Oh hello y’all, how are things?  I’m feeling pretty good today having finally finished the laundry room over at our adopted Alma House.   For those who don’t know, earlier this year, the hubs and I decided to adopt a house in partnership with our local COTS (Committee on the Shelterless). 

The Alma Project began as the transformation of a fixer upper house into a comfortable functional home for women who desperately need it. Living inside the Alma House are single mothers, previously homeless, who reside for free on the condition that they are learning skills, stabilizing their lives, attending counseling, and that they remain drug and alcohol free. Busy remodeling their lives, these mothers have no time or money to fix up this house.

Over the past few months, we’ve given our time to this project with money donated by so many of you. Some of you blogged about the Alma house and others held small fundraisers to benefit the project.  We cannot thank you enough. 

In April, we spent a day transforming the entry hallway to create better utility:

In May, we built them this media center. 

Over the summer, we set out to build the families a laundry room center in the garage and at last it is complete! 

Here’s a glimpse of the space a few months ago:

Here it is today!

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Greetings all, so happy to be featuring some very inspirational posts and projects today!  I took a chance when I started this ‘Best of the Blogosphere’ series many months ago, and I have to say looking back I’m so glad I did.  There is so much ingenuity and creativity out there that and I love sharing my finds with you.  Again this week I teamed up with Amanda, and together we bring you our favorite picks, enjoy!

You can combine both rustic and glam by mimicking this look in your bedroom with this gold stenciled plank headboard by Simply Sjostedt  (via Creature Comforts). 

Considering white marble for your kitchen countertops? Read this perspective on why you might invest in marble (and get the different definitions too) at Cote de Texas.

We all love a great IKEA hack and here’s another twist on the Rast dresser, this bedside table has a custom base and stained wood top over at A Charming Nest. 

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Greetings all and happy Friday!  With such amazing weather, I am determined to explore someplace really cool outdoors this weekend, perhaps Napa, perhaps San Francisco. Anyone have any places you’d like me to check out and write about?  Send me an email, I’d love to hear your suggestions!

This weekend’s giveaway is sponsored by Pillows by Dezign, a home décor company specializing in designer pillows all sewn in the USA.  To quote founder Marian Silverman, “Decorative pillows are the jewelry that completes the outfit!”  Indeed they are, so how about an opportunity to win some decorative throw pillows for your home? 

All decorative pillows include the down or polyester insert (your choice) and hidden zippers. Fabrics come from well known designers such as Kravet, Robert Allen, and Duralee to name a few. You could even design your own with their custom service. 

Gorgeousness guaranteed! 

Here’s a peek at just a few of the pillows in the shop:

Pillows by Dezign is offering two lucky winners a $75 shop credit, plus free shipping.

Eligibility to win one of two $75 shop credits to Pillows by Dezign:

1)  Pay a visit to Pillows by Dezign and pick your favorite throw pillow, then name your choice in a comment.

2) For an additional chance to win, link to this giveaway either on Facebook or on Twitter, then leave a second comment telling where you linked (FB or Twitter).

3) For a third chance to win, Like Pillows by Dezign on Facebook, then leave an additional comment stating “I like PBD!”

That’s all folks.  Two winners chosen at Random.  US and Canada only.  Giveaway ends Monday September 19, 2011 at 8 p.m. PST. 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Winners:  #418 Jaime and #797 Anna Driver-Bishop.  Both winners notified by email. 

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Don’t you just love September?  The air is cooler, the leaves begin to change, and the kids are finally back in school!  I can feel the seasons changing when I step outside which always leads to seasonal changes indoors too.  This week I welcome back contributing writer Michelle of Ten June for her monthly column.  Today, she’s sharing her best tips for transitioning your home from summer to fall. 

Please welcome back Michelle!

“Doesn’t it seem like we just got used to our summer schedules? Long days by the pool, late nights catching fireflies, every dinner cooked on the grill. Then, all of a sudden, it’s September. Although I love summer, personally I’m ready for fall – there is something about the crisp, cool autumn air that puts a smile on my face.

However, my house still feels like it just settled into its summer vibe. Coral from this summer’s vacation still rests in a bowl on my dining room table. A nautical themed pillow remains on one of the slipper chairs in my living room. And I’m pretty sure there is still a pile of sand laying somewhere around my house.

If you’re like me, it might seem impossible to take your summer décor to fall without feeling as if you have to completely revamp your accessories.  Well you don’t have to go Clark Griswold with your seasonal décor in order to bring fall into your home. Rest assured, these simple tips will help you to make those subtle changes to your home to easily make the transition from summer to fall.

1.  Start with natural elements.

Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

 

Pinterest

 

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For the longest time, I’ve been wanting to make some thick wood cutting boards for use around the kitchen and to give as gifts.  Cutting boards are just about the most useful tool in the kitchen, but store bought or hand crafted wood ones can get pricey quickly.  

I had this vision in my head of a thick slab of wood with a lot of character that could become a focal point on a table.  Over the weekend I created a few of my own wood cutting boards out of a slab found at a local salvage yard. 

Here’s a look at the trio of wood cutting boards I designed:

This project began last week when I dropped in on my local salvage yard in search of the perfect piece of wood.  I talked to the people who ran the place and told them I was looking for a harder wood like maple or hickory, but wanted to avoid any grainy or porous woods like oak.

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