Mini Office

So, I have two walk-in closets in my bedroom (yeah, I know...) and I don't need both, so I decided to convert the smaller one into a mini office for me, since my spare room is a hobby/craft/guest bedroom.

What do you think?

The orange desk is from West Elm- which I got off of craigslist for a crazy awesome price. The white thing sitting on the chair (one that I painted several years ago in lieu of spending $200 at Anthropolgie for the same thing) is the light fixture that will replace the "closet bare bulb" thing I have currently- but I gotta find someone who can show me how to cut cables and rewire and suchness first.

The squares on the wall are scrapbook covered cork board- handy for pinning up important things and fun momentos.

Yeah, I know it's a bit unconventional, but I really like it so far. I need to still remove the gold metal plate at the top of the entrance and get a rug to cover the rail guard on the floor, and add a small bookcase, but other than that, it's about done. At some point, I may paint in there too...but I'll leave that until I tackle my bedroom...

The Big Kitchen Reveal

Okay, it's not completely finished. I will be adding hardware to the doors, getting outlets/covers that match with the tile better, and at some point (a MUCH future point) I will be getting new floor tile...but for now here it is (no, the faucet isn't completely installed. I am waiting, as I type, for the plumber to reconnect the sink, and then I will install it myself to save 200 smackaroos...)

Before- love me some pink Formica

After
I didn't know they were going to add the granite windowsill- I really like it!

Before

After- porcelain and glass tile backsplash

Before

After- they added about 6 inches, which I hadn't asked for, but I like- hmm, short barstools mayhaps?

Before

After- they also extended the top part of this "bar"

:)



:) I love this glass tile!

House doings

I've been doing a LOT of painting...and shopping...still no furniture...but I am making headway and having a lot of fun along the way...

The first room to be painted- the living room- in Behr's "Happy Camper". I am a HUGE fan of the paint and primer in one. These walls will soon have crown molding as well (no, I'm not doing it myself, I decided contracting it out was wiser for now...)


Love fresh flowers!



I tackled the dining room and entry way on Friday. Color-matched Behr from Valspar's "Cafe Latte".


Yes, I meant to only paint 3/4 of the wall :). I am going to run a chair rail along the orange/white border and then paint below the rail white (it's currently a cream color). Then I am going to add some wall frames. In the center of the wall frames will be some funky fabric that ties in the orange and green...


I have never bought dishes before. I had a few melamine bowls I used in the apartment and a set of glasses my aunt gave me for Christmas back in college. I picked up these glasses at World Market and the bowls from Anthropolgie...apparently, I don't like things that match- I'm on the hunt for some funky salad plates...


My new down alternative comforter (thanks Grandma G!) and wicked awesome duvet cover from West Elm that I fell in love with about 5 months ago. I love the quilts my Grandma W. has made me over the years, but I am ready for a change...

Today was a Sears run to get a screwdriver set, orbital sander (::gulp:: I bought a DeWalt...I am such a traitor but the DeWalt reviews were much better than the Craftsman equivalent), and a level- the required implements for two projects- installing the chair rail and refinishing my craigslist vintage couch. Coming soon to a blog near you.... :)

House pics

A lot of folks have been asking for house pictures. Here are a few...

The house
(that's my roommate's car in the driveway)



When you walk in the front door and look to the left, this is the TV room (there's a dining room behind the chair as well, but it's empty right now.) I just have my apartment furniture in here for now...


Looking back towards the front door


Getting ready to paint soon...



Living room


Kitchen....the pink countertops are getting replaced with gray granite in the next few weeks and I will be adding hardware to the cabinets.


Breakfast nook...a friend is loaning me the cardtable :) Must go furniture shopping soon....

There you go...I'll be posting before and after pics as I start tackling my list of things to fix/change/decorate :)

My new dresser!

After weeks of looking around at furniture stores and then deciding that they didn't have what I was looking for...and then hawking craigslist every day (apparently I must always have dresser drama, you may recall my previously possessed one here), I finally found the dresser I was looking for...circa late 50s/early 60s...I LOVE this dresser. Solid wood, good joints...got a great deal on it. At some point, I may refinish it darker...but for now it matches my similarly circa-ed bed frame...

(loving the orange lamp too of course :)

First "for my house" purchase!!!

Aren't they pretty? :) (yeah, yeah, I hear they work well too ;-) )...

Get ready....

Coming to a blog near you (like, really near...as in, the one you are reading now)...Melissa's Do-It-Yourself EXtravaganza! That's right, I am a homeowner now...and that means...PROJECTS!!! So expect to see postings in the near future...before and after pictures included :)