Redo Recap

Now that I'm done with all the caulking and sanding and painting and waiting and waiting and waiting for the floors to finally, finally, finally be finished by a newly heartbroken old friend, I thought it would be fun to do a little recap of the work I actually managed to document with some semblance of before footage.

This whole project was a LOT of work but was a lot of fun in some ways.  I feel like I learned a ton about making things pretty and doing it right.  I've never been all that in to my home's decor.  I've always liked looking at design ideas and admiring other people's homes.  But, when it came to my own time and money, I've always prioritized clothes, accessories, fun and food.  Seeing the huge difference I can make with relatively little time and money, I am so inspired to beautify my surroundings and keep my eye on design in all of our future homes.  I can't wait to get my hands on a new place!

But, back to the old one.  A little bit of bad and better:

Hall/kids/guest bathroom:

Kitchen:

Master bath sink area:

Living Room:

Technorati tags: house sale, renovation, DIY

Living Room, Chez Sushi

I've got one last before and after on this little home sale staging project I've been working on. I wish I had thought to take before pictures of all the rooms I worked on, but I lack foresight.

Here's the living room circa 2006:

Here it is today, less a little furniture and plus a little fake wood and real paint:

The house is finally on the market.  Wish us luck!

P.S. Due to a happy event related to The Man, we had a whole passel of family in town and a big dose of excitement and in it all I completely spaced the Weekly Etsy love. Promise to get back on the bandwagon!

Technorati tags: house sale, renovation, flooring

Inspiration and Anticipation

All this "home work" I've been doing has been sparking my creativity and had me pouring over design blogs which lead to craft blogs and DIY ideas and in turn have SO inspired me. I can't wait to get cracking on some crafts (not least of which is the latest fun project sent to me by Alicia for Team Awesome) and sink my hands into some home design that's for us and not watered down and neutraled out for potential buyers.

In the meantime - while scrubbing and styling and curb appealing and real estate picture taking have to remain forefront - I'll just keep looking and longing. And showing you.

I love how these crocheted vases and bangles seen on Design*Sponge take something solid and make it soft. I haven't crocheted since I was a little kid and even then all I ever managed was lines. Long lines. Lots of them. Which I tied and made into leis. But, still. Lines.

I love the sentiment and the vintage charm of this wall hanging by Dottie Angel.

The last origami I folded was 1,000 cranes for my wedding about 8 years ago. This kusadama tutorial seen via Apartment Therapy make me want to pick that paper back up!

How amazing is this teeny tiny terrarium housed in a lightbulb?  Seen on The Hipster Home.

Ah, I can't wait!

Technorati tags: creativity, DIY, crafts