Monday, October 6, 2014

Makeover * autumn nesting delights

You might remember Jenn from back in July when she shared her gorgeous mane.  Well, my energetic youngest daughter called one afternoon a few weeks back, all kinds of breathless and excited.  She had decided to pull off 'a little living room makeover' to surprise her husband when he returned home from a business trip.

 
AFTER


A YEAR BEFORE
An oval rug with the softest melange {love that word!} of braided greens and blues sets the tone
 for what's to come!  Look past the big green sofa to sneak a peak at one of the old wooden IKEA chairs with the well-used white canvas slipcovers.  The vanilla covered walls.  The not-all-that-decorated mantle.  Random collectibles on the shelves.  And those oppressive bamboo blinds.
 
*
 
Now ... back to the phone call!
 
I quickly checked my email to see the results ... and ooh-ed and aah-ed as I scooped up every detail. The gorgeous blue / green / gray tones highlighting the fireplace and shelves {my absolute favorite shade - especially with white trim!} Sunlight streaming bright through those huge windows, now unhindered by the heavy old roll-down bamboo blinds! 
 
And those chairs. Were they new?
 
*

Her game plan? 
 
Jenn ...
 
*  Took down those big old bamboo blinds and did a bit of touch up with spackle and paint.  {And then sold those cumbersome babies at a garage sale!}.
 
*  Painted the area behind the built-in bookcases and TV to match the color she had already used on the walls in the adjoining kitchen to the left.  She used BEHR Winter's Day.  {I think she might be musing about painting the rest of that fireplace wall the same subtly gorgeous shade.}  The basket on the bottom left shelf holds diapers and wipes for a someday addition to the family, and the baskets on the right corral the kids' library books.
 
*  De-cluttered the bookshelves and focused the attention on the fireplace where she displays the large white mum, fun random pumpkins, and a handful of autumn twigs gathered from the woods behind the house. 
 
*  Spray painted the black IKEA chairs white with 6 cans of RUST-OLEUM Painter's Touch Ultra Cover Semi-Gloss white (bought with a Home Depot gift card!}  She figured that with the endless sanding and re-spraying, this was the hardest part of the re-do.
 
*  Found 2 matching shower curtains for those chairs {yes, shower curtains!} at Marshalls for $18 each.  And did some smart bartering with a dear friend - babysitting in exchange for the new handcrafted slipcovers that brought together the room's shades of blues and greens.

*  Hauled up the big old wicker toy box from the playroom, where it now holds center stage in front of the sofa for pretties, snacks, and whatever. 

Jenn said that the makeover took about a week, mostly in the evenings after the 4 kids went to bed.  And the best part?  The whole project cost less than $100.  She told me that her inspiration was her birthday gift of THE NESTING PLACE ... and that she 'loves how the room looks in the evening, when the toys are picked up and the lights are dim ... very relaxing.'


Have you created a little adjustment or a makeover to your living space recently? 

Do tell!
 
 
//

 Our autumn nesting delights giveaway could be
a wonderful housewarming, birthday, bridal shower, or Christmas gift!
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310337909?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0310337909&linkCode=xm2&tag=atthecrossroa-20
 
Leave a comment and you'll be in the the running for one of the two copies
of Myquillyn Smith's book, THE NESTING PLACE

The details about the giveaway and links to all the posts in the series are here.
 
//
 
sharing the makeover with Kristen

22 comments:

  1. I love everything about her living room makeover! I am desiring to do some makeover work in my house but find that time is not available right now. When I see the success of someone else for a little amount of money and not to much time, my juices get flowing again. Next year in retirement perhaps??? Happy Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohh ... what a way to kick off the next season of life, Mary!

      Would love to hear your plans and follow you as you put your dreams to work!

      ;-}

      Delete
  2. Shower curtains huh? Never would have tried that! :)
    We just painted our dining room from the poo brown we used 11 years ago to Navajo white! So much better. We are only doing it so we can sell the house, but I am glad the room is lighter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From poo brown to Navajo white? Sounds like a game-changer! Sell the house and then ...? The adventure begins!

      Delete
    2. Yes we want to sell and get a house with a yard! :)
      The work to get the house ready? Not so fun....

      Delete
    3. May He make that dream come true ... in ways that leave you breathless!

      Delete
  3. Absolutely gorgeous and I can't believe it was done for under $100. I really need to read that book. Or maybe you can send your daughter my way. I will watch her kiddos (your grandchildren!). Fabulous!
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll love the book! Promise! And the kids are a blast ... as you can see, they never sit still!

      ;-}

      Delete
  4. LOVE! What a fun surprise for her husband! We are renting right now until our home in TX sells, but one of the things I'm most excited about buying a new home is making it my own. Those personal touches make all the difference.

    I gotta tell you, The Nester revolutionized how I decorate. I don't spend so much time wondering if everyone else is going to like what I've done anymore. If I like it, then it works!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Nester has done more for renters who want to love their spaces than she might ever realize. The old sayings that 'home is where you hang your hat' OR 'home is where you hang your heart' are so true.

      I'm with you, Alecia. Let's hear it for nesting right where we are ...

      ;-}

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  5. How resourceful!! I love using things for what they are not intended for. And paint, why do I not ever think of that??!! It's so cheap and just changes the whole dynamic of a room. Maybe this winter I will invest in some myself..........

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenn's sister's been 'painting good wood' in recent days! I can't wait to see how her project's going ... and hope to share her fun story and brave task with you sometime next week!

      ;-}

      Delete
  6. She did a fantastic job! And for under $100- wow! That book is truly inspiring as is this new living room by your beautiful daughter. I completely agree with you about the paint color around the TV- it is perfect and really sets the tone of the room.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so right, Candace ... that book's an inspiring little guide. Sometimes all we need is someone giving us permission to do what we've been dying to do inside ... to say, 'YES, GO FOR IT!'

      It's so good to see you again here!

      ;-}

      Delete
  7. Decorating is one the things that I love about the fall season and it looks like Jenn was just bursting with inspiration, Linda! I love the soothing colors too and I'm a sucker for a beautiful fireplace flanked by gorgeous shelves. Very inspirational, my friend! I hope you are doing well. Your words of encouragement are like a balm for my soul, girlfriend! I promise to get back to those Sunday morning chats with you in mind, of course! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Readers - be sure to head over to Beth's place ... on Sundays she shares a bit of a video conversation with us on all things marriage. Not to be missed. Truly!

      I'm a big fan ...

      ;-}

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  8. What subtle changes!! Yet, they make the room look brand new!! beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes it doesn't take much, does it ...

      Subtle can be a very good thing!

      ;-}

      Delete
  9. Hi Linda! How proud you must be of your daughter! Talented and frugal! (Your grandchildren are so cute too.) I love the room, and the brick fireplace too. So cozy. She wanted a place of rest and relaxation, and she got it. Hope you can take advantage of it soon.
    Always in my heart,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fireplace season is upon us. I'm ready ... the evenings are cool now, even though warm days are still slipping under the radar. Before long it'll be all about coats and gloves.

      I love where we are right now!

      ;-}

      Delete

Welcome to the table, friend!

This is where we gather and hang out. I'd love for you to pull up a chair and jump right into the conversation. Or simply say 'hello.'

l'll be dropping in to visit you sometime soon ...

Linda

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