Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Happy (belated) New Year!

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I'm a bit late (19 days to be exact) but I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!  I'm actually quite surprised we are 19 days into the new year (and over halfway done with the school year-say what?) already.  I've been busy doing a lot of things that needed to be done but I've put off.  I have taken a bit of a break from Juella Designs as well.  I'm mentally changing up my business plan and physically plan to do it in the next month or so.  I'm excited for the change.  


No new years resolutions for me (well kinda-I'm keeping last years going for those in the know...lol). 


No big announcements of the physical fitness, weight loss variety either.  Whenever I do that I inevitably get hurt and derailed.  I'm keeping it simple--Move More, Eat Healthy.  Simple.  Now do it.  :-) 

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Brother's House Remodel....

As I mentioned a month or so ago I was given the opportunity to redecorate/redesign a second room in my brother's house (see Just Call Me An Interior Decorator).  Last week I tackled that room!  The room itself was a converted porch area into a 3rd "bedroom," about 14 feet by 6 feet.  He was just planning to use the room as storage but instead I converted it into an office/studio.  I'm very thrilled with the results and I think he is too!  Though I'm now seeing the photos I captured don't fully reflect the change.  The room is tiny and I really needed a wide angle lens. 


BEFORE:


An ugly pinkish paint covered the walls along with baby poop brown trim paint.  An ugly linoleum covered the floor and smelled like many more dogs than just my brothers used it as a bathroom.  The windows have been painted over so many times they couldn't open.  We managed to pry 2 of them open. 


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AFTER:


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I painted the walls a bright white (Behr Polar Bear) and the trim a bright apple green (Behr Pepper Grass).  Don't look too close to the window trim-it's hideous and needs some more TLC.  I painted the inset area, which was previously a window patched in when the room was remodeled, with black chalkboard paint.  Jeff's main interest for this room was to have an office and a room he could paint in.  I propped an easel with waiting canvas in the corner and purchased a baker's rack for him to store his art supplies. 


A crazy last minute idea was to retile the floor.  I found these inexpensive vinyl tiles at Lowes and retiled the floor all by myself!  Quite a feat for someone who hates measuring! 


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I found this desk at Amazin Finds in Redding and it fits perfectly at the far end of the room.  I also purchased the wood sorter that sits on top at the same store.  The beige filing cabinet has been replaced by a black one also found at Amazin Finds on a second trip.  I also set him up with all the basic office supplies--while planning the room at his house I was hard pressed to find even a scrap of paper or a pencil!  Whether you decide to run a business or write a novel....You're all set now Jeff!


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The last few days we've been working on some home redecorating projects at our own home.  I took some before shots....stay tuned for afters!  (But please be patient.  It'll take me some time to commit to paint colors.)