Ask Nike


28 comments:

  1. Ok so first off, I absolutely LOVE your blog and am crazy in love with "Spencer Tracy" and I mean Spencer Tracy the recreated theater chair. It is AWESOME & so creative. I am actually writing to ask you a question though aha just had to let you know your super talented first.

    Alright, so for my room in school I am actually looking to go with the classy/vintage look. Spencer Tracy fits my image almost perfectly when I say the vintage look but the issue is when I look for pieces like this or anything else vintage styles to use in my room it is either too expensive or JUST DOESN'T WORK. I wonder if you may have any ideas? A good store I should maybe visit? What I should be looking for?

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    1. Hi Jessica Q.,
      First off, thank you for being one of my first questions on my new blog! It brought a smile to my face to see you comment.

      I love that you like vintage pieces. They really have a way of adding a unique look to a room. In regards to you issue with vintage pieces not working for your space, I feel that there is a lot that you can do to change a piece to help it fit. Re-color, re-purpose, modernize; Depending on what look you are going for and what the piece is you can make it work with a little creativity.

      I think the best place to shop for affordable items are thrift stores. You can get a great quality piece at the fraction of it's value. Look for quality items with great lines, something unique and something that inspires you. At the end of the day it is all about how you feel in your space!

      Be sure to send me picture of your thrifty finds
      xoxo

      -Nike

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  2. Similar to Jessica's question I was wondering where you may say was a good and affordable place to shop for decor? Also, not trying to ask the world of you aha, but if I sent a photo of my new place do you think you could give me a tip or two on where the heck to start?? It's a small space but I'd like it to still be kinda cute. I'll wait for your reply before I send the pic though cause I know you must be a busy lady..Just figured I'd give it a try & ask anyway =)

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    1. Hello Anonymous!

      A new place?! A clean palate, how exciting! I would be happy to give you tips on how you cutie-fy your new place. Definitely send me a picture (you can reach me by sending it to the email on my contact page).

      Who knows maybe your place will be the next feature on my blog!

      xoxo

      -Nike

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  3. Hi, I'm one of your sister's friends and I took a look at your blog! It's pretty cool and I love the entry where you showed the more expensive home decor and compared it with the cheaper and even better furniture. It shows how shopaholics like me, and not-so-good with money kinda girls how to save, haha. I would love to see more comparisons! Please and thank you!

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    1. Thanks Shopaholic :) Keep checking in for more High/Low posts, I will definitely be featuring more!

      xoxo

      -Nike

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  4. Hey Nike,
    I'm a big fan of yours, maybe your biggest. One of the things I love most about your style is that you thrift and repurpose things. I am redecorating my apartment and I have matured beyond my Ikea Everything phase. I love mid century modern pieces and of course have been dumpster diving, vintage store hunting and kijiji/craiglist-ing. I want my space to look like I'm well traveled and for all the pieces in my space to have a special story. Here's my dilemma, I dont have a huge budget and I cant imagine spending a fortune on someone's discarded treasures. How do I what items I should skimp or splurge on? How do I know how much to spend on a particular piece and which piece to old lady bargin on?

    Yours Truly

    Thrifting Rookie

    Angelina Williams

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    1. Hey Angelina!

      Big hug and kisses for your continued love! XOXO.
      I totally understand what you mean when you say that you want to accomplish a matured, well travelled look. Thirfting and vintage store shopping is the best way to get that look on a budget.

      When it comes to deciding what to skimp and splurge on, I would definitely say that you have to look at items that will be getting the most use in your space. For example you what to splurge on a great quality couch since it most likely will be getting the most use in your space.

      That being said you can find a lot of great quality side boards, cabinets and chairs from thrift stores. I find that older furniture was made to last so keep your eye open for these when you go thrifting.

      Decorative items are 100% a save, especially if you are trying to achieve the well travelled look! Mix the $5.00 items that you get from your vintage shop with a few modern pieces and you are set!

      Hope this helps Thrifting Rookie! Be sure to take pictures :)

      xoxo

      -Nike

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  5. Tips for displaying collectibles, Nike?!

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    1. Hi Jacquie!
      It depends, What do you collect?

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    2. Dolls. Mostly Barbie doll size and smaller.

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    3. I say frame them in old antique frames. Take out the glass of the frames and spray them in a bright color(s).

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    4. Yes, great idea! And totally possible even w/ my minimal budget / space. Salvation army up the street, spray paint already at home.

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    5. Make sure you take pics and share them with your fellow small space dwellers!

      xoxo

      -Nike

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  6. Simply Talented.

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  7. I can’t explain how wonderful it is to see someone take something so tatty and old and turn it in to something wonderful and new. Recycling old items is a wonderful way to create a space that is truly yours and can not be mimicked buy some one else. So I would just like to say congratulations Nike on your skilled ability to create furniture that is mad out of these old items but still appeals to the modern taste. You should be very proud.

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    1. Thank you Tiffany! I totally agree with you. Recreating old pieces is a great way of personalizing your space with your own unique flare. Home to see some of your own projects!

      xoxo

      -Nike

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  8. I want to put a gallery wall in my kitchen...suggestions?

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    1. Oh great! If your taste is modern, I say keep it fresh and fun. Mix it up with some food inspired pictures as well as hanging objects - decorative plates, over-sized cutlery etc. If you have more a more elegant or traditional taste, put the objects in shadow boxes to keep everything uniform.

      Also take a look at the gallery wall template on my Sept 25th post - On Display: Impact with Gallery Walls. http://eighthundredsqft.blogspot.ca/2012/09/on-display-impact-with-gallery-walls.html

      It's a great guide!

      xoxo

      -Nike

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  9. NIKE! I need some suggestions: my condo is in a relatively old building, all the walls are solid concrete. I want to begin doing my wall collages but I need my father and a hammer drill to get everything up. So, I was wondering if you had any creative ideas on how to mount several pictures with the least amount of drilling into the wall. I was thinking of doing a few shelves and displaying the frames and kind of stagger them on the shelves...but I don't know. I just have SO many photos and my dad can't always make the trip with tools. Thoughts? Anything that can adhere to the wall AND support the weight of photos?

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    1. Arianne! 'No More Nails' Missy! 'No More Nails'! You can get it at Home Depot. It is like an industrial type double sided tape meant exactly for places like yours... or for people that don't want holey walls :) I find that the product is pretty good and the package tells you its weight capacity. The only thing that I have found is that it can be a disaster with drywall if you don't follow the instructions taking it off. BUT since your walls are all concrete YOU ARE GOOD TO GO! Please do share pictures with us! I can't wait to see it!!!

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  10. Ok so I am a total newbie @ interior decor and I really want to get better and learn more! We're pretty frugal so I'm wondering how you decide which pieces of furniture at a thrift store (or wherever I suppose) is worth fixing up and what is not? Does that make sense? I feel like I have a hard time seeing past things and seeing the potential of them, perhaps because I am inexperienced. ;)

    Also my living room walls are pumpkin orange (was like that when we bought the place) I have maroon curtains but otherwise I feel like I'm always buying beige, espresso brown and bronze. Do you think another non neutral color would be ok (and if so what) or would that start to become too much with such a statement color. Cool colors are much more my bag but we are currently in the process of finishing our basement so I don't have plans to repaint the main floor anytime soon.

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    1. Hi Nicole!

      Thank you for your question! I will take it in pieces. In regards to knowing which items are are worth fixing, it really depends on what you are trying to achieve. I usually go the the thrift store with a mental list of what it is I am looking for. That is a good place to start so that you do not feel overwhelmed when you get there. Once there you want you pick up pieces that are good quality and pieces you know you can work with. When it comes to furniture I always look for wood piece rather than laminated or synthetic products. Wood it easier to refinish and manipulate. Once you get going you will get better and recognizing what is worth introducing in to your home.

      Regarding your second question, I would love to see pictures! Send me a few and I can let you know what I recommend :)

      xo
      Nike O.

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  11. Hello,

    Just found your website, love it!
    What color are your living room walls?
    I believe a shade of gray, and maybe something else.
    Would love to know the brand and color number.

    Thanks!
    Lisa

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    1. Hello Tall Art Girl!!

      *Handshake* Nice to meet you and thank you for the sweet words!
      OHohOH! The beloved color that I search everywhere for is called Chinchilla White by CIL Paint. It too me a while to find the perfect grey because I still wanted to retain some warmth in my space. Chinchilla White - the perfect warm grey.

      Good luck and let me know how it goes!

      xoxo
      Nike O.

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  12. I seen miss onile in the Toronto star and I like her footwear she was wearing.just wondering what size she is.

    sparky_rad1@yahoo.ca

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  13. Hi Nike, what are the dimensions of the white sofa used in the 350 sq ft studio design? And what store has its brand/model.
    Great site you have!

    J.

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I always love hearing from you!

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