Blogs, Blogs, Blogs...

It's been a while I know. I have had a lot going on. I have decided to rename my little design business, still not sure exactly the name but looking into buying a domain or two. I also have an exciting new project that will take some time to build, more to come.

I was going to put a note out there about blogs, I love blogs! I read a ton each day. If you or anyone you know is looking for help with their blog design please let me know. Even if you have a family blog and want a "look" to your blog I would be happy to help. I am in the process of designing my new blog right now. Here is a cute family blog I like to read:

http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/07/pantry-remix.html


I will also have holiday card templates for sale soon too on Etsy. If you want to have an original holiday card I would love to design them, my designs start at $15.00 and I can order them for you for cost too!

Better After...

I love to refinish things, I found a cool site that features other projects which is great for ideas. Check it out! Here is a before and after of an old bar, super cute. They have an awesome TV stand too that is cute after. I am always looking for the next project to refinish. Since we are having our sale, date is TBD early Oct., I am obsessed at finding things. I have a beauty in my garage right now, it will be so cool after I am done but right now it is a true lemon. I love to find the beauty in things.
http://betterafter.blogspot.com/

Sample of photography kits on Etsy...

A simple yet adorable design...

A few new samples...

Canvas Love!

I love canvas prints. I found a site online called Canvas Love, they have very reasonable canvas prints. The pricing is set up to show the canvas only or you can choose to have them wrap it which I highly suggest. I have one of my son Grant and I love it! Check it out!
http://www.canvaslove.com/

Print your own...

I found this really neat site that you can print your items. They have a ton of neat ideas for every holiday. Check it out!
http://www.chickabug.com/blog/free-printables

These Old Things are coming your way...

My friend Angie & I are working hard to host an occasional sale in late September early October. The sale will feature everything from coffee tables to dressers and everything in between. Here is a link to our new blog, there is nothing posted yet but will be soon, check back! http://theseoldthingsinc.blogspot.com/ I just created a new logo too- what do ya think?

Neat Products

I found this while shopping around today, this company creates unique shaped photos printed on metal. I thought they were cute. I might have to try this! The company is called Black River Imaging;
http://www.blackriverimaging.com/index.asp

Design School...

I found this neat blog, it is a gal that is a designer that loves to redo rooms like I do. I love the prints she just posted about, I might make one and see how it turns out. This would be cute in our room. http://6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com/

Dress up your front door for summer

 

Here is a simple way to dress up your front door for summer. Take a pot of dirt, plant grass seed and grow. I added a cute pinwheel from the dollar section at Target and done. My 2 year old son loves the pinwheels. It just adds a little summer to your front porch.

A new project...

My husband and I have started a new little side project. We are going to start to make custom frames. I have two simple examples here, we plan on creating more ornate shaped frames in tons of fun colors. I am still waiting for my templates to arrive so we can start to create the neat shapes. The frames are made out of piece of wood, painted, worn and stained. They are really fun. We started this because I am addicted to buying frames and if you have been to my house you know I am obsessed with photos of my son. I used to do photography but it was a ton of work and took away from my family on the weekend. We decided to start making frames to feature the awesome work that photographers do. I will keep you posted once I get the new frames made and show the rainbow of colors these frames will come in.

Samples of my design work

Here is a few samples of my design work. You can find the templates for sale on Etsy, click the link above.

I have another exciting project coming up, I will be refinishing my Mom's buffet this weekend. We are going to do a cream paint, wear the edges and add a coat laquer to protect the top. I will show before and after photos of that as well.

I would like to say a big thank you to Heather Barta Photography(http://www.hbartaphoto.com/) and Megan Norman Photography (http://www.megannorman.com/) for the photos. They are both amazing photographers that are great friends.

Refreshed Table...

Here is an example of a refreshed console table. I bought this table years ago from Target, not the best quality but it worked. It has been banged up over many moves. I repainted it and added new hardware and looks awesome! Just like a Pottery Barn piece!

Pottery Barn Mirror

I have asked my husband to construct this for me, we will see. I love this mirror and I am looking for something above my fire place. I also saw a cute idea where you take a letter, the initial of your last name, and hot glue moss to it and set in front of this mirror. Super Cute! I am going to do that this weekend, I will post photos soon.

The how to guide is located on this site: http://acreativebeginning.net/2011/05/09/pottery-barn-eagan-mirror/

Welcome to Erica Martin Designs, where creative meets practical. I am a huge lover in design for the home and arts. I am constantly looking for a new piece for my living room or a way to redo something and add freshness in my home.

I am a Mother of one handsome little man who brightens my life each day and married to an awesome man. My husband and I enjoy our free time being creative wither it is both of us working on the computer each nigh; he works on iphone apps and I design cards and birth announcement to painting furniture and making photo frames. The rare time I do sit down I love to poor a glass of wine and watch “The Real Housewives” reality shows. I know, I was sucked in at the first Orange County episode .My business focus is to take existing elements in your home and either refinish or repurpose them. Why spend thousands of dollars to redo a room with uncomfortable furniture that you don’t like when you can make a few tweaks and have a new room. I would also love to redo any pieces that you have.