in an office 11 hours a day pursuing my dream career in one of the biggest cities in the United States. I live in an apartment paying way too much rent making way too little money. I am living the modern girl's dream!  However, I am as domestic as they come.  I decorate, I sew, I clean, I cook...I try to have it all!

I was raised in the midwest with old fashioned ideals of how to prepare a home.  My mother (the original modern domestic) was a career woman when most mom's were still staying at home doing all things domestic.  However, she was able to manage a career and a home and do it all and beautifully!  She taught me how to make a home, clean it, nuture it, care for it, and enjoy living in it.

What makes a modern domestic special is that no matter how little time we have, we have a undying desire to live a certain way, eat a certain way and entertain a certain way. A modern domestic doesn't wait to live the way she wants, rather she lives that way everyday! Regardless of money or time, there is no reason that you can't live in a beautiful home, eating great food and enjoying today rather than waiting for tomorrow.

I can't wait to share all my ideas and tricks with you for making your home a special place where you can continue your journey as a modern domestic!

Happy Homing!