INSPIRED HOUSE OF WRIGHT

Nashville baby...

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 19:45:00 +0000

I recently received a commission that I just LOVED and thought if share with you guys. The client asked for a "bright abstract skyline" of Nashville. I definitely felt a little pressure to pull this one off.

Thankfully what I had come up with was just what she had hoped for! I am always up for a good challenge and a fun idea to bring to life!

DIY: How to Refinish a Dining Room Table

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:12:00 +0000

I have been wanting to replace my small dining room table with something that can accommodate a growing family in the future, so I decided to tackle refinishing a vintage 1930's dining set. Here are the steps I used, with photos, to help you NOT make the mistakes I did.

1. Locate your furniture. Make sure it is REAL wood, not laminate. You will be in for a rude awakening once you start refinishing it! Here was my befores of the vintage set I got from a friend:

Chairs were dingy but great (real) wood structures to work with

The table had a cherry stain which I hated, this was during sanding...

Underneath the checkered fabric I found the original fabric that had never been taken off

Once I got down to the bones of the furniture I found a few surprises. It looked like there had been multiple stain colors used over the years and the seats had the original fabric underneath the checkered blue fabric. The good thing was that the actual wood for the seats were in great shape so I was able to keep it.

Supplies:

Batting for seats
Spray Primer
Sander
Paintbrush (Two types: One large for Stain on table and small for chairs)
Paint- I used Semigloss oil-based enamel since I knew food might get on the chairs and you can easily wipe down

Here is the part that I HIGHLY say to skip..which I didn't. I bought chemical stripper and thought it would be easier than sanding all of the old stain off the chairs. I WAS WRONG. Here was during stripping:

Not only did I feel my skin peeling off (not really but it felt like it was with the tiniest amount on my skin even though I was completely covered head to toe in clothes). I'm pretty sure if I get cancer later in life the doctors will attribute this very moment as the reason for it. It did as it said it would but it was NOT worth the trouble. The stain bubbled up and I had to end up sanding every square inch of each leg anyway just to get this bubbled up stain off. The whole reason for it was so I didn't have to sand! That stuff just scares me to death now. Never again! I didn't get a picture of this process because I was worried more about my health than chairs at this point. I stopped the project for a week and had to regroup...

After my mere breakdown I got back to it. I got the sander out and took it to the large part of the chairs and the table. I got sandpaper and a steel wool pad for the small parts of the chairs and did by hand. I would do a chair a day for my own sanity's sake. It was coming together, although the furniture looked pretty pitiful at this point. This is by far the WORST part of the project but you have to stay patient, it's the most critical part.

After all the chairs were smooth and removed of any stain I took spray primer to them and did a very light coat. Here is one:

I had to move inside because it was so humid. How about Emma overseeing the project behind me?

After spraying each chair with one coat of primer I painted and thin coat of enamel paint on them each day. I did a total of three coats on each. This worked my nerves as well because there are so many tiny parts to these chairs and I felt like I was never going to finish!

The finished product was well worth it. I didn't get process photos of the table because it wasn't nearly as involved. Sand, stain, done. I stained the table a dark espresso. I also didn't get my process of recovering the chairs but here is a great tutorial that I followed. I got three yards of fabric at fabric.com. It was very straightforward and impossible to screw up. The only advice I would give is to make sure your pattern is the right way on all the chairs. I stapled and flipped over a few times to realize I did my chevron pattern backwards and had to redo:/

After:

Individual chair

Up close of the seats

I swore off ever tackling a dining room set again but I'm so happy with the results. Stay patient and don't beat yourself up if you totally drop the project for a week or two. It's better to do that than to rush through it.

Good luck!

Spring, it's heavenly!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:09:00 +0000

It's official, it's spring! And here in the deep south it's already feeling like the dog days of summer. I definitely am NOT looking forward to the 100+ degree temps but I can't lie, I'm loving the weather now.

Josh and I planted an organic garden recently and it's taking off! I'm looking forward to having some fresh veggies in the near future. If you want to stay chemical free look into companion planting, we set up our garden like this and have had ZERO pests in our garden! It's amazing and we have chemical free produce to munch on all season.

Try companion planting for a chemical free and pest free organic garden

We have also enjoyed trying new types of gardening like for example growing pineapples, potatoes and tomatoes from their actual fruit. The tomatoes were actually an accident, they started coming up in our compost from an old tomato!

Left: Pinapple plant, Right: Sweet Potato, Bottom: Tomatoes from compost

Some other oddities around the Wright lake house is none other than LIZARDS. These guys are everywhere down here and I have to admit it took me a while to get used to them hopping around. The great thing is that I have hardly any bugs, which is amazing especially since we live on a huge lake.

These guys stay full and keep the creepy crawly bugs and mosquitoes off of me. I have grown to love them for that reason alone :) Even the ugly one is kinda cute when he sits on the mushroom and listens to the gnome's stories...

It's so nice to see everything in bloom, it rejuvenates my soul. I think I have come to realize that heaven in my mind is being surrounded by none other than plants, animals and pretty furniture. Random? Well, it is my heaven not yours :)

Plants...

My little herb garden

These bulbs were from my grandmother, she got them in Mexico

Sunflowers are about to pop..the birds love them!

I heart Hostas.

Our little front patio where we sit and look out over the lake

Animals...

Emma and Blue (aka the "kids"). I love how Blue (and his dirty nose) is sleeping standing up. Hard life!

These two go at it every morning on my dock..I have no idea what they are fighting about!

Pretty furniture...

My neighbor recently did a trade with me..I got these two circa 1930's beauties! Above is the bar cabinet

Circa 1930's china curio..gorgeous! Try trading with a friend, you'll be surprised what they want to get rid of!

See how I wrapped all of that up nicely? :) What is your idea of heaven? What would it include?

-Rach

DIY Shark's Tooth Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 01:28:00 +0000

I've been walking past our jar of collected shark's teeth for months trying to figure out what to do with them. Well, I didn't figure out what to do with them but rather one of them...a chic necklace! I was going to document the steps but little did I know within a few hours it was complete and I hadn't taken one picture. So give me credit for at least showing you the finished product, bokay?

We go camping on Cumberland Island every year and collect sometimes hundreds of shark's teeth in one visit. My favorite one has always been a very large fossilized tooth from an extinct Hemipristis shark so I decided to use it in my necklace...

Step 1: Find a shark's tooth. (you can always order them online, check Ebay or contact me) It's nearly next to impossible to reproduce so you don't have to worry about being sold a "fake" shark's tooth.

Step 2: Paint the "gum". I used a gold enamel paint that I got at Michaels Arts store. You can tell where the "gum" and tooth starts because of the texture. Also, the enamel won't stick on the slick tooth so don't worry about being perfect. Let dry for a few hours. I put mine in the freezer to speed up the process.

Step 3: Wrap with gold wire (also got this at Michaels). I used this tutorial and tweaked it a little. I liked the look of one wire around each side and NO wire around the middle part. It's easy to undo and redo until you get it to where you like it.

Step 4. Attach to a long chain with needle-nose pliers. Done!

P.S. My apologies about the grainy photo, we don't have our digital camera at the moment so I had to take it with my phone!

Country Living

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:37:00 +0000

Pumpkin picking in a local patch

My canned pickled okra!

Blue LOOOVES the cotton field beside our house (not that you can tell or anything)

Get it HERE

Over the past few months I have been getting used to this new life called living in the middle of NOWHERE. It has had its up's and down's but altogether it has taught me quite a bit. I'm learning things like how to can and preserve food from my sweet 70 something neighbor, what processes it takes to prepare land to be farmed and how to live in a town that still lives off of roadside veggie stands and really lives off of it's own land and agriculture.

Yes, it has been quite a learning experience and with that comes a step back from technology (as you may have noticed) and me being a bit more removed from TV and computer. It has been altogether refreshing. I seriously suggest everyone do it for a bit, just to step back and learn things that you can't get from a web article or TV. You would be amazed at what you get from it. At first you might go through a "guilt" phase just because you feel as if the innerweb needs you (especially if you write a blog or are an avid Facebooker), but once you get past that you really start to see clearly. I definitely had a few weeks of "Are you ok? I just noticed you haven't been posting, tweeting, etc ."(Which in this day I guess means one is clearly unstable or having a secret life crisis??) It is sad, actually.

With this awakening of Josh and my back-to-basics life we have been on this kick of wanting to buy a mini-farm and live more self-sufficiently. If you're wanting to learn how to do anything from keeping a one acre farm to harvesting and storing food to keeping bees to making your own wine I HIGHLY suggest a book we have been reading called The Self-Sufficient Life And How To Live It by John Seymour, it's amazing!

before & after: vintage chair redo

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:39:00 +0000

One thing I love about living in Eufaula is the amazing thrift stores and, believe it or not, the random trash piles. Yes, I said trash piles. Maybe it's the large amount of elderly down here but it seems as if there are so many vintage pieces they discard, or maybe they do not know what they have? I'm not quite sure but I see so much potential!

Recently I ran up on this amazing little chair that my neighbor was sending to the trash (see??). Structurally it was in great shape and I just knew it needed to be in my living room. With a little bit of imagination, paint and fabric I was able to bring it back to life.

Have you brought new life into a discarded object lately?

Inspiring.

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 20:44:00 +0000

Settling in..

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:07:00 +0000

I am pretty sure we all get some sort of moving amnesia, sort of similar to childbirth, because I would never move again if I remembered how absolutely horrible it is! This move has been a little more taxing than most though, it seems like everything that could go wrong has, in a sense. We are so out in the middle of nowhere that, when I couldn't get cell phone service and opt for a landline, they told me that it wasn't even available for our area! It's been a test of my patience to say the least! Along with that though comes a sense of calm that I get every time I walk outside. We love in a GORGEOUS place! I am working on getting it set up and will have pretty pics to show of our house eventually. For now though, enjoy these little snippets.

Happy Monday everyone!

Lately

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Hello all my blog friends! It has been WAY too long since my last post so I thought I would give you ~~my excuses~~ an update as to what has been going on lately. Let's see...

...My bestie got married!

...And my husband became Dr.Wright!

...And we are moving into a new house on Lake Eufaula, AL in 2 WEEKS!

And trying to keep it together in the process :)

I'm really hoping things will settle down soon, for my sanity's sake. I can't wait to get into the new house and show you all! It's going to be the start of an awesome adventure and I'm excited for the next stage!

P.S. This post was for you Amy ;)

Invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:45:00 +0000

My cousin/bff is getting married in April. I always find it a bit tricky to design things for family and friends- they're like clients that never go away! Naturally I was a bit nervous about how her invites would turn out and if she would approve.

We put them together this weekend, it was nice to finally see the finished product. She was so excited, which made me breathe a sigh of relief. It was a bit of a challenge, especially when she described what she wanted as follows: (and I quote) "I want something elegant, and romantic but still simple that includes chocolate brown and robin's egg blue with a branch and a birdcage imagery somewhere on the invite". Ok..got it..I think. The paper doilies made the perfect romantic (and cheap!) touch she was wanting. Success!

Fishies

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:41:00 +0000

meh

I have been wanting to share pics of my little finned friends for a while now and finally got around to getting some pictures. Gimme a break, I've been B-U-S-Y. I know what you're thinking, fish suck. But mine don't. They actually have the funniest personalities and are so much fun to watch!

My big boy ( a 6" goldfish) is my little pride and joy..his name is Mad Max. He rules the tank! Josh thinks I'm crazy because when he passes I'm going to try to get him taxidermied (He's a freakishly big goldfish and I'm proud dammit!). My two other little goldies are named Junior ( the white one with the orange head) and Julie ( the all orange little gal). Junior is just now growing into his brain and is in that weird teenage stage...he looks so funny. They all follow Max everywhere and swim through the tank as a little unit, it's so cute.

My other one, well, he has a story. Sunny was tiny and in bad shape at a petstore (in the goldfish aquarium of death) when I was picking up supplies. I asked them if I could have him for 99 cents and they agreed. Come to find out he was actually a KOI! He thinks he is a fancy goldfish but this spring he will find out that he in fact isn't when I release him into his new home, an actual koi pond.

Do you have pets that you are sort of obsessed with? :)

Spamalot

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Last night we had the joy of seeing Monty Python's Spamalot and let me tell you it was SO ridiculously funny. It was by far the most enjoyable Broadway production that I have ever seen. My most favorite part had to be when they busted out the 'His Name Is Lancelot' song ..I was literally crying!

The set changes, lighting, acting, dancing, singing..everything was flawless! Josh even had a good time which, I have to admit, I was a little worried about. Well done cast and crew of Spamalot!

Happy Valentines Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:28:00 +0000

Happy Valentines Day to my best friend of so many years!

I just started on a new commissioned painting that I want to share...pics to come! It will be for a Chicago library. I tried to get good photos last night but my camera was having issues!

I hope you all have a great day and remember that even if you aren't dating someone that there are still plenty of people around you who need some love!

My goose problem is now front page news!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:55:00 +0000

Update on Lucy the Goosey: To my surprise today, I was given the morning paper at work..my lil goose has made front page news! Thank you so much to Tim Chitwood at The Ledger Enquirer for the article (and trying to catch her himself!). Also, a big thank you to Chuck Leonard and Laura Ann Sills with WTVM News for being on the spot with cameras rolling, you might have caught the segment about it tonight on the news ( with me and my mom being interviewed). The game warden, Officer Jolley, was on hand and had made it his mission...he sat there all day today trying to get her, I never heard that he caught her today. He's probably sick of everyone contacting him about it ( thank you!:) He tried a few times while I was there but had to resort to changing into camo and hiding..she is a smart gal and recognizes a net! He wants to get her and take her to the state facility to be treated and re-released. A wildlife licensed expert by the name of Chris Ferguson met me last night to analyze her and said that her leg doesn't look salvageable at all..it will probably need to be amputated. But as long as we can get her treated she will be fine with a little peg leg..we just have to make sure the infection doesn't continue to go to the rest of her body, which could kill her if we don't get her soon. More to come! P.S. A HUGE thank you to Lisa Parrish with Animal Ark Rescue for networking and getting the word out!

Who can help me save this goose?

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:42:00 +0000

Random post..I'm trying to take this issue viral. I posted a few ads on Craigslist over the course of a few days about a goose my mom and I have been trying to catch for a few months at Idle Hour Park in Phenix City. She has her poor little leg bound so tightly with fishing line and nobody to help her. I've been told numerous times by the security guards and animal control that they are going to get her but they never do. It was picked up by the Ledger Enquirer team, you can see the article here. Thank God someone will help me to at least spread the word. Here is my YouTube videos on her, she's so cute...I named her Lucy :)

Top Pic via Melanie Stratton

Update! Update!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:28:00 +0000

So I had every intention to post over the holidays but time just got away from me. We have been bizzzy to say the least!

How was your holiday? Did Santa bring you everything you ever wanted? One of my most favorite gifts was from my future brother-in-law, this beautiful clutch from k.slademade!

Can I just say thank Gawd it's a new year? 2011 was pretty good but I'm glad to see it go. We have so much fun changes coming in the new year like buying our first home and Josh finally becoming a working Pharmacist!

One commissioned painting's final resting place {Pics}

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:29:00 +0000

As you all know, I've been doing quite a bit of commissioned work lately. One of my bigger paintings, shown here before being stretched, made it's way to NYC as I prayed it would make it there with no issues.

I was finally able to get some pics from it's owner..what do you think? I was asked to create the painting with blues and greens and allow it to open up the room. I'm glad to know that I succeeded and she was overjoyed. It's always so stressful trying to figure out what the client has in their head and to get it just right.

P.S. If you have one of my paintings please send me pics! I love to see where they end up in your home! :)

Huge Holiday Painting Sale going on NOW!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Original "Barcelona" Painting (8 x10) now only $65! Click HERE

Original "Lagoon" Painting (11x14) now $99! Click HERE

Original 'Crush' painting (8 x10) now only $65! Click HERE

Now thru January 1st I am having a MASSIVE holiday sale on ALL ORIGINAL paintings. All are pre-mounted and ready for hanging in your home. Grab them now before they're gone for good. These original paintings are original and no two are alike. They make excellent Christmas gifts! I have all new paintings coming the new year..I can't wait for you to see the new ones I've been working on!

>>Go to The Inspired House holiday painting sale by clicking HERE

Great Rooms, Graphic Patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:58:00 +0000

Hi everyone! My name is Jenn and I am a writer for Arcadian Light, a website and blog that specializes in profiling top lighting trends from around the world. I just purchased my first home and I have become completely obsessed with light fixtures and finding the perfect one for each room in the house. Luckily, I have websites like The Inspired House of Wright, where Rachel never ceases to amaze me with her fun inspiring posts - thanks so much for letting me guest post here today!

Great rooms in graphic patterns are always a hit. With so much space to fill in a great room, a vibrant design can help occupy the openness and add dimension, style, and elegance. Applied to walls, furniture, or floors, or highlighted by a fabulous lighting fixture, graphic patterns always look great in great rooms, as evidenced by these eight stylish examples.

This great living room is decked out in with bold Moroccan-inspired bold colours and prints. The expansive sectional sofa features floral patterns that mimic the outdoors that can be seen from all angles through the massive windows.

The floor is a unique place for a great room with graphic patterns. The ceiling fixture illuminates the carpet's bold starburst design in muted reds and pinks. Even the furniture picks up on this interesting color scheme.

A fresh floral motif looks pretty on the accent wall of a great room, but the effect is further heightened by using the same graphic pattern in fabrics, such as the small chair's upholstery.

This dining room section of a great room is stately with gorgeous patterned wallpaper and a soft, breezy colour palette.

Graphic patterns are used in a myriad of ways in this great room - plaid on the chairs, floral prints on the couch, and striped table lamps all complement one another.

A rich shade of blue outfits this great room from head-to-toe. Although only a snippet of this great room is shown, the dramatic effects of this colour are obvious.

This great room is loaded with personality, from the bevy of prints on the wall to the brilliant patterns on the couch.

A great room such as this, with chinoserie motifs on almost every surface, lends a unique old-world feel whilst still being sophisticated. The chandelier is the perfect finishing touch.

What did you think of these graphic patterns? You can make your home a hit by adding some track lights or table lamps! Stop by Arcadian Lighting Blog for more inspiration and great design ideas for your home!

Image Credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Haunted Treats

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:50:00 +0000

via marthastewart.com

White chocolate covered peanut butter balls

Brain Cupcakes delish.com

Planning my Halloween party this year, I decided I wanted to indulge in some serious treats. What tried and true Halloween treats do you make? I couldn't help but giggle when I saw the eyeballs..classic!

Wishlist

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:10:00 +0000

I would like to just take a quick second to thank the sweet Lauren and Ashley at L.A in the Bay for featuring my Barcelona painting in their Wednesday wishlist yesterday. If you haven't been to these gals site pop on over and say hello, they're doing great things!

What are you wishing for these days?

I'm not a good farmer.

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:09:00 +0000

A few months ago I decided I was going to be a serious farmer. I gathered my veggies and tended to my lil crops day in and day out. Then summer hit. And I sort of let my farmer skills fall by the waist side. I did however, manage to somehow bonsai my tomato plant, so I feel like I DID in fact, accomplish something.

P.S. The tomatoes pictured above all came from the same plant. Over time they just kept shrinking! Oops.

Big Painting + Catching up

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Let me officially apologize for my lack of posts lately. I know, I know, you're busy too. But for some reason I feel like I have this huge obligation to entertain you and at times, I fail horribly.

I'm going to start posting less due to the overwhelming amount of work I have on me at the moment. Currently, I'm working a full time job plus assisting in a few additional projects and making sure I stay up on my commissioned pieces. All while trying to have a life. Oh, and my best friend is getting married in less than 6 months and I have all those fun MOH duties. I'm not saying all of this to get sympathy BUT a little bit of understanding might help ;)On a positive note, I finished a HUGE painting that finally made it's way to NYC last week..Pics are above. It was quite the challenge to work on a 5 ft unstretched canvas! I'll post pics when they have it stretched and up on the wall...

Now let me be random for a moment. Do you remember trying to locate the most odd items for your wedding? I found myself searching for a photo shoot location this week for my bride which must have the following: A pretty park, a cute cafe window and a Barnes & Noble ALL within walking distance. I remember at one point in my wedding frenzy when I had to stop and laugh because I was searching for the following: Two vintage Coke bottles, a wedding topper with a couple who had dark hair, bobby pins with pearls on the end and lime green Bubba Kegs..6 to be exact.

Sorry for the random rant, it's just one of those days ;)

A giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Veracruz by Rachel Wright, 8" x 10", Acrylic on canvas

Today I'm officially announcing my giveaway over at Cornflake Dreams! See my guest post HERE. Enter for a chance to win my original painting titled Veracruz (above). Make sure you're a follower here at my blog as well as Jillian's blog and make a comment for your chance to win. Mention @cornflakedreams & @RachelTWright in your tweet for an extra entry.

Drawing will be held October 2nd, good luck!

Pumpkins!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel Wright {The Inspired House of Wright}) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:06:00 +0000

All of my friends and family know what a harvest geek I am. I LOVE FALL. I love the pumpkins, the chill in the air, Halloween, oh, I just adore it!

With that being said, I want to go ALL OUT with pumpkins this year. I've already begin my collection this weekend, scooping up 4 little guys for my yard.

Josh always warns me of my harvest obsession because I start too soon ( I can't help myself!!). By October 31st last year I was throwing my half-rotten pumpkins out on Halloween day because I was so sick of looking at them! Oh well, sometimes you never learn :/

(via Martha Stewart.com)