Sunday, January 8, 2012

First project for 2012 The Basement

I needed to update the basement. And I went a little Frenchy.


I started with paint.  I know bad blogger I didn't take before shots. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and excited and just dive in!!
The bottom half of the wall was wood paneling similar to the floor, which is a medium to light wood laminate. (It had been carpeting but we changed that out about 5 years ago.)
The top half of those walls were wallpaper which  we had too much trouble getting off, so just painted over. I like how it turned out...The wallpaper had a texture so the paint looks neat.

The fresh coat of paint was nice but needed a bit more. ...I did get that before picture, after the paint was done..
After some organizing, hanging paintings, and cleaning up, time to get to the finishing touches.

I took an old cookie pan that was almost destined for the recycle bin,



 And mod podged it into a tray for cocktails
 With images from the Graphics Fairy



I gotta tell ya those sofas are slipcovered with a faux leather,that comes with separate seat covers I bought from Surefit 3 years ago and they have withstood the test of time and teenagers... boys no less! These slipcovers have held their ground on 2 totally different sofas, that are too old to comprehend.
Trust me you don't want to see them as a before!
One is a T cushion seat and one is a regular seat. These cover a hodgepodge of leftovers, they are the best slips I ever bought and have a soft suede like feel. I highly recommend them.

The seat with all the throw pillows, lift ups for storage and I just covered four kings size pillows
with dropcloth for seating

  I added a mix of pillows we had with a few new ones from Home Goods



The old trunk has been around forever and was painted pink when I purchased it.
 It got a fresh coat of a Behr color called "calming retreat", the same as on the walls.
It's a nice soft neutral beige with a tiny hint of pink, like soft sand, at sunset.


And a calming retreat is what the basement actually feels like now, when I want to get away from the noise above.
 It even reflects more light the minute I open the door to head down there...( which I avoided when it was dark paneling )
A Frenchy candle here and there adds to the effect. Also mod podged with images from the "Graphics Fairy"

hmmmnn... maybe I will just start working down here in this space. It turned out pretty cozy.
What'ya think?

Joining the parties below:
Making the World Cuter Monday {January 9}
Metamorphosis Monday
good life Wednesday's

6 comments:

  1. Eileen, thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment about my curtains. I'm glad you like them!
    I totally understand the "diving in" to a project. I kick myself every time I do it. But the room is beautiful! I love the tones. Great job! And thanks for the inspiration with the cookie sheet...never would have thought of that!
    Love your little guy Duke on the sidebar. Oh my cute!! I'm your newest follower!

    maxwellhouseinteriors.blogspot.com

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  2. Eileen, I love your basement makeover! Your room is gorgeous! I'm amazed by the cookie sheet! Thanks for a great idea! The slipcovered sofas and drop cloth seat cover are just wonderful! You're one talented gal!

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  3. It's so lovely down there. I know what you mean about diving in. I had shoulder surgery 3-1/2 weeks ago and I am not supposed to lift anything heavier than a coffee cup with my left hand. So I rearranged the sewing room (moved the bed), my son got my sewing table up there and I did a bit more arranging....I can get around to using it again! (oldest son was home on post-deployment leave A& the they didn't get things moved for me....tired of waiting!

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  4. I like it a lot! I especially love the calming color palette. Great job.

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  5. what an awesome storage bench! bravo!

    come visit anytime.

    michele

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