Life so far: 7 months

Had some extra time today to add the next few photos of baby girl into her artifact uprising photo album that will be complete once we celebrate her first birthday.  Can't wait, but can wait.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from each month so far...

5 days old

One month

Two months

Three months

Four months

Five months

Six months

Seven months

Before & After - Stairwell

So I've been trying to decide what the next project will be in our house (after we figure out the water problem and redo the basement).  While I really love the house we bought, I'm trying to find ways to make it feel more like us.  It has some great elements but is in desperate need of a few updates.

My first idea was to redo the stairwell.  It's a great structure, kinda funky layout and was something that really drew us to the house.  But those handrails? Yuck.  I'm not one to like a lot of ornate things, so those wooden dowels (I think that is what you call them...I don't speak staircase) with their intricate carving was just not speaking to me.  It said Victorian meets Country...and those two things are NOT me.  

Before

So, I decided to snap a photo and head to Photoshop to create a new look....

After

Wa-la!  An updated stairwell!  I kinda wish I could do all my home improvement projects this way.  No mess, no tools, just some clicks of the mouse.  I love the white walls in this space, but it was too white, even with the two tone stair rail.  It needed some warmth added to it.  I love it!  Now...I just have to wait til we have the funds to actually make it happen... oh, and that old light fixture has got to go...  Not sure what I would want to replace it with though.  Thoughts?