Dining Room turned Media/Reading Room

I can hardly believe it's been almost a year since I last blogged. But it's a busy life, and a good one at that.... so I have no regrets about being away.

About our home-making progress, for most of the fall/winter, I was burnt out on projects, so it wasn't until this Spring that I started getting into home-decor mode. What probably has given me a little push is that I am pregnant with our fourth child, yay! I'm in my 23-24 week and feeling fab. Tons of energy to "Nest" this place into shape. Lately, my theme for our home has been "Less is More". Trying my best to focus on what really matters for our family, getting organized, and only organizing that which we love or need.... nothing more, nothing less.

Other rooms are in progress upstairs, but for now, I will share what I have done with our front room. It was originally designed to be a dining room, but for the first year living here, it never was in use but maybe twice per year. Truly for our family it became a waste of space. I decided to make it our media room after my husband and I bought our first flat screen tv during Black Friday sales last year. We could have mounted it in our family great room, but the only place to put it was above our fireplace on the mantle, and that's not my cup of tea...

This is what our "Dining room" looked like for the first year or so...

Before photos

Here are the photos of the current media/reading room. Ideally, I would like to have a vintage piece of furniture as our media cabinet underneath the television, but I haven't found something that I like, that's affordable, and the right height. We do love the room though, it has turned out cozy. After the kids have been tucked into bed, this is where we spend our evenings: reading, looking at HGTV magazines,  watching rugby, a movie, or enjoying our favorite show, House Hunters International.


After photos

All the paint choices have come from Lowe's.

Downstairs ceiling, *Hot Stone.

Media room walls, White-no color added.

window pop-out wall, *Green Goddess.

The art around the tv is something I came up with in honor of my husband's profession. He's an Orthopedic Surgeon, and in the past he mentioned having x-rays as art incorporated into our home. I remembered his request and made them myself.... not something you see on average, and if I did, I'm sure it's price tag wouldn't fit my "Love of the Thrift" mind-set. I think it cost around $30-40 to make all of the x-ray art.

Most people think that this "Art" is strange, especially women, but that's ok, my hubby loves them, and that's all that matters :)

Thanks for checking out our room.... Have a fabulous weekend!

Playroom turned Sewing/Schoolroom!

finally finished my recent project. It took over a month, which drove me nuts in my head, but that's ok, all that matters is that it's D.O.N.E!

My writing isn't fabulous, so I'm going to skip right to the pictures, which is all you care about anyway......!

This is what the mini loft room looked like when we bought our house.                                     
                                                Before:

The wallpaper was hideous. Total 90's boy/sport print with words such as "Slam Dunk!", "Way to Go!", "Score!"...etc.

In Process:

The wallpaper came off in sheets, but left behind the backing. I was hesitant at first, but I went ahead and painted right over the top of it; seriously, no biggy!

Had to do an extra coat of paint over the red. I love Valspar brand from Lowe's, it is a formula of Paint & Primer.

And now(*drum roll).....AFTER!

Paint color: Valspar Minty

Vintage table $8, vintage red chair FREE, lamp $1, S floral sign $5, metal vintage child's school desks $10 each, family pictures displayed with yarn, clothespins and staples.

I love these metal organizers from HomeGoods for $20 each

I'm looking forward to some sewing!

Pan clock from Pier 1

Found this vintage rainbow picture at Salvation Army $3

She loves her new desk :)

I'm so proud of them, they anticipate doing their school work each morning!

Our three kiddos enjoying the finished product.

I really like it now!

Let me just encourage you that you don't have to spend a ton of money to decorate the way you love.... just be patient, persistant, and shop at thrift stores, garage sales, craigslist, and then fill in at discount stores such as HomeGoods, Hobby Lobby, etc...

Now onto my next project...... coming soon. 

It's been too long...

Ok, 
So I haven't blogged in forever. Been busy to say the least. 
I'm presently working on a home project of every room in our house.... probably bit off more than I can chew? But as I've learned over the years as of late, that's just how I roll... so I'm going to roll with it! 
Today I'm making the finishing touches on my new "Sewing/School room". Between taking care of my 3 lil cuties, it's taking me a tad bit longer than I thought, but that's ok.

My next post will be the before and after pics, so stay tuned! :)

3rd Birthday

Our son, Tremain James, turned 3 on May 10th

We had a relaxing party for him, including some swimming at the pool, playing in the yard, enjoying the near perfect weather, delicious Papa Murphy's pizza, and of course, singing "Happy Birthday" and eating cake!

Woke up at 5am to make his cake. He requested "chocolate with rainbows"  :) 

He woke up and was pleasantly surprised to see this in the kitchen

He and Jubalee had frosting for breakfast... I know, bad mom  :)

Enjoyin' some pizza

Had to include a pic of our baby Capri, lovin' the balloons!

I got him the book, "A Color of His Own" by Leo Lionni, about a Chameleon, such a sweet story 

Unwrappin' some goodies

Happy birthday to you!

mmm, cake.....

The recipe is a classic BHG chocolate cake, with my own frosting creation with butter and cream cheese!

my husband gave it a 4 out of 5 - I will take that as a compliment :)

We thank God for blessing us with our son these 3 years - what a privilege to raise the next generation for the glory and honor of the one who gave us life, thank you Jesus!

Have a marvelous day all!