Grout Note

Just in case we need it for later: Polyblend brand, non-sanded, oyster gray, #386.

The rest of the wall

As my 7-year-old says, "it's starting to feel like a REAL home".

I *heart* walls

Oh, you know there is progress being made when a wall goes from 2X4 frames to sheetrocked in... so that the cat can no longer jump out at you (or the dog) from the shadows under the tub, or you can no longer see through three rooms at one time... when you don't see pipes and wires and the construction mess piled up... SOLID. Even if not yet plastered and painted... they are real walls. A place I can someday hang some of my art. Happy.



And then, on the other side of that wall - the new section in the hallway, not the one next to the table - you can finally see the room taking shape as well. I can't wait to soak in the tub - I hope it happens in time to enjoy the lilac tree in bloom - right outside the window. I don't know though... things will have to happen pretty quickly, the tree is growing buds right now.

And the Master Bedroom

I'm about ready to paint in there... I just can not stand the depressing olive green and aqua curtains in there any longer. I'm going to try Ben Moore's Homestead Green. This is my inspiration photo, for colors and windows.



I also like these bedrooms, for various reasons:















And check out this bed, I love it!

Mulch, Patio Talk

So... my latest bright idea. Probably not the brightest one I ever had. But brighter than the time I threw down about 5 bags of white gravel trying to make a small spot in the yard level enough to throw an outdoor dinner party.... see my problem? A bumpy lumpy yard. Yeah, I could get a dump truck of dirt. But the thought of all that dirt with two big dogs and a boy.... ugh. And no, I can't break up the ground and level - too many BIG roots.... I *should* get a dump truck of gravel, that's what I really want, a tuscan country courtyard patio... but Frank is not convinced (and he wants to wait 'til next year to work on the landscaping so all discussions are on hold there). But I need a place to put the table so we can enjoy the yard this year, bbqs, etc... and bark mulch seems like a decent temporary solution: it composts in time and will turn back into yard if I let it, with the added benefit of a more level yard than I had... I can still put gravel on top of it next year if that's what we do, or sand and pavers... or whatever. So bark. I need about 10 more trees worth... and a bunch of rain to pack it all down... and then maybe it will be ok. Hopefully in time for our first bbq of the year, whenever that will be.



Here is some gravel patio inspiration:









And yeah, I say I want a tuscan gravel patio area... but what I really want is something paved and totally unique and cool. Something like this maybe... only with a curving rock wall that can serve as a seat as well... fun.





Since I'm dreaming, I'd also like a big old outdoor fireplace. Even better if it had a pizza oven in it!

Or...

Just paint the dining room the same color as the living room and then it will all go. That's too easy. I might just do it.

Dining Room Inspiration Pictures

I need to pick a paint color for the dining room ASAP as the one wall and hallway will need painting very soon. Some ideas floating around in my head include:

The rest of the move:

The living room... trying things out this way. Not totally loving it, though it's an improvement over being squished in the smaller room. This room is too long and narrow and is really hard to come up with an arrangement that works for modern living. If I could only figure out what would work... I'd go shopping. I don't know - a couch and two oversized arm chairs? And an cabinet with doors for the tv? Ideally I'd like the tv across from the fireplace, but how to get enough seating in for everyone that way is a problem. Hmn...

A couple of Before versions, as you can see, I've tried just about everything:








After:

Moving Around... and Around

Still trying to make this house work over here. Have moved everything all over the place until my back is sore and my husband grumpy... but I think this is going to work. Unless we do the remodel in which case it will all change again. The dining room is in the old living room, far away from the kitchen, but... oh well. No farther away than if we were eating outside on the patio... not that big a deal. Here is the new dining room, will share the living room another day. Assuming we keep this arrangement, I'll get a new chandelier instead of the track lighting and figure out a better placement of things... all in good time. I have green fabric to re-cover the chairs with... again, all in good time.

Before:



After:



The wall hanging is one of my grandmother's most impressive works of art. This one was her answer to the book 1984 and it took her about 10 years to complete. It is an image of her back yard at her old house in Natick, MA. A real treasure.

It Works!!!

The powder room is functional!!! And on the way to beautiful too - I'm SO happy... have been waiting so long for this day. This photo was taken while Frank ran to the home improvement store for um... the 4th... 5th?... time this weekend. He just needed one little thing and then when he got back he got it all together in no time and turned on the water... and just a few more tweaks on the connections (don't.want.to.tighten.compression.seals.too.much or some such greek explanation) and it worked great!!! Yes, a lot left to do, but this was such a big milestone... we even opened a bottle of white star to celebrate. Cheers!

Luke Draws on the Walls... with a Sharpie

but it's ok ;-)

Grout, Check!

The grout is in. It looks great! And it went in way easier than my studio - I think because it was unsanded grout, the tiles were smoother, and the grout a little thicker... whatever, I'm glad it wasn't a huge pain.

Here is my question though: I know I have to wait 2 weeks before I can seal it... but when can I (er, Frank) install the toilet and sink? I know we didn't wait two weeks in our old house when the tiler and plumber did it all - in fact, I'm pretty sure once one was done, the other came right in. But it was a long time ago, and Luke was a newborn... I might not have my facts straight. I am thinking the toilet and pedestal sink can go in this weekend. Frank thinks we have to wait until the grout is sealed. Anyone else with an opinion?

Lights... Camera... !!!!

WOW, I have lights! I know, I know, there are only two lit, I thought I had bulbs but I don't... so off to the store first thing in the morning. Had to special order my grout color - it will be in tomorrow afternoon... I might just grout tomorrow night, I'm so excited! I have to look and see how long I have to wait after grouting to install the fixtures... but maybe they will be in this weekend, if all goes well.

Look what I made!

I did it! I made a hutch for my jewelry bench! Frank helped of course, good thing since this was bigger than that small shelf I made from the scrap wood - my trial run project. He drilled pilot holes this time and the wood didn't split like it did when it was just me ramming the screws in and trying to hold it all together by myself - teamwork pays off. I hammered in little rusty-looking upholstery tacks along the top to give it some personality. Still organizing and filling my jars with beads, excuse the mess, I just wanted to share and it's still several hours away from being perfect :)