A Year Later....

Today marks one year in our waterfront cottage.  June 27, 2013 was the first night we spent in the house and the next day we rented a jack hammer and started the updates.  It has been 12 months of work.  A LOT OF WORK.

Blittle and I were sitting on the dock the other evening baffled by how we did so much in a year.  No wonder I am so tired!  Once I am done with the dock furniture, we are taking a break from DIY for a while.  People have repeatedly said, it doesn't have to all get done right now.  I know this. But I want it done right now.  When I am home there are constant reminders of what needs to be done and I have a hard time ignoring them.  I get anxious.  If I am not crossing things off the to do list, I feel like I am wasting time.  The past month has shown me it is time for a break.  My body is tired, exhausted, drained, done...I can't really find a word to describe the level of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that I am on.  It is time to rest and slow down a little.

The next few months are for working on client furniture and saving money.  There are some HUGE projects on the list for 2015!

Knock Off Decor Feature

Happy rainy Thursday!  The weather here is wet!  Rain, rain and more rain.  And rain is in the forecast until Sunday.  Yesterday, I was on the island for bootcamp and saw a tiny waterspout off the beach.

Today, my DIY Restoration Hardware Planter is featured at Knock Off Decor!

I LOVE her site.  There are amazing knock off tutorials from some of my favorite stores.  Places like Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and Anthropologie.

Be sure to visit Knock Off Decor and see all the great tutorials.  You might find your next project!

Click here to see my feature.

Heather's Guest Room

I have been so busy, I didn't even realize this post wasn't published last week like it was scheduled.  Sorry.  I can't seem to get caught up lately.  Too much going on and not enough time.

The adirondack chair project is going well.  I built one on Saturday to make sure I liked the design and to make sure it was comfortable.  I love it.  I am now building five more!  My goal is to have them built and stained by the Fourth of July.  Here are some progress pictures.

Turquoise & Brass Vanity

This vanity belongs to my friend Heather.  It is a gorgeous piece but it did need some help.  The clear coat was falling off, there were some water marks, chips in the veneer and an overall lack of wow factor.

DIY Coffee Bar

I have an obsession with coffee.  It could also be called an addiction.  An unhealthy dependency. Whatever.  Point is, in the mornings, I love drinking coffee.

Its not just about the need for caffeine by 8:30 am or my head will explode and I become a not so nice person.  Its about my waking up process.  My routine.

The sun is just rising and the house is quiet.  The birds aren't making tons of noise yet.  The water outside is peaceful.  It is my favorite time of day.  Just me on the couch, with my coffee and sometimes a dog or two, mentally prepping for the day and slowly waking up.

We bought a Keurig 3 years ago and I love it.  The only problem is, ours is one of the bigger models and takes up too much counter space in my small kitchen.  I decided to use my grandparents' dresser I refinished as a buffet and coffee bar in our dining area.

It has tons of storage for baking dishes and other pans I don't use often plus our nice utensils and coffee supplies.  The refrigerator is just opposite of the buffet so it is not a far reach to get the creamers out.

Many of you saw it in the dining room reveal  and saw the buffet but I didn't share any details yet.

Photo Credit: Ever & Anon

Navy & Distressed Dresser

I have a quick before and after for you today!  A few weeks ago, I bought a big, brown and ugly dresser set.  I finally have had time to work on them and decided to do the tall boy first.

Before