I mentioned a few weeks ago when I shared all about our new windows that we were getting ready to replace our back patio. Like pretty much everything else with the house, the patio is in really rough shape. We have so many plans for the backyard, but before we can start on any of them, or the mountain of landscaping we have to do, the patio needs to be the first thing we change before moving forward. Even though we've repainted the house, installed a new roof, soffit, gutters and windows, we still have so much to do... as you can see! Replacing our back patio is the first step to really being able to start working on the back of the house. Here's what our existing patio ... Read more
On The Search For New Dinnerware
You may be surprised to know, that even with all of the table setting and entertaining ideas I've shared over the years, I've never really had an "official" dinnerware set to use for everyday meals. I've collected a lot of dishes, mainly from thrift stores and estate sales, but they've never been in a complete set, or in perfect condition. Affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here. Several years ago, I bought a really pretty set, that I've showcased in so many table decor ideas, but there's always been a few things about them that I haven't loved. Todd and I have been using them exclusively since we got married, but the little things I'd noticed about ... Read more
Adding A Front Window Box
My love for this house update ranks high up on the list. Adding a front window box to our big living room window completely transformed the house. I couldn't stop dreaming about adding a window box... I say that with all seriousness. Before we finally pulled the trigger and bought it, Todd heard all about every possible combination of items that could find a home in this window box. I went on about it for days. Since getting the window box installed, that list has only grown as my love has gotten deeper. Now, there's no way we could have just one window box... no way! We'll be adding several more to the house. Affiliate links are provided below. Full ... Read more
Our New Windows
When we bought our fixer upper house, we knew one of the first things we'd be replacing was the windows. They were old and in really rough shape... much like the condition of the rest of the house. Several of the metal window frames were bent, the screens were tore up or missing, and there was moisture in between the glass. They were also beyond filthy and had been severely neglected when it came to any form of cleaning. I told myself when we bought the house I wasn't going to spend a bunch of time cleaning them, but a few weeks after we moved in, I couldn't take the grime any longer. It wasn't until I was cleaning one of the four window panes in an upstairs bedroom that I finally ... Read more
How We Installed Our Floating Vanity
When we were looking at vanity options for the hall bathroom, I kept going back to the idea of having a floating vanity. I liked the subtle, modern vibe it would add to the bathroom with some of the more traditional items we'd be incorporating as well. I also wanted a vanity that had a thicker top, so when I found this one, I was basically sold. It was the right size, the right color, the right style, and the right price. Today, I wanted to share how we installed our floating vanity. While it should have probably been easier than it was, we finally got it installed and anchored to the wall. It's not going anywhere, that's for sure. Right out of the box, the vanity had ... Read more
How To Use Patterns In Decor
When I was coming up with the design plan for our office, I knew I wanted to incorporate some kind of pattern. I didn't want it to be too overwhelming, that's not really my style, but I do like to incorporate some sort of pattern into each and every room of our home. It keeps things interesting, and can often bring the final touch to a room. While I was searching for office items, I found so many great pieces that would definitely provide that punch of pattern. Here's the thing though, there really is a way to include them that makes sense. Let's talk about how to use patterns in decor and around your home... Affiliate links are provided below. Full ... Read more
Office Design Plan
It's hard to believe a month ago the room for our office was stacked full of boxes. We couldn't even walk around in there. Every day I'd walk by completely overwhelmed and frustrated with not being able to find certain things we'd be looking for. As soon as I knew I'd be back to blogging again, putting the office together became a priority. So today, I'm sharing the office design plan and I'm so excited to see it come together! Affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here. Since Todd and I will both be using the office, I wanted it to be a nice balance of feminine and masculine... but we all know how much I love black paint and furniture. It wasn't really a ... Read more
One Big Hall Bathroom Update
It's been a few minutes since I've shared anything about the hall bathroom, so today I thought it was time for one, big update. Like every other room in the house, it's functional and almost finished, but not quite done. That's something I hope to change in the next few months. Demo'ing out the space was the last post I shared, and so much has changed! This room certainly hasn't been without some drama though, and it left us wanting to pull our hair out. First, let's take a trip down memory lane. Here's what the room looked like when we bought the house... We removed everything from the bathroom, and then switched up the floor plan. That was huge on our part, and it made the ... Read more
TGI-Friday: Our Weekend Trip To Denver & What We Bought At Ikea
Like I mentioned in our laundry room update post this week, we set out on a quick trip to Ikea a few weekends ago, and decided to spend some much needed "down time" in Denver while we were visiting. Even though we've both lived there (ages ago), we'd never really stayed downtown and took in the sites. This was finally the weekend though, and we had so much fun walking 16th Street Mall, shopping and visiting a few local restaurants from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We both love watching the show, so we planned ahead and picked where we wanted to go. After a few long months of work, it's exactly what we needed. On one of our walks back from breakfast one morning, we stopped and admired ... Read more
Painting The Laundry Room And Installing Cabinets
The last time I shared a laundry room update, we had just installed the new black slate tile, and the room was officially ready for paint and cabinets! You may remember from when I introduced the house, but the original laundry room was actually just a little section in the garage. There wasn't a room, or barely even a designated space. With the tiny fourth bedroom downstairs that was hardly big enough for a twin sized bed, and a serious lack of storage in this house, we decided to move the laundry downstairs and put the fourth bedroom to good use. I shared our original design plan here, but as things normally do when you're knee deep in fixing up a fixer upper, the plan will often ... Read more
How We Painted Our Exterior
Admittedly, I'm late in sharing all the details on how we painted our exterior. When we bought the house almost a year ago, there were several areas with peeling paint, and for the purpose of our loan, we had to repaint those areas in order to close on the house. We both thought it would be pointless to just slap some paint up without just painting the entire exterior... especially since it was so ugly to start. Let's flash back to last summer. This is how the house looked the day we closed... Let's just say, we couldn't wait to give the house a complete paint job. A new roof, soffit and facia were all things we knew we'd be replacing quickly as well, but ... Read more
My Amazon Prime Day Picks
Who else loves Amazon Prime? In our house, we order from Amazon Prime at least weekly... some of the items we love the most we've found on Amazon, and I'm thinking we're probably not alone. I'm sharing my Amazon Prime Day picks, specifically for home decor. We have so many rooms in the house that need a few things, so I set out and searched to see what was on sale. Here's all of the items that either caught my eye, or that we're considering buying! I hope you enjoy, and maybe even find something you love for your own home! Affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here. Glass Lamp: Classic, but with a slightly modern design that would look ... Read more
Saying Goodbye To The Original Wood Grain Cottage
With all of the changes that happened over the last few years, one of the hardest parts of it was letting go and moving out of my home. I dreaded that day. Often though, the thing we don't want to do the most, is exactly what we need to do... and what leads us on a new journey. Today, I wanted to say goodbye to the original Wood Grain Cottage... the house that not only built this blog... but built me. As many of you may know, it can be incredibly hard and emotional to sell a home you've so lovingly cared for. When I first built the original Wood Grain Cottage, I had no idea what would happen, but I certainly didn't expect for it to change my entire path. Without even knowing it, the ... Read more
TGI-Friday & The Last 5 House Things I’ve Purchased
Friday... Isn't it one of the best days of the week?! In today's TGI-Friday post, I thought it would be fun to share the last 5 house things I've purchased... minus groceries! Even though I haven't been posting on the blog, that doesn't mean I haven't been buying the house some goodies here and there! (Can't stop, won't stop!) But first, let's take a good look at some of the big highlight things we've been up to the past few months... Have I ever told you about my love for scones? If I haven't, I'm not sure what I've been doing. I love scones! I've always been obsessed with them, and I've now, happily, passed that love onto Todd. I couldn't believe he hadn't ever had a scone before ... Read more
Back To Blogging!
It's been no secret that I've had a hard time keeping the blog updated and current with all of our house projects these last few months. It feels like I blinked, and the last blog post I published is now over two months old! That honestly wasn't my intention, and I've been trying to make my way back to blogging. Remodeling the house has come to a pretty slow roll as we've both been overwhelmed with a very busy and demanding work schedule. When I moved out of my home last year, the blog was forced to take a back seat, and I started a full time job that left little to no time for writing new blog posts. Like anything, blogging takes time, energy and creativity. All of those things ... Read more
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