Living Room Nook

I'm alive- really.  I just haven't posted in a really long time.  Work was eating up my life, and not in a good way.  But now I have some time and not only can I work on some projects around the house, but I may have some time to update the blog as well.

We've made a lot of changes to our decor in the past year or so, but none of the spaces are exactly photo-ready.  Except this one- little reading nook in the living room.

The best part is that the bookcase/ credenza is a craigslist find- $50. Awesome.

I promise to post some more updates soon.

Colleen's Dollhouse Reveal

So remember that dollhouse project from a few months back?  It's finally finished!

This is the second dollhouse I've made.  My first venture into dollhousing (besides when I was a youngin') was last year. If you'll recall, this dollhouse remodel is for a friend's daughters for Christmas.  Yes- that's right you've been reading a blog by a real-life Santa's Elf.  A bet you didn't know that Santa hires bloggers, artists and entrepreneurs from all over the world to help him get toys to good little girls (and boys).  Well he does.

Anyways...


No more waiting, here it is.  (Scroll to end to see what I made, remodeled and purchased.)

 The exterior:

The Interior:

The bathroom:

 The master bedroom:

The office:

The little girl's bedroom:

 The kitchen:

The living room:

 

And don't forget the drawer for storing all these goodies!





































Here's a list of what I made, remodeled and purchased, as well as my favorites in the house.

I painted everything on the exterior, including the faux stone foundation drawer.

What I made (please leave a message for details and how-to's) :

• exterior plants and "merry" sign
• welcome mat
• couch
• magazines
• coffee table
• chair pillows
• LOVE painting
• living room lamp
• living room family portrait
• kitchen bowls
• kitchen calendar
• kitchen flowers and vase
• kitchen trash can
• kitchen shelf
• kitchen table
• kitchen grocery bag
• dish towel
• bathroom shelf
• toilet paper
• towel
• bedroom small frame
• bedroom lamp
• bedroom chrome vase 
• bedroom blanket
• bedroom pillows
• bedroom dresser
• office comfy chair
• office rug
• office cork board display
• artwork frame
• office side table
• office rolling chair
• office paint brushes and vase
• office lamp
• computer
• girl's room bedding
• girl's room dollhouse 
• girl's room book (on the floor)
• girl's room hanger
• girl's room hanging pendants

What Tiago made:

• the staircases
• the drawer (he constructed it, I painted it)
• the third floor staircase opening

What I (purchased/ acquired and then) remodeled:

• The house (duh!) including the interior and exterior surface finishings
•  kitchen sink and stove
• refridgerator
• kitchen chairs
• living room bookcase
• bathroom mirror
• bedroom mirror
• office desk/ table
• girl's room daybed

What I purchased (please leave a message for details on retailers):

• kitchen jar and pots
• living room chairs
• flip flops
• bathroom toilet, sink and tub
• bedroom bed
• bedroom flower
• bedroom pink frame/ wall art
•  girl's room dresser
• girl's room ballerina outfit and shoes
• girl's room Dr. Suess book
• girl's room chick
• the front door (bought it and then painted it)

My favorites:

• bedroom flower and vase
• drawer and faux stone
• computer
• family portrait (it's actually the family that this house is going to)
• love painting
• calendar
• dollhouse for the dollhouse (I made one for my niece's dollhouse, too!)

It took a lot of months to finish, but it was so fun!  I can't wait to hear about the girls' reactions when they find it on Christmas!

Colleen's Dollhouse Project

So if you recall, I started another dollhouse project not too long ago. Well that project is now on hold for two reasons. One, taking off the siding from that house was a serious hurdle. And two, I am side-tracked with yet another dollhouse. But this time, the dollhouse is for my friend, Colleen's kids (with the intention of sharing with her sister Meghan's daughter, too). Side note: Meghan is my BFF since high school. Just sayin.

Anyways, I won't bore you with my writing. I'm just gonna wow you with photos.

Below is what it looked like when I got it. Collen's mom found it in the trash! It was already in great shape for a rehab, since I didn't need to do any demolition like the other projects!








The cat is OBSESSED!






Here it is primed and ready for paint/ wallpaper. Yes- it's upside down. That's just how I roll.



Just doing some staging/ room planning in this one.


Currently it's looking more like this.





I've also started some furniture with Tiago.



Stay tuned for more progress.

Oh and if you ever wondered, this is what a messy studio looks like...

Weekend To Do

There are SO many things that Tiago and I want to do with the house, but there are several I can already do relatively quickly. Maybe in one weekend. Maybe not. We'll see. There might be a Property Brothers marathon on HGTV. I don't know.

Here are some of the small projects that I'm going to get started on this weekend:

• Recover the bedroom lampshades
• Buy a new mirror for the bedroom and paint it
• Paint the doors black
• Reupholster/ finish upholstery of guest bed
• Line the hallway closet shelves
• Sew new pillow covers for the couch
• Frame art!!
  

New Project! Dollhouse # 2

I'm finally going to tackle a project I started about five years ago...

Wait for it.

Another Dollhouse!

Yes. I bought a HUGE dollhouse from an estate sale a few years back and it has been at my parent's house ever since. I primed one side of it. That's it.

But today is a new day and after my last dollhouse project, I'm inspired to start another dollhouse reno. Can't wait!!

Here it is in its current state:










And one for scale:



Plans include:

• New siding
• White ceilings and floors
• Modern furniture
• Stone fireplace
• Black exterior (?)
• Dark stained interior wood paneling
• Lambskin rugs
• Neutrals, including lots of white and black
• Pops of color like orange, red and hot pink
• Porch furniture
• Modern barn/ farmhouse inspired

Ah! I can't wait.

Dollhouse: the after.

For furniture, Tiago and I took a couple of approaches.

First, my mom raided my old toys in her attic and collected a bunch of old, ugly and broken furniture. I fixed them all up with my mad mini skillz.

Second, I drew up some plans for furniture and Tiago and I went to building. We really got into it and can't wait to start our next miniature project. We really want to try building our own modern dollhouse and furniture.



















My mom also found some old dollhouse people in the attic, so I made new clothes for them and fixed them up a bit as well. They were pretty out-dated and ugly.

(Sorry for the poor-quality before photo.)

It's a pretty traditional family- Mom, Dad, Daughter, baby, cat, dog. Hopefully it won't give my niece any ideas about a sibling or cat. (She has no siblings and one dog.)












We also decided to make a drawer at the bottom so my niece can keep everything stored and out of the way. I love how it turned out and it could even be a "secret room" if she wants.






And here are some of my favorites that I made.







This trash can is made out of a whipped cream cap!













And don't forget the before:






We love the finished dollhouse and can't wait for our next one. In fact, there's another dollhouse in our garage as I write....