Six Months and Counting

Today is officially my six month anniversary of writing this blog. Six months -  I really can't believe it.  What started as something to help pass the time while my kids play three hours of tennis (four nights a week), has turned into an amazing, albeit unexpected journey (aren't those the best in life - when you least expect it).   I enjoy every moment I spend on this blog and I feel so lucky and grateful for all of the friendships I have developed. I appreciate those of you who stop by on a daily basis as well as those of you who stop by only now and then.  I look forward to all of your visits and read each and every comment.  You have all made me feel so welcome in blogland. It is so wonderful to have people appreciate the work you do, and each and every day I feel appreciate by all of you.  Thank you so much for that.  I am amazed and inspired by all of your talent.  I look forward to continuing on this journey for a long time to come.
In the spirit of the anniversary, I thought I would use today to highlight some of the projects I have done on my blog since I began.

One of the first posts  I did was called Trash to Treasure.  My husband's grandmother had passed away at nearly 105 years old and we got a few pieces from her home.  Can you believe the before and after of this dresser?

Before

What started out as a piece that had been all but destroyed, turned into something really special.  It was worth all of the hard work sanding it down and refinishing it.  It turned out to be solid mahogany.  What a treasure.

My daughter's room was a super fun project.  It was time for an update of her room.  You can click here to read all about what went into this renovation.

My guest room makeover is another one of my favorite projects.  That room is filled with bargains and knock-offs that allowed me to makeover the room on a budget.  You can read all about this here.

Before

My mudroom renovation was my first attempt at board and batten.

I love how it came out and it was very easy.  The hardest part was getting off the wallpaper.  You can check out the full reveal here.  I love doing laundry now!

I can't forget my son's bathroom transformation (you can click here to read all about it)

...or my daughter's bathroom transformation (click here to read all about it).

I have so many more projects planned and I can't wait to share them.  I look forward to continuing my journey with you.  Thank you again for your friendships and for your all of you kind comments.  I always look forward to your visits and appreciate everything you have to say.

Have a great weekend!!

-Judy

Planning a Mud Room Makeover

I can't believe it's already February.  I think it's time for me to start addressing some of my home goals I set for 2011.  If you want to check out all of my home goals, click here.  The first goal I am ready to tackle is our mud room.  Before you start any project, it's a good idea to have a clear plan as to what you want to achieve.

In the case of my mud room, it needs an aesthetic makeover as well as a functional makeover.  First and foremost, the wallpaper and border need to come down.  I loved it eleven years ago, but I am over its busy pattern.

Image from Centsational Girl

Instead of the wallpaper, I want to do a board and batten treatment on the long wall in the mud room.  I think it will be a great look for the mudroom.  Centsational Girl has one of the best tutorials out there.  I plan on referring to it often during the project.

Image from Ballard Designs

The second issue with my mud room is, although I have a beautiful front door and foyer, 95% of the people who visit my home seem to use my side door. My side door is right next to the washer and dryer.  With a family of four, laundry is done often and therefore it seems like 50% of the time there is laundry hanging on a rack right next to the door.  I would love to figure out a way to not have a drying rack on the floor. This laundry rack from Ballard Designs might be perfect.  I will have to figure out a way to duplicate the functionality of this rack, without the high price tag Ballard Designs has attached to this one.

Image from Pottery Barn

Our mudroom seems to be the hub of our home.  It's where all school calendars, assignments, sports info etc gets kept.  I love the organizer from Pottery Barn above.  I'm sure I can come up with something similar...I'm thinking a field trip to Home Goods maybe.  A good organizational area is a must.

I also would love to fit a bench and some hooks to hang jackets and school bags.  The long narrow space makes this a challenge.  However, if I can work out the laundry hanging situation, I think I can make the bench happen.

I can't wait to start this project (do you hear that honey?).  My first step will be going to Home Depot to pick up the wood.  Home Depot is great because if you have your measurements, they will cut the wood to size for you at no cost.  One less step for me.  The most fun part of this project will be getting to use my Christmas gift on that board and batten project.

Let me know what you think of my proposed project.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  Don't forget my party will be open for another day.  Hope you join in the fun.

-Judy