In Living Color

Last week I started to work on a living room....

before

This room belongs to my dear friend Shan...She is cute, smart, funny, and she loves color...but she is ready for a change! She is saying goodbye to the green walls and hello to a much more neutral color. We've been talking about doing this for several months and she's been holding out on me. Seriously, the wall color was picked out and the paint was bought about two months ago... I finally pinned her down on a day (she cancelled on me twice) and we got to work last week. I think I'm the bossy, motivating force behind this makeover and I'm really hoping we are still friends when it's over. So far, so good...there was only one minor meltdown last week after the walls were painted and it wasn't from me...Here is what the rest of Shan's family room looked like a few days ago...

And here is a little more information about Shan...her kids are stinking adorable...

as is her dog...

and she loves monograms...

really, really loves monograms...

Her husband is just as cute as the rest of the family, and is uber, uber talented. Check out this awesome frame he made...complete with a picture of their beautiful daughter...

They moved into their house six years ago, and did not paint the family room. Her main goal is to move to a more neutral pallet. She doesn't want her house to look like "an Easter egg basket" and she wants to update the look in this room. I found a great little piece of vintage inspiration  for this project and can't wait to tell you about it...

Rachel :)

The Details of the Back Deck

When Jules and I first started talking about this project, the number one thing she wanted from her back deck was for it to become another dining area. As much as I would have loved to used the table and chairs they had, it wasn't working in the area. Big, round, and bulky, the table only sat four people with no room for more. I have a love for farmhouse tables and picnic tables, so out with the old and in with the new...

Before

After

After

The new picnic table fits in the area perfectly. You can sit eight kids or six adults with plenty of room on all sides to move around. I purchased the traditional picnic table from Lowes. After a good sanding, I stained it using Cabot Dark Walnut Wood Stain and used Cabot Spar Varnish in Satin for the nice sheen and to protect it from the elements. A two inch hole was drilled in the center of the table, and was I excited to use the umbrella she already had.

She also wanted a buffet that would act as storage and could double as another eating area. I found this great piece of furniture in her basement. Yes...the basement...

I took it home and cleaned it with the original plan to paint it. After much thought I decided it would be a lot easier to paint it later than to strip it...so I left it as is...

before

After

The vignette is complete with two topiaries in galvanized buckets. I was super happy she wanted me to remove the original light fixture and even happier when she liked the nautical one I found at Lowes. The counter stools from Overstock.com are a metal replica of a tolix stool, and she LOVES them. They fit perfectly and are super functional giving more seating there or at the ends of the picnic table. Above the buffet is an antique (yay) glass window that I turned into an outdoor chalkboard. I definitely have an obsession with chalkboards. An upside down drawer pull was screwed into the bottom corner of the frame so they never have to hunt for chalk. And...how adorable is that message!?!...I love this family!!

Remember the mismatched back doors?...

They now stand out and match after getting a fresh coat of a black satin oil based paint. I love a good black door!





In the corner was another fabulous find...When Jules and I met for the first time, the kids were having a great time pushing this vintage metal cart with caster wheels around the backyard...

Yes, it was a little sad that day, but it loving it's new home with with an old metal red cooler. How awesome is that!?! Another find from my favorite thrift store in town!

And this is the area where the grill used to sit. A few weeks ago it looked liked this...

A few pallets, cushions, and pillows later they now have a comfortable place to curl up with a good book!

Jules also had a few planters that she wasn't using. Isn't great when you can use things that you already have? I put them to good use...

They are now on the railing of the stairs to the deck complete with pansies...

And that's the entire tour! Last post about the deck...I promise!

Rachel :)

Back Deck Reveal!!!

Two weeks ago, I met with Jules about decorating her deck. I was beyond thrilled...it marked the first time someone actually trusted me to spend their money. I was stressed, excited, nervous...everything! In the end, with a mix of traditional and contemporary, it all came together...

This is what it looked like before...

And again...after...







I'll be back Thursday with a break down of how this project happened...including what she had, what I bought...and from where!! (plus a few more before and after pictures)

Rachel :)