Before and After- Stairs and open area upstairs

Before

This was what it looked like walking up my stairs. I hated having three colors meeting. We don't have any windows going up the stairs so it felt too small and dark. So I took down the chair rail, that was a pain to put up there!, and I painted the bottom white and the top a light cream color.

After

It looks too yellow! But I painted for 8 hrs straight! I had to primer first. So I really didn't notice till the next day! And James will kill me if I tell him that I don't like it and want to buy more paint! I have the hardest time finding a good cream color. One that is just brown and white mixed. Everything has red base or yellow and I'm never happy! If you read this honey, I LOVE YOU!:)

I'm really happy with the chair rail and my "fake" wainscoting. I still have to finish the stairs but I wanted you to see the progress.

Dresser-Before and After

Before. 1970's dresser

Because I was so excited to get started on this project I forgot to take a before picture. But you know this type of dresser. Off-white with gold trim and you can see in the picture the gold hardware that came on it. I think most people had a piece of furniture in their house that looked like this when they were growing up.

During

I just used primer on this piece. And then put a pretty brown glaze on top. This was my first time experimenting with glaze. I love it!

After

Here is a close-up of what the glaze looks like. It gives it that old world charm. Bye Bye 1970's Gold! I spray painted the hardware ORB, my fav!

So what do you think?

Gabriel's Bathroom

Before

Before

After

After

I really wanted to frame Gabriel's bathroom mirror because I think the mirrors that come with new homes are kinda boring. I just wanted a little character. I thought....that shouldn't be too hard! Well, there was a problem. The medicine cabinet was so close to the mirror that if I put molding around it I couldn't open the cabinet. I didn't love the cabinet anyway so I just removed it, which left a hole in the wall. Option one, close it up or Option two, make a shelf and add some molding around it. I love it! Now I have a cute built in shelf and molding around my mirror! What do you think? Do you like it?

I'm still putting finishing touches, as you can see that it still needs. Also, do you see the hallway changes in the background. That's another project I have started! More to come on that!

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Before After
I saw this on the Decor Chick's blog. The soap dispenser in my kitchen was leaking all the time and this was a really cheap alternative. The jar was only 2 dollars and I used the pump from an old soap bottle. I love it and it adds some character to the kitchen sink.

Our New Baby

This is Bolt. We actually found him at a yard sale! He is a Malte-poo. And we love him! Gabriel is so cute with him. They chase each other around and it's adorable! We only had him for a few days and he ran under my sister's feet and she stepped on him. Totally an accident! But we took him to the vet and he has a broken leg! He was down for a couple of days but he is back to running around, just on 3 legs! We have to keep him confined to his kennel most of the time, and he HATES it.

Here is the picture of the headboard in my room, as promised. I'm still working on the bedroom but I love my bed! The antique windows were a Mother's Day present from my awesome mom!

Before and After- for Brandy

I refinished this for my sister. Now looking at it I should have antiqued it, but she already took it home. I'll post another picture when I do that.