Category: Design

Rolling with It: My First Wallpapering Success

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment

From a cluttered corner to a cozy clean zone, our small laundry room glow-up is complete after I finished my first successful wallpapering project in our home.

Let’s talk about one of the most-used, least-loved spaces in our home: the laundry room. For a long time, ours was more of a “dumping ground” than functional zone—open shelves full of visible clutter, a constant eyesore for guests who entered through our garage door or used the nearby guest bathroom.

After living with a half-updated version of the room for over a year, I finally decided it was time to really finish it—and that meant trying something totally new: wallpaper.

Spoiler alert: it totally transformed the space. And yes, I smile every time I walk past it.

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane and revisit how much we had done in this space prior to wallpaper.

Before: The Struggle Was Real

When we moved in, this small laundry room had basic open shelving, which seemed helpful at first—but quickly turned into a visual mess. Everything we needed was accessible, but also on full display. Not ideal, especially since this hallway sees so much guest traffic.

I knew the room had potential, but I needed a plan that was budget-friendly and achievable without a full remodel.

The Big Changes (One Step at a Time):

This wasn’t an overnight transformation—it came together piece by piece. If you want to read all about the steps listed below, I wrote about them in detail in this post.

• Ripped out the open shelving (good riddance!)

• Patched and prepped the walls where the new setup wouldn’t cover

• Installed stock cabinets from Lowe’s (I primed, painted, and we installed them ourselves—teamwork win!)

• Built custom cubbies above the cabinets to perfectly fit baskets we already had

• Added beadboard and trim to bring in some texture and charm

• Built custom shelves to go between cabinets (this was also a first). I accomplished making thick shelves by gluing together two pieces of wood then using edge banding to hide the seams. All was sanded and stained to match. They look like one thick shelf.

• Painted, caulked, filled nail holes—all the behind-the-scenes details that make the finish feel clean and professional

For about a year, we lived with those upgrades while I debated how to add that “something special.” I didn’t want it to just feel done—I wanted it to feel designed.

The Finishing Touch: My First Wallpapering Project

Enter: Bold Wallpaper

I’d never wallpapered anything before except for an attempt at a friends home in their powder bath. We were successful until we reached a corner and then we struggled. Enough time had passed after that attempt so I finally decided to go for it in our home—and I’m so glad I did. I chose a bold pattern that felt cheerful and cozy (and a little unexpected for a laundry space).

To make things easier, I used a spray adhesive in addition to the peel-and-stick wallpaper. I WISH we had known about this product when I tried helping my friend! Total game changer. It allowed the paper to stay more movable while applying, so I could reposition it without having to fully peel and restick it.

You’ll also need a wallpaper kit, like this one I used.

Also recommended, a laser level. This helps to keep your design straight as you apply each piece.

The After: A Space That Makes Me Smile

Now, this little laundry room feels like it belongs in our home. It’s functional, organized, and—dare I say—pretty!

What used to be a space I tried to hide is now one I’m proud to show off. Proof that even the smallest, most utilitarian spaces deserve a little love (and sometimes, a bold wallpaper moment).

What I Learned (and Would Totally Do Again):

• Don’t underestimate what a few stock cabinets and some custom touches can do.

• If you’ve never wallpapered before, don’t be scared! Spray adhesive was key with peel and stick wallpaper.

• Letting a space evolve over time can help you land on the right final vision.

• Small spaces deserve design, too!

Before & After Photos

If you’re sitting on a half-finished space and waiting for the “right time” to complete it—consider this your sign. The little details (like wallpaper) might be just what it needs.

Have questions about how we did something? Drop them in the comments—I’m happy to share more!

Valentine Teacher Gift Idea

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment

This super simple gift idea is bubbling with love. See what I did there? I created a free printable to make this gift idea quick and easy to assemble for teachers, friends, neighbors, or loved ones.

Download and print it HERE.

When I saw these seasonal soaps at Trader Joes a couple weeks ago, I knew immediately what I could do with them as a teacher gift for our son’s teachers. Not only is it practical, these soaps smell delightful.

I paired them with Belgian chocolates, also at Trader Joes, and filled these cellophane bags with shredded red filler and adorned each with pretty red felt ribbon.

You can see from the design and color way of the tag, you have the flexibility to use pink or red ribbon.

Wishing you a Valentine’s Day that’s hands-down the best! Whether you’re spreading kindness to teachers, friends, or family, a little love goes a long way—no ifs, ands, or hands about it!

A Christmas to Remember: Our Favorite Traditions and Festive Decor

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment

There is something nostalgic about creating a cozy haven during the holiday season. From the moment I pull out the storage boxes brimming with decorations, the magic begins. It starts with putting my favorite childhood Christmas vinyl, Once Upon a Christmas by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, on our son’s record player—a tradition carried over from my parents, who always played it as we decorated our childhood home together. That familiar music instantly transports me back to those warm, joy-filled moments of stringing lights, hanging ornaments, and marveling at the twinkling glow of the tree.

Now, as a mom myself, I feel the same excitement when transforming our home for the holidays. Each piece of decor tells a story, and each tradition we honor—or create anew—brings its own special kind of joy. This year, I’m reflecting on the little moments that make Christmas magical for our family: the sweet smells of baking with my mom, the laughter of my boys as they exchange gifts, and the quiet evenings Adam and I share once the house falls silent.

These are the traditions that make our home feel like a haven during the most wonderful time of the year.

Our Family Christmas Traditions

Hungarian Pastry-Making with Mom
One of my most cherished traditions is baking Hungarian pastries with my mom, using a recipe passed down from my grandmother. This heirloom recipe is a delightful treat filled with a pecan center, surrounded by a dough that is made a day in advance. The following day, we hand-roll the dough, cut each individual pastry, stuff them with the pecan filling, roll them up, bake them, and finally sprinkle them with powdered sugar when they are fresh out of the oven. It’s a process that requires time and care, but it’s one that I always look forward to. Perfecting this recipe has been important to me, but more than anything, I have treasured the time spent with my mom.

Thanks to today’s technology, we can even ask Alexa to play the same Christmas record while we bake, no matter where we are. Over the years, this tradition has evolved; some years have included babies in tow and adjustments to our usual routine. Yet one thing has remained constant: the joy of spending time together while creating a family favorite.

Driving to see Christmas Lights

Another family tradition is driving through neighborhoods to see Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music. The awe and excitement that our kids exude when they see the bright lights is so much fun to witness. Our youngest, in particular, is a BIG-TIME Grinch fan. This year, we’ve made a special point to take him to see as many Grinch decorations as possible because his over-the-top excitement every time he spots one is absolutely contagious. These outings have become a highlight of our holiday season and a tradition we look forward to year after year. We’ve also added in ice skating at Fenton in Cary and seeing the lights at the downtown Cary Park as a newer tradition if our schedule allows each year.

Christmas Eve Church Service
This tradition brings a sense of peace and spiritual focus to the holiday season. The service culminates in a breathtaking moment: with the lights dimmed, the congregation lights candles and sings “Silent Night” together. The glow of the candles and the harmony of voices create an overwhelming sense of serenity and connection, reminding us of the deeper meaning of Christmas.

The Boys’ Gift Exchange (New Tradition!)
This was the first year I had the boys select a Christmas gift for each other. Bonus, they didn’t have to spend their own money but I did have them wrap the gifts. After returning from Christmas Eve service, they ran to the tree begging to open 1 present. I knew that was the perfect time for them to open their gifts to each other. It was such a sweet moment watching them connect after opening the gifts and one new tradition that we will keep going for years to come.

Reading Favorite Christmas Books
The excitement of Christmas morning is always at an all time high but the kids have never been more motivated to go to sleep. We settle down by reading a couple of their favorite Christmas books before lights out.

Couple Gift Exchange: Our Christmas Eve Nighttime Tradition:
This tradition began long before we had kids. We used to live two hours away from family and would travel to spend Christmas with everyone. But that left us wondering—when would we exchange gifts with each other? It felt impractical to pack up gifts for one another, only to bring them back home unopened. And so, a new tradition was born.

Now, even with children, this has become a cherished part of our Christmas Eve. Some years we don’t exchange gifts at all, but instead, we simply enjoy the quiet time together. Often, we’ll make a festive holiday cocktail, sit in the glow of the Christmas tree, and just talk. This uninterrupted time allows us to savor the moment and open gifts slowly, without the usual chaos of the next morning. With three boys, Christmas morning is nothing short of lively, so having this peaceful tradition ensures that our focus is entirely on them when the big day arrives. It’s a sweet, meaningful way for us to reconnect and celebrate the season as a couple.

I hope you will consider starting this tradition with your significant other.

Gingerbread White Russian was something new we tried this year.

1:1:1 Ratio of Vodka, Vanilla Kahlua and Trader Joe’s Gingerbread oat milk creamer. We actually measured out 1.5 of each, less of the Kahlua for less sweetness. Having the TJ’s seasonal oat milk creamer on hand proved to be a delightful twist and made it a seasonally crafted cocktail that had just the right amount of spice.

Crafting a Christmas Card Flipbook
Don’t throw out the Christmas cards you receive just yet. Several years ago, I found it difficult to let go of the beautiful cards we had received and brainstormed ways to hold onto them a little longer. I dug through my craft kit, found a box of binder ring closures, and got out a hole punch. Now, I have a few years’ worth of cards packed away with our Christmas decor that I set out each year in a decorative bowl.

If keeping every card isn’t your thing, I encourage you to at least save one of your own cards each year to create a flipbook. Your kids will love flipping through them and seeing how they’ve changed over the years.

Order your supplies today! I’ve linked everything you need to create your own Christmas card keepsake here. (Link supplies), here.

Annual Cookie Bake with Kids

A few years ago, my childhood friends and all of our children began one of my favorite traditions we share. We all gather and make a variety of cookies. It’s such a sweet morning together.

2024 Decor showcase

The Mantel Moment

This year’s mantel is, without a doubt, my favorite. It came together during a craft day with a friend when I made a dried orange garland. Paired with delicate gold leaves tucked into the garland, twinkling fairy lights, oversized bells, a Peace garland (a clearance find from last year), and layered ribbon in my go-to color scheme, it feels absolutely perfect to me. The combination of textures, lights, and personal touches creates a centerpiece for our holiday decor that I’ll definitely recreate next year.

If you want to incorporate dried oranges in your decor next year, I’ve shared the how-to here.

Foraged greenery for porch pots, vases and table decor.

Encouragement & Reflection

As I look back on our holidays, I’m reminded that the true beauty of the season is found in the simplest moments. The true magic lies in the connections we build, the memories we make, and the love we share.

Creating a cozy haven for the holidays is more than just decorating—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging and joy for everyone who enters our home. Each garland hung, each card kept, and each ritual observed weaves together a story of love, gratitude, and togetherness.

My hope is that this post inspires you to embrace the traditions that bring you joy and to find new ways to make this season special for your own family. From my family to yours, may your holiday season be filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished memories.

Happy New Year!

Laundry Room Refresh

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment

House projects are funny. You make a list of things you want to do, both big and small and either check them off little by little or stare at the same list for years. We’ve been in our home for 8+ years and have really only scratched the surface on projects we want to tackle and yet at the same time, we have done so much.

This particular project recently became a priority as I have found I need to hide the clutter and for everything to have a designated space. The clutter started to feel heavy in my mind and that was something I needed to offload.

Our laundry room always has the door open as our dog’s food and water bowls are in this space. Additionally, it had open shelving so it always looked messy.

The hallway where the laundry room is has also become the point of entry we use most. Guests often come in this door instead of the front door as well. While we can’t change the footprint of this area, I could control the appearance and functionality of this space.

Control the controllables.

Before: (YIKES)

Do you understand why I needed to clear this clutter by physically and mentally?

I knew I wanted cabinets with doors for storage and open cubbies to fit baskets above them.

My plan:

  • Buy unfinished stock cabinets that fit in the space
  • Prime and paint cabinets
  • Add hardware
  • Build cubbies to fit above then paint to match
  • Add trim at the ceiling
  • New light fixture
  • Add beadboard on the walls and eventually add a fun wallpaper

But first, demo and prep the walls for all the mentioned items above.

I kept the shelving boards to repurpose in one of the boy’s closets. I’ll share more on this in another post soon.

The sheetrock was damaged in areas but knowing cabinetry and wall treatments would hide the majority of it, I focused my attention on the remaining walls.

We decided to go with a dark green paint that we had on hand from a previous project, Dried Thyme.

One thing I’d like to note when you’re selecting paint colors and are tackling a project little by little, remember the big picture of the finished space. Think ahead to the final details you want, the flooring you will eventually add, ect. In this instance, I knew we had future plans to change out the flooring to a 12″ black hex tile.

I first painted the walls green, Dried Thyme, to the height I wanted to add beadboard and trim cap. For visual confirmation on the height I wanted for the trim, I painted a horizontal line of the green paint and measured to make sure that height worked well with the height we would be hanging the cabinets.

It was time to buy the cabinets. I recommend you search online before you visit the hardware store. I have found that not all stores carry the same products and in our case, the closest Home Depot doesn’t stock prefab cabinetry but the next town over does.

Prepping the cabinets is important.

Basic process included:

  • Remove all staples from packaging
  • Remove doors
  • Lightly sand the rough areas with 220 grit paper
  • Remove residue with tack clothe
  • Prime, prime, prime – Important if you don’t want to paint multiple coats of the main color
  • Allow to dry then paint
  • Allow to dry, lightly sand any rough spots and repeat prep and paint process
  • Allow paint to cure before putting the doors back on (I waited a nearly a week to be certain but mainly because life was also happening with 3 kids and my husband traveling with work)

I knew there was no way I was going to hang these cabinets by myself. Could it be done? Yes. Did I want to avoid getting injured or damaging the washer and dryers? 100% yes.

With the help of my husband, we added a temporary bracket for the cabinets to rest on while we anchored them into studs in the wall. This actually proved to be very difficult as the studs were not exactly located at the 4 corners of the cabinets on the walls.

We made it work and added extra screws for safe measure.

Next up, making the cubbies to fit above the cabinets. This is a smaller space and I knew I wanted it to feel larger than it is which I could accomplish by making the cubbies reach the ceiling height.

I measured A LOT and made my next trip back to Home Depot. I had them rip down the 3/4 plywood sheet into the depth of the boxes needed.

Let’s be honest, using a table saw is not something I’m comfortable doing alone and I was tackling this project on another week that my husband was traveling for work.

I loaded up the strips of plywood and beadboard for the remains walls and ventured back home where I would cut them down to length.

I am not going to provide a step by step tutorial of how I built these boxes for multiple reasons:

  1. I had to deconstruct them to install then reassemble them in place
  2. I didn’t add a backer board and instead, caulked the seams and painted the wall to give the illusion they have the backer board.
  3. This unit was made to fit baskets I already had.

I do recommend having your baskets before determining the size cubbies you’re going to make. This will ensure it looks intentional and was made custom for the space.

The walls in this space are not square and caused the issue of us not being able to install the build easily. While the measurements fit the intended space, it didn’t fit in the middle of the room where it needed to start for us to shimmy it into place.

It was a disaster. Our marriage survived the struggle but it was questionable for a moment. (I’m totally kidding but in full transparency, our patience was put to the test.)

After disassembling the majority of the cubby and putting it back up, we anchored it in place and I got to work prepping for paint.

Next up, determining trim for the top of the cubby.

I ended up going with a height that was between the two options pictured above and am very happy with it.

After more caulk and paint, this unit was complete.

While this space is small, it was packed with so many steps to get to the finish line. There was also a long wait time between steps due to busy schedules, waiting for paint to dry, hardware to arrive, and more. I tried to multi-task when possible. When the paint was drying on the cubby boxes, I was outside cutting the beadboard and nailing it in place.

Continuing the beadboard was not part of the original plan. I had been given thin brick tile that I was planning to use as the backspace but with the height of the beadboard, the matching green shelf and cabinets, the best option for this space was to continue with the beadboard. It looks seamless and intentional.

The seam wasn’t an issue as I placed it where there would be one floating shelf.

After the final touchup of paint was done, I was nearing the finish line.

The finishing touch needed was to add floating shelving between the two cabinets.

We took a family outing one weekend to find supplies and ended up having to DIY this to get the look I wanted. We purchased 2 project boards from Lowe’s. I glued and clamped them together while allowing it to cure more than the recommended time.

Next up, cut them down to size to fit. I then filled the seam with a mixture of sawdust and wood glue in an attempt to make this thicker board appear to be one. Unfortunately after sanding and staining them, it was visible which you can see from the first picture above.

My backup plan was to add edge banding and stain it to match. This worked out perfectly!

If you’re in a season of feeling like you’re not making much progress on you home project list, let this be a note of encouragement for you to take a moment to look back at what you have accomplished. You may find you’ve come further along than you realize and are well on your way to creating your Haven and a home that works for you and your family.

If you want to see the behind the scene failures and successes, please follow along on Instagram @4havenssake.

Little Changes Make a Big Impact

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment

This past November my husband and I were asked if we could help with a feature wall in my brother and sister-in-laws home. They are expecting their first baby in April. Being a mom of 3 boys, I was elated when they are shared they are expecting a BOY.  Queue the biased happy tears for the blessing of raising a son.

Back to the opportunity: Would you be able to help add an accent wall to the future nursury?

Yes. 1000 times yes.  I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity and spoiler alert, it turned out SO good. 

A quick look at our calendars and throwing dates around, one thing after another fell into place and we were able to get over there within the week. 

A dear friend who is an amazing designer, Amy Huber, told me about a company that will send you paint samples on sticker sheets that you can move around.  Wait, you mean you don’t have to paint samples on different walls in the room to determine which paint looks best anymore? The company is Samplize. For less than $6/sample, you can select as many paint colors as needed and they ship them to you within 24 hours.  No waiting at the paint store for colors to be mixed and no painting the walls with each and washing paint brushes. You simply stick and move the samples from wall to wall during different times of the day.

My sister-in-law and I were both sold on this. They ordered paint samples and sent me pictures of the walls as they started from all the colors they ordered to a smaller selection which they had narrowed down to as their favorites.

In preparation to go to their home with the tools needed for the wainscoting and framing out the window, we did have them send measurements of the room.  Having the measurements helped us all plan out which wall would likely be best for the accent wall and to plan accordingly for supplies. 

Check out the room before. A perfect canvas to transform with 3 simple updates: Paint, wainscoting, and quick trim for the window.

How precious is my sister-in-law?! Can you tell how much the boys adore her just from that last picture? 

We did take all three of our boys with us for our project day but I was sure to pack plenty of snacks and food to appease their endless appetites. My brother in law, Michael, had set up the sweetest movie viewing pallet for the boys. He inflated a giant air mattress and loaded it with comfy pillows and blankets. 

While the boys watched a movie, we got to work right away.

The men set off for Home Depot for the wood supplies while Rachel and I began painting right away. The men purchased primed boards which helped painting go smooth and required less coats.

We try to use primmed MDF on these types of accent walls as those boards have clean cuts when trimmed. This hardware store location didn’t have the product in stock that we usually buy for these projects so we made an easy swap with an alternative, primed pine, and it turned out perfect.

I had the best time chatting as we painted the entire room. It’s a day I won’t soon forget and can’t wait to share about the project day with baby when he is older. His mama worked so hard to make his room special. 

Adam took lead on measuring and cutting the wood for the accent wall. While it may look simple to plan out the spacing for the boxes, I can assure you the math is a little more challenging. 

*We also purchased a piece of cove molding to add to the existing baseboard. When flipped upside down, you can rest it on the baseboard and it creates for the perfect flat surface for your board and batten pieces to run in flush with no overhang.

It was a long day of painting and had to be cut shorter for me so I could get the kids home and ready for bed. I left Adam to finish off the wall but showed Rachel how to finish caulking all the seams after the final boards were up and the process for filling nail holes. 

We had a couple mishaps with placement of boards in the wrong place, having to remove them, remeasure and nail them back up in the correct spot but Allas, the wall was complete.

The window wasn’t completed until the following weekend. We had run out of time. I went back over the following weekend to finish up the wood working and did the window all by myself. I say this in a way to encourage you to tackle projects that seem daunting and just TRY it. Turns out, it was a simple update that, once complete, looked like it was always meant for the space.

My sister-in-law even said she wanted to add it to all the windows in the home now. It’s an update that can be made room by room and doesn’t have to be rushed.

I have never trimmed out a window before. I’ve watched numberous videos and how-tos but never had the opportunity prior to this project. 

I used this as a guide and customized it to their space.

(Pic of window trim guide)

I have to admit, projects outside of our home are my favorite.  Painting is therapeutic for me. Transforming a space is relatively budget friendly but brings a big impact. Adding texture to the walls in the form of wainscoting adds depth. Framing out the window added character and contributed to the overall aesthetic of the room that complimented the accent wall and helped create a finished look.

I’m excited to watch as they make all of the selections to finish out the room with furniture and decor in the theme they are going with.

Come on baby Chappell. We cannot wait to meet you.

Until then, my other sis-in-law are planning the SWEETEST baby shower which is coming up in February. Queue the happy tears anytime party details arrive in the mail.

This is your reminder to make a project list and TRY something new. Make it yours and create your Haven one room at a time.

DIY Oyster Shell Garland

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment
2023 Tablescape and Tree – @4HavensSake

Over the years, we have always collected treasures from the beach whether it be unique shells, beach pebbles, sea glass, sharks teeth, or drift wood but more recently, I started finding myself drawn to oyster shells. Each one is so unique and almost like it’s own piece of art with the various colors and shapes.

Like most things, these oyster shell collections were stored away and forgotten about. That is until I came across the recycled strawberry bucket on a shelf of our laundry room FULL of them.

Last year I was asked to collaborate with King of Christmas Trees and was delighted at the opportunity. Christmas is a favorite in this household, my husband included. He was all in for adding another tree to our dining room.

I needed to come up with a theme.

Insert me finding the collection of shells and my brain started to run with an idea. I’d seen oyster shell ornaments, Christmas trees made from shells and other various ideas but never had I seen a Christmas tree adorned with a beaded and shell garland.

I took to the challenge, collected items I needed and got to work.

While I waited on my shipment of wooden beads, I prepped the shells for paint.

  1. Thoroughly cleaned all shells with a solution of dawn, bleach and water
  2. Allowed them to dry completely
  3. Laid out my favorite shells on a protected surface
  4. Painted edges of the shells with this perfect gold paint
  5. Allowed to dry
  6. Drilled tiny holes in each end of every shell to allow for fishing line

The beads arrived and I began to layout the pattern of beads:shells that I felt looked best. Using a heavy duty fishing line that I borrowed from our boys’ fishing gear, I began stringing beads and shells. The two holes I drilled in each shell allowed for one continuous strand. My initial strand was 5 yards in length. I ended up adding 3 additional yards to the strand which was perfect for our 6.5 foot tree.

You could easily make a short strand and add it as decor on a coffee table with books, and other items.

My favorite accent color in the home has always been copper and coral tones. When I saw some of the oyster shells had this coloring in them, I immediately knew which color theme I was going with. I dug out the matte copper ornaments that are usually on our main living room tree and only purchased one package of glass ornaments that had a hint of copper coloring to them and these mini mercury glass ornaments. All other ornaments were some I’d collected over the years and had on our main tree year over year.

Ornaments + Decor links

For me, this tree represents our time living in Wilmington, NC and is a reminder of memories we have made at many beaches both as a couple and with our boys.

2022 Dining Room Christmas Tree
2023 Christmas Tree and Tablescape

My hope is that each space in our home is a reflection of what brings us joy and fills our thoughts with moments of nostalgia.

I hope you find inspiration from this fun DIY. Don’t be afraid to create something outside of what is trending in popularity.

Make your home a HAVEN filled with meaningful spaces.

Powder Room Refresh

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment

What was once an item listed on our project list, the powder room, it quickly became an active project when my husband walked into the garage and returned inside with a hammer and crowbar. He took to a corner in the bathroom and began an attempt at removing 1/4 round and baseboards. All I needed to get going on this particular project was him taking that first step and saying “let’s start checking off these projects.”

DIYs are fun but now with 3 kids, we have to be strategic in planning when we can tackle projects -between his work travel and kid schedules.

Goals for this project:

  1. Try to be budget friendly, afterall, it is just a powder room
  2. Source a local company to fabricate a new granite countertop for the existing vanity. This granite was going to the dump, and we scooped it up!
  3. Find new faucet, lighting and accessories
  4. Add vertical shiplap
  5. Fresh coat of paint

Project Mood Board

You can find links to the lights, hardware, and faucet here, Product Links. The final faucet we went with can be found here. We have been very pleased with it. In fact, I installed it apart from connecting the drain to the p trap. I’m thankful for my dad who came over to connect them and teach me how they work.

First we demoed by taking out all 1/4 round, baseboards, disconnecting the water supply and removing the vanity.

We ended up having to purchase this set to help in removing the 1/4 round and baseboards. Even still, it proved to be challenging because the installers used 3 inch nails which is excessive in my opinion.

As you can see, the before was just “blah” and didn’t fit our style at all. As for the layout of the bathroom, we would have never designed it this way but we had to work with it.

After the space was cleared out, I painted the top 1/4 section of the walls White Dove and the crown molding, and ceiling. Then we added in new baseboards, 1×8 primed pine as the MDF was limited for us.

After baseboards and paint, we added a 1×4 piece of trim that was our finishing cap and would act as the point where we measured for each vertical shiplap board.

At this point in the project, I had also switched out the light fixture but had not yet purchased new light bulbs that were a softer lume.

Once we both cut down our shiplap to size for our first wall, I painted the edges of each piece prior to nailing them to the wall. As I did this, my husband marked the studs on the walls.

As paint was drying on the walls, I decided to update the existing vanity and strip the brown stain. I saw this inspirational photo which solidified my decision. Our granite was very similar in coloring.

I first tried a couple rounds of oven cleaner as stripper but I didn’t love the results. You can see the beginning process in the left photo. Next, I went the route of Citri Strip and it did much better. I also coated the doors with Citri Strip and wrapped them in plastic wrap to let them sit overnight before scraping off the product and stain. The result revealed a beautiful color that was very similar to what I was hoping for.

With a little grit, I cleaned up the corners to get it to match using steel wool and 220 grit sandpaper.

Where this vanity got tricky was the fact that I had to update the side panels. They were not made of real wood but had a veneer finish; therefore, stipping them of stain wasn’t an option. I had to replace the side panels with new 1/2 inch sheets of plywood. We were out of scrap wood that met the size requirements so I purchased 2×4 sheets from Home Depot and cut those down to size. Without using a table saw, I used a guide, clamps and my skill saw to trim it to size. I feel much more comfortable with this tool vs. a table saw.

This also allowed me to try out my new router tool to create a ledge for the cabinet shelf to rest in, just as it did on the original side panels. This was such a fun tool to use. I look forward to future projects when we can try out different bits that it came with.

After the new side panels were cut to size and the ledge routed, I had the task of matching the stain to the stripped down vanity color. I did this with a combination of Special Walnut, watered down white paint as a white wash, and Dark Walnut. I ended up doing 2 more additional coats of dark walnut to darken it up more and found the perfect match.

After stain, the side panel was attached with wood glue and 1 inch brad nails. I then finished it off with 1 coats of clear Matte Polycrylic. This is my favorite poly and is easy to work with. Tip: Between coats, you have to use 220 grit sandpaper to get the smoothest finish.

Check out the progression of adding the vanity back into the space, the counters, doors, faucet and new handle pulls.

Similar Mirror, here.

Adding in the finishing touches was one of my favorite parts. To fill the dead corner space, I found this giant snake plant at Home Depot for $22! The plant stand was an awesome find at Marshalls.

My favorite piece is the room is this watercolor lily. It was a gift to my grandparents by one of their church members. They had is framed by a local business who made a special pocket on the backside to hold the card that was handwritten and included with the art. The special note is a reminder of the impact they had on so many lives and that motivates me to live life to the fullest.

Before we look at the completed space in its entirety, let’s remember where we started again:

Before + After – @4havenssake

LINKS:

Handle Pulls

Turkish Hand Towels

Faucet

Towel Ring and Toilet Paper Holder

Vanity Light

Cutest Safety Glasses

What do you think about the Powder Room transformation? Would you believe it was completed for less than $600? Most of that cost went to lumbar because we went with primed pine vs primed MDF.

I hope this inspires you to make the most of your space and transform it with a little paint and a little elbow grease. The before and after can be exactly like your mood board.

Valentine Printables

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment

Valentines is my second favorite holiday. Perhaps it’s because my birthday falls 2 days after the day of love or the fact that I now realize I love the color pink, but I find so much joy in what the day brings.

Making the day special for your significant other, your children and your children’s classmates can be fun. It can also be a little stressful if you have an allergy kid like we do. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a little anxiety over the treats our peanut allergy boy may receive and fear he may come in contact.

This allergy friendly Valentine treat made to look like a piece of candy will sure make for some happy kids. The Made Good granola bars are also free from the top 8 allergens and are in fact, delicious!

I created a simple printable available in two color schemes, neutral & traditional Valentine, that you can download for FREE by clicking, VALENTINE PRINTABLE.

Also included is a printable made to fit an 8×10 frame for a simple Valentine decor addition to your home.

If you want to create this same Valentine treat, below you’ll find a list of materials needed.

  • 1 box of Made Good granola bars – found in the Valentine section of Target (It’s a 30 count for $6.99.)
  • 1 bundle of tissue paper that you will cut down to size – slightly larger than the mini granola bars to allow for extra space for tying off the ends
  • String, yarn or ribbon that you may have at home
  • Printed Valentine tags, cut and hole punched to easily attach to the treats
  • A list of classmate names

For candy-free Valentine ideas, see last year’s post: Candy Free Valentines

I’d love to see how you make these tags work for your Valentine giftables. Be sure to tag @4havenssake on Instagram & Facebook where I will reshare all ideas for others to see as well.

Happy almost LOVE MONTH!

Simple Christmas Decor

Published on by Amanda LeggetteLeave a comment

The Grinch made me do it. Who knew our traditional Friday family movie night would result in my favorite Christmas decor addition in our home? Contrary to the Grinch’s view of Christmas, the movie put me in the Christmas spirit early which I’m not complaining about. Whoville is so whimsical and unique which inspired me to doodle a few Christmas trees.

A few doodles later, I then turned them into a printable with a imple Christmas saying that I wanted to share with others. If you like to add simple holiday decor to your home, you can download the printables below.

These are made to fit an 8×10 frame and/or a 5×7 matte for an 8×10 frame if you wish to add a layered look to the frame.

Sage Green – O Christmas Tree

Black – O Christmas Tree

I’d love to see how you style your printable. Be sure to comment on this post how you plan to use it and also tag @4havenssake on Instagram and Facebook!

Tis’ the Season! -Amanda

Holiday Gift Guide for Her

Published on by Amanda Leggette2 Comments

Happy Wednesday friends. I’m sharing my first gift guide of the season for that lady in your life. I’ve selected items that have become staples in my life that are for the home, personal wear & for the active lifestyle that is a priority in my daily schedule. It’s also important to slow down and reset so I’ve included a few items that make cozying up in a comfortable chair for quiet time ideal.

My hope is to make it easy for you to shop for that special lady or for you to easily circle and forward items you want on your own wish list and make holiday shopping easy for your significant other.

Easy Lists + Links Below

Tips: If your buying for an active lady, think about items that will be used regularly. That will translate to a gift that will be well loved. For me personally, I love activewear not only because I prioritize the gym daily, but because I actually wear clothes for comfort.

I’ve linked some of my favorite items for the gym, cycle shoes for the avide spin studio/outdoor cyclist (which I LOVE because they slip on and off so easily and the clip is flush with the base of the sole making it easy to walk when I’m not on my bike), and I’ve linked simple classic clothing items that are staples in my wardrobe and perfect if you’re building a clothing capsule of items that will always be in style.

For fun gifts, think of things that are loved in her extracurricular time. If it’s getting good coffee, the Nespresso machine is a great addition for the home that can be used by everyone. We love being able to make our own espresso, lattes and cappuccinos. Get her this Yeti tumbler with an oversized handle. I was gifted this one for my birthday in February and have found it is my go-to when I’m home and running out of the door for the day. Add in a giftcard to a local coffee shop and pair both with a bag of fresh roasted beans for home brewing.

For the home decor lover that also enjoys quiet time reading, I’ve linked two of my new favorite home decor books. Also consider a magazine subscription. Magnolia sends out a quarterly magazine, Magnolia Journal, and it’s always filled with great content. Pair these gifts with an oversized blanket and a candle and your lady will be ready to find a cozy spot in the home and enjoy some quiet time.

Holiday Gift Guide for Her

Outerwear – Patagonia Jackets & Vest:

Athleisure Wear & Active Woman Style

Cozy Home Decor + “Reset” Gifts

Stylish + Comfortable Footwear

Favorite Classic Statement Items

Less than 2 months until C H R I S T M A S ! Can you believe that? I hope this first Holiday Guide helps you with your list planning and gift giving.

SEE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR HIM – HERE