Monday Mish Mash

Happy Monday!  Hope you all had a great week and weekend. Today’s post is a bit different than normal – lots of odds and ends (hence the title) – instead of just one topic. Things have been quite busy around here and I wanted to share a few of the smaller projects which have been happening at Red Door Home.

We took advantage of the perfect temperatures to replace the hydrangea bushes which were planted on either side of the boxwoods in the front of the house.  The super hot weather this summer did not sit well with them and they had become quite sickly looking. 

I don’t think they ever really liked this location as I can’t remember them blooming since the first summer they were planted.

So we dug up the old ones and relocated them to a more shady location and planted oak leaf hydrangeas in their place.  I love the oversized white blooms which are in keeping with the other hydrangeas we have planted along the back of the house.  

I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will like their new home.

Another outdoor project was the installation of a new mailbox.  Not too exciting but something which had to be done.  A few weeks ago we received a note saying our current mailbox (which has been in place for over 10 years) was now no longer tall enough. The postal carrier has switched to a truck instead of a car to deliver the mail so our old mailbox had to go.

The mailbox is from Walpole Woodworkers and is a nice improvement from the old cedar post one we used to have.  I ordered it online and because I had it delivered to a local distributor I did not have to pay shipping.  It came in two boxes and was easy to put together.

In other “plant” news, I finally found topiaries!  I have wanted to try my hand with these for so long and was thrilled to find two at a local nursery.  They are a bit small but hopefully by following Loi’s great tips they will grow to look like his beautiful topiaries.

via Tone on Tone

Finally, I began a refinishing project which I have had it the works for quite some time.  The coffee table in the office needed a new look – much too shiny and orange looking.  I had plans for my normal stripping, sanding and then finishing but had a change of plans when I spoke with the sales associate at Lowes.  He shared a new to me way of refinishing wood pieces so I decided to give it a try.  I will share the details and let you know how it all turned out once the table is done.

That is all for now.  I hope to be back later this week with a finished coffee table and more updates on the bedroom sneak peek I shared earlier.