Striped Wall Update Decor

  You know when you are getting ready to have a party at your house and all of the sudden you need to finish at least two of the things that you have had on your "to do list" for ever but all of the sudden it has to be done right this minute???  That was what I was doing on Friday before our annual cornhole tournament on Saturday.

  This (pic below) is what our wall has looked like since I painted the stripes back in February.  The same mirror has been up since we moved in 2 years ago and the pictures on either side I stole from the bathroom after trying plates that didn't quite cut it....so the bathroom has been pretty much bare since then.  I didn't love the pictures but I left it like this, for a long time, longer than I would have liked but I just didn't have the drive to replace it all until Friday.  And then it was compulsive that I do it all right that second!!!

  Now after a little TJ Maxx shopping trip there's been some much needed changes on this focal wall.  In came a new mirror, and two new pictures, and the console I purchased at a garage sale recently.  The mirror has been switched out with a more rustic finish, the ornate silver finish mirror went into the makeup room, and the pictures finally went back into the bathroom.

Here is how it looks now!

With the addition of the new, bigger artwork...

 and a new rustic, painted mirror that style fits way better 

than the shiny mirror that was there before....

 and the el cheapo console table I scored for $2 bucks!

So after a long wait I am kinda lovin' the changes that have been made and I couldn't beat the $2 console table...still can't believe that!!!  And to top it all off, I painted OVER the coral paint samples that were ALL OVER the bathroom, put the pictures back up and it looks back to normal in there now.  I think I'm kind of over the whole coral paint now that I have a hot pink room!!

~  Kim :)

Before and After... (almost)

  Today was a busy day, lots of updating at my mother-in-law's house for her living room and dining room makeover.  First, I will show you some before pictures and what has been updated so far.

This is what we started with.  A once loved floral print sofa that no longer fit into my mother-in-law's desire for a more light and modern look.  Luckily she was able to find it a good home at her mom's house!

The walls were white and missing personality!!

New addition...the sofa was found for $175 at a garage sale.  

It is Storehouse brand and is in great condition... (she did attempt to use a slipcover on the floral sofa from http://uglysofa.com/, but that was quickly forgotten when she found this sofa at such a good deal!)

The coffee table was $25 found on Craigslist.  

Yep, I said $25!!! This is a heavy, REAL wood table.  You can not beat it!!!

...the room with new paint from Martha Stewart, Myrtle Blossom.  

Such a pretty blue, it immediately gave the room new life.

...and today the windows looked like this.  There was no visual separation from this room and the sunroom on the back of the house.  So I ran around all day putting the pieces together to give the two windows in this room a new life.

...and the new and improved windows in this living room and dining room.  Thanks to my husband and father-in-law that so happily put up two bamboo shades, two curtain rods, and two pictures!

Oh and the crown molding was installed today!  My father-in-law has been very busy.  I love that the men in our lives are happy to help us!!

(pictures were taken with my iPhone, I apologize for the poor quality)

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out, and more importantly my mother-in-law is happy with it!

The break down of where the new items were purchased from is:

Curtain rods-  already owned and spray painted black

Bamboo shades-  Home Depot

White curtains-  B. Smith at Bed Bath and Beyond

Curtain rings-  Bed Bath and Beyond

Floral prints-  TJ Maxx

Thanks for looking!!

~  Kim :)

Styling a bookcase

  When we moved into this house we acquired a very large built-in bookcase.  The bookcase takes up almost an entire wall at the front entry and allows for the pocket door going into the hallway.  My first thought when I saw this extra large bookcase in the exact spot that I wanted my front entry table and mirror, was "It's gotta go," but now it's grown on me and I realize how lucky I am to have a bookcase already.

  I by no means consider myself a styling expert but I do enjoy the process (which I get from my mother, the act of piddling).  So every season I change out my extra large bookcase and this time I am decorating with the summer months in mind.  I often think/dream/contemplate painting the back of the bookcase but that is a big step.  Maybe one day.

I hate that light.  Empty bookcase.

All the stuff laid out on my dining room table.

Put back together.

Here's a picture of the pocket door that leads to the hallway.

Our doggie, Zoe :)

I got a lot of good tips from this website:   http://www.centsationalgirl.com/tag/styling-bookcases/

~  Kim :)