October before and after!

<p>Hello everybody! How are you on this fine fall day?</p> <p>It’s going to be a good week my friends – it’s my birthday week and today is the monthly before and after link up here on the blog. Both equally awesome. :)</p> <p>As always I picked a few of the beautiful projects shared <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-before-and-after.html">last month</a> to show you here and then you can take a look at all the new links at the end of this post. </p> <p>September was the month for pretty rooms for girls, that’s for sure! <a href="http://anita-faraboverubies.blogspot.com/2014/08/girls-french-bedroom-reveal.html">Anita’s redo</a> is absolutely stunning: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aFC16QdlDN0/VDKhtPgMFjI/AAAAAAAArp4/5ismDb2jbIU/s1600-h/2014girlsroomreveal2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sophisticated girls' room" border="0" height="532" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P3RR-0zPY90/VDKht2uMd0I/AAAAAAAArqA/pLBGYwLvIOo/2014girlsroomreveal2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sophisticated girls' room" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I think the eggplant color is so sophisticated but still pretty – perfect for tween girls. And the origami art on the wall is just the coolest. </p> <p>Amy also designed a <a href="http://www.11magnolialane.com/2014/08/28/girls-room-decorated-in-pink-gold/">sweet, fun room</a> for her five-year-old:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-enWef5BzPlMdJU5WOcmc72N5KrFvrECvszfChJnL3fDrfEJUjVH0WXpnZaGbhkrQzySeNu579PajnThAEZRoNutp0Ci1h3UMJGjTgJSWgPhuFPXrv099miwtuPeYRh09Io067y0rwTU/s1600-h/girls-room-pink-aqua-gold%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="girls-room-pink-aqua-gold" border="0" height="672" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx89FeKa3WEkOkWO2tQ1agByr1pvJGk3YqZu2_7JeZgE7USDgnYBJx-rqzoyqas3dOAKbT74lor4JMVP_SNpAQGR9w2vWSUGyu_AozeEHFTnMSdw7JVjK7H9j535n9wEgcYs8ZWetuoA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="girls-room-pink-aqua-gold" width="450" /></a></p> <p>The paper poofs and the vinyl dots are such inexpensive ways to make a big impact in a room – SO cute. (I shared how to make those poofs yourself <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/09/tissue-poms-poofs.html">here</a>.)</p> <p>And this <a href="http://www.remodelandolacasa.com/2014/08/ajfe.html">gorgeous nursery</a> belongs to Cristina’s niece – her mama is talented, yes?:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf3LdqnU8xodVM-7kEPgrb18lXxGnRPKU6_LabFrzmt0brJnkPIVyXjfq1ZXpSaIxurhura3N00uEGNbpTzf5QEc7X2AVgmX7JnBNn9h3WDVCSV_1SeCGSaO8FHTu3C0TxSpUWRmc8rM/s1600-h/Baby%252520girl%252520nursery%252520-stenciled%252520wall%252520-purple-mnlg%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Baby girl nursery stenciled wall" border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFUMwOhVK6DCdAT00TX_icijvrlDWq3GbsFYTFUTo04dWzxFql6kBRfkWZVryxN6SUuBXK3-q4fUChd5F_XC7cyMAX3EJbSRTmGp7e9xAfpfL3vMG155gByeiZDITMtUvQ3DQapHY4oY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Baby girl nursery stenciled wall" width="500" /></a></p> <p>There are so many lovely little touches in this room, you have to go check it out. Love it!</p> <p>Looking at <a href="http://allthingsnewinteriors.com/2014/07/22/french-linen-hutch/">this hutch</a> now you would NEVER guess what it looked like before: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u-shyrM3M5U/VDKhx0zAHuI/AAAAAAAArqo/FJhaz1hK6zs/s1600-h/img_1252%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="annie sloan linen" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XhmV9Mvc8Pg/VDKhyrAtJyI/AAAAAAAArqw/_yGlnB9EL3g/img_1252_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="annie sloan linen" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Hayley really did this piece justice – sometimes painting is definitely the right move for older furniture. </p> <p>Jennifer tried something I’ve never attempted – <a href="http://decoratingdelirium.com/diy-dyed-lampshade/">using dye</a> to change the color of a lampshade: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxuvf4TCcfHrlGjGtwyeB-v8hLn0334qXmeIpfxbvPgHsHiCeEd1wW95uCnXLDWPEPRaqyX9OkO-U0qyZK7ugPMxdWP3iNmwBMnhJwXjXCru8CtG9NEZwACdW_UtpaCftouk115xOwQc/s1600-h/Lampshade-2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dying a lampshade" border="0" height="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4Q1Zm7ETQLcB4ojq81e4jk8gjTSNxHKiPUnWEdJ2atFiCcR4ampmq9JIuzb4dsqr285AWvG6sy9Nc0EuJc3pFquEgdtzzAeLKKsUWjER5G4uWWNtA0g_hE97hctgsONBWG0Yy5ClW0o/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="dying a lampshade" width="433" /></a></p> <p>It came out so well, now my wheels are turning! </p> <p>With all those girl rooms I couldn’t leave out the boys! I loved the inexpensive and easy touches Tamara added to <a href="http://providenthomedesign.com/2014/08/01/boys-shared-bedroom-reveal/">her boys’ room</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bndvckpTbHoSFwT75FRYsXrTXJfJpAhwRGytoVU3QV2kSBPCiN1bvVK1EMMOt8MwykyFs4OSPspvT8QS6YTjfmXlsKIUQlBRNyMGTXyoO2yrQh-E3eXxzRQnQr1eIWAngijh2sEXcKI/s1600-h/Boys-Shared-Bedroom%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="boys shared bedroom decor" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibY6xSadE0NEt1o5UiDOfS013eHi__8rG10HcidNM-_FoYE_NyCn29cPsFfVAT0Se_VWPxC-5sDtn-_OEddIHIL72-2LLvvZQwrAUJoB99fGhzWpsNAF5YuJIuoA0fBbPdFS2c3Sxg9wY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="boys shared bedroom decor" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Those headboards only cost $20 each to make – awesome! (You can see my tutorial for a tufted headboard <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-tufted-headboard-tutorial.html">here</a>.)</p> <p>Nicki’s <a href="http://sweetparrishplace.blogspot.com/2014/08/one-year-later-how-my-brown-paper.html">paper bag floors</a> are <strong>so</strong> cool looking!: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXa65u-Q8pHRUt_8uwOAa4tJ2bpRVdmi0Aw18im5qZmgSG3jrzLZ24hUMw7Mbr11HbILa_m6w4n2tkO5cXtLuDwbwZLqupD1ZFwcNiS2g9mRZKlc43ZoYJbme2ei5GigoUVpVuIerjUkM/s1600-h/p%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="paper bag floors" border="0" height="667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYwWOIKxgnLgnbwZBCoT-UBlV-G6fAx0LGU6v-KobxkqTR6R4pZHxmjfV4mAza8YACDGere4NxRKs44tUZ36u3qioRvpiOSwF_L_WMi7QEYVAE-0B8JTLEVpXDCYxkHYcV-EPAVhGxO8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="paper bag floors" width="500" /></a></p> <p>She shares how they have held up in that post – worth checking out if you are interested in trying this flooring treatment. </p> <p>I have to say, I think this next makeover may be my favorite for the month! Julie helped out her music teacher friend by <a href="http://lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com/2014/08/school-music-room-makeover.html">making over her room</a> and it is AWESOME: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbB_778FOMrxmJG-F_eaRF9ikSj8mQAooMiOng13gwLPaMUqGNyGFQ-l7CaiK-dwcHGRIFzFY_4ykzTW9kAn-ZIEoDv0jLZGhmNBmbN0-YZFg4giO-DVpxZ7-VP78LPtojobL1Q2FXVQE/s1600-h/tune%252520my%252520heart%252520profile%252520sm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="music room decor" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvM9nZCrpSgAQpWxp_rA8MhVIyb-2RGp5nEZkpEaeScyhBgCDS_aRmZvenK-2It80_fHYPMlrykff2xes2OOVCSUy_fy86zDHescp3n3FCJSGMcH_FLltI0FclpIDGM8td9JOaG-Jvk8g/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="music room decor" width="500" /></a>As a wife of a musician/composer/band director this room makes me SMILE big. Absolutely love it. Think my husband would want big piano keys on his office walls? ;)  </p> <p>Well there you go! Now it’s time to see what you’ve all been up to over the past few weeks! If you’d like to be considered for a highlight next month, please link to TDC in your post or include this button: </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px" align="center"><a href="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7326" height="225" src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif" title="beforeAndAfterButton_thumb[1]" width="146" /></a></div> <pre style="border-bottom: #cccccc 1px solid; text-align: left; border-left: #cccccc 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; margin: auto; padding-left: 10px; width: 90%; padding-right: 10px; display: block; white-space: pre-wrap; background: #f0f0f0; height: 45px; color: #777777; font-size: 90%; overflow: auto; border-top: #cccccc 1px solid; border-right: #cccccc 1px solid; padding-top: 10px"><div align="center"><a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/" title="TDC Before and After" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beforeAndAfterButton_thumb1.gif" alt="TDC Before and After" style="border:none;" /></a></div></pre><br /><br /><p>You can link up here for the next week, share away!: </p><br /><!-- start InLinkz script --><script type="text/javascript" src="//www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=454175"></script><!-- end InLinkz script -->

October before and after!

Hello everybody! How are you on this fine fall day? It’s going to be a good week my friends – it’s my birthday week and today is the month...

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September was a good month

<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qJ7NSwOTjfQ/VC7Iu72huDI/AAAAAAAArko/TnUUoA2KD4w/s1600-h/my%252520favorite%252520color%252520is%252520october%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="my favorite color is october" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-znoa8tqHMNQ/VC7Ivfd-rOI/AAAAAAAArkw/t9wzEUScvtU/my%252520favorite%252520color%252520is%252520october_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="my favorite color is october" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Hello my friends! Don’t you love this month? It’s one of my favorites for sure – and that has nothing to do with the fact that my birthday is next week. None at all. </p> <p>I’m reviewing the projects I worked on or shared last month – just in case you missed something! I kicked off the month of September with some of my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/ready-for-fall.html">favorite fall decorating ideas and crafts</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rM9KbpA5HJg/VC7IwHbOJ3I/AAAAAAAArk4/TIIapPLmpag/s1600-h/fallcollage%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="easy fall decor projects" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OwojvOEoe_8/VC7Iw_KXyDI/AAAAAAAArlA/wt_bubl5hzI/fallcollage_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="easy fall decor projects" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Tons of easy ideas for both inside and out on that post! I haven’t done much fall decorating yet – it’s seemed so early still! But now that things are getting done in the family room I’ll be pulling some stuff out this weekend. </p> <p>I was determined to finish up the fireplace last month and I did it! It just took me the entire 30 days. ;) I started by going bold with the paint color – a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-painted-fireplace.html">dark gray</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wZvjeTp3Gn0/VC7Ixqf1ZQI/AAAAAAAArlI/SnsfskvgynY/s1600-h/30%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="adding trim to fireplace" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y2pIk3D7KM4/VC7IyQUS4zI/AAAAAAAArlQ/2jWgySD8k4o/30_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="adding trim to fireplace" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I added the trim to the sides and front of the built ins and the fireplace as well. It’s just inexpensive lattice wood you can get in the trim aisle at Lowe’s – I use it for all kinds of molding projects. It definitely gives it all a more custom look for sure. </p> <p>The color was bold and I was a little scared but I LOVE it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RsMhjDCpVoc/VC7Iy2ShzPI/AAAAAAAArlY/4fXVmbyixxs/s1600-h/IMG_9755%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Peppercorn Sherwin Williams" border="0" height="774" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PK5mI8Klqyk/VC7IzV4m3YI/AAAAAAAArlg/Wp8c3bziygU/IMG_9755_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Peppercorn Sherwin Williams" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Next up I shared how I <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/built-ins-for-electronics.html">removed the center of the cabinet doors</a> and replaced them: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-icniKbSseoc/VC7I0Mc4SLI/AAAAAAAArlo/6C-i_cQGC-Q/s1600-h/photo9%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="metal sheeting on cabinet doors" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kgM0mO7PA70/VC7I1iZsGgI/AAAAAAAArlw/epQQtuaAn0A/photo9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="metal sheeting on cabinet doors" width="500" /></a></p> <p>We used standard, unfinished kitchen cabinets and just built them out a bit so they were deep enough to hold the electronics. Problem was I needed to let those electronics breath so they didn’t get overheated. The metal radiator sheeting was the perfect solution: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PXgPF4EzUho/VC7I2E4cijI/AAAAAAAArl4/67vCUnRhtUs/s1600-h/IMG_9778%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="doors let TV components breath" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GYg9sMrVF2Y/VC7I3Ad4zHI/AAAAAAAArmA/Sa-N5XY0PKM/IMG_9778_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="doors let TV components breath" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I love the look – a little modern but also a very traditional feel at the same time. And YES, the remotes work through the metal! </p> <p>Because my readers are awesome, I shared some of the projects they’ve tackled after seeing some of mine. Tammy’s <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/when-you-do-what-i-do.html">wall of built ins</a> turned out SO beautifully: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lMJ8K1BteRQ/VC7I3sdKrgI/AAAAAAAArmI/-O1LrbDynYU/s1600-h/built%252520ins2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="built ins by fireplace" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hWj904R4q0A/VC7I4UAjl4I/AAAAAAAArmQ/NreDKmsgWMs/built%252520ins2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="built ins by fireplace" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Be sure to check out some of the others!</p> <p>After I got the paint started on the fireplace and the doors done it was time to attack the biggest project – the tile. There were a few options I was considering: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1HMLRe_CQzQ/VC7I5FNHs0I/AAAAAAAArmY/iqUpn0lPSLA/s1600-h/IMG_9763%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="marble tile" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mz_guYo5IlM/VC7I57DTmMI/AAAAAAAArmg/wVvmeQocsSI/IMG_9763_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="marble tile" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The herringbone had my heart all along, I was just a little nervous about installing it. At first glance I thought it would take a lot of small cuts. </p> <p>I soon figured out that wouldn’t be the case at all so I went for it: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mTRQg-88_pI/VC7I6eheXKI/AAAAAAAArmo/r1YpALSE15M/s1600-h/IMG_9776%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to cut tile" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lo-0CrUOmcY/VC7I7UtNHPI/AAAAAAAArmw/xiGxxbRd_lY/IMG_9776_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to cut tile" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I shared the whole process of tiling a fireplace surround <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/tiling-fireplace-surround.html">here</a> – that post includes some tips if you plan to use a marble tile as well.</p> <p>We absolutely ADORE the finished product: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CDyY9xHXxK4/VC7I769XQNI/AAAAAAAArm4/Pkk6uuzyYpk/s1600-h/IMG_9840%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="installing tile on fireplace surround" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3HLmWKDQyD8/VC7I8uk6WqI/AAAAAAAArnA/If3g6SzM_sU/IMG_9840_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="installing tile on fireplace surround" width="500" /></a></p> <p>SO happy I went for that one!</p> <p>I stepped away from the DIY for a bit to focus on an area that was in desperate need of some decrapification: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-27PWWJ9Fbqc/VC7I9WEKEZI/AAAAAAAArnI/x0-0AVVemxk/s1600-h/IMG_8740%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="organizing coat closet" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J6mLCrMx99I/VC7I-M_ErJI/AAAAAAAArnQ/Rt-cYA_YX-A/IMG_8740_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="organizing coat closet" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Love that my spell check now recognizes that word. ;) That closet had become my “Monica closet” – a dumping ground for anything that took actual thought to address. :) Go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-monica-closet.html">here</a> to see my process for going through all the crap and getting it organized again. </p> <p>Because the fireplace was looking so good I had to address how filthy it was from all the construction this summer. Did you know you can clean the inside of your gas <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/cleaning-gas-fireplace-glass.html">fireplace glass</a>?:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BeICfMfSLHI/VC7I-re1kwI/AAAAAAAArnY/IupTxt_mfCc/s1600-h/how%252520to%252520clean%252520inside%252520glass%252520on%252520gas%252520fireplace%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to clean inside glass on gas fireplace" border="0" height="736" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jPpj1GmUFDw/VC7I_terbVI/AAAAAAAArng/zGS_9eGPZKY/how%252520to%252520clean%252520inside%252520glass%252520on%252520gas%252520fireplace_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to clean inside glass on gas fireplace" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s actually quite easy to do. I like to clean our fireplaces every year at this time before we turn them on for the winter. I also shared how I used high heat paint on the fireplace surround to get it looking good again <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/high-heat-paint.html">here</a>. </p> <p>I was <em>thrilled</em> when I realized that taking down the wall in the family room meant our kitchen would get much bigger too. We were able to move our table to a spot that works SO much better with a lot more space, which meant a much bigger table would work. I shared our new one and thoughts on finishing it <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-new-kitchen-table.html">here</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gX8CM8IRyzg/VC7JAH3Fk1I/AAAAAAAArno/KXf-UI6uxts/s1600-h/IMG_9878%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood curved leg table" border="0" height="752" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rn636lwIfek/VC7JBOfKV9I/AAAAAAAArnw/9TeQT18PmrM/IMG_9878_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood curved leg table" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Goodness I LOVE this table. I’ll show you what I’ve done with it next week. :) </p> <p>Next up I gathered some of the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/free-fall-printables.html">prettiest fall printables</a> you ever did see from around blogland – and all are FREE: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YUGXQsl4EKY/VC7JBghRlqI/AAAAAAAArn4/XGfyj4z0VoI/s1600-h/Printables%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="free fall printables" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FXbTFsIeXNc/VC7JCTI65qI/AAAAAAAAroA/7FaD9Z9Ef5s/Printables_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="free fall printables" width="500" /></a></p> <p>They are such an easy and inexpensive way to decorate for the seasons. </p> <p>I was needing some warmth in the family room so I switched from our summer neutrals to <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/warm-fall-touches.html">some color for the fall</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vd2maz9B8_M/VC7JDMls0II/AAAAAAAAroI/iAEGZRD4zFQ/s1600-h/IMG_9897%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="small sectional" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u_SzCNhRJIM/VC7JEJcLWDI/AAAAAAAAroQ/MtaLaARBxv0/IMG_9897_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="small sectional" width="500" /></a></p> <p>If you’ve never sewn a pillow I also shared some quick tips – it’s not that hard, I swear!</p> <p>I was fed up with some more of the disaster areas in our house of late so I focused on my problem clutter areas. Take a look at them and this space all cleaned up <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/my-problem-areas.html">here</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H1iGgTiWScA/VC7JE3EszHI/AAAAAAAAroY/Pq1zPT6rQTM/s1600-h/IMG_9901%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rSKpgzU52XI/VC7JFgEZyvI/AAAAAAAArog/Tl474bl1pGk/IMG_9901_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Yowza. That was bad.</p> <p>I love finding new fun places to shop that don’t break the bank – I took you on a tour of <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/lets-go-shopping.html">one of my favorites</a> last week: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jgHYryefKjY/VC7JGTRw1ZI/AAAAAAAAroo/b-lLs_XFpg4/s1600-h/WM5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baked pie sign world market" border="0" height="387" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TYBoY4tIdw0/VC7JHL3CvvI/AAAAAAAArow/ykS6YC4cqms/WM5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="baked pie sign world market" width="290" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eumt8ip__1U/VC7JIFsOjkI/AAAAAAAAro4/4VZXybTCwHM/s1600-h/17%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="17" border="0" height="387" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fSYEHncaKuA/VC7JIxkO9bI/AAAAAAAArpA/8BWWakQ3VaY/17_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="17" width="290" /></a> </p> <p>Last weekend I finally got the fireplace finished! I love it so dang much! I shared how I planked the wall above the fireplace for $13 and a bunch of I’m-so-happy-this-is-done after shots <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/13-planked-wall-finished-fireplace.html">here</a>: </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oWzr0W3cTE4/VC7JJcydTcI/AAAAAAAArpI/Q5POhi0mObw/s1600-h/IMG_9980%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray fireplace planked wall herringbone tile" border="0" height="750" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TljqcYve5VM/VC7JKNM-MAI/AAAAAAAArpQ/Kgzouvf14Dk/IMG_9980_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gray fireplace planked wall herringbone tile" width="500" /></a></p> <p>A couple of you suggested painting the crown the same color and I think I’m going to try it. I’m not sure it will work but it’s only paint – I can easily take it back to white if I don’t like it. The total cost to finish up the fireplace was less than $200 – that included the metal sheeting, tile and supplies and the wood for the planked wall. I had the paint leftover from the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/03/dark-gray-accent-wall.html">wall in the bedroom</a>. </p> <p>Someone commented on the rug earlier this week and yes it does look baby blue in that shot – not sure why. It’s definitely a gray/blue color that works great with that whole wall. (You can see the true color in the pics above.)</p> <p>I finished up the month sharing <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/09/simple-fix-disposal.html">a quick tip</a> that saved us a few hundred bucks: </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h87awOrakZs/VC7JK0WukJI/AAAAAAAArpY/rB4UUU7Fr60/s1600-h/disposalheader%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to fix disposal" border="0" height="441" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aRomMc_24qg/VC7JLpFWkcI/AAAAAAAArpg/GlTl6M1IBjs/disposalheader_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to fix disposal" width="500" /></a>If yours is ever jammed be sure to use this as a resource – most times you can take care of it on your own. </p> <p>Whew! That’s it for this month! It was a great one – now onto beautiful October. :) Hope you have a lovely weekend! </p>

September was a good month

Hello my friends! Don’t you love this month? It’s one of my favorites for sure – and that has nothing to do with the fact that my birthday...

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Dining room updates

<p>Hello my friends! It’s a lovely rainy fall day here, and what I think will be the last warm day we have in quite some time. I’m actually excited about that. :) I’m tired of sweating – bring on the crisp air, yoga pants and boots! </p> <p>I finally did something in another part of the house other than the family room…can you believe it? </p> <p>A while back I took the drapes down that used to hang in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/living%20room">living room</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dZquVw5kIdetJgtJty7AFrOB8smXYeriEIVZ6MPIE_vpQWelweivDB4XcMy2y3IK7KhhFy14zcJ5aXeCLaevGAm-oyEt1d97X0lkMWGxR6WB_I4MQuvw8olzDWkAEiLJYwj2T8u46L4/s1600-h/IMG_1405_thumb%25255B7%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hEyqSr_6zlwxgJi-RdATkL0MA8eWuNXEVqXvQwtq9wCr0RmQOU09GwudXkSRVKER8XZhjwjnUEwmC8Np9YLS28GOVUjDcRgDW4_YMgZfctN7-SQ5F3zOzdjFFLl2jFYw6p_b9f-C7Ck/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This was in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/07/pink-walls-begone.html">pink wall era</a>, so glad that color is gone! (They weren’t really pink but sure photographed that way.) </p> <p>Anyway, I took those drapes down after I added new <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/04/diy-craftsman-window-trim.html">trim to the windows</a> up front: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhei9bEZsyagk2LRfjqC1cTE78tadaAbHSxoodtfMbtNf-EQACcP5P-K81sXrHqm_nJXE8e31haHoHFKxH8eFrqv5HA1YqNMYsytc0PG549q7-r80w86dv1lcX_xHbCKZULKIPEZKPpe0/s1600-h/IMG_9214%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9214" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV55qBwjxbiJljjpbCPYZmujMUnv0LFoqTZ8pxS-h-GGfNRPPLdXG6lcNUMIS4GNVJlXC5_r3WqbF6YRYpojARAOiH0uKz_yIGqYquJbXOpPTX9BF-tw_u7W03FMhZPniVmg5msCwrROo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_9214" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I like them simple like that – so much so that I don’t have any plans to put new drapes up, at least for now. </p> <p>I got to thinking that our dining room windows could really use something though. I do plan to trim them out the same way but in the meantime they were looking pretty bland: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8EN8nQbvyUidoN6gysObJ94rmg88KQ7-cyvhVa-qz1TpqB0nO5uisQnc6u9vLTcCq-UIZ6R7nLS36PvzbEr6zFobAjgkvy5m4ajqHXgxyZOXOUHx-NWnmR265dBv2zfl_P3CA1gVGYA/s1600-h/IMG_0005%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZlz9z9EUrcIfdIqV4wH3-RTqBq0lxg8dnQVvAaoO3j99hW5INQlZrmoU6haBRICSVc4ekLmtmoti7pat4qr4b5uOEZQMHwYQQWPn3duCmx4o9QZyhLedkSQ7T351FjqWrsshvaUNRkA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This was my before picture as I started working – excuse the mess. :) </p> <p>I took down the drapes that were the dining room years ago moved them to the family room: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaHLZO1tYVBHZaQfTBAahhC29MvqhZW0Vgr3SoqE9U5lByskGus2ImeTStKhRz32lKDD4qh5AePfIxG-ELLlqwJpdhWViDQ0VVRje3AKtW5Os7q-1aBA_Y6Cgp0Wwf-BecZmQe6bPw4E/s1600-h/IMG_7185%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7185" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxit_Tjcj9bLLu4Wzjv6IiG-lmYhrzu3xSn4BsZ8a5PMLS3gKj0WWiG1RFOKaneA6dBzbcNlOKNjs7JVfQtBUgwBQ6skJncRU0Ki71KlOwr4QSDAd0BOZdYQ4ow3o772UjWZxw-zq0Coo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_7185" width="500" /></a></p> <p>When the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/family%20room%20reno">wall came down</a> those drapes did as well. </p> <p>Anyway…I’ve had naked windows in the dining room for quite some time – I’ve been wanting to replace them but it hasn’t been a priority. Then I realized a couple weeks back I could use the drapes from the living room that I took down months ago. Are you with me?? ;) We’re coming full circle here. Kinda.</p> <p>Of course it can never be as simple as just hanging drapes for me. There’s always all kinds of little things that pop up along the way. The first thing I did was move the roman shades back down to inside the window frame. Years ago I mounted them outside just for a little extra light. It’s felt messy looking to me lately though and it only gives a couple extra inches of extra light so back they went. </p> <p>I had to patch where the shades were hanging:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpnQgFAWHGh18nVCYanT-vlwAb6z2w-FsjwAx8t73woYv-JI2t5W6Ttk_PqXObjkPQqOsaZ7Hx86-T0wELDN_xmMkOpTehCii_yxac7vAi71UEsWLPZ3M68mRv2panrlTo0F_V5iD3Qo/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pink spackle" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUbVpyek_w1D7Hn7ZyDMFFkbWhyphenhyphen7XdzBTAUtui9DNvBaQE8A2Hmuk3q0OrbuhLcexcsJDSP2tZtvwBGLSr-gqKD6n2aOh9hTLFS1BF7k6j9SlajBFGsoo9gilAY4fyD8h8293OimaM1c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="pink spackle" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY-ywjVzTtUA5Mfi7cCYA3-_zCUZyXC_7LP3SMjCu8L1QkgRUWLHQLvF_zYIvhjAgAdClPlzJ9GZoz3wS8YB05IArEbXLbfVEIkV7VBSQBTfwY_dBvMs_w_W2zQyNqucLFqWkP92xybo/s1600-h/2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dap spackle" border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKtMjfLkyjAe9KbpViwCgWOVzPZzBsohTfUdmogEMVpLlN4NonzaeXjH8_cTHhP08JndUUQaKNn0rK745dJjSd9R5iDRdXVllPTl1k4bIBdJTYOW0MN06VxJ6Nug5ndg2jEIXUil2yTA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="dap spackle" width="290" /></a></p> <p>When I took the brackets down they took chunks of drywall with them. Not sure why that happened – usually you’ll have problems with that if you put them up right after painting but I didn’t do that. </p> <p>Anyway, I patched those up with spackling – this kind goes on pink and is white when it’s ready to paint/sand: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxcdhzkIQooWKFP3UNASAa6tFfD7T4NV1kVY93hJtgjcqBRvoWLjnDTtbPUgoRZPbylxu-5K9bePUxCEFKHzze5v8D8cdB4W6JoVygA_X3rGGGXXWiJGzdUVQJDvOofBrRPwMzLdq-y4/s1600-h/IMG_0010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfkXt3LSjSF3Ac-fl77IEdAcFMCOlVjx9ubdiFQm8L_tkK6zF3HLS2bBDtKbXj64e0F52jz5AHgwNQVHOMV1M0KesGeukuman79n3KST4VQzDB1-7poLISa_hQsxEv2SxsHTrDoRFG7Y/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Love that!! </p> <p>Hanging drapery hardware isn’t hard, it’s just a matter of hanging the brackets the exact same distance on either side of the window. I like to go out at least five inches from the window and usually at least a few above as well – I couldn’t go too high with these because I didn’t make them long enough. </p> <p>I just trace where the holes go in the bracket and then drill a pilot hole: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5TFVEeTTYYDnbXiSgMGt7eGf-_pmBTAmuVhRj0oDU_VY0t3PJ9Y9RVXM7KBNJIoBvPIlz3vZCqSlnynsv8Yt5cd7sFFFoAIomUaWplNmjisL36DBv7oqjh00nkneEHXbVoQzZZ0utys/s1600-h/3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="hanging drapery hardware" border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3yzjmVtIA9RG2jaAzN9Gr7OYhPRLVAHuFecxUhmGJ_s_nnhyphenhyphenra1omJUGfkneySPk2Y7LGsjqEujXg-ARzDsVZlZDdXFefvDhexq5g3KbUm760IXYqzAQiRIHkramQe8CbxcpZYush4E/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hanging drapery hardware" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I always drill a hole first before trying to get a screw in the wall – if I hit a stud then I’ll need to predrill anyway. If I don’t hit a stud I know I’ll need to use anchors, so it’s a time saver to just do that first. </p> <p>I got the hardware up on both sides and then realized the middle piece was going to hit the small molding I had around the window. Sooooo that had to come down…more patching and then painting to cover up the original chocolate brown color underneath: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvd36sB8CfzBYdCIM1oGmZ65bFw-uGJScujc9kCWNUYLheueAzEeCokMPE5kE-cWAp_WVWbjktmay-jk741hi1Tqz8Mr6BHDFHV1Oh3-I11HvZoCZK4XrGtsTBwRQ6Lu_tekOh7R8-_F8/s1600-h/5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HXzf4wAOIxHnNPxJ-lN7Z9ouRanmiEMHWMYR9TGQorMKBS5kMGrlxO4PQkrQDTp7TZT55lexrkVopIPY5WKs4CNfxvRp6J6vYGKoNMsYIbhj4-4gabW9ZgpsvdphypJKyA09Roy2VwM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Remember those days??: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXlACcXepBniTApBVAP2uynHJYOQL9jCFDLevPB_Z9CeL8oLiDWEedXqXDmlhxDF-FwGs20AyXLi_dEUU5sXEsrjSXvRIJfdR6mC1doB8TS480Yi8M97LSkwjLn3_SVkIhrnVVBiAtUc/s1600-h/003%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chocolate brown dining room" border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcFFsQrlwMb3alHFRu5G_YTl_iRJbY38ZomJ3lT-WAbctcmtcJaRAShQ43FjVWfyf2VOR40vBGo0o8Q7N3IsHfnwwKSFmV91VY_ab8wSxcNd5HGl7KzE2e8ztxgQDMCe0IVa1xsjO_G8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chocolate brown dining room" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I don’t miss it. :) </p> <p>So THEN I get the drapes hung up and realize I didn’t like the stripes I added as a leading edge years back. I was using two panels on each side of the windows so the stripes were on either side of each one and it looked circus-esque. Not what I was going for. </p> <p>So I took them down, cut down the sides quite a bit and hemmed. I just left a bit of the stripes and I quite love the dark on the edges now: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITcyd7lkW7VN3EtBvnVqx9kK9Ww0sUi5oDA_My5BtI18iKhfKKiQlkFt0-W8yTNkHrxaMAICl3F7OETus7avP39xZSIilPhdQFPmUZJO6EZfvejNr7g6qRk9-IoWNHduaKFk5DFhgevw/s1600-h/IMG_0026%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="retreat blue citrine" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhWByEmxU7rL1SKgu925UOkUzSQxG_L5Zg6MxQHVZ64e8Bvu2Zz0jsxGxH_ZvkSX5py4HQ6YWktVaLCFY1xBo5O74z_zuav-azDeS2g1mQ41U29favLsgt88lvlmY3Gw8HHhaTVuJ8ww/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="retreat blue citrine" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I get asked about his fabric a lot – it’s a P. Kaufman fabric called retreat blue citrine. I’d like something a little simpler in this room eventually but until then these will do nicely. :) </p> <p>I “trained” the drapes like I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/04/easy-drapery-tricks.html">here</a> years ago:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3t-iSk8sBPHBbjy7cJyQXEiA_cRBCDQkevYBsq9BMwCeevpBvUPgvzunUNHVWs-JR_AX8uEWiczxIyq0bNNyGssQdCiWk0Df3mJ-CBiNSpB2bEzyKV6bPSM6lItTuVsExgdzlSki5M4/s1600-h/IMG_0007%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="training drapes pleats" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX22aFGMPtX-HYKmjoLFfWEs6BDWwYVJZYeLMX0ik3oZT0bs1ARQSb5N75XoNeFUxASaC9PN4vA3ZoFiUfkertJa2PpndJcaOO7byqpCUVfuOdoPKHpfn8r8FMi4lKUmG-Nr85jAt-sI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="training drapes pleats" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Combined with my fake pleat method it makes them hang much prettier! </p> <p>They add some warmth to the room and make it feel much more finished:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKwT98uNDfzVBW6BKekmC56vwqV9Zxr9N2O-xweah4JTe61hUVpEnbslFfqDqlfef_lVEwlbK2gIgxif3RdwbCOEVOkTRpBL5IJ7ys-YDFxNPY4yAFvLL8Ovp3n8jPXPDkntxtlhE1N4/s1600-h/IMG_0020%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="p. kaufman fabric" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOg7xOl3CaTENiyQz_X1BCxwEo8wFTRh6-VhnlP0L0Fv6OtSZLK6xcM6fBHDCq_MdUWHcTSOO5-GvuTEK1fU0G1Oy9PI76FeKzuhSqq3mFLQkuzfZwYHxoctvWB7mYOn7bBgnxaIyu0U/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="p. kaufman fabric" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’m so glad I took some of the stripes off – they look SO much better with just the simple color along the side:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5oZweP2yFnYaxsEtam6G_7CC0mvkU1CYuIlKUT5qhvnrE65VHjLNSYb9vy5kiUIj0qXmPS9ES2SXK7fUtmKymClLDiTnZ3dtQwZsUCJJldvXprxjZ0OTtiQ3YxRJF0AsuDVygyljB58/s1600-h/IMG_0022%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="leading edge drapery " border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2Nr0IoBt4qPfwW3i9e-fVRjX6YwUC4vxj8TN53QeJxprBZCNWmIbKSvdo8ih1XVhOVYfpFEwWINAHt9ibFUWyI1jMAmK4BQ7-IphxFowlejwd9VeIdGBG8xGiMQIiSCkqEG0rqmHHCs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="leading edge drapery " width="500" /></a></p> <p>These are two skinny panels together on each side – I cut the fabric down the middle for the other windows. I didn’t sew them together and you can’t tell. :) </p> <p>I hung these along a full drapery rod so we can close them if needed: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsvWmDMOrik80jA2ApwWvGmC7XA6hgQ65trMXEg7z0rlQrjWlZWpqDEtpPahZ-SRs0zOenMXtH7CPl6Z3KIVyaJptDZI3-VmLd_RmJ2__6vkmVNU0QctsWG4NcP3A40oy8TE-crIbMyg/s1600-h/IMG_0035%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="built ins dining room" border="0" height="662" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxydz2Afn8hV0buoGbGrIiQXbgtkuwPjy0Z70NOh10rAnp07XvOQSlRMfccBkoGuW-4V4A16V5u6jf6M_RiYuyCR5jIXEciQr4CIG2jwaOw2aOWtEW6q93tcPvPQP9e731jV_2rWzA34/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="built ins dining room" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I hear we’re going to get another nasty winter and I like being able to close drapes for some added insulation. It helps!</p> <p>The colors are lovely – the blue edge matches the background on the built ins almost perfectly. Someday I will add the window trim in here but I will still probably keep drapes up even after that. They definitely add some coziness to a room!: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMvK5Xom8pa4ms11YL5Dn8Dxe1HPmVQ_ur8yDjsrCIRSHWgY8vrWAnJNrddZhfLsEdFDCzrHG4g0bTMXIzw_5FL82_aqhJ5sIti57sP_QEiFietZup30sky9oi0fZnttJ3BgtpNksW18/s1600-h/IMG_0016%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dining room DIY built ins" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoJ0QGEdo4Ttu32_Qyhi7MpHLoMl5xAU04r2e273OcyNzcpFEpnsSe7Ei_WQlQC9OOXUdAjw5WA1_ErSZw7oqEPSGvUcvxaRuE3vS3vfFJlOdRptF6RbGFD-eMQSl8Qv6T-q8tYkQC_A/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dining room DIY built ins" width="500" /></a></p> <p>This project ended up taking a lot longer than I thought it would, but it was free so I can’t complain. :) Another fall nesting project done! </p> <p>Do you prefer drapes or none? Do you use yours if you have them? We use our bedroom drapes every weekend so the bedroom is crazy dark, love it. If you want your drapes to be full and pretty while closed you’ll want to add to your yardage to make them wider. I don’t spend money on that since they are usually only closed at night and it’s just us who sees them. </p> <p>OH and we were waffling on keeping a table in this room but now that our kitchen table is plenty big I think we’re going to move ahead with our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/01/dining-room-turned.html">original idea</a> of comfy chairs and a coffee table. Whoot! I think it will look lovely! </p>

Dining room updates

Hello my friends! It’s a lovely rainy fall day here, and what I think will be the last warm day we have in quite some time. I’m actually exc...

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