Spaces

Tuesday’s Space- Christmas Mantel

12 Dec 2012

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Tuesday’s Space, a day late, but I don’t think you will mind, right? As I mentioned last Tuesday, my living room mantel has been bugging me. After about 10 attempts (yes, 10!) I think I finally got it where I want it.

Here is the final mantel. This is completely different than when I started. Most is thrifted and repurposed items. The wreath was used outside on my front door a few years ago. The bulbs on it are mostly from the Dollar Store and were hot glued and tied together in clusters of two to three bulbs each. I rescued the red ribbon from the bottom of a storage bin. It’s been a few years since it has seen sunlight, but with a little bit of steam, it is as good as new. To the left, I repurposed my thrifted pewter vase (not bad for a $2 investment) and filled it with some faux berries I had purchased a few years ago. To the right are the three candle sticks I thrifted last year and a deer candle holder that was actually thrifted at the same time (not sure why I didn’t show you guys!) To give a  nice layered effect, I used different size bulbs, while adding some interest with different colors and finishes. Our stockings are a few years old now, purchased from Target. I added a bit of visual weight with a simple garland hung under the mantel. On the hearth, there are two silver vases I purchased from the Pottery Barn clearance section years ago. I think I paid under $20 for both. I decorated them with some bells hung from ribbon purchased at JoAnn Fabrics. I also added a little flair with some bulbs and greenery. Ahhh, and I think it’s finally done!

How are your mantels coming along?

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Tuesday’s Space – Decking the Halls

5 Dec 2012

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We enjoyed a quiet weekend at home, spending most of it decking the halls adding some Christmas spirit! There’s something about taking those dusty plastic bins out from the attic that fills me with anticipation. The last few Decembers, the magic has been magnified by my favorite helper.

He and Daddy put together our Scrooge village. This is the first year he really understands the story A Christmas Carol. He was very careful to put the ghost of Christmas future pointing at Scrooge himself, right in front of his house. At night, he sits in front of each house and tells the whole story.

Decorating the mantel is always my favorite part. I know it should be the Christmas tree, but I just love how the stockings look dangling between the garlands and lights. This year, I struggled with the mantel. I pulled it all apart three times before settling on a set up I liked. I am still not sold on it, but as my husband said “Sara, walk away from the mantel!” The advent stockings I made last year are just adorable. This year, they are filled, for a very lucky boy, with Lindt Christmas chocolates.

I also finished a few of my bells. I had planned on giving these out as gifts, but they are just so darn cute and match our Christmas tree so well, I decided to keep them. Maybe next year I’ll knit more for friends and family!

What decorations are decking your halls? Please leave a link to a “Tuesday Space” post on your blog, and we can all gain a bit of inspiration!

Happy Decorating!

By: Category: Spaces, The Pomegranate Chronicles Tags: , , ,

Thrifty Thursday – Toy Chest

29 Nov 2012

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The final piece Griff’s boys space room was missing was a toy chest for all those rocket ships and aliens. On my weekly trip to the thrift store, I stumbled upon this beauty.

It looked to me to be a handmade wooden box for storage. The only issue it had was one broken hinge. It came home with me for $10.00. I purchased it to transform myself, but my dear husband had the week of Thanksgiving off, and was not only completing the stuff on his “Honey Do” list, but also tackling the projects on mine. I didn’t mind so much. It was cute to see him trying to see the vision I saw in the box. First, it would take a new coat of paint. We picked a burnt orange to match the accent sheets on the bed and the big planet on the wall.

I purchased the cheap paint, and it took 4 coats to actually cover the red. Dear Hubby also changed out the hinges to larger more durable ones and painted the top black to match the rest of the furniture. Once all was dry, we moved it into the space.

It fits perfectly at the bottom of Griff’s bed. Price: $10.00, paint and hinges $9.00, total investment: $19.00. The whole room has really come together. It is so gratifying when a vision comes out better than you expected, isn’t it?

Now, to get to hemming those darn curtains!

Any good thrifts lately?

 

 

 

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Tuesday’s Space – The World

27 Nov 2012

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Piece by piece we are putting together the boys space room. So far, my favorite project has been upcycling this old papasan.

When I look at it, I don’t see the old chair that has been around for the last 10 years and most recently, taking up space in my garage. Nope. I see the perfect piece of furniture for my little guy’s out of this world adventures! 

To start this transformation, I took the base and spray painted it black.

It took all day and three cans of black spray paint. In-between waiting for the paint to dry, I started on a slip cover for the cushion. We purchased new spaceship sheets for Griff, so I used his old full size blue sheets for the background of the earth. I flattened out the sheets and placed the futon on top and started two rough traces.

Then, I cut out the two circles and it was time to move onto the continents.

After much research on my ipad, I was able to trace something that resembled the Western Hemisphere onto some green corduroy I found on sale.

After sewing up the edges, I pinned and sewed them onto the top of the slip cover.

I then sewed together the two circles and slipped them back over the cushion. Once the bamboo was dry, it was time to assemble it. Tada!

It’s more versatile than I had originally thought. The cushion has come off more than once to be a “landing pad” for Griff’s space adventures.

I think next, it may need a moon throw pillow!

What are you working on?

By: Category: Sewing, Spaces Tags: , , , ,

Tuesday’s Space – Outta This World

20 Nov 2012

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We have been working hard on our new space. Griff’s room is no exception. We ordered these space themed decals from the amazingly talented Danette from Studio Wall Art. She has a bunch of creative themed decals (a MUST to check out!) It took a while to place them. We cut them out and placed them around the room with painters tape before settling on this configuration.

Okay, I have to admit, I cheated on the bed, I purchased this space themed quilt from Target. It is complete with space ship pillow and orange accent pillowcases (the extra sheets were $7.49 on the clearance rack). Not to worry, the quilt I made him, is still under this one, keeping him warm and snugly. Still to do? I need to hem those blue curtains, they are just too long. I will use the left overs to make a valance for the window on the other side of the room that you can’t see. I also have a few projects to show you that we thrifted and upcycled to make this room perfect. Stay tuned for those posts!

So what do you think?

What spaces are you working on?

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Tuesday’s Space – New Carpet

13 Nov 2012

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Last Friday, we got our new carpet installed in our upstairs space. We moved in this weekend and are slowly settling in. We can’t help but feel like it’s a new house. It’s more than we could have expected and just doesn’t feel like it’s really our home!

I’ve had a frustrating weekend trying to find curtains and shades. It’s not like it use to be. I am not sure why, but it seems everyone wants you to special order them. I finally found a cost effective option at Lowe’s with some cellular blinds that can be cut to order on the spot. I am still trying to decide on what color to choose and what (if any) curtains should be added with them. It’s so exciting deciding on all the final touches. Moving in has put some pressure on me to finish my quilt, the bed is in a big need of updated linens!

What are you working on?

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Tuesday’s Space – Lighting

7 Nov 2012

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Tuesday’s space is a day late this week. Life has been busy pulling together the final touches of the upstairs space. We had our sconces installed for bed lighting this weekend. I am so happy with them. They really bring warmth to the room and I think we will find them very functional.

They look like they are hung high, but they are not. This wall is a bit shorter than a normal wall to create the proper pitch of the roof so that there are no shedding issues down the line. This is typical when adding a shed dormer to a traditional cape.

We have also been preparing the trim for a final coat of paint. We are busy filling nail holes and sanding everything down. We have had a BIG helper with all of this. Griffin has learned how to use spackle and a sanding block.

Who says good help is hard to find?

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Tuesday’s Space – The Paint

23 Oct 2012

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Our upstairs space is coming along very quickly. Today, the hubby and I took the day off to paint before the final touches are completed this week. Here are a few shots of the painted rooms. Not the best pictures, but I thought you might want a sneak peek!

In the master - Benjamin Moore, Huntington Beige. It’s a very warm and inviting color.

For Griff’s room we went with Benjamin Moore’s, Beacon Gray. This color is a little lighter than what we were originally going to paint it. I am so glad we did. It’s like walking into a cloud. It is the perfect little alien room.

We are so close to being able to move in. A few more weeks and then the real fun begins…I better get my thrifting shoes on!

What are you working on at your home? What spaces are you transforming (big or small?) I want to hear about it.

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Tuesday’s Space – Sheet Rock

16 Oct 2012

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YES! We have sheet rock! It is so exciting to see our space now look like rooms. Griff and I spent some time up there last night to get used to the space. I just can’t believe the difference it’s going to make in our home. It’s way more than I had imagined. I can’t help but keep thinking how lucky we are. It is completely worth all the upheaval and change in routine.

On a project note, I was able to pull out my sewing machine to help a neighbor. Of course, I didn’t get a picture of the finished project, but she had a corn filled heating pad that had been well worn. She had asked in if I’d mind sewing a quick cover for it. Yesterday, I was able to make a nice removable velcro cover with a flannel side and vintage fabric decorative side. She was so happy with the it. It always feels good to do something nice for a neighbor, doesn’t it?

I hope you are all enjoying your week!

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Tuesday’s Space – The Fun Part of Renovations

9 Oct 2012

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Last Tuesday, I showed you the renovation we started on our home. This week, the outside, and electrical and plumbing on the inside are complete.  Today, it’s ready for inspection so we can move forward with insulation and drywall. If you are thinking, gosh that was fast, you are right. We are way ahead of schedule, which I know rarely happens on a project of this size. Trust me, I am counting my blessings. I am also starting to go through the details of our space and I wanted to share it with you. First, Griff’s room. **Spoiler Alert** We are going with a space theme. We have chosen a nice blue/gray wall paint and a neutrally colored, square textured carpet.

We have found some really fun wall decals on etsy by Studio Wall Art. There are so many fun things we can do with this theme and we are not sure exactly what we are going to get from the collection, but we know it’s the direction we want to go.

In the master bedroom, we are looking to create a calm, quiet space. We have decided on a neutral tan with blue undertones to compliment the blue in Griff’s room. We are also using the same neutral textured carpet throughout the upstairs.

We have also purchased these cool lamps for either side of the bed. They were a bit of a splurge  but I think are going to be worth it. At first, I was a bit worried about the tans matching the colors in my quilt. I really want to use the quilt I’ve been working on in this space. I find, that in decorating, as long as you choose everything you love, it will all go together. I put the swatches next to my quilt (which is coming right along) and it matches perfectly. Funny how that always happens!

So it’s coming right along. I am SO anxious to get things down and see everything come to life. Are there any spaces you have been working on? Any new DIY projects?

Happy Decorating!

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