This is the Making Memories Embellishment Center which almost every scrapbooker *seems* to have in their scrap room. I’ve been debating buying one for months because it’s white and I’m not a fan of white. After unsuccessfully trying to find something as organized as this, but “different” looking, I broke down and bought one. I used a 40% off coupon from Joann’s to buy my MM Embellishment Center at MICHAEL’S! They use Joann’s (and all other competitors) coupons! I love that!
I had planned on painting the embellishment center black to match my “in progress” scrap room, but now I’m thinking of other things I could do to it. I’ve scoured the internet (google images, all the scrap room website galleries, blogs, etc) and cannot find ONE that has been changed other than two ladies who have painted theirs black. They look great which is nice to know since that’s what I want to do to mine! LOL But now I’m wondering if anyone has ever done anything different with theirs and if not, why?
First, I will be removing the dowels on the bottom two shelves because I store my ribbon on cards (have way too much ribbon to put on spools like this!). My decorating style is clean, non-busy designs and warm, neutral colors. I love other colors, almost all colors but I’ve never been comfortable trying them in my home. The bravest I’ve done is paint my interior walls (living room and hallway) a very pretty strong yellow which helps with the winter blues around here and livens up all of my dark brown and black furniture, curtains, decor, etc. I’ll have to take a picture and put that up here sometime. But for now, back to the matter at hand…
The only “theme” I have to my scrap room so far is that the walls are painted a “camel” (tan) color and my desktop (countertop from Home Depot) has tan colors in it. The only other colors in it are Black/Brown Expedit and Maple/Birch Expedit. Because all of the things I’ve bought for my scrap room came from thrift stores, this is what I’m working with:
- Black
- Tan
- Dark Red is my accent color.
- Stainless Steel – (not a lot but a few things)
- White Pegboard (plastic – I don’t want to paint it because it’s already hanging on the wall and the only way to paint it well would be to spray paint it) so I’m thinking of making a black frame to go around it using moulding or something.
- I have a wallpaper border that I got on clearance for 50 cents at Lowe’s and I LOVE it, but I can’t figure out how to use it in my room, I wanted to make it my “theme” but I can’t find anything else to match it. Here is a picture of the border (I don’t’ want to actually use it as a wallpaper border, just use it to accent stuff). I want to buy the regular wallpaper that matches (second picture) but haven’t found it cheap yet.
I have a LOT of different types of organizing solutions such as those Sterilite plastic storage drawers of all sizes, they are mostly white but I’m going to spray paint them black. I had one that was an ugly purple/blue color and I spray painted it black and it came out great! (I was worried about it looking tacky), I just had to buy a special paint for plastic.
I have a lot of wire organizers – don’t ask, I went crazy last summer because they were all from ten cents to a quarter and I have about 45 different wire organizing baskets and shelf helper “things”. I have no idea what to do with them all! I hate the wire look, but again, I’m working on a budget!
Why does every scrap room seem to have the same WHITE furniture, modular furniture and craft organizers? Why doesn’t anyone ever change theirs? I understand that the stores only sell that stuff in white but it can be altered, especially with all of the creative, talented scrapbookers out there.
Personally, I don’t consider myself naturally artistic or creative and everything I do takes me FOREVER to decide upon. I research every option, read everything I can, look at other people’s ideas before I ever come up with my own. And then whatever I do come up with, is always limited to my small budget and limited creativity/talent! lol Not to mention what kind of luck I’ve found at the thrift stores which is where I get most of my stuff. This Making Memories Embellishment Center piece, my Ikea Expedits and my Display Dynamics paper holders are the only “big” thing’s I’ve bought from an actual “store”.
Everything else is found in more frugal ways! And BTW, my DD paper holders were on sale and my Expedit, one was in the “as-is” section of Ikea and the other, I paid full price for. (That hurt LOL). I have an extremely limited income and as a single mom, anything I spend on “me” has to be extra or found in some creative way (like money made from buying something from a thrift store, fixing it up and selling it on craigslist, etc.). I’m the queen of finding things cheap (lol).
Anyway, I’m looking for your feedback. If you have any pictures or creative tips/ideas for altering the look of the plain white Making Memories Embellishment Center, please share them with me. I’d LOVE to see or hear anything you have to share!
Sandie Grisé says
have you thought about cutting out the daisies and placing them randomly on the walls? It’s just a thought…
Isn’t it wonderful when you can you that 40% off coupon for something like this!
Yay! Coupons
Your blog is so attractive with the bows and layout. In my neck of the woods, Michaels quit taking competitors’ coupons, but that was last year – I ought to ask again sometime. They also used to let you sign a form when you came in without their current coupon and would still give you the discount, but that changed too.
I just bought Sterilite drawers so I can see my stash and have quick access to it. The copy paper boxes I was using were hiding things, even when labeled, and bothering with the lids was annoying.
Have you seen the various publications about studios? I bought one called Studios put out by the Cloth Paper Scissors company. Very inspiring. A friend mentioned another one called Where Women Create, I think.
I love your color scheme. Here is what I would do with your wood pieces, like the MM organizer. First add a primer scrap paint, then I would paint it black, using Krylon spray paint for plastic, it doesn’t drip, but just in case, do a light coat first and then a second or even third coat to get a good coverage. It’s better to do several light coats then try to get one all over heavy coat because that is when you get the drips. After it’s dried a couple of days, cut out the flowers from your boarder and adhere them to the sides and inside back piece. Another option, instead of painting all over, is to use Mod Podge and pattern paper to make it look unique. Like what I did here… http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2169753132_d31a095b8d.jpg?v=0 I bet your room will look stunning when it’s done. Keep me posted on its progress.
Also, in regards to Kathy’s comment, Where Women Create the book that inspired the magazine is fabulous. So much fun inspiration in there. Actually here’s a pic of it in my studio… http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3296460954_6039fb2f9c.jpg?v=0
Have fun decorating. Next to scrapping it’s my next favorite thing to do.
I am 100% with you about the white. It sounds like I have the same laminate countertop as you in my studio, and instead of white, my hubbie brought home this really cool set of drawers that has really thin ones on top, and bigger ones at the bottom. Then he found a file cabinet with a door on one side. I spray painted them both black, and they are the anchors on either side of the countertop. I think black is soooo much cooler than white. And, I painted the walls a pretty yellow. So, I guess my space looks like a Bee!!!!
Keep going, it sounds like you are doing great!!! Good luck!
Wow, you gals are so awesome! Thanks for all the great advice, I REALLY appreciate it! I’m going to try your suggestions and check out what you’ve done for inspiration. I love the creativity that you all have. I hope creativity can be learned because I wasn’t born with it LOL I already put the book Where Women Create on hold with my library, it’s apparently very popular because there is a waiting list! I’m inspired again! I’ll let you know what I decide and show you pictures of how it all turns out.
I'm dying to see what you do with the MM embellishment center. I keep thinking that I'm going to "gussy up" some of my plain white cubes… I just haven't had the time or inspiration yet. So inspire me!! 🙂
I did line the back board of my plain white IKEA bookshelves with black & white gingham fabric. I loved the final effect: http://papergoddess.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/16/img_1402.jpg
HEY ! I finally figured where to answer you in here LOL (that's on me) But there is a great magazine call Attitude http://www.attitudemag.com It is for ADHD and has a lot of good stuff in there for reminders. There are also catalogs, do a search engine on reminders for disabled or disability or memory. Lot of stuff out there, some expensive some not, but you can glean from it and come up with some of your own homemade ideas.
Have you any photos of what you've done with the room or embellishment center? I have the same color scheme and always end up with blah or I don't do anything.