This old chair....

Happy Saturday, I thought this day would NEVER come! Among my usual weekend cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. today I've set my eyes on deciding on what I'll be doing with a spare chair that I found a few weekends ago.....

I bought this baby for five bucks and had no idea what I was going to do with it when I purchased. It had been sitting in the corner of my kitchen for a few days, then I moved it to the living room....

Well folks, I am happy to report that I think I've finally decided what I'll be doing with my amazing find....

Behold the "chair back coat rack" by FaceLift Furniture:

http://dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/upcycled-new-uses-for-old-chairs.html

I am ALWAYS looking for my keys, so I'm thinking about modifying this slightly (fewer hooks) to be more of a key holder/dog leash thingy. I've even set my eyes on a little spot for it, above a radiator in the breakfast room. I've got the vision, now I need some supplies and the hubby (I'll admit it - for NOW he is better with power tools).

I plan on making a trip to Lowe's for the hooks and some paint(I'm starting to form relationships with certain employees, true sign that you've become a full-fledged DIYer) later this afternoon.

I've got to decide on a color first. Part of me feels like I should paint it to match the chairs (yellow) but another part of me thinks perhaps I should  play off of the whole statement aspect and make it some crazy color so it stands out - thoughts?

I'm really looking forward to turning this great piece into something that is refreshed, unique and useful!
Pictures of the finished product to follow.....

Good 'ol before:

FHL, kitchen style!

Our kitchen renovation is nearly complete. We've got 7 (count 'em, 7!) pulls to install, some random quarter round, and wee bit of painting and we'll be D-O-N-E.

I'll be honest, compiling the "before" and "after" photos tonight felt DAMN good. Almost every little bit of work was done entirely with by US!

We called in a professional for a few little things:

• Installing the dishwasher due to the old ass plumbing - Thanks Doug!
• An extra hand with installing the hardwood in the breakfast room - Dan you rock!
• Carrying appliances from the front yard to the kitchen - Mad love Gio, mad love :)
• Counter tops installed by Lowe's 
• Microwave install - Joint effort by Craig and Andrew. You rock Craig!

......We did the majority of the work including:

• Cabinet refinishing
• Tile removal and re install
• Back splash
• Changed placement of fridge
• Built over-the-fridge wine rack (I can't take any credit for this one, all the fab hubby)
• Installed beadboard in breakfast room and kitchen
• Took ugly bar thing and made it into an awesome kitchen island
• Painted
• Changed two lighting fixtures
• Baseboard/quarter round
• Installed cabinet hardware
• Refinished 4 vintage chairs for dinning table

Check out a preview of the almost finished product below!

BEFORE:

AFTER: 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

More pictures coming soon, happy Friday!

Crock Pot = Busy Gal's BFF

Alas, the time has come for a non renovation related post. Andrew and I have decided to take a month or so off before we get started on the second floor; however, I'd like to continue to blog so I'll be branching out a tad :)

Aside from home renovation and design, I also really enjoy cooking. I am certainly not a master chef, but I have been working on honing my culinary skills.

To avoid spending a ton of money eating out (isn't good for the wallet, nor the waist line!) I've been planning out all of my meals a week in advance, as well as preparing a "bulk" set of meals on Sunday. I try to make at least one of those meals in the crock pot so I'm not driving myself into a culinary coma (4-5 meals in one afternoon is lofty task!).

http://www.eatingwell.com/  is by far one of my favorite websites for meal ideas. Tonight, I put a quick meal in the crock so Andrew and I would have something yummy for lunch tomorrow.

Eating Well's Wine & Tomato Braised Chicken is quick, easy and extremely tasty. It is also a recipe that calls for several ingredients that I tend to keep on hand (canned tomatoes, garlic, white wine and various spices). Check it out below, happy crock pot cooking!

 http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/wine_tomato_braised_chicken.html

Gettin' all the necessary ingredients assembled.....

 

Looking delicious!

x0x0x0x

Accessories, they matter!

Now that we are finishing up the first floor of the house, I've started to focus on adding some personal touches...

In my former decorating life I kept everything very simple, sparse even; because I have an EXTREME aversion to clutter. I've been known to hang wet towels on hooks inside my closet, purely because hanging them on the back of the bathroom door drives me batty. Not normal, I know.

Towels aside, I'm actually starting to enjoy having a few "things" out here and there.

This morning, I took a few pictures of some of the accessorizing that I've done as of late.

Hope you enjoy! PS - Small, adorable pup not included!

Happy Sunday!


Remy loves the new rug, funky chars and place mats!

Dining table, almost all ready for a dinner party!

Usually I don't love word signs, however this one was so fitting I had to buy it. I also love the vase I found on sale at House 15143 :)

A quick, simple wreath that I made yesterday. The horseshoe door knocker is original to the house, and I've found that it is pretty easy to hang my wreaths from it.....

YES DYLEWSKI crew, that is a "D" ;)

Another fab antique find. It actually works! I think it looks very elegant in our DR. 

I love these. Andrew and I have a soft spot for copper. We really wanted a copper sink but everyone kept steering us away (they aren't easy to care for!). These lanterns are next to our front door, I think they're a nice blend of rustic and classic.... 

This old stool was used to train dogs in the circus! I think it makes a lovely plant stand. RE PURPOSE people, it's fun!

A truly amazing find, a Brunswick Phonograph (c. 1923) that Angie and I picked up on a weekend antique store trip. She was kind enough to help me lug it from the store (twice), load it into a trunk, drive it to my house, and then help me carry it inside. Mad thanks lady, I could not have done it without you!