Tomorrow we’re moving into our new apartment and my list of DIY’s to try for the new place is a mile long.  But alas, we’re renting, so I’m trying to reign in my DIY obsessions, targeting only those DIY’s that I can pick up and move to city number two in just under two years. I put together a list of the projects that are musts … here’s to hoping I get around to them all!

1.  Gold-dipped jars + bottles.  Really I want to gold-dip everything, but I’ve been keeping my obsession at bay in the last few months because I knew we were moving. But come summer, I’m dipping and spray-painting errythang.  {Image via Style Me Pretty}

2.  DIY Jewelry Display.  This jewelry display, created by Lulu Frost and the girls of Honestly WTF, has been on my “wtf, I must have that!” list since I spotted it back in early February.  I made a good and proper pouty face at hubby the other day, batted my eyelashes, and handed him a just-baked cookie, and voila – he promised to help me drill and glue and put one of these bad boys together for our new place.  Success!  {Step-by-step instructions via Honestly WTF}

3.  DIY White Frame Gallery Wall.  I’m dreaming of a clean space – probably on a bedroom wall – where I can fill in inspiration, shoot blog photos, and practice my spray-painting skills.  {Via Cheetah is the New Black}

4.  DIY Mix-and-Match Dining Space.  I’m dreaming of a much funkier dining area.  Though the space will be small, we love to eat and entertain, and I’d love an eating space that really represents us.  I’d love to mix-and-match the chairs and possibly re-finish our ordinary brown dining table.  {Check out more of my eclectic dining room inspiration on my Kitchens + Dining Pinterest Board; Image via Design Rulz}

5.  A well-organized entryway.  Because we’re moving to a smaller space, I want to make the most of the room that we have.  And our new place actually has a cute little entryway that we could use for storage.  {This entryway was created using products from Ikea, making it a budget-friendly design … a.k.a., my kind of project!}

What DIY projects for the home have you seen and fallen in love with as of late?  Any tips or tricks for decorating a small space?

I have high hopes for the look and feel of our new apartment ( … coming soon to a blog near you … err, this one).  Mostly, in the last few years, hubby and I have been consumed with work, and never got the chance to design the way we really had in mind.  His schedule probably won’t get much easier once he starts rotations, but I’m determined to give our new home’s look a truly “us” feel.  And, dirty little secret: the last two sets of pillows we used to decorate our sofas were the kind you buy in two-packs, two sets from Ikea and two sets from Costco (a.k.a., no real thought at all). I’m loving all of these more unique pillow options, and want to mix-and-match in a really funky way. And though I normally design in clean colors, mostly neutrals, I love the idea of decorating with pillows full of color and pattern. Any favorites?

Get the Pillows:  1. Rebecca Atwood Ripple Shibori // 2. Urban Outiftters Magical Thinking Crewel Ikat Pillow // 3. John Robshaw Peak Decorative Pillow // 4. Fine Little Day Dotty Pillow // 5. Barneys New York Argento Spot Pillow // 6. Madeline Weinrib Stripe Ikat Pillow // 7. Nate Berkus™ for Target Euro Chenille Pillow // 8. Joss & Main Ikat Pillow // 9. Proud Mary Grey Dot Pillow

Apparently, epic design happens when Sharon Montrose of The Animal Print Shop, Designer/Stylist Morgan Satterfield, and Photographer Laure Joliet get together.  Laure shared a few images from a recent shoot that she and Sharon dreamed up, and my mind is spinning.  How can I incorporate navy and white chevron wallpaper, a vintage salmon dresser, confetti streamers, and fax fur into my own home design?  This room may be a nursery, but it has plenty of grown-up potential too.  It’s just that good.

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I know everyone and anyone is discussing Zara‘s big foray into home goods (with shipping to the United States … which is kind of a big deal, people), but there’s so much to love, I just had to share.  These are a few of my favorite things …

And clearly I think I’m decorating a preppy Grecian palace … in suburbia Miami.

Have you searched the new collection?  Are you drooling?

Also, the skull candle, gold flatware, striped throw, lucite bar cart, and silver baskets will.be.mine.