Project Update and Chandelier Fun!

Well, I want you all to know that I haven't given up on the 31 Day to an Organized Home Challenge. We are still working on our entry way and the hold up, is well, embarrassing! I found this fabulous picture of an entry way must have on Pinterest (where else) and I am searching for the perfect piece to re-purpose into something similar. It's taking a little longer to find that I expected...but I've been scouring Craigslist and hope to hit up some local garage sales this weekend. Fingers crossed, I'll be sharing photos of our new entry way soon!

Now, on to a finished project...

I just love the fun pop of color that a fabulously painted chandelier can bring...so I searched and searched and searched for the perfect chandelier to re-purpose for my dining room. Thank you Craigslist! I'm loving our dining room...but having this new chandelier makes me want to re-paint the walls and finally get around to painting that furniture...one day at a time! Anyway, check it out:

To complete this project, I simply took the ol' traditional gold chandelier and coated it with a primer. Once that was dry, I did several coats of my turquoise paint and voila...done! This was super simple and I love the way it turned out!

Now...on to the next project!

Day 2: The Entry Way

To start the journey of our home organization, we begin with the entry way.

  

According to The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking, we should actually be sorting our coat closet...however, recent renovations turned our entry way coat closet into a kitchen pantry...so there goes that!

Anyway, here is what our entry way currently looks like:

I took this photo while standing right outside our front door. Hey Ollie!

This is the first impression of our home and I have to say...."eh".

This is our front door and all of our mess directly beside it.

And lastly, a direct on of our front door.

As you can see, we have quite a lot of work to do! So far, our plans include:

-decluttering the space (including some of the coats, bags, decor and "junk")

-painting the door and trim

-adding some fun word decor to greet our guests

-adding a fun rug to the space

-and a couple of surprises!

Do you have any suggestions to organize our entry way?

Please share!

Here we go 2012!

Well howdy 2012! Boy, did you sneak up on me!

Now that the craziness of the Fall has come and gone, I'm finally able to sit down at a computer for more than just a few seconds...now, a few minutes!

To welcome 2012, I only set a few goals for myself and my family:

1. Get healthy and back in shape! Thanks to an awesome jogging stroller from Santa, this might not be so difficult! Diet is a dirty word to me so instead of heading down the path purely for weight loss, I've decided to just get healthy, make better decisions and exercise more. Shouldn't be too painful, right!

2. Continue to breastfeed little Lily until her first birthday. I know how controversial the breastfeeding vs. formula debate can be, but this seems to be working for us.  As hard as it is sometimes, I do enjoy the bonding and I have a fabulous husband that supports me! Lily is going to be 8 months next week (WOW!), so only 4 more months to go!

3. More "date" nights! Chris and I are so in love with our little one and leaving her is never easy...but we haven't gone out just the two of us in such a long time! So, our goal is to have "date" nights once a month! Calling all babysitters!

4. Promote the heck out of Bliss Events by Rachel! Bliss Events by Rachel is my boutique special events firm in South Louisiana specializing in blissfully wonderful weddings and social soirees! Follow my blog and "like" me on Facebook! =)

5. Create an organized and "Pinterst" perfect home! I've decided to follow The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking's 31 Days to an Organized Home. But I'm going to give it a little "twist". I not only want to get organized...I want to get "pinterest" perfect! What is "pinterest" perfect? Glad you asked! I love getting inspiration from Pinterest for projects, meals, events and home decor. I want to put my creativity to the test and create a space that inspires others...and makes everyone in the Henry family just generally happy! I'm not silly enough to think this will only take 31 days....clearly it will take a lot longer than that...but it will be my guide!

And, of course, my goal is to blog more than just once a season! Hope you all had a fabulous start to 2012!

Trash to Treasure: Changing Table

FINALLY...we have made some progress in the nursery!

But, I'm only going to highlight one of our projects right now.

We decided to take a vintage dresser and transform it into our changing table. I love, love, love shabby chic so I tried to add some modern colors to that type of design. Enjoy!

How it all began...

We removed the drawers to sand and clean...

Keeping the first two drawers, we added thin wood to the bottom areas. We also added a few accents: railing along the top and some scalloped edges across the bottom. This is after a coat of primer...

Now the fun begins! The first coat of paint was a fun turquoise...

With the second being white...

We then went to town sanding the entire piece...really working the edges...to have the turquoise shine threw the white. We also added some pink hardware to the drawers and spruced up a few baskets for extra storage.

 We also bought changing pad covers in lime and hot pink minky fabric...just to keep things interesting!

The room is really starting to come together! Can't wait to show off other aspects soon!

Trash to Treasure: Patio Table

Upcycling...Trash to Treasure...Repurposing...whatever you want to call it, I love doing it!

We had this gorgeous dining room table that just couldn't find a place in our home. So, we decided to repurpose it for the good ol' outdoors.

Chris got his handy dandy tools out and created the perfect hole in the center of the table for an umbrella. We ordered an umbrella off of Amazon for next to nothing! Gotta love finding a good deal!

Next, the table was sanded and then painted with an indoor/outdoor primer.

Once dry, we splashed on a few coats of an outdoor paint and VOILA!

Obviously, bright colors do not scare me!

I really want to create an outdoor space that is fun for entertaining and general enjoyment. But a yellow table and red umbrella is just the start!

We haven't had any issues with bad weather ruining the wood. Hopefully, the primer and outdoor paint continue to protect this beautiful table!

Pending Baby Henry's arrival, Chris plans to get dirty in the backyard this April!

Can't wait to see his green thumb in action and to show off the results!

Bathroom Inspiration

Remodeling the bathroom is super exciting! The contractors were hard at work when we left this morning. Today they are just tearing up the bathroom but I'll still post progress pictures, don't worry!

The only thing I'm really worried about is our poor animals. The puppy is gated in one room, Lola is under the bed in another room and Mr. Kitty is locked in the other bathroom...poor things!

Anyway...Chris is dying for a blue room and since he has let me paint every other room in our home a shade of green...this one goes to him! We are going with a color scheme of ocean blue, dark brown, bright white with brushed silver accents. I love how crisp and clean these colors look together...which will be perfect for our small hall bathroom!

I've put together this inspiration board to help us and the professionals design our dream bath!

Real simple!

What do you think?

Bathroom and Kitchen BEFORE

I love DIY home renovations...but I know when a project needs to be left to professionals. We have two projects that we are passing over to the big boys tomorrow and I can't wait to share the progress with you because both these projects are HUGE for our home and lifestyles!

First, our hall bath doesn't look like it's been updated since the house was built...a LONG time ago! I'm sure that isn't completely true, but it sure does feel like it. Chris has been suffering through this itty bitty bathroom for the past year and half and it is beyond time for a makeover! I'm really embarrassed to show these pictures but you'll never appreciate the seriousness of this remodel if I don't!

I think the people before us tried to paint the tub so we are left with peeling paint...so gross! I love taking baths but I won't even touch this mess!

Mr. Kitty just had to get in the shot. How much do you hate this floor tile???

This outdated cabinet and hamper just have to go!

We already took the mirror down but you get an idea of how horrbile the tile, sink and lighting is in this itty bitty room!

Yes, this is the only lighting in the room...how aweful!!!

Second, our kitchen has close to no storage with no pantry. We have been making due with this antique armoire but it is completely not functional...hence all the junk on top! So we are turning our coat closet that touches the kitchen into a pantry. I'm so excited about this project because it will allow for more storage and less clutter! Plus, I'm hoping it will motivate us to do more updates in the kitchen! Don't worry...you'll see this fab armoire again in Baby Girl Henry's nursery...well, a version of it!

After seeing these pictures, I'm sure you are on the same page I am...pure excitement that they are starting TOMORROW! Ok, you probably aren't as excited as I am...but I'm going to continue to think you are! =)

Nursery Take Down!

What an exciting weekend! We were able to get into the nursery and get some things done and it felt GREAT! The walls went from orange to white (primer) to Celery Sprig (a.k.a. muted lime green) and the ceiling went from white to Caruso (a.k.a. muted turquoise). These are pretty bad pictures because the colors are no where near this bright, but you get an idea of our progress!

Zero VOC primer and paint...of course!

Choices for wall colors: Lemon Grass or Celery Sprig (we went with the latter)

Caruso for the ceiling and closet...you have to see this in person to truly appreciate it.

Chris getting after that ceiling. (Trust me...the colors are NOT this bright in person!)

After the first coat (I have to say it again...the colors are NOT this bright. It seems really scary looking at the pictures but in person it is quite sassy!)

We finished the second coat yesterday and are going to work on the trim this week. I HATE painting trim but will power through it! I'll take better pictures with an actual camera after that project so you can get a better idea of the colors. After that is complete, my favorite part is next...furniture re-do! Love turning trash into treasure!

Bye Bye Popcorn!

One of the most intimidating tasks to prep the nursery was saying goodbye to the popcorn ceiling. It seemed like such a messy, tedious job that I was really dreading it...but it was so stinkin' simple. Before I knew Chris started the project, he was done.  I was so impressed!

If this is something you are thinking about for your home, follow these simple steps:

Remove all furniture from the room. If you have carpet, place a tarp (or something similar) from wall to wall. Although easy, this is a messy, messy project! Spray water over the area you wish to remove and then proceed to scrape....that's it! For safety purposes, Chris wore a pair of goggles.

Literally, this project took 30 minutes to complete. All the popcorn in the nursery is gone...next step...PAINT!

Baby Henry Nursery Kick-off

Chris and I are working on the nursery for Baby Girl Henry and WOW, it is a little overwhelming! There are so many important things we are trying to remember when creating this little room...

It needs to be functional...

It needs to be comfortable (for both baby and us)...

It needs to be safe...and...

It needs to be GORGEOUS!

So, we started with furniture. We have already purchased her crib and luckily, that was really the only thing we had to go out and find. We already have a shabby chic dresser (that will eventually be a changing table), armoire, nightstand and glider that are all ready for make-overs. Depending on space, we want to add a bookcase but we have to wait until all the necessities are placed first.

Next, we started thinking about colors. Right off the bus, we decided that neither of us can handle being surrounded by globs and globs of pink. We understand that many little girl nurseries are floor to ceiling pinks and although they can be gorgeous...we can't handle it. So, the search began for non-pink bedding. After much deliberation, we found it and it determined our color scheme...lime green, turquoise with touches of hot pink. Not traditional. Not expected. Not the norm. But we are LOVING it...so stuff it society!!!

As we search and purchase things, we are keeping her safety in mind. In other words, keeping everything as eco-chic as possible. Not everything is going to be organic or eco-friendly but the important things will be. We have to pick our battles, such as: researching safe house plants to assist with the air that she breathes (hint, hint...another post is brewing!), using paint that has no VOCs, using only furniture that is real wood (not particle board and free of those nasty, toxic glues), keeping plastic toys and gadgets to a minimum, opting for a slightly more expensive but extremely necessary eco-friendly mattress and mattress pad, and other fun tricks that as we learn them and learn from them...I will share!

To assist us in keeping ALL of this in mind while creating a GORGEOUS place for our bundle of joy, we created this little inspiration board:

As you can imagine, we have a ton of projects to start and finish before May...the clock is ticking! Creating the nursery is only a drop in our to-do-list bucket....so, I'll keep you updated!

Craig's List Adventures!

Yard sales might be one of my favorite things! So, when I discovered that Craig's List was essentially an online yard sale, I about died! Over the weekend, I had two very different Craig's List adventures....one with a happy ending and, unfortunately, one that did not end well.

I found a set of four living room tables that I was super excited about...but unfortunately, when we were on our way to the designated meeting and purchase point, we received the call that they had just sold. Needless to say, I was not thrilled! But from this experience, I've learned to ask "how many other interested buyers are there?" Live and learn!

Luckily, I had also found a dining room set for super, super cheap! And the sale was a success! WOO HOO! It is a china cabinet, serving hutch, dining table with two inserts and six chairs! Our living room is painted green and this set just happened to be a yellow color with green accents. Sounds scary but it really fits perfectly! Here are the photos that were online:

All I need to do really is reupholster the chairs with a more modern fabric.  Don't worry, I'll post pictures of that DIY project and the finished room!