Mid-Century Modern Peacock Blue Desk

Hey, hey there friends!  Happy Thanksgiving week to you!  I’ve got a short work week in store so I’m looking forward to spending time with my kiddos and getting my holiday bake on… #bringonthepie.  But first, how about a furniture makeover reveal?  Here’s my Mid-Century Modern desk, redone in a gorgeous peacock blue.

This makeover has been a long time in the making.  I bought this desk off of a local mom’s garage sale page a looong time ago and between the repairs it required and finding time to actually work on it, it took quite a while to finish.  Here’s the desk when I first bought it (for 40 bucks!):

Although it appeared to be in great condition, one of the drawer bottoms had a hole in it and the back panel had an even bigger hole in it.  Whoever owned this in the past was not very gentle with it.  There were numerous dings to the top and sides, but I just decided to embrace those as part of the piece’s history and after moving this desk, I have no doubt why it’s dinged up – this thing is seriously heavy.  No joke. 

After a good cleaning, I painted this with bonding primer and two coats of Martha Stewart’s Plumage Blue, a gorgeous peacock blue color.

The hardware was one of the reasons I loved this piece – it was a little tarnished, so I cleaned it and added some Rub-n-Buff in Antique Gold.  I love that stuff: remember this Golden Mirror Makeover?

I love fun details on furniture, so I lined the drawers with a gorgeous blue and green ikat fabric I found at Hobby Lobby.  Simply cut the fabric to size and use Mod Podge to adhere to interior of drawer.

I used the same fabric in an additional, unexpected place.  Remember the back panel hole I told you about?  I was concerned that removing the panel would damage the surrounding veneer, so instead I covered it, using a foam mat board, the ikat fabric, and some ribbon trim.

One last peek -

I am loving our new-to-us desk, which moonlights as a craft table.  It’s the most recent addition to our ever-evolving office makeover; I still want to add drapes and replace our existing TV cabinet with an IKEA Hemnes unit, among other small touches.  It’s neverending, isn’t it?

Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving week!

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Dining Room Update: New Dining Set

Hi loves – happy beginning of Summer to you!  I don’t know about you, but these long summer nights are wearing me out (and cutting in to my project time)… Even so, summer means no homework and sports practice so we are able to enjoy more family dinners at our new dining table.

This set replaced the antique dining set (seen here) I inherited from my mother – years of neglect followed by daily use had taken its toll on it so I decided to retire it before it was completely ruined.  The chairs were in an awful state so I decided to let go of them, but the table is stored away for now.

About this set: I searched dining sets for a long time, not quite sure which direction I wanted to go design-wise, but also knowing that I needed a quality piece for a good price.  I found this set on Overstock and liked it right away but wanted to be sure it would hold up for our family.  I read a lot of reviews on this set and it solidified my decision.  Then, I waited for the set to go on sale – once it did, I applied my “first purchase” 20% off coupon and got it for an incredible deal, saving almost $500 off the original price.  There was free shipping to boot!

True to the reviews, there was a lot of assembly involved with this set but the instructions were good and there weren’t a ton of different pieces so once Mr. home.made. and I got started, assembly went pretty quickly.  We did have two pieces of chairs that were broken but Overstock sent us replacement parts within a couple of weeks so that was no big deal.

The off white color goes nicely with my Annie Sloan old white painted dining hutch, and the wood adds a nice touch of warmth.  My only complaint about this piece is the distressing – it’s obviously the same on every single chair, no random placement at all which bugs me, but it doesn’t bother me enough to make me want to get rid of this set.  I’m sure we’ll add our own natural distressing in due time…

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with this dining set – I’m even thinking of getting two extra chairs to have on hand for larger gatherings.  It’s a snug fit with three chairs on each side, but its doable.  We’ll see.

Later this week, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite dishes served on this table… stay tuned.

By the way, Overstock did not sponsor this post nor compensate me in any way for this post. I bought this set on my own and this is my honest review. They’re just the lucky ducks I chose.

Living Room Update: New Side Table

Hey, hey, hey friends!  I’m slowly coming out of my funk and getting my decorating mojo back but man… is it tough!  Luckily the kids are out of school for the summer so that schedule has calmed down, leaving evenings free to get some shizzle done over here.  Today I’m sharing the latest addition to my living room, a fun wood and brass side table from Target Threshold.

I had another Target side table in this very spot that did not survive a collision with my daughter… the wood composite top snapped like a twig when it fell over and there was no salvaging the top.  I’d hemmed and hawed over this little number for over a month after seeing it at my local Target store.  I just couldn’t make a decision.  I’d put it in my basket… I’d take it out.

A funk will do that to ya.  Seriously, has this ever happened to you?  I couldn’t make a décor decision to save my life.

All of that ended this weekend when, on a quick run to Target to pick up a gift I saw this table yet again and just knew it would be perfect.  Just like that.  And I’m so glad that it came home with me.

It fits perfectly next to my hubby’s recliner, it’s seriously cute, and *fingers crossed* it won’t fall over if one of my chicks happens to run into it.  Target Threshold wins again.

I’ve got an ambitious list of things to tackle this weekend, so let’s hope I can stay on a roll.  It’s getting hot already in Texas so I need to get started now before my garage becomes a virtual oven.  Anyone up for a painting party?

Living Room Update Progress

I gave you a sneak peek last week of some of the updates in my living room, and today I’m sharing a little bit more with you.  I’ve been slowly transforming this room for what feels like forever, and it’s finally starting to feel more like home around here.  Here’s the view you saw last week:

Here’s what it looked like before…

This picture is actually after I painted over the mustard yellow walls – and I have yet to repaint that green trim.  One of my home goals this year is to finally tackle the trim-painting beast.  It’s not something I’m looking forward to,  but it’s long overdue.

All that paint talk aside, here’s how things are looking now:

We sold our leather sofa set on Craigslist and replaced it with the Ektorp chaise sectional from IKEA.  I really like this sofa.  It’s taken some getting use to for my hubby (not quite as cushy as the leather set), but he knows I like it so he doesn’t complain much.  Besides, part of the compromise was his very own man chair… yep, a recliner.

When he asked for a recliner I groaned… literally.  All I could picture was a gargantuan ugly La-Z-Boy from the eighties, so imagine my surprise when I found a recliner that was a normal size and was, *gasp*, pretty too!  This is the Franklin recliner from Plow and Hearth.  It’s gorgeous and it’s comfortable and Mr. home.made. is constantly fighting his three chicks for this chair!

The gallery wall of U’s behind the chair is a constant work in progress.  Do you know how difficult it is to find the letter U?  Seriously.  I find so many cute letters and there seems to rarely be a U.  Crazy.  Trust, us, a couple things I can’t spell without U.  Obviously these retailers don’t listen to the Biebs or they’d know what’s up.

I digress.

I shared my new reading corner with you last month.

And here’s one last view, looking into the kitchen area.

The wicker chair is IKEA, as is the little turquoise cart.  And I know you’re wondering about that fabulous rug, right?  It’s the moroccan trellis rug from Rugs USA and I got it during their 80% off sale during the summer.  It sheds like a friggin alpaca, but other than that, it’s great.  It’s thick and soft and gorgeous and I love the visual texture the pattern provides.

So there it is – our main living space and it’s little makeover.  I still have some things I want to do in here:

• Paint Trim White!!
• Find a smaller round coffee table (maybe glass with brass?)
• Sell coffee and side table
• ??Paint Computer Armoire
• Move in piano from my grandmother
• Plate wall above said piano :)

That’s about it… enough, right?

Hope you’re having a great start to your week.  I’m busy adjusting to my new job and working on last minute details for my 9 year old’s birthday party (in between soccer and softball)… can I get a nap please?!

A New Bookcase and Reading Corner

 

Hey, hey friends!  It’s been a while since I’ve blogged (I’ll get to that later…) but I’m back and so excited to share this new little reading corner in my living room.

Since rearranging the layout of our living room, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with this corner area.  I had thought of doing a reading nook but just couldn’t visualize how I wanted it to look.  Enter this guest room from Melissa at the Inspired Room.  As soon as I saw her bookcases, I knew it would work for my corner!  I plan to have a piano on this wall eventually so I went with just one bookcase for now.

I followed Melissa’s lead and purchased the Threshold Carson bookcase from Target.  When we were stuck at home a few weeks ago during the Icepocalypse, I got to work putting it together.  It was a fairly simple assembly minus all of the teensy screws that hold in the back panel.  There were no pre-drilled holes for those so it was quite the chore.

Once it was assembled, I got to work loading up the shelves.  I had two boxes in my garage from our move (three years ago, don’t judge) full of books and photos so I finally gave them a home.  My girls had fun looking through their baby books (which – OMG I just realized they must’ve decided to peruse again because look at that bottom shelf – ha!) and I was overjoyed to finally have emptied those boxes!

I moved the slipcovered chair from my bedroom to this corner for now.  I like it there but it’s not very comfy so I may replace it eventually with a chair with a little more cushion to it.  I found the adorable sign at Hobby Lobby for half-off – it’s the perfect sentiment in my favorite color so I had to have it.

Here’s one final look at my new favorite space – I can’t wait to put it to good use!

Now… just a little update on what’s been going on around here.  A few weeks ago, I came home after work to a neighborhood filled with police and fire trucks and cars lining the street because a terrible accident had just occurred.  A little boy was struck and killed by a truck while he was riding his scooter.  We’ve all been a little numb since, just trying to process this tragedy.  As with anything like this, you take a good hard look at your priorities in life… and that meant spending more time with my girls rather than behind a computer or working on a project.

Refocusing on priorities has also led to other things, namely a job change that will allow me to stop commuting and be closer to my family. It will allow me to work and develop relationships in the community where I live. While it has been an emotional last week as I made this decision, it is one that I have no doubt was all part of God’s perfect timing.

He is good.  All the time.

And I am ever so thankful.

Hope you’re having a great start to your week!

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Christmas Tour–My Dining Room

Happy Wednesday friends!  I hope this week is being good to you.  We are holding down the infirmary over here with two kiddos who have succumbed to the flu… no fun, especially right before Christmas break.

All that fun aside… how about a little peek into my dining room?  I’ve been seeing all these great Christmas home tours in the blogosphere so I thought I’d share a glimpse into my humble abode, all dressed up for the holiday season.  Come on in!

My home does not have a formal dining room, so this dining area gets a ton of traffic and I had to keep the décor kid-friendly.  Here, my Christmas apron is tied onto one of my dining chairs – makes a fun little chair skirt, right?

One of my favorite things in this room is this Christmas tree.  Every year since my husband and I have been married, my mother-in-law has given us a Christmas ornament.  Once the girls were born, she began giving us photo ornaments of them each year.  This tree is covered with not only those special keepsakes, but also ornaments that my children have made over the years (I’m a sucker for anything with a photo or hand/footprint) so it’s a fun walk down memory lane every year when we decorate.

Here it is next to my White and Aqua Hutch.  Normally I’m not a big red for Christmas kinda gal, but with the white and blue, it works.

On top is a great find from my trip to Round Top this year.  It’s a vintage window with a Saint Nick needlepoint trimmed with vintage lace and placed on a beadboard background.  Here’s a better look:

Isn’t it great?  This was the only item I purchased at the Antiques Fair other than an old caster wheel; there were so many things I saw that I could loved but could live without.  This was not one of them.  It had me at hello.

The table decorations are simply some antlers in my dough bowl and my girls’ gingerbread houses.  We eat most meals at this table, so there can’t be a lot of fuss going on.

Lastly, here is our Christmas Card holder, inspired by this idea from Shanty 2 Chic.  I made this sign for the Christmas craft show I did a few weeks ago and forgot it at home that weekend (way to go Rhonda).  When I saw the Shanty girls christmas card holder, I knew I could do the same with this sign by wrapping twine around it and hanging the cards.  It works great (and has been enjoyed by our little elf too – see previous pic!).

One last pic – my youngest wanted to pose for mama by the card holder, pre flu invasion.  My girls are the whole reason I decorate my home – to give them wonderful memories of the holiday season.

So that’s it – hope you enjoyed it!  I have a few more peeks in store for you provided we can evict the flu bug around here.  Have a great rest of the week!

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Back to School Mantle 2013

Saying goodbye to summer break is never easy, so we celebrate going back to school in my home by decorating for it like it’s a holiday (pretty tricky, right?).  I showed you my Back to School Apple Wreath and today I’m sharing my Back to School Mantle!

I reused some of the elements from last year’s Back to School mantle, including the Mod Podge ABCs and the glittered apple garland.  I used the garland this year on my ruffle fabric tree (which I made for Christmas but seems to live on my  mantle year-round… another plus for neutrals!).

Next to the tree is a stack of books and flash cards topped with a miniature globe.

My garland this year is notebook paper bunting with “SCHOOL!” stenciled in red.  The bunting was strung on some twine for a quick, easy garland.

The Mod Podge letters from last year were still in decent shape so I used them again.  A glass container holds markers for a fun, colorful nod to the school year ahead.  I have several of these glass containers and sadly, none of them have lids anymore due to a couple curious kiddos reaching for whatever treat was housed in them at the time and knocking the lid on the floor in the process.  But we’ll just pretend that I left the lid off on purpose to show those cute markers, right?

I find it so hard to believe that it’s school time again… but I must admit that while I love the fun of summer, I do look forward to the routine that school tends to rejuvenate.  Hello normal bedtimes, can I get an amen?

Hope your kiddos are having a great start to the school year too!

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{My Sister’s House} Vintage Yellow and Green Bathroom

As promised, I’m back with another feature of my sister’s home.  I shared her fab Turquoise and Yellow Bedroom makeover last week, and now you’ll get a peek at her fun, vintage yellow and green bathroom.

This bathroom presented a unique challenge to my sister because, believe it or not, the walls are all concrete!  It makes it a little difficult, as  you can imagine, to change things that have been affixed to said concrete walls… like a large medicine cabinet with an attached light fixture or any of that vintage tile.

My sister embraced these challenges and kept the original charm of this home intact while adding her own personal touches.  For starters, she brought in this gorgeous dresser turned vanity (so much better than a cabinet, right?).  If memory serves me correctly, I think she bought this off of ebay (pre-Craigslist days…).

Just look at that yellow and green tile – isn’t it fantastic?  Those colors are echoed in a stained glass window she hung within her window frame that also provides some privacy when the curtains aren’t drawn.

The shower curtain coordinates as well with a floral border – two curtain panels hung high give the illusion of a high ceiling and add a great touch of laundry.

Because my sister and her hubby are avid cyclists, the wall art gives a fun nod to their hobby turned passion.

I heart this bathroom, just as I heart my sister’s entire home.  The original charm is there from vintage fixtures that have been embraced rather than replaced, and my sister’s personal touches have resulted in a well curated, cozy home.

If ever a bathroom was charming, this is it, no?

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{My Sister’s House} The Turquoise and Yellow Bedroom

My sister lives in an amazing 1940s home in our hometown and she has infused every inch of it with charming vintage style.  She recently redecorated her back bedroom (which my girls lovingly refer to as “their” room) in a turquoise, yellow, and grey color scheme and it totally knocked my socks off, so she was kind enough to let me take pics and share with you!

The room gets a ton of natural light from from the windows that wrap around the far end – IKEA curtains filter the light to create a beautiful glow.  The blinds are original to the home – can you believe it?  They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore… *sigh*

The vintage metal beds were originally red – my sister repainted them in a metallic grey finish to go with the  new color scheme.  The yellow and grey sheets match perfectly and the turquoise throw and pillow throw in a fun pop of color.

Between the two beds is the Arles Yellow and Wood Vanity that I redid for my sister earlier this year, when she was just starting to think about this room makeover.  I added the turquoise knobs back then in anticipation of this!  Now that the mirror is in place, the vanity is even more beautiful.

The gallery wall above the beds and vanity is filled with fun sayings and anecdotes in an array of colors.  The “Think Happy Be Happy” art is my favorite – it truly sends the perfect message about this room and the children who are so blessed to get to stay here with their auntie.

I am so thrilled to get to share this fun room makeover with you – and I can’t wait to show you some more peeks into my sister’s house.  I know you will love it as much as I do…

Think Happy and Be Happy this Monday!

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