The adventures of a crazy elf

Blogging over at The Y Journals today....but since you might have an "Elfie" in your home thought I'd share here too!

Click the link to see what our Elf is up to this year:  The Phillips' Y Journals

BE KIND.  As in be kind to each other!!

Blank Slate

I have a big open space in the kitchen screaming for something.

But as you can tell there are a few things that are in the way.  The alarm panel, a receptacle, and a phone jack (which can be covered, it's not used).  The box at the top of the wall is a recessed receptacle.  It's the only thing up to date about this house!

I thought about some open shelving.  I know I am the only person in the world that is not super crazy about it.  My kitchen is not very big and is super busy.  There is a lot going on in there and I feel that open shelving is just more busy.  And I have a lot of cabinet space to put everything away (& out of sight).  No visual noise.  I thought it would be nice for my cookbooks and a nice bowl or platter and a picture or two.  Just two shelves.  First one would be JUST above the alarm box.

I thought about a bulletin board/message center.  Taking all that off my fridge (birthday party invites, notes to be signed, RSVPs, Wedding invites, random family pics, a dinner coupon etc)  And, again, unlike everyone else, I don't like chalkboards.  They are just too dusty.  My boys would want to play with it all the time and it's supposed to be for a purpose which would then annoy me because, I'd never be able to find a piece of chalk and they would erase what ever memos I had written to myself. 

Then there is always some art.  I could always find something some where to go about the alarm panel.

Hmmm, what would you do if a friend asked you (Anyone else read lots of Cat in the Hat?!).

Thought I'd post for some other "expert" advice!  Linking up with  Coastal Charm, A2Z  Savvy Southern Style,  The Thrifty Home & House of Hepworths

Adding some Chrom(ium) in the kitchen

The kitchen isn't done but it's no longer tan/beige/khaki boring flat paint!  Introducing Chromium, by Valspar.

I had a set back when cutting in I noticed the paint had some gloppy things in it.  Which means I had to get to Lowes before rolling.  And with 3 little helpers (1 has a double ear infection) I wasn't getting there soon. 

Today we made it out and tonight I rolled.  I'm sure it will need another coat, and there is some ceiling touch ups to do along with painting the tounge and groove (white satin) and let's not forget (but I'd rather) painting the trim (bright glossy white).

Straining the gloppy out of the paint

Above the kitchen sink.  Nightime lighting is terrible.

A corner (it's wet so don't mind the 2 tone look)

I LOVE this color.  It changes all the time with the lighting.  It's not too grey, not too blue.  Again, I love satin, especially in a kitchen.  (We also used this color in the playroom & the playroom at our old house.)  It's so easy to clean up!  Maybe one day I'll go back to eggshell in these spaces, but for now, I have 60 fingers covered in something sticky, messy, gooey at all times.

To Paint or not to Paint

To paint or not to paint?  That is my question for you!

Kitchen soffit.  Paint it the wall color or ceiling color?  The Mr and I are on two different sides.

And if you are interested in that beauty of a light fixture, it can be yours!

Why? Oh why?

Did you see my One Word Wednesday, yesterday?

Why do I insist on buying homes with wallpaper?

This was worse because it had been painted over.  But when we went to do some kitchen updates, some of the wall paper tore.  And I couldn't resist picking and pulling at it.  Two layers of it.

 And then my husband decided to do some searching on wallpaper.  We learned all kinds of things about asbestos and wallpaper.  Oh boy. Good thing I hadn't gotten too crazy in there.  I hadn't planned on removing any.  Which is surprising since I believe if you are going to do it, do it right.  Which means REMOVE that wallpaper.  

I hate the prep work to paint.  When they put down the shoe molding they didn't cover the nail holes or caulk between it and the cabinets.  Lazy.  Thanks for making it my job.  As if I didn't have enough to do.

So now I have sanded, spackled, sanded and caulked.  Some what.  And...why did I insist on changing the color?  There is nothing wrong with the "khaki" color it is.  Although, it is flat paint.  Yuck.  Not only do I hate flat paint, I REALLY hate it in the kitchen!  Soooo, I figured I might as well change the color if I'm going to paint.  Our trim isn't exactly bright white either.  I LOVE bright white trim.  If I was really trying to be a super hero, I would actually change out the trim.  The previous owners seem to have had a dog with separation issues.  Or something that liked to scratch at it.  Doors too.

I'm looking forward to priming tomorrow.  Who knows how long all this will take.  Shouldn't take long considering I have 3 little helpers!

One Word Wednesday

                                                                        WHY?

                                                                            OH

                                                                          WHY????

Keepin it real (crooked)

First, I have 9 followers.  9!  Welcome!  I only  know 3 personally.  Only 3!  I have 12 on my family blog, but I've left them high and dry as I tackle projects over here.  I'll try not to do that to you.  I've got a list of projects a mile long as I try to make this house a home.

I wish I could just bury this project but I was so intent on getting it done that I feel I had to share.  This is what I call keeping it real..

I started here with this post about needing  window inspiration & motivation.  I got started and finally finished.  I'll make this short and post pictures for your entertainment.  Bottom line is I used the shower curtain hem for my hem thinking that it would be even and I could do less measuring, cutting and sewing.  (I always use fabric so I have never had this happen.)

Opps!  Perhaps, I should have done a little more measuring, cutting and sewing!  Unfortunately, I sewed the dowel rod pockets on the back and they ARE level.  It doesn't look too bad up, but down it looks terrible.   One day I may change it, but as long as we are keeping things real...I doubt it will happen.

Lesson learned. I will be making my own hems from now on!

One Word Wednesday

                                                                Progress

Window Inspiration

I have this window:

And it needs a little something. The bathroom oviously needed a little lot of something too. Don't worry, that got done. It's just taken months.

I even have the fabric already (a shower curtain from World Market.  I couldn't find actual fabric that I liked.  I wanted a little yellow and grey and I love the hint of blue grey too!)!

Serious cuteness, right?! I kind of like the fabric too! It will go in the laundry room too.  Both are off the playroom.

Therefore, I wanted the same fabric and I wanted it to (kind of) go with the playroom. It doesn't, but oh well, I liked it!

I tried to gather some inspiration for window treatments because I will be making something soon!

How come all the roman shades are inside the window frame? I like them outside. What are your thoughts...

Inside ala Martha

or outside like Alissa, (a smart blogger who wanted outside for extra height, like me, and gives you a most detailed tutorial, which means, I don't have too.  Win! Win!)

Come on, so which is it? Inside or Outside?

Dresser with a job

I gave you a sneak peek on a dresser I was working on here. My grandmother had this dresser in her basement and didn't need it anymore. She said it didn't work very well, so we thought we would keep it in our basement for tools and what not. Because we certainly didn't need another dresser...so my husband thinks.

Drawers

Then things changed in the bedroom. Eww, really, my mom reads this, get your mind out of the gutter. The hubs (who THOUGHT we didn't need another dresser, why oh why, were we going to keep this one?) got a flatscreen. The blue was not my color. And you know I couldn't leave it alone. So, I sanded

And, I actually liked what I was seeing...wood was painted green, was painted blue, so I was getting some great color and a little blue green mix! However, I kept going. I primed, because I believe in priming. (Almost) everything should be primed before painting.

I painted (I chose a nice neutral pale grey blue, since our master bedroom is still untouched, 1 year in!) I loved the paint. Valspar Ultra premiuim gloss, paint and primer in one. It was thick, went on SMOOTH, and was glossy but not TOO glossy. I really liked this paint and can't wait to use it on another project. This dresser was going to get lots of use, it needed to be glossy.

Then I didstressed it.

Hardware was the hardest part. I knew I wanted clear. I also knew that Hobby Lobby always has their knobs half off. I went to 2 different locations. Twice. They only had 1 knob....ugh...but I was excited to get this piece finished so I buckled and went to Home Depot. These knobs are nicer than the HL ones. Good thing because you can pay twice as much there!

The top

Ta-Da. Finally a new refresh! Which, I am sure, since we are "Refresh & Repurpose", that is what you were waiting for.

BUT....this dresser has a job....remember it was for the TV. It was the perfect size for the TV but not for the TV & the cable box.  Sooooooo.....

I pulled out the top drawer. Hubs cut the front off of the drawer itself and drilled 2 holes. One in the drawer and one in the back of the dresser (for cords). I attached the drawer front with two hinges. I also used a magnet so that it would stay shut, since those hinges will also get lots of use. I thought about painting the inside of that drawer for a fun pop of color, and I still might....one day. 

I don't know why I insisted on styling this for pics, because this is what she will look like in her daily life.

Or, if we are being totally honest, this:

 I love a Refresh & Repurpose. Hope you enjoyed as well! 

 I'm linking up with Beth at A2Z, as well as Coastal Charm, One Project Closer,  Savvy Southern Style, The Thrifty Home, House of Hepworths, Miss Mustard Seed, Tatertots & Jello, & Between Naps on the Porch. Check out some other great ideas!

A Nursery Sneak Peek

A sneak peak of the nursery for you! Some of you have been waiting patiently for details. And since it is not done yet, I really don't want to share much. You know I don't like a half done room. Although, it's coming together and will be done soon, I'm hoping these will hold you over?!

Curtains (made with love by grandma)

Closet Knobs

Some Artwork

Are you as ready as I am for the big reveal?!

Salvation Army score!

Yesterday I hit up the Salvation Army in search for some frames for baby girls gallery wall. Since I never have good luck finding what I'm searching for I keep a little list with me. However, yesterday I did find some great frames $2.99/ea(even a print for the kitchen .99!). Don't worry, I have plans for those golden beauties.

2 glass jars for flour and sugar. $2.99 each. More on these later, they for sure, needed some refreshing!

As well as one little bunny box (.99) and a bird "sculpture" ($2.99) that I thought would be cute for hanging hair bows. She's a girl, bows are inevitable! (This one was one of her first presents, a pink and green bow from Auntie JLA!) I have not decided if I will paint them or leave them so dark.

Which means it's time to get her walls painted. I just can't seem to find that perfect shade of pink. All colors are tough to pick, but pink is super hard for me. I want something light and not toooo pink. I thought I wanted something almost white that only looked pink in the corners or depending on the time of day. But when I put those samples on the wall they look almost irradescant? I'm thinking I might have to go a little more pink than white. I will admit, I really want pink. Why wouldn't I take this chance to get a pink room! I always wanted one! She can have blue, red, black another color when she is old enough to paint it herself!

I have a lot of inspiration for her room pinned on Pinterest. I will probably do a breakdown for you, like I did for the boys room. A little more detail and a few projects to complete!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some glass jars calling my name!

One Word Wednesday!

Pink?

OR
Pink?

Another link party!

I love reading what Beth has to say or post over at Home Stories A 2 Z. She has some great ideas of her own and commonly does a Tips & Tutorials link party. I've never participated, because of timing, but mostly because I feel we all have a lot of the same things to post.

However, I love the boys nautical flags that I wrote about hereso much that today I had to share them! So I linked up and shared with the world. For some reason this is kind of scary. Opening yourself up to all the comments. Of course, it is just decorating, what can one say...

Make sure you stop by and see some other great links!!

Dresser Redo

I have this dresser that I want to use in Bs room. It's a cheapy Target one that is perfect for two reasons. One, I have boys (who will probably climb, color, and somehow destroy)!

Two, it's perfect to paint. Believe it or not, I really do have a problem painting furniture wood furniture. That makes this a win win. It's cheap and not real wood. If the boys tire of it or the nautical theme it can be repainted or listed with Craig. It's not real wood, so I don't feel guilty if it doesn't work out or I want to change it in the future.

I searched Pinterest for some inspiration. It seems to be my first go to these days. However, it turned up very little. So I did Google images and voila. My favorite is this one (which I then pinned to Pinterest, so now it's out there):

Found here at House To Your Home
It's pretty identical to what I had in mind.

I Love the knobs she used. Anthropologie, go figure!! You know I am a sucker for their hardware. Again, pretty identical to what I had in mind, but I think it might be too much "nautical" with all the other items in the room.

I might spray them with some oil rubbed bronze and see how that goes. There is always white? If those fail, I can splurge on the knobs or make something similar.

Hopefully it won't take as long as those curtains are..I'm hoping while grandma is here she is willing to work on those..Ma-ma can you heeeaaaar meee?! Just a small hint.

Here's the previous post on the boys room here and here and here