Breakfast Nook Gets a ReFresh

Wow. So, obviously, it's been one doozy of a summer. In June, we packed up the old parsonage, said goodbye to dear friends and family,  and moved from Alabama to south Louisiana. I'm just now starting to catch my breath again. This chick is getting way too old for moving! ;) 

We absolutely love our new home and place of ministry, and have been very busy getting settled in and putting our own touches on the parsonage here. It's always fun to start with a fresh blank canvas, right?! 

 Over the next several posts, I'll share some before and afters and show you guys our progress so far. Because who doesn't love before and after photos? 

This is the breakfast area before:

Simply painting the beadboard a nice fresh white brought the whole space back up to date from the 80's. Paint is just the bombdiggety. We used Sherwin Williams Olympus White on the walls and Bright White on the trim and beadboard. 

And here is the after....

Table - Target.com

Mint Chairs - Walmart.com

Sheer Panels - Ikea

Wall Art - Hobby Lobby

My vintage cabinet is also in this room, and it's a perfect match to the chairs. 

I needed something big to hang on this wall, so I came up with this idea. I had this large Sugar tea towel, so I mounted it on two stained wood pieces, stapled a piece of rope to the back of it, and just like that I had myself a wall hanging. Since I already had the towel, the whole project cost me a whopping $2 for the sticks. (I used yard sign stakes from Walmart at $1 each, and cut off the pointed end.) I love me a cheap project! 

Open Shelving

I have admired the open shelving concept floating around the last couple of years, but I never had a place I could incorporate it.

 

Remember when I moved my table and chairs into the next room and then my chalkboard and wreath followed?

 

 

A blank wall was now begging to be styled and I was happy to oblige.

 

I had to move my buffet from the wall in the dining room because there was not enough room for it and the table. I considered selling it, but then thought it might work on the blank wall.

 

 

Gave it a new coat of paint and some new knobs as there is a more neutral theme in the kitchen.

 

 

I wanted the shelves to be practical, as well as cutesy, so I updated my baking jars and placed them on the bottom shelf. This also freed up some counter space which makes me happy! The jars are from good o' Walmart.

 

 

 

I had most of the décor stuff on hand, which made me even happier. Wes already had the boards and just bought plumbing pipes and ends to make the brackets.

 

 

 

The Market Fresh Produce sign is one of my spring signs from Down Grace Lane.

 

 

Ba-da-da-da-da...I'm lovin' it!

 

 

 

 

New Lights

Thanks to the Hobby Lobby clearance, we now have new lights up in our living room and dining room. The fans were not my favorite and since we hardly ever used them, we traded them out.

 

 

 

 

 

Having already walked down the clearance aisle, and finding nothing I could get through life without, I headed towards the front. I had no intention of even going down the lighting aisle, but I spotted a yellow clearance tag hanging off the light. I loved the light, so naturally I walked over to check it out. I figured it would probably still be one of those deals that would be left behind. They were originally $80 something and they were marked down to $20 something. What made the deal even sweeter was the gift card I had just received for Christmas. After recently pricing similar lights at Lowes, I found out this was a better deal than I originally thought.

 

Hubby had to do some electrical faniggleriggin'. They were originally the kind that had a cord to turn the light on, but I clearly did not want a big black cord going across my ceiling and down the wall to plug in to an electrical outlet. Hubs saved the day...again. ;)

 

They make the rooms feel more open because the fan spread out much further in diameter.

Before

 

After

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

The Table Transfer

I shared on Instagram, a few months back, that I had moved our table into the "piano room" once we put down laminate flooring. I can not remember if I posted here, so just in case I did not, I moved our table into the "piano room." You're welcome. ;)

 

I liked the switch, but it took up the space we were used to having as a walk-thru. Brittany mentioned moving the table off to the side, but I couldn't try it until after the Christmas chaos was put back into place.

 

I'm kinda really liking it!

 

Of course, that meant I had to move some wall décor.

 

You probably remember my giant chalkboard that used to be in the kitchen.

 

Now I have to find something for that wall. It's a vicious cycle in this house, I'm tellin' ya!

 

 

We bought this table at a yard sale right after we were married. Hubs gave a it a fresh sanding and coat of stain last fall. Looks much better than my "wing-it" job. I'm pretty sure we've gotten our 10 bucks worth.

 

 

The toolbox was found in my hubby's grandparents' barn. Those trusty Ikea plants made great filler. BTW...they are $2 cheaper than last year...just a free plug. HA!

 

 If you're paying attention, you'll see a sneak peak of something else we switched up.

 

Sending spring thoughts,

 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Ok, so I'll be the first to admit this season is just flying by. I've been quite pathetic at keeping up with everything, blogging included, unfortunately. But not to worry, we're all still alive and well, and a bit of Christmas cheer has been sprinkled around the old parsonage.

  

I'm still loving my old door, and it was fun to dress it up for Christmas.

So that's my little Christmas Home tour. I was craving simplicity this year, and I ended up putting 90% of my decorations right back in storage. I decided to only use my absolute most favorite things, and I'm so glad I did. A few strategically placed pieces can go a long way, and still look festive without filling the entire house with a bunch of meaningless stuff that just ends up in the way. I think in the past I had the mindset that it just wasn't Christmas if every inch of the halls weren't properly decked. But by the time New Year's rolled around, I could not wait to pack all that stuff up, and get back to my simple and neutral decor. After all, the true meaning of the Season isn't found in the decorations anyway. I want to put my focus on the true Reason for the Season, and celebrate Jesus and the wonderful hope that He brought to the world.  I hope you all are having a lovely and blessed Christmas season! 

Coffee Bar

Just skip the measly cup and someone invent a coffee IV, already. Anyone else? I'm talking gallons per unit. Where there is no need to sip due to burning your tongue, but it flows straight to your bloodline with all of its caffeine goodness. One punch of the button and you instantly jolt back alive and kick up your heels to start the day! Could someone get on that, please? Thanks.

 

Continuing on with the actual point of this post...

 

I recently, recently being used very loosely, purchased a hanging scale from my SIL. I have wanted one for a long time and finally took the plunge and bought it.

 

Here is where she, the scale-not my SIL, hangs:

 

Purdy, ain't it? I used to have the coffee maker on the other side, but it was a little inconvenient trying to fill the water up. Especially when it's dark outside and you're trying to get the day started before the munchkins and your eyes refuse to open and your hands won't budge to work.

See that cute little tea towel reminding you of that blessed goodness called pie? It's from So Vintage Chic and she is offering our followers a coupon: CHAPELCOTTAGE. Let me know what you couldn't live without.

If you'll excuse me, I'm off to invent that IV and to make my fame and fortune in this world.

 

It's Fall Y'all!

I'm seeing Christmas stuff popping up in all the stores, and I'm just like, wait, what did I miss here, has fall even got here yet??? We're still having 90 degree weather here in the beautiful south. And this girl ain't complaining. Nosiree. I'm loving it. Those cold dreary days when the kiddos get crazy wild with cabin fever will come soon. enough. 

My fall decor is pretty simple, nothing fancy here. I love my neutrals and lately I've had the urge to purge. I'm loving simple styles, and I'd love to lose some of my clutter!

Yeah, this piccy has nothing to do with fall, there's nary so much as a pumpkin in it. 

But Ollie was just so cute... 

Humor me.

If things go like they have for the last 15 years, my notorious black thumb of death will have it's way with the mums and they'll be conked out in no time. But still I try...

I needed a new table out here on the porch so I asked hubby to bring a spool home from work. (And he did, cuz he's sweet like that.) I just love it! I probably love it even more because it was free. Haha! Aren't free things just the best??

So I'll just be sittin' out here enjoying these last warm summer days, sippin' on my sweet tea, and whenever fall decides to actually show up, I'm ready for it.