What I Like Wednesday: Christine Otte

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Don't you just love when you are friends with someone, and then suddenly discover that you have a shared interest that you didn't even know that you'd had in common? I do, I really do. It is a rare thing though. Normally when I tell people about LTC, they say something like, "Oh, hmm." and that's it. But occasionally, someone jumps in and not only do they totally get it but also have a few projects of their own up their sleeves.

Such a thing happened to me recently with my friend Christine. She is a tremendously talented Chicago-based photographer and I've been lucky enough to be assisting her on some weddings this summer. Here is a shot from the wedding we did Saturday. (I know. Seriously amazing.) Check her out at www.christineotte.com.

She even did the photos for Patrice's wedding a few years ago, which were stunning!

I would love to continue to show you all of her pictures, but should probably get on with her projects. Christine and her husband are resident directors in a student apartment complex in Chicago, and have found a few fun ways to personalize and improve their apartment that I loved, and thought I would share.

Things such as this coffee table. When I walked into her apartment a few months ago my eyes went directly to it, and I then begged her to let me share with my readers. She took a standard black Ikea-find, to fun Starbucks-laden beauty.

She arranged some old Starbucks gift cards in a fun puzzle-pieces format and then glued them down.

She ran a strip of blue painters tape around the edge of the table and then poured on a thick layer of Envirotex which you can see here.

This sealed seal the cards down, filled in the cracks, gave the table top a thick protective layer and a high gloss finish. Super cute and fun!

My head was swimming in ideas after seeing this. Wouldn't this be an amazing way to display a collection? I have a bunch of ticket stubs, brochures, and other knick knacks from traveling, and have been thinking about how this would be a great way to both protect and show them off!

They also had some crazy checkered flooring in their kitchen that was driving them crazy.

Christine turned to Traffic Master Allure's Vinyl Plank Flooring for an amazing transformation.

Here is the description from the website, I'm roped right in by the easy installation-especially the interlocking edge design and that no adhesive is needed! A huge improvement, huh?

Easy GripStrip installation Lays directly over your old floor; no floor prep or messy glue needed! Looks and feels like real wood feel the knots! Completely waterproof. Perfect in high moisture areas basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Warm comfort and quiet under foot. Install an entire floor cleanly, easily in just a few hours. 25 year residential warranty.

• American Walnut Finish
• Super durable and completely waterproof
• Unique interlocking-edge design for simple installation
• Simply lay overlapping GripStrip of one plank on adjacent plank and press together No other adhesive required. Minimal trimming involved Just score and snap!

She purchased these from Home Depot, which you can see here if interested. She just tucked the edges under the existing trim, so it looked like the apartment had come with this lovely flooring.

Aside from this project being relatively easy and highly efficient, I just keep thinking how great it is for people in temporary living situations, because the whole thing just pops right off when it's time to move out. This fix is definitely grumpy landlord-friendly.

I was also pleased to see that she was sporting an adorable jewelry holder.

She simply secured a screen to a large empty picture frame. It's functional and laden with cute accessories, so it looks like an art piece. Enough said.

Aren't these ideas great?! I hope you like them as much as I do!! If you want to become of fan of Christine Otte Photography on facebook, you can do so here. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed!!

Happy Wednesday everyone!