the gatch house to-do list…
Posted: August 7, 2011 Filed under: before & after., exteriors., interiors., living small., personal. 2 Comments »i’ve decided to keep a running “gatch house to-do list” on the blog… not only because ocd people like me LOVE making & checking off lists, but i thought it might be fun to see these projects come to life and come to pass in future blog posts as i complete them.
i recently re-tweeted a great quote: “a dream without a plan is just a wish…” that’s good right?! you’ve got to have a plan & the “i must get it done attitude” to see your dreams come to life… the dining chairs i just finished were a huge dream that i had and i am SO excited to have that checked off the list… but there’s always more right? so here we go…
find baskets to line both sides of our bed frame {since it’s so high, i want to camouflage the fact that we have stuff hidden under there, & use the baskets to store things like books, gift wrapping supplies etc.}find and refinish new antique dining chairsfind an antique tall round end table to replace the basket end table that henry chewed up- paint master bath mint green {i have the paint, just have to find the time!}
- start installing glass knobs on kitchen cabinets
- find and install new hardware in both upstairs baths
- organize the attic… {also add floorboards for more space… this might be a fall project!}
- get hooks and etc. to organize garage walls {hang up tools and such}
- find and install ceiling medallion in dining room
start english ivy up the front of our housepick new paint color for main house {lightish grey} and find a painter that can paint our super tall stairwell!shorten the curtains the bun chewed and move them to the guest bath {man, is this bunny just TRYING to create more work for me?!?}- find at least 3 wooden apple crates to make new storage in guest bath
research hardwood floors {for christmas?!}- finalize & have hardwoods installed
- research granite countertops
find out about building a small deck in place of our patio.& have deck built {hopefully by the end of the summer!}find a way to kill the weeds overtaking our backyard!- then, start mapping out the french garden… which will now be in pots!
- look into attaching a window box to the front brick {guest bath window}
buy a slipcover for our couch {i’m thinking this one.}find two matching wingback chairs to replace our chair & a half.build a no-entry entryway, complete with new white trim, hooks for coats a mirror & a console table of some kind.- find a record player table that will hold our player & records… also, get record player fixed
- sell the large black armoire in our dining room on craigslist to replace with a “new” antique china cabinet.
hang our hanging pot rack- find an old wooden ladder for living room
- replace two light fixtures: back door downstairs & stair foyer.
before & after: cane back dining chairs…
Posted: August 6, 2011 Filed under: antiques & trinkets., before & after., how to., interiors., personal. 3 Comments »well, it’s finally time to show all of you the new finished dining chairs! it’s also my first before and after… yay! {i’m excited for this new category} and let me just say that i have a new found respect for anyone who works with furniture… it is NOT easy work. sanding, cleaning, scraping, painting, ripping, pliering, cutting, wrapping, and stapling. it’s intense and i never knew my hands could be so sore. it’s been a labor of love this entire week as i’ve worked like crazy to get them finished…
remember the 4 months of searching?! well, i finally found these beauties on craigslist… i convinced the seller to sell them to me minus the matching table and i got the deal of a lifetime! pocket change for six chairs!! {2 arm chairs and 4 side chairs} the husband was sweet enough to head with me to Salisbury on a sunday afternoon to pick them up. initially, it’s hard to look past the things you immediately aren’t in love with but, i knew the vision i had for these chairs would eventually come to be… monday i started sanding and painting… tuesday: more, wednesday: even more, thursday i started the reupholstering and even though i finished it, i’ve decided i don’t want to see a staple gun again for a VERY long time. friday: finishing touches and now we can sit in them! we’ve been patiently sitting at our coffee table every night for dinner…
honestly, they turned out much better than i expected and my expectations were HIGH! i remember saying while sanding the very first chair “”gil, i’m not sure these are “the ones” yet, but i think they’ll turn out nice.”" he laughed, of course and i kept at it… but now i’m positive. they are everything i wanted and more… and i’m a very happy lady! i hope you like them!
BEFORE:
AFTER:
i hope this inspires you to go on the hunt for something you’ve really been dying for. you shouldn’t ever feel like you have to buy furniture “just to buy” it. this is your home you’re building!! make it the most charming and delightful place you have to escape, a place where you and your family can really be at home together… go all out, give it your all, and make it your own. oh, and be curious… hg
how to: reupholster seat cushions…
Posted: August 5, 2011 Filed under: before & after., how to., interiors. Leave a comment »reupholstering is a somewhat easy {wink} way to update or completely change the look of furniture you may be a little tired of… one day i’d love to master an entire couch but until then i’ll stick with this simple how to on seat cushions. this was my very first attempt at it so i’ll walk you through the technique i came up with and hopefully it will get you curious about tackling your own upholstery project…
the seat cushions on my “new” antique dining chairs weren’t even cushiony. man… at almost 60 years old they were in dire need of an update. i could tell the latex foam inside was pretty much disintegrated so i knew i was in for a mess. here we go…
what you’ll need:
- fabric {i found mine at the oak street mill, yards and yards of upholstery fabric for only $30… mary jo’s in gastonia has a great selection, and don’t be afraid to search your grandmothers attic, use an unexpected print or go bold with velvet!}
- cotton batting
- chair stuffing {head over to your local fabric store to see what you like… i used 2 inch thick poly batting that i bought by the yard. it was difficult to cut, but worked great! there are lots of options when it comes to materials, thicknesses, and buying by the yard or per chair. have someone help you with your measurements too, just to make sure you get enough!} i also recommend taking an original chair cushion and your fabric with you… heck, i even layered mine up on the cutting table and sat on it, just to make sure it was perfect!
- a staple gun and staples
- a flat head screwdriver and pliers
- and a hard, clean work surface
