Frame Up

As I said here, I knew I needed something to help balance out the offset placement of our new TV in the library. This was obviously not the look I was going for

Holy giant TV Batman! I loved the look of mismatched frames around the TV (as seen on my inspiration board) so off to the thrift store for some over sized frames (I decided I wanted mostly larger frames because the TV is so large). I used the same method I used in the hallway and cut out news paper to fit my frames and arranged them on the wall to play with the layout.

Here is the concept

And the finished result

I'm still looking for two frames for the top but I so far I like how it is coming together. I am thinking a mix of botanical and Audubon prints so echo the library theme for the room and maybe a few black and whites of us (that pink matting is a kick isn't it?). I probably spent around 40$ for all the frames which is a steal considering they are almost as big as the TV. I am pretty sure I will keep the missmatched look going since with the unified art it wont look quite so all over the place but we will see. Art will have to wait until there are funds for it (sorry Art).

So here is the question for you, how many gallery style walls are too many for one house? I have one more to put up in the dining room that we had from our ole apartment (i'm waiting for paint). Is that gallery over load?

Cheers!

Library Inspiration

1. I love the architectural feel of this gyroscope light fixture from Ballard Designs. I could see DIYing it with embroidery hoops over a small Ikea pendant.

2. I can't lie, I love gallery walls and this arrangement can really help an off center TV make sense in the space. The grey is also a favorite of mine.

3. Who doesn't love a nook? When I posted about the hopeful layout of our library this is the style of built ins I was imagining.

4. Love the Victorian feel with the dark seat (again Ballard Designs). The open legs will help make it seem to take up less space in the already too small room. I was thinking a nice love seat for snuggling and then a mixture of other seating for entertaining.

5. This rug is so fun and graphic I want to find somewhere in my house for it!

Library-Office Swicheroo

I swore when I moved that couch it would be the last time but somehow my couch has made a liar out of me yet again. A few weekends back we began the horrendous fun process of turning the office into a library and the library into an office. It definitely served to renew my hatred of my couch. We know this couch is not permanent. It doesn't fit anywhere in the house but it is what we have but we are not ready to buy another one right now. That being said, you can now see the new library.

Before (As an office)

Now (As Library)

As you can see it is absolutely tiny in there with the big couch and closet but once we get the right furniture and deal with the closet space it will be great. It is nice being upstairs when we watch tv and Daniel really likes having the office a little more separate from the living area of the house. 

Since the pictures give no indication of how the room is actually laid out here is a mock up of the floor plan with everything that is currently in the space.

Hopefully that makes is clearer as to what is where. We are still working on the great TV debate (we've got 30 days to decide) and I'm keeping my eyes open for a new couch. I've got some great inspiration for the room so I'm excited to see it come together.

Cheers!

Willkommen. Bienvenue. Welcome. C'mon in.

A simple before and after that makes a world of a difference.

Before

After

I slapped a coat of Benjamin More in Wales Green on and now I am greeted by this bright and cheery scene. All that is left is getting some fall plants and decorations up and I will be ready for the changing of the seasons.  And yes, I may have been inspired by this

here

 Oh Pinterest, how I do love thee.

Cheers!

It's The Little Things

Yeah, we're those neighbors. The ones with the over grown yard encroaching on the street. I haven't had the time or dough to do what I really want with the front yard but I've been trying to keep it mildly under control (which I will admit is kind of a loosing battle).  What has been really been bothering me has been that little strip next to the street. The weather has not been helping either. It has been hot and dry. Dead grass as far as the eye can see. If it was just dead grass I might have been able to ignore it a bit longer but this was just getting silly. 

Yeah, that's attractive.  Definitely time for a makeover!

Here's the new planter. I kept it simple and cheap with small plants that I know will grow over the fall.

Here's the street view. It looks diminutive now but when the Stonecrop get to their mature 10-18" height and width and the vinca spreads out and covers the bed it will be lovely.

Stonecrop on the right, vinca on the left.

Here is what the Stonecrop will look like when it matures (taken from my iPhone)

I wanted to pick perennials only for this spot for now since I really just wanted something that looked good year round. The Stonecrops were 5$ (I got 4) and the Vincas were 8$ for a 6 pack (I got 2). It made for a pretty cheap bed and I know it will fill out over time.

There is still tons to do with the front yard. I want to remove all of the really big trees so that you can actually see the house and replace some of them with more open and airy trees. and get rid of that horrible metal fence. So much to do as usual. But now at least I am not ashamed of my weed choked front planter.

Cheers!

Good Eats Challenge: Week 11- Waldorf Salad

We've been skipping around a bit in the order of things with our Good Eats Challenges. It has been too hot to cook and I'm saving a few recipes for the holidays (namely the turkey and fruit cake ones) so this week we went ahead and watched the apple episode. There are two recipes in this show, applesauce and Waldorf salad and since the temperature was creeping up towards 90 we felt the no cook option was best.

It is a really easy salad and Alton Brown adds his usual fun twists to make it even better. Here is the official recipe courtesy of Food Network.

Ingredients

• 2 Ginger Gold apples (Fuji will substitute)
• 1 Red Delicious apple
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 cup prepared mayonnaise
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• Cracked black pepper
• 3/4 cup toasted walnuts, crushed
• 1 cup golden raisins
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 2 stalks celery, thin bias cut
• 1/3 cup fresh mint, chiffonade
• 1/2 red onion, julienned
• 1 head romaine lettuce, heart only

Directions

Cut apples in half and remove the core with a melon baller. Chop apples into medium-sized pieces, leaving skin on.

In a bowl, toss apples with the cider vinegar. Fold in mayonnaise thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold in walnuts, raisins, curry powder, celery, mint and red onion. Adjust seasoning. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to incorporate. To serve, arrange 2 leaves of romaine lettuce per plate and spoon salad on top.

I was actually surprised how much I liked this salad (especially since I really don't like mayonnaise). The apples are crisp and tart which is mellowed by the richness of the mayo and the bite of the onion and curry. Definitely a winner in my book. This would be a great pot luck dish or for a family gathering. It is easy to make and has a great depth of flavor that is sure to wow.


Cheers!

Welcome to My Life

You may remember from this post we are in the middle of wiring for the new tv. That means my house looks like this right now

Don't even ask what the living room looks like, it's scary. No matter how much I clean we just have to get the tools out again so I've given up completely until this project is done. Sometimes a girl just has to know when to give it a rest right? I see major cleaning in my future especially with my father in law stopping by on Saturday to see the house. If it looks like this he might start having flashbacks to when Daniel still lived at home. Gotta love messy boys right?

All the mess aside I'm excited about getting the library set up (I'll let you in on all my plans for it soon I promise).  Right now the biggest question is which TV we are going to pick. You heard me, we bought two (count em two) TV's to help us make the decision (one is going back once we decide). The problem is that the new library is tiny and a walk through so there wasn't much wall space.

Here's the big one- 40" (the perspective is from me sitting on the couch)

Here's the angle from the corner of the room. 

Here's the little one (should say littler since it is still 32") from the couch

From the corner (without me getting rid of all the wires, sorry). 

My iPhoto skills extended so far so bear with me on the imagining (my new computer came yesterday though and is waiting to be set up yay!).

The plan is to do something like this with the wall

here 

here

I'm leaning towards the smaller one but (get this) it is actually more expensive and not as nice as the larger one. I'm having trouble deciding since right now they remind me way too much of college dorm living (we've got the crappy hand me down couch and a poster on the wall to boot) but I think once I get up the frames either could be nice.

What do you think? Bigger or smaller? Or do we need to put the frames up first before deciding? You know I appreciate your input.

Cheers!