February 13th

           Wishing you and your Valentine a very happy day....

Snow Day #3--A Coat Rack is re-engineered

Isn't New England beautiful.  This is what the landscape looked like after storm #3 passed through.  While we were under siege I got busy inside.  I thought I could do something with this... a coat rack which I paid $10 for.

The entry way to our home is nearly nonexistent.  No grand foyer here!  Opening our front door practically forces you up the stairs leaving no room for your guests to enter.  Making this space more practical is certainly a challenge!   The photo below is a shot from the staircase looking down.

 

See what I mean.  The coat rack's legs were wide which made getting around it clumsy.  I took the legs off and stared at the post for about an hour.  While pondering the next step, I painted the door.  Next, I stripped the post of all it's hooks.  To the left of the door I have the narrowest bit of wall...  yup, just enough wall to hang the coat rack post on.  I loved the mismatched hooks so back they went.  This is what I did...  and I am so pleased with the result.  A little quirky, practical, and adds interest to the space.  perfect!  These are a few different shots of the re-engineered coat rack...

 

 

Make the most of your (SNOW) day!!!  Elizabeth

TIE ONE ON...

Storm number two hit and I continued to make progress by cozying up fireside and tying one on!! 

Check this out...

Home Depot house numbers + twine =

New look in the mudroom:

Bee well!

Elizabeth

Family room updates

 After

This is a picture of the updated family room--all due to snow storm #1 but to appreciate some of the updates here is a picture of the space before.

Before

My husband happily grabbed the two couches and square coffee table for the basement (the next major renovation project).  I moved the chair and ottoman to the opposite side of the fireplace.

this is where it was:

this is where it is:

and replaced the couch against the wall with a leather sleeper for my kid's friends and guests. 

Linens for the sleeper are kept in the pine cabinet behind the chair (top photo).  These changes really opened up access to the game table. 

I updated the shelves between the windows by replacing family photos with a set of four lithographs.  

The shelves before: 

the shelves after:

To add much needed light over the gaming table, my husband created a swag light by converting a lamp shade...  I just love him :O).  

  I also simplified the shelving over the trunk in the opposite corner of the room...  the shelves before:

 and after:

A view of the room sitting at the game table

Additions to this room...  another chair and ottoman would really cozy up the seating.  Wheels... would love to add casters to the coffee table.  The mobility will make converting the couch to a sleeper a snap.  Flat screen... we have thought about putting a television over the fireplace however, not too sure we want to look up at the screen.

Subtractions... the floral rug.  I would replace it with something neutral allowing more flexibility with accessories.  

Have a happy day--

Elizabeth

Snowed in...

This is our home... in New England.  After living here so long, you get used to January snow storms and staving off  cabin fever.  So what did I do to beat the boredom caused by this storm?



I ORGANIZED... feast your eyes on these beauties... 

 

TAH DAH!  The pantries on either side of my fridge-- so photographic -- now that I had at it with my dustpan and broom! If there was an award for this kind of cleaning and organizing, surely I would have won it.  I know, these picture perfect pantries may be hard to appreciate but the before photos were too embarassing to post and with three men in the house... I give my hard work (an all day affair) three months.  Feel for me ladies-please!!!

ALSO...  I took apart my winter themed dining decor.  After hosting a New Year's day brunch complete with a mamosa bar, I quickly tired of the "decorations".   Below is the 17 year old $17 Joann Fabric clearance special.  I gave it new life by flocking it.  I put together a really messy how-to but, well, the holidays are behind us now.  For those wondering, yes, I did use left over white paint.  Looks pretty snowy doesn't it... unfortunately, the PB snow and glitter were starting to cling to everything and, well... it all had to go.      

soft, wintery, evening  lighting...

Wait... I am still fighting the cabin fever fight! I made a few changes in the family room too.  Pictured below are a few shots of the room before my updating.  The reveal is soon to follow.

How have you kept busy in 2011?  

Elizabeth