Browsing Category: The Mother Cabinet Project

Dining Room Reveal

Hi there Friends!

It’s been quite a battle getting this darn dining room photographed… it’s just that it’s always in use.  Not so much as an actual dining room, but it’s where I sew and have project stuff stashed.  It’s my space.  And my space is more often than not, messy.

But it’s time!!  And I can’t wait to show you my progress.  Is it done?  Nope.  But is it ever really done?  Never!!

Remember this picture?

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This room was housing all the questionables… old table, that was definitely going, and a screen and cabinet that I loved, but didn’t know where to put.  I had the room painted that red color – which was not quite dark enough and the white chair rail DROVE ME NUTS.  And those vents!  Talk about an eyesore!

But here she is today!

IMG_0058The table was a gift from my grandmother and although it wasn’t my first choice, I think it looks fabulous in here!  I painted and reupholstered the chairs, which you can see here.

And those cabinets!?!  Follow the whole unfurling drama with The Mother Project tab, and you’re sure to understand why I call them “The Mother!”.  I still can’t believe I found these at the Restore!

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Wow, I should have really put something on my table.  I need some styling help, Mrs. Henderson!IMG_0061 IMG_0062 IMG_0063 IMG_0065

This is the vase that started my whole collection.  It is from Ming Dynasty and I bought it in Japan.  It’s one for those… if there was a fire, what would you grab kind of things.

And the Buddha below?  Well, it weighs about 40lbs and is bronze.  It is 200 years old and was an anniversary gift from my loving husband.  It’s so beautiful that I stare at it all the time… well, that’s when we’re not having a conversation!

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This side board needs something.  Right now it’s just screaming out for a treasure!  The screen is an antique that had a tear in it, so I got a great deal on it.  Nothing a little fabric glue (and steady hands) couldn’t fix!  And the glass art was custom made for my husband before we got married… there used to be 4 pieces, but well, you can imagine with 4 kids in the house.  I think that’s the one time I’ve seen a tiny tear form in his eye!!IMG_0069 IMG_0067 IMG_0068My focus was to make the space more inviting.  I really think the layered rugs add an element of fun and interest… it’s like you want to take your shoes off and have a coffee!  Oh, and if one rug gets messed up you can just stick in the wash!

That’s it for now!  I’d love to share some sources but everything in this room is either antique or vintage.  Crazy huh?!  (Well, except that sheep skin that I found at Home Goods about 2 years ago.)

So, what do you think??

I’d love your ideas on my side table… What can I do there?

Happy Creating!!  Tootles, Jessica

The Mother Revisited – A few changes and a decision to be made

Hey, hey, hey!

How are my lovelies today?  It’s been a bit busy at the office so things around the house have been moving at a snails pace.  Actually, it’s been kind of nice to step back a little and survey the progress I’ve made.  Sometimes, at the end of a project tweaks need to be made and you may reconsider your original plan… Always be open to new ideas!

And in today’s case we’re talking about The Mother… my beaut cabinets that are still a bit too naked for my likes.

Today, here she is…. Notice anything different?

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If you said hardware, then you are right!!

After buying and trying a BUNCH of different options, I went with these from The Home Depot.

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Close up, you can see that they don’t match.  I debated a few options to get the same finish but ultimately, a little elbow grease and a steel wool pad did the trick!  Phew!  I was nervous about using rub n buff, or something similar, since that stuff is potent!  Every once in awhile (more like never) the solution is an easy one – thank you hardware gods!

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I’m sure you’ve notice that I ain’t got no shelves.  Um ya, that’s a huge piece of the puzzle that needs to get done.

That’s where you come in!!  I need your decorator eyeballs… These are the options I’m considering.  What do you think?

Option 1 Option 3 Option 4Remember I made a little desk area to keep the vent open.  I’m still undecided as to whether I will actually use it as a desk, but having the option would be nice.

What does your gut tell you?

Hopefully, we can all decide soon since I’d love to get going on those shelves next week!!

Have a great day!!  Happy Creating, Jessica

Halfway through the year… So, where am I with those resolutions?

Hi All!

With the milestone of the mid-year approaching I thought it best to look back at what I set out to do at the beginning of the year and gauge how far I’ve come.  Yikes!!  I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me in the second half of the year!!

How are your resolutions coming along?  Are you still plugging ahead or have we “amended” a few of them?!?!

Anyhoo, I just love how Young House Love gives shows us their lists of to-do’s and checks them off as they make progress!  I’m sure you do too!!  So, I’m totally going to copy their format as, what I hope will be taken as utter flattery – ’cause it is!

A recap of my 12 New Year’s Resolutions for 2014:

1.  FINISH THE MOTHER ONCE AND FOR ALL – 80% Complete!

Don't you love how there are 3 books up there?!?
Don’t you love how there are 3 books up there?!?
  • Find those darn hinges and get the doors on!
  • Find and install gorgeous hardware.  This has been a challenge!!
  • Make holes for the shelves and install the shelves
  • Organize the bottom cabinets
  • And the Hardest Part – Stage the open shelving into utter perfection!

2.  Finish up the whole dining room make-over – 5% Complete.  There were plenty of casualties with the installation of The Mother, so new to-do’s have been added to the list!

  • Touch up red wall paint, after patching, sanding and priming
  • Repaint the ceiling (This is one I was not planning on!)
  • Repaint the moulding in the room… fingers crossed I can get away with only painting that room.
  • Maybe do a cool ceiling treatment???
  • Get a rug happening
  • And a light fixture!  I’m over using a lamp for special dinners!
  • Find/Hang some fabulous wall art
  • To treatment the window or not to?  That is the question…
  • Change out the light swtiches
  • Organize/Clean out the buffet and spruce it up (with mirror, perhaps?)
  • Wish list – find an amazing settee like the one I’m in love with at Restoration Hardware for a steal!
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I’m still loving these shiny red walls and blue chairs in my inspiration photo!

3.  Clean out the garage and organize my tools – 10% Complete.  Wait, I’ve actually started doing this!!  But alas, the organization of my dreams is still a ways off… but closer with the tools and supplies separated.  Here’s what I have planned…

  • Get two more upper cabinets installed for tool storage
  • Hang 1-2 light fixtures – I need more light!
  • Get rid of two ginormous mirrors hanging on the right wall – Any takers??
  • Make a shoe change/storage area so the kids have a place to put all their gear!
  • Go through ALL the gear and totally purge!  Then put what’s staying back in some ordered fashion.
  • Paint the door and trim going into the house.  I want to feel welcome when I pull into my own garage, please!
My Garage, at rock bottom.  A dumping ground for all our crapola.
My Garage, at rock bottom. A dumping ground for all our crapola.

4. Stencil the family room wall in Summer Palace – 10% Complete.  Really, really close to starting this darn thing… if only I was 100% sure about how it would look.  Decisions, Decisions!!

  • Finish cutting stencil #2
  • Decide on paint colors and
  • Get on with the stenciling!

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5.  Paint the exterior of the house – 0% Complete.  This is definitely going to be an end of the year project and probably one best left for the professionals!  But we’ll see…

6.  Update the entryway – 0% Complete.

  • Paint the front door.  This needs to be done, Badly!!
  • Figure out something with the plants and pots blocking the walkway.
  • Update or change the bench that’s currently there
  • Get a new mat for the door – the one we have is waaaaayyy too puny.
  • Add an art piece??  If I can think of something that’ll work!
What an elegant entry!!
What an elegant entry!! Drool, drool!

7.  Participate in the next 6 week challenge and redo The Pool Bathroom – 100% COMPLETE!!  Finally, I can check something off!!

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8.  Inject personality into the hallway – 0% Complete.

  • A cool runner would be nice
  • Lots of art or photos or both!
  • Maybe, new lights…hmmm…
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9.  Build some picture ledges for the family room wall – 0% Complete.  Seems pretty self-explanatory, but I just haven’t gotten to it yet… Probably need to finish that darn stencil first, huh?!

Inspiration!!
Inspiration!!

10.  A sprucing of the laundry room is definitely in order – 5% Complete.  So, far, all I’ve done is remove a bunch of tools and junk from the drawers and cabinets.  But I’ve got some big plans for this small room off the kitchen and garage.  Right now it’s a boring little pass-through that needs serious personality and storage!

  • Deal with the stained and ugly formica countertop
  • Sand and paint the walls, trim and door
  • Install a show stopping backsplash
  • Possibly put in a beautiful wallpaper on the ceiling
  • Sew a valance for the window
  • Add storage above the window
  • Construct a cart for the side of the washer for soap/etc.
  • Fix-up some messed up tiles on the floor
My sad little laundry room, kinda cleaned out.
My sad little laundry room, kinda cleaned out.

11.  Get the floors in the house professionally cleaned and sealed – 40% Complete.  In my original post I only mentioned the hardwood, but since then I decided a full undertaking was in order.  I’ve sealed the marble in the master bath, and the tile in the kitchen!  Not easy feats, but oh my, clean grout and tile is like… well, it feels like new tile all over again!

  • Seal and clean the hardwood in the house
  • Fix the chipped grout in the kitchen
  • Seal the grout in my twin’s bathroom

12.  Modernize the fireplace with a new flame source, glass and spheres – 100% COMPLETE!

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I’m doing the math… is that right?  2 out of 12 ONLY?!?!

I need to stop blogging about it and be about it!  HA!

Please send me good vibes as this is my last preggo week on this beautiful Earth!  By next week a new little monkey will be joining our posse and we are all just so excited… and in denial!  Ya, there’s a lot of denial going on… like the idea of getting sleep still seems like it’s in my future… rrrrriiiiiggggghhhhtttt.

Tootles for now and Happy Creating!  Jessica