Antique Home Decor: inspiration

Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts

Showing off Nicole

OK my friends, have I got a tour for you today! I’ve seriously been drooling over this house since I found Nicole’s blog and I couldn’t wait to show you. It’s a stunner…save some time to look through her site because the photos I’m sharing are just a start. :) Nicole blogs at <a href="http://thehousediaries.com" target="_blank">The House Diaries</a> and their home underwent a full renovation which resulted in some of the prettiest spaces I’ve seen. Now this wasn’t a “thrifty” transformation, but as always there are SO many details that can be recreated – which is what I love most about ogling pretty house pictures. As I grow <strike>older</strike> wiser I am taken with simpler decor and design. I find beauty in less clutter and big statements. Nicole’s house is full of them. Her <a href="http://thehousediaries.com/blog/2014/5/13/may-13-before-after-gabys-bathroom" target="_blank">daughter’s bathroom</a> is just beautiful, with vintage-style lights, a classic vanity and a slightly more modern floor tile: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSJOnCdoefRuWMML0kdB2dsqr6KS_C-h4TMLCWaxmLlAdNe1nQafMwRti1Ar0OEwbLmPyq8OlUrT7FQuSHlwqn77invfDRqcaLGD800uWHzyQU2WAPMZdaYSgPhpyiEla3b01ohRfqOk/s1600-h/kiddo%252527s%25252Bbathroom-%25252Bthehousediaries.com%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="classic white vanity bathroom" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8h5fU7RznXPE7pXkzueA3678emD8ibJNxstUeknnTQD2-so-_YoO9w23L-kM1MPVu6xcT8G2aTku5Rpr4l3tzQbqWvnkxXbQZSth6h9iShDQBYHg9TdcVKQpzV5vHAAOKsfsI2RMRyc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="classic white vanity bathroom" width="500" /></a> That’s one thing you’ll notice when looking at her rooms – her ability to combine the old, new, eclectic and traditional is fantastic. This <a href="http://thehousediaries.com/blog/2014/3/17/before-after-the-little-bathroom" target="_blank">smaller bathroom</a> is another example: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9LTLOVdOgqTVHQi00CHpxSGI660PdFPC4F4fcvVEIeN19UGuBJi9weW-82NxvTEy_DhYUTUzNWKrYLmg4Tqj4saDEBf5bEz8jca8WtUDuLGouyom7lX7EVgDlYVVaV7dcIwTIElv1DI/s1600-h/white%25252B%25252B%25252Bnavy%25252Bbathroom-%25252Bthehousediaries.com%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white and navy bathroom" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFP-AYX9a6kzDt8XS-dQZKD8FhJ4KdnmkE-fvEZmfwD3Z8aAwhTDjhcVOxiknu4nCIIo_ab_Bgmt4BdXJtUUf7qlC30nUTXduXUibyaF0QaNY_U6u_gHv4ELXZD-ddNUQ2g955S8Ov_w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white and navy bathroom" width="431" /></a>I’ve been wanting to paint the vanity in the Bub’s bathroom a navy blue just like this. LOVE the contrast. I’ve also been wanting to add a window above the shower, and of course this has me sold on that too. Someday it will happen. Again, the <a href="http://thehousediaries.com/blog/2015/1/7/jan-7-big-bedroom" target="_blank">master bedroom</a> is done so simply but with layers and colors that make it feel warm and cozy: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hiVSWi-VBbHYc-NlEURg7-KEkZ54zX_zDc1D6NzBMIpwTFwiOhfC2q-vmAaZgo8TFbrIdOX6d8Z6Jr9V4FwVKMppIbIJLLgznu_2njzz8Sb5x6UBTHiq1JqqROuFpJj_4WLADfPaYMI/s1600-h/bedroom-%25252Bthehousediaries.com%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood bed frame white bedding" border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP306W2Ck7vBzwyEH5dRzjTzltHLOwx56qbHtp7nNZg2WtjGip5scZIEJQLA4hbsWCW7M8JR3q0ZHfKfUV_a7X9gYtIvczSmBI_2klvkSh7n37uP4LSE1QY3d-MjQKwnRH0TvpBbqjlQ0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood bed frame white bedding" width="500" /></a> They created a TON of storage space in those walls – go check it out to see it all. These are the lovely little details of an older home! Nicole’s <a href="http://thehousediaries.com/blog/2014/2/4/before-after-laundry-mudroom " target="_blank">laundry room</a> is the stuff dreams are made of. Seriously. At least dreams that involve laundry: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf0RgQKqRr-jrU6fux1XPZygGmY-Aj5ralWkQLlJpYGSNWhGyTPFklaBic2nVCw2SOgZKFzwyIuSyYCcITKSjCL114HesS8DIODvdaIblDC5eUCmAUpMAPD6D-_AD8MK4MauTukLa5P4/s1600-h/1392234090725%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="white laundry room" border="0" height="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgKpac3tRY756Ka9vULVXEPDgRbU3OoIRBiCNazYFzwRk0uIwYpEydLCGkAS8zJsA8HPu0xoXWVk8t0kZ025hUYsZb603vw4IyEyjjAul52aT2qeH0H1IEDZ0phIaYNp51X5QblINsxc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white laundry room" width="500" /></a>It looks like they added a few windows during their renovation and I think that’s some of the best money spent. Natural light makes a home feel so bright and open. Especially important at the end of February when you’ll totally and completely over the cold and snow. Completely. OK, I saved the best for last! And of course this room is the one I’ve been studying closely because of our kitchen reno. I freaking love <a href="http://thehousediaries.com/blog/2014/6/13/june-16-before-after-kitchen-breakfast-nook" target="_blank">her kitchen</a>. It is stunning: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAwXrzWiq897fF3K7rYkXM8oIqt9M1lYN3MycnVZssBebCRqVOstOvZdC__w9TcnYjV93V2yQfhvptlfNphxiWrMVh34dsjRg4Gd6v4KGY2NGEgMRVSgkX-onwcJAJcYmL-L_Cv_ZmZg/s1600-h/kitchen-%25252Bthehousediaries.com%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="shelves under cabinets" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5t-AImYh7Kl1cKF7ldu2Z9dEvlNcUESNzhKOwwAm7bFpRVvh5Xcr6fIbpyCvOG5x5UJHeRGARYJ4BVx3ipWD5Aiud6dOru0tzBVV43xImrzNFygGTie4xKpG7MK-qX88R8J4S1jW9Xs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="shelves under cabinets" width="500" /></a> I’ve seen the shelf under the cabinets a few times over the past few years and have been intrigued by it. A few of you suggested it for our kitchen reno and I’ve been contemplating the idea. It would involve moving the cabinets up and then installing the shelves underneath. I actually love the idea – I just can’t decide because I love the look of open cabinets above too. Again, her mix of traditional and modern came together so well! The vintage-looking lights, planked walls and kitchen table lean more traditional. The lighter wood around the windows, the kitchen chairs and the shape of the backsplash tile are more contemporary: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJB1na3eh7lkMg95X8WbSBJ40ZzapwS1QrlPQaELsXqMcIV-v79nn_ZG9toTnoSrdB4oKIwPiRhzr-R_T0YQMVDiSSeiGrwFBxVyo3BMkWH2uPkYVmWXCuX0b-imfnB-3liVAzvL0w4o/s1600-h/breakfast%25252Bbar-%25252Bthehousediaries.com%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="planked wall kitchen" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKSFQXmeeZTyy7MtI3Ov4ptKbpEUpIyo9l-jzujeGOkAdJfQZ9gUPLRpawJAcoHhcRAsP6rh57EXR-kT5XoUedaQ_jy2Arn7jtaL21543pDLDR8JRtzAIa1JNHU-SXqNtAOndP0O4KIY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="planked wall kitchen" width="500" /></a> It’s when I see these spaces with the white planked walls that I wonder if I could do it. I still think I need color on the walls but man, I can appreciate the beauty of the all white. It allows you to have so much fun with accessories and fabrics (like the fun chairs!): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioB5yrkhlEqj1wORaMejffgsxKcnUMUc2In_MOhD02TdOa-Zye3PupTrUuv0prAFsiNAjLwPa2J57FAGFud3FWCRWN8A77ImvzzXSWmIhOK1hvnX3GwMCUB7xDyV3_dbIIgSDkRTXTqs/s1600-h/nook-%25252Bblackboard-%25252Bthehousediaries.com%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kitchen nook planked walls" border="0" height="734" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFJunXPYLBolvWG5jmwjJaV5VTbCCm93u_P2kdMV4_niIBCYie1uOQOdcx1AlrGOJMgzO_zlxvx8O0c-ws_Cld2TjMJxRo2v-S00Lr96k0d311Sb1O5swmxPJuaPBUTLNjdu_5SMxgZw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="kitchen nook planked walls" width="500" /></a>That huge chalkboard is so fun too. :) Like I said, this is just a taste of her home, go check out her blog to see the rest. I just love it – her photography is so well done too. Have a GREAT weekend, have fun and be safe!

Showing off Nicole

OK my friends, have I got a tour for you today! I’ve seriously been drooling over this house since I found Nicole’s blog and I couldn’t wait...

8:13 AM

The kitchen redo plan

Hey hey and happy Friday!! This week was weird (in a good way) with school delays and cancellations so I will be back to posting a little earlier in the day next week. I still haven’t gotten back in the groove just yet! I’m back today to share the initial plans for a project I’ve been waiting YEARS to start. I waited because I wasn’t 100 percent sure what I wanted to do in this room till last year and I have to know my direction before I start. I’ve seriously been planning to redo our kitchen for the longest time and I’m determined to get going this year. I want to do most of it myself…there are a few things that I may need help with, but for the most part I think I can handle it. We shall see. :) I’m sharing photos of our kitchen as is to share the plans – but it’s been in a bit of a half-way point for awhile so ignore the stuff like missing baseboard and the wonky island: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA85GdZBHgACGilLtm5AfjrxUN32-Ikr4cUTArvUUlkVe2CvhUo8EE7_Yk9ir6JtoDbZZi3IjOaCUQm5gaDRrtxx4_KutRqZ-qDZFi9ySC00R0KbJrYGb9CIZJIdnCC3AcE42vh0EgFfA/s1600-h/IMG_1218%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GObhL4ubps7sgHxLveIhhyXXddXc64LOeZNVSXHZby3Azu5ZrkvMyRxj_DY0xlsgQ9m66lRVb0lg7ISLrSQm9OqhbRw-KCPgCpHTQvd8oOIMfXn9aAWvyf_ZwMQL3G6THToCxQbUFbc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> The island looks like that because it was torn apart to remove it during our renovation. I had it pulled up so we could patch the floor underneath (we had the hardwoods installed around it years back) – this allowed us to move it a little further away from the fridge and quite a bit back from the sink and stove. I want to extend the island so I wanted to make sure we’d have plenty of room to move around the stove with the door open. I shared the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/08/island-dreaming.html">plans for the island</a> before, but the basic idea is to make it quite a bit longer and build out the front just a bit: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW5PEVmpzAIpoJLNo_GLe75P2aOnygIzrAuSPbXBBUDWq0kViZU9waX6ciuc5E71rcTXRktANQtgTiD9esVPX4zEuUpyiXCWZDJvMO-l1G1ShIxFMCGGkIT-YUrCyeYNZJ4GGs3E5b0g/s1600-h/transkitchens_ss3.jpg.rendition.largest%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="large kitchen island" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh588yrbzx0ZAC4AydzLWtpuwKm5JzyoCzJI1X5lgxDPRmcCREA1ybiaayukC1u4icjy2eZH9umTG9DFYqBf4InccmY2xlHsR9yojEI4wFaWr9RnlUSF8MRSAfmXlrK-bVdD2ZaK1pOsd0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="large kitchen island" width="400" /></a> It won’t be THAT big, but it will probably be nearly double the current length and a bit wider too. I plan to do a stone countertop on there and I think I’ve found what I want – but I haven’t looked that much yet so that could change. It will be a light stone for sure. I also plan to remove the upper microwave and install it in the island: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZINy_t3lGuYjvuA6x2tpWmJO4HAYtK-ea37u8JYtfzoI7pN2IrjiifpFipKjjwHLIR4IeYtKAESVeTaLB5RWr1rSjTqTKnfecfZbpqw02Axa4scXE1vEv0i2TF2laad3ai-YykuZMUeA/s1600-h/101956645.jpg.rendition.largest%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="microwave in island" border="0" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCA2hoghmcWPhYBWOGgIDOcYYGzV_dJ6HTuS0Y2Uidv2E2NP7CqIFPJFQvps3p_Gv4EaEFEZCHPuKGBwTANKeyY-7DhuoBrfKmik1mNm_etFtrctDJe2r1GGVUn9ZSYMmaE9LpD-wJGU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="microwave in island" width="500" /></a> (<a href="http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/storage/kitchen/turn-your-kitchen-island-into-storage-central/?sssdmh=dm17.584646&esrc=nwstoragewk1&email=3848197775#page=6">source</a>) I don’t know if I’ll do it like that (one that you just slide in) or a built in one – the built ins are SO expensive, so I’m guessing it will be the former. This view has changed a bit recently: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3gmNKbLJmQTfMucpTkudqGOBFfGtr26AibGNm6U3P_PWSu8QKllrJ5O_-WAKjFSi92f8wsdLeWglsMcQXPxX5ww4Gi0PXJMMPp2ewObPhE9nBFF4Ikj2vS61m5DD3Q35FSS2yS3FQXs/s1600-h/IMG_1219%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bay window in kitchen" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JUTLjasFD_iiOItrtHxQPNGTn9dJ0Bg575f4UfxKzw1NXIjMUgTUgVcjneW0Ccmgp7q1vIEVxSIZgdhDcJaH936nwduVc21tsijeuecykTI7lWPVFoqFHdsYJPNVyLMzWipXxioe61c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="bay window in kitchen" width="500" /></a> You can see I still have to paint the ceiling patches. So much to do! This is where the back door used to be. The trim still needs to be painted, I’ll do my craftsman trim around the pantry door and built a window seat in the bay window: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sNjCLEqD3eiyx_RJuZkQW2lIHHUIamKxWM_wk3xvl3g0_KTE4Xyz44gLp9sI3bhP9LV7PrWfg-n_DCvLFQv5k9gzJu5ZGi-9SSd2jN5AN9IfWmXcorHUKPl5vZuvJdOOVwS_x2ub6Ew/s1600-h/101478123.jpg.rendition.largest%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="window seat bay window" border="0" height="666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM7M2oK1tWpdWjapvget9Chvj1dyqYIM1rfIbqRPO3bZD9StcbSaL52FlFV_4lVYj6wjSnKgEwZyEbPM9HGoC_EoWfEtS4FwSs4t7ltjlu2TzPkaETRnGVAfLLkZ26JGujaszNzB-DYU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="window seat bay window" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/small/before-and-after-small-blue-kitchen-makeover/#page=6" title="http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/small/before-and-after-small-blue-kitchen-makeover/#page=6">(source)</a> I talked about my excitement for that project <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-window-seat-in-kitchen.html">here</a>. :) I think it will be lovely! This is the view that will undergo a dramatic change: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnPpjIwQDvIrZM32A4-sWIhRtxcwVtchYA2ZYf3gcDKrMgeJQK31zGEJDxXFM8HLLXVb9zKrqlyFHU3qS5nlRYA2UqbU2wUZ5m88LVtHYxZbF11pVEPqTGVFhl_atlzCtTDg8o6ciPkE/s1600-h/IMG_1220%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="beadboard backsplash" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisv_AxnpBZS-_PUxOa4Jw82KXyyKj1ACBIkOHVjcnL2IrwhO8CMcwqf2_XzT6QHozI587xSjB7uHl2gQdES0FDx6hfU75nWA7vdZvCw8TH2OvdSjErMHjsp78l3mvqRXd6aFyCZ1EPk4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="beadboard backsplash" width="500" /></a> The upper cabinets and microwave will go and will be replaced with a hood and shelving. I know some consider the shelves to be trendy but I think they are timeless – and more efficient honestly. I cannot wait! I love the look of thick wood shelves: <a href="http://evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/real-estate-stalking.html" title="http://evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/real-estate-stalking.html"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPe_NVDx8EvgmtYPjZjd04Ple9QrVELa-amtPQkAWoYvD9OoUQhvb1fgD74kovJKAVFCwIErOhg8xiDDB1jNJ8b22etuOvMtU3OC8efpXv1GxUtQR1jCAZ-SImcBYYUD_vn8D7I9k0_0/s1600-h/e593dad289fea59da051f64c4b3e23cb%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood shelves around window in kitchen" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLpp12Shpj6woVP8KNOYaInn5L-RkQPD27L_Qq4VD0f1qnGheTqBrxuJ1OpyWzHI3xp6eAX0PQ8tLWKBZmRoZbTw2-LfkZt6o-NHiukc8CLVbfbSr6gXkwW6PZbCQIA-qWUYyPy6bKlE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood shelves around window in kitchen" width="500" /></a></a> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2802015/Delganado-modern-kitchen-other-metro" title="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2802015/Delganado-modern-kitchen-other-metro">(source)</a> The backsplash will change too. The <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/06/beadboard-backsplash.html">beadboard backsplash</a> has held up incredibly well – I’ve actually been quite impressed with it. But I’ll be doing something different because it stops where the cabinets are installed and I just want a different look. It will be tile but I’m not sure about what yet. I’m most anxious about the backsplash. I can tile just fine, it’s removing the beadboard that will be an complete and utter disaster. It’s installed on top of the old backsplash tile because that tile was impossible to remove – so there will be a lot of drywall repairs I’m sure. :) These cabinets will stay: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1thDOxuEqOo49LXUfHgLPFWAwdQkvSER29E2OoIBPVTIketRN6cCDUbCtc_9UG10Mep-SZsgdq-Hxo0YlcZjAVH5bPxhHqiAyR7G8dr1PQHkq6SXcgHlmvgO7sCzkM59UCQEoQaAtJQ/s1600-h/IMG_1221%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC1qKSVxbozSCnV4-F9IsH7RoIp5aL4vp2OtqfJGzVYZ41_Ntlt8V7PYxaKSlnw5iDnmkkdJ7hIMkH6MVNBlMW1qDa329Fg4oYGD0WLUgkYCqN5amde_jPuM9QDjfxlwFM61i0Ex9wJM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> BUT they will get major updates too. Yes, I’ll be painting them. I know, I know, some of you hate that but they are nearly 11 years old and showing their age. The stain is worn off on spots on all of the base cabinets – not so much on the uppers. The little stain marker they gave us when we moved in doesn’t cut it to fix them. ;) I’m quite sure the paint on these will be the biggest difference in this room – I think they will be beautiful! But the bigger reason for painting them is my plan to extend them to the ceiling like so: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXjsBeisDbChvD7ApXkWO0Td6Eg7OONhwJtZcfbS8JQHrmvTtr10qWOrbJ6UEQZMTEJgkHzOvOj4bZF3gTHrd7xQLyMKPHDqYG7oXTSewP4CLRprIn7NvxrZG3q8tnskdsJCSLYszM-I/s1600-h/lucy_4%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="build up cabinets to ceiling" border="0" height="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBprBP_qOkFVR5zxWHlA1-qn9PP4NuFg66sGWHatDCAP6KWHgpQVnb-N10nF_HE8yXX2LgfS3FvBcq7po8cC10ICWOqAOEovMb8r09EsbGu_Lsu9lOpKlEt1aYU-2vXbHJnWim0jiEUQ4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="build up cabinets to ceiling" width="406" /></a> <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2013/04/before-after-lucys-kitchen.html" title="http://www.designsponge.com/2013/04/before-after-lucys-kitchen.html">(source)</a> Ours will go all the way to the ceiling and will be open like those above. I would love to put some kind of lighting in them too. Our uppers are the standard size and I used to kick myself for not doing the taller ones, but then I realize my friends with taller ones need a step stool to use the extra shelf, so it doesn’t bother me as much anymore. I still have to figure out measurements but the new section will probably be about 14-16 inches tall and then I’ll add a header with crown to fill in the rest. Those will just hold decorative items. Another BIG job but it will make a huge difference! I also plan to build in our fridge with a new upper cabinet and wood on the left side: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9Tw7keoawUi_vHtiwFONwXFL-32pJo8X0qbmpw34sWME-qvPQ4zRcfWbGs33THyQSusVrXvQyT7ab0uJFQvagtWvp2NOb_Q2SrqQLtax3S7NFrcRZY02j67ot2aEbf9fRKnL55bcYTg/s1600-h/final%252520refrig%252520wlogo%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="build fridge enclosure" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYvHR3LbrZ7oZmuEUmDj4WY-sQeg1uD3daNF7Z-WerCOnMRbhxOEXY5L8ntlTuUu01QgIvRgoPkWXtsWOfuY4QqiKvrSAfNNDuWDY3zeWY63qgNWZnj7XTVae-r0tqi9LvN13rW_jXC8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="build fridge enclosure" width="405" /></a> <a href="http://www.remodelandolacasa.com/2012/01/building-refrigerator-enclosure.html" title="http://www.remodelandolacasa.com/2012/01/building-refrigerator-enclosure.html">(source)</a> And instead of our corner appliance cabinet I’d like to build in something like this next to the fridge: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55iWn27D94IPMHe6Zat_aDseLZjauqomzp-RZKiPUMz98O6GXDXi5gE-zbM6djN8vEoDID9s8CZgjv8v-FAAys0g0rMgfpWXNGqrBvmLbtaYs5xtu9craksdOFIk6yOZDyqNuQpsVI3Q/s1600-h/52e58f33697ab030e4007e11._w.540_s.fit_%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="appliance cabinet" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtmlbHaivPXQD5BHaf3tVRnXAzCheKMQLdQq4eQimToUoECQT75AxNx9cyifcZ3v6M-vlqIaTmluNcHJCeYFskJnksvttwoCV2iF2ItU3ZrlbP0Gu-Pb4EsofrlqfbjB92_VVEsbBvSE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="appliance cabinet" width="378" /></a> <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/clear-counter-clutter-10-inspiring-appliance-garages-199533" title="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/clear-counter-clutter-10-inspiring-appliance-garages-199533">(source)</a> That’s definitely something I’d need help with though. The plan right now is to do butcher block countertops everywhere here to save money. Like I mentioned before I still haven’t decided on the stone I want to use on the island so if it’s not crazy expensive I may flip that and do the stone on the counters and wood on the island again. Not sure yet. That’s the plan as it is right now and I’m so VERY excited! There’s one more possible project I’d like to tackle but I’ll hold that for later – if we decide to do it. It would just offer more storage in the kitchen overall. I don’t know if we’ll be able to do all of this this year but that’s my goal. I’d love love love to have a pretty new kitchen by the holidays. Have you tackled a kitchen renovation? Feel free to share anything worthwhile you learned along the way!  Have a great weekend!!

The kitchen redo plan

Hey hey and happy Friday!! This week was weird (in a good way) with school delays and cancellations so I will be back to posting a little ea...

9:25 AM

I could live here

Hey there – sorry for the late post again today. Our break is still lingering in the form of lots of snow and frigid temps so we had a delay this morning. I will miss the relaxing weeks of the holidays but I’m kind of ready to get back to a schedule! Today we’re going to dream and drool over some beautiful photos. I’ve shared the HGTV dream home <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/01/is-this-your-dream-house.html">before</a> and honestly wasn’t that excited about it – but this one. THIS ONE is gorgeous. Holy cats, it’s just so well done. There’s not much I don’t like about it so I had to share. It’s a Cape Cod house and I love this style: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXh7U9YvsWIxfqorVjy7K2TwM5tEJ8seza-GdJONfU160TxtC0dv-XJTz_kFumsxaR6H1u5P7Q9-KYFQhJccLRwPKsnqgrv_GIGWgJsB3T7SjCGuTffXdC9UyFTuG4R2o-OslRI8xO10/s1600-h/dh2015_front-yard_01_hero-shot_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cape cod hgtv home" border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGUZFiUhom2pLo360Kt9QlpzO5maRKp1tMSJzz4nVZIc2tBsGuuUKj6BSB1Dq_pHp1evWOQhKU4zPJ2lz5Icn6fhdc2DnIztbsPUXIijPXc2rLmSbRdQ5npjPjZvedZJvSQqJuteXAgU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cape cod hgtv home" width="601" /></a> The inside is so fresh and pretty – and the style is just what I would expect from the exterior: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKtg9kWJisuhoDEM9bLenZjqTrW6H6fxGGiDz8gy8lTEfmhu1NBklLODPxLxAD1tzp6tVju7cVNUOz1Ra7-Z8LUqfUh52O4n8Zv_zD3jCAiE5leUDhUY4W9WBfXvXwyY44_e1ToCvNYo/s1600-h/dh2015_great-room_01_hero-shot_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hgtv home 2015" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICybKtj2GN4Bw5zUP36qLMDIvFiCE0Lv05a8ZtZ8qxX5lvCjZdLjfj8Zb_uyLW9Mg89OZY8T2LAZF3oiDp8KhgfPp9xraOzMnyCokPOUvC_ywzq6F39PVIWGLIGUKFEIz6KlNtteMIb8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hgtv home 2015" width="550" /></a> Beadboard EVERYWHERE! And it works here. I still don’t think I could do all white walls but it really is a lovely backdrop: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSfDEN_aTDFR5a5HVcBveYWRiPnOlgQXaP5a19Hse5AvuPDgTtgcet0A5KzelfVhhhgWfsvU46Y1_02GF-ulvr4vQuMX80OZefOJQyAcn-p1uHSzgOUjc5yEbgsIbzRY-Ob5jI9ygkk8/s1600-h/dh2015_great-room_white-side-chairs-french-doors_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="beadboard walls with trim" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEdOdB68UZBf0edrHk8GcJDOLiykiQVJ1AClu_cIrDNopK_DRgLvenj1PTh4yCysWBgrsBm0-A72eDigFzyxKk6alCnYlVCU8IGPEa_3rpu_SkM_eweGQy1vFx3hPlenvMbE-BxA20Ow/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="beadboard walls with trim" width="550" /></a> Love the sconces throughout too. I want sconces everywhere. I like how they broke up the beadboard with trim – it makes it look even more expensive: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2WKSEeV2ebGN5oHjztCJxQzhZGan3Y-EZqY18D7WYqZJ9hGxzNxYVetlrbgFOrFwXnYIcZrFr-1t1s3fDiwKTIkr-7M8UtIG_wzy4WBcztplVFdre3Hbi_kuNsPQQ1a8OqZX4XlvxzE/s1600-h/dh2015_great-room_sunny-hallway_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hgtv dream home cape cod" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTzZkGVEIisRTqaTMJ3o9e5QCx6CN-DdRpBNe1SpghpkECuGIyH7LMLfoeLdhqSEiW850vOapxUIiRkDvx2NJuhY2Ze6sK8yYjc0tVk6SiDq_Slw00ewuCMFvvNzP5Hz7mC5XRYUOAhw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hgtv dream home cape cod" width="550" /></a> They really did use it everywhere…but I love the dark backs on the built ins: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKXFb34F6-vKD18Rcd_7hJBkrLO6855YaqgcwRBlasXSKfG1aDW2X7GkRcVOScVA9uZ9jn8eh_EuwPpskRpWQaFlhqMuIQDdBb2DnufUb4h-BPXMwY2_v9pBATT2_TIM-d5x_jiUPoFc/s1600-h/dh2015_great-room_pedestal-table-brown-white-striped-chair_v.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.1920%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray back on bookcases" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-5OHxmoSORbPzXHLgfbEW_eBvXkSR7VhCBCbXhbI6tE4QXkMhC5RE4DTTZHGeL8G-67y6eqTIyAh9jAVOML63vQ7IxJnTtdQwWIF9XPAm0QgcdxcfJ22S1yE5pK5RIpogwsVXKuQKSI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="gray back on bookcases" width="500" /></a> Using a contrasting color on the backs of bookshelves or built ins really makes everything else pop! Love the simple accessorizing too. Makes me want to take half the stuff off my shelves. :) You can see here how the paneling really does go all over. The beams are gorgeous, yes? I was surprised to see that the dining area really isn’t that big – the size comes from the ceilings. When I watched on TV it looked like there wasn’t much walking space behind the chairs. This is what I think we’ll see more of – less formal dining rooms and more dining spaces incorporated into the rest of the living areas: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0CMS4Fl3BxwtIORuG2GFOBCkdjZvqfSoPBKTbkgduyAXGUbiCYsQRoa6lCoAfERMHKZLvFznkY1Qf3dogmYGMQiW1LOH2N1TnCoheXPFgIUQO-RIjoUZ-5XN02W43xOr7ospjhI7y8c/s1600-h/dh2015_dining-room_hero-shot-vertical_v.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.1920%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="paneled ceiling wood beams" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirekfM74BTBi7SQ4wtzhEED4YCoSGbD2aCy3DWZfwdAordtxwzTsM0KBU41T889p9kEPo3TdBwM_cRKwAuvkHjDplWV8CrrhDnXiZaVdIypCtNiK3HB6uM8EzW_yeLGeVMV2Xpchs-P90/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="paneled ceiling wood beams" width="500" /></a> The kitchen isn’t massive either – I mean, it’s not tiny for sure but not crazy big. It is a lovely room!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1dwFjPJCdsqSP5Q0VuiqBju4LvgHVv0w7kI1ibDJMioCzLIGnlyYHEaZ4oP6a8MxJZTQsuV9MxpApo2P6piO4Z41GvXymBABlLItGZ7Tec6mOLDqhyLBDZH0pZSfUd4xTFEA_pvC6qQ/s1600-h/dh2015_kitchen_01_hero-shot_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dh2015_kitchen_01_hero-shot_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLwUXuSoK5m6GlndaKOlGEd0petphP156SPqZaHQhV-x2t6NuSw-hbWgZhjPKv41HNAcH1G3O0Sfb-LMcjFTFL4QXRJXCo0SQ2OssubPuG9itSOnHRGvk59b1rzNfH6Np5PaWNXP9U6Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dh2015_kitchen_01_hero-shot_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853" width="550" /></a> Of course, the butcher block island is my favorite part. :) Love this view: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbDPB-MyBGT94ySF3_l18yJZjsJqCb65Sf3YFkfJtzMP7NBQN-H6IUGoR-p_67WTBzxTm5VwRZQRlJtdXtTNb0D-lTH9CU3feMryjGpoOtg0S6ktTaaAbt8DDrGjZ2dPtWc18hRlBkYQ/s1600-h/dh2015_kitchen_view-ino-living-room_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="butcher block island" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5WL9_w19M247dUpy5eTXP90fUwDooh3L5UkSXwETGSnc4VKrkgyXBUEWc4kFoKYnSKqj_PE3RmDjjhqMhDaHbL9gsMRiYNya2JLy_Y2rbuma3IGjFR15SvwEITp579DAWmp4pK8Tb6M/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="butcher block island" width="550" /></a> The skylight helps to keep things open and bright in there too. I wasn’t as crazy about the bedrooms – but I am nuts about that master light fixture: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMzaXxMhQuY6Yj7hoXLTBpVv7M5eQAWyaIMN3D05E1uRuI39VUd7U-j2DO7U_OKR-vbqqpsZUE4Dwx_sYoH1cjOVAk08dZK4xQD31ZFbd2QoB7lfFI_zq-ikbDTJW0uHgfZv0wiDgIoI/s1600-h/dh2015_master-bedroom_01_hero-shot_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hgtv dream home" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIHqmiIE7-h7OH_rxzZ8Rl7DYUQUJHHFWVOIHzwwRbIA5nr0HP7siIzEKTXH5xZVnEo-BcBJlmFf6jnSZYrwdE3IoTYSeRCWiIbEvsI6dR24EvJWf6iQbkQHEckqsM7NdGLrqHdc-THY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hgtv dream home" width="550" /></a> I like the wall color but think this room would look even more amazing with a lighter, more neutral tone. I mean, it’s stunning, come on. But the color is throwing me a bit. I love the use of that color on the ceiling in the bathroom though: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX-LH7Hq_bkeThqcbdTlKnefg6kEmN-h5LStFTxYixpctWGcP5qdIPOXAmtUp1llhQ7b5tY3y5ahh9BuLAyQSW5GKkpnuzAn2Vc89QJSLtqzd1fdE7pZwuoTQJuwMrn1VexJaMhRJfUA/s1600-h/dh2015_master-bathroom_01_hero-shot_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="painted aqua ceiling " border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hEyWBa-lmQcFQWI0QiaaKZbgoghq2n_m34sey_gUbnc66C59dgSxRYQ4MYPlubwKL7HDqiNrbDAyZxUIbry54DmPIviZ1qj61fh_FaN5flUN3wfQUJo6TwOVUcfubESAygHbUfZdyoM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="painted aqua ceiling " width="550" /></a> Seriously, it’s huge! Party in the potty anyone? If I win you’re all invited. ;) More beadboard throughout this space: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxw2i3B1czgbNlG1waiAdJtTRFWnmKWdySIuQ2gcKzIBkhXe_abYqyBB6ojZP_togeXncph5Yd8L6rMrr66xtKl25pFTktY4iiNUq0a2xHYmNO4OO6iiUrv5zQnBeEYvBevUXEl5cQqWk/s1600-h/dh2015_master-bathroom_free-standing-bathtub-window_h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.853%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="free standing tub" border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3sXrtI8xXRulF7n27bqXDxUKlRZCwRbEs6KnmNxa9dIN-e7N4woubCsliXE-UMxJRjJSenqINbZ3czk1oJhdFjSORJH63E-wAsOArQtQzL8B29n24LQfEEjxElqKQwMY8Kkb5-121g4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="free standing tub" width="550" /></a>It really is a gorgeous home. I think this may be my favorite one they’ve done yet! The architecture is stunning and really the best part of this house I think. (You can see more of the house <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/design/hgtv-dream-home">here</a>.) Did you watch the show to see the whole space? It’s fun to dream right??

I could live here

Hey there – sorry for the late post again today. Our break is still lingering in the form of lots of snow and frigid temps so we had a delay...

9:46 AM

Knock off Pottery Barn advent

Hey all! Sooo…it snowed so much we need to shovel the driveway today…what. in. the?? I don’t mind winter but this is CRAY. Putting up the Christmas lights is going to stink. :) If it’s this cold already I’m really worried about the winter. Yikes. Anyway, we spent most of the day cuddled inside yesterday and I worked on a project that I am SO pleased with! I told you I was going to to do it when I shared the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-cutest-countdowns.html">advent calendar ideas</a> a couple weeks ago. This was the one that really got me: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnulRsHo_vRyrmcXxuP8ZmGl6cRrrh4vKYrr9poM15e7YhzAB1YuTMlQ2XzjLhH8BpZsWcBsbx4Z6N_h9GOltIFnxRVNePvH-B0ELpKu_PpGh4k45T2FoxD_VlAx29z4T19uC24rEurHU/s1600-h/img33c%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="img33c" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyrT8AK8tAlm9wCQ7Yc82lVkyCFZRHsbPwV6qUC0JZ1cSmPjJKX4H9yi0f64Zt2PUxCmua2o9pBCf91Xp9ehDXTboHupYevLzSs6cndp8dde6GnD0Jb63a9QR6eLxw2fEkxb7vo82iDY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="img33c" width="551" /></a> I thought it was pretty cute, but what really got me was the price. It’s $150, on sale for $119 right now. For a piece of wood. Wood. And listen, if you aren’t a DIYer (or even if you are), I totally get it! Buy it! Sometimes I buy too – it’s nice not to do everything yourself. But I am a DIYer and that price hurt me a little because I knew I could make this for a fraction of that. The bonus was that I had most of the supplies already – but even if you don’t this is easily a less than $25 project, probably less. We have a TON of wood in our garage from the family room renovation. It’s a good thing I haven’t started Christmas decorating yet because I can’t even get to the bins. :) I need to get it all cleaned out but…COLD. That’s going to be a fun project. But anyway, when we took down the old fireplace I kept all the scraps – it was nice wood and it pains me to get rid of wood. This long scrap used to be our mantel: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVy6ZAxMLOisFH7AC2A-e7rPvKfc772URJ-3h28zKFYf7ACZD1a3njB0bsP1CNJNEN15i8sF-92HXbR5whArABMkdGSrgjgFUaaHU6LMAUgJe66TBBvXBcf-MbtfYn-65wsYFJ0hvpyA/s1600-h/IMG_0527%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off pottery barn advent" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiX02xcKLvQDGENGfeHl5a9eYsisc3IsIofOGKo2tf-LznHnJLHhPGWHnNEzRfjK8oL3iktGtbT4c7vpcZy08hisCjG2CJ-CPjiHJIXlJqrsrBi0zZxPs1INNtZCaEEP1EBE1ClRbWmLI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off pottery barn advent" width="500" /></a> Helpers…always helping. I cleaned it up a bit – pulled some nails and scraped some caulk off, then painted it. The PB advent is white but I wanted to do something a little different: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0YlNSbTEXbe2ztrRGWLIV7flk4O3wEmOrdL8JEEMgC-l1tCw6sKDpuTp2jJEXKidaVTeZZ-WcwLf1H22jJ5EROYrKTGlAHfCToWyU8_h0W-9M9mxHpMtpIDzr9Gd41ziIZtcUhLgBeI/s1600-h/chalkboard%252520paint%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chalkboard paint" border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vwVafikVDJw_Gx2jLNx6-10X1GXa6N3ZAapJW3EVWo82Qf6SHDehhi6L4aI38WlWLRyULkZ9fhsXrWxgO3sa7yUgVR4eyYY6oDKbx3RiKgJ1wiRYkbbOlJpednNMVIzN_2GOGxIjsIw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chalkboard paint" width="400" /></a> Aww yeah. Chalkboard paint! I did two coats and then “seasoned” the board: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy66oykhtUxLQXjmUABphibNVIT-HRbUaqYwxIrJVa7kyEQsYxh5dC9VVgELeNvcidLOqZkv9888Dv9Ul7pfMoZlxMO7xKAZInEFC2Ch6jZ930Z8R-1g4uXxr8bCaQwgKxC430PnGDDk0/s1600-h/IMG_0532%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="seasoning chalkboard" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBUaXJnbP7xQS8Fyw54-EGJvJApkpbAzL_eQEXZB34uVOwiqm9DOrsBLb1FuJuDDouEZc2r0wMZSEImkmnekGJKggCGU4iTwtY7JOUcvvjqExOSPpqBLF9WKH9xZvFqByZpD6PqCPjXA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="seasoning chalkboard" width="500" /></a> You do this so the chalk (supposedly) will wipe off easier when you write on it. I only did it because I wanted that chalkboard look – not a perfect black. I won’t be writing on this, but we could! I already had the clothespins for another project, but if you need them they’re cheap: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqtSkd3hmiIyFqeklmsYMgohKcLjZPlAs2UQ2QL9KoRklWnHlc-M3rDYhEwMoFbgVv9MdS529IXuXt-14hjczOLt5JMUDj82y4IbSxAjQjCs0qBeyfj8E1M8VZGnUWvUsPihsS-GBXp0/s1600-h/IMG_0535%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY advent Pottery Barn " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgP0vo0IVtupFT37Lht5oWfoADOOC_zJI9D-gGR_hdkgh6wJhR_GqNMu33GKXT3xVQAppFCperK7v_K6e3pwcGUlNi_IVrDh6UWts4hbMj8-G-8TpPoPkPHiAhLm4-R24bnz1ElUu7VE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY advent Pottery Barn " width="500" /></a> I just used a bit of wood glue on the backs of each one. I thought I may have to nail them in as well to make them really secure but they aren’t going anywhere as they are. For the numbers I totally lucked out and found these at Hobby Lobby: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LNTGx6k10YSxbNIvDxe_ZZssLr0LrEvNXpkfznlbU6A3RyYGOe_lLAmvxzHr2c8_-m_XbYCjm3fGrbIEJOfzQHfDp3Mrq5ztRgv_Q7pIcrKgTdoIY9JnZRn-6e8ch9R8oBxAgjU-ad4/s1600-h/IMG_0536%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="advent calendar stickers" border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqmlQctkouRm3Qnm331B5Tc3sNIP_ywKZdPXjh3Zk6p7h0oWKzaacwMhiHsmciRcGJMNSnMV-T-nuU3tuCP_BGPYpGKVl-7qFtAMHA4u-MkINDyeVPVeNQyUMWu9__ArcIvY1yTekn60/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="advent calendar stickers" width="400" /></a> Hello…perfect! You’d probably have to stamp or stencil them if you can’t find a set like this. I was looking at other scrapbook numbers but you’d need a ton of 1’s and 2’s to make this work – that would get expensive. These were $5 and I got them for $3 with a coupon. Next up was the part I was most excited about – the lettering. I found a tutorial online on how to do this SO easily: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6970sQ89ok37qv0yEiSEEArbY30sgFggL5aEkXEnqSp599uktrRZZz4lCzEtelODjm4ki3yC3H_BDdY2XHD5vTsaol-V-D-9SS9RUf4P56PnBLMwVQ1i06rzRtqkZh5S0UuiF3HZjJRo/s1600-h/IMG_0537%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="transfering lettering onto wood" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk8hTBL82CIIwbDlZrD21hccbCSXi4Xf8dxxwVhEYBqs8QwZClY7x1LkmpxakXuFTIB6O3EiTJ8PSrWpU-WFfjUN4vd_uDqLDfcHYs16T77IelxOGuCyd_GTzRldDWmtRyRSYPwGWjIk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="transfering lettering onto wood" width="500" /></a> I’m going to share the how to tomorrow because I want to take better pics – this part was done at night. It’s worthy of it’s own post anyway.  I thought it needed a little bit of Christmas color so I used the same technique to do the holly on each side: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcM7h_qcn777qW7aev1rqW9-vJP9YBB7IB_qsg0U2TquSBcT3ThpTTVEYT4CLOl2F7es_kT7DVl29W8bv0PiFmj4CwXXkGfpFVYdqhJCRehtlyza6-F4w5dtM4Tidi5tCVpyWnpH6MSU/s1600-h/IMG_0548%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY advent calendar Pottery Barn knock off" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlAkkOccZuBIzCfreo9J2b8zpyjNMD2R6FZMZcivRH1zT_vtz2M4q579UqUb_Qgibjgpd-_AB-DUq43n2ShRHHudg26TGNHMQlv7adpsgRD8-tFM9mpLknEJ3tAx_xq_W52-inMnxX7c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY advent calendar Pottery Barn knock off" width="500" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EL4QscvUUotXEXLOAM8I4IMQ3iZEG6c1rUYzqQ58Gcg4kdq1ctj_Dcj6aAGlDxBT47Q9U-ay2NKfhBBpQmQjFKdjIlMY5nkRYtuEbeDc3bSpi-37gHFxbivjP1NVkM4MWStJSUOabVU/s1600-h/IMG_0568%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chalkboard advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFOUGIEPZ7Hml5nxzjrxhWq2ukIQwkC43u0VDaU9PACXfGqtqXb1kSnT773nXWEWea_s1ZO0a2NfFSI8YT0KMYZr4vly1-XgM33huG8hOC8W7Hps49Ctkik_GuYCcvGmLGWWY_5-xDIU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="chalkboard advent calendar" width="500" /></a> I just filled those in with green paint and then used some sparkly stickers for the berries. I absolutely LOVE how it all came together!!<img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="661" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswGV3DkDaYvbcI_VH-UCmyV4MDN0y8ZD2jlTy5lkqN3Tw2Vtm6Lw3Cb2F4y5zyUsYW2ED2-Z8mxVZRU5d6HLyEAehM61uIqH5Yk9rQ8UCF62sPqVF6CLp98yObxr54yk_BN3EYCJ51_E/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /> It will actually hang in the mud room but this area has better light to show it off. ;) I LOVE the chalkboard look – I think it’s a fun twist instead of the white advent like Pottery Barn: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBMjWLOeKjwZtDSWqyt7M_L50u6Mgh6MHAaerflRaFGrqSnCyBs3KEL5PXaGUAuktfwSP8ikCfSOA2J8iu_xGS9yWxT4ZUMNELpZ41JPc172QWnMxhIwJgdm7yjbD3tMQ8scCKOHIMI4/s1600-h/IMG_0542%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="do it yourself pottery barn advent at @thriftydecorchick" border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUT6WPsh6ydYtKAl_n42N6UZfpmMvb-7FNM_46fj4-SejJPT00yN-itDWeSH0LthMqOxhhgPTygk4bM3cabW20BP8GqqPvsUK7DUgEstLdTUrK_yEOO0MGyIZani6lP5GYSCKiUhlzS8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="do it yourself pottery barn advent at @thriftydecorchick" width="575" /></a> I grabbed a couple of my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-quick-and-easy-holiday-project.html">holiday placemat pillows</a> and the golds look great together:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNeSRpNrwzGRm9LJjUg3ydlll9wqs0_byDYBCUQdMr6Uc8Cspl1a9PMesVslYdjAByhJ_OrzPeJeSI20ptbMWfO-UPrEUD9AYQK-wWPTxwMuThgCtyyNt3DG9eQiHmi7Prkl-E8GRf0Y/s1600-h/IMG_0552%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGE_mlQnffh8_deK6HM7xsOG-qeWWYXiwEHiRZqvgLqoDoVVdpTXweIcQ_vNJPGXrIT6Hrvjq9-W3cgEWGEdu1lRXczdKzgEvYLsI-8thBzegHhi4yRUNvZjL5qOPVQcHsy1KIAJjvng/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a> I loved the look of the little drawstring bags like on the original, but they were more than I wanted to spend. I found these simple brown paper bags instead and I actually love the look with the black: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorJReNOBXrhcb9SJWzY8mTqh3B0CahDfmrO0yYwer9_HuVcFhyphenhyphenHYwqpmYXmz3njvDKhSYvugIORFy8rlaseDt2ql1UDZGhNsOg_gaQK1g2peS3brGMoC6Lf5yU4HiWaOKKsdimTNpiIU/s1600-h/IMG_0562%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2McvPC1UgkAbv0a77APS6YvwLhVVlsKxTm4NPNyhyphenhyphendHe3glqu6XubpwwiwowHSlgPCYk6J8SL0GUdNaNhr2PfPUkPdJAN7MMwBHzJN6pQU6Ch-LpDFc0thIJskVXQS69uK0zVgWldwA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a> I realized later (after I figured out how to do the letter transfer) that I could have just done the same with the letters – that would save a little bit of money as well. But I do love the gold accent. I think they add a little bling: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqY_erubY3bx6GslIsvsGARErYbhaJodsd-X6K4F-YC0ciMAxN8sMhpOWfz_eYLaHXb2wUeepJi3NZ4CD6te594sopig52jbV6dVzmW_pvt2wRFF4mJFrweOjOFS9mzfSElAx0caymPU/s1600-h/pin%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTQjzr-3j1JWUm17qqBaLTtZQGIWkCEafH-nu8wNz_cScyg0RbsuKpjFKgPHiFLfZw0rAED1kx8GFPSBY1eEh-rqkV8bsNglP-zvJ9D7SGKd16KrtJpXMfYwNmCWkEcwYBRzJal5cj3s/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="knock off Pottery Barn advent calendar" width="500" /></a> The bags are filled with little trinkets and some candy – I grab little things for the advent calendar after the holiday on clearance. The Bub saw it without the bags so I can’t wait for him to get home and see it now. :) My total cost for this project was $8. A savings of more than $140 baby!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpPvgmhMd5BTMbA7mYbhuvOS0nP-38J1vuN8a-1toXGromvmXNC0qgCKwV_inbycHYPwhGZjNFGviNEDYO-xuYadWX2LKQPEn3c7SXJjY1yTSr5mEoc7B_BVNx3Yn4ePpJqUrC9bD0kE/s1600-h/IMG_0555%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pottery barn wood advent knock off" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEdhTuyPz6LyInm9viCFtbd2zDtqJq5B0svQBlZl6vEoeVDfKfKl0IIG7bCfUXW4pYZXcefcvP6QozswlIyfJ4gbE8JE56yYBt2tRHXBJVfxrYXr2P8K0jSZwlq6m7gQYICrjrPKd1bw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Pottery barn wood advent knock off" width="560" /></a> I only had to buy the numbers and the bags (the bags came 24 to a pack so I had to buy two to get to 25, argh!). If you did this a pine board would be less than $10. Of course the color can be anything you want – that’s the fun of it. Red would be super cool too! So there you go, yet again my wood hoarding pays off! :) I just love this – and I love that I saved so much money too! By the way, the Pottery Barn version is 10 inches by 67. Mine is 12 inches by 62. I think you could go long with this too – I almost did it vertical instead of horizontal since it’s so big. The point is to make it work for what you want – the best part of DIY!

Knock off Pottery Barn advent

Hey all! Sooo…it snowed so much we need to shovel the driveway today…what. in. the?? I don’t mind winter but this is CRAY. Putting up the Ch...

8:19 AM

The cutest countdowns

Hey there everybody! Happy FRIDAY! Can you believe how fast the time is going? It was JUST August. It’s freaking me out. Did you realize there are less than 50 days till Christmas? Let me repeat…LESS THAN 50 DAYS. Errrrybody freak out! OK, seriously, you won’t see much Christmas decor here till later this month but it’s become a fun tradition for me to share cute Christmas countdown ideas every year. I share them early just in case you want to DIY one for your family – or if you just want to buy one and make sure it’s still in stock. ;) I was in Target last week and they had a bunch of countdowns and all were super cute: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zS51myKPInU/VFu4-yZ_RKI/AAAAAAAAsp4/0_Cz1hvx2D4/s1600-h/IMG_63562.jpg"><img alt="target advent calendar" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-crG_WEwh358/VFu4_rp4rCI/AAAAAAAAsqA/l2ha6Bl98GY/IMG_6356_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="target advent calendar" width="500" /></a> I thought this little house was adorable. And it’s an easy one – no stuff, no candy. Just a countdown. :) This one was cute and the back of each ornament had an event or treat you can do with the kids: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hId4KWmzfcY/VFu5AYRQf_I/AAAAAAAAsqI/9SAdcNCnKnU/s1600-h/IMG_63572.jpg"><img alt="tree advent calendar" border="0" height="566" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HyRKliM_98w/VFu5A0w9FdI/AAAAAAAAsqQ/97oygvx5vZg/IMG_6357_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="tree advent calendar" width="500" /></a> I’d check them each out just to make sure you are willing to do said things. Ha! And because little trinkets and candy are just fun – this one had little drawers just for that: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X6d2cdgw-6E/VFu5BnczcgI/AAAAAAAAsqY/nv-WJ4zTp0w/s1600-h/IMG_63582.jpg"><img alt="target advent calendar" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vWJ-pcckozA/VFu5ChcGMJI/AAAAAAAAsqc/xoDSy3hbVU4/IMG_6358_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="target advent calendar" width="500" /></a> They were REALLY small though. If you have more than one kiddo it may not work. ;) I saw this one at Kirkland’s weeks ago and had to share: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EN5VoJuDMQk/VFu5DRKRuQI/AAAAAAAAsqo/1pcSK24nxMY/s1600-h/unnamed2.jpg"><img alt="snowman advent calendar kirklands" border="0" height="667" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MED8A-it-Xo/VFu5D0FbaAI/AAAAAAAAsqw/yQjyD6SVG00/unnamed_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="snowman advent calendar kirklands" width="500" /></a> I just think he is the cutest! I found this beautiful hanging advent on Etsy: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yrYIE6a6Ag8/VFu5EtxCYII/AAAAAAAAsq4/vpy4P-KzKM0/s1600-h/il_570xN.505424587_2zkp3.jpg"><img alt="fabric advent calendar" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jyLXKMBvkmw/VFu5FaRizdI/AAAAAAAAsrA/_h4Y3p1GJbc/il_570xN.505424587_2zkp_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="fabric advent calendar" width="500" /></a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/163721646/santa-advent-calendar-christmas?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=advent&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery" title="https://www.etsy.com/listing/163721646/santa-advent-calendar-christmas?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=advent&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery">(source)</a> There’s so many details to it! I just love this one – it reminds me of something similar I had as a child. Pottery Barn never disappoints with their advent selection: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hy8B9Ky5kog/VFu5F_YvupI/AAAAAAAAsrI/SQTh97VgT2Y/s1600-h/img33c4.jpg"><img alt="pottery barn advent calendar" border="0" height="417" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0ey_cHFMNQg/VFu5G5EYDeI/AAAAAAAAsrQ/uP9xtdfJXr8/img33c_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="pottery barn advent calendar" width="529" /></a> <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/jumbo-clothespin-advent-calendar/?cm_src=AutoRel" title="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/jumbo-clothespin-advent-calendar/?cm_src=AutoRel">(source)</a> Seriously…I’m going to make this one and save myself the $150. For real. But if you don’t want to DIY I’m not mad at ya – I think this is super cute and you could add whatever you want to the clips! I loved this Rudolph one from PB as well: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4_uMDts6Dh8/VFu5HQI7ysI/AAAAAAAAsrY/5osUQN86M4U/s1600-h/img43c3.jpg"><img alt="rudolph advent calendar" border="0" height="441" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OD9lttsmNEc/VFu5IFaVx4I/AAAAAAAAsrg/VIEQBZNUDyI/img43c_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="rudolph advent calendar" width="500" /></a> So cute! Let’s talk DIY versions, shall we? The easiest one by far is printing off fun projects/events for each day. Well the easy part is just printing and cutting them out – the hard part is in actually doing each event. ;) I loved these ideas you can print out and use: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-67CH6UkRqIE/VFu5I0_Vu4I/AAAAAAAAsro/0UzRYa2K83c/s1600-h/WMKidsActivityJar2blank13.jpg"><img alt="WM-Kid-s-Activity-Jar-2blank1" border="0" height="625" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pLUResKzYlI/VFu5JudpkSI/AAAAAAAAsrw/55tX6fHp6xM/WMKidsActivityJar2blank1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="WM-Kid-s-Activity-Jar-2blank1" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.whilehewasnapping.com/2013/12/printable-kids-christmas-countdown-jar/" title="http://www.whilehewasnapping.com/2013/12/printable-kids-christmas-countdown-jar/">(source)</a> The best part about these is you can determine what event goes with what day – so read a story could be a week night and movie night could be over a weekend. I love the idea of these – it’s all about being with family and making memories, right? I’ve shared this idea before but it’s so dang cute I have to share a couple new versions. This one’s pretty easy too – just print out the Santa head and grab some cotton balls: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FrDfpfQDDY0/VFu5KRL7QWI/AAAAAAAAsr0/QXx44hhz2I4/s1600-h/santafaceAdventCalendar487x6003.jpg"><img alt="santa beard advent printable" border="0" height="600" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zkruB8LIvPo/VFu5Ky8dxHI/AAAAAAAAssA/pJVGOlTaibs/santafaceAdventCalendar487x600_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="santa beard advent printable" width="487" /></a> <a href="http://lovebugsandpostcards.com/kids-craft-santa-advent-calendar/" title="http://lovebugsandpostcards.com/kids-craft-santa-advent-calendar/">(source)</a> That one you can print out and let the kids color. If you want one already ready to go check out this cutie: <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1CNNt2G-U80/VFu5LoyypNI/AAAAAAAAssI/6rSs7oJV7o8/s1600-h/2de8c35fa75c59132d91194ca47f01464.jpg"><img alt="santa beard advent printable" border="0" height="482" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0gcrr-t1Wnc/VFu5MaG0sNI/AAAAAAAAssQ/zKRTkYrlWuE/2de8c35fa75c59132d91194ca47f0146_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="santa beard advent printable" width="356" /></a> <a href="http://www.tomfo.com/diy-free-santa-christmas-countdown-advent-calendar" title="http://www.tomfo.com/diy-free-santa-christmas-countdown-advent-calendar">(source)</a> LOVE the Santa face on the mason jar as well. :) Super easy right? Print it out and pile up some cotton balls! If you’re looking for a countdown that’s a little more decorative I love this chalkboard idea: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zMYzCTbvmDA/VFu5N-Qg4JI/AAAAAAAAssY/3r9WUPxQ7fM/s1600-h/countdowntoChristmas23.jpg"><img alt="chalkboard advent calendar" border="0" height="550" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9WihdNgPQAw/VFu5OedRm-I/AAAAAAAAssg/EddKhXvW9yA/countdowntoChristmas2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="chalkboard advent calendar" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/countdown-to-christmas/" title="http://todayscreativeblog.net/countdown-to-christmas/">(source)</a> It may not be as fun for the kids but you know, I haven’t met a child who doesn’t like any kind of countdown. The anticipation is half the fun! I think this idea is pretty and probably tons of fun for <strike>you</strike> the kids to open up everyday: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YbTOGrWxzqU/VFu5PJr7oaI/AAAAAAAAsso/c2fejVn4Apc/s1600-h/december009_thumb33.jpg"><img alt="DIY roll advent calendar" border="0" height="754" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tux6t-8XbUw/VFu5P04Xz6I/AAAAAAAAssw/ZI8HU7sx9Cg/december009_thumb3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY roll advent calendar" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://mindypitcher.blogspot.com/2011/12/our-countdown-to-christmas.html" title="http://mindypitcher.blogspot.com/2011/12/our-countdown-to-christmas.html">(source)</a> She used toilet paper rolls but paper towel rolls cut up would work as well. Or just simply rolling some card stock to make the tube. I like that you can use festive papers to customize it too. The kids could help decorate it after you fill them up. :) Years ago when the Bub was just a little babe I <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2008/11/countdowns-for-kiddies.html">decorated these little boxes</a>: <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bmFpgEUDK_Y/VFu5QhV9uxI/AAAAAAAAss4/_xo82958qPw/s1600-h/ScreenShot20131112at10.54.34AM_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png"><img alt="DIY Christmas advent boxes" border="0" height="246" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZiYdHz1b1oE/VFu5RtOCBDI/AAAAAAAAstA/lZnTv4vosRU/ScreenShot20131112at10.54.34AM_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DIY Christmas advent boxes" width="500" /></a> It was a labor of love – they took a while. But they are still doing great and we pull them out every year. I think they are so adorable! We do a mix of treats and things like “drive around a look at Christmas lights” kind of things. Every year I plan on attaching them to something but I kind of like that we can put them out anywhere: <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hC7-A5fiV7Q/VFu5SZg4I9I/AAAAAAAAstI/-mrpWiYn1pc/s1600-h/ScreenShot20131112at10.54.34AM_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="advent box craft" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1WULIUo1AdA/VFu5TKXStSI/AAAAAAAAstQ/ZZaWvk5IfEI/ScreenShot20131112at10.54.34AM_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="advent box craft" width="404" /></a> I gotta say…looking at these gets me excited. :) :) We are Christmas nuts around here so it’s hard to wait! Do you have an advent calendar? Have you ever made your own? You can see more of my advent posts from years past <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/11/42-sleeps.html">here</a>, <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/11/counting-down.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/10/53-days.html">here</a> for more inspiration. Have a wonderful weekend!

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