Friday, October 17, 2008

No Longer Naked

I've been needing something on my poor naked dining room wall and I just didn't know what to do. But ever since I saw a dish collage over at Nester's place (And yes, I ONLY lurk there. :) ) I've been wanting one.

So I went to the store and bought the first plates that grabbed my eye and that were in my color pallet for my living/dining room. That was a huge step for me. I never end up buying anything because I want it to be completely perfect and what if I find something different at the next store. But I didn't allow myself to think those thoughts, I just impulse bought. Then I came home and laid them on my floor, for a few days.

Mixing and matching, moving and switching, picture taking and more picture taking, even a plea for Miss Jennifer P. to help me out. I was too scared to do anything, so on the floor they sat...for 3 weeks.

Until today, when my trusty sisters-in-law came over and helped me get it just right. I don't know how I ever thought I'd be able to hang these by myself. Look at all the hands we needed. THANK YOU girls for your encouragement to pound that first hole! And also for all of your help.

It turned out great and we didn't even need a level to get it all straight.

I LOVE IT!!! It's so much fun to have something hanging on my wall. Now I need something on the opposite wall (I'm thinking big giant mirror?). This decorating stuff could get addictive.

I should add that I got these plates at TJ Max and the D.I. And the big center piece one is plastic. I decorated "thriftily". I'm so proud of me!

19 comments:

Deanna said...

ooooo - How fun!!! We just re-arranged for like the 20th time (no joke, ask Stevie!) and I'm back to the 'original holes' in the wall for my 'decor'....

I love your plate collage!!! I can't wait to do one...some day!

Jennifer P. said...

SOMETHING ON YOUR WALL--HALLELUJAH!!!! :) It looks sooooo pretty! Glad you took that plunge! NOw, if you were doing it true Nester style--you would have used your shoe as a hammer :)!

Mrs. X said...

Fantastically frugal home fashions! I love it! :)

Brandy said...

I LOVE IT!! You did a great job!

I am a big HGTV fan and have incorperated tons of things Ive seen on there into my own house.

becky ward said...

so glad you love it! i can't believe how freaked out you were about putting holes in the wall. you are so funny! it was a great way to keep us entertained during the game. i enjoyed it!

Tamie said...

your plates look great!!! and a good suggestion for the next time (and if you can't find enough hands to help you) make the shapes that you need from paper and then you can stick them to the wall and move them around before you stick holes in your wall (that is a martha stewart tip....)
you did a great job!

Caitlan said...

I love that you found plates in your color pallet :) It looks awesome!

Mama Williams said...

AWESOME! I love the final layout. Looks great! Yes, it's addicting.
Don't be afraid to put holes in the wall that is what spackle and touch up paint if for.

FYI- Martha Stewart taught me to make paper cut outs (shape and size) of what I'm hanging and tape it on the wall. That way you don't need 6 sets of hands to move it up and down. Just move the paper and hang! Well done on the thrifty part too. (oops,repeat info just read the above comment)

Jewelle said...

Wow! That looks awesome! I didn't know gold was your choice of coloring. Of course I haven't been to your home so why would I know?! That was a duh moment sorry! Thanks for the material you sent with Kim last night. It was beautiful! Everyone oohhed and ahhed over it! There will be some lucky girls who get those dresses!

Wendy said...

Wow -- Elena, your post struck a chord with me. You and I are kindred spirits on the decorating and perfectionist thoughts, there. Sheesh. I could go on about my experience with an interior decorator yesterday! (surprise from my hubby)

So when I say I am proud of you for jumping in and doing something wonderful, you know it's coming from the heart!

Yay for you!!!!! :-)

The Wood's said...

I love you wall it looks so cute. Good job and you can never go wrong with a giant mirror. Check Ross they always have tons a mirrors for a great price. Miss you and check your blog everyday to see how you are.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

When I first started reading, I thought for sure that the end product would be a painted wall. Ooo...you could do the opposite wall a different color :-)

Love the plates, though. They look great.

Lee Ann said...

Elena! It looks awesome! I could have written most of that post for myself. Too funny and it looks great!

The Manwaring Family said...

Turned out great! I love it!

Nichole said...

sweet! we have a restaurant here on the lake that has a wall covered in various sized mirrors. B U TEE full

Lula! said...

This. Is. Gorgeous.

Beautiful job--I love every bit of it! But if I ever come to your house I will insist upon eating off that fabulous plastic one in the center. I'll wash and rehang after I dine, but that plate is just beckoning me..."Lula, come eat pumpkin crisp off me..."

Clearly I'm loving your design!

Anonymous said...

Man, doesn't look like the same house. You did a good job.

Brenda said...

It looks great, what a fun idea. I am also a little afraid of decorating. I buy stuff and it sits on the floor, or under my bed for a long time, until I can decide what to do with it. Glad you found great helpers! I am going to start checking out TJmaxx and DI more often:)

Miki said...

Oh my goodness Elena. This looks so much more elegant than I imagined (not to say I imagined something horrid!). I just imagined a more country look when I pictured the plates in my own mind when you were talking about them.

THESE plates however, are full of elegance and sophistication. They really dress the wall so nice. Wow. I'm very impressed!