We hope you know that we sure do like you. Like, a lot.
Being a blogger has some really awesome perks. Frankly, we get ‘stroked’ a lot. We share our hearts and our homes with you and you leave us lovely comments (except for the crazy spammers whose comments look like they were written by someone with multiple personalities!). We get to try out fun new products and share the results with you and then you leave us lovely comments. We get to travel, speak at conferences and connect with other bloggers. We come home, share about our adventures and then you leave us lovely comments. You support and encourage and cheer us on.
And frankly, we’ve started to get a little sick of US!
Don’t get us wrong, we still LOVE to do all of those things and soooooo appreciate those lovely comments and emails. But, sometimes it’s just good to have a little less ‘us’ and a little more ‘you’.
Which is why we were so thrilled to launch our new ‘Strut Your Stuff’ series. We put out the call and invited you, our readers who are non-bloggers, to share your summer outdoor projects with us and it was so fun seeing these awesome projects hitting our inbox!
We’ve selected a few to share with you today and we know you’ll love them as much as we do!
Susi in Georgia transformed her plain garage door by doing a ‘faux’ carriage house look and we think it looks just gorgeous! Here are her tips for doing this project.
Faux Carriage House Garage Door in 3 Easy Steps:
1. Thoroughly clean garage door. I power washed without any chemicals. If a washing product is used, be careful to make sure no residue remains.
2. Paint doors. I spray painted my door, but the texture on the doors would allow for using a paintbrush. I used latex paint without a primer, but my door was in excellent condition.
Note – many blogs and info sites recommend latex paint, but suggest consulting with a local expert before beginning the project.
3. Attach hardware purchased at local home improvement store.
AFTER:
From Elizabeth in Wisconsin, we got to see ‘Betty Lou’, the newest member of their family! And we think she is fabulous!!
Pam in Oklahoma showed us her brand new deck complete with custom table and benches and a beautiful pergola!
Then we got this email from Bill and…well…we felt quite certain that this was exactly why we started this series in the first place!
You see, Bill’s email, like so many others, allowed us a glimpse into your lives!
This series serves as a reminder of what we are all trying to do in our homes…make them feel comfortable, welcoming and most importantly, reflect who we are. It really bonds us all together, don’t you think? That process of carving out our own little corners of ‘home’. So, what do you say we keep this series going?? We’re game, are you?
Be watching for the ‘Strut Your Stuff Fall Edition’!
And thank you as always for meeting us here at the Fence today!
WOW. Imagine my surprise when I opened your post and saw my garage door. Thank you so very much for using it in your Strut Your Stuff summer series. I am honored. Truly honored.
It’s a real confidence builder.
I’m looking forward to submitting a little idea for your fall series. :-))
Have a wonderful week-end,
Susie
Wow! As they say in Blogland, these projects are certainly blog-worthy…and beyond! I love this series.
These are awesome, inspiring, and a perfect motivation to start my Saturday morning. Love how you help others “strut” and shine!
Blessings, Kerry
I always love being inspired by others! Love the series!
~ Ashley
Love these.
Can we get info. on the color of latex paint used in the Faux Carriage House Garage Door? I am crazy about that look!
Love this blog and all the great ideas here!
What a super fun series! This was such a great way to include some very talented non-bloggers and get a little peek into their lives. I love it!
Wow…I love all the pics and projects. Envious of all the creativity. What a great idea ladies…or should I call you the “dynamic dual”:) I can’t wait for the fall pics.
In the meantime, I have another idea for you. This post has obviously shown so much of the talent that is out there. I would love you to feature once in a while problem projects where readers like me can get advice from your readers.
For example, I recently became inspired because of one of your blogs to not only re-position my dining room table, but to move my large hutch to a living room wall. It not only opens up my dining room which is right off the kitchen as we took down a wall, but it cozies up the space in my vaulted ceiling living room which is an extended part of the dining room. It’s all a work in progress. What I’m looking for help with is what to display. Friends say going back to my dishes takes away from the fact that I moved it out of the dining room. One has suggested displaying some of my decorating books and to integrate small pic frames. I do have my kids baby china each in it’s own corner with their bronzed shoes.
Thanks for considering my suggestion. Keep up the great work. I LOVE your blog.
I AM SO EXCITED!! Like Susie said, imagine my surprise and excitement to see Betty Lou when I scrolled down…I just about spilled my coffee on myself! Talk about a confidence booster indeed!
Thank you so much for featuring her in your Strut Your Stuff series, you girls made my day!!
Have a great day and again THANK YOU!!
Elizabeth
Betty Lou is absolutely adorable!
I’m taking little Betty Lou on the road. She is just precious! All the projects are so beautiful. Wonderful talent!
What fantastic ideas. loved all of them but my favorite was the garage doors and the camper!…
I really enjoyed this post! More than that It has inspired me to tackle a few things around the house…thank you for sharing other readers exceptional projects!
I think this idea of having your readers share their space is wonderful. What a great idea! You have some talented readers. And we must have the same spammers because mine are confusing and interesting too. I seriously love this idea of letting others shine!
I love this series…I must tell my friend who has been through many years of decorating with me to join in on the fun!!!…So many great ideas here…and it was great to meet “Betty Lou”…
Loved seeing all those projects. Keep them coming often.