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Success and Failure, or Living Room Redo Reveal

Well, my month is up! It's time for the big reveal in Shortmama's Living Room Redo Challenge. Did I get everything done that I wanted to? Nope. Did I accomplish anything? Actually I did. And my procrastination isn't really what's to blame for what I didn't get finished. I just ran out of budget!

So I'll share what I've done so far, and hope to come back with more updates at the end of June! "Before" pictures on the left, "afters" on the right. Some are labeled, but I got lazy!

First was the west wall, where our piano is. It was cluttered up with boutique supplies, and I wanted to replace the end tables with different ones from our bedroom that I wanted to make over. I also wanted to add to the wall display.

Successes: Got all the Ribbon Blossoms clutter out of there! I finished my end tables. Please visit Mod Podge Mania to see what I did, and also see some great projects from other bloggers!

Failures: Was not able to add to my wall display. I know exactly what I want though, and plan to have it done soon!

Next was my treadmill corner. I need to have my treadmill in this room, but even folded up it was not pleasing to the eye! Several of you suggested a room divider screen. I scored this baby for $20 from our local online classifieds. I wanted to paint it brown, and replace the fabric. I never found the perfect fabric, so decided I would tea stain the fabric. We don't drink tea, but I had some tea bags left over from another craft, so I filled the tub with hot water, tea bags and the fabric!


I painted the wood dark brown. Can you see the difference the tea staining made on the fabric? Me neither. All I got for my effort was a stinky bathroom, a stained bathtub and an irritated husband.

Success: The treadmill is nicely hidden...do you think the screen looks okay? Or just like I'm trying to hide something?
For the wall that has my video rack, I wanted to paint the rack black. I also replaced the pictures a little befor the challenge started with a plaque that Tanielle made for me that has our family's last name (I've blotted it out...that's why it looks weird!) with "Established 1995" running through the middle. Beneath our name plaque is a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World that I mod podged into an old frame that matched my living room.

Success: I love how the rack looks painted black. I would love it better if I had an "out of sight" place to store the c.d.'s and videos! You can also see that I still need to accessorize the other "new" end table!
For our South wall I was planning to paint the entertainment center black. I also wanted to complete a project to hang on the wall to the left of the shelves. Failure all around.
I did replace the picture to the right with this project that I completed a while back:


For the corner that has the rocker, I needed to get the clutter put away, and I wanted to replace the rocker.

Success: Clutter's gone!
Failure: Rocker's not gone!

I moved a little wicker chest to the spot between the rocker and entertainment center that hides all the cords for our modem, TV, and VCR. I also hid the modem inside! I'll keep my laptop in here as well, when not in use.

Overall, I'm happy with my lack of clutter and the look of some of my changes. However I will never be completely satisfied as long as I have pink carpet!

Go visit Shortmama to see the other reveals!

Comments

Sassytimes said…
Great job decluttering! I love that frame!
You did great! I know you said that there was more that you wanted to do... but it'll happen. (What kind of tea did you use? some teas work better than others...)
J.J. said…
ooooh!!! and I love the puppydog in the doggie bed in the "after" photo. :) Awesome job!
Sherry Gann said…
You did a great job--everything looks much nicer. I especially like the screen! Way to go! :)
Sara said…
Everything looks super! I still love taht picture, so pretty!
shortmama said…
You did so much! Holy cow girl! All that while being a mom and wife too, I am impressed! I love your changes so far and if you have even more planned I cant wait to see those. Great job Xazmin! Thanks for joining
Xazmin - you did it! I LOVE that screen. I'm so happy you got it. What a great solution.

Your room looks so great. And you redid it so fast. Good for you!!!

XOXO
jen
Unknown said…
I think it looks great! Love what you did! I so need to get thing organized -- I need to put up the old school stuff and start getting my stuff ready for the new year.
RaCeNMoMmY said…
I think it looks awesome, I love the wall divider too. I don't think it looks like your coverings something.
Xazmin, I think you did a GREAT job! You can really see a difference. :) I like the way you redid the screen...looks much better. Wanna come do my house now? ;)
Jan said…
It all looks really great Xazmin. I love the screen. What a score girl. It looks really great. You have completely motivated me today. Thanks.
Heather said…
Love the frame idea with using paper in a few slots.
Looks great! I'd say you got a lot accomplished. I love the screen!!!
Wow!! That's alot of hard work! I love the tea staining and the screen looks good there. Now you can't see the treadmill. I would want to hide the treadmill too. Have a great Monday!!
Don't kid yourself- you got a lot done!! And it looks great!! I love the frame- did you add in scrap booking paper?? That is a great idea!!

Hope you have a great week!

~Becca
Anonymous said…
Good job! Love the treadmill hiding place!
Small House said…
Your living room is great. I'm taking 1 more month to finish mine.

And you realize you are the mod podge queen??!!!!!! WOW chicky!
I fail in comparison. I have dail-up and I'm having trouble connecting to your sign up. I'll try again tomorrow.
Have a great day.
Sandra
Hey girl, I left ya an award . . . if you haven't already gotten this one, you big award winner, you! :)
Sturgmom said…
I think you did a great job!! Sounds like you had tons of projects you wanted to tackle and got a VERY successful start! WTG!!
Jennifer said…
well done!
that's a lot of overhaulin!
and a lot of hard work
It looks great! I am impressed. Hugs, Bobbi Jo
Les said…
It looks great! Nothing feels better than rearranging furniture and clearing clutter. I like the darker wood finish on your folding screen too!
Sare said…
Good for you!!! (sorry - I'm catching up!) I like the screen idea!! and a Photo screen would be AMAZING there!!! congrats!!!
RootsAndWingsCo said…
I love before and afters! I think the treadmill is hidden nicely BTW!

Thanks for sharing.

Rebecca
RootsAndWingsCo.blogspot.com
jennykate77 said…
You did a great job! I've been rearranging things at my house too...I think it's always a work in progress...seems to never get finished!
Marrdy said…
I love what you've done. That screen is great.
kado! said…
AWESOME! I that you painted the wood on the divider! Looks Fab!

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