DIY Kitchen Banquette

The BEFORE...

The AFTER...

My original plan with this banquette was to just make covers for the pink cushions.  BUT, when I took them off to give them a good clean, I literally had to peeeeel them off.  BARF.  The underside of them all were covered in grease and rice.  No joke.  It was so nasty.  So, I put gloves on, put them in the back of my van, and brought them to the dump.  EWWWWW.

On to plan B... Call my Dad!

First, I made a stencil with kraft paper of the 3 pieces I wanted to make.

Then, I headed to Pop's house to go lumber shopping and cut our plywood to size and get Baba to watch the kiddies while I go fabric hunting...  My Favourite thing on earth to do!!

At home, I cut the foam to size and used spray adhesive to adhere it to the plywood.

Next, I layed out my fabric and batting and went bananas stapling.  I knew 2 years in Cut 'n Paste school would come in handy.

Every great piece of art needs a signature!

Flip it over, put it in place and admire my hard work...

Can't forget to sew 100 pillows to match.

I love how it turned out.  The best part, is that when I get bored of the fabric, I can rip it off and re-staple a new pattern.  Super Easy.  I also chose an Outdoor fabric.  My kids have spilled everything imaginable already, and it beads right off.  Awesome!

A few updates in the Kicthen

So, it's been about 4 weeks and I am finally settled in the new house.  I LOVE this house and I LOVE the area.  Unfortunately, the house needs quite a bit of TLC.  I wake up every morning thinking 'I wanna do this and I wanna do that today.... and this, and this, and this, and this"...!  So much to do and so little energy!!!

We aren't planning any major reno's just yet.  We've had quite a few changes in the last few months (who am I kidding?  the last few years), so we are trying to take it one step at a time.  Like 'normal' people.  A new door, wait a bit....then maybe a new bathroom...then maybe a new fence, shutters, garage door, countertop, roof, laundry room, basement.... hahaha No need to do it all at once like we have been doing in the past.  I really want to enjoy this house and bring it back to life slowly, but surely.

So lately, I've been doing some cosmetic fixes that make the home feel more like "me".  I'm putting my personal touch on a few things and decorating, rather than renovating.

First, the kitchen...

A few "befores"....

There is nothing I can do about the pink countertop.  It's corian, and super durable...It's going to stay until I do a few reno.  Also not changing the backsplash.  My goodness that thing is plastered in there so good the entire wall will come down if I try and remove it.  Not interested in that much of a project.  The fridge needs to stay because it's built in, but I'll be replacing the cook top, oven and dishwasher sooner than later.  So nasty cooking on someone else's appliances....

So, with a new banquette, knobs, faucet and window treatments...I actually like my kitchen (for now!)

The new knobs I got on ebay for a steal... all 50 of them for just $80 (with shipping).  Way better than the gold crystal ones!!  Ryan installed the new faucet for me.  Limited options since the layout of the sink is so odd.  I wasn't about to change the bar faucet since I'll be ripping that out one day.

I sewed the window treatments with valances I had from the old house in Jarvis.  I like how they turned out.  Ideally, I'd have some nice roman blinds, but I'll do something fancy when I do a reno.  Nothing beats FREE!!!

The biggest change was the banquet... I'll do up a "How-To" post next.  Took a lot of work, but I loved building it with my Dad!

Hope you like my first mini update!!!

It's been a while.

I know I haven't written in a while, but I haven't been so motivated these days.  The move was tough.  I was devastated to leave the country life, and when I got into this place, it was nasty.  The previous owners left crap in every drawer and cupboard.  There was grease and dust everywhere and rice....rice everywhere!  EWWW! I had to clean out under the sinks and throw out old lotion bottles and bandaids from the bathrooms.  Nasty stuff.  So needless to say, my motivation to 'joyously' share my moving experience on my blog has been zip.

But, it's been a few weeks now and things are looking up.  I've cleaned the house - my nose is burnt from breathing in so much bleach.  I've fix a few things like the shelving in our closets and the door knobs that have no function.  And I have to admit I LOVE this house.  It's my favourite out of all 10.  It's severely outdated, but I can't wait to touch every room.  And, I love the area.  We aren't in the centre of Burlington, so when I do my shopping I'm not amongst the soccer mom's and their nannies.  I'm in  a mature part of town where it's very quiet during the day.  I think I am going to like it here.  I know the kids will.

The first project I have undertaken is my kitchen.  I'll do a big post another day with all of the changes. I been sewing my brains out and I got to use my chop saw.  Good stuff.  I'll share my projects soon.

This week, I hope to finish my kitchen mini makeover and on to the exterior.  I have guys coming to quote for a new front door, garage door, shutters and fence.  Number 1 priority - the fence.  I am so sick of look at my neighbour with his shirt off.  He reminds me of Kevin James.  Anyway, stay tuned... lots of good stuff to com :)

Meh.

 Not feeling too 'home-decor-like' tonight.  I'm moving in just a week and a half and I'm having a tough time holding it together.  I've met some great people out here, and I've started a great life for myself and the kids.  I love being in the country.  I feel like I am my best self out here.  I have finally found a place where I feel I belong, and I am proud to live here.  It's going to be tough moving to Burlington.  I'm not a fan of Burlington at all.  There are some things that I am just going to have to let go.  Whatever... I have to keep reminding myself that I am taking one for the Geddes team and I will have to make the best of it.  I am VERY excited to be closer to my Brother and his wife and their twins that will be arriving in a few short weeks.  And one of my bestest friends is due next month.  I can't wait to be able to see the babies when ever I want.  And I did a drive by of my new house last week.  I'm excited to pimp it out. 

Whenever I am feelin' a little down, there is a big ball of furry love that never fails me.  I love my silly dog so much.  This is my favourite pic of him.  Makes me smile every time.  I caught him outside one day just watching the world go by.  I wonder what was going through his head.  Marley - the old man in a dog suit....

Waterford House - All Moved In

Thank you Lisa for making me realize I have never posted pics of my Waterford house all moved in.  I have a ton more decorating to do, but surprise, surprise, we are moving again.

Here are some pics just for the record.  I can't believe I am moving in just a week and a half...ahhhhh.  I'm gonna miss this house!

Can't find a good pic of the outside!

Front Entrance.  Door leads to Laundry Room.

Laundry Room and Basement Stairs

View from Front Entrance.  Dining room on right.  Kitchen through doorway.  Hallway leads to bedrooms.

Dining Room.

View of Kitchen from Dining Room.  Still love that molding.

My Dream Kitchen!

My Kitchen xoxox

The Great Room.

Hallway to Bedrooms

Hallway from the Bedrooms.  Leads to Great Room.  Stairs lead to Loft.

Guess who's room this is?!?!

Love those doors.

James's Room.  I had big plans for this space.   Next house, Next house!

The kids bath.  Kids like Carrara Marble too ya know!

Steps to the Loft

The Kid's Loft.

It's never been this clean since!

Stair from the Loft.

Master Bedroom.  View of the Den.

Ensuite Bath

Ensuite Bath

Bedroom Pendant Lights

When building my Waterford house, I learned quite a bit about light fixtures.  I had to buy one for each and every room of the house.  I spent hours upon hours searching for just the right fixture for each room.  My favourite of all were the 3 mercury glass pendants in my Kitchen.  I ordered then from West Elm.

My Waterford Kitchen

Actually wait, it's a tie between the mercury glass fixtures and the Thomasville Sphere fixtures in my dining room and entrance...

Waterford Dining room.  Sorry, no such a great pic...

Anyway, I have a new appreciation for lighting.  Especially hanging lights.  I LOVE shopping for light fixtures and believe that a new light fixture can truly transform a space.

A new trend (actually it's an old trend, just updated) is having pendant lights as your bedside lighting - rather than a lamp.  This is a great space-saving idea, and can make for a dramatic statement in a bedroom.

Some inspiration shots...

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And here are some of my favourite pendants.  All from Candelabra Lighting & Home Decor.  LOVE this website.  I don't even think they ship to Canada, but I don't care.  It's a great inspiration resource.