Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Putting our life back together

We're getting there folks! It finally feels like home again, no longer a family of 3 imposing on a construction site.


Of course we are reminded constantly of the loose ends that will be tied up this week when the cabinetry is finished on Thursday. But life actually is starting to resemble normalcy in all areas aside from cooking/eating.


So much has changed even in the last couple days since I took these photos. The crown is up along the ceiling now and all of our trim work is done in the family room. Sean still has 1 light to fit as you can see, and I have a small repair to make on the fireplace thanks to our clumsy electrician chipping off a chunk of marble with his ladder.


The one thing that will be a bit of a wait is the edging along the step into the family room. We have to order a minimum of 400 feet to get the color and wood to match ours and so we are waiting until we finish the stairs and have room in the garage again to finish all that up. But I am REALLY proud of all the floors in here. Sean's back has been horrible this summer and I represented girl power to my best ability by single handedly laying all our floors in the kitchen (just one of the many things that had taken my time away from blogging!). I am pretty proud of them if I do say so myself!


One of my favorite finds this summer was actually not even found by me! My sister was driving over one afternoon when she scouted this old dresser at a garage sale. We went back and even though it was missing the center drawer I decided I would try to find something to do with it since it was only $15.


To me $15 is a screaming deal but for most people I am sure you couldn't have paid them to take this thing because it was truly in sad shape


I did various layers of white and cream paint to give it some interest and dimension, scratched it up a little to play up the already obvious defects and threw on new Anthropologie knobs.


I scratched my head for about 2 days after bringing home trying to decide what I should do with it when I took the dimensions and realized it would be perfect for the TV.


new knobs and original escutcheons (lock cover).


I cut and glued some beadboard into the drawer opening and had Sean drill me a hole for all the cords.


Original casters always make my heart melt, and those curvy legs are so dramatic!


I still have A LOT of work left to get this room fully furnished and accessorized but I am soooo happy to be in here in time for fall so we can get the fireplace up and running on those cool fall evenings.

27 comments:

Melissa said...

Beautiful! I love how everything is coming together.

Pudel-design said...

It is really interesting how it looks back in place;)
Love this dresser/tv-stand, well done;)
Thank you for sharing.

Lovely greetings...

http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/

PS: I`ve got a giveaway:)

http://pudel-design.blogspot.com/2011/09/thank-you-and-giveaway.html

Kristin said...

I looks so lovely already. I am so in love with that dresser. And what a perfect idea for a tv cabinet, you could do this with any dresser by just taking the drawer for easy access to the electronics. I may have to do this. :)

Vintage Home said...

OH my goodness....you are a floor laying cabinet transforming smarty pants! Fabulous job...Your HOME is beautiful!

Nancy said...

I would love to know how you keep your floors so clean...Do you vacuum? or wet mop? or swiffer?

Unknown said...

Thanks so much everyone!

Nancy, I used to religiously scrub my floors every.single.day. A LOT of work and some bruised knees later I discovered swiffer and we are best friends for life. I use the dry cloths the most and still like to mop with specific floor cleaner once a week, but I do occasionally use the swiffer wet cloths too. The only problem I have with the wet ones is that they seem to leave streaks so I only use them for fast little clean ups.

Mimi said...

It is looking fantastic! Mimi xx

Audra said...

It is all looking gorgeous-but of course I knew it would! Can't wait to see more pictures.
*FYI: I also have hardwood floors & dark at that which makes dust SHINE!!!! I have recently found Bona products which I LOVE!!!!!! Thought you might want to check them out-I also had the same problem with Swiffer Wet Wipes.

Pine Tree Home said...

Looking good. I about fell off my chair when I read about your chipped marble!

Unknown said...

Wow! Laying the floor yourself is quite a job!!! Good for you Holly! That rocks!

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

It looks amazing Holly!! Beautiful home~ xo Rachel

InteriorGroupie said...

Love it! I am currently scrounging around for a media stand just like that...wish me luck :)

Unknown said...

Love all the white! The floors are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love!

Question: Do you have any secrets to keeping a your white couch white given that you have an adorable little girl running around? I would love to purchase a white couch, but I'm fearful of what my 5 year old may do.

To The Moon and Back said...

Wow! Those floors, those ceilings, that console for your TV...everything is amazing! I can't wait for the final reveal:)

PCovi said...

Wow! That is amazing and smart of you!!! I love it. I see those hateful cords....I just dealt with mine...had a friend make a skirt for my t.v. table so they are hidden behind it. I'm very satisfied now and my family is happy I'm not fussing...

Unknown said...

When I took a look at those floors, I swear I heard angels singing.;)

m said...

wow holly, it's really coming together!! can't wait to see the finished product.
:)

Jenn A said...

Your home is gorgeous!!

Lisa Mende said...

Amazing work! You go girl!

Casey said...

Hi Holly! It looks AMAZING and we are all eager to see the finished kitchen! Maybe while you're waiting for the floorboards to finish the kitchen step you could paint that white step-trim a chocolate brown. I know it won't nearly give it the finished look the final beatiful boards would but maybe it will feel less "distracting" or something (assuming it bothers you).

Red in Ca. said...

The new gray paint looks beautiful, although I'm not familiar (Calif.) with CIL paint. I too, have a can of MS Bedford Gray and it's a good color...hope you find it's perfect spot.
Great repurpose on the battered old dresser!

Red

Red in Ca. said...

Great repurpose of the battered dresser and excellant paint choice! I have a soft spot for MS Bedford Gray (but ultimately chose MS Mourning Dove for my own LR) and hope you can find a place for it too. The neutral gray you picked is really nice.

Red

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Seriously...you did those floors all by yourself? You go girl! They are gorgeous. I have floor envy. I love what you did with the dresser too!

Yaruhi said...

I love what you did. It looks great.

Jami said...

I love this idea. I've been looking for something to use as a beautiful TV cabinet. Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

your house amazes me! That change is so drastic. I have always thought I would need to build to have a home that nice and not just renovate. Was is super pricey? I love it!

 
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