Homemaking: An End Table of Books

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After collecting a fair number of "coffee table" books, I decided to display them all in one place since, when

stacked, they were the height of an end table.  

I topped them with a round piece of glass.  
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Remodeling: Updated Computer/Sitting Room

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Our room over the garage serves as a computer/sitting room off the master bedroom and, as you can see, it was in need of an update after  20+ years!

The professionals removed the wallpaper and wall to wall carpet before I chose the paint,  flooring and decorative elements  for the newly fashioned room.

Having the stained woodwork painted white to match the rest of the house made the most dramatic difference in the room along with installing  pre finished hardwood floors.  The walls were painted with Benjamin Moore "Steel Blue".

The Kenton loveseat and storage ottoman was purchased at Macy's.  I found the navy and white chest, the 100% wool rug in navy and white as well as numerous accessories at Homegoods.  The pillows,  pictures hung on the walls and the stools under the built in ironing board are from TJMaxx. I recovered the stools in navy vinyl from Jo Ann Fabrics to match the room's color scheme.  

Repositioning the desk at the other end of the room and eliminating the bookshelf along the wall, opened up the room considerably.  

The metal end tables were old finds from TJMaxx and the Chevron rug was purchased at Target.  The lampshade was a Pottery Barn find.  I made the afghan some years ago and it fits in well.

I dressed up the front of the desk with black and white photos taken on various trips.  They are simply printed on the computer and attached with 

removable gummy "Handi Tak".  The navy and white floral Swoop Back chair was found at Target and is a perfect match for this room.

 I consolidated our multiple Christmas Cactus plants in the bay window.

Along with an unfinished oil painting I really should complete!

Lastly, to add interest to the lamp, I added three stripes of navy grosgrain ribbon to mimic the chest.  

All in all, we are quite pleased with the finished look of this multi purpose room!

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Homemaking-Remodeling: Dining Room Remodel

Before

After

Before

After

Painting the dining room walls with Benjamin Moore "Gull Wing Gray" below the chair rail and "Whale Gray" above the chair rail transformed the look of the room.  Switching out the brass chandelier for nickel and recovering the chair cushions with decorator fabric from JoAnn Fabrics added to the new look.  Also, painting the mirror silver made a huge difference in the room.  See a different table setting here.
To view our other home makeovers, go here.   
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Homemaking-Remodeling: Living Room Make-Over

Before 

After

The ottoman is from TJMaxx/Homegoods as well as the pillows. The photo holder is from Pottery Barn.  Instructions for the  wreath on the rear wall can be found here. 

The desk and chair belonged to my uncle.  The reupholstered rocker I found in an antique store and I covered the desk chair in the same fabric.  The ottoman is from TJMaxx/Homegoods and the teddy bears were fashioned from my mother's mink stole.

Before

After

The fireplace screen, wooden end table and wood bowl are all from TJMaxx/Homegoods.  The living room set is from Macy's. The green afghan pattern info can be found here.

The accessories on the sofa table as well as the lamps with suede shades and the hanging picture were finds from TJMaxx/Homegoods and Marshalls.

 

The votive holder on the wall is from Pottery Barn and the candle holder stand is from TJMaxx/Homegoods.

This end table is from the Lillian Vernon catalog and it's drawers provide perfect storage for candles and the like.

Before

After

Our living room make over involved paint and a new couch and love seat.  We chose Benjamin Moore's "Hillsborough Beige" which succeeded in giving the room a whole new look. 

Check here to see our other room makeovers . 

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Homemaking-Remodeling: Front Entry Hall

Vintage books are displayed between the balusters on the front stairs.

The antique marble topped table belonged to my grandparents whose wedding invitation hangs along with ours above the table. They were wed in November 1900 !  I decoupaged them onto wooden plaques using Mod Podge which should preserve them for years to come.
See more of our room remodels here.
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Homemaking-Remodeling: Adding A Back Stairway

The finished look....

 The back stairs were added after the fact and required constructing a wall in the garage thus incorporating one of the garage windows into the design of the stairwell.  This resulted in a rather unique back hallway. Everything in the photo below was part of the garage originally.

 In the first design we used carpeting on the stairs which we later replaced with hardwood to match the rest of the house and a coat of Benjamin Moore "Whitestone". 

I just found the cute little mirrored metal table at TJMaxx which fits perfectly in the space.  And topped it with my favorite "spilled coffee" piece.  
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Homemaking & Remodeling: Family Room Remodel

Before and After

Before and After

 

 
We renovated the family room a few years ago, swapping out the barn board walls for sheet rock and paint as well as painting all the trim white and it made a phenomenal difference.  The paint is Benjamin Moore "Chestertown Buff".

Here are the before and after photos. We also opened up the family room to the kitchen which made both rooms seem more spacious. The wall of photos went into photo albums for posterity.

 

I was thrilled to find this coffee table which allowed just enough room on each side for my wooden words (purchased at TJMaxx/Homegoods) "Memories" and "Cocktails".   Shouldn't everyone have both? 

We also enjoy displaying our postcards from over the years on this carousel from Pottery Barn which was a gift from my children.  This is again available in their catalog. Each section is designated for cards from a variety of family and friends. Some postcards date back 40-50 years!
To view our other home makeovers, go here.
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Homemaking-Remodeling: Kitchen Remodel

Upgrading the kitchen by replacing oak cabinets with custom cherry cabinets and laminate counter tops with granite as well as replacing part of the wall between the kitchen and family room with an island, made a world of difference in our circa 1986 kitchen. 
I designed the island to have cabinet storage and drawers which face the family room side so it looks like a piece of furniture from that angle.  Painting all the stained woodwork in the house white served to brighten each room as well. It's like having a new house without the packing !  Now contemplating the removal of the kitchen wallpaper and replacing it with paint....it just never ends !
To view our other home makeovers, go here.

Before and After

Before and After

Before and After

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