Distraction

Hello everyone!  Sorry for the lack of posts last week.  I was slightly distracted.  We acquired ourselves a little side project. 

It’s a lovely rental house in need of a little TLC.  I love looking a real estate.  It’s one of my favorite time wasters next to Pinterest.  I thought you might like to see the transition of my little side project along the way.  Since I’ve lined up contractors for the biggest part, it won’t take a lifetime to see the results. 

Note:  I did finally finish painting the book shelves last week. 

We actually lost this house to a higher bidder the first go around.  I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.  It reminded me of my grandparent’s house growing up and the street number is the year I was born.  It was destiny. Don’t most people make huge decisions based on those kinds of facts?!  When I saw that the property was back on the market, I was all over it and this time we got it.

My father and I are replacing the deck this week.  Please pray for patience (for my father).

 

Laundry Room

Kitchen

How do you like those yellow appliances?

 

Family Room

 

Lots and Lots of paneling!

Dining Room and Living Room Combo

Entry

It’s a split level

Lots of wallpaper and bad lighting.  Check out those hanging ball fixtures!

Since I don’t have a close-up, that’s a beautiful leaf motif on the countertops.

I should be able to show you updated pictures by the end of the week!

Have a great day!

Katie

Coral Love

I slapped some of that Benjamin Moore Conch Shell 052 on the walls and I LOVE it! 

The Blue shelves are coming along.  Just one left. (This one needs a second coat.)

Quick tip: 

I always pick up these vinyl holiday table cloths when they go on clearance.  I can usually pick them up for a dollar or two and they make great crop cloths.  I also use them for art projects and playdough playing with the kiddos.  They are great for the yard too!

Here’s a little DIY that uses them as well:

Waterproof Park Blanket

If any of you have one of these vintage, original to the house beauties hanging in your dining room and you just can’t stand to look at it one more time, I’m waiting with open arms.  I’ll even offer tradesies on it.

Last, but now least.  We had a soccer game on Saturday and my sweet Elsa scored her very first goal followed directly by her second.  Love her excitement!

Hope you have a great day and I mean it about the light!

Katie

Grey

No, not the hugely popular shade of black used in houses the world over, but I’m referring to Christian Grey of the fictional phenomenon, “Fifty Shades of Grey.”  Now, if you are still under the same rock I was under just a mere two weeks ago, let me fill you in.  

Christian Grey is this gazillionaire who is passionate about being a Captain and sailing through rough waters in the darkness.  Anastasia Steele, his love interest, has never been sailing, but once introduced to the sport is intrigued, but is terrified of the rough waters and much prefers sailing in the light. This book is about their sporting journey.

OK, I first want to say that this is only my opinion.  I realized that I am in the minority here.  This Trilogy is blowing up all around and I just can’t seem to wrap my legs around it!  It’s beyond me what people see in this piece of literature.  I saw an interview this week on Today with the author, E.L. James. She was bounding with humility and I really enjoyed the interview.  I believe, and don’t quote me I was multi-tasking, that she said that she didn’t understand why people were so consumed by it and that she didn’t believe that she was even that good of a writer.  Well, Ms. James, I tend to agree with you.

This book was more like the movie “Groundhog Day” for me.  (Which I loved, BTW.  Maybe I just missed Bill Murray) It was the same thing over and over and over and over.  The story line never really progressed. Did I miss something?  And don’t even get me started on Ana Steele.  She is so whiny I just want to scream! The only thing that didn’t keep me from banging my head was her quick wit and “smart mouth.”  At least Grey has an excuse somewhere for the way he is.  The sailing tactics is the only exciting bit in this book and after the first few voyages, that wasn’t even that interesting. 

If you are totally confused, I’m sorry.  So am I.

Just as a side note -  After finishing the book last night and wondering how in the world I got through it, I downloaded the second book, “Fifty Shades Darker.”   You’re welcome for yet another deposit into your bank account Ms. James.  Well done.

Have a great weekend!

Katie

On Second Thought…

I’m an over thinker.  I always have been.  The hubs on the other hand can make a decision quicker than you can blink.  He does it and moves on.  It’s amazing!  Me, I pretend to make a decision, then I dwell, second guess and wait for better options.  We’re a perfect match!

The whole point of this is, I think I like something better for the Craft Room plan.  I love to read the blog Life in Grace.  She has such a wonderful style and grace about her.  You should check her out. (While you’re there, take a look at her kitchen.  It’s to die for!) Well, I keep going back to her “Workroom”.  Which, by the way, I like so much better that "Craft Room".  So, mine is officially changing names.  (See what I mean above.)

There are so many things I love about this room.


1. Blue and Coral is a fabulous color combination.


2.  I love me some animal print, in moderation (and faux) of course.


3. The chandelier. (not in yellow)  It’s very similar to the one over my kitchen table.


4. The brass arm lamp.


5.  The over all eclectic feel.

I have coral here and there in my house already, so it’s really not a big departure.  You definitely need to consider how your rooms flow.  We don’t need a Skittle in the M&M bowl! 

I’m determined to finish the bookshelves today.  I’m still loving the blue color I chose and I think it will look awesome with some soft coral paint on the walls.  Edie, from Life in Grace, used Conch Shell 052 from Benjamin Moore.  I think I need to make a trip to Ace.  What do you think?

Katie

The Great Outdoors

Over the weekend, we bought ourselves some outdoor dining furniture.  We had been pretty creative up until now when it came to entertaining outdoors.  We have already enjoyed it so much! We have eaten on the deck every night this week.  So, today I thought I would share some outdoor inspiration and a little DIY at the end.  Enjoy!

All photos are courtesy of Pinterest.

I Love this red furniture.  Thinking I may spray paint my small bistro set…

I have been saving my wine bottles all winter just for this little project.  You can get the the “how to” for this Wine Bottle Citronella Candle  here.

Katie

Easy Sewing Project

This past weekend we attended a birthday party for our favorite little man, Mr. Sawyer.  He turn the big 02!  While perusing Pinterest for sewing ideas I came across this.

How cute are they?! This project took me about 30 minutes and I was really happy with the way it turned out.  If you’re looking for a great gift idea for summer birthdays, I think this is a winner! 
You can see her tutorial here.  She did a great job, so I’ll just send you right over to her page.  You might find something else you like too! 
My only addition/side note would be:
Step 5:  Make sure that your bottom hood width measurement and the towel neck opening are the same.  I used one of the girl’s hoodies to get the shape and I didn’t pay attention to the bottom measurement.  When I sewed the hood to the neck opening, the hood didn’t attach all the way around.  It only went half way.  The two have to  be the same measurement, duh!  It still worked out fine.  I just hemmed the neck opening in the front so the raw edge didn’t show. 
Here’s how mine turned out:
 
Now I can say I didn’t just “Pin” it!
Katie

Let’s Have Some Fun!

I have a confession to make.  I have a problem with fabric.  Not with the cloth itself, but I LOVE to buy fabric!   I have piles and piles of gems just waiting to be made into something spectacular!

So today I thought it would be fun to take one fabric pattern and see how many different combinations I could make with it.  Sometimes people see fabric and think that they could never use it because its’ too modern, or too country.  But, oh contraire, don’t pigeon hole the poor fabric!  Open your minds instead. 

This is the fabric I’ll be using.  It’s Dwell Studio Bella Porte Watercress.  This trellis type pattern is popping up everywhere, so I thought this would be a great one to start with.

Want to see what I came up with? 

Coastal

Boy’s Room / Nursery

Transitional

Men’s Study

Bedroom for Teen or Guest (or me)

Contemporary Dining

Farm House

French County

I could go on forever, but hopefully you get the idea.  This was so fun, maybe I’ll do it every week!  If you have a fabric that you are looking for compliments to, just e-mail me the picture and we’ll have some fun!

Katie

Family Room Spruce-up

I’ve been wanting to add a few more blue accents to the Family Room.  I bought some beautiful blue and white Ikat fabric at the crazy warehouse sale that has been waiting very patiently to be made into pillows. 


This fabric is “Kalah” by Duralee.
It’s available at Calico Corners for $29.99 per yard.  I was able to snatch it up for just $6. 






Here’s how they turned out.

I love this fabric so much, I wish I had enough left over to make me a skirt to wear for the Summer.

Don’t you think it would be super sharp paired with a white or fuchsia button down like so?!
But sadly, the three pillows used up all the fabric.  So, looks like the sofa and chair are going to be the only ones sporting this fancy pattern for the moment!

The pillows weren’t all that got the blue treatment!  The porcelain garden stools did too!

I picked up 2 of these babies at Big Lots a couple years ago.  

They cost a whopping $10 each.

They were turquoise when I got them and they had a couple of little scuffs on them.  I spray painted them white.  Well, after being used as a parking lot, bridge and as an ever running, barrel rolling circus act by these two clowns, it’s time for another paint job.  This time I chose Cobalt blue.




Here’s the room before the Spring Spruce-up:

After:



I really like the blue accents.  What do you think?  Notice that all the blues in the room are not the same color.  When mixing accessories and patterns, its always better to vary the shades of the color you are using.  It gives your room more interest.  Don’t be matchy-matchy people!  It’s boring!
Question:  Anyone want to share a comment on the fireplace screen?  I’m thinking about painting it either white or navy.  Or, should I leave it the way it is?  Please share your opinion! 



As far as the mantle, I really want a pair of blue and white ginger jars like these to flank the sailboat picture.  Until then, the plate and compote will do.  It brings in enough of the blue and white to make me happy for now.

BTW, I picked up the sailboat picture from Goodwill for $13.  It was custom framed and went straight from the GW to my mantle.









The last tid-bit I want to share today is the flowers.  I’ve never been too crazy about the flowers in the white vases.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE forsynthia! 
But comparing the real thing:

To the fake Wally-world ones:  Not so much!

Here’s what I did.  while I was out enjoying the beautiful weather, I clipped a few branches off my forsynthia and added then to the Wally-world flowers with some water.  It’s amazing, the blooms have lasted for 2 weeks!

(Shhh…. don’t tell anyone they’re fake!)
Have a great day!
I’ll share more about those birds flying around tomorrow!
Katie