Lighting Fixes....

This is the light found in the living room..... can be bought for $6.98 at Lowe's.  Sorry Lowe's... I hate them.  They work, that's about the best thing I can say for them... I so wanted to switch them out but I chose to work with them instead.  Mainly because I found a glass lamp on clearance that I fell in love with. 

Here it is... So, for a little over $10 I have really cute new sconces..... still brass for now... but really cute!



These are original to the house (it was built in the 50's).  There was a little glass lamp that sat in the bottom cup with a metal shade at the top that fit around the lightbulb.... they were cute but only one was intact.... there's another light at the other end of the hallway that is being used just as you see this one.... I needed a fix.



It doesn't get any easier... or more perfect than this.  A simple clip shade. 

It fits upside down on the little cup and the clip still works around the lightbulb enough to hold it in place.  They really look cute now.....easy, inexpensive update,

Beautiful Staircases....

Part of my Phase 3 project is a staircase.  The homeowner hates the ugly carpet (that's 50 years old) and really.... the staircase itself.... so I need to make some cosmetic changes.  Just like the rest of the house..... paint is the cure-all. 

I am not sure what I'm going to do with it exactly yet.... it's painted but I'd like to add some type of decorative accent....

Here's a look at some awesome ideas I found on Pinterest..... wow. 

You can find these pins on my board...The Chirping Frog and track them back to their original posts.... really great ideas.  I also love the idea of decoupage or tiling the risers.  So many fun options....

A Work in Progress.... Phase 3

I may have bitten off more than I can chew.  I only have a week for this part of the project..... the homeowner left me a to-do list which I know I can accomplish.... problem is... a lot more needs done that just what's on that list and I have every intention of "wowing" her when she gets home. 

I'll be burning the candle at both ends to get this one done.  Here's a peek at my crazy......

This stairway was at the top of the list.... it was covered in ugly carpeting..... Really, the biggest problem is the homeowner hates the staircase.... I really can't do much about that.  What I can do.... "cute-ify" it!  I've ripped off the carpet and it's primed.... hoping to paint and possibly add a little pop of "wow".... haven't decided yet!

 

Also high on the priority list... this tiny bathroom.  A total overhaul would be great but we're sticking to simple solutions so..... paint.  I'm priming the cabinet and paneling.  We'll paint it all the same color and try to lighten up the space. 

 

 Ahhhh.... that floor.  I've ripped out the carpet in the bathroom, the little hallway and directly across.... the stairs.  If you've been following the other phases of this project (1 and 2) I'll be laying the same Allure vinyl floor product. 

 

Talk about a tight squeeze.... this is an itty bitty bathroom.... with original pink toilet, sink and tub.  If we ever do a complete overhaul I think we should do black/white and keep the original pink fixtures.  It'd be great and the homeowner loves vintage.... I could make that work! 

 

Alas.... the kitchen.  This area is not on the list at all.... but this is what it looks like.  I've been given complete freedom on this project.  I am keeping things simple so the homeowner can add her own personal touches but man, oh man.... I can't live knowing I left this kitchen like that.  Yes, they've been living with the doors off.... ugh!  We are looking for simple fixes (Oh how I'd love to bust it all out and start over).... so, paint it is! 

 

 

Stay tuned.... I only have a week.... finished product coming soon!

A work in Progress.... Phase 2

Before my many travels this summer I also managed to get the landscaping done..... really love how it turned out.  Can't wait for it to grow in.  (For other projects at this house check out Phase 1.....)

Before:

 

After:  The homeowner wouldn't let me pull out the groundcover along the house.... that's the only thing I'd change.  Once everything else grows in it should blend into the background... right now it drives me crazy. 

A work in Progress..... Phase 1

I have been working for a friend helping her make some minimally invasive updates on her 50's ranch inherited from her parents..... it's been exhausting work but with every little bit of progress it's looking so much better.

The goal is to "cute-ify" it...... as she would say.  I would love to bust out the kitchen and bath and start all over but that's not in the budget.... or the time frame.... so a little face-lift is in order.

Before my crazy summer began (I've been traveling A LOT this summer) I started on the inside and completed the landscaping.  Now..... I have a week to get her "wish-list" done.  If only I could just stick to her list...... alas, I cannot!  I think I've bitten off more than I can chew..... Here's a view into the projects completed..... and this week's craziness! 

The house is full of paneling.....ugh!  We are planning to blend it in with paint and try to lighten things up!  I am priming it first.

 

More paneling.... these little closets are great for storage but ugly, ugly, ugly.  They are primed, waiting for paint.  I also plan to caulk them.... yikes.... that'd drive me crazy!  I'm also thinking a bench or work table needs to go between them. 

 

Still not caulked, but painted.... the homeowner already had two gallons of this paint so we put it to use.  Check out that floor.  If it was in better shape she'd keep it.


 Here's the floor she chose.... it's called Allure.  We purchased it at Home Depot while it was on sale.... got a great price and bought enough to do this room, another small "reading room" and a bedroom.  It's really easy to lay and I've spoken to people who've used it and they say it holds up well.... hoping they're right!

 

 Again..... that darn paneling.  It's primed and painted now.  That box in the bottom left is a copper planter.  The "hole" in the back wall drives me crazy.  It's nearly impossible to clean the glass and it's not very "usable".  For now we are leaving it alone and I'm going to paint it an accent color.... this is the eat-in area of the kitchen.

 

 

 This is the color I chose for the kitchen area.  I chose all colors from the same color card... just a variety of hues.  That's an easy way to know you're colors are going to flow nicely.

 

 

 

Think Outside the Box....

I recently saw an episode of "Flea Market Flip" where a dresser was transformed using old love letters.... it turned out beautifully and got me to thinking..... outside the box.....  how about a kitchen accent wall or backsplash wallpapered with recipes? 



 

 

 

or even greeting cards.  I have also seen people take greeting cards and make decorative boxes out of them.... chandeliers.... and very cool jewelry.....

 

Cut out portions of the paper you want to keep and turn them into beautiful beads or pendants.....

Beautiful....

From what I can tell these circles are mirrors?  but you could apply this to paper and make a beautiful
wall separator or hanging with old cards.... mothers day cards would make a great piece of memorable art.

 

Let your imagination go wild and create your own unique décor for your home..... the possibilities are endless.

 

 

Again, the pics are from Pinterest.... if you haven't.... I highly encourage you to check it out.... you will find inspiration beyond your wildest imagination.  Have fun!

 

You can find links on my repurposed board

How Sentimental.......

Wouldn't it be nice to use our children's crib in a way that gives it a new function within our homes yet keeps the sentimental value alive.... ?  (I really am wishing I still had the boys crib).

Just a few ideas for your entertainment......

 A desk.... great idea!

Display Place.... also a great idea

Probably my favorite.... everybody needs a porch swing.

Even if you just use the spring section for a catch-all.... that'd make a nice
rustic display.

.... and, of course, a bench. 

All photos came from Pinterest..... of course.  You can see more of my ideas at http://www.pinterest.com/margotmantle/.  Beware.... Pinterest can be quite addicting and will inspire you to create lots of fun, beautiful things..... enjoy!