Before and After

Happy Monday!  

I am very happy to have my sister here from New Jersey, what a great way to end a very busy but rewarding 9 days of major renovation for Rockford Sharefest .  The teachers lounge is still not done but will be soon.

I wanted to show you a before and after of two chairs that my husband, Corey, and I refinished.

The chairs came from B&H in town.  Love these!  The backrest is leather and also underneath the seat cushion.  I got them for an amazing deal and new they had to go in the teachers lounge.

Here is the reveal...

We sanded and painted with an oil based paint.  The paint cures in 7 days.  The fabric was from Hancock Fabrics .  I just think it has new life.

Well, I am going to go and spend time with my sister.  Hope you all have a great week.

2 Days Left

Hello : )  

It is crunch time for me here.  I was hoping to have a finished room to show all of you but that will have to wait as carpenters are still working on the space.  Today they are to put in some cabinetry, ceiling tiles, and the two chandeliers that I got from Ikea.

Here is my daughter, one of the slew of volunteers helping paint and do graphics.

(Rockford Sharefest pic)

Our whole family has gotten involved.  My other daughter helping me with the reupholstering of 2 seat cushions.

My husband who has helped me with two sets of chairs.  Today still sanding and hopefully will be final stain by this evening.

If anyone says refinishing chairs is easy..don't believe them (LOL).

More updates next week.  Have a great weekend everyone : )

Just A Taste

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  

This is the week where the design elements come together and we create a functional, more relaxing space for the teachers lounge.  This has been a project that has been serviced by volunteers and donations from all over our city.  I have done my best to make the dollars stretch in this space  : )

I want to give you a taste of what's to come.

This is in our basement (unfinished) so don't mind the red carpet : ))  These are the chairs that my husband painted for me.  We did it with an oil paint that completely cures within a week.  Today we get to put it all back together and that makes me happy.

These are going to be the seat cushions for those frames I showed you above.  I had them reupholstered.  I just love this fabric.

There was some fabric left over and decided that I would use it to be the backdrop of a shelving unit that will go in the kitchenette.  Thank God for Mod Podge.

I fell in love with this little box at a garage sale that my daughter bought for $1 as her donation to Rockford Sharefest .   We decided to paint it and now.

It will be used to hold magazines.  The color is called Dover Gray.  

I still have 2 more chairs that need to be refinished and that will hopefully be done by tomorrow.  Crossing my fingers that I will be able to show you a completely done space by Friday.

Discover Life

Happy Friday!  

Rockford Sharefest is finally here and all the prep work has been done for the volunteers from all over the city who will be bringing transformation to our schools.  

I gave you a sneak peek last week about the fireplace wall that was being installed and now for another...

This is the school's 100yr anniversary.  Clippings are all of the schools history.

I want to leave you with a video of my husband, Corey, talking about his story and the story behind the new song he wrote "Discover Life" to inspire people to participate in Rockford Sharefest.  Click on the link below.  Enjoy : )

Discover Life - Corey Pelley

Sneak Peek..Teacher's Lounge

It has been crazy busy here as were are putting the design details that have been on paper and bringing it into tangible form.  Yesterday I was shopping with  fellow design team member, Liz, for this space for 9 hours.  We found so many deals and I am extremely pleased.  I can't wait to show all of you.

I do want to leave you with a sneak peek though...

Have a great week all  : )

A Glitch In The Design Process

Hello everyone!  Busy day today as we are on the road to Sharefest. 

Just found out these amazing chairs I wanted to use as a part of the design will not be available.

Really bummed.  

So, now looking for another alternative.  Wish me luck.  I want to do this design justice and give the teachers a retreat in their hectic schedules.

Here is the fabric inspiration..

Really love these.  They are on sale.. which makes me happy!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  : )

A Refreshing Drink With Friends

I haven't been on here for a week and how I missed all of you.  Last week was very busy.  I hope you all enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend.  I know we did and I want to share a little bit with you.

We started off our day going on a boat ride with our friends Steve and Lyndsey

The river was choppy and I was doing my best to be composed

didn't want to scare the little guy : )

My husband was brave and went tubing.

The water was icy and not to mention Steve was behind the wheel.

The good news is we made it through...what a relief!  We headed over to their house to grill and for some relaxation.

I was happy to see Lyndsey's mom, Julie there.  Lyndsey kept raving about her mom's mojito and I was there to watch her make it.

Julie's Mojito

1. A packet of mint leaves (save some for garnish)

2.  2 cups at least of fresh squeezed lime juice & add sugar (approx. 1/2 cup or more) until it tastes good

3.  muddle it all together

4.  pour into your pitcher

5.  add club soda

6.  add some ginger ale

 7.  add about a cup of rum (not required ... if you don't want any liquor)

8.  mix it all together...garnish and enjoy

Thanks to Julie!  It was so refreshing that I will be making this at my next get together.

Have a great week all.