DIY Disaster

I was so excited to start working in the sewing room on Monday.  Got the paint at Home Depot and emptied the room out.  About half way around the room, I needed to move the sewing table so I could work on that side of the room.  I picked up one end to slide it into the middle of the room and heard a CRACK!!! And the legs on the opposite end of the table came off the table and the whole table collapsed.

It was like slow motion.  I watched everything slide off the table and tip over--the paint tray, the open gallon of paint, a bunch of nails, screws, the phone, my coffee, and other tools.  I just stood there for a second taking it all in.  I didn't even know what to rescue first!!

Here's the damage:

I scraped up as much as I could.

It ran down the wall and onto the moulding and onto the carpet.  I used the paintstick to scrape it back into the gallon.  There was dust and fuzz mixed in, a bunch of nails, too.  Ugh, it was ugly.  And here's the worst part--my poor table!

I love this table. It has huge sentimental value, so I am going to try to fix it.

 Luckily, we have a carpet steamer here, so I put it right to work and got the job started.  It wasn't strong enough, though, to get everything up, so I rented a commercial version from the grocery store.  That did the trick and the stain is hardly noticable.  I'll post the "after" pics later.  Time to paint the trim!

The Before

I am getting ready to start the sewing room makeover.  It was never "made" in the first place, so I'm not sure this is even considered a makeOVER.  It's just a room that's finally getting done!
I remembered to take some before photos, so I can document the progress made.  Here's what it looks like now:

Lots to clean out before I get started.

The sewing table sticks out into the middle of the room.  I like to have the TV or ipod on while I work, so that will pretty much stay that way.  I am not totally in love with the chrome shelving unit, but I do like that it's open, so I guess it's staying.  The denim curtains will stay, but I'll add those valences I made above them.  I'm going to paint the walls a medium gray and paint the trim white.  I think it will look very smart. You can see the paint chip on the wall in the photo below.  It'll be the bottom color.

The sewing table and big, blank wall behind it.

 I am not exactly sure what to do with that big, blank wall behind the sewing table.  I used to have a bulletin board on it, but that got moved downstairs when the scrapbooking area moved into the basement.  I am considering getting several empty frames, painting them white, and using them to highlight different things.  Still working on this idea...we'll see.

The closet--not exactly sure if there will be any makeover here.

Yeah, I don't really see anything much happening here.  I like having the fabric in the closet where it won't get faded, and my winter clothes are now stored in there, too.  And since this is another spare bedroom (#3, in fact!!), there are linens for the blow-up mattress here as well.  I might just close those doors and not think about any changes there.

The windows and bookshelf before.

The bookshelf in the middle of the photo is just a little particle board shelf, but I have big plans for it.  I'm going to adhere fabric onto the back surface and paint the actual case and shelves gray.  I think it will look awesome with a bright yellow/orange background.  I may move it to the opposite side of the room where the new chaise lounge from Ikea will go.  That's sitting in the garage ready to be moved in after the painting is finished.  Then it will be a nice little reading nook, and I think I'll paint the floor lamp that's in there, too, so it will match. 

So the big question is, how long will this take?  I'm giving myself until Saturday to get it put together.  Tuesday and Wednesday are full of non-house obligations, so that gives me Monday, 1/2 day Tuesday, 1/2 day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  Totally do-able, right?

Getting so excited!!

Updates on Projects

I have been having so much fun working around the house--it's about 100 degrees outside, so inside projects are definitely the way to go these days.
First, here's the laundry room.  I painted it a soft yellow, hung a valence that I made, and mod-podged the switchplates.  Heres are some pictures:

I don't love the way these turned out--
they don't quite fit flush anymore because of the bulk of the fabric.

In the sewing room, I have been planning the new space.  I picked out the paint color, and my sister and I got a chaise longue from Ikea that we'll put up there once the space is done.  There's a lot to do in there, but this is one of my favorite additions--the bottle lamp.  My sister gave it to me in probably 1987 or so, and this lamp has been up and down the east coast and is still in one piece.  Amazing, really.  I found some fabulous trim at Hobby Lobby for $11.99 a yard.  While I would've loved to trim the valences in it, that's just a little too pricey for me.  So I bought a yard and a half (with a 40% off coupon!) to trim the lamp. Check it out:

I had a smidge extra trim, so I cut the buttons off and decorated the lampshade.

Isn't it just the cutest trim ever?!?! Perfect for a sewing room!

The lamp is currently on an old tomato box, now filled with yarn.

When we get back from the beach, I'll be painting the sewing room a light grey, the trim white, hanging the valences, setting up the new chaise, and getting some blank frames to hang on the bare wall.  Still thinking about that last idea, but I'll work something out. I'll try to remember to post before and after pictures, not just after pictures!!