Crushing: Emerald Green

So, I know the color of the year was announced many moons ago, but there's something about this year's color that has me just as much in love with it today as I've ever been.
I will have this shoe before I die...I promise.
The day my emerald obsession began. Thank you Viola & Vera Wang.

I see emerald green velvet in my future.
It's haunting me, I tell you.





This outfit is so me. Putting emerald skirt on my look-out list.
Paired with gold & brass...I die.
Xoxo,
Coco
all photos via here



DIY: Parsons Style Console/Desk

I promised my lovely friend and awesome blogger, Shavonda, a how-to on the Parsons style desk, so I'm sorry if this bores you, but this one's for my girl!

I, recently, built this desk for a client in Brooklyn, NY, (I can't wait til she gets it so I can tell you all who she is) and the method I used is, actually, the exact same method I used to make the console table/bar for our balcony and was the basis for my infamous coffee table.


Disclaimer: the following photos were taken with my phone and are not the best quality, but they help with the points I'll be making. Hopefully, Shavonda won't mind.


First, start by determining the size top that you'd like to have. My client requested one that was 37" wide and 11" deep. This ended up being perfect when it came to gathering materials. Home Depot has a section that holds all of their "by the foot" lumber. I had them cut a 1" x 12" poplar board to exactly 37" long (knowing the width would actually be more like 11", rather than the 12" that they label it as). I also picked up 3 of their 1.5" x 1.5" x 8' pine boards and had them cut them in half, so I could get them in my car. These would be for the frame of the desk and the legs. Measurements for the frame and legs were:

2 lengths @ 34" long (front & back)
2 lengths @ 8" long (left & right sides)
4 legs @ 30" long

Tip: if you place your legs at each corner of your top, and measure the distance in between each, you have the lengths that you'll need to cut for your frame. If you look closely, you can see where I drew an outline of each leg, just to make sure my measurements were as accurate as possible.


Side note: Now, this desk is Parsons inspired, since the legs aren't quite as thick as the top, but you
can achieve a true Parsons look just by going with a "chunkier" leg; something like this 4" x 4")

Now, run a good amount of glue on one edge of your top, and glue down your frame pieces. Continue this on all four sides.



Once done, you should have something that looks like this.


Let these set just for a few minutes, until you can no longer push them around as you would on wet, runny glue.


This is where I would HIGHLY recommend getting a Kreg Jig. I have this particular set. This thing will have all of your furniture building projects looking clean and professional by eliminating all of the spackling and filling that has to be done over visible nail and screw holes. The jig helps to create pocket holes that can't be seen on the outside of your work. It's worth it's weight in gold, I tell you!

Using the Kreg drill bit, drill 1-3 pilot holes down into each of the frame pieces to countersink your screws, then just drill in your screws, securing the frame pieces to your top.


Now, use your Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes into the ends of each frame piece.


You should have something similar to this.


Now is a good time to paint/stain/finish your desk any way you'd like. Trust me. It's much easier this way.


Now, place each leg into it's proper corner and secure it on both sides with 2.5" Kreg screws.

Once done, you'll have something like this.


Flip it over, and you have a brand new desk/console table!


Special Note: The finishing process is much easier to accomplish while the desk/console is still unassembled. However, for my coffee table, where I like for things to be a lot more seamless, I fully assemble the parts and then fill in every crack, nook and cranny with wood filler and then sand it until smooth. This way, you see no separation between the top and the frame or the legs and the frame. This, also, makes for a sturdier piece.

As you can see, it's really fairly simple if you have the proper tools.

If you have any questions, Shavonda, you know where to find me! And if you're not Shavonda, you can ask me questions, too. May you will get you're own special tutorial!

Xoxo,
Coco

Heading Outdoors: Balcony Details

Hey guys! Sorry for the radio silence, but I've been crankin out coffee tables and desks like nobody's business! And while I hate that it took me away from you guys, I'm so excited to finally be contributing to the household! (believe me when I say that the pressure is REAL)
But you know what? I'm back today to dish on the details of the balcony! Yaaayyy!!!
  

Console Table: DIY (details soon!)
Gold Lantern: You've seen it all over the blogsphere, so you know it's from Target
Yellow Plant Holder: Target's infamous $1 section
Footed Brass Bowl: Thrifted
Blue Agate Coasters: The Evolution Store (such a great price that I'm
thinkin about ordering a pink set too!) 
Altuzarra Gold and Glass Double Old Fashions: Target clearance
Yellow Drum Table: Homegoods (It had this suuuuper gross painted wood finish,
so I gave it a coat of primer and high gloss spray paint)


Blue & White Trellis Pillow: Custom, fabric from here
Planters: WalMart & Homegoods
Chairs: IKEA (they're much larger than they seem on the site)
Nesting Side Tables: Thrifted
Dot Rug: RugsUSA (clearance)
Plants: Home Depot Garden Center
I know I told you guys that I wanted a set of 4 chairs. Well, guess what? I got 4 chairs! I just have them stacked in 2's. Since we don't have guests very often (or ever), I figured I'd let the space breathe, and be ok with just a 2 chair set up for myself and the hubs.



But it only takes a quick switching up to get the space ready for a few guests. I just move a couple things around, utilizing the length of the balcony. The side tables then function as a small coffee table and yellow drum gets pulled into the space for additional surface area for drinks.

Nothing mind-blowing, but it definitely works!

So, I think that covers it. Did I miss anything? If not, just ask away and I'll get
the answers right to you.

I just want to shout a huge THANKS for all of your sweet comments on our little balcony. We use it at least twice a week now and it makes us so happy that we now a "pretty" place to chill.

Xoxo,
Coco