My "OTHER" Rehab Project

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There's no such thing as too much of a good thing! In my life good thing means rehab. Whether it's furniture that someone has left at the curb or homes or apartments that have been vacant or unloved for years, if it's a challenge, then I'm up for it! I'm a die-hard DIY'er...a compulsive refurbisher...yeah, I'm probably certifiable.


The photos that you see here are the before photos of my OTHER current rehab project: My Oldest Son's Apartment! It's an "L" shaped efficiency on the second floor of a commercial building and it is a mess!  He has chosen a mix of contemporary and industrial for the style and we're doing it on a very limited budget which means we're sourcing things from the ReStore, Home Depot and Ikea as well as garage sales and flea markets.  We started the cleanout and painting last weekend.

 
In addition to painting, we're replacing carpet, flooring, cabinets, lighting and bathroom fixtures. My son and I are working on this project in the very early morning and the evening after I finish work but before dinner. The good news is that the work at the farmhouse is in the hands of the pro's right now so I can focus on the apartment. We're hopeful to have the apartment complete within the 3-4 weeks if all goes well.


I'll share photos as we get this project progresses and we find solutions for storage and living in a very small space on a tight budget. I'm really excited because this apartment will be a completely different style than the farmhouse and I've always wanted to try my hand at a little "contemporary/industrial"!


There's plaster and paint on top of wallpaper, the flooring is peeling and the whole place is filthy. In other words, it's right up my alley! So, this is where I"m spending my free time...you know...in case you were wondering. Oh...and if you know anyone in my area who has unloved furniture that needs painting or a room that they  need help rehabbing, please tell them not to tell me....

                                                                                                 at least not for a few weeks...

....because you know I'd say yes. 


Kimberly

Blue and White Outdoor Summer Urn Patio Planters

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 Summer has finally arrived in the Midwest and after a cold and seemingly endless winter it has been so much fun to be able to fill my urns and planters with colorful annuals and not have to worry (too much) that I'll be running out every night to cover them to protect them from frost.  This year, my color scheme consists of cool colors: blue, purple and white.

Easy DIY Chalkboard Door Art

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Sometimes, it's the little things.  Like chalkboard door art that reminds me to be thankful for the day. As you have probably guessed, now that I'm in the middle of demolition at the French Farmhouse my opportunities to create something pretty are limited to artwork on my chalkboard door and, when I can get to the sewing machine, a canvas drop cloth pillow or two.

Monogrammed Reusable Market Tote Bags

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I've been using reusable market tote bags for several years but I've never really liked them. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love the idea of not using plastic bags.  My main objection to the market bags that I've found is that they're usually ugly and most have advertising on them.

How To Make An Easy DIY Tea Towel Pillow

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Looking for a last minute DIY Mother's Day gift or a quick pick me up for your porch or patio that's both cheap and easy? Well, you're in luck! I made these pillows from two cotton tea towels that I purchased at Ikea for $4.99 for the pair. I've also seen them at Target, JoAnn Fabrics and just about any store that carries kitchen items. Making the two of them took ten minutes....literally.

Pink and White Sweet 16 Vintage Tea Party Ideas

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Today I'm sharing a pink and white sweet 16 spring tea party that I was invited to stage and decorate a couple of years ago. (*Please forgive the quality of these photos. They were taken with an older camera.)
Given that I live in a house full of men, I don't often have the opportunity to have many parties that are  girly. Fortunately for me, I've been blessed to have close girlfriends who have allowed me to stage, decorate, and host parties for their daughters.


As spring approaches, particularly in the month of May, we're given several opportunities to celebrate the special ladies in our lives. Moms, girlfriends, sisters, daughters. Spring is my favorite time for "girl parties" The party that I'm sharing today was for Anne (whose birthday happens to be next week).  Anne's mom, my dear friend Leslie, was one of those girlfriends who was a true southern lady

She was a thoughtful gift giver who had a wicked-good sense of humor, boundless energy and just enough "hoarder tendencies" to make us instant friends. Once we found eachother, she was the friend who, for me, was always finding ways to allow me opportunities to stage and decorate her home  and to create vignettes, mantles and planters until finally, one day, I realized that these things are my passion.  This party was no exception.


Anne's Sweet 16 birthday was a vintage high tea. The party was hosted at the home of another of our girlfriends who had a large, sunny room at the back of her home that was just perfect for this event (after her family moved all of the family room furniture to the garage...bless their hearts!)

Anne's sweet 16 tea party was pink and green perfection. The tables, chairs and pink linens were rented. The white "lace" table covers were printed fabric that was like interfacing which provided us with a cost effective way to have "lace" toppers on each table.


Leslie had saved Anne's childhood tea sets and a collection of vintage ladie's hats, purses and gloves which we used as decorations along with yards and yards of tulle and picot-edged ribbon in two shades of pink and moss green.


My sweet, vinage-loving young girlfriend, Anne used chalkboard paint to paint clay flower pots which she personalized with each guest's name and filled with alyssum and moss to serve as placecards.  My silver tea pots were filled with fresh flowers and used on the buffet table.


Each place also had a vintage tea cup, saucer and vintage silver spoon and each table had a different vintage teapot.  The girls dined on scones and finger sandwiches while the sipped tea and pink lemonade.


The centerpiece for each table was a vintage cake stand which held individual slices of lemon pound cake with pink glaze and Anne's monogram. beneath each slice of cake was a ribbon to which was tied a small silver charm representing Anne's interests which the girls took home along with a "tussie mussie" filled with dried rosebuds which was tied to the back of each chair.


There was also a sweet table that featured lemon curd tartlets with edible violets, chocolate dipped strawberries, pink and white heart shaped, monogrammed shortbread cookies, and other favorite sweets which Anne chose.


I didn't stay for the party due to another commitment but I do happen to know that it was a lovely afternoon where memories were made that will last a lifetime and I'm so thrilled to have been a part of this special day for both my friend Leslie and her daughter, my sweet "girlfriend", Anne.

Here's a photo of the birthday girl standing next to a photo of her which was enlarged and mounted for all of the guests to sign.


So, my message to you on this May day is this: Seize the opportunity which the month of May provides to celebrate the ladies in your life! Make a pot of tea, get out a china cup, bake a cookie or two, wear something pink and have a sweet tea party.... whether your 16...or not! 

Happy Birthday, Miss Anne. I love you and I know that your mom would be so proud of the beautiful young woman that you've become. You remind me more of her each day and I'm blessed to have watched you grow and to have you as a dear friend!

Kimberly