{ makeover monday: diy love }

I'm all about DIY makeovers these days. Frankly, it's the only type of makeover that currently fits the budget and I find it oh-so rewarding to tackle and complete a project on my own, which is why I was instantly smitten with Kasey's recent DIY project. Her approach to this piece was so fun & clever, I couldn't resist sharing it with you on Makeover Monday.

The original piece was given to her by a friend. It was not painted and the two side doors were in poor condition. Kasey started by repainting the piece in a swedish gray. 

 

She then replaced the knobs with some from her shop and found two colorful kitchen towels from Anthropologie, which she used to create no-sew curtains that replaced the two worn doors--such a clever and creative girl!

The result? Wow!

Full details and more photos of the makeover are available on Kasey's lovely blog, Lola B's.

Did you all have a lovely first weekend of Spring? Hope so! 

P.S. Last week's giveaway winner will be announced later this afternoon.

{ makeover monday: kitchen storage envy }

I inherited our kitchen design from the previous home owners. Aesthetically, it's decent. The storage options, however, are deplorable. Each time I retrieve a pot or bowl, I have to pull everything out of the cabinet, pull the one I need,  and then rearrange the stacks and put it all back in. It drives me crazy...I need a kitchen storage makeover! In my quest for some creative options, I've come across these favorites...

I've been dying to try peg board. Don't you love this clever usage of it? via country home magazine

simple storage cubbies are fresh and funtional with a monochromatic approach and glass accents. via sunset magazine

open shelf storage with stainless steel shelves. Similar shelves and accessories are available at Ikea. via flickr fave splatgirl.

More options with Ikea's afforable grundtal shelves. via doorsixteen

I love this command center and storage area for cookbooks and cooking oils. I purchased similar metal wall panels from Ikea and use magnetic clips to keep important reminders/papers tidy--love the magnetic spice container idea too.

This is me dreaming about a walk-in {and organized} pantry. via domino magazine's deco files

Happy Monday all. It's a rainy one here. How about you...are any of you snowed in?

{ makeover monday }

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating weekend. I spent much of it catching up on post vacation chores...unpacking, laundry, and sorting through piles of unopened mail. Our holiday away exceeded all expectations--the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure--I hope to share some photos with you all later in the week.  

I am beyond grateful for the thought and care that went into each of the guest posts last week. I consider myself lucky to have *met* such an amazing and inspiring group of imaginary friends {a favorite phrase coined by clever Karey} and appreciate my regular readers stopping by and making our guests feel so welcome. From the bottom of my heart...thank you!

It's a holiday here in the U.S. and a rainy one at that--a perfect project kind of day. For this week's Makeover Monday I thought I'd share some quick and easy ideas that can instantly freshen your space  Ready? Let's go...

Coral your Collections

images via country home magazine

Make your collectibles display worthy--gather your favorites, find a fresh spot, and show them off en masse.

Deck your walls

Use your digital camera to create your own artwork. This idea, found via Country Home magazine, uses a close-up photo taken of a lace doily which was then enlarged and printed on to a canvas via a service like simplycanvas.com. Mrs. French did something similar in her dining room with stunning results.

Scatter joy

image via debi treloar

Small groupings of posies scattered throughout your home provide an instant pick-me-up. Choose interesting, unexpected vessels for added impact.

Embrace the power of paint

images via country living magazine

At the risk of repeating myself again and again...making over one piece of furniture can transform the look and feel of your whole room. Visit Barb's space for some inspired ideas and tips.

That's it for today my friends...the to-do list is growing by the minute. I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and discovering what's been going on in your corners of the world. Thank you again for your kind thoughts and well wishes last week. xo ~Suzanne

{ makeover monday }

I love before-and-after makeover features--especially if they include a budget friendly twist. I recently spotted this kitchen makeover while perusing the Cottage Living site and saved it for my inspiration file.  I thought you might like to take a peek as well...

"Before"

Rather than completely demolishing her kitchen and starting from scratch, this homeowner simply gave her existing kitchen a new and improved facelift--an option that's both budget and environmentally friendly--so right there I was hooked. It also doesn't hurt that I love this homeowner's aesthetic and the finish choices she made with her upgrade. 

The existing upper cabinets were raised to the ceiling allowing room for a single open shelf to be installed below them. Simple details like V groove and crown molding were added to give the room some architectural interest.

Black honed granite replaced the older laminate

The existing upper and lower cabinets were given a fresh look with a painted finish

A new backsplash of white subway tiles...*sigh*

The new display shelf underneath the upper cabinets is such a brilliant idea-I love how it turned out.

The new view from the dining room...gorgeous!

What's also nice about this approach is that one could budget it in stages if necessary. For example, start by refinishing the cabinets and then updating countertops and appliances down the road...or floors, etc. Though not as seamless of a process, it does offer budgetary options.

More details and a complete slide-show of the remodel process, including additional before and after photos are available on the Cottage Living site. I recently read that the November/December issue of Cottage Living will be its last. I'm so disappointed...it's one of my favorite mags.

Feedback please:  I'm considering adding Makeover Monday as a new feature, offering a variety of makeover ideas and inspiration--from repurposing a piece of furniture to complete room makeovers. What do you think...is this something you would enjoy?