Thursday, November 24, 2011

70s Weekender Makeover - An Odd Thanksgiving Edition


The sight of our Little Men arriving for a holiday stay was my "5-4-3-2-1- put your tools down!" signal to stop my remodel project!  What is done is done... what isn't, will have to wait until after the holidays.



I will share some of the project with you today as I give THANKS that this little family arrived safely.

Sorry this is such a bad photo...
We bought our 70s-model weekender this past summer for a near song. It was stuck in the seventies and even though it had had some updates by the previous owner... they were not updates that brought it up to speed. 

The first thing that had to go was the header between these two built-ins.  It just held the whole thing down in  my opinion.  I wanted it opened up, brightened up and cleaned up!


I had crown moulding added to the top of the shelves and around the room.  My favorite elements in a room tend to be the crown moulding and the hardwoods.  The carpet had to go, too.  The floors were put in by people Lumbar Liquidators sent.  Would NOT use them again.  We chose an engineered hardwood in a Tobacco Road stain.  I wanted some variation and movement in the color.  Evan and I both immediately liked this wood.

I do love the stain and the look of the floor.  But, if I had it to do over, I would stick with the floor guy I use with my Old Girls.  I just had to want something a little more 'exotic' this time.


Now, this is not a post about decorating!!  LOL!  This stuff all was hurriedly thrown in place to get ready for the Little Men.  I was still doing a backspash earlier this week.

And, admittedly... I am not a good decorator like my friend, Kim at Savvy Southern Style or so many of my other blog friends... I am more of a 'bones of the place' kind of decorator (just like I was an orthopaedic nurse... not a plastic sugrery nurse... So, please don't judge me by my decorating!  LOL!)


This is during the process... you can immediately see the difference pulling out that header from one built-in to the other makes!   The 'popcorn' acoustic ceiling was removed.  I use very little texture (the Old Girls never have much... so, I've come to appreciate their smoother, simpler appearance).  Sheetrock replaced the old paneling and you can see the crown added to the built-ins.


Still need to find an area rug and do my small bit toward decorating, but all of that will come.  I have no idea why they placed the two ceiling fans where they did. My best solution was to add two more to balance it out and give lots of light. Plus, in the nicer weather the windows will be open and fans will be running! 


Painting the cabinets and using a light neutral color, Wool Skein (knitting attachment, you know) by Sherwin Williams, for the walls really helped lighten up the place, too. 


Yes, the drapes still need to be pressed -- again, not a decorator post.  LOL!


My favorite change was opening up this space above the fireplace.  I am used to seing the changes made by the paint, the hardwoods, the lighting... but, my Old Girls have never needed 'opening up.'  LOL!  So, this relatively Young Girl has had a freshening and I look forward to enjoying the new cleaner, brighter, lighter version.  I'll share more on the kitchen soon. 


I clung fiercely to the 'Norman Rockwell Family' dream for years...  Scrapped and fought and worked and tried to create it every year in every way I could.  Truth is, we don't have it (at least not in all ways... or in all the times).  But, what we do have is good.  Very good.

We shared an EARLY morning breakfast with our Little Men before they headed off to other family commitments for the day.  Then we headed home... where I did my Thanksgiving phone calls, turned on my electric blanket and piled into bed for a long four hour nap.  Rest was a real treat. 

Evan and I shared a frozen pizza; he is watching football and I am about to catch up on my blog reading.  My heart is full and I am so very thankful for all the many blessings we enjoy. 

Would I still like Norman Rockwell?  You know I would.  But today, I think I am finally okay not having that 'dream'.   Acceptance is a good thing (I know if I keep saying that to myself, one day it will really, really, really sink in).

;)

Today, I have offered and will continue to offer a special thanks to God for my blog friends.  You all enrich my life in ways I could never have imagined (a special thanks to Dotsie, for the flea reminder).  Thank you, too.

I am linking this to Kim's Wow Us Wednesdays (late).  She is such an amazing blog person and blog friend (always makes me feel like such a slacker by how much she gets done AND blogs!).  Thank you, Kim.

Photobucket

blessings to all ~
tanna

29 comments:

Kate i said...

I just love what you've done to bring in such a beautiful feeling of lightness here Tanna. Great job! (can't wait to see the kitchen)

I'm glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving day with your family...those boys are so completely adorable.

Kelly said...

I think your living room turned out great! It's amazing to see the before and after pics. Glad you had a good day today and was able to spend it with loved ones. I did the same thing. I spent it with the very person you've talked about....Kim. We had a great day and ate wonderful food. I am sitting with my feet up by the fire and watching tv and reading blogs. A great way to end the day.

Donna said...

Tanna, I am right there with you in trying to fashion a "dream" and then being able to let it go and love the life I am actually living! Can we see the outside of your new girl? You so deserved that nap today! Happy day of giving thanks....

TexWisGirl said...

to use the phrase, 'i love what you've done with the place' would be fitting! :) and i love your happy family! God bless you all. Norman Rockwell be damned! :)

Amanda said...

Yes, what we have is very good. We are blessed in so many ways.

I do LOVE the nest you've built. These pictures don't even do this place justice. Thank you for working your tired fingers to the bone to get us set up for the holidays. Love you big! XOXOXO

Pondside said...

I love what you've done - it makes me itch for a project...like I have any time at all!! Oh well, I can dream! The wall colour is perfect and I'm filing it away for a future paint job upstairs.
Norman Rockwell painted beautifully, but he never got past the pretty picture stage. While I like a pretty picture as much as anyone else, I much prefer the reality and messiness of real family life.
Your Little Men are gorgeous!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

You did a wonderful job making this "weekender house" a wonderful "home away from home" for your daughter, son-in-law and grandsons, Tanna. They will be very comfortable during their stay and will enjoy all the fruits of your labor. That is what Thanksgiving is all about ..not so much turkey, as about the love and togetherness of family. That is the real deal!

Enjoy your time together, and especially those cute "little men"!

Hugs,
Pat

tracie c. said...

Happy Thanksgiving!
Your new girl is quite a looker! Wow what a difference! The built in was a total day and night make over! Great color choice and the crown molding really brought her to life! That beam was holding it all down.
Our leather furniture is the same deep rich tobacco color, it was good to see a preview for my own inspiration, we need new flooring soon. I'm pulled to doing something a little exotic too. The colors are stunning.
Looking forward to seeing your kitchen :)
XoX Tracie

Vickie said...

Wow, Tanna - you really opened this big room up and gave it some light! I like the color of the floors, too, I like to be able to see the grain and the flaws and the color of the wood. For a room that you "just threw together" you did a great job on a tight schedule. Glad you got to spend some time with your Little Men and family. I love Thanksgiving - my favorite holiday of the year! Now, just chill out for the rest of this weekend!

podso said...

Amazing transformation! Crown molding, such as on top of the bookcases makes a big difference and what a good eye you have to determine how to change that fireplace area. Wonderful, all if it and may you have many happy times there.

I totally get this post. It's a constant struggle to "let go" of how we would prefer things to be. Something I always have to work on in life. Most likely Mr. Rockwell painted what he thought things should be like. :-) Have a restful weekend.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hi Tanna, sounds to me like you had a perfect Thanksgiving day. You really did brighten up that space. The paint and floors make a big difference. And the more you put your touch on it, the cozier it will be. I am looking around here and wondering who is gonna climb up on a ladder and dust our crown molding. :/ I am ready to change things up a bit, but unable to do any heavy lifting as my ankle is still not 100% and I don't want to put more pressure on it than necessary. We don't do big Thanksgivings anymore. All the friends we used to celebrate with moved away, plus I don't eat meat anymore and although I enjoy all the sides, it just seems a little much to do all that cooking. Besides, Thanksgiving really shouldn't be about all the food anyways. Every day should be filled with thanksgiving. Blessings to you and yours, Tammy

California Girl said...

Hi Tanna! You may not be a decorator, per se, but you're a wonderful rehabber with an excellent eye for details that count. I love this transformation.

Can't decide if I love the cabinet changes the most (paint color, molding, hardware) or the floors. One of these days I'll share a post on our new kitchen & family & dining area created from a too large living room. Unfortunately, I don't think we have any "before" photos and those make all the difference.

Sounds like your Thanksgiving was wonderful.

Stacey said...

Wow! I had to do a double and even a triple take between the before 'opening it up' and after photo. Oh my goodness. What a difference the changes have made!! It looks wonderful! I love how the floor and your furniture especially the red chair now pops with the white built ins. I would say that fits under the decorating eye - and you've got it girl!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

What an AMAZING difference, I LOVE it!!! You have lightened it up and modernized it up so beautifully! and I love how you opened it up over the fireplace, that make all the difference in the world. But my dear, you ARE a decorator!! I would never have had the vision to do ANY of this, your makeover ideas are genius!!! Being as I am a new follower, this is the house that is your home, not one you are doing to sell? Your boys are adorable, I'm so glad you had a great Thanksgiving all together. We had a two hour nap yesterday, they are a good thing!

Dana said...

All your updates look great! Are Amanda and the fam staying there? Are you planning to rent it out? I'm so glad Amanda and the boys made it to TX safely. Enjoy your time with them!

From the Kitchen said...

What a welcome sight pulling into your driveway! I love the photo of your sweet family. Great job on the house. Quite different from your bungalow but very comfortable looking.

I understand how you feel re the "Norman Rockwell" moments. I've again compromised on Thanksgiving and have loads of Christmas "moments" running through my head. I'm going to try dumping some of them and just go with the flow.

Enjoy the moments with the family.

Best,
Bonnie

Jen Price said...

I bet you had such a great time with your little men! Love what you've done and how you've brightened it up. The hardwood floors are beautiful!

Judy S. said...

You may not consider yourself a decorator, Tanna, but you've sure impressed me! Your room/s look great and so inviting. Great job! Hope you had a wonderful Turkey Day!

Deb said...

woo hoo they made it...I know your heart is full...

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Tanna, this is beautiful. You do so know how to decorate. Is this just a vacation home? Enjoy those little men!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Your project is coming along beautifully! I've always thought we carry the holidays in our heart. What goes on the table is no where near as important as reaching across the table to touch the hands of those you love. I hope you have a glorious weekend. Blessings...Mary

nanny said...

I would choose your mode of decorating "any" day! I love what you have done with the weekender (more like a wonderful home to me)
I am sure the little men and parents will enjoy their stay.

Tell Amanda her hair cut is precious! She looks so good (not tired at all)

Have a great visit with your babies.....give them a hug for nanny.

karen said...

Paint is always amazing to me! It can drastically change any room. I love those built in shelves!!

Lauri said...

Oh Tanna, it looks absolutely beautiful!! I find it amazing how your vision completely transformed the space and made it look completely different, spacious, and modern. Your eye for architecture is something else! I may just have to send you a picture of my current spaces that I'm struggling with and get your suggestions! :-)

I hope you have the BEST visit with your Lil' Men this holiday season.

Cindy said...

Ah, Tanna, don't be so hard on yourself, I think you are a great decorator. I love what you have done with your weekender, it's beautiful, bright and roomy. What more could you ask for? It's the perfect place for a family gathering.
I know what you mean by holding on to a Norman Rockwell dream. I am slowly letting mine go, but it is hard. I so want a "Family" Thanksgiving or Christmas, my heart would enjoy it SO much, I haven't had it yet, but I can't give it up yet, either. So meanwhile I enjoy the time that I have with each one and thank the Lord for it.
I'm glad for you that you got to spend time with your darling "little men". I can tell that they are the darlings of your heart. =o)
Love and hugs, Cindy

Debbie said...

I know I'm really late to this. I have been away from the computer and spending as much "Rockwell" time with my daughters as possible during Thanksgiving.

I do get what your saying about that, too.

And about that transformation?? Oh wow, it's wonderful! Opening it up make such a big difference. I love it. The floor is really awesome too.

(And I so badly want to remove my popcorn ceilings. With my back and my husband's travel schedule, it's not happening any time soon. Sigh.

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

What a completely beautiful make-over! I LOVE the built-ins and the fireplace - what a wonderful, warm, friendly room. I bet you had a great time with the little men and your lovely daughter.

Dianne said...

This is a weekend retreat home?? It's wonderful! I love all of the redecorating that you've done - colors, floor, walls, crown molding, everything!

Blessings,
Dianne

Susan McClaskey said...

Once again, I'm playing "catch up" on my blog reading. I'm in awe! I know you've been busy, but I had NO idea you were doing anything as involved as this! Because I haven't been diligent about reading regularly I'm wondering if this will be a weekend retreat for you after the holidays? What have I missed? At any rate, it looks fantastic. I love how the painted cabinets change the whole look too. Re Norman Rockwell moments--those are just for inspiration for you to make your own, in your own style...looks to me like you've done that beautifully.
Best,
Susan

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the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
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