Just like new!

Not sure about y'all but I am not a big fan of hunter green counter tops! It was that one thing in our house that I have been dying to get rid of. With the baby news, we decided we need to get on it before Lil Bit arrives. In the process we did a few other updates that made a world of difference in our kitchen.  By we I mean with the help of our awesome families over three long but fun weekends. I think I might just become a better cook because of it! Take a look....

Before

 

After

 

Before

After

 One of my favorite new details, the cookbook nook!

Now everyone needs to come over and see it in person :)

Curb Appeal

I blame/credit this project on my dear friend Alissa. When I was showing her a picture of our house when we were closing on it she said something along the lines of, "So, what color are you going to paint the shutters?" My reaction? "I kinda like them." Well, I got to thinking about it and looking at other houses and decided the answer to her question--black. And boy did it make such a difference! I love it!

 

 Before

 After! The black really pops with our fresh, black mulch.

I do have to brag on my amazing yard boys! Seth, his brother and friends have spent countless hours fertilizing, mulching, planting, trimming, laying rock, etc. It's incredible what a little TLC can do. This is one of our front flower beds that was a disaster just weeks before. Now just waiting on these begonias to sprout up!

The side of our yard that was out of control before. Nice and neat now. Even the neighbors keep commenting on their beautiful work!

DIY Farmhouse Headboard

Well, Santa got all the subtle (and not so subtle) hints that we'd be wanting some power tools. Seth's parents got us a circular saw, power sander and jigsaw for Christmas. And boy have I been coming up with plenty of projects to keep us occupied. The first one we tackled was a headboard for our bedroom. I found this tutorial on Ana White's website for an attractive and seemingly easy Farmhouse headboard. Seth made the headboard and I stained it, the perfect team. Here's how it turned out...

All put together, ready to be stained! Looks like our garage door could use a coat of paint, too!

 After a coat of stain. We used a dark walnut oil-based stain.

The final product! 

It makes such a difference in the room. Looking forward to sharing our next project after a few finishing touches!

Master Bathroom Reveal

Small changes really do make a big difference. Our first big project was the master bathroom. We are not completely done but a lot closer. I'll let the pictures do the talking on this one..

Here's what one vanity looked like the day we moved in. 

We started taking down the wallpaper to discover another layer underneath. What a mess! 

Here's what she looks like today with a coat of paint and new mirror.  New countertops one day but worlds better for now. 

Here is the next project. And guess what, double wallpaper again!

A family affair

Our house is starting to feel like a home. This past weekend both mine and Seth's family we're in town to help us with the house. Boy was it a busy and productive weekend. We cannot thank them enough for all of their help with the house and their constant love and support. It's only Monday and I'm ready for them to come back. One of the projects we completed this weekend was the fixture change in the dining room. I was determined to make a DIY drum shade pendant light. But in the end decided anything was an improvement and I was able to find something I liked that required no work at all. 

Our original chandelier. Don't miss it one bit! Couldn't even stand to turn the light on in there before.

Our new light fixture! Changes the room completely. Love it! 

Can't wait to finish off the rest of the room and show it to you! Not too mention all the other projects we completed this past weekend!

It's official!

I know it's been way way too long but trust me, we've had a lot going on. Brief recap...

It's football season, which means craziness at home and the office! We've had several friends in town since August - high school friends, sorority sisters, cousins and family, the list goes on. Lots of tailgating going on here in Knoxville, despite the few wins. Seth and I even got to run through the T before the Cinncinatti game a few weeks ago. Once in a life time experience. AMAZING!

On the field before the game!

At work, we've opened up two new locations (West Virginia and Missouri) and did a big remodel of one of our Knoxville locations! Busy but oh so exciting! But the most exciting (and stressful) thing of all is that Seth and I bought a house! After a flooding crisis and temporary homeless state, we are moved in. Boxes are there that is, unpacking in the midst. 

So the good news for you is that I should have no shortage of things to blog about. Time to do so is another story. But we have several projects vying for our attention. Where to begin? Could it be the green countertops in the kitchen, the two layers of wallpaper in the master bathroom, or the dreadful chandelier in the dining room. Sounds terrible, huh? But let me tell you, we couldn't be more thrilled. More projects, pictures and posts to come!