Solution to Awkward Built-in Space

Here is a pic of the built-ins mid clean-out. You can see there is a weird space at the bottom that we think was originally used for a TV.

Here is it after being painted and fixed up. But that awkward spot was still a problem.

So we moved my grandparents' chest that had been in their bedroom into the space and it was a perfect fit! I added a couple of pillows (one obviously still needs to be sown, I just draped with fabric over it to give you the idea).

 Now it's a functioning space and even gives extra seating if needed.

More Pictures in the Den

In the last den post, I shared how we had started a frame wall.

Recently we finally added a top layer to finish out the grouping. I love how it turned out. I had also mentioned that the lighting would be added. There was not much room by the window so a Target floor lamp did the trick. The lamp on the left is a TJ Maxx find!

We also needed something over the recliner. This watercolor print of downtown Jackson, MS by Wyatt Waters was originally from a calendar I believe. At some point my grandparens had it signed. Jackson is where my mom grew up. He is a local Clinton artist, so there are several personal things attached to this picture.

 This is how the space looked without it.

Much better! The natural wood frame doesn't compete with the gold frames in the room.

A tip for "custom" framing without the cost: Pick out a frame from Hobby Lobby when they are 50% off. bring your print in and ask them to make a matte to fit both the picture and the frame (usually around $10). This frame was $24.99 so after 50% off the total was around $23! Compared to the over $100 price tag that usually comes with framing, this is a steal. I use this little trick for my clients a lot, and they always appreciate the savings!

Seeing Red

 We are continuing to make little changes around the house, and one thing that needed some love was the metal step stool that sits in the kitchen. Here is a look at how this space started.

 And here it was a few months ago. The stool was showing lots of wear and needed an update.

We decided to add some punches of red to the room for contrast. This took one can of Rustoleum's "safety red." It is a great red color that has just a tinge of orange.

 Mom found these cute hooks at a local store and hung some hand towels on them. Below is another quick look at the stool before it's makeover.

 Now he is much cheerier and fun to look at.

Fun Look Back at the Upholstered Couch

When going through thousands of old photos, one thing stood out...the couch always seemed to be the center of family and friend gatherings. So I thought it would be fun to look at it's many "looks".
This picture below is from the 50's or early 60's...not sure...Oma and a friend having a fun laugh on what I think was the original upholstery on the couch. Also notice that is the same coffee table we are using in front of it today!

 Next is the 60's...this is the couch in it's newly upholstered gold pattern. Oma, her mother, and her brother.

 Below is a few years later with my mother, her grandmother, her aunt and cousin. Something was really exciting just off camera apparently.

 Now we have moved to the 70's (why were all of the pictures orange then?). A Christmas where mom looks thrilled to receive a fishing rod...and Opa trying hard not to put in his two cents I assume. What is also funny about this pic: The lamp and side table...the same ones we are using with the couch today. Ha!

 We have now entered the 80's...that's me playing in front of the couch in it's new floral upholstery. Aren't those throw pillows fabulous? Ha.

 More of the 80's, but this time it's my brother...it's like you weren't part of the family until you had your picture taken in front of the couch or something.

 More 80's...but this is another picture of...yes...the same lamp and side table!

 And now we are into the 90's, in the current house. The previous pics were all from their house in Jackson, MS. This is once again a Christmas gathering...my brother, mom, her cousin, my aunt, my cousin (who's bridal shower you might have seen here), and me.

 So this is where she sits today...I can't wait to see the next round of pictures that come from her latest incarnation!

 We will just have to wait and see...

DIY Jewelry/Handbag/Scarf Hanger

Opa was a collector of anything that you could think of that would fit in a giant work shop. And so it has been fun to see what little treasures he held on to. When I found a collection of old knobs that I assume he had rescued from old pieces of furniture, I couldn't wait to use them. I had an idea, so I went back to the work shop (behind the house) to look for some scrap wood. I found this, which I think is part of an old cabinet door.

 I measured out equal distances and then drilled holes where I had marked. I made sure to use a drill-bit that matched the screws that were on the back of the knobs so that they would fit easily through the wood.

 Here is how my holes looked after drilling.

 This is the view from the back...testing out my screws.

 This is the collection of knobs that I decided to use. I thought a bunch of different ones together would be fun. If you didn't have any on-hand, Hobby Lobby and Anthropologie both have a good (but not free) selection.

 Then I used more of "old faithful", the same paint used on the rocker and the dresser. I did a really dry and rough coat to give it a more rustic feel.

 Then I just screwed my knobs back through and that was that! A hanger for whatever you may need to hang.

 I also attached some hanging teeth to the back (I am awful at this, they are crooked, but no one sees that part). You can also see how the screws look from the back.

 I love the unique knobs...I wish Opa was around to tell me their stories. I can guarantee he would remember.

Rocking chair re-do

The rocker in the den has been around for, well, no one is really sure. But it definitely needed some TLC...here it is to the right of my brother and my grandmother, apparently dressed as some version of a soldier from the War of Independence? Who knows...just a guess. She was always a good sport. Regardless, this was very early 90's.

 And here it was last week. Notice the changes? Right, because there aren't any. It looks exactly the same!

First I took off the cushions. I decided to ditch the droopy back cushion but kept the bottom one and re-covered it. Then I painted it with some left over paint from this dresser project.

 I then measured the ruffle and made a new one by using the old one as a pattern. I safety pinned it to the cushion in a few places to keep it in place.

Hopefully this picture makes more sense. This was fabric that I already had on-hand. Then I sanded the paint down around the edges when dry.

 I also used one of my grandmother's old pillow forms and sewed an accent pillow in place of the back cushion with some fabric that I had on-hand. It definitely got a nice update!

Hopefully Oma would approve.

Kitchen: New Window Treatments

Here is a before kitchen reminder:

 Here it is today...such a big change. We recently added curtain panels to the window and they really give the room some personality! Every room should have a little fabric! It also helped to knock out the trim piece above the window and install a new pendant light. You can also see in this pic where we removed a cabinet and installed a dishwasher. A new cabinet and drawer had to be built to the right of it since there was a weird space left there.

Here is another before angle:

No more ugly vent and now the microwave is out of the way! The laminate backsplash over the stove was replaced with a new stainless one. Now it's hardly noticeable!

Here is a closer shot so you can see how nice the curtains look with the light fixture. They will probably stay open the majority of the time but it's nice to have an easy privacy option.