Downsized Update
Mark and I had grand ideas about doing a complete overhaul of our living room…we were going to completely reconfigure our furniture, mount the tv over the fireplace, looked into buying a sectional…until we did a mock-up with our current furniture and it was terrible (I alluded to this here) Sometimes things are better in your imagination than in reality, this was one of those times.
BUT…that did not keep us from making some updates to our living room, albeit more subtle ones. My Mom and I were just talking about this a few weeks ago, because she is doing the same thing at her house. You don’t always have to buy a lot of new or expensive items to make a difference. Incorporating a few inexpensive new pieces or just rearranging what you already have can still make an impact.
In this case, we did end up purchasing some new pieces. This was not a one day trip. This occurred several days over several weeks at several stores (bless Mark for his patience when it comes to this stuff).
First, I wanted to find lighting that would coordinate but not necessarily all match, we ended up with lamps from 3 different stores
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Mix & Match lamp & shade From Target
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Accent lamp from Hobby Lobby
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Pair of floor lamps from T.J. Maxx
Next…we flanked our sofa with this pair of C-Tables from Pier 1. They are multifunctional, easy to move around as needed, the storage is a nice feature, and the look reminds me of antique school desks. Oh, and Ruby loves running under them.
Saving the best for last…after a great deal of searching we found an Ottoman on display (and on sale!) at our local LA-Z-BOY that was the perfect style/scale but I wasn’t crazy about the pattern. Then we were reminded that we could order it with a custom fabric choice and the sale price would still qualify. As we were looking through the samples one of the Managers came up and showed me this fabric that was just released and wasn’t on display yet. It took approximately .5 seconds to say YES! It has all of the colors in our living room and I LOVE the pattern…considering ordering a few toss pillows in this fabric. This is the second time we have placed a custom order through this store and it has been well worth the wait!
We didn’t end up with a dramatic transformation but our living room does feel updated; a few friends have even noticed a difference. This downsized version was also more affordable and proved bigger isn’t always better.
What BIG or SMALL projects do you have in the works?
Spring Cleaning Part 1: In
A few weeks ago Mark nearly made me swoon… he mentioned (out of nowhere) that we should pick a weekend soon to go through the house room by room and deep clean together. Yes please!
We have a pretty even divide of regular “chores” that suits us both well. For example: he does the floors/I do the bathrooms…he mows/ I weed the flower beds. However, even as a team, a full seasonal clean can still be a daunting task.
Here’s an idea of what our Spring Cleaning will entail, starting with Part 1: Inside
1. Seasonal wardrobe change
I actually enjoy this one, swap out fall/winter clothes in closet & dresser for spring/summer clothes in totes under the bed. Also, sort out any clothes for donation.
2. Move & clean under/behind…
This includes appliances (I can’t tell you the last time our fridge has been moved so that should be fun) and all furniture to sweep/vacuum/dust areas that are usually unreachable
3. Tackle the nooks & crannies
Baseboards, stray cobwebs in corners and on ceiling, vents, “wash the walls” as my mom would say, anything that gets missed in daily/weekly cleaning
4. Edit & organize
Clean out all expired items including food from pantry and fridge, medicine and personal care products from bathrooms and re-organize respective storage areas
5. General Maintenance
Change out water & air filters (we do this quarterly), touch up any scuffs on walls, tighten lose toilet paper holder…you get the idea
Spring cleaning may not be fun per se, but it always feels worth it. My house feels fresher and it allows more free time to enjoy the warmer weather once it arrives.
Speaking of weather, hopefully before long we’ll be ready for Part 2: Out…stay tuned!
Cottage: Butcher Block
It’s been a minute since my last cottage update. No cause for alarm, we haven’t been Up North since early January and we’re down to miscellaneous punch list items to complete. We will be back for a quick weekend at the end of end of March, after which I will hopefully have some exciting “reveals” to share with you.
So in the meantime…I’m going to backtrack and share a little about the countertops we selected for the kitchen.
Here are a few reasons why we decided on butcher block
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I/We like they way they look (most important)
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Affordability (almost most important)
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Cohesive with our other natural elements (cork floors, pine plank walls, etc)
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Easy install (thanks Pop!)
We purchased birch butcher block slabs & backsplash from Lowes, conditioned with 4 coats of food grade mineral oil/natural wax, cut down to size, cut out sink hole, installed countertops then backsplash.
The total cost was around $500 which is very reasonable compared to other countertop options. The butcher block is a perfect complement to the floors and walls and I love the variations in the grain and colors.
Disclaimer: butcher block must be conditioned periodically to prevent it from drying out and cracking, and you have to be cautions with scratches and spills, but we don’t mind.
Interested in butcher block? Here is some information I found helpful:
7 Things to Know Before Installing Butcher Block Countertops
Butcher Block and Wood Countertops
Recent Reads
Reading is relaxing for me. There is nothing better than becoming fully immersed in a new book which often involves staying up way too late to read “just one more chapter.” I’ll admit I do appreciate the convenience of e-books, but there is something about holding a book in your hands and turning the pages that can’t be replaced. My mom shares this feeling, and she has been an avid reader my entire life…which is probably where I got it from.
I am always on the look-out for my next book to dive into. I’ll be honest, there are some books I have abandoned part-way through (gasp) because I just couldn’t “get into it”. Here are 4 of my recent reads that I think are worth checking out. I will refrain from sharing too much detail because that is the beauty of reading…
The Magnolia Story
Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines, and Mark Dagostino
Capital Gaines
Chip Gaines
I read The Magnolia Story first and was excited when they announced Chip’s book Capital Gaines. I even got a free Magnolia t-shirt for pre-ordering, BONUS! Both of these books give insight into the history of the Gaines family and how Magnolia became a household name. Even though some of the subject matter may be similar the tone and perspective between the two books is very unique and you feel like you get a real glimpse of their lives far beyond what we see on HGTV. They share so much heart and love, and who couldn’t use a little more of that? In my opinion, you don’t have to be a fan of Fixer Upper to enjoy these, their stories stand on their own. Visiting Waco and Magnolia Market is already on my travel “bucket list” and these just added more fuel to the fire.
Of Mess And Moxie
Jen Hatmaker
Girl, Wash Your Face
Rachel Hollis
I first saw Jen a few years ago when she was on My Big Family Renovation on HGTV and I fell in love with her sense of humor. I have read several of her books since and Of Mess And Moxie is her most recent. It was actually through Jen’s social media that I was “introduced” to Rachel Hollis and in turn Girl, Wash Your Face. Let me tell you…these ladies are strong, sincere and FUNNY. Both of these books will make you reflect, laugh, and maybe even cry a little. There were moments reading these books that I felt like the authors were sitting right next to me chatting over a cup of coffee…I definitely want to in real life. Aside from just the entertainment value of a good read…both of these books would be great for book clubs, personal development, or gifts.
All 4 of these books are available on Amazon (Prime!)…if you are like me and love a good hardcover, they are all around $15.00 or less.
What have you been reading lately?
That One Room
I know at least some of you have one too…that one room in the house that is both multipurpose while simultaneously serving no single purpose well at all.
Sometimes we refer to it as the spare room, sometimes the office because there is a desk and bookshelf in there. Occasionally we have used it as a secondary guest room, but most of the time we just use it to shove things we don’t know what else to do with, like a giant junk drawer. Immediately after Thanksgiving it turns in to a staging area for Christmas decorations and a wrapping station, and that usually lasts until mid-January. There is a reason that door is always closed when we have company.
This isn’t the first time this room has been a topic on here..there was this previous attempt to make the room more pleasing to the eye. I really like some of the vintage/sports “theme” items we have collected, and would like to keep them. However, those elements quickly get overshadowed by all of the clutter.
In my last post I talked about goals but I neglected this one…THIS will be the year THAT ONE ROOM will get a real purpose and be treated as such. I’m not exactly sure yet what that will be, probably an office, to be continued…
Goals Revisited
We are officially one full month into 2018 (which is CRAZY) I’ve been thinking it is about time for me to briefly recap/revisit my 2017 GOALS with you…
1.Finish Cottage Remodel
We have made AMAZING progress on the cottage! It is now in living condition and ready for final inspection. We are looking forward it to enjoying it fully this summer. However, I don’t know when the cottage will ever truly be “finished”, and we’re 100% ok with that. With the interior nearly done we can space out projects over the next few years…replace the roof, work on the basement, landscaping, etc.
2.Explore Cooking
Before Mark switched shifts at work we came a long way in our culinary skills with the help of Plated. I shared several posts under my food/travel category if you’re interested in our experience. I have also been focusing on healthier recipes and also plan on going back and recreating some of our favorite meals from Plated.
3.Refresh Living Room
We planned on changing our entire living room around…but did a trial run rearranging all of the furniture and it just didn’t work. Our current arrangement is the most practical for functionality and appearance. So we went ahead with a refresh including new lamps, side tables, ottoman & accents. It is surprising how much those small changes made a big difference. I plan on posting about that very topic soon…
5.Simplify & Organize
This is definitely a continuous WORK IN PROGRESS. I have made countless trips to Goodwill over the past year, and I keep a box at all times to put new items to donate in. I start the process by asking myself a couple of simple questions…do I NEED this? and/or do I LOVE this? If not, its probably time to let go.
I’ve been using the “1 in 1 out” rule in my wardrobe…for every new piece I add I have to pull out one I haven’t worn in over a year to donate. Focusing on quality over quantity when it comes to new purchases is also making a big difference. As a starting point, I tried several of the clothing delivery services including: StitchFix, Trendsend, Wantable and Trunk Club. Anyone interested in hearing more about my experiences with those services? I’d be happy to share.
Overall I am very pleased with all of the progress in 2017 and will continue to work on the same goals in 2018. I look forward to sharing with you this year!
What about you…any big or exciting goals for 2018?
Cottage: Slept In
We ended 2017 with quite a momentous occasion for our little cottage, we slept in it for the VERY FIRST TIME.
It happened somewhat suddenly as frozen pipes discovered in a neighboring cottage and extra room needed at my parents led to this decision at about 11:00 last Saturday night. The bedroom was already 98% done and the bathroom was usable. I had the sheets, blankets and pillows stored away for when we were ready for them so all I had to do was make the bed.
Remaining to do: Find headboard, wall art, finishing touches
The main purpose of this trip was for a family Christmas, but we also hoped to get a little work done. Unfortuntately, Mark ended up getting a nasty cold and was down for the count most of the weekend. Thankfully, Dad had been working on the bathroom the week prior, so between he and I we finished painting and hung the mirror. Have I mentioned recently how awesome he and my mom are?
Remaining bathroom to-do: Install shelves & hardware, decorate
Dad also helped install a couple of our favorite finds. First, “The Lake Cottage” weathered metal signs which will be a focal point when you walk in. Second, this adorable chicken-coop inspired wine rack that we found at a flea market…fun and functional 🙂
Last, but not least, we ended up having a larger propane tank put in a few weeks ago.
Just a few months shy of 2 years since we decided to buy the cottage, and we’re almost ready for our final inspection.
Cottage: Water Works
I am a little behind in posting but over the last week Christmas decorating, Christmas shopping and life in general took precedence. We have some major bathroom progress to share…we have water! (and lights and heat, but you already knew that)
During week leading up to Thanksgiving, the plumbing in the cottage was completed, Dad also set the tile floor in the bathroom. While we were in town for the holiday weekend, Mark & Dad hung the last few pieces of greenboard.
While Dad was working on the tape/mud in the bathroom, Mark and I decided to work on mounting the TV. The directions said it should take 30 minutes…that was a lie.
We continue to be in awe of how wonderfully everything is coming together. We are on the home stretch, and should be ready for final occupancy inspection soon.
Then comes the really fun part for me…DECORATING 🙂
Spotlight: Pallet Headboard
If you follow Pinterest, or any DIY sites, there is no doubt you have witnessed the surge of pallet furniture and projects over the last few years. Why do you think this is? Well first, if you already have the pallets or access to them, your material cost (other than finish) is virtually nothing. Also, you can have a one of a kind piece that is completely customizable. Last, let’s not forget the benefits of upcycling.
When a friend mentioned that he was planning on making a pallet headboard for his bed, and another for his niece, I asked (maybe insisted?) that he would let me share his project. I even offered to help a little.
His headboard was first, and the process pretty simple overall:
- Disassemble pallet, cut down nails
- Sand down to desired smoothness
- Layout pieces, cut to size
- Stain/paint/and seal
- Arrange boards & attach to base
- Attach trim around edges
- Install/Attach to wall
The disassembling/sanding process was the most labor intensive part. Caution must be used to avoid cracking or splitting the boards, which can be dry.
This is where I came in…the easy part, helping with the color. I picked Minwax Classic Gray for the stain and Minwax One Coat Polyurethane to seal. I played around a little to get the different finishes (one coat, one coat wiped off, 2 coats, etc). That combined with the different textures & smoothness of the boards, resulted in some great color variations.
After the stain & poly were dry, he arranged the boards, attached to the base, and put trim around the entire perimeter.
Then it was time to install finished product, turned out great right? Masculine without being too rustic, and a one-of-a-kind piece.
Once his was finished, he repeated the process for a headboard for his niece, this time using white paint he had on hand. I love how just the difference in finish makes them so unique, his niece loves it too.
Now I just need to convince him to make one for me 🙂
Cottage: “Moving Day”
One week ago we loaded up a uhaul with things for the cottage and headed North. Most importantly, THE COUCH made the trip. I say that with emphasis because I fell in love with this couch the first time I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for the cottage. We purchased it through a warehouse sale at Lazy Boy, it took about 6 weeks to arrive, and has been sitting at our local store for about 6 weeks because we had nowhere to put it. Mark picked up the trailer then the couch. I was unreasonably excited to finally have it in our possession. I know, it is just a couch, but did I mention that its perfect? Then we packed in some other furniture, accessories, etc. that I had been accumulating in our spare room over the last several months…luckily everything fit perfectly!
We made the trip Michigan without incident, unloaded everything and still had enough time to enjoy dinner out with Mom & Dad….AND made it to Lowe’s to pick up appliances, butcher block for the countertops and a kitchen sink…it was quite the productive day.
Friday was mostly assembly day. The main project Mark & Dad worked on was our wardrobe for the bedroom. It came in approximately 374 pieces, I mostly supervised. However, I did manage to put together the lamp for the living room and help with the dining table. Once the wardrobe was assembled, I was able to configure the bedroom. I can measure a space 20 times and try to visualize, but I needed to lay it out in person.
Above are a few sneak peeks. It was so exciting to see “our stuff” inside the cottage instead of just tools & building materials. There were several times Mark & I caught ourselves looking around in awe of how far the cottage has come and how good everything has turned out.
Just for fun, below are a couple of scenic pictures from the weekend and one of our current deck furniture. This little set up may end up being temporary, but it certainly brightens up the front of the cottage and only cost about $20…can’t beat that!
By The Poole 