31 Days of Character Building: DIY Basement Poles Into Columns


Welcome to Day 29 of my 31 Day Series Building Character.  Yesterday, I introduced you to our builder basement makeover and I shared our Aged Brick Basement Wall.  




Today, I am going to continue in the basement with another simple way we kept the basement makeover costs down while adding character at the same time...  

31 Days of Character Building: DIY Aged Brick Basement Walls


Welcome to day 28 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  A few months ago, I wrote a post on a colorful vintage dresser makeover (you can read about it, here).




 I received a few emails asking me about the reflection in the mirror of the brick wall...


31 Days of Building Character: More On The Door


Welcome to day 27 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  The other day, I talked about adding character to the exterior of our home.  Here are more details on the door project.



One of the cheapest, easiest ways I gave our house a curb side personality was painting the front door.
Our door has gone through many phases.  When we first moved in it was the same burgundy as the shutters.


It wasn't long before I painted it black.


Then, it was red.


Then, I came up with a plan to use the door to create the illusion of another window from the inside.  
Michigan winters are long.  It's important for my sanity to have as much natural light in the house as possible.  I decided to replace the steel slab door with a full view glass door.  You can read all about how I accomplished this for $100, here.


This is my all time favorite project at The Yellow Cape Cod.  It made such an amazing difference in the entire lower level.  It's like someone came in our home after seven years and turned the lights on.


A few well intentioned neighbors have expressed their concern for our privacy.  After yesterday's post, you know privacy does not top my list of worries.  To ease everyone else's mind, I came up with a solution...


Magnetic Curtain Rods from Country Curtains.
They allow me to cover and uncover the window easily as needed.  They even make a small version for the sidelight.


Thank you, neighbors, for looking out for us.  If you hadn't totally freaked me out, I wouldn't have these pretty curtains (also from Country Curtains)...


Most of the time, the curtains are tucked away in the hall closet.  When the need for privacy arrises, I can grab them and stick them to the door and sidelight in less than a minute.

Another (well intentioned) neighbor asked if I was worried that someone may break through the glass and enter my home.  I listened to him, thought about it, freaked out a little and then decided... I'm no more worried about them breaking through the door glass then I am our full legnth windows.  The glass we had inserted as secure and safe as the windows in our home.

Either way, my security system, the dog, my awesome neighborhood watch ;), and my faith keep me feeling safe.  

Thanks for stopping by.
To view the entire 31 Day Series, Click Here.
For information on my affordable online design services, Please Click Here




31 Days of Character Building: Easy Odd Shaped Window Solution


Welcome to day 26 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.




Little did I know, for years my family had a secret running joke about my house.  It wasn't until last Christmas that I discovered it.  During our family Christmas party, I noticed a line forming upstairs outside the master bathroom. 
Evidently, no one wanted to use my lower level powder room.  The one I just did a complete makeover on and is currently featured in Bedrooms and Baths Magazine.
The reason was this...


31 Days of Character Building: Landscape


Welcome to day 24 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character. 




Adding character and personality to a new build is just as important outside as it is on the inside. When we purchased our new home, the exterior had a lot of special features that we really liked.  The landscaping however, left a little to be desired.  

Here it is what it look like the day we bought it...


31 Days of Building Character: Nooks


Welcome to Day 23 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  Just to recap, throughout the month of October I am joining over 500 bloggers in the challenge posed by The Inspired Room to post on the same topic everyday.  



The topic I chose is 31 ways to bring character to a newly built, builder grade home.  After I accepted this challenge I realized 31 days was not enough time.  I could go on about this topic forever.  To save you all from that, I condensed it to projects and concepts I have used in my own home.   
Today, I would like to share how we claimed unused space in the hallway to create our office nook... 


As with most cape cod designs, our home is small.  I'm always looking for ways to maximize every square inch.  Our house has three dormer windows across the front.  Inside, one of them is open to the two story foyer, one is in the laundry room and this one is in the hallway.  



When we purchased a gigantic new computer, we realized we needed a dedicated office space.  We were out of rooms, the only available space was inside this dormer.  The idea of the office nook was born.  




Here are the steps my hubby took to create the built in desk...


(Before)


(Brace)


(Tops, Sides)


(Cubbies, Decorative Brackets)


(After)


Not only does the office nook serve a purpose but, it also gave the hallway a personality.  Before, it was boring pass through.  Now, thanks to the built-in desk, it feels important.  

To view the entire 31 Day Series, Click Here.
For information on my affordable online design services, Please Click Here. 


Thanks for visiting. 
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31 Days of Character Building: It's Not What's In A Room, It's What Isn't


Welcome to Day 21 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  Sometimes, the little details make all the difference.  The electrical covers throughout our home were shiny white plastic.  After we started painting each room and adding custom moldings they really started to stick out.

(Before)

 Here is what we replaced them with...


31 Days of Building Character: Oversized Accessories


Welcome to Day 20 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  



My philosophy when it comes to accessories is less is more and bigger is better.  Accessories can add a ton of character to a space.  Scale is always important in good design however,  sometimes it's fun to use art or objects that are larger than they really "should be".  Oversized pieces add drama and whimsy and keep a space from being too serious...


31 Days of Character Building: Lighting: From Brassy To Classy


Welcome to Day 19 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.



I apologize in advance for the photos you are about to see.  These images may be disturbing...


31 Days of Character Building: Simple Builder Door Upgrade


Welcome to Day 18 of my 31 Day Series Building Character.




 This post is all about how we gave our stock grade doors a personality.   Here is what they looked like before...


31 Days of Character Building: Thrift Store Furniture

Before sharing today's exciting furniture makeover, I wanted to announce that my E-Book "DIY Interior Design For Real People" is currently available in a gigantic bundle of 76+ DIY related E-books ($34.95 for the complete bundle) for the next five days only. Please click here for details.

Welcome to Day 17 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  One of the easiest ways to give a space a unique personality is by bringing in a unique piece of furniture.  



Not only is thrifting an economical option for me but,  it's the best way to find unique pieces.  I found this dresser at the Goodwill for $12.  The finish wasn't very attractive but I loved the shape of it and the feet.  Here is what it looked like when I brought it home...

31 Days of Character Building: Super Thick Crown Molding Trick


Welcome to day 16 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.




Today, I'm going to let you in on a deep, dark secret of my Hubbies.  I am going to share how he created the illusion of super thick crown molding throughout our home. 
Instead of paying a substantial price for substantial moldings, he created a semi-faux molding from medium grade crown molding and decorative picture frame trim...


The Yellow Cape Cod Is Going To The American Music Awards!

And, I am going home with all of the celebrities...




I just received very exciting news about my appearance in DStripped Magazine.  The Fall/Winter issue of DStripped featuring Yours Truly in a full photo feature, is going home with the attendants of the American Music Awards in the celebrity swag bags.  



Thank you, Stephanie Sevener for this incredible opportunity.   



Thank you to everyone that stops by this little blog.  I appreciate every view and each comment! 

~Sarah


31 Days of Character Building: Builder Bar Gets a Custom Look


Welcome to Day 14 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.




Today, I would like to share how we gave our builder bar a custom look.  Like many new construction homes with an open concept floor plan, our kitchen is open to the family room through a bar height counter top and a half wall...


31 Days of Character Building: Easy Tile Update {Tutorial}

Before sharing today's exciting tile makeover, I wanted to announce that my E-Book "DIY Interior Design For Real People" is currently available in a gigantic bundle of 76+ DIY related E-books ($34.95 for the complete bundle) for the next five days only. Please click here for details.
Welcome to day 13 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.




 Today, I am going to share how I updated the look of my builder beige ceramic tile floors...


31 Days of Character Building: Builder Fireplace Makeover



Welcome to Day 12 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  




On Day 10 and Day 11 of this series, I talked about the power of paint.  Today, I would like to continue on that topic and show how I transformed my builder-bland fireplace with paint...


See Me in The Current Issue of Kitchens Magazine


I am so excited to share that my dining room has been featured in the Kitchens Magazine,  Fall 2011 issue.


  The article (pages 70-78) is titled "Dining In Style".  My Dining Room is referred to as "Casual Simplicity".  Please pick up a copy to read the full article.  Here is a sneak peek...


31 Days of Character Building: Painting Stripes Tutorial


Welcome to Day 11 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  




A very easy and inexpensive way to bring character to a boring space is to use paint.  Yesterday, I shared my simple silhouette mural tutorial.  Today, I would like to share how I painted the stripes in my boys' room...


31 Days of Character Building: Easy Silhouette Mural Tutorial

Yesterday's post was dedicated to paint colors.


Today and tomorrow, I will be sharing how I used a few simple custom painting techniques to create character in the kids' rooms...


31 Days of Character Building: Paint Colors


Welcome to Day y of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  


Paint is the cheapest and the quickest way to give a space a new personality.  I get a lot of emails inquiring about paint colors. Today's character building post is dedicated to the colors I have used throughout my home...


31 Days of Character Building: Holiday Decor Part II Halloween


Welcome to Day 8 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  
Yesterday, I shared our Christmas Decor With Character.


Today, I am going to show how we turned our builder grade spec home into...
A spooky haunted house...

31 Days of Character Building: Christmas Decor With Character


Welcome to Day 7 of my 31 Day Series on Building Character.




I use the Holidays as an excuse to put our family personality on display in our home.   I love to incorporate personal items into my Holiday decor to remind us of who we are.  What better way to really give a home character than showcasing the character of the people who live there?  Especially at Christmas time when we are entertaining a lot and surrounded by our family.

Here is a short video tour of my home at Christmas time last year...


See Me in The Current Issue of DStripped Magazine!

I am so incredibly excited to be featured in the current issue of DStripped Magazine.  



You can see my full page photo feature in an article written by the talented designer, Stephanie Sevener.



 The Fall 2011 publication of DStripped Magazine is 180 pages of jaw dropping gorgeous-ness.  I am so humbled (geeked) to have my work and photography featured here. 

 It will be released Oct. 17th, 2011 at select Barnes and Noble Bookstores.  
Or, you can order a copy online, by clicking here.

Thank you, Stephanie Sevener and DStripped Magazine, for this incredible honor.

Also, thank you to all of you who visit my blog.  I love your comments and appreciate every single one.
~Sarah

31 Days of Character Building: Out With Oak


Welcome to day 6 of my 31 Day Series, Building Character.  In case you missed the intro to this series, I am sharing 31 simple ways we have brought character and personality to our new construction, builder grade home.




 When we purchased our home, one of the first decisions I made was to paint all of the light oak wood work...  

This was a big project but, it was a huge improvement. 
Painting oak is sometimes feared because of the wood grain texture.  Personally, it doesn't bother me.  I prefer the look of painted oak with a visible wood grain texture over natural light oak.  Don't get me wrong, I love natural wood finishes but light-organish oak just plain dates a space.




To minimize the appearance of the wood grain texture, I use an eggshell or satin finish.  Semi-gloss paint  draws more attention to it.

(After)

A good sanding and priming is a must.  If you are going to go through all the work of painting your woodwork you will want it to stand the test of time.  The sanding also knocks the texture down a bit.

Based on this post and yesterday's post, wanna guess what's about to go down in the kitchen?

To view the entire 31 Day Series, Please Click Here.
For information on my affordable online design services, Please Click Here.



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