Single Girl's Haven

During the last four years I have worked really hard to create the perfect first home for me. One thing that I have always longed for?

The perfect bedroom! 

And I would like to show you that I am getting pretty close to that dream.

Ready for lots of pictures?

Here's an overview of my space:

I've been working on making the office in bedroom thing as seamless as possible. (Yes that is definitely Pinterest you see on my computer screen.) My bedroom is big and bright for the most part but the position of the windows and doors limits how I can place furniture.

I did buy these fantastic lamps. Between the shades (Target) and the bases (WalMart clearance) I ended up spending $60.00. The yellow table toppers were actually napkins that were fifty cents at Salvation Army.

As you can see I really need to figure out something to do with all of my boots! I have about 14 pairs total in various locations around the house. Most of them are next to my chair though. hehe. I love boots, books, and bags.

My dresser vanity with my DIY bike art. I love to decorate with bikes. I do have one that I ride which somewhat justifies my love for them.

Lucy, surprisingly, stayed put during the whole picture taking process in the bedroom! Pouka (the fluffy gray cat) was a little more adventurous. (The quilt and brown black out curtains are from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Bolster pillow is from Target. Cat was free.)

I just love my bathroom! It makes me so happy! If you missed it I recently redid the entire thing back starting in August. I think I finally finished it in November after many speed bumps. (Or rather holes in the drywall.)

My bookshelf has been a lifesaver in the whole process of transitioning to a office-bedroom. I still haven't gotten the decorations on the shelf right where I want them but I'm getting closer!

The sofa chair at the foot of my bed is awesome for curling up with one of my magazines or homework. Sometimes it gets piled up with clothes but it is definitely comfy. One day it will be back in a room where it can fold out into a guest bed.



(The "Keep Calm & Carry On" pillow is from Hobby Lobby. The yellow one is made out of a place mat from Target and I made the small one using a free printable.)

Laying on top of the calendar on my desk in one of Pouka's favorite locations. Especially when I'm typing a big important paper. Super comfy.

I still want to do something else with those gigantor closet doors. My most recent idea was to install a big curtain rod sort of thing across the top and put up some white linen curtains or something like that. The problem with the doors is that there is about 6" in the middle that you can't get to unless you actually crawl behind the doors. Plus I think it would be prettier. Thoughts?

That is the almost completely finished master bedroom/bathroom! So far it is my favorite place to be. It is cozy and has my personality all over it! It's a space that is designed just for me and that is my favorite part. I know when I go home from my crazy life of full time working, full time school, and 15 hours a week of student teaching, my room will be a little retreat.

There's still a couple projects I want to do:

• install double rods
• make closet curtains/doors prettier
• paint trim around door frames
• finish gallery wall behind bedroom door.

But overall there's not much left to do! I think it's fantastic! After 4 years of working to make my house awesome I can really see it coming together! Nice thing about a house though, it's never really "done."

Put A Cork In It

The thing about having a small galley kitchen is that there is a limited amount of counter space that can be used to prep food. Trying to keep track of the recipe and keep it from getting covered in butter is even harder! So I decided to use an idea that I've seen all over blogosphere the last few months and just put a corkboard inside the cupboards! Genius.

I bought this four pack from WalMart for about $5.00. Pretty good deal since it also came with the mounting tape. 

And it's extremely self explanatory:

Materials:

1. corkboard package out of the office aisle in WalMart
2. Scissors.

Easy right?

I was lazy and did not paint the insides of my cabinet doors. If it bothers someone... they can close the door!

I lined up the corkboard with the shelf that it would be fitting in between and cut it down to size. Hence the needed scissors. I then used the double sided stickums that came with the corkboard and attached the board to the cabinet.

It even looks cool!

And the doors still shut flush to the cabinet box. How do you like the new handles? Pretty great!

I can't wait to get the rest of the cabinets and the walls painted! I'll keep you posted! Still plenty to do but we are finally seeing a huge difference!

Real Progress! Really!

Ladies and Gentlemen! (Hi Dad)

I am proud and very pleased to announce to you today...

that there has been progress in the kitchen!! Yayy! Exciting.

Ready for some cool updates? I thought so!

Remember the before?

First we set up an indoor station for door painting. It's freezing cold outside and I don't have a garage. Plastic drop cloths are fabulous things, really.

My trusty friend Seth came over to help out with the painting! Painting alone is kinda lonely and I seem to always hurt my wrist if I paint too much. Thank you Seth for your fabulous assistance! Doesn't he look so excited?

The white is so much bigger and brighter! It already looks fabulous and this is just without the doors! Imagine what it will look like with the doors on! I am going to reorganize my cabinets as well since they are kinda messy but... all things with time right?

Here's another view of the cabinets! It really makes the new window treatment and pendant light look great! I love it soooo much!

Good thing my kitchen table gets very little use.

Painting the doors while watching "Pretty Woman" on TV. I may never paint outside again!

Look at Seth paint! Go Seth! Go!

As you can see.... Lucy loves Seth. 

Pretty great right??

It may be a few more days before I get all of the painting of the cabinets finished. There's a lot of fake wood that needs to be covered and doors that have to be finished up but! It's a huge difference and the space just looks fantastic!

Makes my counters look even pinker though... well... All things with time right?

Linked: DIY Showoff Addicted 2 Decorating