Here's the new flooring downstairs. What we had before was a cardboard like dark wood laminate (?) that swelled and buckled as soon as it got wet. We now have water resistant vinyl planks.
I added a nice shaggy rug to each side of our bed.
And some artwork! All our clothes are in the closet and the dressers ended up in the kids' rooms. We got rid of the IKEA bedroom furniture that V was using (It's gone through all 3 kids-it was the first "big kid" set we got), split the bunkbeds to give V and H each a bed and C has been using the futon that Paul brought with him to the marriage (don't worry, it's quite nice as most things Paul bought while single are-inner coils, etc. and it's a double size).
We only had one nightstand between all 3 kids. I got it in a thrift store or at a yard sale, painted it up and it's currently next to C's bed. V's bed had drawers under it so we couldn't put a nightstand in front of it. When the boys bunked, the nightstand was next to the lower, and I used some pockets over the railing of the upper bed as a place to stash stuff, the bunks have gooseneck lamps that are attached to the headboards.
The kids all got Carpet. H's room had cheap laminate that didn't match anything, C and V had parquet that had been installed when the house was built and either needed to be covered or refinished. We opted to refinish since the kids all wanted carpet and it would mean one flooring for all three bedrooms. While everything was out of the rooms, I also put a ton of storage shelving in the closets to make more floorspace.
V got Pokemon themed items for her birthday and opted to paint the walls gray to cover the pink. The curtains were found on the clearance rack at Walmart in the US and the duvet was purchased off ebay and I cut down her Dora the Explorer blanket and shoved it inside. (Note new carpet)
The lantern was from her birthday party (check the blog post in July for how it was made-dollarstore paper lantern). We got Pokemon wall stickers off Amazon. The mattress on the floor is normally tucked under H's bed, but we have family coming and the kids will be bunking together for the week.
H's room was not repainted but we put up coral and fish stickers as he thinks it is neat to pretend he lives in an aquarium! (see new carpet)
I took all the shelving I could find and stashed it in the kids' closets to make more floor room. We also moved a lot of toys and books into the kids' rooms after the big decluttering while the house was under construction.
Those dressers were in our room but we gave them to the kids. They are dark wood like the beds. But they needed bedstands. I found these on Kijiji (ie: Canadian Craigslist).
And decided to take a stab at them. After conversing with the seller I got them for $20 each and was assured they were hardwood. Well, they sort of are. The sides, drawer fronts, bottom, were but the top, back and bottom of drawer were all laminate. Also, there was some evidence of mold/mildew on the skirt.
First I unscrewed the skirt. Makes them a little shorter but the skirts were in bad shape anyway. I knew I wanted to sand and stain. I did with a mohagany gel stain I had on hand. It turned out ok, I'm happier with H's than V's, which I accidently left on too long and it ended up splotchy (we're calling it "rustic"). H's is a little more even toned. The backs I replaced with some darker laminate Paul had from some dark IKEA shelves that he hadn't attached. The tops were a problem though. I searched the internet and found this post: https://www.hometalk.com/12829999/staining-laminate-yes-it-can-be-done?expand_all_questions=1
It suggests applying gel stain with a brush and not wiping off. So I did that on the top and it turned out very nice, I think. If you try this yourself, brush on then STEP AWAY. The gel will settle into the brushstrokes. If you get some sawdust or something on, sand lightly and just lightly brush more on and step away. It takes many days to cure.
V's "rustic" bedstand
Nice, shiny top (was a light laminate before!)
H's turned out a little more even. They sit flat on the floor now that the skirting is off, but they are still just higher than mattress height.
While I was out there I also purchased the matching "dresser" for $30. Those are very beat up brass handles (I tried to salvage them and ended up painting them. I could eventually end up putting the black painted ones on, but for now I've set them aside.
It sanded up much nicer than the nightstands. I took off the skirting (beat up and kind of moldy-plus it was too tall for a bench).
I changed the handles (I could only find 3 " and 96 mm handles which are slightly smaller than the 4" holes I had) I had to put a dowel in one side and drill next to it to get the new handles to screw on.
I sanded it up, put two coats of Natural stain on it, then 2 of clear Varnish. Way easier than the nightstands.
I had a cushion for the bench Paul took for a TV stand, however the new bench is wider. I got another 6 feet x 4 inches of foam from where I'd originally gotten the foam for $9. (Note: Foam is not cheap). I had some leftover fabric and could have extended the cushion fabric, but then I'd have weird seams. Also when I originally made it I'd cut out all the pieces and they were fraying and splitting in some places.
Paul and I went to Fabricland (basically the only place you can buy fabric where we live) and I found some upholstry/drapery fabric I was ok with that was about 54 inches wide. It was also $34.99 a meter and I needed 2 meters. Ack! I talked to the cashier and found out that on the 27th they would have their boxing day sale and everything would be half off. Sad I didn't have a Christmas project to keep me busy we headed off to Home Depot to try to find new stair runner carpet.
On our way to that department we came across the drapes. We looked at them-heavy fabric that was 84" long and 54" wide. Enough for one cushion. And there were FOUR I liked that were on clearance for $15 each, score! I picked one out and we headed home.
I figured out how to use my fabric:
(OK, I actually drew this after I'd sewn all the seams to show what I'd done I did it all in my head first!
Only the top rod loops were "spare" I used everything else and very much was happy to have all the hems done for me!
I got out the iron (I hate ironing clothing but seem to have no problems dragging it out for a good project!) And ironed in where I wanted my seams. I'd cut out my previous cushion and it was fraying everywhere because I have a sewing machine but no serger. Using the drape allowed me to put seams in that weren't actually cut, more to shape the cushion cover. My foam is 2" deep, 6 feet long and 20" wide (the bench top is 6 feet x 19 inches). I folded at 2" and ironed the length. This would be my back. Then I made 3 folds 1/2 inch apart and ironed them, then I went 20" and folded, this would be my top, made my 3 folds 1/2 inch apart, then I went 2" for my front, then did my 3 folds 1/2 inch apart, then another 20" for my bottom, then my 3 fold's 1/2 inch apart, then I had 2" left with a hem for the bottom back flap. I then did similarly on the sides for my 2" flaps.
I then put my folds together and sewed along the 2 outside lines, the 3rd line is the middle of my seam.
"right" side-so pretty! I'm not at the level where I'm matching up pattern yet!
I used these adhesive velcro circles to attach the two back tabs. I stuck them where I wanted and sewed a few stitches through. This made a huge mess of my needle and I probably should have hand sewn, but I'm not a huge fan of hand sewing. You could also do a strip of velcro.
If the seam is in your way and you want to make it sit nicely but don't want more seams, you can use iron on hemming:
This will make them lay nicely.
The sides work much better if you make a "box". I'm not good at doing this part or explaining it!
I already had everything sewn together in a nice, flat piece.
I took the end of the "front" 2 inch piece and cut the side seams, then ripped out the seams.
Then I fold one side over the flap, then the other and you end up with a "box corner"
Folding over other side.
Sewing the box.
It's the front corner. This makes a pocket to put the foam into.
Don't forget to add some carpet non-slip gripper pad so you don't slide around.
Finished product! It's now the right size to sit on.
I also got a little stool for my computer/writing desk.
It's very cushioned and nice-it was $35 at the Hart store which opened this year at the mall in town. I had a hard time finding one I liked. This tucks into the corner and out of the way when I have the desk folded up.
Now I can park my car in the garage! Nothing like a week of snow every other day to motivate one to complete projects! I did these 3 wood pieces in under 2 weeks and it's snowing again, so the timing could not be better.
