Design Feast

Since school let out and all the chicklets are home, my regular routine has gone out the window {today, the kiddies and I didn't even get out of bed til 10:00, and number five is still running around in a diaper. I have no defense, we are totally white trashin' it today}.

I haven't had a lot of time to attend to "my projects". Instead they have been temporarily replaced with the kids' projects and outings {today we made homemade Shrinky Dinks, whilst intermitantly jumping on a soggy, soap laden trampoline.} I know, I totally sound like an awesome mom. But as we all know, a heaping dose of sun and physical exertion means an early evening all to myself tonight, thanks to a little trick I call heat exhaustion.

While things may have slowed down a little in the hands on project department, I always make time to research and gather ideas. I am always looking for design inspiration and I thought I'd share a few.

1. Coffered Ceilings- I have been buggin', err beggin', Studly to put up coffers in the house for over a year now. I break out into hot sweats every time I see them.

This kitchen looks amazing with the coffers. They add so much richness to the room...and the all white pallete *swoon*. I am dying to try this in my kitchen/great room.

2. Board and Batten Anything- I am totally obsessed with board and batten. We just put some up in the entryway and down the hall. It is such an inexpensive investment, and the results are anything but cheap looking.

This board and batten headboard is gorgeous. I am amazed at what a little molding can do to a space.

I never used to be a fan of all white walls, but as my love for b&b has grown, so has my affection for a crisp, clean white wall. This room looks absolutely serene.

I know it's not okay to covet, but I am totally in love with this bathroom. I think I may have found the inspiration for my master bathroom redo.

The Lettered Cottage is my go to whenever I need inspiration or ideas. This mantle is absolutely gorgeous...again, with a hint of b&b. I may have found another inspiration picture for my mantle-less family room.

3. Wood plank walls- this is another design element I would love to work into the decor somehow. I'm thinking about trying it in the nursery and/or girls' bedroom.

I love the little ledges created by the molding. {source: Pottery Barn Summer 2011 magazine}

I really love the rustic look of the wood in this picture, mixed with the white curtains and furniture...classic. {source: Pottery Barn Summer 2011 magazine}

{source: Pottery Barn Summer 2011 magazine}

{source: The Lettered Cottage}

I love the repurposed wood in this picture. It used to be an old gym floor. {source: The Lettered Cottage}

The key now is to try and implement some of these ideas into my house. Not sure how I'm gonna butter ole Studly up yet, but I'm workin' on it. Fingers crossed that by summer's end I will have checked at least one of these things off of the wish list.

How Do I Love Thee...

Let me count the ways...at least 20 of them {in no particular order}.

I love...
1. that you stay up every night til midnight watching Burn Notice with me even though you have to get up for work the next day.

2. that you appreciate how gorgeous Jude Law is even though you're a guy.

3. that you understand a woman's need to hang with her girls every once in a while.

4. that you are still married to me even though I am a horrible cook {with the exception of my homemade chicken noodle soup}.

5. that you still love me; wrinkles, flab, stretch marks and all.

6. that you aren't too proud to play monster chase with the kiddies at the park.

7. that you haven't kicked me to the curb even though I've filled your garage with other's people's junk.

8. that you love clothes shopping {probably more than me}.

9. that you will let me take a nap when you've been working outside all day and are probably just as tired.

10. that you put up with all of my projects.

11. that you let the girls put make up on you and do your hair.

12. that you will still roll down hills with the kiddies...even with your good clothes on.

13. that you aren't to shy to sing {really loudly, I might add} when you have your head phones on.

14. that you finally finished our deck so that none of the kiddies would fall to their death{it took 2 1/2 years, but better late than never}.

15. that you aren't afraid to show your weeknesses {spiders}.

16. that you don't care if I laugh when you trip {then ask if your okay later}.

17. that you cook the kiddies warm, balanced breakfasts on the weekend.

18. that you share my affinity for soft cheese.

19. that you surprise the kiddies and I with cupcakes for no reason {you're an angel}.

20. that you never make me feel like a failure when you get home from work and the house is a mess, the kids hair still isn't done and I haven't started dinner yet.

Babe, even though you have no idea what the name of my blog is, I will still proclaim my love for you. You are the best hubby and daddy in the whole world. Sorry all you got this year was a lame shirt, but I promise to make it up to you next year. Happy Father's Day.

And to my own father

I love you too. I am grateful for inheriting :

1. your love of music.

2. your love of documentairies.

3. your love of bologna and olive loaf...not.

4. your love for meat...and cheese...and meat wrapped in cheese.

5. your love for laughter.

6. your love of A Christmas Story.

7. your love for late night snacking.

8. your love for keeping busy.

9. your love for British comedy.

10. your quick wit and humor {although mine may not be so quick or witty}.

I know you probably won't read this either, but I wtill want you to know how much I love you and how much I appreciate all that you {and mom} sacrificed for me when I was younger. I will never be able to thank you enough. Happy Father's Day.

7.

Thrifty Thursday Throwdown {purple dresser edition}

Howdy peeps. Long time, no post.

Things have been a little crazy around the homestead...end of the year programs and assemblies, piano and dance recitals, and unhealthy amounts of Burn Notice watching {Studly and I are totally addicted and trying to get through four seasons of back episodes so we can start season five all caught up} Yes, I totally have my priorities in check. But enough about me.

Fortunately I was able to find a little time in between episodes to give this sweet piece of wooden goodness a fabulous make-over. I found her at the thrift store a week or two ago. I didn't know I needed a new dresser til I saw her, basking in the glow of fluorescent lighting above. It was as if the Gods of artificial light were directing me to her...and it was love at first sight.

I call her Lavendar...for obvious reasons.

She will be taking up residence in the girls' bedroom. I'm in the middle of a little revamp currently. I'll be sure to show you the end result, but I still have a couple of other projects to complete first.

I decided to implement my dry brush technique again. I wanted the dresser to have a deliciously distressed appearance. I think it worked. Because I wanted the natural wood to show through, I didn't sand the dresser as much as I normally would. So, to keep the paint from chipping or rubbing off, I sealed it with a brush on polycrylic.

Mmmm, yummy.

Some of the wood was still in decent condition and I just didn't have it in me to cover it all up with paint. So, I opted to keep the top of the dresser au naturale. I sanded her down and stained her with walnut stain, then sealed the top with a rub on wax. This was my first experience using wax and I was really pleased with the end result. The wood ended up uniform and smooth and really beautiful actually. I think wax might be a new addition to my "favorites" list.

My dry brush technique takes literally minutes and I already had purple paint on hand. So, all I ended up spending on this project {besides the $65 for the dresser} was $6 for a container of wax. Quick, cheap and easy, or what I like to call a {diy triple threat}.