Toys Toys Everywhere

Every parent struggles with toys all over their house. It's insane. There are ways to keep up, but it is a lot of work. Constantly purging the collection is hard, and since adding a second child to this house, it's even harder. Our kids are 5 years apart - which means two totally different stages of learning and development. IE 2 full sets of toys. There is no avoiding it.


So here are some toy storage solutions that I am considering. They can both double as side tables for the couch (for my always-cold-coffee):

Toy Storage Bin Box with Cubby Shelves

1x12 Wood Bulk Bins

Living Room Desk

We desperately need to upgrade the desk we have in our living room. It is the original 1980's desk that I've had since I was little, and although it is still in good shape, it ain't pretty.


It has been everything: from a kid's homework desk, to a computer desk, to my sewing space, to an office area, to a kid's homework desk again. I'm not sure what style I want, but here are three plans I am considering from Ana White:

X Leg Desk with Drawers

Desk with Drawers



File Cubby Base Desk with Drawers

Coffee Table Creation

Here are some of the coffee table plans from Ana White that I am considering for a new coffee table in our living room:

20 Sec Tidy Up Coffee Table

Rustic X Coffee Table

Wooden Train Table Coffee Table

Corona Coffee Table - Square

Turned Leg Coffee Table with Apron Drawer

Square Industrial Coffee Table

New Entry, Old Dresser

As we continue to ignore our front entry addition renovation, I continue to plan the finishing details of the room. Who needs electrical and drywall, when you can choose furniture and light fixtures instead!


My Mom has kindly offered up one of their old dressers to me, and I am half in love. Originally I was looking for something quite modern, like below:

But instead I am offered a free dresser like this:

Not the same at all - but may work! Also, the price is right...


So now I'm trying to figure ways to make it my own and get that crisp, clean, modern flare I was going for. I'm digging the white paint colour (shocker.) so I'm thinking that an interesting knob choice could work. You know how I love knobs...


Here are a few options that I'm considering/trying to think of how to get for cheaper:




Etsy $64.92 for 6 = $129.84

HomeDepot $2.81 = $33.72 

HomeDepot $2.98 = $35.76

HomeDepot $3.04 = $36.48

HomeDepot $4.08 = $48.96

HomeDepot $5.13 = $61.56

OR - do I refinish the knobs that are already there? Will spray paint hold up? Should I paint only the face of the knob? Should I measure the space and make sure the dresser will even fit??

Nursery Reveal

After 9 months of planning, painting, building and endless sewing projects - BabyMorgan's nursery is finally complete! As for the baby, well, it's any one's guess when Bean will arrive but this is the space that is waiting for him or her!

I am so in love with everything to do with this room! Hubby and I worked really hard on a million projects for this room, and it came together just like I had envisioned.

Normally when I decorate a room it comes together piece by piece, rather than starting with a fully thought-out plan. This nursery was the exception. Since I ordered all the fabric online at once, I had to know the direction I was heading in.

I also did my best to create a nursery that will grow with the baby. I knew from the start that I wanted a room that would not only be soothing and peaceful for Baby, but for Hubby and I to (since we will most likely be spending a lot of time in here at all hours of the night).

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Sourcing:

Wall Color: GeneralPaint - TanWrap (CL2791W)

Wingback Chair: I picked up the chair for free, and re upholstered it myself (yeah, I can't believe it either!) in fabric from Fabric.Com ($54 for fabric)

Blue Cushion on Chair: I whipped up this velvet cushion cover in fabric from Fabric.Com ($8.49 for fabric)

Faux Sheepskin Rug: From Ikea (can't find a link online) ($9.99)

Round Foot Cushion: I sewed this cushion from fabric from Fabric.Com ($7 for fabric)

Round Table: I picked this table up on UsedVictoria, and painted the top gloss white ($15)

White Lamp: Scored this lamp base at the DeanParkGarageSale and sprayed is matte white, and bought the shade at Walmart (Lamp $1, Shade $4)

Drapes and Hardware: Sewed the drapes out of fabric from Fabric.Com, and got the hardware from my Aunt Debra ($30 for fabric, hardware free)

Change Table: The dresser from my childhood room (free)

Framed Artwork: Frames from MichaelsCrafts, green print from Ikea, and I made the silver 'M' out of left over metallic wrapping paper (Frames $12 for two, green print $2, 'M' free)

Large Armoir: An antique from Hubby's late Grandpa - I'm sure he would love to know it's being used in his great-grandchild's room (free)

Globe, and 'A' 'Z' on Top of Armoir: Globe from Hubby's childhood room, 'A Z' from Hubby's Stepmom - I just pealed off the floral stickers and sprayed over the dusty pink with gloss white (free and free)

Crib: A gift from Hubby's Mom - a beautiful crib that I drove Hubby crazy picking out (free)

Bunting Over Crib: Homemade by moi with left over fabric from the nursery projects (free)

Blanket On Crib: A beautiful homemade blanket from my Aunt Donna (free)

Black Bird Hanger: A cool gift from our friend Krista (free)

I would love to hear your thoughts so please feel free to comment!

UsedVictoria Thursdays

This past week was a busy week for MoganHouse. We had the AnnualDeanPark garage sale, where we scored a ton of great deals (which I've obviously already started attacking with a spray paint can). I also found a few great deals on UsedVictoria!

An 18" tin star for only $2!!! She obviously didn't know what she had, but I was happy to take it off her hands (one of the only times I've paid asking price for something!)

A cute wood table, which I have small plans for (future post, of course). She was asking $25, but I got it for only $15

Sorry I didn't tell you about them sooner - but you might have blabbed. Here are a few great items for sale on UsedVictoria right now (that I haven't stolen from under your noses!)

Neat old chest for $30

Cute side table! Paint it a light Easter colour for some shabby chic goodness for only $25!

At $200, it's more than I would want to spend on this side table, even if it is from the 1800's - but I have to admit I love its shape!!

Our Dining Room

I'm a big fan of 'before and after's. But, since I feel like we are never quite done renovating and decorating a room, I prefer to use the phrase 'before and progress'.

The dining room reno started one New Years day, when I (thinking I was being very sly finding a loophole to Richard's renovation clause) torn off the trim and started the drywall mudding process to get rid of that hideous wall texture (bleck!) After mudding, and sanding, and painting, and trimming came.... wait for it.... the house flood.

So,... some drying out of the house, new flooring, then... wait for it... mudding, and sanding, and painting, and trimming. No wonder we're getting so good at it.

Although I still want to recover the chairs in a pretty light blue fabric, toss in a Persian rug, and maybe paint the buffet and hutch - here is my 'progress'

Recap of some 'expenses' :

- buffet and hutch (FREE! Burnt to a crisp, and I sanded and refinished it)

- dining table (FREE! Second hand from Rich's Dad)

- two floral prints (Prints: 3 for $15 at Ikea, Frames: $8 for a set of two)

- set of 5 chairs ($100 for set on UsedVictoria - score!)

- drapes ($100 for the set from Fabricland)

- bar table (FREE! Just had to sand and refinish..)