student for the day – building a diy midcentury console table – phase 1

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Building a DIY Midcentury Console Table - Directions Not Included

A few weeks ago I shared I was playing student in the sculpture studio at Ray's university. Playing with major power tools is scary, but fun at the same time. Ever since we upgraded the family room sofas, I knew we needed to get a console table for the back of the sofa. We had a little c-table I made forever ago to hold a lamp and my glass of wine, but once we had the L-shaped sofa moved into the space, the table is useless for the person who sits in the coveted corner of the L. Tell me we are … [Read more...]

this is halloween – diy haunted mansion sign

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DIY Haunted Mansion Sign - Directions Not Included

Since it is no surprise that I'm a huge Halloween fan, it should be no surprise that my favorite ride at Walt Disney World is the Haunted Mansion. No matter how long the line, I must go on it at least once every time we go to Disney. Ray shakes his head every time. My employees I took to Disney in June thought, think I am crazy. I love it. It was obviously my inspiration for our DIY haunted mansion sign. I made this last year during my delinquent blogging year so I don't have photos … [Read more...]

student for the day – playing with power tools

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Playing with power tools - Directions Not Included

As you can tell my sporadic posting this year, even though I promised myself (and you guys!)  I would be back to blogging at least semi-regularly, things have been a bit up in the air. Work has been crazy due to many, many changes in the last 8 months. While I have a blast at work, it is also very stressful and draining at times. I decided I needed to start scheduling some mental health days. We have a decent vacation policy, so I added a few to the calendar to regroup and have some fun. … [Read more...]

just a little color – painted midcentury modern furniture

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Painted Midcentury Modern Furniture - Directions Not Included

Adding a little color helps, right? I'm all for maintaing the classic appeal and natural finish of MCM furniture, but sometimes painted Midcentury modern furniture is the way to go. I honestly struggled with this piece so much. I bought it a few years ago for less than $25. It was beat up and not solid wood. It sat in its natural beat up state for a very long time but it needed help. … [Read more...]

buff and shine – diy modern coffee table

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Refinished Modern Coffee Table - Directions Not Included

The hubs and I have been living together for over 10 years. When we moved into our first house we were dirt broke and just dealt with the furniture we had, or whatever we could scrounge up. I really, really, really wanted modern coffee and side tables from Room and Board. I had specifically fallen for a certain design that I was sure would be perfect for our space. All fine and dandy until I realized there is no was no way I could afford those in real life. This is where I am happy I married my … [Read more...]

a little help from our friends – porch column cover up

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Porch_Column_Coverup3

The saga of making the front of our house presentable continues. We are not close to being done, but we've made the porch and the front of our house a goal for 2014. We've made progress with lots of paint on the brick, door & ceiling, etc. But it still needs helps. Those old scroll-like columns drive me nuts. I've lived in two old Florida homes with them and I want them gone in this house. In comes my dad who is going to help us figure out decent porch column cover ups.  … [Read more...]