Master Closet: Displaying Oversized Necklaces

A few months ago I purchased a closet/wardrobe consultation from a local stylist, Wendy Pilch, of Spendalla.  She and I had a really fun hour digging through my closet and putting outfits together.  Wendy is an amazing stylist and can put together amazing outfits using things you already have, give you suggestions on what to buy, and helping you accessorize (I was clueless with scarves!).  Highly recommend it as a birthday gift to yourself :)

Anyway.... When I pulled out my jumble of necklaces out of my dresser for accessorizing, it became pretty clear to me that I needed a new solution.

Fortunately I  had this really cool hook purchased nearly 2 years ago to hang a robe or two in our closet.  It was too cool to be covered by a robe but I had not found the right purpose or place for it since then.  So, it sat on the floor of my closet where Handy Hubby and I kept stubbing our toes on it!  

I finally found my solution.  Now I had to find a location.  I thought about hanging it on the door of the closet, on the bedroom wall, and in several other possible locations.  In the end, I decided the wall just inside the closet was the best possible location. 

I knew Handy Hubby wouldn't be super thrilled because this is technically his side of the closet... but oh well.  I wanted easy access to my pretty stuff.  Ten minutes later, the hooks were hanging beautifully with only one extra hole which is thankfully nicely covered!

The best part was hanging my pretty (mostly bargain) finds on the hooks.  So easy to grab a necklace as I run out of the closet.  I used the hooks but also the tips of the fleur-de-lis.  Bonus!

Now I have so much more space in my regular jewelry storage.  I can actually find things!  How do you organize your long or chunky necklaces?  

Master Bedroom: Built-in Reveal

It's finally done. Although I have already declared this the worst documented project in the 3 year history of my blog, it was all worth it.  In the end, these projects are not for the blog, but for own enjoyment and use (although Handy Hubby may think differently).

So, without further ado, here it is...

And here's where we started as a reminder.

The styling was not very thoughtful but I grabbed something that I had nearby and that worked with the colors in our master - cream, blue, gray-green.  I'm not going to lie - I did carefully choose which books to put in here based on their color - not their content!

The hardware is from the Martha Stewart line available at Home Depot.

Once again Handy Hubby out did himself. I love the Shaker-style doors that he made.  Also the crisp white paint which matches our trim, makes me less itchy to paint another large piece of furniture in there. Handy Hubby will flip out if I even mention painting more wood so I have to keep those dreams under wraps!!

Hope you had a great 4th of July. I loved having the 4th in the middle of the week - most people were on vacation but we were here.  We were also fortunate to have power when a lot of people in Northern Virginia did not. Thank goodness for small miracles!!

What fun projects are you working on?  Are you taking a break for summer?  I think this is our last large project for a little while but you never know!

Linking to: A Bowl Full of Lemons, Primitive and Proper, Miss Mustard Seed, Savvy Southern Style

Master Bedroom: Built-in Television Cabinet

This may officially be the worst documented semi-major project we've done in the house.  Not sure what happened but I think it was partly because Handy Hubby worked on it at random times or when I was away for work so I didn't get to take too many in progress shots.

So, we left off here last time. I think.

So fast forward 2.5 months and we're here.

Handy Hubby added the crown molding to dress it up a little bit.  He also wrapped the baseboard around the base so it's a true built-in.  

 Handy Hubby made the Shaker-style doors using a Kreg jig with a panel inset.

Next up I need to get some hardware.  I think I am going to get something dark to match the curtain rods and dresser hardware.

I first mentioned this project to Handy Hubby over a year ago and it feels good to be almost at the finish line!

Master Bedroom Built-ins Progress Report

Sorry about the lack of posts over the past few weeks. Not sure anyone actually notices when I don't post but we were knee-deep in party planning for Elizabeth's 6th birthday party.  More on that to come later this week I hope!

I keep forgetting to update you on Handy Hubby's progress on the master bedroom built-ins.  That's probably because he is working on them solely in his shop so they aren't in my face every day!  I love this part of the process since there's no mess in our bedroom.  That will likely change this weekend.  

So, now Handy Hubby has pretty much finished the base box and doors so you can get an idea for what they look like.  

The open top space is for our cable box and DVD player.  Our TV will go on the shelf above that, and then a bookcase will surround the TV with a few shelves above that.  

This weekend we have to try to find some hinges and I'll try to get this part primed and painted so Handy Hubby can install it and then get started on the top.  I haven't decided what kind of metal finish I want on the hinges and I'm not entirely sure I'm going to paint this one white. {Gasp}  I'm leaning towards a blue-gray color.  At least it's not a large piece so repainting would not be the end of the world!

What do you think?  

Looking forward to getting it 

Master Bedroom: Built-ins (yes, I'm addicted)

It's official - no room in our house is safe from built-ins! The master bedroom is no exception. Our television needs a home and this messy corner is the only real option. 

Much like the other built-ins around our house, we'll have a cabinet with doors below and some open shelving above. The TV will go in the open middle and sit a few inches higher than where it does now.   Handy Hubby has already made a good start on it thanks to a rainy, cool weekend.

Why do I love built-ins?  I love that I don't have to hunt down the perfect piece of furniture to fit in the exact right way into the space - custom built-ins always fit perfectly.  I also love that you an maximize the the space in the way that you need it to work - and it can flexible when you need to move shelves, add doors, etc.  Finally, the cost of building them is rarely more than a few hundred dollars, but the value-added to our house is certainly as much.

More porch updates tomorrow hopefully.

Happy Birthday to my Dad!!

Master Bedroom Bedding Updates

You can probably picture my Handy Hubby's eyes rolling as he reads this post.  Pillows on the bed are the bane of his existence.  Of course, I adore pillows on the bed because it makes the cozy and inviting. He shouldn't complain about that, right?

For a while I have been considering adding Euro size pillows to the back of the pillow arrangement. I felt the bed needed a little more height because of the headboard. The issue hasn't been quite as pronounced since I upholstered the headboard and footboard though (more on that project here).

So, here's my updated bedding - new duvet cover at the foot of the bed from the Pottery Barn Outlet (pattern is Sydney Palampore and it's ). On a sad note, the Pottery Barn Outlet in Leesburg, Virginia where I bought these a few weeks ago, is closing next week. {Tears}

And here's a way before of the bedroom...

I've got a few more changes up my sleeve for this room. Might take a couple of weeks to implement since I forced myself into "minimal spending in January so we can spend money on some big stuff." UGH. I hate budgets but it will be worth it when you see what we're planning.

I also added a great magazine basket to the reading corner, also from the Pottery Barn Outlet.

I spent quite a few hours here between Christmas and New Years as I devoured The Hunger Games trilogy. Have you read it? I haven't read anything since coming down from my reading high.  I need some recommendations. (Yes, I've read The Help - loved it too!)

Bed Makeover - Upholstered Headboard and Footboard

We've owned our bed for about 8 years. We bought it soon after we moved into our house because we really wanted a queen sized bed. That seemed HUGE after many years of sleeping in full-sized bed. Honestly, I still have no interest in a king. I feel lost in a king - especially if Handy Hubby is away for a night or two. The bed was one of our first real furniture purchases and I loved it at first sight. We bought it at a used furniture store which no longer exists here. It was marked down to $400 as I remember although I probably have the receipt. It's a Lexington bed so definitely good quality and I loved the mix of woven rattan and slightly distressed wood.

Over the past year or so, I've started pining for an upholstered headboard. Ever since I made the headboard in our guest room (more on that here), I have loved the look and wanted one for myself. I still loved the shape of our bed but the woven portion was not really fitting in with our room anymore.

So, I started with the footboard which has the same paneling, because it's smaller and easier to access. Both the headboard and footboard have a wood backing which is screwed on. I wanted to avoid removing the backing on the footboard because I feared it would not fit over the fabric, and it would be visible because the mattress does not fully cover the footboard. Kind of hard to explain but stick with me.

So, I decided to try my luck at cutting a piece of cardboard to fit into the space, and then upholstering the cardboard. I had no plan for how to actually attach it which is probably why this project has been in the works for about six months. My goal for both the head and foot was to preserve the original panel in case I ever wanted to switch back to that. You never know so best to keep all options open in the future.

Here's my cardboard - a free moving box. Very thick and sturdy so perfect for this project.

Next I made the template with newspaper and cut the cardboard to fit.

I then upholstered the cardboard with 2 layers of quilters batting, and attached it using very conventional duct tape! It worked.

The fabric is actually 2 Ikea linen curtain panels for a total cost of $20. Incidentally, they are the same type of panels that I used on my porch last year. More on that here.

After some maneuvering, the panel did actually fit into the space but I was worried it would pop out, so I was able to put a few small nails in which you cannot see. 

And here's the result...

I'm totally smitten! Now I was inspired to do the head board but I knew I would have to take off the back panel. I procrastinated for another couple of weeks, then I dug into it one afternoon last week while my son was taking his nap.  

I had to fully remove the back panel (heavy!!) and wrap the new batting and fabric over the rattan woven part of the bed. 

It was relatively simple - like recovering a dining chair.  

I had to enlist Handy Hubby to help me lift it back into place. Fortunately my fabric was thin so it fit!  (Sorry about the dark shots - we had to do this after the kids went to bed.) The back was not pretty but it won't be seen by anyone but the wall.

In the end, the headboard was a quicker project than the footboard. I may end up reupholstering the footboard if it ends up popping out or falling apart (duct tape!), but for now it is totally adequate.

And here's the final result!

And the before one more time...

This makes me love our bedroom even more. Of course, I wish  the bed got made like this magically every morning but a girl can dream.

Back to wrapping gifts now...

Master Bedroom Refresh

I've done some quick refresh changes in our master bedroom to try to change things up a little and make it a bit more modern. Here's how it was until recently

Then I made some quick changes and now it looks like this.

It's subtle but actually much more obvious when you're in the room. The mirror is about 30% bigger than the old mirror and really fills the tall wall more. I still need something a bit more but for now, it really helps. I scored the mirror for $30 at a yard sale over the summer. My main tip for yard sale shopping - find the husband/man of the house who may have been dragged into watching the sale while the wife/mom/girlfriend goes inside to find more stuff or drive someone to soccer practice. Offer him 20% less than the price on the tag and he will almost definitely take it, especially if the item is either big or old or both. It works. Try it. This mirror was marked $40 and I offered him $30 - "sure" {grabs my cash and waves good bye}.

The lamp is from HomeGoods (where else?).  The scale and height of the lamp matches the new mirror so much better. The other lamp seemed tiny next to the new mirror. This shade is so need with the swirl pattern which is only visible when the light is on.

If you look in the reflection of the first picture, you can see the television area which is nearing the top of our to do list.

Master Closet Makeover

I'm not sure I have ever photographed my master bedroom closet. A large master closet was at the top of our wish list for our home renovation. When we downsized the size of our addition after the first quote from a builder, we shrunk the size of our room, not our closet!

Here was our closet last winter (right around the time that John and Sherry crashed our house). It was not looking so awesome or cozy at that point. We had even taken the second light down because it stopped working. Fortunately we were able to buy a new transformer and fix it. Phew. The shelving is all Elfa which I adore even though it's not the most beautiful. A closet is still functional first and pretty second. I bought the birch strips for the edge to dress it up a bit. Fortunately it was 50% off when I had to buy those pieces!

We are incredibly lucky to have a window in our closest. Natural light is always the best when you are trying to figure out your outfit for the day.

I bought the bench at my fav consignment store, REfind in Vienna. Carey always has the cutest stuff. (BTW - Carey, when are you coming over to visit?)  I love the bench shape and size but the fabric was not working for me although it was adorable. (The fabric actually ended up becoming one of the flowers on the lampshade I remade for Elizabeth's room.)

I decided that I needed a rug which I bought on Overstock. The yellow border was not my first choice because I really wanted something more gray or blue in here, but it was the only color available at the time. Of course, now they have loads of colors!

I would still like to do some more organizing of our stuff on the shelves and rods but that's a project for another day. At least we have cohesive hangers instead of our original mishmash of stuff. Yes, I really like shoes.

Then I turned my attention to the other wall. I made a custom curtain and recovered the little bench with fabric  that has been hiding in my attic for about 5 years. No idea where I got it but it works perfectly!

I'll give you more details on how I made the panels at a later date!!

I think Handy Hubby thought it was ridiculous to spend time adding any decor to the closet. I told him he would appreciate the rug when winter comes - he's still undecided!

Any decor in your closets?

Linking to: Thrify Decor Chick

Old Chair. New Home.

I forgot to mention the little earthquake we had here in Virginia on Tuesday afternoon. Maybe you heard about it?! The good news is that the damage was generally pretty minimal considering we almost never get earthquakes. People in California were certainly laughing at our ridiculousness.

I was at my office which is on the 8th floor of a building in Washington and I could definitely feel it! I was on the phone and hung up with a quick "My building is shaking!"  As soon as I realized what it was after a quick mental checklist of possibilities - earthquake (no way!), window washers (they were there that day), construction (across the street), bomb (yes, this is D.C. after all and that was a thought - but no correlating boom), EARTHQUAKE!! I ran to stand in the doorway of my office. I looked into the hallway in time to see other people doing the same thing, and then a co-worker yelled that everyone had to get out of the building immediately. Down the stairs we walked (fortunately only 8 floors). Everyone got to practice their emergency drills (again, yes, this is D.C.) although we modified ours for a quick walk to the park across the street instead of 2 blocks away to a hotel which wouldn't let us in. Fortunately, I had my phone and was able to receive some emails, but no phone calls. I quickly emailed my husband (he works in a REALLY old building) and then texted my son's babysitter, and received a quick email from my daughter's school saying everything was fine. Big sigh of relief. We were able to go back into our building a few minutes later. Wow. I know a lot of people in the world live with daily, weekly, or monthly earthquakes but I think I'll pass. Thanks.

So, after my DIY upholstery cleaning last weekend, my grandmother's wingback chair continued to sit in the living room for 4 more days.

Last night, I got Handy Hubby to help me carry it upstairs to its new home in our room. Finally!  That only took three or four months.

For comparison purposes, here's what the room looked like with the other chair (purchased from Overstock about two years ago).

I think the blue chair makes much more of a statement in that corner of the room. I need a different pillow, and the bed is now desperately in need of an update. More on that to come!

The final verdict on the DIY cleaning is that it did work to get quite a lot of the stains out. I think it could still use a professional cleaning but it's not longer really urgent. I'll be interested to see what my mom thinks when she sees it again.

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