Townhouse Living Room

We've lived in the Townhouse for about nine months. Yep, we moved in about a month before we found out we were expecting. In that time we've gone through many different catastrophic events (you can read more about those here and here. And believe it or not, 2 other events that I haven't blogged about) Needless to say, I haven't really had a chance to make much progress anywhere other than the foyer, nursery and half bath.

In that nine months the living room has gone through 3 different layouts and a few different pieces of furniture. With life being completely turned upside down majority of that time, I didn't get any photos. So, lets just say these are mostly before photos then. K, thanks :)

 This is the view when you first walk in the door. We've updated our couch, added baby stuff, and even got a new TV! Exciting things for us.

Because the foyer is attached to the living room, it got a small update as well. The biggest thing was removing the big dresser next to the door and adding room for Annie's crate. Which I hate so much. It smells like dog and is an eyesore. But I would much rather have it than have her running around.

 Obviously there is a lot left to do. I mean, there is practically no art anywhere. We have a huge space that needs to be filled with something.

Staircase

Fix HELLO

Hang gallery wall

Entry/Dog crate area

Replace dresser? Possibly

Organize dresser

Organize coat rack

Fill in art

Add shelf above crate

Create "pet" area

Decorate

Living Room

Touch up painted wall (don't ask...)

Hang curtains

Add art

Decorate

Build swing

Build/Buy pack & play

Update TV stand

Deep clean carpets 

It's a pretty good start. Aside from the pack & play, I feel pretty good with this space being "done" enough for when the baby gets here. I mean, she won't care if there aren't any photos above the TV :)

Linked ::

Suburbs Mama

Summer Hibernation and a Chalkboard Calendar Wall

Oh boy. It's the first day of October. I haven't seriously (not that I ever really seriously blogged) blogged since the middle of July. I threw in a few random family posts every once in a while. But I even failed in that! I forgot to do an anniversary post, and we also have a new cat. So, I might catch you up on all of that. In the meantime, I finally got around to completing the project I mentioned back in July. That's right, I finally finished the chalkboard calendar wall.

We placed it on the wall past the stairs, right before the closet and hall bath. Here is a good before of the wall.

and after

I'm really glad this project is finally complete. It's embarrassing how long it took. Those blue painters tape lines have been haunting my dreams! Believe it or not, there are a few other things I'm working on. I hope to start blogging at least once a week. Pretty lame, but a good start. :) :)




Linked ::
Home Coming
 Clean & Scentsible
Suburbs Mama
Thrifty Decor Chick
I Heart Organizing

HELLO

This project is a long time coming. I thought it would be simple enough, but like most of my projects it wasn't. I had originally wanted to do string art. Similar to this:

 

via 

While this is an awesome concept I wanted something a little bit more three dimensional. I saw this idea and I thought it could work, just on a bigger scale.

 

via 

So, with both those images in mind I went to my local Jo Ann's. There wasn't a local one when we lived in North Carolina so I would find myself going to Michael's a lot. Let me just say, our local Indy Jo Ann's was amazing. It's huge and has everything you could imagine. Needless to say, I spent longer than I should have looking around at everything. I did eventually find what I was looking for: Really big letters.

Just look at the size of those letters! They are 23". I love how much of an impact they make on this unused part of the wall.

 

I'm really happy with how this project finally turned out. I know the spacing is off between the letters. And I will eventually fix it :)  But for now I'm just enjoying it.

Linked ::
My Girlish Whims
Sew Much Ado
Someday Crafts
Trendy Treehouse
Southern Lovely
Seven Thirty Three
Ginger Snap Crafts
Suburbs Mama

DIY Canvas Art

I've recently finished the main wall of my office area. It was a lot of fun to put together. I had one spot that was kind of bothering me. It was a blank canvas just begging to be painted.

I searched Pinterest for a bit before I came across Tanya's painting and it hit me : why not just do that?

 

via 

I started with my blank canvas and then painted it with a coat of primer I had on hand.

Following Tanya's instructions I wet my brush and then just did a few light strokes starting at the bottom and brushing up.

I went back again for a few tiny touch-ups, but liked it as is.

I really like how it looks with the rest of the gallery wall. Most everything there is muted and I think this fits in well.

I think I like Tanya's version better. I mean, everything she does is awesome. And, hers is bigger. But the more I look at mine the more it's growing on me. 

I look forward to doing more paintings. It was a lot of fun and didn't take that much time. 

Linked ::   Hope Studios
Home Stories A to Z
Sugar Bee Crafts
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Elizabeth & Co.
Romance On A Dime
My Girlish Whims
Sew Much Ado
Someday Crafts
The Trendy Treehouse
Southern Lovely
Ginger Snap Crafts
Domestically Speaking
A Vision To Remember
Serenity You
My Crazy Beautiful Life

Another Office Update

I know, I just did an office update not more than two weeks ago. But I just had to share again. We went to a local antique mall over the weekend and came across the best print. At first I wasn't sure where we'd put it. Once we got it home I knew the perfect spot! Right in my office! Right where I just hung a gallery wall.... So, I had to change the whole thing again.

Here is a before shot. The office was really coming together and I was really liking the eclectic feel of it.

I knew I wanted to expand it but was holding out for more prints. So glad that I did. because this big fellow is totally worth it.

Isn't he a beaut? It's a print on cardboard. Wish it were a real painting. But if it was I doubt I would have gotten it for $20. There is a bit of water damage in the top right corner. I don't think you can tell too much. The frame is a great color, but not the sturdiest wood.

The big print is the only new thing. Everything else I had on hand, just waiting to be added.

I haven't decided if I want to continue the gallery wall along the top of the bookcases. I have plans for the blank wall right next to them (I'd show you a picture but that area still has boxes...)

The black floral vase is also new. The tall glass vase and cherry blossoms were centerpieces at our wedding.

I'm so excited with how this little area is coming together. It makes me want to finish our family gallery wall in black frames.


Linked ::  My Girlish Whims
Sew Much Ado
The Trendy Treehouse
Rae Gun Ramblings
{Primp}
Southern Lovely
Funky Junk Interiors
Tatertots and Jello
A Vision To Remember
Simply Designing
I Heart Nap Time
I Heart Organizing

Office Update

We are finally, really, settling in after our move. All Most of our furniture is in place. Which is a huge relief for me. I really don't like having a random table, covered with random junk, in the middle of the floor.

As I mentioned earlier, we were able to make the trek to Ikea. (which turns out, isn't that far!!! Really only a day trip ;) ) I had high hopes, and a pretty good list of things I wanted to leave with. Turns out they were remodeling most of the marketplace level. So, a lot of the things I was looking for weren't there! We also didn't have a big enough car to grab a few of the other things. But, I was able to get a new computer desk! The one I had before was several years old and was part of a three piece corner unit. It was really rickety, too tall, and was glass. Here is a refresher shot. This was taken in our old apartment.

Apt. 1

In all honesty, the office area didn't improve much. I did eventually get a new chair. I guess I never really worked on it because I had hopes that we would be getting a different apartment. Which I'm so thankful we did. I held off again, after the move, mainly because I wanted a new desk. 

Jordan put it together for me. He's the best husband ever :) I thought it would be difficult, but it turns out the base already had pre-drilled holes. So, he was able to just line it all up and screw it together. I had originally wanted a colored top, but I'm glad I went with the dark mocha. It matches the bookcases and also the entertainment center. I do think all of these pieces are too dark, but I'm working with what we have. 

Once the desk was in place, I was finally able to hang up the art work I've been saving. It hasn't been hung since we lived in North Carolina. Sorry about the glare on the frames, there really is no good time to get non glare photos of this wall.

The three Van Gogh prints were all thrifted from various locations. The small black frames were from a yard sale last year. ( seen here )

What I like most is that the desk almost looks built in. I do have plans to redo the dresser. It was originally in Story's room and was painted purple. It then moved into our bedroom and I painted it brown. Then it went back into Story's room, never to be finished. I haven't decided on a color yet. 

Overall, I really like how this little area is coming together. I have a few more pieces to hang up, and the transition into the "foyer" area. 

Linked ::   DIY Home Sweet Home
C.R.A.F.T.
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Be Colorful
You're Talking Too Much
Home Stories A to Z
A Bowl Full Of Lemons
Elizabeth & Co.
Romance On A Dime
Thrifty Decor Chick