Tweaked Powder Room Design

So because we ended up pulling the drywall down it opened up new possibilities for us.  I really like wall paper but it is a lot of pressure to get something that is perfect and then I feel like I'm handcuffed into keeping it forever.

I'm also very tired of spending money at this point.  I have about 20 gallons (I'm not kidding) of paint in the basement and I really only needed a half gallon max so I dug around and wound up with tried and true Revere Pewter.  There aren't many spaces where this color won't work.  This is the same color in the family room so it'll leave the 1st floor looking cohesive.

The next hiccup was the mirror and the light.  We figured as long as we were pulling down the drywall why not rewire the lighting for an overhead rather than a sconce? I prefer sconces but the room is so small that there is almost no sconce that will fit.  I bought an overhead light without taking the mirror into account.  Not so fast.

I love this West Elm mirror that we had in the room before but unfortunately it is 3" deep and the light (and most lights) have less than that in clearance between the light and the wall.  I will definitely repurpose this elsewhere.  Stay tuned.  So I searched high and low for a replacement.

It turns out I didn't need to look any further than my dining room.  I had this round, wood mirror that I scored from Target clearance for under $20 this summer.  The size and the price were right.

So now this is where we're headed and the finish line is in sight!!!

powder room by mlinds featuring storage baskets

Powder Room

So as long as I'm resealing the tile I may as well redecorate the entire room right?  This room has only been four different colors in six years so it is screaming for a refresh.

I'm finally getting my grasscloth wallpaper.  Kind of.  Faux.  The room couldn't be any smaller than it currently is and half the wall is covered in bead board so it will not require much paper.  I've chosen this dark teal grasscloth from spoonflower.  A bit of a gamble ordering paper online that I've never seen in person but life's short right?

The bead board, sink, lights and fixtures are already in the room so it is really a wall paper and accessories refresh.  Here we go again!

Porching

So now that we've got the porch framed and the metal roof templated we're taking a breather for the Labor Day holiday.  While we take this break lets look at the end game.  My favorite part.  The decor.

The porch should be completed sometime this fall which allowed us to time the end of season patio furniture sale perfectly.  Lets be honest, when I say time the end of season sale it really just means I'll be gouged a little less than I would have been in June.  Seriously I had no idea I'd end up having to spend more for quality outdoor furniture than I would spend on my indoor furniture.  Well I didn't have to.  It isn't like someone holds a gun to your head telling you to buy wicker.  I digress.

We spend a good amount of time on our front porch.  While we love the back for BBQ'ing and pool time we love the front for some shade and to watch the boys swing on the tree swing.

Anyhoo I settled on this classic wicker set in dark brown.  Or 'mocha' as the store called it.  Which sounds silly so let's call it dark brown.  The cubes will do double duty as our coffee table and extra storage for pillows, etc.  The set came with bright white cushions but with three little boys I expect them to stay white for approximately 8 minutes.  So I also ordered the Sunbrella slipcovers in yellow as a nice contrast against the brick.  Those Sunbrella slipcovers better look great for years to come and with as expensive as they were I think they should also promise to do my laundry.

Below are two different ways to style the porch using the same furniture to take us from spring to fall.  Now we just need to finish this sucker so we can finally sit down on our new furniture!

Summer Porch by mlinds featuring outdoor lanterns

Fall Porch by mlinds featuring outdoors patio furniture

Matthew's Sports Room

Brady's birthday room was such a big hit that our oldest has now requested a new room for this birthday late next month.  We've never done anything more than paint and plop a bed in there so it is long overdue.

Matthew is hands down the most energetic human being I've ever met.  The only thing that really settles him down is sports.  Watching sports, watching news coverage about sports, talking about sports, playing sports...you get the picture.  The direction of his room was obvious.

Like the prior two boys' rooms I don't like rooms to be too juvenile or too themey so I focused on incorporating the sports in non-permanent ways (accessories, removable decals) and invested more in furniture pieces that can grow with him.

Here's where I'm currently headed:

Matthew's Sports Room by mlinds featuring a wire basket

My favorite part about this project is that it involves very little construction.  We added in the recessed lighting, crown molding and baseboard heater a month or so ago so now it is just paint and accessories!

Big Boy Room

Here is what I'm currently thinking.  I'm leaning toward the same Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter that I used in the master bedroom.  I'm using the existing drapes and then adding some nightstands and art from Overstock, lamps from Ikea and bedding from Pottery Barn Kids.

Before I can get started though I have to do all the prep work.  Paint the window trim that I've put of painting for 4 years since the windows were replaced, repaint the baseboards and doors, fix nail pops, touch up spackle, etc.  For the trim and doors I'm going with Benjamin Moore's Decorator White.  It is a very dark room so the brighter I can make the paint the better.  While I'm at it I'll also swap out the 50 year old brass doorknobs with brushed silver to match the rest of the house and replace the outlet covers with crisp new ones.

...and we're off!

Master Bedroom Mood Board

I'm still plugging along on the Six Week Challenge.

Oh how I wish money were no object but alas it is so I'm going to try and reuse as much from what I already have as I can.  This is the direction I think the room is currently headed (we'll see where it actually ends up).  Minus the chandy's.   Something not overly feminine or masculine.  Something soothing and easy on the eyes.  A relaxing grown up room after a chaotic day.

Master Bedroom by mlinds featuring mod furniture