Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Shades of Gray

I started painting my bedroom while the movers were still unloading the truck.  The previous owner had painted it a periwinkle color, which wasn't terrible, but did not coordinate with any of my bedding.  Not knowing what color to choose, I ended up going with Antique White, which is a light, creamy color.
There is nothing wrong with this color; it is light and bright, and goes with everything.  But lately, I have been thinking about a change.  So, I'm thinking of going with gray.  In seeking inspiration in shades of gray, I thought I would share some bedrooms that I've pinned for their gray goodness.

I love the crisp white linens and accents with this darker gray paint.  


The white rose pillows on this bed are amazing!  I like the yellow accents, too.

Source: google.com via Jenn on Pinterest

This dark gray paint is so dramatic.


Centsational Girl's master bedroom is beautifully tailored.  I love her accessories!


This room looks fit for a princess, or two!


Ooh la la - check out this bed!  I think this might be a bit too fancy for me.

Source: hgtv.com via Jenn on Pinterest

I'm loving these built-ins!

I guess I can just dream about these beautiful bedrooms until I'm ready to take the plunge into gray paint in my own.

Cheers!
Jenn



Saturday, August 20, 2011

All the Trimmings


It's amazing how little details can enhance a room.  I took on a couple of projects last summer to help improve my open concept dining and living room areas.  It all started with freshly painted walls and trim.
I painted the walls a very light beige color, Sandstone Cove, by Behr.  The trim and mantel are painted in Behr's Swiss Coffee, in a high gloss finish.  The paint alone made a huge difference in the room, especially on the fireplace mantel.

Unfortunately, it also made the giant TV niche above the fireplace look even more unfinished.  So, I bought some trim, used my little hand saw and got to work!  The difference was unbelievable.  Of course, as most DIYers probably know, the phenomenon of one project leading to another occurred, and this lovely new trim left me wanting more.  Just a few mere feet away are two small windows above my dining room.  I happened to have some trim left over, so I decided that they could use a facelift, too.
The trim on this wall made me so happy.  Every time I would look over at the windows, I smiled.  If only this happiness could have lasted!

The shelf that my TV sits on is made out of melamine coated particle board.  It drove me crazy to see that cheap shelving next to my high gloss trim and mantel.  Clearly, more trim was needed!  I found some very thin trim pieces and cut them to fit.  I adhered them with epoxy and painted them to match.
At last, my TV niche was finished...or so I thought.

Now I don't have a lot of electronic components, just the cable box, DVD player and Wii system.  But to look at all of the cords behind the shelf, you would think that there was a lot more.  The solution?  I had some 1/4 inch wood cut to fit behind each of the openings, spray painted them white, and attached them with...(drumroll please!)


White duct tape!

The TV niche looks so much better now that the gaggle of cords is hidden.  I think I might even be satisfied enough to leave it alone.

The evolution:
Move in day:  the old TV from my bedroom 
looked ridiculous until the new one arrived!

The new TV on the shelf my Dad made.  
No new paint or trim.  (Notice the cords?)

The finished product:  
new trim all around and hidden cords!

A close-up of the niche and shelf trim.

Ahhhh...so much better!
(I can't wait to tackle that tile fireplace surround!)

I also made some window treatments for the dining room.  Overall, this wall brings a smile to my face again, and I could not be more pleased.

One month after moving in.  Boring windows.
(It's so hard to get pictures of these windows
because of the light!)

Smile-inducing window trim!

My window treatments.
(They photograph much better at night!)

A close-up.

This is how my dining room 
windows look today.

I'm not sure what projects I'll be tackling next.  School starts on Monday, but the project list continues.
I'm sure I'll find some time to work on them.

Cheers!
Jenn


Sunday, August 7, 2011

Another Fabulous Giveaway from Robyn Story Designs!

Check out Robyn Story Designs - she is having another fabulous giveaway of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint!!



She is giving away EVERY color of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, plus some other goodies!!

Cheers!
Jenn

Friday, August 5, 2011

Take A Back Road


Sit in that six-lane backed up traffic
Horns are honking, I've about had it
I'm looking for an exit sign
Gotta get out of here, get it all off my mind


And like a memory from your grandpa's attic
A song comes slippin' through the radio static
Changing my mood
A little George Strait 1982


And it makes me wanna take a back road
Makes me wanna take the long way home


Put a little gravel in my travel
Unwind, unravel all night long


Makes me wanna grab my honey
Tear down some two-lane country
Who knows
Get lost and get right with my soul


Makes me wanna take
Makes me wanna take a back road


I've been cooked up, fried down, 'bout forgotten
What a field looks like, full of corn and cotton
If I'm gonna hit a traffic jam
Well it better be a tractor man


So sick and tired of this interstate system
I need a curve and wide-a-twistin'


Dusty path to nowhere
With the wind blowin' through my baby's hair


And it makes me wanna take a back road
Makes me wanna take the long way home


Put a little gravel in my travel
Unwind, unravel all night long


Makes me wanna grab my honey
Tear down some two-lane country
Who knows
Get lost and get right with my soul


Makes me wanna take
Makes me wanna take a back road



Take A Back Road lyrics by Rodney Atkins

Take some time out this weekend to explore your own back roads.

Cheers!
Jenn