Thursday, May 14, 2009

Project Procrastinators...

I have been working so hard around the house lately, trying to make a little headway on some of my ongoing projects. I hoped to have these things completed by today for the Project Procrastinator's deadline of May 14th, but alas I am realizing I bit off more than I could chew at one time. So, here are the 2 major projects that I have completed and the progress on the third.

I will start with my front porch. Here is the before:



And here is the after:

I got my rockers for free, but had to refinish them. I decided to paint them with the dark green paint I had left from the shutters and door because it was FREE!
They were a lot more work than I bargained for because of all the sanding and prep work I had to do, but I love them now.

I made the wreath last year, but still like it so am using it again. I put "welcome" on the door in vinyl letters.




I got the finial between the chairs on sale at Wal-Mart. I have been watching it like a hawk and they finally cut the price to $25. It was worth it to me. My plant by the door is one of my favorite purchases, EVER! I have loved this plant from afar for years, but could not bring myself to pay over $300 for it. When it went 75% off I snatched it up. I still have to paint my wreath hanger silver and replace the kickplate at the bottom of the glass door. I would also like to find something to hang over the rockers, suggestions?
Moving on, if you remember last month I fixed up this little patio area on the back of the house.
To the right of it is this lovely area...
This is not the true "before" picture because I did not think to take a picture of how bad it really was when we bought the house. Just imagine a warped blue counter falling off of the wall. My father in law took that hot mess down and put up some plywood, and most recently some cement board so I could tile on it. This is the mid-way picture.

As you can see I still have to add trim and do some touchup painting. I have to figure out what I am gonna do above it as well. I haven't decided yet, but the wheels are turning. I'll keep you posted.
This was my first real tiling project, and I ended up getting help, but I did the entire center by myself. I also did the flowers under it. I just planted sweet potato vines because they do so well here. Now if I can just get some grass to grow there I will be in business!
Another big project I'm working on is my laundry room. (Mom, close your eyes. This picture will probably embarress you.) Here it is last week:
As I have mentioned before I am NOT a fan of laundry. The washing isn't so bad. It's the putting away that gets me. It piles up so quickly. Anywho, this is the ONLY way to arrange my washer and dryer. The washer is a frontloader and the water heater prevents the door from opening if it is not angled. With the cabinets and shelves as they are, stacking the washer and dryer is not an option. So, the solution I came up with is to have a shelf/table over the washer and dryer so things didn't get lost behind it anymore. Lon's grandpa did this for me and he also made me a hanging rod.
I am on a shoestring budget, so we used cheap plywood for the top. I had to caulk and fill all the cracks.
And here it is all finished. Now I just have to beautify it. I am gonna make a curtain to hide my detergent and I am not sure what else I am gonna do, but I love how much more functional it is.
Last but not least, I have been in clean out boot camp for the past week, and my suffering is not even half over. My mother in law has been coming over daily and helping me sort and throw out. I asked Sandy to help me because she is one of those people that amazes me by her lack of attachment to stuff. She gets rid of stuff ALL. THE. TIME. She is also not the type to tell you what you want to hear. She tells you like it is. Period. We have not even been in our house a year and I feel like we are busting at the seams. I always have grand plans for how I am gonna re-do or makeover something(one of the downsides of being creative), so I hold on to way too much junk. Not with Sandy around. By this weekend my entire house will have had a clean sweep. I will be posting on our progress the rest of the week.
Now go over to The Inspired Room and see all of the other fabulous projects people have completed over the past 2 weeks!

23 comments:

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Oh Mandi! Such transformations! I'm like in awe reading all that you have been up to. Is that a sink outside that I see? I would die for a sink outdoors. You did such a fantastic job on everything. You should be so proud!

Amber said...

You did take on a lot. My favorite is the front porch. Love love love the chairs and finial. My project needs a little more work but I really thought it would be done and the upholstery would have been neater.

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

Your front porch...night and day! It looks amazing.

~Amanda

Nicole A. said...

WOW, you have been busy! I am so ashamed at myself for not accomplishing more! You did Awesome, your porch and laundry room look wonderful! And the tile counter you did outside is Magnificent! Seriously you did a wonderful job! Will you please send your MIL over to my house when you are done, lol...

Chubby Chieque said...

U seems so busy like me when doing house projects §:-))

Talking about your laundry? Can I just suggest a thing?

U said, you'll going to sew a curtain to cover your shelve for your detergents? NO! I suggest you to buy decorative big bottles or jugs and transfer detergents and softener. Some nice vases in the top shelf would be great, just for a candy on your eyes.

I do love big, small glasses specially with a nice forms.

Try this first b4 the curtains.

somecallmechristy said...

You did so good on the tile!! I am proud of you!

Anonymous said...

that outdoor sink brings back lots of childhood memories growing up in the deep south....everybody had a scaling table because we all had fish frys every weekend....the men would stand outside and scale their catch of the day!!! great job ....you make me want to buy an older home and fix it up...the old homes have all the character...can't wait to see the next project. pb

Sharon said...

Wow! You are puttin' everyone to shame with all the different projects! Amazingly well done!!

june@craftyniche said...

Great job on your projects! I love your rocking chairs! Your laundry room is going to look cute when you are done!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Wow! You have been a busy beaver. Great projects. I love, love, love the rocking chairs & Wal-Mart finial on your front porch. Oh and the other plant on the front porch as well. Your other projects look great as well. But I love your front porch the best. But then the other porch area is charming as well. Urgh! I can't make up my mind!!

BlueCastle said...

You've been busy! That finial is the exact same one I've been watching at my Wal-mart. I'll have to go see if it's gone down like yours did. I just love it. Your porch looks wonderful and you did a great job tiling. Way to go. :)

Hottest & cutest said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the front porch- all are amazing and beutiful - but I LOVE the front porch *did I already mention that! Great work- now I guess I have some of my own work to do!!

Made In The South said...

WoW you got alot done,I need to get off this computer and work on some unfinished projects.

The Hat Chick said...

How awesome! I think the tile project is my favorite. Can't wait to see what you do with it. The front porch is fantastic too.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

I can't get over what a difference those little touches to your front porch made! Wow, GREAT JOB!!

Love it all!

Glad you joined in the party!

Imelda@Inspired Simplicity said...

wow you did a lot of projects. and they are all fab. I love your bargain finds and turning the free chairs to something stunning using free stuff! great job!

thanks for the comment on mine.

Mrs. Jones said...

I need your MIL to visit my house! Great idea in the laundry room. I'm going to ask Mr. Jones to do that for me.

~Heather

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

You have been busy! I love how the door looks now. It is so welcoming. I can't believe you got those rockers for FREE! Fantastic!
Carrie

The Smith Family said...

You are one busy lady...WOW! I love the front porch. I think it looks so inviting and pretty. You are one amazing ladie, that's for sure! Have a great week :)

Melissa said...

Can I come sit for awhile on your porch? I love everything you have done and the colors you've used. Great ideas for your laundry room as well!

Stacie said...

I love it all--my husband will probably not love it as much 'cause now he is going to have to build me one of those shelves over my awkwardly placed washer and dryer! He would love the rockers that were FREE--he says that Free is the new F-bomb!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Wow I love that tiled area with the sink!! That's AWESOME!

Monica said...

Love all your makeovers!I'm now a follower!

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