A Fresh Look

First, I want to say that I was really encouraged by those of you who commented on my last post. It is comforting to know that others are going through the same "struggles" that I am - I love that about the body of Christ! Kathy mentioned in her comment that she has been forced work with what she already has, and I have certainly been inspired lately to do the same in our house.

This past weekend, Chris and I spent the ENTIRE DAY working on our living room. When we moved in a year ago, we spent about two months working non-stop on our kitchen and bedroom (the kitchen had to be gutted, basically). The only place to "relax" was our kitchen table, because we hadn't set up the living room yet - no time! When we finally did get around to ripping out the 4 layers of living room floor (you heard me), painting the walls, and re-installing the ceiling, we were so excited to get our furniture back in that we left the trim around the ceiling unpainted. Actually, it was worse than unpainted - it brown trim covered with random primer marks. Classy, I know. We told ourselves we'd just finish it later.

Well! I am here to tell you that "later" turned into a year. (Partially because I turned into a narcoleptic during pregnancy.) I couldn't take looking at that ugly trim anymore! Plus we are having 4 couples over on Saturday night - nothing like house guests to scare the work into you. :)

We spent about 6-7 hours on Saturday painting the trim around the ceiling (2 coats) and painting the heater covers (2 coats). We also painted the heater covers in the kitchen and cleaned out the living room.

Since all of the furniture was already in the center of the room, we decided to go ahead and change the living room layout, too. I just love how switching the furniture you already have can make a room feel brand new! It is almost as fun as shopping. Well okay, not really but it's still fun. :) I've been looking at things more critically and switching around decorations to get a "new-to-me" look.

Here is the new room! Don't you love it?!

Okay totally kidding - this is from Better Homes and Gardens. I WISH my house looked like this!

But if you come back on Thursday for Rhoda's Fall Party, I'll show you some glimpses of my newly-arranged living room.

And tomorrow I'm posting my Taco Soup recipe - per request. :)