The Lettered Cottage

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Before and After Photos

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Well, here we are on the last day of December 2012- happy New Year’s Eve!

We’ve made a few more updates in our sunroom (a.k.a- my office) over the past month, so I thought I’d share some more before-and-after photos here today. This first one isn’t really an “after” yet, but we’re having some friends over tonight, so I’m determined to get a bunch of our new (old) shutters up today:

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The story behind them is a pretty neat one, and it started on Facebook, of all places.

Kev and I had been having a heck of a time trying to figure out how in the world we were going to cover all the windows in there with something other than temporary paper shades. We loved the shutters that Mary Kay Andrews used at Breeze Inn…

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…but we couldn’t find any that fit our (extra-tall) windows for less than a million dollars each. #Kidding #KindOf

One night, I decided to throw our dilemma out there on Facebook to see if anyone had any they were looking to get rid of. Why not, right? Here’s what I posted:

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We were stoked to hear back from a whole bunch of folks, and in the end, a woman named Toney was the one who shipped us the shutters. She sent them (from South Carolina) for the price of shipping, which was so, so kind of her to do. (Thanks again, Toney! We are so grateful for what you did!)

We’ve got 12 sets total, so first we’re going to see what it looks like with shutters on both the bottom and top half of one of the windows (like Mary Kay did), and we’ll decide what we want to do from there. I do love the idea of using some cordless roman shades like these on the upper half of each window…

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(Pottery Barn- Riviera Stripe Cordless Roman Shade)

…but those suckers are so pricey, and I can’t seem to find any that look (and function) exactly like them anywhere else on the web. #ToBeContinued

For Christmas, Kevin got me a big ol’ jute rug to use in there under our piano:

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(Pottery Barn- Round Jute Rug)

He was able to take advantage of a 40% off sale when he bought it (yay!), and I love the contrast of color and texture it adds to the floor in there.

We also took advantage of a sale on my desk chair this month. It’s the Hayden dining chair (in Linen) from World Market:

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Here’s a close up of the fabric:

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Luh. Shuss. Ness!

If the chair had come with a spoon, I swear, I totally would’ve understood why. YUM.

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When we have company, I’m going to slide my chair back into the corner, and close up my desk, like this:

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I attached thick felt squares to the bottom of each leg, so it slides over there easy breezy, without scratching the floor.

Oh, and you can see in one of the other secretary photos above that I finally got around to painting the inside of it this month. I used Grain Sack-colored milk paint from Miss Mustard Seed, and lemme just tell ya- the winner of the Most Un-Fun Thing In The World To Paint With A Paint Brush is definitely the cubby and drawer section of a secretary. #WristWrecker

This is what it started out like…

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…and here it is all coated in Grain Sack, with a new little drawer knob from Hobby Lobby:

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I just took all our Christmas decor down, so it looks a little bare-ish inside the glass doors right now. I’m going to play around with some things in there today. I’m feeling most inspired by this little pot I got from my friend Shannan (Flowerpatch Farmgirl) a couple of weeks ago:

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We were able to meet up with her (and her daughter Ruby) on the way back from Michigan, and our lunch together at Cracker Barrel was definitely a highlight of the trip!

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(I’m such a Flowerhead- I get so excited when I see that’s she’s published a new post!)

My FAVORITE “before and after” photo of the year doesn’t have anything to do with our sunroom though…

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2012 has been a truly Transformative year for me, and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to share these kinds of “makeover” photos here with you, too! #ThankYouForBeingSuchBrightLightsInMyLife #Happy2013!

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PS- The winner of the True Value gift card giveaway is:

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Congrats, Anjanette! I’ll be in touch with you shortly!

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Comments

  1. Carol

    Love the shutters. I am a fan of them on the bottom with the roman shade above for privacy at night, and open during the day. Congrats on your Baptism. I am like you, when I see you have a new post I get all excited.

    Ok, one more thing….who won the gift card to True Value?

    Love your blog.

    • Layla

      Thanks, Carol! I just added the gift card winners name at the bottom of the post. 🙂 #oops

  6. Joyce Smittkamp

    I love everything you do, but I think the last before and after picture is my all time favorite! God Bless you and Kevin in the New Year!!!

  7. Kristi @ Creative Kristi

    I think your favorite before & after DOES have to do with your blog!! It’s you 😉 Congrats & I love the new rug under the piano!

  9. Sarah Rueber

    There are no words for how excited and happy I was when I scrolled down and saw your baptism pictures!! YES!! YES! YESSSS!!! Congrats!!! 😀 😀

  11. Sabrina

    Love the shutters and idea of the cordless roman shades above. That would look fabulous. Hope you find a less expensive solution on those shades. I looked them up and oh, my, those things are pricey!!

  12. Heather

    Layla, congratulations on your baptism! That is great. I really enjoy reading your blog and how you always throw in your personal stories too. So great. Happy new year! 🙂

  13. Heidi

    Your baptism photo has me all tearin’ up!!! Of course I also cry at every single baptism our church has though 😉 The other week a father and infant son were baptized together and I was a WRECK.

  17. Jake's a Girl

    Sweet, Sweet blessings come from above
    Made with the gifts of Mercy, Grace and Love

    The look on your face from the Baptism is precious and priceless.

    Loveing the looks of the secretary’s new makeover. Makes me want to paint mine!

  21. Robbie Zeller

    Layla,
    So very happy that you let us all share in the joy of your baptism. Your face in those pictures is precious. I never grow tired of seeing such amazing after shots!

  23. Sara

    What a great year, Layla! Way to step out and be bold! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you in 2013!

  25. Stephanie T.

    I LOVE your shutters. I would love to do something like that in our home. The jute rug is also on my list of things I NEED NOW. So perfect 🙂
    Thank you for sharing the pic of your baptism. Life is sweet!

  27. Funky Junk Interiors

    Your decorating is always a delight, especially your 2 toned desk (swoon) but yeah, your baptism made me GASP! WOW… just wow! I’m just beyond more words right now…

  28. Jaime Costiglio

    Layla I’m super jealous of your extremely organized work space inside that beautiful secretary. And I too love the fabric on the desk chair but the leg stain color is driving me be-sonks! I’m thinking something dark blue or metallic? Perhaps it’s the contrast with the flooring which I’m guessing is not changing anytime soon. Thanks for sharing your progress, it’s a good shot in the arm to get my rear in gear.

  29. Georgi

    Your posts always make me happy. They inspire me and make me smile. The pictures of your baptism made me cry. God bless you and Kevin. xoxo

  31. Netty

    I have purchased cordless roman shades from selectblinds.com They are almost always having a buy 3 get 1 free sale with free shipping and 30% off. You could always get plain white/cream and then paint the grain sack stripes on. It would certainly be nerve-wracking…but would be much cheaper. If you put some blinds in your “cart” and then save the cart…and then wait about a month….they send you a 35% off coupon code. Not that I just did that and ordered some…. 🙂 Love the roman shades! 🙂

  32. Courtney

    You made me cry. Something about Baptisms get me everytime. What that moment symbolizes is amazing and so filled with emotions! I am so grateful for the chance to be a new creation. Congrats on making that public declaration!! What a true before and after. Thank you for sharing! Your sunroom is great too!

  33. Shanthi

    Love the sunroom, but LOVE the last picture even more!!!

    ~Shanthi (your Palendromic RA friend

  34. Denise

    Thank you God for another Sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats, blessings, yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  35. Donna Lohr

    Yay that we are now sister’s in Christ! And I love your blog and the Flowerpatch blog…they both make me happy.

  37. Jessaca

    Love you and your soon to be three family! You’re so inspiring! You and Kevin have such a good eye for all things…not just decor. Thank you for an amazing year of inspiration. I can’t wait to see what else you guys come up with and share. XO from Kansas City!

  39. Kim

    Happy New Year! Lovin’ all your pics & shutters & your scrumptious linen chair; but above all that your last pic is the best! A for-ever(eternity) move ahead!

    Blessings for the best above & beyond~

  41. Wendy M

    Love the shutters along the bottom and shades on the top idea – there are tutorials on how to make roman shades on Pinterest, you are so handy it should be no problem. Love the jute rug that Kev got you too, but may I make a suggestion that you get coasters for under the casters on the piano so that the edge of the casters does not start to cut thru the jute of the rug. That piano is a heavy customer! Happy New Year!

  42. Christina@ Floridays Mom

    I love those shutters! What a nice story of how you they were given to you as well. I’m having a similar dilema in trying to figure out what to do with our bay window. I love the open look of the windows 75% of the year, but the summers in Orlando are so hot and I have to keep the windows completely closed off to keep the house cool. Trying to find something that works for all seasons. I love the idea of the shutter/shade combo…hope you can get equally lucky on your shades to make the whole thing come together. Congratulations on the baptism…how wonderful!!! Happy New Year!

  43. brenda

    Congratulations. You are my Sister, now.
    I really enjoy your blog. Everything is always so crisp and clean looking.
    God Bless you on your Christian journey.

  44. Amy@the Avery House

    Oh, how I love this post! I am so thrilled for you! Your last photo before and after brought tears to my eyes and REALLy is the best thing I have seen all day long. Blessings to you and your family in 2013.

  45. faith uphoff

    Layla, in response to your roman shade dilemma. My aunt is an incredible seamstress. She made me roman shades last year for my home. I got to pick the fabric, and she lined them and everything. Now if you ar intersted I can give you her email or facebook page. She also sells purses and bags on ETSY. But she would probably be able to give you a quote on them if you are interested. Have a Happy New Year. Faith Uphoff

  46. Gina

    I love the shutters you decided on. Lucky you…meeting Flowerpatch Farmgirl. 😉 My favorite picture though was the last…made me tear up!! 🙂 I have seen a transformation in your blog this year!! 🙂 May God continue to bless in 2013. 🙂

  49. Shelley Martin

    Rejoicing with you both in the only Before and After transformation that truly matters! I have loved your blog all the more as you have started sharing your faith and love for Christ. Best end of 2012 post ever!

  50. Kim Henning

    Always love your pics & blog…. blessings on your baptism. My daughter & son-in-law actually celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary this year by being re-baptized together….