My Bedroom Evolution

So, it's been a year since I've been working on (slowly) updating our bedroom - it's getting SO close to being done - just need a couple of new pieces. For now - here is the latest update - the evolution of our bedroom!


BEFORE - August 2009 (just moved in; chocolate/cranberry; no night stands; new lamps

August 2010 - (new, lighter colors, new pillows, new green accents and new night stands)

June 2011 (new dresser, a bit of new accents and art)

AFTER August 2011 - new art, new, smaller lamps - we like it SO much better! And again - more bright!

Before & After Shot

Click to make larger - LOVE the new art - really helps fill the space and, to me, make it more homey!

Hope you like the changes we made! The great thing is we can always go back - stuff is just shuffled all over the house. The lamps are now in the guest room and living room, and i'm just updating other lamps! The new lamps, in case you like them/are looking for small lamps, are from Crate & Barrel. I had found them a while back, but they were $60 each - not worth it for the size (small) lamps I was looking for! Well I went in with a $100 gift card from my sweet co-workers (birthday gift!) and they were on sale for $20 each. A steal - love 'em. I wanted the art to be the focus while giving us more surface space. As far as the art, Ikea frames (20"x28") for $20 each - so $80 in lamps + frames, and about $6 for the fabric inside, which matches the pillow I got in NY at the street fair!

Austin's Garden

I have to share some local, homegrown, exciting news. Austin grew our first tomato!

isn't it perfect?!

Seriously - the tomato plants are out of control with growth - AWESOME! Can't wait for more!

BEFORE

AFTER - yes, they're taller than me!

Another shot of Austin's bountiful harvest

So what to do with it? Well make a caprese - duh!

I guess i'd never had a fresh tomato. WOW. I never knew how crazy sweet they were. or how RED. I mean really - amazing.

We Bought a New Couch!

It's going to be a while before it arrives though. Boo. We got a Rowe couch, similar to my sister's, in a pretty neutral linen color. It's SO comfortable - I can't wait for it to arrive. 4-6 weeks. UGH. That's a long time. BUT, I think we got a great deal on it and it included pillows in our choice - we picked out a fun pattern.

I can't find a good picture of the couch online (they're all red with cream piping- not at all like what we got!) But I did find the fabric. Note that the texture is very nubby - almost like a burlap!

We Sold Our Couch

Yay! It was a Rooms to Go find that we spent $450 on (including delivery/tax) and used for 2 years. We got $300 for it so I consider that a GREAT deal. Thank you, Craigslist!

Now, we have to go buy the new one at Kudzu. I hope to do that this weekend. eek! Wish us luck!

Kitchen Business Center Project Reveal

So I've been working on a Kitchen Business Center Project. What does this mean? Well basically, I was trying to accomplish other goals, like my pantry organization, spice jar organization, gift center and spring cleaning of closets. As I was doing this I kept getting frustrated. Where is the tape? Where are the scissors? I bought a label maker to help me get organized, but it didn't change the fact that we had bills in the kitchen, our bedroom nightstands, Austin's home office, etc. I finally just went around to these places and gathered clutter:

• Master bedroom nightstands and dresser
• Austin's office
• My office
• Desk in bonus room
• Desk in kitchen

We just had TOO many areas. I mean really, batteries shouldn't be in 3 different places. The resolution? ONE place for ALL items. A place to pay bills; file documents, cards, photos; store post-its, paper clips, clothespins; etc. Here's how it ended up...

on the outside...

and inside!!

Close up shot - all boxes were from Ikea (3 sets of 2 CD-sized boxes at $4 each so $12, 3 sets of DVD-sized boxes at $5 each so $15 ; 2 sets of large document-sized boxes at $8 each so $16; 2 sets of small document-sized boxes at $6 each so $12); labeled with my label maker. Boards were from Staples; $4 for a set of 4. Total cost: $59 pre-tax.
close up of boards
close up of boxes

For some context - the door in the back left is to the garage AKA where the mail comes in. The business center is in those left cabinets - away from the serve ware, cooking ware, etc.

Boxes include: Photos, Stationery (thank you cards, blank cards, etc.), Batteries, Clips (document clips, clothes pins, etc.), Bill Paying (envelopes, stamps, check books, address labels), Receipts, Documents, 'To Review' and 'To File', Manuals (for washer, TVs, etc.), Electronics (chargers, DS Lite, GPS, etc.), Cards (from family & friends after a few months of display), Staplers & Tacks, Extra Supplies (extra post its, high lighters, etc.), Stamps (stamp pads, personalized stamps, etc.), Ribbons, and Adhesives (tape, glue gun, glue stick, etc.).

Corkboard: Left side is for upcoming events; Right side is for upcoming bills, coupons, appointments, etc.

Drawers: One has dividers with a few of the items above for easy access (pens, post its, pads of paper, index cards, paper clips, clothes pins); one has large note pads and mealplans/recipes.

Now, when mail comes, we know exactly where to put it. No need to let it stack up in other parts of the house for filing - it can all live in this space. When the boxes get full (like the 'to file' box) we can just put the items in a manila envelope and store in the filing cabinets upstairs for later use. Also, some things like magazines don't belong in the kitchen - we don't read them down there! So we have the basket on the counter to collect items that need to go upstairs!

g it in place!

Spice Cabinet Redux

So I had purchaed my spice jars, labeled them and reorganized the kitchen. Oh happy day. However, I was still having a hard time finding what I needed. Especially because all of the jars were the same. It was like my organization had turned on me. Then I discovered that the height of the jars was PERFECT for the drawers- like made for them. Perhaps they were? Anywho, so I reorganized again taking large spoons/spatulas out of a drawer and getting a container on the counter for them, which freed up space in a drawer right next to the stove where I need the spices the most. However, they now needed labels on TOP, not just on the side. So me and my new best friend that truly brings out my OCD like no other label maker got to work - here are the results!

The magic is in the left drawer

See - love it. Have spice jars and small containers for packets at arm's reach

Close up

As a refresher, here is the before:

And the other AFTER:

I cooked 5 recipes with the new organization system - bliss! I made 4 casseroles: Burrito Casserole, Spicy Spaghetti Pie, Brushetta Bake and Taco Pasta Casserole.

Taco Pasta Casserole close up

spicy spaghetti pie close up

Reupholstery Project Commences

I finally gave up on getting a referral on a reupholster, and just took it to Yelp. I found a couple, called one, and went ahead and sent him pics for a quote on changing the fabric and changing the legs. I need to figure out what my ceiling is. At a certain point, it could be better to sell it and buy another one you know? Sigh.

Spice Cabinet Before & After

Yesterday I made labels with the new label maker and reorganized the spice cabinet. I'm so excited - here is before and after.

Before

After

So many organized bottles - I plan to do like A-M on the left and N- Z on the right - nothing too formal just to make it easier to know where to go in for bottles! I also bought some extras in case I get in to more spices

Guest Room Update

They've changed SO much - I must get new pictures. For now - here is the orange guest room - added the wrought iron piece on the side and moved pictures to the top - fun!

Old guest room

Enter idea I saw at Pottery Barn

Welcome to to the new guest room

So what did this have to do with that piece of wall decor? There it is! And it kind of goes with the swirly pattern on that PB pillow!

And on over to the corner where my favorite little chair sits - loves it

New Den Wall Art

I moved some art around because of THIS:

I've been eying it for a while - I just love it. It's a 40" square - so a pretty substantial piece of wall art. It's wrapped on canvas. I wanted it so bad, but wasn't crazy about the $300 price tag.Here is is on their site.

But never fear, when there's a coupon there's a way. I received a 20% off entire purchase for Ballard Designs Back Lots (outlet). I headed over and there, in great condition, marked down to $223 (before tax). So with my 20% off it was still $178. Not cheap enough yet. However, I went back and wall art was 20% off, and then another 20% off with the coupon. Yes, I purchased for $143 (before tax). That's what I call a bargain, right? Heart! Here's a pic I took of it in my casa - just hung it last night!

New wall art

Old wall decor

I think I need to take new pictures of this - I like it MUCH better in person - it almost seems bare in pictures?? I dunno! I ended up putting the piece that was above the couch in a guest room - perfect!

New Canvas Print for the Casa!

I found this today...

Photo from ballard designs

close up shot

I've been eying it for a while - I just love it. It's a 40" square - so a pretty substantial piece of wall art. It's wrapped on canvas. I wanted it so bad, but wasn't crazy about the $300 price tag. Here is is on their site.

But never fear, when there's a coupon there's a way. Enter yesterday, I received a 20% off entire purchase for Ballard Designs Back Lots (outlet). I head to the gym on Sunday, walk over, and one was there, in great condition, marked down to $223 (before tax). So with my 20% off it was still $178. Not cheap enough yet. However, today I went back to the gym and waltzed over and wall art was 20% off, and then another 20% off with the coupon. Yes, I purchased for $143 (before tax). That's what I call a bargain, right? Heart! Here's a pic I took of it in my casa - haven't hung it yet though, clearly!

TOTALLY worth the $ - can't wait to hang it and take updated pics - YAY!

Dining Room: New Rug meant New Tabletop Decor

I LOVED my old dining room rug. It was a Pottery Barn Outlet find. Reuben loved it too. He loved to relieve himself on it to the point that we had to get it drycleaned. Fail. And then roll it up and replace it. Enter the new rug, which is a much more intense print which meant our printed place mats were no longer going to work.

Me, my mom and my sister all went up to Pottery Barn outlet today. They were setting up a display with a runner and these cool, heavy, awesomely rustic, candlesticks - with no candles in them. I loved it. I picked up 5 candlesticks (only $53 total) , my sis found the runner (only $15) in the store and game over - I was going to copy PB's tabletop for my living room for only $68. Here's how it turned out - not a major transformation but i'm much happier with the rug, and the room, now!

BEFORE: this is the new rug - you can see how the 'poppy' placemats were just kind of meh. As far as not just doing a single centerpiece in the middle - I was worried it would compete with the huge light that hangs over it! (not shown in this shot!)

AFTER: Candlesticks and runner instead - not competing with 'beehive' light... do you see little Reuben? LOL

Close up shot of candlesticks

The completed room - new tabletop and new 'party central' buffet!

Dining Room: "Entertainment Central" says BH&G

So, I was at the gym on Thursday and picked up a Better Homes & Gardens magazine. Not usually my bag, but I flipped through it and a page caught my attention. It was all about making your dining room buffet functional, and decorating with items that are great to have on hand for entertaining - even if it's last minute. Examples included a glass jug with napkin packs, baskets with appetizer plates and spreaders, a lazy susan with liquors, etc. Well, we already have a "beverage station" - our kitchen island has two cabinets with all of our liquors and mixers, and two drawers with all of our bottle openers, wine stoppers, spouts, etc. So I wanted to focus on making our sparsely decorated buffet a great location for: a few of my favorite serving dishes, party napkins, paper plates, plastic silverware, appetizer plates, spreaders, plastic cups, koozies, beer & wine charms, etc. - all of those things I dig out when we have company (usually kept in the pantry). In order to do this, I got the following: a couple of new servers at Crate & Barrel, new appetizer plates and spreaders, a big jar for napkins at Homegoods and a basket, green dinner napkins and a water goblet for displaying the spreaders.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Now for some detail shots:

Top shelf: new $10 server from C&B; new $6 server from C&B - narrow for crackers or olives; already owned two pottery barn servers, 3 Ikea mini servers and 8 Ikea sauce dishes

Bottom shelf: silver bucket that came as part of one of Austin's birthday gifts - it's filled with clear 16 oz. solos, clear wine glasses and our Martin-branded cups; new $12 basket from Pottery Barn outlet; filled with new $2.50 green cloth napkins from Pottery Barn, 8 new $3 Crate & Barrel appetizer dishes; new $10 Crate & Barrel mini tongs and already owned Pottery Barn pitcher.

Top shelf: Cutting board (wedding gift) - we've never used it but hope to use it more if it's out - maybe for cheese & crackers or something?!

Bottom shelf: Already owned Home Goods jar with wicker balls from Target; new $2 Pottery Barn Goblet with new green PB napkin; filled with 6 new $2 Crate & Barrel spreaders and 3 already owned Ikea mini spoons; new Home Goods $10 jar filled with new PB napkin and already owned paper napkins in brown and white (I plan to get more brown, white and green for it).

So what about the stuff that doesn't match the scheme? IT'S IN THE DRAWERS! Yes, novel concept using the drawers i'm sure. These used to be EMPTY. This is theme in our house... empty drawers!

Drawer #1: Already owned container and filled it with clear silverware; remaining is filler pinecones and rocks and extra runner

Drawer #2: Already owned clear plates and assortment of beverage napkins in different colors - room for more!

Drawer #3: Already owned assortment of plates, beer charms and extra bamboo placemats.

So that's it! I'm really happy with it but am open to recommendations? What am I missing? Is it cluttered or does it need more? There are a few items I have my eye on for it. They include:

some fancy toothpicks!

potentially this short storage bin for the low shelf - could replace servers? Could house more cups or koozies? May not be necessary and may be too "officey"

More appetizer plates - great price on this set of 12!

P.S. You can see a bit of our new dining room rug in these pictures. Reuben ruined the other one by making it his personal pee pad. Dry cleaning didn't even work. Sigh. More pics to come of it later.

P.S.S. SPECIAL THANKS to my mom and sis - I couldn't have this without them and their help today - I had so much fun with them and SO APPRECIATE their advice and ideas!!