screened-in patio

Few months ago, we decided to screen in the back patio. We rarely use our backyard. The kids no longer had play equipment out there, and all it was good for was "dumping" grounds for the dogs.
I wanted to extend our living space. Use the patio, and backyard.
So, the beginning of this month...David started to peck away at it. Working from morning to night on the weekends. As well as the little bit of daylight he had left on the occasional non baseball nights.
The most exciting part of the plan, was to add a doggie door, and a fenced in area for the dogs. So, they no longer had the whole yard to do their thing in. Having to shovel dog poop every time you wanted to go out and play became a bummer.

Like so many things I throw at my hubby, he didn't have a clue what he was doing with the screening in of the patio. He looked at some pics, googled and took many trips to Lowe's. Did a little bit of "winging it".

And I couldn't be happier with it. He did a GREAT job!

Some pics of the framing process. As well as tons of junk all over the lawn, killing it in the process! I hate living in a "construction zone".

and my helpers....getting some of the painting done.

Here's a super old pic..about 4 years ago. Only real good "before". Again, we NEVER went out there, so it was all kind of a hot mess.

And now. Did I mention we killed the lawn?? Oh yes! Hopefully we'll get it back soon.

On the far end, the little fence will be painted white here in a few days. And my Sam's club garden kits will have something in them. We'd also like to add rain gutters, and maybe a little patio right outside the door there. But, for now..I think I'll let the hubby rest a bit :)

And the inside is also a work in progress. I have string lights to go up, fans to install, and curtains.
Oh, and the wicker love seat is temporary. David plans to build a little day bed. Wait..did I say he was going to rest??

Before...man, those kids are so little!

After..

 Opposite side

And here's the little $25 dresser I bought and painted for a planter.

Coming back to add a few more pics. David put up the lights and the fans, so we were able to enjoy a little Father's Day dinner with the folks.

It all got moved back to normal after. Just a few mins to move a few things out and table and chairs in. Plan to have dinner out there at least one night a week :)

Hydrangeas

From my mother's flower bed. Sooooo pretty!

 Also added in some cute, little coasters from Target today. And a fun new @ pillow :)

chevron rug..and slip covered sofas!

It took 12 weeks, but my I.O. Metro sofas are finally in!! I'm pretty in love with them, but living in fear of the light fabric. I know, I know...slip covers! Take them off, toss them in the wash. But, still..yikes!!!

Let's take a look back at what the room started like 6 years ago....

And now...

Picked up the chevron rug off of Rugs USA. If I can remember back to February..It was only $125.

Also had a little chair make over that we threw over against the wall.



Before

 After

laundry room makeover

So, we took the smallest space in the whole house. With pretty much ZERO natural light..and painted it BLACK! Black chalk board paint, of course! :) And I love it!
We purchased a new washer and dryer a month ago, and I knew we needed to do something "fun" in there.

This is the best "before and after" I'm going to be able to produce. I think the before pic was taken the first few months we lived here. The room had been painted. But, just the same lenox tan that's throughout the living and kitchen.

David pulled down the cookie cutter cabinet, that I NEVER used. Seriously...can't remember the last time I reached to the top of that thing. It was obvious by the 7 empty light bulb boxes crammed in there!
 I wanted open shelves, but didn't just want a boring backdrop. David put up those little, adorable subway tiles.

 The opposite side of the room, got a bead board treatment and some hooks for the backpacks and jackets. I'm not sure what I want to do above. I thought about some cork boards. But, for now...Asher has turned it into a mural of our spring vacation :)

And the remaining little wall :)