My Living Room [Before & After!!]

I've been thinking about this post for awhile. I think a lot of people get stuck in a decorating rut- due to lack of support or finance. Sometimes, you start to think you'll decorate later- when you have more time. At least that's what happened to me.

Back in 2004-05 Zack and I built our house. It was our first home and I was pretty ridiculously happy with it. Here are some pics our realtor took when he listed it.

It was staged to sell in these pics, but devoid of personality. Mostly, I just removed anything that could come off a clutter, so plants and little furniture were removed. But if I were to be honest, I'd say it never had a lot of spunk to begin with.

But like I was telling you'll last week, we sold our house because we wanted to go back to graduate school. Since both Zack and I wanted to get our MBAs- {for separate reasons of course.} We had plans to attend the same school, so we needed to do reasonably well on the entrance exam to make sure we could do that.

A little more info about how we ended up renting...

We packed up everything and moved into a condo in UT, where we proceeded to shop for homes. The housing market was just beginning to fall apart, so we finally decided to ride it out and rented our little condo. All the while I was thinking, you know, soon we'd get our own place, and I could decorate again.

I thought I could put my head down and march- just get through it and then I could breathe again- and play around with ideas again. But then- I started to hate our furniture. Especially in the new space. 
And our decor- oh, I especially loathed our decor.

Circumstances be darned- I decided I would NOT live like *this anymore! 

{*By this, I mean the feeling that you're not at home when you are, in fact, in your home!...not like we were living in squalor or anything!}

These are some pics I took right after I decided to make the change. Because, of course, I had not been planning to take any photos of the space for the duration of our existence there!

 So one night I had had enough and I took some pics, so I would at least be able to someday show people a "before" pic. 

{Note: This was before I knew not to take pics at night with the lights on- oh, how much I've learned!! Note 2: These are not watermarked fr GOOD reason!! ;-)  }

I made up my mind to sell everything we had brought with us and decided to start fresh. 

Instead of buying from big box stores and purchasing matching sets, I would search out just the right piece. I made the decision to only buy things I loved. 

I sold our old crap things on Craig'sList and Ebay so we could get the most possible for them. I even spent some time to fix up/paint/ redo some of my old goods- so I would be able to modernize'em and get more moula!!

In fact- we made enough money to pay for almost all the projects, furniture and makeovers I have done ove the last year!! Crazy, right!? Even the custom sectional we got from Bassett was paid for from the proceeds- though Z did sell a couple of guns and added that to the furniture fund. {Now that's true love, right ladies?}

I judiciously decided where chunks of the budget would go- like the couch and printer's cabinet. While most everything else cost me less than 20 bucks each- 

Either used to rehab something we already had- like my end tables, ottoman, large art over the couch, clock

 OR to make something from scratch, myself. Like the map art flanking the window, the subway art, tree stump table---to name a few.

I know you gals are no stranger to buying second hand- but I'll share my criteria with you. The second hand item cannot be bought merely because it is a good deal!! ;-) This is tempting, but should be avoided! It must have the exact lines and scale that I'm looking for. No settling! 

If you wait long enough, the right item will come along! Like my tapestry chair- I paid 50 bucks for it, but Arhaus sells it for $2200!

When I look around my small space- I now feel like there is something to be proud of! It is a rental- but it is MY space, I feel ownership over it. It definitely feels like it's "me"- and who could ask for more than that!

I know you guys can do it, too. No matter what your budget is, no matter where you live. Just decide what you like- and bit-by-bit, make it happen!

Zack and I are on the vacation of our lives right now- it has been so fantastic...but I do look forward to getting home and digging into my kitchen project!

Looking for places to link up your projects? Check out my Party page.

I'm also linked up here.

✥ Feature: Sleeping Porch ✥

Good day, dear friends! The hubs and I are still on vacation- living it up as we travel all over the western US. We've seen Yellowstone and the rain forest in Washington. Right now we are traveling down the Oregon coast, and heading towards Lake Tahoe. We've seen grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, elk, moose, mountain goats- and seen rivers and mountains! It has been quite the trip!

I came across this fantastic kitchen from Maple and Magnolia when it was featured at Whisper Wood Cottage and I believe it won their "all things kitchen" contest last winter. I think was published in Cottages and Bungalows, as a result. I'm sure you can totally see why- they warm gray walls, the crisp white upholstery and china.

Mix that with a few industrial elements and some warm wood or weathered wood- and I think you have the kitchen thousands of us are striving towards and would LOVE to see in our own homes! Am I right?

I think the real kicker is the gym basket storage center. I actually remember going to summer camp when I was 5, at my Dad's old high school, and they had gym baskets like this! Who would have thought they would become to chic?

The very best part- that's not even today's feature. See,  Susan is an incredibly talented decorator and her entire home is completely fabulous! When I saw her sleeping porch, I just about died! I mean, this is your porch? Can I have it for my very own bedroom, pretty, pretty please!!!

I think one of Susan's greatest decorating talents is knowing how to mix the right shapes to create an overall vision. If you look at the curves on the antique bed and the curves on the light with the round table and clock- it is a vision of white antique loveliness!! I know there are a ton of almost all white room fans among my readers- this room is for you!!

Just perfect for your guest to write come about their stay! I know you all adore the chippy old table, serving as a desk. It is the exact look tons of us try to replicate with various paint techniques.

The only pops of color come in pale aqua- found in a few glass vases and in a very pale vintage typewriter. There is just a faint floral pattern on the sheets, enough to add interest and dimension, but still creating a light and airy feel. Oh yeah, and some perfectly droopy tulips to add some pink, perfecting the shabby chic-ness!

I know you guys don't need me to point out all these lovely details, these rooms speak for themselves. I can bet you guys are already rushing over to Maple & Magnolia right now- to subscribe, and I don't blame you! I did the same! Hope you're enjoying your week, everyone! I am having a fantastic summer- get out there and get you some sun!

✥ Reader Feature: Vintage Style Home Tour ✥

I have a super fabulous home to share with you all today! I am so excited to show off Susan's, from Must Love Junk, vintagey home! She is a new blogger but has been widely welcomed into the blogging community- since her style is amazing! People cannot get enough- and I feel the same. In fact I went through her whole archives the other day- just reading and checking out the eye candy!!

{Susan will share a few glimpses of a few different spaces in her home. If you want to see more about that room- just click on the link. }

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This is the wall opposite my front door, the huge coat rack, and the stack of suitcases.  My talented friend Melissa made the cute little picture frame (she knows I love me some numbers!)

This wooden rack has to be one of my all-time favorite/best scores!  (And a funny story, too.) I was at the local flea market a couple years ago with my nephew Alex, who was visiting from Arizona.  He was maybe 13 years old at the time, and whenever he comes to town, I call him my 'flea buddy' 'cause he loves to go and look for model cars he collects (used to), etc.  So I look down the aisle, and spy this shoe rack, and grab his arm (nearly squeezing him to death) and tell him I've always wanted one of these, I'm freaking out, but to be cool (even though I'M the one that needs to be cool!)  So we get to it, and it's a little rough, and not the greatest one I've ever seen, but hey, that's fine with me, and I ask the guy how much...drumroll please...and he says "how about 20 bucks?"  Well, I heard angels sing, and about passed out!!

So once I recover, I pay him, and we go to load it into my small SUV, and it won't fit!  Now what am I gonna do? Well, he asks where I live (about 15 minutes away) and he then OFFERS TO DELIVER IT! Having no choice, I give him my address, and as Alex and I left, I'm fretting "Will I ever see the guy again? He could just take my money and scram!" (Not that I cared as much about my 20 bucks as getting my great find!)  And Alex is just rolling his eyes and so amused that I'm getting worked up over this piece of 'junk'. It gets better...

We're at home waiting, and sure enough, the guy comes rolling in (I was so relieved) and this cute girl gets out of the passenger's side, and comes to the door...and we know each other!  She sets up at the flea all the time with gorgeous linens and vintage jewelry, and it turned out that she's friends with the guy who I bought the rack from!  We were laughing so hard because she said the whole way to my house she was giving him such a hard time about offering to deliver a $20 item!  But she was happy it was me, and I gave her a tour of the house.  And I've enjoyed this 'piece of junk' ever since! Just had to share that. Click here to see the other details on this side of the room!

Now we continue my home tour into my front hallway/entry. Our house is a 1929 Colonial, but it's not a traditional layout...the front of the house is a big open hallway (basically unused space, but that's ok-more for me to decorate :) then the kitchen in the back of the house is TINY (but that's ok, too, since I don't cook!)  This gives you the perspective of walking out of the living room into the hall. I've got quite a collection of suitcases, but this is my highest stack. I especially love the 'striped' ones, as you can tell. 

Stop by to learn all about this huge piece in my hall- and to see all the other details on this side!

This is the room we spend the most time in (next to the sun room)...the "Living Room"...let me break it down for you:  this is the view from our front hallway.

We use an old factory cart for our coffee table-it's a true, old rough one; my hubby surprised me and stenciled "Dept No 3" on the side when I was out of town, because that's my favorite number!  I really couldn't believe he went and did that! (I absolutely can't picture him going into Jo-Ann's and buying stencils and a paint pen :)   We got the old roll-down school map at an auction when we lived in Columbus, for a steal!  The postal cart is one of my fav items-I splurged and got it on Etsy. 

And I found 2 crates/boxes that are more unison in shape and size to replace the bottom drawers!) My hubby also surprised me with the 3 connected 'stadium seats'-he's a keeper!

Stop by to see the other side of our living room!

We all love adding to our collections, don't we?  I have too many to mention!  But here are 2 of my favorites...ironstone and old seltzer bottles.  I know so many of us love ironstone-it's pretty easy to find, and usually fairly inexpensive.  I've gathered mine in a cabinet that my dad made for me using barnwood and an old window/door. I love how grouping together some simple items can make such a statement!

This is our 'office', right off the front hall/entryway. 

In here, I decided to go with more of an industrial vibe. The walls were painted red when we moved in, and we left them, so they just seemed to lean toward a more industrial look.

The red walls definitely aren't for the faint of heart (although they're not as bright as they seem in these photos!)   I've liked them, but it's time for a change, so we're thinking of painting them a gray. It should mesh well with all of the galvanized metal I've collected! 

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Totally great, right?! I loved the mail cart in her living room- and of course the railroad cart too. Susan's hubby sounds like a major sweetheart. I mean, aren't antiques always the way to a girl's heart? ;-)

 Oh- and did you see the tower of vintage suitcases!? I have a pic pinned just like that- now I can have 2! I am totally crushin' on all the little details- like tons of antique items filling the built-ins, vintage seltzer bottles, wood patina, and worn metal! (*sigh!) 

Although I love the design details, the best part of the blog is Susan herself. She is such a sweetheart!

If you guys want more- make sure you stop by and say hi to Susan. Even though she has a fairly new blog- there is a ton more eye candy to check out!

To the gals I'm meeting up with tonight for our Blogger's Dinner, I am so excited! It's gonna rock!

✥ Reader Feature: Shabby Chic Bedroom Reveal ✥

Oh, friends.  My.Back.Is.Out. {ouch!!}
So, let's get to it- shall we? Before I branch off into unrelated, drug induced tangents!

Today I'm happy to introduce you to my bloggy-friend, Kristin. She's the creative force behind Simply Klassic Home. I'd be surprised if you haven't already "met" her- she's super friendly and so sweet. Not only does she blog, but she also does blog design- you have probably seen her work around blogland- and probably her printables, too.

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Master Bedroom Reveal - An Unexpected Makeover

When a decorator gets an idea, she has to run with it, right?

Thus is the case with this master bedroom makeover. If you've been following since the beginning, you may remember the first makeover just about a year ago. Well, it never felt quite right, but I had moved on to other projects and it was "good enough."

Now, I've got lots on the "to-do" list for this year, and the master bedroom didn't even make the cut...so why is it the first thing finished???

A couple of months ago I decided to use the shutter headboard elsewhere in my home so out of the bedroom it came. Then I realized I had to replace it with something but had no idea what. I knew I wanted to add more natural elements and warmth and texture, but how?

If you are a follower of Pamela at PB&J Stories you already caught a glimpse of the new headboard when I shared my painted mirror project. (As you can see, distressed won!)

I was Pinterest surfing and came across this project by Vintage Bliss. Inspiration struck as I remembered I had our old hollow core closet doors stored in the garage. I hoped it would be the right size, and though it was a little wider than the bed, I thought it was just right.

All of a sudden here I was completely immersed in a bedroom makeover. I went to my favorite store, Country Roads in Orange, California (ahem, fivetimesintwoweeks), looking for new pieces to complete the room. (It may be a sickness.)

I'm so grateful to have my amazing friend to bounce ideas off of. (From one Princess K to another, thank you from the bottom of my heart.) She found this beautiful bench for me at where else, Country Roads.

A quick coat of poly and she was ready to go.

The dresser was part of last year's makeover.

I added each of the vignette elements.

I grabbed some vintage books from the unused (in 20 years) church library to give the lamps some height and switched out the shades.

Dropcloth curtains are cheap and effective, and add the perfect amount of color and texture. Tied with burlap scraps to finish them off.

An old frame and iron bird hooks hold my necklaces (all three of them).

I tied a scrap of dropcloth and twine around a small mason jar, added a wire hanger for a cute little hanging vase.

I had to include a special new fluffy pillow in the corner for my sweet kitty (mostly to keep her off of my bed!).

And finally, a framed printable reminds me of what I'm striving for each day - to let go of the junk and live in the moment every single day.

I'm loving it all and know that this is exactly what I wanted!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoyed this little tour. I'll be sharing some details later in the week. Now maybe I can get back to some of the other projects I've been working on!

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Didn't she do a great job? I adore that headboard- I am fully addicted to that union jack flag. So obviously I am coveting that pillow, too!
Kristin totally deserves a retreat-like bedroom. She's a single mom of 2 {adopted!!} kids- and warrants some "her" time. Right?

A few extra goodies...

 

Kristin joined the chalk paint rage when she painted her grandmother's heirloom hutch! You will want to see the before on this baby- it's is totally awesome!I love how she displayed family heirloom furniture and filled it with the same. So meaningful- and it looks beautiful!

 

I also love this mantle scape- the gray wood, pops of turquoise and vintage jars are right up my alley! Check out how Kristin made this sign- I'm sure you'll want to make your own. I know I do- like seriously!

Make sure you pop over and say "Hi" to Kristin! 

I hope you all have a great Monday!!