DIY: Reclaimed Wood Accent Wall

So, we have an awesome accent wall now! And I am forever indebted to my badass mother-in-law for the countless hours she put in BEFORE we even started this project! This would've cost us AT LEAST $500 in labor (probably closer to $1000) and probably a few hundred bucks in materials. But our cost was $29...which was a Starbucks drink to butter her up in the morning, lunch at Rosa's, and milkshakes in the afternoon. Hehehe.

My husband's parents bought a piece of property in the country from an elusive man who worked construction. I don't know all the details, but I do know that when they started renovating that place, they turned it from a dump into a cozy cabin in the country. The property had an abandoned barn that they turned into a fully-functioning music studio. There was an old Rambler, a LOT of clothes, wood, and miscellaneous JUNK. Some of that wood, along with pieces that made the move from their Flower Mound home, is now our accent wall :)

This is me in the music studio, taking my first posed-preggo pic...and this is where our inspiration was born (pun intended)...they covered the ENTIRE room with vertical reclaimed wood...and I respect this so much more now!!!!!

Andrew and George building the top outer deck of the music studio

George, Jacob, and Richard texturizing the dry wall

If only my mother-in-law had a blog....she is the Queen of DIY. 

Anyway, Papa G's mama took out pieces of wood and created a "wall" on the ground outside her property. She had to find pieces that were the same width, which was no easy task. A lot of time passed by, so the wood inevitably warped from being outside, but it wasn't a problem, and if anything, adds to the character of our wall.

A couple weeks ago, we dusted off that wood, and loaded up the car. With the saw, measuring tape, stud finder, screws, and heavy-duty glue, we made our wall!

Car loaded up and ready to go!

This was the first piece of wood. Each piece was put up individually, and screwed in. We used a level often, to make sure the wood was straight! 

The most important part was making sure each horizontal row was the same WIDTH. This was done ahead of time by Papa G and his mama. Then, we would measure and saw off the extra on the end. Then, screw in the wood to the wall. Sometimes we used glue on the back of the wood first, but I don't know if that was entirely necessary. Since we used the studfinder, we were fairly certain the screws were sufficient for holding it up. So far, so good! Hehehe.

The little miss enjoyed watching us work together to make this house a home!!!!

George and his mama with the finished project!!!! Oh, notice the electrical outlet. That part required extra attention and measuring. Thanks to my M.I.L. for that!

We considered dropping the electrical cords BEHIND the wood, but if we ever need to fix these vintage sconces, we would have to remove the wall (OMG NEVER). So, one day, hopefully sooner than later, we will drop them in metal piping, to match the zinc letters, and give that "industrial" vibe.

Before (above) and After!!!!!!!!!

We are loving our wall so much!!!! The best advice I can give is to plan ahead of time and lay out the wood the way you want it remembering if the wall is horizontal, each horizontal row must be the same width. USE A LEVEL! And lots of screws. It's a big task (took us about 10-12 hours the day of...not including the pre-planning that my MIL did), but totally do-able. And it DEFINITELY makes our house feel more like "home". WE ARE LOVING IT!

Thanks again to Papa G and his sweet mama for making this dream a reality!

xoxo,

L

::savoring the now::

Lilah Grace has helped me, more than any other book, sermon, podcast, or TED talk...to stay in the moment. Every SINGLE night, I realize that this is one less night I have to rock and nurse her to sleep, because she will inevitably grow up. The past and future become meaningless as I hold her and smell her, savoring the now.

Since Lilah has come along...

...I have been late to most occasions (other than work). ..

...I have had slower paced mornings...

...I enjoy the ride, rather than text in the car while driving (full disclosure, when she's not in the car, I still slip sometimes...)...

...I go on more walks...

...I notice things I haven't noticed before (because she does, and I follow her eyes)...

...I feel more connected to other moms (including animals...a return to vegetarianism MIGHT be in my future, but that thick cut bacon is just SO tasty...)...

...In short, I'm completely enamored. Mesmerized. Proud. Filled to the brim with love. Just overflowing with love, and that's why I'm gushing... 

In the past 3 months, I've learned that motherhood is about SO MUCH MORE than the birth story. I feel like I am responding to a calling I've had since I was a little girl. I feel more fulfilled in daily life than I ever have before. I've become MORE patient, MORE loving, MORE happy. MORE grateful, MORE considerate, and MORE laid back. I feel in such a flow with life. Without a doubt, this babe has been my biggest blessing, ever. I can't imagine a life more sweet. 

I have her to thank for these life lessons, and my husband to thank for helping me with this gorgeous creation...in the words of his little brother, "it takes two to make a baby, and two to raise one." I'm very thankful to my husband for his love and support in this journey. He still makes my heart flutter, and still talks to me like the 17 year old girl he courted. 

 I also am so grateful to my "village," because YES, IT TAKES A VILLAGE. And my TRIBE undoubtedly made my transition to motherhood as smooth as possible. My mommy, daddy, and sissy. I'll forever remember the summer of 2013, when we were all under the same roof again. When Lilah Grace came to this planet, and Aunt Roo got engaged! With nights at the community pool, and binges on United States of Tara and Orange is the New Black. 

We will be moving into our new home (YAY!) this week, and I am just so excited to start this NEXT new chapter! But I KNOW I couldn't do it without the help I've had up to this point. And honestly, moving back home was one of the BEST things we've ever done. I've had an amazing summer.

I'll be posting pictures of our many new projects up on the blog! And some fun DIY projects as I get around to them! I'm excited to make this house a home.

xoxo,

L