Dark gray accent wall

<p>Hello everybody! It is beautiful outside and I’m SO excited about the project I finished up this weekend! I’ve been planning it for some time now and I finally bit the bullet and got it done over Saturday and Sunday. </p> <p>This one was all about the long wall behind our bed in the master. It’s looked like this for some time now, about nine months: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X1tSAMme0-4/UzmTT0lB9yI/AAAAAAAAmZ8/myB7mdDdPpU/s1600-h/IMG_6097%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="light gray bedroom" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_riX33rmgl4/UzmTWId0QtI/AAAAAAAAmaE/FF88aTB_ZKM/IMG_6097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="light gray bedroom" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I painted it before we got our new bed and I installed the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-tufted-headboard-tutorial.html" target="_blank">DIY headboard</a> last summer. I was in such a rush to get it done I didn’t even cut in at the ceiling or the baseboards. And it sat. </p> <p>I was telling a friend the other day that know when I’m not sure about a project when I let it sit for months. I’m talking six months to a year, or even years, like the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/powder-room-redo-complete.html" target="_blank">powder room</a>. If I’m loving the direction it’s going I’m pretty good at making it happen fairly quickly. (Granted, quickly in my time is still pretty slow.) </p> <p>So I knew within a few months that I wasn’t feeling the light color on that wall, or I would have finished it up. I told you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/dark-or-light-side.html" target="_blank">here</a> how I was waffling between a dark or light bedroom – I love both! And I finally figured out how to make both happen. :) </p> <p>I had been thinking of how to make that wall a little more dramatic and had a plan in mind. Then it was solidified when I saw Sarah’s wall in <a href="http://www.lifeonvirginiastreet.com/2013/09/office-sneak-peak.html" target="_blank">her office</a>. Her dark wall was so striking, I loved it!</p> <p>So that’s what I did. I was at the fancy mall a few months ago and the wall behind the cashier at Pottery Barn was a beautiful dark gray – I asked what it was and that’s when I knew Peppercorn was the color I would use: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hFNEGVyMyfI/UzmTW5tc1yI/AAAAAAAAmaI/7xaKWUCw-Ho/s1600-h/Screen%252520Shot%2525202014-03-31%252520at%25252011.22.26%252520AM%25255B2%25255D.png"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="peppercorn sherwin williams" border="0" height="472" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6kdeUuUc-BQ/UzmTXmchjvI/AAAAAAAAmaU/FtHnqNP7yj4/Screen%252520Shot%2525202014-03-31%252520at%25252011.22.26%252520AM_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="peppercorn sherwin williams" width="466" /></a></p> <p>I got the swatch a couple months ago and checked it in the room – it matched the dark gray in the rug perfectly and the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/10/quick-mantel-redo.html" target="_blank">new mirror</a> over the fireplace too. It was meant to be!</p> <p>I started by painting the wall Saturday – no cutting in needed, my favorite!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-liI9ca4egKo/UzmTYleGwMI/AAAAAAAAmac/Fa6psbmYVKU/s1600-h/gray%252520paint%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark accent wall behind bed" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M2Oh0dmhQCE/UzmTZWivr3I/AAAAAAAAmag/-s0QZVN8UrE/gray%252520paint_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark accent wall behind bed" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I had this mixed in an eggshell finish – I love a dark color in a matte finish but I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll see every little scuff and want to be able to wipe it easily. </p> <p>After the wall was painted I moved on to the trim work. I used simple mdf boards from Lowe’s – they come primed white. I got 13 boards so the total cost was around $80. I go back and forth on painting before installation and this time I did: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sa1nRlmMQpo/UzmTaf9uduI/AAAAAAAAmas/hnphaH5EwzQ/s1600-h/painting%252520boards%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painting boards" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J0qQ_279jhg/UzmTbYd0u0I/AAAAAAAAma0/slwpODL1oGY/painting%252520boards_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="painting boards" width="500" /></a></p> <p>But I’ve decided I still think it’s easier to just paint it all after the fact. You have to spackle all the holes and gaps and even though I tint it with the paint color, you still have to sand/wipe it down and then do at least one more coat after that: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-50mg0NKyJNc/UzmTcDLneeI/AAAAAAAAma8/IaDJB0Oj4Iw/s1600-h/spackle%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mitered corners" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mZKm9TY1iR8/UzmTcu-kUbI/AAAAAAAAmbE/x5XowBrWH5s/spackle_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mitered corners" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And eventually I’ll probably caulk this whole wall (I haven’t yet) and I’ll have to paint over that too. So, I think I’ll always be a paint-after-install girl. :) </p> <p>I did a “frame” around the whole wall – mitering the corners like you see above. Then I did a board and batten look on the rest of the wall: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6pZsZKF2A78/UzmTd8B9FpI/AAAAAAAAmbM/SbAk2x94AKw/s1600-h/IMG_8768%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray board and batten" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aYSCT94TFo8/UzmTeSnMWCI/AAAAAAAAmbQ/yf4ydjZjT4Y/IMG_8768_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gray board and batten" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And <em>I LOVE IT</em>. </p> <p>Like, stand in the room and stare at it, LOVE. My husband can't stop talking about it too, that’s when I know it’s a home run for us. :)</p> <p>It is just perfect as an accent in this room. The headboard pops off of it even more than with the lighter color and even the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/09/glossy-navy-blue-love.html" target="_blank">navy blue lamps</a> still look good: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zd5uvKOkXIQ/UzmTfP5aI6I/AAAAAAAAmbc/-DT4wFC5ImQ/s1600-h/IMG_8772%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark wall behind bed" border="0" height="738" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MSxqXoKK4vY/UzmTgLyHfmI/AAAAAAAAmbk/NHIYAnOBP4s/IMG_8772_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark wall behind bed" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I never ever take pictures at night but I couldn’t resist – it looks so good during the day but I think I love it even more at night:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qLiGEZAthNA/UzmTg4T9TkI/AAAAAAAAmbs/5-pvqTtzcAs/s1600-h/IMG_8778%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark gray wall, wall trim " border="0" height="750" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oYz7hcKP9q8/UzmTjHzYThI/AAAAAAAAmb0/gN7Epk3Iwx0/IMG_8778_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark gray wall, wall trim " width="500" /></a></p> <p>You can see above that the other three walls are still their original color – that’s the next step. They will be that light gray that was on the bed wall soon – as soon as I get the ladder and extender paint pole out. :) I’m SO excited about how this room is coming together now, I’m thrilled with it. </p> <p>This is how it looks during the day: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XXvNopaHiqY/UzmTj059SjI/AAAAAAAAmb8/_HMQtEmleAs/s1600-h/IMG_8782%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark wall board and batten" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WRyw7HA_eqA/UzmTkQlKrdI/AAAAAAAAmcE/b9uvohDEYF4/IMG_8782_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark wall board and batten" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I still have to touch up smudges on the ceiling too, so ignore those. :) I couldn’t decide if I wanted to paint the base the same color as the wall, but I like it as is. </p> <p>I planned the two segments on the wall so I could clear the headboard. I’m considering adding another line of the boards to make a third (bottom) segment – but I’m not sure. If I do it will mess with the headboard so I think I’m just leaving it:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R6fD4uHnTUY/UzmTlfj2TnI/AAAAAAAAmcI/7jEk7NYWkbg/s1600-h/IMG_8784%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="peppercorn sherwin williams" border="0" height="323" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6GoazNtR1LI/UzmTmKgk64I/AAAAAAAAmcU/g15oojZz5kI/IMG_8784_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="peppercorn sherwin williams" width="550" /></a></p> <p>It truly makes that wall a focal point now, which is what I think the room needed. Love it so much. </p> <p>This room is really coming together now but there’s still a lot I want to do! The priority is to finally get the rest of those walls done – two coats on each wall which is going to be SUPER FUN. :) </p> <p>Do you prefer a light or dark bedroom? I think when I’m done this will be a good mix of both. I especially love the board and batten look in this dark color – have you ever done something similar in a dark paint? </p> <p>We’re off for spring break this week so I’ll be taking a few days to be with my family – I’ll be back Friday with a quick little DIY project for the closet! That’s another space I’m excited about! Have a lovely, warm(?), safe week! </p>

Dark gray accent wall

Hello everybody! It is beautiful outside and I’m SO excited about the project I finished up this weekend! I’ve been planning it for some tim...

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Meatloaf Cupcakes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLdvN9HCnLk/UzX7R5iuTfI/AAAAAAAACMI/SwuTpPRW-b0/s1600/meatloaf+cupcakes+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="meatloaf recipe, meatloaf cupcakes, meatloaf, mashed potatoes" border="0" height="317" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLdvN9HCnLk/UzX7R5iuTfI/AAAAAAAACMI/SwuTpPRW-b0/s1600/meatloaf+cupcakes+5.jpg" title="" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyone hungry?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Me too! I'm always hungry! But in my house, it's difficult to come up with something everyone will eat. Big A is meat and potatoes all the way. I like most anything, but generally a seafood person. The two teenagers eat most everything, but they eat A LOT. And the little five year old is picky with a capital P, and suspicious of everything I cook. It's a challenge. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BUT, these Meatloaf cupcakes are a huge hit with my family. Everyone likes them, <i>and </i>they're filling. (And, I have seafood on nights out!) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The're the perfect family dinner. (Admittedly, this recipe may not be featured on the menu at The Ritz, and I'm pretty sure it's not in any of Gordon Ramsey's cookbooks. However, it will make your family very, very happy.) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, they're a cute shape, and you "frost" them with mashed potatoes - adorable. But the real treat is that they're delicious! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can use your favorite meatloaf and mashed potato recipes, <i>OR</i>, try </span>my recipes. (P<span style="font-family: inherit;">retty please with a cherry on top! They are so good!) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Either way, make up a batch of mashed potatoes. Make some meatloaf mix. And put together a really fun and easy dinner! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are my recipes: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Best Meatloaf </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 slices white bread</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;">1/2 cup buttermilk</span><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;">1/2 lb ground pork</span><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;">3/4 lb 85% lean ground beef</span><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;">1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated or 1/4 cup Romano cheese</span><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;">1 egg, beaten</span><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;">2 garlic cloves, minced</span><br style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; outline: 0px; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;">2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Tear up the bread and add the buttermilk and beaten egg. Let the bread soak up the egg and milk for a few minutes.. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Add all other ingredients and mix well.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Take handfuls and make meatballs that will fit in the muffin tin. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Press one large meatball in each hole. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">(Never roll meatballs too much. You want them kind of "lose"). </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">NOW, Pipe your mashed potatoes on each cupcake.  (Scroll down for the best mashed potato recipe!) </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">Bake at 350f for 1 hour. </span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KaBYuzIFJGs/UzX7Q3oXW5I/AAAAAAAACL4/vQ_r8MfHDKY/s1600/Meatloaf+Cupcakes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="meatloaf recipe, meatloaf cupcakes, meatloaf, mashed potatoes" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KaBYuzIFJGs/UzX7Q3oXW5I/AAAAAAAACL4/vQ_r8MfHDKY/s1600/Meatloaf+Cupcakes+2.jpg" title="" width="212" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbzsUW0WeD0/UzX7QUoKUhI/AAAAAAAACLw/ukKTAiRki5c/s1600/meatloaf+cupcakes+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="meatloaf recipe, meatloaf cupcakes, meatloaf, mashed potatoes" border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbzsUW0WeD0/UzX7QUoKUhI/AAAAAAAACLw/ukKTAiRki5c/s1600/meatloaf+cupcakes+3.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CfkOq9w2Fk/UzX7QQ0aVqI/AAAAAAAACLs/3kQZ-pbpA9c/s1600/Meatloaf+Cupcakes+1+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="meatloaf recipe, meatloaf cupcakes, meatloaf, mashed potatoes" border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_CfkOq9w2Fk/UzX7QQ0aVqI/AAAAAAAACLs/3kQZ-pbpA9c/s1600/Meatloaf+Cupcakes+1+.jpg" title="" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Super Good Mashed Potatoes</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">8 medium potatoes</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;">1 cup sour cream</span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">8 ounces cream cheese, room temp</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">4 tablespoons butter, room temp</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup chives</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 teaspoons salt</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 teaspoon pepper</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">2 garlic cloves, minced</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1 1/2 teaspoons onion flakes</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">1/2-1 cup thinly sliced green onion</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">bacon bits or 2 slices cooked crumpled bacon</div></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 22.100000381469727px;"><div style="text-align: center;">milk (add just enough to make them the right consistency)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Peel and cut up the potatoes. I make them all the same size, usually in fourths. You don't have to be too accurate, just eye-ball it! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Put them in cold water and bring to a boil. Boil for about 30 minutes. I take a fork and stab a potato at this point, if it slides off the fork, it's done. If not, give it a few more minutes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When you have sliding potatoes (!), they're done, so drain 'em. Pop them back in the pan and mash with a potato masher (not a mixer). Add all other ingredients and stir.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If using as meatloaf cupcake frosting, put the potatoes in a pastry bag or, in my case, a gallon Ziploc. Cut the corner and "Pipe" the potatoes on top of each cupcake.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4FcEu-Guyn4/UzX7Rg_zoCI/AAAAAAAACMA/kYo3q0SiYMc/s1600/meatloaf+cupcakes+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="meatloaf recipe, meatloaf cupcakes, meatloaf, mashed potatoes" border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4FcEu-Guyn4/UzX7Rg_zoCI/AAAAAAAACMA/kYo3q0SiYMc/s1600/meatloaf+cupcakes+4.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again, bake at 350f for 1 hour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are pretty messy, so it's a good idea to put a large cookie sheet in the bottom of your oven if the meat juices bubble over. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The mashed potato recipe makes a LOT! Save the leftovers for another day! I freeze mine, and they're just fine to use after a few weeks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let me know if you try them. I'd love hearing from you! I'd also love for you to follow along on FB, Pinterest, OR </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) </span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">If you would like to join in some fun link parties, head on over <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/p/link-parties_11.html">HERE</a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />

Meatloaf Cupcakes

Anyone hungry? Me too! I'm always hungry! But in my house, it's difficult to come up with something everyone will eat. Big A is meat...

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Showing off Michelle!

<p>Hello and happy Friday! It’s spring break for us as well, whoot! It’s actually warming up just a bit, right on time. I’m looking forward to spending time with my boys and perhaps working outside a little. We’ll see about that last bit. :) </p> <p>I’m highlighting another fabulous blogger today, this time Michelle from <a href="http://ironandtwine.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Iron & Twine</a>! Her home is just lovely and homey and so pretty, I know you will love it! </p> <p>Her <a href="http://ironandtwine.blogspot.com/p/living-room.html" target="_blank">living room</a> is beautiful – love the mix of the colorful pillows and the neutral walls and furniture. It’s filled with personal touches too: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3o3gGBB8Dsw/UzWaRdgrMZI/AAAAAAAAmYU/rsDJQ-4JuBs/s1600-h/ironandtwine1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="neutral living room" border="0" height="412" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fZxjNHqSJyY/UzWaTJP582I/AAAAAAAAmYc/ynlFL9CZtN8/ironandtwine1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="neutral living room" width="550" /></a></p> <p>Everything works so well together, right? So well done. </p> <p>I love her simple updates to regular items too – these were boring cardboard boxes before, and look what she turned them into!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6ME9mS87xNE/UzWaT_oc9UI/AAAAAAAAmYk/r6Q9TNOb6Kc/s1600-h/ironDIY%252520Belt%252520Handled%252520Box%25252C%252520DIY%252520fabric%252520covered%252520box%25252C%252520Iron%252520and%252520Twine%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="decorative boxes from cardboard" border="0" height="755" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RFyEiRorRvs/UzWaUq70sqI/AAAAAAAAmYs/r1UpEsvNQJI/ironDIY%252520Belt%252520Handled%252520Box%25252C%252520DIY%252520fabric%252520covered%252520box%25252C%252520Iron%252520and%252520Twine%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="decorative boxes from cardboard" width="500" /></a></p> <p>You can find the how-to <a href="http://ironandtwine.blogspot.com/2014/02/diy-belt-strap-bins.html" target="_blank">here</a>. So many possibilities with that project!</p> <p>Her <a href="http://ironandtwine.blogspot.com/2013/12/our-almost-finished-kitchen-makeover.html" target="_blank">kitchen has been transformed</a> with basics like lighting and paint – check out the before: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ghZWXsU44sQ/UzWaVc0711I/AAAAAAAAmYw/DIfqKyELULo/s1600-h/ironKitchen%252520Before%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painting kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jW9DvhSzt7U/UzWaWCqJZhI/AAAAAAAAmY8/2uHMV5KUBdk/ironKitchen%252520Before_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="painting kitchen cabinets" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And the after!: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DzV2IpHhCvA/UzWaWnyG_0I/AAAAAAAAmZE/4Kb7kvvSsEQ/s1600-h/iron%252520after%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painted kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="412" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WUGeGkw8HvM/UzWaXbpuYHI/AAAAAAAAmZM/POvHUnalc_k/iron%252520after_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="painted kitchen cabinets" width="550" /></a></p> <p>I have been doing this blogging thing for a long time and I am always amazed at the power of paint!</p> <p>Her <a href="http://ironandtwine.blogspot.com/2013/01/ikea-expedit.html" target="_blank">IKEA Expedit project</a> was so simple but brilliant!: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-66nlAeG717M/UzWaYPmHByI/AAAAAAAAmZU/De9o3ZLtV0A/s1600-h/ironIkea%252520Expedit%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ikea expedit chalkboard" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9GNQIrBHolc/UzWaYvRWzSI/AAAAAAAAmZc/_oH4V0jWm4E/ironIkea%252520Expedit_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ikea expedit chalkboard" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This corner is now the ultimate organized space – love it! </p> <p>And her <a href="http://ironandtwine.blogspot.com/2014/01/studio-reveal.html" target="_blank">mud room/studio</a> had me drooling – it looks like a beautiful antique store, right?:</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--CzqT81izMg/UzWaZbOHeeI/AAAAAAAAmZk/TjbCZz_7dH8/s1600-h/Iron%252520%252526%252520Twine%252520Studio%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="pegboard walls" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bOFWVsdZpro/UzWaaDowzSI/AAAAAAAAmZo/ftBqe7AMXY8/Iron%252520%252526%252520Twine%252520Studio%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pegboard walls" width="550" /></a></p> <p>I love how Michelle effortlessly combines the old and new to create such beautiful spaces. Be sure to check out more of her lovely home <a href="http://ironandtwine.blogspot.com" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> <p>Have a great weekend my friends! I’ve got a couple of DIY projects in mind – one big and one small. Hoping to get both accomplished. :) </p> <p> </p> <p>P.S. I have the Pin It button installed but I ask that you visit Michelle’s site to pin any of these images. </p>

Showing off Michelle!

Hello and happy Friday! It’s spring break for us as well, whoot! It’s actually warming up just a bit, right on time. I’m looking forward to ...

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The family room sectional

<p>First of all, THANKS for all the thoughts on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-room-youve-never-seen.html" target="_blank">bathroom ideas</a> I shared earlier this week! Many of you with multiple kids mentioned our type of bathroom is a Godsend, which I can totally get. And I was so excited so many of you mentioned the solar tube skylights – I’ve been wanting to put those in our master bathroom for YEARS. I didn’t even think of them for that room so I’ll have to compare the costs of doing that and the window. And for some reason I thought you had to get them online but I saw them at Lowe’s yesterday – I’m so happy to hear they’ve worked well for so many of you!</p> <p>OK, next topic. :) I mentioned in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/02/our-paint-colors.html" target="_blank">paint colors post</a> that question I get the most is about the color of our family room. A pretty close second is about our sectional we purchased a few years ago: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QhaTzbgnDtE/UzRORLllGBI/AAAAAAAAmU0/Jhhc5T8a7Xk/s1600-h/IMG_8735%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sectional sofa " border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dpQaISKbQZ8/UzROSeIVt2I/AAAAAAAAmU8/8Fn0seadGhM/IMG_8735_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="sectional sofa " width="500" /></a></p> <p>This is it for “real” – pillows smushed and back cushions smashed. </p> <p>We got this sofa three years ago after <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/well-its-official-were-weird.html" target="_blank">paying off our massive debt</a>. It was our first big purchase that we paid cash for and it was a GREAT feeling. I searched for months to find the right, quality sectional that would fit this room. We ended up with the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/04/sofa-search-update.html" target="_blank">Lansbury sectional</a> from Arhaus and we LOVE IT. It rocks my world, still. </p> <p>Many have asked how it’s held up and how the cushions do and that photo above shows that, yes, the back cushions do get smashed: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uRieACe8a1Y/UzROTQ9lDFI/AAAAAAAAmVE/Wx9jGKtbbt4/s1600-h/IMG_8737%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="366" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uOqliwU-hNY/UzROUki_FWI/AAAAAAAAmVM/WGO4fP5odQs/IMG_8737_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="550" /></a></p> <p><strike>Mostly</strike> totally because of this guy: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cA-FGbMlEqk/UzROVf9Z93I/AAAAAAAAmVU/U3cG9M4JqUQ/s1600-h/IMG_8740%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1k0j4N4mJoo/UzROWJB46eI/AAAAAAAAmVc/mqvFZPcASEM/IMG_8740_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s rare that he sleeps ON the seat cushions and not the back. </p> <p>As you can see above they do get pushed out of shape: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IDjee3DH8bc/UzROXIYDoII/AAAAAAAAmVg/22gzam0jRFk/s1600-h/IMG_8743%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fluffing up couch cushions" border="0" height="360" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PdrAByQpVmE/UzROYHj8IcI/AAAAAAAAmVs/otIOHlZpBfQ/IMG_8743_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="fluffing up couch cushions" width="500" /></a></p> <p>But thankfully it only takes a few minutes to get them looking good again. I LOVE this about this sofa. </p> <p>I just put them on the floor and push my fists around on them to get them fluffed up again: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-igj654IXZ0U/UzROZM-PPVI/AAAAAAAAmV0/icD1MNxpsWs/s1600-h/IMG_8748%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fluffing up couch cushions" border="0" height="675" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZWU-ozgU2hs/UzROahd2xLI/AAAAAAAAmV8/JFvPrqhZslE/IMG_8748_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="fluffing up couch cushions" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I work the filling back into the areas that need it. It takes less than a minute to get each one fluffed up again. And honestly, I rarely do this. That level of smush is from about six months of the dog and cats walking and laying on the backs of the sofa. So it’s not something I do often. </p> <p>I am also in love with the fabric that we picked. I shied away from micro fabric, but when we were searching so many of you talked about how much you loved it. Our sofa is covered in micro denier, which is slightly different: <img alt="micro denier fabric " border="0" height="333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qhqCQ_P6smo/UzRObW50TmI/AAAAAAAAmWE/kgLnGiUuNyI/IMG_8758_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="micro denier fabric " width="500" /></p> <p>I’m not sure exactly what the technical differences are but I’ve noticed two differences as far as using it – it’s<em> incredibly</em> soft, seriously like bunny butt soft. And it doesn’t leave quite the shadows that the micro fabric does. You know, the light and dark when you wipe your hand over it? </p> <p>But this stuff is very much like microfiber in that it cleans up incredibly well. Every few months or so I’ll take a wet rag and just scrub any spots I see and they disappear. Here’s some frosting that I found, and how it looked right after I wiped it off:</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FrUG2OR4KZ4/UzROb7GL0RI/AAAAAAAAmWM/JX2GigyRTj4/s1600-h/IMG_8744%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="micro denier fabric " border="0" height="428" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TvQAm5GkyOw/UzROcmiyYsI/AAAAAAAAmWU/lNpZK0dYwKI/IMG_8744_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="micro denier fabric " width="285" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zTBdngGOSlk/UzROeNI_pPI/AAAAAAAAmWc/_43Q0Xk2dAM/s1600-h/IMG_8746%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="micro denier fabric " border="0" height="428" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zjeLMb4JdHQ/UzROe1L2RYI/AAAAAAAAmWk/4c2aLr1b0EE/IMG_8746_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="micro denier fabric " width="285" /></a>   </p> <p>I never use any cleaners or chemicals on it – there’s just no need. Plain water gets everything out. (Although I have had it cleaned a couple times when we’ve had the carpets done over the years.) We’ve not had any major spills like red wine, so I can’t speak to that. But liquids do tend to bead up and not soak in, so that helps. </p> <p>Also, our dog will occasionally “dig” at the cushions and so far we haven’t seen any damage from that. Also, the cats claws haven’t caused any issues either. It really is an incredible fabric and I would highly recommend it if you have animals or kids! </p> <p>So after about five minutes of punching and rolling the stuffing in the back cushions, they’re back to looking brand new again:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vKAPcjSQgt8/UzROfgAmn6I/AAAAAAAAmWs/uTn5NuT945M/s1600-h/IMG_8753%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="small sectional" border="0" height="366" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bCoQSwI3CwE/UzROgUXk3LI/AAAAAAAAmW0/ZCsNenMCBpk/IMG_8753_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="small sectional" width="550" /></a></p> <p>This sectional was probably our biggest furniture purchase ever – well, it was for one item. We spent just as much for a sofa and love seat (that obviously offer a bit more seating), but this one is easily the best purchase we’ve ever made. It will stand the test of time, I have no doubt in my mind. </p> <p>I wanted a quality piece that we wouldn’t have to change out for years and this is it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bmwjjPmpY0k/UzROhI3pskI/AAAAAAAAmW8/yjhEUvIb68o/s1600-h/IMG_8755%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="arhaus sectional lansbury" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vpZ842Y4lRg/UzROiUJpE8I/AAAAAAAAmXA/VU-i7Lm_8mY/IMG_8755_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="arhaus sectional lansbury" width="500" /></a></p> <p>When we were on the hunt for a new sectional many of you shared your experiences with different brands on <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/searching-for-sofa.html" target="_blank">this post</a> – check out the comments for some helpful info! At the time I was looking into Pottery Barn and IKEA as well. </p> <p>Do you have a sofa or sectional you love? Any you’ve had good or bad experiences with?</p>

The family room sectional

First of all, THANKS for all the thoughts on the bathroom ideas I shared earlier this week! Many of you with multiple kids mentioned our ty...

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Hand Painted Wooden Sign

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SSVB6W_umXo/UzGvPKDzVmI/AAAAAAAACJM/4TvQguASb5o/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand painted sign, western decor" border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SSVB6W_umXo/UzGvPKDzVmI/AAAAAAAACJM/4TvQguASb5o/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+5.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Flavor of the month: Western Decor. I love it. I want a little. Maybe a lot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But for now, I'm going to start with just a little of the Old West in my home, and see how it goes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are plenty of catalogues I love, selling very expensive (but beautiful, cozy and charming) Western themed decor. However, I thought, starting off slow, it's easiest to DIY a little bit of Western Decor, and see if I like it in my home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first thing on my list was to make a hand painted sign, and I found inspiration for this idea <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/western-decor-love.html">HERE </a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/M268HJ1G2OKDwcujQ-fBgh-UCP_HlNpvd8P5IyCHvBqfj-Cx3b9oO-yXeSuEZnq00euQ9eLL0J6kPllyL0OdL3sGRj5MUpyk7-uqxmrnVOnp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand painted sign, western decor" border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdclmd8ZW31r7w1p1o1_500.jpg" title="" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the words on this sign, but I wanted to lettering bigger and a little brighter. I searched around Pinterest for a free font that struck my fancy, and found one called "Nashville", which I then downloaded to Word. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, I pulled on my trust cowboy boots, and headed to our basement (yee haw!), where I searched for the perfect piece of wood, that would be the right length to hang above the coat closet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A length of scrap plywood fit the bill. It had a few dings and dents, but that's what I was looking for. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I painted the plywood black and waited until it was good and dry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I waited, I typed in the words <i>BOOTS, CHAPS AND COWBOY HATS</i> in the font "Nashville" and printed them off. I used the font size 200 to make the letters extra, extra large. I then cut out the letters and traced them onto the wood with pencil. (All of this because I stink at eyeballing letters).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wN7kh_r0Hlg/UzGvLmcdl-I/AAAAAAAACI4/in0WkfViUHA/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand painted sign, western decor" border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wN7kh_r0Hlg/UzGvLmcdl-I/AAAAAAAACI4/in0WkfViUHA/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+2.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then filled the letters with white paint. (I didn't have the right sized paint brush so I used on old make-up brush!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHDVGo-GCVs/UzG1nSLa7oI/AAAAAAAACJs/5zJrQ5Uj-kg/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand painted sign, western decor" border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHDVGo-GCVs/UzG1nSLa7oI/AAAAAAAACJs/5zJrQ5Uj-kg/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign4.jpg" title="" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the paint was dry, I sanded the whole piece down with some sand paper, and  then a little steel wool, to try and age it a little bit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeR0vqpVdSM/UzGvPE19u7I/AAAAAAAACJQ/fcJiBMLjHa4/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand painted sign, western decor" border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeR0vqpVdSM/UzGvPE19u7I/AAAAAAAACJQ/fcJiBMLjHa4/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+6.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used my favorite method to hang the sign ~ pop tops and hot glue. (See <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/fun-bathroom-sign-wash-your-hands.html">HERE </a>for a little more detail) </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YRGJPWQJis/UzGvMBFI-OI/AAAAAAAACJA/fnwsvB9C4ps/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand painted sign, western decor" border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YRGJPWQJis/UzGvMBFI-OI/AAAAAAAACJA/fnwsvB9C4ps/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+3.jpg" title="" width="218" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And there you have it! Perfect for hanging above the coat closet! So far, I like a little Western! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SSVB6W_umXo/UzGvPKDzVmI/AAAAAAAACJM/4TvQguASb5o/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hand painted sign, western decor" border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SSVB6W_umXo/UzGvPKDzVmI/AAAAAAAACJM/4TvQguASb5o/s1600/western+cowboy+rustic+sign+5.jpg" title="" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Do you have any Western decor DIY's? Or are you a full-blown cowgirl or cowboy? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'd love hearing from you! I'd also love for you to follow along on FB, Pinterest, OR </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) </span></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;">If you would like to join in some fun link parties, head on over <a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/p/link-parties_11.html">HERE</a></span></i></div><br /><br /><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F25.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_mdclmd8ZW31r7w1p1o1_500.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/M268HJ1G2OKDwcujQ-fBgh-UCP_HlNpvd8P5IyCHvBqfj-Cx3b9oO-yXeSuEZnq00euQ9eLL0J6kPllyL0OdL3sGRj5MUpyk7-uqxmrnVOnp" -->

Hand Painted Wooden Sign

Flavor of the month: Western Decor. I love it. I want a little. Maybe a lot.  But for now, I'm going to start with just a little of the ...

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The room you’ve never seen

<p>Dun dun <em>dunnnnn</em>. That sounded a bit ominous right? </p> <p>I shared a bit of of this space back when I showed you how to <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-install-new-knobs.html" target="_blank">switch out your door knobs</a> but other than that I don’t think it’s a room I’ve ever shown on the blog. Mainly because I’ve hardly touched it for years now.</p> <p>But I’ve been planning some big changes to this space for the past year or so, so I figured it was time to share the current pics (and some of my plans!). I decorated this room about eight years ago now – I honestly can’t remember if I did this when I was pregnant with our boy or if I did it after, but either way it’s been awhile and it’s looked the same since. </p> <p>My stepdaughter also used this space for a long time and our guests use it too – I’m sure they appreciate the little touches I added. ;) This is one of those spaces that is not at all what I would do now but I’m proud of it and it brings back really sweet memories. It was done early on, just a couple years after moving into our home and every bit of it was done with love. (All of the rooms in our house are but the kid’s spaces give my heart that extra tug.)</p> <p>I painted the walls a pretty yellow and the ceiling the same blue as the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/big%20boy%20room" target="_blank">Bub’s room</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ku1AnVw51L8/UzGkVZeGoXI/AAAAAAAAmP8/ZZRRfJ-zm74/s1600-h/IMG_8733%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="780" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1iYGs5Doh5s/UzGkWqNZFdI/AAAAAAAAmQE/a9kVgYaK1q4/IMG_8733_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="445" /></a></p> <p>Bear with me on the lighting in here – it’s pretty horrible and the yellow walls don’t help. More on that later. :) </p> <p>I installed the crown molding – the “cheater” way I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/05/cheater-crown-molding.html" target="_blank">here</a> – and a wall of beadboard as well: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xToowDf-tvk/UzGkXydvsTI/AAAAAAAAmQI/ojMEDXuFY-M/s1600-h/IMG_8725%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9vIK22OWkIw/UzGkYVosZNI/AAAAAAAAmQU/byuVA4vuj3Y/IMG_8725_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a>No idea why I stopped with the one wall. I must have gotten tired. </p> <p>I framed out the mirror with wood trim and went a little stencil crazy: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qep3yOXlBFA/UzGkaqhzEkI/AAAAAAAAmQY/COTbf4cSLbw/s1600-h/IMG_8729%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EUgf8XCR6U0/UzGkbmXkrKI/AAAAAAAAmQg/nX66fmXR7nI/IMG_8729_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dm_YPTI8MoA/UzGkcQjmAoI/AAAAAAAAmQo/Z2PeZrvYDJI/s1600-h/IMG_8726%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pt3aF4qUJPA/UzGkdaN1-PI/AAAAAAAAmQ0/qUtLb6Ty3Vk/IMG_8726_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="" width="290" /></a></p> <p>For a long time there was a little Goodwill medicine cabinet where the “E” is now but I replaced it about a year ago. I think that’s the one update I’ve made in all these years. </p> <p>I added little touches like a little DIY towel hook and some letters in the shower room with what are supposed to be bubbles on them but have always looked like paw prints: </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PXqaB2OXapY/UzGkegNX8-I/AAAAAAAAmQ4/jEox-_L4Wvc/s1600-h/IMG_8731%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kid bathroom towel hooks" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KhfUGFGga7Q/UzGkfzaAhvI/AAAAAAAAmRE/wUjQeI3lLE4/IMG_8731_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="kid bathroom towel hooks" width="290" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1IxgX1U60Nc/UzGkg7Di3ZI/AAAAAAAAmRM/zq8Ie5lTZsY/s1600-h/IMG_8723%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kid bathroom art" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_7xEM-h7-Ts/UzGki37NaRI/AAAAAAAAmRU/Xq_LYQ0AujU/IMG_8723_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="kid bathroom art" width="290" /></a></p> <p>But there’s a big issue with this bathroom that I thought I would love at first. The whole separation thing – one “room” with the vanity and one with the toilet and shower – has not worked out well. </p> <p>In fact, it drives me a little crazy. :) This isn’t a small bathroom (not very wide but it is long) but it feels SO tight because it’s broken into two spaces. That back room with the shower is so dark and small, we pretty much hate being in there: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-exWMM-SRp1c/UzGkjrXC-uI/AAAAAAAAmRc/4EfpL5r3VVs/s1600-h/IMG_8730%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="791" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ts2AfYYe-GQ/UzGkkidjg0I/AAAAAAAAmRk/Iy86TjCcFxk/IMG_8730_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="474" /></a></p> <p>I thought the separated rooms was so unique when we built the house, but within months I was cursing it. </p> <p>So…I have a plan. The easy stuff first! I want to do one of two things to the vanity area -- cut down the countertop and place a tall, painted hutch or something similar there for storage. Or extend the vanity and make it twice as big. As of a couple years ago our cabinet design was still being produced, so I could just add on to the ones that are there. We chose one sink when we built and only need one – but for resale (someday, long time from now) I think adding another one may be worth it. I just need to see how much of a pain that would be. </p> <p>One thing I know – I’ve wanted to paint the cabinets a navy blue for some time now, and <a href="http://www.twodelighted.com/2012/02/20/my-painted-bathroom-vanity-before-and-after/#.UzGT7VzgVuY" target="_blank">Megan’s vanity</a> convinced me: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DggMo_78WAA/UzGklTS1dpI/AAAAAAAAmRo/stWTq1sXC0c/s1600-h/Vanity-111%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="navy blue vanity" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lDpv0eruGS8/UzGkmBcrW4I/AAAAAAAAmR0/U1LLIlJ2BGs/Vanity-111_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navy blue vanity" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.ca/2013/08/bathroom-makeover-week-reveal.html" target="_blank">Jen’s navy blue</a> looks great too, I’m pretty sure this is the direction I’ll go: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-69V3_5X_M8w/UzGkmygS3kI/AAAAAAAAmR8/yAh7Eon0vRI/s1600-h/DIYBathroomMakeoverReveal35%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="navy blue vanity" border="0" height="720" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CkI-0qsaWR8/UzGko1yBeqI/AAAAAAAAmSE/ybYl6_rxvTA/DIYBathroomMakeoverReveal35_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navy blue vanity" width="480" /></a></p> <p>I also considered a kelly green, but I think the dark blue is calling my name. :) </p> <p>I want the vinyl floors gone and right now I’m planning on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-pick-out-tile-in-laundry-room.html" target="_blank">laundry room tile</a> instead: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7uVta0Mn8Ao/UzGkp8ZaIQI/AAAAAAAAmSM/bXLP2inZqzk/s1600-h/IMG_6986%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="IMG_6986" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L8pVjlIHMGY/UzGkqqza_PI/AAAAAAAAmSQ/QPyg4V3XZp0/IMG_6986_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6986" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It was crazy affordable and I LOVE how it looks. </p> <p>Of course the wall color will change, but I have no idea what it will be just yet. </p> <p>But there’s a couple biggies I’d like to add too. One is a window above the shower. I know windows and showers don’t always mix, but I’m thinking a long, skinny one well above the shower, just to allow some natural light in this space. That back area especially is so dark and dreary. Are windows near showers asking for trouble? </p> <p>And THEN…about a year ago I saw this photo in This Old House and I haven’t gotten it out of my head since: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eL6assPN2gU/UzGkrV75K_I/AAAAAAAAmSc/0Z2dmTCuZdc/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="taking down wall in bathroom" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FUBEomJs5JQ/UzGksWcZeII/AAAAAAAAmSk/qsdyjULpjL0/unnamed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="taking down wall in bathroom" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s hard to tell from the little before photo, but it was a similar set up as ours. This bathroom is much wider than ours, but the idea is the same. They took down the wall between the two rooms and opened it up – LOVE it. I like that this one shows the difference taking down that wall made without adding a window too – maybe we wouldn’t add one? (Adding a window is a big deal, at least it seems like it.)</p> <p>And then I saw <a href="http://www.houzz.com/discussions/898764/1972-bath-makeover" target="_blank">this bathroom at Houzz</a> the other day and it made me even more determined to take down that wall: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yq0TZZjigKk/UzGktO6_zyI/AAAAAAAAmSo/X0illmaRkG0/s1600-h/23625bdf0327b5ad_1346-w282-h376-b0-p0--home-design%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="taking down wall in bathroom" border="0" height="380" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_1YseIJzl_k/UzGkt4HsBnI/AAAAAAAAmSw/VIlr4r2X8uc/23625bdf0327b5ad_1346-w282-h376-b0-p0--home-design_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="taking down wall in bathroom" width="285" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xn22ek43wrY/UzGkuckc1mI/AAAAAAAAmS4/MgFO3gXnapY/s1600-h/8a0268520327b5b3_1352-w282-h376-b0-p0--home-design%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="taking down wall in bathroom" border="0" height="387" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kzMf6yPgsNg/UzGkvKCSc1I/AAAAAAAAmS8/FF-bEE6ym5U/8a0268520327b5b3_1352-w282-h376-b0-p0--home-design_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="taking down wall in bathroom" width="290" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I can’t even believe the difference it makes! That bath is a very similar size as ours and it looks twice as big without that wall. </p> <p>I’ve ALWAYS wanted to knock down a wall in our house. I blame the DIY Network. This may be my chance to do just that! I’m giddy at the thought. :)</p> <p>For the most part I’ve not focused on the rooms in our home that are supposed to bring more value – the kitchen and bathrooms. I’ve had big plans for our kitchen for awhile but I don’t know when it will happen, and our bathroom is totally functional so I’ve never made it a priority. And I know it will not be cheap! But I’m starting to get an itch to update these spaces – I think it must be the ten year itch. :) </p> <p>Do you have a separated bathroom like ours? Do you love it or hate it? Any windows in the shower people who want to chime in? </p> <p> </p> <p>P.S. The pin it button is now on all of my photos but I ask you visit the original source to pin from there. </p>

The room you’ve never seen

Dun dun dunnnnn . That sounded a bit ominous right? I shared a bit of of this space back when I showed you how to switch out your door kno...

Read more »