Living Room ~ Before & After

The living room has been one of my favorite transformations other than the kitchen.  When we first looked at this house I can remember thinking "That is the first thing I'm changing!"  This room needed some gorgeous built ins!  One of the things that sold us on this house was all of the woodwork.  The crown molding, the windows framed out and the thick base boards.  So, when the walls on either side of the fireplace were finished out with dry wall shelving, I was a little confused.  To me it screamed Fred Flinstone or adobe style.  So, away to Pinterest I flew for inspiration.  I found it at a blog called Forever Cottage.  Her built ins inspired me so much.  We tweaked it here and there and couldn't be prouder of them!

 

 

~ Before ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ended up taking the mantle down.  That was a hard decision for me.  I love mantels!!  I mean, how are we going to hang our stockings at Christmas?  In the end, the husband "needed" the flat screen over the fireplace.  I do love it there.  But, in order for us to watch it from the couch we had to lower it, which meant loose the mantel.  So, away it went. 

 

 

 

I started to collect globes.  I had a rule that  I wouldn't spend more than $25 for a one.  Pricing on globes are so random to me.  You can go to a garage sale and find a vintage globe for $5.  Then, go to an antique mall and find the very same globe for $125!!  That's just crazy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My hutch from my old dining room fits just perfectly in this spot. 

 

 

 

Most everything in the built ins I had.  My goal was to get some very old cool looking books.  I wouldn't spend more than $5 on a book when I went to antique places.  On average I would spend $2.50  There were some I drooled over but I just couldn't justify $35 on a book.  No way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed the tour!  Here is a list of some of the things in the room.

 

Rug ~ Tuesday Morning

Pillows on couch ~ Pottery Barn

Pillows on chairs ~ Home Goods

Hutch ~ Estate Sale

Lamp in Built in ~ Home Goods

 

I'm linking up at these Parties :

 

Evolution of Style
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Somewhat Simple
DIY by Design
Mustard Seed Creations
Savvy Southern Style
Dixie Delights

 

 





Kitchen Reveal....Finally!!

 

Isn't it about time I started showing you my new home?  You've waited so patiently.  It's only taken me 8 months to do this!  There are no big excuses.  Except for the same one, time.  Well, lets just get to it, shall we?

 

~Before~

 



The cabinets were very dark with dark granite and a brown travertine back splash.  Nothing wrong with that, right?  Now, we all know I'm a painted cabinet kinda girl.  My father in law nearly dies every time I mention paint over wood.  I can't help myself. 

 





To me, the painted cabinets just open up and brighten up the entire space.  I painted the cabinets around the refrigerator a lovely green.  The color was inspired by Life in Grace blog.  The color is Great Barrington Green.  It really makes it feel like its not part of the other cabinets.  Some people, couldn't believe I was painting it different color, but its just paint.  

 

 

~Before~





The detail on the mantel area really comes alive now. 

 

The subway tile came about 6 months after we painted the cabinets.  I found a white beveled subway tile at Lowe's for .32 a tile!  I couldn't believe how cheap that was.  I absolutely adore the herringbone pattern over stove top.  If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and need a good tile guy, email me and I'll send his information.  He was awesome!









The coffee station.  Everything right at my fingertips.

 

 

~Before~

 















Ignore the mail.





I have the lamp set up on a silver round tray.  Just to lift it up a little in case water were to get on it.

 





Here is my precious bread bin that I am so proud of!  I found it at Canton Trade Days and had to have it!  I've wanted one for years now.  

Here is a list of the things in the new kitchen:

 

Kitchen cabinets ~ White Dove

Refrigerator cabinet ~ Great Barrington Green

Light pendant ~ Lowe's

Flour and sugar canisters ~ Home Goods

White beveled subway tile ~ Lowe's

 



I'm linking up here:

 

Miss Mustard Seed
Savvy Southern Style
Southern Lovely
Sugar and Dots
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Somewhat Simple
diy by design

 

Mod Vintage Life

Making the World Cuter

Creating Really Awesome Free Things

 

Suburbs Mama

diy showoff

Coastal Charm

The Blackberry Vine
Primp

Seaside Pictures

 

Doing this post made me sooo want to go back to Seaside!  We had such a relaxing time with nothing to do but take naps and look at the ocean.  Hope you enjoy the pics!

 

 

The family at the best seafood hole in the wall EVER!!!

Megan driving the golf cart on our first outing of the town of Seaside



 

 

This is the downtown shopping district.  So many restaurants and shops.  

Oh my heavenly goodness!  Isn't this tree gorgeous?

 

 

A beautiful home right in the middle of the square.  Such a pretty porch

This church was beautiful!

My mother and sweet Kailey

Kailey and I having lunch.  There honestly wasn't a bad place to eat in this town!

Look at this catfish and fried whole okra!!  It just melted in your mouth

Day at the beach

Momma and I wearing our polka dots!

 

 

My sister will kill me!  But, how could I not show off that baby bump?  She looked too cute!

 

 

 

 

This was the cutest and smallest Post Office I think I've ever seen!

 

Hope you all have a blessed week!