Memorial Day 2012

We just got hit with golf ball sized hail…

Paula

What we do for fun…

 

Paula

On the job

 

More accurately, on his job.

My husband just called to tell me while digging at work (for cable lines) his crew found 2 black plastic bags, with protruding bones. My husband is a hunter, and said the bones are not dog or deer. He poked the bag with a shovel and goo started coming out of the bag. The police just left the scene and are taking the bones to a forensic lab for identification.

 

Paula

PROGRESS – Laundry Room

The only thing on the list that didn’t get done? ORB-ing the ceiling light.

We painted the walls, bought a few white outlet covers, pulled out some white baskets we had on hand and made labels for them, also created some laundry-themed artwork and used dome family washboards as frames.

We made labels for the laundry hamper, spray painted a metal bin from a garage sale for clothespins, hung frosted contact paper on the door window.

I bought a new ironing board cover, rearranged the freezers for better access, hung up laundry subway art. What do you think?

 

Paula

 

Linking up to: A Bowl Full of Lemons, Handy man Crafty Woman, House of Hepworths Hookin Up #99, A2D Addicts(not so)Anonymous, Curb Alert Friday Block Party 

PROGRESS – Foyer

When I listed everything I wanted to do in this area, I included the stairway. However, because of the height you need scaffolding in order to paint it or hang artwork. We haven’t touched it yet.

Let’s see, we painted the walls the same creamy off-white as the upstairs, ORB’d all vent and outlet covers, hung up my version of board and batten made out of old wooden boards, ORB’d different hooks and screwed to the boards, built a bench out of the same old boards, put two more of my Red Wing crocks under the bench for additional storage, used another crock for umbrella (and bat!) storage, also hung some wire locker baskets above the bench for the kids. (oh, and see the pop of blue in the laundry room??)

Painted the back of the front door a darker shade of the blue in the laundry room, bought an ugly mustard yellow dresser at a garage sale and painted it the same color as the walls, ORB’d the knobs on the dresser, replaced the doormat. We also painted the door to the garage the same blue-gray color, but I don’t have a picture of it.

Here’s a closer look at the bench area.

I haven’t been able to finish spray painting the ceiling light or any of the door knobs due to the weather. Everything else on the list is finished. What do you think?

 

Paula

 

Linking to:  Kammy’s Korner

PROGRESS – Hallway, Kitchen, Living Room

I love how these spaces turned out. They are open and airy, exactly the feeling I wanted. Of course, not everything is done, but it’s close.

What did I do?

In the hallway, I painted the walls a creamy off-white, moved some photos around on the gallery wall, painted all the frames an matts black, and ORB’d the vent and outlet covers.

Painted the walls the same creamy off-white, changed the drop cloth curtains over the sliding glass door by hanging them high and wide, made fabric roll-up shades for the windows, hung wooden roman blinds in the windows for extra comfort (this is Minnesota!), bought a wonderful neutral woven jute rug, replaced old ottoman with oak coffee table, changed out some of my Red Wing crocks, ORB’d all the vent and outlet covers.

Brought in another one of my Red Wing crocks (by the TV), styled the cabinet with all my vintage Pyrex bowls and dishes, put blankets and steam cleaner away, hung kids pictures and artwork above the cabinet, flowers on the table and kitchen artwork on another wall.

You can see the new wall color a bit better in this view. Yes, the carp is still on the wall. Sigh.

Much better view of the table and the rug. There’s also a teal blue tray on the coffee table that keeps the TV, VCR and Satellite remotes together.

The kitchen feels less cluttered now. I made a little burlap runner for the table and added some of my blue jars on top.

I purged the top of the refrigerator (I hate things up there, but it’s the only place for cereal) and moved around the smaller appliances on the shelf under the kitchen table.

Here’s a better view of the table and the art on the wall.

As far as my list from the original post, we are still on the lookout for a couch, some end tables and lamps. Just today I read about a great grout cleaner so I’ll be buying and using that this week. We decided to wait on a tile backsplash until we get new counters, which won’t be for a few years. What do you think?

Paula

 

Linking to: Not Just A Housewife, Thrifty Décor Chick

PROGRESS – Master Bedroom

In my original Project Lists - Master Bedroom post, I wrote down all the things I wanted to change in our Master Bedroom. I didn’t ask for any input from Eric, although I did receive feedback. I accomplished everything in this room EXCEPT for ORB-ing (no it is not a word but it soon will be) the door handle, replacing the “pigtail” light bulbs, and freshening up the wall paint. Eric doesn’t want the door handles changed. We both think it is silly to replace light bulbs before they are burned out. I’m holding off on painting because I’m not sure that I want to keep the green. I’m really in love with off-white.

What did I do?

I swapped out a pillow on the bed, replaced the duck print with a wooden plaque from his Great-Grandparent’s home in Louisiana that is framing a sepia-toned picture of the two of us, updated pictures in the window picture frame, and added a home-embellished candle to his side of the bed.

Here I removed a print from above my bedside table, restyled the picture ledge, and ORB’d the vent cover and the switch plate covers. I used ORB spray paint and it works! And it’s so easy. So much cheaper than buying fancy covers – just buy the 29 cents beige ones and paint! I have a regular quart can of ORB, and I want to try painting the inside of the plugs. I think if I stick paper in the holes it should work.

I replaced the faded print with a b/w photo of a nearby lake, brought in my vintage rice scoop, ORB’d the outlet cover and the closet door knobs, and created some vinyl word art above the closet door.

I know there aren’t a lot of dramatic changes in the room, but I’m happy with the overall atmosphere.

What do you think?

 

Paula

Embarrass, MN Family Room

Did you know there is a town named Embarrass in Minnesota? It is 90 miles north of Duluth, with a population of about 600. It is known as ‘The Cold Spot’.

I picked this as the title of my post because I live in Minnesota, and I’m embarrassed. Not about my state, well, not today at least. More about the state of my family room, the last inside space on my digital project to-do list.

My family room has become the catch-all spot for everything in our home that doesn’t have a designated place to live. We do have a specific storage space in our home, but it is only three feet high, and it hurts our backs too much to go under there all the time. It’s alright for seasonal décor and that’s about it. Consequently, at any given time the family room has piles of baby toys, my niece’s furniture, stuff for donations, etc. I’ve been holding off on showing these pictures, but my compulsive need to finish my project list is kicking in.

The view after coming down the stairs:

Likes: large space, lots of light, red cabinet, big windows, sliding glass doors.

Dislikes: lower level is always cold, too much clutter.

The view from farther in the room:

Likes: having separate area for video games.

Dislikes: disorganized, too many piles, no couch.

Looking toward my desk:

Likes: LOVE.LOVE.LOVE. the bookcases my FIL built for us,  having both printers and silhouette on same desk.

Dislikes: disorder, nothing looks pulled together.

View from my desk:

Likes: all my craft projects hidden inside my red cabinet.

Dislikes: jumbled, messy view.

The plans:

• PURGE-PURGE-PURGE I have 20 boxes filled with books that I am selling, plus all the books on the bookcase that I still have to go through.
• Furniture that I’m holding onto for my sister and my niece is going into the shed.
• Large rug for the floor to warm it up visually and physically.
• Art on the walls to reflect our family.

Can you tell I really don’t have a lot of ideas for this space? I think once I get a lot of the stuff out of this room I’ll get inspiration!

Whew! I’m finally done posting all the before shots of the inside of the house. I’ve been working on some of the rooms all along, so the next post will be some reveals!

Paula