Worth The Wait

I think the most frustrating thing about buying a house in need of some "work" is just how much there is to still do. Sometimes I envy people who bought move in ready homes or, well, basically any home that had been taken care of. I feel like so much of my time and energy in this house is focused on trying to fix the little things that aren't quite as glamorous. That being said I can't get too far down because I love our house and would choose it again in a heart beat (and well I own my own home which makes me pretty fortunate). You have to love potential right?

Since we've been spending most of our time and money on big projects I don't often get to focus on the fun little details that can really bring a room together. And let's face it, when you are living with open walls and torn up flooring it is kind of hard to imagine what the right chair is for the space.

So, for the last two years we've been bed-less. Ok, so we have a bed, but it consists mainly of a mattress and shin gouging boxpring. Why have we gone this long without a buying a bed? One word people, compromise. I had been dreaming of a gorgeous tufted headboard along these lines.

Spaces design by Toronto Interior Designer Meredith Heron

Beautiful right? I even love the whole color scheme. What did Daniel want? Something metal (preferably salvaged). His reasoning? Our bed is against the window and a solid headboard would block the light. My reasoning? We never open the blinds so who cares if we block the light I just want to be comfortable. Alas, that did not win him over. So I searched and searched but everything was too expensive or just not right (and after the couch debacle I have to be double sure before any big purchase is approved). Luckily I'm a patient girl.

I was cruzing Overstock.com while taking a bath (which is where I do the majority of my shopping and reading-thank you iPad) and happened on this beauty. Not too feminine, not to masculine, still lets light through. Check, check, check.

I practically leaped out of the bath and ran soaking wet to show Daniel. Miracles of miracles he liked it! Still, after waiting so long I was hesitant. After about three weeks I still knew I wanted it and Daniel still said he liked it so I figured, all systems go. Then, up popped a 10% off coupon and I couldn't resist any more. So 10% off, free shipping (which was a huge deal since large items usually have a hefty delivery fee) and no tax brought the price tag to just over $300. Score!

Delivery date is Monday! Can't wait to show it off in it's new home!
Cheers!

Road Trip Scores

What's a road trip without a little shopping? I love checking out random thrift stores and antique stores in the middle of no-where and on this trip it payed out in spades.

Probably my favorite score of the trip is this little diddy birdy.

She was picked up in a random (and free) prairie town in North Dakota. The shops were full of cute old books and treasures. We also got to see the world's largest Buffalo.



Is it strange that I was disappointed he wasn't real?

I also managed to finally visit a Home Goods on this trip. WA doesn't have one (yet) and their adds have been torturing me for years. Update: We do have HomeGoods! They are new! Yay!

I picked up this super cute handwoven basket.

And this great garden stool

Which is the perfect foil to my other stool I recovered last year.

They are both in the library which needs a reveal post when I get a little further along. More details to follow as usual (you'd think one day I would have learned to only work on one project at a time).

On the way home Daniel and I stopped at a random antiques place in South Dakota and found this great bar set.

I love the texture and the caddy. Too cute.

Where in South Dakota you ask? Right about here

We had been driving so long and it mostly looked like this, but, if you are ever driving along the I-90 and happen to pass an huge antique mall in the middle of nowhere it is worth the stop, I promise.

Anyone else like to check out thrift stores/ antique malls on road trips? I wouldn't have thought Daniel would go for it but I think he was as tired of driving as I was.

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

A Great Gift for any Wine Lover

When my friends from Santa Cruz came in to town for Thanksgiving they not only brought copious amounts of wine but also a great housewarming gift (or two). The Menu Wine Breather.

via

 I love decanters. They are great for bottles that really should breathe a while but you don't really want to wait. Let's watch Daniel demonstrate.

As you can see the whole process was also very interesting to our not so little miss kitty. Can you believe how big she has gotten? I barely remember the tiny little thing I introduced you to two months ago.

Now, back to the wine. The aeration really helps cut the sharp tannic notes some wine can have. We always try a glass before and a glass after to see the difference. It can be astounding. Not all wine needs to be decanted but it is nice to have around for the ones that does. I certainly can't wait hours for my glass of wine! Pair with some nice glasses or a good bottle of wine and you have the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life (in case you are like me and haven't even started shopping yet).

Cheers!