Thanks Mom, you will let us keep it right?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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!