Small Updates

If you haven't checked out Emily's blog. It's a must. It's one of my daily blog reads when I have the chance and I always like following along and seeing her home projects & ideas. 

Lately Emily has been doing a little series about using & working with what you have. I have really enjoyed these posts because it's real life. We don't all have the resources or the money to update our homes like we see plastered all over Pinterest and in home magazines. Sometimes you just have to work with what you have. And, hey, that's OK!

Seth & I were talking the other day and we came to the realization that pretty much every piece of furniture we have (with a few exceptions) has been a hand-me-down from family & friends. We have purchased a few items, but all in all, our furniture has been well loved long before us. Is it our first choice? No, probably not. Are we thankful? VERY. We work with what we have and it's what makes our home "us".

I am reminded of this dresser...

Yup. That one there. The missing hardware, scratches, dents, and darling design (sense the tone).

It is a hand-me-down piece, sat in our entryway of our three homes (that we've lived in so far) and went through three moves. It's served us well and has great function (holding scarves, hats, mail, keys, and if you look close enough, baseball gloves). One day I just got tired of looking at it and decided it needed a makeover. A mint makeover at that.

You can read about the process, here, here, here & here.

If you've been following along here for some time now, most of you know that it now looks like this...

Transformed. Minty & fresh. It's amazing what some paint and new hardware can do. I have a whole new dresser!

I recently updated the space by adding a few things we had on hand that weren't in use.

Some hooks (great for keys) & a mirror.

And what can I say...the top of the dresser is ever changing.

Today Emily is having a link-up over at her blog about using the things you have and making them work for you & your home and I'm joining the fun! Head on over here to link-up your own "working with what you have" posts or just head on over to see some really great ideas!

I'm hoping to do a lot more of this once the weather gets a little warmer - I have some other pieces around our house that I am itching to put my own mark on.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!


{PS - Be sure to stop by the blog tomorrow as I am having my very first giveaway!!}