3 Month Hiatus!

I'm so sorry I've been gone for 3 months. SO MUCH has happened since then. I've quit my job and now photograph full time! I am so excited I am able to do that and stay home with Sophie. So much has been jam packed into the time I have been "gone." With wedding season in full swing, I've been working nonstop. The house also calls to us. We've renovated and painted our kitchen cabinets. I can not wait to share the transformation with you - it is like night and day. We still have to paint the walls, but we hope to get that done very soon.

I will try to catch you up on the last 3 months very soon, but for now here's an amazing wreath I made, from The Pretty Poppy.

Closet turned mudroom/entryway

The long-awaited project has finished! The last update I gave you was here. Now look at our finished entryway in all it's glory:

Yes! That was once a closet! Pretty nifty, huh? Let's rewind and get you caught up.

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Corner bead, patching and tile in:

Closeup of tilework (In front of entryway)

Closeup of tilework (In front of garage and to the left of entryway)

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And now:

Ledge cut and stained and molding up
Paint (Shale Gray and Cozy Cottage both by Behr)

THE DETAILS

Antique leaded window = $40
(We installed 3 individual hooks)

Entryway bench = $75 Kohls
Wicker baskets = $20 ($10/basket) Pier One
Pillow = $12 HomeGoods
Rug = $15 HomeGoods
Letter "S" (pictured above) = $6 HomeGoods

Cast iron hook = $15 Elements (Local décor store)

Keyholder = $8 HomeGoods (This is on the wall next to the entryway)

The row of 3 closets is now 2!

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BEFORE - just a closet

NOW

For less than $300 we now have a very usable space in our home

I hope this inspires you that a simple change can really make a big impact in your home. I know that this project really has inspired me to take up more DIY projects in our home too. I can't wait to share more with you!

Fabric Sneak Peek for Living Room

I wanted to share something with you since you all have been so patient with my entryway project. It will finally be done for real this weekend. All we have to do is paint the chair rail, clean up our antique piece and I have to find the perfect throw pillow for the little nook. Speaking of pillows, I found this lovely fabric online - just the style I was looking for. This is Richloom's Invigorate "Sky" pattern. My mom and I will sew them just in time for Spencer's birthday party.

Our family Christmas present

Ta da! Spencer and I decided to give each other a new Panasonic 50" Plasma HDTV and a new stand from Costco. It really looks awesome in our living room and we actually switched the living room around a bit. We're up to a lot of changes in Oxford and we can't wait to share them all with you.

For now, a little sneak peek!

Master Bedroom Reveal

And now for the details:

My husband did an amazing job! He installed a ceiling fan and transformed the ceiling from a icky blue to a gorgeous white! The crown molding looks so much better too. Looks quite different than this, don't you think:



Got to love the seller's unmade bed when we did our final walkthrough! Ugh. I <3 my new bedroom!

Guest Bathroom

I can't believe I haven't posted this update! Actually, I can. The week I went into labor, we finally finished the guest bathroom. About 4 months late, but here it is nonetheless! If you remember the bathroom looked like this:



And now this! It is amazing what a little paint and new fixtures do to a room. I love how the damask just pops against the orange paint. The first photo is my attempt at a panoramic shot.

Spring has sprung

Greens, yellows, pinks and pastels remind us of the warm air and longer days in our future...I like to think of spring as a rebirth and regeneration. For this reason I am itching to clean our home and revitalize each space. After hunkering down for winter, I am longing to open the windows and let the scent of emerging blooms and new grass fill our house instead of heavy candle scents. Obviously I will have my hands full with a new baby very soon, but I want to re-evaluate each space and put away the winter reminders. I love the feeling of being organized and a fresh start to each room couldn't hurt either!

Here are my inspiration photos for Spring:

I love how this room divider works for a headboard - so light and airy!!!

One of my favorite throws for Spring: Ikea's Ofelia

The must-have fashion staple for Spring: Old Navy's trench

Better Homes & Garden's inspiration photo - I'm IN LOVE with this purple hue on the ceiling!

Horchow's Beverage Dispenser - $65

A pop if unexpected color works great with neutrals and welcomes the new Spring colors - I love tulips!

Sophie's Bookcase

This is the 'Billy' bookcase from Ikea. I apologize for the horrible cell phone photo, but don't fret - I will re-feature her room soon in the daylight and with my pro camera and new lens!!! After 2 trips to Ikea to return the wrong-colored 'Expedit' bookcase, we feel in love with the 'Billy'. Fav feature? The cool slantable shelves and "magazine feature" holder on the top.

See the birdhouse at the top? That was a find at our local antique store for $8. And that bird lamp? That's a $20 HomeGoods find! Watch out for Sophie's total room feature coming very soon!

Drumroll please...

My wonderful husband applying the decals:



It only took 2 hours!

Ta da!

Perfect pattern:

View from the door:

Dresser/changing table from JC Penney

Hi Sevin! A glider will go by the window.

Gathered valance by Nicole Miller from BB&B:

We spray painted "Dream" to match the furniture



She's quite on her way to a full wardrobe!

Her room is still a little bare, but I know that will change in a few weeks. We want to wait to get the rest of her bedding and decor. The shower will be here before I know it! Oh! If you want to get an idea of the before....here it was:



Good riddance!!!