Happy Wednesday! I’ve actually made some progress in the playroom and thought I would share it with you today. Last week I shared my plans (and actually left this part out of the plan, but moving on…..) and this week I set into action.
The wall behind the TV was a big awkward blank slate. Because this space is in the basement, the ductowrk runs through and there is a section of lower ceiling. (And the ceiling is something to talk about another day- it’s textured and where it’s not textured, there is an awkward array of wood paneling ( it’s above the antelope in the photo above. The ceiling will probably be ignored throughout this makeover as it needs professional help and that’s just not in the budget). Anyhow, with the white credenza which I’ve had since before we moved here, and the big black honking television, I needed a plan that would help hide that TV. I opted for chalkboard paint, planning to paint the wall behind the TV. However, the walls in that space create a little nook, so I decided just to paint the whole nook after I wasn’t happy with the one wall finished. It took two coats of paint, and I let it cure for 24 hours before writing on it.
In the meantime, got to work on the antelope. My mom bought him for me this past weekend at homegoods, and I loved him as is, but he blended into the walls too much. So I did what any gold loving blogger would do….. I placed him in the gilding chamber for a transformation! To the gilding chamber with you!
So he got a lovely gold makeover!
And another piece I worked on for this wall was a DIY capiz garland!
I love how this turned out! It was SUPER simple, given the right pieces. I found a tangled old capiz pendant lantern at a favorite haunt and scooped it up for something like $1! Here it is in a tangled mess on my island….
All I did as cut off random sections with strands of 1-4 shells. I used a piece of natural colored yarn and tied the sections of shell to the yarn about every 8″. I did it in a random pattern as I didn’t want it to be too perfect or even. I tied one end to the hook on my antelope, and the other end was tacked onto the wall, as well as a mid point.
I love the shimmering and magical effect capiz shells have.
The last step was to write on this wall! I wanted to write sayings that would inspire my children to be the kind of people they should be- kind, loving, and good citizens. And here is where I get serious for a moment.
The past couple of weeks have been pretty crazy on the blog front, with Young House Love taking a hiatus, and so many reactionary articles and posts in places like the NY Times, and on blogs like Design Sponge. And I have to admit that I have been feeling a lack of motivation, but good friends are amazing for encouraging and motivating, and I am lucky enough to be surrounded by some awesome people who are funny, kind hearted, and full of creativity and love. They inspire me on a daily basis and are helping me get through these feelings. However, last week, I was accused of copying something, because I simply asked these friends to work with me, and motivate each other as we tackle rooms in our houses. The fact that people I have known and loved believed ill of me is what hurt the most. I thought long and hard all weekend about my future in blogging and I can tell you that right now I don’t know what it holds. I do it for love and passion, but when negativity comes so quickly onto the scene, it sucks out all joy.
So right now, in this moment, I am choosing to continue to be a positive place, and to not let any of the negativity get to me. I have to make that choice and be cognizant of it, work at it, because if I don’t I find myself in that funk, and not wanting to even log in to write a post. And if I let it get to me, what is that teaching my kids? So in writing on their walls, I thought about everything that’s happened over this past week, and what I can do to keep moving forward….
Sometimes it starts with just one. Young House Love walked away and suddenly it seemed the blogworld was spiraling downward, all of us in a funk and thinking about our futures. But right here and right now, I am choosing to change that way of thinking and instead BE RIGHT HERE AND NOW. I don’t know what 2015 will bring for my blog (perhaps an end, perhaps a new start, perhaps a continuation?) but I can’t worry about it. Because right here and right now, I have this amazing group of inspiring, loving hysterical, and quirky friends. And I have two beautiful children looking to me to be their example of poise and class, and how to treat other people, how to problem solve together. And I am going to be here for my friends as they are for me, be here for my kids as they are for me, and be here for you, as you are for me, reader.
Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, how about some more pictures of the playroom progress?
Here is the entire space (and yes I realize I need to store that Wii box somewhere else! Or find some way to hide it, but this is just the beginning!)
I just love how this space is coming together, and the kids came home from school yesterday and squealed in delight when they saw it! (Who even says squealed in delight? Apparently I do.)
And just to give you an idea of where this nook sits, that’s our sectional to the left. And do you see the TV? You had to strain, didn’t you? 🙂
I am really happy with how this space is progressing, but more importantly the kiddos are thrilled! And that’s what it’s all about. That and the hokie pokie.
Sharing here: The Inspiration Gallery, Catch as Catch Can, Creativity Unleashed, Inspire Me Please
