Extreme Home Makeover: Part 1

Is it time for some "before" and "after" pictures already?  I think so!  Not that anyone really cares too much about this....  but it sorta consumed my life for the past several months.  All winter long we have been painting...and painting.  And by "we" I mostly mean "I".  Just thought I'd throw that out there :)

This is the "before" picture of the family room.

When we first moved in only the one bookshelf (on the left) was up.  I always thought it looked weird and very unsymmetrical.  But to our delight, we found the exact same bookshelf hiding out in the garage.  I guess they never got a chance to put it up?  Anyway, I got to work priming and painting them both white.  Along with the fireplace...  I really don't love the green tiles, nor the decorative plate around the fireplace, but as money doesn't grow on trees (so my daddy taught), I did what I could with paint.  I mean, really, the gold has got to go..... (excuse my kids Monoply game there, I was forbidden to move it :)

And wa-la....here it is all finished!  Do you love?  I love!

Fresh coat of paint (everywhere!) including trim, bookshelves, mantel, window frames, and of course the walls.  It took me 150 years.  The best part was going on a little shopping spree at Hobby Lobby for some new home decor.  Not kidding, that I want move in to that store.  The only thing left is the dreaded carpet (don't get me started)....and I'm thinking a much bigger TV should be hanging above the fireplace.....just a thought (Santa can you hear me??).

THEN, I moved on to the kitchen....here's the "before" - hated the backsplash and knobs....

And "after"....

We knocked off the old tile backsplash, threw up some super fun mosiac tiles, replaced the knobs, painted a little, and updated the plain wood door to a fresh white one.  Me love!  I do think stainless steal appliances are in order, no?  And granite countertops - yes that would be fabulous!


This is the eating area "before".  Check out how ugly the light is...it is literally sponged painted teal to match the ugliness throughout the house.

And a little red paint later.....it now looks like this!  I love the red....Casey probably not as much :)

Anyway, I didn't get before pictures on the entry way, dining room, and living room.....but everything was a horrible peachy-pink.  (Ugh.  It still makes me shudder a little).  And the front door was teal.  Yes, teal.  I also took down all the trim, sanded, primed, and painted it white.

The living room is still lacking in furniture... sad, beat up futon is acting as a couch.  (Again, Santa - are you listening??)

Aside from that we are so happy with the new look :)

Now that the weather is warming up, and I am getting really tired of holding a paint brush, I have moved outside to...my garden.  Oh my.  What is the world coming to.  Me - a gardener??  Well, I guess we should wait to use such a term until anything actually grows.  This is the area I designated for it last year.  I walked out there a couple weeks ago and...yikes.  It needs a bit a work, ya think?

But I did it, and currently peas, lettuce, carrots, potatoes, and onions are peacefully growing.  So exciting!

We are also painting the entire outside of the house and soon as it gets warm enough.  Very much looking forward to that project being completed.  Until then.....