Before and After

I've been wanting to add some more pops of color throughout my home and this great summertime weather was the perfect excuse to do a little painting project over the weekend. I thought this little table I've had for a while could use some updating and would be the perfect piece to use a new accent color on. I purchased this little guy during what I like to call my "black" stage. Isn't he cute? He's the perfect size to fit into all the little nooks and corners I have in my house.

Before:

Nothing too bad, just kind of plain and tired looking.

After a couple coats of paint and a pretty new drawer pull, here is the new, improved, and much more fun table:

The picture definitely doesn't do it justice, it is a lot more of a vibrant blue/green and less of a turquoise in real life. The paint color I used is "Stained Glass" from Valspar and I used the paint plus primer so it covered really well. I bought a small can of paint, but barely used a quarter of the can. This was an easy morning project and it was all dry before noon. The drawer pull I purchased at Lowe's and was on clearance. I think the total project cost about 12.00. Not bad, especially since I have lots of the paint to spare for other little projects.

Here's another side by side look.

It's funny how changing just a little bit of color makes me that much happier when I walk past that room.

I also hung some new curtains on the bay window.

Sorry, no before pictures -- the other ones were just a pleasant neutral brown tone, which although they looked nice, they just weren't doing much for that space. I think these accent the shape of the window more. The chairs I got on craigslist for a steal and I'm trying to find some chair covers I like for them, although the original color has been growing on me. I'm also thinking on staining/painting the legs a new color to update them a bit. This is my new favorite spot to sit and read at night when it's quiet.

I've got quite a long list of other projects in the works so hopefully I'll remember to take and post pictures as they get done as well.

I did it.......whew

(The After Picture)

While Riley was tackling the garage this afternoon, I got to work on the coat/storage closet by the front door.  It now looks sooooooo much better. Look at all those neatly stacked games and coats that are actually on their hooks. I didn't think to take a before picture, but trust me when I say it was horrendous. I swept up so much dirt and finally got all of Morgan's Thomas the Train and Lego pieces picked up that have been hiding out in the dark recesses for who knows how long. I made a nice little stack of old games and puzzles to donate and threw away the little odds and ends that somehow ended up there and no longer served a purpose. It was a good reminder that we have those fun games and we need to PLAY them more often and have some good quality family time with the kids. I also discovered an amazing puzzle that's never been opened and I'm going to get it out later tonight just for me.

So it really wasn't that bad. It took me half an hour or so and it was pretty painless.

Now the questions is, how long is it going to stay that way??????????

Next on my list - my bedroom closet.

The Big Reveal......

Here's our new floors:

I am really loving it. I think it has really opened up the space.

Next on the to do list:

Finish putting baseboards back on

Look for new area rug and curtains