A New Slipcover, Phase One

I bought this couch 6 years ago at a consignment shop.  It's nothing too exciting, but it is a great couch. Unfortunately, over the years, my dogs have really done a number on it's appearance.

{...and these are the clean sides of the cushions}

So, it is time to change things up a bit...

Yes, a white slipcover.  I know, I know, you have seen hundreds of these.  Even though it's nothing new and exciting, I just had to share a bit of this journey.  The cushion covers aren't finished yet and the skirt needs to be hemmed, but I am so excited about the direction this is headed.  Less than half way done and it already changes the feel of the room.

I can't wait to get this finished and finally have a couch that I like again.

Check back for phase two very soon!!



All dressed up and no place to go...

Like I mentioned in the last post, my mom and I found this great desk at Goodwill for $15 and couldn't pass it by (even though we had grounded ourselves from buying furniture for a month).

I had the perfect spot for it too.  I had a desk in my office/guest room that was just a bit too big.  It overwhelmed the room and didn't leave a lot of extra space for a twin bed.  So, this was going to be my new desk.  It is petite and feminine with plenty of storage space. 

The biggest problem was that gold is my least favorite color.  I couldn't put a gold trim desk in my office.  I just couldn't...but that's why they make paint, right?  So, a few coats of white paint and this was a new desk.

I intended on changing all the hardware, but the handles were not removable.  So, I just painted them white along with everything else.  Some new crystal knobs and I think it's safe to say this no longer looks like a $15 desk.

I was so excited to get it situated in my office and start filling up the drawers.  The only problem was that I didn't have a chair that worked well with this desk.  All the chairs that I have (and there are a lot, mostly projects to come) had a seat that was much larger than the opening.  I looked and looked for a new chair and found the ideal chair during a shopping trip at First Fridays in Kansas City.  Unfortunately it wasn't ideal for this desk.  But, it was ideal for me...which is why this beautiful white desk is now sitting in my hallway and soon will be for sale at Lone Elm Antiques in Olathe, KS. 

I hate to see it go, but it just wasn't the perfect fit.  I did find the perfect fit for my office and for my new desk chair, but both the chair and the desk need some paint.  Check back to see what I found.

Ballard Inspired Dog Food Container and a sneak peek...

I saw this great dog food container in the Ballard Designs catalog months ago and have been wanting to make one ever since.

The only problem was I couldn't find the right tin to use.  I looked everywhere I could think of...and nothing!  Then while visiting Sacramento, I went to IKEA (because you can't go to a city with an IKEA and not go shopping there)...and what do you know...they had just the perfect container that I had been looking for.

I couldn't wait to get this home and personalize it...

Less than an hour with my Cricut and I had all the letters cut out and ready to apply.

Applying the letters, on the other hand, took longer than I expected. 

It is tricky lining up each row on a curved surface.  And if you really inspected it, it isn't perfect. But, after several attempts of placing some of the words, I can live with a little imperfection.

I just love how it turned out and it is the perfect size to hold the 40 lb. bag of dog food.

Plus, it only cost me $30 to make the whole thing!!

Oh, and I almost forgot the sneak peek...

My mom and I had gotten to a point where we had purchased more furniture than we could keep up with.  Too many projects, too little time.  You know what that's like, right?

So, we made a pact.  No furniture for a month. 

Then we stumbled upon this adorable french provential desk at Goodwill for $15.  I think we both looked at each other at the same time thinking how we can talk the other person into an exception of our newly formed pact.  We just couldn't pass it up.

A few coats of paint and some new knobs for the drawers is going to make a world of difference.

Check back soon to see how she turns out!



New Life for an Old Bench

I have had this bench forever. 

OK, not really forever...but for awhile now.

OK, OK, I confess. I have only had it for a couple of years, but already I was bored with it and shoving it in rooms I don't use so that no one would see it when they were at my house.

It's not that it is an ugly bench...it's just blah!  I already recovered the cushion, because if you can believe it this bench was even more blah to begin with.  But, it was time for a drastic change.

So, a little paint and some new fabric makes Jenni a happy bench owner.

Now I don't hide it in a guest bedroom...

I proudly display it in my own bedroom.  Right under my beautiful mirror!