A Little "Before and After" Makeover with Removable Wallpaper!

Ready to Add Character to Your Home?

Do you have a space that you've been wanting to add some life to?

Maybe a room like this . . .

Over at the blog Kelsey Bang, they decided to freshen up that very room.

I love adding whimsy to a home and look what a great result they 

have using removable wallpaper from Walls Need Love.

The "After" - how great is this?  More personality, more fun!

Visit their Hoppin' Mudroom Makeover post for more pictures.

From Walls Need Love:

THIS IS NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S WALLPAPER

Our Peel and Stick Removable Wallpaper is a vibrant, durable, health conscious solution for stylish home and office decorating. Made from woven polyester, this premium self-adhesive wallpaper sticks smooth, removes clean, and can be repositioned over and over again. It’s rip, crease, and tear resistant which makes decorating fun and easy.

I really love the versatility of wallpaper, but not the awful ordeal of removal when I'm tired of it.
Here are a couple of other ideas with decals in a bedroom and wallpaper used in a powder room.

 Visit Walls Need Love blog - when I went to the site I was able to sign up and receive $25 off orders over $100 as well as free shipping on all orders over $99!

I hope this gives you some inspiration to have fun with your home!

Updating Your Brick Fireplace With Paint

Does Your Fireplace Need a Boost?

Now that cold weather has arrived, think about interior updates to make you love your home more!

Have a look at how paint can transform your fireplace 

into a focal point you're thrilled with.

Here's a first-hand makeover:
My brother and his wife bought a cabin in northern Minnesota.
One of the projects Sandi tackled was the lower-level fireplace.
She followed the instructions from Lowe's and it turned out beautifully.
Now the fireplace is a pretty focal point that works with the look she wanted to achieve.

Originally the fireplace had variegated brown bricks, making it look dated.

 Nearly finished . . . 

Finished and looking great!

Lowe's indicates that the skill level is Beginner, the estimated time is a weekend, 

and best of all - it's inexpensive.

Lowe's also has a link for Customer Stories that have been uploaded -
you'll find customer suggestions, paint, questions answered, etc.
Another great resource to check if you're thinking of doing this.

Here are more before and afters.What do you think?
 Would you paint your fireplace?

How to Paint Your Fireplace Brick Surround

From Eleven Magnolia Lane

How to Paint a Brick Fireplace

from Addicted 2 Decorating

Painted Brick Fireplace

Fresh Crush

This may be one of my favorites.  Like so many projects

there were some hiccups along the way.

Visit the blog to see what inspired the wood-slice insert.
She also offers some good advice!

Is a paint project in your future?

Painted Countertops - A Must Do or Oh No!

Would you try painting your countertops?

If your dream countertops aren't in the budget right
now this might be a good option to get you by.

Here's my favorite update, from Little Farmstead;
it's simple and classic.

 Before: 
Dark green laminate

After:
Clean, subtle white

Julie explains the steps for painting laminate when
she painted the buffet in her dining room.
Before:

 After:

Basic steps:
Clean the laminate well
Sand
Paint
(she used latex paint)

Seal
(she recommends Peel Stop Clear Binding Sealer by Zinsser, which doesn't yellow like polyurethane)

You can also buy a countertop kit (such as Rust-Oleum) which is meant to replicate the look of granite.  Kits vary in size and price depending on your kitchen.  They have a strong, epoxy-finish top coat which they indicate is stain and water resistant.

via Home Depot - $148.00/qt.

Here is a before and after paint transformation using the RUST-OLEUM Countertop  kit from the blog Project Goble.

Before:

After:

The DIY home-owners raved about the countertop transformation:"Did we mention how much we LOVE our countertops?!? It was totally worth the time, mess, and effort we put into transforming them."

~ Allison Goble from Project Goble

Would you try painting your counters?

Before and After Inspiration: An updated side entry

What an Improvement!

I love seeing a good "before and after" project.

Over at Cozy.Cottage.Cute you'll see how a side entry went from sad and boring to perfect!

Sarah (from Canada) shows how the basics of sanding, primer, and paint 

made an immediate difference.  See below.
Step 1.

Definitely better already!

And now, Step 2.

Three updates made all the difference.

1) A new door and hardware (I think I need that door on my house!)

That's not exactly a simple fix, for most of us, but has major impact.

2) Amazing paint (Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore)

3) A light fixture that has the perfect look

And now . . . Step 3.

The addition of house numbers and seasonal decor makes this inviting and stylish.

You know she smiles every time she uses the side entry now!

What a great improvement.

Check out her blog post for sources listed at the bottom.

New Listing! Sweet SE Cottage in the Woods - Restored Charm!

1036 26th St SE, Cedar Rapids

Charming mid-century 1.5 story
Updated, improved and with one of the best wooded settings you'll find!
3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths1236 s.f. above, 337 s.f. of finished basementSpacious formal dining room with built-in cabinetry1 stall garage, 2 patiosWalk-out basement

Contact us for more information or if you'd like your own personal tour.

Courtesy of Alicia Porter, RE/MAX Real Estate Concepts

Enjoy a tour!

From an overgrown, neglected yard . . . 

 

to something more refined . . . 

The interior has been updated, the charm restored.

Arched doorways, coved ceilings, refinished hardwood floors

I love the painted risers and refinished treads.

Lovely built-ins grace the light-filled dining room

Main level Master bedroom features built-in cabinets and a
 convenient petite half-bath, all remodeled.

I kind of love this kitchen.  :)
New tile floor,backsplash, counters and new stainless appliances.

Fantastic backsplash!
And that view!
Who would mind cleaning up when you have such amazing scenery!

Upstairs is the remodeled main bath and 2 bedrooms.

Angled ceilings, an adorable little door leading to attic space.
If you love older homes this has the classic features you want.

It even has a cedar-lined closet.  

2nd upstairs bedroom:

Downstairs - finished walk-out basement.
Great rec room/home office space.

Nice neighbors, too.