Stella's Tale

DIY

Isn't She Lovely?

8:47 PM

Isn't she wonderful?

Isn't she precious?

Probably like 50 years old....

No idea why a Stevie Wonder song popped into my head for this one. Apparently I am just that crazy.

She is the chair I bought at Goodwill for 5 bucks.

Tonight I started ripping staples out of her. Now my hands hurt. I didn't even get 5% done with ripping staples out. Because I learned that needle nosed pliers are not the preferred method for removing upholstery staples from a 50 year old chair. They tend to break. Then I tend to get angry. And possibly swear a little. But just a little.

I discovered that there is such a thing as an upholstery staple remover thing-a-ma-bob. Yes, that is the technical term I found.

I plan to purchase one of these upholstery staple remover thing-a-ma-bobs at Joann Fabrics when I go fabric hunting this week. I would show you the progress photo of the chair in its current state but I am not feeling motivated enough to go back into the basement to do so right at this moment. So just imagine no mustard yellow felt. And a big mess. And that should pretty much paint the picture of its current state in my parent's basement.

Did I mention that I am possibly regretting this undertaking? I plan to finish it though. Because I figure if I can get through this obstacle I may actually be able to tackle future projects.

Here is the checklist of items I must get through in order to finish project chair makeover:

1. Finish removing a bajillion staples and yellow mustard velvet fabric remnants.

2. Choose fabric. Then try to figure out how much fabric I actually need.

3. Choose piping material stuff to cover up the bad staple job that will most likely take place.

4. Cover chair with said fabric and piping material (and possibly some batting to make it extra comfy).

5. Have a stiff drink.

6. Finish chair and revel in how remarkably talented I am. Or, put the chair out in the trash when I fail miserably :)

So, my faithful readers, does anyone have inspiring advice they can share with regard to furniture makeovers they've done in the past?

Or possibly a good drink recipe for when I reach step 5 above?

Also, should I keep the caning (decorative woven stuff) or try to remove it?

Gratitude

Grassy-Ass

8:25 PM

About Me

The House That Built Us

10:36 PM

Here we sit with an accepted offer on a home that I love. A home that we poured a lot of love, laughter, tears and sweat into. And I’m thrilled that someone else loves it enough that they want to buy it. And I’m sad that someone else loves it enough that they want to buy it.

Erik and I call this house Stella's house. And no, its not just because we're a little crazy and obsessed with our dog. Ok, maybe that has a little to do with it.

It's also because she made herself at home on day 1 when she took off running through the patio door. The patio door that had been mostly opened for her to run outside into her new yard. I say mostly because the screen door was still closed. And she ran right through it on her way out. Luckily there was not a Stella sized outline where a screen used to be. She just knocked it off the track. That door never seemed to work right again...

I love this house. But, ironically enough, when we were house hunting it wasn't my favorite house.

I loved another one that had 4 bedrooms, an awesome kitchen and hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor. She was a beaut. She was the one I wanted. But she also cost a lot more than this one. So my frugal husband talked me into this one. And I can't imagine what our life in Indiana would have been like if we hadn't bought it.

This was the house that we came home to as husband and wife.

This was the house that we came home to after Erik got out of the hospital. The house where he learned to walk up the stairs again and made me the proudest wife ever.

This was the house where I learned to cook. And watched countless hours of food network in order to do so.

This was the house where our friends and family came to visit.

This was the house where we spent the first year of our marriage. And ate our year old wedding cake at our dining room table.

This was the house that I left on November 13th to move back to Wisconsin. And I bawled my eyes out when I had to say good bye to it then. I can only imagine what I will be like when I have to say goodbye to it for real in a month.

So here's some befores, durings and beautifully staged afters of Stella's house so you can see how far we've come.

Family Room

Blank Slate.

Lots of clutter.

Now.

Sadly, we didn't keep the denim roman shades.

Now.

Kitchen/Dinette

Then.

Now. I don't know why this is a little crooked....

Old.

New :)

Dining Room

Empty.

We'll just call this "in process"

And.... After

Living Room

Before. That would be Stella's Window.


After.


Gratuitous before shot with dog.

After.

Half Bath

Fire Engine Red.

And then it was pink.

Neutral color and painted vanity = much better.

Guest Bath

Blah Before.

Stained Vanity. Blue Walls.

Front Bedroom

Nice, hey?

I was closet cleaning....

After!

Back Bedroom

Before.

After.

Master Bedroom

Blurry Before.

In Process....

After! And no, we don't keep a breakfast tray on our bed.

Master Bath

Boring Before.

Stained Vanity and some Paint on the Walls. Much Better.

Thanks for the memories, house. I loved living in you and making you our home. And I will be sad to say goodbye to you.

But I am happy that a new family will put you to good use. I'm happy that pancake breakfasts will be made in your kitchen. And I'm happy that some little kidlets will be running around and causing a ruckus in your yard. I promise to have Stella's presents all picked up before you get there.

(Check out the mudroom project we did here with more before and after photos)

Random

Random: Number Two.

11:58 PM

1. Today I walked into a door with my head. At a McDonald's. And my head still hurts a little. In my defense, the door was a little tricky. Or maybe I am just that dumb.

2. While at dinner with our very good friends last night, I mistook the name of a Mongolian restaurant in Lafayette, IN for the nickname some women have for their lady parts. Let's just say the name of the restaurant is HuHot. I'll let you fill in the rest with your imagination. PS - I laughed so hard I was actually in tears last night. Yes, I am 8 years old.

3. When Erik and I were on our way home from Lafayette today, without our dog, about 20 minutes before we got home I yelled out to her that we were on our way. I would like to blame this on the fact that I walked into a door with my head. However, the sad truth is that I do this quite often in an attempt to annoy my husband. I'm fairly sure it works.

4. I think this random thought was in my last random post but it still remains true: Erik is snoring. Loudly.

5. My dog is afraid of cell phones. And cameras. And beer cans. And pretty much anything you hold in front of her. Weird. She's lucky she's so cute.

6. We have an offer on our house in Lafayette! I'm happy. And sad. More on this in a dedicated post (hopefully) sometime this week. I've started writing it but I haven't felt completely inspired to finish it yet.

7. Our neighbor Terri (in Lafayette) made delicious chocolate cupcakes and gave some to us before we left town today. There is something to be said about awesome neighbors. And awesome cupcakes. Which we ate in the car on the way home.

8. I've decided that I am going to refinish my childhood bedroom set when we move into our new house. It should be an interesting test of my patience.

9. For Lent this year I will be giving up swearing. Erik is giving up coffee. I have a feeling that Erik will be doing more swearing once he gives up coffee. This will probably be the longest 40 days of my life.

10. I got to share my ice water with an adorable little boy today at lunch. He is the adopted son of our friends, is 2 years old and is amazing. Yesterday, I got to share my pickle with an equally adorable 2 year old. I have to say that I'm pretty lucky to have friends that have such cute kids.

11. Ha! I said number two. Again, I am a child.