Thriifty Decor Chick

Vinyl Love

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIsP26jT_JIdD-4W0Z7Pi5ggFu3Mwdrb44vtMAWQ2PPDqkmO4OLBdbdbrdQ4j0ywp8jHdUOG78VQLzlkDnQlg8b-btApQ_SESErKS3jdzWeB9ns6nazrvEpSlxcghB6mML2B3J1mV4zI/s1600-h/045%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYEm7DMTCiDeJP0W5-DIQRC_VxKLqH65Rgo-wonAqXWAmObzN1fCAV1WfdkqzZj0MPZzY70mYNkORnv-GYfAWzZuB6MWQ9yV57vSgTe7LAkuA7Bd0pmEPieq2hjbpyi471gKsc9ciy9I/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="575" /></a> Are you a vinyl luva like me? I think the vinyl wording and designs that have been gaining popularity over the past few years are just so FUN to use around the house. Recently I’ve been wondering if they are here to stay, and then I saw two episodes of Divine Design where Candice Olsen used vinyl on the walls – and I figured I’m good to go for quite a while. I mean, if Candice is using it…I’m safe. ;) I know you can easily go overboard with the stuff – using a bit of restraint with vinyl on your walls is not a bad thing. But there is such a huge variety of it out there now, it’s so easy to make it work with your decor. And it’s not only words anymore – the vinyl I see now is more like art, for sure! What I love about vinyl is anyone can use it, in just about any room. Even if you rent, you can put it up, then just peel it off when you move. Or, you can mount it on a piece of wood and move it around as you wish. I’ve been doing that more and more -- if I think I’ll ever want to reuse one somewhere else, I find ways to make it movable. The giraffe growth chart from Uppercase Living is too cute! I just love it, and I wanted to make sure it could go with us if we ever left this house: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvKJNQ5s9NVseBuqc1S4K92PWCLpK__8DgeoVOsR7a_oVLADJrFF8Z8BxpLID332KocBvlhvPJ8VVNy0Qm8ibiI0ZZt5MTzNIsr2JAiCYmmZRcCE9iQBORKERd2WEq7e8XwK5dh7EtZg/s1600-h/DSC08581%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNQ_DCai3HvskTknN-NjICZWNJ1i2fcicDfKn5aUZJ8D4NhBV5rBeChhVlY1NL8ho248oClvITRH3zODx1MrDeZSP8pzkErJkzgJ0OzBZ7y0Eirxsk8XggkCM2MfrJE7UroFrgbwqpXw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="360" /></a>You’ll notice there’s still not one measurement on there. ;) Why have a growth chart with no “growth” on it? Because it’s CAUTE! That’s why. I have a few phrases on our walls that are the perfect finishing touch – I’ve shown  you the photo wall on our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-biggest-diy-project-stairs.html">staircase</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ryphu1uJrJcZesuxzezqz17_gjHi6hUQyMi9e9_i_u7BLPVwSzYv_CwjabUTU5Vbg9ew7ppGXUHtxWAbJ_Lj32nVk8J6YlqdEng7SzrURCCWcfyOA9iHnZpGd73gKp1YiAeweIxiV0A/s1600-h/030%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsB7WL6s0BrDiAUHEk4D0HpoYBQzbQcg95KB4zuKfRX21gni_iq_nMU3c1B8PefTA3c5yKM86DwM0bXy14fg6yUm_z_OHFk62AqiU5mfehZhzpIkcMx8kzbsyKwnWpY5RI3YOq5C0cTw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> The <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/playroom-for-kids-that-works-for-adults.html">playroom</a> has a sweet saying I just love: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj41RvPNxPb8ZH8JbygyOjH1cOoyVkzh7F5vxwjEEgrBMOjZdyc8UN6DNZ2lsLLXFBzi3yyH6VvJ-_Sg96827IWAKVZ5NG9KpD_iaF89lb4GXstHSkoKR-U2JmHNtLI-r3IFI3jAR3Uk/s1600-h/031%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bBd1bOz0A1x4Me0JV3onNRTkYtQNMqmuySOhaD6I4Cq9oWVZDeWDYdBSajTj9no6L0iE7UnZXNJAOfKAvR2WPPve3SrsuKalmZ2dhHCaGEN4VJuxyrmFdIlqUJgteuHmj9sNqwPSK0E/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> And the vinyl saying in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2008/10/spray-paint-finger.html">laundry room</a> almost makes laundry fun: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCXYLjqMD1O8SLQ2Bfj-RKyYWHvW0UruaBJ5dwngZ7Unx57ftSCBqCxu1Ch1FGieTvm41AhTreIJ3QKqU3OjNs10y0FqZBUMkWudo6OfnKqEk0-7dbdHuul8BUvxQtIrD_XChBwcQVbo/s1600-h/053%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7OxF3oYg4I3IMGMiW4IW14sYnga_wIX-xC1QwPS_gA3ASA71aEkxhBmkCBWbxP5MUvYZDCG8HkTNE2zeNAEJBDEn1JPIlA3_GjsVsm4m5TLx-lJDWGOe7iEic5gcFj6fxVXbBhHt_tI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="360" /></a> OK, I’m totally lying. Nothing makes laundry fun. NOTHING. (By the way, all three of those sayings were from Uppercase Living.) I got the saying for our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/08/black-door.html">black door</a> in the garage from a local signage shop: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfU-2rqACeZaaSJQYTDy8rgAnYug_ZgPxsDticyYht-2_SCxKeBeRHIveL8-bv33KwzF3TOlbLhrlMW0ZBPvunfPvgOdSiySmHdxbuj6h8HtKfaLqm_9YbnuHkc4R1d8rZp_TOEK4X6g/s1600-h/DSC01048%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMWh1VgkZpy_4VvI_ZBzET1W7OZlH6m89k07DsdxHTTZYq94frCDcE2JROGmVgJhbnftWu4h-OsUxxxGe2Bpcvf7A0j2Y3ZI1ua-VB37O3I7obqoKCJhlDscm-uYCzqdnsEm_NgjgypU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="314" /></a> It was super cheap and FAST. I am insanely, ridiculously impatient and this one was right up my alley. OH! I almost forgot the front door! It’s a custom Welcome I had made:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinN4DPoY2AjkfUZ6jn6exZ62cwhNGhJAbQWVeiU48lmvwervLL4h8yp6loM-LSm8QQbGqdxajyYtCtYPOvrOpFRo7h6NQVSxv3pHFGdCKQ_K5Pr7iG0f78rHwAE-e9E6rpMK9VC46rxjM/s1600-h/DSC02273%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC02273" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9HtKka43OMUbMRPQiC_ZIAyl4eWc2cpurEf8a6ycKGU7TpBGbwz5caUWVutEajyrwqXLQR0YYSASaSlRfzDj0tkCkw_JwJf79ibfShj0e60uT0CAVp7is0mM_warQ-Hg1hkDn1kcJHA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC02273" width="360" /></a> Obviously, this picture is from fall. But I love the porch during that season, so there. you. go. But my latest vinyl find is one of my favorites. My friend Krista is just as in love with this stuff as I am, and she found an adorable vinyl clock on clearance at Stein Mart ($15 I think?) a couple months ago. I had to go get one. Had. to. I could not resist it. I mean, seriously. It has the cutest little animals you ever did see: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aq9XsN5zJFBYkpTgvtv4MjcVKfLBjjAgUTpot1xDQJxL3D5mKXsMJvauzdfPttAm5QvcdtWVZtHgQKKqHqUkxvojFZ7OxaOta0oLTFeSfHx8wq-JVM5_Ee_JejHc1eDIUIr5MazjM3E/s1600-h/038%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQH49pMYfCkYiiYg6zBUfZKYieByXYOyZP987ZtvJIKdRlvvAj9d6s0JCU056QhNAHV4bwX-mnquLjKHRfviK4cNsO925wFhXfWpTRbsIDCWnKAbbpom5h4NmWDGIr3mqqqJ9ipWU1q0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qOOnlely874uhVpXbKCMKfYOdtUubcxtguJHcD4p9SLSWl6_xL99pUTDmDTMe229uG9vD72MtmWOOEfPgCV8viosXfqyoZF15Jc2rXH_C0CJ7-5uPzB1oXydTJY9rYcoDh84iCEUk3A/s1600-h/050%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL9mO1KOOyFqywm46Sa4xnuFoSUSL5lK1SO-5SwGxtzEXrnrqVHwXgTYu1plWhulSCSxtqNoP_MHR6cxRZi8zgzbRFs1CFDHXPcFh1Zc_GkmEocOHBCXAo5Lt7DxbwLxzDRu1iw2ejxA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrRNHXb7o20SGPjxr0mQWY7fiKp-9rek9PdPw2wR8OLy8iAk7z3zXqF_cyMdGLoqkfgZ1hgjytM7XiWhQ4Bw1B19Tv0luBmGj9d1NCuCP-9ZCUvOT__EiLTUdFNtGKDmhBshTLK6Zmu0/s1600-h/048%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PzJBN0sYok54FOU3QQ-lXyL3InD-jYAsTMKY_bi42uJLVSgDqcGrdLi2YQx2ohv882EbWV0R28aVin3GuecpPpqvKrE-1SIQGTMca-RidcWvVcp6cjLDws9jzEhCfMVXTb-wESe7g1s/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="200" /></a> Could you just die? Because it was so cute, I wanted to make sure we could keep this one and move it around if needed. I got a two by two foot board at Lowe’s for $5, and had them cut it down just a bit to 22 by 22 inches. I painted it white, and once it had cured, we started putting the vinyl on: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU30RbVru6NY9IEpdZgSTrAch1Y41GLGpi5sL5E91H-1HfbYmSV2X2cfC30QewLFYqum2cvmltKA9j5L7FhsbocbHRRNJic18upGJdBV1KJEZDYOah0Jx3IelmkHs1k0bHd73jnFO6r38/s1600-h/041%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="041" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbhG8-QxG_w6XRRmxkfKnPFQcs__hX-E29ir4aQ0PHgMEtlPPhszwW-5QdYecyAMcCK-xX1jl4rUphISq00csk5Myur_Dw3GAE4UTKMfWi_m14DRhvjCvuHbin-RfOUM0r1EkGHoCxM8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="041" width="400" /></a> This one was a bit more involved than most – you have to kind of layer the pieces. But the Bub helped me decide where to place the animals and we had fun doing it. ;) Then I finished it off by framing it out with some scraps of molding from the garage: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIsFtNIYjnI_bIYTJIdTkjMHFz4B8WvecTj7acXL4TsHcxVjR1I32wi2rYdBDVLyPOggAXvoPyGOXAY42J_4bb1JXi3JHrkJTK80mYG66kmmUG-PNaz8QLREY2xp7KDJF9mojy25Vy7M/s1600-h/036%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP82zMaqG_YFqtKWM1269CRY5DpdZyoPBY9o4XGJg9jf4xfAoC8t8wldwoMci7Vjsi1UET55caTRMu2SZRMiDi7IDo0FysLEFuZ6uFPv8tPXt5X5xqt4Mahaesn9AGgvDgy0CkGenB9U/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="360" /></a> (I didn’t even fill the holes. Don’t tell.) I adore it! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRsPtMVlXE5Koso7DjlIWXIuh0ZtTG0yTajIH_eag3_-phItKWOPrpVbCe7mS_ADoxSXnYlUD3hi7gc2_JXc-4qzaeWiyQ1yjydq5L0tQhjv1V0Ct2F40lF3gLxVyeGGt6Vf6_7LjSc4/s1600-h/034%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmVl-_x0YsXP0cpgp_CyrsB1PtLDXnNoBZeoqO3ARnRCrqM7TN1LV74yNPIutRajHIUVs8RJBPnVwKsd-nLkbMKa52Y3mobZQ6pnZjYF61ZUo8X5Ur7C3BSxbOXwG2vWbX6HnP-9Fok4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a>   There is a wall in our loft/hall/playroom that has always called out for something, but the light switch made most items look odd up so high. For some reason, I think this works perfectly, even up higher than I would normally put it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdPWV_G3gEMFw2mktSe3sowdaxJqctrYo7RrES4vVyO2kAy0p2qDZh2knjHFbjEG-8Mc4QmjeZJ0UBFSmfch2NSCZ9__EFMzdnIrp61MxWNs-G5cMSl5YFbeQjjb6yuC3KWmF95s0w-c/s1600-h/039%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OOj8IRtvoBI_YHaLWWQgOp3hPgysssH_q46NM7jHzmDQXMA9NG-qFG-0suPEQZyD_cZkAzOHuTdO3_pTeVc1suAQs_EH7JYbMYKKMk5UY7SDhsfmPW3mZLKnOwydPceu2HIn5dxaJkA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="552" /></a> Probably because it is so gosh darn cute!! Even hubby thinks it’s totally adorable. :) (Oh yeah. I see you, you ugly brass knob. Your days are numbered. For real this time.) So what do you think? Do you have vinyl in your home? Do you have a favorite? Check out two of my advertisers, <a href="http://www.singlestonestudios.com/">Single Stone Studios</a> (we have a great giveaway coming up soon) and <a href="http://www.eaddesigns.com/">EAD Designs</a> for some fantastic vinyl art! I will announce the winner of the HomeGoods gift card tomorrow! (You can keep entering until noon.) P.S. I believe I said “vinyl” about 82 times.

Vinyl Love

Are you a vinyl luva like me? I think the vinyl wording and designs that have been gaining popularity over the past few years are just so...

9:00 PM

HomeGoods Spring Challenge!

Well helloooo and welcome to SPRING!! Isn’t it fantastic? It’s about darn time, that’s all I gotta say. (Although I see many of you got SNOW this weekend. For once, we had gorgeous weather!) First of all –- the winner of Donna G.’s photography print is Stacey from <a href="http://theblessednest.blogspot.com/">The Blessed Nest</a>! (Stacey has a beautiful site, check it out!) Congrats Stacey! Email me and I’ll get you in touch with Donna. OK, onto more fun! I’ve been chomping at the bit to tell you about this one, cause it’s going to be FUN! If you’ve read this blog for a while, you know how much I love HomeGoods. I was just there today, in fact! (I’ll show you my latest find soon.) I can’t resist it’s pull, try as I might. ;) Well, HomeGoods has a fantastic spring challenge starting tomorrow that I know you’ll love: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S6bmRlpCieI/AAAAAAAAHko/bq3ga5G-9bk/s1600-h/header_2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="header_2" border="0" height="352" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S6bmSIj0F-I/AAAAAAAAHks/XF8Cq6VQZEs/header_2_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="header_2" width="400" /></a> I am SO excited to be a judge for the HomeGoods Happy Spring Challenge! Each week over the next six weeks, HomeGoods will announce a new “Spring Trend that Makes Us Happy” on their <a href="http://openhouse.homegoods.com/">Openhouse Blog</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Homegoods?v=app_7146470109">Facebook</a>, and <a href="http://twitter.com/HomeGoods">Twitter</a> pages. For a chance to win, you are invited to share your take on each weekly trend and how you use it to create a happy expression of your personal style. Your submission can be a picture from your home, a product, a mood board, fabric you think represents the trend...really anything you wish…be creative! The prizes are FAB!! Every Monday, they’ll announce the winner who will receive one of the HomeGoods items reflecting that trend AND a $100 HomeGoods gift card! Also, that week’s winner is automatically in the running for the $5,000 HomeGoods shopping spree. Um, did you hear that? FIVE GRAND BABY! Do you KNOW how much you could get at HomeGoods for $5,000?? Here are the details: <ul> <li>For six weeks, HomeGoods will announce one trend per week on 9 a.m. EST Monday. </li> <li>Contestants can submit photos from Monday morning through 5 p.m. EST on Friday. </li> <li>They’ll announce the weekly winner and the next trend on Monday morning and the process begins again. </li> <li>You can enter at the HomeGoods <a href="http://openhouse.homegoods.com/">Openhouse Blog</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Homegoods?v=app_7146470109">Facebook</a>, and <a href="http://twitter.com/HomeGoods">Twitter</a> pages starting tomorrow! </li> </ul> But guess what the best part is? (At least for me, and a few of you!) I have a few $50 gift cards to giveaway to you, my Squeezies!! To kick off the week, I’m giving away one of them. Woohoo! What better way to start off spring than with $50 to spend as you wish at HomeGoods? All you gotta do is leave a comment here. That’s it! I’ll leave this one open until Tuesday at noon. And for more chances to win, two of my bloggy friends are also giving away $50 gift cards -- Susan at <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">Between Naps on the Porch</a> and Melissa at <a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/">The Inspired Room</a>. Make the rounds and check them out!! ;) Have fun!

HomeGoods Spring Challenge!

Well hell oooo and welcome to SPRING!! Isn’t it fantastic? It’s about darn time, that’s all I gotta say. (Although I see many of you got SN...

8:38 PM

DIY built ins

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9fd7lakG7-zrjCnfBazqQq3P0oucE46CLDcaDo5beTyi86BRxcjWt3RGsz4M9PfpZExSBJ9_Qjsp67dUdfWRJPRsMzMkqBePeZ55jOkttFpQSsr5TAX4U6T4gnBruzp8MwxpUiuRTE0/s1600-h/073%5B9%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJYADx5aHko-t5VpxROGfn-_1VjH7vI5KnxUYU7EtFOXa4UWtseIdkCsUCwJIS5xoZAl9qRZ5n6stfyoRndJ-lZhj3be7tGVeOsxkc87C07l9Ulcjj1q6gt2FPsQh-SqCt6XCv0s4ZS8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="576" /></a> Hello there! I’ve been meaning to do this post for about three months! I meant to do it back in January but things got in the way -- like stairs and family rooms and decrapifying and all that good stuff! Because I’m working on the big boy room right now, I thought I would share more detail into how my Dad and I made the built ins in this room back when I was pregnant. (Sniff.) I figured a video would work best, so bear with me as I choke on my shake at the beginning and say “Um.” a lot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fupNYZcsAjQ <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:803fd02b-d606-4075-adb5-8927f7b76dfa" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 425px;"><div id="d1eaad80-c6eb-4a56-a547-a8c9517a9bba" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fupNYZcsAjQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" target="_new"><img alt="" color2="0x999999&hl=" galleryimg="no" height="1" hl="'en_US&fs=" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('d1eaad80-c6eb-4a56-a547-a8c9517a9bba'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/fupNYZcsAjQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=" rel="0&color1=" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-28_rcaEBpDUmLDgCZ2Z04QAWUuebBVvlfLog7GnO8gw5rrHIavu00Ai7hlfgkmUcSuMBL-tWd4cr_qivA02Ptbf1BqKJ7Q6LbGOEhrPEkgzyC0tRqvouc0RMzcL4VtYpfAmaZFpSFrg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" type="'\" width="1" /></a></div></div>I took some pictures before I finished the wallpaper and molding on the side of the built ins to show you the rough edges I talked about: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYX4taGGz4UFbQ2l_vrlTy1MYENwXiv8lhfA9Zlyfp-lRaR7UYK54NKpbFRhbnLKi-5I5l0jPrj1fTu0yXFrcdxFPgUJwhT9VdFHmAHYh0I77Ss3k-K-GB82qAG5ApM8uzu09aOHGfdE/s1600-h/055%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAbMRltZkJcXNPyk9e9wicYWyS1mDldqDZ_r634KfknPM1SzfuPwP0l33V5Cu5RXFHgecVX9-jVohU6aQW7tqyChvI8lsWgySO4zevXRLZqiGb81AvSAymV-5D-FD5wKwL99olS_EzVs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HAFpwKslDMQ1FRG9UqHd0gjjkF9xLqATqk2lGCWQbyFa8CpdYxPnJnytkJUgaGpIdbQMpjTWjgi_saXrvDdVKkyuSXROeRfeWX-HV8iGZaX4YMOA-unQ6oYllfhjEkSYX7R6Cm5vFrQ/s1600-h/057%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ys0_ZZhyzPN8BXLC19YhDlDAVY8OSkd3j25xDTqd_rwqvxoW5BDDKuLwPu_ibEzaRCR6z3Y1lyJM2loiuW5OL-T7-N9CUGxfdjtT6QBgOik4Sp3OnpuDoJGsdTCS3O1SaBrMRCOk3hs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="" width="300" /></a> I saw the paintable basket weave wallpaper at Lowe’s last week and picked it up, touched it, put it back, touched it again, picked it up, <strike>rubbed it against my cheek</strike>, touched it again. I ended up putting it back, not knowing what I would use it for. But I couldn’t get it out of my head, and then I knew I had to use it the Bub’s room. It’s totally classic, which is how his room is turning out! I’ve worked with wallpaper once before and it continues to surprise me how easy it is to use. I mean, I haven’t wallpapered a room, or even really a wall yet, so I’m probably not a good one to ask. :) But I think it’s easy. The directions on this stuff said to prime the surface first – I don’t know what the heck they mean by that, so I skipped it. (Oops!) Then you just soak the paper in water briefly (ten seconds – I did it in the tub.) I went ahead and folded it back on itself for a few minutes after I took it out of the water, but the directions didn’t say to do that. I figured I could add a step since I decided to skip one. ;) Then you just put it on the surface -- it will be really wet! You will need a rag nearby to catch the water and the little bit of paste that smooshes out. There will be air bubbles throughout, and you need to keep moving them out: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyrN-vTAFjdGaKs5MdSdUGjx9pyctctEimXx0jkbvZuTN_e7nR1PbFKAE4qJGJPqIecQRRdQXXhahtVisun4tOjH6lL-T3JJsNpQb4EWsXgxLAWhSMJeJB4Q4dXWG8cTgBsEhL-iD8yI/s1600-h/049%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rMxKxxMo_SdcYzjIc7wu3UWNS2PqGPNmYHJCJRsYyngZZ4G9yZK-lTH4nC6kFXAyS0FYhSG4fHYDKlXTHfkc_oviWKAmPh24UFNy1cpOOkz007P2J8NPCQYaNRVvoYuLS8XZ6pcJ2is/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="400" /></a> I used my hand and then remembered I had this flat squeegee thing that worked great. This is not a project you want to walk away from – you need to check on it as it dries to make sure no more bubbles pop up. After the first few minutes and a couple wipe downs with a rag, it should be close to dry to the touch: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo1Je3Y2rUgr3lUJr6WXnusXNg1LtAMK4LwTtyZ_nkIYAObTxToik-g8NA9ZfgMNVm43EFSSLF8Y0Q9_kBPgxus-EUBrTelY365YYYnam0uOWgGTgQgLEDwW_4wzwv6RgvzkHZ4MCbRU/s1600-h/058%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8aPGyEGFaeAKFpQ0kAnyPar51YqHKTIhx4D4f24XJCIGPYrjaDJUIaF-FSKX3SWfqjPcGz-XQQc3hEQzsz5zatbHffwPSjgCJVDn1ZX-Hk4VgS2y50hru5108Jh0HZR6mcaiWJWqjl4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="360" /></a> If you looked close in the video, you can see a hint of what I’ve done to the window. It’s not done yet, but I knew I needed contrast against the window after I got the wallpaper up, so I painted it out in the dark blue I used in the room, then trimmed it out with white molding: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wiSxehS48llEayamNT7NYYAADB4gbiqvfxtyiR8GV8nyTmvLCJ8BtT-5Q4dKGYu04yoeJzqdzvp6BUP3o29qO1aGnlsapFOL3nfbwgsyhNd2xJzz8hppHInDc_uPQShQkc1WwD4OMB8/s1600-h/069%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ME_aqfCs7FGm-rWbKMdKwdoD51m2FSdxsd-A_ZsRna6GL-Ku0-7QVrBO1iDZMnrAlh4ZG1ZddMUh9jD-jIQYrTLqnGjgZY12pk0wNs_a_Gp25eCsplt_Omt5GRDKn6ZKrEmFhyn4-js/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="360" /></a> Swoon. As I mentioned before, I made two panels to hide the imperfections in the built ins: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2K7ITmUSu834eRW9c0Z0I6WfvFyv9cVhs7br1OMo0mSvQ42PlNVqHVSMqyZDN8hQSrNe_C9KOBO6pbOaKqGiFw-AV77v9Ug_ewP8FLBsQy5lMks9R2wnh8PbaDL2hpY_2fEbfQKEnuo/s1600-h/070%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijicewA3cUIxIkB9pVy_6D73hbXAI4wZFCug9plIUbbxx7h49I8Zmw24_CiY6_kOMIslOi3a7VxSwWrkibIfRAQ4ibeYCA25iCqoCj7pqJ9LWm9_rpDScO5YCEteAvKx8pkPzFrf00K9Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="360" /></a> I adore it!! I started working on the shelves just a bit, but they will get a big redo as well: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxRIVzYGodpBZ3cK7FR-vW6MrHssn55vwVfazN5towHo7p5SttaDxcA7azJtGDMBU4Nu7OXIaOxb7pvKa5NRzRC8gwMP0gO3eU5NVeZwT_Y3Qhj-RLzZEgM6oO-om75lHBupuQnSuThQ/s1600-h/065%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi4spdhPsifym2dzK_kcArktCddiZliHUX1sFQPHoeBeUNj09cUbqoo6Z0ZFutcoGXaukzuX8TMfnZWG10XP3571OC8BMQ8lIYENeA14CMsZFbNooD_3nSllSxVU6nxX6Vof9qlmM_J8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="402" /></a> As much as I love the apple green with the blue, it’s not staying. :) I know! I know! I considered leaving it on the backs of the built ins, but it’s just going to be too much with the other colors I’m using. Now I’m trying to decide what color to paint the backs: <div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy2CXi3CwguLhdFMIYmwi7el7_R2e5dPZFEU2A6Cs425VMSouZMHTJ-AASRaVLLrZuDXXJAutr-PgB_hJCxQBHNOtfOet9sniOlROpwhdx7BqPNPiP7Ch_1dY_HCkvzBY2g6K8hVwjFU/s1600-h/082%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVQ9RbEZ9oijn-shmjf-1RrgRlwSHh7FrjJmHjMZNmE4uxc_sDjtMsIV6kq-8TvdMkAVJgDYEmGuNku8_io3JnrHshYl5j9M0EulrqUlp0a9tCmGqU3aowF9Qa5WXMF5fuDJ08gpHqJ8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="" width="293" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZK6Lmk1nXImeW5w_Noxswlz6rwYcrF1oquvLw-asO0V2uc2pBPg7gG7PVW-lbC3yZWUp4xdiUG06Pa3KU2O15x9wPD80gGW_GJn-zJMf0KLpTFnbxqm0fEXLT1nVgjtlnnz078tLFmE/s1600-h/084%5B10%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQn__psLclf6aXaKoIl7rLhBhiQE670085SkOcsh0F9qhhDh8O2d_R1oJfBI33q0aGAhFXYwFbz-2cABYyQjjqGSz2dC32PC1FBDgkUEAoyhNv92RRZWido1nWsgNuX3_r5GIQQq451w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="" width="273" /></a> </div>And if I should put the wallpaper on the insets in the doors and if so, paint them? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKOf6Ej0-JoywFwLVLw-DybhnEQJplrzMJk_CBt_KZ3hRXQjthNQNcgIxc7wjPCYAexcJKzmgwhOkHrOdOgkxshrwSmW-x9a5Z3sln41iIR3dVesfYFrBzEhJxPfeWdXqabXvO_ruY5Y/s1600-h/079%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL5N68Vx8PDMpLYQpEORLuYUJkXb-yRQAsUQT7Ye9OOsrVxdmquK0-XeZJ34CVal5NDx31p8gxjMt5En3-g0_IX5c6FW-TLreiVklmIbEtpLksfpgbemCar3sXFSX-QqcPfeQOpyQzxc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="360" /></a> Right now, I’m leaning towards blue on both spots, but we’ll see! (I should probably mention the other colors going in the room are red and just a touch of yellow with lots of white molding.) I don’t want to much blue, but I’ll wait till I get the area under the chair rail redone before I worry about this part. :) For now, I lurve: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_MtO3RTJRLUDABslmKovo9cW4wV0BwdTTYZnmz9QLolMJ2h8hPPzdUdFMaSCIn1cr-0PWLPdOO85I1W8CYjkEESzAE5Z-0ujpf2tu0a5sXmKb5VhdOx1BVMT7olgEhPboDGzHi_nca8/s1600-h/065%5B9%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiyIUrcG1KnKMdpC3380dWxe3lK1QbZBB0aUccZuBF0QUXqjwriGHEEJhZ0FIxXZm_XbAsxH0c2G4tij8EFmo4vWpl2tHqljEZiYr0hB9E3KJrJDuGtLgfdlY8SgYrHpbfX1gVZy7Xv8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="409" /></a> I need to figure out where else I can use that wallpaper! To see how I created art with paintable wallpaper, check out <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/wallpaper-art.html">this post</a>! **I'm adding this to <a href="http://beneathmyheart.blogspot.com/2010/03/best-diy-projects-of-march-party.html">Traci's "Best of March" party</a>!

DIY built ins

Hello there! I’ve been meaning to do this post for about three months! I meant to do it back in January but things got in the way -- like st...

3:25 PM

Thirty-One winner!

Thirty-One winner!

Happy St. Patty’s Day to you! Hope your day includes something green and fun – whether it be green eggs, green beer or a green margarita! (O...

2:49 PM

A blue room (I did not cry!)

It took me a whole year to figure out the paint colors for the Bub’s big boy room (are you tired of hearing about it yet??). I wanted something that was a bit more mature but still fun…and I was determined to NOT do primary colors. Why? I have no idea. I guess because it was predictable? I’ve mentioned before how hard it is to create a unique space for a boy no matter what the age. His apple green and cream nursery was my answer to breaking away from the blue for a baby boy. But a couple weeks ago, when the new room came together in my head – it had blue walls. Not just blue walls, but deep, navy blue walls. Navy blue walls that screamed, “A cute little boy lives here!!” All of the sudden all I could think about was BLUE. Can I tell you – I’ve never liked blue. Not one bit. It’s just never been me. But lately, it’s really growing on me. There are three rooms in our house that may have tones of blue on the walls in the near future. Well, make that two more -- one already does. This is why you never, ever, ever, NEVER say never. :) Ever: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8TLjfac4voGym49zLDJlHB6RHQdpKISpgu9WZEjVwtQeVtYLxyOt-atbHVNZYak05zzTHKAiJv_a45PML3BErX1PjjAxiis9CnGneTrStB_29R2i0K4m0eUIcgftIIEn1MGlHJOwPFs/s1600-h/013%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKhmf15NQPJdLW0vx5s8icGKW0XmvvN8HrmpQV4V2HyrrVvuIVVYkxSl3AWvmsqS99KCxlsQ2DEVesrzQRpqOFhyr8-Pr1gT69sb0MOel6Wa-lYTl7Xxt2_jgp9gaQAOiHUK4yjQviQ0/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="550" /></a> That light switch is crooked! Gah. That’s gonna drive me batty. I have realized something about myself lately – I adore contrast. Like, big fat wanna marry it if I wasn’t married already LURVE contrast. This blue with the white woodwork is turning out exactly how I saw it in my head: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVMvYiHt9FnuH3GjMU9eccruzF9-dGApjzSCmuoTMUfek4vfazabyGJbq3Yy_rlftRX1pieq2VJe-3LuGd33G7Ny0Sa39tANHLb1kVHI6xee0Td2sahpgYlZFuz5Ehp6wUIu1Tl9s0kc/s1600-h/007%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLGOviHfQTZgU5jhElZtJjxW7_Dl9lL037GGuDpniymZOySkpAjtUfw7jG_VrqkpqZ1q7ltMelocWE5COFiV-oA2H2kbd45I03j_lrdgn6FmJKSGvvgi4yGpbI-YGWvP5QB0I5sN9DR4/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="360" /></a> And look at this blue with the apple green!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gOaVEhF8CQRtc2f7cS841HOP7go_nxhW-CQD8YVyzeNnpe-VCcEwR4WlYfJZBRp9HE2gLOEhAUhVZ-FrGOGAxXhpDOlaK9Ueo1ZYrBJEudX-PoTCdB9IT6Sifdh0Y4qLc1lEC-nnTIA/s1600-h/005%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDsdouH-Z1eKmNeVSydRb-zn2L2ZbdyEznTn1dwW8NimJegTtsgw49cMmZm9iea0UDSAXOSVuphSIB3SSOiSf-ObQnN2kiCDgH9w_bvbU36nxsGkOP3iWa7cS7QffoWHqrhiZUwEZ-6U/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> Ignore my scraggly paint lines on the green wall, and just pay attention to that beautiful color combo! I love it. I’ve already gone with other colors for the room, but seeing that green with the blue makes me want to keep the splash of apple in here. For those of you who are freaking out that’s it’s going to be too dark – I promise you it is not and will not. The area under the chair rail will be bright and I have a few other tricks up my sleeve – you’ll just have to wait to see. ;) I used the Behr Ultra paint for this project – from what Paint Guy told me, it’s the only version of Behr that is low VOC. Although at times I still felt like it was a bit stinky – I’ve used low VOC once before and it didn’t smell “painty” at all – this one did at times. The Ultra also has the primer in it as well – which turned out super handy, cause I was going to have to prime over the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-favorite-parts-of-my-favorite-room.html">little bunnies, lambs and words</a> on the walls. Because I was covering a light cream with a darker, saturated color, I did have to do two coats, which I normally don’t do. No hint of the bunnies peeking through, so it works!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjNZk8AB2nxN534P8MC5ol2nSsDw2gZE7Wugu44wqEA3XsfFbCUE8D1eGILKb-GnopxF3XXhIFoLlEkq8_BPY2psOn405vRgELJSDVNoIOJo7580ORHda7rRhOJZaX-QQprK0U1rAIP8/s1600-h/011%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCgsyaTWUZah7dvcZX8s3sfP57uWlk4nLfIuHsE1OyshaqyGoFqM6uMAKurlTlqhKCGFQCOiHEfU2hSqsAHkLr3U1jv3FO4M1EPnTrFLQ0cf7y4d8Gn-HNN_5ipWCdfinBnO9b4yoWF8/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="576" /></a> I can “cut in” with the best of ‘em when I’m going up and down on a wall…but horizontally I fail miserably. So I had to tape off all of the chair rail and crown molding, and the result is giving me the itchies: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBGF5UGm0oedTgnB6Ate22fr4sv2CfjxT_p5NgiL4baGeCNdmc0Zu5osPmyC-Y48KBgsN3l4NiYFTMIHpGi47C3T-V0l-7gH5G99g_flV70wLtNp5wJD8dvju9P5XW1FtsMy_0PWEn2Y/s1600-h/002%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="002" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L5kR-AQxAQJ9zQwNyaAPWzEtPV8qiAuEM5aaKvDx0rP7VwQJP0VHvHBbebZmtQtcrFOvnJ0qxL0UaGodveaEUGD-Y5LzyWCu_5e8hGPjGPIdfOz5ufDmK5s3ZOZufgjtpv9K5iJVZPc/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="002" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOC2Wt9PzAO6jEncUHdPr7ujmV9pzyRF0jQ4M8COsd-j9E0vBiL13pmHAFxT2o1KigWTCBzuMm4udkamqX8LM9q00Qm0YE5Dv-NMJS73NGQRGAjoIsRL77rtjvIBxDVMdwo2KSK-KTtWE/s1600-h/004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="004" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0eX6xLNs0wQSuU9P-5XMGkuKXYVYB8aZBjZRqyu6GT6pLZEss2NCa_o7D3s-5iL6Fkf-IubIwFyZUs0rVwchm99147Kh_uO9M9jYC4sQPV_POWp1XKcTQICc3pfzn-fsOpalypK86ts/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="004" width="300" /></a>     I may just recaulk everything, instead of trying to get the lines matched up. Dark paint is not forgiving! I used a scrubbable flat paint, which I’ve used before and am quite happy with. It looks GREAT on the walls. As I’ve mentioned, I usually use an eggshell finish on our walls because it’s a great compromise between a glossy sheen (which shows all of the wall’s imperfections) and a true flat (which is just asking for hives, especially in high traffic areas). You can’t see the roller marks with this paint either, which I LURVE. Overall, I’m really happy with it! And it was only $30 a gallon – I thought it would be much more than that. I’m a pleased peep with Behr paint: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfIqJ-M0M0z-J37V-b95tPlPevFrdM8_7Z26eSp2d5egZADil_HSEK5dG7lpBidt6geLFIQnIbpXnjulvrluhMaEMCcOWbJkWOzIvCA1XtsVUJOPiLi___hWfz8LrLtS6nX0KYF57vt0/s1600-h/017%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="017" border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oDEMPC_9JbmBYw7UKmTRpilewTWAA3EPhwUHha2nqOfeGhIJFLGrtlzFeFl_P1i00d9d2qn1QMieUolSPnecwfoEevAm2CgRoe4lLERornS4Cn77mq3p9z30hKHzEk0V8vK5_E8cWfI/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="017" width="450" /></a>Home Depot was able to pull up the actual paint (called Admirality) from Lowe’s so they could mix the true color – I didn’t even have to color match it! That was super cool. And guess what? I didn’t cry when I painted over those cute bunnies. Not even a sniffle. :) I am so excited with how the room is coming along, I am having a blast starting the transformation. I’ll show you more later this week! P.S. My friend AnNicole wrote <a href="http://oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-behr-paint-plus-primer.html">here</a> about the Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint as well!

A blue room (I did not cry!)

It took me a whole year to figure out the paint colors for the Bub’s big boy room (are you tired of hearing about it yet??). I wanted someth...

8:18 PM

Finding space

I loved reading your sweet comments about the Bub’s room! Thank you so much! Many of you asked about the book holder in his room -- it’s actually a Goodwill find. It was natural wood and I spray painted it white and added the “books” letters. Love it. :) I’m continuing to make progress on his room’s transformation, and I continue to get more and more excited! Yesterday and today, I’ve been working on the layout of the room – the addition of the full sized “big boy” bed has thrown me for a loop. I think I’ve figured out a set up I love, but to get there I removed a few things – more on that in a minute. We are SO lucky our house has a ton of storage space – lots of closets, a decent sized garage, a basement, and even some attic space we don’t even use. Don’t hate!  ;) But I still try to find ways to store items in spaces that may get overlooked. Our utility closet in the laundry room holds things like extra filters, a step stool, etc: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCWYAgd5I/AAAAAAAAHbU/A87bn2t39Tg/s1600-h/037%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCWtnRBQI/AAAAAAAAHbY/x51seR32Ujw/037_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="360" /></a> You have to be careful with a space like this – don’t block any vents and watch the hot stuff. :) This space works well, because most of these items would go in the garage, and this saves me a trip out all the way out there. A whole ten feet. I showed you how I painted this laminate TV cabinet <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/06/when-it-just-doesnt-work-out-like-you.html">here</a>, and it’s held up great!: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCXPB_9EI/AAAAAAAAHbc/mLYvjep_lJc/s1600-h/DSC00278%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCXeVriMI/AAAAAAAAHbg/dptmHamQAB0/DSC00278_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> The storage in this piece is great, which is why I wanted to rework it instead of getting something new. There was so much space inside, most of it was being wasted. So I got a piece of wood cut to the right size and attached it to the inside using brackets: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCXzYV-vI/AAAAAAAAHbk/8md8mWVzdy4/s1600-h/027%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCYK7-bJI/AAAAAAAAHbo/HyI-Z51TcyM/027_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="360" /></a> It almost doubled the storage space for tapes and DVDs! And no, I didn’t paint the inside of the cabinet. I got stuff to do peeps! I was onto the next project!  :) All drawers in this house are home for something. The table in our foyer holds a few tools I use a lot, so I don’t have to run down to the basement: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCY2hZsJI/AAAAAAAAHbs/OxwvIuLocZE/s1600-h/030%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCZegbPcI/AAAAAAAAHbw/ymuAcZB7dHk/030_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> And maybe a checkbook for the pizza guy. Oh, and a nerf gun my Stink Eye Sister got the Bub. She is an aunt, and thinks she’s fun and cool to get nerf gun for a three year old. Who shoots it in places he shouldn’t. So it’s hiding.  :) In the linen closets, try rolling your towels instead of folding them: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCZ9XEXcI/AAAAAAAAHb0/ODidUK2Y7WY/s1600-h/050%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCaIc9dRI/AAAAAAAAHb4/arD_9mujBPo/050_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="360" /></a> It really does create more space! Our linen closet in the loft also functions as toy storage: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCao5_19I/AAAAAAAAHb8/bY8pK55ZOk0/s1600-h/046%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCa08PA9I/AAAAAAAAHcA/i0G-ZKcqL2U/046_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> I go up as high as I can in closets (that empty space way up there should be used for something!) and put stuff on the floors too. This closet used to hold a bunch of games as well, but that brings me to my latest project. When I was trying to figure out the furniture layout in our son’s room, I was pretty positive I was going to have to put his dresser in the closet. I luuuurve to put dressers in closets. I’ve always done it! We have two in our master closet. :) If you leave closets “as is” – they are such a WASTE of space! Soon after we moved in to our house, I took down every shelf they had just installed in our closet and rehung them so they were much more functional. I’ll show you that space soon – I need to do a load of laundry first. Or 25. As you could see in my last post, the dresser I bought and painted for the Bub’s nursery is beautiful! And it wasn’t cheap. So the thought of sticking in the closet wasn’t really floating my boat. I decided I would look into a closet storage system instead, but figured it would be at least a few hundred bucks to do, even if I installed it myself. Wrong-o! Yesterday, on my 8th trip to Lowe’s out of ten already this week, we took a trip down the organization aisle and I found a very simple closet system that worked perfectly!: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCbCAAerI/AAAAAAAAHcE/CkbekU0mYmI/s1600-h/016%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCbj1EcrI/AAAAAAAAHcI/lnu6_jj9odc/016_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="324" /></a>The camera was crooked, the bins are not. :) I was a little intimidated to do this, but it was SO EASY! Each canvas bin goes together in maybe three or four minutes, seriously. The only hard part was getting the two metal pieces on the wall level and the right distance apart: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCb4QEOjI/AAAAAAAAHcM/0ajPGE-vZ1o/s1600-h/004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCcTbwpHI/AAAAAAAAHcQ/54OdvCYgEmU/004_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="449" /></a> The bins are HUGE and roomy! I can’t believe how much they hold! The dresser that held his clothes had three large drawers and two small, and now it’s in the guest room (which is perfect because I needed one in there anyway!) and for now, it holds games: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCcqK9n_I/AAAAAAAAHcU/t6ZzfMXZKGg/s1600-h/041%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCeKVVxlI/AAAAAAAAHcY/WmpA1TQwHUY/041_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="341" /></a> Can you believe the four canvas bins hold WAY more than the dresser? They are DEEP. I cannot even tell you how much I love these! You just pull out each bin to get inside: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCeSX1q-I/AAAAAAAAHcc/Z-2I4I21HEM/s1600-h/003%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCe1e4ZUI/AAAAAAAAHcg/3lj661Z2PxM/003_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> Uhh….I don’t fold the jammies. I pick my battles. And I already told you I need to do laundry –- he really does have clothes.  ;) I wasn’t sure how this system would hold up to the Bub, but I’m really happy with it so far: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCfNKNnrI/AAAAAAAAHck/zPHzVZHNfDE/s1600-h/006%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/S5nCfvCHBnI/AAAAAAAAHco/oGwupx1MqHw/006_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="" width="360" /></a>He’s already tested it out, and it’s working great.  :) The metal pieces that go on the wall were $8 each, and they have extenders you can buy if you need it to go floor to ceiling. (I didn’t need them.) Each bin was about $25 – so this whole “system” was about $115. Now I want to chuck the dressers in our closet and put these all over! I know $115 isn’t necessarily cheap, but it’s a LOT less than I thought it was going to be. I will probably need more bins as the Bub gets bigger and the clothes get bigger and more plentiful, but for now I’m thrilled with it! So how do store creatively? Any fun tricks? Do you use every crevice like me? P.S. These are made by Rubbermaid, and no, I’m not getting paid for this post. :) Thank you to my sponsor: <a alt="Coastal Decor, Craft Project Ideas, more" href="http://completely-coastal.com" target="_blank" title="Completely Coastal"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qVUoD9EHNdY/S5GSWEBdrnI/AAAAAAAAOyQ/ES8OhD62-20/s400/Completely-Coastal-Decor-Crafts-more.gif" /></a>

Finding space

I loved reading your sweet comments about the Bub’s room! Thank you so much! Many of you asked about the book holder in his room -- it’s act...

8:26 PM

My favorite parts of my favorite room

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaX7wzeJ9RXkOPKqZ9EQzuuzT5UH6cNOvVhY34ek2EmguTyR0z5V_t_gcCJjYiE0vIlD-cex9_W5BglSqpofL6oWHhCDypYP-b3o2zcDUG2vSI6f_dmjinMNvyxAphLd25XUGGx8PEe84/s1600-h/040%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fKaEEy_8rXWF8C5fs4MwfFiu9sQE7pMGgXe8OKnKp613HEAnW6MZrU4qEjhqcun3s3r9k5EIsseZLXddgHrxFnnWI5J4w47qVGvCT5FNS3fUheiuqjYiz-caHaIp10D1NjNuELbq0Oc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="576" /></a> Well…the time has come. Sniff. I decided about a year ago it was time to start transforming the Bub’s room into his “big boy” room. This one has been a hard for me. I told you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-most-favorite-room.html">here</a> how I worked on this room for weeks while I was pregnant, doing most of the work with my Dad. It is an understatement to say I love this room. Almost every day of our son’s three years, I’ve sat in here at one point or another, looking around, relaxing in the serene that is this space: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7IaULuL_p62TEClBPwj3SUpxS114Tq9E0Dq4GVZ8ruEd69iPqW-MI9G4UBPVf9YehrnDJ5ZhMRB7x6F_TaK8RQtAs1FVKHwPm_p82Iiy8jOYv2F45JHKRcEW0JUx1iA9AYsYumbKBmM/s1600-h/sign2%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuc3VCLNXeodWYiv_7aTFe7wOMOikVwCTl7ePZNaOjDuo3W0WMxkkmlTrzwAoFmHZY6Sk9X6mj0EtPeA8CRb6p1oB5d_bVLisb0vLQDS8KfFuCmiy5qb94GLeutteKajtkrCx_sJVNGI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="640" /></a>I’ve made a few changes over the past month or so in preparation of the changes, but it’s still the same lovely, bright, calming room you see here. I’ve struggled with what I want to do in his room, so it stayed in it’s nursery state well after I decided to start changing it to a big boy version a year ago. I knew there were certain things I wanted to incorporate, but nothing was really hitting me and making me want to paint over all the calm… Until now. :) Over the weekend, the pieces kind of came together perfectly in my head, and now I’m READY. Excited. I want to start and finish the room in one day, excited. I made a few purchases yesterday and it has me even more ready to get moving. I have to say, I’m going in a direction I never thought I would, but in my head, it’s going to scream boy and be totally classic, which is important to <strike>my husband</strike> me. ;)  Do you know how hard it is to create a boy space? Hard. So today I decided I would show you a few of my favorite parts of my favorite room, because some of what I show you will be changed…not all, but most. :) I know a blabber on and on and on about the beauty of painted ceilings, and if this room doesn’t convince you of it, I don’t know what will: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupTmEc9inCK7f46eyl2fVLMCJ4Y1rIzIlkEDOuZhvBBQhEy-juO_MvMiDO6SKeFz6cx2si_MQ1PbJ-P24_QGlG5dRdvWyIcAJE3NzdalXbuIlDthPGrkOkwOywdhffgEylirsaaf00V0/s1600-h/050%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="050" border="0" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6D6LTvYBgras7f_BJRa2fQlBWS0iYkN7ZQpism3DulJKM5Tj3SLjrJm5Eb9mGAiWzuuM5598R1BCUKQIMjiAxBry26GzCsfZNiF6BAhYN2HSZbxYpBrEAax08B1iLAGbpKnQEpp0B5g/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="050" width="640" /></a> The blue ceiling will most likely stay…so I should probably go ahead and paint that vent. ;) I put a couple phrases on his walls using my stencil technique I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-i-stencil.html">here</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiJYMEiEfbboZqyjyGVavF4-PfxW2y9v_88_-tPN54gIVu6XiaW_-Eov1HdFi4zDgcS8gR01DS5feQU0Vv4kXGCfr1OfCRaPrUX6sTbq9XS_j1hDHp-kdbnojkX93cjGMHQMtqpcpc50/s1600-h/026%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1bfXsRxm0bGZh7dK9G3vwn7SCwdrJCh5G12u6nfUx9Jbf5dRsajU4NVWTKiZKyVFoCk0mS3nvTJrqAWnMawg_ORWfF8hxLAj42tcJNExCixs_0nlpIKB9gAuRyCcInbcX_WuQQ4tCpI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> For a little texture, I took some wood star shapes, painted them and then stacked them on the walls in a few spots and just nailed them in: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDVzFoOGPN1KgmGdppExFmsCRF-SIz-pPaaFpAjtiRfhD1t3kAxZwsPJi5VXO8uM5gK1xdD8hNmHztwdlgUqPHWyX_gHFwyEmjd6tX8usXx6dbUxXZPBDOSnU_WLHPvjHhFtxwLNW5Z4/s1600-h/030%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="030" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmbxoUoGj0g676hyphenhyphensEH9om5TA6qD-A-wjqHuvKnLL6LsI2oEIeEtoF5Fb3x9W4-AlPsnN0Q3ZxwRWiXK90rfdIfbr-ZBtYEpBvwxAmbl5fnR-lpeuDwZYu9Mm9189d1ih9bLe0lkl1Xo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="030" width="360" /></a> The whole room was inspired by the Pottery Barn Twinkle Twinkle bedding – it’s a beautiful mix of greens and blues, cutie patootie lambs and bunnies,  stars and moons. Weird mix. But cute. :) Someone on eBay was selling gorgeous prints with names and birthdates on them, but they were not cheap. So I decided to make my own: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76UWM3COa5Hbz1I-d3LjjjzKFEx1tY-6sJJCc8XO5QrfqGsAvjm98QOSCWrvRN1cwg9S-V8j18NHGEvMj5M9xRNbpNCbz0Lu7oB_TF7fT9e5FCqbZedbxze6vi8noFZqOPo7dhb5QFy0/s1600-h/016%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="016" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiec_8Sgw56XnxKPdbZGyUia5B6bhPRDbvaWUR7GLqVD1Rize901m5cmQPDMqT4fzRL2LPknpBOg1ZiM1ZlSaSNKVjK8yZ8ZRiYDwc0y665EqiYKi7kfYyRqZTufs8Uki8LMdeidoISzGE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="016" width="297" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuThaYoL2i6KCTR4DzIk3vwWZFVLMWQWS6b7LZk-7cIcZ5YnbAg7k7PIIVqfXATiZuQFEZ0miXEoNA8CJq3iWP1M9XW0s4mhjPGNtgmKrWbV-deHW_F0RTIbQLds9Z5dQjIwzzGspulsk/s1600-h/021%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="021" border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQZrgoEcp-0ASQ3RXR_5Jt8nzaPSaFAav09LucfZmYajfBKcQF7Yu9fEUvpWOhIDB7NphbhVdWn5jI243beeuMChEsfDeLAZQMR2w0Gd7HmLt2abHv8U6N_z9eq4uVhIwA8ynCZvLjVw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="021" width="400" /></a> I just painted stripes on a canvas, then stenciled his name in the middle. LURVE. And it was about $7! A little better than the $100 on eBay. I fell in love with this acrylic lamp at Target, (which I think they still have!) and covered the shade with a super soft star-speckled fabric: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xIGaBESf1gfLG4aRBtPXYo0y7dqfk2kjvdTJDahX9TzyUPKg9koCBqL5EmdXlMdG4GHdJmc2ljdHsb_Ib32PEXtaNTOi_SgwSwDx3gi-4ugJQG-ACWPPqE6HV5W2YtwqMPL8RgdtvpI/s1600-h/001%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="001" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0OHCFTEyIRF23ncX6V1WiWMIPKh4kQsbAec0lsHOINSw3XcYD9qE0d730aCoZ-_3X_yreNxfr708XDiViB4Yn-J7S8vYz0aQjYmUQrfIFJ9L1ZY5f99mK6xWgMML56AVihFTypJJ9gA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="001" width="360" /></a> I couldn’t find a dresser I really loved, so I ended up getting an unfinished piece that I painted bright white:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGep6C9mYDUvVHWgSkhhsicjVAk8mIB8H5H6uoVqlzUqja0JhdXZRqZCC0wWh98V0Noxc5v6jI8ozd2PtFr0TdICMRmn4Qx1av5lqQJQwImKJK5_HTL1dvLw4gr38SIlWCSy9O1e4FHY/s1600-h/004%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="004" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSyned4UbVVUio4__SL0UED6p7PSZPa_hfX1Z3W6vidczPbzLgR6UP4UQIEWx3qS9181AW2q55OgMEaR-tu3tvYgAPim7t-ipnQ5aKb_zUzOdQGpaRGB9hZuyfnuxr-H1zoxpMz_hnBc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="004" width="360" /></a> The knobs were from Menards and I used them on the built ins as well:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYy3qWh5LpwHwmR0huT8zvGv9Hyz_s48GRe8sCsu93oOjQ8EgDycKTLmmUxDgeXIIP7xwQS6iUR7V7mkQ2r4sinrRMikJVFGtHcuyIn8Myq708CZqcxt6ZCasz-8QIpDzeurwAvRqW10/s1600-h/006%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="006" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFeNB97xciLUCr8vM0PDGUnK27JS4k7lisH_yy8qkuTzO6YLDsx0QKSnvvdGdeA4bQc7hxTTS2da7IkdqrYJJw04t20tC65WgfVs0ASOAhiUbxkpogfB-O1cGb7ANlq7D8PbghX7AHUY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="006" width="360" /></a> For some reason I was obsessed with pulling the cutie animals from the bedding and putting them elsewhere in the room. So I sprinkled a few of them here and there:    <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymCPXEFPlc-fF7hL01fVwjBF6bE1hGCr2WrJJA4dSaAsK5y389CDzlgt4cRRbi-23T2rfl8JF1DcGjXWp1JPKtXm9oTcKuTSPbLji-NKvF_vClA7QMI1sCyqjE8tuT0y7q8o030bnpdY/s1600-h/013%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="013" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuuzal5MQkOZvuk9CJDtNzcqMtNT4ULhZp0SVFuOE30xfTkBSZ72EevjV0eV1K9CPCJZM_AQwSO-Wl444KZiciOzj959FqpxmfDmxZln4mReJWCxDonKvH-LA8iiXUE15VmL3ToZyjcs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="013" width="360" /></a>  To get them just right, I scanned the fabric into our computer (have you ever tried it? It works fabulously!), then used the stencil method I mentioned above to put them on the walls. I added the whiskers and eyes with a toothpick. :) These little guys  and their fluffy butts make me smile every day. I kept looking for cute, functional storage but the only thing I found that I loved were boxes from PB that were, again, NOT cheap. So I bought a few different sizes of the cardboard boxes you can find at any craft store, and painted them in the colors I wanted:   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxRXqpRoTWq-Fq9-xYfo7afzyPvmMKgMYGN2mVuzj8Ik-8Oq4IRImKNlQvfbgbAPrcGu7lJXvgnqJ8oXYplXIDV7sytWJM60WxnPxdFxcCUPbiDrM2v_zPF84w452n8xitC1gLz9QETQ/s1600-h/022%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="022" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFozvhVU6K_eYuiHgxWcL10apImtdwdVVeCgdp8_05r_S8WuNfwGsNHMA0Afwg2Th4AZAa4iuLAh5iw_U_H84B0bkT2s8G5-6CrcBMLsFn9jQgctomLC_cjNqq8b_rVmFwgo-e3Z_Ehg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="022" width="360" /></a> Then I put the labels on with the cutest little star brads youeverdidsee! Obviously, the bibs are long gone. But the boxes are still going strong, so I’ll probably change them up to work in the new room. Later I layered frames (from Michaels) throughout the built ins:     <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V2qkKNqgnWlv88otChMelMUB_H_tQ-NtPsRlPp-P1btDNmhRfYLDj5H_dDrd2uSC0J2rFI2SCiYZ3HFHhfaD683buJGdLCVeVHqywjfEaFD0cJUL0hFqTtD7MBsKOu8u5YXruYCexfc/s1600-h/034%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="034" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsEWKnWy_kbgiCIFzdzH15wSeajS41mSdIB6cX9maTtaHZn4Pa331yq5WutR26C6zVgbpNxsKbmkPz5fnw5duOjvki27B9ifZPLM83F9Jtsqs6loDiU_76fMJhdMLK65b0cSIDovF_lk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="034" width="360" /></a> The “mats” aren’t mats at all – just poster board. I printed off the photos at home (on regular paper, mind you!) and just used double stick tape to center them on the poster board. Just the look I wanted for el cheapo. That is what I’m talkin’ about.  I saved the best for last…my very favorite part of my very favorite room…the stripes:    <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2K8jRP5naBPB6cvmj8jVoptjgArcDpFlQH-pFYayMrHWef8sV8bMXvSz2HZhHuIZf2fJJft3pIng9OvNPFUEidfKKXAj7y1aJXGBy2goRM_ZHaVHjAe1rbbDPlZNM5H6c3v6LANCrT8/s1600-h/046%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="046" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf0ii2tmk1QtDrfZy8W6Z6Cp-rSjaAZntfIX9NFpb9CPMKt6wYkA6bBIJfhr8c0gVO68vsQKwUuDaS7lchWsX0pzfuNMBHc9gIPLdY0N_R6AsAp84-TWP5kBZsbc8JFMfuj3BCNPHLlk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="046" width="576" /></a>  Sigh. Sniff. Then sigh again. I lurve the apple green stripes! Big. fat. puffy. heart. LURVE. It took some time…but I really am ready to transform this room. I think. I’m pretty sure. OK, I am. But someone may have to hold my hand for that first brush stroke. Or hold the tissue box while I paint. It’s going to be a true transformation. :) I’ll keep you updated along the way.   Thank you to my sponsor: <a alt="Coastal Decor, Craft Project Ideas, more" href="http://completely-coastal.com" target="_blank" title="Completely Coastal"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qVUoD9EHNdY/S5GSWEBdrnI/AAAAAAAAOyQ/ES8OhD62-20/s400/Completely-Coastal-Decor-Crafts-more.gif" /></a>

My favorite parts of my favorite room

Well…the time has come. Sniff. I decided about a year ago it was time to start transforming the Bub’s room into his “big boy” room. This ...

8:50 PM