Summery Desk in the Living Room

It's taken me this long to get in summer mode -- I haven't even done our mantel yet! But while Maurie and Abby were gone last weekend, I was a project maniac. I can't wait to finish all the things I'm working on to show you all! But for today, here's our shabby wicker desk in the living room.

Check out my latest bargain! I have wanted one of these doorstops for a while, but no way was I paying $45 from Ballard. Love them, but I just can't justify that expense right now when we have so many other projects to attend to. I read on Aimee's blog one day that Hobby Lobby is carrying them, raced up there with my 40% off coupon, and sure enough, I scored one of my own. $7.87 is my kind of price! I'm using it on this tabletop though, because I don't have a door that needs propping. 

By the way, I found some interesting info about these. Did you know they are made with only one strand of rope? It's called a Sailor's Knot, and here is a tutorial for making one, if you're feeling adventurous. They really are used in the maritime industry, to weight ropes that are being tossed to the dock or from boat to boat. Apparently they have also been used in more than a few bar brawls as a weapon of self-defense. Ouch.

Here's my priceless collection of bottles (not). They are: 1). a wine bottle; 2). a lemonade bottle; 3). a cider bottle; and 4). an old bottle out of the back field in Canton. Fancy, huh? Hey, waste not, want not! I'm obsessed with wrapping twine around things, so they got wrapped and dolled up with a few shells. I simply hot-glued a strand of the sisal to each bottle, wrapped them to the fullness I liked, and then glued the last strand down in the back. This sisal twine was only $3 at Walmart, and I really like the lighter color of it. It only took 10 minutes to do all four bottles. 

I filled a glass bowl with shells and some bark peelings. These pieces of wood reminded me of driftwood, but they're actually some pecan bark that peeled off of our backyard tree. When you're landlocked, you do what you can :)

This turquoise lamp was on another table, and moved here for now. Not sure if it will stay, but I'm enjoying this pop of color. I can't stop thinking about painting it though, and how pretty that might be if I sanded it to have the turquoise showing through. Kind of like Kim's mirror frame. And I thought I would only use these red Pier One lanterns at the holidays, but here they still are! I added a few shells to make these more summery, too. We love to light the candles at night and enjoy the soft lighting.

I hope you're inspired to save some bottles from the recycle bin, and add a summer touch to your home! Thanks for coming by to see my project. I'm joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday, Beth's Tutorials and Tips at Home Stories A to Z, and Yvonne's Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable.

 

Comments

[Marty@A Stroll Thru Life]

Oh I love how the jars are decorated with the twine and shells. What a great vignette. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

[Kelly]

That is such a great nautical looking vignette! I love how you decorated those bottles. I'm sure it looks good at night with the candle burning in the cute red lantern too.

[Martina]

Very pretty!!

[Mary Alice]

Love your summery display on your wicker table. Shells always add a great beachy feel. Your old window and the iron piece above it also caught my attention. Love the look!
Mary Alice

[Dee]

Your decorated bottles are beautiful!

Dee

[Brenda Kula-Pruitt]

You know I love color, and most especially red. I saw those lanterns. It looks beautiful there. And so do your dressed up bottles. I linked to you yesterday on my Nautical Fireplace post.
Brenda

[Debbie]

This looks beautiful and makes me think of the beach...and how much I'd love to be there!
Thanks for visiting me. :)

[Bella Michelle Densmore]

It looks wonderful!!!

I just found your blog (via Pinterest...from where all good things come!) and I am so excited to see all your beautiful ideas/designs...I am finding inspiration!!!

[Yvonne @ StoneGable]

You have such a summery pretty beachy vignette! Those twine wrapped bottles with shells are really beautiful! Thanks for sharing all this beauty at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS.

[Aledia]

What a lovely vignette! I really like the pop of color with your turquoise lamp and the red lantern. Your bottles turned out lovely!!

Thank You for sharing and have a wonderful weekend!

[Nita {ModVintageLife}]

Love your bottles and of course I recognized the lantern. I suggest to many to get them now and use them at the holidays too.

[Jason @ Progress Lighting]

Vintage. Very clever what you did in those bottles. Perfect for the beach house.