Kitchen Update 1.0

I had Friday off, so it was a perfect day to get some big projects done. I called in Stanley Steamer to work on our old microfiber couches. They were just too dirty and dingy to keep in the 'formal' living room. They didn't turn out perfect, but they'll do.

Meanwhile, we hired a painter to come in and remove the wallpaper in the kitchen and prep it to paint. Man, these guys did a FANTASTIC job.

Right now they are all 'skimmed' which means that there's random places of new drywall mud. Chris is coming back tomorrow to sand it down and then we'll put on the tinted primer layer.

Um, paint colors? Driving me insane. The counter tops are blue and it's not in the budget to replace them...so blue they'll stay. We decided we want to do a yellow wall with a white chair rail to try to work with the blue. We narrowed it down to... yellows.

pale daffodil
lively yellow
gold buttercup
pale honey
wickerware

We're leaning towards Wickerware. But, you can't tell what any of the real colors are here. We're going for a very pale yellow.

And We're In!

Saturday was the 'big day' and it went surprisingly well. The packer broke a box and we have a few scratches on a couple pieces, but overall, not too bad!

Deuce? He disagrees.

Don't worry, he calmed down later once all the movers left.

 They were actually finished moving all the furniture in 4 hours! We had been moving boxes all week, so they were only left with about 8 boxes and all the furniture. I'm SO glad to be finished! I need to go back tonight and clean. Tomorrow is painting day! Well, I only have one wall to paint, but that's going to be enough of a task as it is.

Before the movers got there, I was able to take a quick video of the house with just the boxes in. You can see how much work we have yet to do...

Coming soon: The couch saga continues...

Shopping: 1 Vision: 0

The inlaws finally cleared out yesterday, so we are one step closer to actually being able to move! We went and walked the place last night and....EW. I understand that it still has to be cleaned, but it showed me just how much work we have to do. But, refer above...I can do that...I think.

After I got off work, I was determined to get the craft room packed. This room is only a 10x10 and half of it is used for storage. And I got 9 boxes out of it! That's not including the things that will be moved in the drawers 'as is'. That would have easily added another 2 boxes. Um, whoops? Luckily, this is all going into an 11x11 room without any random storage pieces in there (like a spoiler for my husband's car?).

When Dave got home from work, we decided to go to Macy*s to look at some bedding and furniture. 2 reasons for choosing this. One of my best friends recently re-did her basement and got this AMAZING leather couch. I figured that if I liked that so much, they had to have something else I liked. Welp, I was right. And now my husband and I are divorcing and moving in with our respective favorite couches. We can't choose. Anyone know of a house that can fit one giant couch and a smaller modern one? For cheap? No? Ok, then you have to help us decide.

First of all...the room currently has horrid wall panneling. We're intending to remove that and paint. We had decided on Sage Green, but I don't know any more. There is an exposed brick fireplace and deep, dark wooden trim. I think I'm really goign to dig the dark trim (and heavy wooden beams) once we get all the other wood paneling out.

So, because clearly I'm going to win, I'm going to show you mine first...

(I'm horrified by these pictures-the new iPhone can't come soon enough).

ISN'T HE FANTASTIC? Dave DOES like it, but he thinks it's too big. And that it belongs in a sunken living room. But look at the tops? On the right side with the chaise, it shows them up. But they're down on the left side. It's whatever you want it to be! Come on, how much would our cat LOVE sitting up there and sunning next to the bay window? We would get it without one of those chairs between the corner and the chaise. And we wouldn't get that ottoman, as we love our coffee table. But, I just can't even move on from this. ::sigh::

And now Daves:

APPARENTLY, he thinks that he's Don Draper and I'm going to serve him scotch when he gets home. We would get a couch and  two love seats (love seat shown). I would probably also get an ottoman since there's no chaise. I mean, it's ALRIGHT. But white? It's cool and hip now, but is that going to hold out for the 5ish years we plan on having this? It's really high quality leather and there's a 7 year protection policy, so I'm not too worried about stains or tears.

Both are quite a bit over our budget, but there's plenty of wiggle room in there if we give up some other things with the house and do them over time.

So, friends, what do you think? The amazing tan one with a built in bed for our cat? The Man Men era couch? Or just stay in our budget and get a brown fabric couch?

House Wish List

Since I started researching how to build furniture, I have had a ton of ideas floating around my head. I can't even count the number of things I want to build. But, there are a few things that are very high on the list. Most of them come from the fab Ana White.

Farmhouse Bed

 

I love, love, love this bed. Actually, this bed made me realize that I wanted to build some of our furniture. Also? I love that bedspread. I think it's from Target, but I can't find it. Sad panda. 

 Upholstered Bench

 This is the original bench that Ana designed, but I stumbled across a user uploaded picture and decided that this is the one I want to make. I plan for this to go at the end of the bed.

Simple White Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor Chandelier 

Now, I'm not sure where I'm going to find this holder, but I know I have to do this. We have a built in swing that detaches and becomes a picnic table. This will be PERFECT above it!

That's it for today! Next up, some of the tools I'll need to complete these projects!

Welcome!

In a couple of weeks, my husband and I will begin renting out my in-laws house. We currently live in a 1,000 sq ft apartment. Now, this apartment isn't what you'd call...luxury. Or safe, really. But, it's been alright for a year and a half. This house...it leaves a bit lot to be desired. Most of the house, save the guest bathroom hasn't been updated since the 80s. Think awesome wood paneling in the living room, peeling linolium in the kitchen, teal crown moulding in the formal living room (and pink drapes). The dining room. Oh man. Fabric wallpaper and an entire wall mirror. ::shudder::. Since we're just renting for a couple years, we're not going to sink a whole lot of money into it. But, we want to make it comfortable to live in and have it be a place where we're not ashamed to have our friends to come over.

I have been recently inspired by Kit at The DIY Diva and Ana White. Since this house is quite a bit bigger than what we currently live in, we have no where near enough furniture. That's where this blog comes in. I plan (hope) to be able to build a few pieces of furniture. Also, I plan on going thrifting to find some great pieces to refinish. My style is very dichotomous. I'm really inspired by everything Vintage.

(Via)

I love the feminine, slightly fussy look about it. But, I choose to marry a manly man and this just wouldn't go over for the whole house. 

Luckily, I also really enjoy modern inspirations. 

All of the above images come from the lovely Veronika's Blushing. I'm so inspired by everything she posts. Especially that hutch, I die.

I can't wait to see where this journey takes me (and our 'new' house)!