tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20866109437624773562024-03-01T02:26:38.667-08:00Keep Home SimpleRobin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-58958535352366315522017-04-25T13:39:00.001-07:002017-04-25T17:15:01.897-07:00Book Review: Organizing For Your Lifestyle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I feel like I've been a little MIA from this space lately. I promise it's been for a good reason. My husband and I have been having a lot of fun lately with a new hobby. We're making and selling farmhouse tables and other furniture pieces. It's been quite the adventure at times. I feel like we're constantly covered in saw dust, but we're loving it.<br />
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Recently I was asked to do a review on a book: "Organizing For Your Lifestyle: Adaptable Inspirations From Socks to Suitcases" by Jane Stoller. I thought, perfect timing! Within the past year, we've moved to a new house and started a new hobby/business. Both of these things have left me feeling a bit DISorganized and I needed some inspiration to get me motivated.<br />
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I love the quote that Jane starts her first chapter with. <span style="font-size: large;">"For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned." - Benjamin Franklin. <span style="font-size: small;">Isn't that so true? I hate it when I can't find something and love it when I know exactly where something is. Organization equals more time and less stress in our lives and who doesn't want that?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jane shares a lot of reasons why being organized in life and in your home is beneficial. It helps you stay healthier, have less clutter, stay on budget, buy less, stay focused, and helps you feel better overall.</span></span><br />
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Jane shares how to organize lots of specific areas of your home. Everything from your closet, to your kitchen, to how you pack your suitcase.<br />
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I decided to start with my closet. Since moving into our new home, my side of the closet has been a disaster. It was driving me nuts, but I'd never made organizing it a priority. One of the things emphasized in this book is not just to get rid of the things that aren't quality or useful to you anymore, but to also make your closet visually appealing. A visually appealing closet is going to be different for everyone. Some people have huge walk in closets, some people have small closets (me!). Some people have big budgets, and some people not so big budgets (again me!). <br />
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I started my closet organization by buying wooden hangers to replace the plastic hangers I was using before. I've always wanted to do this and love the look of wood hangers. You can purchase a set of twenty wood hangers at Walmart for just $10.00! I also purchased two large baskets and some additional wooden hangers at Marshall's too. Most places like Marshall's have the best prices for cute baskets. I used the two baskets to store all my sweaters. I'm a cardigan lover, so these two baskets filled up quick.<br />
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My closet looks a lot more neat and uniform than it did before. Everything is hanging tidy, folded neatly, or stored in it's designated place (like my shoes hanging in a shoe holder). I was able to edit my closet down to the things I liked and wore the most. I filled a large garbage bag full of the things that were no longer useful to me, and I'll donate those things to Goodwill. It may sound weird, but it makes me happy now to slide open my closet door in the morning to pick something out to wear!<br />
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Jane gives great suggestions on how to store things in your closet. However, I like that she says there's not a hard and fast, right or wrong way. She encourages you to do what works best for you. I think that's one of the things that I liked best about her book. She gives you some ideas and sets you free to do what you like for your own situation.<br />
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I'm one of those simple girls that only has one purse. It's big and neutral in color and hangs on some cute hooks in our entry way. So the only other bags I needed to store in my closet were a couple I keep for packing towels for my kiddos if we take a trip to the river or if we take a picnic to a nearby park. I hung those bags on a nail on the side of my closet wall. Eventually, I'll replace that nail with some cute hooks. For now though, a nail works just fine.</div>
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I'm really happy with how my tiny closet turned out. Using some of what I already had, it cost me under $50 for hangers and baskets and I'm really happy with the appearance and organization I have now.</div>
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I just want to give a big shout out to Jane Stoller. Thank you so much for your ideas, your help, and your motivation through this book, "Organizing For Your Lifestyle: Adaptable Inspirations From Socks to Suitcases".</div>
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You can purchase Jane's book anywhere from Barnes & Noble, to Amazon. I've listed a couple links below if you're interested in buying her book. Happy organizing friends!</div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/organizing-for-your-lifestyle-jane-stoller/1124086034?ean=9781483570952&st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Core+Shopping+Books_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP78860" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Organizing-Your-Lifestyle-Adaptable-Inspirations/dp/1483570959" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
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<br />Robin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-67182674365878051892017-03-14T11:26:00.002-07:002017-03-14T19:17:21.714-07:00Spring is in the Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the coldest, harshest winter in years, I am more than ready for spring right now! Luckily it's literally right around the corner, less than a week away. It has me grinning from ear to ear!<br />
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Just like a lot of you, when spring is on my mind, I start brainstorming about all those nooks and crannies in my home that need cleaning and special attention. My windows need a major cleaning from all that harsh winter weather, my closets need to be pared down and winter clothes need to be packed away till next year. All of this cleaning and paring down breathes a feeling of fresh clarity and lightness into our home.<br />
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Then it's time to start thinking outside projects! Spring for us means planning our summer garden and eagerly checking the weather app on our phones to figure out the best time for planting. The warmer temperatures mean it's finally comfortable enough to tackle other outdoor projects as well. We've lived in our current home less than a year and because we're in the midst of turning our acre and a quarter into a small suburban farm, we have lots of outdoor preparations. (Planting fruit trees, fencing for animals, building raised garden beds, etc.)<br />
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We have seventeen chickens and one rooster, named Napoleon. It definitely feels like spring around here, when we go to collect their eggs in the afternoon and we come back with an overflowing egg basket. Our kitchen counter looks so springy after the eggs have been washed and are ready to be refrigerated.<br />
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My favorite way to bring spring indoors and lighten the stale winter mood, is to bring in fresh grocery store flowers. These flowers are from Yokes, our local market. Aren't they beautiful? I love the pop of color. <br />
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Along with the scent of fresh flowers, I like to shop for new spring scents for our home as well. We love to light candles in the evenings around here, no matter what time of year it is. But instead of wintery scents like cinnamon or pumpkin spice, I like to switch to vanilla or coastal smells.<br />
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After a long cold winter, hibernating in our home, my favorite thing to do in the spring is to open all the windows. The fresh air and sound of local song birds, brightens my mood. What can be more simple than opening a window?<br />
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Happy Spring friends!</div>
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We've made it through another winter.</div>
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<br />Robin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-10952316945725601102017-03-05T18:14:00.004-08:002017-03-05T18:44:39.934-08:00A Book to Read: The Dating Experiment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Have you ever noticed that if you're having a hard time in your life and you take on an opportunity to serve, that you begin to feel a lot better? I have had several of these kinds of experiences, even within the past month! I've been so grateful for them!</div>
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So I have this friend, Elodia, that I've known since high school. We even roomed together in college for a couple of semesters. She is one of those friends who is beautiful, talented, great with words, super kind, and can put together the cutest thrift store outfits. You just feel cooler being around her.<br />
<br />
Elodia is also a great writer. Her fourth book has just recently been published and I'm so excited for her! I just finished reading it. It's called "The Dating Experiment". It's one of those clean, funny, romantic, girly, young adult to adult books that hooks you right away. I couldn't put it down and I read the whole thing in less than twenty-four hours. (Those are my favorite kinds of books!) </div>
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So back to the service thing, the main character in this book, "The Dating Experiment", has a string of bad luck in her life. Things start to turn around for her when she turns her heart towards others and is inspired by a girl she meets in a hospital. This sick girl in the hospital inspires others to serve in order to find true happiness, through a project she calls "Good Little Anything." She challenges people to find any little way they can to help serve and lift others around them. It could be a smile to a stranger, loaning out a favorite personal item to a friend, or cheering up sick children in a hospital. In her own little way, she ends up inspiring many of the people around her to look outside of themselves to find happiness. In addition to this book inspiring us to find happiness in serving others, it also has the sweetest, often complicated, love story. You get to follow the main character Gabby, along her persona,l sometimes rocky, young adult life. Her life will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes just feel really embarrassed for her! </div>
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If you're part of a book club or want to start a book club, this book also includes questions at the end that would be great in this type of setting. I invited Elodia to guest post a little bit about herself. I know you'll love her as well as her book. Check out the end of this post to find out where you can purchase "The Dating Experiment."</div>
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"First things first. It is such a joy to be visiting this
lovely blog today! I have been friends with the fun, thoughtful, creative
blogger since high school. She’s danced with me to The Spice Girls and seen me
in many a 90s thrift-store outfit. Thanks for having me, Robin!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now. Let’s talk home. Home for me is a lot of things. It’s
where I cook, where I sleep, where I tell myself <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this is the year</i> I will plant a garden. It’s also where I write. I
know a number of writers who attend writing retreats or go to libraries or
schools or even restaurants to write. (One of my favorite authors writes at her
local Texas Whataburger.) I consider myself fortunate that on most days, I get
to write on a dedicated desk in a designated office. And even more fortunate to
have a few favorite things that make this life a little bit simpler.</div>
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Here are those things in no particular order:</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Coconut oil</b>: I
buy the big tubs at Costco and use the oil for everything. My dry lips, my dry
hands, and homemade granola.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stuff
is practically magic.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">My thrift store
aerobics step: </b>Yep. Still shopping at thrift stores. I found an early 90s
step (still in the box, and complete with an extra riser) for $5. A lot of
times I get my best ideas while doing things other than sitting down typing.
This step, along with a few bookmarked YouTube workouts, make the perfect
addition to my office.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">La Croix (all the La
Croix!)</b>: Though there is MUCH debate over how to pronounce the name of this
stuff, I LOVE it. It’s simple. Just bubbly water with natural flavor. No sugar
or any of that stuff. I especially love the Cherry Lime. And the Coconut. And
the Cran Raspberry. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Target yoga pants</b>:
Oh my dear, sweet, Target yoga pants. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">athleisure
</i>thing happening in fashion today is an at-home worker’s dream. Target has
the best boot cut yoga pants around, and I hope they never, ever discontinue
them. If they ever did, I might be tempted to hold that cute little dog for
ransom. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A framed picture of
Jesus</b>: I write for a lot of reasons. The feeling of getting lost in a
story. The amazing moment when I see the book in print for the first time. But,
at my core, I write because I believe in God and I believe in His Son Jesus
Christ and I want to use any and all gifts I have to proclaim the Good News of
the Gospel. To bring a little bit of joy into the world. </div>
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And boy am I glad to have some great things to make the
journey all the more enjoyable!"</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> </div>
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*Purchase "The Dating Experiment" at the following locations or online <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dating-Experiment-Elodia-Strain/dp/1462119565" target="_blank"><span style="color: #134f5c;">HERE</span> </a>on Amazon.</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Ingram</li>
<li>Baker & Taylor</li>
<li>Seagull Book</li>
<li>BYU Idaho</li>
<li>San Juan Record</li>
<li>The Lyon's Den</li>
<li>The Book Table</li>
<li>Cardston Book Shop</li>
<li>Book Barn</li>
<li>Pritchards' Book Nook</li>
<li>Generations LDS Bookstore</li>
</ul>
Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-86550013070969366562017-03-01T13:05:00.003-08:002017-03-01T13:05:39.868-08:00Acre House Living Room Changes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V6CLOoSLSC7DTRl2JJVCqqUt9lvs7YgDtWVDTEtUgXFDo-DMhoMKkjTXqQKp87KOk1vQTwjSQ2rYNvil8vkPb4MFffk415tnrw8X3nNQDx5wAfs0YPOXKkbal29t8zyKoLpwdmQiy-E/s1600/IMG_9317%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V6CLOoSLSC7DTRl2JJVCqqUt9lvs7YgDtWVDTEtUgXFDo-DMhoMKkjTXqQKp87KOk1vQTwjSQ2rYNvil8vkPb4MFffk415tnrw8X3nNQDx5wAfs0YPOXKkbal29t8zyKoLpwdmQiy-E/s640/IMG_9317%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Realtor photo)</span></div>
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Hello friends! Hope everyone out there is doing well this week. I realized, recently, that I've never shared any before and after photos of our living room at this acre house. So here we go...<br />
<br />
When we toured our home for the first time, I saw those neatly painted shapes on the wall and thought... wow! "Wow" - those probably took a lot of precise planning and "wow" - those are so not my style at all! But that was totally ok, because painting the walls is about the easiest change you can make in a home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89fvFFcpwIFa8pwEBp1X1RM74csIihv3YlDWx2b4iTzc9AjhJja5hRUiPkahWUQgsLuE5m9cOSw5w3XJqJUF6i2ioPZnk4MYj7ViWwk5KCouJ3aeXTvHuWJDCuGgQeFJXNyjn5O9JJLw/s1600/IMG_1227%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89fvFFcpwIFa8pwEBp1X1RM74csIihv3YlDWx2b4iTzc9AjhJja5hRUiPkahWUQgsLuE5m9cOSw5w3XJqJUF6i2ioPZnk4MYj7ViWwk5KCouJ3aeXTvHuWJDCuGgQeFJXNyjn5O9JJLw/s640/IMG_1227%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of my sisters lives just fifteen minutes away and she kindly helped me paint half of this house. I really felt like I couldn't fully unpack and settle in until after all the painted shapes around our whole house were gone and painted over. I used the same color paint in this room that I used in the rest of our house - Dolphin Fin by Behr.</div>
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None of the furniture in this room matches or was planned or precisely put together. It's really just a mismatch of things we had in our old house, a few new things we bought when we moved in here, and a thing or two that were given to us. For example, this trunk was given to us last summer by my husband's grandmother. I think it belonged to her father or grandfather. It's old, but loved and cherished. I love having a literal piece of family history in this room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZoUb3uOMSJ6EU2HNmZHOElXYHQW8J7_EemJJVUmiP769SwhroRGaTw90z7WFqqMoOpf455LYU1k-fMg2_q4pEJqUkGgaGmrnwtBeYsqZ06MiHpFmZAxtd5-0JP5O0nu3HZAKIgYoK6g/s1600/IMG_9316%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZoUb3uOMSJ6EU2HNmZHOElXYHQW8J7_EemJJVUmiP769SwhroRGaTw90z7WFqqMoOpf455LYU1k-fMg2_q4pEJqUkGgaGmrnwtBeYsqZ06MiHpFmZAxtd5-0JP5O0nu3HZAKIgYoK6g/s1600/IMG_9316%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Realtor photo)</span></div>
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Here's another angle of the living room pre move in day. Our family piano now sits on that wall with the painted diamond and picture of a bear. <br />
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The archway in this corner of the room opens up to our entry way, which I posted about <span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://keephomesimple.blogspot.com/2017/01/acre-house-entryway-before-after.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></span>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqLdiHGSwk08HzhwT_rbPe4bGNI73bNxhcXm5OCUoCQK-mqrgYydZ51KX3retW66tK_S-3XZZdi7MM17hxeOBSsrVkGS1JqMR1pUeFks-qsdAwsBLo3WOVpECNsYPIFgRrrCA4Yc2S4s/s1600/IMG_9318%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqLdiHGSwk08HzhwT_rbPe4bGNI73bNxhcXm5OCUoCQK-mqrgYydZ51KX3retW66tK_S-3XZZdi7MM17hxeOBSsrVkGS1JqMR1pUeFks-qsdAwsBLo3WOVpECNsYPIFgRrrCA4Yc2S4s/s640/IMG_9318%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are two things that I absolutely loved right away in this living room. First, the tall ceiling. Second, the bay windows. Hello beautiful sunlight!!!<br />
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As you can see, this space is only ninety percent finished. After installing the new laminate flooring (the previous flooring looked like wood, but was actually linoleum), I still haven't gotten around to finishing the baseboards. That will happen soon.... I hope, haha!<br />
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We bought these two chairs from Target for this space. They provide the perfect sitting area around all that natural light. The pillows are from my friend Cassie's shop, <span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/modernclementine" target="_blank">Modern Clementine</a>.</span> The table in the center used to belong to my husband's grandmother as well. It was given to us before we got married. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYFPhI9HyWt7D0scB65UwYZsYrzbEVwE4yJwn45cRktzg9ZY_IC_lUptUFlV9JXYhcc3ZppfaqSodE-kcLIcq7qDoca30Tgvli0VDCOJBkXDirjPXIB16ux8s1LZduhizJrH7-IB-2cY/s1600/IMG_1209%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYFPhI9HyWt7D0scB65UwYZsYrzbEVwE4yJwn45cRktzg9ZY_IC_lUptUFlV9JXYhcc3ZppfaqSodE-kcLIcq7qDoca30Tgvli0VDCOJBkXDirjPXIB16ux8s1LZduhizJrH7-IB-2cY/s640/IMG_1209%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The windows have blinds, but I thought it would look nice to have this bay window area dressed in some tall white curtains too. The curtains are from Ikea.</div>
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I don't have a before picture of this last corner of the room. It's just on the opposite side of the piano, near the arched doorway. I filled this corner with a dresser we used to have in our basement in old house, an old thrifted frame that I recently bought and painted over with chalkboard paint, and some other odds and ends I already had.<br />
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Another new piece I bought for this room, to tie everything together, was this rug from Rugs USA. We put a thin carpet pad underneath it and it is so soft and comfortable to walk on. <br />
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So there you go! It's not a super fancy living room. It's filled with used, and new, and everything in between. I've never had a home with a separate living room before so I wasn't sure how much this room would get used. I've learned over the past eight months that it gets used plenty. It's been the perfect place in our home for quiet reading, visiting with friends, playing the piano, and displaying our Christmas tree during the holidays. :)<br />
Robin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-33466231993091094392017-02-23T15:13:00.001-08:002017-02-23T16:19:18.787-08:00Do the Best You Can With What You HaveDuring the span of our marriage, we have owned three homes. The condo, the split level, and (currently) the rambler on an acre. Each one has needed some updates and a little/or a lot of tlc. We have loved the whole process of fixing up each of these homes. Unfortunately, with each home, we have never had the budget to just go out and buy every little thing we wanted, to update the house, all at once. Every little bit has required a lot of saving and patience. <br />
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There have been multiple times, more than I can count, when patience while saving, was very very difficult. We live in a world full of wants and instant gratification. Many times, I wanted to be instantly gratified by driving in my car to Home Depot or Lowes, buying what I wanted for my home, fixing everything up, and BOOM! My house would look perfect right now! But that's not real life. Or at least that's not my life. My husband and I choose not to have unnecessary consumer debt. We pay for everything for our house with cash.<br />
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About five years ago or so, while we were in the messy midst of fixing up our split level, I was feeling especially down about the lack of progress I felt we were making. These distinct words entered my mind: "Do the best you can with what you have." I know that thought was from God and that He was trying to bring me comfort and good prudent advice.<br />
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This thought, "Do the best you can with what you have" has entered my mind countless times ever since. I've taken this advice even recently, as my husband and I have been giving our laundry room/mud room a bit of a refresh. <br />
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We've had big plans for this work horse of a room. A few weeks ago we started to get to work. I painted the back door, leading to the garage, black. This was left over paint from another project. I painted the walls Dolphin Fin by Behr, also with leftover paint from the rest of the house. When we redid the flooring in the rest of the house, we had bought enough flooring to do this room as well. So again, we already had it. We just had to install it.<br />
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So all of those things got done. Paint (check). Flooring (check). ...(This is a water resistant laminate that holds up well in spaces like a laundry rooms, btw.)<br />
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Our next plan of action was to install some built in base cabinets with a long wooden laundry folding countertop on the opposite wall of the washer/dryer. We also wanted to install some pretty board and baton on the long wall next to the door with black hooks for hanging coats, or hats, or my husbands work overalls. Then to top it off, we'd update the lighting in this room. We had already done our research on these updates and priced everything out. All we had to do was purchase these items after the flooring got installed. <br />
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But then..., something that happens to us all from time to time, our bank account got hit hard with some big expenses. Like really big expenses. We're talking like my vehicle needed a new engine and a few other expensive things AND our taxes this spring are going to cost us twice as much as we thought they would. (I babysit part time and boy does the government like to suck money from you if you are self employed. Ouch!) Anyway, those things will get paid, but now we have to wait a while before any laundry room updates can happen. At first I was sad and a bit frustrated about this. But it's ok! For now, I'm going to DO THE BEST I CAN WITH WHAT I HAVE!<br />
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I decided that I could still have a laundry folding table in here. It may not be cute, but it's definitely functional. We have a long table that we bring out a few times a year for things like Thanksgiving dinner. Why not make use of it now? It works great!<br />
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Here's another (sorry, blurry) picture of this whole laundry folding table wall.</div>
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I may have to wait a few months to get those built in base cabinets I wanted in here, to store things like extra shampoo and cleaning supplies. That's ok. I shopped the house for some baskets. In the mean time, they work great for some storage under the folding table. Again, not the prettiest, but I'm doing the best I can with what I already have.<br />
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This is the wall we have plans to install some board and baton molding on, along with some pretty black hooks for hanging things. <br />
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These white hooks attached to white plywood were here when we bought the house. They may not be my first choice, but they are still practical for hanging things in the mean time.<br />
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I've also been doing the best I can with what I have when it comes to things like decor for this space. I have my eye on a cute clock from Target and a vintage looking laundry sign from Amazon. These things will have to wait too. In the mean time, I'm using this white clock I already have. The bottom of it has a huge chip, but it tells time just fine. <br />
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In the end, we should count our blessings. I know I'm not the only one who doesn't have everything I want right when I want it. But there is a lot I do have that I'm very grateful for. In the mean time, the Lord is teaching me patience, frugality and learning to be happy with what I already have right now.<br />
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Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-83081099137389870212017-02-08T11:51:00.001-08:002017-02-08T12:36:37.078-08:00Cozy Winter Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For us, this winter will just not let up. The entire eight years we've lived in this tiny town, we've never had snow quite like this. While I'm tired of it, winter does have it's perks.<br />
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One perk that I'm choosing to focus on is that winter invokes coziness. During the spring, summer, and fall, our family is very busy going in lots of different directions, working on outside projects and so forth. There's always so much to do. However, during the winter, there are less projects to do, no yard work (unless you count shoveling snow out of the driveway, ha!), we all tend to stay home more, we're together more, we slow down more, and we're indoors more. I love having my husband and my three chicks all safely under the same roof for days on end. I cheer inside when after school activities are cancelled, due to slippery roads, and we're forced to slow down and just BE together. It's one of my favorite things... just being with my family.<br />
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There are a handful of things I do to make our home feel cozy during the winter. One thing I do is fill that old rusty bucket, by our front door, with ice melt to keep our front steps safe as we come and go. <br />
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I also display cozy blankets for snuggling in on this wooden ladder. I frequently wash them because they all get used on a daily basis. A dear friend of mine gave me this ladder. If you want one, they look pretty easy and inexpensive to make.<br />
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Candles. They make any room feel warm and inviting. Our favorite candle scents are anything vanilla or cinnamon.<br />
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Speaking of cinnamon... I really like my home to smell good. All winter long, I've kept a pot of water filled with a few cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, dehydrated oranges, and a sprinkling of nutmeg and all spice. When we're home, I simmer it on low during the day and add water to the pot as it gets low. It smells divine. When people come over, they often ask if I'm baking something. :) <br />
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I like to have a lot of citrus around this time of year. I find that if I keep it in a big bowl, out in the open, that we tend to eat more of it. Not only does it look pretty, it keeps our immune systems healthy too. Knock on wood, none of us have been sick this whole winter season. ...I probably just jinxed myself by saying that. <br />
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To keep our hands and bellies warm, I keep a pail full of hot cocoa and spiced apple cider mixes on the counter. They get used a lot, so what's the point of them taking up space on a shelf in a dark pantry. Find a cute bowl or container of some sort and turn something that gets used a lot in the winter (hot cocoa) into a decorative part of your kitchen.<br />
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Candles are great for ambient, warm light around these dark gloomy days of winter, but so are battery operated twinkle lights! I bought this set at Marshall's, but they sell them all over now (Target, Amazon, etc.). These particular twinkle lights are set on a timer. They go on for six hours of the day and turn off for eighteen. <br />
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The last thing I like to do to cozy up my home in the winter is to turn on all the lamps. Overhead lighting seems too harsh. Lamps allow just the right amount of light to create the perfect happy mood when winter forces you indoors.<br />
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If you live in an area where your winters are warm, bless your heart. If you live in an area where the winters can be brutal, take heart. Cozy your home and endure those blessed three to four months with contentment and gratitude that once a year you're forced to slow down. Silver white winters will soon melt into spring. :)Robin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-79367552583634048022017-02-03T11:53:00.000-08:002017-02-03T12:01:57.279-08:00Home Decor Swap Party<br />
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Somewhere around Christmas time, I was talking to a dear friend of mine about some home decor items I had around the house that I didn't quite have a place for in this new house. I wondered if I should take a picture of these items and post them for free to my local friends on Facebook or just donate them to Goodwill. As we were talking, the idea of some kind of in house swap meet with friends came up and it sounded like the perfect solution: get together with friends + get rid of things I no longer had a use for + get a new (to me) thing or two to use as well!<br />
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A couple of weeks before the swap, I sent out a simple Facebook invite for a handful of friends. I kept it semi small because my home is not large and the invite included friends PLUS their stuff.<br />
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I dedicated our dining room for all of the decor items. I set up a long folding table long ways, butted up against our dining room table, for small items and larger items were leaned against the perimeter of the room.<br />
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As friends arrived that night, I invited them to write their name three times on three small pieces of paper and place them in a basket. After everyone was settled in, I drew three names at a time to go into the dining room and pick one item. I kept drawing three names, until all of the little papers had been drawn.<br />
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After everyone had their chance to pick three things, I opened it up for everyone to go pick whatever items they wanted that remained unclaimed.<br />
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We ended the evening with some refreshments. I bought pies and placed small slices in individual small, white cupcake boxes. I also provided tiny cups to scoop up some salty pub mix and made lemon water for us to drink. This is probably the simplest I've ever done things, as far as refreshments go for get togethers. It was refreshingly stress free, which is perfect when you're hosting. I think I'll keep it this simple in the future too. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-Ldj9j8GH2xB2DsbpLz2KQhK6z5P2UapdmbhGOfU7lQkuKtLfPeHzl3UZZiE3p2wXWepqFX2tJR92lPfluS84WMNOLvV0C1A-nAj_Nq7Orx8NIzTrT2EsI1StIpvOBNcqy6l3EFg0i4/s1600/IMG_0962%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF-Ldj9j8GH2xB2DsbpLz2KQhK6z5P2UapdmbhGOfU7lQkuKtLfPeHzl3UZZiE3p2wXWepqFX2tJR92lPfluS84WMNOLvV0C1A-nAj_Nq7Orx8NIzTrT2EsI1StIpvOBNcqy6l3EFg0i4/s640/IMG_0962%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /> </a></div>
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I think everyone went away from this party with things they genuinely were happy to bring back to their homes. The best part was they were FREE!!! One of the items I chose that night, was this runner for our laundry room. Funny enough, I had just told my husband a few days before the party, that I wanted to buy something exactly like this for this room and lo and behold, it was one of the items that was brought to the swap!</div>
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This was such a fun night, that I plan on throwing another Home Decor Swap sometime again in the late spring and inviting even more people. Have you ever thrown or attended a swap party before? </div>
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Robin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-31283779434281009932017-01-27T19:12:00.001-08:002017-01-27T21:29:01.901-08:00Modern Clementine Pillow Covers, Etc.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My husband has a dangerous job. I pray for him daily and for those brave individuals he works with. I have a special bond with many of the wives of the men my husband works with. Our lives are filled with a medley of our husbands long and crazy work shifts, their stress from the wide range of things they have to deal with seeing on the job, and worry for their safety... often subdued with the faith that these are good men trying their best to keep the wolves at bay. These wives and families of these men are sometimes the only ones who understand this kind of life and can completely relate. </div>
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Nearly a year ago I met Cassie. Our husbands work together and their family is one of the kindest I've met. Cassie is not only a loving wife and mother, but an amazing modern quilter. She sews beautiful quilted garlands and modern pillow covers. She has an etsy shop online that allows her to work from home and spend more time with her two handsome little boys. Her etsy shop is called Modern Clementine. You can visit her shop at <a href="http://modernclementine.etsy.com/">modernclementine.etsy.com</a></div>
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She also has an instagram account where you can get to know her better and see all the beautiful things she makes (@modernclementine). </div>
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Pictured here are a couple of her pillow covers that I have. I love love love pillow covers. They allow me to quickly alter the decor in any room when I'm feeling like I need a change. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1SaIv0HtVcpD_fIgdTMtiHs4ZV_0xrZEX9vX9X5-m9bcO4vrZakPH9G15TvncBZhRnQxtm7j8rqyWiiY4Y-ADIeKNNsPZ0ZXbFK6ALauEorz3KBEn7ER7mb8KrlwQIiYPlMK8IfbA-8/s1600/IMG_0821%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1SaIv0HtVcpD_fIgdTMtiHs4ZV_0xrZEX9vX9X5-m9bcO4vrZakPH9G15TvncBZhRnQxtm7j8rqyWiiY4Y-ADIeKNNsPZ0ZXbFK6ALauEorz3KBEn7ER7mb8KrlwQIiYPlMK8IfbA-8/s640/IMG_0821%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cassie's pillow covers are modern and well made. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05BvrOGTEhdsBouaaCVHiDUjgcGwUzjd0EUvKMvCaecRil-Hz79q3rJLcLgSTbDMSiLXeMq_R8BRjGVeMW779CmqwHHjor4hazacFjclR_q2DFKP25_HJQ-xoGSAFsPgy0f44bxzQI3U/s1600/IMG_0826%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05BvrOGTEhdsBouaaCVHiDUjgcGwUzjd0EUvKMvCaecRil-Hz79q3rJLcLgSTbDMSiLXeMq_R8BRjGVeMW779CmqwHHjor4hazacFjclR_q2DFKP25_HJQ-xoGSAFsPgy0f44bxzQI3U/s640/IMG_0826%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My only problem is deciding where I'm going to put these pillows. So many options around my house. Bedrooms, entry way, living room. I love storing extra pillows in a big basket too. It's nice to have extra cushions on Friday movie nights when my kiddos have friends over. If you're in the market for new pillow covers or other modern quilted items, like garlands, or quilts, be sure to visit Cassie's etsy shop. (modernclementine.etsy.com) Her shop just reopened tonight with new winter inspired merchandise.<br />
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Happy weekend friends!<br />
<br />Robin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-37545635254255688172017-01-25T13:47:00.003-08:002017-01-27T21:30:37.592-08:00Acre House Dining Room<div style="text-align: left;">
The kitchen in this house opens up to the family room, but the dining room is completely separate. My first thought when we saw this home was that we should tear down a wall or two to open it all up. Then, within minutes, I completely changed my mind. I know separate dining rooms are not what is "all the rage" right now. However, separate dining rooms have their perks. </div>
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Perk # 1: No distractions. No one is watching tv while eating and everyone can just focus on the food and each other. I like that. A lot, actually. It simplifies meal time and I feel more connected to my family.</div>
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Perk # 2: We can't see the kitchen. I'm more relaxed when I sit down and eat with my family and I can't see the dirty dishes from meal prep, strewn across the counter tops and filling up the sink.</div>
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I know separate dining rooms aren't for everyone, but if you have one... enjoy it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8xxhUPCPjEgze2Jp4B6KDRkB0XRI9aDBHGNCM2uALSGjj27JnqrVCieS1nr7DeH_jGX0TjDxSlurL01NqRI5Mbeuk1n8cgHHdrZsTxvocoEPW7h70C8P0SEyx7lS7ZA8HDj2xh4s1R8/s1600/IMG_9320%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8xxhUPCPjEgze2Jp4B6KDRkB0XRI9aDBHGNCM2uALSGjj27JnqrVCieS1nr7DeH_jGX0TjDxSlurL01NqRI5Mbeuk1n8cgHHdrZsTxvocoEPW7h70C8P0SEyx7lS7ZA8HDj2xh4s1R8/s640/IMG_9320%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Above is the picture taken by someone within the realty company before we bought our house. Great structure. Love the archway going into the living room and I love the big window. The cons for us were carpet in the dining room (I guess we're messy people) and the paint color and light fixture were dated and not my style. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB86Gv-mabhn7YN-InVh-mzZMyjNC_Lqwk_aH12d1xZJOeX8nqlrr39himGJLq174In3HF8rJkuqydyMspihzqjZ-4xK44Rhxm45hEr6jPVT76ZjDTW7zojfXlHpsYksm_95qBkcuHwkk/s1600/IMG_7706%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB86Gv-mabhn7YN-InVh-mzZMyjNC_Lqwk_aH12d1xZJOeX8nqlrr39himGJLq174In3HF8rJkuqydyMspihzqjZ-4xK44Rhxm45hEr6jPVT76ZjDTW7zojfXlHpsYksm_95qBkcuHwkk/s640/IMG_7706%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's another shot of the room from a different angle, about two days after we moved in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6_n-2z-053gOb5LQ2bWRrywPWSh6jCMH64zTfs4OetO0o6OdS88XWPwEcbBJv-eNMpDto4CAX46PE2zKyj1Up761RRJdR-DfAyi8Oq3osk7ic_L3GmCvp2HZDGX1_uoRtFaaio_QUZ4/s1600/IMG_0847%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6_n-2z-053gOb5LQ2bWRrywPWSh6jCMH64zTfs4OetO0o6OdS88XWPwEcbBJv-eNMpDto4CAX46PE2zKyj1Up761RRJdR-DfAyi8Oq3osk7ic_L3GmCvp2HZDGX1_uoRtFaaio_QUZ4/s640/IMG_0847%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the dining room today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuCgNcpyShZnKDrLbKXy07GBffZq20I4h3rN1nWemg0HY6zGNtkKYfvitKC9uSmf7ZFvJeAtz73QVPZaWenh49p1pnzQzLm9qpqR-_Of3tKSKWhXsIkisCLC2xvD4Vwr_fJu_YMly5QQ/s1600/IMG_0856%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuCgNcpyShZnKDrLbKXy07GBffZq20I4h3rN1nWemg0HY6zGNtkKYfvitKC9uSmf7ZFvJeAtz73QVPZaWenh49p1pnzQzLm9qpqR-_Of3tKSKWhXsIkisCLC2xvD4Vwr_fJu_YMly5QQ/s640/IMG_0856%255B1%255D.JPG" width="532" /></a></div>
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I know the quality of the picture above is horrible, but it's the only one I have, at the moment, of the whole room. </div>
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These are the changes we've made so far: </div>
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New laminate flooring (flowing into the other main living areas too), new paint, and new light fixture. </div>
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There are a couple of things we still need to do in here.</div>
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We still need to finish the base molding and I'd really like a longer dining room table. My husband and I saw a dreamy one at Costco yesterday. It came with chairs and everything. It was a fabulous deal, totally on sale, but when you haven't saved up for a new dining room table yet, a fabulous deal is still too much money. Ugh! It's hard to walk away from something you totally love when the funds aren't there. But we did the mature thing and walked away. :(</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTiTB2TvEzz3rXobPuXJt3Lv3KEN_stjZwpqqkMhW1smkSt7On4N8M9iw2HCtQfNsIEBkdGf_Jp-N8y5dkfoGbaPjdfBb6Y1tWMoCQEGcWR_9udz98hX3O0FhYIJSLXTsd9DhmCQ-kNg/s1600/IMG_0850%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTiTB2TvEzz3rXobPuXJt3Lv3KEN_stjZwpqqkMhW1smkSt7On4N8M9iw2HCtQfNsIEBkdGf_Jp-N8y5dkfoGbaPjdfBb6Y1tWMoCQEGcWR_9udz98hX3O0FhYIJSLXTsd9DhmCQ-kNg/s640/IMG_0850%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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On the Opposite wall of the window, we have this old dresser that we've had forever. It holds some entertaining decor and other odds and ends. I love that the top of it can serve as kind of a buffet table during big holiday dinners or other special occasions too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXbZuQFXErhY-xgF2sw6t8BSoNMI8yita5fmNRgdgrFijgSbFpHsAd1SVL2AxAIuR0vrxqwlI5Ub5_G-cX9qqQWSMYhUKZ_0_COqbpZ2UK5KVsowy1WP-149HOcHYzXfUYh_DBE3x1V0/s1600/IMG_0849%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXbZuQFXErhY-xgF2sw6t8BSoNMI8yita5fmNRgdgrFijgSbFpHsAd1SVL2AxAIuR0vrxqwlI5Ub5_G-cX9qqQWSMYhUKZ_0_COqbpZ2UK5KVsowy1WP-149HOcHYzXfUYh_DBE3x1V0/s640/IMG_0849%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I bought this green metal container from a lovely gal on instagram. It holds extra napkins and multiplication cards, which I know is random. However, my youngest is in third grade and is learning multiplication in math this year. Having these flash cards out and easy to access, makes memorizing all those facts a little easier, when all we have to do is sit at the dining room table and grab a few to memorize every day. I'm all about making a space pretty, but even more importantly, functional and usable for my family. This metal container is one of those pretty + useful pieces of home decor, which are my favorite kind. <br />
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While our current dining room table is feeling smaller and appears more dinged up, as the years press on, I'm still trying to make the best of it. I decorated the top of it with a scrap of black and white gingham material, some layered wood slices (from some trees around our property we had to cut down), and some white battery operated candles. <br />
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Here's another angle of the dining room from the open kitchen/family room area.</div>
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Last weekend, I finally hung some framed pictures on either side of the arched doorway. It's so nice to see them on the wall and not just stacked somewhere collecting dust (like they had been for the last six months).<br />
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Each picture holds a memory that has become a little conversation starter as we eat dinner. I'd highly recommend hanging a gallery of family pictures somewhere near your dinner table. :) Most of the framed pictures are not fancy. Half of them are printed from pictures I took on my phone. It's awesome being able to see them in print everyday!<br />
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Last picture. I know the quality is bad, but I love that big sign on top of the dresser, "gather." It describes the whole meaning and everything that I love about this room.Robin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-37536398835414239412017-01-18T20:58:00.004-08:002017-01-18T20:58:42.251-08:00Breaking Winter Records<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our "neck of the woods" has had more than it's fair share of freezing temperatures, freezing fog, freezing rain, and even snow. So much snow that, even though we are just a few weeks into January, we've already broken the highest snowfall record from way back in 1955. It's crazy.</div>
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But it's beautiful too.</div>
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The detail of each little snow flake is miraculous and so intricate. It may have been in the single digits when I ventured outside to take these photos, but who could resist the icy beauty! Well, that and the fact that, normally around here, the snow comes and then melts away in just a few days. Locally, everyone knows you have to enjoy the snow while it's here because it won't last long at all. This year, all locals are in shock at how long the snow has lasted this time around. I think most of us are grateful for a white winter, rather than a brown one. But our area is not exactly set up for this kind of weather. <br />
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The roads have been down right treacherous. So far, we've had six snow days since Christmas break ended and probably about that many two hour delays too. Part of me has looooved all of the extra time I've had with my children because of the lack of normal school days and cancelled after school activities. The other small part of me is beginning to feel claustrophobic. Cabin fever is on the verge of settling in for all of us as we wonder if we are stuck in an eternal winter. How do you people in snowy states handle it? :/</div>
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These breaking winter records have definitely toughened up our job of taking care of all of our animals. It's involved early morning, pitch dark, you feel like your face is going to fall off, trips out back to defrost water bowls and keep animals fed. A memorable daily adventure, for sure.</div>
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Only two more months till spring, right? In all seriousness though, I am a bit of a home body. So having a good excuse to stay home and warm with my family is pretty dreamy. <br />
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How's winter in your neck of the woods this year?<br />
<br />Robin {keephomesimple}http://www.blogger.com/profile/18227344794341156702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-46540464004857189542017-01-17T22:45:00.003-08:002017-01-17T23:01:46.187-08:00Acre House Family Room Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Most of the rooms in our current home are a little bit bigger than the rooms in our last house. This is a picture of our family room, taken by the realtors selling this home. The space is great. We love the arched doorways and the carpet was brand new. </div>
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This room has a skylight and I love the natural light it lets in. While there's really nothing wrong with this space, we still wanted to make a few changes to add better flow and a bit of character. To make this room flow with the rest of the main areas of the house, we painted all of the walls the same color (Dolphin Fin by Behr). This is the same color paint I used in our split level. The other thing we did was rip up the carpet (we gave it to some friends because it was still new) and we installed a water proof laminate from Home Depot. This helped with the flow a lot because the hallway, family room, and dining room had carpet. The kitchen had an older linoleum, and the living room and entry had a newer linoleum. Now they all have the same flooring and it makes these areas seem bigger, even though nothing, as far as square footage, has changed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cNtl5EmlpAUISAael4gn_TjC5uAfCVC8coj5fugTUJAb1p_am1vEwTT5IgeWNunrZLxnyC_8iW6UJcW3_wwIf-ch8Kt3ZOfmqjIaTaNqwYZ4DLb5vJrC0uN-zZjy2rE3gG-ieolqqZQ/s1600/IMG_7933%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cNtl5EmlpAUISAael4gn_TjC5uAfCVC8coj5fugTUJAb1p_am1vEwTT5IgeWNunrZLxnyC_8iW6UJcW3_wwIf-ch8Kt3ZOfmqjIaTaNqwYZ4DLb5vJrC0uN-zZjy2rE3gG-ieolqqZQ/s640/IMG_7933%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here you can see the newly installed laminate. In person, it has a lot of texture and a bit of that hand scraped look. We're pretty happy with it. However, despite new flooring and a fresh coat of soft grey paint, the room still felt very plain. That long wall with the tv against it felt too long and open. So we did what we've done in every home we've ever owned. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdTe6L37UJdiic89WplL9n7MayeAgqzTPqPDMwSJ-GzwC9cVl_0R_esq11ANslamXyZojUzlNAC9ZH_djfQS_95r6IPIN9SY-xTX6p0bvxlOKiPUplZvqC29lEJ5O6VGNxJMZ6RnIr5Y/s1600/IMG_8093%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdTe6L37UJdiic89WplL9n7MayeAgqzTPqPDMwSJ-GzwC9cVl_0R_esq11ANslamXyZojUzlNAC9ZH_djfQS_95r6IPIN9SY-xTX6p0bvxlOKiPUplZvqC29lEJ5O6VGNxJMZ6RnIr5Y/s640/IMG_8093%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a> My husband installed built ins. We did them a little different than we've ever done them before though. This time, instead of building the lower cabinets by hand (hard and time consuming), we found the idea to use stock upper cabinets. My husband built a base, about six inches tall. Then he added some stock upper cabinets from Home Depot to the base. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK4R2tzFcXl8bsLNwebZsDcoNDz6q0LZuaJaH-cM_vErwJTfxmxHIgzQWcdTqpB2fjEgExfTQzBBNX_WQM5ay1P8o65y82uVmp9rJw_rervAW4G1im3Ror4HbqD8Xi3R99auYKvnxYV8/s1600/IMG_8140%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK4R2tzFcXl8bsLNwebZsDcoNDz6q0LZuaJaH-cM_vErwJTfxmxHIgzQWcdTqpB2fjEgExfTQzBBNX_WQM5ay1P8o65y82uVmp9rJw_rervAW4G1im3Ror4HbqD8Xi3R99auYKvnxYV8/s640/IMG_8140%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Using cabinet grade 3/4 plywood, he built the shelves, with backer-board to give the back of the built-ins a nice smooth surface. He used small mdf molding to finish each shelf out. The molding gives the illusion that the shelves are made with thicker wood. He also used wider 5.5 inch mdf molding to finish out the built-ins around the top and sides.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwQhhL82w0eswlPue_oT25-5xq_wO-VNnkDGPI5w9niattD5y5yEtBLApDdNqkYAXwaf3OMJ-52WfLYBZX36jGJBPqpgzGVZGU4ccVfyWRKsqeikE_LkR_qrhbV0xuVsPg0kL2PdfInM/s1600/IMG_8146%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwQhhL82w0eswlPue_oT25-5xq_wO-VNnkDGPI5w9niattD5y5yEtBLApDdNqkYAXwaf3OMJ-52WfLYBZX36jGJBPqpgzGVZGU4ccVfyWRKsqeikE_LkR_qrhbV0xuVsPg0kL2PdfInM/s640/IMG_8146%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Every household has their own system. The system that works in our household is that my husband does the building and I do the finish work. So here I am calking every seam and nail hole.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpVuEPQo2NTGH6ZVNKSv8bDW_GLCqr8G32qBLQ1qlat5Yw1TeMHrR6piADlOE5OX2LY_9jOZ1MQmnXXzOIR3F73pcJ0EHdEwFseQ-d3PxDumR4Ax7Up3HiQPfcdhpJLv4S_wKA315vhA/s1600/IMG_8162%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpVuEPQo2NTGH6ZVNKSv8bDW_GLCqr8G32qBLQ1qlat5Yw1TeMHrR6piADlOE5OX2LY_9jOZ1MQmnXXzOIR3F73pcJ0EHdEwFseQ-d3PxDumR4Ax7Up3HiQPfcdhpJLv4S_wKA315vhA/s640/IMG_8162%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Painting tends to be my job too. As long as I have something to listen to, on this particular day - Gilmore Girls - it's a pretty relaxing task.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCLWo0re7dVpnJYB1R1kPWix_zzMoJ-ylRwzgKIQ3GQZFiooWuqC7QY_PjRpaOg2fMfyKEb7Y3-MngN_v5CrWrMFetIPBaoQaFd4HQdxbLhqnpnZ3TdOY-_p0RCJ7mN3pzmh2N-xGIG8/s1600/IMG_9321%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCLWo0re7dVpnJYB1R1kPWix_zzMoJ-ylRwzgKIQ3GQZFiooWuqC7QY_PjRpaOg2fMfyKEb7Y3-MngN_v5CrWrMFetIPBaoQaFd4HQdxbLhqnpnZ3TdOY-_p0RCJ7mN3pzmh2N-xGIG8/s640/IMG_9321%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Again, here is a view of how this room looked when we first walked through it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIARKV0HHc7-2BsRj3TaUbvYIK5dJDoK48oIcKnXIxFPxVDvSyK1ox_jegcUhJCF1oEkNiGDMXnwS_xjeMzaKQi9yvj4EMDCRZEgO_VqIbkegSFjsht6_tYEBWhcTDg57IiLpLLC8RfIo/s1600/IMG_0678%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIARKV0HHc7-2BsRj3TaUbvYIK5dJDoK48oIcKnXIxFPxVDvSyK1ox_jegcUhJCF1oEkNiGDMXnwS_xjeMzaKQi9yvj4EMDCRZEgO_VqIbkegSFjsht6_tYEBWhcTDg57IiLpLLC8RfIo/s640/IMG_0678%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Here it is today, just peaking through the arched doorway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwXtilI6RD6Wuk-Z_tBc_-thj_ffPTA5dZeRMad-2_FeYJc65nWMyx-v1w3oaclfp4__7LXVgRbgy31vB4V6A_HEP94jCfaF5oPjsrxGMZwWy5GddMMWGgXz24de2goFG7srdifCn0pk/s1600/IMG_0749%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwXtilI6RD6Wuk-Z_tBc_-thj_ffPTA5dZeRMad-2_FeYJc65nWMyx-v1w3oaclfp4__7LXVgRbgy31vB4V6A_HEP94jCfaF5oPjsrxGMZwWy5GddMMWGgXz24de2goFG7srdifCn0pk/s640/IMG_0749%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is mOst of the entire wall. It's so long that it's difficult to get the entire length of built-ins in one picture. But that's a great problem. These offer so much storage. As soon as they were completed, I was finally able to unpack the last of the boxes from our move... The games, binders full of family pictures, books, decorative items, DVD's, CD's, etc. All of that is either displayed on the top shelves, or neatly stored and happily hidden in the bottom cabinets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiE0oD2d0szHwczmd_xRc1oH1BOM_nOBp-jPlO9KSGvoJ9BXSoVnCAfCFPylZkSeI4HQabKTMcpMYVFFCuGHZqryuSvxeCnv6PjiXwq1NALplKhxw19r8CthFMbPVGkhjKf1tyfxKaRc8/s1600/IMG_0674%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiE0oD2d0szHwczmd_xRc1oH1BOM_nOBp-jPlO9KSGvoJ9BXSoVnCAfCFPylZkSeI4HQabKTMcpMYVFFCuGHZqryuSvxeCnv6PjiXwq1NALplKhxw19r8CthFMbPVGkhjKf1tyfxKaRc8/s640/IMG_0674%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoPblkACYE12bgNYML4qM5Aj3k3pJunsB5BXtukiizgyQBAXcnxdIxeIippD-f8Zf6gSwcHm1iZyaECMPIfKhnWO_WVRGCTW01dYaijTkh18tcv0IUc84GCoC-gyh3JKrCgJamow74P4/s1600/IMG_0680%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoPblkACYE12bgNYML4qM5Aj3k3pJunsB5BXtukiizgyQBAXcnxdIxeIippD-f8Zf6gSwcHm1iZyaECMPIfKhnWO_WVRGCTW01dYaijTkh18tcv0IUc84GCoC-gyh3JKrCgJamow74P4/s640/IMG_0680%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the wall opposite of the long built-in wall. Just a cozy corner for watching Netflix, hanging out with friends, or doing homework.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErACoWfXTST9ab63s5k7ny-qzzEC1MooY2Rb3DpqckVEb16-713QDwGwow78Waxsh7j1O0czMIF5IrvsTZD1dZOGHBOFzT3MhFvkzi7c0fGCx2Hibzy6FvtC3qPIh2tBmG_zQ8IOGdDs/s1600/IMG_9322%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErACoWfXTST9ab63s5k7ny-qzzEC1MooY2Rb3DpqckVEb16-713QDwGwow78Waxsh7j1O0czMIF5IrvsTZD1dZOGHBOFzT3MhFvkzi7c0fGCx2Hibzy6FvtC3qPIh2tBmG_zQ8IOGdDs/s640/IMG_9322%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here, again, is the far wall just to give you a bit of a before perspective of this side of the room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwm1B4jYSHxMxsST8HQEb2IJFAbw4HpVTp2ejDXdlMMPrTKNXMh2861eWNI3i0Rpv31rVbyfH5ybFvCGPxpOuNZuVPaBRkQx5UcgB3GBJ8dR4leJHIoR0wQeqyiwsMMhi9VOyaBnRHII/s1600/IMG_0679%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwm1B4jYSHxMxsST8HQEb2IJFAbw4HpVTp2ejDXdlMMPrTKNXMh2861eWNI3i0Rpv31rVbyfH5ybFvCGPxpOuNZuVPaBRkQx5UcgB3GBJ8dR4leJHIoR0wQeqyiwsMMhi9VOyaBnRHII/s640/IMG_0679%255B1%255D.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
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Here is the after. This corner is now the "office" space, with old metal file holders, spray painted and screwed to the wall and a desk, sitting nicely below the only window in the room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogmcIySleeG2pI-n03o2YUBhN7EgWxPkCvSsyRkTW4oBlatN3EiFsjU34BSDzKHDjBL3cGufWvO3_O3nTOJCF4zFvrrHaI6qh5DSBKJLKeO1W1FgsXfOudb_1rw0eZE6WGn44f-pgOBc/s1600/IMG_0676%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogmcIySleeG2pI-n03o2YUBhN7EgWxPkCvSsyRkTW4oBlatN3EiFsjU34BSDzKHDjBL3cGufWvO3_O3nTOJCF4zFvrrHaI6qh5DSBKJLKeO1W1FgsXfOudb_1rw0eZE6WGn44f-pgOBc/s640/IMG_0676%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The curtains frame this little area and make it feel cozy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3HtXalCuSgFAz9OqywxJXu-4nULA6QILyKVDAeH7gQlA4FhfFzlts5i5TOesN4jFwQxF-Nontl0dxndCNjhDh-rVRp-IoOVfNzfQChJCGJSbdECESpnspGTbZ2-YTWjo9BooI6qrXtI/s1600/IMG_0675%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3HtXalCuSgFAz9OqywxJXu-4nULA6QILyKVDAeH7gQlA4FhfFzlts5i5TOesN4jFwQxF-Nontl0dxndCNjhDh-rVRp-IoOVfNzfQChJCGJSbdECESpnspGTbZ2-YTWjo9BooI6qrXtI/s640/IMG_0675%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the rest of the wall between the window and the door leading to the back deck.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VCBveCpuWAxt5CeBpddFcGbD8jDbcJUgj_MP9pRQMIx5K-CBMYA8Ffm0ENW6ucqQ6o4baWzN1Mw1XSd_ZBpghHDuoJnEm2gSKp4XNJUKEgvYtVxi5PCj4exMCyA6fkmsBd8E-1E4qhQ/s1600/IMG_0673%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VCBveCpuWAxt5CeBpddFcGbD8jDbcJUgj_MP9pRQMIx5K-CBMYA8Ffm0ENW6ucqQ6o4baWzN1Mw1XSd_ZBpghHDuoJnEm2gSKp4XNJUKEgvYtVxi5PCj4exMCyA6fkmsBd8E-1E4qhQ/s640/IMG_0673%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Just another side view of this whole wall. </div>
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You know, It's funny. (But not funny.) No part of this room came together seamlessly for me. Well, except for the flooring and the built-ins... we had visions of doing those things before we signed on the dotted line to take ownership of this house. </div>
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The hard part was that it was a different layout than the family room in our previous house that I was used to. I found myself, at first, having no idea where to place furniture or how to decorate. For the longest time, it didn't even feel like home. As I just let things be for awhile, slowly our families routine and our needs for this room, shifted pieces of furniture and such to where they are today. I was silly enough, at first, to think that I needed to get this room just right and perfect, all at once, without letting it just naturally evolve over time. Too often I put unneeded pressure on myself about these kinds of things. I wanted the transition of moving to feel seamless for my family and I. In reality, moving and settling in just takes time. After living here for seven months, this place finally feels like home. </div>
Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-622597594119336602017-01-06T20:26:00.002-08:002017-01-17T23:02:19.484-08:00Acre House Entryway Before + After<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzCRdhEtg52gpDpN6YwXGSSS8c2qRgCXdDAYeNPhrCkk3DA5EzwiR4DBbfLlbJOQLNHrVQ8C33QJ5sbRRsIT1d2RxMz6TnxIcE_sqJPokq01ifd6abvDfDxliTOBbNGnGESvfWMLjKoA/s1600/IMG_7702%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzCRdhEtg52gpDpN6YwXGSSS8c2qRgCXdDAYeNPhrCkk3DA5EzwiR4DBbfLlbJOQLNHrVQ8C33QJ5sbRRsIT1d2RxMz6TnxIcE_sqJPokq01ifd6abvDfDxliTOBbNGnGESvfWMLjKoA/s640/IMG_7702%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I really came to love the split level home we fixed up before we moved here. However, I was never very fond of it's entryway. It was tiny and felt very awkward when letting visitors in. One of the many pluses to this rambler is that we can invite people in with room to spare. While this space may seem very common to some, the openness of this entry feels like a new luxury to me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwzLCQvbBOXi8_r6EjU07mgMfGgxltYIK3AbPnbGhuUeZg9-c9sQdD7QH4hIEqA3K0cS1U8zL3-sF_RpUfYYhDzVt9hg66Ao0XA6SXyp6yjIYy4BTWYTn1Gci4KB-tzGiWBD9kewbsvY/s1600/IMG_7703%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwzLCQvbBOXi8_r6EjU07mgMfGgxltYIK3AbPnbGhuUeZg9-c9sQdD7QH4hIEqA3K0cS1U8zL3-sF_RpUfYYhDzVt9hg66Ao0XA6SXyp6yjIYy4BTWYTn1Gci4KB-tzGiWBD9kewbsvY/s640/IMG_7703%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The existing flooring was made up of newer carpet and linoleum. I know it totally looks like wood or laminate in the picture, but it's not. The variety of flooring this house had, made it feel choppy to us. So within the first few months, we tore out all of the flooring in the main living areas. We replaced it with a water proof laminate found at Home Depot. A couple of the other things we did right away in this area, was new paint (Dolphin Fin by Behr - still a favorite of mine) and we replaced the entry light fixture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGTxSDkF82KNWwU5qnxlwbgvzP6dQBB_CbOgZCaVvJecjRFa_M8eCsN3Pjg6QNmTMRw2HadCKQRvlnw7_2_jvkHKL7n0xGo65BDoFqrTAwwRKH5cQPGwQtFOOloxEKTgFoWZIGOJxeL4/s1600/IMG_0585%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGTxSDkF82KNWwU5qnxlwbgvzP6dQBB_CbOgZCaVvJecjRFa_M8eCsN3Pjg6QNmTMRw2HadCKQRvlnw7_2_jvkHKL7n0xGo65BDoFqrTAwwRKH5cQPGwQtFOOloxEKTgFoWZIGOJxeL4/s640/IMG_0585%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After fresh paint, new flooring, and a new light, my husband installed pine tongue and groove planking just to this one wall here. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi7N_aRtnHEa_GcVt56hk9F2y_pvew4C897L1Rp_laoBkIFcm-N28ay88DXqfFzEX0qPAvFMrzYvd-GiYNNYCfI4Gi5QhOg9kz0eWvEEW8HXz3mqju2IymOBnHfyMmzLH-8cfT9exfwg/s1600/IMG_7836%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi7N_aRtnHEa_GcVt56hk9F2y_pvew4C897L1Rp_laoBkIFcm-N28ay88DXqfFzEX0qPAvFMrzYvd-GiYNNYCfI4Gi5QhOg9kz0eWvEEW8HXz3mqju2IymOBnHfyMmzLH-8cfT9exfwg/s640/IMG_7836%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Okay, so this is real life when you're moving in and renovating at the same time. It's a beautiful mess, but it's real. I loved how the planking turned out. So pretty. I ALMOST considered leaving it raw and unpainted. But I'm a white and gray decor kind of girl, so the final decision was to paint it white. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTW7aJNXmQ7VZ8qepyZ2nACKHS6kzSoHFvSK0wGOemcNiJ8NfmoNCQxe6BLvD3ieIUoZvu13nhAST21dgPX2GTsSje3ij4ZX391Lt-XqyJ-3UCIhO_D-xyIq0v75tlstmhYbJIRM8WwzE/s1600/IMG_0583%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTW7aJNXmQ7VZ8qepyZ2nACKHS6kzSoHFvSK0wGOemcNiJ8NfmoNCQxe6BLvD3ieIUoZvu13nhAST21dgPX2GTsSje3ij4ZX391Lt-XqyJ-3UCIhO_D-xyIq0v75tlstmhYbJIRM8WwzE/s640/IMG_0583%255B1%255D.JPG" width="436" /></a></div>
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Here we are today. All moved in and this space now feels more "us".</div>
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Here's another glance from a slightly different angle. Sorry for the blurry picture. I got a new camera for Christmas and I'm still struggling with how to use it. Sometimes what looks like a crisp picture to my eye when I'm taking the picture, isn't really so crisp. I've got some learning to do. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszUl8VT9pk6n9LOpn50umIKjCIGJaNz0mif6_zSZv8Q9ahHUh9oKZAHXELHoxmEPBi7k88koAcsG3XSd2SzETtDNAv-HVeGjnKCdGg6K2xz9swVIYch7ke4defgt4EWyBQFm4wt6OLZU/s1600/IMG_0578%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszUl8VT9pk6n9LOpn50umIKjCIGJaNz0mif6_zSZv8Q9ahHUh9oKZAHXELHoxmEPBi7k88koAcsG3XSd2SzETtDNAv-HVeGjnKCdGg6K2xz9swVIYch7ke4defgt4EWyBQFm4wt6OLZU/s640/IMG_0578%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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I reused these hooks that used to hang in the entry in our old house. They are the perfect combination of nice to look at and useful. Lately I've been learning something about myself and decor. If it can be BOTH pretty and functional, I love it! Sometimes I have a hard time buying things that are just for looks. Not that I never do, but I like the simplicity of pretty + useful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnH58_SC_KMMGro2S0yPpWSkJx3pAtyAoB7O2oUJCTmNm1f8SLk53t4WreRt3RDKv0YhNAhgx_jXstCN5LqKAgC7aFz0vkkDBUVn3_sTEowSYo-K0E_GntO_QNL0GeKKvfFHbkkNZRqs/s1600/IMG_0576%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnH58_SC_KMMGro2S0yPpWSkJx3pAtyAoB7O2oUJCTmNm1f8SLk53t4WreRt3RDKv0YhNAhgx_jXstCN5LqKAgC7aFz0vkkDBUVn3_sTEowSYo-K0E_GntO_QNL0GeKKvfFHbkkNZRqs/s640/IMG_0576%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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I recently purchased this jute rug from Rugs USA. I love jute rugs for the entry because they can take a beating and this area gets a lot of traffic. My husband built the bench out of some old wood we had and some industrial metal legs I bought on Amazon. Another tiny update to this area was some paint on the front door. I painted it black, but this section of the house doesn't get a lot of natural light. So I may need to rethink the black and go with something a shade or two lighter. We'll see. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAt0B6f5meuE2Y1My-NJg_avkJyLwptE2NWILN0y6-pfHALBSp3nEbzeN-PRKGPoj2gjgm9UJwhjNlW3UjTXrHBQSEXYJGWM8fxe2MQnisQtP72zCj39C2YctTASKPlrE7Jf8Wu0XyAAs/s1600/IMG_0579%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAt0B6f5meuE2Y1My-NJg_avkJyLwptE2NWILN0y6-pfHALBSp3nEbzeN-PRKGPoj2gjgm9UJwhjNlW3UjTXrHBQSEXYJGWM8fxe2MQnisQtP72zCj39C2YctTASKPlrE7Jf8Wu0XyAAs/s640/IMG_0579%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Hello!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR4I3ZO15M3-7WobwT9UvMBdeTveqB6YFmmYC9eYJ2EKotFM0qxUxP_Lm5tAYpc6gWbCB5ThFA30_aTBAq6ZQXIS86fWXj-o6uUseIk6dQWqWPM6gFHBTCqGh7Wqq2GQqP5bopd7AcC0/s1600/IMG_0582%255B1%255D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR4I3ZO15M3-7WobwT9UvMBdeTveqB6YFmmYC9eYJ2EKotFM0qxUxP_Lm5tAYpc6gWbCB5ThFA30_aTBAq6ZQXIS86fWXj-o6uUseIk6dQWqWPM6gFHBTCqGh7Wqq2GQqP5bopd7AcC0/s640/IMG_0582%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I tried to be intentional with the things I hung on the walls in here. We go in and out the front door several times a day. The first things you see when coming in are a picture of Christ, a picture of the Prophet (Thomas S. Monson - President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and one of our favorite quotes from the Prophet. "May we ever choose the harder right, instead of the easier wrong."</div>
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I also placed a small clip board in the window sill, next to the front door. I can clip different scriptures here throughout the year that we are trying to learn or memorize.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWC8GWBzLZyDL3s7vEwOfeBZV0-tJuvEiryuESzUqJ5OPR8evc9RMtX1EKXXK1VphpIBNJudN7sJ27Je31QoR4klsArK2vqxY0caTJCJbYCh9JUxOgojdNkQsESN0tUoRnpE5hjInQrA/s1600/IMG_0577%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWC8GWBzLZyDL3s7vEwOfeBZV0-tJuvEiryuESzUqJ5OPR8evc9RMtX1EKXXK1VphpIBNJudN7sJ27Je31QoR4klsArK2vqxY0caTJCJbYCh9JUxOgojdNkQsESN0tUoRnpE5hjInQrA/s640/IMG_0577%255B1%255D.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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The last thing I hung in the entry was this oval mirror. Just in case we want to glance at ourselves before we head out for the day. This mirror has some sentimental value. It used to be bright yellow and hang in my room when I was a baby. It made it's way into my younger sister's room when I was growing up too and then finally landed in my lap again.<br />
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This house has really good bones. We've only made changes to it that made it feel more like "us" rather than the previous owners.<br />
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Next week I'll try to share some updates we made to the family room. Until then, have a good day and stay warm! Our winter, so far this year, has been brutally cold!Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-24456469261022843972017-01-02T14:49:00.000-08:002017-01-17T23:02:37.489-08:00Painted Kitchen Tile Backsplash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW9EzNJURZ5ba5gogf7KKbksS2NHgRWY-IdJUxkw8LfTYlW-FFzy19OeQs-eD1Jtdu_QvMK1M3GfxA3Z69RhXwcraU1nVm13CegWyvCFCKw5nqa8F6eVneWh28leHt2CPYJlaKTRpWqY/s1600/Kitchen+Backsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFW9EzNJURZ5ba5gogf7KKbksS2NHgRWY-IdJUxkw8LfTYlW-FFzy19OeQs-eD1Jtdu_QvMK1M3GfxA3Z69RhXwcraU1nVm13CegWyvCFCKw5nqa8F6eVneWh28leHt2CPYJlaKTRpWqY/s640/Kitchen+Backsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A couple of months ago, I painted the back splash in our kitchen. The tile was fine and in perfect shape, it just wasn't my style. My first choice would have been to rip the tile out and add white subway tile. However, in order for that to happen, the tile would have to be installed on top of the edge of the counter top where it meets the wall. Long term, we won't be keeping these counter tops. So we didn't want to install a new back splash, that would rest on the old counter top, when later we'd have to rip it out to install a new one, causing havoc on the back splash. Not sure if that makes sense, but anyway, we needed a less permanent solution. So in came the wonderful magic of oil based paint.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M4xsBj6O0p8ys6gO6EceB9U34QU0SnfESZI_dIjNLPoUNuiZJRUBQLy3JJQ265LbdJSTX3ifflr1U4kXQ2Fglvefe_FQWBzzDAR0DlrfWAB_e3H1lMaQLr61eB-m01TLgqmd3M0fVPA/s1600/IMG_9319%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M4xsBj6O0p8ys6gO6EceB9U34QU0SnfESZI_dIjNLPoUNuiZJRUBQLy3JJQ265LbdJSTX3ifflr1U4kXQ2Fglvefe_FQWBzzDAR0DlrfWAB_e3H1lMaQLr61eB-m01TLgqmd3M0fVPA/s640/IMG_9319%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just so you have an idea of how far this kitchen has come since we moved in, the picture above is from seven months ago when this home was still on the market. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBV6Hg4-PonDmjFsT_BsHFD2UBub7glZ37tPECSC83Y8sd7oU26wRh76kV29MUAC8iRXtsvqR4BdTSKPxepgUsPqwQSSRE5L09zCypQ0xPP448URhTcGxSVY4Q1Nvy0TTMeEHc8w7x2M/s1600/IMG_9651%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBV6Hg4-PonDmjFsT_BsHFD2UBub7glZ37tPECSC83Y8sd7oU26wRh76kV29MUAC8iRXtsvqR4BdTSKPxepgUsPqwQSSRE5L09zCypQ0xPP448URhTcGxSVY4Q1Nvy0TTMeEHc8w7x2M/s640/IMG_9651%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Five months after living here, this kitchen has new laminate flooring, a new light fixture, <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://keephomesimple.blogspot.com/2016/10/how-i-painted-our-kitchen-cabinets-white.html">painted cabinets</a></span>, and new hardware. Painting the back splash just kind of pulled it all together one step further. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycBLlxMPTeC0LMHsoRVnuodAlbFLba-qy5PKhHFc_6lwYm5jR8guN0lc1fWM4kt31VIexYkpuGZXFE-AHLQ9AUPUlMzaWGllmFXBJAWIUmmuylPWnEI3gY7525XqZoardENOqV2zPZLE/s1600/IMG_9726%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycBLlxMPTeC0LMHsoRVnuodAlbFLba-qy5PKhHFc_6lwYm5jR8guN0lc1fWM4kt31VIexYkpuGZXFE-AHLQ9AUPUlMzaWGllmFXBJAWIUmmuylPWnEI3gY7525XqZoardENOqV2zPZLE/s640/IMG_9726%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The process was simple, except for the fact that I had zero experience with oil based paint. I'll share one rooky mistake I made so that if you decide to tackle a project like this, you can avoid the mess up I made. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZgenrG80ugeeVbCPU9SUbf1O2nWOmWSOOAWVBF6LnaesC-Qkh5iij7bCTiD1qMNbQbkgkxCshlLuQiwrADegiG05djqNnrgoc-V9bTL0UWlm2SnulKPoae-hHYpz6qUIUnjWEiEc0OI/s1600/IMG_9835%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZgenrG80ugeeVbCPU9SUbf1O2nWOmWSOOAWVBF6LnaesC-Qkh5iij7bCTiD1qMNbQbkgkxCshlLuQiwrADegiG05djqNnrgoc-V9bTL0UWlm2SnulKPoae-hHYpz6qUIUnjWEiEc0OI/s640/IMG_9835%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first step is to clean all of the tile so the paint will adhere well. Let it dry well.<br />
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Step
two, remove any outlet covers around the tile and tape off everything
around the tile you don't want paint on. Unlike water based paint, oil
will not wipe off.<br />
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Step three, use a good primer (I used
Zinsser 1,2,3. It adheres well to anything and can be found at Home
Depot and probably several other places.) I used a roller to get primer
on the big stuff and the edge of the roller to get all of the smaller
grouted areas. This primer dries fast. So if you're in a hurry, you
can follow step four within a couple of hours.<br />
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Step
four, use an oil based paint to paint over the primer. I chose a
bright white from Behr, right off the shelf. Just some important notes
here...<br />
<ul>
<li>Use a high quality brush, not a roller. Rollers are harder to work with when you use oil based paint.</li>
<li>Use a Semi Gloss or a Gloss sheen. I used a Semi Gloss sheen for durability and slight shine. </li>
<li>Wait at least one day between coats of oil based paint and watch out for any moisture in the area! (rooky mistake)</li>
</ul>
STEP FIVE, is super important. Two coats of paint are required for an even finish. After coat number one, wait 24 hours before applying coat number two. Even after my first coat was applied and I had waited 24 hours, that first coat was still sticky to the touch. Luckily by coast number two, the paint hardened pretty quickly. The silly silly mistake I made was when dishes were piling up in the sink and I had my son do his weekly dishes chore. Only one coat of paint had been applied at this point. Water droplets/Moisture had landed on the back splash directly behind the sink. So when I applied coat number two, the paint would not adhere smoothly and I was left with a bit of a streaky crackled look. Lesson to learn here... Don't do the dishes when you're painting your back splash!!! In fact, if you can, avoid using the sink at all! <br />
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Water and oil don't mix. I don't know why my brain didn't compute that common knowledge during this process. It's kind of hard to tell, but in the picture above, you can kind of see the unevenness on the tiles around the sink. Luckily when you stand back, it's not super noticeable.</div>
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I love the transformation. It was a fairly easy fix for not an enormous amount of money. I already had the primer and the painters tape, so all I had to buy was a nice paint brush and the paint. An under $30 kitchen back splash solution.<br />
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Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-33010107083524704742016-10-31T12:24:00.002-07:002017-01-17T23:03:07.522-08:00How I Painted Our Kitchen Cabinets White<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj09feh95YnbSwpTw0Zngfhny-qbuCxL3qG-ynrfB_J6xDdcadaBDcC49wJWgABJctQzMqJ_dovyeGoF0Y0n6lkZ70swUDVMb6u105z05i3FN59mCGnAcgKGFJvlDAFsRODf3f1Sw78Y/s1600/IMG_9319.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj09feh95YnbSwpTw0Zngfhny-qbuCxL3qG-ynrfB_J6xDdcadaBDcC49wJWgABJctQzMqJ_dovyeGoF0Y0n6lkZ70swUDVMb6u105z05i3FN59mCGnAcgKGFJvlDAFsRODf3f1Sw78Y/s640/IMG_9319.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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(realtor picture) </div>
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There are probably hundreds of kitchen cabinet painting tutorials out there. Today I'm going to add mine into the bunch. </div>
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So the picture above is what our kitchen looked like five months ago before we bought it. In real life, the cabinets looked a little less orange-y. But anyway, they were dark and my personal taste are white cabinets. They feel light, bright, and clean. Yes, they do show dirt more easily, but at least you can see the dirt and wipe it away. When cabinets are darker, it just gives the dirt an opportunity to hide. :)</div>
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This is the third home we've owned, so it's the third kitchen I've painted white. The only difference this time is that these were the nicest quality cabinets I've ever dealt with. In our last two homes, the cabinets were from the 70's. I knew they couldn't look any worse than they already did, so I simply painted them without taking my time. I didn't sand, I didn't prime, and at one point, I didn't even remove the cabinet doors. In THIS house with THESE cabinets, I wanted to do it right! </div>
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This is the result I got. Awe, the power of paint and only $140!!! There are other updates we want to make to this kitchen, but that's another story for another day. Let's get to the painting details...</div>
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The first thing I did was remove the cabinet doors and most of the drawers too. Then I cleaned the cabinets and the cabinet doors with TSP. It's a strong cleaning solution that can be found as a concentrate at Home Depot in the painting department for about five dollars. It can also be found in a ready made solution on Amazon for about double that price.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR-6S4mME7jm_olxKpeYMMtngaS0E5EnxgnlAZAuObrFxMI_fmRxP42MPKAFDhFNQFbrCeKcmehvFScQ9JGL3VVGvnjZDBh5Yz391bBWEXHxGHUWnNMG8dAIR_eJN7UrtT6Xzb0_fxIQ/s1600/IMG_9460.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR-6S4mME7jm_olxKpeYMMtngaS0E5EnxgnlAZAuObrFxMI_fmRxP42MPKAFDhFNQFbrCeKcmehvFScQ9JGL3VVGvnjZDBh5Yz391bBWEXHxGHUWnNMG8dAIR_eJN7UrtT6Xzb0_fxIQ/s640/IMG_9460.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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I labeled the doors with blue painters tape and alphabetical letters. I placed an identical label inside the matching interior cabinet so that these doors didn't get mixed up down the road.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxk8rQx3hW-tYkmA7-msxXE83-LJ2gWtm5ykcjzg4toTjWXro4V1rdyPbcwDyxkVDTGbv-aTYrV_1P5fqPqwQzMoUzrPY4GWetX6u9VWNxQsN7VfWVvn80LvnHjL1XmsP78VZRs_gXFg/s1600/IMG_9463.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxk8rQx3hW-tYkmA7-msxXE83-LJ2gWtm5ykcjzg4toTjWXro4V1rdyPbcwDyxkVDTGbv-aTYrV_1P5fqPqwQzMoUzrPY4GWetX6u9VWNxQsN7VfWVvn80LvnHjL1XmsP78VZRs_gXFg/s640/IMG_9463.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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The next thing I did was lightly sand the cabinets with a 220 grit sand paper, just enough to roughen the surface a little bit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDSf-kzXXwXlQQXWtWYJVDwAn3_XFGra-hmQCK7x4lV3oUVUZKg__nFMMpHmDHgGxHX_bin1RMRMD5y9a8EVcmDG1mexBh-OBOVWMgNz9PP2dCqtGtKPN1lffrGyq_M-ERs_TsbTH_-A/s1600/IMG_9482.JPG"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDSf-kzXXwXlQQXWtWYJVDwAn3_XFGra-hmQCK7x4lV3oUVUZKg__nFMMpHmDHgGxHX_bin1RMRMD5y9a8EVcmDG1mexBh-OBOVWMgNz9PP2dCqtGtKPN1lffrGyq_M-ERs_TsbTH_-A/s640/IMG_9482.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div>
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After cleaning and sanding, wipe down with a tack cloth or vacuum up the dust before priming. (Sometimes I did both.) The primer I used is called Zinsser Bullseye 123. I bought it at Home Depot for under $20. It says on the label that you can use this primer without sanding, but that made me a little nervous. So I decided to play it safe and sand anyway. I used 1-2 coats of primer on everything. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOJVOqz4Fh1SdtfvFN9bHS31aA4fWW4FKxsWJ6y0zKKvvmGVgIrAD6OlHVFC2rX5EwFXpymwpEUmwccSBGMzwsDWuWIv5110W8EjeRM2qT2-dbo1-_Pv_a1cVFwQzTjvy11GDzdiK8bE/s1600/IMG_9561.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOJVOqz4Fh1SdtfvFN9bHS31aA4fWW4FKxsWJ6y0zKKvvmGVgIrAD6OlHVFC2rX5EwFXpymwpEUmwccSBGMzwsDWuWIv5110W8EjeRM2qT2-dbo1-_Pv_a1cVFwQzTjvy11GDzdiK8bE/s640/IMG_9561.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MWjmOwkwVkDvNxqFcRZgF4uYy74mNrHzf4v9P-kEH8WdDPVrzUBX3dwRrvjl_dbbNIYkbU6_gxAEAHQmtw6dC7_ZCjAJ38Vt0WH0Lob9IdHp8Q_gJCZPs5layoW6Nf2m0509PFZz428/s1600/IMG_9515+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MWjmOwkwVkDvNxqFcRZgF4uYy74mNrHzf4v9P-kEH8WdDPVrzUBX3dwRrvjl_dbbNIYkbU6_gxAEAHQmtw6dC7_ZCjAJ38Vt0WH0Lob9IdHp8Q_gJCZPs5layoW6Nf2m0509PFZz428/s640/IMG_9515+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Priming and painting took over my garage, dining room, and kitchen. But I knew it was just a temporary mess, so I plugged away. </div>
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Tips for painting the doors: </div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Lay doors on 2x4's to allow space to paint the sides (not pictured in the above pictured, but you'll notice it in the garage picture)</li>
<li>Prime both sides first </li>
<li>Lightly Sand with a 220 grit sandpaper or higher in between primer and the actual painting step. </li>
<li>Wipe down after sanding with a tack cloth that will grab hold of that dust really well.</li>
<li>When you get to the actual paint step, paint 2-4 coats of paint on the BACK side of the doors first. That way if there is minor scuffing after you flip the doors over to paint the other side, it won't show on the pretty front side that you look at everyday.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURTT4QDtpLi9gx4ws_2d1nrZI0BTzKqzZP6nUqTiUyHEmfVZCKyx7dYLgL-j-QvdS9MwYX8m-8MOEAAZ5ZQVeWuD7lAUy6RGqNWWVC5qV4iN43ePPJs5DHExLpBeqJheTRFHKwrjFAfY/s1600/IMG_9562.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURTT4QDtpLi9gx4ws_2d1nrZI0BTzKqzZP6nUqTiUyHEmfVZCKyx7dYLgL-j-QvdS9MwYX8m-8MOEAAZ5ZQVeWuD7lAUy6RGqNWWVC5qV4iN43ePPJs5DHExLpBeqJheTRFHKwrjFAfY/s640/IMG_9562.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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This is the brush I bought at the specialty paint store where I bought my paint. Spraying your cabinets is a great way to go and it looks fantastic. Even though we own a paint sprayer, I chose to paint by hand and I don't regret it. This foam roller did an amazing smooth job. The trick was to paint the crevices of the door first, then the flat parts. In the crevices, I used the end of this roller to slide the paint on. I rolled it on the flat parts. The trick to getting the paint to dry smooth has to do with the kind of paint you use and your rolling technique. The technique I used was to roll it on with a little bit of pressure. After all the paint was on, I used my roller and ROLLED over the paint very gently. It was more like a glide and I didn't apply any pressure. This got out any paint bubbles that were present.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYptJ1mqP-wyiasJ_oPPTzFg7VjCsFDiNX7g3mF-pVtb_Yyq3_4_TG8ThMQK1_EE494zH-RQYR_k3EGSTrOtIqpGMQh-VLEXWJ3tevLhZBSgbJoHLoiGYddtdBQTAgQ_szvVUU9LGStHw/s1600/IMG_9502.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYptJ1mqP-wyiasJ_oPPTzFg7VjCsFDiNX7g3mF-pVtb_Yyq3_4_TG8ThMQK1_EE494zH-RQYR_k3EGSTrOtIqpGMQh-VLEXWJ3tevLhZBSgbJoHLoiGYddtdBQTAgQ_szvVUU9LGStHw/s640/IMG_9502.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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This is the paint I used. Benjamin Moore Advanced paint is AMAZING!!! I can't say enough good things about this paint. It is great at minor self leveling and it is the best cabinet paint out there. It works like an oil based paint, but is actually latex and cleans up with water. The color I chose is called Simply White.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX79MBV54IDt_NX6ZEMmqpCZR0nbeI6cuOzmhP0csHLgmhIq1-DcxRaCL5l3VHQOjmlJHW5l-EWXVk6qG9aCE54BuTPnnpv_qZ77pcIhM236xV1FUD62rwPJujWeS6e27KTgjbvzTZG98/s1600/IMG_9602.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX79MBV54IDt_NX6ZEMmqpCZR0nbeI6cuOzmhP0csHLgmhIq1-DcxRaCL5l3VHQOjmlJHW5l-EWXVk6qG9aCE54BuTPnnpv_qZ77pcIhM236xV1FUD62rwPJujWeS6e27KTgjbvzTZG98/s640/IMG_9602.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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For me, the worst part about painting large projects that take many days (this project took me two weeks), is the clean up. I hate cleaning up paint trays and paint rollers and brushes. So I didn't. When I was done with my roller for the day, or had to take a break to pick up kiddos from school, I stuck my roller in a zip lock bag. I also lined my paint tray with foil. I only poured the amount of paint I knew I would use for sure. When I was done, I rolled up the messy foil and threw it in the garbage! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTGIILqOTG9nUZs1tXW8xpwZfynttcgo6839VCIzuocaz8_LxcLPx-RHBI7rl9C2yqq8QxGNeTbG6HJvBHFMx8t44Ar5vdrG14dW8C71s1qV6FuRyUBWVpVo8MUFmW2E75q1DYjV5nYk/s1600/IMG_9505.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTGIILqOTG9nUZs1tXW8xpwZfynttcgo6839VCIzuocaz8_LxcLPx-RHBI7rl9C2yqq8QxGNeTbG6HJvBHFMx8t44Ar5vdrG14dW8C71s1qV6FuRyUBWVpVo8MUFmW2E75q1DYjV5nYk/s640/IMG_9505.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The other step I should have mentioned earlier is that before you start any paint or primer, tape the perimeter around anything you don't want paint on. This will give you clean lines.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ugxy2SlFJNFRrz0Z6hw_OC-bIY3VwDuhLgG5IoiZQakQhVnQqu9T7vqF6Hf_M0U2iOOihkWG41ZER-T8nC8lA1vCvcYYGG7JUbUFh0U4_D5VecVDe5JdrJTDn1e9WyjsIC2jcsWRzgA/s1600/IMG_9516.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ugxy2SlFJNFRrz0Z6hw_OC-bIY3VwDuhLgG5IoiZQakQhVnQqu9T7vqF6Hf_M0U2iOOihkWG41ZER-T8nC8lA1vCvcYYGG7JUbUFh0U4_D5VecVDe5JdrJTDn1e9WyjsIC2jcsWRzgA/s640/IMG_9516.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div>
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Any sort of kitchen remodel is messy, as you can see here. I've got paint going on the cabinet frames and I was lightly sanding the labeled doors on the kitchen floor. Lots going on. Luckily my family was pretty patient with the whole process. It helped that my husband was away hunting during the first week. ;) And really, he was just happy that he wasn't the one having to do it, haha! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnpMKOymHrBG-iHWnO2x4PKUkOWgvJ59nAHNlxJokAiAJhWI3ic3X5Az0z9PIXb8DW_-TEs1AmghlgpW9R5hMKEuoVJexvUrWe1xl3qWNKy9ndXSiSpbOVH9GCB2mY4R90rSU2FDV_fo/s1600/IMG_9610.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnpMKOymHrBG-iHWnO2x4PKUkOWgvJ59nAHNlxJokAiAJhWI3ic3X5Az0z9PIXb8DW_-TEs1AmghlgpW9R5hMKEuoVJexvUrWe1xl3qWNKy9ndXSiSpbOVH9GCB2mY4R90rSU2FDV_fo/s640/IMG_9610.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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This last step you totally don't have to do. However if you're like me and you have sheet rock above your cabinets, you may want to. I painted the sheet rock the same color as my cabinets and then caulked the seam where the two met. Eventually we'll add molding up there to make the cabinets and sheet rock seem like seamless taller upper cabinets. It should look really pretty ...eventually. ;)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVx-jd8swS2sB-AZnrNSuAVcQgtlCvLLfCfU6cvX-K8ui2IT4jM0mkN2h_0H-_GIOZPXQ3jjm2W3vUB53hwDSSHHgy_ijy4Nwr6vifo4pmb80m8l-y4UAoxCCVJttT7Ea22D-siCKUt4/s1600/IMG_9614.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVx-jd8swS2sB-AZnrNSuAVcQgtlCvLLfCfU6cvX-K8ui2IT4jM0mkN2h_0H-_GIOZPXQ3jjm2W3vUB53hwDSSHHgy_ijy4Nwr6vifo4pmb80m8l-y4UAoxCCVJttT7Ea22D-siCKUt4/s640/IMG_9614.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk7BTKpMuigMydKhAQXfYTJWsOos3QLX6bpRRsBX6-C-ZXeSvTCxo3sblgmDHj4Hj6BJPpwhyphenhyphenCOxXEAgScSknRVTjPNdqVu_YHpbeQ6NkCkMRa9O8I2XcdPhYSZWvbtI4WyakHFd-uo0/s1600/IMG_9651.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk7BTKpMuigMydKhAQXfYTJWsOos3QLX6bpRRsBX6-C-ZXeSvTCxo3sblgmDHj4Hj6BJPpwhyphenhyphenCOxXEAgScSknRVTjPNdqVu_YHpbeQ6NkCkMRa9O8I2XcdPhYSZWvbtI4WyakHFd-uo0/s640/IMG_9651.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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All of these cabinets took about 3-4 coats of paint. You can't tell in this picture, but there are some light spots still visible in the crevices where the cabinets indent. I'll need to go over those again sometime with a light coat of paint. But for now, I'm tired. Two weeks of painting and having my home in disarray was a lot of work. It was totally worth it though and I would do it again. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2086610943762477356" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdQ-fx-NQQTKUPh7IIp9I8P18YyKD51FucCKB7OisF-9RMtaOunZHVqw3L9ZCTEl82z8paiEiU4uNW6WNtlZMhTeX-_owX8zrgLZGOq8BZ2zc0vnA7Lw2QNTpaAQrEViro9MOVPwAV3w/s1600/IMG_9656.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdQ-fx-NQQTKUPh7IIp9I8P18YyKD51FucCKB7OisF-9RMtaOunZHVqw3L9ZCTEl82z8paiEiU4uNW6WNtlZMhTeX-_owX8zrgLZGOq8BZ2zc0vnA7Lw2QNTpaAQrEViro9MOVPwAV3w/s640/IMG_9656.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK9tpf4crIPHDT5R6H8IQQx8G4BOBnAB_m7u4n9rk-NaPuvgAKLOlS2pVxgiRkiTMXX9Ax60AYL4vbdty3yNiqKXcNiAyfb-q8x8EFx_tydKn4iPBCS96rwcnHry16vpolB5iwPmGa8M/s1600/IMG_9655.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK9tpf4crIPHDT5R6H8IQQx8G4BOBnAB_m7u4n9rk-NaPuvgAKLOlS2pVxgiRkiTMXX9Ax60AYL4vbdty3yNiqKXcNiAyfb-q8x8EFx_tydKn4iPBCS96rwcnHry16vpolB5iwPmGa8M/s640/IMG_9655.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSD2H9P7zy8YSBetkac9oBsEHecSOTryjJ1I6trSSQ_DritaXTPw5DrUdLPDqfWb0yqmOO5sGsxFM7wP7ZnU9a3NC-_Dnn4BprYd9Jy64dqcuURjIQB42IPQ3_Rs5G1LRrmFtlvR3pOI/s1600/IMG_9650.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSD2H9P7zy8YSBetkac9oBsEHecSOTryjJ1I6trSSQ_DritaXTPw5DrUdLPDqfWb0yqmOO5sGsxFM7wP7ZnU9a3NC-_Dnn4BprYd9Jy64dqcuURjIQB42IPQ3_Rs5G1LRrmFtlvR3pOI/s640/IMG_9650.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next thing I want to do in here is possibly paint over that back splash tile. It's just not my favorite style. I've read that it's possible to paint over tile with a really good primer and an oil based paint. Not sure what color I would paint it. Maybe white? I would love to just tear it out and replace it with white subway tile. But my husband said we he would rather wait to do that at the same time we replace the counters. (That will be a couple of years from now I'm guessing.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE56yZ1Iw98S87y8ga-xr70h4VYlu9YyDybmAur6OR2xQOM5YMaxcwy4uqGs5nbrrEKZ7hIiCvpN9b0fPc5bghasLnMRsYA4eVrGVCfVjtHP2pEgB66qc5qJIGLCalMXHlSytUOtUf_0/s1600/IMG_9658.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE56yZ1Iw98S87y8ga-xr70h4VYlu9YyDybmAur6OR2xQOM5YMaxcwy4uqGs5nbrrEKZ7hIiCvpN9b0fPc5bghasLnMRsYA4eVrGVCfVjtHP2pEgB66qc5qJIGLCalMXHlSytUOtUf_0/s640/IMG_9658.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
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I chose to leave the doors off of this cabinet above our microwave. It opened up this little space a little more and became a pretty little display shelf for my kitchen cleaners that sit in that little basket there. Over time, I may decide to remove some of the other doors on the upper cabinets. But for now I'll keep everything the way it is.</div>
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Oh, and before I forget... I added new hardware to these cabinets too. It's black and I bought all of it on Amazon for about $40. That included all the knobs and pulls. I'm so glad I checked out Amazon before I headed to a big box store. The pulls I bought worked out to be about two dollars a piece and I would have paid at least five dollars a pull anywhere else.<br />
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Overall, I'm really happy with how this project turned out. If you've been wanting to paint your kitchen cabinets I say do it! You'll be pleased with your hard work! <br />
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If you have any questions I'll try to answer them in the comments below. <br />
Have a great week friends! </div>
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Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-67774321651065841162016-10-03T19:31:00.001-07:002017-01-17T23:03:35.450-08:00Rambler on an Acre<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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A I mentioned in my previous post, our new home is on an acre and a quarter. While I'm excited to share with you our actual house, I still need to take some "in progress" pictures of some of the improvements we've made so far. After I do that I will share some side by side before and afters of the rooms we've been able to tackle in the last three months. Until then... here are some snippets of our back yard, what drew us to move in the first place.</div>
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We feel so blessed to live in a home with a bit of space that feels country, but in reality is only a block into county property. Favorite stores are only a five minute drive away, we have three close-ish neighbor's (they all have at least an acre or two also, so we aren't super close), and meanwhile, we get to have space for our six rabbits, seventeen chicks, rooster, and two dogs. If my husband and youngest daughter's dreams come true, we'll also have a horse grazing around here in a couple of years.</div>
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Lots of room for kiddos to run and play. Mowing this huge lawn has become a favorite chore for our two oldest who love "driving" our new tractor mower... At least they love it for now. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvrta68O7OJ60SUMTdmED09hDCGjsuMiIlqU9RRm6qlam0c5JJJzl-aAZ0zoY8Q3_RUphpwB1O7FABjc5x_SBke-ht1YzTIACoceBPRa3EGroM93ruKb_iEcOPU8daw83MLjhU8-w56U/s640/blogger-image--717532371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvrta68O7OJ60SUMTdmED09hDCGjsuMiIlqU9RRm6qlam0c5JJJzl-aAZ0zoY8Q3_RUphpwB1O7FABjc5x_SBke-ht1YzTIACoceBPRa3EGroM93ruKb_iEcOPU8daw83MLjhU8-w56U/s640/blogger-image--717532371.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlrIlrpC6j6FBKu0-2FKdY1yr5Or19doxiXPGPoqlH9WQhNgx-yVALmcvSn9SUsWHX5lglj6KsDIBcm9x0NsdgtfnMx4AAalyYf8FlU7nU7Y1COvk6Hkb2coNadz4pk82Ab0yCN2a_Rw/s640/blogger-image--117082457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlrIlrpC6j6FBKu0-2FKdY1yr5Or19doxiXPGPoqlH9WQhNgx-yVALmcvSn9SUsWHX5lglj6KsDIBcm9x0NsdgtfnMx4AAalyYf8FlU7nU7Y1COvk6Hkb2coNadz4pk82Ab0yCN2a_Rw/s640/blogger-image--117082457.jpg" /></a></div>
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Most days, I still can't believe we get to call this place home. Someone pinch me please.</div>
<br />Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-68105220677417226122016-09-15T14:39:00.001-07:002016-09-27T17:47:20.526-07:00We moved.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBLy3c37yynHfRv0HtAJnfch5pRIbdNzbueo9G52M960AI6Ld9sWFnNoBRN9YJMXyC4bTSZTjOZ0nAYnA1_HfaIUWEum-kxhY87j4QlPs906l3KYy2zAGVnTfSwdTuo2CwxCtc90pJMc/s640/blogger-image--1051058897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBLy3c37yynHfRv0HtAJnfch5pRIbdNzbueo9G52M960AI6Ld9sWFnNoBRN9YJMXyC4bTSZTjOZ0nAYnA1_HfaIUWEum-kxhY87j4QlPs906l3KYy2zAGVnTfSwdTuo2CwxCtc90pJMc/s640/blogger-image--1051058897.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's true. We sold our beloved split level home in June. Ironically enough, we sold it exactly seven years to the day that we bought it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a bitter sweet goodbye. It was a little more sweet than bitter because we moved to a house on an acre and a quarter. We have talked and dreamed about buying a home on a bit of land since the time we got married. So in a big way, this was a dream come true.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhWu_JkiCAjkeVCbmkGXPMsY9XFPxWdX4aXcLZvJ_lvTg-ucmbcBMLB8_9fVPQ9OG7OFBBxb0QonrBHII9KJF1jfMwcaXBztAdcZEWuOxVsEesVTHwEQtaR9u9cuFjopGfU3-uhRSTrc/s640/blogger-image-1428411628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhWu_JkiCAjkeVCbmkGXPMsY9XFPxWdX4aXcLZvJ_lvTg-ucmbcBMLB8_9fVPQ9OG7OFBBxb0QonrBHII9KJF1jfMwcaXBztAdcZEWuOxVsEesVTHwEQtaR9u9cuFjopGfU3-uhRSTrc/s640/blogger-image-1428411628.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We hunted for the right house on some land for about six months before we found the right one. We weren't afraid of buying another fixer upper and putting in a lot of work to make it pretty. That's exactly what we did here, and looking back, it's been lots of fun seeing the transformation throughout the years. The first house we went to look at happened to be a small labor and delivery hospital back in the early seventies. It had acreage and "character" in a way, but was more fascinating to look through, then it would have been to fix up with our meager funds. If we'd had an extra $200,000 cash laying around, it would have been a fun fixer. So we walked away from the "hospital house" and kept looking for months. We had a hard time finding what we wanted in our price range and often went from, "let's just not move and stay where we are" to "this is a cool house, let's pray about this one."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGdNxgrPFoizizGwFg7ST_ZZF8UyTfr55FGm21ej1bzrm9kw1kKjkvsymm0QW_OQu3DQ7W8MTX-1uTSn53EoAnBr9qVhfDIVscKprJPvVTHjL0LpTC9Vvej-yRR51fgK2QtVPX3g7_Jk/s640/blogger-image-482343959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGdNxgrPFoizizGwFg7ST_ZZF8UyTfr55FGm21ej1bzrm9kw1kKjkvsymm0QW_OQu3DQ7W8MTX-1uTSn53EoAnBr9qVhfDIVscKprJPvVTHjL0LpTC9Vvej-yRR51fgK2QtVPX3g7_Jk/s640/blogger-image-482343959.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the end, we put an offer on a home that my husband had to almost drag me to go see. I was so sick of looking at the wrong homes and was tired of being disappointed. The pictures of our new home online, made it look like an old persons home and at first, my bad attitude couldn't get past the old decor and craaaaaazy wall colors. But I begrudgingly went to look at it with my husband and our realtor. Surprisingly, it looked better in person. As we were walking around the yard outside, the leaves were fluttering in the wind, making a heavenly noise and I said a silent prayer, asking if this was the right house. I had a peaceful reassurance wash over me and I knew this was the one. Although we would want to change things about it, it was the nicest house we'd seen and it met a large majority of the wants on our checklist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBzOVn4Dy-oREVoklaOwfTGB7Pco0iZxFumlb73Z_2Bk8ZAbROzvlCTiaBH3g3yX8qN_h6RzkMijqszHJgIeK86hv2cANUVWohfEIzhtTtOVGlHUweM6L9MITSVcSdV4kck4yWDmExeE/s640/blogger-image--1663846781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBzOVn4Dy-oREVoklaOwfTGB7Pco0iZxFumlb73Z_2Bk8ZAbROzvlCTiaBH3g3yX8qN_h6RzkMijqszHJgIeK86hv2cANUVWohfEIzhtTtOVGlHUweM6L9MITSVcSdV4kck4yWDmExeE/s640/blogger-image--1663846781.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We put so much sweat, blood, and tears (literally) into this split level. For so long I hated it and by the time I learned to love it, it was time to say goodbye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oVbzuU2PmckOmobDesnhAKccNIPcGiF6nI7dhtSPQQor-PY53Yh1xDDrM_t9QaqLPFNAWpb1Th8fi-3j_0dzTiiL0thp4l0r6m1MS9rgT4mjWLL4TgcKN-BhoEtDFZCwn9J-4fjkvRw/s640/blogger-image--1354916175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oVbzuU2PmckOmobDesnhAKccNIPcGiF6nI7dhtSPQQor-PY53Yh1xDDrM_t9QaqLPFNAWpb1Th8fi-3j_0dzTiiL0thp4l0r6m1MS9rgT4mjWLL4TgcKN-BhoEtDFZCwn9J-4fjkvRw/s640/blogger-image--1354916175.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The picture above shows the last of our belongings before we locked the front door for the very last time. I miss this house. I miss that all the projects were finished. I miss that it felt so familiar to me. I miss our friendly neighbors. But we live less than a mile away and I get to drive by it nearly everyday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Soon I'll share some pictures of our new home. I already have a handful of "before" and "after" photos. It still doesn't quite feel like "home" yet, but it's getting there.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-61130967125005005332016-03-15T17:42:00.001-07:002016-03-15T17:54:14.522-07:00For the Love of Power Tools<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitweIsO8HaVHhlhVcLk5V3ARi7NLzUQP4ude8bI8Heusr1AjpvxI7w0Ork0YgVi4TlNH7h06Y-ZjGdcVVhuGHJubiFq5nPt4hs5JDL6CpUulnUd4ue9ZLTeif68CiiwvGq4euw9kX7fas/s640/blogger-image-1071158400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitweIsO8HaVHhlhVcLk5V3ARi7NLzUQP4ude8bI8Heusr1AjpvxI7w0Ork0YgVi4TlNH7h06Y-ZjGdcVVhuGHJubiFq5nPt4hs5JDL6CpUulnUd4ue9ZLTeif68CiiwvGq4euw9kX7fas/s640/blogger-image-1071158400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JmuAF5gt9DdeUhaarsuVCMqKxkJtr6VE4zMQASlcz0GvoRRAeW90V_b6mZm_aCNAgmVrS7cBai2G0Slu3BtFbdIqi-04HrABYozzviu88p3bjJKYdAvNpKwQuR5HDFtk4HZQ4zdjWWg/s640/blogger-image-1119718161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE28fvo8fG8uwvKK-F34PqgDSl-KxABlMmUzt7qMW8Oq5UrWMyVmsqP0VgC013O4ujBzUridEU26mplDtA97TTAdi4xx2GAAtOyVs50gUZKZ0wcLkZu_xYZaW73XdQAamzJVQeklmB8D8/s640/blogger-image--1063049869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4cB1hdB9bPtyp33aTsd5tLuEbOyX1ul0E1YwW1cRGmZ-yAMFn_ZVUt1BOvjjTac1RQEBGbJ19IA73745yJB1Nh5CqbGcYABWRjIRAO8wsbJDBUwZWecdH8FE-ROgZJ7zNGM7dLpLkJg/s640/blogger-image--284056090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4cB1hdB9bPtyp33aTsd5tLuEbOyX1ul0E1YwW1cRGmZ-yAMFn_ZVUt1BOvjjTac1RQEBGbJ19IA73745yJB1Nh5CqbGcYABWRjIRAO8wsbJDBUwZWecdH8FE-ROgZJ7zNGM7dLpLkJg/s640/blogger-image--284056090.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My love for power tools and learning to do simple projects on my own is growing. With time and patience, I've taken over doing any necessary molding projects around our home. A few weeks ago, I finished installing the board and batton in our basement family room. A couple of weeks after that, some unfinished molding on the stairwell down to the basement. Annnd in that same swoop of getting things done, I redid the molding around our new front door. ...when the new door went in, the spacing for the board and batton was different than what it was around the old door. Anyway, long boring story, but the molding beside the door, needed to be fixed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityAYhrtxy60yfwy8Ci91y1fDARu9_Tlz6l_tOq6KKMT3PE4UDLTwfzQg66mSOjHJHD3npsekEawKJk5efNkCH8lxjUkTtjnkdHggS1g9ZqbobeSZc_-Ljy03RZlAgpgeg5gUtYmP7J8s/s640/blogger-image--747634934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityAYhrtxy60yfwy8Ci91y1fDARu9_Tlz6l_tOq6KKMT3PE4UDLTwfzQg66mSOjHJHD3npsekEawKJk5efNkCH8lxjUkTtjnkdHggS1g9ZqbobeSZc_-Ljy03RZlAgpgeg5gUtYmP7J8s/s640/blogger-image--747634934.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Step 1: cut and nail in thin smooth board.</div><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JmuAF5gt9DdeUhaarsuVCMqKxkJtr6VE4zMQASlcz0GvoRRAeW90V_b6mZm_aCNAgmVrS7cBai2G0Slu3BtFbdIqi-04HrABYozzviu88p3bjJKYdAvNpKwQuR5HDFtk4HZQ4zdjWWg/s640/blogger-image-1119718161.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Step 2: cut to size the mdf base board, thinner top board, and even thinner than that cap piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitweIsO8HaVHhlhVcLk5V3ARi7NLzUQP4ude8bI8Heusr1AjpvxI7w0Ork0YgVi4TlNH7h06Y-ZjGdcVVhuGHJubiFq5nPt4hs5JDL6CpUulnUd4ue9ZLTeif68CiiwvGq4euw9kX7fas/s640/blogger-image-1071158400.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Step 3: caulk and paint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It feels so good to finally finish these projects that have been left undone forever. It feels even better to know I did them myself. I wasn't as fast or consise as a professional, I'm sure. But self reliance feels great!</div>Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-82574489590103454932016-03-08T17:31:00.001-08:002016-03-10T12:21:13.394-08:00Bookshelf Styling<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVcgiKviOQ3YFPxOveLkRikOVJPh4sARXngKICtC5Fx_YggRVcVFx39x_Td3CUoPtck2tENHPm8PQ3xWXWxGaLf84B3Z5pq85C7BRXGFZXPFGqHKoxmwX__FH5VCa93p7yCusClfGVu8/s640/blogger-image--655109296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVcgiKviOQ3YFPxOveLkRikOVJPh4sARXngKICtC5Fx_YggRVcVFx39x_Td3CUoPtck2tENHPm8PQ3xWXWxGaLf84B3Z5pq85C7BRXGFZXPFGqHKoxmwX__FH5VCa93p7yCusClfGVu8/s1600/blogger-image--655109296.jpg" /></a></div>
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We are only a couple of weeks away from spring! (Cue angels singing.) Lately, I've been feeling so antsy for sunshine and warmer weather. To combat that antsy feeling, I've been fluffing my nest as often as time allows. One of the things I've been doing is some minor tweaking of the books and things on our living room built-ins.</div>
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I will just start out by saying, I know nothing about bookshelf styling. All I know is what I like and what I don't like. I think most of us can all say that. We know when we like something a certain way and we know when something looks off.</div>
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I recently bought two new matching baskets from Marshalls for both of the top shelves. I've always had baskets on the top shelves to house a collection of random books. But the old baskets were very dark in color and just seemed very "heavy" to me. I like the light airy color of these baskets much better and I like that they are identical because symmetry is something I like.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are a few other things I like when it comes to styling bookshelves:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">• a combination of books and other cute or meaningful objects (mostly books)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">• enough white space... I want to see part of the back of the bookshelf. It makes everything feel lighter to me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">•combine like color objects... I like to do this with my books (with these bookshelves, I chose to use a combination of blue, yellow and green book spines, along with neutrals)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">•the last, and probably most important thing I do, is the style and step back method :-) I style an object or group of books, step back, and then keep it if I like it, or change things around until I do. It's all about trial and error.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Have you been fluffing your nest in anticipation of spring?</span></span></div>
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Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-18712385573015504532016-03-01T17:55:00.001-08:002016-03-01T17:56:38.452-08:00Think Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcXsvLYDReE3ldiJ88KPtlqq6jjruqeEQPTooL6LjXoMBfY5KzR2rQt8O0uLDkwE2nxLz_XKNSZ5wzQHiGAuwsAOzGhmWM_OarpKXD8AyKd-1YKa9XhkFgfBk5Exof5bmCtv4A0picVc/s640/blogger-image--169123014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcXsvLYDReE3ldiJ88KPtlqq6jjruqeEQPTooL6LjXoMBfY5KzR2rQt8O0uLDkwE2nxLz_XKNSZ5wzQHiGAuwsAOzGhmWM_OarpKXD8AyKd-1YKa9XhkFgfBk5Exof5bmCtv4A0picVc/s640/blogger-image--169123014.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The color green has been on my mind a lot lately, and not just because it's almost St. Patrick's Day. Everything around us seems mostly dormant and brown at the moment. It's so depressing. I realize how much I love color when, because of the weather, nature seems to lack much of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yesterday, I was driving around on some errands with my husband and noticed a tree beginning to blossom and a few trees with a tiny glimmer of green on their branches and I literally shrieked with joy. My husband was kind of like, "Wow, you get excited about the simplest things." Haha. And it's true, I sometimes do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I planted some sugar snap peas in the tiny little green house pictured above. I can't wait to transplant them in my garden and add a little green to our own landscape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ShyphenhyphenKfMRvD_b5NxyFVKmiEPg9b1_UDYjpmf8Op_-WCyBM2zfOI5eVWJfHwUPw8xRXBxZk6wMDuivsY0WaEkJ_GKQel91B-BGPeDYrRMl9LuLIBQoa7e2Pnth4xWLNEaqNlYh1C4kevbI/s640/blogger-image-773977902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ShyphenhyphenKfMRvD_b5NxyFVKmiEPg9b1_UDYjpmf8Op_-WCyBM2zfOI5eVWJfHwUPw8xRXBxZk6wMDuivsY0WaEkJ_GKQel91B-BGPeDYrRMl9LuLIBQoa7e2Pnth4xWLNEaqNlYh1C4kevbI/s640/blogger-image-773977902.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speaking of landscaping... This summer we're completely re-landscaping our backyard. We're adding fruit trees, rock, a retaining wall, and an in ground trampoline. I'm excited to see the changes. Are any of you excited to get outside and get your hands dirty?</div></div>Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-67160860360721042152016-02-23T17:15:00.000-08:002016-02-23T20:48:39.715-08:00Bye Bye Gold Stove<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Last October, my husband and I were talking about selling our home. We were looking at some homes with acreage... with room for bigger animals (like horses) and more room to roam for our family. But before we could put it on the market, we went from room to room, making a quick project list of some things we should probably change or finish up. One of the things that stuck out to us like a sore thumb was our old 70's harvest gold stove. We thought we'd sell faster if the stove was replaced. So we moseyed our way down to that big orange box home improvement store, on a mission to find an updated stove. Since we were "just replacing it to sell" we didn't want to go "all out". A nice flat top white stove would suffice.</div>
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We found our stove and hoped for a quick in and out, replacing one stove for another.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6Ai7LIgK3Zvod7TQgCiVVyQGH5HDvF4BH-4bd9aLGMelfq50hFNxToAZrFsO7hUAR1IJKPMTPR9gwaZmMTGjnwB2bheBr-TePJaskzvI9SkqBKO_pZUMujR78Fa6vICN4Q0_mTvnQBs/s640/blogger-image-1622534992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6Ai7LIgK3Zvod7TQgCiVVyQGH5HDvF4BH-4bd9aLGMelfq50hFNxToAZrFsO7hUAR1IJKPMTPR9gwaZmMTGjnwB2bheBr-TePJaskzvI9SkqBKO_pZUMujR78Fa6vICN4Q0_mTvnQBs/s640/blogger-image-1622534992.jpg"></a></div>
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That didn't happen as seamlessly as we had hoped. The gold stove didn't go all the way to the back of the wall. So we would have to cut the back part of the old counter top to make the new stove fit. We knew we couldn't sell our home with a countertop that had been cut. (That would look terrible!). So back to the big box, orange home improvement store to look for an inexpensive, quick countertop option. We found a great faux granite version that would "appeal to most buyers". But THEN we realized that this in stock countertop would require us to put in a new window. (Remember that book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"? Yup. This story kind of unfolds like that. One thing kept leading to another.) Our current window was huge and went all the way down to the existing countertop. There was no backsplash. The new countertops came with a backsplash...</div>
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So we shopped for a new window that was slightly smaller and would allow for a backsplash. My husband installed it and then had to patch in some new sheetrock underneath it for the backsplash to but up against.</div>
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New sheetrock meant new texture too, blending the old sheetrock with the new. Such a mess! But the small finishing touches make all the difference in the end.</div>
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I gave the old cupboards a fresh coat of white paint and then had to repaint the walls too (Dolphin Fin by Behr) after they had been textured.</div>
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Here is the final product of all those little changes. I decided to remove all of the doors on the top cabinets for a more open look. It's a small kitchen and I felt like removing some of the doors made the space feel an itty bitty bit bigger.</div>
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We also ended up replacing the light fixture above the window and left the blinds off the window. It lets in so much natural light and we love it. Also, because our home is a split level and our kitchen window is on the second story (and we don't have any backyard neighbor's) we still had enough privacy to keep this window blind-less.<br>
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And then guess what? My husband and I kept thinking and praying about the houses we were looking at buying and ended up feeling like we were supposed to stay where we were for the time being. I was really happy with the kitchen updates. Our kitchen was now far better than it used to be. But I'll shamelessly admit I cried. We spent all this money installing new kitchen products that would update the space enough to be able to sell our house quick. However, I didn't pick out the stove or the kind of countertops or new cabinets I was in LOVE with. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but for a few days I was kind of sad about the whole process. Luckily, I got over it. My husband agreed to install some pretty white subway tile in here this summer to make it more "me" and I had to put this all into the right perspective. A kitchen is just a place to prepare food for my family. A place to teach my kiddos how to cook and clean up a meal, a place to linger with friends and laugh and share stories. All of those things still happen whether your stove is gold, stainless, or somewhere in between. In the grand scheme of things, it's just a place, a thing. I'm grateful for this space and I'm grateful I get to keep making memories here with my family. </div>
Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-4187782199130506422016-02-19T21:15:00.000-08:002016-02-19T22:40:20.644-08:00Chickens<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprOdL6-57v2Zpa3t785Bf1pFV1TXrtyUPkydBresxOpakfHSTKCzspuqiINxb4J2S2JOy6i6fjdntVTLDXHC4kCF-bNhsRxaQEBB2q6Ed9Q3DV1K26BooJycDFipBomHQy90Vz6O_0jk/s640/blogger-image-51455162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0ZuZC5Zp1PXrYrESZk8IVQcKsEvDLiLRvxc3VrVnknGA5pOLKrx8XOyl-PzanIEipwFmJSiwqhu_P9LB2Eu4w5t98gssbbnQkwqBGf3o_-6RJchI-EFYYi8ZbRkQE9RC1LfKNfJFKMI/s640/blogger-image-118619284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbhZ-0IzP2zBVNsnvfdV29-FYREX6LOx32pXSY4o33rrQg2FoMnGIFePAQIc4dbtFr-dp4xitD1OQssuLM7-6clI5sMjuBGrC2iWXvBc6wNudNDg5CK_pujzlWXj-w4ET0lHElQbncok/s640/blogger-image-1140130536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NuWNz8HErq2WVsjVx4f1O6inHmRdhncQ2N7MNeTNpbd8b6SGXt8RKyRkjc7KmdLmSUyzIR1ke3_0MKaWkMRHfVntbvOrmk25ZfGCSDMYlk2EwVk_BxT2bpN9vyks3xr6L9tdn6u5NEk/s640/blogger-image-49837242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NuWNz8HErq2WVsjVx4f1O6inHmRdhncQ2N7MNeTNpbd8b6SGXt8RKyRkjc7KmdLmSUyzIR1ke3_0MKaWkMRHfVntbvOrmk25ZfGCSDMYlk2EwVk_BxT2bpN9vyks3xr6L9tdn6u5NEk/s640/blogger-image-49837242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zBCBj01CgdxRWD_v0Rl2ZuuGIhdqMGsKmBCihiItrwlzN7w5s59q5YurYnAj9uWgRqGTV8VPZLczyFS8wS-14jKmaflNFvgky9eKzHlGCNnXWOzjOydLvrhusUn8pynrbDPsT9UPo3Y/s640/blogger-image-568904287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zBCBj01CgdxRWD_v0Rl2ZuuGIhdqMGsKmBCihiItrwlzN7w5s59q5YurYnAj9uWgRqGTV8VPZLczyFS8wS-14jKmaflNFvgky9eKzHlGCNnXWOzjOydLvrhusUn8pynrbDPsT9UPo3Y/s640/blogger-image-568904287.jpg" /></a></div>
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We have six chickens that live in a cute white chicken coop, in our garden, situated in the far left corner of our backyard. As a child, I never imagined I'd have chickens as an adult. Not unless I ended up marrying a farmer someday... which I didn't btw. :)</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbhZ-0IzP2zBVNsnvfdV29-FYREX6LOx32pXSY4o33rrQg2FoMnGIFePAQIc4dbtFr-dp4xitD1OQssuLM7-6clI5sMjuBGrC2iWXvBc6wNudNDg5CK_pujzlWXj-w4ET0lHElQbncok/s640/blogger-image-1140130536.jpg" /><br />
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My husband and I actually dream of owning a home in the country someday. But for now, our destiny lies in suburban life and I'm grateful our city allows us to enjoy the best of both worlds. We get to live by great neighbor's on a quiet street and we get to enjoy a tiny taste of farm life with animals that are a little less common to the average family.</div>
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These ladies are super low maintenance, easy to handle, and produce the most delicious eggs.</div>
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Aren't the shells of these eggs beautiful? And would you believe the yokes inside are so bright orange that when our chickens first started laying, and I scrambled up our first backyard chicken eggs, my children thought I'd added cheese to the concoction. Nope, just really healthy egg yokes!</div>
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P.S. We have three Rhode Island Red chickens that lay brown eggs and three Brahmas that lay the pretty greenish blue eggs. Both types of chickens have been excellent layers for us. We average about four eggs a day from this group all together.</div>
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<br />Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-77171239083869386452016-02-01T21:16:00.001-08:002016-02-16T17:55:26.272-08:00Painted House<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh157iMdK7y5Cr5_b3q26djYd9qCLIVeJl45O8R23V287oF6n-x5PoLoYzj1hCW1BzvZ54QzX1kSmVbjG-qQDypo1RosGLT4W7Pymr_bEdGUddxcYDxWHtOXvbV2MVzc-or9hK17Rw1lbE/s640/blogger-image-1819858767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh157iMdK7y5Cr5_b3q26djYd9qCLIVeJl45O8R23V287oF6n-x5PoLoYzj1hCW1BzvZ54QzX1kSmVbjG-qQDypo1RosGLT4W7Pymr_bEdGUddxcYDxWHtOXvbV2MVzc-or9hK17Rw1lbE/s640/blogger-image-1819858767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HFlgXyZOP-e3A8LaFXS2QFW20aRlAJGlf8dDkuIKJP1sR2os3s6u5Xi4Ph_CrwO5qWY72XYgm_tTVVx4U0IBo9ITPLp8D8xRndXYDv8rBpQIkUcEdQ-jlA3nHbIOJ0NHnDwTCt3DHV0/s640/blogger-image-406931956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HFlgXyZOP-e3A8LaFXS2QFW20aRlAJGlf8dDkuIKJP1sR2os3s6u5Xi4Ph_CrwO5qWY72XYgm_tTVVx4U0IBo9ITPLp8D8xRndXYDv8rBpQIkUcEdQ-jlA3nHbIOJ0NHnDwTCt3DHV0/s640/blogger-image-406931956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgCDm696Gi0sgNrFarm1a-xCyaNKzAYLRKsSLaQi5JFpWZwInMJZEaLPHvam69Qu1oNuEJACHYMHgjGBdeq6nedv4bC9s7VI0mZevbE4wRk9RoVZ-15AvPYj98zBukHfB2Y2xkqJaA6w/s640/blogger-image-204756982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgCDm696Gi0sgNrFarm1a-xCyaNKzAYLRKsSLaQi5JFpWZwInMJZEaLPHvam69Qu1oNuEJACHYMHgjGBdeq6nedv4bC9s7VI0mZevbE4wRk9RoVZ-15AvPYj98zBukHfB2Y2xkqJaA6w/s640/blogger-image-204756982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeEx7Fkf8j6ruYu8IDitrPvvEo-lx-qeINBfzuRCP48BCUDVyMfSHC4XEXfbxJttX3vhaMT5iCDPimMp4u6Wp8K2wXpKyEoZCRpDaa0vha1ck-OYphjKqo9fPynvY7YMH89nzmF01dyQ/s640/blogger-image--687262527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeEx7Fkf8j6ruYu8IDitrPvvEo-lx-qeINBfzuRCP48BCUDVyMfSHC4XEXfbxJttX3vhaMT5iCDPimMp4u6Wp8K2wXpKyEoZCRpDaa0vha1ck-OYphjKqo9fPynvY7YMH89nzmF01dyQ/s640/blogger-image--687262527.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last summer we spent two months giving the exterior of our home a makeover. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37TNQvcbP3MkT9ZP8upplqRcrqR7CqGp4OFyHK8J-SJ2oRHLEgkuooRL7lftiEDT4jaqvuiS4SKjnFMmLZIOT0RsTXLCPBawRAx20pBPVAboyyTAdzG3G7SYV13bsBG9HrOuGxzQScdw/s640/blogger-image--266432737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37TNQvcbP3MkT9ZP8upplqRcrqR7CqGp4OFyHK8J-SJ2oRHLEgkuooRL7lftiEDT4jaqvuiS4SKjnFMmLZIOT0RsTXLCPBawRAx20pBPVAboyyTAdzG3G7SYV13bsBG9HrOuGxzQScdw/s640/blogger-image--266432737.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We replaced the front door with more of a craftman style door, got rid of the window to the right of the door, and added some chunky white trim for added charm. I couldn't believe what a huge transformation it was, just replacing the door!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgCDm696Gi0sgNrFarm1a-xCyaNKzAYLRKsSLaQi5JFpWZwInMJZEaLPHvam69Qu1oNuEJACHYMHgjGBdeq6nedv4bC9s7VI0mZevbE4wRk9RoVZ-15AvPYj98zBukHfB2Y2xkqJaA6w/s640/blogger-image-204756982.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next thing we did was tear out all of the existing molding around the exterior. It all looked very "70's" style and half of it was so old it was rotting away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsQNKLN2gA47HrT2C5Rzsp75fnAuIQn46qkRhFLFcu1AnJuGJyFfHlMeyXf5Izezw3JmF-aYoVfzxMnxqXtS9HG9wznqWpIAu4IzESIet0Suil_Ukoqy5LxX0BpGdg5MR88qGvT9m2Ds/s640/blogger-image--1180237288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsQNKLN2gA47HrT2C5Rzsp75fnAuIQn46qkRhFLFcu1AnJuGJyFfHlMeyXf5Izezw3JmF-aYoVfzxMnxqXtS9HG9wznqWpIAu4IzESIet0Suil_Ukoqy5LxX0BpGdg5MR88qGvT9m2Ds/s640/blogger-image--1180237288.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My husband installed all new molding around the windows and edges and corners of the house. It's kind of hard to tell in this picture what is new, since you can still see those vertical lines where the old molding around the windows used to be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next thing we did was seal and patch every. single. seam and nail hole around the ENTIRE house. This took us FOREVER. But it's all that detail work that made the biggest difference in the end. After the paint went on, our 70's <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">looking siding, looked brand new! It was seriously worth all of the tedious work and long hot days.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HFlgXyZOP-e3A8LaFXS2QFW20aRlAJGlf8dDkuIKJP1sR2os3s6u5Xi4Ph_CrwO5qWY72XYgm_tTVVx4U0IBo9ITPLp8D8xRndXYDv8rBpQIkUcEdQ-jlA3nHbIOJ0NHnDwTCt3DHV0/s640/blogger-image-406931956.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With my husband's paint sprayer and a scissor lift the bishop from our church lent us, my husband was able to paint two coats around our entire house in just five hours.</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh157iMdK7y5Cr5_b3q26djYd9qCLIVeJl45O8R23V287oF6n-x5PoLoYzj1hCW1BzvZ54QzX1kSmVbjG-qQDypo1RosGLT4W7Pymr_bEdGUddxcYDxWHtOXvbV2MVzc-or9hK17Rw1lbE/s640/blogger-image-1819858767.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The molding around our garage doors, and windows and such was painted white. We also added new matching light fixtures around our garage doors and by our front door. The light fixtures were purchased at Lowes and then we spray painted them a flat black. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJyTyQQUjH4PFCkxEIVjWxys9tDcyxFaviWNsDgs8qPA_5ckxYyypIjDLUjl3tX7nGYFr1I4GnbTG4TwREnJ__tNSal6g_Jnl5ZagAlsr3SVweChvIKl1fLOTtVelO2VQq-Fwek4gZlY/s640/blogger-image-276097811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJyTyQQUjH4PFCkxEIVjWxys9tDcyxFaviWNsDgs8qPA_5ckxYyypIjDLUjl3tX7nGYFr1I4GnbTG4TwREnJ__tNSal6g_Jnl5ZagAlsr3SVweChvIKl1fLOTtVelO2VQq-Fwek4gZlY/s640/blogger-image-276097811.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Without showing you the entire exterior, for privacy reasons of course, here is a before and after. The top picture shows what our home looked like when we bought it, and the bottom picture is what it looks like now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a lot of work doing all of the prep and painting by ourselves. Hiring it out would have been nice. But we knew we were perfectly capable of doing all the work ourselves and doing it this way saved us a lot of money. The reward of what it looks like now was totally worth all that hot sweaty summer time and effort.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-12222294816113589612015-12-14T06:41:00.001-08:002015-12-14T09:42:22.599-08:00A Simply Decorated Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVZtsWntZNkc_XNnAdKoNqaqOaDWzcFH3O7m1czFiHHw2LvHIYeD9_7wA9TZSIMa5JnX3JQRfHFBt3qDzaigdZiHvRHASb5yigjqs_wVUzfrC3t0heJ12bsVXmJZ7yPzmR_jucID7ETE/s640/blogger-image-1751265488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVZtsWntZNkc_XNnAdKoNqaqOaDWzcFH3O7m1czFiHHw2LvHIYeD9_7wA9TZSIMa5JnX3JQRfHFBt3qDzaigdZiHvRHASb5yigjqs_wVUzfrC3t0heJ12bsVXmJZ7yPzmR_jucID7ETE/s640/blogger-image-1751265488.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Merry Christmas friends! I got the bug to blog again. So I decided to wake up before the rest of the house does and use this quiet time to share our simply decorated house at Christmas time. It's not a lot different than in years past. The only difference is that my huge Christmas box is still half way full of things I decided not to use this year. I did that on purpose. Most years, it all begins to feel like clutter to me come December 20ish and I can't wait to box it all up again. I didn't want to feel that way this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxmPj8eX6TyjpqsQlEKTcsJsEJJJ4Mqa02_ET8vDnAaEMmd5Utrq_Fw1AlbFPYDhfeSoPn_P_9DfYONLzEifrtG-hH2MhuJ_jh9lpGb-07zoifa18ns6QaljZ0FtcBMiX_f6RnVwAvVQ/s640/blogger-image-295397569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxmPj8eX6TyjpqsQlEKTcsJsEJJJ4Mqa02_ET8vDnAaEMmd5Utrq_Fw1AlbFPYDhfeSoPn_P_9DfYONLzEifrtG-hH2MhuJ_jh9lpGb-07zoifa18ns6QaljZ0FtcBMiX_f6RnVwAvVQ/s640/blogger-image-295397569.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used a few things that trigger old memories, like this candy cane. It used to be my mother's and then she gave it to me (I think she made it at a Relief Society meeting years and years ago.) Growing up, I remember it hanging on the inside doorknob of our front door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z3_R5rwZU7FAUTMNopNjE8Rv2BuXx0sV248tx5PHexB1Ji2FsGx-iqN3taiY61itGL_Jbhfb1mr3BNTxw8NAOFJVNRvsn_Nk3a51ZCfAusQieXNaImYNzJe1UlwyoSmPDM-Jd3Yi9O0/s640/blogger-image-2121725103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z3_R5rwZU7FAUTMNopNjE8Rv2BuXx0sV248tx5PHexB1Ji2FsGx-iqN3taiY61itGL_Jbhfb1mr3BNTxw8NAOFJVNRvsn_Nk3a51ZCfAusQieXNaImYNzJe1UlwyoSmPDM-Jd3Yi9O0/s640/blogger-image-2121725103.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hung a fake wreath (from Michael's) on our pantry door and trimmed it with a fancy red bow. I didn't have an extra wreath hanger lying around, so I used a gingham strip of fabric and a thumb tack to hang it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaK9MrZLzScAyMJPJY2I92Dck5kValYE8-9NGjG7BPvgJFpBEcJpsYDcIgJYgD2QJbkqBLELqmBkNmUmEJBquT0M5FqEKl9y2IZxjjjodZ7UY6f7BW5OaELJaZ_crVfg7BWtUq1BDuyU/s640/blogger-image--2123274533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaK9MrZLzScAyMJPJY2I92Dck5kValYE8-9NGjG7BPvgJFpBEcJpsYDcIgJYgD2QJbkqBLELqmBkNmUmEJBquT0M5FqEKl9y2IZxjjjodZ7UY6f7BW5OaELJaZ_crVfg7BWtUq1BDuyU/s640/blogger-image--2123274533.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY9k2EjaDJgGw9pENg-TXT0NUgOxXIQIka3CFrmMLdBT1aHwpe-U5rwE9RG_n8P8jZabtSUKICE01x2bhIi3UwXER53WZuvuflIiu3pjRZqAALR64ctIA3Rl388Cu8h2bW1Hit8Kitaw/s640/blogger-image--1690143557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY9k2EjaDJgGw9pENg-TXT0NUgOxXIQIka3CFrmMLdBT1aHwpe-U5rwE9RG_n8P8jZabtSUKICE01x2bhIi3UwXER53WZuvuflIiu3pjRZqAALR64ctIA3Rl388Cu8h2bW1Hit8Kitaw/s640/blogger-image--1690143557.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some tree trimmings from our live "Home Depot" Christmas tree, add Christmas life to a couple of open cupboards in our kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-1m75Gw0ZjksE25-8v9gU-S1ofRtk-xPKDtw-Z040uoBiDZDVuFSQg8_9REr8c_Y3S9ZvxjNCKFA4XoKZT5HuLQlJq93YUvCi3dYtmGPAVSAUOKKSSKtFUxIQxfztId70nr2lTpLnsg/s640/blogger-image-133889168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-1m75Gw0ZjksE25-8v9gU-S1ofRtk-xPKDtw-Z040uoBiDZDVuFSQg8_9REr8c_Y3S9ZvxjNCKFA4XoKZT5HuLQlJq93YUvCi3dYtmGPAVSAUOKKSSKtFUxIQxfztId70nr2lTpLnsg/s640/blogger-image-133889168.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A large "Merry Christmas" ornament, gifted to us a few years ago, accompanies a plant on the kitchen window sill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5yqSxialcGEWd-oJsq9IoCAzu2bk-oUT6BWxqxZ9_AcaSrtY3gkjmuQ9QCIBeB98ekrDaDsn2K8WEoaqbXNi03IK1n49qYMn4cxefHBXoXpSczf2XqS_C5P2PcTN6jTomqrAMY6ebSE/s640/blogger-image--313898336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5yqSxialcGEWd-oJsq9IoCAzu2bk-oUT6BWxqxZ9_AcaSrtY3gkjmuQ9QCIBeB98ekrDaDsn2K8WEoaqbXNi03IK1n49qYMn4cxefHBXoXpSczf2XqS_C5P2PcTN6jTomqrAMY6ebSE/s640/blogger-image--313898336.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Spare buckets hold seasonal citrus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYGnmTnEGHv52aorqxPjmjn9D8ewEhUx9pznGhRIopYwDyQ9NBnkT-TJAalEQr98h_QJ2wreudSGQra8Ak31IeDDrurhW-8qgs3utrYU-RYRTWuQI8vxtPP2OzbuLhuvgD3fo2l1_pcw/s640/blogger-image--1125139664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYGnmTnEGHv52aorqxPjmjn9D8ewEhUx9pznGhRIopYwDyQ9NBnkT-TJAalEQr98h_QJ2wreudSGQra8Ak31IeDDrurhW-8qgs3utrYU-RYRTWuQI8vxtPP2OzbuLhuvgD3fo2l1_pcw/s640/blogger-image--1125139664.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of the only Christmas decorations I bought new this year was this little manger. The little basket (from Target's dollar spot), holds little pieces of straw. Each time we do an act of service this Christmas season, we add a piece of straw to the manger. By Christmas Day I hope to see this manger full to the brim and then I'll lay a little baby Jesus on top of the straw. I hope this reminds our family daily of the true meaning of Christmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdqoChw0xnyLisjaLRRw3tFqtYmG0Mr25aTmSBsYiT-3u8W1sH_itaFsCxIcHLwpLDvbMefhBGlkuxdA0BrrxaWXHCKYh-kHz2-9VqpXGJJ6sPhVe3QKknvYSnf2nk5nNj2V5eulesWE/s640/blogger-image--1837573234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdqoChw0xnyLisjaLRRw3tFqtYmG0Mr25aTmSBsYiT-3u8W1sH_itaFsCxIcHLwpLDvbMefhBGlkuxdA0BrrxaWXHCKYh-kHz2-9VqpXGJJ6sPhVe3QKknvYSnf2nk5nNj2V5eulesWE/s640/blogger-image--1837573234.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The other new Christmas addition this year is this red reindeer head pillow cover from Amazon. I can always find the cheapest/cutest pillow covers on Amazon. That black and white buffalo check pillow cover was bought on Amazin as well (for like five bucks!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHu8aAUgZbjfdAybCJQUl9_fBF8mNubvPDw7t6WbHauZQYiP3BjxRt458f6lR-cf6Zsv6S4w86TBWOqi3uj-zg3XX-rgmehuWaI3Re6J6qIwXWIELhYCeH_JEN_Z7CPvB5ir2J0eSXVk/s640/blogger-image--1830344472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHu8aAUgZbjfdAybCJQUl9_fBF8mNubvPDw7t6WbHauZQYiP3BjxRt458f6lR-cf6Zsv6S4w86TBWOqi3uj-zg3XX-rgmehuWaI3Re6J6qIwXWIELhYCeH_JEN_Z7CPvB5ir2J0eSXVk/s640/blogger-image--1830344472.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our fireplace mantel has a couple of simple red Walmart lanterns, some Christmas tree trimmings, circle felt garland that I made a few years ago, and some tiny battery operated lights. The lights are hard to see in this picture, but at night they look so cozy up there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rnBlZtxwIab2QH7hCUnetVfC-ZtIXXgKDtIfZftv7k6rK_EXnYvtBbod8K_ZgDR5omP1gkhOT-X-tm_WO0rM4qXXfmly9ySiIrS1AWyxGPlKMvw1vnQsrg3JqcFzgZ-eo_zNsaV_3x4/s640/blogger-image--1494287299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rnBlZtxwIab2QH7hCUnetVfC-ZtIXXgKDtIfZftv7k6rK_EXnYvtBbod8K_ZgDR5omP1gkhOT-X-tm_WO0rM4qXXfmly9ySiIrS1AWyxGPlKMvw1vnQsrg3JqcFzgZ-eo_zNsaV_3x4/s640/blogger-image--1494287299.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This nativity is another Walmart find from a few years ago. I love it's constant reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6sSq-XIEPEnrj_9fC9VadE6Q7jvUQJjQis-r5Af8PJ0G52bV1TetZCxeVq0QhMc3tjRh0Nn_1erlRit1ynYx0fMPG84F1E8wsVYYgonxc9-OLssCizSqsLAKPw9IRDElsOD2xWGrf30/s640/blogger-image--1122537253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6sSq-XIEPEnrj_9fC9VadE6Q7jvUQJjQis-r5Af8PJ0G52bV1TetZCxeVq0QhMc3tjRh0Nn_1erlRit1ynYx0fMPG84F1E8wsVYYgonxc9-OLssCizSqsLAKPw9IRDElsOD2xWGrf30/s640/blogger-image--1122537253.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We've never had a fancy decorated Christmas tree. Every year we get a real tree. My husband trims the awkward branches and adds white lights. Then we watch "White Christmas" and decorate the tree as a family. The ornaments consist of red and white candy canes, grade school handmade treasures, gifted ornaments from friends and relatives, buffalo check red bows, and an added touch of hand strung popcorn and cranberries. It's super down to earth and family friendly. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hope you all enjoy this Christmas season! I love the gentle reminders, especially during this time of year, to serve and love others more generously, the way our Savior has taught us to. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-62288421356295574402015-03-04T10:08:00.001-08:002015-03-04T10:08:17.304-08:00Placemat to Pillowcase<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JT6Xl4oSj5mTSsilHGwjtL4zULluyeiby9Iq7t_8tYpVa6KZ81-d4pfDUcOz2OWHqb8RFXduEW_jUe5HENGAUG1luJuMVDuQBIrVn2L6Y1bL7k1x1z0be4706YrA-9Yki5IfMzyMdaQ/s640/blogger-image-1124391754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JT6Xl4oSj5mTSsilHGwjtL4zULluyeiby9Iq7t_8tYpVa6KZ81-d4pfDUcOz2OWHqb8RFXduEW_jUe5HENGAUG1luJuMVDuQBIrVn2L6Y1bL7k1x1z0be4706YrA-9Yki5IfMzyMdaQ/s640/blogger-image-1124391754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-m2GUoXHmXOABoyvFnjNk5y0vV99xLFrv6GhAS2wsDBxiX-zEN8NbL0GlZNwDGr8HOjr3aai60zSc4u5pMOUBF3aGJemcblZEKWz1y5SB1jCOntOMsj4HLTw2RDaWjhTgevOx7FdeiCk/s640/blogger-image-799334717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-m2GUoXHmXOABoyvFnjNk5y0vV99xLFrv6GhAS2wsDBxiX-zEN8NbL0GlZNwDGr8HOjr3aai60zSc4u5pMOUBF3aGJemcblZEKWz1y5SB1jCOntOMsj4HLTw2RDaWjhTgevOx7FdeiCk/s640/blogger-image-799334717.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I spotted this placemat on clearance at Target about a month ago. ($2.78) I was drawn to it not because it was a placemat, but because I loved the simple stripe pattern. Then as I picked it up, I realized it's two layers of fabric sewn together! If I unstitched one end, I could stuff the inside and viola, new pillow! THEN, I was scrolling through Pinterest one day and realized I wasn't the first one to discover how easy it would be to transform a placemat into a pillow case. HA! ;) </div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JT6Xl4oSj5mTSsilHGwjtL4zULluyeiby9Iq7t_8tYpVa6KZ81-d4pfDUcOz2OWHqb8RFXduEW_jUe5HENGAUG1luJuMVDuQBIrVn2L6Y1bL7k1x1z0be4706YrA-9Yki5IfMzyMdaQ/s640/blogger-image-1124391754.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But anyway, if you were like me and had never seen this done before, here's the super simple how to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1.) Unstitch one of the shorter ends of the placemat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2.). Stuff a pillow form or pillow stuffing inside the placemat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3.). Stitch the open end of the placement closed. (I hand stitched it.)</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBwRWUnrUfgWFksTlax6T72D_o_mJd7lBYiaAomHAa1oVUgKURkX4r7cGD_JqmQ01b-TbCO83DPCME21xjrppT1CYlmY9onoHTNlC85Aa2guH70YE13yPYCqzWNax8vrsOW7WGMKHW7I/s640/blogger-image--827583430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBwRWUnrUfgWFksTlax6T72D_o_mJd7lBYiaAomHAa1oVUgKURkX4r7cGD_JqmQ01b-TbCO83DPCME21xjrppT1CYlmY9onoHTNlC85Aa2guH70YE13yPYCqzWNax8vrsOW7WGMKHW7I/s640/blogger-image--827583430.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This whole project took maybe twenty minutes and curbed my craving to create something new. I love quick projects like this when life is so busy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy Wednesday! (We're half way through the week. Woo Hoo!)</div>Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2086610943762477356.post-59599995112217506782015-02-18T14:34:00.001-08:002015-02-18T17:06:01.636-08:00A New Stair Rail and Other Simple Changes<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE5CRhmL1frzQQ24pIi51D-RBxTAoJPVuGQRi0q_KV-mvAYiTuY5tjZyfTFNOjkbCoHExD3zKxovkpJeN4kkLGphWZlGMk5ekbMYQZNfF1BY6J-SlWiDTecTLEDe-7daPG-ecjDR8TAM/s640/blogger-image-303491939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE5CRhmL1frzQQ24pIi51D-RBxTAoJPVuGQRi0q_KV-mvAYiTuY5tjZyfTFNOjkbCoHExD3zKxovkpJeN4kkLGphWZlGMk5ekbMYQZNfF1BY6J-SlWiDTecTLEDe-7daPG-ecjDR8TAM/s640/blogger-image-303491939.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm blogging from my phone, right now, for the first time ever. It's fast. It's convenient. And maybe, just maybe I'll find the time to blog more often if I do it this way. We'll see. <br />
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So last time I blogged was Halloween day. Since then, we've made a few house updates I wanted to share. </div>
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I don't have a "before" shot of this area, but if you click on the "Our Fixer Upper" link on the right sidebar, you can see what this entryway originally looked like. Just before Thanksgiving, my husband knocked down the seventies looking archway on the right of this picture, and replaced it with this more open, updated stair rail. It opened up this space sooo much! I wish I had the before picture right in this post to show you, but since I'm blogging from my phone and not my computer, I can't access it at the moment. :( But trust me, it's a huge improvement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjvQ7TH44w_8vkI3xK55PVoDC0b6Jgfk4aO5o84yULKwwKI1FeX7bo-d4_PgtL0Xul_ctQK5F8YQqOKKy4nQBTAugVEpeAj-B35zqx31mJs6Yb9FZrVo_COS6IOD5lgelNRo9XeRFJXU/s640/blogger-image--658211640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjvQ7TH44w_8vkI3xK55PVoDC0b6Jgfk4aO5o84yULKwwKI1FeX7bo-d4_PgtL0Xul_ctQK5F8YQqOKKy4nQBTAugVEpeAj-B35zqx31mJs6Yb9FZrVo_COS6IOD5lgelNRo9XeRFJXU/s640/blogger-image--658211640.jpg" /></a></div>
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I recently replaced the white ikea curtains in our living room, with
these gray and white grommet curtains from Marshalls. (Man I love that
place!) They were like thirty dollars for the pair and I love the
personality that classic stripes bring to a room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ25TkoD4jWPBuAthJEBvARdAfEMqlEO3EjBCYPBLF79IkA0gZ3M9Y7DP5OctZ3Yyy_yLoUz71U-kVl7OqpfF0UqngCSifV-XOmmtfinrQob5gPsZjGZJKOiyFB88P67euFU9YPZod0Q/s640/blogger-image--266278292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ25TkoD4jWPBuAthJEBvARdAfEMqlEO3EjBCYPBLF79IkA0gZ3M9Y7DP5OctZ3Yyy_yLoUz71U-kVl7OqpfF0UqngCSifV-XOmmtfinrQob5gPsZjGZJKOiyFB88P67euFU9YPZod0Q/s640/blogger-image--266278292.jpg" /></a></div>
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I don't know if you can see them very clearly there, but those small white books on the bottom right are Chatbooks. Have you heard of them? I'd share the link here, but I'm not quite sure how to link things from my phone. Anyway, they are pictures straight from my Instagram account, put into book form. They include the date the pictures were taken and a little blurb about the picture. Best thing is that they only cost $6 for sixty pictures in a book. And the best, bestest thing about them? They've become my new easy way of scrap booking my family's life. </div>
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Btw, you are welcome to follow me on Instagram. My user name is keephomesimple. I have a private account to keep my pictures safe from all the crazies out there, but don't hesitate to request to follow!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfelKD2kJdAnMpwGHc5vvRJLo5JEKMRdBX3NBzdGXjBLbd8drrZDJK2Be7f4YACI11Oi4ImaX5yhZEio718dhBkXGYPcqVO_nTiooju8pAS9kDieHKIpsSqn3khhQHHHh-7aGzNlfKdv4/s640/blogger-image-983931144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfelKD2kJdAnMpwGHc5vvRJLo5JEKMRdBX3NBzdGXjBLbd8drrZDJK2Be7f4YACI11Oi4ImaX5yhZEio718dhBkXGYPcqVO_nTiooju8pAS9kDieHKIpsSqn3khhQHHHh-7aGzNlfKdv4/s640/blogger-image-983931144.jpg" /></a></div>
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I recently cut some tiny boxwood branches for the vases on my mantle. I'm trying to bring in as much green as possible to remind me that spring is on its way! (Thank goodness!)</div>
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That yellow locker basket was a Target find. It houses most of our family's scriptures. We read together from them every morning, to start our day out right and invite the spirit into our home. It makes such a difference in our family. I can tell.</div>
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Did you know you can find cheap pillow covers on Amazon? I got that black and white striped one and the chevron one, pictured above, for such good prices! I love change when it comes to decor. So changing a pillow cover every now and then is a cheap way to change things up when the mood strikes.</div>
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Hope everyone is getting through this winter ok! We've been blessed with a whole week of sun recently and it's been such a blessing to my soul!</div>
Keep Home Simplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708799140870887498noreply@blogger.com