We have been busy, busy, busy fixing up our new house in Charlotte. We're working on everything from landscaping (which was either non-existent or horrifying, depending on your point of view) to furniture purchases and interior painting. Check out our new look(s)...
We put in more lights, a new cooktop and sink, and tiled the counters. The term "we" is used loosely, of course. Technically, "we" paid some very compentent "worker guys", as Bear calls them, to do it for us. (Things aren't quite finished in the "after" shots. The ceiling paint and faucet still need to be done.)
| Before | After |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The first thing to be done outside was the hardscape changes. After talking to a great designer, we decided to put in a rather large retaining wall across the backyard so we could eke out a bit more usable space. Also, we decided to have the front sidewalk ripped up and replaced with a flagstone path. The next phase will include finishing up a swingset and fort for Brennan, as well as installation of an irrigation system.
 |
 |
 |
| Before: the scruffy little hill | In progress: the Bobcat cut back a good 10-12' | After: our 5' high wall |
 |
 |
| Before | After |
 |
 |
| And now, it's done. The grass is done, the playset is in, cherry and crepe myrtle trees are in--we even planted a (very) late garden. | |
Christa played around with some "faux finishes" in the master bed and bathrooms. And (believe it or not) we actually bought some real bedroom furniture.
 |
 |
| The wall was painted with "streaky squares" to give a cut stone effect. | The walls are green with white sponged over the top ('cause the green was REALLY GREEN without it). Then, the grapevine border was hand-stamped. |
 |
 |
| Close-up of tub surround. | Window with border along top. |
Another "faux" makeover...
 |
 |
| Walls were double-rolled with cream and metallic copper paint with stamped accents in copper. | |
Per a very touching--and slightly confused--request, Christa painted a new Pooh and Company mural in Brennan's room.
 |
 |
 |
|
Correcting an error made with the first mural, this time a hive with bees was included--Pooh's gotta have his honey!! |
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. |
Moving along to the next wall, we find "Pooh's Thotful Spot" (the hollow log on the right) and his tree house with the inexplicable "Mr. Sanders" sign. |
 |
 |
 |
|
Close-up of the Thotful Spot |
Everybody's here this time--even Kanga and Christopher Robin who were left out in the first mural. |
And here's the happy 100-acre wood dweller giving a friendly pat to his new buddy, Eyeore. |
Elsewhere about the house, new furnishings and bits of paint are helping to flesh things out.
 |
 |
| Curtains of some sort and maybe a new coffee table should finish off the family room now that we have the cool new couches. | The theatre prints are up in the music room, and the beautiful new piano is in place. Now all we need are some chairs and couch cushions. |
 |
 |
|
| We went with a fishy theme for Brennan's playroom downstairs. Christa couldn't resist painting a few fish on the wall to match the window treatments she'd made. | ||
