Getting Excited

I was worn out yesterday. It took most of the day to "convert" my den. Every minute was well worth it, but I was wondering if I would have the drive to carry on. Today I had scheduled my dining area. I thought it would be easy. There is a rug, table, and four chairs. There is not a lot of room for change. WRONG! True that it did not take as long as the den, but I think the change is more exciting. In an effort to keep junk off the table I put a table cloth on it. I'll let you know how that works out. Then to discourage junk on the counter I laid out three gold chargers I had hiding in a cabinet. My one big problem was a tall chair I have next to the stairs that has become a spot to dump coats. I'm not a big fan of coat racks so I am actually okay with having a coat chair I just don't want it in the dining area, but where to put it. In a stroke of brilliance I decided to move my china cabinet into the dining area (duh!). It is curio sized and shockingly fits like a glove in the tiny space I had available. This leaves the area where the cabinet was (by the back door) open for both of my tall chairs. The one new rule I did make was that each family member is only allowed one coat on the chairs at a time.

I'm not sure if the changes I made here are going to work long term or not, but for now I feel like I am living in a house set up for an open house. Just looking at it I feel lighter.

Another thing I am noticing is that our furniture seems to go together better now. Our furniture varies from stuff we bought as newly weds, to hand me downs, to a couple of newer pieces I actually like :). I've never felt like our home was decorated, but it is looking more like it each day.

This before is not that bad

But the after is AWESOME!

Here is a look at both rooms as seen from walking in the front door.