Saturday, August 28, 2010

Family Room-Part 2 ::Giveaway reminder..

 In case ya'll are wondering why I am showing you my family room-" in parts"- its because I am so slow going with it that its possible I could be putting up Christmas decor before I get all the way around it, lol..

 2 weeks ago I posted about the new cornice I built and the new light plaid draperies I choose..
 Thank you all again for such kind comments about that-- I really appreciate it.
Just in case you didn't see it-- here's the before and after of the patio door:: which is 2 inches off the opposite wall lol.. oui
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I'm linking up to Chari;s SUNDAY FAVORITES-- please go visit her and all her lovely posters here::
http://happytodesign.blogspot.com/

AND

Linking to Between Naps on the Porch  with Susan for Metamorphosis Monday **********************************
 I wanted to give you some background information about this room- which technically was never really meant to be one, that folks could function in.  It was framed and had a roof on it but there was no insulation in the walls- whoever built it stuck "storm windows" in and didnt even bother to caulk them and there was the cheapest thinnest faux wood  paneling they could find on the walls.  Suffice it to say, it was a real mess and none of this was obvious just by looking at it on a dry sunshiny day.. When it rained-- just a few days after I moved in- the window sills sat in water and the rest of it poured onto the floor, which was carpeted with that thin--no pad-- indoor outdoor stuff...   I used to have before photos but they are long gone.. Just try to visualize a room that completely flooded everytime it rained and had it not been for the glass patio door that led into the house- the water would have been in there too..     Lots of crying and wringing of the hands happened as well as some major cursing, ranting, raving - followed by more crying.   I had spent all my money buying the home for myself , my 2 children and 2 pets, as getting us into a safe, secure home in a decent neighborhood was my priority,,  so funds were extremely limited right at that time..  It took a few months of working 16 hour days and saving ever extra penny to get enough together to try to fix the room and make it livable and even then I only had enough for the materials and knew I'd have to do the labor myself-- with a little help from my teens.. I ripped out the windows - pulled up the carpet and had to throw all the furniture I'd stored out there away, as it was now molded..
  I reframed according to code,  insulated and put in a couple of triple pane windows-- a new entry and storm door and called it a weekend well done.  Each night after work I'd put up a few 4x8 pieces of sheet rock and by the next weekend it was ready to tape and bed..  Let dry a couple days and do it again, then the sanding and cleaning began. It took 3 weeks to complete this task and paint it from ceiling to new baseboards:)  The only thing I DIDNT do was lay the new pad and carpet myself.. I was tired and cranky but happy and proud at the same time...
  I think I forgot to mention that it was during this time that I came to realize just what a wonderful neighborhood I had moved into because these folks brought food-- took my kids to the movies-- came with their trucks and helped me get all the mess up and too the dump..  They offered to come in and help but I didn't accept as this was a project I wanted to do myself.  I knew I would be staying here and each time I looked at this room, I wanted to KNOW I'd done it myself.   Hard to explain to people but I just HAD to do it MYSELF.. and I did..
As most of you know each home has its own issues..  The way this room had been originally built had 1 issue I couldn't  overcome-- a large pipe running up the wall and through the attic AND the fact that this window HAD to be put 1 1/2 inches off the brick wall.. It would take too much to explain all the whys but it had to be done this way and has presented a visual problem for me ever since..
I decided to tackle this window before moving on to the easier ones and the entry door.. Is it perfect,, maybe not but trust me here, its the best solution to my problem.:)  The drapery panel you see hanging on the left side covers up that pipe and the fact that the window sits right on the wall made 2 panels too much . I love the light and seeing out so this is how it HAD to be.. It might not suit everyone but I love it..
 That black storage ottoman will be wearing a new dress made of beige and white toile the next time you see her .. I could have bought a beige one for 129.00 but NOOO- I got this one for 15.00 and I can make her dress myself for 10.00 and have her just as I wanted her..In the upper left corner of the photo you can see cornice no. 2:)  I had some extra wood out in the building so , why not make another....
Yep-- right behind that panel is where the garish pipe and blue internet cable is hiding but shhhhhhhhh, dont tell anybody , k?  lol
Wider shot to show how it looks with the new patio cornice..
deep sigh of relief and satisfaction:)
Now the rest should be pretty easy.. 2 window and 1 entry door treatment,, a couple of ottoman covers and some pillows and I can call her DONE...
  Thanks for looking and reading about what it took to get this to be a REAL ROOM.. I have to admit, I'm kinda proud of myself at this point...
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If you already became a Follower or left a Comment on the Original Post ~ no need to do so again as I will only count each person  1 time...
  Winner will be announced Sept 3rd..
http://155dreamlane.blogspot.com/2010/08/roosters-on-parade-rooster-giveaway.html
hugs and happy saturday..~!!
Sonny

22 comments :

  1. Sonny it all looks beautiful!! I would love a cornice! You did a great job!

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  2. Wow...I love your room. You have done an AMAZING job.

    I am a new follower. Found you through another blog. I don't have a decorating blog myself, but love reading all the blogs I am discovering. So much creativity and I'm getting LOTS of ideas.

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  3. HI Sonny! OH, your room looks so wonderful! Love your style! I have to tell you, I feel in love with your idea of using that little box your found in the kitchen for your little small things. I went to a sale this morning and found a little box and I'm going to use it like you!! Thanks for the inspiration! I'm such a copy cat! ;)
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. Sonny, I love it that you shared the story, not just the end result. Your room, and your tenacity, is a testament to your strength and will. You are amazing.

    Love the window, the fabric "fix" is perfect, and all the special touches in the room. Can't wait to see how you bring the ottoman to life.

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  5. Everything is coming together nicely! My first thought when I saw the little window was "hey, I like the curtains like that!". Have fun:@)

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  6. Sonny, it all looks great. Love the drapes and good job on the cornices. Love your vignette on the table.

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  7. It's all beautiful and makes me want to get my home done.....yikes, so much to do, Char

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  8. You are amazing and you should be very proud of yourself!!

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  9. hey sonny! wow once again your talents are just amazing! such stamina and drive and boy do you get the job done! and most beautiful outcome as well. i do so love the colors of the wt's you've chosen and it really blends nicely with your walls! again, the cornices are such a great finishing touch.

    hey, wanna tackle my house! i make some really good cupcakes.

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  10. I just re-read this and can't imagine why it WOULDN't suit everyone. (The one panel and valance.) I think it's genius.

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  11. Hi Sonny!!~ Rats you know your blog still does not come up on my roll, I have others like that too! I love your family room. The cornices are so pretty and make a difference with the curtains, which I love. You sure worked hard but your persistence paid off.

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  12. WAY TO GO Sonny...we are women hear us roar...Girl this is just beautiful my friend...what an awesome job you did on this room...I also did all the siding on my tower outside when my hubs died..I could't afford to hire someone and it had to be done before winter and snow set in...so I knwo how proud you must feel girl..My tower is 3 stories high and everyone said I could't do it myself...Oh well I sure loved proving them wrong and not one leak in over 10 years now...Hope your having a GREAT Sunday my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  13. Darling room! Love the table by the window!

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  14. I am so glad I saw you at BNOTP. I am very very impressed with your abilities and determination. You remind me of my mother and all the things she could do. Your room and windows are fabulous.

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  15. You've done a terrific job - pat yourself on the back for me! I love your determination. Will watch for more progress in the future.

    Atticmag has started a new Link party each Friday called Giveaway Friday!, a convenient place for bloggers to come post about their giveaway(s) each week.

    It's simple; after you put a link up to your giveaway, link back to Atticmag/Giveaway Friday on your blog. I hope you'll join us and add your giveaway!

    We're kicking it off with a giveaway of our own - kitchen back splash material. So if you haven't already left a comment to win, drop by!

    Swinging by from BNOTP,
    Allison
    Atticmag

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  16. WOW! What a a great job. I loved your story. You have true grit. You can just do anything!

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  17. I've been a follower for quitew WHILE. i LURK AND JUST SOAK UP ALL YOUR BEautiful pics more than anything! I can'r gwt to your blog from my dashboard anymore since your name change, but I saved you in my favorites and can get here that way.

    Your changes to your family room are wonderful, but then I'd be happy if my famiy room looked liie your before pics!

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  18. Great Job!!! Congratualtions. I found you through BNOTP..so glad I did!

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  19. Hello sweet lady...

    Ohhh my...I'm sooo glad that you reposted this, my friend! I didn't realize that you had bought this home and have done all the work...YOURSELF!!! I just stand in awe, Sonny! What a creative and talented lady you are...and determined...which I consider a wonderful attribute!!! I loved reading the history of your home and all that you have done...it is soooo beautiful!!! You have done a spectacular job, my friend! And...by the way, I think you found the perfect solution for the window close to the brick wall...I love how you used the one drapery panel...perfect!!! And...how creative...to hide that pipe behind the drapery panel! Sometimes we just have to make a way...don't we? Hehe! Thank you so much for sharing this post with us...your home is truly beautiful and even more special...now that I know that you have done all the work yourself!!! What a sence of achievement and pride you must feel! AWESOME!!!

    I have really been enjoying your family room reveal!!! Keep up the good work, sweet lady!!!

    Have a fabulous week!
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  20. Wow, Sonny, I'm so impressed! I had no idea you had such construction talent going on! Good for you for doing it yourself. Sometimes it's those quirky rooms that we love the most.

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  21. Wow! You should be very proud of all your hard work and perseverance! It certainly was worth it! I am sure knowing you did so much of it all on your own is quite rewarding too. Your room looks beautiful!

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  22. Sonny, I think the way you so creatively covered your pipe and cable is darling!! Love the fabric. You're amazing to do all of the work yourself. It looks beautiful. Thanks for visiting my blog. Take care! Love, Joy

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Hugs and Smiles
Sonny