2/25/13

Something New to Greet You!

Hey everyone!  Happy Monday!  Did y'all watch the Oscars last night?  We thought it was one of the most enjoyable and entertaining presentations that we've ever seen -- gotta a kick out of the "Jaws" music playing when someone was getting a bit long-winded!  It was also a first for us in that we had actually seen quite a few of the movies that were presented and now we know which ones will be on our Red Box rental list!  Well, enough of that;  I have a little show 'n tell reveal for y'all today, so let's get started.

One of our newest DIY projects, and one of my very favorites is this transformation that we've been planning for awhile.  It all takes place right at the front entry.


Don't freak out, this is what it looked like when we bought the house eighteen months ago.

                 

Ta da!  Just a bit of a change!  I love this door, and it was a great bargain -- I'll explain later!  


We have a love/hate relationship with the security door.  Love that it's a security door, but hate that it looks like one...LOL!  We are investigating options, so will keep you posted on that little challenge.  We will also be replacing the handle & lock, but haven't found what we want just yet.
Now, do you want to see how this beauty looks from inside?  First, you have to see how the foyer looked just before we moved in.

Then and......

Now!!!  I didn't realize how dark our foyer was until it wasn't anymore!
Just a bit of a difference, right?

I just love the Craftsman style of this triple pane, leaded glass door!  I haven't yet gotten over a little "startle" every time I walk past, because I think the door is open with all that light coming through....lol!

Now, let me explain how this is a budget-friendly DIY project.  The Man has discovered a warehouse called The Handyman's Candy Store here in the Phoenix area.  Builders from all over the valley drop off cabinets, granite countertops, plumbing items, doors, you name it -- all things that they didn't or couldn't use for a project or had to change per a customer's request.  They set the prices and notify the "Candy Store" to slash prices periodically.  The Man has definitely found his little piece of "heaven on earth" and has gotten some fantastic things for upgrading our home.  Do you remember the extra cabinets & trim pieces that he used in our kitchen redo (you can see it HERE)?  It all came from this wonderful store.  I even enjoy poking around there sometimes, and one day we found these beautiful triple pane leaded glass door panels and then found the door frames that completed the door -- great find, because our doors are really tall.  Anyway, the door and glass insert cost $145 total -- yep, you heard me right!  Because the door was going to be so heavy once it was all put together, The Man decided to hire a finish carpenter to install it, costing $200.  Then we he bought paint to match our exterior trim and painted the door.  Total cost of new door = $361!  Now I don't know if you've priced doors like this lately, but they are a heck of lot more than $361!

The Man and I think this is one of the best improvements (other than granite in the kitchen) 
we've made to-date!  What do you think?

Alright, since we are in the entry, I thought I would share a bit of tweaking I've been up to.

Bunnies, eggs and butterflies have started showing up around here this week, 

and y'all know how I love to decorate my old Singer turned entry table!

 I just love this little bunny that I bought at Pier 1 a few years ago.  I thought he really needed something special to rest upon, so I got my "craft on" and made THIS book page wreath.  It cost me nothing, just a bit of time!


I did buy myself a new toy tool -- a Martha Stewart butterfly punch.  It was on sale, and I will be using it a lot for cards and other scrapbooking projects.

I just punched them out of brown craft paper -- you can bend them in the middle and with just a dot of glue, they really look like they are just fluttering around......squee!

Oh, Mr. Bunny is a "saucy" little guy!

I moved this wire cloche from the sitting room & added a few book-page bundles. 

 Hmmm....are you noticing a theme going on here?  I'm really having fun with book-page crafts, and will be sharing more in upcoming posts.  I don't do a lot of the more "cutsie" Easter decorating but stick more to adding touches of Spring and a lighter look in my vignettes.  

Hope you enjoyed and will come back again very soon!

I love to party here:
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Dawn at Creative Cain Cabin for Budget Decorating Party
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Table Top Tuesdays
Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 
Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays


42 comments:

  1. What a beautiful door, Carol, and I am sure you are loving all that extra light! I absolutely adore that wreath - gorgeous. Jane

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  2. Love the door. It sure does let a lot of light in. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Your new door is totally amazing. I love it and it definitely adds tons of light and character to the entry. Your new vignette is gorgeous. I love your book page crafts and the bunny is just the cutest. Thanks for joining TTT too. Hugs, Marty

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  4. I love your new door. I wish I could find a store like that out here. I've been pricing doors for a while and you got it for a great price. Everything looks great! Blessings, Dani

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  5. Great new door, it sure fancied up the place. It look so elegant now. And I love the bunny in the paper wreath, great idea and its in my favorite spot:)

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  6. Carol, love, love your new door! What an amazing transformation! It looks so elegant. And the price is just fabulous. You guys got a super deal. Your Spring decorations are so pretty!

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  7. Carol, WOW, I *LOVE* that door, what a transformation. I love your spring display with the cloche and bunny, so pretty! Thanks for sharing! XO ~Liz

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  8. That new door gives your entrance so much more character! I love it, and all the light that comes through! The wreath is beautiful too!

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  9. The new door looks great, Carol. Funny that you're still getting used to it and thinking it's open whenever you walk by!

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  10. I am going through the same thing... We just got a new door and when I come in the room I think who left the door open!

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  11. What a beautiful door! DD2 needs a new one, too bad she's not closer! Great buy. Love the bunny and his little nest. Too cute!

    I hope you'll come see My Daughter's Master Bath Redo! #83 at Met Monday.

    Allison
    Atticmag

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  12. Lovely foyer - light and bright with that new door. great change. thanks for sharing, liz

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  13. It's amazing how a bit of color makes all the difference. Your doorway is gorgeous! And I love that little bunny!

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  14. Craftsman is my favorite style. That door was quite the bargain!

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  15. Love your new door ..the bunny in the book page wreath is adorable !!

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  16. I would love to be greeted by that adorable bunny! How cute. Love that DYI project - so clever. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. It looks great & it does make a HUGE difference. Especially on the inside! So pretty!

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  18. What a BIG difference you have already made to your new home in such a short period of time. The mission style front door is beautiful. It's hard to believe you got it for such a steal. Even with the cost of having it installed, it was still a steal. I am impressed. Your Easter decorations are lovely. That sweet bunny has stolen my heart.

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  19. CAS, I'm so jealous of this "candy store" your husband has found ... what a dream! Your new door is gorgeous ... and, what a bargain! Looks beautiful from the inside, too! And, I love your bunny (I have a couple of those from Pier One, as well). Your book wreath is lovely ... you're on a creative roll, aren't you? Love it!

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  20. Wow! Huge transformation! The new door looks beautiful. I love what you have done with the entry way decor. The page wreath looks fabulous! Great blog by the way. :)

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  21. Gorgeous door...and stunning foyer!....love the book page wreath....still wanting to try and make one!

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  22. Carol,
    I love your door....what a steal! I love the Craftsman style of glass. Your bunny table is very cute!

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  23. Hi Carol,
    I love your front door...we also have glass in our front door and on both side panels. I know what you mean about all the light. What a sweet bunny and the wreath you made is so adorable and very creative with the little butterfly's. You have designed such a lovely entry to meet and great your guest.
    Thank you so much for leaving me such a kind note, I have enjoyed my visit with you and look forward to visiting again.
    Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

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  24. Your door is perfect and such a beautiful addition. I am a scrapper and love to use punches on the edges of paper. I must make a wreath like yours.

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  25. What a great find! Doors like that are so expensive....what a great price!

    blessings,
    karianne

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  26. Your entry way is so pretty and that door was definitely the best decision! Don't you just love all the light it lets in?

    We had a full glass front door at our last house and loved it. The security system people told us that it is not often that burglars come through the front door or front glass because they don't want attention. Does that help your decision?

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  27. Where do I begin? I love the door. What a fabulous find! The ruffled table skirt is adorable, and I am oooh-ing and ahhh-ing over the book page wreath you made :) I am happily following you via Google Friend Connect.

    Thanks for dropping by my little corner of the blogosphere today! I'd love for you to stop in again soon :) Have a great day!

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  28. Your new door is fabulous, I totally love it!! You can see all the light at the entrance too! I love your vignette with bunny and great wire cloche! Thank you for your sweet and kind visit. Big hugs,
    FABBY

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  29. Hi Carol,
    Love your new door, it is beautiful. They just look so elegant. Love that book wreath you made and looks so cute with the bunny sitting in the middle. cute lil butterflies too, what a nice addition. Looks like you are having yourself some fun....and good for you!
    Have a great Friday and weekend hon,
    Blessings, Nellie

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  30. Your bunny and book page wreath are ADORABLE! Love the touches of the butterflies.

    I see that you join quite a number of parties, but was wondering if you'd like to join Seasonal Sundays? The link goes up at 7 pm on Saturday evening and I'd love to have you link this post.

    - The Tablescaper

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  31. Love love your door! What a great deal. Cute spring display too! Cheers.

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  32. I am in desperate need of a new door Carol. Yours is gorgeous!!! Have a great weekend.
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  33. :D Your entry looks fantastic! Your door is so pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It reminds me of Taliesin West (sp?)
    CUTE CUTE CUTE bunny.....love bunnies!

    I love Martha Stewart's punches. Love the little butterflies. Great post, Carol!

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  34. You definitely made a great impression with the door. It's beautiful dark wood :)
    And the bunny! Adorable!! <3

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  35. Wow!!! what a wonderful improvement with that gorgeous new door, and your bunny nest is a delightful treat. I love your imagination :)
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  37. I love your new front door. We replaced ours a little over a year ago, and it has made such a huge difference! The bunny's nest is spectacular, and I'm headed to Michael's to look for the butterfly punch...way too much fun. Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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  38. Hi Carol! Your talent, hardwork and creativity never fail to amaze me. You are a great homemaker. By the way, it's only now that I noticed your 2013 word in your blog header. "authentic" wow! Powerful word and I believe you can carry out outstandingly

    Have a great week!

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  39. Amazing what a difference your changes have made - I have to say, I am loving your ruffled foyer table covering!!! Hope you can stop by the enchanted oven to say hi.
    xo,
    Lisa

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  40. You lucky gal! how wonderful to have such a great "candy store" to go to and find great stuff! Love your little bunny set in the wreath - great idea!

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  41. Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol