Makeover
Vintage-Inspired Storage Box
A long time and three states ago we bought a 10-ft. artificial Christmas tree. It was the display model. Here’s a warning. Christmas tree display models do not come with a box. You’re going to have your very own National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation moment getting it home. Image Source: A Pilgrim In Narnia To give you something else to think about, once the Christmas tree is out of the box (literally) it never stores nicely again. For the 49 weeks per year when we weren’t using the tree, we wrapped it in a tarp and shoved it under the stairs in our basement. That didn’t look serial killer-ish or anything. Eventually we finished…
IKEA Lamp Hack
On Monday I showed you pictures of my new headboard. It took me a fair amount of time to work up the gumption to show you pictures of where I sleep. It’s a little creepy. Point of clarification: You aren’t creepy, it’s the internet creeper that’s creepy. You are freaking amazing and I’m glad you are here. Anyway, I’m slightly neurotic (I’m sure you couldn’t tell) and posting pictures of my bed meant I had to iron my pillowcases and the part of the flat sheet that would be visible. Oh, and the duvet cover. I’m pretty sure I cleaned my oven too. So, yeah. That was a pain in the butt.…
Barstool Make Under
Maybe you remember 137 years ago when I posted this photo? It was more like 3 weeks ago, but who’s counting? That was a chalk paint fail. I was trying to make over these barstools, which I loved 8 years ago. What do I feel now? Definitely not love, but I don’t detest them. That would require too much energy. The wood base was actually in good shape on all three of the stools. The faux leather tops, however, were looking like they’d been mauled by a pack of animals used by small children for the past 8 years. The barstools had admirably served their purpose, but it was time for them to go.…
Step Stool (from High School Shop Class) Makeover Part 2
We have two step stools that were made during high school shop class. Anyone else have such a treasure? After all these years, the stools are still super sturdy. Education for the win! I made over the first stool last year, but the second stool was still in dire need of a refresh. As you can see, it has been lovingly cared for for many years. I decided to makeover the stool using natural wood and stained wood. That’s how my thought processes start – very vague. While I was mulling the direction the makeover should go, I dived in and sanded the stool down with my Ridgid Sander. With the stool freshly sanded,…
Repairing Nicks and Scratches in Linoleum or Vinyl Flooring
If you were to play that game “which of these things don’t belong,” well, the flooring in our kitchen would definitely win the prize. It does not fit in with the gorgeous wood floors throughout the rest of the house. It is a big sheet of chipped, scratched, dinged and maybe-burned linoleum. I really have no idea what could have caused so much damage to one section of flooring. While this was not the overall ugliest linoleum I had ever lived with, it was certainly the most damaged. I couldn’t wait to tear it out. But then I couldn’t decide what to replace it with. So, I sat there staring at…
Lake House – First Glimpse
Well, we have been sleeping at the new house, sometimes referred to as the Lake House, for a week now. When we got the go-ahead to start moving in, we started bringing over stuff right away. Along with a rug, some side tables – you know, the important stuff – I also remembered the camera. Oh, and you know the other day when I couldn’t find the camera cord? Well, about that. Turns out I forgot that I don’t need a camera cord anymore. I can plug my memory card directly into my laptop. DOH! Clearly, my brain is juggling more than usual right now. This is the wall of windows in the…
Potting Shed, Part 2
Someone is ready for spring planting! Spoiler alert: It’s not me! Before the end of 2014, I posted about my stepmom’s new potting shed. By new, I mean they just built it, but most of the materials are salvaged or repurposed for the space. So, totally new, right? Ha! Isn’t it charming? Let’s go inside! The beam work you see on the outside of the building is carried through to the inside. I’m not the only one drooling over those beams, right? That sliding door sections off an area that will be used for storage. Fun fact! This wood door used to be the front door to our house before the home…
Step Stool (from High School Shop Class) Makeover
Did anyone take shop class in high school? I didn’t. I also did not take Home Economics. Coincidence? Eventually I did learn to cook (necessity for the win), but I still haven’t mastered power tools. My hubby took shop class, so thankfully someone around here is handy with the tools! So, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Somewhere around 1989, my hubby made this stool in shop class. Anyway, the poor thing was looking a little worse for wear (I’m master of the understatement), but man, that thing is sturdy. I give him an A+. I decided it was time to give this stool a little makeover. I bribed the…
Zero Gravity Chair Repair On The Cheap
We tend to keep things for a really long time. In this case, our two zero gravity lounge chairs have moved with us from Minnesota to Oregon to Georgia. That’s a lot of miles, baby! I’d guess that makes them 8 or 9 years old. While we do store our outdoor furniture indoors during the winter, 8 summers is still a long time to be exposed to the elements. And let’s face it, aging gracefully is hard to do. When you start to sag, sometimes your only option is to do a little nip, a little tuck… Ahem. We’re still talking about chairs, right? When we pulled the chairs out this summer, we…
Racing Trophy Display Door
My husband became a runner when he was 36 years old. Turns out, he’s really good at it. (I try not to hold that against him.) If you are new to the world of running, let me enlighten you. Some runners become so enthralled with the sport that they start running races. It keeps you motivated in your training and many runners even enjoy *gasp* these races. Crazy, I know. For every race you enter, you will receive a running bib with your number on it and for every race you complete you will usually earn a medal. Before long, you’ve got medals hanging from doorknobs (classy) and you’re looking for your checkbook in the junk…
