Entry Closet Makeover: The Reveal!

This has actually been done for a couple months but like I said here... sometimes life slows you down!  I really and truly couldn't love it anymore and I must say it has exceeded all my expectations.  Lets look at a big, ugly, white, hollow core, bi folding before.

Not quite the first impression I was going for.

And.................... AFTER!!!!!! Just a little big better wouldn't you say?!? 

If you haven't been following along here are parts one thru three.

Part 1: The Inspiration

Part 2: The Soft Stuff

Part 3: Building the Bench

I had mentioned in an earlier post that this was the very first thing I noticed when I walked into this house that I wanted to change (that and the giant green metal doors.)  You can see the outside transformation including the new doors here.

After a few inspiration photos and a little reverse psychology the husband was ready to take on his first major DIY project and I must say he did an absolutely amazingly perfect job!  Some beauty shots....



Baskets from T.J. Maxx up top for extra storage of mittens, hats, etc.  They were only $15 each!  Steal!

Beautifully crafted drawers with satin nickel cup pulls.  These babies hold LOTS of shoes!

The full entry including the revamped barrister bookcase seen here.  I gotta say, this rug was a hand me down from my mother in law, we had to cut it down to fit this space but I LOVE it absolutely to death!!!!!  Don't you wish you had her for a mother in law?

The view with both doors open as you come in from my sidewalk.

I made all the pillows and cushion.  Specifics are in Part 2.

The walls are clad in wainscoting and painted in Behr Wheat Bread.

I would love to give you a complete cost break down but the receipts are literally everywhere and after returns and about 20 trips they just all got separated.  I can estimate it came in between $300 and $400.  After buying all the wood, the wainscoting, hooks and pulls, fabric and foam for the seat.  Not terribly bad considering the estimate I got last time I wanted something built in!  Big pat on the back Will.... you're the man!

I gotta say my major inspiration for this project was from the House of Smith's.  I must give her a shout out and send you over to check out her amazing blog if by some crazy chance you don't already read it daily!  Here is the link the her closet makeover.

One final before and after.

If I missed anything you have questions about leave me a comment or shoot an email and I'll get right back to you!

Kandi

**UPDATE!  So many of you  have asked where we put all of our things now.  Good question!  We put them where they belong!  We never have more than one jacket each here so they rest are put away in their rightful spot.  Shoes go in the built in drawers and odds and ends like mittens and scarves go in the baskets above.  Now, mystery solved :-)**

 

How to make a terrarium

I have been loving terrariums for a while now (with plants... no live animals!).  They have been all over blogland it seems.  They are so beautiful in apothecary jars which is what I planned on using until I stumbled upon this awesome little terrarium at the Goodwill for only $4!

This Pottery Barn Terrarium would be a good substitute but will cost you a little more than mine at $129!!  I cannot get over how similar they are!

Tabletop Greenhouse from Pottery Barn

I did a little Google research, gathered my supplies, and had an adorable terrarium in about 15 minutes!! 

Here is a link to an awesome Better Homes and Gardens slide show on terrariums and great plant options!

Supplies:

-Glass containers with or without tops

-Gravel, sea glass or beach stones

-Activated charcoal (found at a nursery or pet supply store)

-Terrarium plants

-Sterile potting mix

-Moss (optional)

Steps:

1. Start with a clean container and add your layer of rocks.  This is to give the water somewhere to go instead of soaking the roots.  I gathered mine from outside but you can buy the pretty decorative ones too.

2. Sprinkle your rocks with a layer of activated charcoal.  This helps keep the water from stagnating.

3.  Add a layer of moss if you wish.  This keeps your dirt from filling into your rocks and adds another layer to help with drainage.

4.  Layer of potting soil.

5.  Plant your plants and water. 

Such an easy project!  There are lots of resources on methods and types of plants.  I really wanted succulents (because I think they are pretty) so I hear you need to open it up and let it air out because they are not big fans of humidity.  Stick with small plants and you'll be fine.  You can always switch them out or trim them down if they start to outgrown your container.  Other than that check to see if it needs water every week.  Water if the soil is dry.  Simple way to add some life to your house!

Don't forget to check out the new Wedding Line of pillows!!  We are LOVING them!!

Kandi

Partying at some of these awesome places!

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PINsperation: DIY Moss and Split Pea Decorative Balls

I discovered a great new blog a few days ago via Pinterest.  Sand and Sisal.  Am I the only one who has been missing out on this awesome blog?  She had a super doable tutorial on making your own decorative balls so I had to try it out.  I have to say that I am actually really bad at crafting.  In my head I am Martha Stewart but in reality I'm just no where close.  95%  of the time things do not come out right the first time and what I think is going to be a 5 minute project turns into something much longer and more frustrating.  But, having said all that, I only made one boo boo on this project and only had to start over one time which in my book is a total success!

Kim has an amazing tutorial on her blog but here is my short version.

 1.  Gather supplies:
-Styrofoam balls
-1 bag of split peas (one small bag made 1 medium and 1 large ball with a few peas leftover)
-Bag of moss (I got mine from Michael's... don't forget to download their app if you have a smart phone!  Great coupons!)
-Glue sticks and gun
-Green paint
-Paint brush
-Mod Podge (in matte)

2.  Paint your balls green to help disguise any open spots.

3. Hot glue on peas/moss completely covering the ball.  Your moss balls are ready for display at this point.  (FYI... it will not work to try to Mod Podge the peas to the ball unless you have plenty of patience/time...something I do not have...)

4.  For the pea balls Mod Podge over the entire ball... use the matte as Kim suggests and they will look better than mine :-)

Next time this table shows up in a picture it will be a nice creamy white!

Getting my basket of pine cones off the table was LONG over due!  This was a one nap time long project and doing it yourself saves quite a bit of cash!

I'm off to do some painting. 

Kandi

Linking up here.

Extra Long Lumbar Pillow

I am having a hard time doing anything but gardening these days;  it is just so beautiful outside.   As an extra bonus my mother just brought me an entire trunk full of perennials from her garden.  So if my posts seem a little spread out, I am sorry.  Today I thought I would share with you the extra long lumbar pillow I just made for my little man's room. I am seeing long lumbar pillows everywhere these days.  On beds and couches, it just does not matter. They add so much personality to a any space.  The only problem with these pillows is how expensive they are to have custom made even though they really are not THAT expensive to make! This one cost me less than $20 for the materials including the custom pillow form. Think of how expensive it would be to buy. Check out the impact one single pillow can have on a space.

When I was showing Kandi my little man's room, she and I both agreed it needed a pop of color. Here is a picture of his pillows before....

Cute, midcentury inspired fabric, but lacking color.  I really do love these pillows, so I kept them in the room, but moved them to another corner.  You will have to wait just a little longer for the final reveal to see where they ended up finding homes.

Of course I am still missing his headboard, so you cannot get the complete feel for the space but doesn't this pillow change the entire look and feel of the bed?

I want to show you a couple of pillows that helped inspire this new addition.....

courtesy of House Beautiful

House Beautiful

The Homemade Home

Southern Living

If I can stay out of the garden long enough, I will be able to share the entire room makeover in the next week. If you would like me to write a tutorial so you too can make a pillow like this, please let me know by leaving me a comment.

Rebekah

I linked up here....where we party

7 Console Changes

Were you able to find the seven changes I made to my mudroom's console table?  Some are really easy to spot, and some are a little bit harder...well maybe one is a little harder to spot.



Here is the list of changes I made to the space. 

1. Console Table

2. Mirror

3. Orchids in Silver Punch Bowl

4.  Metal Wire Baskets (2)

5. Removed 1 Suitcase

6. Owl on the chair

7. New Lampshades

 I found a new place for my orchids.  They work better in this space because of the purple in the rug, and on the accent pillow in the chair.  Not shown in these pictures because of the owl.  I found this amazing mirror at TJ Maxx for only $29!  The frame is distressed, with silver leaf and gold paint.  It is beautiful and works perfectly wit my wall color.  I found the lampshades at Tuesday Morning.  They cost $6.99, and I think they completely transform the lamps. 

I traded a suitcase for another basket.  I found these two wire basket at TJ Maxx.  It was a little bit of a spluge at $16, and $30 respectively, but I think worth the money.  The small basket is perfect for the kids shoes, and the larger basket....well I think you know what I am about to write.  The wicker basket that was holding our shoes before was not holding up to the job well.  Little bits of wicker kept breaking off the basket.  These new baskets take a beating, and still look great. 

This little owl has made his way from my home's workroom to Donna's home.  I really hope her son likes him!  These little owls have been so well received, I have decided to sell them locally in town at Urban Merchant. This little guy sells for $35.  If you live near Lynchburg, I hope you get a chance to stop in and see Michelle.  She has an amazing shop, and it a great supporter of local artists.  If you do not live locally, and you want to buy an owl, send me an email at wovenhome@hotmail.com

Rebekah

Have you noticed someone missing from our blog this past week?  Kandi's computer died earlier this week, so she has not been able to work on posts.  Please tell her how much you miss her and her projects.  I know I miss her posts!  I am hoping she can get her computer back soon!

Metal Basket Pendant Light

Last time Rebekah and I were out shopping at The Screen Door I found this super cool vintage basket for around $20. Industrial style is all the rage and I am a fan too! I brought it home and my husband said it was an old golfing range ball bucket which to me made it even cooler.  Am I the only one who buys something cool and unique, gets it home, and then cannot figure out where to put it?! 

It started out in Gray's room with stuffed animals in it.   Not good enough!

I even tried it in the bathroom with toilet paper in it.... uh, yeah, not good enough...

On my trip to Charlotte to the Southern Home and Garden Show we snuck out a little early and headed to Ikea! I told my husband I would be home by 5:00 and in the interest of enjoying myself to the fullest I pulled in the driveway at 4:59! SO  MUCH   FUN!!!  You will eventually see a few project using little goodies found there but when I stumbled upon this little $3.99 item I knew exactly what I was going to do with it!!

Ikea HEMMA Cord Set

And it really was $3.99!  That is just ridiculously cheap.  I had to go ahead and buy two just in case I might need one again in the future.  I knew I needed something more than just a regular bulb and remembered seeing this vintage style bulb last time I was at Home Depot. 

Home Depot:  The Original Vintage Style Bulb

I had to put this picture in because these bulbs are hard to photograph and I couldn't get its cool factor to come through in my pictures!  At $8.97 it cost more than both my new cords put together but I do think it was worth it!  It gives a perfect soft glow that is needed when you have an exposed bulb.

Here is all you need to know for this little project.  Make sure the bottom of your basket has an opening large enough to fit the end of the plug through or that you are able to make an opening.  That's it!  Your cord will come with hooks for the ceiling and these nifty little doodads to hold the cord in place at the exact height you want it. Those people at Ikea think of EVERYTHING... and did I mention for $3.99!

My cord is run right behind t curtain and plugged in behind it which worked out perfectly to hide it. 

This was about a 5 minute project and I feel like this is definitely good enough for my super cool vintage range ball basket! 

It couldn't be more perfect to light up this little reading nook in Gray's room.  There is a pretty serious amount of plaid in this corner but it doesn't bother me at all!  I would change this dino rug out for an awesome chevron print but we can't have it all! 

In a stroke of good luck for me my in-laws have graciously offered to keep BOTH OF MY KIDS this weekend!  They are more awesome than you might imagine.  I will miss my dear sweet children greatly... seriously, no sarcasm at all (especially after Harper pulled every single article of her clothing out of her drawers today... I thought she was sweetly playing babies in her room... they needed cleaned out anyway...) 

 Good thing she's cute!!

Instead of taking a trip or sleeping all weekend we are getting wild and painting our hall!  We are wild and crazy I know!  Wanna come hang out?  It does have at least 350 paint swatches on it so its necessary. Who knows, maybe I'll post more pictures of Will with crazy bed head and holey T-shirts.  Fun times!

Kandi

Linking up here.