Decorating for Fall!

I spent some time this weekend decorating for fall. I know, I know.. fall doesn't officially start until September 23rd this year. We will just say, I'm ready!

I like for my entry way to be inviting. Autumn happens to be one of my favorite seasons!

 

There is just something so peaceful about this time of year. Summer makes me want to pack bags and run out the door looking for a new adventure. Fall makes me want to cuddle up with my family or a book and stay home and bake.

Harmony, Grace and Abundance are what my baskets read... They remind me to take time to thank God for all that he gives!

Each year when I pull out my fall decor I find this picture of my sons that I just love. My boys are 16 and 13 now, this picture is of them at a pumpkin patch, around the ages 5 and 2. I was fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom with them at that stage in their lives and I loved every minute of it!

 In the fall I like to cover my tables with tablecloths and place more rugs on the floor. I like to make our house feel warm and cozy.

 

I love the burnt oranges and gold colors of fall. 

 Now that our house is ready for fall I will patiently await God to paint the trees magnificent colors.

How the house painting turned out...

It was brought to my attention that I never shared how our new house colors turned out. We went with Sherwin Williams 7508 Tavern Taupe for the main color and 7507 Stone Lion for the trim.

I really like how it turned out.

For the door we used Sherwin Williams 6989 Domino (aka Black).. I just put a fall wreath on it.

 And of course whenever I am outside our husky Rio wants to be outside too. :)

Here is a reminder of what it looked like before...

Picking an exterior house color, after a hail storm

I think picking the color of the exterior of your house is as hard as picking the right car to purchase. I am going to be 'stuck' with this decision for a few years at least.

One night in April we experienced a horrible hail storm.

 

 

From it we ended up with broken windows, a totaled roof, totaled gutters, damage to our fence and our house now needs to be repainted. Thank goodness for insurance.

We have already had our roof and gutters completely replaced. And have decided since we are painting our house we will make a color change (we were never fond of the green when we bought the house).

Picking a house color is so tough. One of my friends had a house that turned PINK after the house was in the sun for a few years. So I want to be sure I pick a color that is going to look good for years to come. I am thinking gray, white trim (and garage doors) and black door and shutters (we don't have shutters now but I think some may help balance our house out)... Suggestions anyone?

Tuscan Kitchen Decorating

I took everything down from above my kitchen cabinets and decided to redecorate with a Tuscan look. By that I mean, what you might find in Tuscany, Italy.

This is how far I am with the decorating...

Looking at these photos makes me realize, I should probably paint that vent the color of my walls so it doesn't stand out as much (photos always tell so much).

I keep my kitchen counters pretty bare as I like to have the space clean and ready to cook and bake with. That means the space above my cabinets is my main area in the kitchen to decorate with.

Do you have space above your kitchen cabinets? If so what do you do with it? How often, if ever, do you change it?

Basement Sneak Preview

I started a new job today and have just been so busy that I haven't had a chance to do the basement reveal. Actually, I still need to do things like make curtains and decorate but here is a sneak preview of how the Basement bar/ Kitchen turned out!

Keep in mind how it looked a few months ago!

 It was my first tiling job ever!

And again... now

I hope everyone is well!

Linking to Metamorphosis Monday.

Basement-Still coming along

A few weeks ago my hubby and one of his best buddies installed the basement kitchen cabinets. I snapped a photo because I wanted you to see the first thing to go into my new cabinets... their beers!

 

Then today my dad helped my hubby install the kitchen sink and garbage disposal! Yea!

It's so wonderful to have a great family that is always willing to lend a helping hand. And while the men were at work I had some quality time with my mom.

Next on the list... finishing up the basement bathroom!

More Basement Progress- Stairs and Appliances

I know it may be hard to see, or at least it is for me since we have so much to still do, but we are making progress on the basement.

Hubby has taken on the stairs all by himself and is doing a great job (remember we are not carpenters, just attempting to be DYIers).

Don't worry when then are completely done I will be posting more pics (the carpet hasn't come in yet, which is a good thing because the stairs have to be ready for the carpet to be installed!)

Today the fridge and dishwasher were delivered.. **Please note the finished tile on the floor!**

Only I'm not quite ready for them...

I spent the day sanding and conditioning the cabinets. Have I ever mentioned how I dislike sanding?? Thankfully an awesome friend came over to assist and promised she would be back later tonight to help stain them (the hubby will be busy finishing the stairs!)

I hope to return with another update real soon!

My first attempt at Tiling- basement kitchen

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging as much, the basement is really taking up my time these days. I started tiling the kitchen area down there. It's coming along really well. 

 

I will say it's the first thing I've done down there that is really taxing on my body. Do you know how just scrubbing the floor on your hands and knees is tiring?? This is very similar but takes a lot longer. Just this first half of the kitchen area took me 6 hours! It's a very slow process, especially if you are particular like me and want it done perfect.  In case you are wondering.. I do have help, my hubby is in charge of cutting the tiles with the wet saw outside and bringing them to me. But fortunately for him we planned it out in a way that we have to cut very few tiles (he has only had to cut 8 so far!)

And this is just the step that you mortar it to the ground.. Next I have to go back and grout it all!

Soon I will take a basement break and visit some of your blogs, I promise! Our new fridge and dishwasher are being delivered next week as well as carpet installed (we are not installing the carpet, we do draw a line somewhere), so we're sort of in a time crunch to finish the tiling.