My Summer To-Do List for the House

I have checked one thing off of my summer to-do list.  I have sorted through our glasses and given away the ones that I don't like or really don't match.  Here is the before and after of our built-in that we use to store our glasses.
BEFORE:

 AFTER:

I have left some space for more Guiness pint glasses and regular pint glasses.  I just couldn't stand having so many different types of glasses.  Also, I moved my mason jar storage out to this space so my pantry could become a little less full.  It's working for me so far.

I think that if I share my summer to-do list with you, I might be more likely to get a lot of it done.  So, here it goes.
-retile the bathroom with small white hexagon tile
-take down the drywall on one of the walls in the dining room to reveal the exposed brick
-put large hexagons of different opacity on the glass shower doors
-hang wooden blinds in the front room windows
-paint the back door
-paint the 2nd bedroom and try out stenciling on the wall
-seriously decorate our bedroom
-get rid of mismatched glasses and reorganize hutch
-hang a bunch of art and fun things in the hallway
-hang new curtains in the dining room
-finish the penny countertop
-put crown molding in the dining room and front room
-rehang the giant mirror about the "fireplace"
-reupholster the four chairs in the front room
-hang pegboard/desk organizer on the wall above my desk in the 2nd bedroom
-create a daybed/couch out of pallets for the 2nd bedroom
-clean/organize the garage
-find a new light fixture for the kitchen
-finish that stupid cootie catcher lamp (maybe)

I'm sure that I'm missing a few things, so I will continue to update this.  I would like to stress that this is highly ambitious for me, but I might as well keep track of what I want to do to my house somewhere.

Cheers!  May you have a highly productive week.

Time for a Deck Makeover

    I am always happy when deck season comes around.  This year is no exception.  The deck is a great escape from our sweltering house.  Recently, though, I have been feeling uninspired about the current set up.  Here is what we are currently working with:

Definitely nothing special in terms of design and decor.  Part of the reason for the bland set up is the gigantic chairs that we have with the table.  They are very comfortable and I like them, but they require a lot of space to push in and away from the table to move around.  They would be perfect on a giant patio.  They aren't great for our long skinny deck.  I don't want to just accept defeat, though.

    Here is my new plan.

    I have spent a long time looking for a cost effective option.  I wanted to get plain, picnic table benches, but those have proven difficult to find.  I was cruising around on Pinterest the other day and found my inspiration.  Here is what I will be trying to make my own version of.

 

    I won't be painting them like the first picture.  I want to make the posts look more like the second picture.  I think I will be going to Lowes this evening to get the supplies.  I will keep you updated with my progress.

Tutorial: Metal Milk Crate Coffee Table

   New coffee table for the living room: check.  Recognize those metal crates? They are from the Kane Country Flea Market from last month.  I got them for $5 each specifically to make a table like this.  This was my first time staining wood as well as my first time using polyurethane.  (Aww, she's growing up so fast.)

    I got this idea while I was on Pinterest a while ago.  It's from a great blog called A Beautiful Mess.  Once I found the metal milk crates, I knew that it was time to make this project a reality.  The full tutorial with lots of pictures and copious explanation about how to make this yourself is after the jump.  Enjoy!

Become a Rug Designer!

   I saw this in a store the other day and was completely enamored.  I think I audibly oooo-ed.  The company is called Vecco.  They have stencils, spray/dye and sealants to create your own rug design.  The thought of making my own rug design easily makes my heart flutter.  Imagine getting a plain rug and being able to put any color or design on it.  Oh, the cost effectiveness.  Oh, the creative possibilities.

   I am saving, brainstorming and lusting after this.  As soon as I set my mind on a design, I will let you know.

Domino! It's back!

   Good news, world!  Domino is back!  Well, sort of.  They are making a seasonal special issues.  I spotted the Spring/Summer issue and squealed in Lowes today.  My dad was very confused.  I didn't even check to see how much it was ($10.99).  I just bought it.  Here she is:

   Wow, there is so much wonderful stuff!  Amazing homes, designer tips, and just general eye candy.  Here is one of the photos that I loved. (I had a very hard time picking what to share with you.)

    Aren't these stairs glorious?  I don't have any stairs to pimp, but if I did, they would be painted.  There are a few other great ideas for stairs in the magazine.  I went looking for a website, but their website doesn't have any content.  Hopefully, it will soon.  You know that I will let you know.

It's IKEA time!

I scream.  You scream.  We all scream for I...KEA's new PS 2012 Line.

    The new IKEA PS line will be coming out in August.  In preparation, I have been taking in some mass-produced modern eye candy.  The theme for the PS collection is reinventing IKEA items from the past.  The PS lines are pretty cool because the designers create products around a theme and the results are usually pretty great.  The press kit gives you more background about the PS history, the current line, and a closer look at all of the products.  Looks like I know what I will be doing in August.

Here are the items that I really love and want to have in my house.

    Check out this little number.  This is the sofa from the PS line.  It is going for $899.  I don't think that I could actually handle owning a light colored sofa, but I can dream.

    I will actually buy this.  It's so beautiful. And it's $49.  Plus, I would like to have some more industrial and metal touches in my house.  The blue will look just right in my front room.  Sigh.

    Let's not forget about showing the deck some love.  I like these "easy chairs".  They look comfy and I love the bright colors.  I think the addition of some color is just what the deck needs.  The price is undetermined yet, so I can't say whether this falls into the "cha-ching" or the "dream-on" category.  Either way, they are fun.