Project Before, During and Inspiration

Another week, another project! We are currently working on the studio closet and as usually happens this will have a snowball effect on the entire room. Since a post full of pictures featuring wall studs, bad drywall, funky trim, ratty carpet and old wallpaper isn't especially attractive, I thought I'd sprinkle in some pretty pictures from my Pinterest boards that are inspiring my dreams for this room.

 I'm looking forward to more storage and being more organized. Who says organization can't be pretty? Fools.

Below is a true before picture of the closet except we had already removed the lovely marker scarred refuse-to-stay-in-the-track louvered bifold doors. Pretty huh?

Yeah I didn't think so. Now look at this one and squint your eyes and use your imagination. And maybe click your heels together 3 times for good measure.

Below is a progress shot. We're not quite there yet and I'm feeling antsy to be done with construction and moving on to the pretty/fluffing/playing stage of the project but my hired hand is not moving at a pace that satisfies me. I'd fire him but since I live with him, that could be awkward.

I know all the pain will be worth it in the end but for now I'm stuck in the planning phase and dreaming about when it's all done. I'm sure my carpenter is dreaming about that part too. I'm just happy that he is (mostly) willing to carry out my crazy ideas.

Getting Horizontal

I have a deep love for shiplap or horizontal wood walls.

I think they have lots of character and add tons of charm. Typically I like the boards wide. The wider the better.

Also, they hide a multitude of sins. We have a lot of sins in this house.

We have decided to try this technique inside the studio closet which currently is nothing but studs. And since we are terrible at drywall, and this is a diy level project, it seems like a good choice.

This will be our practice room because we also hope to do it in our master bathroom and in the mudroom.

I find it best to always practice in a less conspicuous place. We are getting started soon so if any of you have successfully attempted to get horizontal, I would love some tips.

Hey Pumpkin

We've had beautiful Autumn weather this week. This morning we are just hours away from our town's big parade and the beginning of our Fall Festival. I'm feeling sad that Sweet Hubby had to extend his business trip to Germany an extra day and will miss the main event this morning but happy he will be here later this afternoon and won't miss the whole weekend.

Obviously no Midwestern girl worth her salt could be experiencing Autumnal weather and a Fall parade without her thoughts naturally drifting to seasonal decorating.

 I find myself drawn to mercury glass, ironstone and natural elements for holiday decorating now. Also, as in every other aspect of my life, I'm feeling less is more. Simple and natural with a dash of flair. That's me in a nutshell. I'm a study in contrasts. It's what makes me, me.

I always struggled with knowing how to incorporate Autumn and Halloween together and when and how to do what. I finally figured it out. In September I will focus on Fall elements, adding warmth and texture and keeping it nature inspired then, come October I will edit a bit and add in the Halloween and finally when November arrives, I will take the Halloween back out and count the days until I can decorate for Christmas! Commence with the eye rolling. I'm sure you smarties figured all that out years ago. Sometimes it's the simplest things that escape me.

I find a new house gives me an excuse to revamp the holiday decorations a bit, but a forever house gives me an excuse to really edit and just use and buy things I love for the spaces I have now. There is no more keeping stuff because I might need it for the next house. It's time for me to live in the here and now. Maybe there is a life lesson in there for me?

(pics 1 thru 4 from Pottery Barn, pics 5 and 6 from BHG)

Misfits

 Here's the truth, I was never part of the in crowd. That's okay with me. I like to fancy myself a bit of a misfit. As a result I seem to be drawn to other misfits, whether they be human or not.

 We have started work on our kitchen. Here's disclaimer#1: Our kitchen needs to be gutted, tip to toes, soup to nuts, floor to ceiling. Here's disclaimer#2: Be don't have the budget for a full kitchen reno right now so we are focusing on making it livable for the lean years.

However, for when the time comes when the years aren't so lean, we are dreaming of an unfitted kitchen. We want something a little different than what every one else has, a mix of materials and finishes to give us a uniquely individual space.

The Europeans are experts in the unfitted kitchen. I'm getting back to my Scandinavian roots by going this direction. My Swedish and Norwegian ancestors are giving me a standing ovation.

 Also, it turns out this is a less expensive way to do it. I almost never choose the less expensive way, so my Sweet Hubby is also giving me a standing ovation.

 And I always thought being a misfit was it's own reward.

Stairway to Heaven

(Source)

These are the stairs I have always dreamed of: painted, a lovely runner, definetely a stairway to heaven.

 

This? This is a stairway to somewhere else. There is nothing good that can be said for it. We're unsure about that post but hope that a coat of paint will have it swimming in charm. Don't be hatin' on me you stained wood purists. We contemplated just replacing the carpet and painting what was around it but we couldn't justify almost $1000 for something that wasn't even what we really wanted.

Lucky for us we have a contractor that is a stone's throw from our house. He will be arriving at the beginning of next week to start replacing the stairs. I think this will be the start of a beautiful relationship.

And while I adore white painted stairs, we have a big, constantly shedding puppers. This reality requires me to make an adjustment to my dream, which means painting the risers white and the treads a mediumish shade of grey. Do you have a favorite mediumish shade of grey you want to share with me? I would paint them Golden Retriever but I couldn't find that color in my paint deck.

 

I also need to find a runner that makes my heart sing without making my wallet cry. Dash and Albert? Sisal? Dash and Albert? I think you can see which way I'm leaning. I hope to find a way to install it myself. 

I know I haven't shared a lot of house pics yet but I've been so busy with the doing that there isn't much time for the showing. We are pretty well unpacked now, I have painted 4 rooms from tip to tail and hope to finish 2 more in the coming week. We are finally getting things hung on the wall and have started cleaning up outside too. Our Maddie is graduating in a few weeks and we have the frenzy of activity and company that accompanies that event. I'm really looking forward to the 2nd week of June and getting time to catch you up on all we have done. I will tell you this, we LOVE this house and with each project we take more ownership and our excitement and pride grow.

On My Mind

These days I have lots on my mind. Everything is going smoothly with the house purchase. We close in less than 2 weeks! Sadly, we don't take possession until the middle of April which feels like torture right now, but allows me plenty of time for dreaming about decorating.

I have decided to paint my kitchen table and matching hutch. They are that cream and wood finish that was so popular in the 90's. Their turn for a makeover is well overdue. Let me be clear. I HATE painting furniture. It is the bane of my existence. However, I LOVE painted furniture. What we have here folks is quite a dilemma and the only solution usually involves me with a paint brush in my hand. That is probably because I seem to be missing the gene that allows me to pay other people to do something I am capable of doing myself. Sometimes I curse my Scandinavian heritage for that one.

I'm thinking I will paint the hutch white with grey interior and maybe shelf edges and just keep the table white although I love the 2nd picture that has a grey table with a white top. Also this solid grey hutch above makes my heart sing. Hmm. Maybe a solid grey hutch and a white table?

Then I see something like this blue and grey cabinet that belongs to Maria at the Dreamy Whites blog and I think. Oh, for sure blue. I must have something painted blue and the next thing you know I am back at square one and left sitting here staring blankly at pictures of lovely painted pieces.

You Give Me Fever

57 degrees is our forecasted high temperature today. The thought of it has me feeling all dreamy and happy. A little giddy really. Flip flops and pink toenails giddy. Green grass and open windows giddy.

 

I have myself a pretty severe case of Spring Fever and I will warn you now, it is highly contagious. 

I find myself daydreaming about my new yard, my assortment of porches, getting my hands in the dirt, clotheslines, planting vegetables, my potting shed, badminton, long walks, sundresses, grilled pizza, hammocks,  composting, chickens, aprons, brunches, treehouse renovations, picket fences, big trees, eating alfresco and reading in the sunshine. Freshly mowed grass. Sigh. That smell. 

I am awaking from a long winter's nap. I'm ready to bound out of bed and get to it.  Sadly I must wait and dream a while longer. I'm not feeling very patient in my wait.

Starting at the Bottom

The first order of business for the new house is hardwood. Now keep in mind that this is said without benefit of knowing just how large that expense might be. After the estimates I might be shell shocked into just sticking with paint for awhile. Buying a house is expensive! You probably already knew that. I had forgotten. I try to write a check every day for at least $500. I'm thinking that can't go on much longer.

The house already has hardwood all through the upstairs which is just a few years old. In the family room and 2 bedrooms downstairs there is older hardwood and it is not in the best of shape. We hope to replace the first floor hardwood and the carpet on the stairs with new hardwood and refinish what is on the 2nd floor to match. I love a dark floor. And wide planks. And a lovely aged patina. The good kind of patina. But there are so many questions. Factory finished? Engineered? Finished on site?

What I'm really worried about is, what happens down the road when we go to finish the kitchen and want to put the wood in there. Or what if we want to open up a wall a bit? I don't want any of the money we spend now to be a waste.

Also? I like to research a project before I make a decision. Research it to death...  That way I am assured of making the right choice. Well, not really. But I can pretend. Also, we are talking about what I assume is going to be a lot of money. Enough money that it will make me want to vomit when I hear the total.

So for today, I am looking at inspiration and hoping you will take pity on me (and the people around me that I will inevitably drive insane during this process) and give me your hard earned hardwood advice.

House Wish List

This weekend we are seeing 5 houses that are for sale in the Village. We are so excited and hopeful, although we know that since the selection is so limited we are not likely to find our dream house. We are hoping to find something we can turn into our dream house. I hope to share pictures with you next week from our house hunting adventures. Until then, here is what we are hoping to find in our next home.

A charming exterior preferably with a front porch

A good garage

A yard large enough to throw the ball for the dog and for a clothes line

Climbing trees and a treehouse or a spot for one

An open staircase

A kitchen that has a gas range and hasn't been renovated so that I can create the kitchen of my dreams without paying for a renovation that is not my taste.

A dining area that is separate but not formal.

At least 3 bedrooms

At least 2 bathrooms

A space for my studio

A fireplace