Amazing Chair Reupholstry! From Old-looking to Brand-New!

Amazing Chair Reupholstry! From Old-Looking to Brand-New!

Submitted by Wren Frances Design

This project rates... out of anything I've ever done.... as the one I disliked the MOST while I was doing it!
BUT, this project also rates as the one I enjoy the MOST.... out of anything I've ever done.... EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Would you believe that I turned these:

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Master Bathroom Remodel with Double Shower

Master Bathroom Remodel with Double Shower

Submitted By The Cul-de-Sac

After:

One of the biggest projects we tackled in this house was our master bath.  When we moved in, the master bathroom still boasted its 1984 decor: shiny peach floor tiles, three competing patterns of mauve/gray/peach/green/maroon wallpaper, popcorn ceilings, fluorescent lighting, an art-deco-style frosted glass window, two-toned faucets, cultured marble countertops, gray and teal painted cabinets, and a cave-like shower stall.  Aside from the bathroom's overall spaciousness, it was a disaster, and these "before" pictures don't do the horrors justice:

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Black and Blue (and BEAUTIFUL!) Bathroom Remodel

Black and Blue (and BEAUTIFUL!) Bathroom Remodel

Submitted by Tell'er All About It

It’s done!!!!  If you’re new here, then take a look at this post, which did a pretty good job of rounding up all of the dirty details that we’ve been doing over the past 6 months!  There’s also a chapter run down at the END of this post if you need more information.  I am SOOO excited to show you this makeover and thank you generously for your patience during this renovation!  This is by far the most amazing makeover we’ve done to this house – and we’ve done a LOT.  I’ll keep the commentary to a minimum and let the photos speak for themselves…

The Vanity

Before

As you walked in the door, the first thing you saw was the vanity to the left.  Before it was a pretty builder’s basic set up with stock cabinetry, off-centered plumbing and lighting, a wall-to-wall mirror and damaged marble countertops.  The finishes were also mismatched (Oil-Rubbed Bronze lighting and door hardware + brushed nickel faucets = ick!).  I could go on, but you get the point.

After

We replaced EVERYTHING!  Nothing here is original.  New cabinets, lighting, counters – slam-damn EVERYTHING!  There’s so much going on here that I’ll just let you look at the pictures to take it all in.

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Suitcase Refinished with Chalkboard Paint

Suitcase Refinished with Chalkboard Paint

submitted by Sincerely by Ashleigh

I'm very excited about this post! It features one of my favorite makeovers to date and trashy treasure. Seriously. Found him/her (I'm not sure yet) next to the trash cans outside my apartment building. Score.

First up- this vintage suitcase I found at the local antique shop.

It was nice as is and I did like the color but there were some imperfections that bothered me.  I bought some chalkboard paint a while ago with nothing particular in mind. This seemed like the perfect first project.

I primed it first with some gray spray primer.

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Little Boys Room Makeover

Little Boys Room Makeover

submitted by Balancing Home

The much anticipated reveal of Quinn's room. The project took on a life of its own and took us longer to finish then expected, but it was totally worth it. Without Further Ado...

Before and Afters

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Black & White Painted Bathroom Remodel

Black & White Painted Bathroom Remodel

submitted by Sweet Disposition

BEFORE: Dated, dingy looking, leaking faucets, ugly shower door. 

DURING: Adding another electrical plug, there was only one and we had to take turns to plug the flat iron, razor, etc. Doing the electrical work for two sets of lights, before there was just one vanity light in between the sinks. Nothing wrong with that but I wanted to have separated spaces for each sink. Taking down the shower door and the tile all around. Also the vanity top, sinks and installing a Bidet.

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Pottery Barn Knock Off Lantern Made from Picture Frames!!

Pottery Barn Knock Off Lantern Made from Picture Frames!!

Hello!  I am Kari from the Sunset Lane.  I am so excited and flattered to be writing a guest post for Cassity!!  I thought I would die when she asked!  The Sunset Lane is a blog about making life beautiful without emptying your bank account.  I see anything and everything in magazines, on Pinerest, random things I google, anywhere really and make a knock off version for pennies compared to the retail cost.  

Pottery Barn is my main source of knock-offery (yes, I made that word up!).  I have imitated quite a few of their items.  Like the Pottery Barn Bellora Chandeliers I DIY'd, the Belgium Train Signs, the numbered art, or the monogrammed mugs.  I love their things, but not their prices.   

After dealing with my less than appealing (okay downright f-ugly) light in our master bedroom.  My latest DIY Pottery Barn adventure was to create one of these:

Pottery Barn Gothic Lantern

Pottery Barn Blacksmith Taper Lantern

I had been plotting it for a while when the idea came to me on the toilet.  I was going, but rather giving my baby a bath when a picture frame fell on the back of my head breaking the glass....for the millionth time.  I was staring at it and came up with this :)  

How to make one for yourself!

Step 1: Have a picture frame fall on your head Collect 4 matching picture frames.  Mine were 8x10 frames, you can choose smaller or larger-the lantern police won't arrest you for not following directions!

Can you guess which one broke?!? :)

Step 2: Collect your supplies. I used hot glue, gorilla glue, a speed square, needle nose pliers, and painters tape!

Apparently I didn't picture all my supplies-ADD kicking in!

Step 3: Remove all the glass and "guts" of the picture frame and the little metal tabs that hold it all in. (Please note: if you plan to leave the glass in the lantern, you should leave the little tabs in-but I didn't think about that before I removed all mine!) You could always glue the glass in, but this may be messy if you accidentally break one.

Step 4: Use your speed square or other 90 degree angle tool to keep it square and put on the Gorilla Glue, then quickly shoot some hot glue on the ends, just to keep it in place.  I'm sure there is an easier way, but I try to look for the hardest way possible and do it that way.  I usually open packages and then find the easy 'pull here to open it' spot!

Sorry it's blurry!

Step 5:  Repeat step 4 until it looks something like this

Step 6: Tape around the sides with painters tape to keep it together while the glue dries.  When all sides are done, you should have something like this.

Yes, that's the grout stirring paddle in the background!

Step 7: Find some light source to donate it's guts to your new lantern!  I picked this one up from H4H for $5.

Step 8: After I took the H4H light apart I attached eyelet screws on the corners of my frame cube and ran chain I had from a previous project (like 3 years ago) from the eyelet screw to the ring on the top of the H4H light.  Spray painted it all black and install. 


Here is the light that was there before: GAG!!

 

And Now:

 Thank you again to Remodelaholic for letting me guest post!!

-Make your life beautiful!

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Built in Hutch Transformation

Built in Hutch Transformation By Tracy

Hi, I am Tracy from Tracy’s Trinkets and Treasures.  It is so exciting to be guest posting at Remodelaholic.  I couldn’t say yes fast enough when Cassity invited me to show you my hutch transformation.

Getting the courage to paint this hutch took me forever.



Looking at it now makes me wish I had painted it long ago.

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Fabulous Kitchen Design; with Black Cabinets

Fabulous Kitchen Design Advice; 

And Beautiful Black Cabinets By Timber and Lace

Let me introduce myself.  I am Marci and I have recently entered the blogging world with Timber and Lace. 

In October my husband and I and our three kids moved into the house we built on five acres of land just minutes outside of our hometown.  We were our very own contractor, designer, and tradesman (for a lot but not all of the work), and completed the construction in 7 months.  After showing some photos of my kitchen, Cassity asked if I would share the details on how I designed it.  I was thrilled she asked.  Who doesn't enjoy sharing the details of their successes.  And yes, I consider my kitchen in every aspect a success.  So thank you Cassity for this opportunity.

A large part of the kitchen design for us started back at the house planning stage.  We found a footprint that we liked the general layout of but needed to tweak to our specifications.  The house was well over 3000 sq ft on the main floor and we were hoping to keep our house under 2500 sq ft.

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PR 2: Painting the Bookcase Interiors Black!

Progress Report #2
Painting the Bookcase Interiors Black!

Well, this may be my "#2" progress report, but it is not crap!  (Sorry, I find potty humor kinda funny!)

I painted the shelves.  I was given the gift of a good long nap time (thank you Etta and Lydia!) so I just went for it.   Actually you don't ever really  know how long nap time will be when it begins, so I started working on the lowest shelves first... I got the bottom three shelf backs painted before I had "helpers".  Thank heaven for baby packs- hands free!

I used the black door paint that I already owned... I had only one problem, it is semi gloss.  After I got it up I realized it needed to be matte (like the paper test version), or eggshell at least, but it needs more than one coat of paint anyway, so I will have to get to that next.

Do you likey?  Me Likey. (Hey Mikey... that rhymes)  And since it is my house, I am trying to make myself happy.... so I guess if you don't like it, just be glad, my brush wielding self isn't on a rampage...

Way Before...

Before, (with test paper)

Starting to Paint...

 

By the way, we hung a small T.V. in the shelves, the black helps to disguise it a lot.   

We don't actually have TV channels, it is just a movie player.  Actually I got a great deal on buying it on Amazon.  It is a region free player, 19 inch flat screen for $109. bucks.  NOT bad I tell you, I looked round.

It is perfect for the Dutch movies we buy to help Etta supplement her language learning.  Otherwise, it is also there purely for distraction purposes when I need to cook or clean the kitchen (my excuse is that at least it is in a foreign language...most of the time)  

(Oh ya, I rented Tangled, hadn't seen it yet.  I LOVE IT...

 I may have literally watched it 7 times in two days, and no it wasn't in a foreign language, so no excuses)

After- Ta da! 

I am really happy with the black.  

Honestly though, if I hadn't seen this image that I posted about, I don't think I would have thought of it.  Which is sad since our doors are all going to the dark side too, and it really compliments them.    

Oh, and I do know that I haven't "staged" the shelves.  I am not naturally a strong "decorator"- I am not into knick-knacks at all, and until I am sure exactly what colors I am using for the whole space, and I am not purchasing anything for them.   I guess it will be something that will be saved for another day... which is good, cuz I need little projects to do for you all!

Tell me, would you ever consider painting the interiors of your shelves black?  I'd love to see them if you do!

p.s. On the family front Etta had her first ponytail- so I have to show you all a few pictures.

Have a great night!

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Progress Report Numero Uno; Testing A New look with Paper

Time for a reality check people....

When I started remodeling my first two houses (Logan and Downing), I didn't really know about blogs.  And guess what?  I did what ever I wanted.  I wasn't concerned if it was cool enough, or if I was clever when I wrote about it.  I tried whatever I wanted to at the time.

Do you wanna know what happened?  Some things were temporary, some things permanent, some exciting, some things boring... but in th end, I liked it.  Our goal of being able to sell the house and earn money happened both times (even when we bought at the highest point in the Asheville market and sold at the lowest...)

But beyond that, I had fun.  I wasn't confused about what I wanted, I just did what I thought I liked, through whatever inspiration surrounded me.

Then in October 2009 I really started blogging... I wanted to make this blog a place for people to come and learn things and enjoy.   So, I stopped posting about my cats (poor babies) and I showed less of my children... (and I am telling you you are missing out, cuz they are super cute) I tried to be informative, I tried to keep up with the blogging Jones-es, and I totally lost my nerve.

I had another baby and was slapped with reality!  Smack!

Blogging about big projects is hard... heck showering is hard... having money to spend on anything besides diapering those two little bums is nearly impossible.

So what now?  I do LITTLE TINY PROJECTS because of time.  But I haven't posted about 90% of the things we have done cuz it isn't a huge or cool or a pottery barn knock off just simple before and afters but I realized something.  Cue the aha moment... thanks Oprah!

It doesn't have to be huge, and you don't even have to like it... but it is my reality and truth right now, and in the end that is how we sell our house.  One little tiny update at a time... even if our couches don't match or we choose the wrong living room rug... or I wear my pajamas all day(and so do my kids) while it is accomplished...

Well, because of this, I have come to a decision, I am going to start doing progress reports.  I will not strain my little mothering-sidetracked mind to be too clever.  I will not try to explain everything- I could talk the hind leg off a mule people.  I am just going to show a few pictures of some of the things we have done lately or that day, or never posted about from forever ago.

Sound fair?  I hope I don't bore you... and I am giving you fair warning that my cats might creep back into my blog... they need some attention, they used to be our only children after all, so they have fallen from that glorious existence... and need some extra love.

and why wait right, (since it may never happen again if I do) Let me give my first progress report then.  The other day I showed you a picture of some white shelves with black interiors that I found inspiring.  Well we just finished building our shelves, and while I like them a lot... they were still missing something... Because I don't have time to re-paint several times, I tired it out with paper, to see if I liked the way it would look..

and I was sold...

Tell me what you think!  (Please don't judge the super short drapes... I am aware, they look sorta silly!  At some point there will be a  window seat there, and technically they are just push-pinned in place to see what they would look like! and will probably be there looking silly for another 4 months before anything changes... talk about reality people!)

Before:

After:

Way before... (I can't believe I forgot to take a before picture, I almost never do that! URGH!)

 After:  ( I only had so much paper...)

This post was made possible by Barbie and the Diamond Castle... as you can see in the image above!

(or else I wouldn't have had the chance to do anything...)

Uh, no I haven't staged the shelves, at all.

I will be back with pictures of the painting process hopefully soon!

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