Garage Games - Final Day

What an awesome past couple weeks it's been receiving your photos and reading such wonderful descriptions and explanations! Sharing ideas with one another has been so much fun and it's made me smile each time I've gotten a message from someone about wanting to try an idea they saw posted on here. That's what the Garage Games have been all about! If you were hoping to send something in and haven't had a chance to, you still have until the end of Sunday to submit. Tomorrow will be the very last Garage Games post, (if I get anything else in today). Tomorrow I'll have Shire girl pull out of a hat 14 names from all the folks who submitted photos. Each of the 14 people pulled will have a chance to pick out a piece of jewelry from this post. I'll contact you in the order that your names are pulled and let you know which items are left.

Winding down our Garage Games are two women who love to decorate with sentiments. It is so warming to walk into someones home and see things that mean something to them. These gals have hit the nail on the head with clever ways to display items that are as close to their hearts as they are lovely.

Our first set of photos comes from my dearest and oldest friend, K. It just so happens that we are related, (cousins), but we have always been friends first. As a newlywed, (going on 2 years - that's still kind of new, right?), a momma-to-be, and a whole country apart from her family, it's very important for her, (and her hubby), to have things around their home that reflect their love and family.

"We just moved to a bigger apartment-like-house this spring. While the extra space is wonderful with the coming expansion of our family, it's also been a little tough to figure out how to 'fill' so much empty space and bare walls. This is our hallway. I had a little table that used to be in our bedroom, but I moved it out here to be a little corner table. It has candles and paper flowers that we got from a wedding we attended. I had kept a bunch of our wedding memorabilia and was in Michael's one day when I got the idea to do a memory box. This holds Kevin's boutonniere, some lace from my dress and a handkerchief a friend made using all of Kevin's mom's sewing materials. I never got to meet my mother-in-law, so it was special to hold this handkerchief made of her materials around my bouquet on my wedding day. Last year, my family came out for Thanksgiving! We saved the wishbone and dried it out-but never used it. I got a cheap frame, hot glued some fabric on the back, took out the glass-and hung this. My husband and I now love this little hallway corner. When we walk down it, it reminds us of family and warm celebrations. It's amazing what a few little things will do to spruce up a bare space!" -KM

This whole display is so clever! Love the wishbone, even though all I can think about is what kind of big wish I'd make on that sucker! :)

Our closer for today is another dear friend...also whom I happen to be related to, (cousin in law). We share a lot of loves, one of which is for interesting looking things. If you like shopping slow, picking things up and inspecting them, she's your girl! Oh, the hours we could kill together! She is a much newer newlywed, (going on 3 months), and has done a superb job nesting in her new home with her hubby and displaying items that have meaning to both of them.

"This photo is of a wood sculpture that Giff and I bought on our honeymoon from a local artist in Oregon. It is made up of 4 types of wood with the main focus being a huge burl which we fell in love with when we saw them in the redwoods. The sculpture is placed on some favorite books of mine in a natural woven basket. One of the books was given to me by a dear friend from my hiking crew, The Glacier Bandits, and is of paintings of the Grand Canyon by a park ranger who lived there for 30 some years. The Grand Canyon was my first major overnight backpacking trip and was a milestone accomplishment in my life. The candle holder is from Crate and Barrel of a perforated metal to let soft light come through when I'm sitting in my favorite chair pictured in the ba"ck of the photo. The chair and ottoman are an original Milo Baughman from the 1960's that I picked up in a snowstorm in Weehawken across the river from NYC. It is rocks and lounges and is my favorite piece in this peaceful reading room completed only with a glass of good red wine!- JB

Everything you can see in this shot has meaning and I love each and every detail!...except the thought of red wine. White Zin or Riesling, please. No, I do not appreciate fine wine. JB does and she's going to try to turn me!! Help!

Amazing photos, my dears, and thank you so much for sending! You still have to the end of the day today, (Sunday), to get yours in and enter the drawing for a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my jewelry box clean out. Chop-chop, as they say in England, (right?) Enjoy the closing ceremonies! Hooray London Olympics 2012!

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Garage Games - Handy Hubs

Happy weekend, all! These last summer weekends start becoming more and more precious at this point, don't they?! Squeezing in a few more bbq's, trips to the pool, chasing after the ice cream truck...good times.:)

I know this will be difficult to hear/read and you will be utterly depressed and question the meaning of life, but we are down to the final 2 days for the Garage Games. Sad, I know. ;) But, we still have today and tomorrow! If you would like to submit a photo, (or more), please don't hesitate; I'm still taking entries until Sunday evening - which means our last blog post about the Garage Games will be on Monday.

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! Please see this post to find out what the heck the Garage Games are so you can participate and enjoy! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies of the Olympics).

Today we get to 'ooh' and 'aaah' over the handiwork of a couple of our boys. I like to celebrate the partnership between couples in putting together a home. Some men have a stronger opinion than others when it comes to home decor and know how to add their own 'flavor' to the home, and others are equipped with the skills needed to carry out their partner's vision. For me personally, many of my favorite aspects of our home were things I envisioned, explained to Matt, and he worked them out beautifully.

Our first submission is of a gorgeous piece that this gal's husband built himself! Being a coffee table, it gets to be a central piece of the room - and what a beautiful piece it is!

"Here's a photo of our new coffee table that Matt recently built from red oak hardwoods and finished with a dark cherry stain." -JC

Wow - what a masterpiece!

Next up is very cool before and after that utilizes a unique piece of space in this couple's home. My brother and sister-in-law's, actually! My brother in law could easily send hundreds of photos of his handiwork, but this particular project has stuck out to me because of how specifically perfect it is for the space! Many of us have an 'odd' spot in our home. A nook or corner that is just...odd. Maybe it's not a 90 degree angle, maybe it's a curved wall, or perhaps it's just an area that seems hard to complete from a decorating standpoint. Even after you try a hundred different things you still feel unsure how to complete it. My brother and sister in law took an interesting little nook in their home and made it into a convenient and lovely little office area!

"In our home there is a small hallway area, and my wife and I decided it would be the perfect place for a built-in.  Before starting our built-in desk project, we had a tall cluttered bookshelf in the space.  After removing the bookshelf, we put up bead board to define the space.  Once the bead board was in, I hung the shelf for the desk and the shelves for inside the cabinet up above, and worked on the doors for it. Next I took the doors down and painted everything with a few coats of white paint before rehanging the cabinet doors.  The knobs I used on the doors, I had saved from my grandfather's china cabinet.  Now we have a space to use the computer that is out of the way, yet in the open."-CU

Before

After

Now Bella can work from home!

A huge thank you to both couples who shared with us today! I love seeing building projects; very inspiring!

Have a fabulous weekend and don't forget to send your photos if you haven't! 1 more day, sniff sniff ;)

Thanks for reading!

~Chelsea





Garage Games - Make it work!

Hi there! Wow, I can't believe we're down to 3 days left of the Olympics! The past (almost) 2 weeks have flown by and it feels like they've just begun. I have so enjoyed our little Garage Games over the past couple weeks and will be sad when it's over! I might have to do this again soon, rather than waiting another 2 years for the next Olympics.:)

If you are new to my blog, WELCOME! Please see this post to find out what the heck the Garage Games are so you can participate and enjoy! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies of the Olympics).

The photos I've posted so far for the Garage Games have been just. plain. awesome. Creative, inspiring, unique, sentimental...and today's photos are all of the above!

Our first photo is from a gal who probably could have sent a hundred more.:) She is wildly creative and talented and we both share a love for furniture refinishing.

"This was a dark stained desk and I used Annie Sloan's duck egg paint on it then waxed it with a combination of dark and clear wax.  Love it.  Definitely an upgrade to the Ikea model that was in my office :)" -T

A stunning desk like this would have me wanting to work overtime! Nicely done, T!

Our next photos are from a beautiful girl who's beautiful wedding I had the honor of attending during a historic blizzard a few years ago. While the conditions on their wedding day were not what they were expecting, this wonderful couple, (and their photographer), seized some amazing photo opps! When I saw her Garage Games photos I got so excited! She found a beautiful, out in the open way of displaying some of her favorite wedding and engagement photos!

"These are pictures of our bedroom and our makeshift headboard.  I wanted to actually get a real bed with a headboard and all when we moved into this apartment, but I couldn't find one that I liked AND was in our budget.  So we kept the free metal bed frame from the mattress store and I went to work arranging some of my favorite photos into a "headboard".  I LOVE photos and all of these photos are of our engagement and wedding...so it's something that's no longer just a fill-in but something that I really like!" -CS

Wow. Are you looking at these pictures?! So dreamy....and it would have taken me for.ev.er to get these frames arranged 'just so'. It looks awesome, C!

These photos were so fun! Thank you girls VERY much for taking the time to send them!

Remember, 3 days left to get yours in! Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate and if you read the original post about the Garage Games, you know there are jewelry prizes involved :)

Thank you for popping in!

~Chelsea

Garage Game's Pics: Hold onto your socks!

Hi there! Well, the Olympic Games and Garage Games are almost half way through and what a first half it's been! I am enrolling this one in gymnastics asap! The basement sofa has been doubling as gym apparatus by which she leaps, flies and 'tumbles' from.

Shire isn't the only inspired girl around here. I have had a blast looking through the photos you have been sending for our Garage Games! If this is your first time visiting my blog, Welcome! I am so glad you stopped by - you're just in time! I'm doing our very own Garage Games right here on the blog over the weeks spanning the Olympics and asking anyone and everyone to email me, (chelseasgarage@gmail.com), at least one photo of a home decor piece/project/craft/room that is reflective of their style and personality. It can be anything you want so long as it represents you. I will post the photos right here on the blog as they come in as a fun way of sharing our creativity and inspiring one another. At the end of the two weeks we will do a random drawing of all the people who submit photos for a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my jewelry box clean-out! I love accessorizing and have 14 fun pieces that have served me well for several years now, but alas, it's time to change things up and pass them on! So, please don't hesitate to submit your photo(s); you never know who you'll inspire and you could get a cool piece of jewelry out of it! See this post if you'd like more details and a peek at the jewelry pieces! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies day for the Olympics).

Today, you are in for a treat! This girl is my hero. She and her hubby bought just the perfectly imperfect house to transform into the home they wanted. Her use of color and pattern is brilliant, (always has been), and her style is branded by the encouraging words that are printed in the most clever ways throughout her home. They put their own hard work into these renos - and they have 4 young {beautiful} kiddos! Like I said. Hero.

{Half Bath Before}

{Half Bath After}
"When we moved in this bathroom was terrible- the wallpaper alone was enough to make me leave and never come back. We put hardwood in the entire downstairs, so it made sense to contine it in the bathroom. I wanted a pedestal sink, but because of the plumbing, this was the only kind of sink I could have (big bummer, but it turned out ok.) The bead board on the walls serves 2 purposes: it is pretty, but it is also covering up a multitude of sins- remember those fiberglass towel and toilet paper holders? You have to get those suckers out with a hammer. :)" -SB

{Laundry Room Before}

{Laundry Room After}

{Kitchen Before}

{Kitchen After}

" I have always wanted to do a kitchen remodel and was excited when we started this adventure. I never have had a problem making choices and always know just what I want, however I must say that the decisions for very overwhelming. I was excited about the easy ones, but by the time I was deciding where I wanted electrical sockets I was totally annoyed- it seems I am a big picture person more than a detail person. Anyway, I knew I wanted white cabinets, chrome hardware, and a farmhouse table. I also read some good advice in a design magazine that said don't go budget on everything and at the same time, don't spend big money on everything- pick 3 things to splurge on. So I choose to splure on my sink, my lights, and the appliances.  This house is old- built in the 60's- and I wanted to keep with the "old" style while having something new. I also knew I wanted it open and airy,

and room for all my babies to gather around the big table." -SB

{Living Room Before}

{Living Room After}

"This room was a huge transformation, mainly because it was closed up and covered in paneling when we moved in. We painted the paneling, opened the wall, and painted the fireplace and doors. This room went from a dark hole to a cozy, light room- I love the transformation."

 Somebody, call HGTV.:) Thank you, SB, for sharing the fruit of your blood sweat and tears. I know all the good moments and memories in this new home will more than pay off the work that went in. Well done!

Tomorrow will feature two sweet young mommas who's beautiful home decor reflects their beautiful hearts. 10 days left to submit your photos for the Garage Games!

Thanks for popping in!

~Chelsea

Garage Game's Pics - A thrifty find and a homemade office

Hello all! I don't know what I'm enjoying more - watching the Olympic Games, (hello USA Women's Gymnastics!), the tear jerking commercials, or receiving all your amazing home decor photos! I have been blown away by the number of responses by your creative rooms, ideas, tips and tricks.

If this is your first time visiting Chelsea's Garage I am so glad you stopped by! Let me fill you in really quick so you can join and/or enjoy! I am doing our very own Garage Games right here on the blog over the next two weeks spanning the Olympics. I am asking anyone and everyone to email me, (chelseasgarage@gmail.com), at least one photo of a home decor piece/project/craft/room that is reflective of their style and personality. It can be anything you want so long as it represents you. I will post the photos right here on the blog as they come in as a fun way of sharing our creativity and inspiring one another. At the end of the two weeks we will do a random drawing of all the people who submit photos for a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my jewelry box clean-out! I love accessorizing and have 14 fun pieces that have served me well for several years now, but alas, it's time to change things up and pass them on! So, please don't hesitate to submit your photo(s); you never know who you'll inspire and you could get a cool piece of jewelry out of it! See this post if you'd like more details and a peek at the jewelry pieces! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies day for the Olympics).

Today I have two different submissions from two long time friends who don't know they're being featured together, (until now, obviously).:) My earliest memories include these two women; the first is my one and only Mom. The other, a long time family friend who lived down the street from my family in Illinois when I was a wee one.

Let's start with my Mom. I have no design background, never taken a class, but I have 28 years under my belt of watching my Mom transform many a home, (we moved several times), into this soothing yet fun, comfortable yet classy, modern meets antique, peaceful abode. When you walk into my parent's home, you will see my Mom's personality at every corner and 'ahhh, yesss' moment.  I don't know how to describe her home decor style except that she just 'knows'. She's got an eye for things like no one else. She mixes pattern and color like a pro. She knows how to accessorize and where to stop. I've heard guests of hers gush that there is no better feeling than being in her home - it is just that warm and inviting. I've studied and watched her in action. Most of what I do 'right', (and let's be honest, there are hardly any black and white rules when it comes to home decor), is from what I've learned through her.

She submitted a photo of a beautiful piece she found a long time ago. I've never heard it's story, until now.:)

"Twenty years ago we were living in New Hampshire and I was on the hunt for some new sofas. I heard about a huge tent sale at a very upscale place in Massachusetts. I got there early (it was a madhouse!), found my sofas, and as I was leaving I spotted this heavy iron table with no glass top. I don't know why I liked it because it's not my usual style. I thought it would be great 'in the mix' in our family room. I asked my sales lady whom I just bought 2 sofas from, what the price was. She waved her hand and said, "Just take it". So I hurriedly did! Got home, had a glass top cut for it and it has been with me ever since. Goes with everything and nothing....my kind of decorating!" -J

This next submission is an absolute brilliant transformation for an office space. If you work full time away from home, then most of your awake time is probably spent...away from home.

"Wanting my office to be a reflection of the things I love, I grabbed some things from home and this is what I came up with. Like you, I like lighting, and opted for some lamps in my office, to avoid the blaringly bright overhead lights. Combined with the light from my window, it’s just perfect. The picture on the wall is a watercolor my mom did. It’s a scene of the waterwheel on our campus (where I work). She painted it long before I ever started working here, so when I took the job, she gave it to me! The quilt hanging on the wall helps to cut down on the noise, adds visual interest, and I made it (a hobby on hold right now—but just looking at it inspires me to pick it up again). The colors are perfect for the room. People stop to comment on it all the time. I got rid of the metal bookshelf that came with the office, and brought in the antique washstand. My husband and I love looking for old pieces, and this was the perfect size for the space. It’s functional too! Haven’t found the perfect guest chair yet, but the one here does fine (can’t be too comfortable or my visitors will never leave!). Folks often comment how they feel like they are coming into my home, and not my office. It’s comfy, cozy, and makes me smile when I walk in to start my day. I figure if I’m here 40 hours/week, I better love the environment I’m in!! Just these few things have made it perfect for me."-D

Beautiful photos and thank you to the beautiful women who sent them in.

Tomorrow's post will feature a seriously talented mom who submitted some befores and afters which will knock your socks off! Don't wait too long to get your photos in! Deadline is Sunday, August 12.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Chelsea

Something Old, Something New; A beautiful collaboration

Today's Garage Games submission features photos from an extraordinary woman; my Mom-in-law! If this is your first time visiting Chelsea's Garage, I am so glad you stopped by! Let me fill you in really quick so you can join! I am doing our very own Garage Games right here on the blog over the next two weeks spanning the Olympics. I am asking anyone and everyone to email me, (chelseasgarage@gmail.com), at least one photo of a home decor piece/project/craft/room that is reflective of their style and personality. It can be anything you want so long as it represents you. I will post the photos right here on the blog as they come in as a fun way of sharing our creativity and inspiring one another. At the end of the two weeks we will do a random drawing of all the people who submit photos for a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my jewelry box clean-out! I love accessorizing and have 14 fun pieces that have served me well for several years now, but alas, it's time to change things up and pass them on! So, please don't hesitate to submit your photo(s); you never know who you'll inspire and you could get a cool piece of jewelry out of it! See this post if you'd like more details and a peek at the jewelry pieces! Photos will be accepted until Sunday August 12, (closing ceremonies day for the Olympics).

Moving on to today's photos - I was so excited when I saw that my Mom in-law sent some photos in because her home is the most awesome mix of passed down antiques and new finds from all over the world! Through my father in law's work for the government they have had the opportunity to live in various places all over the world. Wherever they have lived, you can always find pieces that trace them back to their PA roots. I've learned so much from her about pairing old with new.

"On the table is a seashell from FL, Botero picture from Colombia, and a vase that welcomed me to Okinawa upon my arrival. The table is, of course, made by the Amish of Lancaster Co." -D

This GORGEOUS bedroom set is from her grandmother's side. Not sure how old it is, but her grandmother's maiden name is written inside a drawer of the dresser, (right, D?). So awesome! The beachy bedding is such a fun nod to their current residence in FL.

This dining set they picked out when they lived in Colombia for this house that, at the time, was being built in FL. The sparkling one-of-a-kind sunburst mirror is also from Colombia. Perfect accessory for a home in the Sunshine State!

A special thank you to my Mom in law for the lovely peak into her home! Isn't it beautiful?!

We've received some truly unique and stunning photos and ideas so far! Don't forget to send yours in as soon as it's ready - there are no 'wrong' photos! Whether it's an entire room that you just love spending time in or a particular accessory that caught your eye and went home with you - all are welcome here! I can't wait to see what you send!

As they say in Colombia, por favor devuelva! Please come back....I think.:)

~Chelsea

Garage Games, Day One

Hello, hello! What an amazing opening ceremonies in London yesterday; I both laughed and teared up throughout the event! Well done, London, well done!

If you missed yesterday's post I am doing our very own Garage Games right here on the blog over the next two weeks spanning the Olympics. I am asking anyone and everyone to email me, (chelseasgarage@gmail.com), at least one photo of a home decor piece/project/craft/room that is reflective of their style and personality. It can be anything you want so long as it represents you. I will post the photos right here on the blog as they come in as a fun way of sharing our creativity and inspiring one another. At the end of the two weeks we will do a random drawing of all the people who submit photos for a chance to win a piece of jewelry from my jewelry box clean-out! I love accessorizing and have 14 fun pieces that have served me well for several years now, but alas, it's time to change things up and pass them on!

I have already received some fantastic photos to kick things off for us! I love the little explanations these gals sent along with their pics.

Our first participant submitted an awesome before and after of the ceiling fan in her daughter's nursery. The white really brightens up the room and draws the eye down to the adorable nursery decor. Well done!:

"I thought I would share the fan that I redid for Bella's nursery.  I simply spray painted the base and fan blades." - M

This next gal was the lucky recipient of this fine sideboard table that her talented Mom found and refinished! I love the way she set up this gorg table with items that are as beautiful as they are meaningful to her.

"I love everything about this table. My mom bought it at a yard sale and refinished it to give it the lighter color/ distressed look it has now. The hydrangeas I dried out about a year ago and they came from my parent's yard. And of course the best part of this look is the cute picture of my pup, Lucy =o) The look of my apartment is very "beach cottage-ish" so the lantern and the seashells really pull together the look from the rest of the room." -K

 Nice work! Thank you so much for sharing these awesome photos!

Thirteen days still remain to email me your photo(s)! Whatever you want; nothing is too big or too small to share! It's just fun to pass on ideas and inspire each other!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend out there! I'll be working on a few newcomers to the garage while Matt works on our new landscape design. I am so excited for a fresh look to the outside of our home!!! The progress will be documented weekly as this will be an ongoing project over the next few weeks.

Thank you for stopping by!

~Chelsea