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Apartment Room Make-over

2010-10-25T20:46:00.000-06:00

This was the view of the office in our daughter's apartment as seen from the kitchen. The room also doubles as a spare bedroom. Our goal was to make the room more inviting for when she had guests -- to use the room as extra entertaining space -- overflow, if you will.

Our first step was to move the futon so it was the focal point and to downplay the desk with all the computer cords.

We swapped out locations of the desk and futon.
Shopped the ~~house~~ apartment -- and found the blue chair in her attic storage room.
Moved the wrought iron table from the end of the couch made it the coffee table.

This was a good start. But the room still needed more attention.

Our girl loves to have photos of family and friends around, so we bought a few very inexpensive frames to add to her already large collection of frames. We also spray painted a few frames black to match the others -- then we arranged the photos to wrap around the wall in the corner of the room, in place of the narrow bookshelf, in such a way that more photos could easily be added.

On a trip to IKEA, we found inexpensive curtain panels to add some warmth to the room. Her daddy, Mr. DIY Guy was happy to hang them for his girl.

Ever the bargain hunter (I trained her well), our girl found another (larger) 'Billy' shelf in the clearance section at IKEA to match the narrow Billy shelf she already had in the room. It was a steal for $35!

We moved the two shelves next to each other making a wall unit of sorts. She's planning to keep her eye out for another discounted narrow shelf for the other side of the larger shelf.
Moving the two shelves together created a focal point for the room -- something interesting for people to look at while sitting on the futon.

We arranged items on the shelves so that "like items" were together. Collections look better when they are grouped together. The box on the bottom left shelf is a linen look box with a black lid. It holds her important papers and files.

The container on the right (above) is a glass rectangle bowl/dish that we used for loose photos. We put her cute high heel with the book "How to Walk in High Heels".

The desk was moved to the corner -- behind the door. Behind the door you don't see the paper clutter that desks tend to accumulate.

A desk lamp was brought in from another room for her....desk.

the pretty tan lamp was moved to the make-do-til-ya-save-for-new end table.

Future purchases (as she saves for them):

Some piece of art for the wall the above the television.

An area rug? I see a creamy shag area rug for here --- look at TJ Maxx sweetie!

The room isn't quite finished -- but it sure has come a long way!

Mouseover photo for "after

Also purchased were some inexpensive throw pillows from IKEA.

New use for a Hoosier cabinet

2010-09-08T17:45:00.000-06:00

I am a Hoosier.

That is, I was born and raised in the great state of Indiana.

This is also a Hoosier

An antique cupboard made in Indiana

used for storage in kitchens -- particularly baking supplies

In our first home back in Upstate New York

I used this Hoosier for it's intended use -- storing my baking supplies

and additional storage in my tiny kitchen.

Here at The Cottage I have plenty of kitchen storage

so I am using our Hoosier for our little "bar".

It works swell

plenty of room for glassware on top

and bottles in the middle, and below.

Drawers hold candles & wine stoppers & cork screws

DIY Counter

2010-09-07T13:59:00.001-06:00

It's done!

It's reveal day....and I'm SO excited!

Roll your mouse over this picture to see the transformation

From the kitchen side

from the side

I love, love, love it --- thanks for your hard and persistent work on this for me

Projects completed are my favorite kind of gift

Amen.

Kitchen

2010-09-06T14:04:00.003-06:00

I'm still at it --- painting that is.

This time, I've moved upstairs -- giving the kitchen a splash of color!

The "before" is white Formica - you heard me - on the wall - OVER beautiful knotty-pine. I'm not a fan of Formica on my kitchen walls, even if it IS practical. Practical is not always pretty.

It was time to take action -- and since the time wasn't right to rip the Formica off the wall, I took an easier approach. I painted the Formica -- yes m'aam, I did. The entire project was done in an evening.

Roll your mouse over the picture below to see the before photo of the kitchen.

Sherwin Williams Color #6348 Reynard.

There's still a bit of tweaking needed in the kitchen ....but it's coming along.

Tomorrow....more color!

It's starting to look like a new place around here!

Building an eat at counter

2010-09-06T14:03:00.001-06:00

DIY Guy has been working diligently on a project for me --

and I KNOW there are SO many other things he'd like to be doing -- or wants to do with his time...

but this week, he's doing something for

and I am so THANKFUL and excited.

He is very particular about his work -- he takes great pride in it -- and so do I.

This board is as smooth as a baby's behind

and DIY Guy has taken great measures to give it a polished, professional look

filling cracks, routing edges . . .

A work of art that will provide an eat-at-counter for us

one of our inspiration photos

which will make this space so much more usable and open

Tomorrow the plan is to "cut down" this half wall so it will be the height we need for the eat-at counter -- (and remove the round table -- a potential garage sale item).

See the brackets on the counter? They're the supports. I'll have to get more supports -- we need one more for support -- and a few more for another project I have up my sleeve!

Shelves

2010-09-06T14:00:00.002-06:00

Slowly, ever so slowly, I'm putting items back in the house -- from the garage.

I'm being very careful...and sometimes items come in - and go out quickly.

What I'm sayin' is ... don't get too attached to the look you see in these pictures -

It has already been changed. Except for the paint --- I kept the orange!

and the mantle -- it's a work in progress too -- and getting closer to my plan . . .

and yes, this is a tad bit different now too --- I'm working on painting a black tray white - to add to the "mantlescape".

More later.

DIY Guy cut through the wall tonight! And we brought up the wood counter he made to "see how it will look" --- and let me just say this --- WOW.

Master Bedroom Paint

2010-09-06T13:57:00.003-06:00

This weekend I treated myself to a bedroom make over -- a Mother's Day gift to me ...

The walls were a dark tan and light brown until Saturday afternoon when the painting commenced.

Now our bedroom is all one color -- Summer White, by Sherwin Williams.

I suppose using the flash gives a better idea of the color

I've removed my antique dressing table -- and will probably be taking it to a consignment shop -- or selling in the garage sale.

It's part of the declutter and simplify the cottage project going on here. It feels good. SO much work yet to be done though. Uffda.

To paint or not to paint?

2010-09-06T13:56:00.001-06:00

I'm in a painting mood....and though I'm done painting indoors until fall -- unless this cruddy weather keeps up.

So....here's what I'm thinking...

THIS....

TO THIS ??

I've seen it done, and like it....

before after

"Do one thing every day that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Anyone care to weigh in on this idea?

Updates in bathroom, kitchen, great room

2010-09-06T13:54:00.001-06:00

With a little extra time on my hands -- I've got a few fun things crossed off my to do list. Just small little home design changes that I have wanted to do - projects that don't really take much time at all -- or money.

Yesterday I painted the faux hearth that DIY made for me last fall. It was made from scrap lumber we had in the garage -- which was formerly shelves from our first home. Which just goes to show you that sometimes saving old stuff comes in handy! One reason that kept me from moving forward on this little project was color. Should I paint the hearth black? White? Orange? Brown? A combination of colors or color and stain? The lower portion was bare wood, so stain was an option for that part. The top was already stained, and in rough shape.

I went with an off-white all over.

And a combination!

Who says you can't have the best of both worlds?

We have a reversible hearth!

Another change I made was updating the ceiling fixture in our kitchen. I'm not a fan of these cheap-o brass ceiling fixtures.

So I removed the glass shade, slid some thicker paper between the ceiling and fixture and spray painted with an oil-rubbed bronze color spray paint.

then DIY Guy picked up a shorter threaded rod from the hardware store to replace the longer one for the former glass shade. Next we attached the drum shade from TJ Maxx ($14.99) and voila --- a new light fixture! I might cover the bottom of the shade with fabric too -- but for right now, this is SO much nicer than the old fixture! I'm pretty sure this would be a pretty spendy fixture at Pottery Barn!

The next project I took on was removing the door from our shallow and small linen closet in the bathroom. There are actually two linen closets in this bathroom, so this was a no-brainer to me.

I gave the interior a fresh coat of paint with leftover bathroom paint. Then removed the old 1970's contact paper from the shelves, sanded them down, and gave them a fresh coat of white paint (leftover from trim).

I still have some door molding to remove from the frame so the shelves don't look like I removed a door and look more like they've always been there. .. and a few other little things to fix too. Meanwhile, I'm lovin' the open look of the shelves. I should have taken a picture of before -- however, I'm not so sure I would have had the guts to actually post it. It was that bad.

Cost of this makeover: $0.00

Someday -- I'm going to help others do these sort of changes in their homes ... and get paid to do it! It's on my bucket list.

Cubby Wine Rack

2010-09-06T13:52:00.001-06:00

The latest finished project here at The Cottage was turning a garage sale find into a wine storage piece of furniture.

I started with wood, black, cubbyhole box. You'll have to use your imagination on this one -- I failed at taking a before photo.

I repainted the box with Sherwin Williams #7008 - Alabaster.

Then DIY Guy helped me add pre-made legs from Home Depot.

Then, voila... a new piece of functional furniture!

Still very much in a painting mode/cycle, I have been working on other projects as well. Before the wine "box" I updated an old 1/2 circle small table - which has found a home in the newly decorated guestroom (formerly my office). The guestroom is waiting on one last project to be completed, then I'll I let you take a peek! :)

Other projects in progress:

Shelf for bathroom (needs to be hung)
(Re)painting upper kitchen cabinets (ones without doors done)
Adding decorative brackets to upper kitchen cabinets
Updating an old bookshelf DIY Guy and I rescued from a soon to be demolished house.
Painting/hanging DIY towel hooks in bedrooms for kid & guest towels (DIY Guy whipped 'em up tonight!)

Annnnnnd... getting ready for a relative visit over the fourth!

Driftwood Sailboats

2010-09-06T13:50:00.003-06:00

Last weekend I walked the shore line just steps from our friends cabin on Battle Lake.

I found treasures.

For a change I didn't pick stones.

I was distracted by the driftwood.

I had a vision.

A plan.

A DIY project.

I found 3 small pieces of driftwood

Exactly what I was looking for to make

these cute little sailboats

These cuties are perfect for the

coastal/beachy bedroom I'm creating

in Nate's room.

Room reveal coming soon!

P.S. I found sailboats online just like these for $22!

The Green Room

2010-09-06T13:49:00.003-06:00

A while back I determined that having an upstairs office wasn't such a great idea. It was too far away from the kitchen, and the hub of activity -- and quickly became a place to "stash" stuff. With guests coming, and kids and friends returning home for visits, I was ready to make the room a guest room. again.

Since I'm on a tight budget right now , I decided to keep the same wall color (Sherwin Williams #6401 Independent Gold) -- I also happen to really like the color.

I love the look of twin beds in a room. These two beds and frames were purchased on Craig's List and are in great condition. At first I was hesitant to buy used mattresses -- but then I realized each time I stay at a hotel I sleep on a mattress that MANY other people have slept on! (we'll save my neurosis on that subject for another post.)

Back to the beds --- I have a Jenny Lind frame (in the attic) that my mom slept on growing up and plan to use it in the room -- as soon as I find another matching frame.

For now the plain frames will be fine.

The bedding is from Wal-Mart (or The Walmarts- depending on where you're from). I was a little hesitant since I love good sheets -- but these sheets aren't bad -- for now -- and they are so cute and perfect for the room.

Striped flat sheet in cottage colors: $3.00.
White flat sheet: $3.00
White cotton blanket (doubling as a spread): $9.88
Throw pillows: my old throws with Target pillow cover: (about $4.00) that I had on hand.
TOTAL Bedding: $31.76 (tax not included)

The little commode and the mirror are either getting painted or maybe even removed. Remember this is a work in progress....on a tight budget.

I've had the vanity for years -- now I'm contemplating painting it white. Baby Girl has expressed interest in putting it in her room too, so I might use the commode between the two beds.

I still want to get something on the walls, and the bed frames, and figure out the window -- maybe a matchstick blind? Maybe an accent rug between the beds?

I'm linking this post to The Lettered Cottage - so you can see other guest room re-dos. Check out the post from Miss Mustard Seed and what she did in her guest room! DIY Guy....you there? I'd like to do the same thing on the walls in our bedrooms!...a few of the rooms? one of the rooms?

Mom's decorating

2008-02-17T23:04:00.020-06:00

My sweet mother-in-love passed away in June, 2004. Her love of decorating is one of her many legacy's ... which also includes a love of shoes, jewelry, farm animals (esp. roosters/chickens), and candles.

While visiting my father-in-love recently I soaked in all her decorating -- her eye for beauty, and her love of pretty accents. Shopping and talking decorating with mom was always fun -- she was always "looking"...

An end table in her living room.

She bought the tulips while visiting us.

Mom loved these candlesticks! I'm pretty sure DIY Guy and I bought them for her --- she found them here too -- on a visit.

I should have taken more pictures.
We are going again soon. I'll take more then.

Harker Pottery

2008-02-03T14:58:00.001-06:00

I love dishes. I may or may not have a slight addiction to them. It's not like I have bizillions of dishes. I don't. What I do have, I really like....and most have a story... This dish story is about my Harker Pottery - Mallow pattern...

This is my small collection (minus 4 of the small custard dishes)

They just got a new "home" on top of my kitchen cupboards.

It all started with two pieces that belonged to my grandmother.
This lidded casserole:

And this mixing bowl with spout

The inside of the mixing bowl is prettier than the outside!

I loved the first two pieces of this pattern enough that I kept on the alert for other pieces over the years. I've been looking for over 20 years for matching pieces -- at garage sales, flea markets, antique stores --- yet have only come up with these few dishes.

I'm OK with that.

I have enough dishes. The only ones that mean anything are Grandma's anyway!

The kitchen sink

2008-01-29T09:44:00.001-06:00

This little spot in my kitchen is prime decorating real estate!
The "scene" changes regularly -- and after 5+ years of living in this house....I still haven't found a scene I love.

Once upon a time I used cute little doll table and chairs my father-in-love made for our daughter.

I was so proud of my creativity two years ago!

Christmas Past

2007-12-02T22:12:00.001-06:00

Some of the Christmas decorating happening around here.....

A window in the great room....I have candles in all my windows.

In the East (at least in Upstate NY where we lived) everyone had candles in their windows at Christmas time.

The mantel this year features crystal my Grandma gave me for a wedding present...it was a wedding present to her when she got married.

Our tree with red and white lights this year.
Putting it on a homemade platform to raised the tree to the ceiling
and give us room for gifts at the base.

One of my favorite ornaments.

Baby shoes that my Mr. wore as a baby -- and then our son wore 28 years later.

Fall mantel

2007-10-15T13:47:00.001-06:00

Tried something new on the mantel...

I'm still getting used to this. I kinda like it, what do you think? The lights are orange.

For Christmas, I'll use white. It really brightens up the mantel. The fireplace is so dark. What it really needs is some recessed lighting installed. Honey, what do you think?

The left side of mantel:

the right side of the mantle:

New candle stand?

Turn pottery upside down

put matching tray on top

add mini pumpkins

a grapevine wreath on angle

round candle

Walk around house finding a place for new creation.

It used to look like this

2007-10-09T21:21:00.001-06:00

The kitchen/dining area in the fall of 2007

View from the kitchen work area:

The love seat in the bump out area...the most sat in space in the house:

The "bottomless" Hoosier cabinet:
(I do have the bottom of the Hoosier)

Wow, things sure have evolved over the last few years!

The Great Room used to look like this

2007-10-09T21:18:00.002-06:00

The great room

Circa 2007

I love, love, love my knotty pine walls & built-ins

The 'coffee table' is a wood box that has "Kabo Corsets" advertising on it.

My blogging spot:

Sunroom. Circa 2007

2007-10-09T21:16:00.001-06:00

Here's our little sunroom

It's a small room, but cozy.

TV Room. Circa Fall 2007

2007-10-09T20:29:00.001-06:00

TV Room on the lowest level (some would call it a basement)

The fireplace is new...my Mr. WON it!
Free. Zero denaro.
The cadillac of fireplaces.
I had just totally made over this room, stripped wallpaper, painted, changed furniture.

That fabric at the window. Found it at Gold Rush antique show that summer.
The black shelves behind chairs were pulled from a farmhouse that was demolished near our previous home.

The bookcase ... a favorite piece of mine My grandma gave it to me. It used to hold cans of dried up paint and turpentine in her basement (my grandpa's workshop).

.

The white house

2007-09-30T21:35:00.001-06:00

Ever have to let a dream go?
I did. It involved this house.
For several months I pursued purchasing this beautiful home near us. It would have been wonderful for a bed and breakfast and event center for weddings, parties, etc.

It is an extraordinary piece of property on 3+ acres.
After doing my homework....talking to lots of people, realtors, investors, small business owners, entrepreneuers, friends, family and advisors I concluded the timing was wrong.

The property was just more than we could afford. Especially with the work and expense we would incur to fix the place up.

I spent a lot of time going through this house....you know how it is, you start placing furniture in it, seeing different colors on the walls, your stuff on the shelves. I got to know the owner, a lovely woman. When I told her we wouldn't be purchasing the home, she was sad too.

I've learned much through this process. In fact the realtor that is represented the owner told me he was impressed with my hard work. I have a beautiful home. Our Cottge, a place makes me pinch myself and wonder if I'm dreaming. I often say to myself, "I can't believe I get to live here".

I am content.
Running the the white house as a business would have been so much fun...so much work, but at what cost?

Outdoors

2007-07-20T21:07:00.001-06:00

The back patio.
Circa July, 2007.

I really liked this set up, it felt cozy out there.
The "porch glider," as we call it, has been with us since before the kids were born. I slept on it more than one night on the big covered front porch of our first home. We didn't have air conditioning back then and I was very pregnant with baby number 2 and baby #3 for two summers. Sleeping on the porch glider in the cool NY evenings provided much relief.

I really liked this gig by our front door! I think I'll do this next summer!
Oops, I forgot to put the pillar candle in the lantern!

The walk to our front door used to look like this. Now we have a nice patio here.

"Thrifting"

2007-06-30T23:15:00.001-06:00

Treasures found at local thrift shops...

I've been looking for one of these old coverlets...today it's mine.

Master Bedroom

2007-05-15T19:45:00.001-06:00

Circa May, 2007.

The Master Bedroom

"Surround yourself with things you love,

especially in your bedroom."

--Mary Englebreit

I've surrounded myself with bedside table that was my grandma's, a stool that was my other grandma's, a vanity that we bought at an antique store when we were newly married -- it matched our bedroom set. I bought the bedroom set before I was married for $500 (3 pcs) at an antique store in Crete, IL and refinished it myself when I was 20 years old. That was a lot of dough-ray-me back then. It still is!

Once upon a time

2007-05-15T11:41:00.002-06:00

Once upon a time this was a little wardrobe for doll clothes.
Then a silly lady started to use it for her jewelry. She thought she was so clever in 2007.

I suppose she was. Now she has a totally different "style"