Okay, so some of my closest friends (and others who cared to hear me complain) knew that Joe went out of town for two and a half (don't mock the half) weeks. A long time for a mother of two busy girls. Before he left he said, "I'm afraid to think about what project you are going to do..". You see, Joe remembers back to the time when he left me with our newborn - who had pneumonia at the time - for 3 weeks! I remodeled our bedroom that time. But now we're older, and I felt I needed to up my game. Poor Joe - literally poor Joe, b/c I'm making him broke....just kidding, but not really.
Since we moved into this house almost three year ago, I had a vision for our front room. It's supposed to be a dining room - too boring, and I disliked how you could see right through to my kitchen. So, I decided to make it a library. Sounds fancy right? I like fancy. So the quest began for furnishings. Little by little, I bought the small items -hid them from my husband like any good wife and started my master plan. I just needed my man to go on a trip to complete it!
The time came.
Here are the before pictures...kind of before....actually the beginning of the redo, but I wasn't fast enough to snap the true before pics; just use your imagination.
Notice how you can see right through to my kitchen. Not the best.
Hard at work. Too many numbers to crunch if you ask me!
A quick weekend trip to my parents to break up the construction mess. 
Starting to come together!!! .......................................................................................................................
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Voila!! The room is done (minus the new piece of glass I need for the little table, draperies, and a reading lamp by the leather chair, but it's close)!
The inspiration for this room was this gorgeous bookcase from Razmataz. I've waited a long time for you my pretty!
My reading chair - did you hear me kids? MY reading chair! -----------------------------------
And, let us not forget that walls have two sides. Here's the before back side:
And the after - I'm still choosing which family picture to put in this frame.
And the after - I'm still choosing which family picture to put in this frame. So, I think it's safe to say that Joe won't be leaving me for any long trips any time soon! Darn! That bathroom redo will have to wait! :-)
24 comments:
absolutely beautiful! you have such good taste!
OH. MY. GOODNESS. That's all I can say. The deception, the design... you are definitely a woman who knows how to get what she wants. Did you do the wall treatment?
Oh my goodness, it's beautiful. I'm so excited to see it in person. You did an absolute fabulous job. I think you could hire out to do any faux painting. It totally looks profession. The bookcase is stunning and the furntiure is perfect. I have some books for bookcase if you need anymore, but it looks great as it is.
Hey, can you come stay at my house while I got out of town?!
Please?!
That's FABULOUS!!!!!
Love everything about it. Everything. Great job, Alisa!!
I'm with wishtrish-- next time we go out of town (once we have a house) you're welcome to come stay. You sneaky, crafty girl. I want to come see it in person! (not-so-subtle hint for you to invite me over!)
wow Alisa. It looks aweseome. Kari kept gushing how great it is...and she is right. Good job! So you didn't tell the end of the story, what does Joe think.
Justin - to answer you question - Joe LOVES it. He didn't love the bill, but he's glad I did it. :-)
Danielle - you can come see me anytime - soon please!
you are one brave woman, and I like that! and I especially loved that you got a babysitter and joined us for dinner and then even ordered...the filet mingon!
you sure know how to treat yourself! ;)
YOU ARE AWESOME. I LOVE A WOMAN WHO IS IN CHARGE, TAKES CHANCES AND IS NOT AFRAID. I HATE TO HEAR WOMEN SAY THAT THEY ARE AFRAID OF COLOR OR WHAT THEIR HUSBANDS WILL THINK.
WOMAN, I AM BEYOND IMPRESSED. IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! WOW, I NEED TO UP MY DECORATING STAKES.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL... CAN I STOP BY ONE DAY AND CHECK OUT YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME?
Ohhh Alisa it looks so great. What a nice room you have now so sit and read and enjoy your time away from the tv. It looks beautiful.
Nice job on the garden too. Doesn't it make you wonder why it took you so long to do it in the first place? We had great success also, and the kids love it jsut as much as we do. By the way....have Joe hook up some drip lines in there, much nicer than hand watering. =)
Wow that turned out amazing! Good job.
That is BEAUTIFUL!!! It looks GREAT! I am so impressed. You definitly have a talent for decorating!
Wow! You're a rock star! Mom said it even looks better in person. Glad you finally got your way with it!
you are SOOO funny!! I TOTALLY would've done the same thing... I love how you totally plotted all this out and shopped and hid things so your hubby wouldn't know and would be surprised! :) It looks SOO great - GOOD JOB!!!!
Wow. My jaw literally dropped at the 'after' picture. The Library looks like it came from a castle! Love it. P.S. thanks for the tip of sneaking things from husbands ;-)
I really like it! You did a great job! Joe can't be mad b/c it looks so good!
I looks great, Alisa. It's always been my dream to have a library, and I have boxes and boxes of books I've collected over the years to put in it. Maybe someday--when I'm not RS Pres, more of my 'chicks' have left home, I can make up my mind on where I want it, time, and of course $$$- that's ok, though, I'm getting good at being patient (on most things). Good job!
Do you have Joes reaction on tape? B/C that would have been fun to watch! What a fabulous job you did - and way fast too! Me likes it!
Okay, so Jason's going out of town tomorrow, any ideas.... It turned out beautiful!
After Baci I had to pop over here and see the finished product. It is beautiful!
Wow you did an amazing job. I am totally a fan of red and that IS a beautiful bookshelf!
Holy Cow! I could never do that, I have no vision or guts!! Looks gorgeous, good job momma :)
That is hilarious! I have the same tactics with our first home when Chad used to leave for days on end. Not so much this time around, but I am ready for a slight kitchen remodel... The plan is not yet in place. Looks fabulous!
Wow...impressive!! I love that bookshelf! I need to check Razmataz out.... its been a long time! I would love to see the whole thing in person. It was good to see you at the movies on Friday!
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