Another step closer - we now have a chandelier for the DR

Please don't die from shock, but since I had time off last week and was able to get some things actually done, I thought I would send out some news before I am knee deep into the holiday scene.

so, a sneak peek of a few elements of the DR will follow over the next few posts.  I would hate to have anyone think I am sitting on my ass doing absolutely nothing (as a few have suggested I might be doing!).

I absolutely hated this.  Just not my thing and reminded me of Key West, with a bad light kit:

So.....I dug around 1 of my storage bins and found a chandelier that I purchased some time ago at an auction.  One of those auctions where they serve alcohol to keep you bidding, which both my friend and I did.  I left with a chandelier, but she left with a chandelier, a beautiful rug and a VERY large gorgeous mirror. 

I had originally installed this in my last DR and when I sold the house, I had it taken down and stored thinking that someday I might just have a need for it.  So here is the before:



 

 

Looking in very sad shape after being stored and ignored for such a long time.

 

 

and now......ready for her close up!

 

 

At some point during this rub and buff project from hell, I started referring to it as "the bitch".  I think it was day 2 of 3 , when I decided I was losing brain cells due to the fumes.

 

But once hung and despite the fact that I had not had time to yet order some new gray shades, I could tell that I was liking it in the room that it was helping to morph it into a DR.

 

So sad that I had to put on the tattered old silk shades that also had been far too long in the storage bin.  The good news is that I found lovely gray dupioni silk shades at Ballards.  The bad news is they are priced at $21 each and I need a dozen.  Decided I would search online for something that might not be quite as expensive. Until then, the gross old ones stay put.

As luck would have it, I found some pretty gray shades at Tuesday Morning on a close out sale, for $2.20 per shade.  Now I did have to go to 3 different stores to get the quantity I needed - but I was a woman on a mission! I mean really $2.20 vs. $21. each.  They are not dupioni, but I am totally ok with that because I'm very happy with the savings, as well as the  overall look.  So......voila, it's done and I'm no longer referring to is as "the bitch".

 

Each step puts us a bit closer to actually having a DR we can enjoy.  Yipee!!



The DR wall treatment - the 1st step to a new room

My big goal for the month was to get the kitchen installed by Thanksgiving - done!  Now if I can just find time to put all the dishes back in the cupboards.  I decided while I had taken some time off the week of Thanksgiving, I would see how much I could do in the DR.  Mind you it was a pool table room, which was never used and looked like this:

There was a chair rail in the room, but it was just plain underneath.  The room has great proportions, it is big and has a lovely window seat.  So, after being inspired by so many blogs that show inexpensive wood treatments that look great once painted - I thought, what the heck, let's give it a try.  In progress, the cheapo wood treatment goes up:

We left the chair rail and the base trim and just added the thin 3" flat wood stripes in between the two.  It made the project go fast and fairly easy, that is after I did my math on each wall to determine what spacing would work on all of the walls.  And because I am on a stripe kick these days - some gray and white vertical stripes were added above the new wood treatment.

 

It looks really good and has completely transformed the room from a bit plain to something a bit more finished looking.  Confessions: 1) I was super motivated to get this room done because I had ordered DR furniture that arrived ahead of schedule and 2) I had the trim installed and the stripes painted by a pro.  No DIY on my part other than telling him what I wanted and walking in to see the finished end result....which I loved.  While I love the projects I do myself, my time is now extremely limited (aka kids, job, laundry and life!), it was very nice to walk into the room and just have the project done in a matter of a few days. 

 

My thought was - hmmmm, I wonder how many other bloggers have pros come in and poof - post the finished product.  I'll bet there are a few out there :)  At least I admit it.

Woo-hoo ...Progress on my Kitchen and DR goals!

When I look and see that my posts seem to be once a month, vs. several times a week or even daily, I always smile and think to myself, well that's pretty pathetic.  Then again, some bloggers post 1 event in the room at a time, like "I painted a door".  To each his/her own, but for some reason I want to post major progress.  So, I now actually have something to finally share.  My goal was to have the major work in the kitchen reno done by Thanksgiving and with a little luck, also some progress in the former man cave that will morph into a DR.

Kitchen progress first, however not remotely complete. Let me remind you of the slightly boring before shots:

And now some afters, right after the workers cleared out and before being styled.

 

 

Still missing a couple doors and without island finished or new sink installed.

 

 

 

And not that I had time to really style the room before Thanksgiving, I did at least throw a few things in the room....most importantly wine in the wine rack.

 

 

 

Dining Room progress tomorrow - feeling the need to pace myself.

 



Sometimes it's the little things in life

Ok, to my sister and a BFF who have heard me bitch about this since Sunday, you should be happy to hear that I am no longer super Target-pissed.  For all others - here's the story.  I had been waiting for Target to launch the Nate Berkus collection, because I wanted a pair of the black and white chevron ginger jars I had seen in the ads/hype.  All online information from Target said that the launch of items would be in stores on Oct 21st.  Fearing that they might quickly sell out - or crash their online system like their last big designer launch - I got up early on Sunday morning to hit Target when they opened.  Mind you, I also had to drag the twins, who had absolutely no interest in getting up early to go hit a Target so I could buy two "jars" (as they called them).  But I think I lured them out of bed and into the car by promising donuts :) and off we went.  I chose not to go to the closest Target because it's a small one, so I drove further to hit a Target Super Store.  I get to Target super early only to find that there was not a single Nate item in the store.  The employees barely knew about the launching of the line.  I even showed them on my Iphone the Target press release saying "in stores on Oct 21", which did me absolutely no good.   Grrrrrr!  I left the store with nothing and still had to get the promised donuts.  Let's just say I was not my typical Target loving self early Sunday morning.

Then I'm reading a blog on Monday and see them in the post.  More grrrrr!  They obviously launched the line as promised in some locations.

So, yesterday on my lunch break - I ran into my closest dinky Target to pick something up and guess what I happened to see? 

Ta-da:

 

 

Not in their permanent home yet - just plopped in the entry way for now.

 

 

And get this - there were only 2, which I took as a sign that God must have saved them just for me.  Or perhaps, it was meant to be a sign for me to remember that sometimes it's the little things in life that can indeed make you happy.

 



New Beginnings = New Projects

Since most recently I have had a few "what's up with your blog" comments - I thought I should send an update.  Yes, the summer flew by with twins out of school, summer travels, summer company, summer martinis and summer FUN.  I also started a new job (long overdue after all my long hiatus of fun and adventures) and between all of that, who in the hell has the time to blog?  Oh yeh, the hundreds and hundreds of bloggers, that I call Pro Bloggers, who somehow find the time to manage kids, houses, DIY projects and still find time to post!   Obviously I do NOT fall into that category, I am definitely a baby blogger.

Onward....to my decision/s on "new beginnings".  My work here on my current ugly duckling has come to a halt.  Jobs we decided to tackle are for the most part done.  Probably a good thing, since I have taken a new job and all new jobs seem to take a bit of extra time.  Then there's the whole working solo mom, how do I get it all done syndrome that I am still getting used to again.  Let's just say my house just isn't nearly as clean.  In fact, I don't even care and that's huge for me. 

But....drum roll please....there is a new ugly duckling waiting for me. Well it certainly isn't a baby ugly duckling, more of a teen-age duck that needs some TLC.  It could also be called a large man cave that needs the eye/touch of a woman. The Fabulous Mr. S proposed to me and it didn't take me long to say yes!  Mind you, we are the same 2 people who said we never planned to marry again. Hmmmmmm.....enough said.

So, with the proposal, he also gave his blessing to "do whatever you want to the house".  So, fabulous and BRAVE is he!  First up will be the kitchen which currently looks like this:

 

 

Good footprint but definitely drab.  Not that it matters to the Fab Mr S, as he never ever

cooks a meal in it. He merely passes through the room as he comes through the garage.

He eats every meal out.  So, let's say his specialty in the kitchen is making reservations.

Cabinetry and appliances are ordered and this renovation will begin in October. 

Can't wait to get started and see the completed project.

 

Next up after the kitchen:

 

 

The man cave pool room will morph into a DR.

Yep, after 3 martinis the Fab Mr S agreed to let the pool room go.

I'm not above pushing martinis to have someone see the light :)

 

The list of projects is long, but the bones in the home are great.  Good flow, good sized rooms and hey, a man that has given his blessing to make it something that makes me happy.  I'ld say you can't beat that offer.....I'm "all in".

 

So people, stay tuned for the new projects to begin. 

Cheers to new beginnings, new projects and a new life to share with someone FABULOUS!

 

FINALLY - a new post and a finished room!

OK people, I know, I know....it's been FOREVER since I sent out a damn thing on this blog.  I do have good reasons (don't we all), but won't bore you with the ugly details.
Since I start a new job tomorrow, I was determined to somehow get this out today - so that you all can see I have actually completed a big project.

Let's start at the beginning.  One day I was viewing someone's blog that I read and I got all inspired with what they did with a ugly little bathroom.  My thought was, well I too should consider getting some sort of a reno done in one of My Ugly Duckling's bathrooms.  So....all inspired by another blog, I began calculating costs on the project to determine if I could swing it.  so, I thought, I think this is doable.  In comes my favorite King-worker-bee (who does the many things I cannot do myself) and we decide to go for it.  I give you the before shots:

Hard to shoot this tiny room - but it was also before I purchased my new camera.  Anyway, you get the idea....it was dreadfully sad looking. 

So I start out all enthusiastic with budgeted items in tow and looking forward to the demo and beautification, with an optimistic short time-line for completion.  HA!  Day one of the demo turned quickly into an OMG experience. 



It turns out that the tile that needed to be removed was attached to about 2" of concrete over wire mesh, which all needed to be removed:

A lessor King would have probably walked away....but this wonderful man and I have worked together on projects for about 10 years, so faithful he is. It took him 3 days and 3 different jack hammers to get it all out. Thank God he has the patience of a saint.

But to almost every challenge, there is ananswer to an end....and in this case a lovely outcome.  Hurray!

I give you the after shots:

Close-up of some of the tile work





A look at the new shower (frameless glass door yet to be installed)

We used very cheap tile, a sink found on Craigslist and deals at HD for the balance of supplies need: faucet, toilet, shower head, light fixture, etc.

and since I am still having my love affair with orange, I felt that I should find a creative place to add my pop of color......voila!

While it may seem like an odd place to put that wild of a color, my thought was - hey, if it looks like total crap, I'll just paint over it.  However, when I was done, it really added a lot of personality to the very white and black space.  Ok maybe a quirky personality, but perhaps it matches mine.....hmmmmm.  Yes, I know I have definite OCD quirks!

So another space completed. 

I will close by saying I am very grateful that this was not my first attempt at a gut and finish project.  Had it been my first shot out of the gate, I fear I would never want to tackle another.

I plan to take a breather for a little while......and focus on my new position.  Back to the land of the solo working mom, who will have to find those rare spare moments to work on her DIY dreams.

So glad this project is done!!!

The ruined sisal rug :( and my solution

I thought I was safe putting a white slip covered sofa in the TV room.  Twins watch TV in there, the couch eventually gets dirty and is washed and bleached and looks brand new.  So far, that's working like a charm.  What did not work like a charm was my brilliant move to put a light colored sisal rug down in the same space.  Definitely should have gone with a darker colored, as in won't show the dirt, rug down in there.  Red jello spill on the sisal and I tried everything to lift the red off the surface, but nothing worked.  Then I thought - hey as a last resort maybe Oxy Clean.  Didn't take whatever type of coloring they put in jello out, but it did take all the color out of the sisal.  Take a look:

It's a good thing I love my daughter, who has sworn she will never again eat red jello while watching TV.  So next up, I'm thinking well....the only thing I can do is paint it or cover it.  I liked the idea of painting a black diagonal diamond pattern on the rug, but knew I would never find the time.  I chose the easier route, just find something suitable to cover it up.

When I ran into TJ's to get those purple pillows for the guest room, I spy a dhurrie rug with colors that would work.  I quickly decide to buy it because I figure for $50, it it worked it would be a quick fix.  Take a look below at the perfect color palette for the room.

LOVED the orange, black and white and even the blue.  So I now stratigically try both ways I can place the rug to cover the spot.  First up - vertical.

I liked it on the veritcal, but then ultimately ended up changing it to this.  Also decided to buy the twins 2 little Ikea cheapo Lack tables (how can they possibly make and distribute these for $7.99?) and figure they can each have a table for their TV snacks.  Note: the tables are put side by side when not being used for snack time.  The twins love the tables and hey who cares if they wreck them....at that price they are almost considered disposable.

I like the color it adds to the room and figure the spot on the sisal can easily be hidden if we ever elect to put it in a BR in the future.  Plan to plop the bed right over that ugly white spot.

Finally, something to share - The Guest Room

I am always so inspired by the blogs I read and the amount of work and DIY projects that can be "done on a dime"....because that's typically about all I have to spend. So, knowing that I will soon be having an overflow of tween girls here for 2 months of the summer, I set my next goal as getting the guest room ready to look a bit more cheerful and a bit more like something tween girls might enjoy. 

Might as well start with the before shot of the room that was drab and dreary.  Sorry it's such a bad shot, but it's the only one I have.

It's a small room, but has 2 windows and good hardwood floors.  First step, get rid of the weird green color and change it to a color match of Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage and paint out the trim in white, so that it looks fresh and crisp. Had the paint, so no money spent. Next up, a trip to IKEA for some new duvet covers to add a bit more color to the room.  Found something I thought looked "tweeny" for a great price - $24.99 each.  Now I pull in some twin beds that I have had forever and have a friend help me cut some new  secure bed slats.  Next up some accessories, with the smallest of budgets.  I had an old pine dresser that could work in the room and after I put it between the beds, I decided I needed 2 small scale lamps.  So, in a discard pile from a garage sale (as in free), I find 2 of these:

and after some

$9 lampshades at

IKEA, they now look

a bit more hip and

take up less room

on the dresser.  So,

I end up with 2 of

these for a total

$18!  Now that's

a deal that makes 

me very happy 

Off to TJ's for some funky pillows @ 12.99 each, adding a touch of texture and fun:

Beds up and made....hurray, it's now starting to look like a room.  Still need curtains and something on the walls - but figure the kids won't notice if I don't get that finished right away....their eyes will be glued to the small flatscreen on the door wall.  The best part of the story is that this room came in at about $100.  Fortunately I had the beds and mattresses and the pine dresser, so the costs were: Duvets $50, lampshades $18 and pillows $26.

No posts - what's up???

No posts as of late.....I know, I know!  The good news is I am working on 3 rooms - all in a state of "not nearly complete" and one even in a complete demo state.  In fact if I showed you the picture of that room, it just might freak you out :)

Anyway, please know that I am working to complete at least 2 of the rooms within the week, so I'll actually have something to share.  As for the complete scarey demo room, I'm praying it goes well and will be done by the end of the month - my goal date.

So, hang with me people, stay tuned and please be patient until I can at least get one damn room finished!

Peace out!

Habitat Restore finds

I recently dropped into our local Habitat Restore to see if there was anything interesting I could pick up for a dime.  It's always hit or miss.  This time I found a cute little table that could use a facelift and an abstract art project.  The table below was marked $35, but I talked them into taking $20.  It's solid wood and an improvement over one I saw at Target for $79, which was the least expensive little one I could find.

So my Habitat bargains before:

And my $2 framed abstract - a bit rough but hey it was only $2 and framed!

And after some elbow grease and a couple of cans of black spray paint, the afters:

My $2 painting looks good in the TV room and serves as a nice pop of color!

(there's a bit of a glare on the painting due to the flash-

sorry, still working on my camera skills)

Closet Challenged!

Don't die of shock that I actually am posting twice in 2 days - rare for me I know.  But I had been thinking about something that I wanted to share with all my closet whore friends......you all know who you are!!

When I moved into this reno project, I knew that closet space would be something I would have to adjust to.  A couple of shots of my old closet (not as tidy as it could have been when I took these shots):

One whole side just for shoes and purses!

Then the shift to the 1950's house with teeny-tiny closets in most of the BRs.  I moved into a closet space that was 3' deep and not even 5' long and had 1 bar for clothing.  Obvious my 10 wardrobe boxes were not going to be accommodated :)  So, I got all motivated to purge, purge, purge - called the closet company and had them come out and build in 2 closets (one is in the spare BR).  Then I got even more inspired to continue the purge, when I watched some organizational maniac on Nate say that most people really only wear about 25 basic things over and over.  After thinking about it, I went to my closet/s and pulled out what I typically wear and realized the maniac was right.  I do tend to go to the same favorites - basics mostly with a few zips of color.  So just for the hell of it, I thought I would show you the closet that serves me now:

Since the spare BR now also has built-ins,  I use that as well, but honestly almost everything I need is in this one confined space.  In fairness, I must admit that I also have a large dresser that houses quite a bit too.  I also realize that there are more than 25 items in here - but a huge downsize when you figure that I started with 10 wardrobe boxes filled to the brim.

The plan is that when we renovate the 2 small BR's into 1 Master - there will be a much better closet system and closet man will incorporate both of these built in systems into the new closet area.  But the moral of the story is that teeny-tiny closets forced me to purge huge amounts of clothes, shoes and bags that I rarely used. 

And for all my friends who are true closet whores - and I won't name names here (smile), be grateful that you can continue to hoard those clothes in your HUGE closets.  I only did this because I was forced to!!