Friday, October 29, 2010

Our House: Before & After

Oh my - what a week!  My supposedly "part-time" job is more like a full-time job and has me super busy.   I am trying my hardest to balance it all so I bear with me as I try to gain some control.  Anyway, some of you asked how our tag sale went last weekend.  It went well, but I think it could've been better if it was in the summer.  I was excited to earn the extra cash to hopefully put towards one of these


but those dreams quickly vanished as I got pulled over the next day supposedly going 50 in a 40 mph work zone.  Oh, yeah, a big whopping $200 ticket!  Bye bye tag sale $$$!  Do these things only happen to me?  Well, onto some better news.  I finally have some before and after pictures to show you of our house.  Remember, I told you in this post we were finally getting our house painted and I was having a hard time selecting colors, but I finally found the perfect colors!  Well, it turned out better than I expected and I cannot believe what a difference paint can make.  Seriously.  See for yourself....
BEFORE
AFTER
It's a huge improvement.  I can't tell you how much I don't mind driving up to our house now!  It makes me happy.  As you can tell, my husband (and fellow neighbors) cut down the tree right in front of the house which makes a huge difference - it really opens it up.  Sorry, we still need to remove the stump.  Here is a before and after of our front door.  
BEFORE

AFTER
I love my new black door!  I took off the old storm door which I think makes a world of difference.  I am still not finished, I have a knocker I'd like to put on the front door, I'd like to change the numbers and sconces, but all in due time.   Well, happy weekend and happy halloween everyone!!  I've missed you guys this week - thanks for bearing with me!!!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Getting Set

Do you love your wedding china?  If I could do it all over again, I would not have registered for our wedding china.  I had no idea what I wanted and felt pressured to pick a pattern.  Unfortunately, I picked something that I am just not thrilled about and now I want to sell it.  Here it is Wedgwood's India pattern.  
At our tag sale this weekend, a lovely woman told me that Replacements will buy your china.  Did you know that?  I'm definitely going to look into that.  My problem is that too many patterns appeal to me so I don't think I could ever just settle for one set.   I love my mom's china - Burgenland from Villeroy and Boch.
And, I like the idea of blending pieces - a piece from her collection and pairing it with a vintage or more modern/edgy serving piece.  Did you know there is a service in NYC called The Silver Peacock that will take your heirloom china and work with you to find complements to coordinate with your inherited piece? Pretty cool, huh?  But, personally, I think it takes all the fun away from doing it yourself.
In the meantime, how adorable is this blended vintage china set above or the patterned vintage china set below?  Too cute - I definitely feel inspired by this.
But for starters, I'd opt for a minimalistic set that is classic, timeless and refined.  Something like this to add pattern pieces too if I desire.  I love the monogram touch.
So, what about you do you love your wedding china?

Friday, October 22, 2010

Tag Sale


 If you're in the area, definitely stop by!!  To see just a small sampling of what I'm selling, click here.  And, there is lots more - just didn't have time to take pics of it all!!!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Faux Bamboo Chippendale Chair

This well-known chair has made it rounds in blogosphere and I just knew it would be a matter of time when this little beauty would make its way to my home!
Having already planned to be in NY this past weekend and then receiving a tip from Camila's very resourceful blog last week, I made sure I squeezed in a stop in Poughkeepsie to pick up the $30 chair.  I am surprised another blogger didn't beat me to it!!  Anyway, now for my favorite part, the inspiration!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Taking the Plunge

After some coaxing, I decided to take the plunge.  And, I have to admit it is kind of fun - social networking is really unbelievable. 

You can follow me here.  

Friday, October 15, 2010

Bedroom Crush

The design firm Feasby & Bleeks Design created this room using the paint color (Fern SD019) as their inspiration. 
What I like about it is the mix of elements. The subdued green paint wall color, the natural elements like the linen bedding, headboard, bedframe, and the textured drum pendant paired with the bright floral shams and asian influences.  
I like how the Asian influences balance the feminine floral fabrics.  The design team used full scale furniture (just less of it) despite having a small room.  
The designers put a bench underneath the window for extra seating.  Great idea if you don't have the custom built window seat. 
Personally, I think the shams are the piece de resistance!  I ADORE the brown grosgrain ribbon added to floral fabric - it balances it out.  Such an easy DIY to do to any pillow.  And, don't you love the little peak of nailhead in the background?  Moi, aussi.  


ps: Anyone else notice that they must of switched the curtain fabric?  The first picture the curtains are neutral, but in the second & third picture it's floral.  For more, see here

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

My Fall Decor

I have been trying to find some time here and there to incorporate some fall decor into our home.  I found some lovely gourds at the farmers market this past weekend and placed them in a decorative bowl.  
I love my new zig zag pillow as well - such a bright pop of yellow against our blue (boring) sofa.  I also changed up my mantle by using things I already had - I changed my candlesticks and candles.  The candles are a little too 'theme-y' for me, but it is currently what I have.  They'll do for now.  
Well, that is it for now.  I'm off to tend to my son who is sick; I was up practically the entire night w/him.  I hate seeing my little one in such rough shape.....

Monday, October 11, 2010

DIY: Halloween Silhouette Plates

I like to do a DIY every holiday because it always fun when you unpack the decorations (after a full year has passed) to see what is in there.  I always catch myself saying, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that!"  
I was inspired by Danny Seo's, a green living expert, craft room as seen on Bromeliad.  It screams 'fall' and looked liked a fun way to decorate seasonally without being too garish.  I bought some cheap white plates (8.5" diameter) from Walmart.  I did go to the goodwill store first, but none of the plates had a white background that I needed.  I printed out a couple of halloween templates that inspired me and stuck them on plates (using label printer paper). 
I painted the plates with black ceramic paint.  I painted two coats (make sure you let the first coat dry completely).  After the plates were dry, I stuck them in the oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.  Let plates cool completely in oven.
 And, then I hung them in our kitchen. 
What do you think?  I personally love them and plan on using the beetle all year round.  He is my favorite.  
For the full tutorial, go here.  

Friday, October 8, 2010

Our Tradition

Every fall I try to go apple picking with my son.  This year is no different.  Today is the day and it is going to be warm, sunny and beautiful especially after all the rain we've had this past week.  
I was joking and asking him last night if he has his 'apple picking hands on?'  He just thought that was the greatest thing.  Right before bed, "Mommy, I have my apple picking hands all ready for tomorrow!"  Aren't kids great?  In other news, when I was in NYC in August, I bought my son these pj's from giggle.  


Love them.  I have been dying for him to wear them, but every single night he insists on either spiderman, buzz lightyear or woody.  But, finally, last night, I won!  
Okay, that is all I got today!  I am sorry for the lack of posts this week;  work has me really busy and every night I've been so petered out (is that a word)?  Next week will be better!  Have a great weekend!!!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Buffalo Check Love

Now that Autumn is in full swing, I have to confess about my affinity for buffalo check.  Simply adore the pattern.  

And you?  Any favorite fall like patterns - houndstooth, herringbone, etc.?

Friday, October 1, 2010

Southern Exposure's Amazing 'Before & After'

If you haven't been introduced to Rachel's blog, Southern Exposure, you're missing out!  This is not the first time I've posted about her work.  I am consistently impressed by her talent and the level of difficulty of her DIYs.  This most recent one had me saying, 'Wowsers!'  Check it out:
She scored a dining room cabinet from a local shop in her home town.  She was intrigued by the cabinet because it was well made and had good bones.  'Before':
The upper cabinets (there are two of them) sit upon the base.  Not really into the greek gods pictured on the cabinet panels, she knew she had her work cut out for her.  Now, let's see the 'After': 
Can you believe it?  Is that even the same cabinet?  She replaced the greek god, glass panels with mirrors.   Her husband made the moldings on top of the mirrors.  I make it sound so easy!
One of the upper cabinets folds down like a secretary which she lined with imperial trellis and made into a bar!  Brilliant!

Amazing, if you ask me!  Please check out the rest of her DIY project here (I really don't do it justice).  And, if you're interested in more 'Before & Afters', check out Design Refuge's September challenge!  

Happy Weekend, All!  Anyone working on some 'Before & Afters" this weekend??  I am.....