Bathroom Inspiration Board

So here's what I'm thinking:

1. I love white bathrooms. They seem so clean and crisp and bright (though I'm leaning towards the grout color in picture 2). The floor will be the black and white basket weave (from HD) and the walls white subway (also HD though I'm still on the fence about full 3x6 or slightly smaller).

2. Emerald is Pantone's color of the year and for a reason. I love how bright, yet natural it is. I fully intend to refinish an antique dresser for the space to make it seem more lived in and less "new" and putting in a vessel sink (like this one in #5) and faucet (#6) would keep it feeling like furniture. 

3. I would quite possibly kill for these salvaged shower doors (and that is only slight hyperbole). We'll see what I can come up with.

4. I've wanted a rain shower head since my parent's built their house. It is just so soothing.

I've been working out a budget and all of my choices seem manageable so we are all systems go! I've got a pretty blank slate now right?

So what do you think? The only thing I'm on the fence about is having a painted vanity. But  I guess that will depend on what I find furniture wise. I'm willing to be patient though, I can always re-use the current sink until I find just what I want.

Cheers!

Living Room Curtains

It all started with this picture:

Via who knows- the pin just links back to an error message for inappropriate content :(

I wish I knew where it came from. Is that not the most gorgeous living room?
Update: According to Emily A Clark (who happened to post the exact same picture today) the room above is from Style at Home
I had been trying to sell Daniel on putting curtains in the front room for a while (for texture not really for function) and this picture sold him. All I needed were the perfect curtains that didn't require selling any limbs. Of course it is never that easy.

I searched high and low, scoured fabric stores and the good old web until I stumbled on this pair from West Elm. 

ironwork flocked

scribble

Honestly they were a total tie but in the end we went with the Scribble panels. Not only were they basically half the price of the flocked ones they seem a little less formal and I hope they will fit in to the space better (plus I hemmed and hawed for so long they gave me 15% off). Only downside? They are back-ordered until July. Boo. 

I still need to share pictures of what we've been up to in the living room but that will have to wait until construction is done.

So what do you think? Am I crazy to wait four months for curtains? I figure it locks me in and I have time to change my mind if I want to.

Cheers!

Lusting

I can feel this Kitchen project coming to a head. You know, that glorious stage where it stops just looking messy and starts looking like a Kitchen again? But still, you've got to keep your motivation up...

Who wouldn't want to live in this kitchen?

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The hood comes tomorrow (even though it can't be put up until after the tile) so the last piece of electrical will be in and I can start patching the rough spots. Joy.

Cheers!

One Good Turn Deserves Another

Ever since the front door got new hardware the back door has been looking a little sad.

We added the new Kwikset key pad but the door knob was pathetic. It didn't even latch! With company coming it was time for a change. I rounded up all of my ReStore donations and headed down to see what I could get.

Isn't she a beaut? I love the art-deco detailing on the knob and plate. I even matches the color of the key pad. I'd love to tell you who made it, but the ReStore doesn't exactly have labels. Though now it makes me want to paint our door. I mean, how can you not love that pop of color?

via 

via 

Via

Once the dust has settled something bright and cheery might be just the thing our back door needs. 

Cheers!

For Those of Us who Can't Wait

I have been so giddy about our new light fixture for our living room. It is the perfect piece for the space and compliments the adjacent dining room chandelier perfectly (even though it still needs to be hung). Totally worth scouring antique shops and the ReStore until I found it. But, I know not everyone is that patient or has as much access to the resources I have in a larger city. If you are looking for classic American lighting and hardware apparently there is a place for you (of course with the power of the Internet this should be obvious but I digress).

A few days ago a catalogue for Rejuvenation arrived in my mail box. I love catalogues, not sure why, I hardly ever buy anything from them but they are fun to peruse. This one had me at the cover.

They make reproductions of classic lighting and restore antique lighting as well. They are based out of Portland OR and are simply amazing. If you want period lighting for your house but don't want to wait until you find them second hand this is a great resource.

Here are some of my favorites.

Blackstone

This one is super fun and mid-century modern

Dora

Colonial

Lobelia

They also have some neat enameled pieces. 

McCoy

I could go on and on. I mean, how pretty is this?

and this

They also have a great selection of hardware, hinges and pulls. Their prices are pretty reasonable and they sell both to the public and to trade. We are still exploring lighting options for the kitchen (which is still going along just very slowly) so I've been drooling over their pendents. I'm still thinking I'm going to try and DIY something but they have some great inspiration. 

Anyone else have good lighting resources? I'm bored with the selection at the usual places and looking for something amazing for the kitchen. I'd love to hear where you go for light fixtures. 

Cheers!

P.S. I wasn't paid to write this post (though I'd take free lighting any day), I just think this is a pretty awesome place for period lighting. They have a blog too. Check it out!

House of Cards

Well, house cards anyway. I was trolling my blog roll the other day and came across this post from The Design Pages about organized shopping. It's true, with everyone organizing every other aspect of their houses it is a good idea to organize how you buy for them. I certainly am in the same boat as Carol having frequently purchased furniture for the house only to get it home and realize it doesn't fit where I thought it would. Most often thrift store finds, which are sadly non returnable. I was really struck by one idea she had in particular. A pocket sized floor plan from Apartment Therapy.

Apartment Therapy 

And of course I thought "I can totally make that!" Little did I realize it would take all afternoon just to do the measurements. When I was finally done I got something that looked like this.

I did the same thing for each room noting measurements where I needed the short walls sizes for new furniture or paintings. I created them in publisher on 3X5 sized paper and printed them on card stock before laminating them.

This is the final result

I also clipped in paint swatches and fabric that I am using in some of the rooms to help with future color choices. I only laminated the front side so I can add measurements and info on the back. Now I only have to remember to bring it with me. It should come in handy with the kitchen remodel we are working on (if the snow ever goes away so that I can get more supplies!)

Are you always this organized? Or are you like me and leave your lists at home? Maybe you just have a good eye for proportion? Tell me your secrets.
Cheers!

Linking up to

Frugal Friday

To Start With

 While I twiddle my thumbs waiting to hear back about getting quotes to move our wall I thought I'd show you the plan I have going in my mind (keep in mind these are rough sketches I made with Ikea's Kitchen Builder). Right now our kitchen looks like this

 This is what it will look like if I can get our wall moved.

When we first moved in I was excited about having a breakfast nook. I love nooks, they are warm and cozy but as we lived in the house we realized we didn't really use it and it wasn't worth the loss of a larger kitchen. The other big problem with the nook is that it takes space away from the master (more on that later). The new design would give me added counter space and a more open floor plan. The only thing keeping me from my dream is how much it will cost to move that wall. Let's say I'm cautiously optimistic about the feasibility. If all else fails both of our parent's built their own houses so I can always call in a favor or two (or ten). I'm hoping I don't have to do that though. 

Anyone else have any experience with construction who would like an all expense paid vacation to Seattle? Not even joking here people, I'm game if you are! Just look where you could stay. 

Cheers!

Kitchen Dreaming

We had contractors in Friday to look at starting our kitchen remodel. No word yet on their estimates so for now I'm wasting time dreaming about what my kitchen could look like in the new year (all be it with quite a bit of blood, sweat, and tears most likely). So enjoy some eye candy. From my kitchen to yours!

via Mission Stone and Tile

via Pinterest

via Design Sponge

via Bright Bazar

via My Home Ideas

via Houzz

via The Lettered Cottage

Droolworthy no? Now I just have to convince Daniel that putting in a hood instead of an under cabinet vent is the best idea. Anyone know a good argument for why hoods are better? I'd love some help. Daniel and I are forgoing Christmas presents this year to launch this project so hopefully I'll have an update for you about time lines soon!

Cheers!

One Step Forward

You know when you get it in you to just start tearing things apart in your home? Never mind that it isn't the project you had planned to start next? Just me huh? Oh well. In any case I now have some very bald carpets. Care for a Before and After? I know you do!

Before

After

Ok, so they aren't very pretty right now but I've got big plans for these babies. Here's what is inspiring me right now.

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I'm hoping to go bold and colorful and Daniel is even on board with the idea. I've got a few more projects to start however so who knows when we will get these stairs finished. Here's to hoping it is soon!

Cheers!

Put a Feather On It

I pinned this picture a while back and finally got around to putting it together.

The blog is in German but her tutorial is really easy to follow. She took great pictures of all of the steps and really broke it down nicely. 

Here is what you need

And this is what you end up with

I have gotten so many complements on it so far and it took about 10 minutes to make which I love. I could see this being a great Christmas present for your fashion forward girl friends. What I love even more about the necklace is that I made it using feathers that I have been carrying around for 10+ years. 

When I was young we lived next door to an older woman named Nancy. Her house was a zoo with parrots and toucans and dogs and cats of all sizes and shapes (she even had a pot bellied pig for a while). I used to visit when I was young to play with the animals and as I got older I would help her with chores. When a bird lost a particularly beautiful feather she would save it for me and I have been saving my favorites for years.  She passed a few years ago and I still miss her so having something to remember her by is great. I love that I can wear my feathers and think of her. It is amazing how people can really touch you life. 

Anyone else get overly sentimental about strange items? Nancy loved Christmas most of all so I think about her a lot this time of year. 

Cheers!

Linking up to
Show and Share Friday @ Just a Girl
Beneath My Heart

Design Sponge Book Signing

I had the amazing privilege of being able to attend the Design Sponge book signing at our local Anthropologie last night. If you haven't read Design Sponge (the blog) it is a must read. Design Sponge is a design and decor blog that was started by Grace Bonney in 2004 and is sort of a Martha meets NYC. Everything is chic and trendy and fun. How couldn't they be with a founder who looks like this?

via Design Sponge

They crash some great houses all over the world and have regular columns that range in topics from business to DIY (which is my favorite). Some of my best projects have been inspired by them. Of course, I was insanely excited to hear they were launching a book and even more excited to hear they were coming through Seattle.

If you've never been to a book signing here is a tip: get there early.  The signing started at 6:30 and I was early. Once I had bought my book and gotten in line I had a 20 minute wait for signing (which is great). By the time I left the line stretched out the door. Our Anthro is two stories so the line snaked all the way down the stairs and out.

I was way too embarrassed to get my picture taken and I think I blurted out something inane like "I'm so happy you are here" but it was still a fun night. They served champagne and cupcakes and I got to shop. What more can a girl ask for? Oh and the book is great too.

 It is difficult to see in a picture but the cover is a really pretty coral color with an embossed gold design on it. Very chic and apropos.  Check out the adorable trailer they made. It really sums up what the book and blog are all about.

Design Sponge at Home (Official Book Trailer) from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.

You can pick up your book at Amazon but if you get it at Anthro you get a special edition with bonus pages (and hopefully you can get yours signed too!)

So fun! Hope you get a chance to see Grace at an Anthropologie near you.

Cheers!

Making Do

Sometimes you just have to make the best out of what you already have. The bathroom vanity is definitely one of those cases. I do not like it. At. all. It is big and clunky and has these ridiculously deep drawers that just cause everything to run together and make a mess. For being so huge it seriously lacks storage.  Since replacing it is not in the cards right now I figured I could at least make it work. So here it is. The most boring and un-beautiful before and after.

Before

After

I grabbed some scrap wood from another project and cut it down to make some dividers. The drawers are made out of some really cheap MDF which I thought about painting but decided it really wasn't worth the effort.

The nice thing about how deep these drawers are (7 inches deep to be exact) is that toothpaste and bottles stand up in them. Now with the dividers in place they don't fall all over themselves every time I open and close the drawer which I appreciate.

There you have it. The most boring, but surprisingly functional, before and after ever. Still, I wont cry when I can swap it out for something more like this

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Or maybe more traditional like this

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A girl can dream right? Anyone else having to make do? Like Anna from Directions Not Included said "I wish we all had money trees!" Can I get an Amen?!?!

Cheers!