How I cut down my Sectional Sofa

Awhile back, I found a sectional sofa for $199.  It was kinda too big for my space, leaving me only one way to have it.  Well, I am not a "one way" kind of gal. I have to have options!

Here it is when we brought it home and after I just covered it up before making a slipcover for it.  See how on one side it is longer than the other? Well, I wanted it the same on both sides.  So....I decided to cut it down!

I rolled it over and peeled back the protective  part to see what I was dealing with.  I knew it was a wood frame so that made it really easy.  The metal bars  braces were screwed in so that made it easy to take apart.  

My sweetie came and helped when I needed his muscles!

This is the parts that we cut off.  We measured everything so the cuts would be even since there were strips of wood all throughout.

Putting the end piece back on.

I made sure to peel back some extra fabric so that when I put it back together, I could make it look nice in case I ever want to get rid of it.

I saved everything I could.

I'm so happy with it!!!

Now it's the same on both sides like how I originally wanted a sectional to be and I have options on moving it around!

All I had to do with the slipcover was cut it down on the one side since I made two slipcovers instead of one.  I thought it would be easier when I needed to wash...so I am thrilled that I did that!

As for the ruffles on the bottom, that is a bed skirt that I have wrapped around the sofa.  It used to be on our old sofa, and I made sure I kept it just for this reason.

Originally, I had the settee at the foot of the bed for years.  With the sectional coming out from the wall, I needed to move it.

Our space feels so much more open now!

And now, that gorgeous foot-board can bee seen!

So that's how I did it...my husband thought I was nuts and was going to ruin his comfy new sofa.   Oh how he was wrong, lol!  He should know by now that when I get it into my head, it's going to happen!

I love our master in the basement!  It's a true retreat!

I'm getting ready to do some painting now, the walls have so many holes in them where I've changed the arrangements.  But I am keeping my blue!

I hope you are having a blessed Sunday and may your week be ever better!

Inspirations

I think we all have inspirations don't we?  Whether it was something we experienced or saw while we were growing up or later in our lives....something that made an impact somehow.  I have plenty.  A lot of mine have to do with living with my Mammaw when I was little.  She had a mixture of many things in her home.  So when I come across something that reminds me of that time, I try my hardest to replicate it somehow in our home.

So many ask why I use sheets for my slipcovers.  The answer is "Mammaw".  She had the best feeling sheets and they smelled so good fresh off of the line.  Going to bed was so soothing to me.  When I got into my bed during the hot summer months, the bed was always so cool because of the nice percale sheets.  And in the winter, my bed was warm too.  So that's why I love using sheets!  Plus, if you really think about it, sheets are made to last because we are sleeping on them night after night.  So why wouldn't they be perfect for slipcovers?

We recently replaced this sofa with a sectional.  Something I had always wanted for this space downstairs.

I found one at our local Mountain Mission for $199!

I didn't have enough money, so I asked my Mom if she'd loan it to me until payday.  She said yes and was on her way!

The hubby and I took both SUV's to get it and I quickly covered it up once we brought it in.  I couldn't stand the plaid with all of my pastels, lol.

And guess what?  When my Momma left, she whispered in my ear as we hugged, not to worry about the sofa, that it would be a gift from her to me.  Now can you believe that?!  I'm so blessed to have her in my life...she's my best friend!

I knew I'd be making a slipcover for it soon, so this would appease my eyes until then.

It was in excellent condition and very clean.  That's what was so amazing about the price!  It is very comfy...check out my sweetie breaking it in.

And here it is all finished with the slipcover I never thought I'd complete!  I bought two queen quilted coverlets for the cushions and sheets for the rest.  I finished it at 3 am Sunday morning and thought I was going to pass out a few times from being so tired, lol.

But I didn't.

Thankfully our space was big enough for the sectional to fit.  Originally, I had wanted a more petite one.   Having the end tables made from a vanity sure did help on not taking up too much space with it..

I took the opportunity to hang some new and different things on the walls.  I made this from an old armoire door that I painted and distressed.  Adding the shutters and the metal basket gave it a little cottage charm.  When I put the blue bucket and greenery on it, now that made me fall in love!

I'm still tinkering around with the space and my walls, so I'll share that later when I get it the way I want.

Now to share some more inspiration...

Many years ago, a dear friend gave me the center plate above the mirror.  I had no clue what pattern it was nor the name of the china.  But I fell in love with the colors and pattern.  

That began a journey for me to find out.

  It inspired the blue floral fabric I've used throughout the kitchen and living room. 

It is called Georgian Floral in eggshell by Homer Laughlin.  Anne, from Whitelace Cottage had a set that I drooled over for years.  One day, I saw a post that she was getting rid of her set.  

Well guess who got it?

My little china cabinet couldn't hold the bigger pieces, so I had fun using them around the house.  I bet you didn't know that I love china!!!

The colors are so soothing and go so well with all of the pastels throughout our home.

I am thrilled with this platter on the mantle....simple but so pretty against the white.

They go so well with my other china.  I loved mixing pieces!

Putting one in this frame was a no brainer but oh so cute!

And they even made their way into one of the guest rooms!

Well, that's it for now.  I'm sure I'll be doing something else soon so stay tuned.  

Have a blessed week!

Nesting Has Begun

I always seem to lose any ambitions with creating and decorating in the summer months...maybe where it gets so hot?  With the cooler breezes we've been having, I am getting antsy  for fall. 

 I think they call it "nesting". 

 wink wink

So today, I woke up with the itch to do something.

It started with this little frame and vases holder I found at Michael's last week.  Instead of sitting it on a surface, I had the bright idea of putting it into this frame.  

I have it up above the trash cabinet.

Then I made the mirror above the wall grate.  Two mirrors from a vanity with a piece of wood attaching the two on the back making them one and added a hanger.  Reminds me of a transom window!

These 3 plaques originally hung beneath the wall great...so I moved them here.  I love the reflection in the mirror.

Then I made the flowers, basket and hanger that's on the door.  It needed something and this did the trick!

And guess what?  Louis didn't help me at all...all he did was gaze out of the window and daydream.  Can you believe that?

I hope your Sunday has been blessed and that you have a great upcoming week!

What Do Our Lives Reflect

I decided today, that I would pull out my camera and focus on a few things that I've done around the house.  While taking photos, I noticed that I have so many mirrors.  I had a friend tell me, well of course you do, you have so many beautiful things to reflect.  That made me think....

Every corner I turn, I see something soft and beautiful throughout our home.  It's a place that makes us all feel comfortable and relaxed.  But, those mirrors reflect so much more.  They are a reflection of our lives, what  we share, the laughter, the tears, the love.

  

Our dreams.....for our own lives and for others.

The calm moments when life is good.

And the times when all we needed  to do was stay focused.

For all of the doors that never opened, and those that did.

The moments when we've needed rest and love.

When family was the most important thing in our lives and held on to it with everything we had.

Walking down those roads that seemed to go on forever and ever with no end in sight.

And when we stopped to smell the flowers and enjoyed life a little along the way.

For those moments when we felt all alone.

But realized that when we have God, we have it all and nothing is too big or small that He can't do.

When we felt like hanging up the towel and walking away.

We came together when the hardest times hit,  we fought, stood together in unity, and battled the demons that came to kill, steal and destroy our love.

That's what those mirrors reflect to me.  Our lives, our love and our success in this big old world.....

~JESUS~

Everyone has dark moments....don't let anyone make you feel ashamed of those.  Those days aren't meant to stay.   For those times, when we are our weakest, God is HIS strongest and is winning the battles.  He holds us up, dusts us off, wipes away our tears and gives us HOPE. 

I want my life to reflect everything.  I will not pretend the world is all beautiful and put my head in the sand.  But I will see the beauty in the ashes, strength in fear, gladness in mourning and peace in despair.  For all of those bad moments, God  always gives a better outcome. 

So today, as I look around, I see the past, present and future reflecting back at me.  And I must say, I am so very content with what God has done, is doing and is still doing for me.  

I am so very blessed.