Mini Entry Makeover.

The stripes on the wall in the front entry was a project that was finished in the dead of winter. The little room always seemed to be bright and fresh, reminding me of sunnier days.

Over the weekend, I decided that that little room need some personality. It's not a very big space but I made two small changes. First by hanging a round white mirror on the wall. Remember that mirror? Great check yourself out on the way out and offers a pretty reflection of outside depending on how to look into it

Then for some fresh spring color. I added too pillows to the little bench. There is still I tiny but of room to sit your bum down and put your shoes on! We usually go out the back door so in this case I could make pretty win over functionality:)

Almost forgot. Last time I shot this room, I had to strategically leave out the beautiful light bulb hanging from the ceiling. This time, I can include the little light! We needed something that wouldn't interfere with the door opening. I picked this one up at an antique store for 5 bucks and Steph installed it. I love a good deal!

It took me literally less than 5 minutes to shop around my home and style that little room up. If only the rest of them were so easy!


Linking up to Serenity Now.

Entry Makeover Reveal.

I mentioned a while back that I was doing an entry makeover . I finished it before Christmas but finally got a chance to photograph it today. I can't believe I didn't do this long ago. What was there before did not suit the style of my home at all. Now it seems to flow with the rest of the space!

Here it was before!

Peeling off that wallpaper!

Next we added a shelf of sorts using some leftover scraps of wood and trim.

Once the wallpaper was off, I primed the walls and gave them a coat of white paint. 

Then, I taped off some stripes. My brain is not wired for those kinds of calculations so I was a tad frustrated! (If you've done this before, you can relate.) I know they look wonky and unevenly spaced but that's how you do it!

On goes the paint! Two coats. 

I had intended go for a very subtle soft blue-grey. The contrast ended up being a bit more than I wanted  but all in all, I am happy with the result! 

I think the biggest change was the decision to paint the door white. After one coat, I knew it was the right decision. It had really been sticking out like a sore thumb.

We added some hooks that my dad gave me. They were from and old piece and were old and rusted. Steph freshened them up with some black spray paint. The wainscoting was already there. It was my first project with a miter saw, a while back! We picked up the piano bench at a thrift store. Perfect for storing hats and mitts and to sit when putting boots on.

I would still like to add some sort of shade on the window, a bench seat or even a soft patterned pillow and, of course, a mirror. Gotta check yourself out before heading out the door!

What do you think of the freshened up little space?

Outdoor Pots + Weekend Tidbits.

I can't believe it's December and the weather is so mild! Sure doesn't feel like Christmas just yet. But guess what? We got our Christmas tree yesterday!

I know it's a bit early for a real one but I just couldn't resist. Nothing like the smell of a Christmas tree to fill your home with holiday spirit. I hope to get the lights on tonight then start decorating it!

Beaufort and I spent the afternoon on Saturday in the woods gathering branches and boughs for my outdoor planters. I think I enjoyed it much more than him. He wasn't a fan of the cool air and muddy paths. Such a wimp:) Here is a peek at what I came up with.

At night.

I used birch branches in the center for some height (I cheated on this one and bought it at Walmart, then cut it into 3 pieces). I stuffed it with spruce and pine boughs and lots of red sticks. My neighbor was kind enough bring me some bright red, albeit thorny *ouch*, berries, after he saw me eyeing up the ones he had gathered in the woods. A few white lights and voila!

I also worked on my front entry makeover. It's all painted and ready for a little wall treatment that I have planned and some hooks. Yay for more coat storage! Did I mention that my house has no coat closet? The joys of living in an old home!

Stephane has been busy in the living room with a project I've been wanting for a long time. I cannot wait to share it with you. And you'll never guess what his mom has been up to! It's a project I started but realizing the enormity of it, she took it over. It's almost done and it's amazing. You might think we are a little nuts but I'm crazy in love with it!

Hopefully I will be sharing these projects sooner rather than later. Have a great week!