Monday, December 19, 2016

What's Going On Around Here

The holidays are always a busy time of the year, for sure.

But when you take on major renovations at the holiday season, well....you're just nuts!
 
So, I guess I'm nuts.

Because this is happening right now.
 
 
Yup, my lower level is a complete and total mess. And it's making me a little crazy, not gonna lie.
 
 
Once upon a time the lower level family room looked like this.
 
 
Nice, right? Of course, my daughters are complete and total slobs and don't keep it like this....despite the fact that I beg and plead.
 
The reason it's turned upside down right now is because the entire lower level is getting a new floor.
 
I had the carpet cleaners come in a few months back to give the lower level a good refresh, since we've been in the house for over a year now....and they reported that there was a moisture issue under the rug. Adding more moisture in the form of carpet shampooing was not advisable.

Really, the floor had to be replaced.
 
Sigh.
 
So, after much research, I decided on the newest Pergo floor - Pergo Outlast.
 
I selected this particular floor because of the dogs. Although I put down pee pads for them when we are at work (just in case my old girl has an accident) I worried that she may 'miss' and leave a puddle on my new floor and destroy it.
 
Not to mention when she drinks her water she leaves a trail all through the room. Don't ask me how.
 
Unfortunately this product was ONLY available through Home Depot. I can't even tell you how many screw ups they made, trying to get delivery of the flooring in time for my contractor to begin installation. What a nightmare.
 
I chose Auburn Scraped Oak as the color, as I prefer something rustic and 'country' over anything more modern.
 
 
The project is getting done in stages, with the first room that was tackled being my daughter's.

Because that's where the puppies spend their days when we're not at home - it had to be done promptly so they could get back into their little routine.
 
The furniture that was shoved into the family room was all from my daughter's room and is now back in place.
 
The family room is done, and all the furniture from the laundry room and my other daughter's space is now shoved into the family room.
 
 
This is the area they are tackling now. The tiles needed to be smashed and chipped away - what a job. The carpet will be ripped up, the floor leveled and any issues addressed. Then a strong plastic underlayment goes down as a vapor/moisture barrier, and floor installation is next.
 
It's a huge project and had I known that it needed to be done I would have had it tackled before we moved in.
 
Meanwhile, back upstairs I made one small update that makes me super happy.
 
Sometimes it really is just the little things that can make such a big difference.
 
 
You remember that I've mentioned about a billion times how much I love my dining room?
 
Well, there was something in there that bugged the heck out of me.
 
Can you see it? No?
 
Ok, I'll tell you. The seams on the lampshades were separating and it was making me nuts.
 
Every time I stood at the counter in the kitchen, preparing dinner, I would see those seams and get irritated.
 
Yes, I could have glued them back down. No doubt. But I really had my heart set on something else.
 
 
I really wanted some warm wicker or rattan shades, rather than the cheap paper shades that were on there.
 
I found these on Amazon (I love Amazon - you can find everything there!!  Well, except for the Pergo Outlast flooring - sigh!)
 
I seriously can't stop staring at them. They update the light fixture so nicely and add such a warm glow.
 
The drum shape of the new shades also goes with the drum shades on many of my other lamps, including the hanging fixture over the kitchen sink.
 
And they just make me happy.
 
At the end of the day, it's the little things in our homes that add up into a space that makes us smile.
 
Our perfect little haven.

36 comments:

  1. Lovely lighting! Oh, you have to be crazy like me. Undertaking things so daunting. But then, I imagine you had to work with the dates contractors gave to you. And so it goes.
    Brenda

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    1. That's it, Brenda - between Home Depot's ridiculous screw ups and the dates my contractor had open, this was the best I could do!

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  2. Oh, my, that is a lot of upheaval this week before Christmas! Amazing how something so simple as new shades can totally transform an ordinary light fixture into something special! Good choice!! I felt the same when I changed out the drawer pulls in the kitchen, such a little thing can make a huge difference.

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    1. That's so funny, Carole, the very first thing I bought for my new home - the day my offer was accepted - was a box of new drawer pulls for the kitchen! They were on clearance at Pottery Barn and I fell in love instantly! They still make me smile when the light hits them and makes them glow!

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  3. Oh! What a mess- but at least it is downstairs and not your main living area! Just think- you will start the new year with a whole "new" room down there. Looks good. I am sorry you have had so many problems with Home Depot. We have had similar problems with Lowe's! Guess there is no perfect "get it right the first time" lumber/hardware store..or whatever they call them. xo Diana

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    1. Definitely not, Diana, although I prefer to work with Lowe's over Home Depot any day of the week!!

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  4. And I thought painting a room right before Christmas was a big deal! Wow! I do love the flooring you chose and it's going to look so nice when all is said and done. Your chandelier looks brand new now that you've changed out the lampshades. Sometimes it is the little things that make the most impact. Enjoy!

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    1. The new shades totally brought the light fixture into a more modern mode, Vickie!

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  5. Love the new floor color and those lampshades! Those new shades made such an impact! Don't you just love it when little things change the look of a room??!! Can't wait to see the rest! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Love and hugs!

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    1. I can't wait to show you the rest because that will mean it's all done and the mess cleaned up, Benita!! :)

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  6. Once the floor project is done, it will be fabulous, and hopefully, you won't remember the pain of going through it! My entire house was upside down when we painted just three rooms, but now that it's done.....aaaahhh! The new lamp shades really transformed your dining room - love the way they look! Wishing you a very happy holiday!

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    1. I lived through months and months of construction when I first bought the house, Amy, so I didn't have plans to do anything else for a long time! Oh well, it is what it is and I'll be very glad when it's done!

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  7. One must weather the storm with house projects. Mess before beauty. ha ha
    Great lampshades.
    Merry Christmas.

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    1. So true, Sheila! It will be great when it's done and I can cross yet another improvement off my list!

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  8. Wow, such a huge project at a difficult time of year! It will look so wonderful once you finish it though :) And your new lamp shades are beautiful, love them :) Really add to the character of the room!

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    1. Thanks - I think so also!! They play off the sisal rug nicely, tying the two together!

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  9. I really love a wood floor. So much easier to take care of and it just looks cleaner to me. Here's to hoping they finish the job early!

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    1. They should be done tomorrow, Daisy, just in time for us to put the lower level back in order before company arrives!

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  10. I love swapping out lampshades...makes a big difference, doesn't it? Good luck with the floors. You'll be happy when it's all done!

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    1. I sure will, Kim! And my girls BETTER keep it tidy down there or I'm kicking their butts out in the snow!! :)

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  11. Your new floor will be very nice. I love the new shades ...they just seem warmer. I am hoping all this is done in time for Christmas. As I type this I see work trucks at my neighbors...she got a new shower, I hope it isn't messed up. We keep an eye on each other's homes...that's part of being a good neighbor...in the country for sure. She calls us when she's away for over night .:) Blessings, xoxo, Susie

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    1. That's so sweet, Susie - I admit I don't know much of my neighbor, and don't see her much except from a distance. Or when her horses get out and come over to eat my grass!

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  12. Those shades make a huge difference in the look of your dining room! I gotta say, you are one brave lady to be dealing with the floor installation during this busy time of year! From the looks of things though, it was worth it, they are gorgeous!

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    1. I would have preferred to have it done long before now, but it wasn't possible, unfortunately, Karen. It's ok, it will be done and put back together before the big day, when my family arrives!

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  13. Good luck on the reno and I love those shades.

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    1. Thanks, Deb! Can't wait until it's done and the mess cleaned up!!

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  14. Ugh! Moving, and going nowhere. That's the worst, and I am somewhat dreading the new year, as we are planning some updates in our kitchen and possible overhaul in our master bath. I have been wanting new carpet for years, and 2017 may be the year...if I can stand the rest of it all. We need to either get our windows resealed and or replaced too.....never fun when you have to give up your free time, privacy, and money.
    With rant now over, I can say I love your floors. We have dark wood and I wouldn't have any other (and I have, in the past).

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    1. Rita, it sounds like you have a lot of plans for your home in 2017 - it's tough living through a renovation but it's sure nice when it's all done!

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  15. I am definitely feeling your pain! We've been through similar stuff when our basement flooded and at the time, we had carpet. What a nightmare. And I'll be going through the same house-in-total-chaos mess starting Jan 16th when we're having work done in the living room and kitchen. I'm going to have to pack up literally every decoration and everything off the walls, and somehow find a place to put the furniture. Guess the couch and huge buffet will just have to sit in the middle of the LR - nowhere else to move it.

    Love your new lampshades!

    Have never had a problem with Home Depot - we've gotten all our Bruce hardwood flooring from them. Go figure!

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    1. Oh boy, sounds like you've got some big plans in the works, Melanie! At least it's after the holidays - that's helpful!

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  16. I zoomed in to see the new lampshades up close--love them!

    I'm so sorry you were sort of forced into doing this project now but it will be wonderful when it's finished.

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    1. So true, Dewena! I think the guys will be done today or tomorrow - can't wait!

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  17. Beautiful home. I understand about the kids but my issue seems to be me lately! Always something going on in the house that has to be done or you want to do. Good luck with the floors.

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    1. Thanks so much, Pam - and if my girls don't start keeping things tidy around here I'm going to toss the two of them out in the snow on their butts!! :)

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  18. Everything will be beautiful with the new floors...nice choice. Love the new lampshades. Sometimes a small thing can make a big difference. I would probably have a hard time living with either of my girls now. Both tend to be messy and the older I get, the more I want order. Enjoy your holiday. xoxo

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  19. The folks at Home Depot have to adhere to very rigorous standards in order to be hired. They're subjected to an IQ assessment and if they come in under 80, they're in like Flynn ;)

    XXX

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