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We did THAT! *thrift store makeover, 30 minute gallery wall, and DIY kitchen flip all in ONE VIDEO!*

We transformed over 4 space in one video (watch above)! It's a Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen and Patio all getting a start to finish makeover, all DIY and all on a budget! We took the before that was a colorful (not the good kind) mess and completely changed the space with a DIY painted marble countertop, on-trend DIY wood moulding wall paneling, and a 30 minute DIY Gallery Wall using thrift store purchases that anyone can do!

The process... Shop this episode:

Mr. Kate Winston Lift Top Coffee Table: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/wins...

Mr. Kate Moon Phases Console Table: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/moon...

Mr. Kate Body Of Work Framed Board Art: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/body...

Mr. Kate Daily Reminder Framed Canvas Art: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/dail...

Mr. Kate Grow with the Flow Framed Board Art: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/grow...

Mr. Kate Why Not Hoop Framed Canvas Art: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/why-...

Mr. Kate Effie Accent Chairs: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/effi...

Mr. Kate Luna Modern Waves Plush Area Rug: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/luna...

Mr. Kate Stella Accent Table: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/stel...

Mr. Kate Winston Sofa: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/wins...

Mr. Kate Stella Convertible Sofa Bed: https://shop.mrkate.com/products/stel...

Dorel Living Montgomery 3-Piece Dining Set, Dark Mahogany: https://amzn.to/3xSPH6H

Overhead Rattan Light: https://rstyle.me/+fXJEbz-eXtPne1qpnO...

Under $300 Glam Boho Bedroom Makeover

It's been a while since we've been able to do an Under $300 makeover, but to be fair, it's been a while since we've been able to go to the thrift store! This episode marks a fresh start for both of those beloved trends, as we take on a previously pretty empty and uninspiring space for a local teacher and fill it with thrifted finds and DIY touches to give it a lovely and literature-themed makeover!

Watch the episode above and check out the room pics below!

Our Birth Story

Welcome to the world, baby Moon!

No birth story, or experience is alike, and our experience having Moon was as unexpected and unique as we know he will continue to be! Watch the video above for the full story (and an introduction to Mr. Moon himself)!

Our delivery story started, as many seem to, in the middle of the night. A spicy Ethiopian dinner got things moving and my water broke in the wee hours past midnight.

The next hours were very *sensational*, as we expectant and laboring mothers are advised to not use the word "pain" because of the negative implications. I experienced intense back labor, which meant that my back seized up and cramped in-between contractions, so there was no relief. Our doula was there, my sister Tess arrived too, and Joey got me through with his incredible support.

Since I was shaking so much, we all thought I might be close to delivery, so we went on a wild trip to the hospital. However, once situated in our hospital room, it turned out that nothing was going as expected. I had been in labor for over 24 hours and was only 3 cm dilated. After medication and an epidural, and more hours of labor, Moon was not progressing down the birth canal, and we all made the decision to go forward with a c-section.

Very shortly after, Moon Albrecht Zehr landed!

We are so in love with our baby!

Though the birthing experience was absolutely nothing like what I expected, I am so grateful to Joey and Tess, and cannot explain how much this experience has brought us all even closer together. I didn't think I could be closer to Joey, but after going through the 40 hours of bringing Moon into this world together, we are even further bonded.

I also cannot say enough about how much support my sister Tess provided throughout the entire process. She was there for everything, with handmade positivity mantra signs in tow. Moon is so lucky to have such an amazing Aunt!

DIY Tactile Mural

When designing Moon's nursery, I wanted to create a space that would engage his growing mind and be a place where his imagination comes to life. And what better place to start than the walls?

Since his nursery has a woodland theme, I painted a forest with little animal friends on the walls of his nursery, and brought the critters to life with small tactile details that we can introduce him to and watch as he has fun with and explores! Check out the steps and supplies below!

Prep It!:

Chalkboard paint
Acrylic paints
Paintbrushes (for painting)
Glue
Paintbrushes (for snipping bristles off of)
Feathers

Do It!:

  1. Paint your wall with chalkboard paint (we chose it in a dark gray tone) and let dry.
  2. Create a visual wonderland on your wall with your acrylic paints and #creativeweirdo instincts! I really loved a forest theme for Moon's room so I painted trees and small woodland creatures.
  3. Let your mural painting dry!
  4. Prep the various tactile elements that you are going to add to the wall. I snipped some paintbrush bristles for the whiskers of the rabbit and the tail tufts of the squirrel, and used colorful feathers on the wings and tails of the birds! Another idea is using some faux leaves on a painting of a tree!
  5. Use your glue to secure these tactile elements in place and let dry!
DIY Macrame Tapestry Headboard

You can't deny the sense of completion that a headboard adds to a bedroom. It brings a room together and adds a design touch that makes the space so much more enjoyable and inviting to be in. You can, however, completely deny the often hefty price tag that comes with most store-bought headboards. Just because you want to live like a king doesn't mean you have to pay like one!

I introduced a few DIY headboard ideas earlier this year and now I'm back with a macrame one that, as the hotel-chic room its in shows you, doesn't have to necessarily mean you're going boho. This touch of texture and neutral color can work with many design styles! Check it out below.

Prep It:

Macrame Wall Hanging 1" width Dowel Handsaw (optional) Wood screws Drill

Do It!:

  1. Slide your macrame tapestry onto the dowel rod through the openings at the top. If your macrame does not have loops to hang it with, you can always grab some twine or string and tie the macrame to the rod yourself!
  2. If there is any excess rod length, saw it off!
  3. Make sure your macrame is hanging centered on the rod and hold the rod up to the ceiling over your bed. Mark the center point and two points near the sides for the screws.
  4. Use the drill to screw in three wood screws (excellent for this project because of their length), and secure the rod to the wall.
Snow Bunny Chic
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Our recent trip to Park City, Utah to attend the Sundance Film Festival was a snowy good time. Not being prone to enjoy temperatures below 60 degrees fahrenheit (I was raised in Southern California), I came fully prepared with layers en masse. We were there courtesy of Kia Motors who outfitted us with a swanky SUV for transport to and from dinners, screenings and wilderness adventures. The wild times kicked off right after we landed when we passed a herd of elk enjoying some snow snuggles. Joey and I got out of the car because I was determined to give an elk a hug and he was prepared to document the love fest. But alas, they saw my faux fur and white rancher hat and took off in the other direction. Can't win 'em all!

Below are some photos from our trip...

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- We got to ride around in a Kia Sorento which had a gorgeous burgundy interior that matched my lipstick! Love that ; ) -width="800"

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- Jacket and Pants: Zara, Sweater: Target, Boots: Frye, Socks and Hat: Free People, Sunglasses: GMAT, Jewelry: Mr. Kate -

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- Snow Essentials: Layers i.e. jeans, sweater over a t-shirt, scarf, warm hat, shoes with thick soles aka platform sneaks, fun sunglasses (cat not included) -

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Post kindly sponsored by Kia Motors USA

DIY Lace Ghosts

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FLOATING LACE GHOSTS

PREP IT:
  • 8 Inch Styrofoam balls
  • 6-8 yards of lace fabric
  • Fishing wire
  • Screw hooks
  • Glue
DO IT:
  1. Screw a screw hook into the top of a styrofoam ball. You can add glue to make it stick better. Let dry.
  2. Place the lace over the styrofoam ball and measure your length. Make it shorter on one side so it looks like it has more movement.
  3. Cut your lace and push the hook end through the fabric – since it’s lace it’s easy to pass the hook through a space in the lace pattern.
  4. Cut a 2 inch wide strip of lace and wrap it around the “neck” of the ghost gathered the lace and securing the styrofoam ball.
  5. Attach fishing wire with a basic double knot to two or three corners of your ghost lace as well as to the screw hook on the top of the head.
  6. Hang the ghosts to a tree with the fishing line and use the additional fishing line attached to the corners to make the ghost look like it’s in mid flight with “arms” outstretched.
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moodboarding with mr. kate at create and cultivate

This past Saturday, I led a "Moodbarding with Mr. Kate" workshop at Create and Cultivate which is an annual inspiration and networking event put on by No Subject. I created a powerpoint presentation (which I hadn't done since college) and spoke about the creative process, specifically finding that spark of random inspiration, trusting it and cultivating a cohesive "map" - which is most easily expressed on a moodboard.

I laid out a table full of a random barf of items from broken pieces of tile, fabric swatches and stones to magazines and toy soldiers. The goal was to make sense of a jumble of disparate elements which is similar to any creative challenge when you're pulling together ideas. I told the group of 50 that if they didn't have a specific project they wanted to moodboard, they could make an essence board for themselves - basically YOU on a board using elements that express your aesthetic. Below is the essence board that I created for myself...

This is a moodboard I created for the little girls room I designed recently - Electric Granny Chic is what I called it with a DIY dried grapevine chandelier which I made on the board out of twine and broken pieced of champagne cork. I challenged people to think about the materials in new ways, instead of just using magazine clippings try surprising yourself with your creativity.

The finished room and the driftwood chandelier - see more photos of that room makeover here.

Photos from the Create and Cultivate event...

My friends Geri Hirsch and Erin Falconer from Leaf TV conducted a workshop with DIY painted pop bottle vases… Joey painted his tulips…he had an Queen of Hearts moment...

Fun with the giant balloon photo booth...

Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen shows off her moodboard and also did a workshop on photographing food…see my cookies and milk pic below!

Writing with lipgloss! Creative!

All of the inspired moodboards drying on the floor - everyone's was so different and so unique!

I won the flower raffle at dinner - Joey entered me and I didn't know…he always wins raffles! He won a year's supply of toilet paper last year.

I encourage you all to make a moodboard for yourself or any creative project. Get your glue gun and random stuff and make magic happen!