Wishlist

A few things I've noticed missing from mi casa.

• salt and pepper shakers
• tablecloth(s)
• fun/colorful/patterned tableware that I can mix and match with my everyday white (particularly needing salad bowls, large serving bowls for pasta, salads, etc.)
• picture frames (Goodwill? looking for interesting ones that I can paint or otherwise spruce up for my gallery wall)
• tray for coffee table
• throw pillows (oranges, deep pinks, purples) for living room
• throw blanket (current ones are looking kind of beat)
• candlesticks (again, Goodwill? something for a statement)
• yummy smelling candles

To Do:

So many projects, so little time... For the sake of at least seeing all that I'd like to accomplish around my place, I thought I'd list them out here (in no particular order for now; I'll try to prioritize soon).

1. replace two pendant lights over bar counter
2. replace light over dining room table
3. paint large dry sink and move to under TV
4. buy and hang drapes for living room
5. paint second bathroom
6. decorate second bathroom
7. add wall and closet to master bedroom
8. paint master bedroom
9. move/sell furniture out of second bedroom
10. paint second bedroom?
11. buy desk and chair
12. buy daybed or convertible sofa
13. create gallery wall in hallway
14. buy/create art for over living room couch
15. buy ottomans with storage for living room
16. buy tray to create bar area in dining room
17. buy shelving for laundry/storage room
18. install drying rack in laundry/storage room
19. make and hang some sort of bulletin board for cabinet surrounding refrigerator
20. stain/seal deck
21. buy two chaise lounges and cushions for deck
22. buy side tables for deck
23. buy plants for deck

Oy.

Kitchen -- Take 2

Well, we had a small snafu with the C&B order. Apparently when I placed the phone order it went through as the Belmont Kitchen Island -not the High Dining Table. Only after schlepping 45 minutes to the warehouse today to pick it up, and watching Todd lug a 175 pound box through the door, open and unwrap all the pieces, and pull out the island top - did I realize that something had gone awry.

However both pieces are the same price and though the dimensions are different, I was not about to have Todd re-wrap the entire thing. So he went ahead and assembled it.

I'm happy with it. And the room was plenty big for it. I think it ends up working a bit better with the space given that its rectangular. Not sure what to do about the rug -- or if I even need it. The good thing is I have more storage with this island than I would have with the table.

As you can see I also went out and picked up two saddle stools. The same ones you sent, and I got them at Target for 49. Oh and Josh has already fallen off once. :) I'm sacrificing decor for child safety. (I hope no one from child services ends up finding this blog.)

Fireplace

I'm not sure how much you can actually see it in this picture, but the paint peeled (8 years ago) on the fireplace and Todd "fixed it" with some random can of paint in the garage. Sigh.

Last week Josh took the circular saw from his HD tool set and went to work on the same area. How bad is it when your 3 year old notices that your house is falling apart?

All in all, I'm not a fan of the black slate/gold trim. Would love to find an affordable solution to reskin the entire fireplace and mantle.

Kitchen

Ok, so here's the first hole that needs filling. As I mentioned, I've gone ahead and ordered the Belmont High Dining Table from C&B -- we're actually picking it up on Saturday. But I feel like the space will still need an area rug and bar stools. I'm hesitant to pick up the stools until I get the table in and can actually see/experience the height.

Though Todd disagrees the kitchen needs a table, I'm desperate to get Josh away from the TV (and off the couch!) during meals. My mother would cry if she knew we have become a TV-tray family.

Now I'm just hoping that once we get it in the kitchen I'm happy with the selection. We shall see!

Left to do:

Stools (2)

Rug

Stencil Project

The wall under my bar, which is open to the living room, is painted builder's beige (like the rest of my condo right now). They used what seems to be the flattest of flat paints, so every time something even brushes against it, it leaves a mark. Not good for the bar wall, which is obviously in frequent contact with shoes.  Here's how it looked when I moved in:

I have CB2 Diego bar stools, and the adjoining living room area palette is a mix of chocolate, wheat, and cream, with pops of lime green and fuschia. As a quick and easy way to fix what is now a completely scuffed wall under the bar, I planned to paint it chocolate brown. But that seemed kind of boring, so I started thinking about other possibilities, namely introducing more color/pattern/texture. First idea was to stick with the plan of painting the background a rich brown (or black?) but stencil a large medallion pattern on top, in a white or tan shade. Something like one of these:

But today, I fortuitously came across this gorgeous project at the aptly named Hello Gorgeous (found via Elements of Style):

Wouldn't that look amazing under my bar? The Imperial Trellis pattern is a classic yet modern favorite, and the metallic paint takes it to a whole new level. I hope a deep brown/pearly silver combo will look just as stunning, creating a visual feature rather than a forgotten space. It's a fairly labor intensive project, but I only need to cover about 7' x 4'. Thoughts? Can I get it done before my party in a few weeks?

#1

I love blogs and I love all things design and decorating, so it's only fitting that I have a place to share and save inspiration. I don't think Jess knows what she's getting herself into, but I'm looking forward to the collaboration!