White To Black Kitchen Cabinets

We have been having some work done on our home. Our goal is make our home a warm and inventing place to host guest. The kitchen makeover was stage one in the process.  We had the kitchen walls painted a deeper red, quarter round placed along the floors to finish them out, and the cabinets taken from white to black. Since we can't afford to replace the cabinets a new paint job was in order for our 1978 cabinets. We had some repair work and new hardware put in place as well. Here are some before and after photographs of the cabinets! I am so happy with the results of stage one!  A giant thanks to our friend Jesse who did all the work, and helped us come up with a plan of action to get our home looking the way we envisioned.

p.s. ignore the photography skills I am no pro, and got lots of glare from the sunshine on some of these.

Before Damage

And After....notice the damage on both cabinet and wall is all GONE!!!

Old Paint Old Hardware

New Paint New Hardware

BEFORE

AFTER!!!

40 Chores in 40 Days (Day #15)

Today I cleaned out my oldest son's closet. I am really bad to just pile clothing on the top shelves rather than putting it into drawers. So, this little clean sweep was well over due. I also moved a few things that were too small for him over to his brothers' room. I added a crate for him to throw his shoes in. I also picked up all the snow clothes that were dumped at the bottom of his closet. It looks a little neater now. A nice, neat closet of shoes, clothes and mostly school attire! =)

Before

And After

40 Chores in 40 Days (Day # 14)

Yesterday my internet was down for the majority of the day. Which kept me from posting, but it's back today so on with the 40 Chores in 40 days.


I don't know about everyone else, but in my home, between the five of us, shoes can be scattered everywhere. So, I put an old ugly red crate as you walk in the front door for shoes to be placed in, one so they aren't being tripped over and two we aren't on a search for them come school mornings. It actually has worked out very well and it's not too difficult for the kids to remember. The only problem is the shoe crate can become overflowing with shoes and it's ugly. So, on day 14 of the 40 days of chores I weeded out all the shoes, mostly summer sandals that aren't being worn, and returned them to closets. I also replaced the crate with a black leather basket that I just happen to have stuffed full of books downstairs. I don't know that I am completely happy with it, but it will do until I figure out a better solution. I also admit it's much better than the red crate

Before

It's not a big differenc, but at least the ugly red crate is gone!

40 Chores in 40 Days (Day # 13)

Day thirteen here and the coat closet has been tackled and concurred! It was a job and it also reminded me that I need to make a list out for my hubby. He needs to organize all his tools. I don't even know what some of that stuff is, however I was able to weed out a few coats and make the closet much neater! Ya for day thirteen! =)

40 Chores in 40 Days(Day 11)

Mirror mirror on the wall, who has the messiest vanity of them all?....Oh that would be me. You know that saying, "My room was clean until I had to find something to wear"? That's my motto! My side of the room where my pretty little white vanity stands as a catch all for all the outfits, hats, jewelry, scarves, and whatever else I can pile on, seem to find a home there. I fuss at my children all the time for their messy rooms, then I look at mine with huge guilt. It's often more messy than theirs. I blame it on lack of storage and my inability to get anywhere on time, which results in not picking up after the tornado of getting ready hits my bedroom. So, today I took the giant leap into cleaning up and clearing off my vanity. It looks nice now. You can actually see the mirror now! I used a couple of little boxes for hair accessories and make up. I also used a paper towel holder for all my ponytail holders and hats that I wear often in the fall season! Eleven days down, only twenty nine to go. That doesn't sound too bad if you say it real fast!

Before...

After

Before inside the drawer

And After

40 Chores in 40 Days(Day #10)

The linen closet was the task at hand today. It wasn't as terrible as I thought it was going to be. I managed to cull out a big black trash bag full for the nearest donation center. I also took a tip from Pinterest.com and stored all the sheet sets inside their matching pillowcases. I also only kept one extra sheet set for each bed. I did once again learn a few things about myself while taking on this project. One, if someone holding a gun to my head and told me to fold a fitted sheet...I would most likely die fore sure. My right brained self just can't seem to manage that task. Two, I don't have a single pink color schemed room in my house yet I keep bringing home pink towels and wash clothes. I think it's my fight for some girliness in my life surrounded by boys. However, it really doesn't seem like good decorating tactics. Three, I need new towels and where did this huge collection of beach towels come from?

I forgot the picture again. Just imagine all the shelves like the top one!

After

40 Chores in 40 Days(Day # 9)

40 Chores in 40 Days

Day number nine here. I have to say I admit it feels good to get organized, but I also admit it's a slow process and I am quickly discovering that I may need another list after I complete this one. At least I am making a start, right??? Well folks today's task is one of the other junk drawers in my kitchen. It had things like batteries, thumb tacks and random knick-knacks. I cleared out a few of the useful items and distributed them to new homes. Then, well, I flipped the drawer over the trash can and dumped the rest. Pretty simple! I relined the drawer with new paper and I now have an empty drawer. On to day # 10 see you then!

Oh, if you have a any tips about how to organize batteries and chords I am all ears.

Before

After

40 Chores in 40 Days (Day # 7)

Day number seven...the toy purge! Okay my friends, today I tackled the room of my younger two boys with the help of my sweet Mom. We weren't as successful as I would have liked to have been, but we did manage to fill two large trash bags for donation, 1 of trash, and 1 tub to take to Granny's house. My children have way too many little knick-knacky toys, but at the moment it's all my youngest plays with. He is a total superhero type of kid(which I totally love about him), while my middle son is a Toy Story Fanatic!!! Seriously, he hasn't grown out of this stage since he first laid eyes on the first movie when he was about 2 years old. He is now 6 and still going as strong as is his huge collection. I think he even has a few more on his Christmas list....OH JOY! So, I couldn't make any of that secretly disappear while he was at school. I think he takes inventory. Am I the only one out there that has a hard time getting rid of toys? Also in today's cleaning I decided that I need to purchase a couple more toy chests or buckets for their room. I also need to simplify the cleaning method so they are able to do it themselves in a way that is. at least, visibly pleasing to Mommy dearest! Because right now, I have everything sorted into different boxes, tubs and shelves and that will only happen in my dreams. So, I myself need to lower some expectations of how I want their room cleaned and figure out a plan that works for all of us, not just me. Because honestly Mommy can't do it all on her own and quite frankly, I shouldn't have to! =)

Questions for you My Readers?

1. How do you get your little ones to clean up after themselves?

2. How do you store toys?

4. Any ideas out there about a clothes hamper for a kids room?

3. How do you purge toys. (I was kinda thinking every new toy that comes in, one has to leave?)

Before...UGH

After...Much Better

The Toy Story Collection!

TV Corner Before

After...I know we still live in the early 90's with our VHS collection. What can I say we like vintage!

40 Chores in 40 Days (Day # 6)

Almost two hours and one major allergy attack later, the ex-playroom is finally clean! Now that chore made me work up a sweat. I discovered when looking over this room, pre-cleaning, that I am apparently the stuff hoarders are made of. Not that I wanted to keep anything, just the sad fact that I let it get to this point. We rarely use the downstairs part of our home. I pretty much only go down there to do laundry. So, I suppose out of sight, out of mind played a large role in the pure destruction of this room. That and I somehow manage to have monkeys instead of children. Having a playroom downstairs was a bad idea in the first place. They would never go downstairs and play. I think they believed something inhuman lived in the downstairs quarters that would eat small children who didn't obey their parents. Okay so I totally made that up! I have no idea why they never used the room that was full of way too many toys, but when they did use it they became tornadoes. Several months ago (okay maybe a year ago) I donated all the toys in the playroom so all that remained was pretty much trash and things that had no real home assigned to them. Removing and reassigning homes to lost things was the task at hand. Sounds fairly simple in theory. Some of you are probably laughing that I find organizing and de-cluttering to be such a difficult task, others of you are probably gasping in horror/shock that I am indeed a slob. It is even more shocking to those of you who know my Mother. She has one of the nicest, well kept houses I know. I did not get that gene from her. I only wish for it and truthfully, envy it. I think she somehow finds cleaning and decorating to be fun. Strange and unusual concept to me.

Anyway.... Here are a few things that I learned during this task.

1. Saving boxes from old electronic devices is never a good idea

2. Vacuuming with a shop vac takes a lot of time

3. I am not fond of small, dark spaces (I.E. the closet under the steps) Not afraid of it, just not fond!

4. However, I am terrified of spiders and I think they know it

5. It feels really refreshing to be accomplishing these chores and it really hasn't been too overwhelming

HUGE MESS! I can't believe I am posting this publicly

After

Before Closet

After Closet...No more boxes!

I am very grateful that this project is over and I am super excited about the plans I have for this room now. Here are a few photos that I am drawing inspiration from for our new home office/library! I know it's a while down the road, but just thinking about it makes me smile....I heart books, and a room where they surround me gives me a happy heart! Thank you pinterest!

I love everything about this space found on The Life of Polarn Per

BOOKS!!!!

Piano...I would imagine there will be some guitars as well!

More BOOKS...and love the curtain as well!

40 Chores in 40 Days (Day #5)

Today was an easy day. So easy, I almost feel guilty until I remember that tomorrow I tackle the old downstairs playroom that will some day be my library/family office. I envision lots of bookshelves, but that's another project for another day. Right now, the playroom is full of everything we don't use and really don't need. It's a job I am not looking forward to, never-the-less it must be done.

In the meantime, today's project was cleaning out my makeup bag, ditching all the unused stuff and storing the occasionally used items in a box on my vanity. I keep my makeup in a travel bag because we are on the go a lot, Also, we are a one bathroom household and quite frankly it just doesn't make sense to store it in the bathroom. However, I do have a plan for makeup storage in the future, but for today just a good cleaning out. I couldn't believe how thin the bag seemed when I folded it. Anyways... Yay, for another chore marked off the list! Only 35 more to go!

Before

All Boxed up...Mostly Nail Polish

What Made The Cut

After

40 Chores in 40 Days (Day # 2)

40 Chores in 40 Days

Day # 2

Okay, the grand total of large filled trash bags after day one and two is now three! OH MY! I couldn't believe how much junk can hide in the little nooks and crannies of a home. I mean, I was well aware of the fact I am a terrible housekeeper, but that is just ridiculous. It feels good to be purging so much. I have taken the policy that if we haven't used in the past year it's time to donate it or toss it, unless it's a book, they're my one guilty pleasure that I refuse to toss. I have issues with getting rid of books, but that's a whole different blog. So, I have tossed most of what was residing in the art cabinet and now everything has a nice cozy home. Well only 38 more days to go....I am exhausted thinking about it! However it's going to be nice to simplify!

 

Before

After

Recipes!

Someday I will just make a book of my favorite recipes, but for now it's just good to have them all nice and neat in one place.

Art Supply Jars

 

I plan on painting the lids and labeling the jars, but for today it was about getting organized..first and foremost. I would love to hear organizing tips that help you keep your household running smoothly and specifically any tricks of the trade for organizing art supplies in a decorative fun manner?

Bookshelf Makeover

I am in the long process of making over my master bedroom. I have been approaching this project little by little. I am terrible at home design. It is something I did not inherit from my Mother, who is actually really great at putting a room together. Anyway, here is my little attempt to makeover a very standard undesirable bookshelf. See I am a reader, writer, and collector of notebooks, so a simple bedside table just doesn't make the cut. A bookshelf next to my bed is a must have and the brown just wasn't working for me.


So with a little textured wallpaper, black paint and old book of sheet music this is what I came up with.....

Now if only I had time to work on the rest of the room.

Before and After