Interiors – Francois et Moi

Primary Bath Design Plan (at the Treehouse!)

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 17:48:48 +0000

Introducing the Treehouse Primary Bath design project! You’ve got to see these epic before photos and the design direction we are headed in for this space! Project Introduction We are back at it today, and getting started on the Treehouse primary bath design! If you’re just tuning in, the Treehouse is my parents’ home on a lake in Minnesota. We call it the Treehouse because It’s got three big decks that overlook the lake and woods and you really feel like you’re up in the trees when you’re inside. Also, as a point of reference, do you remember the Treehouse primary bedroom that we completed 2 years ago? Well, the primary bath is right off of this bedroom. A Look at the Primary Bath ‘BEFORE’ So here’s a look at the Treehouse primary bathroom as it was built in 2002. Aside from the obvious material choices circa early 2000’s, the jets on the tub no longer work and the shower door has had some somewhat major leaking issues causing the vinyl tile to peel up and also cause some water damage to the subfloor. We’re looking forward to transforming this space into a more functional space for my parents and […]

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Round-up: Vintage Style Art Frames

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 22:01:47 +0000

All my favorite vintage-style art frames and where to buy them. Plus, 3 tips for creating a collected gallery wall in your own home! Collected gallery walls can sometimes take years to put together. Finding a cohesive mix of art + vintage frames, can be part of the fun, but also part of the stress, not to mention the challenge of arranging them on the wall. I’m thrilled to have partnered with one of my favorite artists, Brittany Smith, of Brittany Smith Studio to curate a vintage-forward gallery wall of her florals and landscapes, so you can create a thoughtful gallery in your own home, without the stress. Shop the 7-piece print gallery, and scroll down on this post for tips on creating vintage-style gallery walls + find my favorite frame sources! Tips for Creating a Vintage Style Gallery Wall Wood and Gold Generally, when I’m going for a vintage look and feel, I’m choosing matte gold/gilded/brassy tones and wooden frames and mixing the two for a cohesive look. Often I use Rub n Buff in the Antique Gold color, if a frame color doesn’t quite work. Sometimes I’ll work black in too. The oval frame in the upper left […]

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Treehouse Utility Bathroom Scope & Progress

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 21:29:19 +0000

From the humble ‘before’ to the tile + drywall progress: A look at the renovation of the Treehouse’s utility bathroom so far, including sources! The Not-So-Lovely Before: Over at the Treehouse, my parents have been renovating the utility bathroom, a room that is a combination of bathroom + laundry, and here are a few views of what the room looked like before. As you scroll through, you’ll see it was in rough shape. Yikes! It’s the bath on the lower level, and I think the previous owner did some of the finishing work themselves, but never *quite* finished. There was 12×12 beige ceramic tile that my mom has already demo’ed, but the ceiling over the laundry was never put in nor any sort of solution to conceal the water heater from view. The shower had a comically high big step up, so we’ll be addressing that as well. In case you’re just stopping over, The Treehouse is my parent’s home, which is located on a lake just outside of the Twin Cities. The home itself is perched on a hill making their 3 back decks feel completely nestled up in the tall juniper, birch, and oak trees that surround it. […]

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How to Turn Vintage Furniture into a Vanity

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 12:45:00 +0000

From thrifted desk to functional bathroom sink console! Here’s an in-depth look at how we turned an old, $40 piece of furniture into a vanity. Dreams really do come true! I’ve been fantasizing about turning a vintage piece of furniture into a vanity for over a year, and we finally made it happen! Not only is repurposing vintage furniture as bathroom vanities more cost effective than buying new, it’s also gentler on the planet. What was in this bathroom was a cookie cutter vanity, that I’m assuming was a quick band-aid for putting the house on the market. It’s served its purpose ok over the last 7+ years. However, the drain doesn’t work, the melamine wrap is coming off, and the back of the cabinet had been cut away inside, exposing the water lines, so as I mentioned in my bathroom progress post, every morning I’d wrestle with the pipes when reaching for my hair dryer. Last Fall I found this desk on Facebook Marketplace for $40. I love the classical details, the wood knobs and the shelf below. For the preservationists among us, don’t worry. This isn’t a precious antique. The drawer boxes (though dovetailed) are constructed of soft-ish […]

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Main Floor Bath Scope & Progress: Phase 2

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:57:29 +0000

A look at the main floor bath scope & progress as Ken and Erin add wainscoting and turn a vintage desk into a bath vanity. Mood board with sources! We’re digging into phase 2 of our main floor bathroom update, and it’s going to be good! The previous owner made some quick band-aid updates to this bathroom like a molded plastic surround in the bath/shower, and a cheap melamine vanity that I’ve always wanted to update. This bathroom has kind of limped along the last 7 years, and now we’re turning it into a space we love. The goal is to preserve and enhance the original 1930’s bones, all while creating a functional space that fits our style. Last year you may remember, we replaced the plastic tub surround with tile, and now we’re moving onto the other side of the room. We’re addressing the sink, and also adding wainscoting and trim while we’re at it. When you do the work yourself, sometimes it has to be done in chunks, and that’s okay. That’s life! Typically, I do separate blog posts to introduce the ‘before’ space, design direction, progress, featured DIY projects, etc. But this time I’m wrapping several blog […]

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Playroom Reveal

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Tue, 24 May 2022 02:32:35 +0000

The transformation of a kids playroom in a 1930’s Tudor home, complete with DIY project ideas and decor sources. This playroom reveal has charm for days! Now that the art display board is finished, I’m excited to show you the playroom in it’s entirety, drumroll…Playroom Reveal Time! Formerly, the den space of our duplex’s apartment (we owner-occupy), it’s become a youthful spot for the kids since we stopped renting out the apartment and began living in the entire home. So let’s take it back to last year when the playroom started to take shape. The first order of business was giving the room a fresh coat of paint after renting the space for 5 years. We went with Behr, Whisper White in keeping with the rest of the home. Tonal Wallpaper + Bold Rug Next up, wallpaper. I wanted a subtle stripe that wouldn’t overwhelm as you reached the playroom at the top of the stairs, I found that in a tonal blue and ivory stripe paper we applied to the window wall for emphasis. From there, I made a playful harlequin stenciled rug using an old-ish cotton rug squirreled away in the basement. It didn’t cost a dime to […]

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DIY Kids Art Display

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 12:00:22 +0000

Create a dedicated space to display your kiddo’s art with this large DIY kids art display wall complete with a custom stenciled graphic unique to your family! Today is an exciting day. I’ve been dreaming of a kids art display wall since the day Sylvia started pumping out art projects by the easel-full. Studies show displaying your kids art empowers them by building confidence, developing sense of self, and encouraging creativity. My idea was to create a French-inspired ‘Galerie’ that plays on our last name, Francois. In terms of materials, cork was an obvious choice for a kids art display wall, but I chose it especially for this project because it’s very fast growing–an Earth-friendly rapidly renewable resource. This particular cork is ¼” thick. It comes in a roll and though it has mixed reviews on Amazon, it arrived here in one piece and worked great for this project. Large format projects like these keep you on your toes. Literally. From stenciling the cork graphics, to mounting the 3’ x 5’ cork sheet and backer board on the wall, to painting the picture frame trim, you’re always moving. And that’s why I’m partnering with Handy Products to bring you this […]

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Work From Home: Tools for Productivity & Well-Being

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 18:01:24 +0000

Are you working from home this year? Boost your well-being and productivity with these top work from home tips and tools! It’s no secret work environment affect mood and productivity, but recent research also shows closely it’s tied to our health and greater sense of well-being—Everything from headaches and back pain brought on by poor posture to increased risk of cardiovascular disease from extended periods of sitting. With both Ken and myself continuing to work from home 3 days a week with no signs of slowing down, we doubled down on creating a work space that would prioritize well-being and productivity equally. Every year that passes, I do think more thoughtfully about how to keep ourselves healthy and active. For the amount of time we spend working, it’s important we create WFH space that fosters a long and healthy life. From ergonomics to lighting to additional power sources and creature comforts, here are our favorite WFH tools. A. Standing Desk: One of the most exciting and impactful additions has been our FlexiSpot Adjustable Standing Desk. According to the Mayo Clinic, recent research shows extended periods of sitting are unhealthy for us long term. Sitting for 2+ hours at a time is […]

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Winter Candles : The Ultimate List

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 23:23:35 +0000

Looking for the perfect winter scent to cozy up your place for the season? We’ve got THE ultimate list of Winter Candles. Compiled by you, for you! I’ve never been much for Pumpkin Spice Latte scents, but give me the ‘fireside’ aroma any day of the year! If ever there was a way to add instant ambiance to our homes, especially in Winter months, it’s with candles! They’re one of my favorite way to hygge during this dark time of year. I was on the hunt for a ‘Fireside’ scented candle for the season, so naturally, I put out the feelers to you on Instagram and you responded with an overwhelming list of the most amazing Wintry candles. THANK YOU!! Below is YOUR ultimate list of Wintry candles. From Woodfire scents to Evergreen, small-batch makers to quick-ship Amazon finds: There’s an awesome spread here and something for everyone. My two personal favorites are the last two scents in this list: Target Threshold: Ember & Leather, and Grove Collaborative: Balsam Fir. Each smell incredible and they’re affordable. Illume, Woodfire Thymes, Frasier Fir Apotheke, Charcoal Illume, Balsam & Cedar Lafco, Ski House Marshmallow Fireside, Bath & Body Works Bergamot Tobacco, Archipelago Leaves, […]

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Add Instant Charm with These Bathroom Accessories

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 17:55:02 +0000

Add instant charm to your loo with this ultimate round-up of vintage-inspired bathroom accessories. Each is a pièce de résistance all on its own! I’ve been on the hunt for vintage-esque bathroom accessories for our main bath and along the way stumbled upon several seriously charming ones. From accordion-arm mirrors to hand-soap caddies to the most chic shelves and towel holders, each is a pièce de résistance all on its own, bringing instant charm to any loo! Toilet Flush Lever Rotating Soap Holder Bathroom Sink Trio Accordion Mirror Vacant Indicator Lock Wall-mounted Bath Soap Hotelier Robe Hook Wall-mounted Tumbler Holder Wall-mounted Soap and Sponge Holder Wall-mounted Soap Dish Brass Bath Shelf Wall-mounted Soap Dish Classic Single Robe Hook Brass Shelf Rail Accordion Towel Rack Train Luggage Rack Brass Towel Shelf and Rack Sometimes all you need are a few character-filled pieces to make your bath really sing. Hope you enjoyed this little round-up! More Bathroom Reads! Painting Your Bathroom? Steal these Tricks! DIY Medicine Cabinet Makeover No-Sew Cafe Curtain

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How to Restore a Radiator Cover

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 14:19:07 +0000

Expert DIY tips for how to restore a radiator cover! Plus, what to do if you suspect lead paint and how exactly to achieve that near flawless paint finish! Hot water radiators are one of my favorite features in older homes. Sure, they take up extra square footage and require minor annual maintenance (bleeding air bubbles, etc.), but there’s no denying their antique charm! In most areas of our 1930’s Tudor, our radiators live uncovered in all their exposed pre-war beauty. However, in other areas we use them as an opportunity to bring added function to the space, such as with a radiator cover that doubles as a console table in the foyer. In an effort to carve out some soft seating in our bedroom (which in true old home form is too small for a chair), I snagged an old radiator cover on Facebook Marketplace that happens to be the same dimensions as our bedroom radiator—the luck! I’ve refinished it with Rust-Oleum Universal Spray Paint and topped it with a bench cushion for a cozy window seat situation. Considerations When Restoring an Old Radiator Cover Since the radiator cover was likely made before 1978, we tested for lead paint […]

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Going Vertical: 10 Chic Wall Vases

francoisetmoiblog@gmail.com — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 04:33:54 +0000

Let’s hear it for the wallflowers! Turn backyard flowers and foliage into wall decor with these ten chic wall vases. Plus, my favorite spot to hang them! Hello Summer! ‘Tis the season for decorating with backyard flowers and foliage. This past weekend I brought dill flowers in from the garden and hung them in a wall vase above our headboard inspired by Kinfolk Table. I’ve been enjoying them so much I pulled together a round-up of wall hanging vases from my Pinterest boards in case you’re feeling the urge to create some vertical foliage magic of your own! one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten Below is the 5″ vase I have hanging above my bed. I didn’t include it in the round-up image (above), because the way they styled it with plastic flowers, it doesn’t quite go with the vibe of the other vases–lol–but this is the one I have. It’s globe-shaped, but the backside is flat so it sits nicely flush against the wall. They also have a 7″ version of this vase that I think might be an even better size for above the bed. […]

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