Aqua and white guest bedroom

It all started with a bedspread and Euro shams I purchased at Pottery Barn two years ago. Just a plain aqua bedspread. Then I slowly started gathering a few things like lamps and pillows. It took two years before I took the bedspread out of the packaging.

Lamps and bedspread below

Drop cloth curtains

Then this happened:

It has also happened upstairs in Julia's room. The door stoppers are just worn out in this house. I decided to cover the hole with bead board. Not a simple fix but I love the look. And a new door stopper was installed.

Before

After

Before

After

I still have lots to do in this room: Paint closet doors and door trim, a dust ruffle, Headboard, blinds, possible a larger tv, and a cabinet to put the tv in to hide cords and the box, new carpet, and pictures/art on the walls. But for now I'll rest and take the kids on a trip to Yosemite.

Small Bathroom Update

Besides not being fond of the honey oak throughout our house, these mirrors have been a thorn in my side.

At the Depot one day I ran across I deal I could not pass up. Mirrors for only 29 bucks each!

They were on clearance so I snatched up two. There was the chance that they would be too big. I think they are perfect.

Just look at the difference. We can actually see ourselves and not just our noses in these new mirrors.

And I think I did a mighty fine job of hanging them level and at the same exact height. (pat on back)

I'll still need to paint. I have the paint. I just haven't carved out the time to paint.

On a side note, I figured out that I can fit two gallons of milk and the Costco size Hershey's syrup in my fridge door. Chocolate milk heaven!

It's the little things

Small changes make me happy. I recently decided to paint my bathroom cabinets, which were honey oak, to white. Then I didn't like the wall paint color anymore. Quick trip to Home Depot and I'm now happy with the wall color.

But in the corner something was bothering me. Do you see it?

A wicker trash can given to us, as was most of our furniture in the house, by my husband's grandparents.

I am partial to the darker baskets like the one on top of the toilet.

A quick couple of coats of spray paint and I am much happier.

Staircase Banister Project

We recently decided to have our staircase banister replaced due to a broken baluster and the fact that our balusters are not up to code. Do you see that upper railing on the landing? That just screams to my little boy "Climb on Me!" Luckily, I have a friend who also happens to be a general contractor. He was able to build our half wall and help me find someone reputable to replace the banister. But to save a few pennies on the project I took on the painting and staining and my husband took down the old railing.

Before

After

I still have painting to finish. The color on the left side of the new half wall will be our color. Behr Pecan Sandie 700C-3

Before

After

Much Safer!

Before

I hated how the carpet wrapped over the edge of the step.

After

Detail of false tread

I'm so glad to slowly be getting rid of all the honey oak throughout the house.

Baby Boy's Nursery

And here is my sweet hubby who helped me finish it. We started this room at the end of May. It took a little longer than I thought it would but we are pretty happy with the results.

Pic Below: This print was found in the basement of the Crosby Illinois house when we went back last summer (Cliff's great-grandparents home). I thought it was cool and would look great in the garage above Cliff's work area. But then we found out we were having a boy! So here it is matted and framed forever. Cliff picked out the frame-it is powder coated-a guy thing.

Pic below: View of the entire wall. Cliff worked so hard do all the wood work in the room. And then he added all the cars along the shelf. Julia donated her Backyardigan's bus to brother's room and there are plenty of emergency vehicle cars along the shelf as well (no fire trucks though).

Pic Below: Saw the USA print in Pottery Barn Kids catalog. It was our inspiration for the room. Found the vintage cars, airplane, and motorcycle at Ross. The interstate sign and stop sign are from Disneyland-another steal from Cliff's garage art.

Pic Below: We had to have cars just about everywhere in the room including on the drapery rod. Found ones at Pottery Barn Kids that I absolutely loved. But went with these from Target for pennies compared to what PBK wanted to charge. Shelving for toys is also from Target. Julia also donated some of her toys to baby brother. She is so sweet!

Pic Below: The before pic of the changing table. This is a dresser that Cliff's Grandpa Lagerquist built. A little paint and a change of hardware and voila.....see next pic.

Pic Below: Vintage motorcycle from Ross, blue car shelf from Target, first ball cap from Auntie Meaghann, and the new/old-changing table/dresser. And every boy needs a dump truck trash can.

Pic Below: A close up of his sheets. Do you see the hint of a police car?

Pic Below: The crib was Julia's but I didn't think he would appreciate her floral motif bedding. This bedding Cliff picked from PBK and we found matching twin bedding for when he grows out of the crib bedding so I won't want/need to redecorate when he is ready for his twin bed. The car mat was Julia's-another donation.

And that's the room!