Elevator Upgrade

So the cat is out of the bag, our house has an elevator.  It's not something we really talk about, although it's really not a big deal.  My best friend as a little girl had an elevator in her house, so maybe I'm just used to it.  However, I have realized since living here just how many people are fearful of elevators!

At any rate, ours was showing some wear from the traffic and I wasn't in love with the goldish color, so my mother in law and painted and wall papered it.  I used the same wallpaper as I did in the bathroom.  The trim and ceiling are also the same colors at the bathroom {walls are Sherwin Williams Realist Beige and ceiling is Sherwin Williams Indigo}  I also removed the handrail as we don't really have a need for it {we really only used it as a shelf for junk!} and added a little stool because sometimes it's nice for the kids to have a place to sit {it's a sloooooow ride! ;}

*And yes, I realize I'm privileged to be a white girl writing about her home with an elevator in a time where the world is determined to be mad about everything.  I have many thoughts on this, but for today I'm just too tired to think about how someone else thinks I should be reacting.  Good athletes who happen to be black don't feel bad for being a good athlete, so this white girl who works her tail off isn't going to feel bad for working for a nice home.  Choose love, show love, give grace & be thankful.

Snippets of the lake...

It's been over 6 months since my last 'lake house updates' post, so I thought it was time so show you what's new.  We've finally moved from renovations to decorations...which is much more fun {for me anyways!} ;)

Let's start from the outside in...

We had a large {dead} tree removed from the back yard.  We hired a company to take the tree down since it was so large and close to the house, plus there were power lines in the way.  We cut all of the wood up ourselves, which I don't think we'll ever do again {wow, that is a lot of work!} The company we hired is supposed to come back and grind up the stump sometime soon.  We don't have a ton of trees on our little lot, so we would like to plant a few more someday. 

We got a new rug for the deck from Fab Habitat.  It currently has the kids wooden picnic table on it, which works perfectly because it's so easy to wipe off {spills don't absorb into this rug, they wipe right up}.

c/o Fab Habitat

Just inside the door, we bought this HOME sign.  The O is an outline of Iowa.  

similar

Under this coat rack, we have got new bench!  Best part? It has a cute little basket underneath to throw stuff  in {summertime?  Sunscreen, boat key, bug spray, etc.  I'm sure this winter it will house hats & gloves for the littles!} Plus it's made of solid wood & metal. 

purchased here {sorry for the crappy photos…it was late!}

We replaced all of the interior doors with new white ones, which look so stinking good!  They seriously brighten the whole house up!  Now, if only we had trim around them, I would show you a photo.  We plan to do the interior trim this winter, so hopefully I'll have photos to show you guys by the next update! :)

purchased at Menards

The biggest purchase this year was our new furniture!  This has been a long time coming!  I really wanted to get white furniture, but it just wasn't practical, so we opted for gray instead and I love it!  We burned the old  tan sectional {true story} and purchased a couch, chase lounger, side table, end table, & metal basket.

We also got a bunch of new throws & lake pillows since all of the old stuff was tan/brown.  

c/o MalloryLynnDecor

c/o BAZZcreations


c/o LoveYouMoreBoutique


c/o OxfordCraftNepal {super soft, lightweight, & versatile!  They come in several colors, too!}

Above the couch is this large piece

Purchased here

End table details...

c/o NapaUncorked

Moving around toward the kitchen...

{finally} new lights!  This one is above the sink, looking out the back window

c/o BootsNGus

This one is over the bar cart

Light

On top of the window sill, I have these adorable little geometric, cement plant holders. 

c/o frauklarer

and succulents which if I'm being honest, didn't last long. I think our lakehouse is too humid. :(

Pots purchased at Earl May & painted with white paint

The succulents are sitting on our new Bar Cart which was my Mother's Day gift!! 

as requested in this post. cart purchased here

above the cart is a wine rack made by my sister & BIL purchased by my in laws for me for Christmas!

I seriously need to up my wine game at the lake!  left to right:: $3 wine from WalMart, kids juice, Malibu {which I don't even like} and more sparkling wine for the kids. #Sad

Top 5 lake house 'to-do' items right now...

finish interior trim

plant hastas out back & around trees

'fix' the driveway

replace deck

replace kitchen cabinets

Zzzz

A few weeks or a month ago, we decided to move Cullyn to a big boy bed.  Since the kids share a room, we decided to do a twin bed with a trundle bed underneath to save space.  Since we're hopeful to move someday, we left the decor as is, but decided to move things around a bit.   Details below…

As soon as we got the beds together, we implemented a sticker chart in an effort to keep Jordyn in her bed.  She was starting to come into our bed earlier and earlier every night.  Luckily, she liked it and hasn't came into our bed once since then.  {high-five emoji} 

Bed :: My MIL's attic

Comforter :: Target

Sheets :: Target

Dresser :: IKEA {similar}

Shelf :: Target {similar}

Basket :: Target {similar}

Tassels :: The Flare Exchange

Print :: Gift Shop @ Mercy Hospital

Stuffed Animals :: Hallmark

2013 Lakehouse Updates

Each year I like to do a little recap of the projects we do at the lake house.  We ended up doing more than we had planned, but still have a long ways to go. 

We added insulation in the attic {no photos} and installed new windows and doors throughout the entire house.

   

   

Then we did the soffit and facia and started siding {only the front got finished before winter}.  

My dad also installed more outdoor electrical outlets and hookups for lighting.

I have high hopes to finish the siding and outdoor lighting {both projects are currently in progress} as well as interior trim this year.  I would also like to plant some simple landscaping {like Hastas} around the back of the house.  

2011 Updates | 2012 Updates