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.

Jackpot

Last Saturday

 Client F, Hubs and I went to gander a midcentury modern dresser I'd been eyeing on eBay 

for F's office redo.
The seller lived close so it was a short jaunt to his house.

The guys house was unbelievable.

 First he let us roam about and said everything inside was for sale and no, he wasn't moving.

What the what?

There were lamps, art, furniture, vintage cameras, glass paper weights, the list goes on and on.
It was all stuff he'd bought from traveling the globe and shopping estate sales.

I was in heaven.

I got these two Indonesian bad gals who currently flank a bench in my entry.

And this Mexican ceramic pineapple which I'm infatuated with.

I think its insides hold the key to life's mysteries because I can't stop gazing at it.

We then followed the seller to a storage facility
where he had two lockers filled with midcentury modern furniture--
bed sets, side tables, desks, chairs, dressers.
Client F got the dresser pictured above and also three vintage cameras.

As for office updates,
yesterday I took these Ikea curtain panels to the tailor to have this trim sewn to them.

Shout out to Naomi at Design Manifest for the idea.

Sadly, I lack a talented seamstress in the family like she has. 

Lucky duck.

It's coming together.

Exciting News

I was officially asked to design an office space for a friend who works from his home.
When I say 'official' I mean he offered me money.

I've helped numerous friends with their homes but always felt silly taking money from them.
But now I feel it's not so silly.
It's what I want to do with myself, hopefully more so after kids are older.
Also, reading this helped.

Large's room redo is almost complete.
Her new bedding and curtains came last week and they look amazing with the new wall color.

This is her new wall color.

Benjamin Moore Ming Jade

I also found a vintage bentwood chair for $35

that I'm painting mint green to go with the desk I scored on eBay for $99.

I love eBay more than most people I know.

True story.

And as long as I'm divulging everything, this is my new favorite table topper from Jayson

that I don't own but someday hope to.

{via}

New Year, New Rooms

Winter break is over
sending kids back to school tomorrow and I couldn't be more thrilled.

I've spent the last two weeks holed up with family...it feels like months.

I mean I love them, 

but I can't wait to get some time on my own and do whatever the hell I want.

Some exciting home projects will be starting and I can't wait to share them with you.

First off,
dining room wallpaper was delivered.

Hopefully it will look as awesome as this.

{via}

I'm also working on a room redo for my eight year old, Large.

She has outgrown the current room style that looks more nursery than 'older girl',

which is how she refers to herself.

Her room doubles as guest bedroom so I'd like it to be a bit sophisticated though still a girls room.

I've acquired different pieces here and there for the last few weeks.

An old mirror for $24 at the local antique mall.

A bulletin board that will be covered in fabric to hang pictures and stuff.

An antique writing desk for $99 on eBay.

Before.

After will be coming soon.

My entryway/living room/upstairs hallway will be repainted in a couple weeks.

I'm still thinking Chelsea Gray.

I was worried the house would look too dark,

but there's a lot of natural light throughout and also I always regret not going bolder.

Have I mentioned that we've lived in this house for four years and this will be the third time 

the same area has been painted?

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

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