Cure 4 Decor

Bamboo Bar Cart Makeover

2018-06-08T15:49:00.002-04:00

Welcome! I am dusting off the blog today! I am beyond guilty of neglecting this little corner of the web, but sometimes I get in a rut! Is anybody still reading blogs? I will admit that I neglect my favorite bloggers thanks to Instagram... it's just too easy to scroll through and see what's what. Anyway, thanks for stopping over!

Isn't this serving cart adorable?

It ended up being the inspo I needed to get the back porch Summer-ready.

Have you ever ~~trash-picked~~ curb-rescued something only to get it home and your original enthusiasm quickly spirals downhill ?

You start off so positive: "Oh, that will be so cute in _______ (insert where you envision the wonder going). But once you get a good look at it, you turn to "I'll-just-spray-paint-it" mode. Step three of the vicious cycle is when you realize even blessed spray-paint ain't solving this problem.

I was Bamboo-zled, get it?
Here it is... looks can be deceiving because it was horrid on the underside. I was actually getting annoyed that someone left this Target bar-cart circa 2015 OUTSIDE! It was moldy and nasty.

Finally, you are left with only TWO options.

1. Throw it out on your curb and risk the original neighbor

(in my case on the same street) seeing it out there.

2. Fix the darn thing up.

This is my story of the rescued bamboo bar cart. I spotted the cutie on the way out one evening and asked the spouse to pick it up if it was still there when we were on the way home. Of course she was still waiting for us, and the spouse was so sweet to go get it for me. However, when I got it home, I went into step 2, then quickly to step 3 once I flipped the cart over and saw the moldy damage that had prompted her demise in the first place! But my pride is bigger than ability to accept defeat. My kiddo and I tore out the existing shelves and built new. After a little paint and elbow grease, it is now a fun addition to the back porch. It even inspired a much needed revamping of our outdoor space and I can't wait to serve up something fun on this baby!

My assistant and I started by removing all of wood from the shelves but were able to salvage the bamboo frame and wheels.
I used some scrap wood and cut new shelves and supports that were glued and nailed to the frame. I didn't take any pics of that because, I'll be honest, I thought this one might get nixed. See the rot?

I spray painted the whole thing with Rust-oleum Navy Blue in a glossy finish.

...and finished the wheels with Krylon Metallic Copper.

See how cute it turned out? My daughter asked me if we should take it back to the original owners!! Nope, they neglected her, she's mine now.

I was so inspired for a spruce up that I couldn't resist some new accessories to go with the new addition. Now, on first glance, one might think I had recently returned from an international adventure, traveling the world and collecting textiles and treasures from afar.
Nope, the Christmas Tree Shops guys. I scored both of the rugs out here for less than 60 for the two of them.

I also found these adorable melamine plates with bamboo trim. They are similar to the one's at Ballard Designs, only for a fraction of the dough.

...and a few gold flower pots for 5 bucks to finish off the look.

My DIY sliding screen door is holding up pretty good out here!
Details can be found here.

Thanks for stopping over!

Full Hands, Fuller Heart

2018-04-19T16:12:00.000-04:00

So this may be less of a decorating / DIY post than usual, but the reality is that my real job is "mom."

Once upon a time in my life, I had five kids ages 9 and under. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I had my "hands full," or " you're busy," or my favorite: "God Bless Ya, I don't know how you do it!" -I'd have college for all 5 kids paid for by now. Honestly, I found this extremely offensive back then, and would have to bite my tongue from spurting out a nasty reply to these folks.

But something happened over the years, and I started to feel empowered by these comments. I embraced the fact that I could handle something that these "average" ladies just could not. Confession: I still feel that way. I do. I don't get offended by the remarks. I am so proud that I have these five gorgeous children (and still fit in my skinny jeans) and have grown to accept and embrace people's insecurities that they project toward others.

But parenting changes. Kids change. Somewhere along the road to middle school, society acts like you aren't a parent if your kids are no longer wearing what you pick out or getting snack-time at school. We focus so much on baby gear and toddler manners that the real-deal kid-raising takes a back seat. Like all things in life, I guess, when it's no longer "fun" it isn't worth mentioning.

I'll admit that raising adolescents is not as intriguing as watching a toddler explore a playground for the first time. Once the little people we've acquired have an opinion and a voice, it becomes much more challenging to enjoy the daily grind. We are no longer in control of every aspect of them. They have their own plans, thoughts, schedule, conversations, and friends (who we didn't choose just because we like the other moms). It isn't "sweet" anymore and glamorous in the least, hence why it "doesn't count" as parenting in today's world.

I'm shedding some light on the fact that this is when the "parenting" gets REAL. Yes, my babies, toddlers, and pre-K's needed us. We loved those times (I have a trillion pics to prove it). But now, when the attitudes come home from school, the drama starts in third grade, they get a driver's license, or walk around the house with earbuds in (all day), this is when the we are in the thick of it. They need guidance, emotional support, lectures, and discipline just as much now (if not more) than ever before.

We recently faced a harsh reality. I should say we continue to face it, as our oldest son lost one of his closest friends in a tragic accident. The details are not important, but the fact remains that I can't take away this pain, grief, and visual of having witnessed what nobody I know has had to endure. As a mother, my sole focus has been to protect the kids. I can't fix this. I have had to learn to be the passenger on this ride, and let me tell you that's not easy. Learning to listen, grant space, offer words of encouragement at the right time, stop talking at the right time, and letting him just be, are all new paths for me. Navigating this experience is new to all of us in this family and I will say I have never been more aware of how much I need to be more "present" with my kids and how thankful I am for them each day.

Once my kids began to grow older, I began to realize they are no longer my people who's lives I am able to orchestrate. Adjusting to these changes has been challenging, interesting, but so enjoyable. Seriously! I really like the people I have raised so far. They have conversations with me, help me create projects, laugh with me. As parents, we are doing good, I'd like to think. I hope to raise these boys to be great men, and my daughter a fabulous woman; all of whom love God and praise Jesus for all of life's blessings. That's it: ultimate goal right there.

But now, unlike before, I really do feel like I have my "hands full." I could use a "God Bless Ya!" because some days, I really don't know how I do it.

Thanks for listening...

Budget-Friendly Boho Inspired Finds to Update Any Room

2018-02-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'd be a liar if I said I don't crave Spring right now. Once I packed up all of the cold weather / Valentine decorations, I was more than ready for a simple, clean, fresh start.
I just finished up some wallpaper in the Family Room. It's very Scandinavian of me ;) I'm in love with the way this transformed the family room. It went from just, "meh" to "WOW!" I used Beacon House's Scandinavian Block Print Tulip in blue. Now, this wallpaper is not pre-pasted, so I knew it would be a witch to hang, just like my foyer ceiling was. But the quality is fabulous. I've had cheap paper tear and stretch when hanging it up, but this is sturdy and thick. I covered only the wall around the fireplace and it's just what we needed to carry the blue from the kitchen cabinets through, since both are visible at the same time.

Here's the view from the family room into the breakfast nook...the blue now floooows right in.

This new look has me craving some Boho style in our family room. This should be easy, given that I never jumped on the "shiplap wagon." (Don't knock me yet!) I adore it in other people's houses, I think it is a great way to add character to a blank wall. I actually ordered some shiplap wallpaper for an upcoming room project, so there. Real shiplap just clearly doesn't go with our cookie-cutter-colonial. Lucky for me, I can't commit to any color and all of our furniture is basically neutral as well. This room can use some updated pieces, so I went to my regular source for everything: Amazon!!

Adding this Boho, or Modern Boho look is an easy update for a tired room like we had. Mixing textures is the key here. Some navy blue, woven wool, leather, natural elements, and pops of gold work well together.

I love this Moroccan leather pouf, it doesn't come filled though so I guess plastic grocery bags it is... But this Faux Fiddle Leaf tree is in my cart. I kill every plant I own. (It's a wonder my family has fared well thus far). Since everybody's doing the Fiddle Leaf thing, I can participate now and not regret causing the death of a lovely plant while preserving my budget. This is a steal people.

$69.99

$52.69

$18.79

$24.99

$23.49

$11.99

Just the sheer fact that when I was a kid my mom had a macrame wall hanging on the sun porch and woven plant hangers is reason enough for my nostalgic side to order these guys.

Need any of these to remedy your space? Click an image to go directly to the affiliate link on Amazon.

Thanks for popping over...don't forget to subscribe (top right of the blog-mint box) and follow on Instagram @cure4decor to enter to win the Blogiversary Giveaway this week!

Chalkboard Sign Giveaway

2018-02-25T17:41:00.001-05:00

Happy Sunday Loves!

Today, this is short and sweet. I just want to share the Chalkboard Sign I made for my 5 year Blogiversary. For one follower, it's yours!

I love this saying and feel like it serves as a great reminder to everyone in the home!

This was so easy to make. Now, I'm not talking anybody into using Chalk Couture, nor am I compensated in any way for sharing this, I just use it and love it. I made this distressed-look sign using Chalk Couture products and a perfectly vintage store-bought frame.

It was seriously 3 steps and it was finished! Chalk Couture is removable but I clear coated this one to make it permanent.

(Some screen shots of the steps)

How to enter?

1. Subscribe to Cure4Decor

(At the top right of this page, enter your email in the mint colored square "Get Cure4Decor in your inbox") Be sure to check your email to confirm the subscription. If you already subcribe here...Thanks! You are automatically entered! Go to step 2.

2. Follow me on Instagram

(Link to my IG is at the right under "Let's Connect"
click the camera icon to be directed to IG) That's it!

Enter through Sunday, March 4th. The random drawing winner will be announced March 5th via Instagram and here on the blog. The winner will also be notified via email and all shipping and handling costs are covered, so it really is free, enter today!!

If you want to learn more about Chalk Couture and how to get it, hit the black button on my sidebar.

Thanks for stopping over!

How to Make New Galvanized Metal Look Old: DIY "Rusty" Olive Baskets

2018-02-16T10:38:00.001-05:00

This post contains affiliate links.

Call me late in the game, but I just picked up a pair of these olive buckets to flank the front door. I know, I know...but I'm a discount shopper and refused to pay big money for something like this.

Left: dreamywhites.blogspot.com
Right: savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com

Ballard Designs $129.00 ??? Nope, sorry.

Amazon to the rescue...
I found these baskets, not one, but two for way less than the price of the ones found at the elite stores. These babies measure 14.5" X 15" X 11" which is plenty big for my taste. And at less than $50 bucks for the pair, I am a happy girl.

Amazon Affiliate Link

They arrived in two days and I loved the size and value, but they were far from rusty and "real" looking. I decided to try to create some vintage vibe on these two.

Using brown matte acrylic paint and a fine paintbrush, I went over the handles and anywhere it would tend to rust on an old metal basket.

I ran the brush down the seam and across both the top and bottom rims.
It dried super quick and in 10 minutes, they looked like they have been outside for decades.

See the difference? Left: Rusty, Right: Not!

No Tetanus shot required! Now where am I going to put these until I go buy the plants?!!

Thanks for stopping over...

5 Year Bloggiversary!

2018-02-12T23:21:00.003-05:00

Happy Anniversary to me!

Cure 4 Decor ~~Planted and Blooming Girl~~ is 5 years old today!

Ok, so maybe I haven't been the most dedicated blogger in the world. I know, I'm a slacker, but keeping it real means keeping it simple. I try to share useful info for you guys out there, and loyal folks know I am not big on bragging. If it's helpful, I blog it. If I didn't do it, I won't usually share it because, really, anyone who has the funds can get a contractor to come and revamp your kitchen, swap out your corner jacuzzi tub for a claw foot, knock down walls, and change your dated granite and kitchen floor (sorry that may be my wish list). It's pretty obvious that new construction has all the "up-to-date" finishes and, no offense, that's boring to read about, not to mention unrealistic. I'm not interested in making myself feel bad here. I just like to surround myself with pretty things (and experiment with tools sometimes ;) while sharing my remedies for the Cookie-Cutter-Colonial.

So aside from getting 5 years older... what's been happening for the last five years?

I had a blog name change. Why? Well, I had an issue with the length of the other one, and it was time for the girl to grow up. I had to uprgrade to a domain and "Planted and Blooming Girl" suggested that I might be able to actually keep plants alive, which I cannot by the way. So spoofed off of my "day job" and went with Cure 4 Decor. Although I do love the notion of blooming where you are planted, so I sort of miss that.

My kids and I were in Better Homes & Gardens Magazine. You already know about this one. Honestly, if it weren't for the blog, that fun experience would never have happened! I hated this picture when it was published. All I could see were flaws on my appearance. I hated the clothes that the stylist provided for all of us. I hated the weird smirk on my face and the fact that the blouse they had me wear made me look like I had a spare tire (when in fact I did not have one back then). Now I look at this with a different set of eyes. I see 5 kids who are now 5 years older. I see a mom who should've been proud that she could balance family, a career, and a hobby. It's amazing how much you change in 5 years!

I had my first surgery. Okay so that's not on anybody's bucket list. I ruptured my ACL and needed reconstructive surgery. Let me tell you I was freaking out. I am the Captain of this ship. I am not saying that with any kind of pride. It's my own fault that I do everything around here. Laundry, cleaning, dishes, kid transport, etc. So if mamma's down, everyone's going down. I taught my family how to use the washer and dryer, I prepared meals for the freezer, and I wrote down all the passwords for everything in case I never woke up from anesthesia. Turns out, the very first post-op day I was helping my daughter take a bath and making my own lunch. So that was that.

(Ugh....)

I decided to continue my education. I have been an RN for, well, forever it feels like. I never had any intention of getting my BSN. I was a busy mom, I actually love being a staff nurse, and I honestly am not that driven. But...after I finished the Staircase Project, I felt like I was "wasting" time. Crazy, I know. I thought, "If I can take the time to do that, I can go back for my BSN". So I did. I graduated almost 2 years ago now, and I really can't say I am glad I did it. I certainly would have rather had that time with my kids and spent any extra doing house projects. That's the truth. My house was a mess for two years and nobody (in my house) was at all supportive of my decision to spend every day on my laptap doing school work instead of laundry. Hindsight is b*@#h.

I turned the big 4-0! Along with that one came a better understanding of living in the moment. I am still in this 40th year and so far I can't complain. It's funny how you start to reevaluate your priorities and, for me, decide to focus on what I want to do, including a little bit more for "me."

I'm trying out more power tools! I started little hobby that I am addicted to, it's ridiculous because the last thing I need is another sign in this house, but I love making them. So I started selling them. Locally and I'll beef up the Etsy sight this year. It's one of my goals ;)

So, tonight I raise my cup of Sleepytime Tea and say "Cheers" to loving where you live, to loving who you are, and making the most of every day.

I'm planning more real ideas that are budget friendly and easy to achieve, while making my home look and work better for my family. After all, it isn't what you put into your home and how many of the latest trends you blend in. It's about making the space you come home to your soft place to land; because a home is not what surrounds us but who we share it with, the memories we make there, and the love that unfolds.

Check back this week, there's a GIVEAWAY in celebration of my 5 years blogging!!
If you don't follow my Instagram...go there now and do it @cure4decor.

Thanks for checking in...

Turn a Pedestal Table into a Coffee Table: A 15 Minute Hack

2018-01-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

Hi There!

If you follow my Instagram, you saw yesterday's sneak peek of the table hack I was working on. Honestly, this project is not a new concept, by far. Turning a pedestal dining table into a coffee table has cropped up for ages. There are a ton of pictures of finished products out there of tables that were constructed much different than mine. But I could not find any tutorial on how to actually execute this plan. The only one that came super close is no longer published. It was my exact table, I'm talking down to the screws! So like everything else, I did it my way and I'll share it with you guys so that some crazy woman with the same pedestal table can hack hers into a coffee table too.

Over the summer I decided we needed a round dining table. I thought it flow better in the kitchen and there's something I like about the contrast between rectangular counter space and a round table. It just pleases my eyes! Here she is... my Craigslist $75.00 find.

I gave it a stain and white wash treatment, but never really loved how it came out. Anyway, in the house she went. After six months of elbow banging, stool-sitting, and frankly, aggravating meals (I ignored the complaints...until we had a new pantry/broom closet and cabinets built into the wall behind the table) it just didn't fit a family of 7 . I had to admit that having dinner together as a family is the priority here, not the look of the table! So the round table was taken apart and shoved in the dining room. I promised it to a friend and then like a jerk decided to keep it.

Step one is to take the top off of the table. It was screwed on, and came off easy. The round top sits on top of a square board that is bolted onto the pedestal.

I removed the nuts and lifted off the square wood. The bolts themselves are screwed into the pedestal base, so I used a wrench to unscrew them and set everything aside to use when it was time to reassemble.

Next step is to measure how high you want the table to sit. I wanted this one to be 16" from the ground, just like the ottoman we have. (Good for feet proppin'). The table top is 3" thick so I deducted that from my measurement and made a mark at 13" from the ground on the pedestal.

The next step is to cut at your mark with your saw.

For this job I used the sawzall, and after inspecting the inside of the pedestal, it wasn't solid, so my life got so much easier.

The final step is reassembling. Re-drill the holes for the bolts to be screwed back into the pedestal and set the wood square back on top. (I didn't take a pic of this but if you got this far you'll figure it out).

That's it!
All this space game playing, nail painting, drawing, and feet proppin'!

How adorable are these little houses? These are from Amazon, just touch the picture below to get a set! (They are sneaky and have timers built in!)
Just too cute.

Amazon

Okay, my secret tip to finding Craigslist goodies! You ready? Spelling Errors!
Yes, I am not kidding. I can't tell you how many "key" pieces I've found by intentionally spelling a word wrong. For example: Search "Dinning Room Table" and see what you might find!
Thanks for looking, now go Cure Ur Decor!

Capsule Wardrobe?

2018-01-05T11:47:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

Anyone else feel a tiny bit nostalgic and droopy about taking down the Christmas decor?? I haven't even started, partially because my kids give me the stink-eye when I mention it, and mostly because the stomach bug hit our house and I have a ridiculous cold. However, I'm not letting it get me down. It's a perfect excuse to lay around and eat bad. It snowed here, and if you know anything about South Jersey, it's rare to have snow this week, so I'm still in holiday mode. We always get snow ~~just when we really want it~~ in February.

J Crew

Overstock.com

Something about this time of year makes me want all new sweaters... and area rugs. But that's a different post. I shopped online a bit this week and decided to try to build my own modified capsule wardrobe. Let's face it, I wear casual clothes in public and ugly O.R. scrubs to work, so this should be fairly simple, right? I searched Pinterest for the "stay-at-home-mom capsule wardrobe" (SAHM- sounds way cooler) for the current year of course, because I don't want to be all decked for 2015.

...

I found this cute capsule on Pinterest...Minus the Inspector Gadget Trenchcoat, my closet is full of clothes and it turns out I already own a crap-ton of these things, so it's time to put them into outfits and back in plain sight so I'll get my use out of them. So on to creating the capsule.

Everyday Hairstyles via Pinterst

This one's easy enough from www.classyyettrendy.com...plus it will look like I'm a super-energetic-workout-girl while I'm food shopping...or in Target.

Pinterest

This 9 piece/9 outfits is handy but lacking some color for my taste...I'd have to swap out that beige baby for some green

https://the-capsule-project.squarespace.com/blog/minimalist-wardrobe-challenge

This was probably my favorite (give or take a few things) and it is from 2016 but...I'll use it to get what I already own into several outfits and hopefully eliminate the panic I go into when I have to go somewhere. (The frantic digging for a certain top, pants, shoe...).

https://www.nowthaticando.com/home/fall-capsule-wardrobe-2016

I'll let you know how I make out on the closet overhall. Now I need to find an organizing guide and some hangers.

Faux Bamboo Furniture Love Affair

2018-01-03T11:03:00.001-05:00

I have a bit of crush on faux bamboo furniture, with a pop of color, who doesn't??? Just look at these beauties I found on Pinterest:

source

Just as I was wiping the drool off of my chin, I stumbled upon a set by Thomasville- complete with the dresser, mirror, desk, and end table, being sold together.
Whaat?!!! I know, almost unheard of. This crush just became a love affair people.

I owe my oldest son, big time, for driving 60 miles round trip with me to help ~~cram~~ load up all four pieces of this FABULOUS (or soon to be) furniture into my SUV! I had to snatch it up while I had the chance because they are soooo darn hard to find. I hadn't decided on colors or even which piece to keep for myself, (I have to have one Hollywood Regency Lovely in my house somewhere) I just knew I had to get these babies!

I know, I know, some imagination please and yeah, I've had my work cut out for me, but they were in great shape.

As far as paint, I'm thought about Kelly Green for the desk, a brighter-than-navy blue for the dresser, maybe gold guild for the mirror, and I had been dying to use my Krylon Coral Isle spray paint, so the side table is getting that. BTW, that orange desk I found on Pinterest, is my exact find!! I can't stand it, I'm excited here, new love and all.

I could picture one in every room. I need the dresser as a foyer table, the desk would be lovely in my room, the little table for the study, and the mirror...anywhere really.

No, I won't keep them all, I promised the spouse I would refinish at least one and find it a new home!!!

What happened?

So here's where we stand with these guys...I kept them, all of them...even the mirror.

The desk was painted with a glossy red paint, designed for automotive purposes, so it is super shiny and thick.

The dresser you have seen a million times...I spray painted that with Valspar Deep Sea Diving blue. The mirror is gold now.

and the little side table got a coral coat of spray paint...

Thanks for stopping over!

Christmas Week at Casa di Graziano

2017-12-27T23:34:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Yes, it's still Christmas to us! This is my favorite week of the year, between Christmas and New Year. The stress is over and all that's left to do is enjoy all the hard work! I took some pics of our house when it snowed, not on Christmas, but it put me in the spirit all the same.

We had some kitchen remodeling done this season, and although the builder was finished a few weeks ago, I just finished up organizing the cabinets and clearing out the clutter. It involved removing a wall, so I'm pretty darn happy to see the fireplace and tree from the kitchen now.

(Plus I can watch my Hallmark movies while I clean up the kitchen, so it's a win-win).

Our house is decked, not perfect, not Instagram and Pinterest ready, just looking completely festive and well...happy. I started to take pictures and realized there is endless amounts of dog hair and kid belongings everywhere. You know what? I don't care. We live here. I can't do fake, I just can't. We are blessed to have these five beautiful kids, I refuse to apologize. I am rebelling against all the internet decorating chicks and showing you what a loved, lived in house looks like. I'm a firm believer in trying to make the most of each moment, live for now, not for tomorrow, or a month from now; try enjoying now. This isn't easy to do, I have spent years of not living in the moment and realized it isn't as joyful as doing so.

So anyway, let's get on with it.
C'mon in...

We were dripping in snow the weekend before last, and I was so hoping for a white Christmas but it was gone by then, sadly. So it was a dreary day of picture taking and I'm in no mood to photoshop, so these pics are dark...

Somehow I always go for a relaxed, country look for Christmas. I don't know why, maybe a therapist somewhere would say it happened in my youth, but I just need cozy and RED...lots of RED. I can't have Christmas without it.

The foyer...can I mesh rustic furniture and chic wallpaper? Crystals and chalkboards? Well it's done now. Guess it's like wearing chandelier earrings with a T-shirt and jeans, and that works for me too.

In the Living Room... one of our two 9 foot flocked slims. These are such space savers for our cookie cutter colonial. I don't mind that they are strictly decorative because we have our "real" tree in the basement man-cave/movie room every year. It's just a tradition that my kids prefer. I have a rustic theme here in the living room and a more "fun" one over in the family room...

The ottoman has a winter coat on, well, it's really a piece of faux fur from the fabric store...very Jon Snow of him I think.

I added a little buffalo check in here to keep it from feeling stuffy. The pillow covers (a steal from Amazon), a cloth napkin under the nativity, and a yard of fabric for the tree skirt tie it all together.

The dining room is finally cleared out. When we had the kitchen project done, everything from the kitchen went in there. I actually love how sparse it looks right now because my brain can't handle how it looked for weeks, or how cluttered that table always gets for that matter.

My sister's nativity...I've had it on loan for about 3 years. If she read this she could get it back.

I think I've made it clear how I feel about "table-scapes" ; (
My apologies, but I just can't have it. We have 5 kids, this house is full of stuff, everywhere, all the time. I need at least one surface to be cleared off in order to keep the chaos at bay! No stuff, dust, or clutter. (My honesty is going to make me some blogger enemies, but I can't help how I feel people).

An un-traditional take on an old tradition; our advent wreath is made of boxwood, pinecones, and bottle brush trees (all from the Christmas bins) but I think it works. Every year I have the best intentions to make one, so I improvised in order to include it this year.

The kitchen is another spot that makes me smile. It's got a lot going on but it's a happy, fun place to be. I clearly didn't stage this room...and by stage I mean: toss-everything-behind- me-while-I-take-the-picture.

I'm still waiting for the hardware on the new cabinets. (We can't make a decision people!)

The family room speaks for itself... no apologies...we live here.

That opening to the right...wasn't here a few weeks ago!!! It was just a doorway along the far left. I love the light this brings in, although you'd never know it from this picture.

Going up the stairs, I followed the tutorial and downloaded the FREE botanical prints from Laura at Bless'er House blog to add some winter vibes.

And because I like to keep things authentic... a shot of our "real" fake tree (the one with all of our family treasures on it) in the basement where we have movies all season and Christmas morning! I warned you, it's authentic all right!

Merry Christmas to you from us! Here's to a fabulous New Year!

p.s. The spouse bought us a new DSLR, because my Nikon bit the dust, so the days of dank pictures are ending.

Cheers!

DIY Knock-off: Magnolia Market Good Tidings Sign

2017-12-06T13:16:00.002-05:00

Hi Loves...

We are wrapping up a kitchen makeover here. I can't call it a remodel, but we had a wall opened up and the cabinets redone; to me it's an AMAZING event! Anyway, in between restocking the cabinets and rearranging things, I stumbled across a beauty from Magnolia Market and I was super giddy because it is so easy to make. I just so happen to have a similar screen print stencil from Chalk Couture that I used to make a few signs this season, but when I saw the price of this sign, I was so making this one for way less.

Here's how mine turned out...cost me nothing because I had the stencil and extra wood around.

The inspiration...for $125!!!

Magnolia Market

The Chalk Couture stencils use Chalkology Paste stenciled through a "screenprint" style mesh transfer stencil. After adhering the stencil to the surface (chalkboard, mirror, wood, anything) you then smear the paste on, wipe off the excess, and peel off the transfer.
It's that simple. Oh and the transfer is reusable, you just wash it off.

I used plywood cut 18 X 18; smaller than Magnolia's but in keeping with the size of my stencil.

First, I painted it black and sanded it slightly after it was dry.

Next, I used small Poplar board for the frame, cut to size, and stained with Minwax Espresso.

Finally, after transferring the stencil, I allowed it to dry and tacked the frame on. The best part about the chalk paste is that it dries with a texture, unlike paint. Makes it a little more rustic. Bonus: you can spray it with polyurethane and it won't wipe off.

Merry Christmas!

Store-Bought Wreath to Custom for Under $25

2017-12-01T20:05:00.002-05:00

Happy First Day of December!

Today officially kicks off my advent; it's my mental cut-off to start Christmasing and stop decorating. What isn't up after today, isn't getting put up. In an effort to stop and smell the Christmas trees, I am determined to enjoy the season, without decorating bins laying all over for weeks.

Does anyone else feel like it's way too close to Christmas, yet it's only December 1st??

Deep Breath.

Today I'm sharing a quick post on my rules of how to beef up a store-bought wreath to a custom cutie...

My front door deserved a new wreath this year. (She is too lovely to have the old swag hanging on her). I believe every craft store runs at least a 50% off sale right now and I went out in search of a plain-ish evergreen. I scored one with pinecones and a bit of cedar-like greens for $15.00 at A. C. Moore. It just lacked the eye candy I wanted.

Not bad, but not the best.

I bought several "picks" that are sold separately, also 50% off. (I never did use the faux pinecones or the snowy one, so this was even cheaper).

Now for my rules...

1. Odd numbers only

I realized when I was putting this together that

I always stick to the rule of decorating in odd numbers. 3's, 5's, 7's, etc.

This goes for cake decorating, throw pillows, landscaping, and kids (in my case).

2. Use the clock as a guide.

Work your way around the wreath adding the floral picks on the odd numbers. Starting with 3 of one type of floral pick.

(I added the green pics on 1:00, 5:00, and 9:00).

3. Add a pop of color

Go back and add 3 different pieces with a color or visual interest at different odd "times" around the clock. I added red berry picks at 11:00, 3:00, and 7:00.

Arrange the picks into the wreath and fluff the wreath around it. Once you have everything where you want it, hot glue or wire them in.

The chalkboard sign was a Target Dollar Spot find from last year, but any cute sign or initial would do.

Now you have my odds only- clockwork method, go get odd!

Scaling Back: Why I Cut the Arms Off a Sofa

2017-11-12T16:57:00.000-05:00

Hi Lovelies.
Yes, I cut the arms off of our sofa.
Admittedly, we have a room we never use. Not because I want a "formal" living room, by far, it's just not the gathering spot for anyone except the dog. I read out there once in a while, but it is basically my dog's room. He likes that he can see out at the neighbors and make a quick dash for visitors at the front door. If you've read my blog before (Hi Mom), you know about the Italian Stallion Sofa we purchased soooo long ago. (Hey, I'm not embarrassed). I quickly hated what it looked like and gave it a very unprofessional reupholster job. Fast forward a few years, several kids, and one large dog later, it's still comfortable and sturdy-just need a remedy.

Here's what I finished with.

I Googled for some ideas and came up dry...as usual. So I'm sharing my tactic and crude phone pics of how it was done, just in case any of you want to cut off your sofa arms.

Here's a waaaaay "before," as in circa 2007...

The original Italian Stallion (it had some big guns right?), the makeover a few years ago when I Drop Cloth Covered it, and finally the "after" when I removed the arms:

armetcomy folks.

The sofa never truly "fit" in this narrow living room. It had those big round arms that stuck out and broke up the room making it feel more narrow than it already is. I continued to shop for a slope arm model that would be comfortable and cheap (hey it's a giant dog bed). This combo is hard to find. So, like all of my projects, I thought I'd try an experiment on this couch, and if it failed, I'd be forced to buy a new one as planned.
(But I didn't fail).

I asked to borrow my father-in-law's sawzall, or reciprocating saw. Once he realized what I was planning, he went ahead and cut for me ;)

I didn't take any pictures of the process, because I was already feeling judged by the family for this project so I didn't want to add to crazy...but this is how it went down.

I began by prying off the lovely (insert healthy sarcasm) faux wood trim, fabric, and foam to expose the wooden frame of the sofa. I cut through the fabric and padding with a utility knife to expose the wood frame on the arms. I drew a line from the back of the sofa to the front with a sharpee, in the angle I wanted removed, and then Pop cut it for me. I removed a lot of padding from the arm, but salvaged enough to wrap back over and re-staple to the outside of the arm. I decided to just use a slipcover on the thing to save time. Now I know it's not perfect and all that smooth, but hey, I believe I told you in the "About Me" that I'm not a pro. This cover is from Amazon and is pure white (gasp) yes, white with a dog. I have always had white furniture in one room or another and would never shy away because of bleach, people.

Believe it or not this sofa fits so much better in here and the arms aren't visually blocking off the furniture from each other.

If you look really close at this picture below, you might be able to see our dog.
(again, sarcasm).

Much better. The ottoman was recovered with a Chintz-like fabric in a Chinoiserie print, inspired by the Henry Link bambooesque dresser I painted for in this room. I had great plans to cover some pillows with the fabric but have yet to get around to that.

Well c'mon...since you're here, I'll give you the 25 cent tour of the Living Room.

Here is the view from the foyer...

My mom and I painted the Dining/Living Room with Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray a few years ago and the foyer, hallway, and kitchen SW Agreeable Gray.

Below is the view from the Dining Room. You can see to the left are the french doors that lead to the "study" a.k.a. little kids' hangout. We are so not going in there right now. You can see a peek of the wallpapered foyer ceiling that used to be two-story, until this past Spring when we had closed it off to make an additional bedroom upstairs. I don't like to blog about projects we pay people to do unless it might help someone else out, and that one is well worth the investment. We don't miss it at all because the new front door lets in so much light; it's as if it has always been like that.

Do Chinoiserie and Buffalo Check even go together ?

Well they do now. I break rules folks. All kinds of rules. Actually I just bring together anything I love, that's the deal.

The Henry Link Dresser or The Blue Danube as I call her... I still love this Ebay find.

Why won't I just get a new sofa you ask?? That right there is why...

Thanks for stopping in!

Stop and Smell the Turkey

2017-11-05T16:03:00.002-05:00

People, I'm going to do something seriously crazy here.

source

Call me a nut, talk about me later, but I'm actually going to celebrate Thanksgiving before Christmas. Yup, I said it. Celebrate what is happening NOW. I love Christmas, don't get me wrong. It is my absolute favorite holiday. I have a billion bins of decor; it takes me days to put it all up. I love the flutter in my stomach when the Christmas music plays, the baking, and planning. I love that it is my Lord's Birthday, because of Him we are saved, and have been blessed with this wonderful life. However, I want to enjoy this life and stop wishing for the next best thing. I mean, I'm still planted and blooming girl, so c'mon.

source

What's the deal? Why is everyone so determined to shun Turkey Day??? I've stumbled upon a few blogs/sites that already had the Christmas decorations in their homes at Halloween!! I think we need to take some time to reevaluate the priorities here. (Sorry, but this is my blog and I'll say what I want).

source

However, now's the time to take advantage of commercialism. I popped into Michael's Crafts and apparently they believe Fall is over as well, and all of their decor is 70% off! I snagged some great baskets for 7 or 8 bucks. I planned on using them to house my palm plants that are on the deck but those are still loving the warmer weather outside!
I scored these for 8 and 12 bucks...

I know we are all busy running from school, sports, work, etc., but taking time to stop and "smell the roses" (or turkey in this case) might be just the the prescription I need to slow down the pace. The first thing people with school aged kids will tell those with little ones is that once they go to school- time flies. I rolled many an eye about that, but guess what? It's so true. My family is large and spreading their wings. I have less free time now than ever before. I feel like we were just on summer vacation and now it's November. All the more reason I want to make the most of each day, and with that, each season. Embrace the Fall, heck it's going to 70 degrees today, I can't have a snow covered tree in my living room right now!

So we are holding off on Christmas decorating, I didn't say holding off on buying decorations, just not putting them up.

Happy Fall!

DIY Pipe Shelves

2017-10-23T17:12:00.002-04:00

Seriously, this is a quickie! Who doesn't love one? You'll knock this project out in an hour including stain if you don't mind the smell. I shared the s tenciled floor details here and the rustic vanity plans here, but for the shelves, I cheated and ordered the brackets on Amazon. This saved me a trip to Lowe's or Home Depot, saved me several aggravating conversations with all of the men who work there and assume women are always wandering aimlessly waiting to be asked if we need "help finding anything?" (what's with them???) and saved me the money I would no-doubt spend on crap I stumble upon and don't need. (Ok, bad photo alert, but this PR is camera shy).

You only need a few supplies for this project:

screwdriver

pipe fitting bracket (Amazon)

wood for the shelves

level

table saw

The brackets were similar to this and were under 20 bucks for one pair including hanging hardware.

The wood was leftover (of course) from the upstairs foyer enclosure, the builder left the scraps and I was a little too happy about that ;) My pieces are 1.5" thick, 9.5 " deep, and 21.5" long. You can use any length of course, and could have the hardware store cut them for you.

I distressed the wood with a hammer and a mallet. Next I stained them with Minwax Early American and then white-washed them with a 50/50 mix of latex white paint and water. I rubbed off the access.

The final step was a coat of Polyacrylic and then I hung them up. I found it easier to attach the bracket to the shelf first and then hang the whole thing on the wall. This way I could ensure that the shelves are even despite imperfections in the wood.

Enjoy!

Rustic Wood Vanity: A pedestal sink surround

2017-10-19T11:18:00.000-04:00

Hi There, last post I shared my inexpensive (as in almost free) powder room makeover, although the stenciled floor may be the showstopper for me, I decided to break up the bling and find a vanity that was rustic and had some character. I had no interest in taking on the removal of that sink, not now. So I went on a quest to find a pedestal sink surround that resembled a built in vanity. I searched the web for a solution to the dreaded builder grade, zero-storage sink, but I came up dry ;) So I decided to build one. Apologies for the bad photography here, there is zero light in this little P.R. !!

I knew I wanted it to be a rustic style, which makes it all the easier in my book. (I'm in trouble when this distressed look goes out of style). For some inspo I perused and drooled over some amazing work from Thrifty Decor Chick, but she's just way more talented (and patient) than I am. I came up with my own plans and built it with 1 2X4 and a few 1X3's.

This project took my "assistant" and I about 2 hours to finish (and probably could've been completed in less than an hour if I had used power tools, but after living with a blister in the dead center of my palm, I ordered a myself a new Dewalt Power Drill).

You can see I left the back open so it just slides right in.

Dimension will vary based on the size of your pedestal sink, but my finished product is roughly 28" high, 16" deep, and 18" wide.

I began with the 2X4's and made the vertical L's on each side. I chose the "L" to make it look a bit chunkier. I used only 1 2X4 for each of the back legs because nobody can see them. Next I wrapped the legs in 1x3's all the way around the bottom, about 6" from the floor. I then wrapped the top, foregoing the piece along the far back because I needed it to fit around the sink. Lastly, I planked the shelf along with my helper. I used leftover screws and wood for this, so it was basically free!

For the top of the vanity, I used a stain grade piece of wood and cut a half moon (very crappily I might add) and screwed that into the top to create the base of the sink bowl.

My stain of choice is Minwax Early American. This has just the right balance of color, not too orange, not too red.

After a coat of water-proof poly, it now gives us a little more storage and a fun new look for just a few bucks.

Paint a Tile Floor & a Rustic Powder Room Makeover

2017-10-10T19:21:00.000-04:00

Hi folks! I'm sharing my cheap and simple rustic powder room details today. Our powder room was a neglected little place. The floor was dated and (like all projects I start) I decided to experiment. I wanted the floor changed and needed storage because we actually use this little powder room, a lot. I was determined to put a big band-aid on this room.

I admittedly wanted an excuse to try using a stencil on the floor like Susanna did at Livin' the Life of Riley blog. Check out her awesome results and how she painted her tile floor. I ordered the same stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils; the Augusta Tile 12 X 12. Our floor tiles were 18 X 18 so I had to just paint right over the grout and all. If you have smaller tiles it will line up for you. I'll spare you the tutorial, but Susanna used chalk paint. I just went with what I had on hand. I used Kilz primer first, then painted the floor with black porch paint (leftover from my staircase project way back when.) For the stencil, I used white Latex paint and sealed it with 3 coats of Varathane Floor Finish. Regardless of what type of paint you use, it must be sealed. That was the most difficult part, waiting to use the room, because I'm super impatient!

I also painted the wainscot wall with Kilz and white latex as well. To add some storage, I searched high and low for a rustic vanity or pedestal sink surround that would accommodate a wall mount sink and wow, huge shocker, nothing existed. I was looking for simple here, and taking out that sink wasn't on my list. So I built one and some wall shelves with ~~leftover~~ reclaimed wood. I'll share the details on those soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

DIY Rustic Pet Dish Stand

2017-05-23T10:35:00.002-04:00

Hi there!
I tried out my basic wood-shop-from-Jr. High skills this past weekend. After stumbling upon a few Rae Dunn pieces recently, including these pet dishes, I quickly realized they were worthless without a raised stand to hold them. I need a tall stand because the beast is large, and the bowls need to be displayed so that the wording will show.

I came up dry, so I decided to use some scrap wood and make a trial frame, but it turned out cute enough to keep!

You can see the little sketch I made to try to map out a frame. Now... I am no carpenter...this project is supposed to be rustic and old looking. I could care less that the 45 degrees are misaligned and I even had my little lady child distress all of the pieces for me.

For this project I used:

1- 2" x 9.25" plank
(this was a scrap of floor joist we had left from the foyer project)
2 -8 foot 1 x 2's
finishing nails
wood glue
stain

white latex paint

poly

table saw

I have a portable table saw which was perfect for this little job. It's easy to use for beginners and lightweight.

Rockwell BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw with Steel Rip Fence, Miter Gauge, and 7 Accessories - RK7323

I cut the 2 X 9 to accommodate the bowls, leaving an inch between them and an inch around the perimeter. This came out to 16.5" long. I then cut the 1 X 2's to make the border that holds the bowls in place. Next, I cut the four pieces to make the cross legs and had my "helper" distress all of it with a hammer and mallet. I stained it and began to work on assembly.

After wood-gluing the border around the top surface, I lined up the legs to mark where to cut them. I used a nail to hold them together at the center while allowing them to move freely (imagine a pair of scissors). My stand sits approx. 12" high.

The legs are 13" long. After cutting the 45* angle on each leg end, I wood-glued and gently nailed the legs into the bowl base. I let that dry over night.

I decided to white wash it just to soften it up a bit. I used a damp paper towel to smear a little bit of white paint mixed with water into the wood. The last step was to poly it using Varathane Wood Poly.

Not so bad for a first try, my 7th grade wood shop skills are paying off.

Closing Off a Two Story Foyer and Wallpaper on the Ceiling...

2017-05-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome! Come on in..

I have been a slacker about sharing this project, but I'm excited to show you the new foyer.
Our "Cookie-Cutter Colonial" was designed with a strange, small two story foyer. It lacked impact because it houses a standard double-hung window, which from the street looks uniform across the front of the house, but was not the dramatic "open foyer" that some homes have. For years, and years, and years (11 of them) I have dreamed of having it floored off.

If I were a contractor, I'd advertise this service! Two story foyers may work for a regular family, but for us, it was a waste of space. After scouring Pinterest and Google forever, I pretty much came up dry on finding anyone who has closed in an open space. I found a few who created a playroom above the stairway, closest to what I was looking for, but no real room was created, and we don't have stairs at the entry.

Here's what I found on Pinterest:

These were close to what we had, but ours wasn't even useful, no stairs, nothin'! You can't tell from my lovely phone shot below, but there's a wall on the right that is long enough for a piece of furniture, chair, desk, 4 hampers (yes, I put 4 hampers there). Enough was enough, we needed more room.

From upstairs...

From the entry...

(Check out the simple silhouette tutorial here)

I mapped out exactly what I wanted done. This included changing our hallway layout, moving a doorway, new flooring, and taking out a wall and a walk in closet from a bedroom to expand my laundry room (that's a whole different post and wonderful moment for this momma). Anyway my dreams have come true!! (Thanks Babe for funding and agreeing to my vision). After a search for a willing builder, we now have a fifth bedroom and an expanded laundry room...

I wasn't too afraid of losing natural light in the front of the house because my front door is glass (and if I may say so, I think it's a beauty. I am being honest, it is my favorite part of the house). Our ceilings are high so the new one didn't feel too low. It feels like it was always like this now that it is finished. I did fear that the idea of it being open would be lost, so I decided to wallpaper the foyer ceiling for a little impact when you enter the house. It crossed my mind for a half a second to paint something by hand... a half a second,

until I found this wallpaper and light fixture combo.

Almond Blossom Wallpaper

Overstock.com

That patterned wallpaper just makes me smile. It's like a glass ceiling looking out into a gorgeous day... okay I'll stop. I was literally about to scrap the whole idea when I discovered the wallpaper had to be pasted by me, and again when it continued to adhere to my face during the install, but I persevered and love the result. Lucky for me the light fixture was on sale, it's a sweet Pottery Barn knockoff that was a witch to assemble but a quick install!

I want to add a bit of trim around the ceiling, but I'm loving the progress so far! Did I mention how the sun shines in through that door??

Thanks for stopping by!

DIY Rustic Kitchen Peninsula: A Joanna Gaines Inspired Kitchen Copycat

2017-05-07T16:55:00.000-04:00

Hi Y'all...
(okay it doesn't work because I'm from Jersey).

I painted my kitchen cabinets last year with homemade chalk paint, and have never really loved the way the backside of the peninsula looked. Baby got back, ya know? It's a huge white elephant in the room. It's the first thing you see when you enter the back door and it's nearly eye level from the family when you have a seat. Normal people could care less about stuff like that, but it bothered me..bad.

Even with stools in front of it, it looks out of place. I had plans of adding reclaimed wood but decided against it, then I fell for Chip and Joanna's reclaimed church alter island. I have a peninsula in my kitchen not an island (and no access to reclaimed church parts).

So I faked it.

From boring and blank...

to conversation piece...

My inspiration...

Magnolia Market

I'm hoping mine doesn't get quite this distressed...(although I do have one extra kid than they do...)

Tools you'll need for this one:

scroll saw
1X3 MDF for the vertical pieces (I use primed boards-makes me happier)
1x6 for the base and the arches
liquid nails & trim nails
calk
ornamental piece (I found mine on Ebay)
paint

I'm not going to bore you with the details...but, get a game plan set first. Tracking down an ornamental piece was harder than I thought it would be. Try searching for architectural details, antiques, etc. I did score this one for 20 bucks and painted it once it was hung.

Map it out...I always draw a picture of what I want and write the measurements all over it. I cut the arches freehand with the scroll saw and sanded them down a bit, but they aren't perfect because I want it to be rustic. I liquid-nailed them to the peninsula and used a few finishing nails to keep them in place until it cured. Then I calked, hung the accent with liquid nails, and painted it.

(That's the real deal there, mess and all.)

I'm happy with the view now when I sit on the sofa and when I come in the back door, the big white elephant has covered her backside!

I'm on the fence with distressing it, thoughts?

Thanks for checking in!

2017 Mission: Declutter

2017-01-25T21:50:00.005-05:00

This month I've been following Laura @ theturquoisehome.com and trying to keep up with her 30 Days to Less of a Hot Mess Challenge. I will admit I feel like I'm making some headway here and can't wait to say, "it's done!"
Check it out here, it's not too late to start!

I've discovered some tried an true rules to follow on my kid room clean-out jobs:

1. Schedule a donation pick-up before you begin.
This sets a "deadline" for your clutter and stops you (or anyone else in the home) from digging through the donation bags while they are waiting to be picked up! I use the Vietnam Vets at pickupplease.org. They come in 24 hours on most dates. They have been to my house three times this month already, maybe I'll leave them a snack next time.

2. Be picky about what you save for "hand-me-downs" between kids.
I have four boys, so naturally I saved everything to pass on to the rest...not knowing how different their build, height, and fashion sense would become. I discovered 3 bins of out-of-style clothes I saved that have been taking up precious space in a closet. Take it from me and only keep dress clothes and dress shoes. (These don't seem to vary much in a few years time, and the cut in dress shirts/pants are pretty consistent for all builds).

3. Start with storage areas first.
This is pretty obvious, yet I never start with an area that people can't see. My first reaction is to pick up what is out and put things away. You can't effectively put anything away if the storage area is full of too small, old, unused clothing. Organize the closet and dressers, then focus on filling them.

4. My final rule..Don't try to build Rome.
Focusing on just one room or one closet at a time has made the task seem achievable. Don't try to clean out all of the closets or everyone's dresser drawers in one shot. You'll just get overwhelmed and give up.

After my home is all tidied up...I've got some fun blog changes to share, including a new site that's under construction!
Thanks for visiting

The Last To Know...

2016-06-04T20:10:00.000-04:00

So...I truly am the last to know on this one. After a ton of emails with questions about my Sliding Screen Door, I decided to investigate. Unbeknownst to me, this sweet little charmer was featured as one of the "13 Country Chic Ways to Use Screen Doors" at countryliving.com, check it here!
(I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't flattered!)

Now, for the questions!

How did I secure the bottom of the door?

Barn Doors hang, so the bottom can just tip outward. If you have a dog who likes to let himself out, he may just figure this out, quickly. After dealing with this for about a week, I ordered this and screwed it into the deck. I only used one and the door slides nicely against the slider frame at the base.

Find it at amazon here.

How did I close the gaps along the sides and top?

Lucky for me, the top does not have a gap, it slides right along the edge of the house. As for the edge, this was trial and error. Lucky for you, I found what worked best was a weather stripping kit from Lowes. It's basically a piece of wood trim with plastic foam padding attached along one side. I trimmed it to size, painted the wood white, and nailed it along the left side of the door (the side opposite the opening). The wood was the exact width of the door and the foam pad slides against the glass on the sliding door, creating a bug-barrier. This is not in the picture, I took the picture first, sorry!

Find it here

After that I thought I was done, until the windy Fall weather picked up and the door would slide right open by itself! Once again, Amazon Prime to the rescue. I ordered a door magnet kit and screwed that in place; one part on the interior of the screen door, the other is screwed to the door frame outside. Life is good.

Review: Ikea Stocksund

2015-10-08T13:44:00.000-04:00

Miss me? I miss blogging and sharing- but life has been busy...

I promised a review of the Ikea couches, so here it is. My sofas are from the Stocksund Collection and we have had them for almost a year now. Our family room has very little wall space and needed plenty of seating that was small enough for the walls we do have.

Ikea

We purchased two of the loveseats, one side chair, the ottoman, and bench.

The Highlights:

The sofas are comfy, I'd say a 4 out of 5.
Wide choice of colors
Washable, zip-close, cushion and arm covers
Choice of foot color-dark or light
The bench has storage (toys, blankets, etc.)
Nicely priced

Lowlights:

Can't reverse the lower seat cushions
Not stain resistant
Legs loosen easily (maybe it's the jumping kids)

Overall, I would say they've held up great, considering we have had a lot of traffic on these babies! I let the kids eat on them and of course the dog sleeps up there once in a while ;)

Since my purchase, Ikea added a red velvety cover and I WANT these for winter, if only on the chair...

DIY Fireplace Surround

2015-06-06T21:47:00.000-04:00

The fireplace installation took a detour once I injured my knee, and I had to put off the crown molding and finishing touches. I'm showing how it turned out, although it isn't flawless, that's for sure, I'm so pleased with the end result and I love how it looks next to my staircase redo! I am just a little bit proud that I did the whole surround, mantle, hearth, and crown with my own two hands!!
Last Winter, we opted to buy new furniture because our sectional ("Big Brown") didn't fit anymore once the fireplace went in, but oh how I miss her :(
This tiny set was new to Ikea this Fall, it's part of the Stocksund collection.
We went with cheap because of the five kids and the dog. ( Okay, really it's because I change stuff too often to invest in anything pricey).

This is where I left off before my knee surgery...
My fireplace was the never-ending-story. I couldn't get the darn thing finished thanks to my torn ACL and the fact that I HATE to do crown molding. I slapped up some of the trim and really didn't care about how imperfect it was, and I actually had to get this done because it I knew it would be months before I could climb a ladder again.

I needed to attach the crown molding across the front of the fireplace- here's the pre-crown shot (complete with dry wall mud all over the ceiling).

Since I stink at lining up the corners, and in this case I discovered that our house is really, really crooked, I decided to attach the corners before I hung the crown. as if I were trimming a piece of furniture.

I found that this technique worked a bit better and looks good enough for us.

And because I spent the greater part of a 10 day stretch, laid up on the sofa, across from this very fireplace, in a post-op stupor, using my continuous movement machine like a good little patient, I enjoyed the view so much that I thought I would share the finished project!

It's closure people...
Thanks for looking!

How to Add a Barn Track Sliding Screen Door

2015-05-14T11:09:00.000-04:00

Updating a Standard Sliding Screen

Anyone in the Greater Philadelphia Region wondering why we had a heat wave last week?

It's my fault. I finally have a screen door that works and keeps out critters, so immediately we were unable to use it and had to turn on the AC! (Sorry about that).

Here's the deal, we have a dog. (Need I say more?) Our sliding screen door was bent and busted, so I threw it out. I went to the home improvement store for a replacement, only to discover our door was not "Universal" in size. The replacement we ended up buying never fit properly and someone continued to plow through the bottom of it, and we ended up with what I call the "Redneck Doggie Door".

Nice right?
But we love him, so I had to solve the problem.

Then I found this image on Pinterest (of course).

I was so excited to try this!
I bought the track, let it sit in the box for a year, then used it on the laundry room door, and still had the Redneck Doggie Door this Spring. :(

So...one new track, one unfinished wood screen door, and a door molding kit later...

I've got this...

I originally intended to add the wood pieces to create the barn door look, but I needed to be reminded that this is a colonial style house and sometimes I just have to accept that. (sigh).

It blends nicely from out here.

Skill Level

This was a one woman job. I would say it took minimal skills for this.
The only power tool I used was a drill to attach the track to the house and some elbow grease.

Cost

The door was around 70 bucks at Lowe's, and I painted mine white

I ordered the track from Amazon, it's now less than $50 and ships free with Prime.

TCBunny 6.6 Feet Sliding Door Hardware Closet Set Antique Style (Black)

The molding/weather stripping that I tacked around the frame of the door was less than $20. So it cost about as much as a custom replacement screen, but this is way more interesting!

...and I taught this guy to speak to come in and out!
Thanks for looking!

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