apartment pieces // Homepolish holiday (III)

After last weeks post, I re-stalked the Homepolish instagram and noticed that there were a few questions on how I made the garland/wreath piece that was displayed on my fireplace. Although I only snapped a few pictures of the process, I did really like how it turned out and thought I'd elaborate a little more. 

When you walk into my apartment, the brick wall is definitely a focal point, so I knew it would be the perfect space for something. Something big. I love a good wreath and my initial idea was to do something along the lines of a wreath. Then when stalking pinterest I saw a picture of a wedding background from style me pretty and immediately knew that would make a great holiday decoration.

My Inspiration

(source)

(source)

I started with:

• a bushel of white pine
• a hot glue gun & hot glue gun sticks
• some wax paper
• white button thread 
• sewing needle 
• some twine
• hammer and nails
• calligraphy paper
• round candle
• scissors
• scotch tape

I laid out the branches and made the basic shape I wanted on the floor; with the wax paper underneath to protect the carpet. From there I glued and tied (with the button thread) to secure the shape. I let that lay while I started to make the cones. To make the cones I took the round candle (approximately 4" diameter, I wanted the cones to be a bit bigger than my inspiration) and made circles on the paper. From there I cut the circles out and created a slit in them (to about the middle). Then I folded the one side under the other and taped them closed, like a birthday hat. 

Then came the fun (and somewhat tedious part). I hung the white pin garland with the twine and a few nails (hammered into the grout of the fire place). This was definitely a trial and error type project. Initially I had the twine more exposed, but ended up tucking behind some pieces when it became to busy.

Then I took a sewing needle, the button thread, and the cones I created and started the hanging element. I tied a small knot every 3-4 inches and that is how the cones stay in place. Using button thread- which is a bit thicker than regular thread- made the cones look like they were floating down from the garland, like snow. I left enough thread on the top and then just tied each row to the garland. As you can see from my progress images (taken at 1am from my Iphone) I focused on one row at a time and went with the curve of the garland. 

The Process

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

One of the biggest learning lessons I got from this project was that tree branches don't last long. For some reason I just didn't think about that. I completed the garland a week before the shoot, which was taking place on a Thursday. By the time Monday came the white pine had dried up. It was still holding its shape, but wasn't as vibrant as I had hoped. So I ventured out and got a bundle of greenery from my local grocer. Then I went crazy with a hot glue gun. This was, again, a very trial and error process, but I actually loved how the different types of greenery looked layered on top of each other. It definitely made it pop in the pictures. 

I know that was a very lengthy explanation. I'm so sorry. But if you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment or you are always welcome to contact me (even to just say hi). Enjoy!

---

Unless otherwise specified, all photos by Emily Sidoti for Homepolish

---

apartment pieces // accent chair

I have always been a big fan of vintage accents in the home. Old photographs that were taken and framed before digital printing was even thought of. An ornate lamp that’s craftsmanship is purely flawless. Or even your great grandfather’s hand-made hat quirkily hung on your wall waiting for someone to rock. When it comes to incorporating a vintage flair into your space, you can’t go wrong with really any vintage piece that you like.

Lucky for me, my family is somewhat on the hording side, so when it came time for me to leave the nest, there were quite a few vintage pieces for the taking. My favorite, however, has to go to my grandmother’s naturally amazing accent chair. Adorned in my late grandmother’s bedroom for years, this piece was a great way for me to incorporate my vintage love as more of an accent rather than the centerpiece statement of my living room; unlike the navy sofa right next to it. Although it’s decades old, its details and shape perfectly encapsulate my personal style. It’s clean and simple, perfectly made, and when you add the right throw pillow the possibilities are endless.

While it’s style was perfect to place right next to one of my living room windows, and sentimentally I was for certain attached to, I was somewhat bothered by the fact that I didn’t know much about my favorite furniture piece. So I started my hunt for more information. The first place I went was my favorite vintage furniture site, One Kings Lane. For most lovers of home décor, or even anyone who likes to browse the vintage online markets, the site OneKings Lane is probably very familiar to you. However, what a lot of people don’t know is that this site goes far beyond just selling the products, they actually have an entire section dedicated to educating people on different types of furniture. It’s called the Home Décor Resource, and on it I learned that my chair is, most likely, of the French style and definitely an accent to my space. I also learned, ironically, that the chair style that suits me best is, in fact, a French armchair (I promise I didn’t cheat. It’s just that good).

Now although, I am certain there is more information to find on my beloved accent chair, for now I am just happy to incorporate such a special piece into my space.

And for those of you who are curious, it’s cat’s favorite chair too.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize