Friday Update ~ 09/18/2015

It's Friday!  This was the quickest, long week ever.  Things were super busy, I worked hard every day,  my body made me go to bed by 9:30 most nights (8:30 last night) and now it is Friday already.

FURNITURE

My shop is filled to the max.  I finished up my mom's dressers, worked on a desk, stool, and  sofa table for a client, plus had another client dropped off a vanity.  Earlier this week I shared our master bedroom bed side tables.  Love them!  Read about that makeover here.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

MASTER BATHROOM

If you follow me on Instagram you know that we have made tons of progress over the last few weeks.  The goal for the weekend is to have all the water lines and plumbing hooked up!

PAVER PATIO

Apparently I don't feel busy enough so we started the side yard/paver patio makeover.  Really, the bathroom is taking longer than expected since I took time off of the project to focus on furniture work and here we are in September already.  We want the side yard ready for fall and oyster season.  There is a plan for a smoker, fire pit, setting up a grill area, outdoor furniture and much more.  After lots of discussion we decided to hire out most of the prep work.  

One of the biggest struggles we have as DIYers is knowing we can do it.  Blittle and I did a paver patio at our first home.  There is no part of the project beyond our ability.  The problem is time....and energy.  We decided investing the money for someone else to do the heavy work was worth it.  And I am not going to lie, writing those checks have been painful but the work has been done in hours, not days.

First step was to tear out all the grass and frame the patio.  This work was done late last week then Brian and I framed the space over the weekend.  Today, the crushed concrete will be brought in and leveled.  That leaves us (we will actually DIY this part) laying the pavers and building the fire pit.

Blittle started the paver walkway to the dock last weekend.  The house originally had a concrete walkway that was putting pressure on the bulkhead and was broken.  It was the very first thing we tore out.  Seriously, our first weekend at the house we rented a jack hammer and tore it out making tons of noise that I have no doubt the entire neighborhood could hear.  Two years later we are putting in a new path to the dock.  We decided to do a simple paver walkway.  The grass will be removed and each paver will sit flush with the grass.  

And that's what I did this week.  This weekend will be busy with hunting, furniture delivery, birthday party and bathroom work.

Have a great weekend everyone!  To see what we are up to this weekend, follow me on Instagram.

Friday Update ~ 09/11/2015

Hi, all!  I hope everyone had a great 4 -day work week!  Here in the Houston/Galveston area it has been raining all week with a cool front on its way.  The weekend is supposed to be dry and gorgeous! Fingers crossed.

MASTER BATHROOM

We made HUGE progress in this room.  I seriously can't believe how it went from looking like a major construction zone Friday morning to feeling like a real bathroom by Monday night.  There was lots of laboring over Labor Day weekend.

Here is what we had Friday.

And this is now.

I haven't had much time to work in there this week but the plan is to get the tile caulked and faucets and sinks installed over the weekend.

FURNITURE

(HUGE SIGH)  I am having some finishing problems with the two navy dressers I have been working on for my mom.  It is extremely frustrating.  This is not my first, second or third project and I am using the same products I usually do so it is annoying when products act weird.  There is a chance it was the heat and/or humidity but that is something I always have to deal with so I really don't think that is it.  Those dressers should have gone home at the beginning of the week and yet, they are still in my shop.  On top of that, I am trying to finish up some client pieces that need to go home early next week.  I am feeling a lot of stress and pressure to get things done quick and my products (and weather) are making it hard.

I know I will get it done.  It just gives me anxiety when I get so close to or go over my completion dates.  I like to stay on schedule.

Earlier this week I shared our master bedroom dresser and was supposed to share our end tables' makeover yesterday.  Well, I didn't.  Things were just too busy (and I was too exhausted) to finish the post.  Sorry.  I hope to get to it this weekend and share first thing next week.

Here are the master bedroom dresser before and after shots.

MISCELANEOUS

We have tons of stuff going on right now.  The bathroom remodel.  Our side yard was tore out earlier this week to prep for our flagstone/pebble patio but it has rained all week (pouring right now...so bad the dogs stepped out to see the crazy wind and rain then turned around to come back in) and we have a muddy mess.  The other business (tell you more about that soon) has had a big week, exciting week but it has taken up a lot of my time.  Furniture projects in the shop.  Things are busy, busy.

SIDE NOTE:  I can't believe it has been 14 years since the tragedy of 9/11.  That day is imprinted in my brain.  I was standing in my College Station apartment getting ready for speech class, watching the Today Show.  Then everything changed.  I skipped school that day.  I couldn't tear myself away from the TV.  By the weekend A&M had organanized all kinds of tributes to be done during the football game.  It still amazes me that in a few short days this was organized.  (I am in the red section).

Please thank your first responders and service men/women.  It is free and easy and it does make a difference in their day.

Have a great weekend!

Friday Update ~ 09/04/2015

Somehow I have let two weeks go by with no updates or posts.  Things have busy and as you know, the blog is put on the back burner when work and life gets crazy.  I promise I am here, I am just working hard.  Instagram has become my favorite social media since it is quick and easy.  Be sure to follow me to get all the behind the scenes updates.

MASTER BATHROOM

The bathroom is prepped and ready for the new countertop to be installed today!  I am so excited.  The backsplash, sink and faucets should be done in the next week or two.  Also, remember that the second sink was on the right?  Here is a pic.

The two drawers under that sink were dummy drawers.  Just drawers fronts attached to the front of the vanity.  I took those drawer fronts and built an actual drawer for them.  I stole drawer guides from the guest bath to use with the new drawers.  

The goal was try to finish by September but obviously that didn't happen so new goal is finish by November.

FURNITURE

Furniture has been out of control!  It is such a blessing to have consistent work.  In August, I refinished the Ebony & Brass buffet and its matching china cabinet, painted the White & Brass dresser, painted two dressers navy, AND refinished a large dresser plus painted two end tables for my master bedroom.  Oh.  And I painted my bedroom a new color (remember it is getting a mini makeover).  Right now I am working on a large desk, sofa table and bed for a client and with all the rain this week I am behind schedule.  EEK!  Looks like I will be working this labor day weekend.

Ebony & Brass Buffet.  Be sure to check out all the before and afters.

White & Brass

China Cabinet progress photos.  The reveal will be next week.

The dresser I refinished for our bedroom.  Reveal will be next week.

End tables I painted for our bedroom.  Their reveal will be soon.

Navy dresser progress.

MISCELLANEOUS

The month is another busy one. Blittle's parents will possibly visit next week, the few last weekends of the month plus first weekend of October are booked with parties and weddings (all out of town), and there is a good chance I will be headed to Round Top the last week of September.  Plus, I still need to do a few things for my sailing class so I can enroll for the next round (hopefully take in October) and they have to be done on a Saturday.  

We are starting a new home project next week.  A while back I mentioned that we wanted to change our side yard to a rock patio area.  The equipment is getting delivered today and the guy will do the dig out work on Monday. I am a little nervous about this one.  Right now there is no real plan, budget or timeline (mostly because right now we don't much free time).  It should be cheap and easy but things don't always go as planned.  

The grass has never grown well in the area and it is a bit of wasted space.  We want to do a pebble/flagstone patio area with a large fire pit, more outdoor seating, and a dining area.  The grill will be moved over to this space as well as a smoker we want to build.  Most of those things will happen over time but the goal now is to get the patio area and fire pit done in time for oyster season.  Roasted and chargrilled oysters are on the menu for fall!

I hope everyone has a great holiday!  We will be laboring on this labor day weekend.  :)  

Next week I will posting some items available to purchase.  Mostly furniture and a few home decor items.  I have been purging through some things and now that most of our rooms are set up and decorated I need to get rid of the left overs.  Be sure to check my Facebook page and here to see what is for sale.

Friday Update ~ 08/14/2015

Do y'all ever have weeks when you just can't get in the grove and be productive?  I had two of those in a row.  Yuck.  Then all of a sudden this week, I was on.  I mean, really on.  Things got done this week and it felt good.  I had help though....my mom worked with me two days this week.  Having two set of hands working really makes a difference.  :)

FURNITURE

Many of you know that my parents have been living in Germany the past year.  Now that they are back in the States, my mom is trying to get some projects done.  She has been using a mix of furniture for years and now she is wanting refinish or paint the pieces she likes, and replace the pieces she doesn't love.  I mentioned I had a dining set in my storage unit and things snowballed from there. This week the buffet was stripped, sanded, prepped for new stain, stained, and clear coated!  It is drying today so tomorrow I'll put the pulls and doors back on.  Here is a sneak peek:

Friday Update ~ 08/07/2015

Hey, hey.  Another week has flew by and somehow it is August already.  AHH!  Blittle and I both have been dealing with major sinus headaches since we got back from the trip.  It has killed my productivity.  Apparently, I am now allergic to Texas and need to live in the Caribbean full time.  HA!

Read about our Antigua vacation adventure:  Part 1 is about our time on a sailboat and Part 2 is all about the resort.

Our Waterfront Cottage ~ 2 Years Later

What a crazy adventure the past two years have been!  On June 24, 2013 we closed on our 1980s waterfront cottage and on June 27th we rented a jack hammer to start work.  It has been non stop projects ever since.  Our house has transformed into a beautiful home and I can't wait to get it finished!


To read a detailed list of what we did the first year in the house read my post from last year.  Here are a few before and after pictures.

DIY Kitchen Makeover

Photo Credit: After picture taken my Ever & Anon

Friday Update ~ 06/19/2015

It is Friday.  I hope every one has a great weekend planned.  This girl will be working to make up for the weather delays that happened.


MISC

We had our first tropical storm experience at this house. But we kind of didn't.  Tropical storm Bill was on his way then stalled, then turned.  There was an influx in the tide on Tuesday (I am cautious to use the phrase storm surge since it was only a foot or so higher than normal) and we had some rain on Wednesday but thankfully, it was pretty much a non event.   We did spend the day at home in case the water started rising again and finished installing the floor in the bathroom.

Here is our dock at a normal tide.

Friday Update ~ 06/05/2015

Hey, guys.  I am trying my best to get back on some kind of blogging schedule but I will admit, I forgot to write this update until this morning.  Haha.  At least I remembered last minute.  The past month has be really rough.  The last update I posted about Blittle and Jaxson was in my New Railing Inspiration post.

Blittle had surgery on the 15th.  The 10 days following were not easy for either of us.  Lots of sitting around and watching the non stop rain and flood coverage on TV.  Lots of sickness, tiredness, and moodiness from the meds.  Lots of waiting on him constantly since he couldn't walk.  We were both ready for him to get better.  He was finally able to go back to work on the 28th but still wasn't walking on his own and moving slow.  Over that following weekend, he was able to start putting weight on his foot and has been quickly getting better.  No more crutches!  He is able to walk as much as he wants with his orthotic boot on.  The stitches should come out next week and hopefully he will be able to start wearing a normal shoe again and be back to 100% soon.

Friday Update ~05/08/2015

This is the last Friday Update for a few weeks.  I will be out of town starting next week and I am going to take a break from the blog while I am gone.  I'll try to post some pictures and updates on my Facebook page but if you want to be sure to see pictures, follow me on Instagram!

FURNITURE

That large bedroom set I showed you last week are in the paint booth now.  All the tops were stripped, sanded and stained.  Yesterday, I started the clear coats for the tops.  The bodies have been sanded and painting will start today.  There is still a lot to do but I am hopeful that they will get done before I leave.

MASTER BATHROOM

The mirror came in this week and sadly, it has a few bumps and bruises.  I decided to go with the large Kensington Mirror from Pottery Barn and I am on the fence about sending it back or dealing with the few imperfections.

I originally wanted to go with medicine cabinets because I HATE things being on the counter.  Toothbrushes, tooth paste, etc need to be hidden.  Once the sink was purchased, I started to lean towards one regular mirror instead of two small medicine cabinets.  The sink is not huge and the medicine cabinets would be really close together and I think it might look weird.  I love the style of the Kinsington and the size is just right for out sink.

The vanity got one coat of paint!  Yesterday, I sat on the floor in the bathroom for a while just staring.   I put down a few flooring samples and the countertop sample to see everything together.  Sometimes things look great on paper and in sample size but once you start putting it all together, it doesn't feel right.  So far, things are looking good...or at least I think so.

MISC

After a few weeks thinking about it, I have decided to sale the buffet and china cabinet I found.  They are gorgeous pieces and I wish I had room for them.  Our house is small and they just aren't going to work for us.  I do not have measurements yet but if you are interested in them let me know.  I'll try to get measurements posted today.  There is also a matching dining table with 6 chairs.  I do not have pictures of it but will post them soon as well.

All 3 pieces are a set from a New Orleans store, Max Barnett Furniture Company.  Again, I'll post more pictures, measurements, and prices soon on my SHOP page.

Sorry for the bad pictures...the storage unit was dark.

These two are in good enough shape to be stained and not painted.  All the handles are solid brass and can be polished to a gorgeous bright brass.

Email me (fishermanswifefurniture@yahoo.com) if you are interested in any of these pieces.  I am booked through mid-July so let me know ASAP to get on the schedule.  

Have a great weekend!