Andrea and I are really excited for today's post. If you are a frequent reader, you know that on Friday's we have a segment called 2nd Opinion, where we answer reader submitted questions about problems they have in their home (for examples of previous 2nd Opinion's we've done, click here). We are passionate and LOVE the response we've received from this.
But, we know that you, dear readers, have some great tips, tricks, and advice you can give as well. And because of this, we'd like to introduce a new segment we are starting today, which gives you, as the reader, the opportunity to share something from your home that you are proud of here on 2nd and Strand. Did you have an old piece of furniture that you've given a new life to? Do you have a well functioning, organized space in your home? If so, we'd love to see it, and know our other readers would not only love to see it, but will be inspired by you as well. Andrea and I will share aspects from our homes on this segment, and if we see an inspirational image in a magazine or online that has amazing functionality we'll share those too.
We are so excited for this new segment, and that's partly because we have a guest post to kick things off! Stacy has three kids of her own, and created 19 Butternut as a way to chronicle the process of making their house into a home, and shares great design tips and inspirations. We are so excited to have you here today, Stacy!
But, we know that you, dear readers, have some great tips, tricks, and advice you can give as well. And because of this, we'd like to introduce a new segment we are starting today, which gives you, as the reader, the opportunity to share something from your home that you are proud of here on 2nd and Strand. Did you have an old piece of furniture that you've given a new life to? Do you have a well functioning, organized space in your home? If so, we'd love to see it, and know our other readers would not only love to see it, but will be inspired by you as well. Andrea and I will share aspects from our homes on this segment, and if we see an inspirational image in a magazine or online that has amazing functionality we'll share those too.
We are so excited for this new segment, and that's partly because we have a guest post to kick things off! Stacy has three kids of her own, and created 19 Butternut as a way to chronicle the process of making their house into a home, and shares great design tips and inspirations. We are so excited to have you here today, Stacy!
Hi everyone! This is the story of how several small pieces came together (with the help of a lot of paint) to make one very useful part of my home. When my grandparents moved into a smaller home several years back, I was lucky enough to inherit their china cabinet. A beautiful, solid piece it was, but it just didn't suit my home or my style in its previously dark, walnut stain. Knowing my grandmother would prefer I love and use the cabinet, rather than store it away because it didn't suit me, I decided to paint it. This shot was while we were removing that stairwell wall, so pardon the mess, but here it is half-way through being painted (you can see the bottom is not painted yet).
This picture also shows how and where the cabinet stood for a few years... UNTIL I had an epiphany one day. I was looking at this bar/server that I had bought on the cheap at the Christmas Tree Shop and an idea popped into my head!
Do you see where I am going with this yet? ;) Well, I decided to paint the bar/server the same white as the china cabinet and use it as the base for a cabinet that would echo the china cabinet. Doing so would allow me to have an anchor on either side of the window. This led me to devise a plan to add a window seat bridging the two. So, using some MDF to make a cubby tall enough to store/display liquor bottles, four unfinished cabinets from Home Depot, some trim pieces, and lots of paint, I was able to make my own "built ins" and window seat. Here is a shot of it in progress(before the fourth cabinet was added and hardware was purchased):
And here she is all (mostly) finished!
I still have some crown moulding to add to the tops of both towers to bring them to ceiling height, I am awaiting a custom cushion and pillows for the bench, and the inside of the china cabinet needs some awesome wallpaper or a different paint color (as soon as I decide on one), but the whole thing is quite a work horse. We doubled our storage space by building this unit! The cabinets above the bar hold assorted drinking glasses, as well as other bar needs.
All of the other cabinets hold various serveware and accessories like napkin rings, extra salt/pepper shakers, linens, etc. The window seat also gets used a lot when we entertain. Extra seating is always helpful! So, there you have one of the most useful, and one of my favorite, spots in our home!
Thank you so much, Stacy! What a fantastic area you created in your home. Extra storage space is always needed, and its extra beneficial that you were able to create it from pieces of furniture you already had (and some fine handy work!) to give that great built in look. The wall is balanced, beautiful, interesting, and frames the window so well. Great job! And ps- I'm obsessed with your hand towel shown in the bottom picture!
So there you have our very first guest post, and introduction to our new segment. We know all our reader submissions wont be this big of a home project, so don't be intimidated from sending your own masterpieces in no matter how big or small! And be sure to check out 19 Butternut to see what else Stacy has been up to!
