OUTSIDE PORCH: Before + During = Now 8.19.14

Hi guys it's me, that girl katie, We bought our house over 5 years ago moved in and then moved out to do a major renovation.

This is what our porch looked like when we bought it.

And this is how it turned out after our remodel. We liked it but didn't love the dock feel of it. We knew someday we would do more landscaping while we gained a better feel on how we would use the space. Would we want a outdoor table or a outdoor living room setting?

We did consider putting a roof on the porch but the budget didn't allow that. Plus, I was worried about a roof affecting our inside light. I did know living in Jackson Hole an outdoor fireplace was a must.

A year ago we worked with a landscape designer who had ideas about adding on to the deck so that we could have both an outdoor living space + an outdoor eating space. The idea of an outdoor pergola was tossed around and before we knew it, it was snowing so we pushed the porch update to the back burner.

If you have ever watched a home design buying show one of the 1st things a potential new buyer will say is "this would be great for entertaining". My husband and I laugh at that because we would never buy a house based on entertaining rather instead function for our needs. So, I started to brainstorm ideas for how our family would use the space.

My inspiration:

My main goals were for it to be useful, cozy and convenient to our kitchen. My husbands requests were pizza oven and grill. I came up with the idea of a joint outdoor living and dining space. We have used it more this summer than any past summers. We LOVE how it came out.

In progress:

Finished:

Summers in Jackson tend to fly by. I am really glad we were able to complete the porch update and now I am working on styling it so it feels even more cozy but, I'll have to wait until next summer to show you what I come up with because the end of summer is just around the corner.

Thanks for stopping by.

Source:

Teton Heritage BuildersLanternsPizza OvenBlaze Grill

FORT CENTRAL - 5.6.14

Hey guys, it's me, that girl katie, My kids love forts!

All winter I have been meaning to put together this fort under a built in desk in my daughter’s room and this week I pulled it off. I had to buy some supplies but then I styled it with items she already had such as, her dolls and doll clothes.

Steps:

1. Purchase plain white fabric & hem to fit space 2. Sketch design and paint 3. Style fort: curtains, doll clothes string, lights, wall decal and other fort items.

Supplies:

Online Fabric Store - Curtains Amazon - Shower rod The Land of Nod - Puff and box Dash & Albert - Rug Wallstickz - Chalkboard Decal Cost Plus World Market - Lights Amazon - Hooks

Tips:

I used graphics from Mini Boden to help inspire my drawing on the curtains. Saving a catalog was very helpful.

Time:

It took 3 evenings once kids were asleep to sketch and paint plus a morning to style the fort.

And the best part is, they LOVE it!

SNOWSHOE SCONCES

Hey, it's me, that girl katie,

When I was a kid, my sister and I each received a pair of these snowshoes. We were living in Vail, CO at the time. I remember wearing them as we went to cut down our Christmas tree off of the Vail Pass. Although, what I really remember was my sister and I getting into an argument and my face being baptized in the snow which I probably deserved since I was the younger annoying sister.

Recently, my mom was cleaning out & found the snowshoes and asked if I wanted my pair. Yes! Absolutely!

I live in Jackson Hole, WY and knew they would be perfect somewhere in my house. I am also a sucker for things that have a story behind them.

At the time I really didn't know what I was going to do with them. I had tossed around the idea of putting in a wall with French doors in the loft area of our house, which is my office space. However, my husband had concerns that it might change the look of our house. After convincing him it wouldn't, we moved forward with the wall plan and I knew that turning the snowshoes into sconces framing the French doors would really complete the new/old space. But I knew I had to outsource the transformation of the snowshoes to a local welder with an electrical certification. (Heart Four Ironworks)

BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

The snowshoe scones really make the space shine while also adding a simple & rustic western element to the area. I imagine by adding the wall we increased the value of our house while creating some much-needed privacy for myself.

IMG_0211

Not every design decision works out how you might imagine it, but for this project I am so happy I followed my design instinct.

Beautiful Oops 1.6.14

Hey, it's me, that girl katie, Do you remember my Lamp DIY Disaster? Here is the link of that post: http://www.thatgirlkatie.com/?p=753 Since I still had the lampshade that houses the electrical wiring to make the lamp work all I needed to do was find a perfect base.

This summer while vacationing at my families cabin which happens to be my favorite place in the world I spotted a vintage Stanley thermos. I knew it would make the perfect solution to my lamp DIY disaster. Plus, it also houses a lot of awesome memories. But first, I had to get the "OK" that I could have it. After an intense review panel, I was indeed allowed to claim the thermos as mine.

When I got home, I took the thermos to a local welder to cut a circle in the top of the base so the wiring would fit into the lid of the Stanley thermos.

For me, decorating is all about mixing old items that have history with new functional items. I love this lamp and couldn't have purchased something so special. So, making the effort of piecing this together was completely worth my time and imagine it will be a family heirloom for many decades.

Do you have any items that you have transformed into beautiful oops pieces?

BOWed OUT

Hey, it's me, that girl katie, I don't know about you but I am BOWed OUT! And here are a few pictures why.

I tied a lot of bows this holiday season thanks to Danielle Daws. (Her YouTube link is at the top of the post)

I think I watched her DIY video at least 20 times trying to memorize her method of tying a bow which I found a lot of enjoyment in because of her accent.

My husband and I spent a few months in New Zealand so while learning how to properly tie a bow I thought back to a lot of good memories. Although, when I showed him the video he confirmed that she is an Aussie not a Kiwi. I have never been good at spotting the difference.