The Big Reveal

Katie @ Bower Power & Sherry @ Young House Love

When these two silly (and uber talented) ladies posted the second Pinterest Challenge of the year, I was all in. Challenge accepted, I got to looking through my ever growing list of pins and narrowed it down to two options. (You can see more on that here.)

After grabbing a new oscillating multifunction power tool (sander, scrapers, cutter, etc.) on a deep discount and a 20% off on top of that at our local Harbor Freight Tools store, I was eager to put it to use. So, the hope chest that we use for a media console was calling my name for an update.

I love our cedar lined hope chest, it has great lines and the storage is a huge help for a small space. The only problem was that after years of wear and tear, it needed some TLC. Here are the pins from Pinterest that served as inspiration for the project:

I knew I wanted to keep the top a dark wood but needed to bring some light into the space by brightening up the rest of the piece. With some paint and stain that I had on hand, I got to work! I am really happy with the outcome and although painting wood furniture isn’t for everyone, it was the right decision for this piece and our space! (Plus, with a little paint stripper and some elbow grease, I can always take the chest right back to all wood.) 

Drum roll please…

ready for some light distressing

back in it's home

detail with the original hand pulls all polished

another view

The only thing I may change is the pulls, I am thinking of going with some glass options. I will have to check with good 'ol Hobby Lobby to see what's available. For now, the originals will have to do. I'll be sure to let you know of any changes!

Did you take the Fall Pinterest Challenge?

Ch-Ch-Changes

The office/guest room quickly became a home of all the furniture we had that didn’t quite fit anywhere else. Not to mention, we had two fulfill two functions in the small space, my full time office and a functional guest room for out of town guests. After making a few changes to the room seen here, things were looking up. I no longer felt trapped in a claustrophobic box for 8+ hours a day during the week and was a little less embarrassed to have guests.

Office Nook

Last weekend, I finally tackled a few more projects to bring more cohesion to the room. After coming to the conclusion of a house color palette, I was ready to turn the black hole of furniture into something that made sense. 

The first project was a tall six drawer dresser that was actually from my childhood bedroom. I originally danced with the idea of painting the dresser a mustard yellow color to match an accent pillow, but decided a crisp white would be best for the long run. I grabbed the gallon of Valspar Honeymilk that I had on hand from my dining room chairs and got to work.

The puppykids wanted to help

Stop judging me for those pink snowmen sheets. Jeez.

After a few passes with sand paper (100 grit,) two coats of primer (Kilz is the very best,) and three coats of Honeymilk the dresser was finished. However, after putting the original handles back on, I knew I needed to find this baby some new accessories.

Enter my first experience with Hobby Lobby and its knobs and polls aisle. HEAVEN. Honestly, it took me a good 30 minutes to pick six pulls, and even then I couldn’t decide, so I came home with 10 mismatched knobs and tried a bunch of different combinations before settling with these 3 beauts.

Obsessed with this royal blue ceramic flower knob

These give off the best disco ball-esque shimmer.

I am so glad I was able to upgrade a piece of my childhood into a great piece. I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner, it was so simple and way over-do for a change! At the same time of this makeover, I did upgrade my eye sore of a metal filing cabinet as well. I can’t wait to share it with you soon!

Before

After

After Close-Up

Do you have a piece of furniture from your childhood bedroom or family house in your current home? Did you leave it as is or give it a face-lift? Even better, what are your favorite memories of your childhood bedroom?

* Any thoughts on my new picture effects? I want to keep all the photos consistent with colors & a watermark and currently I am loving this 60's effect! Let me know what you think!

Color Blind

Creating a cohesive home takes time and thought, and for me the most frustrating piece of the puzzle has been settling on a color scheme. I know my basics as they are no brainers in my world…whites, grays, black, and dark wood = my heaven. The headaches came in when I tried to finalize my accent colors. 

I know this might sound ridiculous; accent colors are causing me headaches? I need a vacation or a maybe a valium- but it’s true. Want to know my hardest wedding decisions? What color towels to register for. No lie, I’m crazy. So picking a solid color scheme to define our home was a big deal and took some time.

Close...but not quite right

As much as I love the soft neutral palettes to accompany my basics, I’m a bit too loud for such a quiet home. The decision happened more organically then I anticipated. After looking around the house for my favorite things and a few antique store purchases over the summer, it became evident that my accent colors would be shades of emerald green and royal blue.

Most favorite candle in the perfect blue glass container

My emerald green seltzer bottle is currently my most favorite item.

Now that I have my color scheme finalized: whites, grays, black, dark wood tones and pops of emerald green and royal Blue...off to my beloved Pinterest for some more inspiration:

Emily Henderson's perfect blue wing back office chair

Perfection

Kelly Wearstler is a genius with color and pattern

All images via Pinterest or property of AG&AK

What are your houses color scheme? Did they come from a picture in a magazine, a favorite outfit, a stragetically planned operation, or a happy coincidence? I have been working on a few projects to get my new colors happily incorporated into the house. Check back soon to see how.

The Real Movie Stars: SATC

Wow, has it really been 2 weeks? Sorry about that, with traveling for work and life in general, things for me have been hectic. Plus, I am a full believer as to not push things and I figured a quick sabbatical would be better than half-assed forced entries. Anyway, I’m back at it and here with another great group of sets. 

If you are a woman (or a man with really great taste) and haven’t lived under a rock for the last decade then the image above sends waves of nostalgia through your body. Sex and the City gave life to the strong, independent single woman who lives life to the fullest, mistakes and all.

In this installment of The REAL Movie Stars, I want to take a look the beautiful digs of one Miss Carrie Bradshaw.

It all begin in the one bedroom apartment with a killer walk through closet filled with drool worthy clothes and shoes. 

I know Carrie only uses her kitchen to store extra sweaters, but really? They couldn't do a little better?

I will always have a sweet spot for Carrie’s original apartment. It has this weird combo of old mismatched decor that isn’t all that glamorous but its because all the glamour is in that closet. Can you blame her?

After being left at the altar and being so close to calling this closet home in the first movie,

Carrie returned home and had Charlotte’s friend Anthony give it a complete face lift.

Besides the lamps, I think it's trying to hard.

However, like any good fairytale, Carrie finally got the man for good and in the second movie we get a peek into the home Carrie and Big share as husband and wife. 

Marrakesh winged headboard

The mirror, the lamps, the wallpaper = love!

I want that couch so bad!

Which place is your favorite? Personally, Big and Carrie’s place had me at winged headboard and those blue 3d tiles in the kitchen!