Decor Adventures

How to Wallpaper the Back of Bookshelves

2012-05-24T11:52:00.003-04:00

For as long as I could remember I've had these white bookshelves. They were purchased at some home improvement store probably right after I moved home from college and they have traveled with me where ever I have lived.

They are pretty much the Billy bookcases from Ikea, except they are not. And don't fit the baskets and all, to my dismay, but maybe I'll get a Billy some day.

Via

Currently they are in my office and were looking pretty plain until I recently spruced them up with some left over grass cloth from our dining room project.

Here is a quick how to put wallpaper {of any kind not just grass cloth} on the back of a bookshelf. I did this on both the large bookshelves and the small ones I just moved into our bedroom, so the pics are of both.

Fist, empty off the shelves and give yourself enough space to be able to lay the shelves down flat. Don't forget to take out the move able shelves.

Goodness I need better pictures!

Next, lay the bookshelves front-side-down flat on the floor. This was done right in my office so I squeezed around them to be able to work.

After that you remove the back piece of the shelves. Pretty much all of these kinds of shelves come with a removable back. Use a small flat screwdriver to wedge under the nails and use the pliers to pull them off. This is actually the most time consuming part of the project but once it is done, you are over the hill. Save the nails!

Next, measure the size of the wallpaper you'll fit on the back. I laid mine on the ground and put the backer piece on top of it to mark lines to cut the paper the exact size I needed.

You can cut it a little bigger and trim later if you are afraid of fit. Sometimes the wallpaper or shelves might not be exactly square, so feel free to give yourself some wiggle room with the paper.

Then you apply the wallpaper paste just like you would on a wall to the backer piece. Since my backer piece was cardboard {and I think most are} it absorbed the paste up quickly, so work as fast as you can and just slop it on there. I used the wallpaper paste that we used to put the grass cloth up in the dining room. Some people might use spray adhesive for this, but I used the paste since grass cloth is a bit thick and you have to get a good amount on there. Not too much to soak it, but enough so it will stick.

This is it, I got it at Lowes. Our Wegmans bags are a handy bunch, love Wegs!

Then, set the wallpaper on the backer piece and smooth it out. Depending on your wallpaper, you can use a flat item like a credit card or ruler to smooth. Grass cloth is tricky so I was especially careful to smooth with my hands only.

You can lay some books or magazines on top to let it dry, that will keep things flat. I only waited about an hour and removed them to put the shelves back together.

Some riveting material there which I have to read for grad school :-)

Then you place the backer piece on the back of your shelves, making sure it will all line up correctly. And hammer away. Little finishing nails should do the trick if you lose some of the original ones. I put them back in the same places they came out of. Don't hammer in an entire side until you see that the backer piece is fitting on square and it will reach all the back of the shelves frame. Make sense?

And then you are set. Lift your shelves up and replace the removable shelves. Then style away!

Will you be adding some pizazz to the back of your bookshelves? Maybe with fabric, craft paper or something else?

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Grasscloth Bookshelves Furniture Move

2012-05-22T12:49:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I have an idea for where I want furniture to go in our house even though it's not currently in that location, I imagine what I could move where to make a space or certain corner look and function better. This was the case with a set of small bookshelves that had been in my office for a bit.

In my plan to clean out my office in preparation for decorating it, the bookshelves had to go. I loved their layered look behind my reading chair {which I don't even have a photo of}, but I was picturing them in another spot that would be just perfect.

In our master bedroom right between the closet and door. It was just the size for them and in need of an upgrade from the way too small table that was there previously.

Before, the table I made a new top for with a drop cloth.

And now, the newly moved bookcases that I backed with grass cloth wallpaper leftover from the dining room.

While we are here, I'm still not over the power of my new camera too. Just look and the difference between the first photo and the one above, night and day right?

I'm loving the layered look in decorating, it's like a new concept for me so putting grass cloth on the back of the shelves was the perfect project for my layered addiction. I just love the depth and texture it brings.

See don't they fit perfectly in this little spot? Much better than the small table.

This is in our bedroom right by the closet on the left and the doorway which looks out at my $4 art store wrapping paper find.

Also a nice shot of our wood doors, molding and wood floors.

And best of all, moving furniture you already have, and using leftovers for some pizazz behind your books is faa-ree!

Here's a close up of what's on my shelves. I'm a huge Shakespeare fan, love it. I can read that stuff all day. Too bad I can't speak it every day, that would be fun. Where for art thou cordless drill? And I have some green living books and Oprah. It's an oldie but I've never read it.

And on top is a Target lamp from long ago and a wedding photo of course. Can't have enough of those around :-)

I'll write up a how to wallpaper the back of your bookshelves soon. What do you think of the look? A little free furniture switcheroo just for fun.

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Our Home Projects

2012-05-21T12:56:00.002-04:00

Hello! It's been a long time! I finished classes a few weeks ago and it's like a significant schedule change when you have lots more free time and no papers to write. A fantastic schedule change :-)

So I've been decompressing from a busy semester and adjusting to free time again. I've also been doing so many projects around here and I can't wait to show you.

One of them is cleaning out my home office, and doing lots of decorating in there. One of my goals this year was to organize all of my paperwork for one and all. Now THAT is a serious project right?

I have a bookshelf with all of my binders of stuff and slowly I'm going through all of the things on there, and today I came across this.

It's a list I made on a note pad I think about a year and a half ago when we moved in and I had a HUGE to do list for the house.

It's fun to look back and see that I've accomplished lots on this list. I'll just ignore the items still on there, perhaps they will get done another time :-)

Speaking of projects, wait until you see what's been happening in the dining room, bedroom and all kinds of other places. Lots of fun, so come back soon and you will see what I've been up to.

How are things in your world? Any schedule adjustments lately? Are you gearing up for summer? It is HOT here and I'm loving it. See y'all soon!

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The Items of Projects Yet to Come

2012-05-11T09:17:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you but there are frequently items of many different sorts lying all around my house. I call them the items of projects yet to come. Spray paint here, some fabric there. They are all supplies I use for the many projects I do.

In the hallway for a bit was some primer and a ceiling medallion that I'll be trying out for my office. I haven't used this primer yet, but it's low VOC and I'm excited about the project it will be used on in my office. I Tweeted a sneak peek here.

Then there are the items in the dining room. Most items tend to end up here sadly. Poor dining room. It's sometimes more the project garage than an entertaining space. Isn't that typical.

This is the frame that was in the paint shop this past week, now waiting to get fitted with the piece for inside.

The antlers are a find from Garage Sale Sunday, a once a month huge garage sale extravaganza at a town nearby. I picked up 2 pair and a smaller one. I have some ideas for them but I'm not 100% on where they will go.

The dust bunnies aren't from the garage sale event, it comes free. With my house...

And there's Ralph, the fern. Ralph will be getting a transplant sometime soon. He is in a Terra cotta pot which weighs about 82 pounds. meaning I can't lift it or move it, so I'll be putting him in a lighter pot on a stand. Probably not that wooden one, but maybe something similar.

So do you have project parts lying all over your house? Tell me I'm not the only one!

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What's in the Paint Shop

2012-05-05T11:51:00.001-04:00

Well I am almost done with classes for the semester. I mean, thisclose to being done. One paper due early next week and I am free for the summer. You know what that means.....

Projects, furniture, spray paint!

Yes I will be full force blogging and making over and doing all kinds of fun things. So thanks to those of you who have put up with my sporadic posting lately. There is more to come, I promise :-)

Starting with this week! I got out to my workshop aka the garage and started working on some pieces.

Did I even tell you the hubs bought a router? How exciting. Now we can make our own picture frames and do all kinds of fun wood projects. Perhaps I can have a how to use a router post, what do you think?

He's already made me this fun picture frame. It's currently in the paint shop. Also know as my back driveway with all the weeds in it.

The frame is for this unique piece that I picked up at a local salvage shop. I thought it was so interesting, what do you think of it? Kind of like an old time hunger games participant right? Although I've not seen the movie or read the books, but she is an archer right?

Apparently it is from an inn that was torn down.

I just love the bright blue color so it will be going in my office above the fireplace. Very excited about that.

Also in the paint shop (well technically the primer shop) is a dresser that I will be doing a little British treatment too. I'm sure you can guess what it will be. That piece I plan to sell unless of course I fall madly in love with it and can't part with it.

Some of the drawers need repair and I hope they come out OK, I hate drawers that don't fit.

And lastly we have these little shelves which will be making their way into the dining room for some much needed storage. I have the paint job all planned out. Perhaps a little white on the outside and grey on the inside? Yes I think so.

And with that I am back at it! Project heaven. And I even have the primer in my hair to prove it :-)

What are you up to this spring weekend? Oh, happy Cinco do Mayo! Margaritas? Yes please!

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My First Blogger Workshop

2012-04-30T11:32:00.001-04:00

Happy Monday! Hope you had a lovely and relaxing weekend. Saturday I was so excited to participate in my first "public appearance" as a blogger. A local housing organization asked me to be part of their annual housing fair. And not only that, I was invited to do a workshop as well.

My topic was furniture makeover basics and I had such a fun time. Hello to all the wonderful folks who stopped by to talk with me at the fair and to those who attended the workshop!

The event was held inside a local school and was really well attended. This is my little set up. I brought some pieces from home as demos. In case you are wondering from right to left that is the seven layer silver dresser which resides in our living room, the chair is from the guest room which I found on the curb, and the zebra ottoman was my walk on the wild side piece.

I also brought some before and after pictures of some of my projects. People seemed to like looking through them. And I had some samples of paint and such that I used in the workshop.

There was a great crowd there with guest speakers to provide some information on housing and neighborhood development.

I got to talk with a lot of great people. These folks were interested in how to re-upholster their dining room chairs so I shared some secrets. {That's me holding the chair}.

My favorite comments of the day were:

Who are you, Bob Villa's assistant?

You've inspired me to refinish this chair I have...

And there was a third but I can't remember it right now!

Then I got to do my workshop. I brought tons of supplies to show people what products I use including paint cans, a roller, and such. I also brought 2 drawers to show before and after stages. The little gold elephant is a recent estate sale find that got spray painted.

Here are all the lovely folks who put up with me jabbering for about 25 minutes on paint and respirators and sand paper. They were a fabulous crowd!

I even did some audience participation where I painted little pieces of wood to show them different types of paint and stain and we passed them around.

Here is the jabbering! Safety glasses, very important.

It was so much fun and I hope everyone who attended learned a little something. If you are new to this blog,welcome! Take a look through my projects page to see what I've been up to and please leave a comment to say hello :-)

P.S. Thanks to hubs for the pics of the day :-)

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Dining Room Windows: Shades and Secrets

2012-04-24T11:14:00.000-04:00

Hello! It's been a while since we visit the progress of the dining room makeover. Or I should say make, not makeover since we had not decorated it since we moved in a year and a half ago. Last we saw the room I had been lamenting the yellow color that parts of my newly-painted white dresser had turned since I poly-ed it.

But we have lots left to do on the dining room list, so let's get to the windows.

What I originally intended to do is make faux roman shades but I liked the way my unique shades came out so I left them as it. What I did was staple fabric to some 1x2 pieces of pine to make "shades" for the top part of the windows. We had already put window film on a few months ago but they needed some sprucing up, so in came the fabric.

I picked this out on my trip to New York City last October. It's called floating petals and I got it at Mood Fabrics, but I also recently say it is available at JoAnn by Waverly. Bonus, use your coupon.

It has nice shades of ivory, black, grey, and silver in it. Just the right accents I was looking for to go with the grass cloth and wood trim. Here is the label part if it helps.

I picked up three pieces of 1x2 pine at The Big Orange, to fit inside where blinds had previously been. I left the brackets so the pine (with the fabric on it) would fit in there and I wouldn't have to do anything else to the window frames.

Cut them to length and you are set to go.

All I did was cut the fabric to the length I wanted and ironed it to fit within the width of the piece of pine. Later I sewed the seams on the sewing machine, but you can definitely use the Heat n Bond to secure them too.

I stapled the wrapped fabric around the pine and that was about it!

Very easy and affordable faux shades.

I didn't screw the pine into the bracket or anything, they just rest in there. And the fabric is one piece that doesn't move so I figure it would be OK.

I did buy thin dowels to make the lifted parts you see in real roman shades but I like them as they are so I didn't do that. I was just going to sew them in even intervals.

I've also contemplated adding a top pieces for a few inches of fabric there like you see on shades. Do you think it needs it?

And here are the windows from the other side of the room. The chandelier is trying to make an appearance at the top there, see it?

This is probably the most complete you've seen my dining room yet! While we are here I want to show you some other old house quirks about the windows.

We have these brackets for rods on the window frames themselves. I took out the rods but I figured if I wanted to change things up I could add them back and put fabric on them for a curtain. There are 2 brackets in the middle and at the bottom of each window.

And we have this random plant hanger in between two of the windows. One day it was pointed out and I bend over near it and smacked my forehead right on it. Ouch! It was while we were moving in actually and I had a bandana on my head to keep my hair back.

Thank goodness for bandanas! Or you all would meet me and be like "Oh yea, that's the blogger who got attacked by her plant hanger..." with this nasty scar in the middle of my forehead.

Needless to say it stays folded and I don't hang plants on it :-)

And we have a secret space in the window seat too, a storage spot. It's where I hide all my vases and candle holders and decorate-y stuff like that.

Can you see the line in the wood where it opens? And the little brass pull?

Secret storage! Maybe some day I will make cushions for the window seat to use with the dining table. Could be fun.

This dining room is full of secrets. Remember the other one?

And there are my faux "shades." Dining room windows are done! What do you think?

Let's hear it for wood trim! I'm bringin it back I tell you. Just like I'm bringing back rose wine.

Here is rest of the dining room list. Just a few things left. Anything fun happening in your dining room these days?

~~Pick out a wallpaper for in between the wall slats~~

~~Order the wall paper and hang it~~
~~Select a paint color for the top half of the room~~ ~~and paint~~

~~Decide if we are painting the ceiling or not~~ Nope, not painting it

~~Remove blinds and clean windows~~

~~Buy and put up window film~~

~~Find fabulous fabric for the window treatments~~. I got curtains from Ikea and hung those

~~Make~~ ~~curtains (if I buy fabric)~~ ~~and roman shades and hang them all~~

~~Make frames for mirror wall art~~

Buy frames (or find some) for other wall art I have planned

Decide which color to paint buffet and then paint it <-- Will be doing this one again!

Find new hardware for the buffet

~~Find lamps and shades for the buffet, repaint part of the~~ new lamps

Decide on/find other wall art?

Pick out and buy a rug

~~Get a new chandelier~~

~~Other lighting?~~ Mini lamp makeover is here.

Throw a dinner party to enjoy our new room!

Linking up with
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z
Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie

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Fireplace Inspiration

2012-04-22T14:05:00.000-04:00

Happy Sunday. It's cool here today so I'm doing some work inside in my home office. I've been thinking about making some upgrades to my fireplace in this room, it could use some style.

These are fireplaces that I love. Just how will do I my own? I don't know yet, there are so many good ones to choose from.

My office fireplace has a wooden mantle and is just brick. I love the three colors on this one, the black firebox, the grey on the front and the white surround. This will be the look I go for.

via

I love the contrast of the wall with this fireplace, and the light in this room is stunning. Overall the fireplace is the prefect focal point.

via

Same with this one. And the height of the ram, plus the silver tray are positioned so perfectly.

via

The tile on this fireplace and the shelves, not to mention the art make this a show stopper. It's so simply styled but beautiful.

via

I'd love to have built ins on either side of the fireplace too. It's one of my dreams for my office.

Source: milkandhoneyhome.com via Decor on Pinterest

Even if I got shelves for half the wall like this, it would be great storage.

via

Are you dreaming of upgrades in your space today?

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Sometimes You Just Rip Up the Carpet

2012-04-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Guess what this post is about?

Yes, me. A girl who rips up carpet when she is bored... My husband loved it :-)

Here is the scoop. We moved into this house with carpeting in 2 of the 4 bedrooms and on the three staircases. Needless to say the red and green shag came out of the bedrooms before we officially moved in but the runners on the stairs? Yea, they're still here.

Now hold yourself back from pinning this. It is good carpet action. A hot new pattern. This is what we're living with on our split staircase.

Oh gosh the shame! It's like living the master closet before all over again.

Let's zoom in for the closeup on the shiny gold thingies that hold the carpet down. And the dust on my wood floor....

I know we will replace this carpet someday, perhaps not soon but I was so curious to see what the stairs look like under it and get it the heck out of there. Why not take it out now? It's what every blogger does when she's bored right? Tear things apart?

It wasn't too hard. Some of it was only nailed it to the wood. Way to install carpet guys.

First off came the gold thingies. They were screwed into the wood.

Then I pulled back the carpet bit by bit. I didn't know if it was even stapled on or what, but it was. Oh was it ever.

I just yanked away and got attacked by some staples in the process as evidence by the band aid on my left middle finger. Those things are sharp!

I will spare you the gory details but it was not far off of that scene in New Moon when Bella cuts herself opening a birthday gift and there is a dramatic pause when she realizes there is blood coming out of her finger and she is in a house full of vampires.

This was me pulling out the carpet cutting my finger.

via

And they have to hold Jasper back from her.

via

Jasper is my favorite. I loved him in the baseball scene.

And then there is a dramatic pause since she is bleeding all over the carpet.

via

Yea it was just like that, except without Dr. McVampire to heal my wounds. And I guess no vampires in my house either.

Darn.

Back to the carpet!

I finished yanking it all out of there, trying my best to avoid more staples and soon it was all gone.

Nothing but dusty, creaky wooden stairs left.

Now I suppose I have to clean these right?

I was going to wait until hubs "just discovered" what I did but decided to be cautious and show him. He was not 100% happy. "Don't take out anymore" he tells me. Yes sir!

We do have to replace the carpet eventually but at least part of it is gone.

Any vampire-like scenes in your decorating adventures recently? Happy weekend!

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Goodbye GFC

2012-04-18T09:09:00.001-04:00

As much as I've enjoyed seeing you subscribe to Decor Adventures via the Google Friend Connect tool, I've decided to remove it from here and it will no longer be a way for you to subscribe to this blog. Google announced that this including dozens of other products were to be eliminated from their line as of March 1st and with some plans I have to upgrade this blog soon, I've decided to do away with it.

If you don't subscribe another way, via feed, email or connect with me on social media, I'd love for you to sign up now!

I'll be taking it down on Sunday, but I'm going to make it easy on you to be in touch. Click on one of the links below to subscribe or follow me that way.

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If you want DA fun delivered right to your inbox every time I write, you can also subscribe by email by entering your email address in the sidebar over there -->

I've loved watching that little number climb over the years but it's time to say goodbye GFC. If you are following me that way, no need to do anything, I'm just not going to have the widget on my blog for new followers to sign up.

But while we are chatting, tell me what you think of Google Friend Connect. Do you still follow blogs that way? Have it on your blog? Did you remove it when Google stopped the product?

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I Did it, I Kept Calm

2012-04-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

I am bowing my head in trend following shame.

I finally have jumped on the Keep Calm and Carry On movement.

It all started with a trip to my favorite art store. I blame them! They have an amazing selection of all kinds of materials, frames, and art supplies just perfect for a craft decorator like me.

What got me was the poster section where they sell "decorative wrap" aka cheap cool posters which I tend to use for art. I have other maps from there too like this one and this one. I love maps but I have yet to hang those ones up.

It was there that I spotted it. The Keep Calm and Carry On poster.

via

It was $4.99, how could I resist? A British flag to boot? Count me sold.

So I kicked out a 2011 calendar we had in the hallway upstairs.

Cool as it was 2011 is so 1986.

And in went my new 20 x 28 union jack and seen-all-over-the-blogosphere "decorative wrap". I even re-cut the mat myself, here is a how to.

It's in the hallway upstairs right outside our bedroom. If you look to the right there is my office with my risky rug but still waiting on curtains.

And if you look to the left there is the rest of the hallway leading to the guest room. I'm "storing" some curtains that will soon be used as fabric on the window in there, pay no attention that they don't touch the floor. Or match.

So there you have it. I'm a trend follower. I fully admit :-) You can order the print online here.

Did you keep calm at your place yet?

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Titanic's Interior Design

2012-04-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, considered the largest tragedy at sea in history.

I got so caught up in watching the History channel shows commemorating the event, telling stories of dives that have been taken to the sunken vessel, that I started to wonder what did the inside of the Titanic really look like.

Most of us probably know what it looks like from the 1997 movie with Leo and Kate. Apparently director James Cameron replicated as closely as possible the sets for the film down to the dishes and carpets that were used on the original ship.

Have you ever seen the original photos of the luxurious cabins and beautiful rooms that were designed for the passengers? I found these online.

This room below was considered first class accommodation. Do you notice any details that still remain in today's interior styling? Perhaps the ceiling detail or the trim?

Aside from the state rooms for passengers, there was a swimming pool and fitness facilities.

This was a recreation of a Parisian cafe aboard.

Via

It also had Turkish baths, a reading and writing room and the grand staircase build in a William and Mary style with oak paneling.

Via

This is one of the lounges on the ship.

This is the library reserved for the second class passengers.

And the third class dining room.

Above three photos via.

Have you ever wondered what the interior of the Titanic looked like? Do any of the styles appeal to you 100 years later? Did you catch any of the anniversary specials on TV too?

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What Graduate School Looks Like

2012-04-14T18:16:00.000-04:00

Hi friends. Hope you are having a lovely weekend. It's that time of year again for me over here. No Santa isn't coming soon. No I'm not out gardening like I bet lots of you are.

I'm in the middle of the final month of the semester and there is lot of grad school fun happening at my place.

Ever wonder what graduate school looks like? Here is your chance to see.

This is pretty much what my kitchen island looks like many evenings and all weekend long when I'm in paper writing season, which it is right about .... now!

Come on, you know you want to pin it :-)

What exactly is going on here? Let's take a look.

1. My water bottle. It goes with me everywhere and is behind the laptop so it doesn't get spilled on the laptop. Smart right? I don't pay tuition for nothing :-)

2. A random addition to the photo. New router bits for the router my husband got recently. I'm not complaining, he is making me a picture frame as we speak. See how I convince him to help with the blog "Honey I need a special sized frame, you want to cut it?"

3. Chips and salsa, my favorite food group. I'm serious. I could eat it every day. I need something to do while I'm typing out 20 pages. There is a cup of tea there too, apparently I was cold this day. I love green tea, I drink it a lot.

4. Books from the library for my paper. Yes the library, I love the library, it's all free! Kind of felt like a nerd checking all 6 of these out, but a getting-my-books-for-free nerd, you know?

5. Articles and references I was using for the paper. Usually I go paperless and read everything on my iPad, these were an exception. It is riving material I tell you!

6. A sneak peak at the new island, woo hoo. Finally matches the rest of the kitchen. I'll have more pics for y'all soon, promise.

7. Where I plant my behind for hours at a time. Most of that time I am writing a paper, only some of it I spend on Pinterest. Shh, don't tell my professors :-)

Happy weekend! Please tell me you're not writing papers like I am?

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Let's Talk: Share Your Decorating Tips for Renters

2012-04-10T11:37:00.000-04:00

Hello friends! I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend. Who got to hunt for eggs? How about enjoy a chocolate bunny? I got to write a paper for class :-( Exciting I know! Only 3 more weeks of the semester and then I will be 100% home projects :-)

In a few weeks I'll be presenting at a local housing fair about furniture makeover basics and decorating your home. I'd love to share with them some tips for renters specifically in making their spaces their own and want your help!

Do you have tips for renters on decorating?

What would you suggest to someone just starting out in decorating a place?

Any stores you always shop for accessories and the like?

Tricks to make a space feel like their own?

Inexpensive way to spruce up an apartment?

I'd love to hear it and I'll be sharing these tips at the workshop itself.

One of my favorite photos to get us thinking about walls, lighting, color, furniture?

via Canadian House and Home

Let's talk tips for renters!

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Window Treatment Updates

2012-04-03T13:07:00.000-04:00

Or a post also know as the story of a girl who takes five+ trips to the store to decide about curtains....

A window treatment update for y'all - I've taken to saying it, even as a Northerner :-)

You know by my tall, dark and handsome post seeking input on my windows that I'm in the midst of selecting curtains for the living room. What a feat!

Thanks to all of you who gave me such great advice, especially about making my own rod from electrical conduit, which I will try somewhere. I'm happy to report I have made some serious progress on the windows!

This quest for curtains (and a rod that fits) is in our living room. The space with the giant 11 foot molding. It's enormous. I thought I was never going to find a rod that fit and looked good.

But wouldn't you know it, Bed, Bath & Beyonce came through for me! <-- That's a Layla thing, I'm stealing it :-)

I was in there one night wandering through the curtain section - and they do have some contenders - when I spotted this.

The Cambria brushed nickel 88"-144' curtain rod.

Be still my heart, 144 inches, just what I needed! I heart you BBB, and you're not even paying me to say that.

With that checked off my list I concentrated on the curtains.

Five trips to JCP later, I finally decided on what to get. Yes five trips. I seem to be crazy about this curtain selection thing. Who takes five trips to the same store to pick out curtains? Apparently this girl. And there were trips to just about every other store in between those five trips.

No store (even online) had exactly what I wanted which was pure white panels with silver grommets in a lined fabric with a slight sheen/texture to it. Who knew it would be impossible to find that right? It is, I've looked everywhere.

What I decided on, since these panels will be more for decoration than function, is that I could compromise on the grommets, which were the sticking point. I couldn't find the fabric I wanted with the grommets I wanted and I wasn't up for making them.

What I decided on are these. The Chris Madden Mystique in Cool White. I love the fabric but I'm not 100% on the rod pocket top yet. They were on sale for $22 each, I couldn't go wrong, or so I hope.

What I also got is some nice charcoal grey suede-like fabric for the bottom of the panels. Since the curtains aren't long enough I knew I had to sew more fabric on the bottom to make them touch the floor, which I'm OK with. I'm most looking forward to some contrast in the mostly beige room.

For fun I picked out some trim from Calico Corners which I am really excited about. I will be putting it between the white panels and the charcoal fabric on the bottom.

Before my trim comes in I plan to put up the rod and try out the panels to see if I like the rod pocket tops. I'll probably hang the rod all the way against the wall since we have little clearance as you can tell.

I'm excited to see what they'll look like next to the new bar and our wood trim.

VERY good progress I would say. For now the fabric is hanging out on the loveseat :-)

We will have curtains up soon. I can almost see it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before I sign off for the day I wanted to give a special thank you to the one and only Thrifty Decor Chick {who I look forward to meeting at Haven} who included my painted laminate cabinet makeover in her April Before and After party this week.

AND a special thank you to Beth at Home Stories A to Z for featuring my how to hang items on plaster walls in her weekly Tutorials and Tips Not to Miss party. I feel a special connection to Beth since she is an old house owner like me :-) And I also can't wait to meet her.

I love these ladies {as much as I know them via our virtual blog friendship} and all that they inspire me to be as a blogger. This is a really big honor for me and I am thankful for the recognition!

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Today We Get a New Countertop

2012-03-30T11:31:00.001-04:00

Usually our kitchen looks like this with our big ole island in the center of the room.

No I'm not doing any deconstruction, well not really. But I am waiting for the countertop people to come over today to install our new granite on the island. Yay!

A few weeks ago I asked you what you thought about matching counter tops. Particularly when there is an island in the kitchen. Should they match? Or perhaps contrast is better? Is it worth the $$$ that granite costs?

I hemmed and hawed for a few weeks on what to do with our non-matching counter tops.

When we bought this house the kitchen was a real selling point. It was remodeled just 5 years ago and has nice new cabinets, granite and a sink deep enough to swim in, really. We lucked out.

But it's been on my mind for the almost-two years we've been living here if one day we'd replace our step-child of a laminate counter to match the rest of the kitchen.

Our vote? Replace it!

Luckily a local granite place had a remnant is just the size we needed. Remnants are definitely less expensive than buying it new. So I jumped at it.

Four easy to remove screws later and the laminate came off. Believe me when I tell you to save your money if you ever have countertops replaced and remove them yourselves. All you need is a screwdriver and mallet to bang those babies up and out. That is if you have laminate.

So what does my kitchen look like this very minute?

It's glamorous I tell you! Yea that's the microwave in the island and some dishes by the sink I need to clean up.

We're also getting rid of the brackets that were under the over hang. We always would bang our knees on them getting onto the stools. I curse those brackets!

One of them even fell off on its own so I unscrewed the back part and off they came. I'll probably make some bookends out of them or something fun.

Now we have a look back at the previous kitchen island color. Bright lime green. Yikes!

No offense if you like this color, but it did not go in this kitchen at all.

So here I wait, island counter topless. Ohh scandalous :-) Waiting for the new piece to show up any second. Can't wait!

P.S. Now that I've written 2 posts about this, is it countertop or counter top? I get a spelling mistake with the first way but that's how everyone spells it right?

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Just Hang It

2012-03-29T10:42:00.000-04:00

Although it will be two years that we moved into our home this June, I'm still hanging things up on the walls and I'm no where finished. I wrote a while ago how I get paralyzed about hanging things up sometimes, it just seem so permanent right? Then I get stuck!

I seriously have piles of frames and art and photos in about every room that are just hanging around on the floors or in the closets. It's kind of sad. I need to make some wall art decisions.

Which is why I get so excited when I do finally make a decision and grab the drill. Most of it comes on a whim, I just get so bored with our plain walls and within five minutes wham! I have something hung up, no thoughts, no waiting to make a decision if it looks the best or not, I just hang it.

This is what happened with this framed coral that I used last summer on the mantel.

One afternoon I was sick of looking at it propped up against something in some random room or another and I stuck it in the staircase.

This is the first white frame I actually hung up on our walls and I love it against the Creamy Mushroom (by Behr) paint. I will be hanging more white frames from now on!

The coral was from TJ Maxx, I spray painted it and positioned it against the grey paper. It's so simple but complex and I love it.

Clearly there used to be a door there in the middle of the staircase. Another old house thing I guess.

The coral art along with some dollar store sticks makes for some nice atmosphere on the stairs. I love making the turn around this corner these days. This is in our split staircase.

It's nice what a little art on the walls can do right? Are you afraid of hanging this up like me?

I've actually hung up more things in the upstairs hallway and bedroom, I know! Making progress. These walls will get decorated yet!

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Landscaping and Garden Heaven

2012-03-27T11:12:00.001-04:00

Hello! This past weekend was another home and garden show for us. We love going to them to get ideas for our place and the most recent one was a gardeners extravaganza. Filled with outstanding landscapes, dream backyards complete with ponds, fountains and more, it was outdoor living heaven.

This year we actually might get to do some improvements to our outdoor space, so I was paying particular attention to what I think might work in our place. Some of these spaces might not but a girl can dream right?

This one was actually form the company that my husband used to landscape for when he was a teenager. They won an award for best water feature.

I loved these garden orbs, how easy would these be to make with some leftover light fixtures? I've seen some projects like this. Isn't it great lighting for the garden?

Here is a pizza oven and outdoor table of cement. Isn't this space just cozy? Those are actually cement walls the company made for this display. Would you want them in your backyard?

Across the "street" from that display was this stunning yard.

Complete with fire pit for smores. Delish! I'll bring the chocolate, you bring the marshmallows!

Other neat decor that caught my eye were these sails that you can string up to give yourself some shade. I love how open yet private they are and they look great.

I absolutely must find the name of these tall redish plants. I just love them. Maybe I can get one to live indoors over the winter?

I also noticed little details like how this edging works right into the garden. You just place the stones and they create an interesting line right up to your mulch.

Now the real reason we went to the show was to see this company. My husband is a graphic and web designer and did the design of the panels for this display. The owner is a friend form high school and we couldn't want to see how their display looked in the show. They built it over a few weeks inside a small studio.

I was totally blown away. They actually won best display for equipment and hardscapes! They created a two sided kind of space with this water feature on one side, complete with a fountain made of reclaimed pavers.

Isn't it amazing? You can actually see the names stamped into the pavers. Their company is based on using natural and reclaimed materials so you can have a very environmentally friendly design that looks great and blends right into nature.

And this is the other side of their display, a fireplace. I absolutely love the modern rustic feel of the space. What do you think? Do you want this is your backyard?

I loved the carpet tiles too :-)

Of course I made the guys get in the photo. This is Barry and Adam who might, just might be sweatin it out in our backyard this summer. I'm so excited!

A fountain and fireplace at our house? Yes please! Who needs room to garden? :-)

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Homeowner Eye Candy

2012-03-23T10:14:00.001-04:00

Recently in our area there have been a few home and garden shows. Some local, some national events and we've been to them all. Now that hubs and I are finally homeowners, it's so fun to see all the things you can do in the space you call your own.

A few weeks ago we went to the national touring show, you know the one where Ty Pennington speaks and they have presentations by some of the Style Network hosts and such. It was homeowner eye candy. Here is some of what I loved at the show.

Hot tubs of course! Who doesn't want one of these in their back yard? I particularly love the one with the arching umbrella over it.

I almost always enter those contests they have to win one :-)

The next most coveted item on our outdoor wish list is a fire pit. They have all kinds of options these days with ones that connect to gas and burn in tempered glass. Especially nice for city dwellers like us who can't burn logs and have a confined space.

This representative looks like he is having a good time showing off the show model!

Of course indoor fireplaces have been on my mind a lot too. We have 2 non working fireplaces in our house and I'm always wondering when we'll get them up and functioning.

I love when the shows have these model homes you can tour. This one was busy! The line around the outside to get in reminded me of waiting to enter the trendiest club. Of course with the house music blaring from the inside. Party!

I was glad to see some nice trends in the home. Including a grey sofa, with yellow accents no less.

Where was this sofa when I was looking!?

There was this really interesting wall treatment in the hallway too. A metal with a paint technique on it. I bet you could make this easily. What do you think of it?

Chalkboard paint made an appearance in the home too both on some indoor plants and on the wall.

Then there was this tub and floor in the model bathroom. Ohh the shiny black in contrast with the white and I was simply adoring that silvery floor. Yes please.

Pendants and granite made an appearance in the kitchen too. And that faucet, they are popping up all over. Do you see these faucets a lot too?

Speaking of kitchens, our new granite arrives in a week, can't wait!

And you can't forget the outside space too. I loved these trellis features for climbing plants. We have some hearty ivy that I will definitely try to get to grow on one of these. Now I just have to find some trellis' at the store. Anyone ever buy them like this? They seem like a metal kind of fencing.

The planter boxes and art sculpture add a nice modern look to the outdoors too.

Do you go to home shows in your area? Get lots of ideas from them? Wish you could take home the hot tub? You're not alone!

I'll be back soon with another garden show we went to. Plants and landscapes galore, you will love it :-) Happy weekend friends.

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Tall Dark and Handsome

2012-03-20T12:45:00.000-04:00

Of course you know I'm referring to the windows in my house right? Sometimes tall, other times dark, maybe handsome?

Let's talk windows today. Who has all of their windows in their house decorated just exactly how you want them to be? Anyone yet to put up curtains at their place? Got some curtains you love but can't seem to hang them?

Oh the dilemmas of windows. We've been in our house a year and a half ago and I only have two sets of real curtains hung up in the entire house. I am clearly a curtain slacker.

One of my home goals this year is to address our nekked windows. Take the living room for example.

We have a set of three large windows with very large molding around them. I'm talking 118 inches from end to end. Good luck finding a curtain rod long enough to fit right? {That's not $125, yikes!}

On these I have sheers that I cut to fit onto the rods that are screwed to the window itself. An old house thing I guess.

But there are no other curtains on there at all so I'm thinking of what to put up to bring some warmth and depth to the wall. Sorry for the dark photos, I have to practice taking some of the windows.

We have these amazing stained glass panes on the top.

Here is a close up of the pattern. I'd love to find it in a fabric so I can kind of match perhaps a bottom part of a panel to this. Ever see anything like this of a circle with a square in it in a grey and white?

For now my plan is to find an affordable 130+ inch rod, get some panels for the sides (two? four?) and make my own trim on the bottom because of course the height to the top of the molding {let alone the extra 4 or so inches for the rod placement} is 88 inches. Told you they were large!

It's a blessing and a curse :-)

And I need to find something maybe with some texture that goes with but doesn't clash with the panels to replace the sheers, or keep them?

I know IKEA sells long panels, and I saw Target does too. I am officially on the hunt for window treatments. Any advice?What have you put on your windows?

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Fresh Air

2012-03-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello, happy summer! Oh wait, it's only March right? It's been so warm here I'm confused! I mean, it hit 75 both days this weekend, I almost have a sunburn :-)

It's been so lovely to open the windows. Here is Ralph our houseplant sunning himself in the dining room. Ralph is still recovering from us leaving him out in the sun all last summer and not watering him all winter in the basement. Sorry Ralph.

Speaking of, he is a fern and seems to have this sticky substance on his leaves that makes it way to the floor. Anyone know more about this plant? I have to figure out a way to keep the sticky stuff off the wood floors.

We've been opening windows all over, especially here in the kitchen. I love the light that comes through the doors.

So much that I sit here at the little bistro table and do homework. It's the closest I get to a sun room.
Ahh warm air!

Did you have warm weather by you this weekend? It is supposed to be in the 70's all week here. Crazy!

P.S. Thanks to Roadkill Rescue for featuring my coffee table turned ottoman on their site today. Go take a look!

P.P.S. Thanks to Home Stories A to Z for featuring my How to Hang Items on Plaster Walls tip in Tutes and Tips Not to Miss!

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How to Turn a Coffee Table Into an Ottoman

2012-03-14T08:30:00.000-04:00

You most likely know by now that I am a trash picker. OK not a trash picker per say where I climb into dumpsters or anything but I will pull the car over if I see something outstanding on the side of the road.
Or at least something that looks like it has potential. This piece stopped me in my tracks.

I was on the way to work one morning and took a different route than normal ~ see what happens when you take the road less traveled? And I spotted her on the sidewalk. So I got out in my suit and heels and put her in the trunk.

I mean look at these legs! Straight out of the Pottery Barn catalog no? This table had me at the legs.

There have been lots of coffee table turn ottoman projects around. Tulip and Turnip originally gave me the idea to foam the sides of the table as well as the top. Genius, and it works. Haley at Welcome to the Mouse House made an ottoman from the exact same coffee table. These are links to their original projects even though I have pinned them too.

Since we spend a lot of time in our living room and our glass topped coffee table was less than comfy on the feet while watching a movie, the idea of a DIY ottoman was made. Here is how I turned the beat up discarded table above into this for my Winter Pinterest Challenge project.

Read the how to below!

This is a relatively easy do it yourself project. You'll need a few things to re-purpose a coffee table into an ottoman, here's the list and how to.

Coffee table in a size and shape of your liking
Foam, both 3-4 inch and 1 1/2 inch
Glue
Batting
Staple gun and staples
Fabric, piping if desired

First, wipe down and fix any damaged parts of the table. One of the legs was a little weak so we secured it with screws right in the top since it wasn't going to be seen.

Then glue on your top piece of foam. I used 4 inch thick foam cut to the exact measurements of my table and used plain old Elmer's.

After that, secure 1 1/2 inch foam to the sides. My table had a little bit of an overlap so the 1 1/2 inch foam fit nicely on to the sides. I glued that on and let it dry overnight weighted by my large assortment of paints and stains. This table also had part of the side missing where a drawer was so we just covered it with a leftover piece of hardboard. Again, it won't be seen so it doesn't matter how you cover any parts.

Once the top and sides were foamed, I wrapped the whole thing in two layers of batting. I just stapled it on with my electric staple gun and wrapped it underneath.

Try to make it as flat as possible, you don't want any bumps in your upholstery. Here is a view from underneath, not pretty but it doesn't have to be. Staple away!

Now on to the upholstery part. I envy the people who put on their fabric right over the batting, that is a tough job to get it all lined up and flat and tight. Pfew! It's exhausting just thinking about the muscle that goes into it.

I did mine a little different. I used a piece of less expensive fabric to cover the batting and made a slipcover with the "good" fabric. Since I knew I wanted to change out the fabric on the ottoman for the seasons or in case it got dirty, this was the best option for me. Otherwise you can staple your fabric right to the frame over the batting. Here is the less expensive fabric. You could also use a flat bed sheet or something similar if you are going to make a slipcover.

And underneath. I always try to double fold the end of the fabric for more sticking power. Who knows when it could rip? I wanted that thing to stay on, hence the staples.

And now the good stuff! You can tell by my inspiration photos that I was in a blue mood for this project. I was lucky enough to find this blue velvet at a fabric department closing sale for, wait for it, $8 a yard! I mean that is unheard of and this is thick, heavy, canvas-backed velvet upholstery fabric. It is good stuff. I wish I had bought more :-( Two yards was what I estimated for this project and for a 4 x 2 foot table, I was right on.

Ohh, ahh, blue velvet. I feel like Elvis. Oh wait, that was suede!

This is not a how to by any means, but I sewed a cover and put on white piping along the bottom to give it a fresh modern edge. And to contrast with both the dark wood legs and blue fabric. I didn't cut this and sew it together, I put the fabric on the table upside down, pinned the corners closed, sewed them down on the machine and then just hemmed the bottoms to the right length to cover up the under fabric. I hope that makes sense.

Here is one of the corners. If you put a piece of fabric over something upside down, you can fold and pin it where you need a seam. Then sew on that line, it will be square once you turn it right side out.

And the piping went along the bottom. Again I did it inside out so I could see better.

Let's not wait any longer and get to the good stuff, the after!

I absolutely love it and my husband told me today it's a favorite project of his :-)

I'll stop chatting so you can enjoy the pics.

This is a welcomed addition to the living room and the color was definitely needed. This was taken before we moved the bar up here.

I plan to make some different slipcovers for the seasons and will have some fun shopping for fabric. What do you think? A Pinteresting makeover?

Oh and find all my other fun pins right HERE.

Linking up with

Winter Pinterest Challenge at Young House Love, Bower Power, Hi Sugarplum and The Great Indoors
Restored it Wednesday at Restore Interiors

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How to Hang Items on Plaster Walls

2012-03-12T10:46:00.003-04:00

Hello and happy Monday to you. Have you adjusted to Daylight Savings Time? I am tired this morning. I think it takes me a week to recover!

The other week I showed you my newest furniture makeover, a silver dresser that I had glazed, sanded and shined up with some metallic paint. In the photos of the dresser you might have noticed some new photos I hung up on the wall. The first wedding pictures I had printed and displayed ~ a year and a half later I'm so ashamed! But I got these frames at an estate sale and knew they would be prefect for my little corner.

Our house is 112 years old and our walls are entirely made of plaster. The hanging process is just a little bit different than drywall so I take some special steps to get items up and displayed. It's not hard at all, here is a step-by-step how to hang items on plaster walls.
First up, your supplies:

Drill
Painters tape
Screws with anchors - this is the key, you don't use nails
Pencil
Measuring tape
Drill bits

If you are having two or more items a level helps too.

Oh and one more important item ~ a picture of you looking fabulous!

This was actually a photo from our "first look" on our wedding day. Hubs and I had our pictures taken before the ceremony because of the schedule - oh the scandal! It was a lot less nerve racking to do that let me tell you. This was when we met up in the salon at the hotel. I walked it and so this is the first time he sees me and we're all looking at my dress, kind of like "this is it!" and so I said, "wait until you see the back" because it was this gorgeous lace up and I turned around and put my hand on my hip.

Little did I know at the time my photographer captured the moment perfectly, because even though you can't see it in the photo, my husband has his eyebrows raised and is looking directly at my rear end all "huh hhhuuh uhh!" You know. Yea. In fact most of the groomsmen were! Hysterical. Makes good conversation art for your walls.

Back to the tutorial!

Here's how to hang items on plaster walls.

1. Measure the spot on the wall where the screw will go and mark an X.

2. With your painter's tape, rip off a piece and poke a hole in the middle of it with the pencil.

Put the hole over the X that you've marked on the wall.

Pinterest photo alert :-)

3. Next, make a little "shelf" of the wide painters tape with the sticky side up to catch the plaster that will come out of the wall when you drill. This is not totally necessary, but helpful for clean up.

4. Now come the muscles. Drill with your left hand while you take a picture with your right for your blog. Just kidding! What you want to do is select the drill bit that it says to use on the side of the package of screws and anchors. These ones that I use regularly take a 3/16 drill bit.

Get it in your drill and go for it. The drill will stop once it is all the way through the plaster, you'll feel it. If it seems harder to go through, you probably hit some lath which is OK. Make sure the hole is the size of the bit, not too big.

This is where your tape "shelf" comes in handy.

5. Then you remove the tape and hammer in your anchor. This can be tricky. If you didn't drill the hole big enough, the plastic anchor will bend, you'll see it happen and you don't want that. You want the anchor to fit snugly in the hole and be flush with the wall like this.

6. Then you drill the screw into the anchor, changing your drill bit of course or you can just use a screwdriver with some muscle. I leave mine a little bit away from the wall so the wire from the picture will fit on it.

7. Then you can carefully fold up your little tape "shelf" to collect all the plaster dust and simply throw it away. No floor to vacuum!

And then you hang your picture up by the wire on the back of it on the screw. This will also work if your photo/art doesn't have a wire but another type of hanger on the back, but wire is preferred since it works so well with the screws. Some of the other hangers might not fit on the screw, but see what works for you.

If you hang two photos, make sure to level the line where they are hung so they are even. And viola, hanging items on plaster walls made easy.
Now you know the secret, anchors and scres, not nails. Nails will chip away the plaster and you'll end up with a large hole in the wall where nothing will be able to be hung. Of course you can try this with other size screws, but this size pretty much works for anything I need to hang.
I hope this helps you in your old house decorating or perhaps new house decorating with heavy objects. Any questions? Do you have any plaster wall tips? Do share!

Linking up with:

Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z

P.S. I'm going to put out a disclaimer that Blogger is giving me a lot of formatting problems on a PC and I'm really annoyed by it. If anyone knows of a fix (besides switching to WP, which I'm planning for), your help is appreciated! In the mean time you'll probably see paragraphs that don't have the correct spaces and all that, sorry.

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Ottoman in the Making

2012-03-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

In our living room we have a glass-topped coffee table. While it's very functional and has nice storage, we realized since we spend a good amount of time in there that we wanted something a bit more cushy under our legs as we lounged.

The table is nice, not a piece we'd throw away, but of course I had something else in mind for our lounging comfort. Something I would have to make on my own.

Enter some of my favorite recent living room photos.

traditional family room design by san diego interior designer Savvy Interiors

You'll notice a theme here as soon as you see this second pic.

traditional living room design by portland interior designer Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

An ottoman? In blue? In velvet!? Yes please.

My all too tan living room could use some spunk.

Source: livebreathedecor.com via Decor on Pinterest

But how was a thrifty girl going to get a ottoman like that?

From a leftover coffee table I found on the curb. Presto! Ask and you shall receive. This broken table had me at its nice round legs.

Found up the block just hanging out there. I swear sometimes my neighborhood is the gold mine of fabulous-furniture-to-be.

It's the perfect ottoman in the making. And just because these Survivor photos of Katie and Sherry are so hysterical, I will be entering the Winter Pinterest Challenge with this ottoman. Can someone Photoshop me some abs like that? Please?

Hope you all have a nice weekend? Are you making anything fun these days?

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Yes I Painted Laminate {Cabinet Makeover}

2012-03-05T22:12:00.000-05:00

I seem to be paying a lot of attention to my living room lately. With the new silver dresser in the front of the space, I'm all about sprucing up that side of the house since we spend so much time there.

When I finish a project I tend to stare at it for a long while. Again and again I wander into the room and just look it over. Then I stare at the space all around the new furniture/wall hanging/whatever-I-newly-did-somewhere and think of what I'll do next. Do you do this?

My husband knows it too. We can be sitting calmly on the couch and he'll see my eyes drift away and will exclaim "I can see the wheels turning, what are you thinking?"

He knows me so well :-)

On one of my staring bouts I spied this corner of the living room which has gotten no love at all since we moved in.

The table has since moved into the foyer but it's a sorry corner no less. Those sad small cubes, the lack of attention to the nine foot ceiling, not to mention the total absence of curtains {next project as soon as I can find a 130 inch curtain rod!}.

The longer I stared, I realized what I had to do ~ a little furniture rearranging! The easiest and most affordable {free} way to decorate your house. I had just the piece for the space.

This once fake wood laminate cabinet that my mom let me have when we moved in.

Yes I painted the laminate. It's really not much different than painting other pieces, you sand, prime and give it your favorite color. In this case, Chinchilla by Martha Stewart which is the color of our kitchen. I'm such a paint re-user.

And just like that my staring at a blank wall has paid off, we moved it from the basement up to the living room to be our bar.

It has the perfect amount of storage for all our favorite cocktail mixes and glasses. Some of these had been in storage since my husband and I moved in together while we were engaged three years ago.

Apparently I have to touch up the ceiling inside there huh. The only defect I've seen yet on it.

And underneath goes all the leftovers you don't want anybody to see. Notice my little margarita salt container and mix, a favorite drink for the summer!

For easy reach we put out the drinks and accessories.

The basket is from our honeymoon in the Bahamas. And the little red Buddha was left here by the previous owner. We think it's funny so the Buddha lives at the bar :-)

And there we have it, a nice place for some entertaining when guests come over and all of our bar ware finally in one place. I'm thinking of painting the inside back of the top part a different color, I'm thinking black but am not sure yet. Should I jazz it up a bit, give it some contrast in there?

Cocktails anyone? Cheers!

Linking up with:

The March Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick

Piece of Work Wednesday at Primitive and Proper
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

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