2010 July

House Tour: Kitchen

July 29, 2010 Leave a Comment

Things are slowly coming together here at Casa Evans and I thought I’d share some updated photos of the kitchen. Things haven’t changed in there too much, but I did move the paper towels off the counter (kind of an eye sore) and added some more decorative elements.

For those who are wondering, the red paint color is Sherwin Williams “Bolero.” You can spot those corks Ryan brought home in a glass canister from Walmart (which I bought to hold my homemade laundry detergent but haven’t transferred it yet). The cabinet hardware is from Lowes, and the bar stools are from Target (I believe around $35/ea). I love the kitchen, it’s one of my favorite places to be. The counter is a great entertaining tool as it turns out, people tend to gather in here rather than the living room. Since I love to cook AND eat, that’s fine by me!

Filed Under: Our House

Stick A Cork In It

July 29, 2010 Leave a Comment

Ever since my brother started working at The Biltmore Estate in the Winery, I’ve been begging for corks. I mean, I basically have an unlimited supply of this uber coveted craft material. So when he came home with this, I was giddy with excitement!

Sure you could make a cork board out of these, but that’s just sooo un-original. I’m going to make a rug, a big one. Which means I will probably need more corks.

Filed Under: Cool Finds

Sneak Peek

July 28, 2010 1 Comment

I’m going to give you a sneak peek at my new fall knitwear line, complete with handmade tags! I’m making everything from neckwarmers (cowls) and handwarmers to coffee cozies. I’m taking custom orders as well, contact me at rachaelannevans@gmail.com.

Filed Under: Knitting

A Dressing Bench

July 28, 2010 4 Comments

I picked up this sad creature a few weeks ago and finally got a chance to transform it.

This sad excuse for a bench was covered in cobwebs and about an inch of filth. But nothing would stop me from realizing its potential. Armed with some drop cloth fabric (like I upholstered this stool with) and some Krylon “Avocado” spray paint, I made over this bench to use at the foot of our bed. Paired with a textured white runner, I think it screams “Sit here and tie your shoes!”

Filed Under: DIY, Thrift Store Finds

Wall of Fame

July 27, 2010 4 Comments

As our bedroom makeover continues (read more here), I am slowly incorporating new projects into the room. I’ve been working on a sort of gallery wall for above the bed which will feature some monogram art and black and white pictures in white frames.

But the frames didn’t start out white, I collected them at Goodwill and other thrift stores and spray painted them for a cohesive look.

After painting, I bought some mattes and printed out some of my favorite pictures. Then I laid them out in several different arrangements before settling on one I liked. It’s a little bit asymmetrical, which I think adds interest.

Of course it ended up a bit different on my wall. I’d recommend getting a large sheet of paper or piece of cardboard and laying out your frames on it. Mark all the hangers, and then you can transfer to your wall easily for a perfect match. I didn’t have anything large enough so I just decided to wing it and ended up with this:

I think I’ll add some smaller things like a wedding invitation and other trinkets when I decide how to mount them. But for now, I love it!

***Linked Up***

Filed Under: DIY, Home Decor, Our House, Thrift Store Finds, Tutorials

His and Hers

July 27, 2010 Leave a Comment

No, not bath towels…handwarmers! In a not so veiled attempt to bring on fall, I’ve started knitting fall-wear.

Filed Under: Knitting

Living Room Progress

July 26, 2010 2 Comments

We’ve accomplished a few things in the living room that have already made a HUGE difference! Let’s go back to where it started.

Our lackluster style combined with not enough seating created a room that I have never truly been happy with. My husband would joke that I would rearrange it every week-and he was practically right! No amount of shuffling I did ever solved all of our problems.

Step 1: I moved the red couch to the wall where the TV was. I think it was the moving of cables and having to setup the TV again that prevented me from ever trying this. Boy was that a huge mistake, because this has made ALL the difference. The couch fills up the wall better than the tiny TV which actually makes the room look larger! It’s like we gained a whole wall!

Step 2: Move the TV to the spot where the recliner was. The was another huge improvement because the scale of the TV and stand fit the scale of that small corner. We ended up selling the recliner on Craiglist.

Step 3: Create more seating. While my attempt at occasional seating via ottomans was effective, it wasn’t exactly pleasing to the eye. We moved those to the basement since we needed some seating down there and purchased a small loveseat on Craigslist for $50!

I also bought a new sisal rug to lighten up the space a bit. Next on the to-do list is to repaint the accent walls, rearrange the art, and add new throw pillows.

Filed Under: Our House, Thrift Store Finds

Ode To A Recliner

July 26, 2010 1 Comment

As a part of our living room makeover, we had to find a new home for our recliner. I’m happy to report that a new mom saw our ad on Craigslist and took it home last week. It will be perfect to rock her son in.

So, as a final farewell to the plush giant, here are our favorite recliner moments.

Cleaned and covered in a sheet ready to go to a new home. Millie was enjoying the final days.

We will miss you, dear recliner!

Filed Under: Our House

Tutorial: Toilet Paper Roll Wall Art

July 23, 2010 5 Comments

I saw this over at Design*Sponge, and totally loved it! Who would have thought that such a mundane object could turn into a piece of original wall art!

First, gather your tools. I spent a few weeks gathering toilet paper rolls- the more you have, the better. This would make a great craft for kids as well as something super green and easy for adults to do as wall art.

Tools:

Toilet paper rolls
Scissors
Glue
Clothes Pins

Start by crushing the rolls, then cutting them into 5 pieces. This will give you thin oblong rings.

Get set up on a large work surface. I just sat on the floor because….well, that’s just what I do. But the kitchen table works fine too! Start playing around with the rings in certain patterns, when you find one you like begin applying glue where the rings touch and holding them in place with clothes pins to dry.

Keep going until you have glued all of your rings together. I am planning on adding more to mine (which is why the end looks weird) when I get more rolls, but here it is now! I’m creating a piece for an accent wall in my living room.