OFFICE SNEAK PEEK

once we moved the kids playroom into the basement

it allowed dan and i to have a first floor office

yippee!

we're not done with the office design

by a long shot

but, it's getting there 

and i'm thrilled!

we've cleaned and cleaned

then painted

we're starting with a fresh, clean slate

here is the before...

here is a peek of the after...

 this wall will have birch tree wallpaper, here's the sample...

  

behind my desk i put up a clothes-line type thing-y

what would you call it?

can't wait to add a few more items...

1. a rug

2. curtains

3. a chalkboard wall

4. some art

5. the wallpaper

more to come :)

xoxo - e

BASEMENT PLAYROOM

this Mom was in need to move the playroom

[downstairs]

the noise, energy, hoop-la was getting to be to much

especially with me working from home

the other bonus is
now i get a first floor office

[oh ya]

we had about $500 to achieve a functional

basement playroom

we transformed this....

icky basement

to this...

coop looks happy :)

sorry about the horrible cell phone photos.

i will take better photos soon

especially when i get it a little more decorated

future basement projects...

chalkboard wall

spray paint the plastic shelves (to match)

and maybe some window blinds

a rug?

hope you had a fun productive weekend!

we did :)

IT'S HERE!

is it just me 

or is restoration hardware the 

quickest shipper? ever.

earlier this week, i shared my new purchase

this lovely floor task lamp....

20th Century Torpedo Task Floor Lamp in Vintage Brass - via

to remind you.

here is my before photo.

and here is the after...


a little closer...

 and another with a underwear clad max... trying to look cool.

kinda excited about this lamp.
if you couldn't tell.

it's the perfect match to this lamp
on the other side of the family room.

i'm kinda obsessed with brass lamps!
happy friday!
-e

LIGHT IT UP!

if i haven't made it clear yet.

i love lamps, lights, chandeliers, really anything that gives off light.

for months i've been searching high and low 

for the perfect floor task lamp to go in a dark corner of my family room. 

to go here (next to the chair)...

i wanted something brass, but not old-fashioned or stuffy.

i loved so many lamps, but the cost was out of my budget.

until i saw this....

via

isn't it lovely?

perfect for my space and even dan likes it... total bonus.

restoration hardware is having a fantastic sale,

you should check it out! 

this lamp was marked down to $160 from $230.

i'll share a photo once it arrives!

on a personal note...

why do boys love computers and video games so much?

this is a consistant scene in my kitchen....

don't you love a little boy in underwear? especially toy story underwear!

have a great tuesday!

-e

diy: painting my front door

the front door is painted

and i'm thrilled with the finished product.

AND

as far as diy home improvement projects go,

this one was quick and easy!

let me remind you of what my house looked like before

before

july 2010

after

this morning / september 2012

while i have you, i thought i'd share our family plaque.... i love it :)

here are the tools i used...

1. Exterior Behr Ultra Premium Semi Gloss

2. Color: Behr Red Red Wine

3. ScotchBlue Painters Tape

4. Wooster Journeyman Master 2 in. Angle Sash Brush

5. Wooster Pro 3-Piece Mini Roller Tray Set

How to paint your front door

(the easy way) 

1. This is tutorial is for doors that are already painted 

(not naked or stained doors)

2) do not take door off hinges 

3) wash the door (give it a good scrub) 

and let it completely dry (i used pine-sol and warm water)

4) if you only want to paint one side of the door, 

use blue tape to tape the areas you don't want painted

5) use a 2" angled brush to paint the angled parts around the door panels and 

cut in around the door hardware. paint a thin coat to avoid drips.

6) use a small roller to paint the flat surfaces, a thin coat to avoid drips

7) VERY IMPORTANT: let the door dry overnight

8) day 2, lightly clean the door and let it dry

9) repeat steps 5 through 7

my door only took two coats, but you may need more 

depending on the thickness of your coats and the color you use.

the result was beautiful and it was such an easy process!

xoxo - e

diy - painting the front door

i've been researching the correct way

to successfully paint my front door.

there are a lot of tutorials out there, 

but i decided to ask a professional.

more specifically, the guy at home depot:)

first up...

choose a color.

here is how my front door looks now...

 i used photoshop to change the door color.
here are a few options i'm considering...

 option 1 -  dark green

option 2 - red

option 3 - dark blue

option 4: dark brown (matching the trim color) 

so what do you think?

i'll reveal the "after" tomorrow.

xoxo - e

my budget bathroom makeover

over the weekend 

dan and i embarked on 

a small bathroom makeover

we didn't have much to spend

only $300

here is the before photo

do you remember this UGLY bathroom?

MLS photo (when we purchased the house)

ack! no?

the walls were a dirty mauve-y, pink-y, peach-y color. 

with a odd lumpy texture.

here are a few after shots

(please don't mind my horrible photos, i can't seem to take a good photo of a bathroom. ever.)

here's the makeover breakdown.

metal chandelier candleholder

(repurposed) $120 from Bacon Square Farm on Etsy... link

budget lighting

 $29 from home depot... link

Toilet Paper Holder

 $17 from home depot.... link

Hand Towel Rod

  this is an appliance/cabinet pull, i'm using for a hand towel

$10 from from home depot.... link

Magnifying Mirror

(repurposed) $5 Frack Mirror from Ikea.... link

Shower Curtain

(repurposed) $30 Silver Starburst Shower Curtain from Target

Curtains

(repurposed) My favorites - $25 a pair, Merete from Ikea... link

Paint Colors

Wall color - Martha Stewart, Heavy Goose

(mixed in Behr Premium Plus Ultra in eggshell)

Cabinet color - Martha Stewart, Cement Gray

(mixed in Behr Premium Plus Ultra in satin)

that's all i have for now.

i did order some new accessories that I will share soon.

also,

i need to think about artwork

and

i'd like to frame out the mirror and replace the faucets.

to bad $ doesn't grow on trees :)

xoxo - e