Room Crashers...Davis Style

The last 48 hours have been exhausting to say the least. But - I DID IT! Started and completed one full project, added in a side project along the way and planned for one more addition to this project in the next few weeks. At this time I'm too tired to commentate this one so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

        

 

So - this would be about the point I thought I'd be done but no...I just couldn't live with the weird corner. Because of the extra height with the side rails, extra length of the box springs AND  short mattress the little 'bed side table' looked a bit 'dinky' for my corner. I had extra fabric, some old cushions off of a couch that fell apart years ago - leftover lumber from yesterday hmmmm....ottoman anyone???

And here is where I'm calling it - we'll be doing some art shifting in the room, adding in a mini chandelier, painting a dresser and changing the facades on the ugly bi-fold closet doors in the coming weeks. I'll be sure to post photos as things progress.

Did I mentioned Pinterest in my last post...you know that lovely little site full of inspiration for anything and everything your little DIY'ers heart could desire? In the midst of my hundreds of unfinished projects I've embarked on yet another one...thanks to Pinterest.

I've been looking for something inspiring that will help me find my vision for my now 2-toddler bedroom. We've moved Swiper out of her crib and into a big girl bed. We've transformed the Interrogators single room into a room for two.We scrambled last weekend to move the girls into the room together just to test it out for a week before spending any blood, sweat & tears (not to mention money) on their little dream room.  I had a vision for two beautiful twin sleigh beds in white adorned with the beautiful yellow silk bedding I snagged on clearance at Pottery Barn (yes...I know they are children BUT...this silk bedding is machine washable THANK GOODNESS - although the reason only one bed is shown in the yellow bedding is because the other one has already fallen victim to a chocolate milk fiasco and is currently in the wash). Those twin sleigh beds I so coveted turned out to be not so wallet friendly so I ditched that idea and turned to Pinterest. I found EXACTLY what I knew would be a project I could accomplish with my own little touches added in. Our 2 toddler room started out like this:

The project I was aiming for looked like this (x 2):

Thank you Gabrielle Blair of design mom for this inspiration. The project plans were originally for a toddler sized bed. I already had 2 twin mattresses and a set of box springs from a king bed we just replaced so a rework of the original plans had to take place. In case you are box spring ignorant like myself a king mattress is most of the time accompanied by 2 box springs that look to be the same size as a twin mattress but...they ARE NOT. The twin mattress is slightly smaller. No matter for me, I'm using what I've got and will figure out how to deal with the difference as I go (remember, I'm not much of a 'planner').

Taking measurements of the box spring (since it is the larger of the two) I made my materials list and sent hubby on his way to the local hardware store. I asked that he get as much of the wood cut down as possible to prevent a lot of measuring and cutting at home....we do have those 3 little ones always under foot. Material list looked like this:

 3/8" thick plywood in sheets large enough to get the following cuts made:
4pc x 79.5" Long x 10" Tall (these are the 'side' walls on the bed above)
4pc x 37.5" Long x 10" Tall (these are the head and foot boards on the bed above)

2"x2" wood in lengths large enough to get the following cuts made:
4pc x 78" Long (these are the inside supports for the box spring)

My original tool list looked like this:
Drill
Drill Bits
Wood Glue
Screws (whatever size I had around the house)
Nails (whatever size I had around the house)
Hammer
Measuring Tape

He came home with this:
4pc x 79.5" Long x 12" Tall
4pc x 36.5" Long x 12" Tall
4pc 2"x2" wood 8' Long each

To my original tool list I now *happily add:
Mitre Saw
Circular Saw
Dremel Tool (more on this tool later)
Saw Horses (a new but badly needed purchase)
*happily because if you recall in prior postings I love my POWER TOOLS!!!!!


Apparently accountants aren't firm believers in making sure they get what they paid for before they leave the store - go figure.  So - working with what I had I changed the plans. Instead of 10" high sides we would now be 12" high sides. About the head and foot board....well, I was a bit screwed - the panels he brought back were too short. Improvising on the fly we found some old fiber board shelving that had just been taken down (12" x 48") and cut it to the proper length and those are now going to be the head and foot boards of the bed.

 Measuring the side panels and side rails - a few quick mitre saw cuts and we're all set to assemble. Assembly of the sides turned out to be much more cumbersome than the original plans led me to think...hindsight we would have used a much thicker and sturdier grade of plywood. No turning back now.

We screwed the side rails in from the inside of the bed - opposite of what the instructions told us to do. It seemed easier this way.

Here's where using what you have can sometimes add to the tools and time needed to complete a simple project. The screws I had on hand were a good inch too long - GREAT opportunity for me to pull out the handy dandy Dremel Tool and use the metal cutting bit!

Even hubby got in on this action - check out those sparks as we grind off the ends of the screws that were once too long. Now they are flush with the side panels - which will soon be covered with batting and fabric.

And here is where this story ends for today. Side panels, head and foot panels all squared up. Rather than using a plywood panel for support as the original plans advise we're going for 2"x4" boards fashioned into slats.   And here is where day 1 ends...I've got dinner plans so we'll pick this back up tomorrow. Ending day photo below. Next posting will hopefully be the finished product.



Hello....remember me?

Yes, I've been MIA for WAY longer than I intended...it all starts with a lost password and a recovery e-mail address that no longer exists and long story short I'M BACK!

So diving right in I'll just start with the fact that Pinterest is a procrastinators WORST nightmare. My list of projects is piling up quicker than my paychecks are clearing the bank! My next couple of  posts will include the COMPLETE upheaval of my dining room (remember it from last years blog?)...which is now lovingly referred to as the 'Dining Office', pictures of the new built in bookshelves  in our family room, pictures of the holes in my children's closets (with the ambition to turn them into secret reading alcoves), some 'creatively borrowed' crates turned into inventive wall storage, AND the project on the brink of stardom..turning the former baby nursery into a guest bedroom/mini gym. Oh the projects haven't stopped....nor have any of them been completely 'finished' BUT there is great ambition still. I WILL complete these projects just as long as I can stay off of Pinterest long enough to focus my energies.

Just a quick post to let those of you who have asked recently 'Where have you been'...here I am with bigger and better projects on the horizon. Stay tuned for the next installment.

Taming of the beast

After coming to the realization that my vision for the former dining room just wasn't happening and that the behemoth would unfortunately never see the protective shelter under roof in a temperature controlled environment I had to change directions. My car has been living outside in all of Mother Natures fury lately and it has made for quite a few dangerous nights under those old towering sweet gum and oak trees. Alas I came to grips with the fact that the beast would never leave the garage.. The problem is our garage, not unlike so many other families in America, is overcome with most things that do not belong in a garage.  No longer are there paths to the door since they are so cluttered with bikes. toys, trash, tools, lawn equipment, furniture treasures, paint, office equipment, files and all the other random finds that never make their way back to their appropriate home and/or their appropriate home is already too overburdened to take on another ounce of junk.



Interrogator Pride



Let the cleaning commence! As with all great projects around my home this one began with someone making the floor a public restroom. It has almost become like a right of passage for any cleaning project. Last weekend it was the 'Swiper' pee on my new bookshelves as they were being assembled. Not to be outdone, the Interrogator wanted to make sure she made her mark as well.   



Hubby performing his
civic duty (or doody if you ask the kids)


In our meager attempts to 'potty train' around here the Interrogator spends her weekends diaperless and/or in big girl panties. This day began like most with a double layer of Tinkerbell big girl panties and the threat to not 'tee-tee on Tinkerbell because she would be very upset'. And as typical it only took about 30 minutes before Tinkerbell was completely soaked which resulted in a 2 year old running around commando....thus the poop on the floor. Now....I know...this is not appropriate posting detail but she finds it humorous to see herself in pictures and I'm hoping (in my own twisted way) to find a means to use this one day when the appropriate situation calls for an all out embarrassment. Don't criticize...those of you with kids know exactly where I'm coming from!

The beast was finally lowered from the car jack down and feeling strong, hubby and I began the push....IT BUDGED!!! With a few twists and turns and pushes and grunts we got her into place and you know what...I just figured out why my focus has not been on this thing for a while. I think a higher power was moving me around to other areas in my life so I would eventually give up and allow the beast to stay just where it came to reside back in March. I think this is where it was meant to be all along. It is now situated between the parking area and the pathway to the door making a hallway of sorts. It allows storage on both sides - exterior side for those true garage related items. The interior side for those things usually dropped just inside the door; shoes, school papers, uniforms, hats/gloves, dog supplies.....I'm pleased, hubby is pleased and the kids just think its cool that all of their junk is in one place (for now)... This was an all day project that we will now begin day 2 of. Day 2 will be the balance of the organization so both cars can once again peacefully reside back in their respective sides of the garage. How sad is it that something so simple makes me so happy?

Those bookshelves from last posting....well, they're still there with no molding. Guess what (as if this will surprise anyone....) my molding idea ain't gonna work due to all of the existing molding already in the nook. They are extremely functional and necessary storage at this point so hmmm....how can I mask the chaos it they aren't going to give the appearance of a permanent fixture in the room? AHA!!!

Inspiration for covering the clutter

Sliding barn style door. They do make the hardware where it can be attached to the ceiling ....hmmmm....I feel another project coming one. This time, I think I'll study up and take some measurements and talk to a few experts before I go drilling into the walls again. I have always loved the idea of pocket doors but installation to an existing wall takes a construction expert from what I've been told. So...I'm not there just yet and I think this option gives me just what I need...plus, a nice punch of a bright color in there will be just lovely.

  

 I promise I do live in the world of organized chaos. My problem is one inspired moment drives multiple inspired moments and before you know it I've got more ideas than days and tools and help to get them done. I've decided that procrastination isn't necessarily avoidance, it just may be a higher level of intelligence for those of us who seek to conquer things more fulfilling in an instant. That's my story and I'm sticking to it...









Home Sweet Home

After another hiatus from the blog I'm back. 4 weeks on the road with my new job and I'm finally home where all of those glorious procrastinated projects have been patiently waiting.

I was successful in making my pilgrimage to Ikea to purchase those Billy Bookcases over the past few weeks at which point they made their home in the middle of my foyer. After flying home last night and stumbling over them on my way to bed I made up my mind to tackle that project first thing this morning. 

Theses bookcases 'organized storage facilities' are desperately needed at this point being that the beautiful dining room that was on its way to being my decorators paradise was so abruptly uprooted and turned into a home office no so long ago. The boxes of supplies, books and computer equipment were overcoming the room and the walls were slowly closing in.

First thing this morning hubby and I started this task. All 3 of the little ones scrambling just under our feet as usual. Taking turns changing multiple diapers, two total baby bladder unloads all over the bookcases & floor, breaking up a few disagreements, feeding breakfast and snacks we were a determined pair. The cases went together like a dream and once assembled were ready to be tethered to the wall. With little ones running around there is bound to come a time where they decide to make their trek up those shelves to see just how high they can climb so you can never be too careful. The task of tethering to the wall around here always results in more holes than necessary and let today be no different. Two tethers resulted in 5 holes in our meager attempts to locate a stud. Stud finder be damned! We've got 3 different variations, none of which have ever perfected the art of actually locating a stud. Cases assembled and tethered....let the load down begin! Haven't decided yet what the look will be since today was just a rush to get them assembled and in place before the moldings are measured and cut.

 

You're seeing a rough draft here..the final version is yet to come. Sorry for the quality of the photo. I took beautiful clear photos with my camera but the USB cord is hidden somewhere in the mess of cords I've tried to corral into one spot. This poor dining room/office has seen better days. I'm grounded for a few weeks and with a little TLC hope to turn this into the office/dining room of my dreams. Wow have I got my work cut out for me!

What the heck just happened???

It's been a week away from my thoughts...not just via my blog, via my life. The last week is a bit of a blur that hasn't really become clear just yet. A long drive to the airport for a cancelled flight that led to a long drive back home and a long drive back to the airport the following morning... a flight to Alabama and from Georgia in 24 hours...and another long drive home and here I am. Gainfully employed again I think... computers, phones, missed appointments, drives all over town to find a FedEx hub, forgotten trips to the grocery...I think I left my brain somewhere around here!

Still a mom, still a wife and still a project list a mile long....well, some things will always remain constant and it is that for which I am most grateful for. As I embarked on a new career working from home I have glorious thoughts of a clean house, laundry done and put away all in the same day, a nice hot meal to greet my family each evening and check marks down the long list of things to get done around the house...

Now, at the time our doors closed at my former place of employment, we packed our personal belongings and headed home. What I found is that over the course of 12 years I had become a bit of a pack rat in my office dwelling as well as my home life. The boxes that made their way home (via 2 car loads, 2 SUV loads and a flat bed truck load) overwhelmed the balance of the garage. The boxes of books, pictures, random samples, art, note books, pens/pencils, odds and ends were enough to fill in my significant others side of the garage making for sweet revenge from the placement of the behemoth from prior blogs (still there by the way...). I just learned the quickest way to get something done is to block hubby from getting his car in the garage because those boxes were all unloaded and spread about the interior of our home in no time.

Remember that beautiful clean slate of a dining room just a few brief blogs ago...it has now become the mess of a space that is soon to be my new home office/dining room. It needs a lot of work but I'm taking a relaxed approach this go round. Right now it is functional (not pretty) and actually a nice place away from the other living spaces in the house where I'm so easily distracted.

Ok...so it does need a little lot of work but hey, now that I'm home working I can actually take some time to make it that special place I want to spend most of my day in. Still on a mission to get those Billy Bookcases from Ikea and now I really need them more than ever. I feel a swell of ambition coming on....

Reflection

No updates today, no new projects today, no lofty aspirations of grand decor or major construction alterations around the house...nope, today is a day of reflection. Reflection on the place I've spent the better part of the last 12 years of my life. The place I knew before I knew my husband, my children, the perils of home ownership...The place I made life long friendships that I'm grateful for everyday. The place where I always felt inspired to do great things amongst great people. The place where I actually felt I could make a difference. The place I called my home away from home.

There aren't many people in this lifetime who are fortunate enough to find passion for their work and who can honestly say they love what they do. I'm still not sure if it was the actual job or the people I loved more but know the friendships will outlast any career I may move onto in the future. I've been fortunate to have spent the last 12 years of my life being surrounded by inspiring people from all walks of life and it all started with a random interview set up for me by an employment agency...an interview I wasn't very excited about at a company, that from the outside, looked like something out of a bad 70's horror film where monsters come and attack from dark gloomy corners of a worn down warehouse. An interview I begrudgingly went to only because my mom was in town and she thought it would be a good idea. Today,12 years later, many mergers and acquisitions later and I listened as we were told the doors will close for good. The fat lady had been warming up her voice for a while now and today she finally sang her swan song. The past 2 years has been such a struggle but one from which I have grown professionally, emotionally and personally. I have no regrets other than the fact that I didn't have the foresight to have banked all of my money so I could swoop in and start my own company with the talented people I've worked along side for so long now. Any takers out there looking to make an investment in a minority/woman owned company???

I'm one of the lucky ones. I have my family and friends to fall back on and even a few industry insiders checking in to see what my plans for the future are. The future is bright my friends and I'm open to the world of possibilities in front of me. Where the doors at Russ Berrie may have closed, the doors to the rest of my life just opened and WOW is it bright outside!!!