So this is it! The reveal of the one room I've been working on for EIGHT weeks! Now let's be very clear, I am not 100% finished. I have a two page punch list of items I still need to complete, but to be about 90% done feels AMAZING! I took this creepy, dark horror movie set and turned it into a space we all actually enjoy hanging out in now! Over the last two days I found us actually being drawn to the space and congregating here. My boys described it as "spritely" with "happy vibes", so I think the change is a positive one. So, without further adieu, here is our new garden with before and after photos for your viewing enjoyment.

Before: This was a dark, scary, rat and spider loving space that was cramped, overcrowded, and disorganized. After: Our boys described it as "spritely" with "happy vibes" with more storage organization, electricity, and bright paint colors.

Before: The metal cabinets were the only storage, so I kept two of them and incorporated them into the new design. After: I spray painted them to give them new life and added built-in cabinets around them to create more storage and sturdy them up.

Before: The walls were exposed, dark, and crawling with spiders and their webs. After: Since we added electrical to the space, we closed up the walls and painted them a bright color that would reflect more of the natural lighting to brighten up the space. I chose Utterly Beige by Sherwin Williams, and I absolutely love it. It is neutral for all the colors that come into this space, but warm and bright. These before and after pictures are the same exact angles, can you believe that?

My favorite addition in this space is lighting. Finally having electricity in this space is a GAME CHANGER! It was dark and terrifying in the day...NO ONE wanted to enter at nighttime! Having a bright space at all times of the day is a gift.
My favorite feature is my tool cabinet. I wanted this space to be beautiful, but also functional, so designing this feature accomplishes both goals.

The original label this space came with was "garage"...at least that is how it is listed on the county permits. However, at 16x20, with no driveway to the large drive-in door, and too small to fit anything but a Prius in, it had no "garage" function. Since we live on two acres with a small orchard, turning it into a garden shed for all our garden needs provided tremendous function. Now we have a sheltered space to hang all our shovels, pruning shears, weed eaters, blowers, wheelbarrows, harvest buckets, rakes...you get the idea, gardening a country property requires a lot of supplies! I wanted this space to feel like an English Country kitchen, but function perfectly for our gardening needs, as well as storage for all our party supplies since we hold events often. I think I've accomplished that goal, and I'll share more details with you all in the future. Please let me know if you have any questions I can answer about this space. Happy Harvesting!

Links:
Gray wall sconces
Floor paint
Striped pillows
Floral pillow
Fireplace​
Colors:
Walls - Sherwin Williams - Utterly Beige
Metal cabinets - Rustoleum spray paint in matte Slate
​

Are you all ready for Week 2 of the One Room Challenge? As I move forward with renovating the interior of our "garage" to convert it to a Garden Shed, I thought week two would be a great time to share my design, inspiration, and plan. Since I started designing a decade ago, I learned that planning ahead is a huge part of a great final design. The end result is the fun part, but planning ahead is the crucial part. Take your time to think of all aspects before jumping in. Here are six questions I always answer before I start:
1. What is the space going to be used for?
2. What needs to be stored in the space?
3. What feeling do I want it to evoke when complete?
Once I've answered all these questions, I then get down to the dimensional details. 
1. What size is the space?
2. What are the dimensions of what needs to be stored in the space?
3. What size are the doors and windows, open walls in between, ceiling height etc.
Answering these six questions is vital to ensuring my design is functional. Functionality is the most important detail to any great home design. Beauty and details are all fun, but when using a space every day, functionality wins every time. These answers will drive my design and how I begin my layout/floor plan.

So, let's start with the purpose and use.

What is this space going to be used for? As a Garden Shed on a 2 acre property, this space will be primarily used for storage of all our yard and garden equipment. Storage is going to be the primary use, and I'll need to maximize every inch of the space for this aspect. Secondly, it will be used for garden projects. I'll need some kind of work bench or table as a work area for projects like potting, drying, arrangements, etc.

What needs to be stored in the space? Everything from rakes, wheelbarrows, shovels, potting soil, pruning shears and the lawn mower to our meat freezer. The largest items I'll need to specifically account for due to the size of space they will take up. As a little living girl, this is when I will actually take a tape measure to each item. The height, width, and dimensions will be noted, and taken into account when I create my layout to maximize space.

What feeling do I want this space to evoke? This is where my inspirations, color palette, and style come into play. I use resources such as Pinterest, Instagram, and good old fashioned magazines to identify common themes I want to incorporate. I keep these inspiration pictures close by so I can to refer to them occasionally to keep the design on track to my original vision. For this specific project I want a modern yet old world feel. I want it to feel bright, airy, and creative, but its okay to get dirty and drive the lawn mower into. I want to enjoy walking in and finding everything I need because it is exactly where it is supposed to be. I want to enjoy doing the dirty work. So, here is the design board I've created with all my answers and inspirations in mind.

The above image is from Michelle  @farmersdaughterhome. I love the feeling and color palette of her mudroom, but I also love how the flooring makes it feel durable and you can walk into with dirty boots and it won't destroy the look or integrity.

The image below is from @studiomcgee. This mudroom is a favorite of mine due to the light and airy feel even though there are dark cabinets. We won't have as many windows, but the white walls and large lighting are elements I'll incorporate to obtain the bright feeling.

This last image is from Deb @seekinglavendarlane. The peg rail and flooring provide the storage function and old world feel I'm looking for respectively.

Notice in all three inspiration pictures they all have a vertical wall treatment? Finding inspiration pictures and identifying common elements is very useful when determining what you want to incorporate. I'll definitely be incorporating vertical wall treatments.
So, there you have it! The process in how I determine my design, layout, and style of a project. I hope those were helpful tips for you, and that they will assist you on your design journey!
Be sure to visit One Room Challenge for more transformations and inspiration, and I'll see you here again next week!

The first step in this process is the before reveal, and boy is this a doozey (cue the "Jaws" theme song)! Do you all watch Friends? Do you remember the one with Monica's closet? Well, that is very similar to what I'm about to show you. This structure is known on record as a "garage", but in reality you can't get a car into it. Since purchasing the property almost six years ago, this 17x20 space has ran the gamut of storage from moving boxes, to renovation materials, and now currently a combination of garden supplies, construction materials and tools. As we continue to develop this little corner of ours, it is time this sweet little building finally obtain a confident purpose, and be organized in such a fashion that it functions perfectly for that purpose. My intention is to take this dark, disorganized, and frightening interior space, and turn it into our Garden Shed. A place I can swing open the doors to fresh air, hang my rake, plant flowers, and park our wheelbarrow. A place that is not just hardworking, but pleasant and inviting to enter, so yardwork can have an added beauty to it. So, without further adieu, let me show you the biggest disaster we've ever allowed to happen (please no judgements, and you may want to cover your children's eyes) ​

I know, I know, its totally embarrassing. The disgrace is almost too much to bear. But, I'm thrilled we are finally doing something about it, and excited you all are going to join me in the journey. The vision I have for this space despite its current state will be a mind blowing transformation. Come back next week to see my design board showing casing the color palette, function, and elements I'll be including in this space! And come back every Thursday for more updates on our Garden Shed, as well as other amazing participants in the One Room Challenge. In the meantime, go watch Friends "The One with the Secret Closet" and enjoy!

​2. Use natural greenery. Bringing the outdoors in perfectly reflects the current season. Apple blossoms, sunflowers, yellow leaves, and pine branches all accurately depict their season, are no cost if you already have them around your community, and can be tossed when the season is over…meaning no storage necessary. If you have space for a garden, intentionally incorporate seasonal items you enjoy bringing into your home. Now all your décor is right in your back yard, and you get to enjoy it inside and outside. Whether it's a cutting flower bed, raised vegetable garden, or potted fruit trees, each will provide exterior beauty, and interior seasonal décor. Plus, buying for your garden is a greater investment into your home and fresh blooms will never go out if style.

​3. Change out pictures and/or artwork. If you have a wall(s) that you use to display pictures, use those frames to change out images each season to reflect the season. You can have hundreds of prints in one box stored in a small space, but change the entire mood of your home in one afternoon. Have old Christmas pictures in PJ's? Formal family photos in the fall? Snapshots of a beach vacation? Use them each season (and holiday) to reflect the seasonal ambiance. Not only will it alter the feel of your home, but your family and guests will enjoy the walk down memory lane with each visit

​When applied, these three simple tips will decorate your entire home, for the entire year, for every holiday, and every season, in less than two boxes. Plus, they are super cost effective, which your significant other will greatly appreciate! I hope these are helpful thoughts as you curate your home, and create a space you love.

First, tape off any wood edges of both the front and back of the glass you are painting that you do not want painted. Spray the FRONT of the door with the frosted glass spray paint. The beauty of this project is you cannot mess it up. Spray multiple light coats until you obtain the amount of frosted YOU want. 

Once the front frosted side is to your liking, and is fully dry, flip the glass so the back of the glass is facing up. Spray the backside of the glass with the mirror effect spray paint. Again, spray in light even coats until you obtain the level of mirror effect you desire.

Once both sides are completely dry, place your project in the room and lighting it will remain. View from all angles to ensure its the right amount of affect you desired. If not, repeat the process as needed. If you nailed, enjoy your new DIY!

1. Keep less stuff. This seems obvious, but it always amazes me how many toys kids in America have. We've become a society where having a play room or bonus space is almost required so children have a place to store all their toys. If we are being honest with ourselves, our children typically only play with an average of three toys a day (give or take). As a parent, I feel it is my responsibility to curate the amount of toys our children had at a young age based on what they loved, and then allowed them to curate their own toys as they got older. Each child has two under bed storage totes for their toys. These totes are filled with a plethora of toys from dress up and Barbies, to trains and action figures. Each holiday or birthday when they are blessed to receive more toys, it is their responsibility to edit what is in their totes if the new toy doesn't fit. There are always old toys they have not played with for months they are willing to get rid of so their new gifts can be loved. As our children grow, those totes have morphed into other things. For example, our oldest no longer plays with toys, so she now uses her totes for her undying love of shoes :).

Along with toys, lets look at clothing. Each child has one dresser drawer for under garments, and a 3' wide closet with cubbies. The cubbies hold jeans, pajamas, T-shirts, etc, while the rods hold more dressy clothing like skirts, button down shirts, etc. "Capsule wardrobes" are a current trend that little living required way before it had a name. Our children curate their wardrobes the same way they curate their toy totes. If it doesn't fit, remove older items you don't wear often, outgrew, or are worn out to make a space for the new item to be loved. Keep pieces that are versatile from season to season and only make you feel good about yourself. The theory I came up with and use for clothing to kitchen gadgets…if you haven't used it, or worn it in 1.5 years, remove it from your home. Why 1.5 years? That means you've passed at least two appropriate seasons when it wasn't utilized. For instance, you have not worn that sweater for two winters now...not only is it probably on its way out in style, but it won't return for another 20 years. Do you really want to store it that long? Donate it to someone in need, or sell it at a yard sale to pad your family budget. Both of those are better causes than keeping it buried in your closet just in case the perfect moment arises you finally choose to wear it.

2. Everything has a place. With little living, items without a home become clutter and tripping hazards. After I've sorted through everything that needs to be in a room, I ensure I create a specific space for it. This allows our little ducklings to learn the responsibility of putting things back where they go, and makes cleaning their room easier after they've played. All those electronic gadgets and their cords...a bucket in their closet. Suitcases...a shelf in the top of their closet next to their sleeping bag. You get the picture. Don't get me wrong, they do not always put it back where it goes (Legos stuffed in cubbies), but when they don't, I make them do it over again. If you still can't fit everything in their room in a designated place, see Step 1. Do not let our American society influence you on what is appropriate and necessary. Many people live out of their cars, in motor homes, or tents. Our children can definitely live with less toys (and clothes), and they will be better for it.

3. Use their stuff to decorate their room. Our ducklings have some large and awkward items that just take up too much real estate in closets and other storage areas. I like to use those items to decorate their room not only because of storage space, but also it perfectly reflects their personalities. Football helmets, basketballs, skateboards...all of these are large and awkward when trying to store them, but become authentic personalized décor when hanging on a wall. I've even carried our oldest daughter's love of music into the living room with her guitars hanging above our piano. Our décor isn't just mass produced art from a department store, it is a direct reflection of who we are what we love.

I pray these three simple thoughts are received with the intention they are shared. I never want anyone to feel less than who they are. If we had the means to build a larger home, our children would love it, and we would love to provide that for them. I commend those who are able to do so. And maybe someday we can add a little more square footage so we can stretch our legs a little more as the ducklings grow. But, for now, I'm savoring the stage of life where I can hear their singing from anywhere in our home, snuggle with all of them on our one couch for movie nights, and listen to them share sillies and giggles together at bedtime. My only intention is to encourage those who do not have those means, to love what they do have. Embracing the gifts that are within our hands and letting go of what isn't. I want each of us to love the life we have.

Living in the country is messy. Water is a vital resource from washing produce to washing children. Having an outdoor sink was a luxury I was really looking forward to. Most people are intimidated at the idea of plumbing, but this DIY is an easy project that is as simple as connecting hoses. Here are the eight elements you will need to complete this project:
Sink
Table
Faucet
Existing spigot
​Dishwasher supply line(s)
Multiple shut-off valve spigot attachment (optional)
Bucket
Drain kit (optional)
Tools:
Hole saw
Adjustable pipe wrench
Plumbing tape
Waterproof caulking
​Tape measure

First, place your table over the spigot area where you want the sink to sit. You can build or buy the table you want to use. Due to the size and unique shape of the concrete sink, we chose to build ours. In addition, we planned ahead and poured a concrete area around the drain area to support the weight, and secured it to the concrete with strong ties. A typical sink and table will not require this type of foundational support. It can easily be placed directly on the ground, gravel, bark, etc. Secure the table to the wall to provide a stable until for the plumbing.

Second, ensure the water is turned off at the spigot, and measure the circumference of your existing spigot. Install a multiple valve spigot attachment as shown below. You can skip this step if your faucet requires only one supply line, and you do not need the option to still use a garden hose in addition to your sink. Our faucet required two supply lines, and I still wanted the option to attach a garden hose when needed, so we chose a four valve attachment. They also come in a two or three valve option.

Third, place your sink on top of the table in the proper position. Mark where you will need to cut out either the sink hole (drop-in) or drain hole (top mount like ours). Measure and mark where you want your faucet as well, and drill appropriate size hole(s). Once the sink and faucet holes are drilled, place sink and faucet back in place and secure with waterproof caulking.

Next, attach the supply line(s) from your spigot to the inlet on your faucet with plumbers tape. Ensure any other open valves on your valve attachment are turned off. Turn your existing spigot valve on, and test for any leaks.

Lastly, prepare a drain area and install a drain kit if desired. We chose to dig down about 18" and remove the dirt, replacing it with rock for better drainage of any overflow. Then we placed a bucket directly under the drain to catch the excess water. We chose this type of drainage system, so we could use the excess water to water our garden and flowers and it would not go to waste. We originally were not going to install a drain kit, but realize when the sink drained, the water did not drain in a single stream, but splattered instead. By installing a drain kit, we were able to direct the path of the water so it landed in the drain bucket perfectly.  Again, this step is optional.

Once you have installed all the elements, turn the spigot, and appropriate shut-off valves to the on position, and test your faucet. Ta-da! You now have a glorious outdoor garden sink!

I took a lot of time researching all the products we installed in our kitchen. The finishes I chose were thought out and planned. Most items are exactly what I was expecting, while a couple have disappointed me a tiny bit. In this post I will provide you links to all the finishes, and my personal review of them 6 months in.

The faucet we chose is the Kohler Artifacts Pullout Spray from Build.com. I really wanted a faucet that was full of character and made a statement, but as much as I love to look at the charming bridge faucets, I couldn't imagine scrubbing around every single pipe that came up through the counter every day (lazy!). And, I really dislike those faucets that have a cold and hot knob because they take forever to get the right temperature. I was determined to find one with a mixed temperature valve, single inlet, with a sprayer included, and this was the perfect fit; tons of charm, and everything I desired in function. After 6 months of use, this faucet is still perfect. It's easy to clean, pairs perfectly with our huge sink reaching every corner with the pull out sprayer, and looks great. A pro (or con depending on how you look at it) is the pressure. This little beauty packs a punch when it comes to pressure, which can be very "splashy" (as another customer described it) when rinsing dishes. I quickly learned you do not need to turn it on all the way for most tasks. However, the high pressure is also perfect for when you do want to remove hard stuck on foods! It's like having your own pressure washer in the sink! Highly recommend this beautiful faucet!

A kitchen review is not complete without discussing our counter-tops. I chose Calcutta Quartz in Venice. I really, really wanted the glorious marble counter-tops I dreamed of since college, but just knew they would never get the required up keep from me, (again, lazy). With four littles, I needed something that would be very durable, stain resistant, chip resistant, and still look elegant. This is the perfect choice. They are bright, resembling marble with beautiful gray veining, but much more hardy. We have spilled coffee, tea, and tomato juice on these with no lasting effects. In fact, I even had a metal colander leave a rust ring on it right after we moved in and I was devastated. It rubbed right off with a soft sponge scrub. And they are strong enough for our occasional dance parties. Perfect for our busy chaotic life!

One of the best tools I used during our remodel was Build.com. Build was perfect for searching every fixture, appliance, and finish I desired, along with providing great reviews, pictures, and descriptions of each product. Not to mention they were the best pricing option on 90% of my design choices! My favorite feature as a designer is the ability to bring all your choices together in one screen and see how they are all going to work together, and having the ability to do that within the website was so convenient. Even if I didn't purchase the final product from them, I still added similar options to my "mood board" through the website to ensure the design flowed as I envisioned.

The faucet and sink combination would not have the same impact if it wasn't for the stunning school house light that gracefully hovers above. The Seagull Lighting Academy Pendant is so simple and understated, but provides tremendous impact with it's timeless class. It was important to me that in our tiny home whatever lighting I chose did not overcome our small space but still made a statement, and this pendant performs perfectly. I highly recommend the Seagull Lighting Academy Pendant for a simple single pendant in a small home like ours, or a row of them lined up down a massive island in a large home. Utterly breathtaking!

You know you have reached adulthood in its purest form when the most exciting element in your new kitchen is a refrigerator. This stately gentleman still makes me giddy when I see him. I joke that he is my husband in appliance form; tall, slender, clean lines, and stark white. In such a tiny home, every single inch is important, and since the refrigerator is the largest appliance, it made sense to research how to make the most of the smallest space, without sacrificing our food storage needs as a large family. The Summit refrigerator fits the bill perfectly. Not only is it counter-depth, but it is only 28" wide. That may sound too small compared to the behemoth monsters they make now, but it makes up most of that space by its height averaging about 8-10" taller than the other refrigerators...genius, I know! Because who wants all that unused spaced above the fridge?! Now I'll admit that at first I was flustered with the shelving in both the fridge and freezer portions, but as with all relationships, it was important we worked together until we came to compromise both of us could live with. Once I messed with the configurations and removed some extra options, I've finally found the right combination that works for our family. And most importantly, I can fit all eight gallons of milk I buy each week in this fridge along with all our other munching needs for the week.

We didn't have a dishwasher for four years over in the Carriage House, so I'm not sure I would be upset with any dishwasher, but I am ecstatic about ours! While I originally purchased our dishwasher from Build as well, they no longer carry it. I chose the Frigidaire Gallery Series FGID2466QW due to its high reviews, low cost, and again clean lines. I appreciate the inconspicuous button and vent design that can make some dishwashers appear busy and take away from the kitchen. This model is sleek and clean with just the handle visible. It has over 4 stars with over 6,000 reviews, most of which state its quiet nature. Again, I'm sharing others thoughts because I would've been fine with a dog licking my dishes after standing at sink for four years! Ha!

Pot racks...helpful in tiny homes with minimal storage while adding style...but ridiculously expensive. I found so many inspiration pictures, but every pot rack I found was out of my budget, ranging from $200 to $1,200. I was convinced I could create one for significantly less and started brainstorming. Since my husband is an electrician, my first thought was using a ground rod. I knew they were copper, and my husband uses them daily. I also knew he could bend pipe through his trade as well, so I started sharing pictures and thoughts with him.

​The rod portion of the rack was going to be easy enough, but coming up with a bracket was the more challenging aspect. Through searching the internet, I found an United Kingdom based company that sold the perfect brackets. Their brackets were so perfect, it actually inspired additional thoughts that made the project even easier. I no longer needed to bend the rod, making the design even more simple. Since we didn't need to bend the rod, my hubby thought we should use copper plumbing pipe. It came in different sizes, lengths, and any hardware store would sell fittings that I could use to cap the ends. It was perfect.

Here are the three resources you'll need to re-create your own rack: Rod, end caps, and brackets. Good luck, and be sure to tag me on IG if you create your own! Happy hanging!