Thursday, June 30, 2011
Peony Farm
I know I've been a bad bad blogger this week! I have been pretty discouraged by not having a working usb port to share photos of the projects I've been working on with you, but I have been busy and will have lots to show you soon, I am ordering an expresscard so that I can upload my photos to my mac. In the meantime, today I am headed off to the Peony Farm to check out the many varities of my favorite flower blooming right now! Here's a shot of some peonies on my kitchen table (taken with photobooth) in a crystal vase that the mister gave me back when we first started dating. Enjoy!
Monday, June 27, 2011
New Things
A lot is happening over here... which is why I am getting to this post so late in the day. Last week I covered my bulletin board using cotton muslin and brass thumb tacks to get the "nailhead" look. It looks awesome but I'd still like to wrap the edges in trim, most likely silk leftover from our silk drapery that is still on the to-do list for me to sew up.
Last week I also got started on a refinish job I am hoping to do on my mom's old dresser. She recently moved to California and I inherited her dresser and dinning room table and chairs. So far, I have used tarn-x, goop off, paint thinner, and lacquer thinner to try to get a white substance off of the brass finish of the dresser hardware. The lacquer thinner was the only thing that got it off so I'm guessing that white 'substance' was indeed, lacquer : ). I've got a great shot of one knob pre-lacquer removal and another post, but since my usb ports are still out you will have to wait until another day to see it.
Another thing I did last week was reorganize our linen closet. This prompted us to decided to turn our entry way closet that is currently without doors and houses a bench with coat hooks into a coat closet/pantry. We haven't started constructing it yet, and I think we will put the bench up for sale before we do and use the proceeds to help fund the cost of the materials for the project.
One thing that did get started and is {almost} done now is our front porch posts! Today the mister wrapped them and primed them. All they need now is a coat of paint or two. We hung up our house numbers for they first time, our house has been without them (save for some drawn on with caulking) for over 6 years. I'm not sure what took us so long to hang them up as we've had some purchased and sitting in our garage for a few years now.
The front of the house is really shaping up. In the past 3 months, it's been painted, has has new shingles put up on one of the gables, has gotten a pop of red paint on the front door, and now has gorgeous address numbers centered on the front gable as well as wrapped posts.
The mister also manged to kill the rest of the ivy covering our containing wall and removed it to reveal the railroad ties beneath. This has really opened up our front yard and makes not only our yard, but our parking space seem larger. It also lends more visibility of our home from the road.
I know this is a lot of talking {writing} but like I said, a lot has been going on. That's why I've been posting more pretty pictures and less about our home as explaining all these happenings takes more time than I've had as of late with all these projects going on, but now that I've briefed you all, I promise to share pics and details soon!
Last week I also got started on a refinish job I am hoping to do on my mom's old dresser. She recently moved to California and I inherited her dresser and dinning room table and chairs. So far, I have used tarn-x, goop off, paint thinner, and lacquer thinner to try to get a white substance off of the brass finish of the dresser hardware. The lacquer thinner was the only thing that got it off so I'm guessing that white 'substance' was indeed, lacquer : ). I've got a great shot of one knob pre-lacquer removal and another post, but since my usb ports are still out you will have to wait until another day to see it.
Another thing I did last week was reorganize our linen closet. This prompted us to decided to turn our entry way closet that is currently without doors and houses a bench with coat hooks into a coat closet/pantry. We haven't started constructing it yet, and I think we will put the bench up for sale before we do and use the proceeds to help fund the cost of the materials for the project.
One thing that did get started and is {almost} done now is our front porch posts! Today the mister wrapped them and primed them. All they need now is a coat of paint or two. We hung up our house numbers for they first time, our house has been without them (save for some drawn on with caulking) for over 6 years. I'm not sure what took us so long to hang them up as we've had some purchased and sitting in our garage for a few years now.
The front of the house is really shaping up. In the past 3 months, it's been painted, has has new shingles put up on one of the gables, has gotten a pop of red paint on the front door, and now has gorgeous address numbers centered on the front gable as well as wrapped posts.
The mister also manged to kill the rest of the ivy covering our containing wall and removed it to reveal the railroad ties beneath. This has really opened up our front yard and makes not only our yard, but our parking space seem larger. It also lends more visibility of our home from the road.
I know this is a lot of talking {writing} but like I said, a lot has been going on. That's why I've been posting more pretty pictures and less about our home as explaining all these happenings takes more time than I've had as of late with all these projects going on, but now that I've briefed you all, I promise to share pics and details soon!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Our House
Happy Friday people! I know for lots of you Friday means the end of a work week so to commensurate that I've put together some of my dreaming (which is what every post basically is) into an organized spot. These give or take a shade variance or two, are the wall colors I'd like to paint in my house (all I need to do is convince the mister of how amazing these colors are!)
Living Room and kitchen dining wall:
Benjamin Moore Twilight
this was the inspiration photo for the color which I'n not sure of the actual color (and I don't think I'm getting it right just yet) but looks like a textured wallpaper:
source unknown :( sorry peeps!
Kitchen:
will stay the same! This color is only on one wall but I love it! To me it's a deep muted eggplanty-purple to the Mister it's brown. You can see both colors in it and for some reason, it makes me happy.
It is a Ralph Lauren color which is what all the rooms in our house are right now except for the bug's room. I'm not sure of the name (only the numbers are on the can) but I will call and find out and let you all know.
Nursery:
Benjamin Moore Peppermint
Master Bedroom
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
or some shade of light gray?? I am liking this one and think I just need to take the plunge and paint!
Bathroom:
Benjamin Moore Onyx
Hall and Entry:
Benjamin Moore Decorator's White
and
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Subtle Stripes! A la Three Men and a Lady : )
.... and that's all folks! Really, The main level of our home has 2 bedrooms (bought it with 3 but the Mister made it into 2 larger rooms plus a larger walk-in), a full bathroom, hall, entry, kitchen, off kitchen dining, and living room.
Are these colors super crazy together? These are the colors I want, but want to make sure I can figure out some kind color flow room-to-room before changing the walls which may require a few alterations in my color plan.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Late Post, Better Post Coming Later
Sorry about no post this morning. My usb ports are either fried or disabled and I have a Mac Book Pro with an internal battery so no taking out the battery and seeing if it re-enables them for me :(. I have pictures galore to share with you, so I've uploaded them to the Mister's cpu and am trying to burn them to a disc so that I can put them on my mac but unfortunately for you (and me) I'm horrible with non-macs and cannot figure that machine out. I'm working on it and will (fingers crossed) have an awesome picture filled post for you later. For now, I leave you with this shot of unbelievable cuteness:
Best,
Charisma
Best,
Charisma
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Adding Color In the Kitchen
Just in case you missed it, here is the guest post I did over at Pawleys Island Posh:
Have you noticed the trend of kilim, dhurrie and persian rugs in the kitchen? I personally have a galley kitchen with maple cabinets and tile flooring that would def not suffer from a nice warm, colorful rug. These gorgeous rugs are hot right now and are so cheery with their bright, inviting colors. Unfortunately, an authentic antique rug can run you a pretty penny, but you can get printed and/or non-antique versions for much less and without the guilt that accidently dropping a jar of marina on one might bring.
Here are some awesome inspired rugs that I want to take home:
Have you noticed the trend of kilim, dhurrie and persian rugs in the kitchen? I personally have a galley kitchen with maple cabinets and tile flooring that would def not suffer from a nice warm, colorful rug. These gorgeous rugs are hot right now and are so cheery with their bright, inviting colors. Unfortunately, an authentic antique rug can run you a pretty penny, but you can get printed and/or non-antique versions for much less and without the guilt that accidently dropping a jar of marina on one might bring.
found here
found here
{L-o-v-e that blue door and that floor by the way! This whole kitchen is a dream.}
found here
found here
found here
found here
Here are some awesome inspired rugs that I want to take home:
Tromp L'Oiel Floor Mat- Persian Rug, Urban Outfiiters
$159
{66" x 46" and maybe perfect.}
Russian Medallion Rug, Urban Outfitters
4' x 6' and only $48! Now also comes in purple.
Jaipur Printed Dhurrie, West Elm
$89 for a 2.5' x 7' runner
{comes in 2' x 3', 3' x 5', and 5' x 8' too}
Printed Arabesque Rug in Ginger, Williams-Sonoma Home
only $58 for a 3' x 5'
{also comes in blue and 2' x 3' and 6' x 9'}
Rajasthan-Stripe Printed Dhurrie, West Elm
$89 for 2.5' x 7' runner
{2' x 3', 3' x 5', and 5' x 8' available as well}
This one is obvs not-so-bright, but that print is really something!
Royal Palace Imperial Persian handmade Wool Rug, QVC
2' 6" x 4' 2"
$78 and comes in Ivory, Burgundy, Olive and Mocha
Aegean-Printed Cotton, West Elm
$19 (2' x 3') - $39 (3' x 5')
Nourison Agra Heriz Hand-Tufted Wool Rug, QVC
2' 3" x 7' 6"
$117
*UPDATE*
Here is another awesome rug I found over at Anthro that is uber colorful which is definitely my preference for this style of rug:
Here is another awesome rug I found over at Anthro that is uber colorful which is definitely my preference for this style of rug:
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Cane-Backed Delight
I recently inherited a dinning set that includes cane-backed chairs. At the moment they are a little rough around the edges and needing some love, but I have plans to replace our current set with them and will be fixing them up soon.
Here is some cane-awesomeness in stores and online right now:
Here is some cane-awesomeness in stores and online right now:
Vintage French Cane Back Square Upholstered Side Chair
Restoration Hardware
Restoration Hardware
Ballard Designs
Ballard Designs
Restoration Hardware
Pottery Barn
Layla Grayce
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