No. 462

30 before 30

2011-01-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

This year I turn 30. I am one year younger than Nick (which I like to remind him) and have copied his idea of creating a list of items to complete before turning thirty. I made my list this past fall, and I am not doing very well. I must admit that turning 30 does not really seem to scare me at all. I still get carded (all the time), I love my hubby and baby, and I am still younger than Nick (see what I mean). So here is my list and what I have accomplished so far. You can see some are really simiple (read a book, go to the movies, go shopping on my own) but since having James even the simiple things have been more difficult to complete. I have until March to complete this list so need to get cracking:

1. Make Macaroons

2. Take a road trip

3. Read a book

4. Decorate our Bedroom

5. Get a mani/pedi.

6. Have girl’s night - DONE

7. Have a TV series/Favorite Movie marathon weekend.

8. Make brunch/Dinner for friends.

9. Take a day to visit museums. - DONE

10. Special Date night with Nick. - DONE

11. Have board game night. -

12. Take a workout class

13. Finish Our Wedding Album

14. Take a family photo

15. Personal shopping day

16. Go to the movies. Done

17. Have grown up party at the house

18. Have the neighbors over for drinks

19. Go to a concert/Comedy/speadker

20. Catch Up James' baby Album

21. Take a photography Class

22. Find my "drink" DONE

23. Complete the Basement Makeover

24. Recover my Berge Chair

25. Update my wardrobe

26. Take a Family bike ride DONE

27. Find the perfect fragrance

28. Make curtains for the living room

29. Have awesome holiday cards DONE

30. Organize My magazines - DONE

New Year and old resolutions

2011-01-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

2010 was a great year. No major life changing events, just enjoying spending time with family and friends. It was a year of James walking, talking and entertaining us nonstop. Finishing the guest bathroom from 2009's house project list and having a grown up guest bedroom. 2010 was also a year of voyeur blog reading. I discovered the wonder of Google Reader (I know, I am a slow adaptor). I started the year with full gusto for posting on No. 462 and commenting on others, but soon fell back into just scrolling daily through Reader. I often made list of items I wanted to post about, but never followed through. So for 2011, I am reusing my resolution last year to give No. 462 some love, prioritize my creative outlet and sharing with others I have been admiring from afar. We will see how long I will be able to keep this up, but I have my most faithful reader to remind me I am post due for a post (and to correct my grammar).

Shoppers High

2010-08-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful weekend shopping with my sister and peanut at some of the local thrift stores and came home with some really amazing stuff. I had a shoppers high all weekend off these great deals below.

(1) The First item is a Department 56 vase. I was rather shocked when I noticed the Department 56 sticker, but she has the sweetest face and has a 70’s retro feeling about her.

(2) These are my first purchase of Mikasa china. I got a beautiful bone china urn and a set of Country Manor cereal bowls in an off white. The bowls have a great basket weave pattern and will mix well with our collection of cereal bowls.

(3) I am obsessed with my Buttered Toast & Marmalade plate. I have rearranged its location in the kitchen a few different times already. The bottom marking says it is Queen’s but does not give any more information. It is beautiful and I am officially on the hunt for more of this pattern.

(4) Finally my deal of the weekend was the glass Tiffany & Co Apple for $2. I just thought it was a cool glass apple but when I saw the Tiffany’s marking I was even more excited. Not sure what one does with a glass apple, but I am sure I will find a home for it sometime soon.

The Daycare center

2010-07-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

I am on a roll with showing progress made in the house. Here is the current status of our living room, which we are now calling the daycare center because of all James' plastic toys. We have painted the room and purchased two Ikea bookshelves to house all of the toys. We also added a wainscoting to the entry hall and started the Darcy Miller photo wall. Since those projects we have hit a dry spell in the room, but hopefully have taking two weekend off house projects ready to get started again. Here is how the room looks on an average day after a few minutes of picking up James' toys. There is normally at least one balloon in the room at all times since Ball-oon was James' first word and favorite thing in the whole world.

Our For Like Ever posted moved into the living room from the den since we had to move our very nice bookcase to a safer place.

Besides the two bookcases everything else in the room was there before and mostly in the same position as it is now. We move the ottoman around to give more place area as needed, but as you can see LuLu loves to sleep in the room too.

Here is the very start of our Darcy Miller photo wall. Please note the inside portion of the pony wall is still blue. We could not decided to paint it white or the wall color, we have decided white would be best so need to go back and finish painting.

Here is a better close up of the wall in progress. Items so far on the wall include James' first birthday party invite, our wedding cake topper with a wedding photo, a grouping of photo booth prints of us and James from his first year, a amazing watercolor of our house and a collection of matchbooks from places that have special meaning to us. I have a bunch more frames to add to the wall, but am waiting until I have more meaningful art to add.

The $50 Makeover

2010-07-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ta Da! Here is the (almost) completed $50 guest bedroom makeover!

Ok, it was a little more than $50 since I purchase new curtain hooks and fabric to line the curtains, but the only new decor item purchased was the Vera Pillow from Anthropologie so I am calling it my $50 makeover. We are so proud to have one room in the house that looks finished and totally like us. I am trying to go back through the photo archives to find my previous horrible attempts at decorating the room to show how far we come, but I think I was too embarrassed of the bad color choices to ever take photos of the room. We still need to get some more artwork, make a bedskirt and figure out the accessories, but those items will come over time.

Here is the breakdown of the room:

Curtain Rod - Crate and Barrel - previously used in the living room
Curtain Rings - Jo Ann's
Green Curtains - West Elm - previously used in the living room
Duvet Cover – Kate Spade (I miss the linen collection)
Mirrored Side table – Bombay Company, previously used in the master
Rug - Pottery Barn Outlet, was in James' room
Antique Side table - borrowing from my parents
Lamps – Home Goods, - previously used in the living room
Artwork (vintage model home watercolors) – Purchased from Springfield Antique Fair
Bed and Dresser – Vintage auction purchase painted black

Guest Bedroom Revamp

2010-06-18T06:25:00.001-07:00

Since I don't have enough projects started and not completed, I adding our guest bedroom to the list. We have company visiting next weekend and need to get the catch all room back into shape. The only work we really need to do is paint the walls, reorganize the furniture, hang curtains and get some art on the walls. I can do it all in a weekend right?

The colors for the room will be black, white and green. We are keeping the room simple and recycling things we already had (reason for the green) to keep low budget.

The only item I have purchased for the room is this Vera Neumann pillow from Anthropolgie on Sale. Since it was Vera, I would have bought no matter what at that sale price. It is nice and long so will look good on the bed with my black and white striped Kate Spade bedding.

The only item I am considering purchasing for the room is this wall decal from Fern Living-

Never really thought I would find a wall decal I wanted to use before, but this is really cool. Not sure where we have space in the room, so will need to see once I get the furniture rearranged.

I will post photos of the finished room since they will be here next Saturday and will need some place to sleep.

My Ann Carrington Flag Progress

2010-06-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

I have made a lot of progress on my Ann Carrington knock off British flag. Getting the measurements correct took some time, but sewing the red and blue sections went quickly. I used scrap red velvet from Jo Ann's bargain bin and I purchased three pairs of denim jeans from the thrift store for the blue. I ended up using the lightest wash and will return the other too via my goodwill donations. I am very proud of how it is looking so far. Now the long part comes of seeing on all the buttons. I will post again to show the progress on the buttons, but expect it to take a long time before finished.

Bar stools, what to do?

2010-06-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

In our kitchen we have two West Elm bar stools that are currently white canvas. I have every intention to make slipcovers from them, but the need has become even greater with the introduction of James to the mix and his dirty fingers. While at Jo Ann's the other week I took a turn through their special order home décor fabrics and to my surprise I found lots of fabrics that I really liked.

I fell hard for a Waverly black, white and gold stripe. (Picture above is from the website, but it is much better in person) I love it so much thinking we will use on the dining room chairs too! Plus bonus, starting Sunday all Waverly home decor fabric is 60% off at Jo Ann's.

Well that was the plan until I saw this from Absolutely Beautiful Things. Bottom left corner just peeking out, do you see them?

Genius and of course, why did I not think of that before? I love that they don't match, and since the prints are both black and white the different patterns is not too over the top. So now I am torn between the stripes and finding mix matched black and white prints. I am still going to order the Surry Stripe for the dining room chairs, but might do some more searching in the Waverly black and white options to see what else I can get for the bar stools. See, I very easily get distracted with options.

Oh, more later on the other great Jo Ann fabrics I found. Good Job Jo Ann’s, next step is to stock some of these in stores so I don’t have to special order them all.

Sixx Design and Ann Carrington

2010-06-07T18:35:00.001-07:00

Last night we watched the season finale of 9 by Design. I must admit I really did enjoy the show. I am not a fan of the staged scenes but it is refreshing to watch a reality tv show without drama.

I am also thankful for the show for giving me the name of Ann Carrington, the artist of the Button Crown that I saw awhile back in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Hampton home. It was so beautiful, simple and graphic. While researching Ann, I found on her website you can order signed prints of both the Queen Stamp and the crown. .

Also, while watching last night I totally had a I could do that moment with the Ann Carrington Flags used in the Bungalow Hotel – which I am sure hundreds of others did too after watching her make the USA flag with Bellamy and Tallulah. So I have started my research and lied out my plan for creating my own version.

Since Nick and I both have a found place in our hearts for the England, I am going to make a Union Jack. I found a great website that provides the exact measurements for the flag.

I have ordered about 2,000 vintage white buttons to do the white portion from eBay. I have no clue if that will be enough, but figured if I am copying off Ann Carrington I have to use buttons. For the blue portion I am going to use old denim jeans (another idea from Ann) that have past their prime. I am excited to play around with the different washes to see how it changes the look and feel. The only part I am still not sure about is the red portion. I was thinking of getting different red fabrics and patch working together, but we will see.

Before I am allowed to start this project I have curtain for the guest bedroom and a crib bed skirt I need to finish first. However this project has me so excited I am hoping to start sometime this weekend.

Have I been under a rock?

2010-05-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

So lately while reading my standard design magazines I have found myself studying the advertisements for Hinkley lighting. I admire the details in the homes or the landscape they showcase as well as the light fixtures. There is always something in the ads that I flag to add to my "in our dream house" files. So tonight I drifted off to the Hickley website between updating budget trackers and status sheets for work.

OK have I been under a rock? - did anyone else know they uses Lee Kleinhelter's home for some of those amazing photos? I am sure if my brain was not so tired from all the spreadsheets it would even recognize more of the rooms from other long admired homes.

Even if I am months behind realizing this from everyone else, it has perked me up with more great inspiring interiors. Here are my favorites.

Of course her kitchen. Love all the white. Next house I am using oiled hardware on white cabinets.

Her guest bedroom, with the best green bedside table. Have the same room flagged from my old Cottage Living collection.

Not sure if this is also in her house or not, but LOVE the tile on the wall. And the smokey gray cabinets makes me want to paint our guest bath cabinet grey.

And finally, this is the first Hinkley ad I added to my collection of great images. I like the floor color, the grey walls, black steel windows, the sleek almost outdoor furniture and the yellow cushions. Plus I kinda like the idea of the models pouring over design books/magazines. Totally dorky, but I would lie if I did not try to see what tiles they had.

Too much! - so a quickie...

2010-04-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

There is too much for me to share that I am having trouble organizing thoughts. So really quick, while flipping channels while working and peanut was napping (I promise I don't want TV during the day, no time between watching peanut, working and attempting to stay on top of house work) I found Nate Berkus on HSN, which is good background noise while to crank out project plans. He was standing on the most amazing rug. LOVE!! and great price!

I think I like the runner that is 2x9 (for $99). Now the question is what color and where to use it, I like them all!!

Darcy Moment - number one

2010-03-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

So I have slowly been working on creating my version of Darcy Miller's photo/memory wall. Our tip to Ikea the other weekend supplied wonderful frames to allow progress on the wall. So far I only have one frame going (had slight glass breakage with other frames), but have plans for two more for this week.

Here is the vintage cake topper from our wedding. It has been sitting in shelf for the past few years, and I love that now it has a home and a place of importance. I need to change the photo to be of Nick and I and thinking black and white. The plan is to have all the frames be white with a mix of shadow boxes and normal frames salon style.

We have friends visiting at the end of June, so there is a fire under us to get some projects going on the house.

The Chairs are back!!

2010-03-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

About 5 weeks ago we sent the (fugly) peach chairs out to be recovered in wool felt and on Saturday they arrived back home!! Our lovely $10 chairs have come so far. Plus now Nick cannot make fun of me for never getting anything recovered. The felt might not have been the best choice of fabric for this style of chair, however they feel like butter.

I realize these two photos will be much more impactful if I show you the before photo of the chairs. We have no idea who was the orginal maker of these chairs since they had already been recovered at least once before. I love the chrome legs and the long arms so don't really care if they are a big name or not.

And to show you how comfortable these chairs are, just take a look at our peanut lounging for the first time. Approved. The only bad part is right now the edges are covred in tape to make sure the cats don't start scratching at the new fabric.

Livable Kids Space

2010-02-10T20:05:00.000-08:00

So as we are making a baby safe play space, I have been looking really hard for some inspiration. Since our living room is right when you come in the front door I don't want for it to scream plastic toys, but I still want for it to be an area that if we make a mess playing it is ok. I have been collecting images for a while that will work for either the future basement play room or now. We have not made too many choices, but know that the room will go back to being a universal room so don't wan to make any structural changes.

I love the chalkboard walls. I think for now will be a bit of a stretch, but I am thinking of find an old school house chalk board to use. Could be a cool art display. Also we have a similar rug that I was thinking of moving into the guest bedroom, but might work well in this room.

I love this room. The white walls, fun play poofs in bright colors and open space to play what ever. I wish we could paint the walls white, but I think I am at my limit with Nick and white walls.

I love the bookcases in this room. I wish we could do something similar, but I think it will be too permanent for a room that is only temporarily baby proof. I have found an interesting solution to book storage that I will share later. I am still trying to find more storage solutions for toys overall, but we have a few that will work for now.

How to Baby Proof

2010-02-10T19:46:00.001-08:00

So I have been debating on the best method for baby proofing. Option 1 is getting a large movable play pin to use around the house. Option 2 is baby proofing the entire house. Option 3, baby proofing one large area of the house. We have decided to go with Option 3 for the time being. It does not seem right to keep James so confined, and now that he is crawling there is no way the whole house can be baby proofed. Plus the cats did not do very well with the baby gate.

The best room to make James safe is our living room. It gets great sunlight, is large enough that James has plenty of space to crawl around and installing a baby gate to cut of this area of the house will be the least traumatic to the cats. Time to say farewell to the old family room as we make slow but sure progress on the James safe version. The other bonus is we have can get rid of the blue/green color scheme. Taking down the curtians alone was a huge improvement!

The sofa will stay and so will the bench tucked under the table. My attempt at being Damien Hirst has moved to another room, but might come back.

The desk has moved into the den and all the plants have to moved into the guest bedroom. Even though the coffee table has "sharp corners of death," it is the perfect height for James to pull himself up and play. Currently it is a highly watched play area untill we get more padding on it.

The funiture/accessories shuffle has made the entire house a mess with items being displaced all over. Hopefully we will end up with a better arrangement once all is said and done. Plus I am excited for another project.

Random items

2010-01-30T18:45:00.000-08:00

So working on the house has been slow, but that has not stopped us from shopping for house items. We have found a lot of great deals lately. Two weekends ago, we went to Half Priced Books and found amazing books. I got all the books below for $10 or less. Good deal!

This weekend found a local store that is selling the fixtures from the closed Ruhel stores. Nick got a great 10 foot table for the Nursery, while I purchased this print. The framing is wonderful. We also ordered a rug that will be in two weeks. I love buying store fixtures.

Finally. It is a very long story, but I was able to purchase 19 yards of Burnschwig Zebra fabric for $150. Looking at the shipping information, it was shipped from Burnschwig in 1980. Not really sure what I am going to do with the fabric yet, but are thinking of some ideas for James' room.

Decorating Project Obsession

2010-01-04T16:16:00.000-08:00

I have a new decorating project obsession. It started with a Google image search for Darcy Miller’s wedding scrapbook. I have been working on my own wedding scrapbook (2 plus years later) in a similar format to hers. Darcy’s scrapbook is not your typical scrapbook, it was more like a memory book with inspiration photos, mementos from planning and photos from the wedding.

Darcy's Scrapbook via - The Wedding Library.

This is my scrapbook in progress. I only have a few pages done since I just got rights to our photos this past fall.

So that search brought me to Darcy’s website with her adorable illustrations, background information on her scrapbook and her exhibit “Family” at Partners and Spade. The exhibit was so amazing. Just like the weddings in MS Weddings, every detail was thought of, but the different methods she showcased photos from and mementos from over the years is brilliant. Not only did the exhibit inspire me for my wedding scrapbook, but I also plan to recreate this wall in our house.

It will be fun to gather all the images and mementos to showcase, but also for friends and family visiting to see all the great memories showcased. I plan to put this wall in the seating area of our kitchen. We currently have a large mirror there, however with baby proofing not thinking a heavy mirror resting on the floor is a good idea. This will be a long project since I need to locate frames, images and keepsakes and build overtime, but I think will be a great project for 2010.

You can see and read a lot more by Darcy's exhbit via the following links:

Holiday Decorating

2009-12-15T12:36:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend we decorated the house for the holidays. We have lights up outside on the trees, placed a few decorations inside and decorated the tree. I got a really good bargin on yellow ribbon this summer, so I have been using it everywhere. I also made a paper chain garland, but have not found a place to hang it. I might use use it in James's room. Next we need to get a wreath on the front door and make a dinning room table centerpiece. Hopefully those will get done soon so we have time to enjoy them before the holidays.

James wanted to make it into one photo. And also just now noticed that the wreath on the right is crooked. I just fixed it.

How have we never met?

2009-12-04T10:50:00.001-08:00

Today I stumbled upon Serena & Lilly for the very first time. How have I never been to this website before? They have everything I love - bedding, fabric, baby stuff and unique finds. I am in love. If you have been living under the same rock I have, go online and order a catalog. I am so excited for it to arrive so I can study each photo, item description etc.
Here are some of my favorite things I found online -

The Rye crib bedding is so cute. Too bad bumpers are considered not safe anymore. I think James would love the blue indian print.

I have a weekness for stripes. I love the pink-ish color of the duvet cover, but not so much of the green. They also have this fabric by the yard that I am trying to think of a use for. Headboard slipcover and bed skirt? Hum...

I still have not made pillows out of my Vera scarves. It it is like painting beautiful wood, just cannot alter my scarves. However, if someone else has already done it for me then it is OK. This was made from one of Serena's scarves.

Finally something I know Nick would also love. The black portion is chalkboard paper. I would totally frame this for James's room for when he gets bigger. Or would be really cool in our living room too.

On a pillow kick.

2009-11-24T11:25:00.001-08:00

So before James was born, I purchased SeaCloth fabric off Ebay. I think I got 5 yards for under $50. I knew I wanted to use the fabric for pillows on our sofa and measured and cut the fabric right away. When it came time to sew pillows with zippers I lost confidence in my sewing abilities. I contacted a woman to do the sewing for me, but that never worked out. Since then the pillows moved to my basement in a pile of someday projects. Well this weekend I decided to forego the zippers and do an envelope back instead.

I really like the final pillows. They give the couch more impact with very little investment. Sorry the image is so dark, no matter what I try I just cannot get it brighter. If you click on the image you get a better view.

Don’t judge we yet on the white walls, curtains and sofa. Our den is a long work in progress. I plan on making new curtains, but have not been able to find fabric I like at a reasonable price. In our laundry room I installed and inspiration board. Since it is a narrow room it is hard to get a good picture, but the upper right is my inspiration for our den. Don't tell Nick since there is more pink than he would be willing to agree with using.

Finally, here is another pillow I made from fabric I bought at the thrift store years ago. There was less than one yard, but I was able to cut around the good areas to make one pillow.

Someone an artist?

2009-11-18T11:43:00.001-08:00

So last night we had an HVAC company give us an estimate for a new furnace. After coming up from our messy basement the very nice man asked if someone in our household was an artist since our decorating was so unique. I tried to explain that neither my husband nor I are artists, we just have a passion for making our home reflect our personalities. I guess I take it for granted that not everyone has a file box of inspirational tear sheets sorted by room/project or spend five years obsessing over purchasing the perfect sofa. I did not tell the man about either of these facts since I am sure he already thought we were odd. Oh well, I totally take it as a complement that our house is completely different from all the other houses he has been in over the years.

TaDa!

2009-11-16T13:06:00.000-08:00

Today I was able to find an extra 30 minutes to finish hanging the artwork in the living room. Using the craft paper template made the process so much easier. After I measured and placed nails on the right side of the desk, I just pulled the paper down (carefully) and hung in the matching location on the left side and placed nails in the existing nail holes. Now looking at this photo I think they might be a little too close to the bookcase, but is so much better than having a blank wall.

Organizing Books by Hue

2009-11-16T07:08:00.001-08:00

I keep my favorite and most referenced books in our den bookcases flanking the fireplace. I have tried many different combinations for organizing the books, but always hesitated to group by color. I have seen color grouping that I loved (Kevin Starkey's office bookshelf) and others that I did not like so much. I decided to give by hue it a try and actually really like the result. It is great when little 15 minute tasks create such a difference.

Hanging Art Thanks to Help from PhotoShop

2009-11-14T12:41:00.000-08:00

So another small project on the to do list has being hanging artwork in the living room. Over a year ago we moved around the furniture, but never took the time to put artwork back on the walls. We have a set of 6 1950's model home watercolors that were hanging on this wall that now has the bookcase. I want to flank the watercolors on either side of the bookcase, but not sure the best height and position. Using PhotoShop and measuing on craft paper I have made a template for where I want them to be positioned. Now I just need to find another 30 free minutes to measure for the nails and hang. (And maybe another 30 more minutes to pick up the room).

It's never too late to be who you might have been. - George Elliot

2009-11-13T09:53:00.000-08:00

I forget what blog I read this quote, but I have it on a post-it note at my computer. It reminds me to not put off the house projects, chores or work for another day or time. One of those items I keep putting off is new blog posts. Since I work from home now, I am constantly thinking of different updates to the house (artwork, painting, rugs, reorganization, etc), but I need help making up my mind. I need comments!!!

Today is the day that I am back! No more putting off our projects status, ideas or questions to another time. To start, I am posting a progress report that has been a very long time coming, the renovation of our guest bathroom.

Here is the best before photo that I have –

Here is where we are today (thanks to a lot of work by Nick). My favorite part is the new vanity area since it includes some of the best deals from the remodel. Information about the deals I posted here back in January. I cannot believe we have been working on the bathroom for that long!

We painted the ceiling Ink and the walls Sail, which are both discontinued Martha Stewart colors from Sherwin Williams.

Nick is working to get the new tile in the shower grouted and sealed before we have someone refinish the tub to match the white of the tile. It is hard to see from my photos, but Nick even titled the ceiling.

We still have to get the new shower hardware hooked up, towel bars, shower curtain and artwork, but we are so close. We might make it under the 1 year mark.

Who knew? - Sundance Catalog

2009-10-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a christmas stocking for James online the other day and checked out the Sundance Catalog website. It has been a really long time since I have received a catalog so I had no idea all the great stuff they have! Here are some of the great items -

I think this cabinet would be great in our Bathroom (post-remodel). It would be perfect for towels and all my lotions and potions.

This is $58, and I think would be fun and unexpected art for the kitchen or hallway. Something funny about a Question mark.

Nick wants these chairs for our backyard. We got a great teak table at the Smith and Hawken closeout sale. These are still a little too pricey, but someday.

Ohh. And these boots are on sale for $149. I got them for much more at Zappos, but love them. They look great with jeans and are very comfortable.

John Robshaw and HSN

2009-10-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

A while back I was on the Home Shopping Network website ordering my signed copy of Mommywood (Sorry I am a Tori Spelling fan) and noticed that they had some good prices on their John Robshaw pillows. I mistakenly let the pillow I really wanted sell out, but when checking today I saw they had the yellow striped pillows for $15. Not 100% sure what I will do with these, but cannot pass up a good deal. The John Robshaw website also has some great pillows on sale with an additional 25% off, that if we were not on a budget I would be tempted. Next I need to decided if I need this Rachel Zoe ring (sorry I love reality tv shows).

RIP - mini mac

2009-10-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

So after running my scheduled updates, my Mac mini has died. I am going to see if they can save her, or at the very least get me my photos back. So until I can get her back up and running or replaced I will be limited on blog posts. Sad thing is I have tons of new photos to share.

Love Ebay

2009-09-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

I am having our peach club chairs recovered and been waiting for a sale at Calico Corners since the fabric we picked out is $60 a yard. While I was waiting I did a search on Ebay and found 11 yards of Robert Allen gray wool upholstery fabric (the exact yardage I needed). $73 dollars later all 11 yards are mine. This is a lighter color gray than I originally planned, but you cannot beat the price. Now that I have the fabric I am ready to get the chairs recovered, but the reupholster is booked until after Thanksgiving.

Also on Ebay I purchased these vintage show ribbons. I have a small collection that I have purchased (and even won in my younger years) that I am planning on creating a collage. This will be a long process before I have enough, but it is fun looking for more on Ebay at auctions.

FLIP! for Decorating

2009-08-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

I left off my favorite book from my recommendation list. I love Flip for Decorating by Elizabeth Mayhew. I have been reading it every night before bed, yes I am even reading it before buying. The book explains fool proof formulas for decorating key rooms of your home. Since I am a complete novice at decorating it is wonderful to read a step by step process to layer a room together; the rooms do not feel stale or predictable. The book is written as a friend giving advice and not a decorator explaining their process. I am going to buy this book for all my friends as house warming gifts. (Check out a great video on Amazon of the book "Flipping" to build a living room).

I love new projects.

2009-08-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

So I have thank you cards completed, James' birth announcements mailed and the garage sale was a success. That leaves room for 3 new projects. Having James makes it difficult to get anything done, so these could be the projects for awhile. Plus Nick still has the bathroom to finish.

Project #1 - With my garage sale proceeds I am having our peach chairs recovered, but am waiting for a sale at Calico Corners before ordering the fabric. We are going to have them recovered in a charcoal wool. I have one estimate for the upholstery, but while I wait for a sale at Calico Corners I might get a few more quotes.

Project #2 - Here is the new coffee table we purchased the other weekend for $8. It will be great for baby proofing since two of our current coffee tables have sharp edges. The plan is to repaint the base black and either have marble cut for the top or a make one out of wood. Once complete we will do a coffee table shuffle between the rooms to figure what what works best where.

Project #3 - We are getting rid of our dinning room table. It is too big and the legs don't allow for enough leg room. Awhile back I purchased a faux bamboo table that has been sitting in the garage. I am going to paint it red just like this photo from Canadian House & Home. I plan on using my bamboo bench with set of bamboo chairs that are the exact same style as those in the photo. Might be a little too much faux bamboo, but hopefully the differences in finishes will stop it from being matchy-matchy.

My Book Report

2009-08-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

I have gone through my stack of books from the library and here is my brief book report. Please note that I don't really read the books, mainly look at the photos and then scan the text. If I buy the book, then I read.

Next time I order from Amazon Recommendation:

A Passion for Blue and White, by Carolyne Roehm. I love and have a copy of all Carolyne's books. They are a good balance of interior, entertaining and outdoors. Plus my mom would also like to read it.

Look for at "Half Priced Books" Recommendations:

The Home Book and The Finishing Touch, from House Beautiful. If I had to pick one, I would purchase The Home Book. Both are a Best of from the magazine, but The Home Book has larger photos. It includes color samples recommended by decorators which I always reference when trying to narrow down color choices in our house (which ends up at Decorator's White, but still).

Thom Filicia Style by Thom Filicia. I really liked this book. Thom would go on my list of potential decorators I would want to decorate our house if we won the lottery. There are images I have not seen before and some that I have (his lake house), but overall it pasted my thumb through once then go back and read.

Buy if they were really discounted Recommendations:

These books I just did not have very many post-its marking rooms or images I liked. Of course I cannot turn down a good deal, so would still purchase.

Michael Taylor, Interior Design.
Domestic Art, Holly Moore.
Michael s Smith Houses.

Weekend Purchases

2009-08-16T09:43:00.001-07:00

This weekend was planned to be spent at the house cleaning and organizing. On Saturday I was able to persuade Nick to go out on the town to visit a few of our favorite stops. First it was The North Market for some waffles and carrot & orange juice then the Short North and Grandview for browsing.

At Nick's favorite store I made out with two Hable Construction containers at 50% off, double satin ribbon and a candle. The low Hable container is perfect for James' toys since he will be able to reach inside it as soon as he can start crawling, plus it looks great in the den. The yellow satin ribbon will now be my signature gift wrap ribbon (I have 100 yards for $20). We also stopped at the stationary store where we ordered our wedding invites to introduce James and I had to buy the Jack and Lulu straws (I am already planning James' birthday parties). Finally the morning was capped off with a garage sale stop for 10 decorating magazines for $1 and a coffee table for $8 (pictures later).

We did stop and get new can lights for the bathroom and spend an hour picking up the house. But the evening did not stop with the bargain hunting, I got a Hable Construction Brag Book from Anthropologie for $7 when we went out for dinner. Ok, next weekend we are staying home and cleaning.

Summer Reading

2009-08-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here is my summer reading pile. I have been checking out all the decorating books from the library that I have seen at the book store to "try before I buy." So far I like the House Beautiful's The Home Book, it is like a best of from the magazine. I also checked out Amy Bulter's Little Stitches for Little Ones to see if there is anything in there I could attempt to make James.

There has still be little progress at the house since James arrived. The bathroom is still not completed (month 6?) and closet doors, baseboards and walls still need painted. Hopefully before he goes off to college we will be done.

Thanks Mom, you will let us keep it right?

2009-06-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

My mom got this awesome sofa and chair set at a local auction a few weeks ago. It is a metal bamboo outdoor set that has lived its life inside so is in great condition. It works great under our large tree in the back yard and goes on the list of things to get reupholstered and painted. I am thinking white frame, brown/grey cushions with a contrasting bright color for the welting. Oh and I should say that she got the pair for under $150. CRAZY.

New Rule - only four projects

2009-06-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

Working on our house, there is always a few projects that are mid-stream. The majority of the bigger stuff is saved for when my dad visits or when Nick has a weekend free. The smaller stuff gets added to my list of things to do. I have a problem that I like starting projects much more than finishing, so there are a lot of little things that need to get done. Since I am home with James now, I am attempting to get the little stuff done between the feeding, changing diapers, walks and fussy times.

To help get stuff done I have implemented a new rule, only four projects going on at once. I have allowed myself space on the dinning room table to keep the current projects and cannot add another until one is complete. Currently the list is;
(1) Finish thank you notes from baby gifts
(2) Finish and mail James' birth announcements
(3) Sewing new pillows for the den couch
(4) Planning the garage sale

I am hoping this smaller list means I get things done much quicker.

Current Projects - Ebay Fabrics

2009-06-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I made some great fabric purchases on Ebay. Two of the fabrics I have a plan for (progress to come) the other will go into my pile of fabrics until I find the perfect project. Two of the fabrics I purchased are from SeaCloth. I have admired the fabrics since I saw an article in Elle Decor (June 2005) of Susan Harris's home (partner in SeaCloth). It is has been fun getting scrap yards of fabric on Ebay and finding uses for them around the house. One project is underway so I will share in the next week or so. I need to get another item upholstered so that will take a bit longer. In the mean time here are some samples of SeaCloth Fabrics from Susan's home (Images from Elle Decor).

Late Night TV... Good Find.

2009-05-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

With Sweet Baby James' late night feeding schedule, I have been able to catch some interesting TV shows and share 20/20 recaps to anyone that will listen. The one show I did find while playing with the DVR late at night was Sarah's House featuring Sarah Richardson and Tommy from Design Inc. Since I have seen every Design Inc and Room Service that Fine Living will air, I am very excited about a new design show that is not based on decorating a room with $1000 budget and has a "theme."

I have been watching the shows out of order, but each one showcases a different room of the renovation from demo to completed decorated room. Of course there have been two seasons already in Canada, and Sarah's Cabin is also show coming soon. The good news I think they have episodes online so if for any reason I cannot catch them all on FLN, I can at least watch online. Now when are they going to start bring over more episodes of House and Home?

HGTV CA Website - http://www.hgtv.ca/sarahshouse/default.aspx
Image From HGTV CA

Libray of Domino Magazines

2009-05-16T18:50:00.001-07:00

From my very first issue of Domino Magazine, I have been purchasing back issues when ever I saw one at a book sale or used book store. Plus there was a time where both my mom and I had a subscriptions. Over time I have been able to collect duplicates and sometimes triplicates of most issues. I think I might have four copies of the very first issue. (I also have two complete sets of Blueprint). Tonight for fun while doing some other Ebay searches, I looked up to see the price back issues of Domino Magazine were bringing. There is a copy of the first issue that is currently $46 with 16 bids and still more time to go. Yikes, at those prices I am sitting on $200 that could help me buy some Kelly Wearslter fabric. I wonder what an entire year of back issues would bring? Could be interesting, but I think I would rather keep my magazines.

Inching to the finish line.

2009-05-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ta-da! The island has been painted black and looks so wonderful. We decided to go with straight B. Moore Black for the paint. I was getting too over whelmed with the other options. This photo does not show it, but we have also hung the hardware for a pendent shade over the island. We have ordered a Restoration Hardware glass pendent, however we had the chrome hardware for a single pendent shade in the basement and in an effort to save on money are going to use that instead.

Light fixture we need to return - I like it, but free is better.

We are slowing finishing the kitchen. The to do list is getting shorter. I cannot wait till we have the room complete, but I am sure once we finish this list, I will have a new idea and the list will grow all over again.

1. Island - install hardware
2. Lighting - Need to find a fabric shade for over the island.
3. Baseboards/Crown - install and finish painting
4. Need new dining room table
5. Reupholster club chairs - (Fabric color?)
6. Paint the china cabinet - (color?)
7. Finish the desk area (paint shelves, glass top)
8. Pantry hardware install
9. New closet door.

Counter Top - CHECK.

2009-04-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

There is a lot going on at No. 462. Baby M arrived a few weeks early so that has thrown every thing house related to the back burner as we oh and ahh over the cute little button. Luckily there were a few projects in the works to get accomplished before Baby M arrived so there is some progress to show on the kitchen. You will not believe how long we had an island with no counter top, but finally there is a counter top and electrical for the microwave. Today I am selecting a black to paint the cabinets. There is some final sanding that needs to happen (when Baby M and I are out of the house) and then this weekend Nick plans to paint. Yet another project off the list!

Baby M's Room

2009-03-22T12:34:00.001-07:00

Besides ticking projects off the honey do list while waiting for the arrival of Baby M, we have been working on his room. The question we get besides name and due date is our nursery theme and colors. Our answer is always "there is none." We have no theme and no color scheme, just a collection of the things we like and think the baby will enjoy without being over decorated or too baby like. Of course this collection of things has taken awhile to pull together and with just over a month to go is finally coming together. Here are two photos from some completed projects.

I have hung the Animal House images over the changing table which is across the room from the crib. My dad made the changing pad box so we could use an existing dresser. I still need to find what we want to use for lighting and storage on top, but so far looking good. Yes the walls are white (sorry I like white), but we did paint the ceiling blue.

After debating getting one of the ugly glidders for late nights or something more pleasing to the eye, we ended up with a rocker from Ikea. The pillows were my christmas gift from Nick a few years ago and the roman shade was created by moi with fabric from Calico Corners. I found this amazing website - Terrell Designs that gives you how to video and measurements based on your window. Works great and with the blackout lining will make a great napping room.

There is still so much more work to do with the crib, lighting, artwork, etc and I promise to take better photos. Stay tuned, we only have a few more weeks to get it completed.

Home and Garden Fair

2009-03-01T16:50:00.000-08:00

For the next week and half is the local Home and Garden Show. Nick has a booth with the Nursery and if I must say is the best 10x10 booth in the place. They are located in the building with the display gardens and he is getting great expose. Here are some action shots I took while visiting him on Saturday. Nick has much better images, before the doors opened which I will try to snag from his camera later.
Huge thanks to our friends Jen and Marit for all their work with the print material. Plus the best item - Keep Calm and Garden On (you can see it in the first photo). My small contribution to the entire booth as the green pillow on the chair, not much but still a nice detail.

Other exciting news for Nick is in the summer he is doing a green roof at the Parade of Homes. More on that this summer (not until July). Congrats Nick!!

Baby Room Ideas

2009-02-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

We are trying to finish up some "construction" in the soon to be baby's room so that we can start decorating and putting it all together. I borrowed a great idea from my friend for the art and we are using pages from Catherine Ledner's Animal House framed in a grouping. I am also borrowing an idea from my Celery Kemble's decorating book and painting a Jenny Lind crib (blue or green).

So far those are my only ideas. I am still trying to figure out complete the whole room without making it look like a generic baby room. In searching my library on defunct magazine's and found two cute kids rooms that I like. First is Jennifer Delonge's son's room from the Fall/Winter 2007 InStyle Home magazine. I like that the room is not too kid-ish, but is also not over decorated and is a place for a baby.

Also I have Barrie Benson's son's room pulled open for inspiration. She mixes blues, greens and oranges in a "collected over time" look. I cannot scan this photo since our printer is out of commission but you can in the October 2007 issue of Domino.

My goal is to have all the big elements of the room complete by end of March so I have the last month without that project looming over us.

Free Day!!

2009-01-25T04:53:00.000-08:00

I am so excited for today. I have the whole entire day to myself to do what ever I want since Nick is at on conference . I get to do all the stuff I want to do and have it all planned out (you can tell I am excited since I got up at 7:30 on a Sunday).

(1) Starbucks Iced Grande Decaf two pump no whip mocha (CHECK)
(2) Scrapbooking store to look for a butterfly punch to make this:
(3) Fabric store to purchase fabric for new den curtains
(4) Thrift Store to look for Vera Scarves (if my sister has not already visited and purchased)
(5) Rerarange some furniture. I am very clever at moving the heavy items around without picking anything up.
(6) Research some sewing projects with all the fabric I have been stock piling.
(7) Laundry, cleaning and some work (it is still Sunday after all)

Even if I get to do two items on my list I will content.

Kitchen Crisis

2009-01-24T19:06:00.001-08:00

I knew our kitchen island project was going too smoothly and that something had to go wrong. Last week we called the stone supplier to confirm we could get the CeaserStone counter tops and of course it was no problem. They could have it installed within two weeks of ordering. Well when we called with the final measurement of the island, 16 square feet, the told us we had to purchase an entire slab at 25 square feet. Yikes that just about doubles our cost. So we have started calling around (including Great Indoors) and everyone requires a full slab miniumn. AHH!!!!

So with out finding a place in the house to use the extra portion of the slab, I have started researching plan B, white cabinets with black counters. Soapstone has been ruled out since it will cost more than the full slab of CaesarStone. I found some photos of honed Absolute Black Granite that could work. Not to be a counter top snob, but I am not sure if I could put Granite in hour house. Nick contacted the stone supplier and they have a honed sample and it is not so horrible, just a tad bit of sparkle.

We are now at a stand still. We cannot prime and paint until we know if it is black or white counters. We will continue to call around to see if any one as a scrap of CaesarStone in Misty Carrera. Or if any one wants to buy 1/2 slab I can cut you a great deal.

Trial Rug - Love it!

2009-01-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

After my disappointing weekend when I was not the winning bidder on the antique rug I had already decorated our whole den around, I have been fascinated with finding another one. Today Nick and I visited a local rug store that had clearance room. That is where we found the rug above. It is an antique that was so worn, they had to piece it back together. It is really hard to tell from this photo but there are patches throughout the rug and the ends do not match since they cut and paste one end back on.
I LOVE THE RUG. They let us take in home (no charge) and try it out in the space to see what we thought. Of course I thought it would be perfect in our dinning area, but am glad they let us take it home because it is too small or our table is too large. Either way it will not work and it must go back. The search continues now for a rug and I hope someone is able to give this rug a home. It is so wonderful!

Kitchen Island - looking good

2009-01-19T16:21:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos I took tonight of our island in progress. Nick called the counter top company and confirmed we can have a least a 16" overhang for the bar area. I think we will stick to a 12-13 overhang so the island does not get too big. Next we need to get the counters ordered and the electrician to install the microwave oven and over head lighting. However lighting is still the final big design choice we need to make.

Big thank you to my dad who helped us measure cut and well make the entire island. We would still be figuring out how to finish the sides without you.

You can also see the great bar stools we got from the Pottery Barn Outlet, and at $28 each they were a steal! (We have been using some packing styrofoam as a mock up counter).

At least give it a good home

2009-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well at Saturday's auction I did not win my rug. I hope the woman that did leave with the rug will give it a good home. I guess it was not meant to be ours (it was a little bit too big for the room). I will be keeping my eyes open for another possibility.

This weekend my dad was able to help Nick and I on a few projects. We enclosed and added picture frame molding on the new island and installed crown molding in the soon to be baby room (yep that is correct). No pictures today since I am using Nick's computer, but I will post some tomorrow. The island looks amazing!

Pigs will fly...

2009-01-14T18:18:00.000-08:00

Growing up I promised never to have an oriental rug in my home. This all came from my parents love and tendency to have at least one rug in every room and in once case four. (Mom/Dad if you are reading this there were four in the living room of the Prince George House and Anne will back me up.)
As I mature, I have started to appreciate and even love the look of a well worn oriental rug in a room mixed with both traditional and modern furniture. This weekend I am hoping to make my first rug purchase at a local auction. It is a 9x12 antique rug that from the photos looks like it has already lived a long life in all the right spots. I need to go to the preview to make sure it is exactly what I want. If all goes well, I will go against a childhood promise and welcome the rug home. I hope this is start of a collection, but I draw the line at one or maybe two in one room.

Kitchen Island - Another open project

2009-01-13T16:37:00.000-08:00

Besides the guest bathroom remodel we have in progress, we are also finishing the kitchen by installing an island. We ordered pre-fab KraftMaid cabinets and my father is helping us finish the sides and back this weekend. I have gone back and forth on if the island should be white with soapstone counter or black with the same CaesarStone counter as the rest of the kitchen. I have decided on black with the same CaesarStone thanks to the photos I found below (sorry I don't remember where I found these). I am also using Absolutely Beautiful Things' island as reference for how to finish the sides.

I also have two great bar stools from West Elm that we are going to use. They are currently white, but thanks to Decorno's recent post asking about recommendations on sites to order fabric I have some great new resources to track down slipcover fabrics.

After this weekend I should have some more photos of the progress to share. Plus I also have some additional kitchen projects to share when I take the time to download photos from my camera.

1035 Madison - J.Crew Collection Store

2009-01-12T15:14:00.000-08:00

While checking the J.Crew website I noticed the section for The J.Crew Collection. I loved the font calling out the address of the new Madison Ave store, so I did a quick Google search to find images of the store. Below are a few samples I found below. The store is wonderful inspiration for how I would love to live. Mix of faded oriental rugs, modern light fixtures, abstract art and beautiful sorbet colored clothing - this is how I want our home to feel. At some point I need to plan a trip to visit this store, and the new men's store in Tribeca (for Nick of course). For now I will add these photos to my inspiration file and search for wonderfully worn and faded oriental rugs of my own.

Images from (1) Pipeline (2) GlamSpree (3) J.Crew

Golden Globes and Domino

2009-01-11T17:48:00.001-08:00

Yesterday my February Domino arrived in the mail. With the the gradual folding of shelter magazines (Blueprint, House & Garden, Cottage Living - please no more), the arrival of my next Domino gets more and more exciting. I was initially disappointed by the thin size, however was wonderfully surprised at all the articles, images and inspiration. I plan on reading it cover to cover tonight while watching the Golden Globes (I am only watching for the dresses and jewels).

Planning the Bathroom

2009-01-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

Of course we have reached a lull in the bathroom remodel. Since we installed the new floors, we have not made any more progress. While we wait to patch the walls, get plumbing fixed and the shower tiled, I guess I should plan and order the final fixtures and finishing touches.

(1) LIGHTING Currently we have a soffit over the sink area that we are going to remove and then move the lighting into the wall so we can have wall sconces and install a fixture in the center of the room. So far here is what I have found that I like:

Circa Lighting - The Thomas O'Brien Hilton Sconce.

Circa Lighting - Thomas O'Brien Vendome Sconce (better price)

Restoration Hardware - Sutton Double Sconce (on sale, but could be too modern)

(2) SHOWER TILE. We have been looking for different options for tile, but think we will use standard white subway tile. This is our guest bathroom, so we don't want to blow the budget on this room. If that was the case we would love to use carrara marble to match the counter, but that we will save for the master bath renovation.

(3) COLOR. It has taken me a few rooms to realize I am not good at picking wall color. So far every room we painted I regretted the color within 24 hours and plan for when I can go back and paint the walls white. For the bathroom I think I am going to go white for the walls and trim and then add a wood frame mirror that I will paint a pale turquoise. I found this image on House of Turquoise. that is inspiring me for the color.

Still need to pick out an ceiling fixture, towel bars and a shower curtain, but now we at least have a plan to move us forward on the renovation project.

Guest Bathroom

2009-01-05T16:12:00.000-08:00

Just before the holidays we started another project, the guest bathroom. The project started because during a trip to the Pottery Barn Outlet we got a really good deal on a vanity, carrara marble top with a porcelain sink. Then the next week we found the Kohler Purist faucet for $160. With those two great deals, remodeling the guest bathroom moved up on the project list.

Here is what the bathroom looked like before we started the project.

Here is our really good deal of a vanity.

The week of Christmas, Nick and his best friend installed the new tile floors. We went with gray to highlight the veins in the marble. We also placed the vanity in the room to see how it would feel.

There are still a lot more work that needs to be done. I cannot wait because Nick and I sharing the equally ugly/small master bath is not going to last much longer.

M.I.A

2009-01-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

I have been MIA from the blog for a few months. Between work, the house and holidays it has been a busy fall and winter. The New Year is a great time to get back sharing progress and asking for more help! I have a curtain phobia in the den, guest bedroom that is now a dumping ground and many more projects to tackle. Happy New Year!!! and here are some photos of what we have been working on.

Table for my mom's Birthday party in our backyard.

Nick removed the old deck and installed new blue stone pavers in the back yard.

We painted stripes on the back wall to the bedrooms. A little "fun house" like with the crazy mirrors, but we still like it.

House Stalking

2008-08-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

Tonight was so beautiful so Nick and I decided to go for a walk and enjoy the weather. We walked through a neighboring town that is primarily Georgian architecture, and not all of it very well executed. Every once and awhile the town's architecture review board lets one pass that does not fit the red brick standard, like this house currently under construction. The location is not the greatest but peeping through the windows (I have no shame) the owners are not skimping on any details. Wide plank pine floors, tongue and groove paneling with hidden doors to a coat closet and bathroom. I plan to continue stalking and saving the photos for my dream home folder.

Edit.

2008-08-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

Slowing I am adding items back into the den. Currently I am working on the bookshelves. I have the Coco Chanel quote in my head about taking off the last item you put on as I bring items back into the room. Before the bookshelves were full with DVDs, books, puzzles and stuff. This time around I am trying to simplify and be more thoughtful about how I use the shelves.

This is my first go around with a set up. The white boxes contain some of the DVD collection, the collection of books are copies that are nice to have nearby and I placed only white spine magazines on the bottom shelf. I am thinking I could try orange DVD boxes for more color, but it could be too much color. (The yellow mirror is propped up only to get off the floor until I find its home.)

Please give me your suggestions: How does this set up look? Too plain? Should I have more objects on the shelves? Does it need more color?

On a roll...

2008-08-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

With daily to do list items being checked off while working on the den, Nick is on a roll with finishing projects around the house. Today was staining the shed. Only problem was he ran out of stain 1/2 way through the building, so will need to finish next weekend. The building looks great (just don't look at the back), and really blends in with the landscape.

It's In!

2008-08-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night we moved in the sofa! I was a little shocked when it first went in the room because it's really tall. In the past few days I have been able to adjust and now it does not look so out of place. The down-filled seat is great and watching tv with all the pillows is so comfortable. For its first photoshoot I included a few Vera scarves that have potential for becoming pillow cases.

Besides moving the sofa in the room, I have been able to start placing other furniture and accessories back in. For like ever has been rehung with a different table underneath. The cubes below are old and I am looking for new fabric to make slipcovers. I have a few ideas.

Here is the fire place in all white. I like the art on the mantel compared to the circle mirror. The chairs need moved around, but I have not finalized on an official floorplan yet. I am so excited to start figuring out how to pull the whole room together.

Check - Paint

2008-07-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight we got the final coat of paint on the walls. Finally, We are in the home stretch to get the furniture back in the room and I can take the plastic off the new sofa. Here is what has been complete and what still needs to get accomplished tomorrow night before I move in the sofa. After all this is done I get to start thinking about curtains, rugs and all the details.

1. Install new crown and baseboards - DONE
2. Frame in the beams - DONE
3. Caulk and spackle beams, crown and baseboards - DONE
4. Prime beams and walls - DONE
5. Paint the ceiling - DONE
6. Paint the walls - DONE
7. Clean the floors
8. Update all light switches and outlets
9. Hook up the TV and cable

Etsy Find

2008-07-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

I have been searching Etsy for new posters and vera scarves and this weekend I came across this awesome bedspread. Such a wonderful idea to use the scarves to create a patchwork quilt. I have trouble turning a few of my scarves into pillows, I don't think I will ever be able to alter enough to make a quilt. I will keep this in my idea folder.

Paint on the walls

2008-07-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

Finally, we have paint on the walls. After about 4 hours we got the first coat of paint on the walls. Yes it really did take 4 hours. However it looks great! A little stark, but the furniture and art will provide some color. Hopefully Monday night we can get out of work early and put on the final coat. Yeah!!

Vera Pillows

2008-07-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

I have been stalking Ebay for good vera scarves to use on the pillows for the new sofa. I only want geometric prints in pink, orange, yellow and green. This limits my selection, but I already have two from my collection to use. Below far here are a few that I am watching. Nick thinks with the white walls and sofa that the room will be colorless. Not with pillows like these!

Slow Progress

2008-07-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

Sunday is almost over and still there is no paint on the walls. The ceiling has been painted and taped. We also have new baseboards installed. Caulking, spackling and sanding the baseboards will delay us another weekend before we have time paint. I do have the poster back from the framers and it looks great. One more week. I think that is all I can take before I don't care and just throw the paint on the walls.

Busy without a lot to show for it.

2008-07-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

Last week was very busy, without a lot of progress to show for that work. We have all the beams in the den framed and installed crown molding. It took two days to caulk and sand to get ready for priming. Finally this weekend we can put the first coat of paint on the wall and ceiling. The ceiling is Harbor Fog from Benjamin Moore and the walls/trim are Decorator’s white. Fingers crossed it turns out to match the
idea in my head.

The couch has arrived and is everything I thought it would be. Currently it is chilling in the garage wrapped in a double layer of plastic. The goal is to have it in the house by Sunday, but I am not sure if that will really happen.

I am also picking up a new poster from the framer for the den tomorrow night. I purchased the 2007 Hampton Classic poster featuring a photograph by Steven Kline. I cut the copy off the poster to leave just the image. Nick thinks it is odd, but somehow trusts me.

Final project is painting my bamboo mirror yellow, or Bumble Bee Yellow to be exact. I think I am going to hang it in the den between the two windows, but I am not rushing decorating decisions until I have the walls painted and the couch in the room to see what works.
Hopefully I will be able to upload more often. Lately every time I upload photos, I crash my computer. I think I have it fixed now.

Den Progress - The Ceiling

2008-06-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

My dad was down this weekend and we started work on framing the beams in the den. So far we got one beam installed and almost finished the crown molding for the section. He will be back the 4th of July weekend so one more day and we will have it completed. Already with just the raw wood I think it is starting to look better.

The before beams - these are 2 inches narrower than the new beams and the new crown is 1.5 inches thicker.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day our Dad's that have helped with floors, baseboards, crown molding, remove walls, install French doors, install kitchen doors and many more projects to come. Thank you!!

The Ceiling - Make it white

2008-06-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

So our den has dark rough wood beams that at first I thought added personality to the room. Now they just bother me. So the biggest undertaking in the Den redesign is to frame in the beams and paint them white. I wish I could just paint them, but they are a strange rough wood. Once they are all framed, we need to add new extra tall crown molding to make the room feel a little more interesting. Over all I am hoping the white walls, white ceiling and white beams will make the room feel taller and brighter.

I have been searching magazines to find inspiration for what the finished product could look like, but found that no magazine really features the ceiling of rooms.

Before (almost) - Dark like the designer's of Libertine's living room, only I have 8 foot ceilings.

After (almost) - the white ceiling makes everything blend in and makes the focus the room below.

(First Image, Domino September 2007. Photo by Paul Costello. Second photo, Domino November 2006. Photo by Paul Costello)

The Walls, shiny white

2008-06-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

The walls are going to change from Edgecomb Gray to be... surprise Decorator's White. I know going white is not very daring, but the room always feels so dark I love how bright the kitchen feels white. My spin will be to paint it a satin or gloss to reflect more sunlight. I found this photo from House & Garden June 2004 (I miss this magazine so much). My scanner is not the greatest, but the clean white on the paneling makes it look more modern. Also I think it will give the rough wood mantel more salvage than lodge feel.

(Image from House & Garden, June 2004. Photographer Michael Mundy)

Part 1: Planning for the new arrival

2008-06-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

So my sofa needs a new room to come home to, so I have started to plan the new look for the den. This is the very first room we decorated when we moved in and I took a lot of time planning the perfect color and everything I wanted to do to the room. After the walls were painted and a few other items were added, the room has fallen off the list of priorities to complete. First the before and current state photos, then I will start to share the plan.

Dark wood paneling with blue/green carpet, yuck. (I had to show this, it makes the current photos look much better).

Today it is a light beige color with the carpet removed to expose the hardwood floors that were covered. Surprise! I guess the bigger surprise is we lived with the carpeting for year before we discovered the hardwood. So bad. My dad made us the bookshelves and I love them, however I painted the inside a horrible green. The gold mirror is on indefinite loan from my mom. The other stuff needs to find a home, but I have not gotten around to finding a spot. The chairs are both Nick's which we will need to see how they play into the final design.

The most recent purchase for the room is the sideboard to hide all the TV compentents. I have no clue what to do with the top of it. I have tried different objects, but have not liked anything yet so it stays clean for now.

Here is the bar stand I painted last summer with my favorite poster. The hallway goes to the basement, garage and half bathroom. It will also be apart of the decorating plan.

I am not sharing a photo of the current couch and the windows. This weekend was catch up on laundry and the whole couch is covered in folded piles waiting to make it back to the closets. I will share later once they are all put away. I am really happy how the room photographs, but it really needs help. I should finish other projects first, but this is too exciting to wait.

I did it.

2008-06-02T15:30:00.001-07:00

It took me five years, but I have finally done it. I ordered my dream sofa. Say hello to Francis (also known as the London sofa from Lillian August). After searching and comparing sofa after sofa I sucked it up and just ordered it. I threw caution to the wind and bought a white sofa that is not slipcovered (crazy I know). Francis is what I have been comparing all other sofas to and I do not have a dog or kids to make it dirty, only Nick so why not. I am having Francis Scotchgard which is guaranteed for five years, after which I will have built up funds to have a slipcover made. I am so excited, and now I can start the count down for delivery. 72 days to go.

Domino - I guess I will have two copies

2008-06-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

On Friday, my friend Jen got her copy of the June Domino delivered, and on Saturday gave me a peak of what was inside before my copy arrived later that day in the mail (or so I thought). I was very upset that opening my mail box on Saturday only produced Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids catalogs (yuck). I could not wait until Monday night after work to read for myself, so I purchased it at the bookstore. This is a great issue to have two copies, I love the John Derian sofas and the creative director of Lee Jofa's beach house. However next month my issue better arrive early.

I could make that

2008-05-29T19:13:00.001-07:00

I have a friend that jokes her tombstone will say "I could make that." And she can always make it. I thought the same thing about about a raw wood mirror I saw at one of my favorite local stores for a lot of money. I found a similar mirror on Mecox Garden's Website. I like the idea of the natural wood mirror mixed with all the more modern elements I like. I found the following frame at Hobby Lobby and will do a great version of the mirror. It will not be hand carved, but for $50 for the frame it will be a great look for less. After I find a home for my new bamboo mirror I am going to give this project a try.

What was gold...

2008-05-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

At Springfield Extravaganza my first purchase of the day was this mirror for $35 (talked them down from $48). I have no place for the mirror yet, but I could not pass up a bargain. Well I found the same mirror on Paris Hotel Boutique that sold for over $300. It has the same black drizzle pant over the gold. I sanded mine down so it is smooth and ready a coat of bright paint. I guess I should have kept the gold, but the black drizzle made it feel tacky '80s and not funky Palm Beach. Oh well, still a good purchase and I am excited to see it that I have something neat enough to be sold on Paris Hotel Boutique.

I love spring

2008-05-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I cut some peonies from our garden to put on my home office desk. I thought I would share a photo of both the beautiful flowers and my desk of favorite things.
(1) My large computer screen for my Mac mini
(2) Yellow Lucite lamp from a thrift store
(3) Favorite Kate Spade ad framed
(4) Sash from my Halloween costume this year (and such as)
(5) Large bulletin board with dream house images, family photos and strange inspiring items.

Not White, Blue!

2008-05-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

My neighbor across the street jokes that I am always painting something white in the driveway. Which is not always true. I like to use white primer instead of grey so it just looks like everything I paint is white. I made sure once I was done painting two of the bar stools yesterday I left them out to dry for a long time for him to see I do use color.

I think the bright robin's egg blue looks great! When I did the first spray it was a little bright, but I continued until they were painted before I decided. I LOVE them. They look great in the kitchen and really add some color. The only problem is the arms will be too high to fit under an island so I cannot use them up stairs. However we have a bar in the basement with a much higher counter that we can use them. I don't think Nick will mind that the pool table room as robin's egg blue bar stools. Very manly.

Weekend Project - Bar Stools

2008-05-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Nick and I have been planning our kitchen island for a while and wanted to make sure the design included space for at least two bar stools. I thought the island would come before the stools, however over the past weekend my mom purchased a set of four bar stools that are faux bamboo. At first glance they are not the most attractive (peach with pineapple fabric), but with new paint and seat fabric they will be awesome. I am going to paint them a robin's egg blue/turquoise in high gloss and upholster the seats in white vinyl. I think the color will look great with the grey floors and pull out the blues in the Caesar Stone counters once the island is installed. I am so excited for Memorial weekend projects, look for more to come.

Potential Blue Color (I cheat and use spray paint)

Extravaganza

2008-05-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

This past Friday I went with my parents and Nick to the Springfield Extravaganza, which is a huge antique and collectables fair. I was able to get some Vera scarves and great green goblets. It is so much fun going through all the dealers looking for a great deal. I did pass up two bamboo chandeliers that were each $100, but since I already have two I still have not hung I figured I should hold back. The next Extravaganza is in September and I am already calling the day off from work.

Tempted, but I passed it up.

Gardens is open

2008-05-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Nick's boutique garden nursery is open for business! The place looks amazing, all Nick's hard work has really paid off. The greenhouse makes it look so official. Here are photos of the green house, shoppers and some great merchandizing work.

I am back... Sorry.

2008-05-21T15:44:00.000-07:00

I have no good reason for being away for so long. The good thing is I have fun items to post, but he downside is I have so much catching up to do on all my favorite blogs. It is going to take me all Memorial Day weekend to catch up.

Going Retail.

2008-04-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

In a few weeks Nick and his family are opening a retail garden nursery. They have been working all winter building greenhouses and preparing for the opening that is almost here. I get to help by looking for unique items to add to their assortment of plants, French pottery and other garden necessities. There is a lot that still needs to get accomplished, but I am so proud and excited for Nick. More to come.

Ta Da!

2008-04-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

Here are my finished curtains! I cannot believe that I was (1) able to make curtains that look this good and (2) I finished a project in one week. I wish the camera would take a better photo, but I will try again tonight. Not to brag, but they hit the ground just at the floor and the pattern matches on both panels perfectly. Amazing how much they add to the room!

I heart Carleton Varney.

2008-04-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I found a copy of Carleton Varney’s Decorating with Color from 1972. The illustrations inside the book used to solve reader’s problems are beautiful and still very relevant today. Some of his suggestions for color combinations are extreme, “For your aqua and white bedroom, I’d suggest cheerful watermelon, emerald green and sky blue floral draperies on a white background.” So direct, but does such fabric exist? It is such a great book, only Carleton Varney can make gold shag carpeting sound chic.

Attempting Curtains

2008-04-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

I purchased 7 yards of fabric at Ikea to attempt to make curtains for the kitchen/dinning room. I was planning on doing a fun bright color (turquoise or yellow), but I found this black and white print and chickened out. I have one panel 90% complete. I am waiting to finish the top once I purchase the hanging rod and confirm the length. I was really scared at attempting curtains, however so far it has been really easy (knock on wood). All straight lines and I can use the straight stitch on my machine, which is the only stitch I know how to use. Hopefully by this weekend I will have them completed. I hope I like them when they are done. The test I did of Nick holding the fabric next to the French doors was inconclusive.

My First Trip to Ikea

2008-04-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made my very first trip to Ikea. Somehow I have made it through college and my first post college apartments without having any furniture from Ikea. I am kind of glad I waited so long or else I think I would be an addict. I had the full experience of eating at the café, pushing my way through the hoards of Saturday shoppers and a few scares of being parted from my mom never to find her again. I was able to leave with the $2.99 five pack of cardboard magazine file boxes I have been coveting for years but too cheap to pay shipping and great fabric to make curtains (more on that later). Not sure when I will go back, but I am glad that Ikea has finally made it to our area.

Swatch Samples.

2008-04-06T17:08:00.001-07:00

I am still trying to decide on a sofa. I want the Lillian August Sofa, however I don’t like any of the Drexel fabric options. While I delay the inevitable purchase of the London Sofa, I have entertained myself with ordering swatches from different retailers. Of course Anthropologie does a beautiful job. An easy request online delivered a cute box of all their fabric options, cards on their upholstered furniture, a tape measure, pencil and a personal note. Z Gallery did not have wonderful presentation, but I was happy with the size of the swatches. Still not any closer to ordering, but I am having fun with all the pre-shopping.

Anthropologie's Fabric Swatch package.

Selection of three fabrics from Z Gallery I am thinking for the Derek Sofa.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Today I hosted my very first Easter. I made all the food for Nick and my families, expect for the ham. Everyone jokes that I don't know how to cook, but I think I proved them all wrong today. I love Easter, it is a low pressure holiday you get to enjoy with beautiful spring flowers. Happy Easter!

Moral Question

2008-03-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

I have been collection Vera scarves for a few years. I found my first one at a thrift store in Fort Wayne, IN while coming home from college. I have a few favorites that are silk and I would never consider altering in any way. However, I do have a few polyester ones that I still love, but I just keep in an old hat box and never get to enjoy. I have been toying with the idea to make them into pillows for our new couch. I saw something similar in Barney’s New York, and think it would a fun way to add color. But can I destroy the scarves? I don’t think I can attempt this sewing on my own, I am thinking of using a seamstress to make sure I do the scarves justice.

What it could look like with a few of my scarves.

Small view of the sofa's in the Barney's shoe department. Ignore the celebrity.

Jackpot!

2008-03-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

Today I stopped at Half Price Books and found a bundle of old Canadian House and Home, British House and Home and a copy of Creole Thrift. Plus my April copy of Domino arrived. I don’t know when I am going to find time to read through all of these, but I cannot wait!

New obsession: engravings

2008-03-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

I have a new art obsession, architecture and garden engravings. I was watching a House and Home episode awhile back and the featured home had a grouping of architecture engravings. I loved how simple and detailed each piece was and how they looked great in mix-matched frames. I have been hunting ebay and local antique stores to find some that are reasonably priced. I love the Natural Curiosities collection, but I will need to save up for awhile before I can purchase one.

Below are Natural Curiosities from Mecox.

I missed these two on Ebay over the weekend.

Back from Philly

2008-03-15T14:19:00.001-07:00

We had a great time in Philly last weekend. The Philadelphia Flower show was really interesting with lots of interesting flower displays. We also had a great time visiting the local shops and walking the row house lined streets. Here are some images from the flower show.

Heading to Philly for flowers and shopping

2008-03-05T17:28:00.001-08:00

We are heading to Philly for the Flower show this weekend. Nick is opening a retail nursery this spring (so excited) so we are going to look for trends, vendors and competitive shopping. Anthropologie is opening a garden boutique called Terrain outside of Philly and we are hoping to visit the space. Nick is trying to make his space similar to the English boutique garden centers and inspire the young professional crowd to get interested in gardening. I am just hoping that I could start selling house wares someday.

Besides nursery research, I am excited to go shopping and the Philly Anthropologie store is high on my list. I am sure being located in the headquarters hometown the store is filled with unique antiques and test merchandise. I have also printed the Design Sponge shopping guide to Philadelphia and have highlighted my must stops: Petulia’s Folly, Kellijane, Matthew Izzo and Open house.

I have my great pink Cyber Shot so I will have lots of great photos to share when we get back.

The Look for Less - Z Gallery

2008-03-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

In my previous job I learned about retail patterning and saw how sometimes it can borderline the rules of copying. Not sure how I feel about Z Gallery’s recent patterning, some items are a little too close to the originals. I find myself tempted to purchase the cheaper Cellula Chandelier, but when I see the pillow that matched Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis I am thinking twice about buying the “look for less.” What do you think?

(all images from ZGallery)

Auction Find - Vintage Knoll

2008-02-25T18:01:00.001-08:00

Checking the local auction listings always gets me in trouble. This week I found an auction with a vintage Knoll Saarinen table and tulip chairs. The chairs are too modern for our house and I don’t need another project to recover. However Nick and I both love the table. Similar tables new are going for over $6,000. I am sure this will go for more than I can afford (remember the Milo Baughman chairs), but you never know. Plus we could resell the chairs and just keep the table. We will see the auction is not until Wednesday, so I have some time to talk myself into or out of bidding.

Needlepoint Pillows.

2008-02-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

I don’t remember where my collection of needlepoint pillows started, but over the past year my collection has really expanded. I love the texture, vivid colors and sometimes strange subject of each pillow's design. My sister found the Alice in Wonderland rabbit pillow at a local thrift store and I have two marble pillows from Anthropologie. Jonathan Adler makes some great needlepoint pillows with Michael Jackson and Liza, but I prefer the vintage ebay and thrift store finds. Here are some great needlepoint items I found on ebay.

Walking Tour.

2008-02-24T14:17:00.000-08:00

Nick and I like to go for walks in local neighborhoods and look at the houses and gardens. This allows us a chance to talk and for Nick to get inspiration. This past weekend we had a 60-degree weather and took the chance to walk through one of our favorite neighborhoods. It is one of the oldest areas of where we live and the Governor’s mansion is a few blocks away. These are three of our faves.

The L.A. House – March 5 (could it be true)

2008-02-18T17:39:00.000-08:00

I was checking the status of the March release of Ruthie Sommers’ book, The LA House on the Harper Collins website and noticed the release is on March 5. I am so excited. I cannot decide if I would rather pre-order the book from Amazon or reserve a copy at my local Barns and Noble. I think which ever will get my copy the quickest. I cannot wait to check all my favorite blogs when the book comes out and read everyone’s comments and reactions. Some how I missed Lulu DeKwiatkowski's book release. I need to place an Amazon order tonight.
(Note: Amazon lists the release date as Dec 31, 1978. Not sure how that happened, but another online bookseller listed March 25. I am going to go with March 5)

Thinking of the big picture.

2008-02-14T17:02:00.000-08:00

Decorating my first house has been an amazing learning experience. I have made lots of mistakes and learned some valuable lessons (like periwinkle walls are too much in a bedroom and don’t listen to your husband when says he can install a hot water heater). I have also learned some good decorating principles and that I need to take my time and be thoughtful with each purchase.

Right now I am planning the accessories and soft furnishings for the dinning room/kitchen and have decided to start with the rug and use that to base everything else. I think I want to use blues and yellows so have been looking for a worn oriental rug that fits the bill. This rug was at a local auction over the weekend and would have been a good candidate, but was too small. I will need to keep my eyes open for the perfect item and resist all temptation to find curtain fabric or artwork.

The Finalists.

2008-02-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

I have narrowed the couch options to three candidates. Phew. This has been a really hard search and I still have to have two more rounds of cuts. Picking a college was not as difficult as picking out a sofa. Please meet the finalists.

Finalist #1 - The Francis from Quatrine.
The Francis comes slip covered and is completely customizable. I can remove the buttons on the back and pillows and have one long seat cushion. Also, they will keep my measures on file so I can order more slipcovers when needed. Price is a little high and I would have to pick it up in Detroit.

Finalist #2 The London Sofa for Lillian August
This sofa was my very first love. The size and pillows are perfect. I like that the arms dip down slightly and the casters on the feet. The main problem is I don't love any of the Drexel fabric options. I took home three options over the weekend and found the gray velvet was the best option, but not sure if I want velvet on our everyday sofa.

Finalist #3, The Henry Sofa from Hamilton Furniture
I know, this sofa looks just like the London sofa and only I can see the difference. The feet are simple and Hamilton could have a gray that I really like. The negatives, we don't have a Hamilton showroom nearby and I still have not priced this one out yet. Could be priced out of the running.

The almost Finalist #4, The "S320" from George Smith
This sofa was the wild card. It has the exposed feet, but the low curved arms and nail detail was a surprise favorite even to me. Plus I love this color gray. This was going to be the winner until I realized the price was $10,000.