Board and Batten Mudroom Progress

Guess what happens at my house when the husband books himself a 6 day guys only ski trip to Lake Tahoe?!?  Projects that have been but a glimmer in my eye miraculously begin with unbefore seen enthusiasm!  Hey... we take it how we can get it!

Confession.  Since we ripped out the coat closet and put in the entry bench it has been a little harder than expected to keep everything as tidy as I would like.  During the summer it was a breeze, but now that Old Man Winter is here and we all have 3 or 4 coats in rotation it is not quite as easy.  Solution... more hooks!  But, we couldn't just throw hooks on the wall around here and call it a day. 

I've been pinning and loving board and batten for some time now.  I think it keeps with the character of this house and it just looks amazing!  There have been multiple board and batten mud rooms floating around Blogland so it just took a little research and we were off to Lowes to gather supplies. 

One inspiration photo from Casa de Lewis.

From Casa de Lewis

We have a tiny little "mudroom" as you walk in from the garage just off the kitchen.  It isn't functional.  I did have a stool and tiny shelf and a pin board in there where I just piled things until they fell on the floor before I put them away.  I mean.... probably not the best method.

Here it is in all it 4'x6' glory.  On another note... any suggestions on how to get your dog to keep the food in the bowl?!?!

I just need a couple more things before the project is complete.  (One of my new years resolutions... finish Project A before moving on to Project B!)

Other projects that I am sure the  guilty sweet husband will finish up in the near future include the built-in desk for my vintage lockers AND getting the guest room painted (which I could totally do myself but I might as well milk it!).

Kandi

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 :-)**

 

Entry Closet Makeover Part 3: Building The Bench

Entry Closet Makeover Part 3: Building The Bench

If you would have asked me 8 years ago when I married my husband (or even 3 weeks ago...) if he would be building things I would have laughed at you.  And I think he would have laughed too.  It is truly amazing how much more "handy" he has become.  I LOVE it!  As much as I would like the credit for talking him into doing this I truly think the motivation behind him starting this project came from a couple nay saying friends if we are being honest... those friends will remain nameless but your check is in the mail :-)

Amazingly this was finished in exactly one week and was worked on only at night after kids were in the bed. After going thru my Entryway Pinterest Board he set off to Lowe's. Lets be honest... I was worried.

1. Initial Frame

2. Power tools, at night... and yes.. he is wearing a headlamp... (if any of our college friends are reading this that headlamp should bring back memories)!

3. I am now aware that he could build a pretty awesome stage.  Next project maybe?

4. The framing is done and has lots of extra reinforcement including metal brackets in the corners.  Will says this makes it "fat ass certified".  His words... not mine!

Next came beadboard.  Hung horizontally, inspired by House of Smiths.  The drawers proved to be the hardest part.  It was a tight squeeze for a 6'5" man to get in and drill them down, in hind sight, don't attach the seat top until you have the drawer hardware installed! 

Last came trim work, paint and installing the hardware. 

He added the trim around the drawers to give a little more detail and I am in love with cup pulls right now.  I really wanted the big tall "coat and hat" hooks but they just wouldn't fit.  I think these lovelies will work just fine. 

If you really really want a full tutorial leave a comment and let me know.  I can probably talk Will into it.  From the outside looking in it appears to go like this, " measure, cut board, bring board in house, plethora of curse words, re-measure, re-cut, install, praise yourself and comment to everyone who will listen that you are the most talented person on the planet, repeat."  He is pretty talented and I am very proud.  He did prove me wrong!  This project has made all the difference in the world when you enter our house.   First impressions, you know! 

Big reveal next week!

Part 1: The Inspiration
Part 2: The Soft Stuff

Kandi

Entry Closet Makeover Part 2: The Soft Stuff

ENTRY CLOSET MAKEOVER

PART 2: THE SOFT STUFF

 

Our finished built in entry bench obviously has a cushion and loads of pillows (duh!). And if Will is figuring out how to make it as he goes without enlisting help then so am I (competative much?) Guess what... I'm not an expert sewer!  That is Rebekah!  I sew pillows and the occassional curtain panel.  Squares and rectanges... very straight forward, and both of those need not be perfect to look perfect.  A cushion cover on the other hand must be perfect to look perfect.  Your measurements and cuts must be exact in size and exactly square.  YIKES!  Hard for a self proclaimed "non-perfectionist". 

So, I set out for the perfect tutorial in blogland.  I read tons of great ones but there was one AMAZING tutorial out there.  Pictures of every single step and very detailed.  Since I was completely clueless this is what I needed. 

Perfectly Portable Cushion Tutorial

The only step I modified was not adding the handles since I didnt need my cushion to be portable.  I honestly can't say enough good things not only about this tutorial but also about the entire Sew, Mama, Sew! empire.  Have you ever ordered fabric from them?  Great customer service, prices and turn around time.  Sign up for their emails and coupons come through frequently.  I'm a fan (can ya tell?)

For my foam insert I went to the Foam and Fabric Outlet in Fletcher, NC.  They cut me a perfect 53" x 22" x 3" insert and it only cost $22 which I thought was great!

So, just yesterday I said I would reveal tomorrow but, imagine this, we've had a change of plans.  I simply cannot find baskets I like so I am heading down to visit my sister in Charlotte tomorrow and we are going to hit the Pottery Barn Outlet, Ikea, the worlds largest TJ Maxx, and the bar.  If I can't find what I need between all those places then I just need to give up.  I will find them though!

Here is a sneak peak of how it's coming along.  I ADORE it!!!

Check out the piping!  I did that!

My lovely "gusset".  I learned that word in her awesome tutorial as well as how to do that perfectly hidden zipper.

View ENTRY CLOSET MAKEOVER PART 1: THE INSPRIATION here. 

 

Kandi

Entry Closet Makeover: Part 1

ENTRY CLOSET MAKEOVER

PART 1:  THE INSPIRATION

The stars aligned for me this week!  We moved into this house just a little less than two years ago.  The very first time I walked through the front door I hated this...

Who could blame me!!! It's bad! I think the first thing that came out of my mouth when we came to the open house was, "well, those are ugly!". I even got Will to draw up this awesome plan very early on (clearly, it just became a piece of scrap paper for Gray... that is not part of the design :-)

He's a really great artist!!! I just need some follow thru!

Lately I've been pinning and planning. I am ready for this project to be checked off the list. I decided that maybe if I did a little "mock up" of what I wanted I could get him on board. Because, lets face it... I only wish I had the skills to do this myself! I cleaned everything out of the closet and HOLY MOLY the amount of stuff that little space held was completely unreal! And, completely unnecessary! It had become a dumping ground of the worst kind! This picture doesn't even show the giant basket of shoes or the 5 gallon bucket holding all the baseball and soccer gear. We do not need a selection of 17 coats to choose from each morning.  All of this stuff needs to be where is belongs and I'm not worried about losing the space to "hide" all this mess.  I grabbed a bench, some cushions, the pillows from my couch, the kids toy baskets, and a  picture from the garage floor and about 5 minutes and a cell phone picture later he was on board with starting the project!


This plan worked!!!  He LOVED the "mock up"!! 

On to some real inspiration.... is there anywhere else to get that except Pinterest? 

1.  Jenny Johnston Interiors.  I LOVE the planked walls seen here.

2.  Jackie Morra Interiors via Apartment Therapy.  Lots of places to hide things here.

3. Honey We're Home.  Lots of pillows and hooks.

4. The House of Smiths.  AMAZING tutorials here on the entire project!

Step 2 is getting started tonight!  I'm off to pull down the shelf, bar, and shoe molding, and take the measurements for a trip to Lowe's tonight.  I'm am over the moon excited and and hoping to have this done by June 1st... just in time for Rebekah to drive in, sit down, and take her shoes off here!  Wish us luck! 

YAY!!!

Kandi

"Big" Problems

Having a big house can present some "big" problems.  While, of course, that term is all relative... decorating big spaces can present challenges.  Take Rebekah's foyer for example.  Picture extremely high ceilings, a beautiful staircase, and views into the dining, sitting, and main living areas.  You want your entry to showcase what is about to come when people enter the house.  You want it to be beautiful and appropriate. It also has to tie into all of its adjacent spaces.  Here's a good example!

via Pintrest
This picture is straight out of my dreams!

Rebekah recently scored this beautiful antique dresser at her favorite hang out in Lynchburg, Estate Specialist.  The mirror is from there as well (which they did an amazing job refurbishing by the way).  These two vintage pieces along with some perfect staging are truly a great beginning to turning this foyer from good to great!  I know she, along with me, is coveting grass cloth for this area... one step at a time!!!