June 21, 2013

freshening the foyer - part 1

Thanks everyone for your great potty training tips and ideas. Today the fun begins, so I'll keep y'all posted.

A few years into our marriage, I gave my husband a valuable little nugget of truth that has helped him to accept deal with my never ending project list - "by the time I mention something to you, know that I've already been debating the idea in my head for quite some time." I know, poetry right?

So when I told him a few weeks back that I had plans to overhall the foyer, his response was music to my ears -"Cool". He's a good egg.


Now I may get some slack for this because this little image is pinned quite a bit, but I'm tired of it. That wallpaper was one of the first projects we (aka the hubs and my dad) tackled in the house. Seven years ago. It is faded, scratched and is starting to come off on the corners.

Also, as much as I like the yellow table on its own, I was never in love with it with the wallpaper. It was all a bit too ketchup and mustard for me.

And the third strike, as great as this layout is in theory it isn't real life. We don't come in the door and put our mail and keys down. We come inside and take off our shoes. And 50% of the residents of this little cottage need to sit down and take several minutes to get those little shoes on and off. So its time to pull a Dr. Phil and 'get real' - we need a spot for all of this action.


Enter my new favorite. You may remember I was fortunate to snag my beauty of a bench a while back and it fits perfectly in the foyer. But the wallpaper isn't doing it any favors. This bench deserves a snazzy space.


So the wallpaper came down.


No one in this house is exempt from a good DIY.


Thanks to plaster walls, I was able to remove all of that wallpaper, all of it, with just my hands. No tools needed. See, I told you it was ready to come down. An important tip in removing wallpaper though, once the paper is off the wall, don't think you are finished. You still need to give the wall a good scrub with a wet sponge to get off all of the glue that remains on the wall. That sponge also helped to loosen up those pesky little pieces that hung on.

After about an hour before bed and then an hour or so the next morning I had a blank palette. I'm already in love with how much brighter and bigger the space feels. And let's face it, anything I can do to make this tiny space feel bigger is a thumbs up. So I painted the entry the same color as the living room (Arrowroot by Pratt & Lambert) to help with that bigger space feeling trick.


But fear not, I didn't just leave it that way. You know I can't go without a good dose of color. Next week we'll see where that color went and what to do when DIY goes wrong. (how's that for a tease?)

What are your plans for the weekend? Any DIY projects planned? Any plans to fix a DIY project?

32 comments:

  1. Ahh I can not wait to see what you do with your foyer!!! I love what you've told your husband, it's so true though!!

    Happy weekend!

    xo

    www.simplylowcountry.com

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  2. You are too much! That was one of the Best Posts I've read! I can't wait to read what happened next. It's better than a good book!

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  3. Oh Elizabeth, every time I see that bench, I die a little. I couldn't possibly love it any more. And I've searched craiglist and our local online furniture classified as well for months and have never found anything like it. I guess used Chinese Chippendale isn't much available in Canada.
    I'm so jealous. And I can't wait to see what you do in there!

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  4. I am in awe of your energy. All of this and potty training too? You're amazing.

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  5. I am in love with your beautiful bench. Looking forward to see your foyer makeover. I know it will be fab!

    Have a good weekend, Elizabeth!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  6. Excited to see what you do with the space. Love that bench!!

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  7. loving that bench for sure. I feel ya. Sometimes ya just need a little update. How lucky are you that wallpaper came off so easily. Those removals can usually be a beast. can't wait to see the new entry. Happy DIY weekend to u

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  8. Such torture, now I want to know what you did with that color!!

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  9. Cannot wait to see what you come up with here! Even thought I do love the old stripes...

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  10. Hateful! I gasped a little when I got to the end and no reveal!! Can't believe I have to wait the whole weekend...have a good one, see ya back here Monday!!

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  11. It's about time you put those girls to work. That was a great piece of advice you gave your husband. It prevents the response, maybe you should think about it some more. I love that bench....looking forward to part 2.

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  12. What!?! You can't leave me with this cliffhanger…….where did the green paint end up? I'm hoping the bench? How fun.

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  13. Oooh my... that's some serious green! :) Look forward to seeing where it went!

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  14. this is gonna be good! i love the bench there!

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  15. It sounds like you married just the right person who will allow you to change things when you want and not second-guess everything. I'm still so excited that you bought that bench, it really is a beautiful piece.

    Looking forward to seeing more and being totally inspired!

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  16. Oh my god you are a TEASE. Want to see more NOW DAMMIT. Ok, ok, I'll live. That bench is freaking amazing. Can not WAIT to see what you do!!! xxx

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  17. Can't wait to see how it all comes together!!

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  18. SUCH a tease! I can't believe you walked away from that bench the first time...it's so fabulous! Excited to see what fun things are coming!

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  19. seriously excited to see this. i am so jealz of that seat!!

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  20. Love, love, love that bench. I am expecting some serious after pictures with that little tease you gave us! Happy Weekend!!

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  21. I like this already! I have been eyeing your bench since you first showed it off.

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  22. Such a tease! Can't wait. I know it's going to be good.

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  23. Love your Chinese Chippendale bench! I can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  24. Oh, that bench! I remember when you showed it before I about died. I was hoping this wasn't going to be a, to be continued...

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  25. I Adore that bench. nothing can go wrong when you are working that beauty and yes am working on a DIY just painting hardware but I am such a procrastinator!!

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  26. Ok you are way leaving me hanging here, but can't wait to see how it all turned out!

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  27. ahh so exciting LOVE that bench and I know you'll knock it out of the park with the color!!

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  28. 1) I am super envious of that bench.
    2) agh! You went with such a fabulous green I can NOT wait for the reveal.

    Home run, girl. Do your thang!

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  29. I'm guessing you are adding some color to the back of the front door?

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  30. Well... that color is jazzy! I am loving the bench and am so excited to see where you put it!

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