Archive for October, 2009
Reader Redesign: An Enlightened Entryway
When Jen and Erik sent their toddler-friendly entryway makeover our way we had to share their genius transformation. Here’s their letter:
I just wanted to let you guys know how much we love your site. It’s funny because in a lot of ways you remind us of ourselves. People think we’re nuts doing all we do around the house. We thought once we had a baby we’d be done- but nope, our son just inspires us more, as is the case with our new mudroom. The space was once green, which wasn’t bad but looked crazy with all the colorful art we were trying to bring in. So we decided to lighten it up with Glidden’s Quiet Light. The saying above the door was inspired by our two year-old again (he says “have a good day!” to anyone leaving the house). Just seeing it makes us smile! Then there’s the case of the lockers I loved from Pottery Barn and begged Erik to make for us because I didn’t want to spend all that money. Boy, did he- and for a steal too – $250 total. The bench on the lockers doubles as a pet bed and a place to sit down when taking off shoes. The rug is from Flor.com. It was our one splurge at about $150, but the tiles come up and can be washed in the sink if there are spills. We used magnetic primer above the desk, covered with 2 coats of chalkboard paint to create the magnetic chalkboard to display Jack’s art. The bench cushion was made for $30 with fabric from JoAnn Fabrics and two coupons for 40% off from each of our parents’ Sunday papers. The canvas is recycled from the basement. I helped our son Jack paint it with tempra paint using his feet, the palms of his hands and even his nose at one point! The blinds are el cheapo Target blinds. We paid $41 for the pair and then hot glued fringe on them make them look more custom. Lastly lighting is a recycled pendant light with a $15 Walmart shade. Our son, Jack seems to really enjoy the room and so do we. Keep up the great job on the site! -Jen and Erik
Here’s the room before its two-year-old-inspired makeover:
And here’s the I-can’t-believe-that’s-the-same-space after:
Isn’t that a stunning little entryway makeover? We love how Jen and Erik were so inspired by little Jack (the quote above the door is so sweet, and we love the personal meaning behind it). What do you guys think? Isn’t this a great use for an old hallway that needs to step it up in the function department? And the fact that they made those lockers is beyond amazing. Thanks so much for sending your fab before and afters our way Jen and Erik! And be sure to give your little guy a high five for his awesome art work.
Psst- Don’t forget to check out Jen and Erik’s brand new blog right here for more amazing eye candy…
Burning Question: Sharing Is Caring?
This week we got to wondering how often you share with your spouse, specifically the bathroom. Do you guys use the same one? Not at the same time of course. And if so, do you have a double sink situation or are you sharing one mirror and one vanity like us?
Are you fancy enough to each have a designated bathroom so you never cross paths while you’re washing up? We’ve heard some say it’s the secret to a happy marriage, so tell us what you’re working with.
And speaking of bathrooms, check out how we injected some subtle style to our guest bathroom in just a few hours with $4 of paint.
Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Us
1. A few months before starting this blog we had never painted brick, ripped up a carpet, upholstered a chair, made a headboard, caulked anything, changed out hardware or done pretty much any of the other tutorials we’ve since figured out and shared on our How To page (we’re true believers in learning as you go).
2. Our license plate says “Burgrr” (custom plates are only $10 here so we couldn’t resist).
3. John’s middle name is Freeman in honor of his grandfather (his first name honors his other grandfather named John).
4. My first name is actually not Sherry, it’s Sherry-Beth (my mom thinks it flows like Elizabeth, but it doesn’t- in fact it pretty much ruined my life growing up so I quickly adopted Sherry to avoid the Bobby-Joe-Becky-Sue country bumpkin comparison).
5. The irony of my good ol’ girl name is that my mom’s side of the family is extremely Italian (for example, her name is Diana Teresa DeCesare LaPadula and I have an Uncle Vito, a Grandpa Carmen and a Cousin Dominick) so the odd country/southern reference in my name is totally out of left field (and my brothers and cousins got totally normal monikers: Daniel, David, Adam, Tim, Jennifer).
6. John kissed me first (anyone who knows us is blown away by this because he’s generally the shy one and I’m the loud crazy one).
7. John used to do improv comedy in college and in NYC after he graduated but opted out of that lifestyle after he realized he liked to sleep at night and be awake during the day (thank goodness or I never would have met him working in advertising). Many of his improv acquaintances have gone on to be super famous (he knew Kenneth from 30Rock and a girl named Jenny Slate who’s on SNL this season).
8. I had a tumor in my airway (between my nose and my throat) in middle school. Can you imagine how many times I had to hear “it’s not a tumor”? Thankfully it was benign and two surgeries later I was as good as new. I also had teeth that grew in near the back of my throat and had to be slowly pulled to the front of my mouth through a series of torturous wire tightening exercises (but in hindsight, having a normal smile is totally worth the effort). I always ask my mother what the heck she ate when I was in the womb but she has yet to tell me.
9. John doesn’t drink. Not a drop. He never has, which almost everyone at work quickly learned after a few happy hours with him (he was still the life of the party, just never the one we had to put in a cab at the end of the night). His unwavering willpower and amazing ability never to be “that drunk guy” made him incredibly intriguing and appealing to me… and still has me hooked to this day. Update: We’re not Mormons – which is actually a pretty popular “internet rumor” about us – haha! More on that here.
10. John and I tried out for the Amazing Race back when we were friends right on the cusp of dating (our hook was that the race would either ruin any shot at a relationship or bring us together). We didn’t even get a call back, which I now realize is a good thing as my terrible sense of direction and loud mouth would probably have made us a pretty lame team. I still think John could win the entire thing with a better partner though. He’s great at reading maps, having a strong sense of direction and running (three things I don’t do).
So that was a fun little Friday departure. What about you guys? Any strange facts that will blow us away about you, our lovely readers? Anything that we revealed above that totally surprises you? Number 1? Number 9? Number 10? Do tell.
Psst- want more Burger? Just head on over to Hamburger’s House to see how big his head is getting (along with the rest of him).
