Loving this kitchen!

The white cabinets look very similar to those at LaNa.  The beadboard is awesome!  And, the aqua painted walls are so fresh.  I'm loving this to brighten up our space...

Source: bhg.com via Laura on Pinterest

Updated desk chair

I'm kicking myself that I don't have a before picture of this project.  I swore I had posted one years ago when I first gave it an overhaul for my dining room. 

Oh well, here is the most recent picture of it which we will be using in the office/spare room.  I love how fresh it looks and how amazing it looks in our newly painted room.  More detailed pics to come...

Dresser project

In the past, I blogged about how I would like to re-paint the dresser below. 

Dresser before

My inspiration - Image from Norske Interior Blogger

Dresser after

The hardware and mirror were spray painted to match. 

Also, note the new curtains!  I bought 2 panels at Target, cut them in half, used the no-sew option of hemming them with iron on/fuseable Stitch Witchery, and voila!

Desk redo

I repainted an old desk a few years ago, but never got around to figuring out what to do for the pulls/handles. I liked the old original, but they were falling apart. And, I never found a good alternative.

Before:



It's past time for a quick fix!

After:



I'm loving the simplicity of the twine! It's feeling nautical to me. And, in the spare room/office that we just repainted a Caribbean sea blue (pics to come soon!), it seems fitting.

Reusing wooden pallets

Love this idea of wooden pallets for fencing...

Source: growfruitandveg.co.uk via Myra on Pinterest

Why do I think a pallet fence is a good idea? Well, you can find pallets around town for FREE! Fences are pricey...so, this is definitely economical. Also, you would be saving the pallets from going to a landfill which is definitely earth friendly. Lastly, you will have a unique fence which you can either paint or leave natural.

I found a nifty site that gives you directions on how to go about putting a pallet fence together.

Butcher block?

Some more kitchen inspiration found on my newest obsession - Pinterest!

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Threadcase on Pinterest

Window and side ledges very similar to those at LaNa!

Source: countryliving.com via OedipaMaas on Pinterest

The Happiness Project

So, I stumbled upon this blog today by Gretchen Rubin called the Happiness Project.  Gretchen has a blog, a great website, regular video updates, a Facebook page, and a subscription for a daily happiness quotation to your in-box.  I'm sold!  And, I think her best selling book will be the next one I purchase!!  Here's a little intro:




And, here's a little taste of one of Gretchen's weekly videos:

Photo hall?

I'm in love, love, love with photography!  Whether I'm taking photographs, admiring those taken by friends, or reminiscing over old family pics, I just can't get enough!

At LaNa, we have a "family" photo wall with some of our favorite family members and friends.  I often pause to admire the smiles and good times...especially those pictures that include my sister, Robyn, who passed away in 2008. 

With SO MANY great wedding photos, I'm having a hard time picking and choosing which ones to add to the wall that is getting pretty full.  I stumbled upon this photograph today and was really excited!  Why?  Because I wondered as the years go by how I could keep adding photos to our space and still look organized.  This photograph is my inspiration!



Elle Decor



Kitchen Mini-Makeover

You may recall I was doing a mini-makeover on the kitchen at LaNa some time ago.  I recently realized I hadn't posted any after pics...so, here goes! 

 When I moved in the kitchen was pretty bare and painted in a flat white almost like a primer.  Not very flattering!

With the help of friends, I painted the kitchen "Tornado Watch" - lighter on the walls and darker cabinets.  I liked it at first...then, I started to feel like an OSU fan with the colors.  Not good in Wolverine territory!

Love that our little Navin is in some of these shots.  We miss him TONS!



I decided to go lighter with a glossy white cabinet while keeping the "Tornado Watch" walls.  It brightened up the room and makes it feel less busy.  I'm loving it! 





Don't mind the clutter...there was actually some cooking going on in here!!





Evidence that cooking took place!  BBQ chicken on fresh spinach with mock mashed potatoe (aka cauliflower!)!



Creative uses for a wine holder!

Ikea wine holder painted red...



turned magazine holder!

LaNa 3-year Anniversary!

On January 11, 2011 we celebrated 3-years at LaNa!  We've had many great times with wonderful friends and family inside these walls.  Let the good times continue for 2011!!

My latest project was an overhaul on our linen closet.  I just love linen closets!  However, ours is small and was looking pretty cluttered.  I've done a bit of organizing and even removed the door!  We love it!!

BEFORE

AFTER

Gibson checking out the project!

I added some rattan baskets from Target, a curtain from TJ Maxx, and the tie is from a wedding gift (I love to reuse!!).  All we need is a hook at the side to hold the tie back and this project is complete!  Total cost was around $65 for baskets and curtain panel.

Displaying Wedding Pics

I've been trying to think of a nice way of hanging some of our favorite wedding photos and stumbled upon this shot from Our Little Beehive:

Love it and am thinking of a way to incorporate at LaNa!

Remember the...

bushes that my Dad and I cut away exposing only the stumps?  I just checked the blog to see when that project took place and it was almost 2 years ago!!!!  Yikes! 

I say this because today the stumps are finally being removed - FINALLY!  It took me a while to get this project 100% completed, but we're almost there!

A little dirt to cover up the large holes and we're ready for some landscaping!!

Photos to come...

Curb appeal for LaNa?!

James and I would LOVE to build a bigger porch onto the front of our house.  However, those plans will be on hold since we are planning a WEDDING right now! 

I've been looking online at different blogs I love and came across this photo on Design Sponge which is giving me a bit of inspiration...

photo credit: design sponge...photographer corbin lee gurkin's charleston home

I'm loving the white painted porch with colored floor and stairs to match the shutters!  I think a similar update at LaNa could refresh the space until we can make bigger changes.  We'll have to discuss what will work best for our home and will update you along the way...

photo credit: LaNa - current front view

Wonderful cabinet idea!

I was surfing one of my fave blogs, Design Sponge, and found this sweet posting on an idea for inside your kitchen cabinets.  What a wonderful idea!!!!

photo credit: jenny rosenstrach, former cookie magazine editor...illustration by gina triplett

We are looking to update and brighten the kitchen at LaNa and this might be a cute look to incorporate.  Stay tuned...

Lists and doodles...

My latest project was to paint my basement door with chaulkboard paint... 

As you can see we have had some fun with notes and doodles from my niece, Lola!

Lola's drawing includes all of us at LaNa (me, j, navin, and gibson!)

Great garden idea!

What a wonderful idea for a garden!

Image courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Telephone Table

Here are the before and after pics of my telephone table that I found at an antique store for next to nothing. It needed a bit of TLC and now I am loving it! And, it fits perfect behind my front door and next to the coat closet. A great place to put on your shoes or, as it is intended, to use while talking on the phone!

Before

After