Decisiveness

The main problem in getting things done around our home involves 3 things that G and I share: indecisiveness, procrastination, and avoidance.  Neither of us can really make a decision to save our lives, because we constantly second guess ourselves.  We both tend to have good intentions, but put things off or forget about getting them done.  And when we try to do too much, we get overwhelmed and we figure out ways to escape.

However, I am pretty dang proud of what we've been able to do in 2 months.  We've assembled a wall of bookshelves (pics to come once the office is done).  We've assembled 4 storage shelving units in the basement for a pantry and organization.  We've built a crib and are halfway through painting a dresser that will be the changing table (3rd layer going on tonight).  We've laid down a rug pad and rug in our living room after 2 years of trying to pick one (yes, 2 years).  And we're even beginning to figure out a gallery wall.  This coming from the people who have only hung a single mirror in 2 years despite having a bunch of artwork and mirrors is saying something.

Our decisiveness is improving as well.  We know what bedroom set we're getting once we've dealt with getting new bedroom carpet installed (Max's claws may have destroyed the carpet near the door).  And today we found both nightstands and a coffee table.  I mean, holy moley!  The nightstands are gold and glass and will perfectly compliment the darker, heavier furniture.  They're vintage/antiques we're getting from a local store (buying tomorrow, we put on hold today while we measured).  The coffee table we found while out measuring the bed for the nightstands and though in store it would take 6-8 weeks, we've just gotten home and already hunted it down online where it should be here late next week!

These seem like small things to some people.  But for a person who struggles with never wanting to make the "wrong" decision, wanting things to be perfect, it's a huge deal.  I want our home to look like we live here, a young couple with a new baby.  I'm learning that it doesn't have to be perfect to be perfect for us.

So for Day 11 of Thankfulness, I'm thankful for the blessing of deciding on a coffee table being my biggest worry of the day. Too often I let things stress me out, but I'm beginning to see how lucky I am.

French Friday Mini Adventure

 Blue necklace from 31 Bits, made by women in Uganda....I get compliments on it everywhere!

Yesterday we were out of power all day.  All the dang day.  It came on at exactly 3:25 this morning, waking me.  What a way to start the day! 

However, yesterday I had gone for coffee and window shopping with a friend.  At an antiques store I had spied a milkglass crucifix candle that was beautiful, but didn't pick it up.  It called to me last night and so today I spoke with G about it and decided to go back and get it before it was snatched up.  Luckily it was still there, and now is sitting with a beeswax candle in it (so I could show G).

Then I stepped in next door and found a carved wood frame that suits our home perfectly.  We're not shabby chic, and in fact, our home certainly has more of a chic with antiques, but not too worn look.  However these pieces are excellent to make it look a little less stuffy.  Look for it when I finish up one of our art walls.

And then I stopped for lunch at a little place called Soups On.  It was pretty good food.  The asparagus salad with chopped eggs was delicious.  And they served Kerrygold butter with the bread, which took this place from nice to wonderful in 2 seconds flat.  These stores are in old homes with front porches (much like the homes a bit north of us).  So I sat outside on the porch to eat and watch the world pass by. 

A simple day, I'm home now browsing etsy for other pieces for our home.  I keep an eye out for chalkware statues of saints, antique christening gowns, and even came across a carousel horse G and I have both decided is a necessity for a future playroom (who doesn't want their own actual carousel horse?).  Life is beautiful.

Like A Museum

I want my home to eventually be like a museum.  Not off limits, but simply thoughtfully and carefully put together to form a beautiful place to relax and just be.  So I'm indecisive about things that come into my home sometime because it has to be right.  Not okay.  Not, "well, it will work."  But perfection. 

This afternoon G and I spend the time on Skype discussing life.  I've finally found a sort of peace here in Charm City.  It is not Home, but I am working on making it a home of sorts for me.  We perused oil portraits online.  There are a few that I would love to drop $10,000 on (total), but we'll be considering one.  A large purchase yes, but one we've been planning on for a long time.  (and yes we'll have it appraised and insured when the time comes.)  We love art and incorporating it into our home seems perfectly natural, no matter the price point.  We have original art in our home that is mixed in with high quality prints and pieces we picked up for a song at thrift stores... it all just sort of works because we love each piece. 

I think that you have to love what you own.  For us, we know this house is not our forever home (if I get my way that place will be in someplace like Cork Co. Ireland), so each piece needs to fit not just the house, but us.  That mirror I was able to pick up for free is fantastic.  I've set it up on the bar and I smile each time I walk past it.  I feel that it was clearly meant for us, it's perfection.  I love finding pieces that I know we'll have until we no longer own anything.  I feel fortunate that my love of old things has been a lifetime passion; I used to peruse antique store with my grandmama, even when I was in elementary school.  I love their history, the story that a scratch can tell.  Sometimes they need to be repaired and sometimes they need to be loved because of their flaws.  Sort of like people, non?

So while it may be incredibly frustrating to have a home that feels like it is taking so long to put together, I know that it's a lifetime journey.  Of searching to find the pieces that will make a home look like we live here.  Sometimes it's a little eccentric or over the top.  But so are we at times.  And your home should be a reflection of you, of the things you love.  I think that's why minimalist homes leave me feeling cold, like I have no idea who the people are.  When there is nothing around that speaks of you, I wonder who you are and why you feel the need to hide it.  (Mind you, I think they're beautfiul but still leave me hanging.)

If you had one thing in your home that speaks the most of you, what is it, or what would it be?  A piano front and center to show your love of music?  A snow globe that represents childhood summers? 

Smoke and Mirrors

One of our favorite little local restaurants is Clementine.  It's a kind of hip place that I've talked about before.  They do their own charcuterie and it is delicious!  The owner's mother also makes old fashioned homemade desserts that are like heaven in each bite.  We've been going there from when we were first looking at houses, and have continued to go back since (it doesn't help that it's next door to our church, which we also found while out searching for homes!).  But one of our favorite things is not the food (though divine) but the decor.  They showcase local artwork for sale on the walls, including photography by students at the local elementary (that is surprisingly very good).  And behind the bar it looks like this:

Photo credit examiner.com

It's a bunch of well spaced various mirrors.  Both G and I love it, it really is the focal point of that room (the restaurant has two spaces, decorated differently).  So, as a surprise for when G gets home I'm going to be collecting mirrors so that soon I can do an entire wall of them (probably above our bar in order to bounce light around the room, or on the wall that runs from the door to the stairs---both will look excellent reflecting a huge chandelier I am planning to get for the middle of the room).  I scored a major find this morning on freecycle and picked up this beauty:

It's definitely going to be one of the highlights for the wall!  It's at it's widest points 25"x45", and beautiful rose carved wood.  Which suits our house beautifully as my grandmother's dining chairs have roses on the backs. 

So, while the wall of mirrors will be in our front/living/sitting room, it will reflect the same elements of our dining room.

I love whole walls that host a collection.  We've got some quirky ideas I'm working on (art walls, as well as an author wall in our office).  The long wall that run the entire length of our home without interruption (shared with the front room, the kitchen, and the dining room) will eventually be covered entirely in portrait paintings we'll be collecting over the next few years.  We're planning to purchase one nice one after G gets home to begin!

Would you ever consider doing a whole wall of something?

Happenstance

My husband is old school.  He dreams of a library that smells of old books and smoke from a fireplace, with leather chairs, huge windows with heavy drapes.  Why yes, even a ladder in the two story room that helps conceal a secret passageway.  I suppose you could say he's a gentleman's gentleman.  So when he chose the DwellStudio bedding I was on board.  White and black like I wanted, a darker motif to suit him.  But what to pair with it?

The grey pillows in the back.

Well, we already had dark purple sheets from Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart and they're actually good!).  I originally wanted to do menswear bedding for G, so it was complete fate that last night at TjMaxx I came across two Ralph Lauren euro shams in a charcoal chalk stripe.  I snatched them up and frolicked off home to see if they would work with the duvet cover.  And honestly, I think they will!  I'm hunting down a third euro sham because I like the look of the three across the back of a bed, as well as a matching bed skirt (though with our king duvet on a queen bed there won't be much need for one).

Now, before anyone thinks the room is going to be G's, I must explain that by doing his masculine pieces it balances out the girly pieces I plan to put in.  I have my eye on tall crystal lamps, the pillow from CB2, as well as a scrunchy throw in a teal from IKEA.  And my grandmama's antique rose plate will be hung on the wall.

The last piece for our room is definitely a planned purchase that we'll be saving for: a leather chair, made here in USA, with nailhead trim. 

Now if I could just decide bewteen a nickel plated bed or a wood bed base with tufted headboard!

For those who share a bedroom, do you compromise or simply do it your way because the other person doesn't care?

House Updates 3

The afternoon light in here is fantastic.  I love my kitchen!  It really is the reason I said yes when G first loved this house.  And for all the madness and buyer's regret, this kitchen feels like home to me.  It's not completely uncluttered, there is always a loaf of bread on top of the fridge, spices on the counter, and I keep things out that many put away.  But it's a working kitchen, where things I need are on hand. 

This is the bookcase in front of my island.

Bookcase: thrifted

Wooden Bowls: thrifted

Carnival Glass Butter Dish: bought for my by my parents at an auction years ago (I used it in college!)

Teapot Warmer: thrifted

Brass Candlesticks: thrifted (we have a ton in our house)

Cookbooks: from everywhere

Recipe Box: Big one from Hallmark (gift), small one is vintage, belonged to my great grandmother

Vanilla:  TJMaxx

Candied Kumquats:  I made!

Bluebird Cookie Jar: thrifted

 Violet: Home Depot

Aloe Vera: Home Depot

Aloe Vera Pot: IKEA

Cake Stand: vintage, gifted from one of our middle school teacher's when I bought the cake that was on it at an auction.  She wished us a happy marriage and told us to keep the plate!

Dry Erase Board and Stand: DaySpring

Candle, TJMaxx

Candle Plate: Target

Moroccan Glass Tiled Vase: Tuesday Morning

French Press: Bodum, freecycle

Soap Dish: Antique, given to us by G's dad.

Dishsoap Bottle:  One of 3 from IKEA.  I love it!

Virgin Mary Art: thrifted

Spice Jars: vintage science equipment (see the rest of the science items HERE.)

Tea Kettle: Sur La Table (no longer being manufactured, we went on a wild chase of this one HERE.)

Cast Iron Coq Au Vin Dutch Oven: Staub, gift from parents

Crystal/Cut Glass Oil Cruet:  Antique, from grandmama

Salt Pig: Tuesday Morning

This is the island, where are the magic preparations happens!

House Updates 2

Here is our living room.  It gets lots of light during the day!  Some of the photos are blurry, but I didn't realize it until it was too late!

 Sofas:  Base furniture store when we were first married:

"Coffee Table":  side table, thrifted

Pillows: Dark blue from IKEA, teal from Target

Blanket: TJMaxx

Peacock Artwork: Thrifted

Rugs: TJMaxx (they were originally bought for kitchen, but both won't work, so temporarily placed here.)

Smoke Glass Candle Holder:  Actually has fruit cut into it on bottom, thrifted

Candles: Store on base in England....they stain they things they sit on, hence a glass piece.

Mini Dachshund: Ours!

 Bar Tray: thrifted

Decanters: thrifted

Cranberry cordial: Homemade, in a bottle that used to hold apricot liqueur from a castle in England.

Martini Pick Holder: Crystal glass, thrifted

Martini Picks: Crate and Barrel

Runner: Target (Christmas)

Large Artwork:  Free from Airman's Attic in England

French Sign: Won Giveaway from My French Corner

Silhouette Art:  Vintage, thrifted England

Holy Family: thrifted

Humidor: thrifted

Cork Glass Holder: thrifted

Corks:  do you have to ask?

I should mention the beauty of this piece is the storage.  The cabinets hold bar glasses (the vintage gold cane glasses).  The drawers hold candles, both beeswax tapers and the soy jar candles I love so much (that I stalk TJMaxx for them).  They also hold some random peacock dishes I bought, wine bottle stoppers, and silver metal trays I love, including a clover shaped one!

Dresser where we drop things as we come in.

Tray: Target

Paperweight: Hobby Lobby

Black and White Sugar Bowl: Charity shop in England, we use it to hold matches.

Beaded Candle Holder: Target

Glamourous Candle Holder: Hobby Lobby

Toast Rack Used As Letter Holder: Thrift Store

Geode: TJMaxx (G picked this out)

Owl Perfume Bottle:  Vintage Avon, from my grandmama's home

Photo Frames: TJMaxx

Mirror: Target

 I just noticed that in this closeup one of the bar glasses is on the back of the tray!  These photos were taken on Sunday and G *might* have been drinking Scotch in the afternoon.

The final post will be the kitchen!

House Updates 1

Garret and I cleaned the first level, re-arranging furniture and organizing.  We also put a bathmat down in the guest bathroom, and a painting on the wall.  My orchid decided that the bathroom was a lovely place to primp herself, so there she is.  I still need to go through the drawers in the dresser in the living room, and re-organize the kitchen, and hunt down a shower curtain for the guest bath (the first one was defective, then they were out for a very long time!).  But overall I'm pleased with how it's coming together.

I have so many images I'll separate these into 3 posts.  First up we have the guest bathroom!

 This is the painting of the Northern Lights as viewed from Scotland that we bought in England.  You can see the before from when the frame was darker HERE.

It might seem a little odd to have a painting in the bathroom, but I loved the color of the bathmat in there so much that I realized the painting was the perfect choice for a pop of color in a very neutral room. 

Sunday Surge

Today was a whirl.  Up for church, then off doing some shopping to kill time.  Thanks to coming up with an idea for our home, plus a list of things we need we were able to buy some items that we needed/wanted (such as a bath mat for our guest bath), while avoiding spending needlessly.  Then it was back to church for a couple's prayer service and dinner.  We have only been married nearly 4 years.  The longest marriage there was 64 years.  And the husband (who served in WWII) stood up and said some beautiful words about what an amazing wife and mother his wife was.  Both awesome people.

(To keep things in reference as to how much younger we are than everyone else at our church, the next shortest marriage after ours was 19 years.  But we're loved and we love it there.)

Then it was off to Home Depot for a small dropcloth, some super glue, and some brown paper.  As soon as we got home we attended to the animals, and then it was upstairs to our office to begin with what turned into 6 hour madness.  I sat on the dropcloth painting the inside of some dresser drawers.  Six drawers, two coats each.  Then, being in a painting mood I went to town painting many a thing shades of pale blue greys.  

(Had to use the flash because it was super dark otherwise)

(photo from England, the iron thing is in the middle, partially hidden by the tulips.  It was dark but now is a pretty blue-grey!)

We were able to get the dresser put into the closet in the office, hooked up the printer, put in the boxes we bought at The Container Store yesterday, and I even added the beautiful orchid I picked up a couple of weeks ago at IKEA (yep, IKEA!).  The pictures I just added as we were playing with the look.

I am super excited that the dresser is pretty much finished (I want to touch up the cream and gold paint on the outside) because it means the large box of office supplies up in our suite can be moved down and put away.  It was just the kick start we needed for the office, and we'll be priming and painting this week.  We'll also be building a wall of IKEA bookcases with lights and glass doors (we finally decided that G building them would have had to wait until he got back, and we want our books put away).  The desk is being finished up (as we debate whether or not we love the color I think we're going to say it's okay for now), the sofa is being moved up, and the frame for the television is being hung to await a t.v. this fall.  I'm going to be thrilled when it's all finished as it will be my command station for getting the rest of the house done, as well as a place to write and read.

So, now it's nearly 3 a.m., I have an appointment with a specialist about my tailbone in 5 1/2 hours, so I think perhaps it's time to crash.  I feel like we accomplished a lot tonight (G pulled all our dvd's and alphabetized them and began putting them into a little box that holds the discs), and we're both looking forward to getting a ton done tomorrow.  Maybe we'll even finally get the Christmas tree taken down!*

*Yep, it's still up.  With all of our glass ornaments we have been debating the best way to store them.  Finally decided on tissue paper and small cardboard boxes.  Got the tissue paper and will be picking up boxes at the store tomorrow.  Then the little boxes will be stored in totes. 

Etching

Never show your husband something you're undecided about that you know he might like.  He will.  And he will make it clear that that is the one (of whatever you're looking at)!  We've been debating bedding for when G gets home.  We didn't feel in any particular hurry.  We knew that we're upgrading to a queen sized bed, so we wanted a king sized duvet cover for the look we like.  We knew we had picked up royal purple sheets at Wal-Mart that both of us love enough we're going to get a couple more sets (currently the one set is used for the air mattress for guests).  So we were basically browsing the last few months for a style.  I like white and fluffy, but obviously that can get dirty easily and we have a labrador who likes our bed and sheds.  Not a good combination. 

I really like DwellStudio bedding, and thanks to their line at Target we've come really close to picking up several sets, but always weren't sure.  Of course they're normal sets are gorgeous as well, but at over $300 dollars for a king duvet set it was completely out of our price range.  The most I was willing to spend was $200, and I preferred closer to $150.  So when I saw DwellStudio's Etching bedding I was kind of sad.  But I goggled it to look for reviews and instead found that ABC Home had it on final sale for $160 for the king size set!  We debated it for over a week and tonight I finally decided to go ahead and purchase it.  After all, G's in love, it suits my black and white taste, it looks traditional with a twist, and will easily be made softer with a fluffy ruched pillow thrown on. 

We obviously bought it whoa ahead of time, as I'll be sleeping in the full bed until G returns.  (Even if he builds the bed base beforehand we'll be putting the full mattress set on it for the time being.)  But it was a $150 savings on something we both liked, so it can get put up until it's time to be used.  And we're also getting this pillow to put on a chair in our room because I'm in love and it mimics the etched style while being completely different in theme:

CB2 Jaime Pearl Pillow

Do you ever buy something for 6 months or more in the future? 

Restive

Upon visiting our future hometown we stopped in some local stores, including a classic furniture store.  Here is the piece I want as my spot in our home.  

I would skip the pillow and the furniture around it though.  But I just noticed the fantastic simple Moroccan tile wallpaper and that might have to come home too!

I have trouble deciding which way to go decorating.  Either super glam with jewel tones and greys and blacks or French estate style with linens and white bedding.  Hmmm.  Perhaps I need two houses?  Or to just make up my damn mind and choose pieces of furniture that can be made into either way?  (I think this chair would excellent in charcoal grey linen.)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

G and I headed to TJMaxx the other night on our way to our date at Target (if you're in a long term relationship you most likely know what I mean....Target and coffee).  I immediately snatched up this big mercury glass tree.  I wanted a couple others to make a trio, but ended up getting it and deciding it would look awesome with my antique candlesticks.

Then as we headed into the Christmas section I saw these mirror glass ornaments in a variety of colors.  G and I normally would have gone for purple with the silver and turquoise, but we both agreed this deep blue was beautiful.  And when I got home I placed them in my vintage carnival glass bowl (that I picked up a few weeks ago thrifting for $9.99!) and suddenly my buffet in my dining room looks a whole lot more merry!

Still no tree up, but with the chill in the air (that G says smells like winter) and these few decorations it is indeed beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Not A Tablescape

I know a lot of people love to do tablescapes (i.e. decorating the table for entertaining purposes), and they do them well.  However, I tend to focus on getting the table set up nicely, but definitely not much flair (it's something I'm working on).  However I do have to say that I'm getting quite good at fireplacescapes.  

I won a trio of hurricane candle holders the first night of my conference from DaySpring Cards.  I was able to choose anything there I wanted, and after deliberating I chose these gorgeous nativity candle holders.  I loved them at the conference with the lights on, but let me tell you, they are stunning in the dark.  I originally planned for them to go in my fireplace, so I set that up before moving them somewhere else.  

Max *totally* wasn't going to chase the magical glowing lights.

Then the next thing I did was move them, because we bought an electric fireplace insert to help heat up our front room.  While sitting next to it I discovered some old, old nails are in the brick on the inside.  Perfect for hanging the 'Joy To The World' metal wall hanger I picked up from TJMaxx.  I love this piece, it's gorgeous, and with the fireplace underneath it, it helps to remind us why we celebrate this holiday!  

Nothing fancy, but both setups just make me smile.  I love that Christmas is just around the corner.  We'll be putting up our little tree this weekend and decking the halls.  We even bought a metal mistletoe ornament at Crate and Barrel that G has been using to sneak kisses all day!  This season will indeed be merry and bright.  

Bit By Bit

We stopped in at Hobby Lobby tonight to look at Christmas items (I really want a 9' Christmas tree!), but ended up picking up damask/French style items instead, most at half off.  So while I was antsy late tonight I set up a makeshift coffee table tray. 

 Moroccan Lucite Tray:  Target, last year

Peace Sign:  Target or Walmart after Christmas

Black and White Jar:  Charity Shop in UK

Beaded Candle Holder:  Target

Black and White Damask Candle Holder:  Hobby Lobby

Fleur de Lis Paperweight:  Hobby Lobby

Pearls:  What I had on today

Books:  A few I found in our sitting room

Eventually this tray will go on a long black coffee table or our dresser in our bedroom.  Not quite decided yet, but I am loving the small things that have made my house begin to feel like a home. 

The Sun Came Out

Glory to God, the sun finally came out!  And with it, my mood is a bit brighter.  Last night when the rain had slowed a bit we braved the weather late to go up to TJMaxx to look for bedding for the guest room.  What we found was black and white bedding that G eventually wants in our room.  So, T will get to tell us how it is, and then once we've built the queen sized bed we can use it.  Win/win.  We also picked up a glamourous standing lamp that is the perfect height for next to a reading chair.  With chrome and crystal it will work wonderfully in our room!

Tonight we're grouting and painting in the guest bathroom, and then tomorrow I'll be giving the walls another coat and we'll seal the grout.  We picked up a yummy smelling pumpkin soap at TJMaxx for the room as well.  I'm a wee bit excited to finally have this room more "together."  It came pretty low on our list of finishing because, well, we rarely use it.  But I want it to look nice as we begin having more guests over. 

I think my biggest problem is I try and take on too much.  I have two sets of curtains to finish dealing with, painting to do (both walls and furniture), art to hang.....the list just goes on and on.  So I've been trying to take it slow and give myself a breather.  I mean, this is T, I don't think she'll be judging me if my art work isn't all hung.  Hell, I might utilize her to help decorate because God knows G just feels lost when I ask him.  To quote him, "I like what I like, but I'm not good at figuring out if all of it will work together."  He really is a secret bohemian!  

But I am so excited to share our "new" curtains I picked up from the thrift store oh so long ago, once they're done.  They have a pinch pleating and originally would have been hung with hooks, but I want it on a rod, so I will be attaching a strip of canvas to make a pocket.  Simple enough.  They are currently hanging over the curtain rod in the living room to make sure they dry completely after I washed them, and just seeing them in the room makes me smile.  Pictures should be up on the home blog sometime next week!

And the CSI Project is having a Ballard Designs inspired project link up next week.  Ballard is usually a little too warm toned for me, but I will be tweaking some of their designs to make some nice things for our home, including a planter box for my kitchen window herbs!  

I'm off to do more laundry.  Today is delicates day---silk, wool, etc, so it takes forever with such small loads on gentle/handwash.  But I'm excited to show you a LOFT houndstooth pencil skirt I picked up for a few bucks that was originally $78.00---tags still attached!  Stay tuned for many projects coming up this month!

Cocktail Time!

After the last post I really was thinking, I need to get rid of this piece.  It's so big, it's style is one I love, but it doesn't match the stuff in my home completely.  Now, I don't have a bunch of modern things (not really my taste....plus I don't believe there is anything modern, it's all recycled old designs anyway), but it's definitely French-style, and strangely most of my home is not.  Shocking, I know.  

Anyway, after a living room picnic tonight I got the urge to rearrange and see if it would fit on the wall next to my staircase.  It did!  So I set about seeing what we could do with it, and realized the height was perfect for a bar area.  So I set a silver tray on one end with our decanters, liquor, and cocktail picks, and our wine rack with old bottles (to see how it looked) on the other end.  Add a print, an initial I painted, and eventually (evident in one pic, not another) the French house number I won from My French Corner. 

Voila!  Perfection, I couldn't be happier.  Now we have a better height bar to pour drinks, and the vintage glasses can go in the cabinet on one side.  The smaller shaker and the glass ice bucket fit perfectly on the other.  It's just calling for a cocktail party.  I suppose my Theresa and I will have to test it out next month!

Glam Chic

G and I are planning on doing a chic bedroom, slightly glamourous, using the colors we love so much of black, grey, white and turquoise/teal.  So I've been searching for a slightly glamourous dresser to paint.  Something a little ornate.  When I saw a six drawer cream and gold vintage dresser at the thrift store tonight I honed in on it.  It was labeled for $70, and the guy walking around the furniture dept. when I asked about buying it told me $50.  This particular thrift store has a 20% military discount so we ended up getting it for $39.99!  It's got wood, dove tailed drawers and I cannot wait to paint it and get our bedroom going!  Currently the dresser looks like the 6 drawer in this pic:

So far the plan is to buy a bed base and make a tufted headboard.  I nearly bodyslammed someone tonight (not really, but I would have) for a very large wooden frame.  The inside diagonal of the frame is 45"!  We're hoping to eventually put a t.v. in it (ala Brooklyn Limestone, whose home makes me want to steal all her ideas).  I normally would hate a t.v. in our bedroom, but since it would be used only for movies (thanks to not having any cable) I think it would be nice to curl up in bed and watch a film.  

I'm paying for the walking around we did.  I actually didn't walk much at all, but by the end my foot was screaming and I'm home drinking tea with an ice pack.  Lovely. 

Back To Usual

We dropped my parents off at the airport this morning whoa early.  I wasn't going to go, even told G I was sleeping in, but then realized "hey, I'm awake, might as well catch breakfast with the husband."  So in 15 minutes I was ready to go!  It was nice to have my parents here.  I now have my grandmama's sofa (divan) and her dining room set.  It smells like home to me, distinctly like my grandmama's house, and even G loves it.  A few things were left behind but will be picked up in subsequent trips.  I realized that I'm way more laid back than I used to be, since it didn't even faze me.  

My grandmama's 1940's sofa that I plan to eventually recover in a velvet and expose the hardwood legs.

My daddy was super helpful while he was here, installing new doorknobs and locks for us and helping G glue the legs on my grandmama's table more securely.  It sat in the sun for years (thanks to her gorgeous windows) so it needs to be refurbished, but I've already served 2 dinners on it.  Pleased as punch, and will be even more pleased when we pick up the table leaves next month.  The table folds to be a tiny little table for two, but extends to seat 12!  I'm imagining the dinner parties already!  Along with the dining table and chairs is a buffet that has two drawerfuls of table linens (that I ironed last summer and folded up to put away).  My dining room finally looks like a dining room rather than a kitchen table.  This week it will be off to IKEA to look for a rug (something I won't cry over if it gets pasta sauce spilled on it) and some white curtains to make the room more airy.  And I also may pick up some modern fabric to recover the seats to contrast with the age of the dining set (1940's).  

The buffet and a couple of the dining chairs.  They ended up being a perfect match for my kitchen/dining room!

My parents stay went well.  I spent all afternoon yesterday playing triominos and skip-bo with my parents.  We ended up at Chili's for happy hour with margaritas for dinner last night so I didn't have to cook, and then I made funnel cakes to munch on while we taughter G skip-bo.  Lots of giggling ensued, and I think we all slept very well.  Now it's back to usual.  I'm spending today drinking coffee, reading The Washington Post, and working on my novel.  My goal is to have a rough draft (with or without dialogue) written by January.  Since I'm hoping to go back to working next year, I figure it's smart to have a chunk done before I have significantly less time! 

Fireplace

Temporarily our fireplace is housing some of the artwork that will go up on our wall.  The other night as I was reading I sat in the living room with a glass of port and these candles burning.  They smell scrumptious, all spicy and relaxing.  So I snapped a pic to share!

Adjusting

It's come to my attention that I may have too many decorative items (mainly artwork of one kind or another, I'm not one for knickknacks).  So I've been grouping them throughout the home as I try to figure out what to do with them.  This is just something I threw together on top of the china cabinet, Miss Felicity, before heading home for my brother's graduation.  

The piece in the back is huge and a very common print that is on hardboard.  I actually bought it for the wooden frame to make into something else, but it's growing on me.  The clipper ship painting is my favorite one I've posted about before.  The little China man is a water sprinkler for ironing that belonged to my great grandmother.  I've seen another like it, but not in as good condition, and yes he still works!  The pitcher is the one we got from G's dad that I mentioned recently.  And the platter is a wooden and plaster platter that is old and has some chips but the color is this gorgeous blue.  

Eventually some of those items will get moved to other parts of the house.  But for now they really make this nice montage that I pass by several times a day.