Repurposing Antique Farm Shutter

When we lived on the farm, Ryan found this old shutter in the barn we eventually burned down.  I have a feeling it was original to the farm house.  So it must be over 100 years old.  Ohhhh, I love stuff like that!!  

Anyway, I love, and miss my stupid farm and this is one of my favourite pieces from it.  I decided to add it to my powder room because of it's scale.  But first, I had to add my own touch.

I wanted to incorporate chicken wire and some fabric.  So first I gathered my supplies.

Measured out the chicken and cut it to size

Stapled it to the back of the shutter - I didn't want to use too many staples.

 Now I have to decide - no fabric, fabric???

Going with the ikat from my moms.

Shit balls.  I hate it.
Remove the fabric....
Much better.

 Who doesn't want to look at my adorable babies while they pee :)

Powder Room Complete!

Having a party at my house was the kick in the ass I needed to get this powder room complete.  I gave myself 5 days, which I assumed was a ton of time, until I realized exactly what I was getting myself into.  I hammered in my last nail literally seconds before my party started.  BUT, I finished!!!  (well, close enough.  I still need to add some molding at the ceiling and finish caulking the backsplash...)

Here it is!

What I did!

- Removed ugly wallpaper border (BRUTAL!!Took me hours for this one dinky boarder)

- Moved light fixture down 12" and replaced.. well, I didn't move it, our electricians did.

- Spray painted vanity (semi gloss white)

- New countertop (carrara marble), mirror, faucet

- Replaced knobs

- Painted trim and door

- Painted Walls (Behr Evening Haze)

I originally painted the walls Behr Ancient Marble - the same colour as my family room.  But, it turned out this nasty, mint, 70s green.  Horrible.  Bland.  Ugly.

So off to Bouclair to pick up some wallpaper.  Even more horrible....  Worst, cheapest, wallpaper EVER!!!  It is so thin, it tears and rips so easy.  

Too bad, since the pattern was so beautiful!

So I ripped it all off, headed to Home Depot, and decided on Evening Haze by Behr.  I love how it turned out.

Some more Before Pics..

You can really see the nasty wallpaper border in this pic.  And who puts a light fixture 2" from the ceiling??? LOL

I traced the kids shadows on the wall!!!  They loved it!!!

And the after pics!!!

Old shutter from my farm.  I'll DIY it into a cool picture holder later!!!

Love the contrast between the white and dark colour.

Barn Board towel rack from my farm. 

The old shutter above the toilet is from our farm.  It's a DIY project for a later date.  I'm thinking a photo holder.... fabric, chicken wire and black & white photos!!!!

The towel hook is also an old piece of wood from my farm that I DIY'd. You can see that tutorial here.

Hope you like it as much as I do!!!

Living Room Updated!

I've done my best to give my living room/dining room a pretty makeover.  Keep in mind my poor  furniture is over 6 years old, and has been moved 5 times!!!!  This includes being stored for 4 months in a dirty garage.  Needless to say, I want new stuff.  But who doesn't, and I really should reno my bathrooms first.

Anyway, here are some pics of my updated living room.

Before we moved in, and with other people's stuff...

 

 

After we moved in, and with our stuff....

And NOW, Updated and chic!!!

I'll eventually take it to the next level when I customize my slipper chairs and drapery.  But for now, it's really starting to feel like home.

My Dining Room Updated!!

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love my house.  It's almost been a year (a record for us!) and I am still inlove with this house.  There is so much work to do, but every step just makes me love this house even more.  This one is a keeper for sure!

I just finished my Living Room and Dining Room.  My ultimate goal for this house is to make it feel warm and welcoming.  I want this to be a comfortable family home.  Not a show house.  I don't want to worry about taking my shoes off, or spilling wine on the floor.  I want this home to hug me, so you'll notice that I've used warm colours through out and keep the space simple and neutral.

Here is my dining room before we moved in...

 Here is my dining room with my furniture.

And here is my dining room now.  Pretty much complete.  It could use some extra accessories and a table runner, but you get the idea.

It's so cozy and informal.  Exactly what I wanted!  I know you love my chandelier.  I was sooooo close to buying one from Restoration Hardware that is almost identical.  Yea, I'd pay $2400 for a light fixture.   I buy my clothes at Old Navy, and have no problem spending $2400 on a light fixture.  Priorities.
Anyway, I was doing my weekly browse at Home Sense and long behold the angles were singing in the lighting aisle.  Look at that baby - just $175 BUCKS.... I was doing a silent happy dance and seriously shaking the whole way to the cash.

Restoration Hardware - $2400

 For years I have desperately wanted these rattan chairs from Pottery Barn.  They are about $250 a piece, and I'm thinking I'll splurge a bit and buy them.  I've wanted them for years.

Then magically, I came across these puppies at JYSK for just $90 bucks each.  They are amazing, and by no means look cheap.  I scored 6 of them with a 20% off coupon and got a whole new set for under $500 bones.

 Scored this solid wood sucker on kijiji for $100 bucks.  Ryan and I picked it up from this boozer, old lady.  She had jugs of vodka all over the house - it's cool Nanny, I can relate ;)
I spray painted the knobs black and loaded it with white, dollar store plates.  I'll refinish it eventually.

Anyway, that's my dining room full of cheap finds.  The Picasso is too rich for this room now and has been shafted to the hallway.

I'll post the Living room soon.  Ryan's in there sprawled out watching the Leaf's game, and no one wants to see that in my pictures. 

Burlington Bungalow - Backyard Deck design

The Burlington Bungalow has the most beautiful, massive backyard.  Even with the huge addition, the backyard can hold a huge deck, and possibly a pool. 

Here is the deck design I put together.

Burlington Bungalow - April 8th

Sure is nice to see the house coming along.

Yesterday I popped by to pick out paint colours for 2 washrooms and was delighted to see a few new things.  The bar was complete, countertops installed, hardware installed and the new windows which brighten up the space dramatically.

Burlington Bungalow - sometime last week!

Lots of stuff going on in the house since I was last there!

Look at that Kitchen.

Yup, that's a 10' island.

See the bar...

The doors that I selected.  I love them and want them all over my house!
The molding is amazing to.  Looks like a picture frame!