Showing posts with label living room. Show all posts
Showing posts with label living room. Show all posts

1.31.2014

We're Half Way There...

"Woooah! Livin' on a prayer!" And you better believe it. I finished two of the four doors for the built-ins in the living room, and thanks to the awful weather we've been having, I wasn't rushed to get it all done because no one ended up coming for dinner on Saturday. However, even if it was sunny and 75, there's no way I would have gotten the other two doors done.

I have a major road block, and I'm not sure how to move past it. There is nothing square about the opening under the TV, which makes building new doors for it very difficult. So, while this project isn't complete, I have a before and half-after for you that I'm excited about!


I'm really happy with how these two doors turned out. My husband's happy that they are no longer bi-fold, and that makes a cleaner look.
I have a little sanding to do between the doors, and if Winter ever ends (we'll have snow here until July) I'll spray a top coat on and maybe some poly, too. But for now I'm enjoying the new style... and try to figure out how in the world I'm going to make doors for the other side. I WILL finish this before I go on to the bathroom.
Oh wait... I already started staining the legs. Shoot!


1.22.2014

Beefin' Up the Built-Ins



In our house we have two fireplaces and a set of built-ins on either side of both fireplaces. We spend a lot of time in our living room, especially after the boys go to sleep, and I've spent a lot of time staring at the built-ins in this room pondering how I can make them a little more substantial.

If you can remember waaaay back in October, I wrote about how I wanted to make some changes to this room. One thing I mentioned was some new doors on the built-ins. They are currently in progress, and I'm excited to share them with you, just as soon as they're finished.
Heritage Panel - DC Door, Cabinetry, Cabinet Door, Shown In Cherry, Ginger
source
This is the door style I'm going with. I was going to go with a simple Shaker style, but decided to add a vertical lattice strip down the middle for a little more character. They'll be painted Benjamin Moore's White Down, and the shelves will get a fresh coat of paint as well. I might add some quarter round at the bottom and crown at the top, only time will tell!

I've put a little pressure on myself to get these puppies done before the weekend. My in-laws are coming down to visit, as well as my brother-in-law and his family. I always have something going, and I'm sure they think I'm crazy (nothing like making assumptions, right?). Hey, at least I'm not painting the entry for the 5th time... literally...

11.05.2013

I Heart Photoshop & Navy Blue

So I painted.

I painted our living room navy blue... and I love it! There was a little hesitation after the first coat, due to lack of day light, but once the sun was shining, I was thrilled with the new deep tone of this room. As soon as I can remember the name of this paint color I'll fill you all in. I know it's a Benjamin Moore, but it's also a left-over from Matt's "big boy room".

Take a look at the before. Again, still pretty, but I was ready for change. Looking back, the artwork is too small, the pillows don't have quite the contrast that I enjoy, and something about the lamp just isn't right. But this room did make me happy for 5 years, and that's all that matters!

So check out the progress:
I love it so far! It has the contrast, vibrant & new pillows, and a fun lamp. I shopped our house and stole the lamp from our entry table. The color is great, and the shade has a nice texture. The old black lamp doesn't look too shabby in its place, but will probably get a make over in the future.

Does this shot look familiar at all? Sort of....

I've got more plans, and lots to work on! Of course that beautiful navy wall can't stay bare for long. I'm already building a couple of picture ledges, and I just completed some quick DIY artwork for cheap! We also have a recessed light fixture over the corner of the sectional. The light it gives off is very minimal, and the look of it is very... well, 60's. I would love to bring the light down and make it brighter over there.

Here's why I love Photoshop:

This fabulous program allows me to put my thoughts on the screen before making them final. I'm going for a mixture of family photos, artwork, and some of my photography (which I enjoy strictly as a hobby!) and a homemade sign or two.

I can't wait to wrap it up! Stay tuned....

Linking Up To:
The Happy Housie: Work it Wednesday 
Liz Marie Blog - Inspire Me Please - Linky Party #36 
I Heart Nap Time - Link Party Palooze#14

10.29.2013

The 5 Year Itch

It's been said that in a relationship there comes a time when happiness declines. Typically this is around 7 years, in a marriage at least. Well, I've been living with a living room for almost 5 years now, and I've got a big itch for change.

How's that for a Carrie Bradshaw impersonation? ;)


I was at a good friend's house the other night, checking out her freshly painted first coat of coral in their half bathroom (she may have been having a minor freakout, and needed a little nudge to keep going), when we started talking about how small change leads to major changes.

When we bought our house 5 years ago, I painted this room Kentucky Haze by Benjamin Moore the night we moved in. Yep, I'm crazy like that! And while I still love this color (it remains in our laundry room, for now...) I'm ready to switch up the feel of this room.

I've been searching for new pillows for our sectional in here for almost a year, but I couldn't pull the trigger (or push the order button) since I wasn't exactly sure which direction I wanted to take this room next.  When I found these Zazzle pillows on Joss & Main a month or so ago, I figured I would go for it, and trust that my new obsession with navy blue would tie everything together. 

Then, while shopping at Target, I found another set of pillows that intrigued me. Whether they went together was questionable, but I could return these if not. 

 I waited patiently for my Joss & Main pillows to arrive. When they were finally delivered (really it didn't take more than a week), I was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved them together! 
 I love Instagram filters, don't you? This photo almost makes me want to keep the wall color. But alas, it IS a filter, and not quite like this in real life. Back my not-so-new navy blue obsession. I've been itching to paint something navy - a wall, a room, the back of a built-in, anything!  Now I've got the perfect victim space. 

Opposite of the sectional we have our fireplace (which is in desperate need of a mantel, don't you think?) and our lovely built-ins. My plan for these bad boys is uncertain at this time. One thing's for sure, I will be constructing two new sets of doors. Look close and you'll notice that the left door under the TV is pushed in. Little hands seem to think it's okay to push on this door and check out what's on the inside!

I would also love to paint the backs of these shelves, possibly continue the navy, or maybe introduce another color. Opinions welcome! Here are just a few ideas I've put together from my Pinterest board.
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From left to right: love the planking that Karianne at Thistlewood Farms did on the back of her bookcase, but I'm afraid it might be a bit much with our fireplace. The burlap might be winning in the "alternative to paint" category. I love the texture and warmth it adds, plus it looks pretty easy to do! Of course, painting the backs would be a quick way to change up the space. I love the bright color chosen in this room. Last but not least, another plank style, painted to match the built-ins. It's clean and classy, but we've got plans to spruce up the 5th wall as well!

Let's talk ceilings, shall we?
So we have these beams. They're fake, but we're still friends. However, the acoustic tiles in between them are not my friend. I'm not sure why they were installed in the first place. In my opinion, they make this space look a little cheap. So, instead of tearing it all out, we plan to cover it up. 
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I thought about a coffered ceiling, but the beams we have aren't centered on the fireplace for some reason, and it drives my nuts every time I look at them. I think adding more beams would make it even more noticeable. Our thought is to add some sort of painted paneling between the stained beams. We also want to beef up the beams with trim to give them more of a custom look.

Do you see what I mean? I bought a few new pillows and now we're talking about painting, adding paneling to the ceiling, maybe a mantel... possibly new curtains?  These things naturally snow ball. And that's why my husband LOVES doing home projects with me! :) Lucky for him, I'm going to try out the left over paint from M's room, since I only did a stripe around the wall, but insisted on a gallon of paint. So, let's get started!!

Linking Up To:
Beneath My Heart - Best DIY Projects of October