An Update On My DIY Tufting Technique!

<div style="text-align: justify;">Remember this cute little magenta velvet headboard I made for the girls' room when we lived in the loft? I finally got around to tufting the matching twin headboard before the Domino shoot so we could make the headboards the sides of a daybed for the playroom.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 19.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/19.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 39.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/39.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 22.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/22.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Like I've mentioned a million times before, we were in such a hurry to get everything done. In an attempt to make this project go a little faster (tufting isn't all that hard... but it can be time consuming), I realized that I could completely bypass the whole threading-a-button-through-the-headboard-holes thing by just carefully screwing a wide-headed screw down in through the hole I had made in the foam.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5615.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/IMG_5615.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only potentially tricky part is making sure you're putting the screw in the exact right place. I ended up screwing in pilot holes before hand, so I all had to do was find the pilot hole (blindly) with the point of my screw before using the drill to put in the screw.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5621.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/IMG_5621.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's important to use screws that aren't too long (unless you wont see the back at all) and that have a wide enough head to hold back all the fabric from the tuft. I used a little bit of high-loft batting and linen in the same magenta color to back the headboard and cover any of the screw holes.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 21.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/21.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This little trick saved me literally hours of labor time! And it looks great! I just used fabritac to glue in the buttons into the tufts and I think now it would be hard for even me to tell which headboard was the one I spent more time on! :)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 20.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/20.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 23.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/23.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh! I also wanted to mention another little tufting trick I discovered a week or two ago. My sister, Ali, is about to have a sweet baby girl (yay!!) and she wanted to redo her bedroom before the baby came. We made a tufted headboard and the velvet we were using was a little thick and it was getting tricky to make the fabric not look too lumpy. I cut deep grooves into the foam and that made a little pocket for the fabric to sit into AND it made it super, super easy to get the diamond shape perfect and nearly wrinkle-free every single time.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5882.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/IMG_5882.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5885.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/IMG_5885.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just a few little tips in case you're hoping to tackle a tufting project soon! :)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 24.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda014/24.jpg" /></div>

An Update On My DIY Tufting Technique!

Remember this cute little magenta velvet headboard I made for the girls' room when we lived in the loft? I finally got around to tufting...

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DIY Upholstered Bench (from a Coffee Table!)

My latest Domino story is on page 52 of the summer issue and <a href="http://domino.com/jenny-komenda-coffee-table-makeover" target="_blank">HERE online</a>! Thanks for all your kind comments about the spread and for your support. I thought I would show you a little more background on the project today. We ended up shooting the story twice so I made two different versions of the tops. I'll show you the photos that Domino didn't run.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-37.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/Jenny_DIYimages-37.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I found this coffee table at the Meeker Ave Flea Market in Brooklyn. It was stamped Dorothy Draper and I got it for only $10 because it was missing a top. Total score! The color of the stain was not my favorite so we stripped it using varnish remover first and a little bit of stripper.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo bIMG_1126.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/bIMG_1126.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><a name="more"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1120.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/IMG_1120.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This product worked pretty well to loosen up the stain and gel stripper helped to take the rest off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1185.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/IMG_1185.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1150.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/IMG_1150.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The magic maker was using this Wood Bleach next. It does exactly what it sounds like it would do. It comes in a powder that you make a solution with water and use it to sort of clean the wood. The color lightens pretty quickly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1193.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/IMG_1193.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You'll definitely want to wear gloves for this part of the show. And working in a well-ventilated place is a good idea.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo bIMG_1208.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/bIMG_1208.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the wood dried out, we waxed the finish and I LOVE the new color. It's still a little splotchy and dark in some places, but I like it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/Jenny_DIYimages-3.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had some plywood cut to fit the top of the coffee table exactly at Home Depot and bought some high-density foam at Joann's with a coupon, along with some batting cut a few inches bigger than the plywood.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-14.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/Jenny_DIYimages-14.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the second try on the IKEA rug-binding, I did a tight whip stitch instead of the X's, which I think is a cleaner look. I used a large darning needle and some neon nylon thread from the hardware store.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-19.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/Jenny_DIYimages-19.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the rug (which I had cut into three pieces and stitched in two rows) was finished, I lined everything up and layered the plywood, foam and batting under the rug and pulled everything back as tightly as I could while I stapled.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-9.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/Jenny_DIYimages-9.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I stapled down the batting while I went too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-23.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/Jenny_DIYimages-23.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When everything was stapled down, I screwed the base to the upholstered top so there would be as small of a gap between the two as possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-34.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/Jenny_DIYimages-34.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love how the bench turned out! It was a cheap project and I love how I can use the bench in pretty much any space in the house. I layered it in front of a credenza <a href="http://domino.com/jenny-komenda-coffee-table-makeover" target="_blank">for the spread</a> and I've used it in our bedroom too.  We have been keeping it in the studio lately and I love the little pop of color from the thread. It fits perfectly under this DIY console table that I'll share later this week. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Jenny_DIYimages-26.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/jkomenda010/Jenny_DIYimages-26.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>A BIG thanks to <a href="http://michelleherrick.com/" target="_blank">Michelle Herrick</a> for the pretty photos in this post!</i></div>

DIY Upholstered Bench (from a Coffee Table!)

My latest Domino story is on page 52 of the summer issue and HERE online ! Thanks for all your kind comments about the spread and for your s...

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Lighter, Brighter Kitchen and New Dining Chairs

<center></center>One of the big projects I tackled this month was painting <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/06/valley-house-tour-kitchen.html" target="_blank">the kitchen</a>. No small feat with those 16 ft. vaulted ceilings!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0741.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0741.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had to rent a ridiculously tall ladder from Home Depot to get all the way up to the beam. Makes me a little fuzzy feeling just thinking about it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0807.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0807.jpg" /></div><br />Remember how it looked before we moved in? Lots of yellow and lots of faux brick:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_3250.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_3250.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0599.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/DSC_0599.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The walls are now Benjamin Moore's Titanium, which was <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/09/starting-to-pick-paint-colors.html" target="_blank">a runner up</a> for the common areas in the rest of the house. I had two gallons on hand already, and I love the color, so it was an easy choice.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0766.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0766.jpg" /></div><br />The brick range surround also got a paint job. I need to do a second coat, but I'm still recovering from the hours and hours of work the first coat took! I'll do a post about it later, but the gist is that the mortar was a beast.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0815.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0815.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0583.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/DSC_0583.jpg" /></div><br />I'll admit I was a little nervous to paint out the brick for about five seconds, but now I have exactly zero regrets. It's so much brighter in here! I know I'll love it even more when the second coat is done.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0810.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0810.jpg" /></div><br />The dining table could use a refinishing, but my love affair with this vintage beauty is still going strong. We recently put in all the leaves after I picked up four ghost chairs at a junk shop for $60 for the set, so now we can seat ten people around the table comfortably. I love it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0807.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0807.jpg" /></div><br />And I really like how the ghost chairs mix with <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-john-widdicomb-louis-style-chairs.html" target="_blank">the Widdicomb chairs</a>, which I got back from the upholsterers just in time for Christmas dinners and parties. They've held up so well the past two months! The leather is really easy to keep clean (spills wipe right off) and the color is so pretty against the soft gray walls.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9822.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_9822.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9807.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_9807.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9777.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_9777.jpg" /></div><br />I hung my old Italian mirror on one side of the table and a new piece of art on the other side that <a href="http://instagram.com/p/k0JWgjQW5d/" target="_blank">I made last night</a> on the fly.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2485.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_2485.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0528.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0528.jpg" /></div><br />There are about a million things left to do in this room. New lighting. Cabinets facelift. Backsplashes. New sink and faucet. Open shelving. Etc., etc., etc. But I think now we're at least in a pretty comfortable place. I don't mind the blacky-brown color of the cabinets any more now that the yellow is gone. The lights are still horrible, but I took off the old globes and put in big white vanity bulbs and that somehow helps. We've only done temporary fixes, but they really add up and help make this room more inviting.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0658.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0658.jpg" /></div>

Lighter, Brighter Kitchen and New Dining Chairs

One of the big projects I tackled this month was painting the kitchen . No small feat with those 16 ft. vaulted ceilings!! I had to rent a r...

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Bright Velvets in the Library

One of the big house projects we haven't tackled yet is the built-in bookshelves in the front room we're calling <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/06/valley-house-tour-soon-to-be-library.html" target="_blank">the library</a> (it's the sunken space just inside the entry). I have a handful of inspiration images and a few drawings that I want to share with you guys. It's turning into a sort of expensive project, so I'm nervous about pulling the trigger. More on that later though. In the meantime, I've been making some progress on decorating the other side of the room!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9854x.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9854x.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0024.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0024.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_0124.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/cIMG_0124.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />We had my Lee roll arm sofa (which we've had for almost a decade! - a record for me!) upholstered in a mohair that I got for something insanely cheap, like $15 a yard, on sale at <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/05/jem-fabrics-update.html" target="_blank">my old favorite fabric store in the city</a>, JEM. It's a deep moody charcoal with lots of blue-green undertones. When the upholsterer dropped off the sofa a few weeks ago, my Gracie said now it was the color of the ocean and I think she was spot-on.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0110.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0110.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0073.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0073.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9916.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9916.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0128.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0128.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />The newest addition to the space is this pair of bright yellow Henredon chairs I got from a consignment store for $50. I picked them up at the same time and place that I got the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2014/02/vintage-furniture-shopping-tips-and.html" target="_blank">pink ikat sofas</a> (they were probably owned by the same person).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1614.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1614.jpg" /></div><br />I fell in love with the color and the Schumacher strie velvet was pretty new, just a little marked up from sitting in the store. And I knew the chairs could look a little more modern if I removed the skirts and left off the back cushions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1617.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_1617.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2038.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_2038.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />When I got them home, I used a damp microfiber cloth to take off most of the smudges. I usually give all my vintage upholstered finds a good vacuuming and then a pass over with my steamer in case there are any mites or bed bugs (haven't had any problems yet).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0099.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0099.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9894.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9894.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The feet aren't my favorite, but they look better than the skirts and I have some ideas for changing them up down the road.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9881.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9881.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9909.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9909.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The room's far from finished, but it's fun to have a place to sit and host visitors. I'm on the fence about the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/04/layering-floral-pillows.html" target="_blank">Designer's Guild pillows</a> on the sofa. The <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-bergere-chairs.html" target="_blank">green bergeres</a> have needed new upholstery for a long time now (thinking gray Bengal Bazaar or some other pattern in a neutral color) and <a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/clearancerugs/jaipur-rugs-hl02/light-mushroom/229HL02-36056.html" target="_blank">the rug</a> is there temporarily. I do like the <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/05/painting-mirror-with-chalkboard-paint.html" target="_blank">magnolia mirror</a> in that spot though! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0046.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_0046.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9866.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/IMG_9866.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div>

Bright Velvets in the Library

One of the big house projects we haven't tackled yet is the built-in bookshelves in the front room we're calling the library (it...

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