Pantry - Before and After

Awhile back when my husband was out of town, I decided to tackle a home improvement project solo. I did this because I knew it would take some convincing to get him excited about taking a weekend to "spruce up the pantry".

It turned out great. This gave me confidence in a few areas; hanging wall paper, using power tools and not asking his opinion before I take on a project - which could be a bad thing...but what's done is done.

Our Pantry/ Landry room is a long and narrow space - like a hallway. I am currently working on organizing the laundry part of it, but the pantry part is done and I am so pleased.

Before - MDF shelving in a wood finish

After - Look what a little bit of paint, fabric and wall paper can do!

I need to give credit where credit is due - this post from Jenny Steffens was my inspiration.

And she was inspired by Eddie Ross.

This little part is a more recent accomplishment - I am so embarrassed of the before picture!

trash can, recycling bin, and dog food...

I bought this utility shelf from Target right after Christmas with high hopes for this space.

And a few supplies in the mean time...

And look what happened in one Friday night - I know, I am quite the socialite...

I bought a pre-made frame at Hobby Lobby and put the chalkboard paint directly on the wall. I had a hard time finding a cute chalk board that was reasonably priced and the right size. This worked out perfectly. - Total Cost for the chalkboard - about $23

I put the chalk and eraser in this cigar box we already had and I found this adorable lamp at an antique store for $18 -It was missing a shade. I knew it had potential, I love the shape of it and it was a steal because it is made out of china.
My only regret with this entire project is not doing it sooner.

I linked upi to Thrifty Decor Chick to share this project.

Wallpaper - It's Back!

We are on the brink of re-doing our master bedroom and I am searching high and low for the perfect wall covering to use. I want something with texture - just to add a little interest to the wall behind our bed, the accent wall. I went and fell in love with something so outrageously expensive - (easy to do in the design trade) and realized it would never become a reality when the nice ladies at Seabrook explained how this particular one was priced by the yard and not the roll, so basically what I thought would cost about $175 was going to be $1500, yeah - I put that book back on the shelf real quick. The wall behind our bed is a little awkward with lots of cut outs so I was thinking this is where we could splurge a little because I loved it...well, not so much. So back to square one.

I think I have settled on one that will do...so, hopefully soon I will have some before and after pictures to share.

Recently I have used wall covering here and there on some projects. It is back and so much better than it was in the 8o's. I think people who have renovated homes from that decade see to be very hesitant to jump back onto the trend wagon...all they think of is all of the wallpaper they had to strip when they bought their home. I think it is great if it is used the right way and in the right place....as opposed to coordinating mauve and country blue with a border to match!

This is a picture from Cottage Living - I love that they painted the ceiling that blue color and kept the trim uniform with it - the stripes of the wall covering take your eye up...

This is from a Coastal Living issue - this is so interesting to me in this little nook. I think it the pattern does so much more for the space than a solid paint color would.

I love everything about this room - I am very much into green this year. Image is from Southern Living


How fun would this be in a kids room? - courtesy of Coastal Living

Grass cloth is huge this year. I love it in this nursery - so soothing yet stylish

Image from Atlanta Home & Lifestyles magazine

Again loving this mod look of this little guy's room.

Stay tuned on progress from the master bedroom - Before pics have been taken so it is off to the races!