More DIY

I've been working on more of my decor projects for the living room. I've recovered several pillows, each with a zipper so I can wash the cases as needed. My latest DIY was recovering a footstool, one with a lid so you can store stuff in it. I picked up two of them at a local thrift store and recovered one of them tonight. I can't say I'm particularly proud of my upholstery job. But it's now navy blue instead of soiled olive drab. And I'm now more comfortable sitting on the couch or loveseat, having a footstool to prop my tired feet on.

DIY Afters

Here's the finished projects, the sofa table and coffee table. I'm happy with the results. You can see the love seat and sofa in the background. I have slipcovers for them which are navy, white and tan stripe.

I'm currently making covers for throw pillows for the sofa and loveseat. I've done the blue florals. I have to break down and buy fabric retail (ouch) for the four bigger pillows, a navy solid, as the navy solid I have is only enough to cover three, and I want all four to match. I have a gift card that I can use for the purchase which I received for Mother's Day from one of MBDs and SNL, so my pillow covers will be extra special.

DIY Sofa Table

This is my second DIY furniture refinishing project. My first was our coffee table. I transformed it from green to wood stain to match the wood-stain top. Same thing with this project, the sofa table. I forgot to take before pics, but here's a pic of a before leg so you can see the green. I'm changing color schemes in the living room, so the green had to go.

Here's a pic of me at work doing the sanding with my new Black & Decker Mouse. I love this Mouse, also called a "detail sander". It's light weight and because of it's shape, I can get into all the nooks and crannies to sand. I used MBD's Mouse for my first project, but wanted my own as I liked using it so much and wanted to return hers. I looked at Wal-Mart, knowing they run about $34. Lo and behold I found two for - drum roll, please - $6 each. I bought both of them; one for me and one for my BFF Ruth. Since I dismantled the table, I was able to sand the pieces sitting down. Much easier on the body.

Having the fan blowing directly on me was the only way I could have done the sanding in our Texas Gulf Coast heat. It's an old Kenmore and was my dad's. He had it in his garage or workshop for as long as I can remember. It was comforting having it there, keeping me cool - well, at least not sweltering - while I did the sanding, knowing it was my dad's. I miss him. I think he'd like it that I'm DIYing.

More Decor Updates

I had to outwait the rain, so it took like a week to get the plate easels. The shelves had been up all that time waiting for the easels so I could show off my plates. I think it all looks really good.

FINALLY . . .

It's only been TWO (2) years since we had the interior painted my beautiful yellow. I couldn't make up my mind about window treatments, so I've done nothing. FINALLY, I found something I really, really liked for the kitchen/breakfast nook. They are actually upcycled, which follows my philosophy of recycling. They were valances that I bought at the Thrift Shop. I liked them a lot, but wasn't sure I could convert them. So I waited and waited and finally my friend Ruth convinced me that I could do it. You see, they were mounted on 1x2s, stapled. I had to take them off the 1x2s and add casings so I could hang them on rods. It was quite a task, but they turned out very nice. I'm very happy with them. The color and design (plaid) were exactly what I wanted, though I didn't know it until I saw them (know what I mean?). And since I was so slow to make the final decision to get them, they were on clearance when I did get them - HALF PRICE. So for $5.50, I have these lovely valances (fully lined). They're perfect. Now I'm ready to accent with blue and white dishes on little shelves and to hang directly on the walls. All I need now are plate hangers and plate stands. Looks like I'll be making a trip to Hobby Lobby real soon. Then the Kitchen/Nook will be complete. Well, not quite. I'm still looking for the perfect chairs for the Nook. BUT I have another valance that cost me a whopping $3 that I'm saving to make chair cushions out of. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!