Lots of befores and afters right now...
After deployment: I'm adjusting to the reality that Brandon and Alicia are in Kuwait. They will be heading into Iraq in the next week or so... I won't be putting exactly when on my blog, but I'm kind of liking them being in Kuwait. It feels safer! I've been able to chat on Facebook with Brandon everyday (except today) since he arrived there. It's been such a treat because I'd been prepared that I might not hear anything from him for a couple weeks. He's been going to the USO on post and I've been online to see his message pop up. I love that we can talk for a little while in real time... such a blessing! It has really lifted my spirits!
After getting new furniture from Ikea:
This is the couch that I've had in my living room for over 25 years... I've actually always hated it!
Remember how my living room looked last year while we had the kitchen done? You can see a little bit of the pink chair and the yellow chair in the mess.
I love my new white couch and chairs! I'm so impressed with the quality of the slipcovers on this Ikea furniture! You couldn't make them yourself for the price! (The couch slipcover is $49 and the chair $29. Even though they are machine washable, I bought an extra one for each piece... just in case.)
I've wanted to tear out the carpet and refinish the hardwood floor underneath, but now I'm not minding it as much. I'm thinking of painting some of the furniture... maybe the coffee table and the piece that the china is in. I've also picked out curtains for the windows... time to get rid of the lace swags! I'll show another picture when those are up. They are white and light and airy from the Simply Shabby Chic collection at Target. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm also thinking of changing the wall color!
Here's a before of the family room (after the OLD couch was already gone):
This is looking toward the family through the kitchen (as we were packing it up before demolition):
Here's the same view now with the wall divider gone!
I took your advise and got the Ikea leather couch and chair. I have curtains for this room too that need to go up and need to hang pictures on the walls. You can see some of the pictures standing to the side ready to go up.
looking back to the living room...
and a glimpse of the cozy counter...
It's been really good to be home since early June and get so many things in our house more settled, but now it's time to start traveling again! I'm so excited to be returning to Houston this weekend to teach at Novel Approach and then from there on to Chicago for CHA (the Craft and Hobby trade show) and then teaching at Creative Cuts and Crafts the next weekend. Lots of adventures ahead!
Thank you again for your continued encouragement and prayers for the kids! I know they appreciate it and you KNOW I DO!!
Your house looks beautiful - and I can't believe how great the IKEA slipcovers look!! They look custom made!!
Posted by: Heather | July 14, 2011 at 05:38 AM
It's all good!
Posted by: Gloria L. | July 14, 2011 at 06:29 AM
What a whirl wind in your life, home and family. I will be at Creative Cuts with my daughter. I took your class in Tampa and here you are close to my home. Thanks for the updates. Cathy
Posted by: cathy | July 14, 2011 at 10:31 AM
I love your home - it looks very cozy and girly! (Except for the big MAN t.v.) Hope you have fun at CHA. Staying busy will keep you from worrying too much.
Posted by: Robin M | July 16, 2011 at 09:15 PM
I love your home! We have the same Ikea couch and khaki slipcovers in our living room and the sectional with red corduroy in our family room. they hold up awesome. I wash them, but usually let them air dry and then just throw them in the dryer to get the wrinkles out. love them!
Posted by: Theresa | August 01, 2011 at 10:54 AM