My Boho Condo

I decided it was time to downsize and move to a condo. No more stairs, no more yard work, sounds good!  This would be my "retirement" home and I wanted it to be a colorful, happy place.

By luck, I purchased a couch and two chair set in Bohemian style fabric. This was my inspiration for the condo living room.  I've always made my home colorful and not routine - no tan and browns for me - but Bohemian style was a challenge that I loved.  I found that I already had several pieces, scattered around my house, garage and storage barn, that were perfect for my Boho condo. I didn't realize I had a little Bohemian in me all along!  Some old, some new, and 

Over the last few months it has all come together and I'm very happy with my bright, cheerful and, cozy Boho Condo. Here is the living room.

I Call Her Lilah

It became time to retire the white (Almost Instant) Christmas tree.  I had bought a NIB dress form at a yard sale over the summer.  Seeing the dress trees on Pinterest and in stores, I decided to make one.  Here is the tree in December 2016.  I made the topper and the lighted skirt.  I repurposed both for the Lilah tree.

2016 Tree

I removed the top third of the white tree, and the pole for the dress form stand fit over the metal pole of the tree and tightened with a screw.  I reused but slightly modified the topper from the 2016 tree. 

All white lights

I used a tree skirt for the bodice, wrapping it and stuffing it into the space between dress form and tree. The tulle from the 2016 lighted tree skirt I wrapped around to transition the dress form to the top of the tree.

Lilah unlit

Lilah Closeup

My only purchase was the pink and silver ornaments for the necklace. 

She was over 6 feet tall and pretty enough to give her a very feminine name, so she became Lilah!  

The Almost Instant Christmas Tree

Several years ago I realized that I needed to make holiday decorating easier, or I just wouldn't do it.  Since the family celebration is in my home, I feel like it should reflect the season.  I finally got rid of the artificial tree I'd had for many years, the kind that was completely undecorated and taken apart every year.  I got a fold up, artificial slimline tree with clear lights.  For variety, I added a multi-function colored string of lights.  I put the tree on a flower pot base with wheels, and taped it down.  Then I completed decorating the tree.  The tree skirt covers the unattractive base.

When the holidays were over, I covered the decorated tree with a large plastic bag and rolled it into my garage.  There it waits for the next holiday.  I can easily modify the decor or color scheme with minor changes, I can leave many decorations on the tree, including glass ornaments, by attaching them firmly.

I've done this for several years now, have even added a second full size tree, and have not encountered any problems.  As so whether it takes up more storage space, the tree takes up vertical space but I'm not sure it takes up much more space than the folded up tree in a large box, and the multiple small boxes of decorations.

Vintage and Reclaimed Glass Garden Art

Very popular now is yard art created from vintage and new glassware. I found some glassware at yard sales, but most at Goodwill stores.  I've made several pieces and it's been a lot of fun.  Here is what 'unassembled' yard art looks like.









It took over my kitchen (work area) and dining room (finished pieces) for awhile, so I added a table in the garage. Here are photos of finished pieces.  They are totems, wall art, small pot art, mushrooms, birdbaths, birdfeeders, and staked suncatchers.  Below on the left has an oil lamp on top.

I love the flower-shaped bowls and plates as they guarantee you have something blooming all season.

Plates can be hung on the wall or set among the plants or patio furniture.

Colored glass has been elusive, so I resorted to painting the glass then baking it in the oven. I used that technique on the pink mushroom, the red topper, and the bowl of the red bird bath.

The purple and green totem on the right is a bird feeder.

Tile Fireplace Cover

I'm very happy with the finished fireplace cover. It's heavy and won't tip over easily, the braces mean that it won't fall flat and break any of the decorative pieces. It's removable, so I can still use my fireplace. Here it is!

Mosaic and Tile Fireplace Cover

My fireplace is on a full wall of brown bricks and was very dark. I finally had the courage to paint the bricks white, and loved it. But against the white bricks the fireplace opening was a big black hole. What to do? I decided to make a fireplace cover using tiles and a mosaic design. I had 3/4" plywood sheets cut to the size I wanted, then glued and screwed the two layers together to make it strong and flat. I found metal shelf braces to hold it upright. I used wood door trim to make a decorative trim along the bottom.

It took a long time to come up with all the pieces for the front design. I had some white tiles and glass gems, stained glass pieces too. I found other things on ebay, Etsy, at Goodwill and yard sales. I attached an 8" x 12" stained glass piece with mirror braces so it can be removed and something else inserted. Here are a couple of the designs I tried.

Mosaic Plant Table

I love jewelry, but I like other crafts too. I recently tried something new - mosaic tile. It was very time and labor intensive, and I have new respect for the prices artists charge for their items. I found a table the size I wanted at a yard sale for $2. The legs needed to be tightened, I added a wood edge to the top, and I painted it white. Then I had to plan my design and pull together all the tiles, glass bubbles, and photographs. I used pink and iridescent pre-cut mosaic tiles, broken china, china plate focals, and glass "bubbles" (like you put in flower vases). I put flower themed photos of my granddaughter Mia under large flat glass bubbles. I'm usually very critical of my own work, but for once I am very pleased with the results!