DIY Show Off – Barn Patio Before and After Makeover

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Roeshel

Barn Patio Before & After

I’m so excited to share my barn before/after pictures. This space was completely un-usable, except to store/throw junk. Now it’s a functional clean party space hidden from the rest of the house and road. I’m still working on some additional DIY touches, but in the meantime, I think you’ll agree that the transformation is a HUGE improvement.

To keep costs low since this area is only used for occasional entertaining, we re-used a lot of the things we discovered in the barn already (and more DIY coming). We also obtained a few things from estate sales.

Before (left side):

The “barn red” paint was faded to a really ugly pink. The ‘floor’ was dirt with broken bricks/pavers. There were LOTS of spiders.

We took out the crumbling brick and concrete pavers that formed a broken floor on top of dirt, some broken glass and weeds. We added paneled siding to the back wall and painted (thanks to Butch for his help!). We poured a concrete patio (professionals did that part since it was a large area).

My husband framed the door and the wreath was on clearance at Joann Fabrics for $8.

I’ve had these old looking milk bottles for years … in the basement/storage.

I also have special plans for the short table (hope to finish it this week).

I love it. I changed my mind – it’s not all about entertaining. This is a great spot to relax! The wicker furniture was picked up at an estate sale. Isn’t the footstool the cutest? I didn’t even bother with repainting it. I loved it the light faded blue that it is. I did give the wicker chairs a coat of white spray paint to freshen them up.

I sewed cushion covers with fabric I bought at Goodwill. (I’ll spare you the nasty before picture.)

We found the old Coca Cola sign in the barn.

I made a table from a crate and old window we also found in the barn.

The other accents we got at estate sales (the book and gauge). The blue canning jar I confiscated from my brother. The bird house was hanging on the old grape arbor.

The only thing new is the birdie cloche I got at TJ Maxx a few months ago (how perfect for a barn!) and the white lantern (above).

I also ran out of time for replacing the hanging light bulb fixtures since I’m so indecisive. Paper lanterns for less than $2 on sale at Michaels (until a more permanent choice is made) and I already had the area rug too.

I did make a chalkboard from one of the old windows.

The tables looked liked this before. The first one was actually nailed to the back wall.

Tables/etc. now, with new legs and paint and a “found” bench…they’re perfect for picnics, cookouts and to use as a buffet table.

Here is the transformation one more time:

Before

New Back Wall

New Concrete Patio

Russ tries out the paint sprayer

And now….

I do have a huge wall to decorate yet too and I’ll share details as they happen.

Latest Updates:

DIY painted foam playmat becomes wall art…

DIY Show Off – Patio installation and makeover

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Roeshel

Back of the House Gets a Transformation:

Still a lot of overgrown landscaping to tackle but our home when we bought it.

Hard to see from the distance, there were two single doors with awnings. Ugly. But I could see potential which is a good thing most of the time, except that “potential” doesn’t happen over night! Right away, we installed two sets of French doors. I love them! It changes the entire look of the back of our house. However, the old sidewalks didn’t line up and we lived with it for 2 years.

And take a look at the old light fixtures. Yuck!

We decided to put in a concrete patio off the back of the house. However – the concrete part wasn’t DIY. It was way too big of an area and required professionals.

Here’s another before shot (that’s the nasty carpet Mr. DIY tore out to reveal hardwood floors):

Before (after installation of French doors, the concrete sidewalk didn’t line up anymore). We also just removed some shrubs from this area which makes it look really messy here:

We got some new furniture (the table/chairs go under the grape arbor when it’s completed). Mr. DIY changed out the lights for me to give it an updated fresh look.

Copper Penny Jar Candle Tutorial.

Again – before:

After:

2011 updates:

We also hung window boxes to help disguise the old upstairs windows to help pull the main level and upper level together. You can’t see the window boxes well in the pictures…but here is what they looked like before they were hung:

My House Number Flower Pots were featured in Better Homes & Gardens 100 Decorating Ideas for Under $100!

{House Number Flower Pot Tutorial}

DIY Show Off – Living Room Before and After Reveal

Posted on January 1, 2012 by Roeshel

LivingRoom Transformation: Here it is when we bought our home. Before, at time of closing:

Lots of strange angled corners to work with.

We repurposed this mirror by taking it down and framing it (more details here). It hangs in our back entry way.

The white walls were painted wallpaper. Fun!

We also tore out the nasty carpet and refinished the wood floors.

Then, I always wanted a red room. So – I painted the room red. It wasn’t quite what I pictured but I really loved it for a little bit. Excuse the mess. Some of these I snapped right before I began painting.

We installed French doors between the living room and family room.

We mounted the tv above the fireplace…I’m not sure if you can tell, but there aren’t a lot of options (wall 1=staircase, wall 2 = entry to hall and built-in shelving, wall 3 = French doors, wall 4 window/fireplace/window). It’s really not too high for viewing. We’ve adjusted to it being there. Our wood burning fireplace isn’t used at this time (another future project). Since behind the fireplace is a brick chimney and the walls are plaster, I currently hide the wires with garland (upcoming project to build up the fireplace surround will take care of that problem). Brick? Someday we’ll replace it with marble and I got a dirty look when I suggested we paint it. Mr. DIY does not like painted brick.

It didn’t take long before I didn’t grew tired of dark red. The room wasn’t getting any light. It just didn’t “feel” like the right color.

Here it is today:

Color is Benjamin Moore Smoky Taupe. It changes color in different lighting.

Mr. DIY’s leather chair has been replaced with another leather chaise. Compromise.

Updated pictures below.

My thrift store find – wine corks.

Vintage French linen pillows – Restoration Hardware

French pediment – Ballard (I plan on adding more trim to the French door to fill in the gap)

It’s weathered and says “Flanders Sweet Shop”

Drapery is from Target and Ebay. I ordered an extra panel to lengthen them. I love them framing the French doors.

I scored a bunch of vintage boxes and crates at an estate sale (3 are the same found at Pottery Barn for $24. I paid $8 ea!). This little box holds the remote controls.

Wall art from vintageprintables.com. Tips for hanging a wall gallery.

My style? You’ll see that I have a bit of interior design ADD. French, vintage, traditional, farmhouse and so on but the thing I love about designing my own space is that I can decorate with things I love and I don’t have to follow any rules. And we’re obviously not minimalists. It’s for us, not for a decorating magazine, right? We love how much taller and bigger the room looks and our mix of decorating styles works for us. I’d love new furniture but it’s not in the budget and this set from the 90s is in excellent shape. It works for now.
A few updated photos/fall decorated…