Nursery progress

Yep, that's all you get for a title today. Creative, no. Straight and to the point, yes.

At some point I intended to do a little update with all the DIY things I'm working on for the nursery. Then last week hit...like a tornado. I'm trying to balance work, two doctor's appointments a week, a maternity shoot (I hope to have pictures to share soon!), and then we were both in our friends' wedding this past weekend.

 

 

And yes, this is the only photo you're getting. I'm slightly mortified by how large my face has grown over the last 8 months.Yikes.

 

Anyway, without further ado, here's how things are currently looking in the nursery. I'm a little behind in terms of being at this point ("ready" as in D-O-N-E), but slowly but surely we're getting there. We'd better be...it's 4.5 weeks and counting folks...

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We still need to change out the light fixtures, hang some window treatments (another DIY I've dreamed up in my head!), finish the DIY pom pom mobile that will hang over the baby's bed (holy crap, wait until you get the lowdown on those things....holy time consumption!), order & hang some shelving for books, paint the dresser, and last but not least....put stuff away! I'm so ready for the closet and drawers to be organized alright, already.

 

In the meantime, I'll share two super easy DIY projects I've already completed for the room. Can you guess what they are? If you said the frames above the bed, and the side table...well, 2 points for you!

 

The frames were $2.99 each from Christmas Tree Shops. They looked a little something like this when I purchased them...

 

 

 

 

 

I loved the size, but the peace sign? Not so much. I bought 6 of them figuring I would find a way to get rid of that god awful logo, and if not...all 6 were going back. 

 





 

 

 

And just as I dreamed in my head, they were super easy to remove. Peace out, peace signs! The frames then got a few coats of glossy white spray, but when I got around to actually hanging them, the white was way too white. I'm aware that my second attempt at changing up these things meant that they'd turn out to be the exact same color of the walls (what are the odds?), but they're much better than the stark white version that were staring at me before. Also, I'm too exhaused to care at this point. For now, the frames are holding some extra scraps of fabric. I'll probably add some of our maternity photos when we get those back from the photographer.

 

Anyway, moving along. Any guesses what this cute little side table used to be? Yep, a $19.99 hamper (or is is a garbage can?) from HomeGoods. I gave it a few coats of gold spray & for $30-ish the guys at my local hardware store cut a piece of glass for the top. I opted for a fairly thick piece, which drove up the price. But we're taking no chances here. At this point I'm actually wondering how long it will take for the husband or myself to break it during late night feedings...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may recall that I'd was in the major throws of a side table conundrum, but in the end, this DIY project was more fun & cheaper than my original plan. Plus, I'm pregnant and change my mind on a daily basis. So there. 

 



So there you go! The current state of the nursery. I'm hoping to tackle more stuff this week and weekend...I'm getting larger by the day & my comfort level is basically non-existent, so tackling projects is only 800 times harder than they would have been if I'd gotten my ass going on the nursery earlier. Coulda, woulda, shoulda!

Craigslisted

Well, it seems I'm a bit overdue for an update these days. So much for my promise of "exciting daily nursery posts!" I should know better to make promises...

Anyway, this post is going to be all sorts of random, since it seems like the last week has been a bit of a whirlwind, and I'm in MAJOR nesting mode. I'm a type-A, organizational freak on a normal day...but throw in pregnancy and it's gotten worse! I've realized that nesting is really difficult when 8 months pregnant. It's getting harder and harder for me to manuever when doing daily, mundane tasks let alone decorating a nursery and organizing every last drawer and closet in our home. Want to see why?

 

 

Hello classy work bathroom shot! Also, I don't know why I look so mad in this photo...maybe it's because I feel like a fat guy in a little coat...remember that from Tommy Boy? I sing it in my head everytime I put this thing on. It looks cute & seems like a good idea....until I actually have to wear it.  

 

 



via

 

The husband was gone for part of the weekend, which is why I got to make things like this...yum, so good (btw--this would be considered a snack to him)...

 

 

As a total side note, I've become completely obsessed with Natalie's blog...a lot of good things going on over there...

 

 

It was Navy week in Buffalo! Aside from a morning of shopping to beef up my fall wardrobe, my mom and I took a spare minute to venture out to the waterfront....one of my few breaks from working at the house this weekend. Which was a productive one, mind you. But breaks are good for my sanity.

 

 



 

 

 



We also introduced this little gem into the baby's room...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a Craigslist find that I scored for $20 (!!!) about a month ago. If I'm being honest, this is not what I'd envisioned for the nursery (I was thinking something big, comfy, tufted, etc.) nor do I know if this is even going to be comfortable or work for us in the end. But we're on a budget here, and this fit the bill. Not to mention I love the details. AND it was in perfect condition folks, perfect! I never actually met the seller since she wasn't home at the time of pick up, but she sounded young and just wanted to unload this chair because she was moving (about a week later I found the same chair from another seller on Craigslist for $50!). I told the husband that if we don't end up using this, ehhh...it was only $20. I certainly won't be crying over spilt milk.   

 

 



 

 

 

 

I opted not to paint it like I'd originally planned. Not only would it be time consuming, but there are way too many white elements being added to this room. So a white chair (which is what I'd envisioned) just wasn't in the cards here. I'm planning to live with things as is for now...again, this chair may or may not pass the comfort and practicality test once baby arrives.  

 

Assuming I don't nest myself into one big pregnancy nap, I'll be back tomorrow to share some easy-peasy, affordable DIY projects! I mean, SO easy they shouldn't even be considered DIY... 

 

 



 

 

Learning to go with the flow (and a nursery update!)

Seven weeks from today, I'm scheduled to have a baby. Or something like that. If only these things were a bit more predictable, right? The 'have a plan for everything' gal (who carries her planner around religiously now thanks to weekly doctor's appointments) can't seem go with the flow. Call it nesting, or call me crazy....either way, that's how I'm feeling these days.

Lately I've been totally overwhelmed with a list a mile long of things I'd love to accomplish before baby arrives. Of which, the husband informed me last night that none of that stuff is important. And he's right. Our house is sloooowly closing in on us (could it be the ridiculous amount of baby gear that's taking over?), but since we're not in the market for a new house, I just have to deal. I've been ordered for weekly non-stress tests at the hospital from now until when the baby arrives (at 35 years, I'm old y'all!), and baby passed today's test with flying colors. She's definitely the husband's child...just go with the flow....

I've been tackling the nursery one day at a time. It seems like I'm making zero progress in there, when in actuality that's not the case. But I figured it's now or never for an update on this space! Of course, before pics would have been nice (when the nursery served as a spare bedroom), but instead you're getting a glimpse of the room in it's current state....

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

It's really difficult to get a decent shot of this room (it's really small), but there you have it! We're currently working on the closet--priming, painting, adding some simple shelving and another hanging rod. I'm thinking that will work much better than the one shelf, one hanging rod we had going on when the husband's clothes were hanging in there.

 

The shear curtains are going, going, (soon to be) gone. The husband will thank me later when the new blackout panels will help the baby sleep more. Or at least that's what we keep telling ourselves.

 

We didn't bother to change the wall color (Napery by Sherwin Williams). I tried my darndest to find a pale pink to match the fabric that will be incorporated into the space, with very little luck. But this color coordinated just fine. Which means one less project to have to tackle in this room! And that's all right by me.

 

The dresser still needs to be painted. That's a project scheduled for this weekend. Again, something else I just keep saying to make myself feel better.

 

The white frames above the crib are a little project I took on this week. They are uneven & one frame has yet to be hung because when you live in a 100+ year-old home, well....you hit a stud all the freakin' time every now and again when trying to hang something. I'm planning to give that last frame another chance this week. I'm just hoping the hanging 'mobile' that I'm creating (one of the many things I've got going on at the same time) will cover up my crappy hanging job.

 

And see that nice, soft, white, NEW area rug? Well, the dog peed on it yesterday. We.can't.win.

 

The end.

 

 

 

Yep, we still have stories

Perhaps they're not as dramatic as they seemed to be last week, but none-the-less, we still have stories. It seems I'm a bit overdue for an update of any kind these days. And since baby is coming in less than 8 weeks and I'll probably forget I have a blog (or the time to talk about anything house related), I should get on with it.

So first and foremost, we've made significant progress on project hallway: part duex. As you may recall, the husband took care of all of the big stuff. And then I jumped in and helped paint (the no-VOC way, of course!). Then the carpet was installed last Thursday. And since then we haven't bothered to do a damn thing. There is still a lot of paint to touch up, hardware to install, window treatments to be purchased and hung, new light fixtures to be installed, and we need to organize our coats, shoes, hats/gloves back into the space. You get the picture. Busy work.

But let's back track, shall we? Two nights before the carpet was installed, I got started on this little project for the baby's room...

 

 

...spraying this $7.99 Salvation Army find. Every good project starts with primer, right (of which, I've learned the hard way over the years)?

 

 

 

 

Well, I'm here to tell you that this s*&t is for the birds. This worthless crap came flying out of the can like silly string. Then a gust of wind blew through the yard and misted the entire right leg of my black yoga pants. It's a good thing our closest neighbors haven't been home all summer, or they would have witnessed the crazy pregnant neighbor cursing and flailing about the lawn. Also, I'm not getting rid of the yoga pants, so if you see me at the gym and wonder why I have paint on one leg...well, now you know. You're welcome.

 

So, project 'paint the lamp' was officially over for the night (before it really began), and project 'get your ass painting the hallway before the carpet is installed in less than 48 hours' began. Boy, I'm glad we went the no-VOC route so I could help the husband, but I'm not happy we went with this...

 

 

You guys, never again. I think the husband and I spent the first hour bitching and complaining at how awful this paint was. It was like working with liquid enamel, which as you can imagine was all sorts of fun (especially after working all day & coming home to paint all hours into the night). Once we got a handle on how to work with this paint (it wasn't easy) we spent what seemed like another hour debating about who was the better cutter-inner. I'll spare you the agony of having to guess...but it was me. I've taught myself how to cut in with a good brush (totally key!) and quality paint. But cutting in with this paint proved to be nothing less than a challenge...one that's totally doubled while 8 months pregnant. To add insult to injury, this paint required TWO coats (even with the already primed walls), and as I headed back to our local BM retailer to buy another gallon, I couldn't help but think....well, there goes $120 down the drain. I complained to an associate, to not much avail (as I type, I'm still waiting on a response from the folks at Benjamin Moore...we'll see how well that goes). So, lesson learned. I'm still a tried and true BM fan...I'll just never use the Natura line. Like, ever again.

 





Okay, so here you go...some crappy updated shots of the hallway (in it's current state)! It's so hard to take photos in a space this small, but I think you'll get the general jist.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The substituted carpet looks WAY better in person than it did on the sample board. So we're totally pleased with our second choice. We're also loving the color of the walls (see, something good did come out of the whole painting fiasco), and the white moldings totally brighten the space. And the plaster walls also look a heck of a lot smoother in these photos than they do in person...either that or my photography skills are totally lacking (that's probably more like it).

 

So this is the point in my story where you are all thinking, "great Katie...we can't wait to see the finished, finshed space when all your tweaking is done". Well folks, you would be wrong. After the carpet was installed, I headed back to work and found out I got a flat tire from a TACK the carpet guys carelessly didn't pick up in our driveway! Yep, this sort of thing only happens to me, I tell you. The good news is that my year-old tires were still under warranty, so the repair was 100% covered. And after 2 days of silly string-like primer, shitty-ass no-VOC paint, and complete and utter exhaustion...well, that's just about the best news I'd heard all week.

 

With the bulk of the hallway work under our belt, I've been able to dedicate a lot of time to the nursery. Which I'm excited to share updates! I'll be back next week with daily (we hope) updates to show you what I'm incorporating into the space. It's slowly coming together. Now, let's just hope baby doesn't get any funny ideas and come arriving any earlier than she should! 

 

 



At least some form of progress is being made...

...even if it's lacking a mattress...

 

 

But we're getting there. This is a start, right?

 

 

Someone who's not so happy with the changes? This one...

 

 

 

 

We have her temporarily set up in this chair, slowly adjusting her to life without the bed. Poor Tiggy...this cat has been through more changes than she probably cares to remember, yet she continues to roll with the punches. Well, minus that little peeing episode in the hallway. You know, the one that forced us to go into a full-fledged renovation in the first place.

 

Which, speaking of, tomorrow is the carpet install! Praise Jesus. There is an end in sight to this awful, ridiculous makeover! I'll be back soon to share some updated pictures & stories. Because believe me, after last night, we have stories.

 

 

I'll also be sharing pics and updates on the nursery, because with less than 9 weeks to go (give or take) I've been diligently working every night on elements to the room. I can't wait to incorporate them into the space!

Project Hallway (Part Duex) progress

This is a post about the.longest.project.in.house.history. For reals people. But we're getting there...slowly but surely.

door to our unit

 

 



the view from our unit door

 

 

 

the attic door & utility closet adjacent to our unit

 

 

 

heading downstairs to the lower unit

 

 

 

 

entry into the house

  

 

 

lower unit entryway

 

 

Props to the husband who's been working tirelessly on this project. Which is probably why it's taking so long, since 'el prego can't be in the space (with all the oil based primer he's been using). Plus, you know...we have lives and full time jobs and went on vacation...so toss all those things in there & that's a major reason this project is taking (what feels like) 18 years to complete. But again, we're getting there and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Which is easing my anxiety of getting this damn space complete before baby arrives... 

 

So let's do a little rundown of what's been going on here...

 

We've removed the wallpaper, sanded the walls, skim coated & sanded them AGAIN (in fact, the husband has also patched & sanded other sections of the walls after all of that nonsense...the joys of owning an old home!). The walls & formerly green trim and doors got a coat of primer and the ceiling was repainted. Currently, the doors and moldings are getting their second coat of paint (Dover White by Sherwin Williams, to match the rest of the trim in the house). I hit the panic button this week & called in my mom for this step. She's worked on painting the trim for the last 2 mornings (thanks mom!), since I wasn't so sure we'd have everything painted by the time the carpet gets installed next week.

 

Which speaking of the carpeting, we got a call this week informing us that the one we chose had been discontinued (cue sad music...but not really since this kind of carpet is just carpet). Needless to say, it was a bump in the road, but nothing major. I had the carpet guys pull some comparable samples for us, without a price increase (woo hoo!). We're just eh about the replacement. But in the case of this area, carpet is just carpet. I'll be happy to have anything installed in there at this point. Bye, bye ugly linoleum!

 



If nothing at all, we are totally pumped with how light and bright this space has become. Even if it's all primer and trim paint at this point. Aside from the green to white trim transformation, the utility closets are the other 'why didn't we paint these sooner?' element to the space. Naturally, I didn't take a before pic, but the inside of the closet will show you what we were working with....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With any luck, we'll have a wall color picked out soon and can start painting the walls this weekend! We're definitely thinking something beige-y and light. It's hard to believe we lived with such dark colors in this hallway for so long!

 

TGIF!

 

 

Back to the grind...

This should explain why the 'ol blog has been neglected for the better half of 2 weeks....

We're fresh back from vacation & already tackling 1,945 projects around the house (in addition to having a life, or at least trying). I'll be back soon to share some projects we're currently working on! With less than 10 weeks until baby's arrival, you bet your rear end we're in complete go-mode!