A pottery barn knock off the crafty scrappy happy way!

Ahhh do you all drool at the sight of a Pottery Barn catalogue like I do?

because I seriously salivate over EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. of that darn

thing. 

My husband can't understand why I won't throw them away....

(yes I keep mine in a pile---because you never know when you are going to need inspiration)

I mean if I won the lottery....well, lets just say I would be on my way to the mall but not to buy clothing...it would be all about PB!

Buttt for now I am stuck with the reality of my situation, I am far from being able to afford anything that even resembles a pottery barn piece of furniture.

SO, I drool at the shiny magazine pictures for hours on end and then decide to make my own version with pieces of furniture I have around the house.

Just to warn you,

I realize my up-cycled versions don't turn out just like the PB version,

BUT they make me happy!

Here is the Pottery Barn version:

Via PB

I have SO been wishing for a shelf like this one,

one that sports the library card catalogue feel via tag holders.

And here is what I had to start with.

Sooo much better right?

Not a pottery barn piece, but a Jaime version anyways.

I had fun personalizing it a bit to make room for a crock at the bottom---

I LOVE crocks, for me they are WAY better than baskets, 

I literally use them for EVERYTHING--

living room storage of blankets and pillows only makes sense to me!

Here is a little bit on the how to part:

I painted the dark wood with my newest love affair (if you couldn't tell from yesterdays post) Paris Grey chalk paint.

Then I distressed until I was giddy and content with the worn look.

Next I measured and cut slabs of thin wood from the hardware store for $0.19 each 

and added the tag holders with screws.

A little wood glue later the are all set.

My number one goal when I decorate it---"surround yourself with things you love"

And this shelf's decor actually has a little hidden special meaning to me.

Are you surprised?

I ALWAYS try to keep things special and meaningful.

This shelf had both an old scale, a couple of vintage dental books and a starfish.

(For those of you who are new here, I am a newly graduated dentist who is just now 

enjoying "real" life---just so you don't think I am super crazy for collecting the dental books)

During school it was hard to keep balance because I had to make my work my priority, but now my hope is that I remember to always balance work and play.

Don't be fooled, I certainly don't always find special meaning for my decor---

Sometimes certain looks or collections of "things" 

just make me really really happy.

Like this basket full-o-blue ball jars.

:o)

I am linking up to a few of these amazing parties.