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Monday, January 25, 2016

the chandelier is up and other house updates


It's hard to believe that it's been a week since my parents left.
During their visit my Mom came down with a cold and the day after she left I got it too. Which is why I've been MIA in the blog world lately--although I've still managed to get some exciting things done around here since my parents left. Somehow working with my Dad always seems to motivate me.
(I can't wait to show you what we did last week. I just need to upload some pictures for you).


Our vintage chandelier finally got hung in the kitchen--yippee--and I did manage to get a few pictures to show you.


Here's a shot showing the plugged recessed holes in our ceiling.
This house had some scary sub-standard wiring issues we needed to address.




I love the details of this old piece.


And just for fun here's a few Before shots.:

Previous Owners:

 







Today:


Our goal is to eventually re-model this kitchen--it's poorly designed with peeling cabinets- but until then we keep plugging away trying to make it fit our needs.
Adding lots of white paint and new wood flooring throughout our house has helped.
And we've made it more functional for our family by adding a table that's used as a kitchen island and this new fixture and seating to create a nook area.




This side of the kitchen stayed dark until I found this fixture.

It's amazing how much lighting affects a room. All of a sudden we're eating on this table now.
Before


The previous owners had a sectional in this corner and a TV on the opposite wall.
A round table was squeezed into the space where you cook.

After



The ceiling on this side of the room originally had six holes of recessed lighting that had serious wiring problems. We opted to fill the holes (too many anyway) and wire the area for one central chandelier instead.
We still need to paint the ceiling but I'm sorta waiting until we redo the kitchen because I really want a wood ceiling.





Before I go I want to share a preview of some of the painting I've been doing while I've been nursing my head cold.


My awesome, mega-talented Dad really worked his magic on my living room when he was here.  




First, we added some wood casing to my entry and totally changed the entire look and feel of this boring wall.




Project: Adding trim




But the biggest change was in my living room. I've been dreaming of adding a wall of bookshelves to this room but there's limited space.  When it came to this wall, my Mom kept asking us why we were taking so long but we stared at this one wall for quite awhile, took our measurements, looked at my Pinterest photos again and headed to Home Depot. And.... voila!

   Project: Bookshelves around doorway




Can you see where this wall is headed?

It took me a week to finish painting this---what a job--but these shelves totally transformed our living room. These are my phone pictures, stay tuned for some better ones.



In the meantime--I'm off to let the refrigerator repair man in. Oh. Did I mention that our year old refrigerator suddenly stopped working--right after a huge grocery trip? Thank goodness it didn't happen until my parents left.




I hope you're staying healthy and warm these days.




xo
Leslie




joining these friends:


A Stroll thru Life
The Scoop



28 comments:

  1. I'm loving it all! The chandelier changes the whole mood of the room in a wonderful way. :)

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  2. Oh wow, that chandy is fabulous, what a great piece and those bookcases are amazing too. Get well soon, I want to see more.

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  3. Loving that gorgeous chandelier. Been nursing a cold and now pink eye! Ugh!! Love the bookcase surrounding the doorway.

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  4. Leslie, this looks fabulous! I love your beautiful chandelier and the rest of the house is coming along beautifully. It is always good to live in the house for a bit to see what you are missing or needing.

    How is your yoga? Are you teaching?

    I hoe that the visit with your parents was wonderful, I am sure they miss seeing you tremendously. I cannot wait to see what you and your dad were up to during the visit.

    Take care,
    Elizabeth

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  5. What a difference in the kitchen! Love the "new" chandelier. And the bookcase is just great! I love how it goes over the doorway, reminds of India Hicks family room! As for the fridge, been there! Ours went out after a trip to the market. Ended up getting a small fridge to tide us over until the replacement part came in! Both my sons took home lots of food that week lol!

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  6. i'm sick in bed! lovin the gorgeous chandelier and how you have transformed the kitchen. bravo, leslie!

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  7. You've made beautiful changes and updates in your home. It sometimes takes months and years, I know that for sure. But you have made enormous progress and have clear ideas on what you need and want to change. I love everything you've done so far. And please, tell me when you tire of that candy. I'll come and pick it up in person!

    Jane

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  8. You are adding such beauty to your home, Leslie! The chandelier is gorgeous, and I love the wonderful built-ins! I hope you feel better soon!

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  9. I'm motivated! Thanks for sharing.
    Sharon
    The House of Hampton

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  10. All looking great, Leslie! Glad you are feeling better. You've taken on some major projects, but your home is going to be just as you want it. I admire your skill and enthusiasm for doing this work yourself. Love the chandy! ;-)
    Just returned from a quick trip to LA. Really enjoyed the weekend in beautiful CA.

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  11. Love your kitchen now!! fab! I can't wait to see the bookcases painted and filled!! We just got a german shep puppy!! I didn't know you had one!
    ~Marcy

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  12. I knew you would work wonders with the house and the chandelier looks great.

    I am sorry that you got that horrid cold that's going around. Steve just can't shake it.

    Somewhere I saw an email (can't find it now) about us getting together this year. I really want to do so, but I have been thrown for a loop with a full body rash for the last 3 months. Finally tomorrow, I get to see a dermatologist. Hopefully everything will be fine soon and we can get together either in Ventura, Orange County or in between.

    I'll give you a call when I am not an ugly, puffy, red blob!

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  13. The chandelier looks so beautiful. I love the detailing on the metal parts and the crystals shine!
    How fun to have a jump start on the bookcases in your living room. It's coming together very nicely.
    Karen

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  14. I love the chandelier! The whole kitchen/dining transformation is wonderful! And that molding around the doorway and bookshelves---I can't wait to see the finished pictures!

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  15. Its ALL coming together!How wonderful to have a HANDY PAPA!!! Just think of all the money you will save!!!Feel better.Thats an order!!
    Xx

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  16. Beautiful chandelier!!! Love the work you've done. Also love that pretty German Shephard pup that photo bombed ;)

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  17. Love the gorgeous chandelier! You are blessed to have those great parents. Remember all the work my dad helped with on our first home. Love seeing your progress. Oh and love that pretty German Shephard pup too!

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  18. I like every one of your changes; they're definitely major improvements to the "before"! But I LOVE what you did in the living room. You are absolutely going to wonder what took you so long. ;-)

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  19. Gorgeous chandelier!! You found the perfect home for it. Enjoy your week!

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  20. Thank you Leslie for your beautiful visit to my place.
    Love that you made the family dinning room combo just an eating area, and I too would have gotten rid of all the can lighting to have only the main lighting with the use of your beautiful chandelier.

    Can you send your dad over to my place I would love him to case out two of my doorways, and if I could talk him into a bookcase surround around a window in a office / bedroom I would be wonderfully thrilled :)
    I am glad you visited so I can follow the beautiful progress you are making here...that libaray wall is going to be an amazing focal point to your family room when it's filled up, and old ladder leaning against the book case in the corner would be really cute.

    See you soon, you have some priming and painting to get done.

    Xx
    Dore

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  21. Currently having a chandelier fetish at the moment and your images are gorgeous!
    JoanMarie

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  22. Wow!!!! Loving your before and after pics Leslie. What a transformation on all fronts.
    Really love the idea of the book shelves around the door. I've just moved into a listed cottage and all the upstairs ceiling slope (as in an attic or loft) so I was wracking my brains on how to get as much shelving in my little home office as possible, and round the door would work wonders. Fancy coming over to do it? xx

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  23. You've really added a warm and cozy touch. The chandelier is gorgeous!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  24. Your home looks fabulous, Gwen...such style and the chandelier is beautiful. It's always a good idea to take the 'before and after' photos isn't it? Makes you realise quite how much you have done. Pop by when you have time, I've missed you :( my fellow yogi.
    Catherine xx
    catherinerobinsoncashmere.com/blog

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  25. I love all the changes you've made to your home in such a short time, Leslie! Your chandelier is gorgeous and adds so much more charm than recessed lighting. And the wood trim and bookshelves your dad made for you completely change the look of your home! I can't wait to see progress reports as you transform your home! I hope your fridge is in working order and you have a wonderful week!

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  26. Gorgeous chandelier!!

    Kathy

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  27. Well I'm glad you left your gallery wall up! The chandy is gorgeous. I love the center pieces of it. I think of wall to wall bookshelves often. I'm quite a fan of the shelf. I've never been able to make up my mind where to put them though. I like how they are on the entry wall - where you don't see them all the time. Just when you are exiting or seated at the front of the room. That's pretty genius.

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  28. Wow ~ so much happening and it all looks fantastic. Those bookshelves ~ swoon. Now remind me is this the same room that had the off center fireplace that you already worked on or was that more of a den area? Never mind ~ I answered my own question by going back and looking at the pics again! I can be smart when I want to be xoxo

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