Wednesday, October 23, 2013

In Need of a Little Guidance

Two posts in a row, I know, terrifyingly on top of things. But I could use everyone's help with a little dilemma.That sounds dramatic, like I want weigh in on a career change or whether or not I should have kids, but its really very simple: I am torn on what light to put in our front hall. I know, really important shit we are dealing with here.

All the same, if you like pretty things, home decor, or just giving your opinion whenever asked (or not asked), here's your chance.

So right now, our hallway looks like this...





But eventually, the plan is to remove that awful printed grandma-paper (yea for the last of the horrifying paper!) and do something much more sleek. I've been  thinking wainscoting the walls (which is this for those who aren't decor-porn voyeurs or woodsworking geniuses....)


It shouldn't be a difficult project, especially in comparison to making a table! But that might not happen right away. Not sure what color would be painted on top, something neutral like this?


Or some great, brave contrast like this?


I would tend to lean towards the later, especially as I would want the wainscoting to go about 3/4 the way up. 

But anyway, on to the lighting.... 

With that more neutral space in mind (and a mid-century credenza which will either be a dark wood finish or painted some amazing color like green or red), here's my options... 

#1. School House



This is both elegant and retro, which would fit the space well. But it doesn't WOW me the way I would have anticipated, but then again its not installed, so....  $70 from Home Depot, btw. 

Inspiration... 



#2. Natural fibers

      

Its earthy and unique and will probably make a cool pattern on the wall. Its not my immediate favorite of the bunch, but I have a feeling it would be gorgeous and a real eye-catcher when installed. 
$90 from Light in the Box

Inspiration... 



#3. Retro Orb

(should be plain white all around - not sure what happened to this pic) 


Pretty popular right now, these are both modern and retro at the same time. Great, simple design with a wow factor and lots of light. $76 from Lowes. Similar option at Ikea for $40. 

Inspiration... 

(Ok, so its not an orb, but its close enough) 



#4. Architectural and Traditional 

A traditional lantern is not lost on me. I like the square, architectural interest with  this one as well as the stunning, glossy black. 


$84 from Lowes

Inspiration...


#5. Colorful Industrial 





I love the idea of the bright color up above. I think its a very playful spin on industrial chic. But its very industrial. It would probably be very cute up there, and an eye-catcher, but I'm not convinced yet its the best option. Maybe you, or this inspiration, will convince me further... 

$72 and $40, respectively, both from The Lamp Factory

Inspiration...






#6. Capiz Orb Pendant


To be honest, this may be my favorite. You know the saying about when you should leave your favorite.... (last, its save your favorite for last). 

I like the orb shape - something I'm more drawn to. I like the natural component of the capiz and how it will probably diffuse the light. And I love the architectural detail of the black lines. But does three rights make a another right? Not sure... 

$77 from Lowes. 

Inspiration... 






So there they are, the contenders. Please weigh in! Send me a comment for some sanity that I might be choosing the right one! (White people problems, I know....) 



Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Hello again!

Its been several months, I know, but we haven't had access to a computer in a while. Why? 

Because our office space looks like this.... 


And our computer is chilling with the front hall credenza...


But I finally broke down and just took a bunch of shitty iPhone pics, because we've had some fun updates around here. 


First of all, about two months ago, we finally decided to tag out the horrible shag carpet that haunted our den. It was orange, covered in dog pee (and human in the carpeted bathroom), and 40+ years old. So it was time to go. We hiked out to Lumber Liquidators and came home with a sagging-trunk load of boxed planks. Within a week, Bill did the whole thing. By himself. 



It looked incredible. For all of 36 hours... 

Then, Bill left his beloved floor, and a storm of sewage wrecked havoc on it. Yes, sewage. About 40 years of sewage spilled out of the open sewage pipe in the half bath. It covered everything before we even had a chance to enjoy it. Another 48 hours and it looked like this again... 



Yes, that's mopped up sewage. 

But the good news is that only two weeks after this travesty, Bill was back to work - no surprise there - and we now have beautiful floor #2. We also have a clean sewer main and a new toilet (to protect us from sewer gremlins crawling up...) 


We will be buying the new vanity shortly as well so we can finish up that space and have a truly functioning half bath! 

In other house news, we were sick and tired of finding little poop presents on the kitchen floor when we got home, so we installed a beautiful new fence to keep little man in, and the terds out! 


Hello beautiful new fence! Goodbye kitchen poops!

_

We've also started tackling some of the furniture around here - finally painting and staining the coffee table we've had for like 9 months...


Oh, and Bill, his dad and brother Jon BUILT a dining room table! They BUILT IT!!! In a day!!! I left for work and came back that evening and in our garage was a brand new, BEAUTIFUL and huge dining room table!! 


There they are, the brilliant craftsman themselves!



Its all sanded and ready to go - we just need to stain it! 

Because we have this gorgeous new piece, I've quickly made the dining room my next project. Two weekends ago, I tore down all the wallpaper (before and afters to be shared shortly!) and this weekend the paint is going up! So, ideally, my next post will be sharing a mostly finished dining room!