Furniture Feature Friday runs through Saturday night, so make sure you scroll down to check it out and participate.
I’m giving you fair warning – you had better stay out of my way right now, or you might get painted, decorated, and rearranged! I am on a tear to get things done in my house and I am having a blast. I’ve been painting, moving furniture, rearranging accessories, making topiaries, wreaths, hanging pictures, organizing my cabinets, and causing a general upheaval in my home. Of course, I’ve been snapping pictures all along the way. AND I still have attic thrift store finds to share with you.
Today, I am going to share a troublesome little corner that I just made over. This corner is in our home office, which use to be the kitchen in our 1940’s house. An addition was put on the back of our home to add a basement workshop, a kitchen, family room, and master suite. When this renovation happened, what was the kitchen became a glorified hallway that sits between the new kitchen and dining room. It also has a hall to the stairs and the door to the basement. All of these things makes this a tough space to know what to do with. This is how it looks today. Over the past week, we painted the walls, my hubby built a radiator cover, I placed a more comfortable chair in the corner and rearranged the book shelf (an old kitchen cabinet.) And, yes, that is an ironing board cabinet that still houses a functioning ironing board and sports the original glass knob.
This is how it looked before this most recent makeover. The rocker was not inviting, the shelf was cramped with photo albums and the color, although a nice one, did not flow with the kitchen and dining room. I had also stapled fabric to a shelf to cover the radiator temporarily. Temporarily was 3 years, but that’s just how things go sometimes.
This picture is how that space looked when we moved in. Can you believe a refrigerator was sitting there? The floors were linoleum with plywood patches, an old gas pipe was sticking out of the floor (where the stove used to be), the trim was dark pine, and the walls were a dingy cream. We moved the fridge to the basement (duh), painted EVERYTHING (the walls, trim, ceiling) and installed walnut stained oak wood floors.
And here’s my new radiator cover. I smile
every time I walk past it. I am so blessed to have, not only a great hubby, but a handy one.
Instead of being stuffed with photo albums, the reorganized shelf now shows off some of the antique books I found in my grandparent’s attic, family photos, and blue & white china.
Ahhh, much better. We’re still working on the rest of this room. We have plans for a wall of
built-ins around the window and some storage for backpacks, coats, shoes, etc. I’m also thinking about painting the
ironing board cabinet white with a chalkboard center. Any thoughts?
I also wanted to share a couple of new additions to my newly rearranged buffet. I made a simple moss wreath (tutorial pending) and hung it over the mirror. I also added cream tassels to the lamps.
I already had these hanging off of cabinet knobs, but they make a bigger impact on these lamps.
I love the texture and natural element this wreath added. It was very simple and cheap! It cost about $3.00 to make this wreath.
I hope you’re enjoying my decorating
frenzy. I know I am.
I am sharing this at My Romantic Home’s Show & Tell Friday , Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest and Met Monday at Between Naps on the Poarch
I’m also sharing this post to a new link party that’s all about DIY for others. My husband built this radiator cover just for me. 🙂
31 Responses
I like radiator covers too. Nice handy man work!
Love the mossy wreath.
Love it all! Such a transformation!! It is now such a fresh and welcoming corner!! I can't wait to see what else you've been doing!
Amy
Wow!!! You go girl friend~
So when you are finished… come on and see me!
I love that wreath!
Whats with us artsy fartsy types? I have a bath gutted right now that I am finishing for Christmas!!!! And repainting my basement orange! I'm in a painting frenzy!
I'd smile every time I looked at that radiator cover too! It is gorgeous. I'm glad you are appreciating your handy husband. I'd like one of those – but mine can cook – ya can't have everything!
Love the touches of blue too!
What a beautiful transformation! I agree the ironing board cabinet needs a little va va voom, love the idea of chalkboard! So fun!
You really do inspire!
love, love it!
What a difference that cover makes! Love what you have done with the shelves – and that you gave us a before and after!
I would smile too everytime I passed the new radiator cover. Isn't great to have handy husbands? The only bad thing is they never call anybody to repair anything and they put too much on their plate. Tell him I said "bravo" on the cover. Please stop by and see my Gorgeous Vintage Sterling Silver Set with a Bling Thing! You'll be glad you did. Oh, and please leave a comment; I get sooo excited each time a new comment is posted, like a kid in a candy store!
Ok I loved it before, but the addition of the tassels and the moss covered wreath sealed the deal for me. Looks fab!
Your corner looks so pretty, cozy and inviting. I'm thinkin you may need to take a few minutes and sit in to take a break from all your projects! 🙂 You amaze me. Love what you did with your buffet too. Enjoy your weekend…
Oh my goodness- there's so much to love here. You should be very proud of yourself with that little corner. It looks so light, airy, inviting and comfortable. I also love that the radiator cover looks like it could have been original to the house. Great job!
I'm loving that moss wreath too. I really need to make one at some point.
Love your changes. We try to make little comfy cozy spots all over our house and you've made a glorious one. It looks beautiful!
Gorgeous… you did an awesome job… love the rad cover… hubby did a great job… you have been a very busy lady… can I borrow some of your energy… love it all.
Hugs, Deb
your little corner is so inviting! the radiator cover is amazing! what a handy husband you have. i love everything about the space. i don't know if i would paint the ironing board cabinet door. i love the color ad the glass knob. old houses have so much character-especially when you correct the crazy things people did to it in the inbetween time!
Love the radiator cover! They make such a difference. Love your chair, too. It looks like a nice little spot to sit and read or just catch your breath from painting, moving furniture, decorating and re-arranging! ; )
The radiator cover is great. Love the moss wreath too.
Great job and I am out of the way so I don't get painted but maybe I should get in the way and you could redecorate me..
I have had so many Google problems-and it isn't over-Google has no idea how to solve the problem.
Sorry I haven't been by much-I decided after weeks and weeks of non-stop Google issues, I am throwing my hands up and making much needed visits.
I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and hope you can come by for a visit.
Cheri
I am thoroughly enjoying your decorating frenzy, as I always enjoy one of those! I love the radiator cover. Nice to have a handy man around. I like your idea of a chalkboard there. Or you could decoupage it. Of course I can't paint as you can, and have to resort to other strategies like decoupage!
Brenda
Oh yes yes yes, continue on with your frenzy ways! We all benefit! 🙂
Love your idea of a white/chalkboard door!
Good for you on getting so much done right before Christmas! I'm currently going to dive into baking. My poor truck is full of thrift finds dying for a makeover but they shall have to wait their turn. 🙂
Donna
Thanks so much for your kinid words. I am a HUGE fan of your work!
Love your blue and white dishes. What kind of stands are holding the ceramic balls? Did you make them? Do tell!
Where do you get the energy!?!?! Right before the holidays AND with little ones!!! 🙂
Wow-wee! You are a women of accomplishment! I love all your goodies, painted pieces, mossy wreath…
Love the silver bowls with moss from your other post!! And, I made a moss covered wreath, too 🙂
Such beautiful, inviting images. Thanks for the silver/moss tutorial, too.
What a difference – and in two parts! I totally get the frenzy effect, it's like you can't stop, because if you stop then things will only stay they way they are and getting started is the hardest part.
I love the new space, it's so bright and really opens up the area. I particularly like your arranging on the shelves, I am going to copy some! Warmest wishes for a great holiday season!
Kerri
I love the radiator cover!
You are so busy! Do you ever sleep? I don't know how you get it all done but it all looks great. We have been in our new home for 6 weeks and I am still not through hanging things etc. It is a lot of work.
You've been a busy girl! Looks great!
OH that's such a cozy little corner now! Only problem is, the decorator is TOO BUSY to enjoy it! Sounds like you're having fun. Me too, finishing slip #2 (easier than I thought they would be)