Table turn

There are so many projects that I have on my "wish list" and sometimes it feels like I don't even know where to start! Today after work I decided that I wanted to continue to work on the living room. This is where I spend most of time when I'm at home (well, besides the kitchen but the kitchen needs some MAJOR updates like a new tile floor, counter tops, appliances) so in the meantime I am trying to tackle smaller projects I can complete when I get home from work. 


So after trying to find some nice end tables I realized that I don't want to spend $100+ on a table.. especially when I had another idea that would allow me to change the style and color up if I want :)


So I stopped by Wal-Mart after work and picked up these two tables for $8 each!

Then I stopped by Anna's Linens and picked up two table cloths for $9 each! I decided to go with Chocolate brown since I have so many "light" neutrals in the room and needed some contrast!

So after some ironing.. my living room was transformed just a bit more.. 

Before...

After....

I also put the ADPi creed on the wall. The blue matte matches the blue in my pillows perfectly!!

Now for the second table..

before..

After..

I actually picked up the pillow at Bed Bath Beyond last week for $5!!!

TV Time!

I still don't understand why some things are so darn expensive! I refuse to pay $400 on a rug for my family room and refuse to pay a lot of money for a TV stand (especially since I was able to find that beautiful hutch for a steal!). 

So... when I made my monthly trip to Costco, I picked myself up this fantastic rug!

it ties in the blue from my pillows and the green in the dining room! I love it and so does the pup!

The family room continues to come together and this weekend was no different. Check out the transformation. Old TV stand (my hope chest that I couldn't wait to get back as my coffee table!). Check out all the cords and bunny ears. 

And the transformation begins...

This was only 1/2 the packaging from the "assembly required" TV stand from Target...

Perfect for the room! Finally TV stand that fits the cable box, wireless router, Wii and the DVD!!

Leaning tower of organization

I am continuing to make progress on my sweet house each week. Sometimes I get discouraged when I walk around the neighborhood and see homes that are so put together and "finished." 


Tonight when I was on a walk with the pup and future Mr. we met some neighborhoods who just got their house painted and new shutters put on their house. They said the have been spending the last 6 years on the interior and year 7 is the exterior. That made me feel so much better and realized that I have really accomplished a lot in the past 3 months. Given that my new house (or my old house) didn't have a money tree growing in the front or backyard, I realize that a lot of my projects that will just take some time and some serious deposits into the piggy bank!


But in the meantime.. I have been finding some awesome deals that I couldn't pass up. I tend to have expensive taste, but the not the wallet that should go with that. So when I fell in love with Crate & Barrel's leaning desk I was on a mission.

So after a couple of days searching on Craigslist, I found the side two shelves listed and in excellent condition! I ended up getting a wonderful gift card for my birthday to Crate & Barrel to purchase the center desk piece. So the 3-piece unit that retails for $400 ended up in my office for less than $200!! Please keep in mind, I have organized the actual shelves yet.. but it allows me to put my computer, printer, magazines someplace other than in the closet!

Now I just need to figure out what color to paint this room. Here are a few colors I am thinking about a nice orange color (not too bright) but more of a terracotta color. Any suggestions?


P.S. This is a PERFECT time to stock up on office supplies and organizational tools since it is back to school time!

edamame- refreshing appetizer and relaxing color

Picking out paint colors is one of my favorite and one of the most stressful things for me to do. So when I was trying to pick the perfect color for my dining room I decided to look at the names of the colors if I was having a hard time deciding between one or the other. It sounds ridiculous, but I picked my color pretty quickly when I came across Sherwin Williams Edamame!

Take a look at the new chair rail. I found the bamboo chair rail at The Home Depot for $1.50 PER piece! That's right lady and gents-- total of $7.50 for ALL of the chair rail! I had my first power tool experience up at Kelly and Matt's house with the miter saw. After cutting the chair rail, I stained the wood and with an air gun this is the final product..

Take a look at the transition...

before I bought the house 

After closing... empty house, but a lot of work to do! Floors are in bad shape! 

Taking down wallpaper---- terrible experience!

Wallpaper down, walls primed. 

settled on edamame green!

bamboo chair rail unstained. 

a little nail gun did the trick!

the "finished" product-- for now anyway! Notice the new light fixture too! It's starting to come together!!

Two words: Moving sales!

I have quickly learned that when decorating a house from scratch it takes a lot of patience. It takes even more patience when trying to do it on a budget. It is amazing how $$ some things can be (a beautiful mirror for your dining room can run you anywhere from $50-$200 depending on where you look!). So I have quickly learned that you have to ready to pounce on a good deal when you see one! For example- take a look at my fireplace before I bought this house...

did i mention that the photo is 3-D! I know..you are jealous.

and this is after! ignore the flower paintings..still trying to figure out where exactly to put them in the family room. But the lamps I found at a moving sale and the mirror I got a a consignment shop for $10!!! I may even spice it up by spray painting the trip. Mantle is not completely done, but a huge improvement over the 'before'

I didn't really know where I was going to put the lamps and mirror when I bought them, but they were such good deals and I figured two staples that I would be able to find a spot for them no matter what!

A splurge

There are just some things that I am not willing to spend a lot of money on and then there are things that I just would rather ignore the price and get it no matter what (for example- dessert after dinner or ice cream) :)

Well I think I have done a pretty good job at bargain buys and good deals since I have started this house project. And then there are things that I have splurged on. 

Here is my biggest splurge (but aren't they pretty? and they will last a lifetime!!!!)

This is my custom made sofa from Thomasville Furniture. 

Obsessed with my chair and 1/2 :) SO COMFY!!!

Stay tuned for pics of the entire room "semi" put together!

Dirty but cute

I know I am not the only one who looks through magazines and sees really cute ideas on how to decorate my house- but when it comes to practicality it just isn't there! There is even a blog dedicated to these oh so cute ideas- but totally not practical.

So when I started to think about decorating ideas and other practical must-haves I knew I would have a problem with my dog and my dirty clothes. Snyder has toys laying around my house all the time- but when he has access to the socks, shirts, shorts and other items in my hamper, he goes nuts! So what was I going to do with small closets and no place to put a traditional dirty clothes basket?!?

I found this little gem at TJ Maxx after work one day- totally went into TJ Maxx for something completely different- but found this decorative hamper that matches perfectly in my room and is actually cute!

You can't really tell- but that is the same purple in my bedspread!

don't worry the "L" and the picture aren't staying there :)