Around the House: Exterior Colors

When we first starting working on the remodel of our home, we knew that it would be a long and lengthy project. Especially since we didn't want to go into debt. We have taken things slowly and made little bits of progress along the way. Last week we finally began working on the exterior much to my husbands excitement. (One of the main reasons he parks in the garage is so that he doesn't have to look at the outside of the house! Poor thing.)

Here's a look at the exterior upon purchase... notice the subtle pinkish trim and almost mauve door? No thanks.

Everything is sanded and soon we will begin painting. Goodbye pinkish undertones. Hello greyish browns with stunning robin's egg blue door. I love you already. 

Have you ever painted the exterior of your home? Should I be afraid? xo

Around the House: Kitchen Reveal

Hello Monday! The day is finally here where I can show you all the work that we did on the kitchen. That's right; it's the big kitchen reveal. I'm so excited to show you all that we (mostly my husband and FIL) did. When we bought our little fixer upper, I thought we'd just paint over existing cabinetry. Once we got in the house and really looked at things, we knew we'd have to gut it. It hadn't been touched (and maybe even cleaned) since it was built in the 50's. 

Not only did we decide to gut it, we decided to knock out a wall (windows) and make it bigger. We really wanted an island and a breakfast nook that would allow more casual dining in the kitchen.

Here's how she looks today! There's still some work to be done, but she's 90% there.

Since my FIL is a builder, we were able to order our cabinetry from Cab Parts and save some serious cash there. The hubs and FIL built and installed the cabinetry once received. The hardware is all from Ikea as well as the island butcher block. We used the left-over butcher block for the open shelving and painted the back wall a flat black.  We still lack baseboards and and door trim for the pantry and laundry room. The rear door that leads to the mudroom and garage is also temporary (more on that later). 

We are doing as many projects as we can ourselves and waiting for God to provide more income so that we can proceed. We refuse to go into debt over a house. When He provides, we'll begin work again on the addition that contains the mudroom, studio and future master bedroom. Until then, we are thoroughly enjoying what we've done so far. It is a great space to entertain, craft and serve my family. It suits us.

What's your favorite thing about your kitchen? xo

Around the House: Before & After Fireplace

Hello and Happy Monday! I'm so excited to finally show you the facelift we recently did on our fireplace that is nestled in the playroom. When starting with a brown, dust-filled, dirty mess that boasts ancient brass accessories, the only place you can go is up. Seriously. I mean how many of you remember having one of those disgusting brass covers on your parent's fireplace when you were little? Ick. It's not that I don't love me some brass details - because you know I do - but that one had to go!

The hubs started our little project by filling in all the little cracks and holes in the rocks. Once that was dry, we were ready to begin our painting. Our goal was to have the fireplace blend in with our decor, not distract.

We did two or three coats of white paint (Behr - popped corn) on the rocks and brick then let it all dry.  The following weekend I painted the inside black, leaving bits of the top ashed bricks unpainted for a little authenticity. I also spray painted the metal pieces that cover the draft hole and holds the wood logs.

The finished piece made me one happy DIYer. I added some logs and pumpkins from the grocery store to warm it up a bit...

It seemed like it needed a bit more bling so I added a sheepskin rug from Ikea and my grandmother's candelabra.

Mmm... hug, hug, kiss, kiss. I love this fireplace now! Goodbye disgusting, dingy rock. Hello bright, beautiful focal point. Yes, I still have some touch-up painting to do at the base of the fireplace, but I could care less. Right now I'm just sitting back and enjoying the fruits of our labor!

I think that's a pretty stunning transformation for just a little bit o' cash and some elbow-grease.

What transformation are you dying to see take place in your home? Are you brave enough to tackle it on your own or does it require some professional help? xo

Around the House: Spring Patio

Happy Monday friends. I have to be honest and tell you that in the midst of writing this I'm a little blah... There's a lot going on right now that I can hopefully talk more about later. For now, I'll simply share that it's got me feeling a bit like I'm riding a roller coaster. I'm currently in the descent part, where your stomach drops and you feel like you just might puke but you know in the end, the ride will be worth it. 

On to happier discussions... Last week I cleaned out my Sanford and Son patio. It had been a state of disaster for far too long. A bunch of stuff was put out on the front lawn for others to take (all of it gone in less than a day - woot!); the rest was organized and neatly tucked away.

Below is my new favorite spot. It's in the shade, the chair rocks and swivels, not to mention the fact that I have a little table to rest my morning cup o' coffee. I scored the chair over 2 years ago at a garage sale for $10.00. Sadly, it sat on the back patio with no cushion and no love. After a quick trip to Home Goods (PS I love that store), I found the black cushion for under $40. Now it's one of the best seats in or around our house, getting lots of love from me and my littles.

After finally finishing the two-seater bench and cleaning up the table, we now have a place to eat outside.

The entire patio makeover took me all day to clean and arrange, but the end results make the whole family very happy. The hubs even said, "that's the best the patio has looked since we moved in." I couldn't agree more. Can I get three cheers for thrifty makeovers that make big impacts? Hip hip hooray. Hip hip hooray. Hip hip hooray! xo

Around the House: Bathroom Redo

Happy Monday. What I am about to show you is pretty shameful. I sometimes refer to it as my dirty little secret. It's my... bathroom. There. I've said it. Our Master Bath is probably the only room in the house that I don't really like. It's not our style at all. Yes, there's the kitchen floors and countertops that I've mentioned before, but our master bath (upon first moving in) was a boxy, traditional mess. Crazy green colored walls, beige tiled shower and floor, with a plywood mirrored medicine cabinet (not recessed) and a plywood storage cabinet above the toilet. Boxy, boxy, boxy. I'm trying to upgrade bit by bit, but it's proving harder than I originally thought. 

First upgrade - remove boxy plywood storage cabinet and replace with IKEA shelving. Ahhh, the bathroom instantly felt bigger and brighter.

I was then inspired by the following bathroom remodels/upgrades where they used outdoor light fixtures:

via the pleated poppy

via young house love

Second upgrade attempt - change out light fixture that has begun to rust badly.

Fail! While it looks great, it only casts downlight (obviously) and doesn't work well in our bathroom because it's our only light source. I want to cry at this point.

lowe's very practical and affordable medicine cabinet that makes our bathroom look even smaller than it already is.

Third attempt - remove boxy surface mount medicine cabinet and replace with my super dope $8.00 vintage mirror.

Another fail!  I'm almost in tears by now. But I will not give up! I am currently scouring craigslist for a mirror that will work (and is cheap) and I have spray painted the old rusted light fixture (inspired by Ashley of Under the Sycamore) until I find a more modern one that meets my needs and budget.

I will not give up. I can't. I won't! Design will rule this Master Bath one day. And until it does, I will wash my face and brush my teeth without looking in a mirror. If you see me walking my little to school with more zit cream still on my face, you now know why! xo

Around the House: Cleaning and De-Stinkifying

If you're a mom of boys, I think you'll agree with me... they're stinky! I'm not sure why, but there's a certain odor that tends to linger at their doorway. Maybe it's something they do intentionally to keep Moms and all girls at bay. Personally, I'd prefer a sign that says, "Boys Only." Last week I finally reached my breaking point and while the boys were at school I did a thorough cleaning and finally got around to hanging my favorite $15.00 Round Top score.

She's orange, lopsided and all banged up, but she's a jewel for sure. And now my big can see his trophies at all times.

I added a few new estate sale books to their shelves too. Happy. They make me happy - the boys, the books and the odor-free room.  Now that makes for one happy Monday. Hope your weekend was fabu! xo

Around the House: Making it Work

The hubs and I received some pretty depressing news this week that dashed our future hopes just a bit. Since early this year my husband has been working out of the home. It's been such a great blessing that we decided to add a studio above our garage so he would have a place to work and shoot. The city put the big kabosh on our plans - no adding a second floor studio to our garage since it isn't attached to our house. Booooo!  Sometimes rules and regulations stink! After much prayer and being open to God's plans for us, we have decided to move things around here at home a bit. The hubs got the big office and I said bye-bye to my sewing/crafting room. I'm back in the closet - literally! Here's a look.

My "office" i.e. computer, now resides in our bedroom tucked away in a little Ikea desk unit. I think it will work out just fine. Until God shows another way. 

PS - see that awesome Coca-Cola crate, wood box, kitchen scale and green metal lunch box? The estate sales have been good my friends. Very good. Happy Monday. xo

Weekly Challenge: Survive the Created Chaos

I don't like messes. They truly get under my skin. And though I am trying to get better at this... we ripped apart that seemingly perfected playroom one more time and installed a vent/fan thingy in our bathroom. All at the same time and in three days! If this were your house...how would you survive?

I organized. Or rather, I tried to organize in the midst of the chaos.  I made a chore chart for my oldest using an old cookie sheet, scrap magnets from the mail and chalkboard paint. Wednesday I'll post the details of how this was accomplished.

I also picked $12.00 worth of organizational doo-hickies at Ikea to get rid of our "on the door shelving system." And wouldn't you know... that was the best $12.00 I've ever spent. It has provided much joy and serenity. Now my door doesn't stick, my littles can open it and I don't have to worry about glass jars crashing on the ground every time we get in our pantry. Hello win. win. win.

The playroom is coming back together nicely - I'm doing the organizational bit today. And our shower/bathroom is now steamy sogginess free. Thank you thank you sweet husband and Papa Dude!  I survived the chaos - Praise the Lord. Oh happy, happy weekend! Hope yours is filled with more serenity than chaos. xo

Around the House: Playroom Perfected

 Finding the perfect layout for our boys' playroom has been quite the challenge. It has seen many variations and lots of different furniture over the past four years. But I think I have finally found a winner.  I moved the Ikea bookshelf out of their bedroom and into the playroom, giving us more storage for toys and books. I also moved the position of the TV and couch. This little change up gave me space to put their "teeny table" over by the big desk as well as the legos and craft materials. Oh happy happy day.

 (please ignore the hole above our micro in the kitchen - repairs in progress!)

 (this view really lets you see all the paint on the table and rice on the floor - nice. I need to vacuum)

 i also rearranged the bookshelf above the desk giving the boys a shelf of their own

 the animal cracker jugs are perfect for storing toys!

 recently found these little vintage chalkboards at a thrift store for 66 cents!

My youngest keeps saying, "I love our new house." I think that means this change-up is a big success! Kid tested. Kid approved. Happy Happy Monday. xo