I love how all the harder stuff is weighted in the front end of the month, and now we're coasting downhill. It felt great to be in the final stretch and I'm totally thrilled with how much I've gotten done this month. If only I was this motivated to improve my home (and myself) all the time. Hmmm, a monthly Cure perhaps? I can't believe I just said that. I don't know who I am anymore.
Day 19: Catch Up & Take a Photo.
I'm pretty excited about completing my goal project. We went and bought all the materials last week — foam, fabric and plywood — and completed it this week. It was a little expensive, but for something that will be so visible on a day to day basis, I think it's worth it. For me, it makes the space warmer and less severe, which is the absolute opposite of what I want our home to be. Now we just have to work on keeping the dog and her drool off the cushions.
Day 20: Hang Your Artwork.
This was a squeaker. It just got back from the framer on Sunday, and we hung it yesterday. We brought it to a friend of ours, and she not only gave us a great deal, but did an amazing job. I'm so glad we got this done; I thought for sure I would be giving you an update in July 2014. I'm also no longer scared to walk by it on my way to the bathroom, for fear it will fall off the wall.
Day 21: Speed Clean.
I'm down for anything that has the word "speed" next to the word "clean." Versus "deep."
Day 22: Shop for Get Together Goodies.
Yep, I felt a twinge of guilt for not hosting anything this month, but only a twinge. I can be a hermit crab this time of winter, and I am in full-on shell mode right now. Just know that I am fully enjoying my home, even if I'm not inviting others to do it with me.
Day 23: Celebrate!
Woohoo! I'm off to Los Angeles later this week to visit friends, and I'm going to the Rose Bowl Flea Market for the first time. So so very excited. That will truly feel like my final exams are over, and I have nothing to do but chat, drink wine, and look at pretty things and not buy them.
Thanks everyone for following along and for all your comments. It's always great to hear from you. Vive le Cure!
MORE OF DABNEY'S JANUARY CURE:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
(Images: Dabney Frake)
Small Cool Lessons: Discovering Small Space Design Ideas That Really Work
Beatriz's Fun & Functional Workspace
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sheex Bedding
How to Cook Rice on the Stove
How to Make Fresh Pasta Dough in the Food Processor
Looks great. Nice mix of patterns.
I'd like to see a before picture taken with the same clarity of an after pic. The first pic is so dark and blurry, that the after might just be with the flash on and in focus.
I would kill for a window seat. Congratulations on fixing it up - I've no doubt that mine would be nothing but good intentions for years!
what was the cost of it's not too tacky to ask? I would guess less than a good chair or couch and it was wasted space before. I love it now.
Gorgeous window seat! I really love the mix of fabric patterns.
Also, I normally try to refrain from being the grammar police . . . but I can't stop myself this time. You wrote: "For me, it makes the space warmer and less severe, which is the absolute opposite of what I want our home to be."
You want your home to be cold and severe? Please, for the love of words, fix that sentence.
@Griffin, I knew that she meant she wants her home to be the opposite of cold and severe and has done so by making the window seat warmer and less severe. It was not so much a grammar mistake than just her train of thought at the time of writing. Regardless, she obtained her goal. The window seat looks very inviting and cozy.
All it need is a cup of tea.
very cozy place.
Looks very nice. I am curious about how you sit there and what you lean against. Am I correct that those are white blinds covering windows? Can you safely lean against the glass? Do you have the shades up when you sit there so you don't crush them? Is it cold in the winter? What is the view outside the window?
Ok. I'll stop asking questions now.
hi thorndale - all good questions. we live in an old storefront on an otherwise residential street. As a temporary solution, we put up corrugated plastic for privacy. it's not ideal, but I can absolutely lean against the glass/plastic. The glass is very, very thick, with a gap in between two panes, so it's not cold at all. of course, I just completed these and it's not terribly cold out, so that could change. The view outside the window is other homes. I can see the rooftops only from where I sit in the living room.
How's that?
Haha, thorndale you made me giggle!
Couldn't be more jealous of you dabney that you have a window seat - let alone one that is as cosy as this. You've done a great job.
I love nooks and crannies made into useable space. For some reason, I have always wanted a split stairway with either a built-in bench or bookshelf (or both!) on the landing. There's no telling why the heart wants what it wants . . . I most definitely do envy your reading nook. Enjoy!
Love this before and after! I think AT should have readers submit their own before/afters and do a gallery of the best. I'm sure many people have before pictures, since the directions told us to take them!
If you want to sit in the best seat in the house, move the dog/cat! Wonderful job! Is there storage under the seat?
Not very aesthetic, but I have prickly plastic 'cat protectors' on my chairs. Mine are off-white, but it might be possible to find them in clear plastic. Just remove them BEFORE you sit down! I found them at Pet Supplies Plus.
And in case anyone wonders--there are plenty of comfy places for both dogs & cats. I just don't want them on the chairs unless they're on my lap.
Beautiful job, BTW. I've always wanted a window seat.
Nice. I like this cushion with ethnic pattern. It bringd so much color to this place. The same as these stripes on the seat.