Dining Room Update

We finally got around to making some updates in the dining room!  Here is the before and after.  

The chair rail was really low so we decided to take it down and replace it.  The square detail in the molding was created by batting.  It was really cheap and allowed me to use the small multi-tool that I have on hand.  We don't have as many tools as we would like.  The molding cost us around $70 from Lowe's and it makes a huge difference!  I was so happy to cover up that red and replace the light fixture.  Now, I just have to decide on some artwork and our white console table will be moved in soon.
Here are some additional pictures of the before and after…

Fireplace Redo

I decided to go ahead and paint the fireplace since the tile had a couple of chips.  The white on the wood and the white on the tile were conflicting anyways.  I glued wood chips onto the old fireplace screen and it was finished!

I had help getting the wood chips cut (the saw kept throwing the logs across the garage).  You can also purchase some online through etsy or craft stores if you don't feel comfortable cutting the small logs.  I think small or large wood chips would look good.  I just used what we had available.  
Here is another picture…

Next on the list with the fireplace is adding two small built-ins to house the tv necessities!

Kitchen Update: Paint & Pendant

We hung the pendant light from IKEA and painted the kitchen gray.  I swear it feels like all these better changes highlight those cream countertops!  We are looking for a good deal on an undermount sink so hopefully we can start the countertops soon.  The next step will probably be adding an ikat gray pattern fabric to those mini-blinds.

Does anyone else have an off center kitchen sink and window?  Moving the sink is currently out of the budget.  I was thinking that once we redo the cabinet fronts it might help to cover the dishwasher with the same pattern.

Subway Tile Update

The subway tile is finally finished!  We found this white subway tile at Home Depot and got a great deal on it (Around $18 for 10 square feet).  We decided to go with a gray grout to tie in with the concrete countertops that we are hoping to complete in the next few weeks.  The only thing that I regret is not tiling the backsplash lower behind the stove, I will have to add those this next week because it is GROSS behind there!  Has anyone used the Ardex Feather Finish on their countertops?  I have found some blogs that have and it looks awesome.  I can't handle the cream countertop so hopefully it will be finished sooner rather than later.

Semi-DIY Fire Bowl with Fire Glass

Hello everyone!  It has been forever since my last post because I have been finishing up the last portion of my schooling.  I am going to start posting regularly again now that I will have more free time.  In addition, I will be moving in with my fiance in our new house in the next few weeks which means lots of DIY projects!  This project that I am going to share today is a semi-DIY fire bowl that was given to my mom last Mother's Day.  I purchased the fire bowl but traded the rocks for fire glass to create a more modern piece.