My First Before and After

This past Sunday was Hope's baby shower and of course, in true Jessica fashion, my thinking cap went on.  I love being creative and practical at the same time, all within a budget.  At that time, it was hot and heavy yard sale season so I was on the prowl for ideas.  What is something that they will need, nobody else will get and something that I can use my creativity? 

And then I found this?

I know, you're jealous right?

Immediately, I text Hope to see if they wanted one.  I wanted her to know what my plan was so they didn't register for one or buy one themselves.

I must admit, mom definitely did a lot more of the hard work on this makeover than I did.  She did the upholstery work, as well as the monogrammed E.

Sanding, 2 coats of primer and 4 cans of ivory spray paint, here is the final product!

I am so excited about this makeover and how it turned out.  It was the perfect chair for her to use during the shower & now in the nursery.

I am sure many sleepless nights will be spent in this glider rocking baby Emmalyn to sleep.

Step 1 - Stair Makeover

So this post has been a long time coming and I am finally to that motivated stage that I am ready to get this damn project over with!!  I know when it is all said and done, it is going to look great, but just getting there has seemed to be the issue.

So of course, after my inspiration photos / blogs here, I couldn't wait to get started on our stair makeover.

And it began!!  I got out a razor blade, a pair of needle nose pliers & a flat head screwdriver.  I took the razor blade and made a cut into the carpet so I could start ripping it up.  Oh yeah and I did this one night while Cody was gone, but he came home & caught me in action.  Luckily for me, it was perfect timing!  I had pulled with all might and about tumbled down the stairs, but he walked in just in time to help me catch my balance!

Let me tell you that ripping up the carpet was a hard task, but I was not about the let the carpet win!  I pulled and pulled and pulled until all the carpet was up.  By the time I was finished, I had scratches up & down my arms from the staples that were still in the carpet.  I should have had long sleeves and gloves on my list.  You live and you learn!  

Next came time to pull out all of staples.  If there wasn't a gazillion, then I don't know how many there were.  I didn't think I was ever going to get done.  I did do this process over several days since this was not an easy task either.  I tried my hardest to pull most of the staples out when pulling up the carpet, but there were still a lot left.  And, of course, they used the toughest and longest damn staples.

Here are some pictures of our progress!    

Oh yeah, and this may look all pretty, but white carpet on stairs is a definite no! I was fed up with steam cleaning them all the time!

 No more carpet!

**I went to Home Depot and got 2 paint samples so we are moving this process right along.  Next we will decide which color to go with and start purchasing our materials!