Hello all my fellow design freaks out there!

Let’s see, how to sum up week 5 in a few words??  Hmm… Sickness, comes to mind.  As does, Halloween costumes.  Needless to say with the whole family feeling terrible (can I double bold and highlight terrible – it sucked, big time) and with feral trick-or-treaters breathing down my neck, I didn’t get as much done as I was hoping for.

Aren’t minions supposed to be helpers?  I don’t think mine got the message!  They’re more like monkey-minions, if you ask me!!

But hey, hey, hey check out The Mother!  She’s all there, baby!  Right up to the ceiling!!

Oh la, la that ladder is the piece de resistance!  It used to be in a book store, which I think is the coolest!

And you can see that we had to carefully remove the existing crown moulding to move it forward about 16 inches.  For that little job, I used my Dremel with the multitool, #561.  Just in case you’re looking to do something similar!  Lucky me, that the moulding came out in one piece!!  PHEW!

Now I’ve relegated myself to patching and then sanding.  See what I’m dealing with?

Because I was taking apart pieces that were already put together, I have to fix the areas that the crazy, strong, super glue ripped off.

Once she’s all nice and painted, you won’t see any of this gnarliness.

Around Monday, when I was finally able to successfully move my legs, I got 3 chairs painted and then finished up 3 more yesterday.  Of course, they’re drying in my garage so although I don’t want to tease… well, I guess in this case, I must!  I will just say that the color is muy perfecto!  Only took like, forever!

So, I’m going to go ALL IN for the grand finale!

Will everything be done?  Only time will tell!!

Wish me luck and please check out the other amazing bloggers also linking in to the challenge!  And thank you again to Linda for letting me crash your party!

Happy Halloween to you all!!

And Happy Creating!  Jessica

Howdy All!

Once again this week flew by so darn fast… and I got that butterfly thing in my tum when I wrote “week 3.”  Uh… say what?!  Does that mean I should be halfway done?!?!

Yes, progress is being made (deep breath) and I am happy about that.  But, BUT!  I just want everything done in superhero speed!  (Can you tell I have 3 little boys around me at all times?!)  Or maybe if I could just stop time like Evie, then I could go DIY crazy yo!

Enough with the daydreaming about powers (again) I know you are just dying to see The Mother.  She’s starting to really come together!  Literally.

Check out that jewelry!

See how we had to notch that rod into the top piece of the wood?

That was the genius work by muah and the FIL (father-in-law).  What’s the hardware for?, you ask.

Wait.  I have to stop for a moment.  Do you ever feel like there is some fairy decorating godmother watching over you?  Scoff all you want, but I had one of those moments.  It’s very real I tell you.

I wanted a library ladder.  This you know from the inspiration photos I shared on Week One.  Of course I wanted a vintage, super cool one for a steal.  I checked out Craigslist and would you believe that there was a dude selling one?!?!  I know!  Thank you fairy godmother!

This is the photo that sold me.  The ladder is in great shape and used to be in an old Barnes and Noble.  ‘Cummon, how sweet is that?  And, it was my first Craigslist purchase so now I can officially be sworn into the Craigslist community.

So, yes the ladder will look so smart perched on top of The Mother.

I’m still wondering how the boys will react to it…hmmmm…

Other than that a few decisions were made this week.  Hardware has been ordered for the door fronts –  I purchased these from Look In the Attic for $12.99 each.  They are (or will be) 3 inches of pure perfection.  Did your mind just go to the dirty place?  Mine too!

 

Fabric for the window pelmet, I found at the garment district for $20 a yard but it can also be ordered on-line.  It’s Waverly’s Peaceful Temple.

And while I was out there, I picked out some fabric for the chair cushions.  Since my last fabric choice was destroyed by little, climbing feet I knew I wanted vinyl.  Dur-a-ble!  But when I got it home it was kinda blah… embroidery perhaps?  This is the color and I’m still working out the rest –

Oh yeah, and the sconces!  I am pretty set on the Restoration Hardware torpedoes.  The comment by Lisa hit me – it’s about the shape and the color.  Uh, ya.  And those have the right shape.  The other options were a little too wide for what I had in me mind.  With that said, I’m hoping to make the trek tomorrow to see them live and make the final call.

Wish me luck!

Lots to do, so little time!

Happy Creating!  Jessica

Oh, and thank you everyone for your input!

Hello Everyone!

Did this week just fly by for you too?  Were you able to make some headway on any of your projects?  I have to say that after a day of deer-in-headlights, I threw myself over the dining room make-over cliff.  Panic, anxiety, excitement… all strong motivators to be sure!  And if you have time later, see what the other bloggers have got going on – Plenty!!  Go here.

So, let’s just get this party started right. Cue C&C Music Factory (y’all better know who that is).

The Mother has officially moved in.  Nothing will ever be the same.

See all the wonderful vents I’ve had to contend with?  The bottom register will be the perfect spot for a desk area and the air vent above will be virtually hidden once the shelves go up to the ceiling.  Yay-yo!

And just for fun, some make-it-work highlights…’Cause when you buy a pile of who-knows-what, you’ve got to seriously unearth those puzzle skills!

This bad girl’s getting sawed in pieces to fit in the center… See?

Try to avert your attention from the wall color as I want to talk about that later.  Yes, I did put a coat of Dunn Edwards Red Ink in high gloss… am I done with the color?  Not too sure on ‘er there.

But isn’t design (and almost anything for that matter) all about decision making.  There are A LOT of options out there, and it can get soooo overwhelming to pull the trigger.  Your mind is swirling with a zillion fabric swatches, magazine photos, trends, opinions and (damn it) that little voice inside, all smug, and British for some reason, asking you, “Are you sure?”

When you and I see a room in a strangers house all those nitty gritty choices have already been made.  It looks so easy.  Well, homies, it ain’t.  It just ain’t.

So, wanna help me with what I’ve got percolating?

Let’s talk articulating sconces.  This is kinda what I’m going for and I want to place them so they light The Mother up and show off all her goodies.

And here are the choices… all good I think.  But which one?!?!  (Major finger biting!)

Which of these beautiful lights says?… I’m playful, but sophisticated.

I’d love to hear your feedback!  Share, Share!

What’s on the agenda for next week, you ask.  More work on The Mother (obvs), chair make-overs (Going Blue!!) and maybe the paint color’s finally done.  Dare I ask for so much?!

Thank you so much for staying with me!  We’re kinda in this together now, aren’t we?!?

Happy Creating!