Dresser Redo

A friend was moving and getting rid of this dresser. They had looked for a matching handle for the missing one and couldn't find it. With the hectic parts of moving, the time it would take to redo the scratches on the top seemed not worth it. So they generously dropped it off for me.

It was nice to have a reason to get new hardware. I was excited when I saw these guys on clearance:

 

They seemed like a fun "industrial" piece. And they came in the mail quickly. It cost $37 for the hardware, which was my only expense, since I used paint and primer that I already had at home.

I used a bonding primer so that I didn't have to bother sanding.
Then I mixed metalic craft paint on three paper plates. With one I added in black craft paint, with the other I added in white craft paint, and with the other I added in gray craft paint. Craft paint is cheap. About $1.50 per color. And the metalic one I bought in a slightly larger jar at $5 but I've painted many things with it and it's lasted me a long time.  I put a poly glaze to seal it, and used some black craft paint to kind of make the groove "pop" with a touch of darkness.

I did this project in little bites. Sometimes with a kiddo on my lap. 15 minutes to slop on a coat here and there over a few days.

And this is the result

Boy's Bedroom Finished

In my previous post the boy's bedroom was shown, so I wont show any before pictures here. Just the end result.

I painted one wall white to brighten the space. And then added white on another wall with a wood "chair rail" to hide my paint line and add interest. I just used scrap lumber that I did a gray wash on and nailed up.

The photo was one that I had before, I painted the frame gray, and turned it sideways. The mat was $12 at Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon and the print is of the Brooklyn bridge with the American flag flying. It was on amazon for $7 and I rather loved it. A bit industrial, and a fun way to show off the flag. A flag room is the theme, by the way, as my 5 year old became a bit obsessed about flags and countries and maps and geography.

Lego table stayed.
Found fairly good prices for flag pillow cases ($4, $10 and $12)
Banner was a world cup one for $3.50 (all free shipping)

White wall did help brighten the whole room

Quentin was kindly given a toddler bed - which works for this year. He's so happy to be with his brothers.

I had looked for bunk beds for two years, on and off, and finally found these. $200 and super solid and sturdy with a style that I like and room for a Friend-spending-the-night mattress underneath.

I kept the ship bench but took off the doors and added bins to hold Quentin's clothes. This way he can change his shirt or shorts easily by himself, even if other clothing is in the closet.

My grandmother gave me her playpen - the one she had used with her children - she actually put her Christmas tree inside of it to keep the babies away from the ornaments. I couldn't figure out what to do with it - not exactly meeting child safety codes anymore - so took out the bottom to use as signs.

But after finding $7 clearance lamps at Lowes, I had a new vision.

Reading rack, easy to move to a new wall if/when needed.

I have a lot of people to thank for this room. My husband, for dragging out the carpet and pad and cleaning it and taking apart the old beds and storing them (for when our two youngest sons are ready for real beds!)

My brother for putting the lights together for me - they actually were simple but I couldn't fathom looking at instructions two days after giving birth and feeling rather fuzzy still.

My friend for giving me a toddler bed - and delivering it!

The craiglist older couple who sold us a great bunk bed AND delivered it AND set it up so that at 9 months preggo I didn't have to bother with it

My mom for helping me mount the boards to the wall so that the room could be finally finished

And it is nice to have the boys all in one room with even more space than with just two of them in there. And it's brighter and more functional as a hang out space. And Tristan can read at night now since he can't fall asleep very easily, and the light is high enough away from his brothers to not bother them. So. Happy ending.

Boy's Bedroom

When we moved into the house the boys room looked like this:

Although I didn't love the dark paint color, I also didn't love the idea of painting everything. I found a big finished carpet on sale for under $100, and since that was the best price I could find for a huge quality rug, and since it was in the same tones as the wall paint, I just went with it.

 

I also had a green chair to throw in. So there it was, a dark mossy bedroom.

 

The beds were free.

The little cupboard was on the side of the road. I painted it and when my dad visited he added the top half and I bought a wheel. My mom gave me the fabric for the sail.

My mom also sewed me the stripped bedding. I wanted something slightly sailor looking, and durable for boys, and washable, and light to balance out all the darkness of the room. So having my mom make the bedspreads instead of finding that (for the right price!) was very convenient.

My mom also used some $1 bedskirts to make simple curtains.

 

When we added the fooseball table to the mudroom, I took out the corner table (the one from our old house's breakfast nook) and used it in the boys room for a lego table. I keep their off season clothes and blankets in the benches.

 

The mural was supposed to add some light color to the walls/room. I tried a projector to help me get my outline. It didn't work great, but was somewhat helpful. And at least this gave the room a sense of nautical theme.

 

Now, however, our 3rd boy wants to be sharing a space with his big brothers. And it seems convenient to me. So I'm anticipating triple bunk beds and a redo of the space.

I'm still not game for painting the whole room. I'm too pregnant and there is too much happening. But there will be some small changes to make some big differences. I'll show you soon!

What I've Been Up To

Baby #4 is due next month and I've been nesting.
I don't remember nesting like this with the other boys... maybe I just am more aware of how little gets accomplished with a newborn and the drive is extra strong this time.

Whatever it is, I've liked how much has gotten done.

Things like putting dishes away and thinking, "This is not efficient. I need to change all of these cupboards" or "Those wires in the living room TV area drive me crazy. Has to be dealt with" or "we've been in this house two years and I never added the shoe shelves into the cubbies. Good grief it must be done today."

One project that I shoved forwards with was my closet.

I got a sewing machine for Christmas and wasn't sure what to do with it - to use it for little 4 minute repairs I need it to be easy to access. So I decided my closet was pleanty big enough for a sewing machine and clothing.

Within a week my closet was a crazy mess. Summer and winter things, sewing and craft and scrapbooking things, AND piles of maternity clothes stacked above the normal things I simply couldn't fit into. The closet which had once seemed large was now bursting like hoarders home.

It's not finished - but here is where I'm at.

 

And I got a baby cradle - my first, always wanted one, and arranged the bedroom to accomadate it. Got a new end table for $10 at Goodwill that would fit the printer underneith since we have to keep the router and printer and phone stuff all in the bedroom. It was time to hide all of that under a heavy square end table. I also got a $20 sheepskin at a overstock store in town because I wanted the baby area to feel special, even if it's not a full nursery. By the way, my bedroom walls are NOT green. They just look that way :)

I was going through the front door and realized how unhappy it was - 

 

At one point it had been different, for one thing, I had a collection of lanterns. But I gave away some and moved some here:

So I decided to do a super cheap makeover of the front door. For one thing, I want to spend money on other things - like storage bins to clean and sort the attic (my next project).

I found these planters on the curb 2 years ago. So they were free. We have pleanty of hostas in the backyard. So those were free. I bought the rug on clearance for $13. And that was the end of that - something simple but at least crisper/cleaner.

I put the black piano bench out to see if I'd like to have some sort of outdoor seating but I'm not sure... the whole thing is, with a screen door, there is no wow factor for a front door anyway. So I'd sort of like to remove it. But it is functional I suppose. So for now I just wont care much about curb appeal. Maybe next year or something.

I had a hutch, the partical board painted black cheap one, on the corner wall in the family room. But I've been keeping my eyes open for sturdy quality wood hutch. I needed it to be narrow and have two glass doors and shelves... I saw a few on Craigslist over the year but they were always $150+ and I wanted under $100. Also, it was hard to find one that was tall and thin for that small of a wall.

Well, I found one at a church garage sale and so that got put into the family room, and then the cheap black one became a baby dresser once again (I don't have quality dressers so sticky drawers have always annoyed me. Thus I prefer having my kids clothes in bins on shelves instead of tucked inside an old dresser)

This is where I'll abruptly end because hubby is here and it's time for bed!

Dreamy kid fort

I tend to like kid things that are eye-pleasing to an adult too. This would be the ideal kids fort for my yard:

Sharing Inspiration

This post is for a friend - gathering together some photos and opinions for creating a home. I thought I'd do it on this blog so that I can access the organized ideas in the future!

FIRST,
I'm not convinced that a house must be decorated fully in the style of the architect. Some elements should flow, but overall, you're not limited to exactly one fit. One example is the blend of rustic and industrial - which could fit a cottage home or apartment or bungalow or farmhouse. Modern can mix into traditional, and cottage and blend with classic. Here is a photo to think about:

The light fixture is elegant, the bedspread is plain, the art is funky-antique, the chairs are classic, the lamp is mid-century modern? and window treatment could be boho. Yet it fits together just fine and I think the ceiling is what makes it a lovely room. I feel like this room could mix with a variety of interiors. So choose the style that you love, that reflects your personality and the functionality of your family, and then blend it with the exterior style. It'll work out well (in my opinion!)

Also, here is an article on what paint colors go with wood trim. It's at least an interesting read: http://www.bhg.com/blogs/better-homes-and-gardens-style-blog/2014/02/26/paint-colors-for-rooms-trimmed-with-wood/

SECOND
I have two home inspirations to share. Flicking through these home tours really speak to me, but for different reasons. Here is the first:

http://www.homeplans.com/plan-detail/HOMEPW76449/dazzling-cape-cod-with-spectacular-living-space

This home has quality and simplicity mixed with beauty in the details. I think it would be a fantastic home to take style ideas from. The batten-board wall treatment, beams on the ceiling, and great lighting make this home so striking even though it's comfortable and simplistic. This is a design style that would be so easy to call home. To live with. To change around for seasonal decorating if desired.

Here is another house that makes me smile:

http://hiyapapaya.com/blog/archives/1609

This house is busy with color. It is bursting with fun. I love simplicity but this house reminds me how playful a home can be.

This is one of my dream rooms:

I love the beauty of the quality floors and the simple colors with striking contrast... but it's not practical for a family...but my take-away is to remember that shapes and scale and architectural character  are what bring beauty.

Also, to wallpaper small areas - like a bathroom - is something I like:

And - I really love this light fixture from Lowes. Would set the tone of a pretty amazing diningroom!

http://www.lowes.com/pd_511350-43501-FD13-033_0__?productId=50096172&Ntt=18+light&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3D18%2Blight&facetInfo=

Which is a cheaper version of this:


For that home in particular, Restoration Hardware would be a great place for inspiration - order a catalog and drool over the beauty of neutrals!


The attic will be a super fun place to decorate... update the bathroom and it'll be like a luxurious get-away for your guests!

These wooden walls are fun with the rustic pop of color:


But I love classic white too:



Here is a mix of classic and color (I love this light gray paint btw) that impresses me - for example, would you have ever thought to pair that rug (size and color) with this table and chairs?


This picture reminds me that there should be some repetition (all matching chairs in this picture, with yellow pulled throughout the room) but that you can get by with mixing up a lot.

LAST thoughts... the kitchen... I'm liking the marble backsplash, neutral and beautiful but not loads of color in the backsplash... sometimes the herringbone pattern is nice. I like gray cupboards like these:




 White is my favorite for a kitchen. Simple fresh bright and classic. I don't get tired of white kitchens - though I kind of like the Island being a different color:



And I like glass doors on at least some cupboards







Refurbished Islands can be cool:


I like ones with the refurbished wood on the existing island - cheaper than replacing the island:





 Or another example:

(Sarah Richardson kitchen design)

The whole reclaimed wood look is super fun:

 http://houserevivals.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-use-reclaimed-wood-in-your-home.html


And here is a fun kitchen - such a mix and looks so welcoming



Here is an article to skim for kitchen renovation ideas:
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2014/01/kitchen-trends-here-to-stay/

Happy Planning!!!

Teepee!

Although I've daydreamed about some fun forts - the cost and time and effort of building a structure for my sons seemed not worth it. The trampoline and sandbox have been pretty great and they can have fun building temporary created little forts in the woods. Making your own is a fond memory of my childhood. But when Tristan announced that he wanted a Native American birthday party (after learning about Illinois Indians in History class) I started imagining a teepee. What a fun place for boys to have adventures, and much more DIY friendly (timewise and budgetwise) than a big fort.

Of course I needed my parents to visit before undertaking such a task.

First step, 8' boards. They were under $2 each. My dad drilled holes in the top and halfway down. I laced them together at the top with wire and rope and tied rope through and around the middle holes to keep everything all in place and evenly spaced.

Then we measured the bottom, up two feet, up two more feet, and sketched out the dimensions for the fabric. The cloth was 1. Painters cloth from Lowes, about $10 2. A heavy silky tan sheet from Goodwill $4 and 3. A thick flannelish gray sheet from Goodwill 1/2 price for $2 and a matching pillowcase for $.50

All together supplies cost:
boards = $11
rope = $5
fabric = $16.50

Total = $32.50

We also used an old Karate belt for the sides of the door.
I decorated the top with a stretchy hairband and some necklaces and a dreamcatcher that I already had.

This is how it turned out:

 

 At the very top of the teepee we used a old pair of boys size 2 sweatpants and cut out the elastic. Mom sewed the pillowcase with elastic at the top and connected the bottom to the panels of fabric.  The door was our leftover piece of painters cloth with karate uniform belts for a heavy edge.

The fabric isn't crazy tight, because measurements weren't totally perfect - which was fine with me. I like the soft loose freedom of the fully functioning teepee and it wasn't worth stressing about refitting and repinning and getting everything exact. It took my sweet mother a lot of time and work, and she is good with sewing to start with, but overall I don't think you have huge experience (but maybe a good dose of patience) for creating a teepee. And without stripes it would be simpler too. But it's not like a dress where it has to fit exactly. The teepee is reasonably forgiving. 

Here is the rest of the party:

 Feathers added to the glass jars and signs added to the square wreath:

And the cupcakes were little teepees - baked in a sugar cone.

We had balloons on our table-tree and lots of decorative games:

Fun party - thank you mom and dad for (yet again) making my wishes come true!