Home Office Reveal

    After much organization and accessorizing, I am so happy to show you my completed home office.  

This is where I'll blog, craft and stamp.  Here are pictures of the before, during,

  and after!

Grab some coffee, take a seat and enjoy... there are LOTS of pictures!

 Every box, basket, jar and ceramic bowl holds my supplies.  I wanted it to be both functional and eye appealing.
When accessorizing the Expedit, I applied Beth's tips on how to decorate shelves, creating visual triangles.

 The drapes were made by me, using Bedazzle Silver Lining by Waverly.

 This super soft rug came from Home Goods.  My feet are in love!

The gallery wall was created using frames I had on hand and others I found at thrift stores and Home Goods.  

The lamp came from Home Goods and the dresser is a Craigslist find for $55!

My dear friend, Autumn (from my college years) sent me this card after our Pampered Chef weekend together.  

I love the message and the colors are perfect for the new space.

The mat will be framed with black and white pictures of the kids and will be hung above the light blue cabinet.  The cork boards came from Ava's room.  I will be covering them with this fabric, for my memo and inspiration boards.

Waverly Cross Section in Charcoal

Special thanks to Mimi @ Blue Roof Cabin for having a giveaway to celebrate her one year blogiversary.  

Sweet Ava Kate was chosen and this Pottery Barn globe came home with me.

My inspiration for this room comes from Megan @ Honey We're Home. 

 I fell in love with her home office, especially the drapery fabric and then it evolved from there.  

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a great week!  

I'm linking up to these great parties:

Tutorials and Tips Link Party @ Home Stories A2Z

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 

Paint Color Party @ Involving Color    

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Updated Bathroom Mirrors

I've had my eye out for some beveled oval mirrors for our bathrooms.  

My hunt finally came to an end when I read (then drooled over) Katie's post on her new office bathroom.   

She shared that she purchased her bathroom hardware on clearance from Lowe's.  I didn't so much need towel bars and light fixtures, but when I saw the beautiful beveled mirror, I hightailed it to Lowe's to see if I could find the same bargains.  To my surprise, I found three for $44.98 each, originally $74.98!  Score!  

The mirrors came with a polished nickel finish.  Most of the hardware is ORB in the downstairs and master bathrooms, so I purchased some self etching primer and dark bronze spray paint.

 Since the hardware is a polished nickel, the self etching primer will help the top coat adhere better.

 A light sanding before spraying the top coat helped to give it a smooth finish.

 After 24 hours of drying, hubby installed the first of three mirrors.  

I love my damask rug from Target!  

We'll be hanging the other two this weekend.  This is what it looks like now...

I'll be back soon to show you the updated look.

Thank you to Katie @ Bower Power for sharing her beautiful new office bathroom
and for letting us in on the great bargains!  :)

Six Things I Love In Our Home Right Now...

1.  Sunburst Mirror

I've admired so many sunbursts mirrors, but when I saw this one at Home Goods, 

I knew it had to come home with me.  It's perfect for our front entry.

2.  Cloth Napkin Wall Art

The laundry room needed some color, it also makes doing laundry a little more enjoyable.  

3.  Two-Paned Window Turned Message Board

I found this window at a local antique store.  The top is magnetic with a chalk board below.

4.  Damask Rug 

I just love the added color and design it brings to our guest bathroom.  Thanks Target!

5.  Sunroom Pillows

I've slowly been adding throw pillows to the settee and chair.  I purchased these striped ones at Home Goods the other day, they flow nicely with the window treatments, which are getting a facelift this week!

6.  Kids Bathroom Art

These super cute sea life prints are a new addition.  The kids love them!

(To view projects, click on the numbered links)

Is there anything in your home that you really love right now?

I'm Linking Up To:

Transformation Thursdays

Open House Party

Wow Us Wednesdays

Anything Goes

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Tuesdays Treasures

Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Days of Chalk and Chocolate
Metamorphosis Mondays @ Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Showoff Project Parade

Kids Bathroom Art

If you've visited the "Our Home" page, you may remember the kids bright and colorful bathroom.

I couldn't resist sharing this picture of Ava and her friend, Madeline playing dress-up!

The bathroom doesn't photo well, so please excuse the quality.  Before I show you the updated bathroom, here's a little background info leading up to my purchase.  When I was in the middle of decorating our home office, I decided I didn't want to use the grey trellis rug from Garden Ridge. 

Although very trendy and affordable, the quality just wasn't what I was looking for and I knew eventually it would be replaced.  So, off I went to Garden Ridge to exchange it for something else.

At the time of the return, I wasn't sure what I would get, so I've been holding on to a merchandise credit for the past two months.  I stopped by there today while both kids were in school... plenty of time to scour the whole store with no interruptions!  They have a fairly decent wall decor section, especially in the kid aisle.  

I found these adorable sea life prints for $14.99 each.  

Here's a close up...

Aren't they the cutest, most cheerful little creatures?  And just what this room needed, more color.  :)  

When Ava came home from school, she made a point of telling me she liked the new look... I'm glad she approves! 

Oh, and speaking of the office, I'm putting the finishing touches on my new organized space and can't wait to show you the reveal.  Hope you're having a good week!

I'm Linking Up To:

Hookin' Up With House of Hepworths

I'm Dreaming of a White Kitchen

After several years of dreaming about a white kitchen, it is finally becoming a reality this year.  I've never really shared pictures of our space because, honestly... it's my least favorite room in the house.  Honey oak/pine (we don't know!!!) tudor style cabinets with dark green formica countertops and white appliances.  Don't get me wrong, it's functional, just not pretty.  Here's a small glimpse of our kitchen, celebrating Ava's 6th Birthday Par-TEA.

We did spiffy it up a bit last summer... building a kitchen banquette in our eating area, so that has helped... some.  

Making cushions and pillows for the space will be budgeted into the kitchen redo.  

Here are several inspiration photos I have been collecting over the past year.

We'd love to frame out our windows by the banquette and add blinds similar to these.

Anne @ Hello Newman's just recently changed up her windows by adding shelving and blinds.

Jane @ Modern Jane shows us her sister's updated kitchen.  I'm in love with the subway tile with its creamy white with grey, pink and tan veining, as described by Olympia Tile.  

This is called Milky Way White Marble in the mosaic brick pattern.  Isn't it gorgeous?

 White cabinets, black countertops, farmhouse sink... what's not to love?

Outdoor fabric, known for its durability (especially when small children are spilling liquids several times a day) will definitely be used when making the banquette cushions.  

This Sunbrella fabric in Dune is a great neutral for our space.  

Our cabinets are similar to these pictured above.  I love the subway tile and the mix of hardware.

Love the open shelving, blinds and farmhouse sink.  Swoon!

(via bhg.com)

Love the pendant lighting...

If all works out the way we hope, the transformation should start in early June.  I will post "before" pictures of our "oh so lovely" kitchen before the demolition begins.  I'm excited to track our progress through this long awaited journey.  Hope you'll join me!

All images and their sources can be found on my pinterest board titled Kitchen Ideas.

I'm linking up to Sarah's Show Us Your House:  Kitchens