The Year In Review And What's Up For 2015

So this year flew by.   I have to say that 2014 wasn't the best personal year for us, but we're hopeful that 2015 will deliver.  As for our renovation, we had a few highs.  We finished a guest room ORC style and couldn't be happier with it.

I started the office/ craft room and it's really come a long way since when we moved in. I kinda lost steam on it though and it's become a dumping ground for things without a home.  I'm putting it back on the list for 2015 though.

Then there was the foyer.  Huge huge strides were made considering what we started with and I really tried to get it together for the fall ORC, but life wasn't having it. So it's still on the verge of completion.  I know this one will be completed in 2015 though.

We also started and didn't finish the sunroom.  It needs a lot of work though so that's my excuse.  The built in bookcase should be done in the next week or so.  There was a delay on the library ladder so that's what the hold up is.  Of course the prep of the windows still isn't done.  Oopsie.  We just haven't been in the mood to scrape and chisel a century's worth of paint off.  Go figure.

One thing I haven't told you about is the landscaping.  We've actually done quite a bit of work to the outside but for some reason I keep forgetting to post about it.  I'll save that for another time though.

Now on to what I'd like to accomplish for 2015.  First off, I have something to share.  I'm planning on opening my own business which means I'll have more rooms and bathrooms to put together.  Woohoo! That's not sarcasm.  I'm really excited to put it together.   What I do for a living has absolutely nothing to do with design but the space has to be designed, right?  And I'm going to do it.  I'm probably going to be asking for opinions along the way but I'll share more about that later.

As for the house, here's the list.  I have no idea if what's on the list will get done, but a girl can dream (can't she?).
-Sunroom is the number 1 priority right now
-Finish up the foyer which is ridiculously close to being completed
-Finish the dining room.  I've actually changed up a few things in there that I didn't share.  Just forgot.
  Kinda like the outside.  Oops.

I think I'm going to leave it at this.  This seems doable.  If I accomplish more, great.  I'm looking forward to the New Year and all the possibilities.  I just have to make sure not to have too high of expectations.  I'm totally guilty of that and then I get disappointed in the end.  I'm setting the bar low this year. Yes, low expectations it is.

A Light, New Windows And Drywall In The Sunroom

I still haven't found chairs for the foyer but I'm tracking a couple.  In the meantime we finally got a light for the sunroom.  My husband just put it up yesterday.  Finally, I won't have to feel my way around in the dark.  And now we can even work in the room at night.  Oh joy!  It's hard to tell in this picture, but I'm painting the ceiling that faint blue color.  It's BM Palladian Blue 25%.

We also changed out the old louver windows with something that comes much closer to the originals.  They aren't perfect, but much improved from what was there.  My husband finished putting up the drywall.  Now it just needs tape and mud and then we can paint.  Though I still haven't finished prepping the old windows.  It's such a nightmare.  We had asked a painter for a quote to do the prep work.  Let's just say that person never got back with us.  Hmm.  I wonder why?  Nightmare.  

Not much else has been done, but in the next month we are having a bookcase made for the opposite wall.  

It will be the entire length of this wall, going over the doors (which we found in the attic!) and from floor to ceiling.  The bonus is that we're getting a library ladder.  I'm so excited! This is definitely going to be my favorite room in the house. Light + windows + books = heaven.  

It's Almost Done...

It's so close.  I'm just trying to find some smallish chairs, preferably some barrel back cane chairs, and some tidying up and flowers and it's done.  Here's a peek, but keep in mind that a) I'm a horrible photographer, and b) it was a really cloudy day.

I'll take better pictures for the reveal...or at least I'll try.  It will be after Thanksgiving some time, depending on the chair situation and the need for reupholstery?  Until then, everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving and try not to go overboard on the turkey;)

More Action In The Foyer

The ORC may be over, but my foyer is still in the works.  I don't think I've even gone through 1/10th of the reveals but what I did see was awesome.  It's motivating me to finish this already.  That and Thanksgiving looming.  The good news is that we finally got the mirrors.  They are awaiting picture molding hooks and wire.  I sure wish we would have thought to buy that stuff weeks ago, but then again we were a bit preoccupied.

 I made the Neo Toile covers for the bench pillows this weekend, so the bench is complete.

The lambrequins are supposed to be ready next week.  I had a picture of the try in but it was so dark.  It's so hard to take a picture of a window.  At least it is for me.

Anyway, I'm really hoping to wrap this up before Thanksgiving.  We'll see what lady luck (whore) has in store for me.

The One Room Challenge- To Be Continued

So I didn't finish.  I'm kind of bummed but it will be done in a few weeks or so.  Not the end of the world really.  I think this time around there were just too many things out of my control.  And, it's been a very rough month for my family.  In addition to being sick for just short of a month now, my husband's sister, who he's extremely close to, lost her year and a half long battle with cancer last week.  She was 48 years old.  Needless to say my foyer hasn't been tops on my mind.  I'm not linking this post to the challenge but I didn't want to leave it hanging.  A death puts so many things in perspective and I just feel like now, more than ever, I want to love on my family and live like there's no tomorrow.  When you're young you feel like you're bullet proof.  Like nothing bad can happen to you.  The reality is it's just not true.  I know everyone says this, but make sure the people who are close to you know how much you love and appreciate them because our lives are so fragile and uncertain.

And now, getting off my soapbox and on to something less heavy, I wanted to thank Linda from Calling It Home for putting the challenge together.  Though I didn't finish, I did get the kick in the pants that I needed to get started and I know it's going to be fabulous (or at least it looks fabulous in my head).  I plan on spending some time this weekend looking at everyone's wonderful rooms.  It will be a great diversion.

The One Room Challenge-Week 5

Week 5.  Kill me know.  Since I'm already running way behind I might as well keep it going with mirrors that I ordered that are backordered until November and take 6-8 weeks to ship.  Are you f'ing kidding me?  What can I say?  They were the right size and shape.  I'm hoping the finish isn't going to be an issue.  Especially after waiting that long.

Via Bellacor

The ones I had on my original moodboard I copied from google as an inspiration.  Sooooooo......I do have something to show you.

That is the candidate for the lambrequin fabric with that color green rope trim that will be on the bottom edge. You like? You can also see a peek of the Neo Toile fabric in the background.  I found a crazy deal for it online ($11 per yard) so I promptly bought 40 yards.  Yes I know it's a lot but I thought for a minute that I was going to use it in my dining room and then thought the better of it.  It's actually going in my sunroom (if that room ever gets finished) but since I have 40 FREAKIN YARDS of it I thought I might  bring some of it into the foyer.  If I get a minute and can fix my sewing machine I'll make a pillow or two out of it and see how it looks.

And the lambrequin lady came by with a template. So that step is done, but it will still take a few weeks to make.  I framed some of the historical pictures/documents about the house and the blueprint is being framed as well so just waiting on those and the mirrors to put up.  So once again, very little progress but I'm excited to see progress at all, quite frankly.

I'm off to work, but can't wait to check out the Challengers and Linkers to see what everyone has been up to.

The One Room Challenge-Week 4

Well I have absolutely no real good news.  My cushion is done but won't arrive in time for today.  Maybe it's best not to reveal too much?  Especially when that might be the only thing done in time for the challenge.  The bench is off to get stripped and stained but the shop had someone quit and the boss's wife yada yada.  Long story short it may not be done in time.  And the lambrequins?  Forget about it.  I could murder the woman who's supposed to be working on them.  So frustrating.  It will all be done in the 8 week version of the ORC.  Ha!  I'm not saying I'm quitting because I'm not a quitter.  I'm just saying that I have very low expectations for completing my foyer.  But, I'll at least be a lot closer to finishing than when I started (that one's for you Linda:).

Here's just a few snippets of what I do have.

No, it's not going there.

That's it.  I know.  Slim pickens.  Well we shall see what will happen...In the meantime go check out the Challengers and Linkers.  God, I hope they've made more progress than I have.

The One Room Challenge-Week Three

Well I've been sick for about 9 days.  I finally went to the Dr and turns out I have pneumonia. Damn!  I thought it was taking an abnormally long period of time for me to feel better.  So not a lot got done.  I'll tell you what did go right.  The cushion fabric is out of my hands and is being made as I write this.  Yes!  I also got the rug.  The color is not quite what I was hoping for but the price was just too good to pass up.  It's growing on me though.

Then I found a couple of leopard print pillows for $16 each at Home Goods.  I was going to make them but then I just carried on with my life;).  I'm hoping they work because I really don't have the time (or energy) to do pretty much anything at this point.

When we moved in the house, the previous owner's daughter gave us some old pictures of the house and some information about who first occupied it.  We also have the original blueprint.  I plan on framing these and putting them up as a little homage to the original owners.  

I wonder why anyone in their right mind would have taken the porch off?  Shaking head, rolling eyes.

Now on to the big fat bummer news (besides the fact that I have pneumonia!).  The window treatments. I plan on doing lambrequins.  Exactly like this, to be specific.

Via McGrath II Blog

And no, I'm not tackling these myself.  I'm supposed to approve a template which hasn't even been made  yet so I'm pretty positive that they won't be ready. But then again, never say never.  Whatevs.

First things first though.  I've got to get well.  I haven't had the energy to look at what everyone's been doing, which I'm bummed about, but I'm sure it's all rainbows and sunshine.  So what are you waiting for?  Go check out The One Room Challengers and Linkers.  Go. Now.

The One Room Challenge-Week Two

Welcome back to the One Room Challenge Linking Edition.  It's week two and, ugh, I'm a tad nervous about being able to finish.  I'm pretty sure the cushion will be ready in time, but the window treatments...well?  I'll talk about those next week.  I'm hoping(praying) that I may have some news on those next week.  In the meantime I was able to get some retail therapy in.  Bought this rug on Amazon.

I like that it's neutral and sturdy but the pattern keeps it from being totally boring.  Keep in mind that I haven't actually seen it in person though so my opinion could change.  Hope not.  And I did make a switch in the colorway of the fabric I'm using.  Once I got the Grass (right) colorway in the room it felt kinda tired and yellowed out.  The Leaf colorway was so much more fresh.  When you have two stinky animals and two kids and hence way too much familiarity with poop and you're tired all the time, fresh is what you crave so fresh it is!

Still need to stain this bench.  Oh and we're not slaughtering humans at the house.  That's just a prop for the Halloween party. Lol, must learn to edit.

Ignore my gnarled old lady hand in this one.  WTF!

So just a wee bit of progress.  I've got some other things on order though so hopefully more to share next week.  Make sure to stop by the One Room Challenge Varsity players and all of us linkers as well.  So much eye candy out there and I for one am always so inspired by others.  Have a great week!

The One Room Challenge-Week One

Well Linda's One Room Challenge is here again.  I'm joining in as a participant, but I'm doing the "light" version this time around.  No crazy reno like the last one.  I just don't have the time and I'm planning a huge Halloween costume party at my house so it's going to get crazy around here. This time around I'm doing my foyer.  I'm cheating a bit since we already got the wallpaper in but the room isn't "finished" so that's my excuse.  I'll show you what the foyer looked like originally and a few months ago and what we've been able to accomplish.

Blurry picture of when we first looked at the house

During reno

Mid-painting

And now with the wallpaper.  I'm purposely not showing the whole foyer.  Yes, I'm a tease but you'll get over it.

Anyhoo, I just recently found a little bench on Craigslist that needs a little work.  So you can see that I got a big jumpstart on the challenge.  But there's still a lot to do and some of it will be out of my hands.  Here's the list.

-Stain bench
-Fabric selection for cushion and pillows
-Window treatments for windows going up the stairs
-Area rug
-Console table and styling
-Mirrors and/or artwork

So here's my vision...but don't hold me to it.

Lamp via Horchow, Console and mirrors via One Kings Lane, Fabric Schumacher, Fabric efabricdecor.com, Tape via tasseloutlets.com

As for design, since the walls are very traditional chinoiserie I'm probably going to give everything else a more modern twist.  The first floor colors are going to be greens and blues, and I'm leaning toward greens for the foyer.  I'm also throwing some animal print in there for good measure.  One thing that is not going to happen in time is a stairway rug.  Eventually I want to have a continuous rug all the way up to the third floor.  Unfortunately the third floor staircase has yet to be addressed so it's going to have to wait. That's all I've got so far.  Stop by next week to see my progress, and don't forget to check out all the other ORC challengers and linking participants.

Still Trying To Repair The Sunroom

My poor husband is still at it.  Good news is that the sun porch hasn't fallen over. I kept expecting the walls to just fall flat like you see in the movies. So we've got that going for us.  He's been able to put up some new supports for the walls, do the wiring and add insulation.

I bought something recently that came with a ton of styrofoam so he's using that as the bulk with some spray insulation to fill in the gaps.  Yay, recycling!  He also fit in a new sill.  Next week the new knee wall will get drywall and then it's on to baseboard.  Of course there's still the prep/painting to do.  Wah-wah.  Progress is progress though.  I'll posting on thursday also for the start of The One Room Challenge.   Anyone else doing it?  I can't wait!

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Yep, it's been a while since I posted.  Enjoying life I suppose.  Things seem to move in slow motion over the summer but now that school's back in session we've picked up again as well.  Finally found someone to fix the crown.  It's not perfect, but after waiting for what seemed like an eternity to find someone to do something, I'm calling it good.  Sometimes you just have to say f-it and move on.  The good news is that we finally got the wallpaper up.

I have to admit that at first I wasn't sure about it.  I think it just felt so different and traditional, but now I adore it.  I definitely have some plans for the foyer but I'm saving them for the upcoming One Room Challenge....maybe....if I can get motivated.

 We also found some doors in the attic that use to close the sunroom off which were just painted and hung.

Now on to the bad and ugly.  No, it's not the mess you see in the room above.  That's just reno and real life people!  Anyway, remember when we started on the sunroom?  Well it's turned out to be a total cluster you know what.  I feel like I've spent a ridiculous amount of time scraping off flaking paint, meanwhile my husband has removed the lower plaster and baseboard to add wiring.

And then he noticed this.

 Hmm, termite damage.  We don't have active termites, but just how bad is the damage?  Well after removing the plaster we found that the wood that is supposed to be holding up this structure has been practically devoured by termites and is not even really attached to anything anymore.

This is the wood that was removed.  It's so chewed through that it's light as a feather.  And now we can see right to the outside in the corners.  Great.

So, needless to say, my husband's got his work cut out for him.  Just one more thing to add to the list.  I have to say that in my head, this room is going to be amazing when it's done.  I have plans to do a ceiling to floor bookcase with a library ladder and eventually french doors out onto the porch.  It'll be great, but this one step forward two steps back crap is getting old.  Plus it's going to be one expensive room to finish.  Why oh why can't anything just be easy (and cheap) in this house?!?!