2 Anniversary Recap: Guest Bedroom

This sad little space was once my guest bedroom. Can you imagine? Bone cold walls, the same filthy carpet, dreadful shades…the kind you pull down and never can get seem to get back up.

The same story as the rest of the house: new paint (this time a little darker with a combo of Napery & Compatible Cream from Sherwin Williams) and those same almost-like-brand-spankin-new hardwoods.

Now it’s time for the fun part. Because I’m a home nerd and make no secret of this fact, I challenged myself to deck out this room with as many rehabbed finds as possible. Many trips to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, thrift stores and the attics & garages of friends and family ensued…to bring me this…

Oh my. So many rehabs, how-tos, and DIYs are scattered about this room. The type A in me craves a list…

Item	Source
Bed frame	Friend
Dresser	Family
Mirror	One of Mom’s finds
Bookshelf	Arkansas Children’s Hospital…seriously
Mannequin	My Gran
Frames	Thrift store
Chair	My Gran
Curtain rod	Already had hanging around
Curtains	Already had, but shortened

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2 Anniversary Recap: Dining Room

Day two of my stroll down memory lane brings us straight to the dining room.

Note to the reader: I completely understand if you are insanely bored by my nauseating love for my house, but if you think for one second that it will keep me from reliving the past year with the love of my life, oh goodness, you could not be more wrong.

Truly one of the most haunting sights. Stained carpet, curtains so ancient they disintegrate at the touch, terribly dated brass light fixture and, oh yes, the enormous wallpaper plantation scene…



First things first, the wallpaper had to go. There is no doubt in my mind that I would rank this wallpaper removal as one of the most frightening experiences of my life…


Once the walls were primed and painted, the floors were next in line…

Finally after battling the most dreadful wallpaper decision of the 20th century, tearing through gallons of paint, uncovering hardwoods, revamping a light fixture and a smidge of decor, this dining room was in business.

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4 Happy (House) Anniversary to Me!

I can’t believe it..and I almost forgot, to tell you the truth…but one year ago I closed on this little construction site of mine. You know what that means. Time for a week long stroll down memory lane, before & after/still-a-major-work-in-progress style…

Oh yes. The living room. A great place to start. I knew going into this bad boy, that I needed a safe haven to escape from remodeling mess. Let’s revisit the first room completed, and a true testament to the power of refinished hardwoods and fresh paint. Cue the frighteningly dated before shot…

 

Day 1 involved scary carpet hiding beautiful hardwoods…really a blessing since filthy carpet doubles as an excellent drop cloth for paint…we’ll revisit the wallpaper mural in the dining room tomorrow. It definitely deserves a post of its own.

 

Lots of hours and gallons of paint later (Sherwin Williams’ Napery, to be exact), it was time to tackle those hidden hardwood floors. Sanded and refinished… 

 

 

My heart melted. I can’t even describe the happiness, but we’re still not finished. The orange brick fireplace had to be dealt with. More paint please…

 

…and after a full year of decorating (and redecorating) we’ve arrived at my living room as it appears today. 

 

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0 Just Listed: 3112 Echo Valley Drive

Lovely 3 bedroom/2 bath home in midtown Little Rock's peaceful Echo Valley neighborhood! The kitchen & both bathrooms have been completely remodeled, and the living room boasts a stunning fireplace and vaulted ceilings. Head outside to enjoy large wrap around deck in fully fenced yard that backs up to a wooded area.

Price: $153,900

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3 In the Bag

I could carry on for days about all that I love about this house-o-mine, but one tidbit I’m especially fond of is my closet. As a lifetime resident of older homes, I can appreciate good closet space when I see it and I consider myself one lucky girl to have this space all to myself.


Allow me to elaborate.

Double racks that enable me to hang on to certain clothing items long past their fashionable expiration date…

Shoe rack for, well, shoes…and more shoes…

…and most importantly, this unidentifiable-contraption-turned-jewelry-rack left behind by the previous owner…

While all is fabulous, there is one tiny little detail that’s been haunting me ever since I moved in…this hot mess of a top shelf…

  
2.5 feet of completely wasted space. Time to nip this one in the bud. After a quick trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond and a solid half hour of attempting to free a few stainless hooks from their packaging, I was ready to organize…



…and organize I did.

So. Much. Better…and should my 5’9 wingspan fail me while attempting to retrieve a handbag, I know just where to find a stiletto or two to give me a boost.

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