Pillows, Chairs, and Chevrons - OH MY!

I'm a little stir crazy and so very ready to spring!  Cabin Fever in overdrive!  So, I figured why not do a few projects that would be better (and cleaner) if done outside - INSIDE! That and I really am trying to infuse some character and charm into my house.  I'm game!

First off, I had these gross chairs... Don't judge me,  I got them off of craigslist.com and they were sorta trashed.  Yes, we didn't help the situation by allowing them to sit in the machine shed to deteriorate and I'm not confirming or denying the cats might have been sleeping on these which is why all of the material and batting/foam was removed. 

 After taking off the fabric and foam I found the chairs had actually been altered and someone had put luan on the chairs to cover the backs.  We removed the luan and got to work.  I will blog later on how to paint surfaces without it pealing or scratching  but that will be a project for another day.   I sanded them, painted them white, then distressed them for a farmhouse, worn look.  

For now, here is the after!

Here you can see why this is an outside job!  Distressing and sanding never is the best idea indoors but I couldn't help it!

 


I love these chairs and unlike the cloth version, these are easily cleanable and bleachable.  AND they add character to the room!

Now for the new pillows!  I got a single panel curtain at 'Home Goods' on sale for $3. I loved the fabric.  It's a wonderful color, loved the stripes, and was super thick.   You couldn't come close to getting 80+ inches of this thick, quality fabric at any Craft Store for that!  Now, I don't use pillow inserts in my pillows-  I'm not a take the cover off to launder my throw pillows sort of gal (is that lazy?).  I also make sure to use quality filling in my pillows and I've never had them bunch in the wash.  Anyhow, here they are.

I simply love this fabric and am more than pleased with the farmhouse cottage feeling they will lend to the room.  Not sure which room that'll be yet.  :)  But either way, they are totes ADORB!

Lastly I wanted a few large chevrons for my living room and although I think I made them too large I do love the look of them.  Anyone interested in a tutorial for these?  Let me know and I will work one up for ya!  These only took about 5 minutes each and although I used materials I already had on hand they would literally cost a few $ to make.  A lot of interest for very little money.  That's speaking my language!

So there are a few of my projects from the last few weeks!  Any more ideas for me to help deter my cabin fever - shoot them on over in the comments section!!!!  Lots more projects to come and tutorials too!  Have a Good Friday!

Brandy

Guest Bathroom Reveal! - Before and After Photos!

Well, it's done, well, mostly, sort of... okay, not really but at least it's livable for the time being.   Being that we are now home with our twins (yeah, it's been awhile since I posted, sorry!) it's gonna have to do for now!  

The guest bathroom, although functional was well, a bit embarrassing and very out of date. It had once been a porch and when our little farmhouse was added onto, the old window trim was left there by the previous owners.   

 Anyway, here are the 'before' photos!

The light fixture in here was the oddest I had ever seen.  It looked like it could have been from an airplane or submarine.    Not exactly what we had in mind!  The toilet, oh the toilet...  It was an elongated one that was so inefficient that water never filled to the front portion of the toilet. My littles had this problem of sitting way forward on the toilet seat which made for some problems when they... I will stop there.  Feel free to use your imagination!

 Behind the vanity was a long narrow closet that wasn't functional.  We tore out that wall and replaced a teeny tiny baby storm window with one more appropriate.  

 Out came the pocket door here!  This is where, in the 'after' photos, is now the water closet (toilet area). 

My poor husband had to work on the plumbing almost completely by himself... I was super pregnant and very sick so I provided very little 'plumbing' help for the guy!  Everything had to be rerun and re plumbed so it was about a month worth of work down in the crawl space.  Once I felt better, which was nearing the end of my pregnancy, I was able to do my normal 'activities' and helped finish up the plumbing (Insert funny story here about being pregnant with twins, almost due, and a very small crawl space... yeah) and all the regular rehab work for the rest of the bathroom.   I got the floor and shower tiled just a week before our babies were to arrive.  I had a visit from my sweet neighbors as I was laying the tile... they think I'm crazy ;) Not sure I blame them!  

Loved the way it has turned out so far Now for some 'after' photos! Please keep in mind, nothing is 'done'.  Not the caulking, putty-ing, trim, nothing.  There is still a lot to do but for now... it is my version of done.  

New Jacuzzi tub.  Loving it!

Built this table last year and it doesn't actually belong in there but when I get a minute I will build one like it (but smaller) for that area.  The table will hold apothecary jars for cotton balls and q-tips.  You know, things my kids will get into and string throughout the house ;) 

Tub surround still needs to be painted and finished.  

 Look Ma!  NO TRIM!  

In case you were wondering, we used 100 year old doors and tried to match the trim as closely as possible to that in the original parts of the house.   I really need to get in there and get some farmhouse 'character' infused.  Still working over that in my mind and really hoping to get to it!  Any suggestions??

Peace out Ya'll!  Thanks for checking on us!

Brandy