DIY personalized shipping box

There was one project I didn't get a chance to do before the big sunroom reveal.<br /><br />Does this shelf look a little bare to you?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZDgZY5acvdF6gwu1IGqMXIk3m8v2Ae4jz757zZ3cPvd6U-gcTzq8VNfCoIeQdt3bEHREYYxG7KJNfNIyMW70xfT43u2TOppYzXeFyqsU0HLUsJCAIuZLe5K-C_Brp2ojQLxYtI92X64f/s1600/IMG_8089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZDgZY5acvdF6gwu1IGqMXIk3m8v2Ae4jz757zZ3cPvd6U-gcTzq8VNfCoIeQdt3bEHREYYxG7KJNfNIyMW70xfT43u2TOppYzXeFyqsU0HLUsJCAIuZLe5K-C_Brp2ojQLxYtI92X64f/s1600/IMG_8089.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Well, it did to me.<br /><br />I was scrambling to find some sort of storage box to fill the left side (where the seashell balls are) in the days before the sunroom completion—alas, it never happened.<br /><br />So I decided to make my own.<br /><br />After measuring the space, I went to HD to get some wood cut.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5jh60CIAhVGg_Hf3rHHpah1dbeuaJHhC3fppffDA45cFodilkDVjKubOGwF6UgGLNZXLLJrvcfot4xxnjLUCgfJDBxpR3101nXVYMc5gEtXTWLOa_zH_qiuuTy_1ww9CGOxB4bsMtfxM/s1600/IMG_8176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5jh60CIAhVGg_Hf3rHHpah1dbeuaJHhC3fppffDA45cFodilkDVjKubOGwF6UgGLNZXLLJrvcfot4xxnjLUCgfJDBxpR3101nXVYMc5gEtXTWLOa_zH_qiuuTy_1ww9CGOxB4bsMtfxM/s1600/IMG_8176.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Before I go too far... let me preface this by acknowledging that there are better (read: more professional) ways to do this. Any legit woodworker would probably laugh at my method, but it was all I could do with my limited tools.<br /><br />Anyway, I had my pieces cut to size. This in itself was not very simple because the measurements need to be exact, as they fit together like a puzzle. It would be simpler if 1x6 and 1x8 boards were actually 1x6 by 1x8... but unfortunately this isn't the case. You have to adjust for the width of the wood, which for the 6" wide pieces ended up being 5.5625". Could they have chosen a more random number? So I had to tell the poor HD cutting operator to try and cut to exactly that number. He did his best, but things weren't perfect.<br /><br />After I sanded back the rough cut edges, I applied some stain to all sides (Minwax's Ebony)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewHymcX4T_6MjR42zmqUYLHNf3Uvy28OKA9S0h8_PQEwwO8R_teC-1oPict_pnL355EFqVOH3NtIdNhBkXD1QZoKQDGnWEXlvMUuqmGX_lN4t6OzsBJ6xBZfjHDKqgiMzXRUh9LQmZmLn/s1600/IMG_8180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewHymcX4T_6MjR42zmqUYLHNf3Uvy28OKA9S0h8_PQEwwO8R_teC-1oPict_pnL355EFqVOH3NtIdNhBkXD1QZoKQDGnWEXlvMUuqmGX_lN4t6OzsBJ6xBZfjHDKqgiMzXRUh9LQmZmLn/s1600/IMG_8180.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Once dry, I dry test fit everyting together:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqli8qroRu_JMbbECZaxqHc7sMheeurJiYRWFnL6EfIVI-gw6-bkTDwZHQvFBx7Evet5ZYjcXAuZN9ao-SEjQZjH9WHOZqiFgbFczS0vjGVkKKQD80YYU54LejwZ2RcZiUMNweDL0PVKz/s1600/IMG_8181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqli8qroRu_JMbbECZaxqHc7sMheeurJiYRWFnL6EfIVI-gw6-bkTDwZHQvFBx7Evet5ZYjcXAuZN9ao-SEjQZjH9WHOZqiFgbFczS0vjGVkKKQD80YYU54LejwZ2RcZiUMNweDL0PVKz/s1600/IMG_8181.jpg" /></a></div><br />It worked......... mostly. There were some gaps where the cuts weren't exact, but I'll get to that later.<br /><br />Next I grabbed my nail gun and began to connect the peices. (There were actually staples loaded so I just used those, they worked the same). I used wood glue for reinforcement.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqdwMAmmPtIhxJX7te9CyFYyeOqCkEa2p849KOB-Qs5FoMIq8LVKtN40Csbd8__kJm25E2UIAF6OkWXCM-LL6uCRNJoahp0VsWNfmQmq97uasUjGyTqDOIDxuRoIOjcEIB1EHunyKud38/s1600/IMG_8190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqdwMAmmPtIhxJX7te9CyFYyeOqCkEa2p849KOB-Qs5FoMIq8LVKtN40Csbd8__kJm25E2UIAF6OkWXCM-LL6uCRNJoahp0VsWNfmQmq97uasUjGyTqDOIDxuRoIOjcEIB1EHunyKud38/s1600/IMG_8190.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />After connecting four or the sides, I realized one board was a bit off, so I had to remove it and start over...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_vSTdY_sOildsKB1T8u97_1Pb06twFGvhenbZSdHhf9PQ8dh9rarVvs0VaEa2P30JUfsTN9NoUtEc86bzmU2m09I_aqFLhQGLR_SkdWEbESWMYJQ6BSA0kNijckKeul2OEkqPBhBZ5px/s1600/IMG_8191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_vSTdY_sOildsKB1T8u97_1Pb06twFGvhenbZSdHhf9PQ8dh9rarVvs0VaEa2P30JUfsTN9NoUtEc86bzmU2m09I_aqFLhQGLR_SkdWEbESWMYJQ6BSA0kNijckKeul2OEkqPBhBZ5px/s1600/IMG_8191.jpg" /></a></div><br />Those things were a blast to pry out and sand down. [/sarcasm]<br /><br />Finally, after my four sides were secure and level at the bottom, I flipped it over and applied some wood glue for the base.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOu8AGAp96YBRjS8cIzne4QCuLM_opcK7AEX7h4U3z5JUn6IMcUr6pO5o6102nOvUrdQBJZAsJemTIixZcb_nXblLYODCoB2ZJmBuNuJH7ldyi3svX_9oYbDy7VWh1alcw6x9JGxyp6_U/s1600/IMG_8193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOu8AGAp96YBRjS8cIzne4QCuLM_opcK7AEX7h4U3z5JUn6IMcUr6pO5o6102nOvUrdQBJZAsJemTIixZcb_nXblLYODCoB2ZJmBuNuJH7ldyi3svX_9oYbDy7VWh1alcw6x9JGxyp6_U/s1600/IMG_8193.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Once the base was secure, I flipped it back over and tried to do something about all the uneven edges. Since I don' t have the right tools (a planer or dremel would have come in handy here), I grabbed my electric sander with some 60 grit and slowly whittled away at the wood.<br /><br /><br />It actually worked better than I had thought. I got everything as even as I could...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q2yQ0SYOECgonMQpwLQqiGz4P2SjrjrUrVTqCS7zAMzAdYSjCe2M4EDoslo3EJVPMoF0CkRqGAsqBohqxIbXIWCLKG0bAuZJMmXzrReI1hRxgDhJ7i-_0rkBYDy5qjC5HTU0Nf5URub6/s1600/IMG_8195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q2yQ0SYOECgonMQpwLQqiGz4P2SjrjrUrVTqCS7zAMzAdYSjCe2M4EDoslo3EJVPMoF0CkRqGAsqBohqxIbXIWCLKG0bAuZJMmXzrReI1hRxgDhJ7i-_0rkBYDy5qjC5HTU0Nf5URub6/s1600/IMG_8195.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And then it was time for the lid.<br /><br />I picked up a couple decorative hinges to use for around $3.50/ea:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzlQ6vPbp630BZFyoWdJk3VaeDYN_aCCaJ86d1wEhTsvJbaJ83kUPfg5hCLtgonPBMmznp5BaiMU-fCkua7-RQxVgOPiO2aUpkDNg9-GS9hFWRxmolnFDhdevEgEellzSzAMoETxg18bE/s1600/IMG_8182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzlQ6vPbp630BZFyoWdJk3VaeDYN_aCCaJ86d1wEhTsvJbaJ83kUPfg5hCLtgonPBMmznp5BaiMU-fCkua7-RQxVgOPiO2aUpkDNg9-GS9hFWRxmolnFDhdevEgEellzSzAMoETxg18bE/s1600/IMG_8182.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />After lining up the lid and screwing these babies in, we had a fully operating box:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvci7xSXgpXFxHHxxb3PmlYV6v5IYNfN1H2C6dbMgy_GtqXynKfU2FYdUNBG4YrmZakuwBZMCNK7-npk-evcWtBAQq8VEVg3MGZ0ETVYadtVWMC7HP6zbKJxuiYzcu3MGGlv0ba7rQMFK5/s1600/IMG_8197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvci7xSXgpXFxHHxxb3PmlYV6v5IYNfN1H2C6dbMgy_GtqXynKfU2FYdUNBG4YrmZakuwBZMCNK7-npk-evcWtBAQq8VEVg3MGZ0ETVYadtVWMC7HP6zbKJxuiYzcu3MGGlv0ba7rQMFK5/s1600/IMG_8197.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvquh9c3npmF5R-EOPPB82FuIcskQgZjqoPmQZf-Xwc16CMYt8nC2JfA8ZYaKP1bkdrejroa9O2er6L0oBp7SYl76edHAFP-HOXUEvHbpGmkoQQ-m_tFnOCbya1OCkl1Y7Pt1FAE_7JKb/s1600/IMG_8196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvquh9c3npmF5R-EOPPB82FuIcskQgZjqoPmQZf-Xwc16CMYt8nC2JfA8ZYaKP1bkdrejroa9O2er6L0oBp7SYl76edHAFP-HOXUEvHbpGmkoQQ-m_tFnOCbya1OCkl1Y7Pt1FAE_7JKb/s1600/IMG_8196.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fwkjrXv2ghYC3Wk-fHzFjok_F9jWICmN10muRCvXqBLu6UCxAIZDRgmoz4Ia10ujm9z6t9hrtP9FHfKiX4RAT-8VZp709YKO1gUF4pDuOO6H43Jaq6lP6gPZhYdDt0OX4QyYjcvsID4h/s1600/IMG_8199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fwkjrXv2ghYC3Wk-fHzFjok_F9jWICmN10muRCvXqBLu6UCxAIZDRgmoz4Ia10ujm9z6t9hrtP9FHfKiX4RAT-8VZp709YKO1gUF4pDuOO6H43Jaq6lP6gPZhYdDt0OX4QyYjcvsID4h/s1600/IMG_8199.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The final step was going back and touching up the areas that had been sanded down with stain. Once I was happy with the look, the box was ready for its shipping crate transformation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBubAUqazKA9KCXgOHWD4g1DytaaWDeeWzzn_ehbt1mm2FpMpmW2qyjyckPZwsYqfs8mjLmrpQbjxewjfEfv3syyMX2oYskchkNhgSINRLjHoWKNJKjt5Rm6IaVT7nWXz8bN0r6TtH3QC/s1600/IMG_8201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBubAUqazKA9KCXgOHWD4g1DytaaWDeeWzzn_ehbt1mm2FpMpmW2qyjyckPZwsYqfs8mjLmrpQbjxewjfEfv3syyMX2oYskchkNhgSINRLjHoWKNJKjt5Rm6IaVT7nWXz8bN0r6TtH3QC/s1600/IMG_8201.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />And now comes the fun part.<br /><br />I knew I wanted something rustic/shabby looking, and I thought an old shipping crate would fit the bill. But how do I get the image onto the wood?<br /><br />I'm always looking for new/easy ways to do this. A few months ago I tried the wet paper trick on a <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/weathered-wooden-sign-diy.html" target="_blank">kitchen sign</a>, but this time I found something new.<br /><br />I stumbled across this wood box on Pinterest:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6BF71p2_p96FF1FWx6za_ksAnNeyKxZk2RyMCLcrB8cP_w7rAtBUh5YukWsf-TyblnkL-QKArraX4FNcm2fSMObFGvSFYhr78i2-ec3VCCWGrKsSaTprRK74ToxG40HYN3ajHUu9e0U/s1600/laundry+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6BF71p2_p96FF1FWx6za_ksAnNeyKxZk2RyMCLcrB8cP_w7rAtBUh5YukWsf-TyblnkL-QKArraX4FNcm2fSMObFGvSFYhr78i2-ec3VCCWGrKsSaTprRK74ToxG40HYN3ajHUu9e0U/s640/laundry+015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I followed the link to a <a href="http://home-frosting.blogspot.com/2011/08/easy-breezy-wood-box.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> using freezer paper. <br /><br />So I gave it a try...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOVuNMwOitlbJ3Soib-rr2ms7Mg2014gj2GHqUkQWO_OQKg2sm-mIev6FbX7vPW75ZzOhqnY2QBa-B1lU7YlTTSgupkknQv4THw9zL83CzxqGRyUTVA7Uy7rXmNgFSKUHOz8iUhb9m6ze/s1600/IMG_8229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOVuNMwOitlbJ3Soib-rr2ms7Mg2014gj2GHqUkQWO_OQKg2sm-mIev6FbX7vPW75ZzOhqnY2QBa-B1lU7YlTTSgupkknQv4THw9zL83CzxqGRyUTVA7Uy7rXmNgFSKUHOz8iUhb9m6ze/s640/IMG_8229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I glued a sheet of 13x19 paper to the backside of freezer paper using spray adhesive and trimmed the freezer paper to size.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4snSIXv97JOg1yo3nLHaPm4xNurAwVkFo1cv5rrRfzyelGIl7hLnsR4yU1Zf4fG9-4BsS5pk0FqHNqM-TEE7Jll-JnG40bXiY13oPNyia-lrSwdmeaAcLz5dOfHntFQ2vOubRf9_SdhoV/s1600/IMG_8233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4snSIXv97JOg1yo3nLHaPm4xNurAwVkFo1cv5rrRfzyelGIl7hLnsR4yU1Zf4fG9-4BsS5pk0FqHNqM-TEE7Jll-JnG40bXiY13oPNyia-lrSwdmeaAcLz5dOfHntFQ2vOubRf9_SdhoV/s1600/IMG_8233.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I created my shipping label in Illustrator and printed it as a mirror image on the waxy side:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzqcIQ1Kpxw4-b28FW4gx3VT6_pBZGqYlwkcbuARC6AyR5Nw80XMoS0vXIcuJwgQnp0ldAaaUKG3uBPN2Q1Zx4Yxu3wTkLGLS1fUR4Q5NhQaV7M8ygKUH_xvShK-06OTxR5BT3VQuuaik/s1600/IMG_8234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzqcIQ1Kpxw4-b28FW4gx3VT6_pBZGqYlwkcbuARC6AyR5Nw80XMoS0vXIcuJwgQnp0ldAaaUKG3uBPN2Q1Zx4Yxu3wTkLGLS1fUR4Q5NhQaV7M8ygKUH_xvShK-06OTxR5BT3VQuuaik/s1600/IMG_8234.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The ink was wet and splotchy (I don't think wax paper is made for printers), so I had to be very careful when I went to line up and place the paper on the box.<br /><br />I have no pictures of this step because both of my hands were occupied, but I just used a spoon to firmly and thoroughly burnish the image onto the (dampened) wood.<br /><br />It worked!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvW9Bws9CEg6sV79j99jFurpmuHTXakGTJxjX1xYkNTaz2mSs_8WaVezOZUdXHjEBFIhsVuW8wXRWCsl2GGbXGDm5krLf63bSFk6yOwoXmkwujdSh-E_TepIhwbAsuLpR3z8CyQrv4aKb/s1600/IMG_8235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvW9Bws9CEg6sV79j99jFurpmuHTXakGTJxjX1xYkNTaz2mSs_8WaVezOZUdXHjEBFIhsVuW8wXRWCsl2GGbXGDm5krLf63bSFk6yOwoXmkwujdSh-E_TepIhwbAsuLpR3z8CyQrv4aKb/s1600/IMG_8235.jpg" /></a></div><br />There it is, our personalized shipping box. Quick back story... Gold Rock Beach is our favorite beach in the world on Grand Bahama Island. It's straight out of a movie. We went there on our honeymoon, and 052309 is our anniversary (3 years coming up in 8 days!)<br /><br />The ink was more saturated than expected, so if I had to do this again, I would have used thinner fonts and lighter colors.<br /><br />After letting the image dry for a day, I came back yesterday to sand everything down so the ink looked more faded. I also took my hammer to the box to rough it up and give it some character.<br /><br />And here it is in its new home...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rE4GyVLQfB1o3LGEp9BEpoXePbbjBrp_hULCnZ-AZYT6ZcOVi92B2vjbYVvy5HDle9iqbr5Jieq7m_kqttXnzXuTQXjxN-NkV5LgPRaSv5pZcTSb4sNRn2sqYNMF70FdvpjLmXGnoFed/s1600/IMG_8248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rE4GyVLQfB1o3LGEp9BEpoXePbbjBrp_hULCnZ-AZYT6ZcOVi92B2vjbYVvy5HDle9iqbr5Jieq7m_kqttXnzXuTQXjxN-NkV5LgPRaSv5pZcTSb4sNRn2sqYNMF70FdvpjLmXGnoFed/s1600/IMG_8248.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13oVGOc6cHj1-gejQLLKdJYSbXkP5DW-InCAywDFZVv9l5LwczdpLmDgUK-SiaG04Pvycss5I_0a7JeOSNcztlGz7DQvt53dXmMrq9i9B_fpKYjUWB-TpsvrU1sN1Upgy1FLhZmSslGWc/s1600/IMG_8249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13oVGOc6cHj1-gejQLLKdJYSbXkP5DW-InCAywDFZVv9l5LwczdpLmDgUK-SiaG04Pvycss5I_0a7JeOSNcztlGz7DQvt53dXmMrq9i9B_fpKYjUWB-TpsvrU1sN1Upgy1FLhZmSslGWc/s1600/IMG_8249.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX4_VW4IvWAJOJyQqVh4IOuLdaMTkIgrmP2NjQIh57ZDdUPOrrgUx1-SAwQPXtPpSunVIJcpqbNP20hL-cTKR7cvmGkKk0_-Op48J_ChokP4XKPqIhifp7teQ-hPieCjYfr5bg3A3quxn/s1600/IMG_8252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWX4_VW4IvWAJOJyQqVh4IOuLdaMTkIgrmP2NjQIh57ZDdUPOrrgUx1-SAwQPXtPpSunVIJcpqbNP20hL-cTKR7cvmGkKk0_-Op48J_ChokP4XKPqIhifp7teQ-hPieCjYfr5bg3A3quxn/s1600/IMG_8252.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbFJsRuGAHCgglhZgQIRIfbuHjZu6dVBj8VKS495OHtcMVSthyqzq9Sen43eC0-c-8pZZHCM8G3WUINlBaT6uTRnKWF8e1fBpExraP67BpuqCBmmDngXStIgRULgTrZ7VOCSHlUT4_Cg-/s1600/IMG_8254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbFJsRuGAHCgglhZgQIRIfbuHjZu6dVBj8VKS495OHtcMVSthyqzq9Sen43eC0-c-8pZZHCM8G3WUINlBaT6uTRnKWF8e1fBpExraP67BpuqCBmmDngXStIgRULgTrZ7VOCSHlUT4_Cg-/s1600/IMG_8254.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-szas4m30w2kNq5IKnSEA4bsDy6bMmaIuUeGp1RAQK9qfdJkIHr_ARx2zhYLpQT2l1FYmbgCkTxHVQdVnoDiI6E0fNTNAnpCbdoq3AUynXX7TOgbUZttrOE4s_nuJVFrRf-mhDrSzLhd/s1600/IMG_8253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-szas4m30w2kNq5IKnSEA4bsDy6bMmaIuUeGp1RAQK9qfdJkIHr_ARx2zhYLpQT2l1FYmbgCkTxHVQdVnoDiI6E0fNTNAnpCbdoq3AUynXX7TOgbUZttrOE4s_nuJVFrRf-mhDrSzLhd/s1600/IMG_8253.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Cost Breakdown:<br /><br />Wood: $19 (I used Poplar wood because I could purchase it by the foot, unlike the cheaper stuff where you had to buy a whole piece, but it was still more expensive than I thought)<br />Hinges: $7<br />Freezer paper: $4<br /><strong>Total: $30</strong><br /><br />What do you think? Does this inspire you to make your own? If not the box making part, I'm sure you can find some lonely piece of wood to try the wax paper trick.<br /><br /><br />Check this thing out....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayVr1Uh0CaOvMKOsFq6ALThgubTFs2-C83ac-4v0679WGLs17A-a05P3G41FzQxh2NrZROJsjdgfH8tM9cMt6WV2rIeZOzk23e577eEk7w91diCNgQHJ2uXIrnqEiYI0FIATj_8wYYccw/s1600/IMG_8256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayVr1Uh0CaOvMKOsFq6ALThgubTFs2-C83ac-4v0679WGLs17A-a05P3G41FzQxh2NrZROJsjdgfH8tM9cMt6WV2rIeZOzk23e577eEk7w91diCNgQHJ2uXIrnqEiYI0FIATj_8wYYccw/s1600/IMG_8256.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Brad's sister sent us this for his birthday. It's a vintage mailbox lock from the University of Southern Mississippi, where Brad graduated years ago. The mailbox #427 is Brad's birth date. Pretty cool, huh? I'll have to find a way to use it somehow.<br /><br /><br />Before I sign off, I have to share this.<br /><br />We've been in a massive drought (worst on record for over 100 years), and our backyard lake was pretty much reduced to a puddle. I don't have any before shots (unfortunately), but here's the closest  I could find:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac5cqPF0knL7QgCaMd3nqTmAEPdvkrVMWO7YftQHG7Rrf1IRg1WHwUdLkC8dLriVGpxj3pAZAf6ssekZRjFERVIog9zA64AosqEN5EfB8Rn1eXoCmWatRWHYohCSNyFLwonJwRW2667FJ/s1600/IMG_7375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac5cqPF0knL7QgCaMd3nqTmAEPdvkrVMWO7YftQHG7Rrf1IRg1WHwUdLkC8dLriVGpxj3pAZAf6ssekZRjFERVIog9zA64AosqEN5EfB8Rn1eXoCmWatRWHYohCSNyFLwonJwRW2667FJ/s640/IMG_7375.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_Z-mbjOoCz45zjKtOVcwAZ5to3mkbW65EyiSvK2TouUBrKEm_rCh_RBsVkf396loKZpsPgRSG_QtMSTBFA4D3fLdDe1rsHZB5xEkHORPjL65HMMSdkxl0L1Z24AojoM2hfYhIIs7bh7L/s1600/IMG_7381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_Z-mbjOoCz45zjKtOVcwAZ5to3mkbW65EyiSvK2TouUBrKEm_rCh_RBsVkf396loKZpsPgRSG_QtMSTBFA4D3fLdDe1rsHZB5xEkHORPjL65HMMSdkxl0L1Z24AojoM2hfYhIIs7bh7L/s640/IMG_7381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This was a few months ago when the deck was being built... so imagine the level like 3 feet below this. There were birds walking in the middle of the lake, people.<br /><br />Anyway, yesterday around 4:30pm it started to rain.<br /><br />At 5:30 we walked outside and thought we had been transported to another land.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ri0bdBNqk__wGPpcmeqI2srBQlj5VKafmGAP-3eHJQGldCCQQqJ1cdpwxCPr4cGXbLLHdDfe-Gi1XUhF17lUmSoLAmDq1e0u5PB0b7iUwjXcWAXMLMmUVEVks6xhXTK3_ZVXCDV0w_AB/s1600/IMG_8261Sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ri0bdBNqk__wGPpcmeqI2srBQlj5VKafmGAP-3eHJQGldCCQQqJ1cdpwxCPr4cGXbLLHdDfe-Gi1XUhF17lUmSoLAmDq1e0u5PB0b7iUwjXcWAXMLMmUVEVks6xhXTK3_ZVXCDV0w_AB/s1600/IMG_8261Sm.jpg" /></a></div><br />I was ready to start building an ark. Everything was flooded.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7XM3D-ciAHIs6W9llMdaJaJKqz-YUTn3cFf2nrtStf2BFt0WFmvsiwNQBg1pyPSVzMYt30xKcAUYJn1CILwyaDs4X4FWJ-s3_P7TrFR39o3UlMnPoXWuyfmP8AokPK7IVm8Iisjsqlp4/s1600/IMG_8271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7XM3D-ciAHIs6W9llMdaJaJKqz-YUTn3cFf2nrtStf2BFt0WFmvsiwNQBg1pyPSVzMYt30xKcAUYJn1CILwyaDs4X4FWJ-s3_P7TrFR39o3UlMnPoXWuyfmP8AokPK7IVm8Iisjsqlp4/s1600/IMG_8271.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4V2vrSIPgRpwMQrmPfbVcHa_vrtM92IPeK_9_mEK7LbAWx2BiLSRTw8D48jmR1X9GzKDH7FjUeQl8BKJI1EDC4eiNlyESyVHmTjTEFss3hcmup5yF12QSWq5vOiIkd3w8ld4lMJ49jOh/s1600/IMG_8262Sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4V2vrSIPgRpwMQrmPfbVcHa_vrtM92IPeK_9_mEK7LbAWx2BiLSRTw8D48jmR1X9GzKDH7FjUeQl8BKJI1EDC4eiNlyESyVHmTjTEFss3hcmup5yF12QSWq5vOiIkd3w8ld4lMJ49jOh/s1600/IMG_8262Sm.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE39Do3zvs-OE9hyC3H7yU2MOE0b4Fv03vSNjnvFluGJsWcLM2EJOEVj6GfKpsNwUQc0DDgwuhtvX3bfRsxIWcRIpzjlkEfS9kIGvNfkczk89fGph9bSGEBe3Z67Q2z6UTUDY93MjZhNE/s1600/IMG_8267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE39Do3zvs-OE9hyC3H7yU2MOE0b4Fv03vSNjnvFluGJsWcLM2EJOEVj6GfKpsNwUQc0DDgwuhtvX3bfRsxIWcRIpzjlkEfS9kIGvNfkczk89fGph9bSGEBe3Z67Q2z6UTUDY93MjZhNE/s1600/IMG_8267.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I have never seen so much rain in my life! And it continued to rain throughout the night. Entire drought solved in one hour.<br /><br />Florida, you are crazy.<br /><br />Be back next week with adventures in landscaping!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />

DIY personalized shipping box

There was one project I didn't get a chance to do before the big sunroom reveal. Does this shelf look a little bare to you? Well, it did...

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Mantle Mirror (+ new Living Room shots)

Our fireplace mantle has always been a bit bare. When we first moved in, I found some fallen twigs in the backyard, threw them in a clear vase, added a few beachy things and called it a day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx66-kPmilApBu48el4de2CLkmm95xvlzQuLmP0kSV1QXQl7CXmFead64jWKb0sqGVK15xt-bbEAjku20Bm4AnMV6uiTv18ZclNY_Y_7LuwRzLLcBMQsS5EBMKXSr5Ewh0jG7of6pJfhA/s1600/IMG_3684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFx66-kPmilApBu48el4de2CLkmm95xvlzQuLmP0kSV1QXQl7CXmFead64jWKb0sqGVK15xt-bbEAjku20Bm4AnMV6uiTv18ZclNY_Y_7LuwRzLLcBMQsS5EBMKXSr5Ewh0jG7of6pJfhA/s640/IMG_3684.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><br />I had been scouring Craigslist on and off for an old window frame that I could turn into a mirror, but I was never able to find one.<br /><br />Then I decided this room had enough square objects and needed something round and curvy. I was still sold on a mirror to bounce the light around a bit and make the room feel more spacious.<br /><br />And then... I spotted it (on Craigslist). The perfect mirror.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUT_Jw2cKB1fP9yCNnuJNTMFa6WVMwW4QMHCHjMu2F2m1yXXNSLBt9Clw3igvkHeh_1ki9yr75nbdIIDUoFVFFwljhOwZo4jJ1c_9I_GFldI_QWLf8A4ELv0PfB165oAhfU3vL1Sk6V0o_/s1600/IMG_8053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUT_Jw2cKB1fP9yCNnuJNTMFa6WVMwW4QMHCHjMu2F2m1yXXNSLBt9Clw3igvkHeh_1ki9yr75nbdIIDUoFVFFwljhOwZo4jJ1c_9I_GFldI_QWLf8A4ELv0PfB165oAhfU3vL1Sk6V0o_/s1600/IMG_8053.jpg" /></a></div><br />Of course, gold isn't my shade. But I loved the wavy detail around the outside—it reminded me of a seashell. The size was also perfect, and so was the price: $40.<br /><br />For the new color, I went with a soft turquoise blue (of course) and now it fits right in. I applied a couple coats of Glidden's Sea Spray and finished it off with a coat of polycrylic for protection.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPH2UtMQ1H9ge0OeNdRDLNuJ1tCj0i5so1V9eX5lMC6rLvBiaf7E6dm75LyhPTodOzEAVuQDGYmLelhG6Xh1q__nwIG16aQORwy4VAT_r4rRUVFjC90IZ708FioYhe_JK4lnvvjwLC7rt/s1600/IMG_8204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPH2UtMQ1H9ge0OeNdRDLNuJ1tCj0i5so1V9eX5lMC6rLvBiaf7E6dm75LyhPTodOzEAVuQDGYmLelhG6Xh1q__nwIG16aQORwy4VAT_r4rRUVFjC90IZ708FioYhe_JK4lnvvjwLC7rt/s1600/IMG_8204.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm still not loving the entire wall as a whole and would love to add some modern gray/brown stackstone to it, with some new tile surrounding the fireplace. We'll get there.<br /><br />I was already in picture-mode so I decided to pan out and take a few pics of this entire side of the living room, since I'm pretty sure I've never posted it as a whole.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2Rv9keZQsyLnxKnb87QSpQyH0HKHi7sc9TH6apDTBEvEtorYD_3WWPFbJLGksnWxSuieaxzi2bci5-n7LmdAxkB1cBVfsC-Ytplg3Z2yYZLFHd9j9w2RobYaLOnDvBoOL95Mg5Kxkl4e/s1600/IMG_8213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2Rv9keZQsyLnxKnb87QSpQyH0HKHi7sc9TH6apDTBEvEtorYD_3WWPFbJLGksnWxSuieaxzi2bci5-n7LmdAxkB1cBVfsC-Ytplg3Z2yYZLFHd9j9w2RobYaLOnDvBoOL95Mg5Kxkl4e/s1600/IMG_8213.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCtN4mSuJApJSxkIbBovn8PFnmrzPqaLZo81Xwx4BlIfuriGxbqGb1cEMRLKxtUBsinT0e05BV1W9oGKHgyDyOAELMid2yE0ojTNmO_HqwT0O56c_Sm2SmIZucFaaLb2zRddlIvQqIeVq/s1600/IMG_8218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCtN4mSuJApJSxkIbBovn8PFnmrzPqaLZo81Xwx4BlIfuriGxbqGb1cEMRLKxtUBsinT0e05BV1W9oGKHgyDyOAELMid2yE0ojTNmO_HqwT0O56c_Sm2SmIZucFaaLb2zRddlIvQqIeVq/s1600/IMG_8218.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbVdYHocirwKlUJtPYMB06aGNU9HFNvVxj3hPRn3MwsWOo4qCgAiTCu1ZIsyoEbrd48oJS9Bv8w3KDu4VjUrhgMBkMfaW8aP4WbperJNlxr4engUwkU6saQe2M1Idyx3DHheaO2i_8agx/s1600/IMG_8225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbVdYHocirwKlUJtPYMB06aGNU9HFNvVxj3hPRn3MwsWOo4qCgAiTCu1ZIsyoEbrd48oJS9Bv8w3KDu4VjUrhgMBkMfaW8aP4WbperJNlxr4engUwkU6saQe2M1Idyx3DHheaO2i_8agx/s1600/IMG_8225.jpg" /></a></div><br />Can you see how everything fits together now? Excellent. Moving on...<br /><br />I had a fun DIY project planned to reveal today, however it's still drying and I wanted to do a couple quick touch ups before I took the after pictures.<br /><br />Here's a couple hints for you though...<br /><br />It started as this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5jh60CIAhVGg_Hf3rHHpah1dbeuaJHhC3fppffDA45cFodilkDVjKubOGwF6UgGLNZXLLJrvcfot4xxnjLUCgfJDBxpR3101nXVYMc5gEtXTWLOa_zH_qiuuTy_1ww9CGOxB4bsMtfxM/s1600/IMG_8176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5jh60CIAhVGg_Hf3rHHpah1dbeuaJHhC3fppffDA45cFodilkDVjKubOGwF6UgGLNZXLLJrvcfot4xxnjLUCgfJDBxpR3101nXVYMc5gEtXTWLOa_zH_qiuuTy_1ww9CGOxB4bsMtfxM/s1600/IMG_8176.jpg" /></a></div><br />And ended up like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hCO301kA_iK100fQWDeZH7eGi14EgfXqATslNcitQcKE4hhzQfLwkaIMnrEstjF0wWXK9TzsodtB-17TrrTwcIXQyyUxmR2EesuUr9zVwXjVx6bgtbcV2S8cwsFopo8jDZ5110whtkM7/s1600/IMG_8235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hCO301kA_iK100fQWDeZH7eGi14EgfXqATslNcitQcKE4hhzQfLwkaIMnrEstjF0wWXK9TzsodtB-17TrrTwcIXQyyUxmR2EesuUr9zVwXjVx6bgtbcV2S8cwsFopo8jDZ5110whtkM7/s1600/IMG_8235.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'll post back soon with details.<br /><br /><br />And finally, let's play the photoshop mockup game, shall we?<br /><br />Tonight we'll be focusing on our front door. Just so we're all familiar with how it looks:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf5wqn4lTm6TLkOiYfDskxcXH71I3q_CuNr-IdSKv2eqWTppwrGe72NkVq2Kd4zi55CNCJf-gEDlaRZQYPtibRQ-3lt0piRxPmOvL6Sd5MdXDTKtETOeVybrBICBUZEZC-lA5madRGkQd/s1600/IMG_6376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf5wqn4lTm6TLkOiYfDskxcXH71I3q_CuNr-IdSKv2eqWTppwrGe72NkVq2Kd4zi55CNCJf-gEDlaRZQYPtibRQ-3lt0piRxPmOvL6Sd5MdXDTKtETOeVybrBICBUZEZC-lA5madRGkQd/s640/IMG_6376.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you may (or may not) remember, we are planning on removing the old paneled glass and replacing it with solid frosted glass panels at some point. I know it's hard to tell from the above picture due to the exposure, but here's a mock up of how it might look after with the solid panels:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMUM-nSMrdgcG6DRGpzG4baDYAx45j7TVcGKMmI3tUZZSrnBrVJp8cT7hNNQYn8DMOYPs8OXpeoC-arX81TYG7LMlCMVzuxCg9OpOGo9H8HUTwFjcvmXEob2hnejArLUBGLLNsPQgz8p4/s1600/Orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMUM-nSMrdgcG6DRGpzG4baDYAx45j7TVcGKMmI3tUZZSrnBrVJp8cT7hNNQYn8DMOYPs8OXpeoC-arX81TYG7LMlCMVzuxCg9OpOGo9H8HUTwFjcvmXEob2hnejArLUBGLLNsPQgz8p4/s640/Orig.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And it's only fitting that we replace the brushed nickel door locks and hinges with oil rubbed bronze:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-U5JRBF6GBkO2wFZTjtHEXZ2o97tOy8RQ52OOB2pvTv_JhR6oMMWxzl1M-Mdj4yItAse9pUZVKa1JSPknEAwqy0d9sprnFtR3zYLK4VJZ0WoMO2QhgNUmek7NT1dgJssedJcmUWF6gOg/s1600/Orig-ORB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-U5JRBF6GBkO2wFZTjtHEXZ2o97tOy8RQ52OOB2pvTv_JhR6oMMWxzl1M-Mdj4yItAse9pUZVKa1JSPknEAwqy0d9sprnFtR3zYLK4VJZ0WoMO2QhgNUmek7NT1dgJssedJcmUWF6gOg/s640/Orig-ORB.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Ahh, much better. If only I could just photoshop these upgrades in real life.<br /><br />Someone had suggested that we paint our door so it pops against all the white. I'm happy with the white, but I think it's worth exploring my options.<br /><br />The only two suitable color candidates I could come up with are a) the deep dark blackish brown shade that's on the front of the door, or b) a soft turquoise.<br /><br />Just for kicks, I mocked them up:<br /><br />Exhibit A: Deep brown:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzX-FaNloYVnidiQRfjb6jCN1V9h_iyPhftWowlJnE4m7MSzvAZwOaoyGpYmuOghYGHUA9m6X_sVeJ7O80SD_F4QhkWCpupsQg4gsRvAN5diM5Oa7B5rL6AUrePwY6Suso91xl-5vObLy/s1600/Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzX-FaNloYVnidiQRfjb6jCN1V9h_iyPhftWowlJnE4m7MSzvAZwOaoyGpYmuOghYGHUA9m6X_sVeJ7O80SD_F4QhkWCpupsQg4gsRvAN5diM5Oa7B5rL6AUrePwY6Suso91xl-5vObLy/s640/Brown.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />And here with oil rubbed bronze hardware:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7WZe7x3hDKk9zVgg-EOgwigut5sfHLVVGXD1KEvZxofpNED-D3tZXR60DhyphenhyphenuFoO28iXvCZLMz9omLNCDGh-U7MURonzZwVgMwJkyv07xRIrLhww674_whcU8CMSqHpQBNvme2j8W5Ibj/s1600/BrownORB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7WZe7x3hDKk9zVgg-EOgwigut5sfHLVVGXD1KEvZxofpNED-D3tZXR60DhyphenhyphenuFoO28iXvCZLMz9omLNCDGh-U7MURonzZwVgMwJkyv07xRIrLhww674_whcU8CMSqHpQBNvme2j8W5Ibj/s640/BrownORB.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />I'm not sure if I'm crazy about the dark hardware disappearing against the dark door. Thoughts?<br /><br />Exhibit B) turquoise:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-FjrvwWdwQi3YZxAlP6JHopWjIq26bi_ylGvr_UW0frV_Qn3gWC_EYPB3xz1kqlY7V9ls5s-cVPyk7c_F0ny_8Es-g7sRnQ-q-vqP1kIe3JeG_7v4LYwcFK3QSSxZM8hyTns8lnHS6Md/s1600/Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-FjrvwWdwQi3YZxAlP6JHopWjIq26bi_ylGvr_UW0frV_Qn3gWC_EYPB3xz1kqlY7V9ls5s-cVPyk7c_F0ny_8Es-g7sRnQ-q-vqP1kIe3JeG_7v4LYwcFK3QSSxZM8hyTns8lnHS6Md/s640/Blue.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />I really like this... but am I going overboard on the blue? Is this too trendy/taste specific? Should I just leave it the way it is? I'd love to hear your opinions!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That about wraps it up for the week. Yesterday we purchased around $600 worth of bushes, trees and mulch for some much needed front yard landscaping. We're getting a sod quote tomorrow, so hopefully by next week we'll have made some nice progress on our curb appeal. I'll make sure to come back with all the juicy before & after shots. But first... make sure to check back soon for my DIY wood project :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful Mom and all the other Moms out there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i48.tinypic.com/eu0j5t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="579" src="http://i48.tinypic.com/eu0j5t.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><em></em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>PS: My sunroom was just featured on </em><a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/05/botb-5-13-12/" target="_blank"><em>CG's Best of the Blogosphere!</em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br />

Mantle Mirror (+ new Living Room shots)

Our fireplace mantle has always been a bit bare. When we first moved in, I found some fallen twigs in the backyard, threw them in a clear va...

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Bedroom Update (& Future Plans)

I can't believe it's only been a week since the Sunroom Reveal... feels like a month! On Wednesday I was honored to have my sunroom featured on one of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://www.houseofturquoise.com/2012/05/jenna-sue.html" target="_blank">House of Turquoise.</a> That lead to an email from a very, very big website which I'll be on next month... more to come on that :)<br /><br />***<br /><br />Just a quick rewind on my slipcover project for those of you wondering...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r2EechntdhdEKtOO4GPjA4osihmM4QQk26q20Dy_cd7Zo-vjG-wbKN7xG0BjlqPqZprrixHVWFJXnQ6Ud4wKjHoREzouCAv1YfGlMTOmFF8Oiehsuv9-5K3wJ5IUeHMvZkPQxOCMZ0au/s1600/IMG_8082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r2EechntdhdEKtOO4GPjA4osihmM4QQk26q20Dy_cd7Zo-vjG-wbKN7xG0BjlqPqZprrixHVWFJXnQ6Ud4wKjHoREzouCAv1YfGlMTOmFF8Oiehsuv9-5K3wJ5IUeHMvZkPQxOCMZ0au/s1600/IMG_8082.jpg" /></a></div><br />This was the chair I started with:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZM5Q01sAHemRA6iuQkBd8PRR7LHo94K6EEwGfNlo7cujACzHDSNOAmElpjrYalVKdB3eM5ShlQX4ODbkOwrsT3Zp8mtaOoyJ56yDrYIKiA7JvEOjoQQHB4DTnMKZq6kCC6GKcG91nwUk/s1600/IMG_7977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZM5Q01sAHemRA6iuQkBd8PRR7LHo94K6EEwGfNlo7cujACzHDSNOAmElpjrYalVKdB3eM5ShlQX4ODbkOwrsT3Zp8mtaOoyJ56yDrYIKiA7JvEOjoQQHB4DTnMKZq6kCC6GKcG91nwUk/s1600/IMG_7977.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I picked up around $80 worth of fabric at JoAnn's (on sale), one of those soft tape measurers, and some stitch witchery. I really had no game plan for this... I just brought it home and began tracing out the shapes. A lot of it was guesswork since there are curves in the chair, but miraculously, it worked out somehow.<br /><br />I was very lucky with the fabric I chose (without even realizing it beforehand). First of all, it has a bit of stretch to it, which is really helpful because it's forgiving. Secondly, the fabric has stripes in it (spaced about an inch apart) which made it super easy to cut straight and also make the seams straight. Really, I couldn't have picked a better fabric.<br /><br />Here's the one and only in progress shot:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeqX6BDHiyxVSYFHhh3Q9Hd7zcx2tadlsAcVdGiIry8bCyQtlQuZvwpF2lMXADJrWHhN8fsdVJxuU_lgl61MzypUNUyiNx579Au4B7ILCHWfP5Nz1holhPzSkEGegMbbIi4krKT_QEcFz/s1600/IMG_8057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeqX6BDHiyxVSYFHhh3Q9Hd7zcx2tadlsAcVdGiIry8bCyQtlQuZvwpF2lMXADJrWHhN8fsdVJxuU_lgl61MzypUNUyiNx579Au4B7ILCHWfP5Nz1holhPzSkEGegMbbIi4krKT_QEcFz/s1600/IMG_8057.jpg" /></a></div><br />This was late at night... after about 8 hours. I ran out of fabric, so the next day I went back to finish and it took another 1-2 hours. <br /><br />My advice to anyone attempting this... use this fabric. Or something with stripes in it. Make sure it has a bit of stretch to it. Wash and dry it first. Plan on spending many many hours. <br /><br />In the end, it was definitely worth it, but I'm certainly not jumping at the chance to do it again.<br /><br /><br />***<br /><br />Our master bedroom wall has looked like this for a long time:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK69t1YPFkgdgPkWr_26M4Cev6Q7n3DnNvTjDnAV7OE_sNb8Y9UOQSFLC3qK24dXoiMR1IMo9YPSoFAfWqhyfv3yzITQ2MHB3inu5VRSYkbkBCta_VCMF2g_WhRJ-7bkWV5rOO-sCC91m/s1600/IMG_4075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK69t1YPFkgdgPkWr_26M4Cev6Q7n3DnNvTjDnAV7OE_sNb8Y9UOQSFLC3qK24dXoiMR1IMo9YPSoFAfWqhyfv3yzITQ2MHB3inu5VRSYkbkBCta_VCMF2g_WhRJ-7bkWV5rOO-sCC91m/s640/IMG_4075.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><br /><br />It was fine for a while, but I just felt that it was a bit sparse and needed something more substantial.<br /><br />So I hung some 16x20" city maps:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6V3-VGsh3IOJs1R5HsxZ6iluarfaEqnPINRqlNtUz1U1ev7fmfg2r-Dj4dFvEkxWEoGuQZ7gE3d5rBSaOnnhWH_kwdjUu53EQri88A_yJ3qErCrwDLEDxs_UWsas9FN98VfBwMlWa24j/s1600/IMG_8144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6V3-VGsh3IOJs1R5HsxZ6iluarfaEqnPINRqlNtUz1U1ev7fmfg2r-Dj4dFvEkxWEoGuQZ7gE3d5rBSaOnnhWH_kwdjUu53EQri88A_yJ3qErCrwDLEDxs_UWsas9FN98VfBwMlWa24j/s1600/IMG_8144.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7l3Ci8ATxRZusS12uVCLk0sHUotIKGcji59SA-ToeGAI0PwWW01vuQZeBUZElPvmvmyjWIDejMFmSZkR3-npgBwYAgXOVm_h0rXbh1t2mLDRWWB_ufPbwNg5IEbnE06e2nKt6nW556tn/s1600/IMG_8149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7l3Ci8ATxRZusS12uVCLk0sHUotIKGcji59SA-ToeGAI0PwWW01vuQZeBUZElPvmvmyjWIDejMFmSZkR3-npgBwYAgXOVm_h0rXbh1t2mLDRWWB_ufPbwNg5IEbnE06e2nKt6nW556tn/s1600/IMG_8149.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP6fozYwGfYlRgGMl6jRBRg8d5ucfV20Tjx_qJm2TR8fLWtQcryp7vjzdkvQMVnHv4ygruVSztnXYkJfna947wsf7M1ghsdTz27JVgpEXPfE48HlYPxFtFJAS_I_-qmhq67YIAFed24hI/s1600/IMG_8156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP6fozYwGfYlRgGMl6jRBRg8d5ucfV20Tjx_qJm2TR8fLWtQcryp7vjzdkvQMVnHv4ygruVSztnXYkJfna947wsf7M1ghsdTz27JVgpEXPfE48HlYPxFtFJAS_I_-qmhq67YIAFed24hI/s1600/IMG_8156.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRE2Z5-GB_hyphenhyphenqtNQJazt5iwcA9wGyMZzxptkdB1_7VJ_Z_qBVRW-auwfra0msnjKTP52sZvFLi-CuBTDQuZLVbDXFQo0UgJ26Z5uaa7mxkb_D2Aflgvu89zwvskdr242b5u-6jD2KvNmp/s1600/IMG_8159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRE2Z5-GB_hyphenhyphenqtNQJazt5iwcA9wGyMZzxptkdB1_7VJ_Z_qBVRW-auwfra0msnjKTP52sZvFLi-CuBTDQuZLVbDXFQo0UgJ26Z5uaa7mxkb_D2Aflgvu89zwvskdr242b5u-6jD2KvNmp/s1600/IMG_8159.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGzzUPsjhhhHD6NXZ8aGrL6I0U__lWb3lPCFEBM72Zwjqk7gEBBe5Nc2tB4tl6XSZnOaRJ0mdgc2TBnSA0d84Ai1WD_mOORh1ZIiRDqIbGeK-K-n5uhN6mZh8gbea7S1Ul-HjKkAWIoHy/s1600/IMG_8155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGzzUPsjhhhHD6NXZ8aGrL6I0U__lWb3lPCFEBM72Zwjqk7gEBBe5Nc2tB4tl6XSZnOaRJ0mdgc2TBnSA0d84Ai1WD_mOORh1ZIiRDqIbGeK-K-n5uhN6mZh8gbea7S1Ul-HjKkAWIoHy/s1600/IMG_8155.jpg" /></a></div><br />These cities represent some of my favorite places/trips I've taken. They are shown in the 'taupe' color, and can be found and purchased at <a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/maps" target="_blank">my shop.</a><br /><br /><br />Susie approves.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGe-DPzDlKN-MeQhgX8TmINtX3gSYYVRl4yeAJlf-PYPV0DFq9rA9byORk8OQdCrpKjZcXrkSxVlWUa6FDPktYYFDoQwT3cs9n86jhVL9hkT4qr8_oqObdPIL2BzcwoxkuCPUS9NPGdxZ/s1600/IMG_8148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGe-DPzDlKN-MeQhgX8TmINtX3gSYYVRl4yeAJlf-PYPV0DFq9rA9byORk8OQdCrpKjZcXrkSxVlWUa6FDPktYYFDoQwT3cs9n86jhVL9hkT4qr8_oqObdPIL2BzcwoxkuCPUS9NPGdxZ/s1600/IMG_8148.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />***<br /><br />The completion of the sunroom marks the last room in our house to be renovated. I went way back to <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/since-there-is-so-much-to-do-with-this.html" target="_blank">January 2011</a> and found this To-Do list I had written up about all of the projects that needed to be completed in the house. When this list was written, we had been living here for around two months and had already installed the hardwood floors, smoothed the popcorn ceiling, and painted. <br /><br />Here's what I had planned...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf69pxPlaEHqeaGoBmczIlZrFX17v4pvgw1k8Iu7o60rDshWlGk9LG_4sSBac9PUeK_6E0rCsRR94YlRbILqByw1ETUKQP2uLLC3C8nek6kRYXthEc5Zd9OKbvH92s8TePfmhsW5N9cMQ/s1600/ThePlan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf69pxPlaEHqeaGoBmczIlZrFX17v4pvgw1k8Iu7o60rDshWlGk9LG_4sSBac9PUeK_6E0rCsRR94YlRbILqByw1ETUKQP2uLLC3C8nek6kRYXthEc5Zd9OKbvH92s8TePfmhsW5N9cMQ/s1600/ThePlan.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />I updated and edited the list, and now it looks like this:<br /><br /><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Green: Completed</span><br />Black: Not sure if we want to do it anymore<br /><strike>Black + Crossed out: Not going to do it</strike><br /><span style="color: red;">Red: Need to do</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulvU_NaYZfHHogBqLqxBOArUWtQIRwM4vRWVdSTcs91BCrdO9qQI4UiAsnqlHmRMmecEO3FbNcqFPjCga3tOqBN1Sgq04dAY9aL7Hqt0G7e5Pd7Hi-2MpTHSB1pNxqPXfvHM1ofuTcqXP/s1600/ThePlan-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulvU_NaYZfHHogBqLqxBOArUWtQIRwM4vRWVdSTcs91BCrdO9qQI4UiAsnqlHmRMmecEO3FbNcqFPjCga3tOqBN1Sgq04dAY9aL7Hqt0G7e5Pd7Hi-2MpTHSB1pNxqPXfvHM1ofuTcqXP/s1600/ThePlan-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Can you tell where I've used my 'Jenna Sue' font to add in the new items?</em> </td></tr></tbody></table>As you can see... we're getting close to being done. Crazy, right? I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel.<br /><br />Just to help clarify what's going on in my head right now... the recessed lighting in the office is next up on the to-do list, purely out of necessity. It's quite difficult to run an art business when you can't clearly see the colors you are printing. This one is long overdue.<br /><br />While Brad is installing them, I'm trying to convince him to do the living room and master bedroom at the same time. The Florida heat is here and it's only going to get worse up there in the attic. We'll see how that goes.<br /><br />My next most pressing issue is our master closet. I mean, look at this...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurt3Rsy34bXRO4VUj-cZF0_R72PZAznlqb5BsdZZFMC4F66pRNohmD6FXuAjaQjOw-baVKLAxvXXaTKT4h1EuuZ_0AFW7_JKBEdZLZhjMrTxw6jNIT98_4NPpRAk6VuMIqSUmJO_cSolA/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurt3Rsy34bXRO4VUj-cZF0_R72PZAznlqb5BsdZZFMC4F66pRNohmD6FXuAjaQjOw-baVKLAxvXXaTKT4h1EuuZ_0AFW7_JKBEdZLZhjMrTxw6jNIT98_4NPpRAk6VuMIqSUmJO_cSolA/s640/IMG_6649.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa4ShWEWAUKIBt60isLbI6TW-DwaFlrMvHKxIOcmqSXrmUrG8u41-OxMKaOWPjLbiP317IH-iDPNo1bl4kJZ-tCpldyJZRBHR6ImWCGm6HpDI7QAKJLlQpo-g-J2ljsxHVX464kltNlFF/s1600/IMG_6652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa4ShWEWAUKIBt60isLbI6TW-DwaFlrMvHKxIOcmqSXrmUrG8u41-OxMKaOWPjLbiP317IH-iDPNo1bl4kJZ-tCpldyJZRBHR6ImWCGm6HpDI7QAKJLlQpo-g-J2ljsxHVX464kltNlFF/s640/IMG_6652.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />It's horribly inefficient and a waste of such a large space. I'd love to drop in a ready to build closet system, but we have a challenge on our hands: angled walls. Spending 20k on custom closets isn't worth it to us, so I'll have to figure out a solution in the near future. Any ideas?<br /><br />As far as front yard landscaping, that's something we've also been planning to do any day now. So far, I've only managed to get us a <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2012/01/mailbox-makeover.html" target="_blank">new mailbox</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-8UQFwpOmTHEuQL0yEcfzEPkTnJqgkP199a93rRS8fGfBfsHZJNb0S8wWmiiQViIQkQFBEQEKfZCMSfdPu4QU-X8OY9FgAIcMzGF7vxsOuJkujsNnRjQF8gmhtmfXAHftR9lSR74ZN5z/s1600/IMG_7246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-8UQFwpOmTHEuQL0yEcfzEPkTnJqgkP199a93rRS8fGfBfsHZJNb0S8wWmiiQViIQkQFBEQEKfZCMSfdPu4QU-X8OY9FgAIcMzGF7vxsOuJkujsNnRjQF8gmhtmfXAHftR9lSR74ZN5z/s1600/IMG_7246.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />As of Friday night, it now looks like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopDWII1CUszpLdcucni_mi8SpzrfuQfUi-EymBkS0MYT9MQlrz5hVNBANRVsXbEOeoYbVZ0G2DjvADxj3Dhut3Hj34xZ_vNVQEQo_7UWUW2pufw8wcE0yFm-UUyRWW27qWt1paq67HgL5/s1600/IMG_8135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopDWII1CUszpLdcucni_mi8SpzrfuQfUi-EymBkS0MYT9MQlrz5hVNBANRVsXbEOeoYbVZ0G2DjvADxj3Dhut3Hj34xZ_vNVQEQo_7UWUW2pufw8wcE0yFm-UUyRWW27qWt1paq67HgL5/s1600/IMG_8135.jpg" /></a></div><br />Some punk kid came barreling down our street, took out our mailbox and careened through two yards, scattering mailbox parts everywhere, damaging a car and leaving a path of yard destruction.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW4DflqOhANHmNzlTjk9t1bZWeR-KeUSeM9WfqdtmtSJAl7o7KWWTHi9UtYFQlDeWJBq4Cd4zLCztskkaPUt7vjzx-1c3ZTuIzUiaEWYw7DO3GLybMxCSs6zmZ0kl-1JJ5rK8j20mA7Td/s1600/IMG_8132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW4DflqOhANHmNzlTjk9t1bZWeR-KeUSeM9WfqdtmtSJAl7o7KWWTHi9UtYFQlDeWJBq4Cd4zLCztskkaPUt7vjzx-1c3ZTuIzUiaEWYw7DO3GLybMxCSs6zmZ0kl-1JJ5rK8j20mA7Td/s1600/IMG_8132.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8zivXSUrWDOCjOKNKECYCbEcKJMTsqy7o0ko2lexngcQb6a8OwREbDtHPfYkIv8Nq08plFB9ehqMh1TAKIxAdnsFaShGvwtbGvGjzqDGu7c0LYYS9mpA2Rn7fhnHJHcE-uHhvVUe1E7v/s1600/IMG_8129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8zivXSUrWDOCjOKNKECYCbEcKJMTsqy7o0ko2lexngcQb6a8OwREbDtHPfYkIv8Nq08plFB9ehqMh1TAKIxAdnsFaShGvwtbGvGjzqDGu7c0LYYS9mpA2Rn7fhnHJHcE-uHhvVUe1E7v/s640/IMG_8129.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Luckily, the kid lives 8 houses down from us so we filed a claim with his insurance and now he's buying us a new yard. Great timing! In addition to a new mailbox and sod, I want to add a row of palm trees and some bushes on the side of the house. I'll be sure to take a good before/during/after pics to document that process. <br /><br />***<br /><br />If you're wondering what else there is to look forward to from this blog.... well, all I can say is thank goodness for Pinterest. I'm sure I'll be finding a lot of new inspiration and projects to keep me busy until we find our next house. And if you're wondering when that will be... well, not for a while. <br /><br />I have a hard time staying in one place (this is actually the longest I've been in any single residence since living with my parents before college), and Brad and I have both been thinking about our next home. Turns out I need two years of tax returns to prove my income (self employed), so we can't even start the process until next April. Realistically though, that's a good thing, because by that time we'll have saved up a lot for a house we really want. <br /><br />Thank you to those of you who have made it this far! Here's to one more year of this little Florida home of ours...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

Bedroom Update (& Future Plans)

I can't believe it's only been a week since the Sunroom Reveal... feels like a month! On Wednesday I was honored to have my sunroom ...

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