Coming together

Our house is really starting to feel like home. A lot work has been done, and a lot more remains to be done, but as we unpack and settle in, it feels good to call this place mine. I promised some before and after pictures because some of them are quite drastic. I only have a few, as the house is obviously still not completely done, but I thought I'd update everyone.

This is the before view of the livingroom, as seen from the front door. Notice that the molding is different colors...not sure what that's about.

And this is the after of the livingroom, as seen from the kitchen entryway. Can't really tell in this picture, but floors were stained and refinished to a walnut color, and crown molding was painted white.

This is the livingroom before. From left to right: Entryway to the kitchen, main floor hall with bathroom, laundry room, garage and basement, stairway, and front door.

And now the after: This is my favorite view of the house. I love the little bump out wall under the stairs and the charming built-in book case at the bottom of the stairs. It's so cozy on a sunny day.

The dining room before: I'm pretty sure this is the most awful wall color I've ever seen. So awful, we decided on an equally awful name for it: 'breastfed baby poo.' Yuck.

After: I really didn't understand the different colored trim in the house, and this room took the longest to paint because there are little teeth in the dental molding. Pretty, but a pain. But the after is well worth it (especially since I'm not the one who painted it! lol) There will eventually be actual pictures in the frames...

Kitchen Before: Light wood cabinets were ok, but I had my heart set on something a little grander...

Ahhh, my kitchen.  Painted walls, trim, and cabinets, refinished the floor and added a desk. Soon there will be an over the range microwave and some beautiful  window treatments.

Can't wait to show you more!

Paint or no paint?

It's been awhile since I've had a decorating/design post, or anything remotely creative, because frankly, I haven't had the willpower. Now that school is over and things are settling down a little (I said a little) I would like to talk to you about a very important decision I've been mulling over for quite some time now:

To paint or not to paint?

Here's the deal: Since we've moved into this house, I've had the urge to paint the exterior brick. There are white spots all around that we'll not be able to remove, and I think a fresh coat of paint would really make the otherwise boring exterior of our house a little cheery-er:

It's quaint, but it just screams dull to me. However, I am scared to take this on. I'm not usually scared of paint OR color, and it's not like I'll be painting it bright orange or anything, but I'm scared it won't look the way I think it will. The hubs said I could do it if I wanted to, but I don't think he's 100% sold on the idea either. Here's where you come in. I've been daydreaming for awhile and looking up grand examples of beautifully painted brick to back up my rationale so I'd like you daydream with for a moment...

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Okay, seriously? I'm sure it looked amazing without the paint, but I love this painted brick!

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This is a little closer to what I mean. I was thinking about doing a light tan color, but this picture makes me wanna go even lighter.

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I also love this one. This house, along with a house I pass on the way to work everyday just like this, makes me wanna paint it a darker gray.

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Look at this AMAZING transformation from painting brick! Gorgeous! If only paint would make my house look like that!

Perhaps this would be an easier decision if I didn't have the siding and it was all brick. I wish I had a photoshop program that would let me play around with the colors on the photo and see what it would look like (if you know how to do that and want to humor me, that'd be awesome!)

So, I need your vote:

Choice 1: Don't paint the brick. Leave it alone.

Choice 2: Paint the brick a lighter tone, perhaps and creamy color.

Choice 3: Paint the brick a darker tone, like a gray or brown.

By the way, my door is now painted red I just don't have a picture of it. I'm excited to hear what you think!

Susie Homemaker

For those that read my last blog, you know last week kept me busy. This week has been no different. It amazes me that even when I'm not working much, I still can't find enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I want to do! But I go through spurts, usually season-related, where I'm a lump and get nothing done, and times when I'm a productivity machine!

This week marks our first official 'big project' in our house. We're re-modeling my scrapbook room (Before and After pictures to come...once we get the After done!) We decided it was a good place to start because it's a small room, it wasn't going to cost much to fix it up, and it'd be good practice for when we finish the rest of the basement. Jeremy amazes me...he basically learned electrical stuff this week, re-wired the whole room, put drywall up on the ceiling and wall, installed potlights and gave me a working outlet...what a guy! Hopefully, it will get painted and put back together by next week...I can't wait!

In anticipation for my new room, I've been writing down ideas for what I wanted to do with it, color schemes, etc....I decided I wanted a bright and cheerful room with lots of light that inspires my creativity. So, in honor of doing first-time projects, I decided to one of my own....re-upholster and refinish a chair. I found this great chair at Salvation Army yesterday, but it was a little beat up:

It actually ended up being a fairly easy project. I used Jeremy's sander to sand down the shiny finish....

Spray painted it white, found a great fun fabric to brighten it up, and VWALA! A beautiful new chair for my scrapbook room!!!

Chair: $6.99 @ Salvation Army

Fabric: $6.00 @ Joann's

Spray paint: $2.00 (x2 - I used two cans) @ Home Depot

TOTAL COST: $16.99!!!

Now, off to getting the house put together, laundry, oil change, and packing to go to Canada for the weekend for the Great Lakes Youth Rally and see family! =]

Fantastically busy

This weekend was packed full for me, in a good way. Let's start with Thursday...

Thursday started with me pricing furniture and ended with me getting an AMAZING deal on a leather furniture set. It's very bitter sweet, considering we've been penny pinching like crazy lately, but I couldn't pass it up it's something I've wanted since I've been married (maybe even longer) and it should last me a really long time! I've never owned a matching set of any furniture cause I could never afford it.

Also note the start of a 'family wall' with a quote I found at Joann's with the picture I got from Jeremy for Christmas - love it.

I also became an aunt again on Thursday!!!! Brennen Tate McIntee was born 10lbs. 4oz. 24 1/2 inches - practically a man already! I'm so proud of April, she's superwoman in my book, and I can't wait to meet my new nephew!

Friday was a busy day for me. I got up early so I could drive to Troy to see my amazing hair stylist and friend, John for a haircut/color. I got there around noon....ended up staying there til 5:00!! But my cut is super cute (as usual) and even though I tried to get purple highlights in my hair that didn't turn out, the color is still really cute. Well, we had guests coming over at 7:00, so I wanted to rush home, finish cleaning, etc. I drove past a Tattoo place, and on a whim (ok, maybe not a whim, cause I had also been thinking about doing it for a long time) and asked how long it would take to get my nose pierced....I think I was in and out in 6 minutes!!! LOL Anyway, I love it and no one has really noticed or thought I already had it, which means it doesn't stick out too much. =] And it doesn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would. I couldn't get a decent picture to post, so I'll try again some other time.

Friday night was great with friends, rehearsing for Easter service. Jeremy and I have really appreciated spending time with friends lately, we're so blessed to be making good friends our age in the same life stage as us. It ended up being a very late night, and we got up bright and early for the Easter Pancake Breakfast @ Rochester. Then, I worked Saturday night til 1am, was up at 5:45 to get myself and the fam ready for church and get there early for sound check and run-through, and participated in an AMAZING easter service that moved me in profound ways. (And as a side, my hubby is amazing too, and I have an even bigger crush on him after hearing him sing today).

I've been staring at this picture of Caleb all day - it just makes my heart smile.

My little princess in her easter dress from Nana.

Thankfully, I got to take a huge nap today and relax this evening with my unbelievably adorable kids. Watched some Friends, snuggled with the hubby.....the perfect way to end a perfect weekend. I am ridiculously blessed. =]

Productivity

This week was a great week for me productivity wise. Got lots of cleaning done for Faith's birthday party, and Jeremy's family is coming in today to see our house for the first time! The only major project I have left on the list for today is to clean out and organize my scrapbooking room (which has become a collect-all room the last few months).

This week, I'm most proud of Faith's room. Awhile ago, I painted some canvases for her room and since then, I've been wanting to paint a matching mural on her wall, and never got around to doing it, or could figure out how to. Friday night, with a sudden burst of inspiration and an idea that just might work, I figured out how to get the giant butterfly on Faith's wall, drew it, painted it...and Tada!!!

The pictures really don't do it justice, cause it looks SWEET! I'm so happy with the way it turned out, and so glad to finally have it done! But, I'm not getting else done sitting here talkin' to you people! ha! So, gotta get ready for company!!! =]