Even the Starbucks in Barcelona are cool. Maybe I should just change my blog name to Christie’s industrial rustic obsession…
Cement walls and floors. Farmhouse table.
Old bathtub used as island for sugar, napkins, and stirrers.
Open shelves, beautiful tile and size arranged mugs.
Chalkboard wall.
Industrial stools.
Table with old steam heater as base and rough rustic wood top.
Posted by christienoelle on March 13, 2012
http://christiescreative.com/2012/03/13/swanky-starbucks/
Last night the Mr. and I had a lovely dinner date at Flour+Water in the Mission.
The food was delicious, the time together was great and the ambiance and decor definitely left me inspired. I clearly have a love for rustic/industrial design and this restaurant was filled with it. Chalkboard walls, raw wood beams, rustic tables and I loved the simple napkins (must find something like them for our place). One interesting element that I had never seen before were science style beakers used as candle votives. My phone had died, so I don’t have any pictures (although you can kinda see one in the picture above taken from their website), but it inspired me to write a little post on other creative DIY votives for a table setting.
Beakers via Amazon that can make great and quirky votives (or vases too if you want!).
DIY twine or yarn wrapped votives via Pinterest
DIY twig votive via Pinterest.
Book jar votive via Pinterest
Speaking of Pinterest, I’m planning to participate in the Pinterest challenge initiated by two of my favorite bloggers – Young House Love and Bower Power! I may actually try one of the DIYs posted above – you’ll just have to wait and fine out!
Ps. This week has FLOWN by! Can’t believe it’s already Friday! TGIF everyone 
Posted by christienoelle on March 9, 2012
http://christiescreative.com/2012/03/09/votive-motive/
One of my favorite blogs Apartment Therapy is just a few days away from their annual Room for Color contest. Not too long ago, Facebook moved to a new site in Menlo Park and I have to say, our new digs are pretty colorful and have quite the urban/retro design scheme going on. I’m not sure who the lucky designer is/was, but I”m a little jealous of her job. I also kiiiinda want to steal some of the furniture for my place .
Terrariums: so hot right now.
Love that crocheted ottoman/seat.
Bright orange couch and crate boxes.
Chalkboard wall.
Turquoise and yellow is my fave color combo right now. Gotta love the mid century modern coffee table and the bright blue couch too.
Oh hello modern wood paneled wall and industrial light fixture.
Not sure if these are comfortable or practical, but I love ‘em and want ‘em.
Exposed beams and that yellow and turquoise combo again. 
Posted by christienoelle on October 12, 2011
http://christiescreative.com/2011/10/12/facebooks-colorful-digs/
I’m definitely in that time of my life where I’m surrounded by all things wedding related. Not only am I planning my own wedding (September 23rd!!!), but I also have friends, family and co-workers planning weddings too! I’m having so much fun being inspired by the plethora of creative ideas out there and already have a hefty to-do list of all the things I want to make. First stop – moss letters for my bff’s wedding in less than a month (eeekkk!!!).
I’ve seen these in bridal magazines and wedding blogs and think they are adorable. My bff’s colors are green and black so these would fit in perfectly with her décor. The ones pictured above are selling on Etsy.com for $80. Super cute, but I think I can make them cheaper 
I found some 12” paper mache letters online at JO-ANN’s for $3.99 each and even found a 50% off one item coupon. SCORE!
I placed an order for these and will be hunting for some dried moss to use with the ol’ glue gun on these bad boys. I’d prefer to find in person so I can see what it looks like up close and personal. I’m going to also search for black satin ribbon to tie in a pretty bow so they will hang nicely on the back of the bride and grooms’ chairs. Because I’ll be using dried moss, these can also be used as home décor after the wedding, which is a double whammy.
I’ll be sure to post some completed pics when I’m done!
Posted by christienoelle on January 26, 2011
http://christiescreative.com/2011/01/26/the-moss-is-always-greener/
After moving into our SF loft, I was on the hunt for a new kitchen/dining table as our previous table was a hand me down that I wasn’t in love with. I wanted something that was a mix between modern and contemporary, that fit in our place, and that would last beyond the current setup. After searching around, I decided to go with the West Elm angled leg expandable table.
I loved the lines of this table and it had a hidden leaf (no need for storage!) that transformed it from a 4 person to a 6 person setup. Except…once we got the table in our place and put it to use, even after using placemats and being extra careful, we found that it scratched SUPER easy. After just one month it already looked like it had considerable wear and tear. BUMMER. We returned the table and I immediately began looking into new options. I scoured Craiglist, Etsy and checked blogs for inspiration. I decided I wanted to go with a rustic/industrial look that wouldn’t matter if it got scratched because that’s-what-it’s-supposed-to-look-like. Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware had some great options that fit my mold, but definitely not my budget. That’s when I decided to put my creative hat on. I found a local craftsman in the bay area that builds furniture out of salvaged wood who agreed to build me a tabletop at an amazing price. All I had to do was provide him with dimensions and some pictures I’d found online of what I had in mind. I also found this great tutorial at frugalfarmhousedesign.blogspot for a table that used pipes as the base and decided to use that at my starting point.
The tabletop turned out better than imagined and after lots of measuring, mapping out how everything would fit together, and a couple trips to Home Depot, we now have a new, one of a kind, custom table that I don’t have to worry about scratching or dinging because that’s-what-it’s-supposed-to-look-like.
The materials: 1″ black pipes custom cut, stainless steel flanges, 1″ tees, 2″ fillers, 1″ pipe caps.
Fits together like a puzzle. The tricky part was making sure everything was tight and didn’t wobble.
We drilled the base to the table top (which is 60″x36″) using wood screws through the flange holes.
Ta-dah! Our new table!!
Posted by christienoelle on January 25, 2011
http://christiescreative.com/2011/01/25/farewell-west-elm-table-%e2%80%93-hello-diy-project/
