Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I Did It In Ten Minutes, More or Less



Nester's linky party put a fire under my tushy to actually do something around here. I've been making excuses, like not being able to paint yet, or I want a new couch, blah, blah.

Well, after I saw what a big difference one plant made last week, and with the deadline for Nester's party looming, I decided to do a few more things to spruce it up in the living room. This is the before picture.


And this is after. It's hard to take indoor pictures at night without using the flash.

I went to Goodwill this morning hoping to maybe find some curtains. No luck there, but I did find the floor lamp, brand new, for $19.99, to replace the cheap IKEA lamp. It came with a red shade, which didn't fit my color scheme, so I traded it out for a shade that I got for $3 at GW a few months ago.

I had the table in the family room but decided to move it. It's an old ice cream table that was my grandmother's. I have one of the chairs too (lost the other in a move), and I can remember eating lunch at this table on grandma's patio many times.

All us bloggers who paint furniture on a whim have nothing on my grandma. She was the original. This table had been green, and then yellow, before it was white. I definitely remember it being yellow. Okay, enough about g'ma.


I kept the chocolate brown faux suede cloth on the table that I was using in the family room. I added a $5 lamp (from Dollar General months ago), a stack of books elevating a picture of, well, my grandma. Very fitting. And a clock which was also a Goodwill purchase at one point.


While I didn't find window treatments at GW, last week I scored these faux suede panels at Target. They were on clearance for $7.49 each, originally $29.99. They are for Firstborn's room, really, but I'm nowhere near ready to do his yet. And really, with the state he keeps it in, is it even worth it? So for now I decided to use them in the living room. I had Craig hang them kind of high, which means that they are well short of touching the floor, but you can't really see it since it's behind the couch. Shh, don't tell.

The rods we hung them on were from three houses ago. I found the wooden finials on clearance at Lowe's, as well as the brackets for hanging, and cut big dowels to the width I wanted, attached the finials with double-ended screws, and spray painted everything black. I think it was about $10 total, and I have two more sets of two. This afternoon I had to brave a trip to my basement to forage them out of the bottom of a box.

On the other side of the room is my corner cupboard that my grandpa made. It's not done, but I just pulled a few things from around the house so it wouldn't be empty.

And on the wall opposite of the ice cream table is my entry table. I sadly do not have a foyer. That was my one big concession with this house. So I put this table and mirror just inside the front door. The only thing I changed here was to put one of the silhouettes on a stack of books so they weren't lined up like soldiers. I think what I really want to do is hang them on the wall.
Another day.

There you have it. It took a little more than 10 minutes, but it all happened today. Grand total of items purchased specifically for this makeover: the lamp for $19.99. Everything else I already had. Go to Nesting Place to see what everybody else did. Can't wait!



69 comments:

emily freeman said...

Wow! What a difference! Great job.

Rachel Lundy said...

Great work! It looks so cozy now! I just want to curl up on your couch. :)

Martha said...

beautiful! what a difference!

Lindsay @ Makely said...

It's wonderful, Holly!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Nice changes! Doesn't it feel great to have such a pulled together room! Great job.

Melissa said...

It looks so cozy and inviting~you did a great job and at an amazing price! Yea, Holly!

Karol said...

Awesome job! I love what you have done. I love seeing how others are inspired by Nester's inspiration!

Karol :0)

Craig said...

Awesome work good lookin' Whoever hung the curtain rods made them very very level, in fact I bet I could hang on them.

Chablis said...

Holy cow you did an awesome job! It looks gorgeous!! I can't believe you are a thrift store shopper...you've inspired me. I'm not so great at it but now I want to try!

Oh, and love that table! You better keep it forever, you'r grandma was awesome too!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

P.S. I was laughing at your comment on the Nester's site. I was 3 and somehow moved down to 11 so it cracked me up.

These Are The Days said...

WOWZERS!! Seriously such a great job. Love the silouettes...that's my next project, thanks for sharing!

Wendy said...

I always feel like hanging curtains totally changes the look of a room, and your room is no exception! It's lovely! I think the covered table looks pretty wonderful, too.

Megan @ Megity's Handmade said...

WOW! Looks great! What a difference some fabric gives the room. And that lamp was a total score! You gotta be lovin' that find.

Amanda said...

Looks great! What a difference just a few things make! I loved hearing about your grandma, btw. And that piece your grandpa built is fabulous!

Precision Quality Laser said...

So ambient! I love the plant and the texture it gives to the room. Great job!

edie said...

You did good! What a difference a lamp and some fabric make. And love the silhouettes. Did you do them yourself or have them made?

Jenny@ L.O.T.s of Love said...

Came over from Nester and Wow! What a great job! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Your living room looks great!

Anonymous said...

Love grandma's table --everything looks lovely! Love the look and title of your blog, too!

Every Day Blessings said...

Wow, it really looks cozy now!What a big difference.

Unknown said...

Great job! Small changes make a big difference.

The Nester said...

!!!!!!!!!

I loved it all and it made such a huge difference. Thanks for putting the prices and places that you got stuff in the post--that is so helpful.

Melanie said...

It looks really great! So much cozier.

bj said...

WOW...what a difference one day can make. We just have to DO it, right!? Great makeover!!

Jennifer said...

What a difference a few touches make. It look fabulous!

Dede Warren said...

You did a GrEaT job with your livingroom!! I' sure you are more comfortable in this room, now that it is so comfy cozy! Bravo smart girl!

Judy Beeksma said...

WOWSERS!!!! Lovely end to the journey!!! Love the Silhouettes the most. And elevating them was such a great tool to use!!!

Anonymous said...

Holly, it looks SO SO SO SO good!! I just want to come over and hang out in that room! Good for you for getting that done!! Did GW have any more lamps? I could be in the market for a nice floor lamp.

Mrs. Dunbar said...

Awesome, I'm glad you were inspired. Your room looks wonderful. I love your grandmas table.

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

Holy COW! What a transformation, you go girl! I am super duper impressed. Being the painter that I am I laughed out loud at Grandma's yellow paint job. Too Funny, you did an awesome job. If you don't mind me saying, I would love to see some sort of metal artwork between your drapes. Using the shorts rods is very cool and allows room for extra artwork! This room went from drab to FAB!
~Misti

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Whoa! I'm so impressed by this makeover! It doesn't look like it's the same room at all. Great job! :-)

queenbee said...

You really did a lot and it shows in how great your "new" room looks. Great job.

Free Art Printables said...

It looks great! Very homey!

trish said...

Wow! Beautiful job! I especially like that you are able to use such a special piece - the table. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Gina said...

Looks great-I love the silhouettes too! Very cozy and inviting!

NCJill said...

Looks wonderful! Just the difference it made adding the table and plant were amazing! Great style.

Lazy Mom Leslie said...

Great Job Holly! It is so much more welcoming now!

Anonymous said...

Big difference! I love the little table with the silhouettes, too.

Unknown said...

Wow! It looks great! I love it all - I cant believe it only cost you $20 and a few minutes! :-)

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love the curtains, I love the table, and I love the silouettes (i'm pretty sure I can't spell that word). Your room looks very cozy.

Gretchen said...

How warm and inviting!

Love your fun blog background too!

Gretchen said...

How warm and inviting!

Love your fun blog background too!

Deidra said...

What a difference! It's beautiful!

Gina @ MoneywiseMoms said...

It's beautiful! What lovely changes you made.

Peggy said...

Your changes were simple and made the room so elegant! Peggy from PA

gina said...

WELL DONE!!! Looks so inviting! :)

Terri said...

Don't you just love it! Your new room is a hug!! Great job!!

Raise Them Up said...

Wow, Holly! You are SO gifted! I really love what you did with the room. Do you make house calls?? :)

Sherri said...

I love all the 'extras'! The curtain idea ROCKS. And the sentiment with the table is wonderful. Great makeover!

Remodeling Guy said...

What a difference! I'm totally impressed. I like your Grandma's way of doing things, too! - Tim

Unknown said...

I really like what you did to the space. And I enjoyed reading about your finds.

Hideaway Girl said...

It all looks great, and you scored some pretty awesome bargains along the way! I loved all the different colors on the bottom of grandma's table - priceless.

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

Your room looks so much warmer now! I would have a hard time covering up that little table though...I love the rustic cream color of it!

Wendy said...

Amazing difference!!! It looks livable, but classy. I love the old picture of your grandma on your round table.
And I appreciate you throwing that in about not having a foyer so you created your own little entry area. I don't have a foyer either (sniff, sniff,) but you can bet I'll be on the lookout for a mini table to display as my "entry" now. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Scooper said...

Wow! Love it. Huge change.

The Nester's deadline motivated me to get my room in gear too. I'm such a procrastinator.

Unknown said...

Wow, Holly! What an amazing difference! Everything pulls together nicely. It took 5 homes before we finally had one with a foyer, by the way. Please come over to my blog and pick up a couple of awards. I am so happy I found your blog!

Sheryl

Amber Filkins said...

Loved it all! It is so warm & welcoming.

Anonymous said...

Love the palm tree, and the way your grandma's table is bolted together on the bottom :o)

Victoria

Jodi said...

great job - you made a huge impact!

Jill -Forever and Ever House said...

THis is so nice. Like you, I don't have a fireplace in my front room. I can never figure out the furniture placement...until I saw your room. THanks for the inspiration.

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Oh Holly, this turned out so well! What a difference just a few accessories make. Looks wonderful girl!

honeysuckle said...

You added so much warmth to that room and I'll bet you will enjoy using it more now.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful space!! I love everything you've done!

Audrey @ A Gathering Place

Carrie @carrieloves said...

That looks amazing! The table and tree really make a huge difference.

Anonymous said...

LOVE your makeover!!! And I really LOVE the shadow drawings you have framed!!

Angie @ Many Little Blessings said...

Wow! That looks fabulous! Love the before/after!

Kim said...

WOW! Your makeover is awesome! Love it!

Anonymous said...

That table is so pretty, you could take off the fabric when you need a change! I love everything you did- great job!

Anonymous said...

love love the silhouettes table!