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.

Jamison Brosseau

I came across an old friend's artwork and was blown away.

Jamison and I were high school friends though I haven't seen him much since high school.

I'd heard he was living in Brooklyn and was an artist, 

which to me is the most romantic of livelihoods.

I'm happy he's living the dream for both of us.

I find his work very energetic, bright, engaging, bold, fun.

Words much like him when I knew him.

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Doings

Here are some doings in which I've been engaged in.

I helped a friend put up a family gallery wall.
I was nervous because most of the frames were small and I thought it may look too busy,
but it turned out fab.
Just don't look behind the frames. Ha.
But seriously...don't.

I pitched a built-in ledge to Mr. Office Redo.

The office doesn't have room for bookcases and every office needs books, 

{duh}

so the bottom ledge will fit standing, face forward art or coffee table type books 

while the top ledge will house personal photographs and rock memorabilia, which the Mr. has lots of.

And more from Project Office,
custom trimmed curtains were hung on the bay window with Ikea RACKA curtain rods
and corner connectors.
Many thanks again to Naomi for the idea.

Apologies for the bad, dark camera phone picture of the bay office window.

The little things are getting to me lately.
People I normally think are awesome I'm finding annoying.
I need a break.

On Thursday I'm heading to Los Angeles to visit my BFF since I was three, Ann.

I'm beyond excited to be with her.

I know it will be just what I need to get back into the fray.

Oh Instagram,

I barely remember what life was like without you.