Closet Room Reveal

My closet room is finally done!  I converted a small spare bedroom in my house into a closet room using Ballard Design's Sarah Closet System pieces in the rubbed white color.  I accented with an antique oak cabinet and more.  I feel so organized now!  

Let me start by letting you all know that I am single and I don't have any children, therefore I can use a spare bedroom as a closet room.  I would love to trade it in for a family but I am not about to waste a perfectly good room on a "what if someday..."  Hey, if that happens the pieces in this room are all mobile.  In reality though, I would probably rather put an extension on my house than give up this luxury!    

When I lived in my smaller house, I had a closet room that I had made using the IKEA PAX system.  It was cheap and provided a ton of storage.  The problem was that my father hated putting it together for me.  It was not easy to put together and the particleboard was very heavy.  Then when I went to move, the movers told me it would cost a lot of money to disassemble it and then reassemble it.  They also doubted it would hold up enough to be reassembled.  So, I left my closet room for my tenant...she is thrilled with it and made it into a closet room/office.   For this new closet room, I wanted something easy to put up and not permanent.  I saw Ballard's Sarah Closet System and waited for a sale and then bought away.   I opted for the curbside delivery...so that meant I had to help my dad and brothers get these monsters up stairs.  Next time, I won't be so cheap.  

Here are some photos, feel free to pin!

Sources:

1.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
2. Light - Joss and Main , here is a similiar one from Wayfair
3. Jewelry Box - Hidden Treasures Found in Sayville, NY
4. Rug - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Target and one from Wayfair
5. Ottoman - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Wayfair
6. Everlasting Grace Quote - Etsy {House of Belonging}

Sources:

1.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
2. Light - Joss and Main , here is a similiar one from Wayfair
3. Rug - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Target and one from Wayfair
4. Ottoman - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Wayfair

Sources

1.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
2. Light - Joss and Main , here is a similiar one from Wayfair
3. Rug - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Target and one from Wayfair
4. Ottoman - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Wayfair

Sources

1.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
2. Light - Joss and Main , here is a similiar one from Wayfair
3. Rug - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Target and one from Wayfair
4. Ottoman - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Wayfair
5.  Dog - Sophie my Havanese. Sophie, won't let me go anywhere in the house alone.

Sources:

1.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
2. Jewelry Box - Hidden Treasures Found in Sayville, NY
3. Everlasting Grace Quote - Etsy {House of Belonging}

Sources:

1.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
2. Jewelry Box - Hidden Treasures Found in Sayville, NY

Sources:

1.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
2. Mirror - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Wayfair
3. Jewelry Box - Hidden Treasures Found in Sayville, NY
4. Rug - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Target and one from Wayfair
5. Ottoman - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Wayfair
6. Everlasting Grace Quote - Etsy {House of Belonging}
7. Dog - Sophie, My Havanese

The fabulous thing about a closet room is that you can leave a steamer out in the room.  If you don't own a steamer, you are so missing out...LIFE CHANGING!

Sources:

1. Steamer - Amazon
2.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
3. Light - Joss and Main , here is a similiar one from Wayfair
4. Jewelry Box - Hidden Treasures Found in Sayville, NY
5. Rug - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Target and one from Wayfair
6. Ottoman - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Wayfair
7. Everlasting Grace Quote - Etsy {House of Belonging}

I started sharing some of my outfits through my teaching blog.  You can check out my TEACHER STYLE section {HERE} or follow my style account on Instagram {HERE}.

 The beautiful armoire above was only $50 through a facebook buy and sell group.  I just love it!! It came with shelves in it, so I made it into a shoe closet.

Sources:

1. Armoire - Antique from a FB buy and sell group
2.  Closet System - Ballard Designs
3. Rug - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Target and one from Wayfair
4. Ottoman - Homegoods, here is a similar one from Wayfair

I like shoes and clothes and online shopping...can you tell?  I don't know where I would put it all without a closet room! 

I hope you enjoyed my closet room reveal. The next project for me is my dining room. 

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links.

MASONRY MADNESS!

My house didn't always look like this.  In fact, it has been years of blood, sweat, tears and of course MONEY to get to where we are today.  Still, when I first set eyes on my house back in 2009, I swear I saw the house you see today.  Fortunately, my naive self saw the potential and not the work!  

We have been through many major projects.  Roof, windows, stucco, kitchen, it's been a long journey.  Recently, we took on one of the biggest projects to date:  MASONRY!  From the moment we moved in, our masonry was in great disrepair.  We would regularly apologize to our mailman for the obstacle course he had to endure for so many years.  Finally, this year we could fiscally go forward with repaving our driveway, installing two new stoops and pave three walkways.  YIKES!  We had no idea all the decisions that needed to be made along the way. 

The first step was DEMO!  Due to the length of our driveway and having all of our walkways and stoops done at once, we felt as if half of our property was destroyed.  With the removal of our old concrete, brick and pavers came damage to our lawn and in-ground sprinklers.  This was not something we had forecasted.  Once the demo was complete we were left with dirt everywhere, especially in our house!  Hello vacuum!     

We had to have our columns temporarily removed in the front of our house so that they could work on rebuilding our front stoop.  What a scary sight!

Then, the driveway pavers were laid since the dirt in our driveway needed time to settle (three weeks to be exact).  We chose a jumbo belgium block at the recommendation of the company.  

Next, our apron was completed using the same jumbo pavers.  We had to make a decision as to how many feet we wanted our apron to be.  I honestly had no idea what to say!

Then, it was time to draw out guidelines for the stoops and walkways.  Our head mason was very patient and great to work with!  These are very permanent decisions, so you need to work with a company that is willing to listen and explain the process.

Then, the head mason and I were off to the masonry yard where I needed to choose my brick and bluestone for the stoops and walkways.  Who knew there were so many brick choices!  Again, I was not prepared for this task.  It's a good thing I had my camera phone in hand and Pinterest at home.  You may be surprised with my decision of using the 51 DDX listed below.  In trying to keep with the style that was previously there, the 51 DDX actually was the closest choice.  They don't look all that appealing here, however in pictures, the finished project was beautiful!  I also stalked many houses in the neighborhood!  

We had so much rain to contend with during the process of having the brick and bluestone installed...MARCH!  I couldn't believe the artistry that goes into this job!  I was amazed by the entire process which leads me to stress researching to find a quality mason!  

Then finally, three weeks later, our blacktop was laid!  What a life changing event!  See below to see our shocking transformation!

THE DRIVEWAY

THE BACK ENTRY

THE SIDE ENTRY

THE MAIN ENTRY

Once again, I am glad that we are all finished with our masonry work and although it was quite stressful at times, the end result makes it all well worth it!  By the way, a month after we finished, my mailman retired!

Country Living Fair Heaven!

The Country Living Fair is AMAZING!  It is heaven-on-earth and we find it quite difficult to describe just how truly amazing it really is.  Country Living Magazine hosts this event in several locales each year and we decided to hit up Rhinebeck, NY this weekend.  We would say it's like taking all of your favorite individuals from etsy and Instagram and having them selling their wares in one organized space.  The booths are filled with all things antique, vintage, homemade, crafted, or simply cool. From a home decor standpoint, your imagination runs wild with ideas from all of the inspiration of the geniously-styled booths.  These sellers are so talented!  There are also speakers, including celebrities from television, magazines, and other social media outlets.  And don't forget to hit up one of the many food trucks for lunch!  Click [HERE] to learn more about the Country Living Fair and see below to read all about our favorite booths and fun new treasures that we scored!

Bringing a wagon was a smart move!  So many people stopped us asking where they could get one.  Our reply, "Costco."

Shannon eyeing some vintage glass bottles at Gathered Comforts.

When we first arrived, two large topiaries caught our eye and we immediately bee-lined to Bella Vintage Home!  This booth was designed to perfection and sold sculpted topiaries made of Rosemary, Lavender and other species.  They filled the air with the most beautiful smells and we quickly chose our trees and enjoyed browsing the many other pieces of furniture and architectural pieces.  For the rest of the day, people were stopping us to inquire about our beautiful looking and smelling trees.

Rosemary topiaries from Bella Vintage Home on Shannon's new dining room table.  The placemats were also a fair find. 

SNEAK PEAK of her new dining room renovation!  

Erica purchased a lavender topiary tree from Bella Vintage Home.

JBS Mercantile was another of our favorites!  This booth was buzzing as shoppers were buying up all sorts of floral decor, architectural pieces and other antique and vintage finds. 

 

Erica got right to planting her succulents in this cement planter from JBS Mercantile.

Shannon faux lamb ears from JBS Mercantile which is a type of leafy stem used for decorating.

These vintage style frames from Fleurish will soon be hanging in Erica's dining room.

Also from Fleurish, this dried lavender is perfect for the bedroom.  It helps to promote sleep.

The white wooden trough is from Earth Angels Studios.  The small grain sack style pillow was also purchased at the fair.  The kitten is Erica's foster kitten for North Fork Country Kids Rescue.

Erica's cat Greta got a cute doughnut toy from Dharma Dog Karma Cat.

This rabbit from Lisa Bates Design was originally used for target practice.  Poor rabbit!

We both bought one of these garden signs from Homestead Collection! 

A bird feeder from Homestead Collection.

Both of us also came home with dough bowls!

We are already planning our next trip to Rhinebeck, NY next spring and can't wait to experience the Country Living Fair once again!

&

Have Fun Planting Succulents

I have always had a thing for succulents.  They are relatively inexpensive, easy to care for, and are oh so pretty!  I love they way they add a natural touch to any living space.  They also make great teacher gifts!  See HERE, HERE, and HERE for some of my previous teacher gift inspiration.  They were certainly a hit!

To my excitement, while I was shopping for paint at my nearby Lowes, I discovered a much larger succulent stock this year.  I immediately posted a picture of Instagram!  If you do not follow us, you can check us out by clicking HERE.  Below is the very pic I posted.

When I returned home, I was inspired, and got right to work on finding succulent containers around the house and envisioning where I could use some natural beauty in my home.  I hopped on Pinterest to look at styling ideas.  Here are some of my favorites:

Photo Credit:  TSG Daily

Photo Credit:  Style Me Pretty

Photo Credit:  Southern Weddings Magazine

I also looked for arrangement ideas.  My favorite Pins came from a blog called Waiting on Martha.  Look at these beauties!

Photo Credit:  Waiting on Martha

            Photo Credit:  Waiting on Martha                                           Photo Credit:  Waiting on Martha

Lastly, I researched tips on how to successfully plant and care for succulents.  My favorite was Succulents and Sunshine.  This website is AWESOME!  I then returned to Lowes when I had sufficient time to look and plan and ended up with my cute little succulent selection below.

My researching taught me that succulents thrive in well-drained soil, that similar to a cactus.  Lowes carries the below potting mix at $4.99 which seemed like the perfect mix to purchase.

Planting the succulents in the various containers was a fun and easy activity.  My daughter also joined in and picked out a plant for her to keep.  See below for the end result of my creative botanical experiment!  I even included a picture of my daughter's plant which now resides in her room and we lovingly named "Cutie."

I would certainly call my succulent activity a success, so much that I am thinking about creating some arrangements for Mother's Day gifts.  It's back to Lowes I go!