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Monday, August 19, 2013

The Magic of a Coat of Paint

Makeover Monday
The Magic of a Coat of Paint 
(or Why My Husband is Awesome.)


This chest 
is actually 
in this picture. 

This was the "Dress-up corner".
 I had dreams of my girls digging through the chest, 
trying on costumes 
and using the cute mirrors to admire their new looks. 
Um, yeah, that happened...oh, let me see.... NEVER. 

I've had the chest since before the girls were born. I have a matching table and stool. All that I planned to paint someday. Remember when I said I've had it since before they were born? My oldest is eleven, just so you know. 
Poor, poor, neglected chest. 
I even broke and lost the lid years ago. 
Terrible.

Enter my hero husband.

New lid and a coat of paint!
Isn't it pretty? 

It goes perfect in the new playroom 
(which we are currently trying to rename "the study" 
because heaven forbid our tweens have a "playroom".)

Next week, I'll show you the wonders a coat of paint did for the room itself 
as well as this beautiful piece of furniture. (You know you wish this lived at your house, don't lie.)


Monday, August 12, 2013

12 hours in 12 seconds

Makeover Monday


Remember my living room looking like this?
My girls and I worked on it a few hours at a time 
with a little help from our dogs who kept climbing right
into the middle of the pile to lay down. 
I preserved the process for you in pictures. 
Watch below for 12 hour in 12 seconds. 

Looks like fun, right? 


Monday, August 5, 2013

Meet Mama Elephant

Makeover Monday

As I mentioned last week, I'm not done with the Baby Elephant project. But, Mama Elephant broke loose and had to be dealt with before I could continue on either. 

So, today is the grand introduction. 
*Warning: The images below may be disturbing to some readers*
This is my children's playroom.



Um... Four years ago.
This is it now. 


Please come a little closer...


The room has no overhead light. 
So that beautiful standing lamp in the corner...
 Yes, the one with only two working bulbs, provides all the illumination needed. 


Maybe you'd like to
read a book 
or play a game 
or scale a mountain of God-knows-what the size of Everest. 


If you are musically inclined, there is a fifth grader recorder 
precariously balanced on the top shelf for your enjoyment. 


A chest of dress clothes to the left, complete with full length mirror for optimal viewing 
and a science table to the right with craft projects conveniently stored in removable bins. 


Older daughter's computer desk and art cubbies on the left. 
Lego table  and additional lamp (not plugged in, by the way) on the right. 


Art easel in the back corner. 
Lego table (yes, there is a table under there) in the foreground. 


Evidence my strict rule against eating in any room other than the kitchen/dining room and certainly not in front of the computers is being followed without question. 
*SIGH*

Let's not even talk about how it got this way 
or how long it's looked like this
 because at this point I don't remember
 and it doesn't really matter. 

The room has several issues: 
1. It has no door. There is no hiding this monstrosity of a mess. 
2. It is painted a dark blue. Yes, I picked the color and at the time it looked pretty good. Until I realized it turned a cute play room into a cave. 
3. My kids are way too old for most of what is in here.

So, say hello to Mama Elephant. I've already started working on her. I've got two weeks before school starts and want it done before I go back. 

You'll come on this journey with me, won't you? She's REALLY big and I'm kind of scared.