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in Blog· Create

Whole House Renovation in a Weekend – Um, Well, Playhouse

A few months ago my daughter and I were daydreaming and designing some ideas for her backyard. By southern California standards, it’s quite large, and with young children at home, they pretty much live outside. I scheduled a trip to fly in for a long weekend to build an outdoor kitchen area for her. A week before my trip, I got this via text message:

Plans for the playhouse in the eyes of a four year old
plans for the playhouse from the imagination of a 4-year-old

Gwen, my granddaughter had drawn a picture of her play structure transformed into the perfect playhouse. Currently it was less than exciting, with no roof on the upper half, and a useless built-in picnic table on the lower half. Normally the text messages I receive from my daughter are really Gwennie blowin’ up my phone with a bajillion emojis, the names of all family, her address, phone number, hearts, and (the best part) “Gwennie loves Mimi”. Seriously, best text messages ever! She’s four. But this one changed our plans! We were going to transform their play structure into the perfect little playhouse, the outdoor kitchen could wait.

playhouse before
before our “renovation”

I packed my tools, made a list of others for my daughter to borrow, wrote a supply list, and headed to the airport. Our plan was to first stop at Home Depot, (after a lunch at In n’ Out first, duh) buy our supplies, and then head on over to get started. It took a bit of wood, two days to construct, three Diet Cokes, a few hours to paint, and we had a perfect little house for the girlies to play in.

playhouse after
after the renovation

Basically I just removed the old picnic table, and covered the lower four sides with cedar fencing. I cut a story book door for one side, built a new ladder for another (the old one was more like stairs and taking up too much space) with a small window with shutters that open and close, and cut a large window space for added light (otherwise it was like a cave, plus my son was in town for a visit and pointed out that it should be open so the kids can’t do something “sketchy”, whatever that is. Of course, leave it to the sketchy one to be right about that). With a new corrugated roof on the top, it was feeling like a real playhouse. And yes, I slid down that slide about 47 times. When wearing long pants, you have to put your feet out to slow yourself down or you just fly right off and land on your butt. Learned that the hard way.

Ladder and moving shutters
new ladder with stationary window shutters to the left and operational shutters to the right

In a matter of days, thanks to the wonders of online shopping, we had all the needed accessories for creative play. We ordered a new wheel, telescope, and handle set, along with a bell to ring, a mailbox for all their artwork, and a large chalk board for the back fence. I even had plenty of paint to update their current child sized IKEA picnic tables. (Color used: Cornflower by BEHR)

bell and mailbox
every little playhouse needs a doorbell and a mailbox don’t ya think?

After returning home, and while the Coronavirus scare was building, I got a text message a few days later from my daughter. This time it was actually her not Gwen. She sent this picture with this message: “It’s seriously such an incredible blessing that you did the playhouse right before this crazy quarantine. They were outside for forever playing today.” And then the best part, “They love it and you.” I could pretty much die happy now (but let’s hope that doesn’t happen, since the Coronavirus is real and rampant.)

playhouse in the wild
in full playhouse mode: swings and chalkboard being used and someone hiding in the house

I keep these pictures the girls made me awhile back by my bedside to remind me that I am loved by my littles far away (I have five more little blessings that live close to me that I see quite often and get lots of hugs and kisses and “I love you Mimi”.)

These days, with the current global pandemic halting life as we know it, it’s not hard to reflect on the things that are most meaningful in life. I may not know how this whole quarantine thing will turn out, or how long it will go on, but there is one thing I do know. My name is Mimi, and right now, I’m feeling like the best.

« Before A Whole House Renovation – Upstairs

Hi, I’m Jill.

Creating a home is a process and it's something best done over time. Home should be a haven where we can craft the life we want. I love homes with lots of books, comfy spots to lounge, organized spaces to work, beautiful treasures from life and travels, and mementos from a life well spent. But the thing I love most about homes, is the life that's lived there.

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I need a day out for some fun, what about you? May I need a day out for some fun, what about you? Maybe a little shopping trip to @livingstonantiqueoutlet for some treasures. I’m in booths 25 and F7. Lots of goodies! #thrillofthehunt #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to @livingstonantiqueoutlet to find that perfect vintage find to complete your fall decor. Happy hunting! #vintagefinds #thrillofthehunt #vintagestyle
It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on my vintage booth has given me an important mental escape. What could be better than good memories, which are easily sparked when seeing something vintage (“my grandma had those glasses” or “we had that game as a kid” etc.) What vintage items bring back memories for you? #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt
This is my other little booth. It has no number bu This is my other little booth. It has no number but I’m at @livingstonantiqueoutlet next to the amazing @fragments009 who is in booth 46. It’s a tiny little booth but it has some fun stuff. Restocked today, come by and see me! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet i Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet in booth #25. Oh, did I mention that I moved to the booth next door? Lots of goodies and more in my other booth! Also, there’s a sale going on! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt #vintage
Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planne Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planner! This too shall pass, and our comeback can be strong! Hang in there peeps 😋#staysafe #staystrong #erincondren #hopeforthefuture
Since everything is closed these days and we’re Since everything is closed these days and we’re all home practicing social distancing, it’s a good time to paint. Obvi I can’t take anything to @livingstonantiqueoutlet so I’ll just be stockpiling for when things go back to “normal”, whatever that is. This piece painted using @bungalow47 furniture paint in Farmhouse Sink #vintagefinds #paintedfurniture #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #homedecor #restyledfurniture #renewedfurniture
Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by @chairwhimsy and @simplysoutherncottage because this is all I currently have. My mom still has all the dishes, but I brought the goblets home in my carryon last time I visited. I grew up spending several weekends going to the Franciscan outlet with my mom, adding to her Desert Rose collection. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley outside Los Angeles and I think the outlet was somewhere near Sylmar, but it was the 70s and I was a kid searching for china with my mom. They sold seconds that couldn’t pass as perfect, and I remember helping to find the ones where the flaws weren’t noticeable. I remember being there when they began offering the pink goblets and my mom was over the moon! I have 12 of them, the collection she had, and soon I will begin carrying back (once again in my carryon) the dishes so this token of my childhood will live on at my adult table. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! #desertrosechallenge #pink #franciscan #vintagefinds #fleamarketstyle #vintageglass #vintagedishes #desertrosegoblets #homedecor
Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ll appreciate this because this is ingenuity at it’s finest! This cute wood tray has a wood hanger as a handle...genius and one-of-a-kind! I can’t even with stuff like this, I just love it so much. It’s usable and a great conversation piece, available in my little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #oneofakind #repurposed #farmhousedecor #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #thrillofthehunt

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I need a day out for some fun, what about you? May I need a day out for some fun, what about you? Maybe a little shopping trip to @livingstonantiqueoutlet for some treasures. I’m in booths 25 and F7. Lots of goodies! #thrillofthehunt #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to Meow, it’s almost October! Time to head over to @livingstonantiqueoutlet to find that perfect vintage find to complete your fall decor. Happy hunting! #vintagefinds #thrillofthehunt #vintagestyle
It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on It’s been a weird year no doubt, and working on my vintage booth has given me an important mental escape. What could be better than good memories, which are easily sparked when seeing something vintage (“my grandma had those glasses” or “we had that game as a kid” etc.) What vintage items bring back memories for you? #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt
This is my other little booth. It has no number bu This is my other little booth. It has no number but I’m at @livingstonantiqueoutlet next to the amazing @fragments009 who is in booth 46. It’s a tiny little booth but it has some fun stuff. Restocked today, come by and see me! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet
Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet i Little booth refresh at @livingstonantiqueoutlet in booth #25. Oh, did I mention that I moved to the booth next door? Lots of goodies and more in my other booth! Also, there’s a sale going on! #vintagefinds #livingstonantiqueoutlet #thrillofthehunt #vintage
Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planne Words to focus on, found in my @erincondren planner! This too shall pass, and our comeback can be strong! Hang in there peeps 😋#staysafe #staystrong #erincondren #hopeforthefuture
Since everything is closed these days and we’re Since everything is closed these days and we’re all home practicing social distancing, it’s a good time to paint. Obvi I can’t take anything to @livingstonantiqueoutlet so I’ll just be stockpiling for when things go back to “normal”, whatever that is. This piece painted using @bungalow47 furniture paint in Farmhouse Sink #vintagefinds #paintedfurniture #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #homedecor #restyledfurniture #renewedfurniture
Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by Sharing my goblets for the #desertrosechallenge by @chairwhimsy and @simplysoutherncottage because this is all I currently have. My mom still has all the dishes, but I brought the goblets home in my carryon last time I visited. I grew up spending several weekends going to the Franciscan outlet with my mom, adding to her Desert Rose collection. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley outside Los Angeles and I think the outlet was somewhere near Sylmar, but it was the 70s and I was a kid searching for china with my mom. They sold seconds that couldn’t pass as perfect, and I remember helping to find the ones where the flaws weren’t noticeable. I remember being there when they began offering the pink goblets and my mom was over the moon! I have 12 of them, the collection she had, and soon I will begin carrying back (once again in my carryon) the dishes so this token of my childhood will live on at my adult table. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! #desertrosechallenge #pink #franciscan #vintagefinds #fleamarketstyle #vintageglass #vintagedishes #desertrosegoblets #homedecor
Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ Are there any repurposers out there? If so, you’ll appreciate this because this is ingenuity at it’s finest! This cute wood tray has a wood hanger as a handle...genius and one-of-a-kind! I can’t even with stuff like this, I just love it so much. It’s usable and a great conversation piece, available in my little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #oneofakind #repurposed #farmhousedecor #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle #thrillofthehunt
“Goody Two Shoes”, we all know one. Wouldn’t “Goody Two Shoes”, we all know one. Wouldn’t this make the cutest little gift for the goody vintage lover in your life? I love to find fun things like this, they make such unique and thoughtful presents. These are found in my new little booth at @livingstonantiqueoutlet #vintagefinds #uniquegifts #goodytwoshoes #vintage #thrillofthehunt #fleamarketfinds #fleamarketstyle

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