2015 "Craythorne Homes" Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes

In February of 2015 I was approached by Craythorne Homes to design and decorate their Parade of Homes entry. 

I loved the character of the exterior immediately and started there. 

The exterior features Rock, Hardie Board and Brick.  We decided to use Sherwin Williams "Gauntlet Gray" for the color of the Hardie Board.  Next, we selected  a traditional brick called the "Charleston", that had red, grey and a few white bricks added to the mix.  We then, chose a natural rock to bring in a little more texture to the front porch area. The color of rock is called "Savannah", and is a show stopper on the columns on the front of the house. I wanted everything trimmed out in white for a great contrast. We also picked a craftsman style front door stained in dark walnut to welcome you, as you enter the home.

 I loved how everything came together and was especially excited when Craythorne Homes won "Best Curb Appeal" from the Northern Wasatch Parade of Homes for this beauty.

Here are a few picture of the great entertaining space the back patio of the home offers....

Right as you enter the home, you're greeted by a gorgeous chandelier in the entry way, inspired by one of my favorite shows "Fixer Upper". 

I wanted the theme of this craftsman style home to lend itself towards a traditional, farmhouse feel. We accomplished this in the entryway, and most of the main floor, by using a wood looking ceramic tile. This tile has a great blend of medium and dark shading making it look like real wood. To finish off the entryway decor, I added a West Creek Design DIY console table flanked on each side by tall topiaries, a ammo box tray (another West Creek Design creation), weathered urns from Pottery Barn filled with magnolia leaves, a gold sphere and a beautiful blue and cream rug. 

However, right off the bat, the real eye catching feature of the entry way is the grid pattern trim work that stretches all the way across the hall into the stair well.  To make the trim work pop, we kept the stair case wood work in a dark walnut color. We also left the baluster and railing a simple square shape keeping with the craftsman farmhouse feel. A large and lovely lantern light fixture feels like a cherry on top, complimenting the space. Not to mention the great windows this home offers.

Come back  for tomorrow's blog post highlighting the amazing Great Room/ Kitchen of this custom Craythorne Home.

Featured on Studio 5 "Vertical Pallet Garden"

 Studio 5 today

I've seen several pins and even a cool facebook picture where people have created pallet gardens.

What appeals to me most about this project is, the way to grow a few select herbs, veggies and succulents without having to dig up my yard. I also love the artistic nature, texture and color the vertical pallet garden adds to your patio setting.

This project is relatively easy..... Find a pallet that needs a good home. I found mine at a construction site. Be choosy, meaning look for one that that has the right thickness. I wanted mine to be fairly narrow so it wouldn't take a lot of plants to fill it up and look full.

The next step is to determine how many plant shelves you want. These are the pallet boards you're going to leave in tact. I removed every two boards, on both sides, to ensure the planting shelves I kept were deep enough for the roots of the plants I chose to grow.

Now the pallet boards that you remove will need to be cut to fit underneath the remaining boards. After cutting the boards use your drill to make holes so the water can drain from the plants, and then attach with a nail gun. You could also attach them with nails, screws or wood glue. If you use nails or screws be sure to drill a pilot hole so the pallet wood doesn't split.

(Bottom of the plant shelf)

Last but not least, to make my pallet a little sturdier and not so tipsy, I added two slats of wood for feet nailed to the bottom of the Vertical Pallet Garden.

Now you're ready to fill up your planter boxes. I headed to my local greenhouse/nursery called "Clinton Nursery". I explained what my project was and the dimensions I needed to fill. I was very impressed with the wonderful customer service I received! I was given great advice on what plants would work, as well as great ideas I'd never thought of. My herb garden quickly took shape and because Clinton Nursery's selection was so great, I also added succulents, and cilantro, and jalapenos for a salsa garden.  Clinton Nursery has also offered to give all customers who mentioned Studio 5 a discount at check out. Be sure to stop by and see what they have to offer for your own Vertical Pallet Garden.

 Here is their address and #

1071 N 2000 W Clinton UT 801-825-3018

Once my plants were situated in the planter boxes, I decided to add a faux chalkboard look to label what I'd planted. To accomplish this I went to Home Depot and bought a 2x4 sheet of chalkboard.

This is such a time saver! I had a worker cut the chalkboard to the dimensions of the front of each pallet garden box. To attach the chalk board, I drilled 2 small holes into the top left and right corners of each chalkboard piece. Then I used small hooks that screw right into the pallet wood to hang the chalk board piece. 

Finally to give it a faux chalkboard look without using chalk, (that could run or smudge if wet,) I used my vinyl cutter, and cut the labels out of white vinyl. I love this look! Whats great about using vinyl is that it's long lasting, but removable if you decide to plant something else.

This fun, easy and useful garden project took me one afternoon, and I'm in love. Go ahead and make your own beautiful vertical pallet garden to enjoy. 

If your looking for another great spring patio or porch project, check out my Porch Trellis Chair tutorial here

Girls night.

Once a year I get a chance to host a fun girls night (Bunco) with a group of 11 women who are the funnest neighbors and friends. We eat, play games and laugh until our stomachs hurt.  There's also prizes for everyone.  Here are some fun shots of the table settings....

We use three tables with four to a table. I used white table cloths purchase from target. The table runner is a DIY, basic kraft paper stamped with gold polka dots. The black and white place mats are from IKEA. The plates, napkins, and straws are from Target. The clear glasses with lids came from Kneaders (it's where I had the salad catered from), and the scalloped label on the glasses was something I had laying around. 

The centerpiece was a project I did for a West Creek Design segment on Studio 5 featured here. I bought the round wood slice from Hobby Lobby.  The cute scalloped cake stand is from World Market. The cushion the pumpkin is sitting on is another DIY using coffee filters. The pumpkin is from the dollar store, that I spray painted white and wrapped with a deconstructed small grapevine wreath.

Here are a few pictures of the prizes....

The small wreath with the felt flowers is actually from the $3 dollar section at Target.  The "blessed" pallet sign was made using the lid from a small ammo box found at Smith and Edwards.

The small pumpkin is the same as the pumpkins used for the table centerpieces.  The "Thankful" pallet sign was made using the lid from a small ammo box found at Smith and Edwards too.

The "grateful, thankful,and blessed" pallet sign is a West Creek Design original, and one of my favorite to make.

Fa*La*La*La*La pallet art is also a West Creek Design original and will be available to purchase in the next few weeks.

I loved finding the fonts to use for this Fall pallet art. This is also a West Creek Design original.

The "Fresh Baked Pies" sign is from World Market, and the baguette slice cutting board is from Target. This miniature pumpkins are from Hobby Lobby.

The scalloped white cake stand is from World Market, and the delicious smelling hand soap and dish soap are one of my favorites and from Target.

The ammo boxes are a West Creek Design original done for a Studio 5 segment found here.  They make perfect table center pieces or look amazing on your kitchen window sill.

It was such a wonderful night! I'm so thankful for great friends.

Seen on Studio 5 today "Fresh Flowers" & "Fresh Herb" Table Centerpiece Boxes for sale

I have a few more of these darling "Fresh Flowers" table centerpieces or "Fresh Herbs" window sill boxes available.

If you are interested in purchasing one please contact me @ westcreekdesign@gmail.com 

 

The cost is $45.00, they can be finished in either the Annie Sloan "Old White" (Fresh Herb Box shown) or "French Linen"( Fresh Flowers shown). The boxes measure 19"Wx21"Lx7 1/2"H . Local pick up is available or shipping for additional charge of $20.00

Featured today on Studio 5 today! Not your average "Ammo Box"

A few weeks ago I was wondering around a military surplus store here in northern Utah and came across a gem of a find. A wooden ammo box. I knew with the darling rope handles and rusty hinges whatever I did with this box would be to die for.

 

After some thought I decided to turn it into a console table for my family room. To do this I came home and blasted the box with my garden hose. After I was sure there were no living things inside I took a sander to it, making sure to lightly sand in order to leave intact the original character of the wood.

 

Next I took off the top lid of the box by removing a hinge. Then I made the legs by using 2 2x4's for each leg. I measured the height I needed it to fit in, and cut the 2x4's with my miter saw.

Next I used my nail gun to attach the 2x4's to the upside down ammo box. For the feet I used 2 2x4's again, but cut these at a 30 degree angle for a decorative look.

 

For the painted finish I used Annie Sloan chalk paint in "Old White" for the top, and the same brand of chalk paint in "French Linen" for the base. I used my rub technique process. This is where I take one of my husbands old socks and dip it into the paint and then rub it onto the wood. This painting technique allows you to give the wood a uniform look but still allows the character of the wood to come through. Afterwards, I sealed the paint with Annie Sloan's clear wax.

 

Tada....my finished console table. I love it and the fact that it's a one of a kind:)

 

Here are some other fun projects I was able to pull off using the Ammo Box...

A Table Tray

 

A Porch Flower Box w/ caster wheels

 

 

A Darling Table Centerpiece

 

A Herb Garden Box

Pallet Wall Art