Monday project check in

Is it just me or is Monday coming sooner and sooner each week?

It might not help that I was sick again this weekend.  Being sick kind of puts a damper on productivity.

Before getting into my weekly basement project check in, I feel the need to share something pretty.

In our neck of the woods, spring has sprung.  It is an early and warm spring so far.  The Forsythia is blooming, and it always adds a special touch of sunshine.  Here it is on my porch.  Today, I will be bringing some inside.

Now on to the task at hand;  My ever-present, on-going, never-ending basement project.  After last week, I was able to get some of the flotsam and jetsam picked up (meaning empty paint cans and tools).  However, a fair warning, the photos that follow are still cluttered with kids toys and other things.

I am not sure if I have addressed this fact.  The basement is our kids play area.  It is the place that I have always just let them be free in.  And even though I wish I could ban them from this space while I work, it is just not realistic.  So they are still playing, and I am still working.  For you, my readers, this means pictures that are filled with miscellaneous things.

So the Furniture lay out is set.  Yes, I know I mentioned that last week, but today I have some crude pictures to show what I mean.  I have placed the sofa on the long wall, making it the focal point when you enter the basement.  To the right I have set up a setting area with the 2 chairs I won at Blissdom.  To the left is another chair and a table that can be set up for kid projects.  The TV cabinet sits opposite from the sofa.

Right side

Left side

Yes, there is still a lot of things that need to happen before these rooms will be brought together.  On the right side of the room, I need to hang wall art and accessorize.  I am also debating on painting the round end table.  I was able to hang a light in the corner, but it looks so small right now.  I am hoping that when things get hung up, it will fit better.

the left side of the room also needs work.  The little chair needs a lot of love.  I am hoping to start on a slip cover for her this week.  Also, the tile has been a pain in my butt from the beginning, but I may have a no cost solution for the space.  Here you also get a glimpse of the TV cabinet.  I was able to get the shelf installed.  This side of the room also needs accessorizing.

I have started to pull together random stuff.

This is a collection of things I have not been able to use else where in the house.  I was surprised on how many mirrors and frames I had.  I am glad I finally did this, because I was thinking I needed to pick up frames.  Instead, I realized what I need is knick-knacks and stuff, not wall art and frames.

On an up note, I may be at the point of creating a to be done list to get me to the finish line.  Before this, I just had a mess of a room that needed attention.

1. Sewing Projects-

Slip cover chair + back pillow
2 Back pillows for sofa
2 pillows for white chairs
Pillow for reading nook
Curtain for nook

2. Paint Projects-

Toy Chest
Doors
Frames and wall art
Finish painting ceiling

3. Miscellaneous-

Fix tile area
Clean closet and create toy storage
Accessorize
Sand and stain wood beams

Seems pretty manageable.  However, I am not giving any promises that it will be done next week, but that is the plan.  

-Laurie

My Swedish birdhouse

In my Grandmothers house hung a painting.  It was a painting of the Swedish countryside of my ancestors, created by my mother's uncle.

It is one of the few glimpses I have of how my Swedish family lived.  A connection to the old country. 

I wish I could say this painting is proudly displayed on my walls, but sadly, my brother also has a connection with this painting, so it graces his home instead.

The other day, I found a birdhouse that reminded me of the little rectangled houses of the painting.  And since I cannot own the painting I thought I could paint the birdhouses to remind me of the painting.

Just a little reminder.

Now all I have to do is find the right tree, and hopefully, some little bird will enjoy a little slice of Sweden.

-Laurie

Creating a cloth covered binder with handles

I am a big believer that everything you have and use should be pretty and make you smile.  Even your 3 ring binders can look and feel exceptional, by adding a beautiful fabric and trim.  The addition of handles just makes it easier to carry around.

cloth binder with carrying handles

What you will need...

3 ring binder
1/2 yard of fabric
1/2 yard of batting
2-3 sheets of scrap book paper
spray adhesive
Hot glue gun & glue sticks
Purse handles
1 yd of thicker of ribbon
3/4 yd of thinner ribbon

Step 1:  Using spray adhesive, attach the batting to the front of your binder.  Cut away any excess fabric from the side of binder, keeping it neat and trim.

Step 2: Lay binder on fabric and cut fabric to size.  Cut the fabric so it is approximately 1" larger than your binder.  I used a ruler and a pencil to mark it out.  Remember to clip the corners.

Step 3: Cut the thinner ribbon into (4) 5 1/2" pieces. Thread ribbon through purse handles.  I tacked them together with fusible tape.

Step 4:  Attach handles and decorative trim.  I pinned the fabric to the binder and laid out where I wanted the handles and trim.  I then used fusible tape to tack it to the fabric.  Then sewed everything down for reinforcement.

Step 5: Using a hot glue gun, glue down the perimeter of fabric to the inside of the binder, making sure the fabric is smooth and the pattern is even.  Try and get the fabric under the metal binder spine.  Trim excess fabric, keeping it as neat as possible.

***I can't believe I did not take a photo***

Step 6: Add inside paper to conceal raw fabric edges. (I needed 3 sheets)  Use spray adhesive to adhere decorative paper to cover the fabric edges.

Fill with paper and enjoy.

-Laurie

Basement progress report-Refreshed sofa

Monday is here again, and time for me to fess up on what I got done in my basement.

Today I am able to say the sofa is looking renewed and refreshed.  Not completed, but close getting close.

I am not happy with the back pillows, They are a little long.  I will work on that later, but the slip cover turned out pretty good.

Here is what it looked like before.  Sad, drab and lacking any excitement.

But it has good lines and is a sleeper, so I was not thinking of getting rid of it.  Also, it is a solid piece furniture, that I would not be able to find something comparable for the price I would be willing to spend. 

We initially paid $75 for this sofa back in 2003, and I spent another $80 for fabric, so we are looking at under $200 for the sofa.  Not a bad deal.

It took me most of Monday and a bit of Friday to complete, and then I promptly got sick and was unable to get anything else done in the basement.

Earlier in the week, I tried to build the shelf for the armoire, and proceeded to cut it 1" too short.  Yep, another causality.  I totally forgot to measure twice and cut once.  So that project needs to be tackled again.

Next week I hope to have the armoire done and the basement cleared of empty paint cans and roller covers.

This project is going to keep creeping along, but I will see it through.  I am nothing if not persistent.

-Laurie

What caught my eye...Susanna Salk

In my issue of House Beautiful, I came across a beautiful picture of a room filled with amazingly gorgeous stuff.  To some, the room may be overly decorated, but for me it all feels lovingly placed.

room by Susanna Salk

Then I realized the picture corresponded to a book, and the title alone made me want to rush out and pick up a copy (Hint...this would be a great birthday present).

Amazon

And then I read what the Author ( Susanna Salk) wrote about her book "Be Your Own Decorator", and I related.  I felt like screaming, yes, Yes, YES!  That is it.  Bingo. Spot on.

She writes...

This is not a how-to design book, but a 'why-not' book.  Why not finally create the kitchen that feeds both your appetite and soul?

That character beats price in the beauty department hands down every time. That the biggest rule of all is that there really are no rules, except to be confident about your choices.

Unlike many artists in other mediums, interior designers never hoard their secrets.  They are a gloriously generous bunch, much more concerned with making the world a more beautiful and livable place....

and

Rooms that resonate with personality-not rules- are the ones you'll want to linger in and savor. - Susann Salk

 I agree whole-heartily with everything she said, I can't wait to get my hands on this book to read more of her ideas. 

Have you read this one yet?

-Laurie

How to age varnished pine

I shared with you my love of re-purposed pine boards.  But before I was able to re-purpose the boards, I needed to warm them up and have them look old.  (I am not a fan of yellow-orange varnished pine.)

To start out, you need to find some old varnished pine.  Which shouldn't be hard to do, as it was everywhere for such a long time.  Here is my sample board...

Pine board being re-purposed

Step 1.
Rough up the board with sandpaper.  The more of the varnish you remove the more age you will be able to add.  You don't want to remove all of the varnish.  I like to make sure the edges are hit with the paper.

Step 2.  Clean the board, removing all sanding dust.  You will need a clean surface for staining.

Step 3. Apply stain.  I like to use Jacobean stain.  It is dark and really makes it look old and warm.

Jacobean stain

Step 4.  Follow directions on stain, removing all excess stain after 10-15 minutes with a dry cloth.

Step 5.  Let dry






In the end you will have something that looks like this...

Aging varnished pine

The trick is to make sure you get the varnish removed.  The more varnish removed the more stain the wood can take.  On this particular board, I did not remove a ton of the varnish.  I really just nicked the edges and skimmed the top.  Below is an example of a desk top where I removed much more of the varnish.

You can see in the center where there was still some varnish left and the stain was unable to really soak in.  I sort of love the uneven look of it.

-Laurie

Repurposing basement shelves

Our home was built in the early 80's. Which of course means that many of the elements and materials used are now out of date.  In the paneled basement there was a rather large wall of varnished pine shelves, that I was not in love with, nor did I want to keep.  (Too orange-y and a bit too utilitarian)

Basement pine shelves

And yet, I was unable to just chuck the boards.  I am big on re-purposing, not only does it save on cost, it saves on waste. Not to mention re-purposing forces you to be creative.

As I have worked on the house I have taken a shelf from the basement wall and used them in various rooms.  And over that time, I have discovered a way to age the wood and take the yellow/orange tinge of the varnished pine away and give it a more aged patina, like in our guest bathroom.

Warm wood in the bathroom

I loved it so much, I ended up with the narrow shelves in all of our bathrooms.  I think the wood adds a nice warm touch to all the painted surfaces.

stack of floating wood shelves

small bathroom shelf

Also, by having to work with what I had, I created these shelves that I don't think I would have found in the store (At least not in my price point).

After using all the narrow shelves, I still had all to the wider boards left over.  Some I used in my daughters closet (we all should have pretty closets),

Harlequin pattern and wood shelves in closet

and some are used as mattress boards on my son's bed.

And even with those uses, I still have at least one long board still available for use.  My plan  is to incorporate it in the armoire update for the basement.  But that reveal is for later.

Friday I will show you how I age the boards.

-Laurie
 

Still not done...but sharing anyways

Yes, my project completion rate had plummeted.  And with everything in life there are multiple factors that go into this fact, but I am not going to go into all of the reasons.

What I am going to do is go ahead and document my snails paced progress on the basement facelift.  Every Monday, I will let you in on what I got done, (hopefully there will be something to report).

To get you up to speed (remember I have been working on this since January)...

The walls have been primed and painted, as well as the trim.

But I am not done with painting yet.  The doors still need more paint, and there is still the unpainted patch on the ceiling.

I have also started the TV cabinet make over, but have not completed it.  Here it is before...

In all its chaotic glory.  I have decided to paint it yellow.

But I still want to add a shelf and replace the back panel.  Also you can see the top is where I am storing all my gear.  It is still a mess, and I still can't share a pretty picture of this. This frustrates me, as it is the closest to being done... Arhg.

One of my big hangups, was the furniture placement.  I have been wrestling with this for weeks.  I think I have come up with a solution, that doesn't involve buying all new furniture.  I need to relocate the TV to an different wall, and thing will fall into place.  But now I have to thread the cable through the ceiling.  Yep, that is another item to add to the list.

Last night I started another piece of the make over, a slip cover for the sleeper sofa.

 

It is a big project.  And I don't like to take on sewing projects unless I am motivated.  I have learned the hard way that if I am not into sewing, it is just exercise in frustration, but if I am feeling the sewing machine, I can move along at a good clip. 

Today, I am feeling like sewing, and there is a sale on the fabric I need to complete the project, so my next stop is the fabric store.

I wish I had more to share, but the reality is, this project is taking forever.  I thought it maybe nice to truly document a project that is just not moving along.  Sometimes, when having to do home decor on a budget, it takes a long time to get to the final A-ha moment.  There are a lot of struggles and half finished projects.  This is going to be one of them.

Wish me luck that I can share the sofa with you next Monday.
-Laurie

Life is too short to live in ugly spaces

Hanging out at a conference and networking with a bunch of bloggers, you get good at summing up your blog in a sentence or two.  It is funny how quickly I was able to do this.  I say funny, because for 2 years I've a difficult time doing just that.

It goes something like this....

Them:  What is your blogs name?
Me: Little Blue Chairs?
Them:  What kind of a blog is that?
Me:  Oh- it is a little bit DIY, a little bit decorating.  I think life is too short to live in ugly spaces.

Bang-
Boyaah-

There it is baby.  Sums it up.  My philosophy.  One of the reasons why I started this blog.

Life is too short to live in ugly spaces, and it doesn't have to cost  a lot to make a home comfy, cozy and yours.

-Laurie

The Buchanan moodboard

Spring 2012, I decided to jump back into the college scene and start working on a degree in Interior Design.

OK, it is a community college, so I am not sure how much of a scene there actually is, but I am back at school and I am taking this school thing really slow.  I consider myself a part-part time student. This semester I enrolled in an 8 week Intro class and a class on textiles.

And as of last night, my intro class is finished.  For our final project we were asked to create a mood board.  We were given a preset floor plan and instructed to have fun.

Here is mine.

Gatsby inspired mood board

Since going back to school, my home projects are taking longer to complete.  And I thought it would be nice to share the other projects I am working on.

-Laurie

My Blog Baby

Everything has to grow up.

Just this morning I was cradling my 5 year old, thinking back to when he was a newborn and realizing that these times are very few and far between (sigh).

I told him how I use to coo over him and kiss on him and how I will always have a place in my heart for my baby boy.

Cutest baby in the world

And then we talked of the room in my heart for the 5 year old little boy he is today.  And how I will have room in my heart for the 30 year old man he will one day be.  I will cherish each step and stage, and will cheer him on through out his journey.

I am not really sure he got it.  What I was hoping to impart, was that I was his biggest fan, and I am excited to see what becomes of him.

In starting a blog, it is the same journey.  Our blogs are our babies as well.  A different kind of baby, but we nurture them and love them and cheer them on and hope they will grow into the best they can be.

Unlike my children, which were very much planned, my blog wasn't.  It just sort of showed up one day.  I didn't really know what I was doing, or in fact that I would still be doing it 2 years later. But it is here now, and it is not ready to go away.

From the beginning, Little Blue Chairs was a place for me to share my projects, and maybe a little about myself, but mostly the projects.  But now the project completion rate is dwindling, and I am starting work towards my design degree, so I think the blog will be changing, as I am changing.  I'm just not sure exactly what that is going to look like.

In raising my children, I hope I allow them to be who and what they are.  I want to nurture their dreams and teach them to be true to their inner selves.  I want the same for my blog baby.

I am sure its inner self will reveal where it wants to go, until then I just need to give it love, attention and nurturing.

-Laurie

How I won at Blissdom

The power of positive thinking...

Or, maybe it was just dumb luck.  Either way I ended up the winner of leather chairs and an end table, thanks to Famous Footwear.

Broyhill White Leather Chairs

At any good conference there are vendors and sponsors, and Blissdom was no different.  We walked away with a lot of swag.  Famous Footwear was one of these sponsors, not only did they hand out a free shoes. (which by the way are super comfortable).

Dr. Scholl Jamie shoes

They also sponsored the big give away on the final night.  Up for grabs were a 30 second shoe grab for 3 winners and the furniture from their display.  I won't lie, the shoe grab would have been fun, but I had my eye on the chairs.  I am decorating obsessed after all.

Now, Famous Footwear was not the only game in town. Earlier that day, Centrum was giving out gift-cards (I wanted a gift-card).  I tried playing it cool.  I kept joking "I was not going to win" (in my best sarcastic voice, of course).   And guess what?  I did not win.

So that evening, when Famous Footwear was announcing their drawing,  I decided to take a different tack.  I kept saying, "I am going to win" and "They are saving me for last".  Positive and Proud.  Of course I was still joking around about this.  I am not a lucky kind of girl and rarely do I ever win anything. 

But that night, the stars aligned, and my name was selected. The host read Laurie and then had to take a pause (which usually means they are trying to figure out how to pronounce our crazy last name, or in this case try and figure out why there were 2 initials).  At the pause I knew it was me!  And yes, I jumped around like a crazy woman.  Remember, I never win-anything-ever.

I couldn't remember what the pieces looked like, all I was thinking was, maybe I could use them.  Heck, I am a decorator, of course I can use them.  I have a project right now that I could use them in.  This is awesome!

The other day I got my delivery.

boxes in the driveway

As you can see my kids are much less excited about this than I.

I still needed to unwrap them to see if they could be used.

You know I think they are going to be perfect.

Oh where are they going, you ask? 

Why my basement of course.  Yes, I am still trying to finish that project, and the chairs I already have are part of the problem.  But these chairs just may be the answer to my problems.  No slip covers needed for these beauties.

I wish I could show you how I have tenderly placed them in the room, but sadly, I can not. But I didn't want to wait to share how I ended up the big winner.

Can I get a wa-hoo!

-Laurie

What Caught My Eye-King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band

I'm one of those people who always has the television on.  If not the tv then I have a podcast, NPR, an audio book or some kind of talking.  I think I like the chatter.  I like the background noise.  Lately, I have been srteaming Documentaries off Netflix when I need something.

This morning I had on Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns, and this photo came screaming off the screen.

King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band

I love the motion and feeling of this photo.  To me it is all about the girl.  I am sure King Oliver may be sad to hear this, but I am drawn to her.

That is what's inspiring me today.

Take a listen

 -Laurie

My first blog conference

Blissdom 2012 just wrapped up and we have all headed home, with exploding brains; armed with renewed interest and amazing experiences.  You are bound to see many posts around the blogisphere talking about how amazing Blissdom was.  Here is mine, it may be a little late, but I wouldn't let you down, and if you are tired of seeing all the Blissdom posts, I apologize.

I had seen many Blissdom posts over the years, from the time I started reading blogs, and before I had started my own, and  I was always amazed at how happy and bliss-y everyone came home from this conference.  My curiosity was peaked, and I finally pulled the trigger and attended Blissdom 2012.  It was my first blogging conference.  And yes, it was amazing.

But it was also emotional and draining and scary and uplifting.

Before the conference kicked into full gear, the lovely ladies of Blissdom put together a newbie meet-up, a chance to meet other new blissdom attendees.  I love they thought of this, but I was so overwhelmed by the chaos of the room that I made no connections.  And I was postive I was the only one who made no connections.  Walking back to my room, I choked back the tears of frustration, loneliness and fear.  All I could think of was I still had 2 full days to get through.

Distraught and emotional, I took a quick shower and decided I was not going to be defeated.  I got on facebook and found some girls that were heading to dinner.  I am so glad I did, they were amazing girls and they helped make my Blissdom experience so positive.

 Denise, (me), Aimee, Janelle and Megan is the girl behind the camera, she shows up later

I openly say, these lovely ladies got me through my weekend.  We talked and laughed and then talked some more.  (If I have not already apologized for talking your ears of....I am sorry).

Friday morning I woke up early, not knowing what to expect, but determined to put on a brave face and see what would come at me.  I wanted to be open, I wanted to see who I would meet, and that meant that some of the time I was going at it alone.  I sat by myself at a table during the Keynote speech given by Jon Acuff, and dang he did a fabulous job.  He made me feel like, yes, I was a valuable part of this conference, even if I wasn't sure I should be there.  He made it OK for me to go forth and be Laurie of Little Blue Chairs, even if Little Blue Chairs was not a "big" player.

My days at the conference were a blurr, sitting in sessions and checking out the sponsors.  Meeting and greeting other bloggers.  Then it was time to let our hair down and have some fun.  Friday night was the big, girls night out.  As may be able to tell the pre-party was hosted by the Lorax.

I was surprised to find, I did make some connections at the Newbie Mixer- Erica and Gina were my first hugs, and here we are sporting our Lorax mustaches.

I had such big plans for the Friday night gig- We had our drink tickets, I had on my pretty new dress, and I was with my girls....

(There is Megan and Greta- You have already meet Denise and Aimee)

But a full day of emotion and knowledge acquisition proved to be too much.  I called it an early night, and fell asleep with in minutes of my head hitting the pillow.  I was exhausted.

I wish I could say I still felt confident when I woke up Saturday morning, but that wouldn't be honest.  I hadn't made plans to meet any one for breakfast, I was still just winging it.  Going it alone at a conference is hard. I didn't even know who was going to be there. I heard Gail of My rePurposed Life was going, and after making a quick on-line connection, she was the one person I was hoping to see.  But she was elusive and by Saturday morning I just assumed I wasn't going to meet her.  But there she was in line at breakfast, and she remembered me.  And not only did I get to meet Gail, I also meet Rose, who I had been following off and on through my blogging years.

 (Rose and Gail)- I didn't get a picture so Rose was kind enough to let me use her picture.

After breakfast, I think I finally felt comfortable, or as comfortable as I was going to get.  I was enjoying myself and looking forward the final events.  That night was a more casual affair, a PJ party, filled with dancing and karaoke. I had myself a blast.  I even managed to win myself some furniture.  Yep- furniture.  My name was pulled out of a hat-box-whatever.  The end result was Famous Footwear sending me the chairs and table they had used at the conference.  They are currently in my garage waiting to be unwrapped.  Honestly, I don't remember what they look like, but I think I can use them in my basement project.  I promise to share more on this later.

That is it in a nutshell, my first blogging conference experience. 

If you are reading this post and have not gone to a conference, and wondering if you should go? Conferences are not smooth sailing, but you will learn something about yourself.  I say give it a try. 

Please spread you bloggy love and check out some of the blogs of the awesome ladies of Blissdom.

Rose at Confessions of a Curbshopaholic
Gail at My rePurposed Life
Denise at Do You Have That in My Size
Aimee at The Plain Wife
Megan at Naturally Thrifty
Greta at Not Enough Patience and Never Enough Jewelry
Gina at Pinch This and Stretch That
Erica at Single Girl Approved

Let me know if all the Blissdom talk makes you want to attend next year.
-Laurie