Thriifty Decor Chick: molding

Showing posts with label molding. Show all posts

Board and batten tutorial

Happy Friday! Hope you have a wonderful weekend planned -- even if that means laying on the couch watching Christmas movies, cause that sounds amazing. I’ll be doing the same for at least a little bit. :) I’m back today with a quick tutorial on a project I’ve shared a few times here on the old blog…but I don’t know that I’ve really shared the step by step. Maybe I have…I’m 1300+ posts in here so it gets fuzzy. But even if I have, it’s been awhile. So here you go – the simple board and batten tutorial for your walls. Mine have a little extra going on at the top and bottom but you can simplify that look to how you’d like it. We have a small wall between the bay window and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-new-back-door.html">new doors</a> that I couldn’t finish up till the doors went in. I decided to tackle it about four hours before we had 20 people arriving at our house last weekend. Perfect timing, duh! This is what I started with: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROxLzb2S9HdX6CEYBVmc4kQk7F052al9wD9DYhhkbu6hrIZX35afeSPLrkAhyphenhyphenDngA6NiX-lAgTEQI6Z_L0TZy5Goh1deKh4AAdamq6V7To8Gxji1HrhmBriBu2-Hkeve64kqwZYXlmYY/s1600-h/IMG_0639%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to install board and batten" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6H3Z0FlqVb8KNYEpyojJ3zwVYk3nsYitbS96amgEXXkhigEmQQuCsLWBUmJphmGmvsjsHOV_H6_fhPjm97mSLa-jCiwImLaqi8UqN_gugUrrMrJO7c0Wd3lvubJBbLwmkp0F0rCF9rU/?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="how to install board and batten" width="500" /></a> Now that I’ve done this a few times I always start at the top. The patches on the wall were from a speaker we didn’t need and a hole they had to make to run some electrical. These spots really need another coat of mud but I was tired of this area looking half way done…so they were painted. I’ll fix that later. :) This pic really shows the difference in the new and old paint by the way. The bottom is the Sisal we had up for ten years, the top is Analytical Gray that we’ve used throughout the main floor of our house. Here’s a close up of the top piece – it’s actually three pieces of wood/mdf: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfvwXfupsCZIkJ4ZQN8uBC8FDY8lPe5vDJHiv4ip8KP4ugPpVJBSD8HxfwGKSmIEhhwX726xBx4lVqemn1zbOShk2w3tWNFaTMmDtrxIu0cWXbb3HylB6ixOcwddwM87Q9ZfjvndMtlA/s1600-h/IMG_0761%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten trim details" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs1MpRd8NQ-PGc5-hxfP-cyq2wckDyVXKahZwIClWXS7KEarcv5wNKvHS62WA7DlEHD-QTNJAJVfjknJlcSvH8DEJFdG1PdTwAkxeGC3uByp56ZRjZ4UfwDvsn0GlnNsWwUGmOuqMINA/?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="board and batten trim details" width="500" /></a> The mdf is the main piece along the bottom, there’s a 1x2 on top (either wood or mdf – I usually use mdf but I was using what I had in my scrap pile) and then a small decorative trim piece in the corner those two create. I don’t always add that little trim – in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/Mud%20room">mud room</a> I did a similar topper and just left it without for a simpler look: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwN1CAbEQiCZzaCJtf3mU-2kg9KyKxDESZ-1R4ShdpU3vpKL9ZrPcMqACiHTZ-dV-L4t1Pzhz2U51QhoY3cpTxqh0QYALm2ElYqfhbaufi1XCqu2ZblbZEqfsguyNyJDmEdEnDkIbVQ4/s1600-h/IMG_8210%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="beadboard" border="0" height="671" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67326XBnWG4Xd9epyC-ar-_cpTiVexu_eUbPvKBfjYKc3M8J7a0yyM_tIkbjNAtod7kimYut7A26lewHb8fnjc96EN-d-vhG6GiVcZOixkRhMMtEZFeOp0KYXlURr66gN233RFo5p-0Q/?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="beadboard" width="500" /></a> Here’s a profile of how it comes together: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsrUv29Ps6BbGh94UxuOSaRw8Gu9y4nwJAhRAy2PbBMK2m8bZKlALaTUXhvXNurMVJH4x-bcxJCJOSbRDTCe8oZEZBDlFq5rvGs9lc_GNSpKtmqoT_zcOTu_c7dTCfX6ny16SrHfn0_A/s1600-h/IMG_0760%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten trim" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71ZxeFHubtO0O-7HrzXFKIwKdx6iXV_pDlqiNUh8597CBPFxF8hx7bVDcUjyElfGsPNyYIJUIpLkjdrqoKaRjC9CQt-wELcGDVSlLCdqGknsH5hEHhZMQfjy4WVPxfzvq-9YpZWABKlU/?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="board and batten trim" width="500" /></a> I haven’t touched it up yet, obviously. ;) You can do a nicer “return” at the end and most of the time I do that – but I’m not sure if I’m adding this trim around the bay window area with the window seat or not. So I just did a straight cut and I think that’s fine too. The bottom is a little more complicated – I did the office base like this and had to match the rest of the room to it when we took the wall down: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4L_XlplYpBgCMjioslrmmPLiI-bifwP2KQ2q0lfxXcqRVN1eoJZFQD3uTkz1Ay_PVJNYN_ZLN9aGwssjm7P3DGnlSkmjxZklcYjC2NQ8lIwx6eDnopmJ8mGShYNAhigrDambUAkQpm0/s1600-h/IMG_0762%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="covering baseboards" border="0" height="701" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDbywC0M7b7kG7PS-Hp3L2Wbjmx3gq2V3TrqvAucsJ4pwkD2asipGtwy0Ch0Xs9spv9SsY7mW6_P1FrfbTpYpY-XllLfWFGfvnR6rixJiKE6WVuwkQbPuWG88lCrvDeZpoYag01y0lFQ/?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="covering baseboards" width="500" /></a> I did it this way because our original baseboards are so impossible to remove – so I just cover them up. I shared how I’ve done this with a simpler look <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/03/beefing-up-baseboards.html">here</a>. Here the guys removed the base when they installed the new door so I had to use scrap behind it to mimic the look around the room. I prefer no quarter round lately but I had to use it here. (This is actually isn’t quarter, it’s a slightly thinner trim.) So that’s why it’s so busy down there – and I do this so that the boards have a flat surface to butt up against at the bottom. Otherwise they will most likely be thicker than your baseboards – not a big deal really. But if the overhang will bother you you’ll want to adjust/remove your current baseboards. Anyway…before I install I’ve learned it’s easiest to paint the wall first: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9GhjinhlBPBZGnuszNEAhENoKpJLwslgWgCyFmJ5_U4kxRhcxg3H3DI1YrzLGTSQHiz1I8DFdxsiamNZaIuFoTvNlMJVOOGoX5uq0WKhIBczzUlIKE-lvqYN2PF26vgyj6pTD_UsN9Y/s1600-h/IMG_0640%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten tutorial" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD33R3piKzy95EO4YHQI8ry3fUIV_It89hYV6JZVOFyDeNuB6A6iPZq97IkqLmu933q8eDVwXYrRf__B_gPj1mWjX-Fdhh-M7yq4aTxmZJumYyytSx2nb1I1M_eBJINw-GoCS8aGFwf8/?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="board and batten tutorial" width="500" /></a> It takes me three coats to get it covered well. I just use the base white from Sherwin Williams – I believe it’s called Pure White. I will also use a basic semi gloss white off the shelf at the hardware store. The long boards go second:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq2Dy_rDAStteFSECKV0lWhlwDzCNBIJObmXDORYIAPy1FJMpr7ADfIyu85Vkk_z30KMMwBrwZtwGfxjqTk3tUOV0iBer56GLtFpBQurxTRH5IxwTLMK2h2HS3CSSxYzyxBFfV99QHLc/s1600-h/IMG_0642%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten tutorial" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_iin6HgfFRNk1xFztEwrVNeidQ7SwBW-9ikcKhod5FSG8oZbZsTMBUbjKm57kP4YRXiWFKGgIrYnm-kre6oNVsamN_qPjhnAL126Ocz49r7arsSGYOCD7H9EH0pwisI-c6CzxikJBUM/?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="board and batten tutorial" width="500" /></a> I’ve done this both ways – the longer boards first and the topper second, but I find I can get a tighter fit if I do these second. (I can get it just right so I don’t have gaps.) The horizontal, shorter boards go last: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUe53AoFV4Sy3M9neNFI92j5YtlBSvk1o3pWlaXrMacGrLFvx62-YgLzTD9paVrKIGuaxpacp8f2FZoDoBJQO6PQVoQbin_GHA0K6oAGi7vC6YD6AWtzKM_rboO6FRaYCrch2BABx0Qqs/s1600-h/IMG_0643%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to install board and batten" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMV-fTtEM9Zs85_sHS33yWMenMW6agmXU_YwyR536l7Cri-jBB3MNZCasehQYLmwM9wTTRRdKmOzEloCJfcmffo5edOyghbDP9cgrg4i-DexxMVallcgkLqRnttFzGMZ6rqBvb4VsTXo/?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="how to install board and batten" width="500" /></a> My spacing around the room has been 10 inches down from the topper. Of course that was brilliant spacing because it hits every. single. switch. :) I just do that section in three pieces – I’ve tried using a jigsaw to cut the notch for the switch plate but I can’t cut that straight – it’s not pretty. This works much better. After caulk, nail filler and two coats of paint on the boards, it’s ready!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zn9AJGixyuI2P9-NP-HcsS0iFQQ-cDbZ5sLmoHJCjdu2Dhat5lFE6K4Q09gS7aHVIMfCDV2DTszQJ4NXrdXCh7EE2fMyK0pOM-ZX3GJlPSAOoXI39pwspX8BADQa4-JtxdOtx5i_Heg/s1600-h/IMG_0644%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to install board and batten" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeGxl-uwKg73Fq46j-GIy1BqUkE-yvOU0-D6waYrJPDTRJNnrBGGeh-eGYet8yDPNbet434cvR1gN1DYzUmCgwY_6HhKXdgH1-AHrN2gwQVRI82JkqC8MDvL0xtzv0PWbsqv7Qu9Ap_w/?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="how to install board and batten" width="500" /></a> The baseboards will continue to the window seat so that area is undone for the time being. I’m finishing up the crown extension this weekend so that wall will be completely done! Again, this is not a hard project – it just takes time. I used some scrap and some new mdf for this section. One eight foot piece get’s you one board (more if you’re making yours shorter) and at least one batten. ;) It looks crisp and clean and pretty with the newly <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-in-kitchen.html">decorated shelves</a> in the kitchen: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J20VKEm7ZTU/VIHktX6vFrI/AAAAAAAAtQk/OjPuuoPfqkk/s1600-h/IMG_0651%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="metal shelves in kitchen" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7bUQN6CUIew/VIHkuDxKoII/AAAAAAAAtQs/S77NMmWrHdg/IMG_0651_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="metal shelves in kitchen" width="500" /></a> And of course this wall now matches the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/family%20room">family room</a> next door, finally! Yay! I’ve been waiting so long to get that little wall finished up!: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TrYJAP7RCqw/VIHku3_1bxI/AAAAAAAAtQ0/ObWSexNRkSw/s1600-h/IMG_0331%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="family room board and batten walls" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U2t6UqivRPs/VIHkvu5gPoI/AAAAAAAAtQ8/09ZTsZa0rA4/IMG_0331_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="family room board and batten walls" width="500" /></a>Goodness, it takes forever to get these little projects finished up! Good thing I LOVE doing it! So there you go, a quick how-to on that classic board and batten look. Have you done this treatment on your walls? If you have any questions please let me know! Have a GREAT weekend my friends!

Board and batten tutorial

Happy Friday! Hope you have a wonderful weekend planned -- even if that means laying on the couch watching Christmas movies, cause that soun...

9:00 AM

Fall nesting

Hello everybody! Hope you had a lovely fall weekend! In between some fun I was able to get a few little things done around the house and get a bit of fall decor out as well. I’ve actually been tackling some little projects over the past week or so – including a LOT of cleaning and organizing. Our home has felt like a mess even weeks after the construction in the family room was completed. So I’ve been addressing the piles o’ crap everywhere and finishing up small projects along the way. I’ve been planning to paint this mirror frame for weeks now: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVmZp4lqTk9arzAFvAitpDZsLwir1Wy7sSpTB9Zc4hXGUeJTmB6oXWO1_8rs2KmbnZ12RdZzH9Dh689DcAKW9SPUsyyDww7gVPjkk5eXB5cw4ij5WeI-tBnJeLfw8cB043NjpIzUuxZY/s1600-h/IMG_9728%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten walls" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyJSL5UlEaYGsm-tn6k_Udv8O3odhUROrqu1ZV6jwATTKjuSpuVT2H9a1liSXNLT-Wl4tORysjaC1lqKNUcT1mURMjv-p-AZYyrUDx1OGlYsL0btFGuVK0zjIiJPGPaaDimgn8HRFVsQ/?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="board and batten walls" width="500" /></a> I went back and forth on a color and actually started painting it a brick red color – which would look GREAT for fall. But I quickly realized come spring and summer that the color would feel really off in this room. I don’t want to add too much more gray to this room but I felt like it needed some balancing out – so I went with gray. ;) It really feels right with that color on the fireplace across the room too. I LOVE how it looks with the finish on that table, the white walls and the green lamps: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBkB4V2LqKDCw7mklAQDiZ9UHzMZjK5werdG3oJpFxjlxXXdHWRJHDPpQMbMsYb9SZxSLrGbtLRJ4_18wJGJys34dy5hqSQ0hSptdCzAExGJd6RJKPtyULXbw_POfIasvYM-ShU_CHVs/s1600-h/IMG_0108%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="world market foyer table" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBMmqV3UEjlsfUke-osj0n-B3b4bRXV0X2gP6VyTdeKvp35ngZ4yjZkNR1dndkCKGLvsscmCNPXeY7BM97OcJUCh2OP9Nxkzfd9ZbD95XnlSmVeQmQrdlWQWkj5Z_ILquM1biOg7MQ8M/?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="world market foyer table" width="489" /></a> It’s cloudy and dark here today, hence the darker photos. You’ll see I also finished up that little bit of trim on the board and batten. The trim that’s still not painted. :) But at least it’s all done and ready for paint. By the way, I framed out that mirror myself years ago. It used to live in the chocolate brown dining room and you can see how I made it <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/07/dining-room-update.html">here</a>. A wall in the old office has been without the top trim since July – I finally got that replaced (we saved a lot of the old trim so I just reused what I had for most of it). It still needs painting as well – do you sense a pattern here? But I got some art up on one wall that is done: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoHwEPCCqmaMYrbKjJ4z-_F-dkMi8FjgPcgsu0wzBDSY9Qwt2iWqsqpOKJz0fMK-BVR1gOvBF1OHSCASOpHFiZVZ_HqdmlGhZc2-aQ2iP9CCIElkTdjHhUlgpKLgyGtFZ94Y611Fzr8I/s1600-h/IMG_0115%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten walls @thriftydecorchick" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ldh-JAfWZ-f88-YixEGzFFophNKy84vGTWgIF5V4UBJxWOa1tckhWDbxi6GbpjtFXF71T8O9YykhhDggEprIVp5GMjY6KTIRKCKDqXgUCCbpd5sWEiuOT3u4C587Hk_v-XLBuyTckx8/?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="board and batten walls @thriftydecorchick" width="500" /></a> Which totally makes me feel like I’m getting to the home stretch in this room! Hanging stuff signifies (almost) completion to me. :) I focused on the upstairs too and changed up the decor on the bedroom mantel to warm it up a bit: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxA42nGcecBsrUBtAM2w7lxoIyANaSXujgV8dTavCCGtVoi4khztlmuuVMTud2Z2xoWsqH7N9oF5hCMpmlwnZHpGHyhqmIlsrYkc5N3dcwlfDyVtEcwXfQo9MSv3qBsTC1YqPN-b6XcE/s1600-h/IMG_0118%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray and green mosiac tile surround on fireplace" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMbB1QDCemNUMXxHIPeO8GVOvOpp5jxkrx_0D6qP2S5DooEayJ1WI6I2rXrYFTKaCv82NMssSEwHLKucM6BDYUXktM1rdqEMoXaTk3DqF5DUjdEajOK6ui1oomphmIuFTzzlXWxCM0no/?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 and green mosiac tile surround on fireplace" width="500" /></a> Those walls STILL haven’t been painted to go with the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/03/dark-gray-accent-wall.html">new dark gray wall</a> – but I do love that gray/green color for fall. It feels very cozy! I also cleaned <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/cleaning-gas-fireplace-glass.html">the gas fireplace glass</a> in preparation for the colder months. Today we’re supposed to have an unusually warm day but after that it’s going to get chilly for good. And speaking of fireplaces – when I shared the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/13-planked-wall-finished-fireplace.html">new completed one</a> in the family room a couple weeks ago some of you suggested painting the crown molding at the top. You were so right and I seriously stared at it every. single. day. wanting that white gone. It finally bugged me so much I got up on the ladder late last night while I watched Revenge and got it painted to match the rest of the fireplace: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2DihFpD3skl-vIyrK64oMBCSytiTcLTc1NYGWt-NHMUeFgO-iZwoSFY4DRyX_Qbtye0SDCWkaDP57UxxjM_XafYJPpq45L_EGCZSqzXH9_AWhhJGvc3-LlZ9i0a7iu_EMBx-T_GJtFw/s1600-h/IMG_0125%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray painted fireplace @thriftydecorchick" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhmwpmATVmgAeJCVUeRhpbWPmbeczPXRyNAl0rcnYn5ggVUUEL9NvSh7iSXwbTITTRe8PKsKfywrFO6bEVfGABLihe9SifHNNfNUFqO7ZrtEbZ_IClSoVLcSxnTRKkKmJ_VWDNmYgFjU/?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 painted fireplace @thriftydecorchick" width="500" /></a> Ahhhh. SO much better. Now I can quit twitching. :) Today my goal is to get the garage cleaned out so I can actually reach the rest of our fall decor. The boy is begging for some Halloween so I must comply. It feels SO good to get little projects like these done! I’m really wanting to focus on some other areas of the house but my goal is to get the family room done this week – I’m going to make it happen!! I LOVE this time of year – fluffing, cleaning, getting ready to host family and friends and warming up the house. I’m one of those weirdos that actually enjoys the colder months. (Until about February or so.) Have you done anything around the house to prep for fall and winter? I can’t believe it but I’m already starting to think about the holidays – every year I’m determined not to be rushing around and every year I’m rushing around. We’ll see if this year is any different. :)

Fall nesting

Hello everybody! Hope you had a lovely fall weekend! In between some fun I was able to get a few little things done around the house and get...

7:50 AM

It’s time for some board and batten

Hey heeeey! Hope your weekend was great! I got SO MUCH DONE in the family room over the weekend – so much that I’m crazy sore today. Me thinks I’m getting too old for the days of nonstop DIY. We’ve been living with <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/family%20room%20reno" target="_blank">our family room</a> half way done for a couple weeks now – I’ve gotten very little done up till now. I was out of town for a trip three days, then I was sick for most of last week with a crappy cold. I didn’t feel like doing anything. Yesterday was the first day I felt good and had a mostly free day to get things done. I can live with half way for a while – then all the sudden I can’t handle it one. more. day. and I go into beast mode. There’s something about this time of year – I want to NEST like you wouldn’t believe. I want to decrapify my entire house, fluff everything, start thinking about fall decor…all that stuff. And none of that is happening if I have the family room taunting me. :) There’s so much for me to do in the room, it can become overwhelming. So I’ve been focusing on a few walls at a time. I painted the walls in one end of the room already and I’m still patching some of the board and batten and touching up paint there. But the biggest area that’s been bugging me is this side of the room: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnuLEHbe7hOj2Qlb0ROOPXvBQ0Y-Fk21zqZjxo_KeVDMfDaPS24YiM7OBmW6pCgpJn7aW59KttjuBPMGot7flpJZsbugSmYJj917nnE13Amv9iU98F1LQn1OvhL0nE0zpcUPF0c6eM6w/s1600-h/IMG_9718%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjwCcarVZtycw5lUlE1R_vge2sq_qoZWDEbXiY2bM7qOdP6xFxIWg89ElU9bcQCzw6N_8s0qS17A1tV5q9BkzeqWp4cfyO8LImu1OzSve018wQzyZY9zYxyP1KlS2nMNmcLVlt7qHoE0/?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> It was really a mess, as you can see. My first plan of action yesterday was to finish up extending the crown molding. This is a little trick I use to make the crown appear thicker. You all know how I love me some chunky trim! I’ve seen a method where they attach baseboards to the wall, I think upside down? And then you install the crown over it. A few things though – I already had the crown up in the room, so I’m not taking it down just to put it back up. Also, that’s a BIG added expense in a room this size. Third – I had already done this trick in the office so I needed to continue in throughout the space anyway. :) It’s quite easy – it just takes a lot of trips up and down the ladder. (I should have legs of steel at this point, really.) I use this inexpensive decorative trim: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbW5iyS1vzRiLoly4LmuwmrrszcRfkwON2YqLfEQNSjefy06AxveTyds7j0z0gn-aXqyz0Gh6Ej8wuePJAI_XHewQBD_DATst9s8LsOS8iFuCqt6_eIMp6z4Zn-mjDyT_GVpgsgqyVcA/s1600-h/IMG_9719%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="beefing up crown molding" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhvn9bu0LPI-qqiejFnV3BzayibvvpPdNVZWrh7bbHQ8SPLxSNbtMNm5-tzqkbZPdQY_5_JDLe9kNCOFGpgXnkNgpNTGez1AyNw4z8aeAQPROm7ZkA36z4tQYepsn7tk-Op-sEVsfoz8/?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="beefing up crown molding" width="500" /></a>You can find it at Lowe’s and Home Depot. I just place it about an inch below the current crown. You can use a piece of wood or something as a spacer so you have the same distance around the room – I just use my level as I go around so it’s fairly consistent. The great thing about working so high up is when you cut the piece too short for the third time and just put it up anyway cause it’s making you cuss, nobody will know: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9cRRI90QIGtNXDVq0pW7zUSpUC_cDW5wdwVaN1h5zfOnu4O4vlbSxaKFHHce0jGAuvyK0EqcaW_PUUn3xOAmQwUYcf5tW83nFjyEihR56oXQGI8k2V9fEIBqYWYxKakiZvn7iIdzw1g/s1600-h/IMG_9721%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY thick crown molding" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BOo_CoOHspNfS4wpe4mz5vdV0SDX0ZWgZoFkxo9-KiRo1fNc4E_5ybt3aqkS5_Ydd7MHtqfPuuU63NA0-INkGhtDxch8HUhLNIZVQ6huAUn01lF_ntgE9QtoABYdVDq-q0gMwekDjZw/?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="DIY thick crown molding" width="500" /></a> Caulk and spackle people. <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/caulk-and-spackle-my-bffs.html" target="_blank">Caulk and spackle</a>. It took three coats of semi gloss white (legs of steel) until it was covered, but it looks so good! Chunky!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJxJK9JKgeO2Mh7rV69MXVsjJ_XLu1MuFIdOIhs7pfiAZweDvXuHbbfC1HRwBO3T440zQhoA4SbD7U9GIfZF1oSp2o0NiuvpbD9MMT1ujRhoJ7CKnERDHZFnd6gtq88uJgpRgYM1ktI0/s1600-h/IMG_9734%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="making crown molding look thicker" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kfPsXj3uYxZJn0K3bdbOr56nlqXxqCRIFS7hzR1c0tANkl0WmplZTR0EXLT1zuK-PTlu24N9GtKgHlRXOTWgK5ZMyetI20pTljizwpOYnDW1bleviZNzYFIgrygrCt0YfqwNU4T5DAI/?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="making crown molding look thicker" width="500" /></a> The day we tore down the wall one of the guys mentioned how I was going to have to redo all the crown in the family room to match up with the office because I had used the baseboards underneath. It fooled him, it will fool others. ;) So I mentioned I was in beast mode yesterday and this is where the rest of the work came in. Here’s a shot of this wall just after I finished installing the small trim: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHaKXapFHU7KPM3S36lQ9Cc4XgNU3okXVkNZGZUaD8QQPo0x2m1jfmm7RSTaAUqx1NEmJFYWqKkaCLC3qYZjwU8BEQZZa-Gr6CIlA1Zm26-QivzWdugbXnqItdIGeBxlAKITE3YpOAVo/s1600-h/IMG_9723%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbWUs7XRnXnT5cdoVt2zwVsY9_bjcstGtdIEPA9p_uVQhkwH0b_c9DGoX7v-HNUpH_-CLfwXVacweNWt2sWe7oMzNjIyjFt8MAqnZfCsxDP0EBKByeP4JKtbToOi8MY-OsxNpnbjTZgw/?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="485" /></a> It hadn’t been painted yet, obviously. We had to patch a few holes from the TV hanging there before and the darker rectangles on the wall were from the molding I had had up there forever. Nearly eight years – I’ve been ready for a change for awhile. After caulking the baseboards in three places, painting them, painting the bottom part of the wall three times in semi gloss white, installing all the board and batten and most of the decorative trim, finishing up the crown and painting the walls <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-new-wall-color-kind-of.html" target="_blank">their new color</a>, I ended up with this: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxTkQihMQ_zBImTJ-KQModGHpkokladqBiJhISLWzqj9E4StuorwgzwWvKfBvs8Zxa4J-KEfLGsA1G0TLGD5abjnpL__xnNUgEqwp3QuQD1p30OQIoLP4wAY0Kao0cUhdTqE0ibukj10/s1600-h/IMG_9728%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white board and batten" border="0" height="761" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKirdAuAWvqwgBgko1VtJL2ghxYxCwQkk0xKeCFuHNUMwsIbI5nwObWVmlX6uP4OsP_PXXBtlzVdZJl2Ipg-9f0kYlfBLOsotz36xLfUdu9X8MVSgvX8ea080_U2n4maqZxNd74jcmDMQ/?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="white board and batten" width="500" /></a> And I LOVE IT. Whoa, I LOVE how the white looks against our floors and the furniture. Yummy. OK, so this spot is still far from done. I still need to finish that small decorative trim at the top of the board and batten – I ran out:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi804B3_gJlCao4PutlNxWYnB3gh7b2nwjqaPWh4D4aaLdo-DinWW3kBjoQs35IIz5sYsHEPKs2uCi8gkV7Uz35NkqFxrocTOK1yTZPs0ab3dsW951rGzGIeTgz4TtiihM8PHE-v4h_gUc/s1600-h/IMG_9735%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA79MZgmmcNQLNnzS1czHwEsuoVKgxzU6dp5i1PKqMVlvU5ipxKdNByuFvuaGVjSmd5jFrkN2_4G5jCWKLwpnwrRCPjXYd51Ou7BRmNJP8MrpkF5ujRpqOSA17nzjvFTSv_2q7h8w9E/?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> The door trim in the background still needs to be finished and painted. And the biggest thing is caulking and painting all the boards on the wall. But it’s closer and it looks SO much better so I’m celebrating that!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrpguJpT6409wbxKWu2uIxoAVN2JuG24Wz9pHsHZn18AzUoPin_yUP8wpeExLtL3Dd2pwTzQeND736pVGgCYqkM5OGLUUdSdZ29vVd_koll4f1YO0S8AQIYSvNy9uZEz8WGewnjyKhxo/s1600-h/IMG_9730%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="long table world market" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5b-zZgCMii3yAWAmWcRrlWtjtmC2hXXRdJ6JttUVoI3cweW8OoBi-LiloxcFrQHfeqVuWKOkKu3LthZ189BP7fpZ5G-zpZ7N1Sui9uTx0DRea1EJO5fZWelEfVxv4UGyPpFvl41nvi8/?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="long table world market" width="500" /></a> I’m trying not to think much about the decor just yet – but the accessories will change up on that table. It’s a bit too neutral for me. And I want to paint that mirror a fun color, I just have no idea what it will be. :) But the wall looks a ton better and I’m SO excited about the direction of this room. I still need to patch a few spots on the other wall, finish up the board and batten on the other side of the room (there’s not much) and then I’m putting all of my attention on the fireplace. I want this space done by the end of September – that’s my goal. Sooner would be awesome! **To see my how to install the board and batten look, go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/03/progress-board-batten-in-office.html" target="_blank">here</a>. **For more about that awesome table and where it used to sit go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-little-somethin.html" target="_blank">here</a>. :)

It’s time for some board and batten

Hey heeeey! Hope your weekend was great! I got SO MUCH DONE in the family room over the weekend – so much that I’m crazy sore today. Me th...

7:49 AM

Family room reno: week four

Happy Friday! Two things to be excited about today. First of all, the weekend, duh. Secondly, by the end of the day today the work on the family room will be DONE! Whooooo! Well, the work by other people. Mine has just begun. Here’s an update on where we stand! Last week the flooring guy came and patched the floors: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPMhoJiiuyFXzS9UhuaBE-bRxMqNJ0mMZYD3JruX814UX1bk-c164OVvwF-NZ-QDaEv7T4qezJA0Vwvv67232Gymtx58Kaa1ULJoVEStLm1Fci0zWYp0MVS2WYHw51CeVSdi2PyLPGnk/s1600-h/28%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="28" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievYEuK_WOe6GU8P6nV8Q7I8DLRFbmI3qfGqDx3uPnN_TveipFjuU7o8xquqReiMwBqoCoOO-Cab0syiXTLTjYDXcL52wytR0IrZ04QlgRIzDke__WYH43mqzjjEVZzwtr-rCL6B238uU/?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="28" width="500" /></a> He did SUCH a good job. To make them look seamless he recommended sanding down the entire area and restaining – especially since we added the spot where the island was too. He said smaller spots are OK to just stain/poly, but bigger ones like this would look better if everything was redone. Here’s a bigger shot of the three areas he patched: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2HF-gjj_1j0cI66wslr14rV2Fq5LtNXW2rxmSh_dl0BvoxcNdAS70sAKeLhEfubFTyqElmiWWRnvZPZiFF_NB2P89MeRowVnF75OMDVr-Hc_ZdznbsmfneGowPEh_2gHlAjbPQE-tVw/s1600-h/23%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="patching hardwood floors" border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmab4hOdQA8KEDO6F7IkYEbidkEuUACJ_cN6U-t1rRi_A-MecdLI2R4qSCFT3-l9LoIAy5aHqDG1moC1DEBG0c5fgdA5yi-e-4xXTJzp481AuJKfKq6BSO9ebPEl4IKy4Z_fWk6ZDZvEU/?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="patching hardwood floors" width="500" /></a> Monday he came out and sanded: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQvK9NqvGsnoZOdf1jJkNy6cbHpRjKcdNLyvCvE9YIs3J29-NGnaZnSvuRmmqzfzIdq1kQ3iehBspa_BwAgxif1SEHXo7jYuTCm37QpE1v28WRVbI8OR-emZoXxh7fGb6tpR9I9vgWQc/s1600-h/21%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="installing hardwoods" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GPf_szE_SUcuaLHALHxloHSR3mL1b01Zr0txGQKuDgLoA8ec3TBwYS0wCwno9umpIUVZSsDkyI6i81KVRRhoZ1cOa0ef4z-8yblErpEGLe1XvPbcGgrhOWApzUQOKESoOaUoXhx8hRQ/?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="installing hardwoods" width="500" /></a> I’m always tempted to just poly them and leave them this color – the natural wood is so pretty! And then Tuesday and Wednesday were stain and poly days. This is what the rest of the main floor looked like till last night: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTVXKkHvKIllZK6ZktalmgV8YWqOcOmDVQO8tJA9PkH5e11GeVviaQgKGLZZwzoDfc0bqk4VosBoxR6CH_SpH3MtQctAO_-7cdlb7lrN9-XA0kNXLADdlaZMh-aEu16ZRMWi4GBpdvuE/s1600-h/22%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBj1jdrd5D_-s5svCDJWV9-OHbPUtRxVX2u9KCJcTVb62Y7WB7bXrDZwl_j-1Ql-F8E7G9Tsnmljs8OZj_BgEdkxYya39Myyh57zDS-EmN2n4e8MNR9u5Ypd8P5-_q927Kff36vrgATk/?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> If you follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/thriftydecorchick" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, yes I found my keys. Yesterday. They were in the garage. :) It’s ALL worth it though…here they are in their finished glory: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA8tgwBAx1gnIZlEpy0FxAPH7uyIcMZzJsPcAX7roK-TkQT3YdSbOYurR0_JByj59PeGn4u7bnbzUgCZbgD-wYCZZop8Y3Ua_C0TuhM6McuJkYDoPpaELl5EDvcwHE3f5-_T8MkU4H3g/s1600-h/25%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="onsite hardwoods jacobean stain satin poly" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsZQ9hroXEPSIKKz8jnwO43DV3QWa2XvL5CfLY7Rvl7iOiB_tMJGPgzSQmF8rw-_2fcqNuhNlHHq4zdZFCD6H1DXvo97oOZkvlCWpeo8BvjNX4PMuXjESZEUt9zXuNmnUoLk-0IcEZbw/?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="onsite hardwoods jacobean stain satin poly" width="500" /></a> The ceiling has been patched and painted and now there’s absolutely NO sign that a wall was ever there! YES!! Here’s a shot from mud room into the whole space: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VDRS1gdxlA5DcLtpASSGSKus-UZkJ4HuIy3hAzPvuodUAF3NcTYeo9PVJYS3XSIs1O72If6a6Ssgl20G3lyyQwzqw_0cSLnnvtTBjjY3BZtEXG0Vp5ucUtQ-S3obq5MDsznNhZTCfVY/s1600-h/26%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="jacobean stain minwax" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyK23Ie9YWkMvQdrWZJqBLjsQ-2KzhO21dt3c0UUUN_swWs0Hjq-lgEDe_oL6DAAUK7TRX1qpGXo0QOfaGg13_4fB4rluFD0HwVvMIvlcOA78-Dx4TKO9D_wB9uF0GWi6odnw7zebk4Q/?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="jacobean stain minwax" width="500" /></a> Instead of moving everything back in first thing yesterday I got to work. I took down the molding on the walls: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PkZQ6f_xAD03leEXHS5juOfSlhw8xUTCiLNECJW0T4PyHaWLauBkXC5RBPhw7E9fRYxCghkKkkeX__Yrs2aa8pBK23MQXyO3kOrWaS7Xx5Ju6lFad5WCiKjCGWCXnRoWyONlOUGeSXI/s1600-h/27%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Dix_knHLyH_Nwy6lXeIeERqUZYVglYTFlWNjRQDSpBPKCtGnlAF8BzsqVj2oe-onYJWLwlmuyxjWbLjq_xBOvdMQW_rmEbthdkCrvlILzQkSzyd8ep2jhUwY6UrDPp06FneTLhvxvf4/?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> It’s been up for eight years now – it’s time to go. This is that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/all-about-molding.html" target="_blank">“foamy” molding</a> I told you about years ago. It will be replaced with the board and batten look that’s in the office. While I was at it I took the trim down from around the two doors in the room: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJ8Ap46UoOQEDUS2fKptkQkp5-pnOHAIu9GYE5u3OzOf20Uu69FLQfWLUqscAPSSMiQ5VWDdfH2yosFN1XzYQyWsxflGme7KQEWx_ftN-jK7ONutFpQjj_3IGdue0ZFew39y4J8fMZBE/s1600-h/IMG_9524%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmb5pkf2ijpxSC7E2YZeHbiL_UgfdqpPL-NDlN33eY8OguxH80lcPwTyqQUCOal8eBiXeNFROqpKQK4h2fem4Nc6nqmbYJgMPFiRSvTII16hv6YvVsg26fWQfZr3y5_hVQ81Y-nMd1hU/?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> I’m replacing them with my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-love-chunky-trim.html" target="_blank">craftsman trim</a> I’ve been slowly adding around the house: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGw8_riii8aBfSHVKd_6hquRFS4bjML4X_7oY8Ir9_rCeOaq3kKAZ6NKRYJiB145nn3ngBOHxxGy1Bj9BjKEG0k9c8IS6Xv34r3a00xCPcI0ykkhbQmXdLnv22a0OtkM3ndrn1-CGtR0/s1600-h/IMG_9530%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88zPW0jmPG5WrpDzn8QV9B8_v2gmAuOGPCKhRf85ys43_uR0LbSGP2zgl48CYZouOAFz5Ixnf-MN-7adFGetQRV8PBFreZlKXNlLhQ2D-1REyfgRrMALDvnhhkBK7dGi1-IMZvrdm5Wk/?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="482" /></a> Still have some work to do. ;) You’ll notice the new baseboards too – our old ones were impossibly small. Since we didn’t remove them when the floors went in years ago they looked even smaller: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-cAR8Jaxqt1UHHUK9nyNPzqT3CMFBPlRBim29IUTk_4Nvg-WDTwI2xpcWppa9ocCr02HzmJPmGOlHNx2g6xjiLGIUb9B1sfko9nVKiJ_ZL7_Ra5hNv7H5TR9zb2eDte9qRlTPOTiqyM/s1600-h/IMG_9525%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DQNgOTFyXhONdmnXJtNYT29-1GVD_AQ0Ntc8ChJYww7C-sQu6qIz-K7H9U1EJ9qAsjAb4qWBn_-phfeLTofJcIX4XVezZqlSLFB9FRbYrdOCvZo6Yk2WfUzAX6mIa4CfGrNIoKYctkE/?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> Because 1.) our base is so hard to remove (the builders used two inch heavy duty nails every few inches) and 2.) with the hardwoods down it’s hard to remove them without damaging the floors – I have to get creative when it comes to beefing up the base. You can see my master bedroom solution <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/03/beefing-up-baseboards.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Because I’m adding the board and batten around the room I added a horizontal board along the top of the old baseboards and then placed the new base over that. I explained the process more in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/10/days-one-and-two-flooring-update.html" target="_blank">this post</a> with pictures, but here it is after: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJzSnslSIwUu5gH_5F86KRVxMqUgtmHRGHSA6ZX0mlHvCiofX7_wfqtfM0rvDCuIaVf7LA2gzsY9446Hjtn5szxEh6y2nAwgW5pyH1rrrUAbDQ86uR-phLsDSrl6wSdL5RqN4uD7-jsI/s1600-h/IMG_9534%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="installing baseboards over old " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj9xY0-Yc5QHZq6gCCXG1YP69bBxj4DFiqyI5q08kj1HHqGa_MFRzr3SY-4M3GVyCnNosz_DDnGpTQHB1YaW_HuyrN4_wC6iipio_5QnU5AeMqJO841tNkyLpvX9wZzTQyAElm2gNLKQ/?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="installing baseboards over old " width="500" /></a> I finished up the family room space, just have to do the kitchen area. They look a little wonky now but it will make more sense when the vertical boards go up. :) I finished up some smaller projects too, like adding a decorative trim to the built ins. Here’s the unfinished before: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97ajhigJYuQgTxwPqeCFrJHmWwxF2QDVpNfAcJu2SRavUCkeUKyAsVTQ9EVk4LaYpMM2j3ma-KG3WVztsjnvsSZRugUoKlD2ib8CI3KgPk8fq60V3YIW0v2wAKH7hPK1HfDB8mBQTFCI/s1600-h/IMG_9528%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFJ2srtNg7hKf02VqtCtXxl__b939pjXBG1yvCB3flArjP5gMUNWOiieI-klaLo3SzK2YFJTjmUYQ3wOlRQM36qS1el4d-ACdo8jXeos0V-EcRylwwoBYkzQQF_jwj4wqNGyZ0lPV5jI/?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> And after with some trim: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87G_fZDQIkuYlgw8TMIpfeVHFcE0_7-Uq3Wdyd5BW15gLWfrtNnroWqqS_KQbGmoSPXh5R_CgifTh3YN0elKC0ebYilKpNXv5aoy-qvidtFZHRo4z1a_MZZe0jGzoPa0HW9covWuqVIo/s1600-h/IMG_9529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="covering unfinished edge of wood" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUHX-FRzHkUi1XR0vyYur0hs9XN-8n62FYlGvP7SWg0lysFEQFcUcpjgHsvM59zZVep83mkw-qPteZbG61-CMnSYMnK09-PWTUdmQU6Fm26pD02kUEUVKzS1VpN0Bem3NRyVahkdo0VM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="covering unfinished edge of wood" width="500" /></a>  The sides will get some trim that will cover all those seams. One step at a time. :) And all is right with the world now that the island is back in the kitchen. Even though it does look like an art project gone wrong: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZ5H25m6KEf1zpW6KPUl4xbQWhYepqqDOi2N1LwDE1AIRqAIPgnUH0kcrkAoNhuYd9qhNNm2BZk3QHRZCjEaRjSg4Ba9dill6cJHF6bOkKkHoJFiHzGqUzCu2HMCso-ziwwfbRNNy_QI/s1600-h/IMG_9531%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="701" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4RLNSxC5fn5ytEW2LtyXuisv7e_NtVQZ7G9-ALPVPv5LGCrisj6oWwH_ozqK7Ru2uR5e9TBdpVFOAS_aNrE8eiNx7DXjqTv41jPRIu4UkOg6lVv3WxRj4G1upsEtzy7yf5cXtTy0oYA/?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> Isn’t it PRETTY? This poor island has been through so many makeovers. To get it out they had to tear off the decorative beadboard. At least I will be spurred on to get the island extension done sooner than later now. ;) I wasn’t able to move it too much from it’s original position, but we now have quite a bit more space between the cabinets and the island – I wanted to move it out since I plan to extend it. I didn’t want the oven area to be cramped when we opened it. So far…SO GOOD!! I hope you’ll be patient with me as I begin my portion of this work now…I want it done fast but it takes me a while. By the way, we’re definitely moving the kitchen table – you can see <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/07/kitchen-table-to-move-or-not-to.html" target="_blank">this post</a> for more on that. I think the open space by the bay window is going to be AWESOME now that I’ve had some time to get used to it. Have a great weekend everybody! I’ll be painting!!

Family room reno: week four

Happy Friday! Two things to be excited about today. First of all, the weekend, duh. Secondly, by the end of the day today the work on the fa...

8:28 AM

Looking back: A bright office

It’s time for a trip down memory lane! I mentioned earlier this week that I’ll be sharing some of the rooms in our home over the years over the next few weeks. I LOVE before and after pics and I love looking back at this space because I think it’s one of the biggest transformations I’ve ever completed in this house. This room was decorated and painted before I ever started blogging, like all the other rooms in our house. I painted it a good eight years ago I think? Let’s just say my style was…different. :) I actually quite liked this room for a long while – I loved how cozy it felt. But the color always bugged me, I just couldn’t get it right. These are total old school before pics – you can tell by the computer monitor. ;) I took these some time in 2007/08, not sure when. I know it was when my baby was actually a baby. :) Behold the ORANGE: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEKD8-c-kyEx5ov2AJ0d5xAftt6Nt4KNxqU7uBgf8mrk2_gU_T4Ox2pv6NL3uDGmbpnCaEKq-z2RMkUUzFE8Euo6Gt4n5JegCouIQ3LgAU1yBtJkhWsR_GE5-Z8ACjZ_PvhXX6DyGSF0/s1600-h/before1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0nDzrSzmqyheYa0TBH9S1G5R-FvY_l5CiWaIeh6aVIrWzsJmk5_CDW_iV7jw4-Xb1WaBFjgCDPVwNcx3SYp6LcaLFDrmaKzDzod6F1YtMxzz_U-wS9ky05wl4XnNgenaKGm0w29uB1g/?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> I was never going for orange – let’s just clarify that right now. I always wanted it to be a rust color. It was not. :) Back then I was really into the dark wood tones and deep colors, as you can see. As I always say, my style then wouldn't be what I would do now, but I am still proud of what I did. It was “me” at the time – who knows what our house will look like ten years from now? Did I mention I painted the ceiling the same color as the walls? Yeah. I’ve always been a painted ceiling girl, even when it made the room feel like a cave. A comfy cave at least: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FxP81OXj8L_rI3N_yhfsO3hNmaWQ1AD5IA0zRszsImoVgnlWlTYLOTNYRB3E2RirprYhZKzfbsYQsivsfaHz2IbpWIbnmeKOl-G30HVLihqW8YqFViNtSbOdelCnPuTeRH1mSzkqVec/s1600-h/before2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvJgojtMmFTKZ3HRqbf4AcL5ZLJNm8CYjy84ufUjXqclWTWY7KDaSbbSlgP7-iwCspLTZpzg24cZS_Q2zlLPmSRY4VVNPeZ6uXlR28gV48KAN4CIkFSBJSAW4PfyeozRiKAtAbbBhMWg/?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> A few years later I repainted the room, this time hitting the mark a little better. It was more of rust color color for sure, but it still would get an orangey tone in some light: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQurQX4vpkTs-eokXiTi69xB0f-sw4DBevlKKRE7P-rPLuxDJQmQe49pceQEadSvYKHxvNi1vniFKhNUWYXWwUcvuYmaTMdhyphenhyphen146COnUWq919kC2iG2HembVW-BPtEGvLRjjKF0T7z5A/s1600-h/DSC08081%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08081" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfPOmk4B7WHtIMs0Ffzq6i-9-K786vlzx-Y53cuqRwpt265ZipzyfEsLru-IA9BzFLnv6hDSg2O_7Btbt58qzo_DUmUMUpZAMdFrN7guySivQ0n4i7dWH9oEiQkcWDhLfr0Ow_fBc9Bo/?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="DSC08081" width="300" /></a> We also used this room as the kiddo’s playroom for years. After about three years of not being able to walk in there most days I moved most of the toys to the loft and reclaimed this spot for me. So about four years ago I started the process of making over this room in a big way! I started with a new “desk” (actually an <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/08/farmhouse-table-turned-desk.html" target="_blank">old farmhouse table</a> I got from a friend), a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/05/diy-drum-shade-chandelier.html" target="_blank">new light</a> (there is no overhead light in here) and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/12/office-update-and-plan.html" target="_blank">painting the room</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPvqeXki9Bb3XNpNcrFJsgP3P7H3kQzWyv9w1_IShQqiInqqElWd-XnYHkDEdZEm8g6pxeJzvpkgvFJdmsVMfjLxVtRx4x5hlM6b9O5A4giC10w-KRPrUu_DK9MAhgu75kKxuqnFEqrs/s1600-h/office%25255B6%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5i9Lr5b42h0mhdlHMR8VTUHDcWXDujRWhUCT6LkaZouuQc9ZKSB9BcGwvYWpgYoX6UOMODeEMxR3BD3a0EewGB2PYc-d9kl1a9Xr0f1GoGdElWytaJEkQjW8uT5g93W1UB4dtFHDF0yE/?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="320" /></a> I also painted over the red ceiling with a pale blue, I was SO glad to see that dark color go!! Then I got the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/01/before-and-after-party-installing-crown.html" target="_blank">crown molding</a> up and took on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/03/progress-board-batten-in-office.html" target="_blank">board and batten walls</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx5kruF5Ty-haVjnjBgPrCh1MU7PYmR5UlmJewsMJGH-rS1vNzIv-tTso3sHOKfp3SL57xfSgnq75sYJPhg6MgvSwu4Knd62hCD5evSbpWUfOlwk6Fw_0OE0aitZcn-E-k0DTPozw0Pg/s1600-h/IMG_3610%25255B11%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-w0L1cqoorU3SdALfpQ3bt9GE0p-XDzGoIP_fctigS2dlyMyRL17xSF8ZsdrlAXtaLVnCZSkGeSsG24m0AvY8qPkzHdw4tUs7YhOU5TFndyqysmVFOBv_qMunvnwy7VYSR7pqOyrCMQ/?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="317" /></a> My vision was starting to come together! I recovered the faux <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/before-and-after-party-buh-bye-pleather.html" target="_blank">leather parsons chair</a> (I’m sitting on it now and I can’t believe how well it’s held up!) and added a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-heart-craigslist.html" target="_blank">dresser from Craigslist</a> for storage. I covered the upper part of the walls in Goodwill frames spray painted white – they are full of photos and art that are near and dear to me. I love it. :) This room actually gets a TON of natural light, so my hope was to work with that and make it a bright, pretty space. This is a corner of the darker version of the office before: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkM63k9bGio5l3Cqa8Jd9BlwUp5mKTfzZZmCoOBX-v_UyqVRSeUgHmcYB1WjNpvPFqkX5lCtlkDqYFB84GH8bmz_3vpOyR833L9qwSirYNm_otUzHrB0UJiI08iJPYp9dHhgcnGZOeBI/s1600-h/before3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoR8w9qLGc9wXZ-c7gxSk7F6j8yv1xHoqsGR1jPZ1YHRNcV3iIg2B8wKWHJ5KcoCWYc7CjRZLCsolKQ3nBjrQqjwg4ZUFW2Ul7wVVtquQJYuA4xu4QCwgIHw9JI-9mtSc-w8dmqMlHgB4/?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> And that area now looks like this: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJ5D1CCDIlRmk_Ab4Y3ViHADDFBw_cBTZ3NbDtRnyEkWCYgZMgLyqNrgVgHTOgcVNAbShItdzrwxyBaq5k8Wn5qqvdB1Ec62T-ZLLx8o7HsDdoNfsIUFvQwdHRsNxdfmJ_F5ZdlDMSck/s1600-h/IMG_9681_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqRnsfrQ50RjrybXiSZJfu6mfqYxbipprHH_m_hd2aCJ4kdxSdRz16Aa6DX05ffpdlijtSnKXm-iNsqPTJtbSvTavUBDwK7K3QkOgJF5LL0x_rhEEiellpn0_j3Tm0hAnI_hLFYxQbY8/?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> That <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/04/diy-memo-board-take-two.html" target="_blank">DIY memo board</a> that was hanging to the right felt too heavy in the room so I took it down. I think it looks so much better without it! I didn’t completely remove all of the Bub’s things from this space – the dresser is full of craft supplies and the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/11/well-hello-hope-you-had-fantastic.html" target="_blank">caddy</a> holds his markers, paint and crayons: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx3qHGZ7r2tSb3EBxv_Z_3Se8J2sF2SM4CWdWRqn419CMIRVervyzIrQg2bIMJQqDzYM5ymyBX9E60tlUmQyFgppgwMT53D1YMG_NfGcgGX1IpfFLW4iuggm2sdwZA5uB-1kqpJFdnM0/s1600-h/IMG_7346_thumb%25255B11%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D54kqJtX0WanvwisqncuaK_0mIgMuo3AkrclQsYb5ja1y40bHLPZhxt36U0h3jqhQiRxj_THdMaqFfPPi6SWnXyGOa_JSyH9b5jbW50TLSLdEspxd9GjuLhyQmTUFhAHd2cGoZSLu1c/?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="477" /></a> Because of a leak that ruined our old laminate floors, we ended up getting new hardwoods and continued them throughout the main floor, including this room. It made a HUGE difference in here as well. Here’s a shot of the other corner of the room before (check out that sexy monitor!): <img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0nDzrSzmqyheYa0TBH9S1G5R-FvY_l5CiWaIeh6aVIrWzsJmk5_CDW_iV7jw4-Xb1WaBFjgCDPVwNcx3SYp6LcaLFDrmaKzDzod6F1YtMxzz_U-wS9ky05wl4XnNgenaKGm0w29uB1g/?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" /> That thing weighted at least 30 pounds, no joke. Now that side looks like this: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcd2u4Y8HzoF6lZi9EZpeuVDC250uGwk91W5qAQzwV3hlDoVq63ftVvVcPK9ZbsFMSHV5z-cvhSSIaLrMMzA7CA685F9iBvTzOWZMhFIik1E9wQFXRepVtOwTKL6S1u28lKAI_V-4ONts/s1600-h/IMG_7220%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVh2IQHNG5zUvXyjE2KQNHnAFlUEAaoCK0jhEfCVLGKFFlWls8yxi4b5kNIKGWSbV7fPncx71xzjTzYY1z7UDlfsw8dzXZIvWbBHnwEcciJzLVtPzkEqmtZ3OQk52zStSXYYwYwOVqss/?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> The little table was my sister-in-law’s when she was small and she gave me the OK to update it. My boy doesn’t sit at this nearly as much as he used to though. Sniff. :( You’ll notice the filing cabinet and printer are gone – the cabinet didn’t hold nearly enough files so I sold it. We now use a cheapy metal one and keep it in the basement. The printer is wireless so it’s in my husband’s basement office since he uses it more often. Here’s what you saw when you walked in to the room before: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41E4ogZ1ZeKQnll5qviyqV_I8iM_bXZqPy0H3jol8ZG50g-hr-JCPZ9GF-q_gPANgpgvH3Y4nnpV4QoiD9ckSG2943wYt2x8NtpRkfi1FAUdCLOZ3Xrl-QKJcaDG4bbrDbl4gDVRet-8/s1600-h/before4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrf3UFeozZTl56-hDIvdjP4D_jD0f8b_Ban3SASleVq7cXGBYk83XxFl5BgGuo213mGtJY4JnYNQcqRwEvjrDeIXBtilsPJ2Ym_2T1hIXQinZAAS_E4rjslJhB_CgTqTXDLy_b3gOzTk/?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> And this is that same corner now (well, a few months ago): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJaP7SzYv-HQn1takNqeAIsE5uwGxlfGVPuqQ2spH-V-RmzvZ2MyQDOPL-YpUHVXIQhNQbH4_PL6ZwdYmWUxgjHRO5zanUWXmThdWt7RXp27VSlxq3ubaMj3T9E33PV-F1WLh84Xfyko/s1600-h/IMG_6026%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsF2xkBuJtPvoZvatqOHw_Q5jj2GSlxxTco8MyQnprj7y4_aGInFuX5ABqoZGHNkBsYWdNfeC5TfEgeTfbRca7aThgtB0kpLEty49IaaITmDcd0txzsGUzwK5Hb-M8uLa3fa24hvYMyE/?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> Ignore the Charlie Brown trash can, it’s been toned down quite a bit and looks <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/11/well-hello-hope-you-had-fantastic.html" target="_blank">much prettier now</a>. ;) I finished this space more than two years ago and I absolutely LOVE working in here. Before I worked from the sofa most nights, now I spend my days in here and it is a complete joy to be in this space. It’s quiet, sun-filled and there are usually a few cats laying on the desk as I work. :) The only change I’m considering right now is the desk – I’d like to have something a little bit smaller. I do love the large surface space but I don’t need it quite this big. We have a couple options that I’m going to try in here to see how they work! (The cats will not be happy though.) So there’s one of the spaces in our home that’s changed the most over the past ten years. I can’t believe the difference when I look back! My office is easily one of my favorite rooms in our house – it should be since it took me nearly two years to finish. :) You can see all of my projects and posts about this space <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/office" target="_blank">here</a>!

Looking back: A bright office

It’s time for a trip down memory lane! I mentioned earlier this week that I’ll be sharing some of the rooms in our home over the years over ...

9:09 AM

Board and batten tutorial

Fall nesting

It’s time for some board and batten

Family room reno: week four

Looking back: A bright office

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