Curb Appeal

Since moving into our home 7 years ago, I had imagined these 4 changes to amp up the curb appeal.  

Here they finally are with the details!

Before:

After:

No. 1- A Garage Pergola 
and No. 2- New (Bigger) Lights

The pergola was done by Burbidge Bros Construction in Clearfield, Utah.  They were so great to work with and do fabulous custom work.  I had them stain my pergola white so that it matched the house.  They also built and installed some corbels in the 3 roof peaks for me.  This thing is SOLID - these guys are pros!

The Lights are from Home Depot - sorry to say, they no longer carry them.

No. 3- New'ish Front Door

I love the look of custom front doors, but I don't love the price.  I had seen blogs/articles about cutting and inserting glass into your existing front door, and decided to take the risk!  

I'm so glad I did!!!

I found the company Zabitat.com and was very impressed by their wide selection and options.  I ended up going with this 24x50" one for my door (click here).  The only problem was the dimensions were not quite long enough (none of the inserts were 52" long).  So we couldn't completely cut out the top arched portion of the door, we had to leave a couple inches at the bottom of that recessed arch.  Ugh!

Thankfully I didn't let that deter me, I just figured putting a pretty piece of trim below the window insert would cover up the problem and make the door look even better in the process! (We secured it with screws). 

Hallelujah it worked! 

 I used a local handyman (Justin Green 614-596-9041) to do the install for me.  It took just 3 hours to get it installed, then I had both sides painted with a fresh new coat of paint.

No. 4- New House Numbers (Letters!)

I knew I needed something above the single garage door to balance out the pergola.  I was excited when I saw this idea on Pinterest!   I ordered my house letters from this company Buysignletters.com.  I chose the  Plastic Letters - Century Bold Condensed Round Face 6'' Height.  I ordered the installation pattern as well.   You just tape up the pattern first, then you know right where to place all the screws so that everything lines up right!  It was a very quick and easy install I was able to do myself.

Home Office, Re-DONE!

This is it.......THE LAST ROOM IN MY HOUSE!!!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We added trim work (no surprise, I have an addiction- I know), 

bought this steal of a deal hutch from Restoration Hardware, I painted the desk, added a cool light..... and it's done!

Faux Brass Top Desk - I had heard of "Zinc topped tables" and figured the same effect would work for a Brass top.  To get a real brass metal table topper was possible- but very expensive, so I decided to see if I could fake it with paint!  I kinda followed this tutorial and just used a gold metallic paint to start with instead of silver.  I used some black paint and some brown stain to give it the "aged" look.

I painted the desk legs grey (Annie Sloan's French Linen)

The curtains are from Ikea but I added the little cross detail with a sharpie!  

I used a stencil as my guide and it was pretty darn easy.

Sources:

To learn more about the large star map artwork- click here.

The round stools under the desk were from Target just a few months ago- but it looks like they are no longer available (anywhere!)

The Book Case is actually a "hutch" from Restoration Hardware, we went with the 103" high one in "Antique Grey Oak" (for some reason this is cheaper than the 91" high one!  Regularly $4000, on Final Sale for $1500!!!)
 Light is the 18" double pendant from Restoration Hardware
The Picture light is also from Restoration Hardware
The majority of the items on the book shelves are from Target.  Some exceptions are the trophies, the brass metal basket, and the white wood box with handles, those are from Home Goods.  The large golf ball was a thrift store find.  The little white and brass Candle sticks are from World Market.

SaveSave

Master Bedroom Re- DONE!

Usually you start a room by painting, paneling, or wallpapering the walls.  Then you add in your decor.  In my master bedroom..... I did everything backwards.  I knew I wanted to add trim work, built-ins, and wallpaper and because that meant a whole lot of work (and money), it was something I had to put off for quite a while.  In the meantime I decorated the room with different pieces.  Finally (almost 7 years after moving into our home) the walls are done!!!!!  It was worth the wait, I think!

BEFORE:

 AFTER:

Progress Photos-
(built-ins went up and around the door into the master bathroom, the columns were wrapped in trim, and we added a larger baseboard and crown molding)

The trim work and built-in's were done by Lee Hyland (801-815-1862  He is in the Salt Lake area)

I Highly Recommend him!

This is the wallpaper I ordered.  I ordered and had it hung by "Details by Others" in Salt Lake.  I love the color.  It's called "off-white" which makes it sound like it's not even a color (and I was worried it wouldn't look too different from bare white walls!) but it has plenty of color and texture to give a big impact without overtaking a room.  It still feels light, airy, and neutral.

  

Shelf Decor:
I ordered the two temple architecture pictures off of Etsy.
"As for me and my house" scripture print,  the gold frame is from Target.
Brass Planters, Fern plants, Circle Candle holder,
Twiggy Pillar Candles, small white vase, and architectural corbel from "To Market" in Kaysville
Wood "M" from Home Goods, Wood carved Book ends from Tuesday Morning.

We are Loving It!

Sources (click for the link): Lamps- Thrift Store Find, Curtains & Chairs, Bedding & Nightstands, Chandelier, Rug, Tan Bed Shams, Cabinet Door Hardware

SaveSave

Island Expansion

When we first moved into our home (6 years ago) I had visions for a larger kitchen island.  The kitchen had a space designed for a small table, but I didn't want to put a small table in the kitchen that would be right next to our large dining room table.  It made more sense to just expand the island.  My family expanded this year (we had our 5th boy), so...... 

it was time to do the island expansion!

Before

After

I went with a "T" shaped countertop (rather than a square) so that the barstools on the sides could easily slide in and not crowd the walkways in my kitchen. 

First, I hired a cabinet guy (McKean Woodworking) to build me a box.  The original island stayed (the top part of the "T") 

and he built the box off of that.

Next was the countertop.  I love the look of marble, but I didn't want the worry and stress that goes along with marble countertops.  We decided on Quartz.  It is called "Tranquility" by HanStone.  I am VERY pleased with the look!!!  I looked at other Quartz countertops but the veining had a pattern to it so it didn't look natural.  This one had a random veining pattern which I really liked.

My smart sister encouraged me to go with the 3" mitered edge (instead of an ogee or beveled edge).  It gives the illusion of a very thick and large slab, but as you can see below....

it's all an illusion!

 I am loving that my whole family can sit at the bar together!  I love that my kids can spread out their homework or coloring books and it doesn't interfere with my cooking space!  I love that there is tons of space for a buffet line at my annual family Thanksgiving party!  Love, Love, Love it!!!

Sources:
Barstools - Ballard Designs 
Wooden Tray and Glass Terrarium - World Market


SaveSave