Accessorize and Organize: Chalkboard

Showing posts with label Chalkboard. Show all posts

Monday, February 13, 2012

A Boys Room...Moving Up In the World

My little man isn't exactly little any more. He's growing up...way too fast for me, but it's still happening. He was 6 years old and had just finished kindergarten when we moved into our old house. Flash forward a few years and he is now 10 and well into his 4th grade year.

He has changed and it was time for his room to reflect that...here is what it looked like before...

And here are the after pictures...

The beds went from single to bunked. A new area rug and window panels were added as well as sconces for both bunks. The antique corner desk (Pennsylvania House...and yes, I got it from the side of the road) was paired with a hand-me-down chair that I painted black. I was able to get some old wood (for free) from the local wrecking yard that I cut into two shelves and mounted with metal brackets from Home Depot. After a quick trip to my favorite thrift store, I left with an old stop sign, a vintage architecture light, the "lucky" mason jar, an antique table fan, and a curio shelf that was hung and turned into storage for his Lego men. Paper storage was hung on the wall beside the desk for those afternoons when he has "SO" much homework. The closet door is a fun little place for chalkboard drawings, and he still has the perfect spot for his backpack. Mr. T moved the $1 book shelves from the other side of the room and I hung part of his pennant collection from the different cities we have traveled to. The bedding is the same...I just perked it up with a bottle of Rit Dye in Denim.

What's better than a fresh, new, organized space? Spending some great quality time with my little man!!!

Rachel :)

Saturday, December 31, 2011

These are a few of my favorite things...

Before we sent 2011 off, here are a few of my favorite projects from the past year...

Smurfettes Lemonade Stand...this was by far my favorite!! I learned it is a pain in the a$$ to take apart pallets, but we had such a fun time as a family making this!

Budget Breakfast Nook...It is so incredibly awesome to NOT have the washer and dryer in the kitchen anymore! And we were able to create this on a super slim budget after finding a great piece at our Habitat ReStore!

Kids Outdoor Chalkboard...I learned that making outdoor chalkboard paint is harder than it looks, but the kids LOVE this! Neighbours comment on it when they drive by and after 6 months it is still in perfect condition...yay!

Jules Back Deck...My very first total design project where I got to spend someone else's money and do what I wanted. This was a fun, stressful, learning experience. They love the end result, as do I, and I hope to be able to do this again!

via The Lettered Cottage

Spackle Can Change Your Life...In September I went to Atlanta to help Layla and Kevin and the people from HGTV shoot a TV pilot. Seriously. I learned so much...about Spackle and about myself. Hopefully January will bring great things for this sweet couple...I'll keep you posted.

Of course there are other projects I loved like making homemade vanilla, our wonderful new laundry closet, and the kids homework area.

The past year I fell in love with old windows, wood pallets, and chalkboards.

We grew as a family and the Smurfs proved that they are old enough to help with projects and make design decisions. :) I grew as a person by taking my first big solo trip to Boston and realizing they would survive without me.

Marlene decided she didn't want to blog anymore because she didn't have anything to say, but I'm still trying to convince her to come back because she is by far the funniest person I know. And she's my best friend. And I love her.

Overall, it was a great eye opening, learning, wonderful year and I am so looking forward to 2012...

Happy, Happy New Year!

Rachel :)

Monday, December 5, 2011

Let it Snow Vignette

In 2007 my favorite aunt started a Santa collection for us. It really is a great idea...she does this for her sisters and my sister and me every year. She labels them with the date, so I know if I'm ever missing one (I can't find 2008 this year...) I've started putting them in one spot which is currently over the china cabinet. While I have a few so far, I am looking forward to this collection growing every year...

ho ho ho!!!
Rachel :)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

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

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 :)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Chalk It Up

I cannot get enough of chalkboards. I think they are fabulous, kid friendly, and super fun. I've had a ton of projects this year that included painting something with chalkboard paint. Here are a few more awesome examples...