Last week the HH took a last minute trip to NYC which meant I sort of got a vacation too. 72 hours all to myself, in my own house! I was giddy!
And you know what, I didn’t waste a minute of it either. As soon as he was out the door and off to the airport, I grabbed the paint cans and got busy!
The first thing I did was paint the {under the stairs} cupboard doors that have been off their hinges for a few weeks now.
And then I pulled the couch away from the wall and started sanding the {kinda sorta} white washed walls, to smooth them out a bit.
I really like the inside of our teeny tiny house. The wood beams, the wood floors, the quirky layout. But the one thing that has always bothered me were the way the shiplap, the trim and ALL the walls were haphazardly painted.
It was like everything got 1 coat of {not the highest quality} paint and that was it. And then people lived in it for several years and nothing was ever repainted.
And well, you know me, I like paint. Especially WHITE paint. 🙂
After putting a couple of coats of white paint on the walls, I started on the ceiling! I was able to get 1 section of the ceiling {there are 3} done while my husband was away.
Living in chaos, with paint cans everywhere and everything piled up on the kitchen table and the countertops, and in hallways and getting up super early and going to bed super late and eating out of containers simply would have not happened had my husband been here.
It was crazy and fun and I had a really good time. It was like I was on a mini vacation too.
Luckily I was already planning on painting our bedroom and the downstairs at some point this summer so I already had the paint on hand.
I had also ordered a new rug {the same rug we’ve had in our last 3 houses} and a new “summer” slipcover for the couch and had them both stashed away.
I was ready, but dreading the whole project because of the chaos it was going to create and that I would have to work on one small space at a time.
But then the HH had to suddenly take off and I was like, GO GO GO. I still can’t believe how much I was able to get done!
Now comes the fun part. Making a bunch of art to hang on the walls! I plan on filling that entire wall behind the couch with seaside paintings.
I thoroughly enjoyed every second of my 72 hour mini holiday.
If you had 72 hours all to yourself in YOUR home, what would YOU do? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Christa H. says
Looks so much better solid white! That’s a plus for when y’all decide to move again. The seaside paintings will look fab there.
When my dh is gone I deep clean and cook a lot to fill the refrig for when he returns.
Adeline says
Put on the entire 10 seasons of Friends, empty all the cupboards and sort/toss/clean the mess that lives in them while drinking pots of tea after pots of tea !
Wendy C says
I had 7 days alone last week while Hubby and son were on a Scout trip. I declared it a week of doing “a whole lot of nothing.” 🙂 I did keep the cats, chickens, and dog happy and alive. My daughter and grandson came to visit one afternoon. I went to the library and thrift store once. I made a new wreath for the back door. I completed two small embroidery projects. I finished two books and started another. I watched some mindless tv while embroidering. I was so nice to have a break from the normal, but I was missing the family by the time they came back. It was a good week.
Holley says
I love this house so much! It is the perfect size for two people! Just think of all the hours you have reclaimed for yourself by not having to clean all the extra space and clutter! You’re my idol!
If my husband was gone for any length of time, I would sleep! He’s the one that is go, go, go all the time. We have found a nice rhythm in retirement, but it took about a year to get here.
Deb from Ohio says
I’m super impressed by how much you accomplished!!
Do you listen to something like books or podcasts or music when you work?
MaryG says
I’m impressed. It looks wonderful. I’m overdue to step on the gas with some indoor clutter removal.
Where did you get those navy shades for the bedroom? They look really nice, and the place where we got some of our shades, which need to be replaced, is no longer in business.
Mavis Butterfield says
I bought them off Etsy from this shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoldenNeedleDrapery
MaryG says
Thanks so much!
Diane says
I’m jealous that your slip covers fit so well! Every time I’ve tried buying slip covers, even though it looks like they should match the style of the furniture it ends up having to be pinched & bunched so much that always make it obvious that it’s a slip cover.
cat says
I love your end tables, any chance they weren’t secondhand and you can say where you bought them?
Mavis Butterfield says
Pottery Barn Menlo end tables.
Laurie Lasala-Tuttle says
Hi Mavis! I love the choices you’ve made in your home, as with all of your other homes. I can’t figure out how to have your content emailed to me. I miss so much of your life, unless I remember to look up your blog. Hoping you can sign me up.
Laurie Lasala-Tuttle
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Laurie,
I signed you up. :)Y ou must activate your subscription request by clicking the link in the email that has just been sent to you. Please check your inbox now to confirm your registration and start receiving your updates.
Carolyn Rust says
Please share the source of the sofa slip covers.
J in OH-IO says
I second the slipcover source request!
Mavis Butterfield says
The couch came from Four Seasons furniture. You can order slipcovers to match your couch from them.
Dot says
Love the slip cover. The sea scapes will look beautiful. The white looks so fresh and clean.
Sue S. says
I will have a kid free week in August and I plan to clean out files and organize paperwork. The paperwork reduction act will be in effect here. Also plan to enjoy time on the deck knitting, hooking, finishing rugs. All after work, housework, yard work, yadayadayada as you say. Your house looks great and I am bedazzled by the amount you accomplish in such a short period of time. Can you remind us again where your black bed came from please? Thanks Mavis
Mavis Butterfield says
The navy bed came from Maine Woodworks. They have showroom deals quite often.
JJ says
Oh what bliss! 72 hours! I always think about getting stuff done…especially decorating with no questions asked! I also want to spend some time watching whatever I want…..especially a tear jerker…no one to question my sanity (husband an son just don’t get it… LOL )
Sue S. says
In response to the Hoka”s post from a few days ago, I found them on the Coast Guard Exchange website, ON SALE, just today. If you have access to CGEX, check out the sale prices for father’s day.
Judi Y. says
Everything you did is beautiful!!!
Carrie V says
I am always so impressed by all the work you accomplish on a daily basis!! My right arm and shoulder got to be very painful last week and found out that I have Bursitis. I have been sitting and doing almost nothing since last Thursday…. so frustrating. Repetitive motion can cause it. So hopefully I can get back to gardening by next week. In the meantime I will jealously read about all of your work!!
Lynda Kling says
Looks like the wall colour was pickled pine…..there is no wall space behind your couch! How will you fill it with paintings?!