Under the sink

<p>Hello and happy Tuesday! It’s the new year and for me (and most of us?) that means clearing out the clutter!! I’m always pumped and hyped and ready to tackle it in January, it wanes a bit in February, I get into it again about March and then hopefully my organization/decrapifiying has held up because I don’t do much again till the next year. </p> <p>This year I’m planning on making the organizing a constant thing, so you’ll come along for my ride. At least till March. ;) </p> <p>Today I’m sharing a spot that usually stays pretty organized – I’ve figured out what I want there, what I need within reach, and it stays decent throughout the year. </p> <p>I’m talking about under our sink – I try to clean it out every six months or so, which usually means every twelve months or so but whatever. This is not one of my problem spots. I’ve got <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/01/whats-your-problem-area.html" target="_blank">plenty</a> <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-think-i-have-problem.html" target="_blank">of</a> <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/are-you-piler-too.html" target="_blank">those</a>. </p> <p>When we built our house we had tip out trays installed on the sinks – it makes those faux drawers in front of your sink somewhat useful. But when we installed the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/05/kitchen-sink.html" target="_blank">new granite sink</a> in the kitchen years ago, the trays wouldn’t work because the sink was so big. </p> <p>So I hung them both on the inside of one of the doors instead:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtkbHWIPQnl63iTP_Z2cbJ6TA_qvFdaBLehm7MVRxTxOdraSDhZ2uTNnByJ3ZYQxjiw1848cfjKp67FcnFRBdK-K5Z9KEypCRdDjHX0SVbvlhe19KINU-0Tk_37q4H07h5oT4LhuBYlk/s1600-h/IMG_4324%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sponge/brush organization" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVR8EDyRmjFxVoSxvdS2TXEv-98xaSgQXjWkKke5ej82JnbQYnOe1H04wDNfoiWyXT7QXuwYo2YS3tLkrL5iHUrmizJ7m21rgK5b6lL2sgA9tVmnByf6i6-GFG5NmShJnDeT5wwND36ys/?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="sponge/brush organization" width="320" /></a></p> <p>They don’t hold a ton, but they do keep the little sponges and sink stuff out of the way, and they are within easy reach. And yes, I use a bottle brush to clean our dishes – I find they work just as well as the fancy ones you can get. :)</p> <p>On the other door I put one of those little jobbies that holds your kitchen towel:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJXFcGMv_TLE4YXIYJXVEcHlH0_BgrGzj0nfS6KM9EO6ukA_3856C76R4veIYMJBejqTu7GmGuM0GMOwsWsaoO6UtbcWulkkTJbozDXarGW5IwbnMD_VLe61cPydCIvOJ3piIke2MUIA/s1600-h/IMG_4339%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5I9T1cSdmC8K7GcIUIF79fJ4OQHicUm0ADRzYGOsrQpaxdEAgBC9JrDED9he3vkgwfySOtovbjkVQHoxJghiQhy0bONHYdsNJubgx-S595vrI5O7EI5xlYJCp7K9tkThj01r6eSdha8/?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></p> <p>I used it for about three days and stopped – I’m just a throw the towel over the sink kind of gal. :)</p> <p>Inside I store our tall, skinny stuff that doesn’t really work anywhere else – I found I was storing them all flat in drawers and other stuff always got piled on top, which made them a pain to get to. I’ve got just enough room to line up the baking sheets, cutting board and bulky strainers:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuubMlxApjLzXsUzP8WVnn3D9qBQWnQ8QH6lyUasdDNKvlL9314Xd-9h7xB_Bh90Aw4ZcBlU509iruDkB44nchA1dL4Tek-AgecycyBmDlvGzncPxhAUUEy8t6Bmr6muIfj7UWfUiEmfo/s1600-h/IMG_4326%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing under the sink" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlJGiyjFO_8zg-HxGso14sFbuDs9K9BKxRV552VHx0rPbPTrYrkxararDG9i6T7DlflSONXaWZqbw9hRxztphjbRcj03fltMBlZbQ82Y-k08Uedskr8rTVA5332szu7iuyqUaNvnhXFU/?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="organizing under the sink" width="320" /></a></p> <p>The paper bags are our compactor bags and I’ll probably do a post on our trash compactor sometime – I love it that much. :)</p> <p>The other side holds our paper towels:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnZ6lb-SAHccW49P7ZqqGqJ7dyDccTBpPNLXLGNj5fg3J-xfmSUAeEFd1DkKqiJ8iQLR32H2EbGN1CeW8yS7A4HGx72P7CFwMr1F2jjy8UJEVcds-zRSPuMyOequ8IWGEAx3ZUXAfwXI/s1600-h/IMG_4328%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="paper towels under the sink" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T_d_c-lzcaAnYDWkGDIR4llJXutrbCseWfF4pugjcZ-iJ-ciTpghbqzTX0GleEtdb9K1DPLsF6iSLVayzZvqWuOQOrRfUFVrEPXpHvaQNNcugyJhMHkMEh6mm1BNuBQjHGCyP-TNUSE/?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="paper towels under the sink" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I know it’s an odd place for them, but a couple years ago I was on a mission to get as much off the counters as possible and came up with this idea instead. We actually had them hanging from under a cabinet but it was just visual clutter that I was trying to eliminate. (It was probably in January. ;) )</p> <p>It’s AWESOME. I just installed the bar at an angle so they are easy to tear off: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJw0wIG3qxslqs4wS0q7Z48RsHE0MkECh7JMwx6JtmroPgJ5nBb5ftnU29V5BWcazHUJJAtw4QSYX1ePyvDjDeS-JzNuOxlph1reEf7RardVOiOoj9peFDAhvzlEPZZzCOrKh56MJG4A/s1600-h/IMG_4332%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="paper towels under sink" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2_lc7DfB-pbDgzsNPuPND-p_aNq4DbkMg9TbEn9ERa1MvnWiIOE8ZyvjqLKgCpwzL2_h0haeknBIp7uCFJqQStB5P1sBbMCZvQCKclkhmpBZyjObr5vSHsK1aYxbqbVaSujCx7pyq0I/?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="paper towels under sink" width="320" /></a></p> <p>It takes very little effort to reach down and grab one, so I love it under the sink!</p> <p>When we get a new roll of trash bags I tear the whole flap off for easy access: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Kk2J6PHGMzsn2EmXaOj_93x73uc-kFzPgvuwRWbBMG-0uevkfG4VPdstsGtuuVHL808LFHDk2S4_Ff1rcYLT6CxcxIib-LRW8TpRiNsdJ5Bo5zFQgN645oFxdSeDJN-mkYKXDrMqos8/s1600-h/IMG_4327%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing under the sink" border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1d6ALw5N5qFwYgs9bc3opI0aisDzZx8H4uFcsM3F_TCCZON382ffwpv3_FYBxpQFXOxNEoAwFFAFuxk3W8dPQpMA10rFDvTPr6B4x6A0LkMX5Ybq2gdPbOf4NWLD0IGZnu-gvSb6y_UA/?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="organizing under the sink" width="320" /></a></p> <p>There’s nothing more annoying than a floppy flap getting in your way. ;)</p> <p>I keep one small bin under the sink for necessities and this is usually the only part of this area that gets cluttered. I did a quick clean out and set everything upright again:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0YUISzNdjEAq4vY_1hEP8Y6NTsfw1L5l3qhEVy5_2DTSku9Lk4AluGxh42wAaVmeSqct1P9O1Dc45tTo-mH7WXeEMeKl2Tjhk8zMitn501IHce5VDsKKJHU4YtYbXzwLGlT87LCUkV8/s1600-h/IMG_4334%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing under the sink" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8XRZhGDvYbYfAKScwwqjQJ7Ef7fxM1RmlGaSZS2FkplKmNtGC38EJFZM_TZdnQYvq7yZEuyQrkjRuLUwy2-stC6plsEAYxdz6g2_R5kLfie3-rBihh9fdwqC4avobuMKd7Le58uTh_o/?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="organizing under the sink" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Cause let’s be honest, nine times out of ten I’m not one to put it away perfectly. :) (I throw it back in the bin and shut the door.)</p> <p>This is the stuff I pulled out of the bin that had piled up over the past <strike>six</strike> twelve months: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Vr4jtiOg5-lVGK8TvoQqg-bd8Kutk1c3rUt0cFxyR5PfcbA2E2BgfunJ8vLHjUziJGblsy1nlb_83agHdKVY8KzJ_62ep87Exansgwc5bJ6q0QkPyT1s1LF2z7ki0YzpC5m9_yyOeZY/s1600-h/IMG_4340%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgog5DPq1z4_w0N6dTw5BFI880J5TwaM-RN4Yi5SDiXu2XIZTxFQgJQvDbe7Prr1JhIy8VejynZNYZ-rpaQzutOBAkwQ_0_8g0cw0VlvIISuyD-i7m7C2mNOL26NuFRNrjPlnXIyQiXvgw/?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></p> <p>Lots of hand soap (I bought a glass soap dispenser almost a year ago so that tells you last time I used most of these), random brushes we don’t need, a remnant of the child locks and an old sponge to name a few. The soaps and cleaning supplies will be put in the linen closet. You know…<em>where they go</em>. </p> <p>It wasn’t too bad to start, but I wiped it down, cleared it out a bit, washed out the trays and now it’s ready for a new year!:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwahfAU4tFGYucG1f9en4IR1DXR3B9WbLTF6_L4oS1ysi0LQ0IE_abtO5vTT3KkrY6MMKIMSybTSdEsBnlhDWfbdb_nE17XZZlKARxjN-zVyWGI_mwq6NzTwjZnF9XoUD_matogPjZ48s/s1600-h/IMG_4338%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing under the sink" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc2v63lRGMg_gA3xXh8EjHwZ8dYySdN7IeFUTpRqEu8W2LB-Mo5y9M-CsYoQQZHltZNXoPcWJdYvt7hkOrRJDdaaPtaKAySDunpIwzdq6GMojP2Pd0rcB3HUurC08ObvrbC-Dk30bbDQ/?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="organizing under the sink" width="500" /></a>Having a clean sink makes me feel like the rest of my house isn’t so bad. Having the area under the sink doesn’t have quite that power, but it does help a little. ;)</p> <p>What areas have you tackled so far this new year? Do you do it all at once or spend months doing it like me?    </p>

Under the sink

Hello and happy Tuesday! It’s the new year and for me (and most of us?) that means clearing out the clutter!! I’m always pumped and hyped an...

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January Before and After!

<p>Hellooooo there! Are you all starting to get back to normal around your parts? My hubs went back to school today for meetings and I have the Bub home one more day…real life starts again tomorrow. I’m a little happy and a little sad about that! I’m so confused. :)</p> <p>Today we’re kicking off another year of before and afters! I’m keeping these monthly shindigs going because it’s always fun to see what you all have been up to. And I love being able to share some of your awesomeness every month too! </p> <p>First up from <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/december-before-and-after.html" target="_blank">last month’s party</a> is a super smart project Christina did – she needed a runner but could only find a smaller rug (that worked with her colors), so she <a href="http://www.no29design.com/2012/11/how-to-make-rug.html" target="_blank">sewed three together</a>!:</p> <p><img alt="sew rugs together " border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu8RkGMvOC9zTdYNhUKVYId_L5vHTj1Qs0xoJkHggMRrrYJjoddLoO3aiTTv7MtjJK5lJHkVG7M89uwXzs3xnO8sEgXc6kUBeZPY9ZSh6KAthdePrNQNvW481NjYAl3ao8izlxcMQpxs/s640/IMG_0518.JPG" title="sew rugs together " width="450" /></p> <p>I LOVE that rug too! It would look pretty awesome in my mud room…</p> <p>It’s hard to believe by looking at pictures of <a href="http://www.lindahomeiswheremyheartis.com/2012/11/plywood-floors.html" target="_blank">Linda’s gorgeous floors</a> that they are plywood!: </p> <p><img alt="plywood hardwood floors" border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnStNQqPcurV-LL8Tyg24gcN_xLQwHgrkCNwNaFppYJQaH19tmdsh5c_QBwqbHkRpRmqA3U5NwtyGfHJn70cjN23OWGQ0CCTqzX3hZCvJ-cHzQyGsq3sbilXTomp88nW6XqAjYjKQhw/s640/IMG_5937a.jpg" title="plywood hardwood floors" width="450" /></p> <p>Gorgeous!! And for a fraction of the cost of hardwoods!</p> <p>I loved Lisa’s paint transformation – she shares how she <a href="http://www.beforemeetsafterblog.com/2012/11/painting-laminate-bookshelf.html" target="_blank">painted this laminate (yes, laminate!) bookcase</a> and made it shine:</p> <p><img alt="painting laminate with chalk paint" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EvGZLbc0Gk/ULGOpsei25I/AAAAAAAADJ0/OZVxEpDwFG4/s640/finished+bookcase.jpg" title="painting laminate with chalk paint" width="384" /></p> <p>Love that dark background too, especially with those white dishes.</p> <p>Maria found a little nightstand on Craigslist and gave it <a href="http://www.ourlakelife.com/2012/10/30/vintage-nightstand-before-and-after/" target="_blank">a fabulous makeover</a>: </p> <p><img alt="two tone stain and paint" border="0" height="271" src="http://www.ourlakelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Nightstand1_thumb.jpg" title="two tone stain and paint" width="450" /></p> <p>So well done, I love that stained wood! </p> <p>Want a pop of color on the outside of your house? <a href="http://www.housebyhoff.blogspot.com/2012/10/hello-gorgeous.html" target="_blank">Paint your door a fun color</a> like April!: </p> <p><img alt="light blue front door" border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRts90UwPblJK7g2py6QLeAMpvgUierkH9ap5e8DjluAtOY0Q1-i4eDq-SnEQlwGYZuL_LRbYxqBJl8taMdVtuAtW01kgtaCWGZVsrUOzkeiPbvs8jh4CiPIWnxsJM2qNMsaKIJaSVL8c/s640/front+door+3.jpg" title="light blue front door" width="450" /></p> <p>Makes me ready for spring! :)</p> <p>Cheryl did a fantastic job on her daughter’s room redo and I was especially taken <a href="http://newhousetohome.blogspot.com/2012/11/teen-girls-room-reveal-finally.html" target="_blank">with the nightstand</a>: </p> <p><img alt="steel dresser" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_elB6x7yyqQxxuMbW-h_ooG6my2PXIdZrVGaHVI2Wwej8mZ-A8uDlbwBtD3uejoJenNEWiccaqSUop9cqiadE56njOAUaz3MR8V3GDOJymudwBA0fDsOkMmojgz6x7WKkg8MtjsdToFk/s640/overlays+dresser.JPG" title="steel dresser" width="436" /></p> <p></p> <p>How cool is that overlay on the front? </p> <p>And finally, but certainly not least, I loved Cassie’s <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/12/mudroom-complete.html#" target="_blank">hallway to mud room</a> transformation:</p> <p><img alt="mudroom hallway" height="872" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8232201339_f29983fb2e_o.jpg" title="mudroom hallway" width="550" /></p> <p>She calls it a mudroom hall and it’s totally functional <em>and</em> fun with that striped door and cool light! </p> <p>As always, I’m blown away with your projects! Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to this month! </p> <p>If you’d like to be considered in the next highlight, please include a link back to me or use this button code in your post: </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px" align="center"><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7326" height="225" src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif" title="beforeAndAfterButton_thumb[1]" width="146" /></a></div> <pre style="border-bottom: #cccccc 1px solid; text-align: left; border-left: #cccccc 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; margin: auto; padding-left: 10px; width: 90%; padding-right: 10px; display: block; white-space: pre-wrap; background: #f0f0f0; height: 45px; color: #777777; font-size: 90%; overflow: auto; border-top: #cccccc 1px solid; border-right: #cccccc 1px solid; padding-top: 10px"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/" title="TDC Before and After" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif" alt="TDC Before and After" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre><br /><br /><p>Now, link it up -- the linky will be open for a week! </p><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=228640"></script><!-- end InLinkz script -->

January Before and After!

Hellooooo there! Are you all starting to get back to normal around your parts? My hubs went back to school today for meetings and I have the...

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Is this your dream house?

<p>Hey hey! How are ya? I’ve been dealing with some computer problems this morning, hence the late post. I thought those weren’t supposed to happen on a Mac?? ;) </p> <p>Anyhoo, the other day I caught the last few minutes of the HGTV dream house special and was pleasantly surprised with the bits I saw. Every year there are definitely parts I love and some I not-so-love. I found a little of both when I went to the site to see more of the house. </p> <p>Have you seen it yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts too!</p> <p>It’s absolutely beautiful from the outside, looks like a tree house to me:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HMMmDZ_-nAs/UOcqGecnxFI/AAAAAAAAZqo/4JKve4hIGTI/s1600-h/DH2013_Front-Yard-01-Major-Front-Exterior_s4x3_lg%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream home 2013" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XkOpPLKXjfo/UOcqHGCa7-I/AAAAAAAAZqw/Vxab3w6z-u0/DH2013_Front-Yard-01-Major-Front-Exterior_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream home 2013" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The front porch is amazing, and those shingles look like cedar but are really made of PVC:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3i3lBz6AmnE/UOcqH57OLqI/AAAAAAAAZq4/4S3pcnfgh-c/s1600-h/DH2013_Front-Porch-07-Door-Open-EPP2116_s4x3_lg%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-97YUm_XwR4o/UOcqIqh368I/AAAAAAAAZrA/v12cu9Kprc4/DH2013_Front-Porch-07-Door-Open-EPP2116_s4x3_lg_thumb%25255B3%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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Wild huh?</p> <p>And you KNOW I love that front door with the glass! (We discussed the potential for glass in our front door in <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/04/glass-doorcould-you-do-it.html">here</a> – so many of you had opinions on that!)</p> <p>I love that they created a little relaxing nook in the entry here: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DL2GM2q7EJI/UOcqJGdjkGI/AAAAAAAAZrI/kY0kiYKey70/s1600-h/DH2013_Entry-Hall-01-Foyer-FINAL_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JuIbfpC7Ap8/UOcqKo4L2cI/AAAAAAAAZrQ/ONKGmqoV-Pc/DH2013_Entry-Hall-01-Foyer-FINAL_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I don’t imagine I would lay down for a nap in the foyer, but whatever, it’s cute! ;)</p> <p>I have mixed thoughts on the family room space: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lrA-7y17adg/UOcqLYjBeZI/AAAAAAAAZrY/6oK7LmO7dLE/s1600-h/DH2013_Great-Room-01-Living-Room-FINAL_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3fHEZ5vX1Bc/UOcqL2va2lI/AAAAAAAAZrg/XcmtvDMEzwU/DH2013_Great-Room-01-Living-Room-FINAL_s4x3_lg_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="450" /></a></p> <p>I LOVE the tall ceilings, all the windows, the floors! </p> <p>But the fireplace feels out of place to me with the contemporary look and I’m not a fan of the sofa fabric…like, at all:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tUfz4a5A1ls/UOcqMs-d8tI/AAAAAAAAZro/gT3n9Iz1p20/s1600-h/DH2013_Great-Room-10-Seating-EPP8701_s4x3_lg%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-COqiccTHX-k/UOcqNbOznhI/AAAAAAAAZrw/gxZW9l3yehE/DH2013_Great-Room-10-Seating-EPP8701_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It just looks so heavy and out of place to me for this room. I expected something a bit lighter. And there is a TON of green in this house. <em>Lots</em>. Some pops of a few more colors would be beautiful!</p> <p>I LOVE this console, with it’s paneled glass doors: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JESi_9gIOgw/UOcqOJNLwoI/AAAAAAAAZr4/fJG5wD--5lE/s1600-h/DH2013_Great-Room-11-Side-Table-EPP7732_s3x4_lg%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="427" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ldCk6SDWTE/UOcqOwhLutI/AAAAAAAAZsA/szUUjYjdGf0/DH2013_Great-Room-11-Side-Table-EPP7732_s3x4_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="320" /></a></p> <p>Love the simple accessorizing too – I’m kind of obsessed with that huge crane. Duck?</p> <p>But take a look at this photo – is it me or are there two of those consoles in this pic?:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N86wTUSNwtE/UOcqPl7jChI/AAAAAAAAZsI/ALqo4iwYe_0/s1600-h/DH2013_Great-Room-14-From-Dining-EPP0367_s4x3_lg%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream home 2013" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DipIggw0Pdc/UOcqQWcMV8I/AAAAAAAAZsQ/bNOMYrPFl_o/DH2013_Great-Room-14-From-Dining-EPP0367_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream home 2013" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Am I losing it? There’s one in one pic, two in another right? Oh well, I love them both. ;)</p> <p>The kitchen I’m not digging as much as some of the other spaces. This house looks like it would have such a lovely, traditional kitchen, and this one leans more modern -- it surprised me (maybe that’s the point!):<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qVknJPkpMuI/UOcqQ4crF0I/AAAAAAAAZsY/jEedDSXJy58/s1600-h/DH2013_Kitchen-01-Wide-Hero-EPP0385A_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream home 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y4Nb7STbiXQ/UOcqRhmyusI/AAAAAAAAZsg/bjrCNSR_zW8/DH2013_Kitchen-01-Wide-Hero-EPP0385A_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream home 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I love the base cabinets, even love the color. And I’m a fan of painted ceilings (I’ve painted most of ours, the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/01/well-finally-office-reveal.html">blue one in my office is my fave</a>), but that saturated green feels SO heavy to me: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uv9UvESvGOI/UOcqSHIBXWI/AAAAAAAAZso/vxad_VphjA8/s1600-h/DH2013_Kitchen-05-Island-Range-Refrigerator-EPP0396_s4x3_lg%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l83EYzOCRCA/UOcqS1PEpMI/AAAAAAAAZsw/vPXN-Ozi4HQ/DH2013_Kitchen-05-Island-Range-Refrigerator-EPP0396_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I do love that they used the open shelving in what would be an awkward spot for cabinets next to the fridge!</p> <p>The dining area was more of the same tones – I think a different color for the chairs would be lovely but I love those rattan ones at the ends of the table! I dig the lights too:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MjaVe_7DDt8/UOcqTVyxroI/AAAAAAAAZs4/AUBD--UKL_Q/s1600-h/DH2013_Dining-Room-01-Wide-Kitchen-EPP8711_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--ISZcMhgreM/UOcqUSnV1-I/AAAAAAAAZtA/bBtHLabRLEU/DH2013_Dining-Room-01-Wide-Kitchen-EPP8711_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Love that rug too!</p> <p>The powder room showcases how the green continues through the house: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xxb41Zu4LNg/UOcqUy6jt9I/AAAAAAAAZtI/Y-jcVojlFNg/s1600-h/DH2013_Powder-Room-08-Wide-Front-Porch-Stairs-EPP2270_s4x3_lg%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5V19F2a81Yo/UOcqWJ1Tq-I/AAAAAAAAZtQ/seOa5aAXGbM/DH2013_Powder-Room-08-Wide-Front-Porch-Stairs-EPP2270_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I guess I’m just surprised – I expected a bit lighter color palette for a “beachy” type of home like this. </p> <p>The bunk room was more along the lines of what I expected -- I LOVE the combo of blues and green:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lseuHOHlKhs/UOcqWrJTbcI/AAAAAAAAZtY/16TmhuOM8yc/s1600-h/DH2013_Bunk-Niche-01-Wide-Hero-EPP9082_s4x3_lg%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream home 2013" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G5D9pmiLxSU/UOcqXBB4ZXI/AAAAAAAAZtg/9nd14hbovWA/DH2013_Bunk-Niche-01-Wide-Hero-EPP9082_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream home 2013" width="500" /></a></p> <p>How FUN!</p> <p>This room was more serene and more monotone: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N4TqS8zFCXc/UOcqXjU2dZI/AAAAAAAAZto/fDGnBGNmebY/s1600-h/DH2013_Twin-Suite-Bedroom-01-Kids-Bedoom-FIN_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nk7ExprLzcc/UOcqYXVx6vI/AAAAAAAAZtw/15lZey_Enls/DH2013_Twin-Suite-Bedroom-01-Kids-Bedoom-FIN_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I wonder if they just put the dining room rug in here for the shot? ;) Although this one looks like it has some more green to it.</p> <p>I thought the guest room was just lovely:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WhvUmsAPH2s/UOcqY6nbBgI/AAAAAAAAZt4/sPPMt2ASoCg/s1600-h/DH2013_Guest-Suite-Bedroom-01-Guest-Bedroom-FINAL_s4x3_lg%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream home 2013" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T7aPQQh833o/UOcqZNItfXI/AAAAAAAAZuA/F_fkUv3cNGo/DH2013_Guest-Suite-Bedroom-01-Guest-Bedroom-FINAL_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream home 2013" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The posters on that bed are amazing! </p> <p>I’m obsessed with that deep blue/grey color on the armoire right now: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m36nqVeSjHM/UOcqZ2CfUPI/AAAAAAAAZuI/f1dGUu7pjJk/s1600-h/DH2013_Guest-Suite-Bedroom-02-Wide-Bed-TV-EPP9844_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_PjGy7K3JTw/UOcqacup5oI/AAAAAAAAZuQ/1SlZ7XkeSwo/DH2013_Guest-Suite-Bedroom-02-Wide-Bed-TV-EPP9844_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>It’s similar to what I used on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/10/library-bookcases-done-boom.html">backs of our built ins</a>.</p> <p>The rafters in the loft are AMAZING:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z-lpz-eco0A/UOcqbUmTxeI/AAAAAAAAZuY/zypTYKL1Uik/s1600-h/DH2013_Loft-01-Loft-FINAL_s4x3_lg%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P9lYZh1_w9Y/UOcqc2NvEII/AAAAAAAAZug/8QmWF1ODXcA/DH2013_Loft-01-Loft-FINAL_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And I love that deep blue color on the walls!</p> <p>I think my favorite room in the house is the master bedroom:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-quNiT61Nm7s/UOcqdc5a9cI/AAAAAAAAZuo/_YYKxOcnbrU/s1600-h/DH2013_Master-Suite-Bedroom-01-Master-Bedroom-FINAL_s4x3_lg%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cmePmLUVFyI/UOcqd3cLU9I/AAAAAAAAZuw/5KL-S4FwDpw/DH2013_Master-Suite-Bedroom-01-Master-Bedroom-FINAL_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’m toying around with replacing our four poster bed and this makes me rethink it. </p> <p>Love the rug and the pattern on this chair too:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k9UaYanZxzU/UOcqegkIpdI/AAAAAAAAZu4/0yvMrEMhpIM/s1600-h/DH2013_Master-Suite-Bedroom-06-Chair-Lamp-EPP8131_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uQAgL1pifKE/UOcqfbPjhwI/AAAAAAAAZvA/HIdzGv3x1K8/DH2013_Master-Suite-Bedroom-06-Chair-Lamp-EPP8131_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I also like that the two sides of the bed aren’t identical. There’s a small dresser on one side and a desk on the other: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZzW2rXbkR6M/UOcqf2KFBRI/AAAAAAAAZvI/Pvr6iMflpOk/s1600-h/DH2013_Master-Suite-Bedroom-16-Bed-Bathroom-EPP1280_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8QQQkx-_-rQ/UOcqgo5z6JI/AAAAAAAAZvQ/dvVgwRggDQY/DH2013_Master-Suite-Bedroom-16-Bed-Bathroom-EPP1280_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Really love that! This year I’m going to try to to break of out of my need to have everything symmetrical – it hurts me a little but I want to<em> try</em>. :)</p> <p>There were a few more little things that I noticed in the house as well. This bright green vanity in a light blue bathroom was one:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z2qxvcZJIM0/UOcqhXnUbVI/AAAAAAAAZvY/00KicMANxso/s1600-h/DH2013_Twin-Suite-Bathroom-05-Sink-Window-EPP9108_s4x3_lg%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1zpkDTxKSjY/UOcqhz7oeSI/AAAAAAAAZvg/aA2C47vb87k/DH2013_Twin-Suite-Bathroom-05-Sink-Window-EPP9108_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Love that they installed the vanity lights right into the molding around the mirror in that bathroom and this one:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F8P1cni2JfM/UOcqiJ_JGJI/AAAAAAAAZvo/S4C2JBbpcSc/s1600-h/DH2013_Master-Suite-Bathroom-10-Sinks-Candles-EPP8441_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZsLu0os7-PA/UOcqjPRw3EI/AAAAAAAAZvw/ZPd43n3bTgY/DH2013_Master-Suite-Bathroom-10-Sinks-Candles-EPP8441_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>I like the addition of a towel rod at the end of the cabinets in the dining area:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ulhz-LjyqrY/UOcqjjyEe2I/AAAAAAAAZv4/7HJuS6mQjgk/s1600-h/DH2013_Dining-Room-06-Cabinets-Sink-EPP9242_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kUru3ODxFrQ/UOcqkROF3GI/AAAAAAAAZwA/xJpaKzWlrVE/DH2013_Dining-Room-06-Cabinets-Sink-EPP9242_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>It’s the little things for sure. :)</p> <p>I adore the fluffy blooms on this plant!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kDPKk_uTXHk/UOcqlLCiWHI/AAAAAAAAZwI/LAeLkxspcN8/s1600-h/DH2013_Twin-Suite-Bedroom-04-Flowers-EPP0036_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cIOFO3hiXos/UOcqlg8LDII/AAAAAAAAZwQ/dcthhMv6tXk/DH2013_Twin-Suite-Bedroom-04-Flowers-EPP0036_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>They called it a pandanus – I don’t think I’ve heard of this or seen one before! </p> <p>I love that they used a long floating shelf in place of a console or dresser in a hallway:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BRs-f9DLSeE/UOcqma_7XVI/AAAAAAAAZwY/-p81nl_QsF0/s1600-h/DH2013_Dining-Room-16-Shelf-Entry-EPP9462_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MNSIymABDAI/UOcqnHTMjEI/AAAAAAAAZwg/dgT6AWfojO8/DH2013_Dining-Room-16-Shelf-Entry-EPP9462_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>If you don’t have enough room for a piece of furniture, this would be a great option! My only question would be how do you hide the cords?? ;)</p> <p>The pantry wasn’t your typical food closet, but I love how they made skirts out of some fun fabric to hide the stuff underneath:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ht0NuFc2YBc/UOcqnkCgk9I/AAAAAAAAZwo/UYxt1CBXuDg/s1600-h/DH2013_Butlers-Pantry-01-Pantry-FINAL_s4x3_lg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hmXl7I_HxBU/UOcqoZx3TWI/AAAAAAAAZww/q0FE9LQLfD4/DH2013_Butlers-Pantry-01-Pantry-FINAL_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="450" /></a></p> <p>And really? A wine fridge in the pantry wouldn’t suck. ;)</p> <p>I was so taken with these pretty ice cream cups in there too: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eemNIYBnujA/UOcqp90QzBI/AAAAAAAAZw4/BrAa0afVcQc/s1600-h/DH2013_Butlers-Pantry-09-Green-Glasses-EPP1560_s4x3_lg%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HGTV dream house 2013" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bg-nOHnaYvc/UOcqqTiOKqI/AAAAAAAAZxA/JqWfSwYfsOo/DH2013_Butlers-Pantry-09-Green-Glasses-EPP1560_s4x3_lg_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="HGTV dream house 2013" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Could be because I could eat a waffle cone for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Could just be cause they’re cute. ;) </p> <p>What do you think of this year’s dream home? Do you enter every year? I stopped trying a few years back. And then every year when they announce the winner I get a tad excited that maybe it could be me and remember I never entered. Dang. ;)</p> <p>All photos were taken from the HGTV site <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/dream-home/index.html">here</a> and you can see details about paint colors and the products there too.</p> <p>**Don’t forget the first Before and After Party of 2013 will be this Monday! I’ll be back to DIY and normal posting next week! Have a great weekend!</p>

Is this your dream house?

Hey hey! How are ya? I’ve been dealing with some computer problems this morning, hence the late post. I thought those weren’t supposed to ha...

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What you don’t see

<p>Hey hey! I finally finished up taking down and putting away all of the Christmas decor yesterday and it feels soooo good to get it out! I love it, you know I do, but come the new year it needs to be <em>gone</em>. </p> <p>There is still the outdoor decor, but it’s dang cold out and we have a thick layer of snow, so who knows when that will happen. </p> <p>As I was gathering up the Christmas over the past few days I noticed a few glaring things in our house that I thought I would share. It’s a new year and throughout this next year I hope to continue to show you the fun, pretty stuff in our home. But if you’ve been around for awhile you know I don’t shy away from showing the not so pretty sometimes too. </p> <p>We are a real family and live in a real house and that means real messes and real things that go wrong… and in the land of blogs sometimes it’s hard to remember that the perfectly styled pics are just that – perfectly styled. ;) </p> <p>Here’s the low down on just a few of the things that need to be fixed around here…</p> <p>I think it was three years ago that we thought we had a leak in an upstairs bathroom – we thought so because this happened to the family room ceiling: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FsnAfPYgW6Y/UORoDd5V9_I/AAAAAAAAZn4/cYEjrtwiz5U/s1600-h/IMG_4303%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s3Vi51WY8GE/UORoEMqdgQI/AAAAAAAAZoA/9AXEIjbwbLs/IMG_4303_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="320" /></a></p> <p>Turns out it wasn’t a leak, the protective little jobby I had on the tub faucet (when the Bub was little) had been turned upside down, so when the water came out of the faucet it was flowing right back up into the wall. </p> <p>It was just one time but it did some decent damage to the ceiling. We have to have the tape removed, retape the drywall and then have the ceiling retextured. It gives me a headache just thinking about it, so it’s sat there. Hung there? </p> <p>Speaking of that ceiling, it’s getting a paint job asap – the color is driving me NUTTY. And so are all the tiny holes and non-caulked joints on all of the crown in that space:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8-PnXIZM59Q/UORoEsdzyvI/AAAAAAAAZoI/-U2GwLgMuGM/s1600-h/IMG_4305%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="crown molding corners" border="0" height="266" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ms5QzNB0QKM/UORoE2jUxjI/AAAAAAAAZoQ/M9w5Rj8jV1w/IMG_4305_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="crown molding corners" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I put up the crown a year or two ago and if you’ve done crown molding, you know it can be a royal pain in the patoot. Getting back up on the ladder to fill those holes, caulk the joints and paint it all has been at the bottom of a verrrry long list. </p> <p>And yes, you can totally tell it when you look at it. This still does not light a fire under me. :)</p> <p>The drapes in our family room have been unlined with a rough edge since I hung them up years ago. It’s just fabric clipped up: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P93VMrc2GFs/UORoFcdH9LI/AAAAAAAAZoY/665Cby7J1XI/s1600-h/IMG_4307%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZR0AxhxqOiE/UORoFnQhFnI/AAAAAAAAZog/xX7yO2aKza0/IMG_4307_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="320" /></a></p> <p>I’ve now convinced myself that I like it that way. It adds texture…so I say. ;)</p> <p>Remember that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/05/refreshing-living-room.html" target="_blank">Pottery Barn rug</a> that I saved for and waited patiently for it to go on sale before I brought it home and LOVED it?:</p> <p><img alt="pottery barn jute rug" border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wg-ElFSv-Dlhb6ijkjcDf1mrMxRPST6BNjhWHtAbbzP4-RwMCxP7m_2Jl9xZ-D2wtMCE_3U_Qdi_8wHid1KU2tP5tuUt1gT2sMtPnro0Ih7g4sCJrN2qleKlxNhyphenhyphenHRFNlzuSJOPiCt4/?imgmax=800" title="pottery barn jute rug" width="500" /></p> <p> Well the dog loved it too: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FPSW5_xhrj4/UORoGD7bv8I/AAAAAAAAZoo/0zro5QNJOV0/s1600-h/IMG_4310%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E2pwGGzkZp4/UORoGXj7QKI/AAAAAAAAZow/8SNL3zIgpJ0/IMG_4310_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="320" /></a></p> <p>You can’t tell how big it is there but that is a HUGE hole in my pretty rug. I just keep stuffing the loose ends back into the hole to try to hide it. Of course an open, glass coffee table does nothing to help disguise it, but whatever, <em>I am</em> <em>keeping this rug</em>. :)</p> <p>Our master bath is a room that’s gotten very little updating – I painted soon after we moved in and threw a frame up around the mirror:</p> <p><img alt="maple bathroom cabinets" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB9m541PV0PXVW3E59pJ7qovYHAL54Ejc1fJwpYEJzEzgxvoiOY7unXOzSzWoKvDHSbIghcPxFY93YROZJ1sc-XS1V3JhGH0fmHEe7EswyP7Icn46dm573MR0d41SvGv27s8aWbFJdMw/?imgmax=800" title="maple bathroom cabinets" width="320" /></p> <p>But it’s almost nine years are starting to show – both of our sinks leak unless we put the handle in <em>just</em> the perfect position, and both of our stoppers are broken: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ct9cfLGNhPc/UORoGwuS2ZI/AAAAAAAAZo4/9-P4rS92oQA/s1600-h/IMG_4320%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VWjvb8Fsqt8/UORoHAZzWxI/AAAAAAAAZpA/6DyVhzL9u-k/IMG_4320_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="400" /></a> The leak and stopper happened in one sink, and within two weeks it happened to the other. My plan has always been to replace the faucets entirely, so it will wait till then. </p> <p>Our tub looked decent a few months ago:</p> <p><img alt="beadboard tub surround" border="0" height="597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIde10Acbwrs-BDyd27VHCR-dK6fGc_fm8OXkiBompzercUyrBQS8m6nobf70OkOSkkC80KOdVUE3O1FuViT3wrDLo3rmYI01ZcxIX5pm_0FY1fSBrXl1y5WYiCY-D00MOThIbrzOPUk/?imgmax=800" title="beadboard tub surround" width="400" /></p> <p>Well, we thought we had a leak (again) but it wasn’t a leak (again) – but we didn’t find that out till the plumber took the side of the tub off just to find nothing was wrong:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aMySJeg9aJk/UORoHfD38xI/AAAAAAAAZpI/-t_tXkvH4dY/s1600-h/IMG_4323%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="beadboard tub surround" border="0" height="258" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k5sHtkcZER8/UORoH6gHDiI/AAAAAAAAZpQ/V6YDE7ve-fA/IMG_4323_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="beadboard tub surround" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I installed the beadboard so that the panels could still be taken off, and it worked great, but I now I need to reinstall the trim and paint over all the new caulk. </p> <p>And remember when I did all that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-can-tile.html" target="_blank">tile around the tub</a> years ago? </p> <p>Well, <em>someone </em>(me) never caulked around the bottom of said tile and water got splashed up under it one day and leaked down into the laundry room walls and made a new mess: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wwrnK3L2Tb4/UORoIJjShRI/AAAAAAAAZpY/AWU0h5_AJCQ/s1600-h/IMG_4312%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4312" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0kSi49Y7Rjc/UORoIuhQCmI/AAAAAAAAZpg/71kD0FB5UNM/IMG_4312_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="IMG_4312" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I was thrilled that day when I saw the drywall bubbling up, <em>let me tell you</em>. Good things: the leak we thought was a leak wasn’t a leak, I just need to caulk the tile (!!!), and there’s no damage to the electrical stuff because of the water. Bad news: I have drywall repairs and lots of painting to do. </p> <p>Did I mention this all happened months ago? Yeahhhh. </p> <p>Speaking of the laundry room, I still don’t have the beadboard painted or the baseboards down: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xo70hoeY8L0/UORoI8WWVCI/AAAAAAAAZpo/jc0DKTvU9iQ/s1600-h/IMG_4315%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="black beadboard" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N9pfwtZhTc4/UORoJc2BqnI/AAAAAAAAZpw/pc8dpQS11eA/IMG_4315_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="black beadboard" width="320" /></a></p> <p>It’s been like this since I <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-get-me-started.html" target="_blank">installed those peel and stick tiles</a> a year ago. I wanted to wait till the washer and dryer were moved out to start this redo and I need to figure out a plan for the new mud room built ins before I can finish up the beadboard. So…it sits. Without baseboards. </p> <p>And finally, the doozy. This one may make you shed a tear, it almost did me. Remember our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/09/deck-reveal.html" target="_blank">beautiful pergola on the deck</a>?:</p> <p><img alt="sears gazebo night" border="0" height="597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggD4GIR_BxfTJBbKv5e0LHtUURsS21naqHmp-avApzl4yXr5p3Q1XXIS7qsiEsW2oHfKkb8MFO8wLsi1MN64qV4WZlBF6olzTeKwBBpaZkqUm30b3nEzdBDrd5pOv_tP2xtvDuHGsWQIE/?imgmax=800" title="sears gazebo night" width="400" /></p> <p>Sigh. </p> <p>After some nasty, fierce winds and a couple snow storms it now looks like this: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l1FUBVPazHw/UORoKDRT0MI/AAAAAAAAZp4/G-0VIlCgQyI/s1600-h/IMG_4318%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxZahSHTXEwelp78kaQvj_d19YHYzwb28mvj293WPyXAcFDgqDXsHJNIyeW45Z_FW_JFvMnenBqpQkWAW0Gkw26jxFjQ2lEnh22MxS6SiD0hKuk2QOg1Ez3onWj7-v4GHfiMrSf2Z5Ew/?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="400" /></a></p> <p>Yeah, I took that through the window, remember it’s cold out there!</p> <p>And yeah, it’s AWFUL. Sucks, royally. It didn’t do any damage to the deck, thankfully. This just happened recently and every time we get ready to go take it apart, it snows six more inches or the temps drop down under 30 degrees, so we haven’t been able to clean it up yet. It made it through plenty of winds and snow last winter and spring, it was just too intense this time I guess. </p> <p>It makes me just sick to look at it. I don’t know what we’ll do to replace it this year…time will tell. </p> <p>So anyway, there’s a look at the not-so-good around our house. It’s not stuff I actively hide by the way, I don’t edit my photos or anything like that – if you look hard enough you’ll see a lot of it. ;) </p> <p>And no, I’m not complaining. This is part of owning a home and I’m thankful for it. Every once and awhile I just like to show that our house is far from pretty all of the time.</p> <p>Be kind to me…I did accomplish <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/best-of-2012.html" target="_blank">all of this</a> and more last year! ;)</p>

What you don’t see

Hey hey! I finally finished up taking down and putting away all of the Christmas decor yesterday and it feels soooo good to get it out! I lo...

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Haven tickets on sale today!

<p>Hello and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! </p> <p>I’m excited to announce that the 2013 Haven Conference tickets go on sale today!:  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KkaUTAOlPAw/UOMMeFXRoYI/AAAAAAAAZnM/IXz0NtbUTCk/s1600-h/banner%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="banner" border="0" height="202" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Uez7QEAKFyo/UOMMeULFakI/AAAAAAAAZnU/fWIvWyae_6k/banner_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="banner" width="550" /></a></p> <p>They will go on sale at <strong>noon EST</strong>, and the first 50 tickets will go for $200 and the remaining 300 tickets will be sold at $225, so try to get that early bird discount!</p> <p>We love that this is a conference that both bloggers and non-bloggers can enjoy – we have a great mix of DIY and blogging sessions. </p> <p>This year’s conference takes place on August 1-3, 2013 in Atlanta and we cannot WAIT to see you there!</p> <p><strong>Click over to <a href="http://havenconference2013-eorg.eventbrite.com/#">Eventbrite</a> for all of the ticket information and to purchase your tickets. </strong></p> <p>Have a great first day of 2013!!</p>

Haven tickets on sale today!

Hello and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I’m excited to announce that the 2013 Haven Conference tickets go on sale today!:  They will go on sale at ...

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Mini-Muffin Tins

Christmas isn't really over! Because we are exchanging presents with Big A's family today!  And with that said, we are going to eat, drink and be merry! Technically, it's Christmas!  Again.<br/><br/>Each family is bringing a dish - I hear Swedish Meatballs, Baked Swiss Cheese Dip, Veggies, and a Rye Boat are all on the menu.  I am making Mini Muffin Pan Appetizers.  They're yummy and sooo cute.  All you need is won-ton wrappers and mini-muffin tins -you can fill them with anything you like.  I had planned to make mini tacos, and when I mentioned it to my Mother in Law, she said she was craving Crab Rangoon.  Done.  Just put the filling in a won-ton wrapper in a mini-muffin tin!<br/><br/>[caption id="attachment_709" align="aligncenter" width="225"]<a href="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan-1-010.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-709" height="300" src="http://www.fyimodularhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jan-1-010-225x300.jpg" title="jan 1 010" width="225" /></a> Place wontons and fill![/caption]<br/><br/>(Note: I find the 3" square won-ton wrappers in the produce section, the brand is Melissa's)<br/><br/> <br/><br/><strong>Mini Crab Rangoon</strong><br/><br/>8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature<br/>1/4 cup sour cream<br/>2 teaspoon soy sauce<br/>1 teaspoon sugar<br/>1 large clove garlic, minced<br/>2  6 oz cans crab meat, drained<br/>24 won-ton wrappers (pre-cut)<br/>1/4 cup Chinese duck sauce<br/><h2>Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</h2><br/><ol><br/> <li><br/><div>Mix first 6 ingredients together. Set aside.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Spray mini-muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray an place one won-ton square in each mini-muffin tin.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Place a heaping teaspoon of crab mixture in each cup, and fold wonton tips in over filling.</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Bake 12-15 minutes or until won-tons are golden</div></li><br/> <li><br/><div>Remove from oven and top each with 1/2 teaspoon duck sauce.</div></li><br/></ol><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong> Min Tacos</strong></div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center"></div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">24 Won Ton wrappers (I bought the pre-cut ones)</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">1 lb Hamburger meat</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">1 packet spicy Taco Seasoning</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">1 can or jar Nacho Cheese sauce (gross, but necessary!)</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">Grated Cheese (I bought pre-shredded taco cheese)</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center"></div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong>Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.</strong></div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">1. Brown the ground beef.</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">2. Season with taco seasoning.</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">3.  Spray the mini-muffin tins with cooking spray.</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">4. Place the won-tons in a cupcake pan</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">5. Place a teaspoon of nacho cheese sauce in the bottom of each wrapper, and fill each cup with meat mixture, and top with grated cheese.  Fold wonton wrapper tips in over filling.</div><br/><div style="text-align: left;" align="center">6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees or until won-tons are golden.</div>

Mini-Muffin Tins

Christmas isn't really over! Because we are exchanging presents with Big A's family today!  And with that said, we are going to eat,...

Read more »