Monday, June 29, 2015

Ugly House One Year Later

Hello!

We have been in Ugly House for a year now. Whew. It's been one crazy busy year! I thought it would fun to do some comparisons on the work we have done. I'm hoping we'll have even more changes to share next year.


Exterior Before 


Exterior After


Work Done: Added edging, added ornamental grasses (they need to grow still), built planters, added screen door, lifted concrete slab
Future Plans: Paint exterior a more muted color, new front door and sidelights, add more landscape rock, new windows, and a new craftsman style porch off the front

Exterior Before


Exterior After


Walkway Before


Walkway After


Entryway Before


Entryway After


Work Done: Painted trim and banister white, added entry table, bench and coat rack, painted walls
Future Plans: Replace all flooring with a wood plank vinyl and replace front door.

Kitchen Before


Kitchen After


Work Done: Removed and replaced red tile backsplash, replaced sink, painted walls, removed soffet, removed and replaced cabinets, new stove, added dishwasher
Future Work: Finish soffet, new beadboard ceiling, new wood plank flooring

Kitchen Before


Kitchen After


Dining Room Before


Dining Room After


Work Done: Painted walls, added trim and painted. 
Future Plans: Maybe a new table, new wood plank flooring, addition to house to make room larger, french doors out the back of the dining room onto a future deck addition, new dining room light and beadboard ceiling.

Living Room Before


Living Room After


Work Done: Added trim, painted trim and banister white, new curtains, paint on walls, new furniture
Future Plans: New wood plank flooring, beadboard ceiling, new windows

Living Room Before


Living Room After


Bathroom Before


Bathroom After


Work Done: New shower curtain, new hardware, painted vanity
Future Plans: New vanity, new mirror, new lighting, painting and new flooring

Bathroom Before


Bathroom After


Office Before


Office After


Work done: Paint, new light fixture and lots of extra work stuff added. :)
Future Work: New flooring

Basement Bedroom Before


Basement Bedroom After


Work Done: New paint, new curtains
Future Plans: Update doors and flooring

Basement Bedroom Before


Basement Bedroom After


 Basement Bedroom #2 Before


Basement Bedroom #2 After


 Work Done: Paint, vinyl decor
Future Plans: Paint trim, new light fixture




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Sunday, June 28, 2015

DIY Sunday: Covering Patio Cushions

Hello!

About five years ago, my mother-in-law and I decided we needed a patio set. It was late enough in the summer we picked up an entire conversation set for about $100.00. That patio set has been trucked across state lines and had some heavy use (including a few winters I should have brought the cushions in but didn't). I am honestly surprised the cushions lasted this long, and the metal doesn't have any rust spots.

With a little help from our new puppies, the cushions had a rough spring and needed to be covered up. I looked at buying new ones, but at around $20.00 a cushion, I could buy a new set for less money.

This is how I managed to cover all my patio set cushions for only $36.00.

DIY Patio Cushion Cover
Supplies

Fabric. I chose to go with fabric shower curtains for cost savings. The most expensive option is outdoor fabric. You could also try using some drop cloths. I was worried about mildew with the drop cloths. 
Sewing Machine
Kraft Paper or Leftover Wrapping Paper & Sharpie
Zipper or Buttons
Optional: Scotchguard Spray Waterproofing

Directions

1.  Make a Pattern

Using your cushion as a guide, draw an outline of your cushion. My cushion had three pieces. A front and back piece and then long piece for the edging. Your pattern will depend on the cushion. I folded over the shower curtain so I only had to cut the pattern once. Each shower cushion had enough fabric to make two cushion covers. When you cut your pattern out, you may want to leave a seam allowance. I decided not to so I would have a tight fit, but admittedly it was tighter than I wanted on some cushions. I found some fabric shower curtains on clearance, but they didn't have all the same color. I decided to get two different colors and keep my chairs blue and my love seat grey.

Before. My cushions needed some serious TLC.




2. Sew Zipper or Buttons

You first want to take the edge piece that will be the bottom of the cushion and add either a zipper or buttons. I did both. I had some zippers left over from a bin of sewing stuff I picked up. I didn't do a fancy zipper job. I just put the zipper on and sewed up so there are raw edges. I decided I didn't care. When I ran out of zippers, I made a flap with button holes. You need a way to get the cushion into the cover once it's made.






3. Sew

I did my cushions in the following order: zipper/buttons on the bottom, attach edging on front piece and attach edging on back piece. I had these fancy clips on my current cushions to keep the cushion on the frame. I clipped them off the current cushions and added them to the new cover. I just had to make sure that I remembered to slip the strap into the cushion before I started sewing the edge on the front piece.




4. Spray with Waterproofing

I'm going to spray all the cushions with the Scotchguard spray water proofing to make sure that they keep in top shape for another 5 years. :)

Before





After








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