Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Progress Report: Transforming the Big Bah-Nilla


It is definitely still a WIP (work in progress) around here.  There has been discussion of a wall to come down in another room... and three other PROJECTS!!  Meanwhile, this room is almost finished. 

I'll share some before photos:


The floors in this room were decent and we matched the rest of the downstairs to it as closely as we could (12 years later).  Note that mantel:  Way too fussy and somehow the proportions didn't work for me; I'm sure the last owners loved it.


There are pocket doors between this room and the entry.  I like those.  =)


The crown molding is decent, but as you can see the caulk had cracked and separated on ALL the woodwork.  The Big Bah-Nilla had been on the market for four years... wonder why.  ;)


So the new caulk and fresh paint helped a lot... But, the room felt off balance to me with all the built-ins on one side and the necessity of keeping a walk way on the other side.


The idea was born to add board and batten wainscot AND to use it to create a gallery for my paintings along this bare wall!!



So, my two carpenter friends, Andy and Pablo (who built the bathroom in our Brickstreet Bungalow with me) helped me create my Gallery Wall.  This added the visual weight to balance this room (in my eyes). 


So now... we have a simplified mantel.


Yes, I know these built-ins would be more aesthetically pleasing if there were fewer COLORS going on... but, truth is I like color.  And, all the pieces are some little thing I love for one reason or another... So, it is going to continue to be a sensory overload.  ;)


That overload does help me to keep the furniture and central part of the room VERY CALM and simple. 


The top shelf of the board and batten wall will allow me to swap painting around easily... Should I ever get back to the brushes!  One day.  One day.


This end of the built-ins... well, it is still swapping around... I have tried SEVERAL baskets in attempts to find the ones that satisfy... but, not yet.  I notice that ladder has been in all these photos taken months apart... does that let you know I can't get this one "fixed" yet.  LOL!

 
These three little benches finally got here last night.  I love the aqua legs and cowhide (velvet) seats!! 
 
Slowly, this is becoming HOME.  The last (I hope part of the construction type work will be starting in a couple of weeks... and take about three.  I hope to have more progress reports soon. 
 
I'm joining Kim's Wow Us Wednesdays. 
 
blessings ~ tanna
 
 

38 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i LOVE your gallery wall!!! wow! best thing in the whole post! your talent is amazing and should be shown off!

From the Kitchen said...

I love the colorful shelfs! One needs to be surrounded by what they love whether Sister Parish would approve or not!! I think she would have approved though.

Best,
Bonnie

Dana said...

It is really looking good! I'm impressed with all you've done. I LOVE the yarn in the shelves. Such a neat touch. It's coming along!!

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Looks like everything is coming along. Love those little stools with the cowhide.

karen said...

I didn't know you painted...or did I? I feel like my memory is fading on me. Love what you did to your new home. Looks cozy and comfy and I for one would love to sit in it!!!

Betsy Brock said...

lovely nesting...one of my most favorite things to do!

Pammy Sue said...

It all looks wonderful, Tanna! The wainscoating was a great idea for that wall, and I love all the built-in shelving.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I love the board and batten and how that created a place for your paintings. Those three stools are too cute.

Jocelyn said...

Definitely WOW! Great room. Love the way you are displaying the paintings. Very creative and balancing.

Kerin said...

Hi Tanna,
Great addition to the front room... love that wainscoting and what a nice place to display your beautiful art!!

I like the changes to the room also.. the color, the fireplace re-vamp, and the layout looks nice as well.

I'm SO glad that it's starting to feel like home!!
Any ideas as to what you will name your new home??

Smiles :)
K.

SImple and Serene Living said...

It looks beautiful. The mantle made a huge difference. xo Laura

Sandy said...

Looking very comfy and cozy, Tanna. I love all you're doing in this room. The various colors of the yarn are luscious and not too much at all, in my opinion. When I see this room I see someone who loves life and loves to create more beauty in it! Doesn't look so "Big Bah-villa" to me...just lovely.

xx oo

LauraLillyLaura said...

Love, love the board and batten gallery wall!! What a smart idea and the turquoise stools are to die for!! You are such a smart cookie!! I love, love it all. The yarn in the shelves makes me smile. What a happy home!!!!

Lynne said...

The gallery wall is simply wonderful . . . love your paintings too. I can tell I am a newbie to Brick Street Bungalow because I can't figure out your homes. I think there is a newer home and an other, but , . . . At any rate I am enjoying my visits and one day soon I hope I figure it all out . . .

The charm in this room is so warm! I love the skeins, balls of yarn on the shelves . . . from this I glean that you knit. And today I learned that you do watercolor.

I am enjoying the mystery and love visiting you!

Amanda said...

You ALWAYS have a way of making a house feel like HOME. Always. I loved having that feeling growing up, and I hope my boys appreciate and enjoy that, too. Nests are so important, aren't they? xoxo

Shug said...

Great idea for the gallery wall....I really do like it. Looks like you are pulling it all together and the place looks very warm and comfy. Awesome Job. OMGOODNESS...love those little stools....my style exactly...
Blessings
shug

Sharon Lee Smith said...

It is just turning out incredibly charming but what else would I expect. I do love the gallery wall. What a nifty idea! Plus I see a lovely yarn stash in there.

podso said...

I'm amazed how you could figure out what to do with that room to balance it. It looks beautiful and I love how it looks to the future when you may have more paintings to swap out! IT took me awhile but I figured out what all the color is about at the top of your shelves. Love it !!!! You are making wonderful progress and it does take time to know a house. Most of all, it's good to hear that it's becoming home.

Christine @ Rustic-Refined said...

I love how you balanced the room with the wainscotting and fixed that mantle...It looks much better! You have a great eye for what works....great job!

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

You have such a lovely home...so warm and cozy. :)

Blessings to you always sweet friend. :)

steph said...

and look at all that yarny-goodness on those shelves!!! always front and center. (I like to decorate with yarn, too!!!!!)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tanna, what a fabulous job you've done with that room! You were so right about balancing the weight of the room with that beautiful board and batten - I *love* it!

Mac n' Janet said...

The room looks fantastic and I love how you balanced things, your picture wall is a great idea and really looks good.

Tricia Buice said...

Oh my you are one talented lady! I LOVE what you did with that room. I have dreamed of that same thing in my dining room - but oh well. You have made this house a home :) Congratulations!!!

Mereknits said...

The room looks so beautiful and inviting. Brilliant idea to display your paintings, and I LOVE that yarn is featured so prominently, it must make you smile to settle down there in that room, look up and see all that gorgeous yarn.
Hugs,
Meredith

Pondside said...

There's lots to look at here, and more than a little inspiration. I love what you've done with your gallery wall! I wish you lived down the street - I'd love to get your opinion on a thing or two.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

love, love, love....I want one of these houses You are beautifying Texas

Deb said...

I love the transformation! Definitely has a Home feel to it!

Christine said...

Your touch is everywhere in this room.
I like how you displayed your art from the yarn to your paintings.
It did go from Blah to Bam!

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

Tanna, It is coming together nicely. At first I did like the mantle, but I do like it even better now. The gallery wall balanced things perfect with the little benches. You're doing a great job with all of it!

Amy at love made my home said...

Hi Tanna, just catching up now I am back, I have been reading, just not commenting. I loved the cardigan and shawl in your last posts, they are so pretty and delicate. Your room looks beautiful!!! I love the way that you have all your yarns stored and displayed at the same time, so much inspiration just at your fingertips. The change to the fireplace has made it look so different and so much better, those leg side bit thingys just didn't work at all did they. The house must love having you looking after it now and lavishing so much love and care on it. xx

Anonymous said...

I'm a knitter and love. love. love that you put your yarn on your book shelves like that! BTW - I have chairs similar to yours - except their his and hers - the feet, bottom trip and everything are so similar. I just have mine covered in a white grey - and am loving them.

SouthernHeart said...

It all looks wonderful! The gallery wall is probably my favorite...along with the Bobcat! Looks just like the one that stared in at me in Oregon! ;-)

Blessings,
Dianne
www.sweetjourneyhome.com

Debbie said...

I wish so much that I had your eye for color and placement of "stuff". I struggle with stuff placement. The board and batten gallery wall is just perfection in that room, and although I personally loved the original mantel, I think the one you put looks much better in that room. You're right!

I love that colorful lamp you have there, too. I do want a pop of color for a lamp on a certain table in my living room, but I have found neither the perfect lamp not the right color so it's currently lampless.

Want to come to Georgia and help with my tired old eyes? I will buy you a pumpkin latte.

Catherine Holman said...

It's beautiful and I love the gallery wall idea! I also love your yarn arranged on the shelves!

Catherine said...

Dear Tanna, You certainly have an eye for decorating. It all came together and looks beautiful. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

Donna said...

You are definitely starting to shine through in your new space. There is so much I love about that room. Sensory overload? Nah. Not at all. Eye candy! Everywhere you look. Love it and you. donna.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I spy a whole bunch of yarn. :)

Love the gallery wall!

Blessings, Tammy

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