The Pergola is Finished...Well Almost 😉

Randy finished building the new structure for the pergola yesterday, and hung the new fans. We finally have a nice, cool place to sit when it’s hot out. The only problem is, the waterproof canvas cover that I bought is about 5 feet too short. The new one should be here in about 4 weeks. 

I found this cute outdoor bench, that I didn’t even remember I had, when we cleaned out the storage unit. I had purchased it in 2008! 😂

Covering The Pergola

One project usually leads to another, and this time was no exception. As soon as the sectional was finished, I thought aloud how nice it would be to have the space covered. (Currently, the only covered outdoor space we have is the private porch off of our master bedroom.) Luckily, Randy loved the idea, so he got to work modifying the existing structure right away. 

I’ve also ordered a couple of outdoor ceiling fans. They should be delivered tomorrow. We can’t wait to have a nice, cool, place to enjoy the outdoors, even when it’s hot or raining. I’m hoping the fans will help keep the mosquitos at bay also. Fingers crossed. 

The Cushions Have Finally Arrived!

I’m so excited! The cushions have finally come in for the sectional that Randy built! Yay!!!
It looks exactly like I envisioned it!

Hi

Randy also made a frame for another of my outdoor canvases. I can’t believe how much better they look when framed! See below

He’s really checking off those boxes!✅ 😉

Outdoor Art

I have always loved outdoor art. To me, pillows, lighting, and artwork are three of the most important elements in making an outdoor space feel like an interior room.

I’ve been using outdoor art for years. In the early days, I would have to buy cheap wall art and try to weatherproof it myself. However, over the years, it has gotten much easier to find, and has also gotten somewhat more affordable.

Recently I found this 30” x 40” weatherproof canvas online. I knew it would look fabulous on our exterior wall, but also knew it was too small for the space. So I asked Randy to make me a fat, chunky frame.  He whipped it up in a single afternoon, and I think it looks perfect. Now I want him to make frames all of my outdoor art. Uh oh 😬

 Sorry, I got a little carried away with the Sampson pics. He’s just so adorable 💕

DIY Outdoor Sectional Seating

Well everyone, my husband has done it again. In just a day and a half, he has made yet another of my designs come to life!

I decided I wanted more seating on the patio, so I ordered some cushions from Frontgate and asked Randy to build me a sectional that would accommodate them. As usual, I just explained to him what I wanted, and showed him a few pictures. In no time the sectional was finished! The problem now is, yesterday made the 4TH TIME the cushions have been delayed! I’m dying!!! I just want to see the complete project! 😫

However, as per usual, I can’t wait to show everyone! So here it is (with a few of the old cushions 😉) just to give you the idea of how it’s going to look.

 

There will also be matching rolling ottomans. Randy will be building those in a couple of days. I guess there’s no hurry though, since we have NO IDEA when the cushions will get here. 😭

Wallpapered Ceiling

I have been dying to try this for a while, but finally got around to giving it a shot. I decided to experiment with a small area first, with some cheap peel and stick paper I got on Amazon. That way if it didn’t work out, I wasn’t really out much.

It was definitely a two person job, but once we got each piece started, it went up fairly easily...except that my neck and shoulders we’re KILLING me 😭. Randy is in better shape I guess, so he didn’t complain too much.

Well, I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out! You can bet I’ll be doing this again, and next time I’ll feel perfectly comfortable doing a bigger area with some better paper. 😉

XXL Custom Dog Kennel With Extra Storage

We were finally able to remove the whelping box from our bedroom. Yay! 

With the newly acquired space, I was able to design, and Randy build, this amazing custom XXL dog crate. I'm in love with the way it turned out. I'm also pretty pumped about the extra storage. Storage is always at a premium at our house. They even have their own little light 😉

20 year old bench looks like new

We bought this cast iron bench when we first moved into our home 20+ years ago. I’ve thought about throwing it out for years, mostly because I was afraid someone would sit on it and fall through, but due to quarantine, Randy finally found some time to replace the wood. Less than $30 and it looks like new.

We just replaced the wood and painted the ironwork.
The ones they make today aren’t nearly as well made as this.
It weighs at least 70-100lbs! 

This shows how much it was worn even back when the kids were little. 

It had definitely seen better days 

I’m so glad I never got rid of it. I love trash to treasure items!

My 17 year old son’s bedroom makeover reveal

Since I’ve been working from home, it seems like I have even less time. I’m not sure how that happens when I’m saving all of the commute time. Anyway, I haven’t been very good at keeping everyone updated on the day to day progress, but I’ll at least continue to post the finished projects.

Here is the finished room, except for the custom blinds that still haven’t arrived.

Drew's room hadn't been updated since he was little. I think it was time. Lol

Every single surface floor to ceiling was updated with this makeover (including the furniture)

Randy made the built-in to fit the fish tank.

Before

We sanded down the old dresser, then painted the body black. We left the drawer fronts and top wood, and used knobs that we'd removed from another project. The entire makeover was less than $30

Dresser before

The bed was painted black and the round finials replaced with this more mature and masculine flat piece 

The ceiling was painted black and the floors refinished in a soft natural color.
I chose the brick wallpaper, sconces and spider pendant for a more industrial look.

In these next photos you can see that we have painted the doors with the same tricorn black that we have used in the rest of the house.

I had this map in storage for years. I just had Randy make a frame for it out of scrap wood.
Art for free! 

For a personal touch, I added some of his high school feature articles

I think his fish are also happy in their new environment. 😉

That's about it for this makeover. We're working on a furniture piece next, but I'll let that be a surprise. 

Until next time.