Entry Way Project - Our English Home

It is so hard to believe we have been in our new home for 3 months now.  It feels like we are finally settling in.  I truly love it and can't wait to get cracking on all of the DIY projects I've had my heart set on for the last couple of months.  First on the list (especially during these winter months) was to create an entry way / organized space for our coats, rain boots, bookbags, etc.

I have been busy pinning away on Pinterest to come up with different ideas I wanted for the space.  A big thanks to Steve and his DIY skills for turning it into exactly what I wanted! 

He literally built and painted everything by hand.  I couldn't be more proud of him and feel very lucky to have a man in my life who knows how to put those hands to good use! My dad would be proud!

Steve also painted our half bath downstairs that is right next to the new entryway space. 

While it isn't completely finished (still need to get a new pendant light to hang and new bathroom fixtures), it is nearly there and I love it! 

Here is a look at the before pictures.

 

Our downstairs half bath

 

In the before pictures, the wall color was this sea foam / greenish color.  Although Steve already removed the hooks from the wall, the only thing to hang our coats on was a strip of 4 hooks.  Not nearly enough for our needs.  We also didn't have any storage place for our shoes.  We live next to a lake and when we take the kids for a walk, our wellies get really muddy, so it was important to have a place to store them without tracking mud through the house. 

 

AFTER:

 

I finally found a home for this print Steve and I bought while on a trip to Paris in 2005.  We visited a market along the Seine and picked up several prints that we never got around to framing and hanging up.  I love reflecting upon that time.  It was truly a memorable trip and I can't wait to visit again.

 

I chose Dulux Chic Shadow for the paint color

This is one of my favorite prints now hanging in our house.  Funnily enough, I purchased this watercolor Charlotte skyline print from Coventry, England.  It is now the first thing I see when I walk in the door.

 

Steve's DIY masterpiece!

 

I'd also still like to get a neutral basket to put gloves, scarves, hats, etc. in.

This little space has made our entire downstairs so much more tidier.  More to come soon!  :)

DIY - Thanksgiving

After pinning DIY idea after DIY idea on Pinterest, I decided to finally give something a go.  With the holidays right around the corner, it just seemed appropriate to have a little fun with glitter.  I love glitter - but it is MESSY! 

After seeing these vases, I fell in love with them and knew I wanted to try to replicate these along with other ideas I had seen on Pinterest. 

After the glitter and glue dried, I broke out my hairspray and applied over the top to prevent the glitter from getting everywhere!  It worked like a charm! 

My neighbor has a giant pine tree that produces the largest pine cones you have ever seen!  They are gorgeous.  I had Steve run over to see if we could have some and of course they didn't mind, even said that if Steve wanted to rake his yard he could do that to.  :) 

I bought a can of gold spray paint and went to town.  I had a small can of red that I tried out which came out fine, but I really preferred the look of the gold ones.  They came out so cute and perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas!  :)

Thanksgiving itself was nice.  It was just the five of us - Steve, Lottie, myself, my sister and her husband.  Steve fried up a turkey while my sister and I cooked about 8 different dishes.  Holy food coma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was ridiculous!  This preggo was worn out by 5:00 p.m.

Lottie's favorite was the honey glazed ham and the roasted carrots.  She didn't really eat much else.  No wonder she stays so little, unlike her mama!

Later that day / night, my two girlfriends came over for dessert.  Lottie gave everyone their Thanksgiving cards and we all stuffed ourselves with sweets all over again! 

 

All in all, I ate wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much as usual!  I put myself to bed around 10:30 and took a 4 hour nap.  Then, Steve and I did some Black Friday shopping at 3:00 a.m.!  It was great!  No lines, no traffic, no craziness and I got most of my shopping done!  We were out for about 4.5 to 5 hours and got home just in time for Lottie to wake up. 

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  I go for my 16 week check up today so am not looking forward to the big weigh in!  :)  YIKES!