Winter Pinterest Challenge: Chair Sketch Art

I am now the proud owner of a Floor Nailer! In other news, it's Wednesday!  Do you know what that means??

It's Pinterest Challenge Day!!

If you're new to this blog, check out my previous challenge projects here.

When this latest challenge rolled around, I knew that I couldn't take on any big undertakings (since I have my own collection of big undertakings over at Clark the Flip House).  After looking at my collection of pins, I knew exactly which one I wanted to attempt.

I love the informal feel of the sketch and the simple use of color.  So I had to try my hand at it.

Naturally, though, I couldn't stop there.  I decided the chair needed some friends.

The steps were very simple:

• Use a pencil to sketch the desired chair- precision not necessary
• When I was happy with the shape, I used a thin felt-tip pen to trace the outline.  Then erased the pencil guides.
• Then I added color as desired.  Not too saturated, but a little pop of color/pattern in each.

I'm REALLY pleased with the way they came out.  I popped them into some frames I picked up on sale at Michael's and hung them on my office wall (with 3m picture strips so I can change my mind on location if necessary).

This collection adds a nice balance to this wall since to the right is a wall-mounted tv.  I must apologize for the lighting in these pics- it's a dreary, rainy day here in New England and I was forced to turn on the lamps- boo.

So, what do you think of my new artwork?

I'm not worried about my computer blocking the art, since this is only a temporary home for the computer until I get my butt in gear and finish my secretary desk eventually.

Now that I have my picture ledge on the wall and these on the wall, my office is starting to feel like a finished space.  Yay!  Not quite finished yet, but definitely well on it's way!

Go check out the Pinterest Challenge Projects from this season's hosts:

Sherry's Board and Batten

Katie's Growth Chart

Megan's Fabric Ottoman

Michelle's Button Art

Clark Inspirations

Demoing a kitchen and bathroom went surprisingly fast, but I have a feeling the rebuilding process won't be as much instant gratification.  Luckily this is the part that I'm most excited about!  I can't wait to see it come together!! I haven't ordered any of the finishes yet, but I plan to start today. The style I'm going for is New Vintage Charm.

1. Wainscoting in the bathroom with the existing pedestal sink (as long as I can unclog it for good).  Image via bhg.com
2. Vintage inspired bathroom sconces, Hampton Bay Whitford from Home Depot
3. Tile for bathroom floor, Daltile Octagon and Dot
4. Hickory hardwoods in the main areas- Home Depot, in store only
5. Kitchen inspiration: white cabinets, stone counter (whatever color I can get an amazing deal on), & mosaic backsplash.  Image also via bhg.com

I can totally see the house all done in my head.  What do you think?

Clark: Week 1

I think I've sufficiently shocked my body this week- going from sitting at a desk 8 hours a day to on my feet demo-ing for 8 hours a day.  I need a massage more than ever before. But, enough about me, you want to hear all about Clark!  We closed on him a week ago yesterday and I've been out at the house almost every day since.  I took some updated pictures right before I left last night, so here's how he currently stands.  (To see what he looked like before the demo, check it out here)

The biggest change so far has been in the kitchen.  Or should I say "what kitchen?"

Notice the closet bump-out that used to be in the right corner is now gone- yay!  Now we'll have room for a normal size fridge and dishwasher.

Guess what else is happening on that wall:

It makes the space feel so much larger- a HUGE plus on a house under 1000sf.  Our realtor suggested this and she was totally right (thanks Amy!).  The contractor's going to be back this afternoon to finish the openings.

The demo pile has been hanging out in the living room for now.  We got a bagster, but parking's limited, so I didn't want a dumpster or bagster taking up my spot.  Next week I'll put it out when I call for a pickup.  Once I cut down most of these boards, I'm hoping we can fit almost all of it in the bagster (it can hold up to 3300 lbs!).  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore that's a few minutes away is going to get a ton of stuff from Clark including the kitchen sink and whatever other usable fixtures I remove.  I also plan on sourcing as much as possible from the ReStore as well, so it's a win-win in my opinion.  I already found one treasure there.

I'm going to be spraying the metal parts silver, but for $5 plus tax I couldn't resist.  This guy's going to look AWESOME hanging over the kitchen sink!

BUT, the kitchen/living room isn't the only area that's undergone a transformation!  Just a few hours after the closing, Hubby and I got to work on the bathroom.

When we started pulling down the cracked plastic shower surround, we discovered delightful pink plastic marbled tile underneath.  It entertained me, so I rescued a few undamaged pieces for posterity.

All week, I've literally been chipping away at the bathroom piece by piece.

I wish I could express to you the smell when I started opening up walls and demoing cabinets.  Like I said before, he LOOKED decent in pictures, but nothing was nice.  Nothing.  There was mold in the shower walls and water damage under the kitchen sink, and 50+ years of grime.  Yummy.  Everything needed to go, so it went.  I'm really excited for the rebuilding part.  That's the part that makes this designer giddy.  I'm planning to add back some vintage charm through finishes and really give him character.  That's what's going to sell it.  (I'll put together a mood board next week to show you my plans)

Although this past week was mainly demo, it wasn't exclusive.  We also:

• had several small plumbing issues fixed (by a plumber, I'm not brave enough to give that a try)
• With the help of my mom, we scraped the peeling paint off of all the basement walls to prep for a new coat (I know I haven't shown you the basement yet- its a basement, nothing special)
• Started prepping walls throughout the house for paint
• Got several quotes on tile work and hard wood floors (yup, hardwood- I'm excited!)
• Made many many trips to Home Depot (and anticipate many many more)

I'm hoping that we can finalize any last demo today and tomorrow and next week can start the rebuilding phase.

How's that for a weeks worth of progress?