Distractions

Hello, and happy fall! Things have been quite busy lately. I was on vacation mid October and was planning on getting house work done.. yeah that didn't happen. I rested (much needed) a lot and got distracted. Being distracted actually happens a lot. I find it funny when it even happens during house work. I start cleaning and organizing, and then find something cool, or a project i've been meaning to try, or want to try another paint color on a wall. It's kind of endless, there is so much to do. But don't worry I do get house work done, it just takes a lot of discipline an self control. Distraction number 2- netflix. I put on a show or movie and end up watching it more than doing house work. Even things i've seen before. Distraction 3- Pinterest. It's probably the worst one. Though I consider it house work.. or um inspiration for house work... so that totally counts, right? Though I do love pinterest and getting ideas for my home, I do try to limit time on it and actually spend time doing projects. And for the last distraction, also computer related- The Sims. I am addicted to this game. I enjoy actually building and designing houses more than playing the game. I'm probably spent more time building, designing, and furnishing houses on there than my own. They make it easier though with all the materials and unlimited budget. Plus the houses can look super cool and realistic. I think i'm going to start posting things from the game. Mostly design ideas, furniture placement, and color ideas.

So that's why I haven't posted much on here, because i've been distracted. I don't want to get into the habit of just posting pinterest finds, inspiration boards, and not actually house projects. So with that, I better get to work!

Anchors Away!

 I love kids room, with so many fun prints and bright colors. It's fun just to play around with ideas for kids rooms. I don't have any kids, but someday when I do i've dreamed of doing a boys room a little nautical. Not to over the top, but subtle. So here my inspiration board for a baby boy's nautical nursery.

Cute stuff, right?! I totally adore the wooden crab clock. I would go with a basic wooden crib and refinish a dresser in a fun color for the changing table. The room color would maybe be a light blue, gray, or something in the blue color tones. And have red, white, navy blue, and yellow? as accent tones. So here's where all of what's picture is from and the prices.
1.) Anchor Hooks- $38 for a set of three attached, or $15 for individual hooks. By riricreations on Etsy
2.) Nautical Nursery Prints- $16.95 for set of 4. By littlebirdieprints on Etsy
3.) Bamboo Crab Clock- $60. By graphicspaceswood on Etsy
4.) Idea for a print diy I would make with the Verse Hebrews 6:19a on it.
5.) Anchor Pillow- $79. By Ethan Allen
6.) Rocker- $849. By Land of Nod
7.) Curtains- $39.99 for one. This is actually a shower curtain, so these are just an style to go by. By Tiny Tottie
8.) Whale Print- ? for set of 2 prints. This is a sold item on etsy, so there's no price listed. By ZeppiPrints on Etsy
9.) Chervon Ottoman- $69.99, but on sale for $49.99! I would actually prefer this is a blue color I think, gray would work though too. Also great for extra storage! By Target

So the grand total of this is $1172.92 + the cost of the whale prints and the diy artwork for Hebrews 6:19.
This is alittle much and I think I can do much better. I think I would diy all the art work myself, diy the pillow or find a cheaper one- I think I can do either for about $20. I can also find a cheaper chair, curtains, and maybe the hooks. I would actually consider the ottoman. And I would totally splurge on the cutest crab clock!
So there's some ideas for a super cute not overly nautical baby boy's room. If you have a nautical inspired room you would like to share, we would love to see it! Send pics or links  to thecreativehomeproject(at)gmail(dot)com!
Remember, home design and decorating doesn't have to cost a ton, with being creative you can get the room you want with the budget you have!
Thanks for reading,
-Jen

Craft Room Pinterest Finds

So, a week (or and more) later... Sorry for the delay in posts lately. I'm actually doing a lot of projects at the house and lots of cleaning. Getting the craft room cleaned and ready for MY NEW BUSINESS!!! (Can you sense my excitement!) I'm starting a handmade business and will sell my product on etsy. I'll share my shop and give you more details when I figure out everything. For now, here is some pinterest finds of craft room inspiration that I love:

1.) Ikea office featured on Apartment Therapy

What I love about this space is the accent wall. My plan is to do a fuchsia accent wall, or maybe even stripes like this, but in shades of fuchsia.

2.) Purple Craft Room from Crafty Storage

I love lots of things about this room. Especially the wall color, such a bold fun color. And the storage is amazing! Love this room!

3.) Craft Room from My 36th Avenue

What's not to love about this room! Between the layout, organization, and polka dot wall, it's a total inspiration!

4.) A Craft room from Scrapbook.com Gallery

Like all the rooms featured, I love this room! I like the black and white damask prints, the chandelier, the storage, everything! Black and white is something I want to incorporate in my craft room. I'm trying not to use it too much, so far I have this polka dot rug from IKEA - Love this rug!

5.) Clipboards on the Wall from Decor8

I so want to have a wall of clipboards. So far I have 3 up and 6 waiting to be put up. I love the look of it and it's easy to change out art work and whatever else is clipped to them.

6.) Sewing Studio by Maple and Magnolia

I just discovered this room, and I love everything about it, The furniture is my favorite. I love the colors in the room. It's such a fun room! Now I can't decide to do the room white with lots of color in art and furniture. It's such a well decorated room!

There's all the pinterest finds I have today. These picks definitely inspire and motivate me to get moving on getting my craft room done. I'm excited and super motivated. There's lots (lots lots lots) more inspiring craft spaces on pinterest, just don't get sucked into looking at them for hours and hours (pinterest is addicting). :)

So what's your favorite things about your craft room? What are some furniture pieces or decorating pieces you want to use in your craft room? If you have pictures of your craft room, please share by emailing me at thecreativehomeproject@gmail.com!

Have a great day!
-Jen

1 Year Anniversary!

A year ago today I bought my first house! I can't believe it's been a year already, and it's been a good year. I've learned a lot, did a lot of projects, and only had a small maintenance issue (basement flooded and needed a new sump pump). Owning a home has been an amazing journey. It's been a dream for 4 years, came into reality in 2012. I loved the whole process, even the lows- it was all a learning experience. I will share my house buying experience in the next few days, plus some advice and tips for buying a house based on my experience. For now I just wanted to share about my 1 year home owning anniversary! So I guess just the news of it! I'll post a more in depth tomorrow!
Until then! -Jen

Front Porch Inspiration

Hello! I have a pretty big to do list for my house. One of them is the front porch. Here's my idea for my front porch:

My porch is getting there. Here's what my actual front porch looks like:

The chairs and table is currently in the process of getting spray painted yellow. All I need is a fun welcome mat, a light for the door, and in the future a rail around the edge and new stairs- maybe. The to do list is never ending. I can't wait till my front porch looks more like the inspiration picture!
Oh and the current price list for my front porch-
Chairs and Table - $26 at Target
Plants- $18
Flag- $8 at Lowes
Solar Lights- $14 for set of 8 at Menards
So far $66. Not to bad, then add $12 for a mat, $30 for a light, and $20ish for paint. And it definitely boost the curb appeal! Along with future landscaping. Lots to do!

What's on your curb appeal boosting list? Any tips? What's your favorite elements in your front porch? Please share either here in the comments or email me at thecreativehomeproject.gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to check back tomorrow for a special post (I can't wait!!!)
-Jen

Project Playlist vol. 1

Hello! Hope you all had a great Fourth of July and weekend! I know a lot of people get a long weekend because of the holiday, I unfortunately don't (working in retail), but I have next weekend off! Normally during my days off I love doing house projects and deep cleaning the house. So for today here is a playlist I put together for some of my favorite songs to listen to while doing projects! This week's playlist is mostly indie folk rock genre. Enjoy!

                                    

P.S. What are some of your favorite songs to listen to while you do things around the house? Share in the comments or email - thecreativehomeproject (at) gmail (dot) com, and I will use your favorites in a future playlist!

Living Room Inspiration

For my living room, I'm trying to figure out how to best use the space to fit my needs. I'm thinking since I have a family room (wood panel room), which will be the tv room, my living room will be tv free (maybe) and kinda be an extension of my craft room, library, and yeah. So here's what I put together for this room so far.  I actually already own most of the items in this room, here's what I already have: a round table from my parents (vintage), the owl I found at TJ Maxx or Marshalls for $10, the rug I have from Ikea for $20, the white lantern I got from Target on clearance for about $2, the yellow round frame I have is similar from TJ Maxx for $5.99, the trunk I got from Hobby Lobby for about $20 on sale for 80% off a few years ago, and the bookshelf I own is just a basic bookshelf. I love the yellow chair. It's from Target for $139.98. Though I read the reviews and the color is alittle off, so a similar chair would be nice. I also want a pink couch, I think it would be fun. The couch picture is from Ikea, it's the Karlstad. I didn't see this color on the site, but I do like the light gray. I think though for a couch something like this or this would be fun, just in different colors.

Currently i'm using my cream sectional couch that I bought 4 years ago when I lived in an apartment, but I will be saving and couch shopping soon. I also have my tv in this room as well. Speaking of, i've been looking for an inexpensive dresser for a tv stand and I finally got one from my friend for free! So now i'm trying to figure out what to paint it. I'll post pictures of the dresser once it's cleaned up a bit. But i'm excited to get to work on that and my living room!
-Jen

First House Tour

I bought my first house last year, close to this time. I put an offer on it the day I went through it for the first time. My offer was accepted and I closed on the 12th of July. I will share my whole house buying story soon, but now I want to show you a few pictures of the inside of my house. I will post more pictures later and a house tour in the future as well. So here's the pictures I took after I walked through it once it was officially mine!

This is the backdoor, which I use as my front door because goes out to the garage and mail box.

Through the backdoor is the porch. My plan is to maybe paint the wood either white or a color and if I paint the walls and ceiling white, i'll paint the floor a fun color.

This is the family room addition off the porch. So far I painted the walls and ceiling white, pulled up the carpet to reveal bad linoleum tiles. My plan is to put down wood laminate floors over the tiles.

The galley kitchen. The only thing I want to do I get different drawer pulls, paint the inside cabinets a fun color.

The living room. I definitely want to paint it a lighter blue (it's darker in person), pull up the carpet (there is hardwood floors underneath!!!), and possible do something with the fire place.

This is the room off of the living room. I'm using it as a craft room/ office. I'm thinking of painting an accent wall a fuschia pink.

The bathroom. I eventually want to paint the walls, and maybe put in different flooring. I also painted the vanity which I will show in a later post. Oh and the purple sink may need to go as well.

The stairs. With the lovely blue carpet and blue walls, who wouldn't want to change it... yeah, it's all changing. Under the carpet (I had to check) is wood floors and staircase. And i'll be painting the walls white.

The first bedroom with walk in closet. All the rooms upstairs have hardwood floors. I already painted bedroom a sage green and the closet tan, and the ceilings white. I also removed the carpet. I just prefer new carpet, or wood floors.

I love the vintage looking door knobs. This house was build in 1931, so any vintage charm I want to keep.

And the second bedroom and closet. The only thing I need to do it is paint. And i'm not sure what color yet. Right now it's storage, but I would like to make it a guest bedroom.

So that's my little home tour. I will post progress photos, projects, and another home tour. I'm pretty excited for all the things that I want to do! And I can't wait to share them with you!
-Jen

Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to the Creative Home Project. My name is Jennifer, I live in Mid-Michigan, and I love everything about owning a home (maybe not the maintenance or having a flooded basement because the sump pump broke). I bought my first house in July, 2012. It's a 1931, 1.5 story, Cape cod home. It is also a Sears kit home! I will share about my first time home buying experience in a future post and also pictures of my house! I have a lot of plans for this house and I can't wait to share them on here!

The Creative Home Project is my blog where I will document my home owning experience. Where I will share advice, ideas, dreams, inspiration, and anything else home related. One of my main goals is to help others be creative in their home owning. By creative, I don't necessarily mean that you have to be crafty. Being creative is basically problem solving- looking at what you need or what you want to do differently. Painting a thrift store chair a different color is creative! And painting is a pretty basic skill level. I'll share specific projects, ideas, diys, and more in other post.

So, welcome to my home!

-Jen