Final Kitchen Island Plans

Haven 2015!

<img alt="Screen Shot 2015-01-30 at 11.58.35 PM" border="0" height="82" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S5B8HMqjOII/VMxlWaqWAeI/AAAAAAAAufs/b7cGZn7enXA/Screen%252520Shot%2525202015-01-30%252520at%25252011.58.35%252520PM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Screen Shot 2015-01-30 at 11.58.35 PM" width="500" />Yes it’s Saturday and I’m blogging! :) This is just a very quick announcement to let you know that our annual blogging event, <a href="http://www.havenconference.com">Haven Conference</a>, is back again this year! <a href="http://www.havenconference.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Haven Conference" border="0" src="http://www.havenconference.com/wp-content/uploads/2015Haven.png" /></a> As the button says, it will be held from July 16-18 – this year at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta. And tickets will go on sale this Monday, February 2nd at noon EST!   We are thrilled to announce our main sponsor, Home Depot, joining us again: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-67k3LQKr9ko/VMxlW9guwRI/AAAAAAAAuf0/jqEh36565Qo/s1600-h/THD_vivid_orange%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="THD_vivid_orange" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LDjnrGzg008/VMxlXl6h2VI/AAAAAAAAuf8/YYVnJLzahZc/THD_vivid_orange_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="THD_vivid_orange" width="300" /></a> And our keynote speaker this year is bestselling author and blogger <a href="http://acuff.me">Jon Acuff</a>: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rP8fafp6CAk/VMxlYOwt_HI/AAAAAAAAugE/8StY8u8I1iM/s1600-h/AcuffHeader4.jpg"><img alt="Acuff-Header" border="0" height="108" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yd94wT117kM/VMxlY2-TBKI/AAAAAAAAugM/L6I0YNR3lu0/AcuffHeader_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Acuff-Header" width="500" /></a> I’ve heard he is an incredibly inspiring speaker and I can’t wait to hear him! As always our sessions will focus on blogging, decor and DIY and I can promise you will learn a lot from those and fellow bloggers who attend! You can keep up with news and announcements via our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HavenConference">Facebook page</a> or <a href="http://instagram.com/havenconf">Instagram</a>: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-czYmLzNdTcY/VMxlZbJpATI/AAAAAAAAugQ/7i085gpCpkA/s1600-h/HavenInstagram12.jpg"><img alt="Haven Instagram 1" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hzjwqQ2qfJw/VMxlZwQINyI/AAAAAAAAugc/l7nOVmSHd3w/HavenInstagram1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Haven Instagram 1" width="300" /></a> Now have a great rest of your weekend!

Haven 2015!

Yes it’s Saturday and I’m blogging! :) This is just a very quick announcement to let you know that our annual blogging event, Haven Conferen...

6:01 AM

Dark Door Trim

Hey there all and happy Friday! I’m editing this post to let you know I changed it up from the original content. Above everything else my goal is always to blog with integrity – and whether I believe I’m doing that at all times doesn’t matter if even a few question it. I shared a knock off project today that struck a nerve with some, and even though most were incredibly respectful about it, people were going back and forth in the comments so I chose to just remove it. I can take criticism, I just don’t care for drama. :) I’ve shared knock off projects for years now and will continue to do so – but I decided to remove this one just to avoid any more back and forth (and I took down the comments on this post for that reason as well). So…this post is now a super lame one with two pictures about the door frame I painted in the mud room. It’s very exciting, I know, please calm down. I have to tell you – <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/paint-and-floors-mud-room-progress.html">painting the beadboard</a> in this room a darker color (it’s called Reflecting Pool) was a out of the norm for me but I LOVE it so so much. I painted the door trim white last year but quickly realized it looked off with the rich color everywhere else. So I got one frame painted in the blue and it looks so much better! You can see the difference between the white trim on the left and the blue on the right: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_Sl7gEQjpjc/VMu1x94bkvI/AAAAAAAAue4/oxvFXckZbNc/s1600-h/IMG_1379%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="beadboard mudroom" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dJMm6vamQ0E/VMu1zDKhB0I/AAAAAAAAufA/3CwViXHYV_o/IMG_1379_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="beadboard mudroom" width="500" /></a> I’ve started a fun little gallery wall that brings in some more bright colors that look great against the white walls. I got the Happy Place sign from Meijer but it was at least a year ago. The raindrops art is from Hobby Lobby – absolutely love that one! This room has really come together over the past year but I still have a long list. I have to finish painting the trim, cut down a piece of beadboard and install it over by the light switch, paint the ceiling, install crown and build the storage unit <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/06/barn-light-love.html">over the bench</a> in this room:<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L8yuw6mU4Dc/VMxe_chjMrI/AAAAAAAAufU/vwsvvpNPGjE/s1600-h/IMG_9179%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY mud room bench" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FTjeHjqXAGc/VMxfAFf3J6I/AAAAAAAAufc/kzAz05tTQI4/IMG_9179_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY mud room bench" width="500" /></a> I LOVE how it’s coming together though! Yes, that’s all I have for you. ;) Don’t forget Monday is the February Before and After link up and then I have a BIG project I’m super excited about that I’ll be sharing next week! Have a great weekend all!

Dark Door Trim

Hey there all and happy Friday! I’m editing this post to let you know I changed it up from the original content. Above everything else my ...

8:48 AM

The Mundane

Well my friends, the no spend month is ending soon. I can’t say I’ll be sad to see it go but it sure does help me refocus when I do this. When I’m not spending on house stuff I can concentrate on bettering what we already have. I’ve decluttered a TON and whenever I felt the urge to go out and walk through a store I just found a new spot to sort through. I’ve gotten a ton done this month but there’s so much more on my list! When I’m focused on the larger projects I find the smaller ones tedious. But when I’m working on a to do list and not bringing anything new into the house the mundane little things are oddly rewarding. I’ve put off painting the inside of the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/built-ins-for-electronics.html">built in cabinets</a> in the family room for months – I finally sat down and just did it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrONBkHXNd0ymVucPbqii5wBV7Dz6JGLQmE-q8tNLY-zuAHlfffUUvykupb6aLnb-GPr-0LGEpAPqzEUnJNnJxGigWl4avtCZUwUI90I0RXdn98-NXdwum-3lqL1hfoT-B3Umzeo00P1c/s1600-h/IMG_1347%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="built ins by fireplace" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KbgjlZTTA7I2Ccon8vkuhWaT37I14-Ffu4VgX85lT0jeLMgSZCCnMbRBWW_PCb9ReQRnkjEZrPuJ01pp-zkcWybbzNweMV4SdkySMW7KQmpXGj4z9nTwJdcZxiH8G9_-qFKckgc4Mio/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="built ins by fireplace" width="500" /></a> Even though you can’t see much with the doors closed you can tell it’s darker and more uniform in there which I like. For this girl who never even paints the inside of the cabinet doors, this is huge!! ;) Speaking of painting…a lot of it is happening in the kitchen. I’m still working on the second coat on all the window trim in the bay window: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMqvB66qHteiNsxggzcvFhOG2edrWEG6lK-RO-w0ipDCem3TMGH7TafYZNFO00HoGLg9OQu-45PYXwi0XZSBAvKzGLrS8M3DZo9nN5vESlDKGlBqwEZCTwbLT8_qleFFXGlYa9hZHkhE/s1600-h/IMG_1354%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bay window" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACDNCWGyo5quUEC090pOAw8yiHCpoR8O1Dl81AY15Y3QuiyTSlUWXDb2kqZCfA5u58ykwaShD_NkohqjWs2kEn3naYZ3ZxmemgIIsKAmoPmVjGee4STSd2947dfm65nb7X_Z2HLC_xIY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="bay window" width="500" /></a> I won’t finish the white on the walls till the window seat is done, which will be sooner than I planned!! Whoot! Next time you see this spot the seat should be there. :) We went through all of the toy bins in the basement and I finished up a few little things down there. We have an AWESOME ottoman with storage that holds our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/my-best-clutter-busters.html">DVD books</a> and other stuff: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TsUnUdx8Ja2mjp6GxfbB6Bl52LTmCEFUs89q1RQXEejQTU8Iz5RuLragprzNKs9IhtvwzMLVAaeOBoUZ7TiIi-21j_3IlEK7yNuJUeXth7NDvQhYHZjaFosZiSm5dWCZDiE1l_bDKIQ/s1600-h/IMG_1357%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ottoman with storage" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiLsSevX-0BRM6jTROaKZ2nelP4fHNQ7dPb0xrYCRgKRlKM8e1s2jZ9Vn-j5v3ZBoRyHd_E5ZVtMOIDyy_Y8mOVpilHPQtVy2OsRuRrZKncSEpbeOF4A2Yr-WV1dO1cmibA9ocaztuF4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ottoman with storage" width="500" /></a> Problem is the kiddo pushes it around all the time and we never know which way it opens. We have to move around it and pull till we get the right side. This is struggle people. My solution took five minutes – I found some old belts while going through stuff and since I don’t wear them anymore I used one to make little handles: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo_LU6lGhAqIvWS1zRwTIKwzAi78dj6lQCqjP522QsUMcV46A7miQpC-It3LLBM1Gvc6NuNCif3NaP2zzN8RrnrL7-t0wvjsC8hMoBMyDG8h8uu-LtWA4M-3qSPDbjCAYuoxE3Xh9SIQ/s1600-h/IMG_1360%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="old belt as handles" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxEnTCXjOshgUP5-zNkDVZ5A1mqUn3MYAU2X7YqEkzgNPJW2onAW9ygoPDAPDrchlx4xNq7QykEqqdYHRIr3QYqLo0oP55G1TWdYbcvS0-Zg5lAHzk-Nlh0JVecV7bCx8Aw05r-qPoLA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="old belt as handles" width="500" /></a> I just screwed them into the ottoman framing and now we know exactly where to open and it’s easier to pull up:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcG1XB2SuCmzrjFxraBELek6gj72cIBl1UmbL33d1_hfrqs_b_jDaidC34qqZHewmAql0dmAeBo4r4t0bLhGKZkDNcthvudex17TVNYFB06T2XuctOlFTulelaI7ExC6Gsv9wUUHh434/s1600-h/IMG_1363%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="using old belts" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbttlRPL6Bz8ZRUZg183_UZOJHEONWdL_x6ot1KmSr64wNaNVxktQ9jXwDYpUrHzRSQpPzSyegaxWAcB2HfP3Due0ZY9h56v0WHgxygiS0sKhgLA_pvYUOGDWvlR4mRgFfxBNP7g-963o/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="using old belts" width="469" /></a> I was laughing because as I was doing this I knew I had used another belt in a similar way years ago -- but for the life of me could not figure out where I did it. I placed my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-wood-tray-overcoming-tool-fears.html">little DIY tray</a> back on the ottoman and realized it was on that tray. Ha! I’m smart. When something needs to be hung I tend to leave it leaning for months – it’s one of those little things that I put off. I finally hung a cute sign in the laundry room: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVo_5GGZKgoiKGiqzOGJw_lS_KrCJMRASFLUt4B166DUjbQd-ACAQqfp1b3XHEtKHU7FDfT5hWAiO4G6WkqOkMYcpc5-TG51ISa-Y8koiDu6zQiEKm7jxuzpxOLldv0yzUuTr1hgOxHoA/s1600-h/IMG_1367%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="laundry room storage" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsduIRPp2GhUUIMw2uTK2ynSsXIM238jvsB-M8r2ixr6zbIBrEX6n77vQGZwepc07YC09PagMo44KWoxVjlwgMxEJF5LnhLGE8eULXKZi7-y96zFenErh5lELX7x5LFoYYp1U6IodrwKU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="laundry room storage" width="500" /></a> Love it! I will be installing shelves between the cabinets but until then I went ahead and hung it. Knowing me that could be another year from now. ;) We’ve had a big mirror leaning in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/04/master-closet-reveal.html">newly organized closet</a> for at least six months – and it took me all of five minutes to get it hung: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz3wDp0faO7l0PQC7LUWcSOyMaDbwitrwtW7CKC3lFHnbbZTMQJh6yUshugif_ALn5LZnnic5s3a0LKRp6w-VCp66weXwwER47syOKWW6fMNsOYpl7FZZ_dogxqHIo2oWouako6_-84w/s1600-h/IMG_1372%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY closet storage" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEomKkyZx1fQentipjrCIcRmlYuUIULXsE7RgBl3j4SvXG_KkczUVsaW7TPsd-Rrtal3M-my3AMN9wMnYJJBIUAVGtSOpdFZzLfqYKdRboz0DKVFIaKxALPjczXqi-v4acm3pcP2LULk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY closet storage" width="500" /></a> On a whim back in late December (I’ve technically been on this no spend gig since mid-December) I decided to hang a bunch of the random photos we’ve had laying around: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLVBw46Oa3PLUUqseHNvwaEp8U5zfM1ZeU51_FIQqiYs621o4iIvQFNLrCVMU98m1lpSbSKCTJFYYukvs6N-MdlWPI3bUZEseKmUK3Mp6kE9okRpjva2FFGmV5H2_nSHzXfkRfk4u83E/s1600-h/IMG_1370%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gallery wall board and batten" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k5Nf3r4EaSmWB4UEaZqd6leGOlToBAW3BlYWVAW0b7uIt41x1SJiFIz1NuT9bG1mDviOZVZWqY1k2anaTvyOTxa_EdTpjI8QXzyY35_3iNL_5-CQFkOyBXN3fl0xVv81UoR0F8YCNQw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gallery wall board and batten" width="500" /></a> This wall in our loft is HUGE. I have to get a taller ladder to keep going, but it’s not empty for the first time in years! And finally, as I mentioned I did a lot of purging, but not a lot of organizing just yet. I did switch the contents of a couple dressers around and things make much more sense now. I put all of our linens in the dresser in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/11/dining-room-turned-library-finally.html">dining room turned library</a> – and I have a couple of empty drawers now too!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRCN1SFjqaZuMcp7SY4N80fOqoCFs0m7H_oX2x3q-sg0EzusJPImfYQ2g-yDDnAn-urpxuTWbzzkbzacOrba88bXYJFiCYaPAk2y8xYbqdGJOVrPid3ErfXsnwhvJY0qCTlZt0m-3rDI/s1600-h/IMG_1369%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="linen storage" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX167W2zN2YHoFoM8PdlrMvvujGPRJ3RdzHdzDXAG-o4LMs-Tt9Z7TqALQtOuV3w7SUyp7Pz6UGLoqY9XC-sjvpnjmtlnHDCQ6vssIQV1-oaqGfoflGYgMl8oCg1jULZlmATQ9mqLzg0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="linen storage" width="500" /></a> I’d still like to get some shallow baskets to organize things a little more – baskets may be my first purchase. :) These no spend months remind me that sometimes it’s the smaller projects that make me feel the most accomplished. It also reminds me that I’m pretty darn lucky to get to do the “mundane” in a house we love – I’m grateful for it. :)

The Mundane

Well my friends, the no spend month is ending soon. I can’t say I’ll be sad to see it go but it sure does help me refocus when I do this. Wh...

8:15 AM

Final kitchen island plans

Hey there! I’m back with an update for the plan in the kitchen and I am SO EXCITED because I think I finally have the island figured out. It takes me awhile to get the look of certain things nailed down, and I don’t move on them till I have it all figured out. When I do I move forward fast. :) Right now our island is four by three feet, a standard builder size. I’ve <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/04/board-and-batten-kitchen-island.html">spruced it up over the years</a>, including adding a butcher block top from IKEA. It actually came in a larger size and I had it cut down and a pretty edge added to it: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHL-k955-V8BvU_tx4UOtx6pH8DZHx2VeCFwXDPYu9msleS6vFGyMskKKMabFTpYpnGRX3wRMUHw4xdhzExVGRIp3SyPJoUdctruI5ldzLKk84HZGcADlGqXkWS_NPVR1irJVILSY-XU/s1600-h/IMG_9046%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten kitchen island" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL8lNVC1I7_b3sum3djdepcx7D2DzRGAdmPN3TFS1HZbsJY7_rmQ1k_jc1DxI9wvGCNmQP0bwA7qh0Ft8sT0DCTFL0dv-w8BMicYIU0fEbpSREn31hCb9FF16zD5s42ZdPRPXaiEZUG8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="board and batten kitchen island" width="500" /></a> When we had the floors patched during our reno last year, I went ahead and had the area under the island patched as well. When we got new floors years ago we had them installed around the island, which I knew right away was a mistake. Trust your gut people! I had them patch underneath so we could move the island out into the room just a bit. Unfortunately, they had to take all of the pretty trim off in the process. It was a sad day, and our island has looked like an art project gone wrong since. :) It’s not a big deal – since I knew I wanted to extend it anyway. We’ve hosted friends and parties over the past four months with it looking goofy and it’s not made me twitch too much. But I’m hosting two baby showers in the next month so I really want to get this thing looking good again! So…the original plan was to double the size from four feet long to eight feet. I also wanted to make it a bit wider too, so the overhang would go over the chairs a little more. The plan included adding a base cabinet for more storage and then building on a bookcase at the end to house a microwave: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqV48YQHWICpV8PJbh3txXxJqQn255-xFZSoAAEmVMXx7J1S-1YxC9t3wMSlM2ikPKZ_CDxpIG2Lhlt8laKA5xUWF4M7Uabw4DSkD0IS9soqgP1-N58tf5XfB3xGCdYUiL336dK3I-PE/s1600-h/101956645.jpg.rendition.largest%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="microwave at end of island" border="0" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVTjbcNp7qSjI988SNy_W0w7qbZszDz8qvgjA5c6NX-ssYvmS9J0BC3zRTCY7xFTQ_LPZR2Jq4mAAIexiukfjkVmBVwep-15n1vRmhr_p0wJtD1n5DtZe4ltvuPUFWs-98pPwFvRR34g/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="microwave at end of island" width="500" /></a> (<a href="http://www.bhg.com">source</a>) The microwave part is still happening. But I realized two things after doing some more research – one, we’d have to order the cabinet since it would need to match the current ones in our kitchen. We upgraded a little bit when we built, not a lot, but they’re still not cheap. And we’d have to wait weeks to get it in. The other biggie was the countertop – I was planning to do stone on the island and wood countertops everywhere else originally. But after doing some research I decided I didn’t want to worry about the wood counters around our sink and over the dishwasher. I read some reviews from folks who loved the wood but all (that I read) said they would not do wood again, just because of the stress factor. And the huge slab of stone for the island was going to cost close to what it will just cost to do the countertops – so now…we’re going stone around the room and sticking with wood on the island. I’m used to the wood there and love it. Problem is – the only island butcher block I can find is six feet long. I found one that is eight feet but is more expensive. We considered adding a wine fridge to add the length (instead of ordering a cabinet), but then when we thought about it and realized we really only drink red wine. I think you can still put those in there but we just wouldn’t use it. SO…you with me here? I’m trying to think about how we’ll really use this thing and save some money. So the new plan is to do a six foot countertop. No new cabinet, no wine fridge, just a built in at the end. I also had to adjust how I want it to look a bit. I got these stools last year and then months later found a third one and grabbed it up: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwvAnDkY3Axzbs5rH-S8BkcqBuHzGVf15tkbtQK8TsKikT9aJkBB0k4OtDt-bESzGtlKBjrAcDCPqJAOlUl6TEY9a74P-mgZN2TAt0HpRSvIGlD_-poeXi-G0cSbbrGCHAhV_hUtUkt8/s1600-h/IMG_1338%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="extending kitchen island " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rjmSd3WdADlO4OejhP5gb8DL_LMQIggWDEVjptDnUZsHDQLJrFO_Y-zwcpMWaxop9XJKRZScbTYtyDhJOo2CgifMhOo3Tr3IWgOZc50n2k-zZKe0kRELRuOrE6BvpuH083ZXRxUwDB0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="extending kitchen island " width="500" /></a> My first plan was to build out the sides with skinny bookcases. So out from the current island on each side of the three stools: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIffzQOKYDTuU3a2JK5sYEGXBF9sAYRH4J2lgezABcOdAPiNCdT6VG8kTPKLizztu8mNRha_PV-Y4jsNI3iC8gH0ovBb4CI5fcR5bxCdxb3ObHsFygjLx1CFA5GriDAJ3aGMoCxeO4VE/s1600-h/IMG_1342%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="extending kitchen island" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCb3qaRCX2k0zTPEWy4OsXznzFyJs8FXYmk3nMCukNP2FoeBGSv-M40txGDKK5SKEtblqWPib9yiN8jpGs3KjC2tel2NoSV0DMJf5yxYuOlvzC9CWwSZyf8mbrjP5Hh3Uqh7Sp3_VSss/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="extending kitchen island" width="500" /></a> But as you can see with the six foot island there’s not enough room. (Edited to add that yes, the stools are bar height. I’ll be cutting them down like I did our last set, I just didn’t want to do it until I was positive we were using them.) I still want that custom look so I am going with even skinnier sides like <a href="http://www.migonishome.com/home/">Jen’s island</a> I’ve shown you before: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf6ud1Zdx8HYcFZeNTjQhVNfEvNhxRE4ihplNxE5JrZUC1cSfM_gd20jQFf1_HJ7Kq6ROOSxRfxpLkddAdfZBNbIgWG0kT0XTkCybv0WVElvTx_e17vZIxYhABCKSGgoOnXPSH982njs/s1600-h/IMG_5479%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsFEbDA1GK57X24Rgv4UM3IyPHelNt7JZXlfIosQZKr1fX54cBiDGrNp7t8M9SBYKL6Ft7uuFz_OHUf5cnYA4RaUZL4ylU29y3_Qe7hutCJAmLOzWsyx3BooZ-k0VHfHK14aod6CD4Ks/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a> It still gives the island a more substantial feel and we’ll have additional storage at the end. These are little adjustments that I honestly think will look better in the end – simpler and more streamlined. And I think it’s a good thing that the larger island top was going to be too expensive because when I taped things off I realized eight feet was going to be REALLY big: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnv2CvLLvqSkRUhfZ00veXtDlrqTbzMfULWLqCIkq_MytpaPNYX48HcJhhAbHNBIkQAQaArAIVr-hGiBelmuSyIPFIBDd0VzXJ5pLUL4udQ5YC8OqkL89KTjkaS85SSaF9bLRTsFf2bo/s1600-h/IMG_1344%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bay window kitchen" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJ8qnhnDvEwv8-WA4zPwndqqqifuccu_x79CajIno_T6lkJ0WvNlm_AnNNohhfjC4IugxD5IIjCFvVmE7DkR1-A5UEHlbhRcjNMnxt-84kpT2tiF9sXwFG1LWqmzbkdFjj79kfen_34I/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bay window kitchen" width="500" /></a> The tape on the floor next to the island (sorry it’s hard to see) is measured at six feet out. The window seat tape shows where that will go. Funny how I thought having that open space where the table used to sit would be too open – now we love it! Many of you mentioned living with it for awhile and it’s so true. We got used to it pretty fast. So, it’s not the original plan but it will still be super functional, wayyyy cheaper and really beautiful when it’s done! Now…our final decision is the countertop. I can go with a basic maple, in a similar tone to what we have now. It’s at a local lumber store and the prices is OK, but more than I spent at IKEA for sure. I also found a few options at Lumber Liquidators. When I called they said they had a basic maple for a GREAT price -- $200! But when I got there to check it out this is the maple: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE53Ia3HIVnYIpN3AcECAXiRhzL46y88p9s4Q8-jp9dCYPrH9jZ57fPJEWDxczySfFITFQIEuraxgTIXcAOs7NC7lkcAYT1ioM55MfsGSIR03h2AKfn9Mxr4NqJzoDsIWsrO2yR1K-n4/s1600-h/IMG_1670%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="maple butcher block with knots" border="0" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbk-Oq6r1BCrNIbE7dNxA4wWjei_s4JHlNJZivw7-JI20RDmNgqajRQnMJeqf_W7X2mFTMVKqwjYFHgoEiU2pvvfjSH4ZGF_RcHLXGtykvgP5fAizWOx0asKfvXe_eVOrj8_u7ME7wO0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="maple butcher block with knots" width="500" /></a> It’s considered their basic version and it includes the knots which I don’t like. (This is the look with oil on it.) They also have walnut that’s beautiful but my husband didn’t like it as much: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9SWgeeO5KjGJZuW9Y0CHNE5glQR53VySP3JNmXF_vJsg4pyMHPVSQmmtP7NgOObsLWMAOviHYyUDwDzNH7BwaSGLVCvo6b4LxpJe7vxPaNjsxBTGelZxplMBPGVh1JEu3-rixbNXUSM/s1600-h/IMG_1669%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="walnut butcher block" border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DsNbhCYuKYpL8mLFCn2Jh_fdgqrQVvSUJXHSHyFKQVwlnLhQzVBD2nP02C45ybBPBT2dYVP85fpKD0uJVGsQsOgdrj_yent0CDF1el2FdXNI60p-Q1HKNqcWzzvtEvamFDk1xmbpiyU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="walnut butcher block" width="500" /></a> Of course the one we both love, an acacia wood, is the most expensive: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPARa0SYUo0kKjPMNScpKXXEB8Nc-m1xP0_eysbpxsKlZx0vpyd5vRzk6dnXmbhLzodT0RXaVR7efbGJclWwuaLHd2hkgTKzbvHk4tTtCji1CLpN661tE30OULM3XGS3Lr0z8V-H9m20c/s1600-h/IMG_1668%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="acacia butcher block" border="0" height="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStnOF_UC7up6kg-5yPr9Dl5xAGtrdu0xVyFHE6lwvkYsd8rmWqoy8rP6eVLtA1NmIIPEHOPXblJX5Ahrhdq92ogDztaGviKhmHamSDdoKHfBsqHu_61dNXOX8jLLmhip_OTcAZj96MIU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="acacia butcher block" width="500" /></a> But I don’t mind paying a bit more for this considering we’re “saving” by not doing so many of the updates we originally planned. Here’s the deal though – all this time I thought IKEA didn’t carry the island sizes of their butcher anymore, but they do? Readers have told me for years that they don’t have the one we bought years ago but I looked online and you can get it, but you have to order it online. Odd. It says they can ship to our house, and maybe even the store? (Two hours away.) The thing is, I have used this butcher many times and am really happy with it. The price online is less than $200, crazy good! Has anyone used the island-sized butcher block from IKEA? I’m going to call them to try to get it figured out because if I can get it there I will – the price can’t be beat! AND the island size comes 40 inches wide – exactly the width I’ve been hoping for. After all this research and driving around the place I wanted to get it at from the start may have exactly what I want! :) I hope my train of thought in this process makes sense – I know it can hard to keep up with sometimes. (Ask my husband.) But I’m thrilled with the plan and am so excited to get started on this first kitchen reno project!!

Final kitchen island plans

Hey there! I’m back with an update for the plan in the kitchen and I am SO EXCITED because I think I finally have the island figured out. It...

8:12 AM

Making (DIY) art pop

Hey there all! Hope you had a lovely weekend! Hope those of you in the NYC area are stocked up – please be safe over the next few days! Real quick, I wanted to remind you that the eBook sale finishes up tonight – it’s your last chance to get the 76 eBooks I told you about <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/tdc-do-it-yourself-ebook.html">here</a>. Baking, crafting, DIY, photography – it’s all covered in the books and it’s an incredible deal for less than $35! You can order yours <a href="https://us154.infusionsoft.com/go/diybundle/a3162/">here</a> – I believe the sale ends at midnight tonight (EST). OK, onto my latest DIY! So this is another one of those little projects I’ve had on my mental list forever, and this no-spend month is as good a time as any to get it done. Seriously, I want to go shopping SO bad. But this has been a GREAT month of getting lots of projects done and I will power through. :) Back when I was finishing up our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/family%20room">family room reno</a> I needed some art for a wall and did a very quick piece of my own using a canvas I had picked up for another project. It turned out OK but it was a little dark and moody for the family room. The colors went gray instead of blue so I didn’t love it there. I was changing things around in the master so I ended up hanging it there – and quite liked it. I don’t know if it will stay forever but for free art it will stick around for awhile: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOrYtZ6STwNLFZACJxlTi1fgWiQcDqpyvEBKdeQVhIo37yl0r20OJPCNgyIe3R52cFTchX-jdRtaAFkNHz1gYIm55BSC86Vn03U3uJcye2Xn1XpeZgKaN2oukeMtwntENk7blJPxHhWQ/s1600-h/IMG_1318%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="framing out a canvas" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ttDvwuLXRTOF9JIizR02iG6HRbIx23xbuK8ZOe0Ey0K-DKmFZA1ekHCtXmpYkvHuT5sD-jMeUspfHKqT5H24rhh8orCoTMHiVNlHGP19Wm9Qmc9hnsjGoAeaWsT2cmGKynxdlUBygIw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="framing out a canvas" width="500" /></a> A couple months ago I was finishing up small projects in that room and went ahead and framed it out with basic wood lattice trim from the hardware store: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSsfDHiVxdLiO38sltdu31h-HW2nKmAxIha_ENXWsU3v3G59ccZZpZ5UVjBKg2DMfGaCzQgUmZoU8c_i1am1OnF4ChN6JPJpCzNAa9CNyYOb_L3diUK3ZGJz3XiTaFKlv4PGOCag3EHk/s1600-h/IMG_1321%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy DIY frame for art" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Mjh6_JONuasOh2GE-xUsD6147uvDewfhubnS29Kf1_ohmDFyQptmorWCI-Vd3wGaWijVbKA-wEmeg-mDaqYO2AWrl06kF-alEUlxlbuiHZ0SyJb3JuygsuhTSi1TRzYmvBOfk6yfYTY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy DIY frame for art" width="500" /></a> I didn’t miter the corners or anything – they just butt up against each other. I quite loved the natural wood with the gray painting too: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisW975GjW5_vqoL4kXc3bVTVwmR4x0insId4SGxxAAlPMbLjnZVDwjp3M1T8R71qnA3qdHSJeZko2oXD4JXJGa20XWnRJ2TqYqh7ZCdJe1lSmJUMZ67tttEDzYZflbTfME_r47ubMD4GU/s1600-h/IMG_1313%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray water color art" border="0" height="745" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5DDnounOvLOqwQ3WorOEpZrtLDQdbSAoNAhrSl5-oCgAok5-qPgpnQV0UISRkINoulXGZX8lErbxEk_5fHINxDu4jomrnHkznnVvjDPJQFTv0Uj1I5_P9A8b0Y7387mnrI3UO2-zMVc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gray water color art" width="480" /></a> I’ve been wanting to do the same with the painting I did years ago that now hangs in our foyer: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRt97aYR2nV1snED2Jkn7x1PgiecDPv7cKDdqCBRUT-GN86N4fCn1IS2lOah4-GK9EuEKFZmdYKuj_m4jYGF0iIHVA5McbXit-yT74a6b75IVNUIhFuRZq-xsZ-Z26XqcKo-tApN5pv8w/s1600-h/IMG_4932_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7wqiuDizAtFqu1FyG3NjkiY7clfH7rhCkEn0rUOhwNtu-kK-eKCQVD_FsoxIUMB4C0uzCgwVfhqE5lVYpKqxoXeTzcwNUJoWKaE7-9dMY_vtLdLz-OJSMeTdnf1ccvdW5lZ-wzsd-Pk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a> I just knew it would look more professional and finished off with a little edge to it. Problem was, I’m not spending on DIY this month and I didn't have enough of that lattice stuff. So I searched through the wood pile in the garage and came up with a solution. Cause I’m <strike>a hoarder</strike> crafty like that. :) Remember the underlayment I used to do the inexpensive <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/13-planked-wall-finished-fireplace.html">wood treatment</a> over our fireplace?:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhad0PQYBKOcjClgs-vZHaxR5Ln5bUuMVn615NTVlldt67jSwHVr1NAVydH9KcUGGNYhXUBiHdm64pJTgKb0Q9hwP-QsC6qfvYYTI4oNa05nj7fVUGn6J1cSsKnzZbmRZLv0lVIlRXUh5Q/s1600-h/IMG_0351%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray fireplace with marble surround" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHARXVrdA49cVzrY2OsAvj41PzZ2EPVYn932uMxCBSxeWEmpZ-QeUUlaivlpHytIi33wHOTrkvg2N4d_LpTA3X8NpemO2pNRuBr8zKIxkTxSndCFfVjuKtJXbu3Lpr6AeapJOGiZtgBx8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gray fireplace with marble surround" width="500" /></a> Well when I had them cut it down at the store I kept the scraps. It’s really hard for me to give up stuff I know I can use later. And that I did: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC5JwLQjd0TduuPXR_tjSJmL-1hQvmQpi_w68eKUdiYQmxx8I3Bhygbp7zuTmOK-E4rn-K_5GKSrSo8S4KKqB8BZZb3-grJO-1z9cFb1iIjGxROIcl2dVJG7YP3bXg7hMcO9wBEDGmDs/s1600-h/IMG_1654%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-1CNy8ccRUCW-WRHZZVOzo0GJgClghcc9JadcoofuUuM-i6BlKhvdRfYi1A77X9IN3DX7k_sEfDZhMfxMKOoIR5fzjCidx-kQXnTOlDLmwSNMk-0yuUpHbFAPSdo7_xtavt-FVdwbQo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> I had a couple pieces that were a little over two inches in length so I sanded down the rough edges, then gave them a coat of black paint on the front and back: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokznbRiNFj6cWB6TH2qHpsBugVCkGOmvOvEmYm8Mr0ZcuQFosBGrM5As7Aa5w50WXu-2mqwMj4FyAQqOs-MnThc5zFmgQbLY9hI4aPxVNKoDaMRzH_CbPoOY2iw72bbO0zEbjF3XjgnQ/s1600-h/IMG_1655%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY frame for artwork" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjvD_VbFa0O9gnC4rczW3-Qp0uF9-TnhU4rSdtpyfSaJECJ2cCu29odem7XUkKyru-DnRz5pwcVZamp89vZDaKYwL_J-EHHzc2oOVVJ9knxPPGJLDbT3Ekj9VGVIGKVjC3rZNoj-md7Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY frame for artwork" width="500" /></a> This stuff takes paint really well so I never have to prime first. Since it’s so thin I was able to avoid the garage and just cut with my miter box and handsaw: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWjTEwCVz_5AAAZMEz3wnIcQYudPhq9z32Qww_FKDjXF5-ifqt9W6-k5kwAQ4RvHZP9sbKmGsILA5ToqYR-STOQb6qxwBaDNqn2uf61hCj2VuMHnsCCY-N4z2ympn3ku5fbQ0Xot5-Ew/s1600-h/IMG_1657%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="miter box and hand saw" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQzr06Hq-EMm1i1sYk0os42zHrct41srWWAsZIDF_AtjJHBqAuUGZsBrp6hTuOQoJGy6gJgGzD2rHOLGDC35-DOWwlO9KfGzsTS7GvYxy66LbigCsWsrSJJOFKlUtTWtA_2C21Et9ZFY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="miter box and hand saw" width="500" /></a> Old school baby! I used my nail gun to secure them to the side of the canvas: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5U9eR5tbycV3v6YjxnO_s9phZ5YPgW8xgPnMUrZ3AjuggWqlRpC1b9vvGp6ENnUTqsXW-AEj-Wy8s-yAJ_nHApBh2rIJTXdGV6BN9W2iixhH5w5bCx2s4igowH1dmqKb1iCCtQzNypM/s1600-h/IMG_1656%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="framing a canvas" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmFGOBLuyd7ietZVbRlMgpYhauSb2O0Yb8h3_jTZnai5_SARGau_tF3qfpKMhkjggnu-eID3p6aJeGRL8A1aPnTdssPij99cxP-d9c6ZcsjsoGqOCRDp2E10Ub5yjHLE6hWlmFFxYuL8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="framing a canvas" width="500" /></a> And I couldn’t believe what a difference it made! It really makes it pop!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeDu9RYmrDEH3iIQfWpGFAGiH-ZnR15H25WRyoc8lhPXOCaD10njejPpT-CQR9OTE7Vo_oBCNOvbwoZ34QV2aqmnQPZYXERX6dio5pqfRL_m0Z_Qo8Sk67fe6jm7Cq4GY-SEzLPJTHls/s1600-h/IMG_1326%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY watercolor painting " border="0" height="727" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHJI0vpiOPHrYY4sdFaUmkFlmZn1YbuJezMBPMyzjlwWKJpCYID4Vw__IIuPIb1r2Vgq7ca0J6XWy_Uf1718BfRYutvxTaaAfipkGDm7iH-ptHiWS-JW0ITZq8SQLBSbHjSWDYyVZEm0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY watercolor painting " width="500" /></a> The thickness is just perfect – even better than the lattice stuff. It’s a lot more substantial: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14uVz7c_lmHixqywWSofafYpAmyunFwzEp90I-2Wtf0Sin8swxqNJhDmj0t2H-DnZQIvqX-m8E2Hq7XN20Aw17WW4vlJpYaAITQ1_A_t2q8cVvlp_u2-f1A4smp_NZGdXYSgYWI599Ko/s1600-h/IMG_1331%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy DIY frame for canvas" border="0" height="722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFq6zZLvTqVHXu7u775Gw-l8dfvYWJfQyZSqMwssoFGS3_JXfnHLo1FaHeRqbBNkNcGIGWnxT_hqQ5OhvBPUFvXJjQ3BAQYq2vpQpe6Uf73f9_f6gwAio8E-0ZsN8oVHJalYUF56MvgQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy DIY frame for canvas" width="500" /></a> You can see here how I didn’t miter the ends – I just boxed it out: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-fLz9H-kW6G07rEYhZJjrMvHiRU8lD6KOEnW1aql2BqbVvJwHlB5Np7_C69kpLVYNkW0PnbhUK-VN5zVF_QFnyTfw9_Z0zB_C1c1nMf_NB4AbFLAC4YqaR0BFb7Ozdgdmn4ARzNrJ8g/s1600-h/IMG_1332%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="framing out art" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhNlr8hBlI8u1ae4o42m4cPTvp6Ijp8Ntj5Ojc_kRhAyBVRgHCqKrZLsfvnTGcj3mv7etS5RJyjcGFGgx8Zfn8t7F1g-lqJa592HtgPs7zXzlLxKTiS0BJzasPxzGLcQPxHdQVZNr9ac/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="framing out art" width="500" /></a> The edges of the underlayment stuff weren’t great but after it was painted, you can’t even tell. I really really love it! I love touches of black and now this all ties in together nicely with the stairs and the bench underneath: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQeKjF6ZWojDmULjelJe082CnaK6ZEJPPFO-s5-hgElw4jsgDVntfaUArcOXUXaeuIR1fqAJBKy4IbPhAQQbSSb-59lEwrfRzdC8ejNdWsyhE8TC3gOPcy85SRn7u3wcr-JpcE24-J_c/s1600-h/IMG_1334%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="framing out a canvas for cheap" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ZfM1L4NWluUzqalBGo-NoyH7Mqiykc_9UCfV5rNCuHPTr6wnfAZLyUESqdPNPWmufk2DCYs5g9y67o9Bq7gBQDNBPe12cUgGKd7w-MbCPMMVmACelvswtGqIuQTMPXBcgMiCR1x5v4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="framing out a canvas for cheap" width="492" /></a> Not bad for FREE. You can see how I transformed this old canvas into our personal art (I did it with the Bub) <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-art-reusing-old-canvas.html">here</a>. It’s something I treasure and I’m glad it has even more of a presence now: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYDgLklFW3jCBRK756ud5hi9exNo1FqxyJvCcjaq2sqmmQp-MKKPhmdpmommuKsjPHJPcvbGAHpBS7v7eQgToVG4RiVV6sNgrpS_WgjcsZnysk6JivVN4zF9yIliIYCBBrOJwo6OfM3M/s1600-h/IMG_1325%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY painting on canvas" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVO7JMkONqzlaSCrWaNiZYkI201E4jSQltS1AYU4x601OicOhuQs3caecYQXVD7PpjJiO6-hpyPi3CZkDPFKgO7vBxFSIOGcWyzD5H3kJUIfAMPZBa3lnOixnJTybxsRnc3AwxlUroLA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY painting on canvas" width="489" /></a> If you don’t have scrap laying around the lattice is about $4 for eight feet – for less than ten bucks you could give a canvas some oompf. :) And if you have a big piece of art that underlayment is only $15 for an eight by ten sheet – you could have it cut to whatever size you need. I did the same look with the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/06/where-in-world-have-we-been-map.html">giant IKEA map</a> in the basement as well and it really finishes it off nicely: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8gStRgWP7PnG3omhECIg3XR-SoHxVfz-Z-PUuRznTig06bytZ4gKWes-aLznM-Mj0Jr1TqnhFhm92GkNYR2ZzciB-MqKZUGwj39wzeESyKh2-ma-nUd17flozG1evjwuRXffBbfbdtw/s1600-h/IMG_5710%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="giant map art" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfcJRSkIoCS6dqa2KMOQIF6vvVfkPtWSF7oHKnsSk0t5EnBrsVPWzgknG6XiwhywetSS_WvkxDpp86fR4SvLFGdEtzU7LcZXEX6XLX61JhJDie0fxMmpxIPh7kuVmU113hf-wciBo0eY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="giant map art" width="500" /></a> Boom! Another one off the list and no money spent! I’m concentrating on getting a big project done this week and hope to declutter a few more spots as well. It’s been a productive month for sure!

Making (DIY) art pop

Hey there all! Hope you had a lovely weekend! Hope those of you in the NYC area are stocked up – please be safe over the next few days! Re...

8:19 AM

Little bathroom updates

Hey there and happy Friday! Today I’m sharing a few smaller projects I’ve finished up lately. I almost didn’t share them because they aren’t anything earth shattering and the photos are even that great cause the SUN WON’T COME OUT but then I realized it’s not always the big projects that make you feel happy about your home. Actually, it’s usually quite the opposite – I feel accomplished and happy when I get little things knocked off the list. All of these are in our master bathroom, which isn’t anything fancy. It’s big and has really tall ceilings though, which we love. Someday it will get a full makeover but it’s never been up there on my list. I always laugh because I have spent most of the 11 years in our home working on spaces that don’t bring as much value as far as resale. Our two main bathrooms have barely been touched and I haven’t done a whole lot in our kitchen over the years (but <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-kitchen-redo-plan.html">that is changing</a> this year!). But anyway, I’ve had quite a few little projects on my to do list in our master bath for a while now and I got most of them knocked off. I had one extra shelf and two sets of brackets that I didn’t use over the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/finished-basement-kitchenette.html">basement kitchenette</a> so I thought about where we could use the extra bit of storage: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwa3f8soLFXvFy-4ZI3DtCpnyAvYWDjJ9MAhYrqCRsu2h-x7SS_fM8t5AqJ7UoN2qojsoc7fjz84o_6BS_uB4Wc7jhA7fbZOqsLrAMHFXOszHughVAogxeuNhLOpOZZXZsC3RdYO39OVY/s1600-h/IMG_1286%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IKEA shelves with bracket" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUg2SbUcBWWe30IcjWNJ1LCRAeQaVg54DVVlpcnvrgafvflkeRFXQLjzb0qsaETDeYQYffyQoJPZfxEhGngrvEa6vcrvYwxUytcmGV3Inxne2mlxiyLPpXMFMKxKKAoIlC8DVlykEwJ4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IKEA shelves with bracket" width="500" /></a> The placement isn’t my favorite, I’ll be honest – but with our sinks right there it was the only option without bonking our heads each time. AND the crazy-A cat can’t get up there. At least he hasn’t tried yet. I had those pretty glass containers on the vanity and because we keep Q-tips in one and he is OBSESSED with them, he would knock it off every. single. day. So…it’s not perfect but it’s functional and I’m just happy I can keep my Q-tips nearby. It’s the little things my friends. I shared these on Instagram the other day because they are SO dang pretty. I ordered these simple glass votive holders from CB2 months ago and they finally arrived earlier this month. They were only <a href="http://www.cb2.com/wall-mounted-candle-holder/f4164">$2 each</a> – and I thought they’d be pretty spread out on a wall. I couldn’t decide where I wanted them to stay permanently so I just put them up in the master for now: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9rygd7gwwoQNztDQfLUCKrHzlU9VupNpQJszEvqlv7Xgk5Ym4RWw7JphaIdEDIhMupR9WpRta6gLArmjCWPUskl99oKMgXeHHaccxUClMfir1YRQEiBueOYCTqAIJZLizO-Qaw5e1Y4/s1600-h/IMG_1290%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="small glass hanging votive holders" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6n4OjeSsj1G01MXVmYIElgjl_s6Mtb0EDG854vwJHxMIbH8EYGPCfwWIuOnBGegJTQNxReMuNmx9Z55bFpB8rF_16lD0vqdoFtYttXTGjkyzw4eGIbdDJy0njQs7lH0JkkjXbV3U59BQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="small glass hanging votive holders" width="500" /></a> They really are beautiful! I don’t know if they’ll stay here forever but I love them! I have an old vintage wood bowl that was just sitting in the storage room. I brought it out and filled it with my random bath bombs and Epsom salts: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzioiyZSruTvXxiU3YWOOUofnIS3NfM4-hpUZoILFTw7ESHsdtAuiH2ZYihhSki9pKlO3wQm9QNvuMctpCx6dDsP-vX0Ch_Iq5IipQXZ2LUrhO6doHTJaN13NA-SLzDFxA4EMkaMBs6M/s1600-h/IMG_1293%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="vintage wood bowl" border="0" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71H4lF_DtQOYcyhPmgPfZVHwA8uTh2tzzYSzNOyjBR67xqqdTSjKOvY4lzUl7enxQi0fXdPPb47C3fTQqv3j8wgOXNechQLXhxMyslAnrOyCBnFqAslJUbWMFz9TFveegNA4vLuXlEJc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="vintage wood bowl" width="500" /></a> I used to keep all of it in big glass containers but I just wanted a simpler look. It’s much easier to access it all now too. :) If you’ve been around for a loooooong time you may remember my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/04/ugly.html">DIY shower curtain</a>. Well about two years ago the tension rod fell and broke -- rehanging it has been on the long list since. I actually purchased the new tension rod a year or so ago and it’s been sitting in the closet. As always, I am SUPER on top of things!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72UKykaOc1PbDiX4BkSZXp1__g-qK7lzHemVFOzO5lC9zVF4XIQR2TlgvUIKKUudD29MOhVNYM3zAOTvinfKz-Saro5utz7WHtt8DhgOk6t90gn5uoJakOMNn8n59pV2Ils5mVBbTZx0/s1600-h/IMG_1300%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy shower curtain" border="0" height="795" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAi-zTf8_Up5bABTBt0bF6qaj9u_JhD-cENYCNiIyLTFHbIHMHa9Gp_t3RanYWYMqECyPfgER3JWH_UA1PtmjpxgPOHNNSVyJxkjj0ABnLkP0JXD7gCnWhyphenhyphenQJX_25YT5pOYDbzRAracg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="easy shower curtain" width="446" /></a> It’s literally a few yards of terry cloth from the fabric store hung up on a tension rod with curtain clips. Simplest shower curtain EVER. It’s hard to find a curtain long enough (if you want it to hit the floor) so this is a great solution. And it hides our really ugly shower so that’s a big bonus. :) The project that took the longest was the linen closet – it actually stays fairly organized but it needs some “fluffing” once a year: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP10FCbmtBvRc7zBFxQmJfN6hRECQOvoEb9a4nxEGv-qs8uEZ23m38-e7Y5GkKbOetYfmo3kPggfaBS6BJBTuDAgx-Xr_IgoWhsfWHgQFYeBH64-CRKXZ6_lBItA2ASVr4IkZmD36x7v0/s1600-h/IMG_1304%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organized linen closet" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2qVRzprqcXejeQKEneUz07w5KQCh_8lnKrJ8LFkUN2ApxiOccEIEeGleLAtGH2l5JLVMatw5yodEGbLffNO0Ib5Drjg4WwsSSHW9KUNiJuWW2zjzdL6M7484uylYYNCrFRE8vbDKXqw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="organized linen closet" width="500" /></a> With time things get tossed in the wrong bins and stuffed in places. I don’t know WHO would ever do that, but it happens. I sat on the floor for about an hour and went through everything and resorted – and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/five-things-we-have-too-many-of.html">got rid of another set of towels</a>. :) I have to mention my favorite part of the closet. The organization part is pretty cool but these little stick up lights are the bomb: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BsnFtRYOFeeRErC73sfFQboAxKAj4vcSDS3yEDI0YGzcbp7p88Zr8aiW4J8XLdlJg4XUmQNNVE5Neblc1UymE37QLm6nE0XhUepVyHSgTjp2jVHzOivNYvymWXpoi-7MWK_uDEHxpBI/s1600-h/stick-up-light-closet%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="stick up light in closet" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7WaqE17SU6BcSMgDonAbChVX6A33g2QP0Y1MGMZxJTzs9c11daK3EK4Gy15odp623QzmTiRZ_zUqLjel8lKopv3VmAbaDZ8YM_s4bn0hfvPlZTiSwOsiCn75V2TbK7OjYrdgWVXrRfQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="stick up light in closet" width="500" /></a> That’s an old pic, things look a bit different now. I am pretty sure you can get these at Target now – I can’t remember where I got mine. Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008QUIYHM/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008QUIYHM&linkCode=as2&tag=thrdecchi07-20&linkId=BLWZM7TTHSP56MES">has them</a> too, $10 for two. One of the things I wish I would have done when we built our house is add lights in the closets – it seriously is one of those things that drives me bonkers because I can’t see anything inside. I have a few of these and they work great. Like I said – little projects that I’ve had on my list for quite some time. And all either make the room function much better or make it look a little better. It feels so good to cross things off the list, yes? Have a wonderful weekend everybody!!   Affiliate link included for your convenience.

Little bathroom updates

Hey there and happy Friday! Today I’m sharing a few smaller projects I’ve finished up lately. I almost didn’t share them because they aren’t...

7:53 AM

Five things we have too many of

Yeah, yeah, I can hear my elementary English teacher yelling now -- don’t end a sentence in a preposition. But I have limited space here people! Last week we talked about <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2015/01/my-best-clutter-busters.html">clutter busters</a> – some of the ways I corral things that tend to mess up the place. This week I’m talking about five of the things I think we have way too many of – and when I say we I mean me and maybe you. The older I get the less I can stand extra stuff in our house and the easier it is for me to let go of things. It’s still a struggle, don’t get me wrong. But I have less patience for crap we don’t use. As I continue to move my way around our house this new year, I have noticed a few things we tend to hoard and I finally took a good hard look at whether or not we need so many of them. I have a feeling many of you have multiples upon multiples of the same. First up, the sheets. You’ll see I have many “soft” things on this list. I’m not sure why that is. :) So up till a few years ago we had easily four to five sets of sheets for our bed. I’m not sure why I always felt the need to have so many. When we take one set off to wash…we put another on. Not three. Yeah, I could see having a few different sets if you like to change up the look of your room. And yes, there’s always the need for an extra set for those times in the middle of the night when someone is sick. But we do have a washer and dryer – in a matter of a couple hours we’ve got a clean set again. I’ve already purged our sheets down to three sets -- winter flannel, a more decorative one and our favorite, super soft set. That’s all we need! I did go through it all again and get rid of about eight extra pillow cases – not sure why we had so many? All of our sheets fit into one bin: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbB2kmR6uOpujBM7YVmONqpWYOOhPZrUqjNDT0zFf8FELc4A01XItNybvA3puXqM5G_IeYF__A3n6od-H9MZPV6A2pmcPar6g3CsTVmFilJsZMzQ1XGGLO8XN3UnJOjInqypP44L3qvJc/s1600-h/IMG_1283%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing sheet sets" border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPfBww-O4hwjoasFnh4cLux1SAT7K_4tK7tZoIblFrokuhR5pU1SZuZwarURiPKdMqD1gcuoT5bGJTZ-dyUMUF2KtXazRA46jwfBb4INXGIDGLnMxyfP5kWx2VzonOg_eP9e0aDDHNMw8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="organizing sheet sets" width="479" /></a> We have one extra set for the guest bed and the Bub has three sets as well. Honestly we don’t even need the three but considering I’ve whittled down this much already I’m pretty proud. ;) Here’s another biggie around our house – the cups. Let’s throw mugs in there too, right? What the heck is it about glasses and plastic cups and mugs? They multiply in our house. It doesn’t happen with plates or even bowls – just things we drink out of. It’s because so often a cup turns into a souvenir for us. All those plastic cups that I think I need to remind me of a great trip. I do not need the cup to remember seeing Wicked on Broadway. :) Or that cactus glass you got for “free” with the margarita and then you went back and got another one so you could have a set? Yeah. Been there. I pulled every glass and mug out of the cabinet and then purged. This is what we’re left with: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIkK5RxzhbDJLT6A3-lJzvBdUuWzCQtWrHJBJ6biCKpzprr6MTC-yZJ5JzMV1tGGF12xiK4WeOV58kBBwag3TFaX99oYmt3GJrJNnzwF_vp5NaUE2fbr6nnqxcOcpnG4-Z56RRFQJeTk/s1600-h/IMG_1265%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing kitchen cabinets" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxPJwtQqKm4CsIE6i5Q3aYtSWXUEBw5BtUP9h2uIh64gk5MsBGq0GWBUob36Ta3uHRCQB8sneH0nMQLvyQUiKLR7FS4i3fmW_rTU4txTW_67b8Hu3Qc4u_sFSeNrDwPnADwGXpa1L2PI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="organizing kitchen cabinets" width="500" /></a> I think that’ll be plenty for the three people in this house. :) And ten mugs for two people who don’t even drink coffee? Yeah, we’re good. Those mugs though – they’re always so cute right? Especially ones with an initial – those really get me. Next up – blankets. I have a thing with magazines and mugs and blankets. Actually, throw blankets, for real. I swear to you, I think in the back of my head I’m always preparing for the next blizzard. I picture us huddled in the bed together, shivering, with my extra 25 blankets piled on top of us, keeping us alive. Thank GOD for my blankets!! I mean, seriously. It’s not entirely reasonable but the just-in-case part of my mind makes me keep all the blankets. But I got rid of a few, because we don’t have storage space for 25 of them. If you do I’m tempted to tell you to just keep your blankets to KEEP YOUR FAMILY ALIVE. I cleared out some and now we have some extra space on my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/08/using-all-of-closet-space.html">DIY closet shelves</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0Py8vn-2hPlnOT_qDgsgDoJov6weqzYNqubtRJiDlXcD_xjeL7yVCvzEjghNlNL5GUojyO_dyv2Bq0MBSSKo0YgoVEG3Y_ffi8ORqtuWFZyqtS2QcUabqiw72rxhYvzmQQfwbngjMbg/s1600-h/IMG_1272%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="using extra space in closet" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPc-yTeZcwC3v180BBrFeOlB8nA2aTHPXWvc8j1Qyh3bf8zVmdJUi-zzMWw7rlMLkcLsVOKMlae1qt_C0oepoYAwx8TbpIHlVfCQO2YTsL4SQrLb68l-uxmClq1tFIVpwy58kCGtlx2w/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="using extra space in closet" width="500" /></a> You know…for extras. ;) Am I alone on the blanket thing? My fourth thing <strike>you</strike> I have too many of – gloves and hats and scarves. You’re probably tired of seeing <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-monica-closet.html">this closet</a> lately but it’s how we organize it all: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhtpWMLVE5bK5_VRWHBIivmldheG_Xi-CAbkrKRgWSW-VPqP_VPx66bh0PMDZ6XqteMmsinRtGZLFdKF-MSZeyvYDhOcF_xHeeiGvihzQP1gKC0SYwwPtQ4k32g7ISreObgO2KiYkPlA/s1600-h/IMG_9859%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organized coat closet" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LM40T0Hxq9_dlRJx8fPDh3KHOGqrW0M-enZaz51e3T3zdr_Pixh7yURzTuwMKkZS61ph4CU1SJ_qwRVn-gUhzwB_i8a19w5hFF5Oo0arJrZCNFDwJbJySaljFpwf4MJ2WwyJMMZ3Zxw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="organized coat closet" width="500" /></a> For the kids, yes, numerous hats and pairs of gloves are worth it. But for us, how many do we really need? At one point I had like ten pairs of gloves and I wore two of them, EVER. Now I keep one heavy duty pair for working outside, one pretty/cute pair and one extra set just to have. My husband has the same. I do give myself a pass on scarves cause I’m a girl. :) By the way, many of you have asked about the tie backs screwed into the door – we have hollow core doors and they hold up just fine. I’ve had them up for years and they hold the weight of bags and backpacks every day, but our son doesn’t bring home any heavy school books just yet. (I don’t use anchors to hang them but that would help!) My final one is another softie – the towels. So here’s the thing – all my adult life I’ve had many, many sets of towels. But I read something awhile back that really stuck with me and I’ve purged even more since. We don’t wash our towels every few days and I’ve always felt kind of bad about that – but when you think about how often we wash our sheets, the ones we sleep on at the end of the day, sometimes at our dirtiest, and compare that to how often we’re “supposed” to wash our towels, that we use at our cleanest every day…it doesn’t jive. I know, towels need to be washed and they can get yucky smelling from not drying out well but if you hang them there’s no reason why you can’t use them a bit longer. And if you’re only using one set at a time…why so many sets? You know what I’m saying? We’re down to four sets of towels for us, four towels in the Bub’s bathroom and two towels in the basement bathroom: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8rhgj-PouTrBZmJKnQzA6hNE6PnJtETNBhU0Xwp9ICgQAeLJyzMN-TfrtyQjx2pT5SugTRSpUO0nTHXv11oQiL5d5MNpo6EZDmQRlLQnjbrQwOOfop4P2Coj4RoquURRwOqqUTZWvtM/s1600-h/IMG_1280%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="organizing linen closet" border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQRckEaaO1QqeqOKoQoSMNzFla8Lo7pbjuMZXQVPvIOW_ek6-QS1ire0pwYSFXCzMZ0cLegof5JvvyLZyaljOBMEn3G0hQLFaMbJxZGkk_ZlLy7wTTlx67z3eb5NlGSFKaFUNqHqodw4/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="organizing linen closet" width="500" /></a> Honestly, four sets is more than enough for my husband and me. I can still let a few sets sit in the laundry for weeks (not that I would ever do that…) and still have a clean pair of towels to use. Seriously, what is it about the soft stuff? And of course those are the things that take up the most space! I went through all five of these for a quick purge this week and it took me about 30 minutes. I piled up a bunch of cups and mugs: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA7sQwPKb34gJW3674oF1KLRxyIFS1-n6-DezfYwLJATpUU7bb4mvpCv2IZHZ-GfPrAUqjLp-5EUvHtPdOT_3gyGRE8_Rfl5_sWEpN0I7jrcpdrEY5C0BBvKvK-hRHRfzHJJ3-aiBaoo/s1600-h/IMG_1269%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="too many cups" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIeuVM6-MP6kKI1Yn0XIAtlBjoSNNjw8ozpsF23coRCX6Qg32ZFmPIHOb4OKt334k2HIiJ9IY116ZrIC3Lmt1gvUtITNpHzZZSqXkgJSjvsabulXNN5jokh5rSfqqw9H3JTvRjuoH-XA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="too many cups" width="500" /></a> And a whole pile of blankets and pillow cases and towels and scarves: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYDd6ga7N98d_Pcr7Ytqf4cmPAxpYDuQ-rGdMTJB9EfDeJePdS7A5ByR3YkYcyuX8ePIcYCV7mGZ6eKzI_vdtwMmIzFnIKtDAi0fo9QSoN_Kesgu1_bxnCZzoVFlFGYi6KDqVjLTC-lY/s1600-h/IMG_1284%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="decluttering tips" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5glQEkh6ShP9wJU00S9F4-_0FcvW4qXPN12r3NEluj00DQq5TL2YCPqflKOVC8_25vr6ji9GVhCZiG1aviyZ5Au9YIKBs-m85c3FtJqJvl6PTDrIpHC-amf6_zW2mIcZNAVBTw8tWaaY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="decluttering tips" width="500" /></a> And the house feels lighter, yet again! By the way, if anyone is interested in that airplane sheet set, send me an email. I got a few sets years ago for <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/05/show-us-your-kids-rooms.html">the Bub’s room</a> knowing they may discontinue them. (They are a full sized set.) These have been taken, thanks! :) Are there any other items you would add to this list? Do you have too many of these as well? Do you keep extras of all the soft things like me?

Five things we have too many of

Yeah, yeah, I can hear my elementary English teacher yelling now -- don’t end a sentence in a preposition. But I have limited space here peo...

8:56 AM