Backyard Custom Sofa

It's all happening in our backyard.

Check yourself because this may benumb your facilities.

Yes.
It's a fully custom backyard sofa made entirely of Trex, aka completely weatherproof.
Here's how it happened.

I've talked before about Tony Clementi, master contractor/carpenter of Designed Companies.
He and I were discussing projects and he said he'd like to build
 his own outdoor furniture that wouldn't need to be dragged indoors in the winter.
What? Yes.
He sketched a rough idea, and I knew I was witnessing genius.

He started by building a wood frame
 in the shape and size of our choosing that took weeks to get right.
We wanted something large to fit our 24'x24' patio and something that would hold lots of people.
We have a big family and do lots of entertaining.

This is Tony wrapping the Trex around the wood frame.
The color is Winchester Gray.

I can't stop staring at it.

Office Update

I mentioned I proposed a built-in shelf for Mr. Office.

He liked the two shelf version best.

Tony Clementi of Designed Companies
started with using industrial sized anchors that were drilled in to studs in the wall.

It was important for the shelves to be able to hold a lot of weight for heavy frames and books.

Tony came up with the idea to have the shelf extend from one end of the wall to the other
which visually made them look seamless and modern.

I didn't want moulding.
Just a simple, clean, linear shelf with a lip to help secure what's on it.

I had the shelves painted the same color as the wall which as you know, is my slow jam.

The whole thing looks drop dead awesome.

I decided to nix the standing books idea because it looked too busy with the rock memorabilia.  

The bottom shelf will now hold family pictures in gallery frames
which should be the last job of the room.

For whatever reason I don't have a view of the entire room so until then 

here are some very dark phone pictures
for you to eyeball.

Dining Room Update

I'm back.

My vacation in LA was glorious.

It was pure joy to see my friend, reconnect with her, and hang with her two baby boys and husband.

To add to my buzz, my girlfriend Kiki came to visit me last weekend.

We shopped, smoked like we were high schoolers, and caught up on happenings.

Watch out 

because for me right now, it's all rainbows and sunny skies and bear hugs.

Since coming home I've been working on vignettes around the house.

I put a bar in the dining room that sits on a brass tray I found antiquing in Des Moines. 

I think the tray was $9 if you can believe.

I'm still looking for lamps to flank either side of the buffet.

The monogrammed barware was my mother in laws.

I also purchased a 19th century Italian mirror for $50 on eBay to go above the buffet, 

but shipping has been a pain so who knows when it'll be here.

Hopefully soon.