Mi Casa, Su Casa
When two of our lovely readers sent us pics of their very own transformations that we inspired by our blog, we couldn’t have been more excited.
So without further ado here’s Erin’s new CB2 pendant hanging proudly above her dining area. She went with the green version of the linen colored light fixture that we hung above our very own dining room table. Perfect, no?
Elvira in DC also sent us a few pictures of her fantastic front door transformation. Here’s her entryway before a little color intervention:
And her punchy new door thanks to a few glossy coats of Fabulous Red- the same Valspar hue that we used to makeover our brick rancher’s front door. What a difference a little paint can make.
Thanks for sharing such swoonworthy (to borrow a term from my wife) photos E & E. Everyone knows we love home makeovers (especially when we don’t even have to lift a finger). We’d like to make reader redesigns a regular occurrence, so everyone feel free to send over your amazing afters.
Colleen’s Design Dilemma
Yep, we’re back with another room redecoration, this time it’s a space that has to perform double duty as both a part-time bedroom and a full-time den. Here’s the gist:
Your blog is such a fun read and I admire all that you’ve done with your house! I need help with a den/part-time bedroom for my fiance’s twelve year old son named Cullen. I’d like to make it a cool media room as well as a bedroom for Cullen when he visits. We have another tv, stereos, speakers, books, and CDs/DVDs to put in here, but it has to mesh with Cullen’s toys (although he’s outgrowing them quickly). I look forward to any advice you have and promise to send you pictures of the updated rooms! – Colleen
Well, we’re definitely fans of a space that can multi-task, and there are plenty of things Colleen can bring into the space that will serve multiple functions around the clock while looking fabulous 24/7. As demonstrated by our mood board below:
Here’s the mood board breakdown.
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Move It Or Lose It
This weekend we helped John’s sister and brother-in-law move into their fabulous new home (that they just happened to design themselves) and along with some obligatory back pain we took away some pretty fail-safe moving advice. And now that we’re in the know, we figured we’d share the wealth. After a picture of their breathtaking new kitchen of course:
Moving Tip #1: Clean top to bottom. When you’re cleaning something in your new home (like the kitchen cabinets before you load in all your dishes, or a closet before you add the linens), it only makes sense to start from the top. This way any spare dirt or dust that doesn’t stick to your rag won’t end up dirtying the shelf below that you’ve already cleaned.
Moving Tip #2: Touch things once. If you’re carrying a huge box of bathroom stuff, it makes no sense to toss it into the foyer assuming that you’ll get to it later. If it’s already in your arms, you might as well take it to its final destination. Why bend over twice?
Moving Tip #3: Save the seated tasks for last. It’s much easier to rest when you’re doing stationary projects that can be accomplished in a seated position, so save folding clothes or organizing drawers for the very end of the day when you can pull up a chair or sprawl out on the floor. (Here’s one of the last projects that I completed while perched on a stool: installing dish dividers into their island’s fabulously deep drawers).
Moving Tip #4: Don’t bother unhanging clothes. Unless you’re moving across the country and have to ship your items, drop your clothes (hanger and all) into oversized black garbage bags. Instead of wrestling hangers and clothing into a restrictive box (or taking the time to unhang and rehang everything) it should only take a few giant bags and a few minutes to pack your whole closet. Then simply deposit the bags into the right room, and you’ll have everything back into the closet in about 60 seconds.
Moving Tip #5: Toss stuff you’re so over. You’ll probably move lots of stuff that wasn’t even good enough for your old house (so you sure as heck won’t be whipping it out in your new one). Even though you moved it all the way to the new place, cut your loses and toss it (or donate it) before it takes over the closets and cabinets in your new abode. From editing glassware and silverware to old clothes and even bathroom stuff as you unpack, you’ll feel fabulous about your fresh start (look at all the stuff Emily and Todd left out for the garbage man).
Now it’s your turn to share the wealth. Tell us your favorite moving tips for the next time we get roped into helping our seemingly nomadic family and friends. And stay tuned for the stunning “after” photos of their amazing new home in the coming weeks…
