Old World Couch

June 7, 2014 Sherri Rice

Summer has officially started at our house. The boys had their first day off from school yesterday, which is why this post did not get posted yesterday. We started the day with oatmeal chocolate chip pancakes with maple syrup, which, I have to say, were quite yummy (I think, because part way through making them, I realized that I forgot to do my usual 1/2 oil, 1/2 applesauce trick and did the full amount of oil instead)! The Professor took the boys out in the morning to do some errands/activities so I could get some sewing done. Then, because there were REPEATED requests for an ice cream treat when they came back, I quickly pulled together a summer chore chart, so that ice cream treats could be earned. They boys were quite enthusiastic about that; we will see how long that enthusiasm lasts :) So, now I get to show you this project (some of you have already had a peek :)! Not only is it a great before-and-after, but together we were able to bring my client's vision to life. And she had a very clear vision, so all I had to do was put the slipcover together :)

Here is the couch before...

It was a solid Norwalk-brand couch that was just in need of a fresh, new look. So, here is the after...

It's a new couch!! My client wanted an "old-world" look, so she and her husband picked this great mix of chenilles - a solid, an animal print, a burgundy swirly pattern, and a burgundy and gold geometric (the paisley cushions she already had). Since this is a busy household with boys and dogs, we pre-washed all the fabrics. And while I was putting the slipcover together, she found that great rug that pulls all her colors together - it was a Home Goods find :) !

You can see how we mixed up the fabrics - I took careful notes to make sure all the right fabrics ended up in the right places :) And then we added 4 different kinds of trims to the pillows...

Two kinds on the couch (plus the animal print piping) and two more here...

...and here (it's hard to see in the picture, but this pillow was an off-the-shelf one that we added trim to to dress it up)...

And the best result? My client said, "It looks exactly like the picture I had in my head!" Mission accomplished :)

Oh, and my client? She blogs over at Sassie Aspie Mom; if you have been around here for awhile and you check out her blog, you will see that we connected over more than fabrics and slipcovers :) We both agreed, it's been a God-thing.

So, today is Day 2 of summer, and we are off to enjoy a geocaching adventure with some neighbors. Have a wonderful weekend!

Sherri

Snow Days and New Office Space

December 7, 2013 Sherri Rice

I trust this finds you warm and dry this December day. We are currently enjoying Day 2 of what will be 3, and possibly 4, days of staying home due to icy conditions in our area. It looks like snow, but it really is ice - you can walk on it without breaking through to the grass.

And this ice is everywhere! Some have lost power - thankfully we have not, and our heating system is still working :)

We have been filling our days with a variety of activities. The boys have been going for walks and playing in the backyard. The Professor and I decided to start a mini kitchen renovation yesterday (see a sneak peak on Facebook). And today I made Monster cookies (similar to these) and made one of these for Maggie, the beagle (I used corduroy and flannel from my fabric stash). All activities have been cancelled for tomorrow, so maybe I'll start that slipcover project that has been waiting...

So, I also wanted to share the update of my new office space before I get into Christmas stuff :)

The front room of our house (the room you see and walk through when you come in the front door) is supposed to be the dining room. But, we have never used it as such - we just never needed that kind of space. So, it has served a variety of uses. A few years ago it looked like this...

... kind of a library/piano room.

Then, when I decided to start August Blues, it seemed like the best place to set up my sewing space. And it looked like this...

And obviously, this was taken before I really started working ;) Mostly, it looked like this...

... which was usually, mostly functional. But, I got tired of seeing this when I came into the house each day and it was difficult to accommodate large pieces of furniture. One day, a client brought a chair-and-a-half and it's matching ottoman. The Professor and I were visiting with the client and her husband in this room (I tidied up first!), with her pieces in there, too. And I realized it just felt TOO crowded! So, I began to re-think how my workspace was situated in the house.

First, I moved my sewing space upstairs to what had been our playroom (you can see more about that here). That freed up this front room space for more of an office space, like this...

Much better! The front door is just to the right of this window wall. And I think I would like to see a wing chair in place of the smaller chair ;)

The "new" blue buffet in it's place...

You can see how the space leads into the family room beyond...

And from the stairs...

I love working in this "new" space! And I have left room for larger furniture pieces to stay here while I work on them (small pieces can be moved to my upstairs workroom). And it's much more pleasant to walk into the house and see this :)

So, stay warm this evening, friends!

Sherri

One Room Three Ways

June 27, 2013 Sherri Rice

Well, this was a fun project! Have you seen the One Room Three Ways challenge? A group of bloggers were challenged to make over a room three different ways, with minimal expense, primarily shopping their home. So, I thought I would join in :) I decided to work on our front entry-way, a small (7 1/2' by 5') space at our front door; the stairs from our second floor also lead here. It opens directly into what should be the dining room, but it functions as my sewing room. Full-disclosure: I started making some more significant changes to this space a few months ago, so this project spurred me on to finish the job. This post will just focus on the "pretties" that finish off the space; I'll do another post at a later date with the larger before/after details.

So, here we go - one room, three ways!

Here is the look (with slight variations) you are most likely to see if you come to visit...

This space has to live large so I try to include as much storage and function as possible. The look is simple and a little eclectic.

Then, I thought I would try a blue-and-white version...

A little less function, and a little more pretty. Someday I will have room to display more of my blue-and-white collection :)

Finally, I thought I would push the pretty a little further and go a little more shabby chic...

Definitely pretty, and not so functional for a house with little boys!

It was certainly fun to play with different looks; as I worked I thought of a few other variations I might need to try out sometime ;)

So, do you like to play with accessories? Do you have a signature "look" or do you mix it up?

Sherri

P.S. Linking up here...

Friday Five

May 17, 2013 Sherri Rice

Happy Friday! How has your week been? Our week has had it's usual ups and downs and somehow it felt like a hard week, so we are glad it's Friday :)

I was inspired by this picture I found on Pinterest...

Source

... to capture a few blue and white images around our home ('cause you know I just can't get enough blue and white!).

1. These books often find their way onto our mantel...

...because they belong to my husband and they are small, vintage, blue, and add just the right touch of "boy" to our decor (Note to self: see if I can find some more!). The glass mosaic candle holder came from Big Lots a few years ago.

2. This is in our youngest's room...

Two-tone blue paint job with molding in between. The picture was a happy find in the As Is section of our local IKEA - $0.25 for not one but two of these fun vehicle pictures (frames I had already)! You just never know what you will find...

3. This pitcher came from Target a long time ago...

... back when we still lived in Canada and every trip to the U.S. included a stop at Target :)

4. This is in our ensuite bathroom.

The plate is from my collection. The frame lost its glass years ago, so it got a coat of white spray paint. Note to self: don't use satin finish paint on a textured wall (and don't get me started on the issue of textured walls)!

5. Just keeping it real...

Yes, there is even blue and white in the laundry room - nope, this was not staged, these happen to be the shirts that are waiting to be ironed. The walls are striped - just waiting for some beadboard for the bottom half of the walls and then I can show you the rest of it :)

And I got through that whole post without any pictures of blue-and-white slipcovers or pillows :)

Do you have a favorite color combination? Do you use it in your home, or is it more likely to be found in your closet?

Have a great weekend!

Sherri

Friday Five

April 5, 2013 Sherri Rice

It's Friday! I thought I would try something new; maybe I'll even make it a regular thing ;) Here are five random things from this week...

1. The sun is shining today - can I get an amen!?!

2. April is Autism Awareness Month. With the grey, rainy weather outside much of the week and a mixed up schedule at school, we have been very aware this week. And health insurance issues? Don't get me started. But, I appreciated this article about moving past awareness to action - what do we want awareness to accomplish?

3. I just started a slipcover project I am really excited about (ok, I love almost any slipcover project). If you follow me on Pinterest (hint!) you have already seen the inspiration picture ;)

4. I generally don't wade into hot-button issues (probably that introvert, conflict-avoidance side of my personality), but this was a thoughtful, sensible article about an issue that has had a lot of press recently.

5. Spontaneous lunch with a friend is awesome - thanks, Kristen (you can find her here - very cool stuff)!

Happy Friday!

Sherri

P.S. Since it is Autism Awareness Month, and we have personal experience, I would like to write a post or two related to that (I shared a little here). Is there anything you would like to know about autism, anything that would help your understanding, anything you are curious about? Let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can put together!

This Little Light of Mine

March 27, 2013 Sherri Rice

August Blues - Alphabet Lamp from Joss & Main

We have been slowly working on making the boys' rooms more reflective of their distinct personalities. For our oldest's room, I found inspiration in this lamp...

Source

He has always loved all things to do with letters, numbers, and books. I try to keep his room calm and uncomplicated, but I thought something like this would bring a little of his personality into the room.

So, today I thought I would share a REALLY complicated project, so pay close attention ;)

Step 1: Gather your materials. My lamp was on clearance at Target forever ago. The shade was a Christmas shade from Lowes - I just removed the sparkly green and red ribbon trim (it was half the price of a plain shade!). I also used scrapbooking alphabet stickers, a wide Sharpie, Mod Podge, and a foam brush. Can you see where this is going?

Step 2: Add your trim color to the shade. I just used a black Sharpie because I was tired of looking for plain black Washi tape. The Sharpie works fine if you keep it on the trim - it tends to bleed a little on the fabric, so I wouldn't use it on the main shade fabric. And, obviously, use whatever color coordinates with your stickers.

Step 3: Put stickers on the shade. Do it however you want! I started with his name, and then filled the rest of the shade with random letters. IDHTBPTBB!

Aren't those stickers great?

Step 4: Brush on a thin layer of Mod Podge. I just wanted to make sure the stickers stayed stuck.

Step 5: Put the shade back on the lamp and you are done!

And here is how it looks in his room...

Just a little something that is just for him. And here is is brother's version...

He got tired of waiting for me to do his, so he did it himself! He had picked race car stickers, so he created a racing scene on his lamp. His stickers were more stiff than the alphabet ones, to it was a little harder to get them to lie flat on the curved shade. But a little extra Mod Podge helped. And now it's all his!

So, did I stress you out with all those tricky instructions? Happy crafting!

Sherri

Welcome to August Blues - I'm so glad
you're here! August Blues Slipcover Studio strives to enable your home to better serve its purpose, by providing you with quality custom slipcovers that enhance the appearance and functionality of your furniture pieces. Established in 2011 and located in Denton, TX...Read More

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