Deck Makeover

Hello!

Is it spring in your neck of the woods yet?  You see here in Kentucky it is spring one day and then winter the next.  Luckily today will be springy (!!) with snow expected tomorrow.  I know you are over it too!  

You see it needs to warm up soon so we can get outside and enjoy our soon to be completed deck!  For the last week a crew has been tearing up and replacing our deck.  The existing structure was only 7 years old but it was creaky, stained poorly, with boards popping everywhere.  Not only are we getting a new deck with a gate for M but we are making over under the deck so we will have a shady space to hang out this summer.

This was taken a week ago:

I'll be back with more pictures as we near completion!

Follow me on Instagram at:  emilyanninteriors

Easy Chandelier Update

Hello!

The sickness bomb went off in our house towards the end of January and it was nearly a month before we were on the mend.  Ugh.  I'm happy to say we are healthy and I'm praying spring is right around the corner because it certainly seems like it.  If it would quit snowing once a week after a 60 degree day I would be happy. ;)  

In an effort to complete an easy project and get some quick satisfaction I decided to tackle our brass chandelier.  When we moved in our home there were a lot of upgrades, which we LOVE.  However, there were a lot of things the previous owners went builder basic on and fixtures was one of them.  Throughout the house we have cheap brass fixtures and door handles mixed with cheap silver faucets.  Awesomeness.  And because there is ALWAYS something more important it will be a long time before these things get changed out.

Here is the lovely traditional (can I say 80's?) chandelier in our formal dining room.  Want to see the evolution of this room click here:

Armed with some Rub n Buff and my step ladder I went to work.  It took 2 coats and 2 days, which I didn't love as I was hoping for a quick project but all in all it was worth it.

Here is the after, which cost around $12 and was fairly easy to create:

Here a side by side Before and After:

I have to say that this wasn't the smartest project to learn about Rub n Buff on.  I really want to love it but it wasn't easy to work with like everyone says....I am ok with the chandelier and it is a whole lot better but it I don't think I will be doing any other light fixtures like I thought I might.

Am I the only one that doesn't love Rub n Buff or am I the only blogger alone in this thought?

Have a great weekend!

Valentine's Mantel

Hello!

I finally have something to post about so I'm back.  We have been battling the flu here first M and then Jacob.  Ugh, I'm sure hoping that I don't get it!  I got cabin fever this weekend and decided to redo the mantel.  I did something after Christmas and I never really loved it.  I haven't decorated for Valentine's Day since I was in elementary school but I thought it would be fun and bonus....I didn't spend a dime.  See, that craft closet does pay off! ;)

I made the burlap bunting and tissue paper tassels, the baby food jar candles were leftovers from M's first birthday, the Love print I won from a blog giveaway and never found a place for, the birdie I had and the large frame I bought for $6 at a thrift store a few weeks ago and the intended project fell through.

The bunting is just burlap with tissue paper hearts modge-podged on.  I made the tassels following these instructions and both only took around 30 minutes.

The heart chain is a pinterest find, which is so basic it's silly.  So there you have it!  My free festive Valentine's Day mantel.

Do you decorate for small holidays?

Grandma's Recipes

Hello!

I hope you all are well because it has been awhile!  We have been busy as usual but are happy to be getting back into our normal routine.  M and I have been hitting the gym in the mornings and I have been trying to squeeze in at least one item from my (never-ending) to do list each afternoon while she naps.  This past weekend Jacob and I purged our closet and master bedroom, which felt great!  

I'm here to share one item that has been on my list for forever and I'm so happy I took 10 minutes to do it and mark it off the list!  I saw the idea on Pinterest originally to frame your Grandma's recipe cards and since both of my Grandmas have passed I definitely knew this is something I wanted to do.  I'm still working on Jacob's Grandmas who are still living but not in the best of health.  I hope to one day have all 4 hanging but for now it is just 2.

Here is where they are located in the kitchen.....near the coffee pot....a gathering place in our kitchen!

Grandma Snyder's recipe for Beef Stroganoff

Grandma Richardson's recipe for French Chocolate Pie

This one is very special, you can see my name on it because I made this pie years and years ago (I found it in a magazine) and I have been dying to make it the last 5 or more years but didn't have the recipe and then I found this while cleaning out her house.  I love it.  I'll make it and share it if it is as delicious as I remember!

I used this website to download canvas images on paper to matte the recipe cards.  There are several to choose from and it's free!

I love looking at their handwriting.....the recipes don't really matter :)

Why hello there plate wall!  Here is another one of my favorite spots in the kitchen

I think I have FINALLY settled on curtains for the master bedroom.  I'll be back soon with pictures!

Quick Mantel Update

Hi all!  

Happy New Year!  I took an unintentional few weeks off when the Holidays arrived but I'm back!  We had a great Christmas with family and friends and a wonderful New Year celebration with friends from out of town.  Like several blogs I read today I feel refreshed in the new year and can't wait to get to work on several home projects.  

Jacob helped me take down all the Christmas decor yesterday and while the house always feels bare after it's all put away I also love the clutter free feel!  I need to work on our mantel and the first step was adding some height.  In typical fashion I shopped the house and back yard and this is what I came up with.  I'm still tweaking it and I need to figure out what I want to do to anchor it a bit.

I needed something to hold the sticks in place and found a toilet paper roll was perfect!  Winning!

Once I add to it and get it the way I want I'll be back with pictures!

Have a great day!

Before and After Feature

After a long sad weekend with the news of Sandy Hook I wanted to feature a great before and after.  Are you like me that you love a great before and after?  I love looking at the before pics and trying to imagine what they do for the afters before I look at them!

Design Indulgence did a great makeover of a master bedroom and when I ran across it on Pinterest I had to share:

Before:

And the amazing After:

If you have been around long you know I'm a sucker for neutrals, especially in bedroom spaces so this is right up my alley.  The things I love are that they painted the nightstands and reused things like the mirror, as well as covering up the holes above the fireplace.

Click here for more photos!


My prayers go out to those in Newtown, CT.  May God comfort you in your time of need.

Our Christmas Tree

Hi all!

We got our tree this last weekend and Jacob and I both agree it is the best tree we have ever had.  It is tall and thin and the perfect shape for the corner we put it in!  Unlike most bloggers we decorate our tree the same each year: white and multi-color lights, beaded garland, and all of our sentimental ornaments.

We put the unbreakable ornaments at the bottom and M has been doing great with it!

Have a great day!