Friday, July 31, 2015

Basement Family Room...

We have started another pretty big project...
 Our basement family room is getting a makeover.
This has always been our playroom/exercise/Junk room!
It has been a nice place to put all of our extra junk and it's been great for the kids to have a playroom.
Now a few of our kids are moving into their teen years and we have noticed it would be nice to have another area for them to "hang out".  
My husband and I decided we'd like our TV room back on the weekends.

These two agreed and helped my husband start this project...
DEMOLITION!
 They are actually becoming really helpful!
These two made a stage and were dancing to the song "Happy"!
This is when I started feeling "overwhelmed"!
It is amazing how removing the built-in really opened up the room.
It's nice not to come down the stairs and around the corner and feel like you're hitting a wall.
We are going to make this area a "TV" room and the other side will become the air hockey/play area.
We will also be adding a wall of storage.

I can't wait to have our family room be bright and fresh!
I did a post on family rooms that I loved from the Salt Lake Parade of homes last year.  If you'd like to see it, you can find it HERE.
Here are a few of my inspiration photos:

We will either do a smaller version of something like these built-ins...



Or we will just mount our TV on the wall and put a buffet/hutch below it like this:

Or this...

Our wall in the play area will be used for storage.   
We will probably be using the Pax System from Ikea.
Here are a few beautiful ideas for that...



We picked our carpet, couch and paint color.  Now we have to get to work!  
Why is it always so easy to "start" a project?
Then once there is a mess, you realize just how much work it's going to take to complete it and you run out of energy!
Hopefully, this makeover is a much faster project than our KITCHEN REMODEL!

Sharing with these blogs:
The 36th Avenue
Chic On A Shoestring

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Summer Fun - Show and Tell Friday!




 

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!

 

I really don't have any home-related things to share this week but I did make a summery mosaic with some of my old photos. 

 

I've been out with my friends enjoying summer.  Last weekend we went to a party at a spectacular home...

 



Me and my friends with the DJ who was also serving us wine before the music started.


And here's a shot of the

Thursday, July 23, 2015

A little more summer decor - Show and Tell Friday





 



Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!  



I've been moving some more summer decor around...



 



I brought the dried hydrangeas and the apothecary jar (which is actually a beverage dispenser) from my bedroom into the living room for a little bit of a change.  I get so tired of looking at the same tablescapes after awhile!  This table was ready for a little change.









I love the dish

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Summer Mantel - Show and Tell Friday







Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!  This week I'm sharing my fireplace mantel that I decorated for summer.


















I used things I already had around my apartment and just brought them all together here.









I love summer decor because it goes so well in my blue and white apartment!

















 On a different subject...has anyone tried the Whole30 diet?  I would love to

The 21 Best Sandwiches & Wraps You'll Ever Eat.






Take a break from the boring ham & cheese sandwich and try out these mouthwatering recipes.










Strawberry & Cream Cheese Sandwich {recipe}





Smorgastarta - It's a sandwich cake and boy does it look delicious. {recipe}





BLT Wrap {recipe}





Grilled Peanut Butter Honey Banana Waffle Sandwich {recipe}





Monte Cristo Sandwich {

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Solar-powered light up mason jar lids - Show and Tell Friday








Welcome to Show and Tell Friday!  Sorry for missing last week, time just seemed to get a way from me.  



Two weeks ago I went to my nephew's wedding at a Avio Vineyards, in Sutter Creek which is in the Gold Country in California (about 2 1/2 hours away from me). It was a beautiful wedding and I loved that my two nieces and my daughter and I got to spend some extra time together since we

Monday, July 6, 2015

"4th Of July" Decor...

We love to celebrate this holiday!
  We are so grateful our freedom and for our daughter who was born on this special day!
She turned "14" this year!
She loves cheesecake, so that is what we make for her on EVERY birthday.
If you'd like the recipe, you can find it HERE.
It's delicious and serves a large crowd!

Our decorations were simple this year...
 RED, WHITE & BLUE

Here is our fireplace in the great room.
I actually got the banner at Walmart for $1.99.
I cut it to fit and actually hooked it on the mantle with thumb tacks.
 I love how simple and festive it looks!
Here are a few pictures of our kitchen...
I love having a white kitchen, it makes all of the decor kind of "pop"!
 I placed a patriotic table runner under my lantern...
I also placed a wooden flag by the chalkboard...
 Here is one more picture of our kitchen...
It's simple, but festive.
I hope you had a wonderful Fourth Of July too!

I'm Sharing With These Blogs:
Thrifty Decor Chick
AKA Design
Chic On A Shoestring