Archive for the ‘after’ Category

Roller Boogie

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

The kitchen has been begging for some window treatments. ENJE to the rescue!

I bought the dark gray version of the ENJE roller shade from Ikea and installed in the window above the kitchen sink. It gives some privacy, lets in light, and was super easy to install.

*Before & After

Above is the before and after. One issue I’m running into is the length of the metal chain. Its too long for the window and rests in a puddle on the counter top…getting in the way when I wash dishes.

And YES, the shade is a little boring. I’m just not ready to commit to a big graphic pattern or something to trendy, and I just am so bored dealing with this whole window treatment situation. Stupid naked windows.

I also bought another gray ENJE roller shade to go in the larger double window. This window is weirdly sized, so I bought the shade a little large and plan to cut it down to be a custom size. I experimented with cutting a small ENJE curtain and found that the best way to DIY is to use a chop saw with a fine metal blade – it cuts it really straight, but sparks like crazy. If you wet down the shade where your cut will go, it keeps the blade from burning or searing the edges of the curtain fabric.

I both hate and love Ikea.

FILED UNDER: after, before, kitchen, windows

4 Comments »

Fun with decor

Sunday, August 10th, 2008

I’m not an interior designer, but I do like to decorate. Slowly the Brick House is evolving…as money and time permits. Typically I like to let my thrift store finds dictate what direction the decor will go in, and I never really plan out or “design” the room – which gets me into trouble.

I wanted to show a couple of the before and after progress shots. Its been 6 MONTHS since we moved in! I just need to remind myself that things have been accomplished – even though sometimes it feels like nothing is getting done.

The Dining Room

Before & sort of After (don’t mind the Boy eating nuts in the kitchen – he just wouldn’t move out of frame.)

The Den

Before & In Progress, GOOD god I still haven’t painted the door or changed the door hardware. There is still a plate covering the deadbolt from the realtor…wow. I NEED to choose a door color.

The Office/Den

Before & After (the needlepoint is ever expanding – still needs organizing and something – I’m not sure what)

The Living Room

Before & in progress…I’m still working on it.

Here are a couple more shots, just for fun-sies!

FILED UNDER: after, before, decorating

14 Comments »

ENJE roller shades

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

The Brick House has a hodge-podge of random window coverings throughout. Most of the windows are uncovered and this unfortunately turns my neighbors into unwitting voyeurs. I bought one ENJE roller shade from Ikea to test out on our den window.