Project Update

Well, I honestly haven't been too productive.  I did get the nasty tiles ripped out.  That was a workout - I felt like a CrossFit junkie when I was finished.

I have swept, mopped and swept and mopped again.  Still pretty filthy.  Maybe one more good cleaning, and I will be able to paint the floors.

I also found these vintage chairs on Craigslist. 

They remind me a bit of this chair that I found in a magazine.

I found a great wood cleaner and cleaned them up a bit. Here is a before and after: 

Here are also a few inspiration pictures that I found on Pintrest:

 

Hopefully I will start painting this weekend - either the floors or the outside!

My 1st Purchase

I've been thinking about this project for a while and debating about what I want it to feel like.  I love the open ceiling and beams, and I immediately thought "string lights." Sting lights remind me of Ingleside Pizza and the Red Bar in Grayton Beach.

I love the old sofas at the Red Bar where you can just hang out.  They make me feel like I'm visiting someone's house. 

So I think that will be my plan, vintage lounge.  I've been yearning for all things from the past.  I think the Facebook posts about "How to give your child a 70s summer" and the anniversary of Ronald Reagan's death have made me even more homesick for the past.  I don't know if it really was a simpler time, but that is the way I remember it.

Back to my first purchase. I was at lunch the other day, and I was telling my friend about my plan.
"I really want a green velvet couch," I explained.  Right after lunch I stopped by the antique mall on the way home. Guess what I found?!?

I found it in the very last room on the very last wall.  Meant to be, right?  But no price tag.  The owner of the antique mall called the owner of the sofa, but no answer.  I left my name and number and said a little prayer.  I got a call later that night and the sofa was in my budget - yippee! Remember my budget is teeny tiny, so that was a miracle.  

Now I've got to get to work on the inside so that I can bring it home.  I'll keep you updated and thanks for reading!

My Summer Rehab

Not what you think, but I wanted to get your attention! I'm excited about creating this blog to document my progress this summer as I complete my backyard rehab project.  Why am I doing this?  A couple of reasons - First, I just finished reading Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews (a great, fun beach read.)  The main character blogs about an old beach cottage that she is renovating.  That sounded like fun to me.  Second, I need some accountability.  I have realized that I have a touch of OCD and ADD - I will obsess about something, but I also have a tendency to jump around from project to project.  Hopefully blogging will give me a place to put all of my ideas, keep me focused, and help me to get the job done. 

First a little background - my husband and I finally found our dream house this past October after years of looking, selling our house, renting, and living in limbo.  Although it wasn't initially a "dream."  We fixed up, painted, and it was all basically a nightmare, but the house is finished now - hallelujah! 

Before:

 

 

 

After:

 

 

Okay!  So here is the project for this summer.  There is a room/house on the back of our property that I would like to rehab.  Yes, it is in bad shape, but I think it would be a great place for the kids to hang out.  I'm definitely on a BUDGET, so I (and Alex too hopefully!) will be doing all of the clean up, painting, etc. 

 

Pretty scary, huh!  Wish us luck. 
The best part is the view from the front door - simple living, right!