decorating a rental update, part 2

Let's keep going with the recent updates to our rental...

I have been heading to thrift stores a lot this summer in search of some good deals. I came across this accordion hanging rack for $2 I think and I snatched it up. It reminded me so much of having one in my room as a little kid. I thought it would be a good addition to our entry on the wall behind our door when it opens. I love having a place to put my purse up off the ground. I know it will be handy this winter too. We have a tiny little coat closet around the corner but this is fun to have some stuff showcased too. I want to add some temporary wallpaper to this wall too. I'm thinking of putting up black chalkboard contact paper two-thirds up the wall and it can double as a place for G to draw as well. You can find that black chalkboard contact paper at Amazon.com. 

For me a big part of dealing with a sub-par rental is trying to hide the or camouflage the things you don't like. Our bathroom has yellow formica and I have yet to figure out how to handle that except to just pretend it doesn't exist. I have a similar rug about in the bathroom and a neutral octopus shower curtain that we had in our previous guest bathroom. If I knew we were going to be here long-term I'd consider getting permission to paint the formica or attempt covering it with contact paper. The only issue is putting hot things on the counter so that would pose a problem with the straightener. Our carpet isn't horrible but where there is high traffic areas or especially where it ends and meets a different flooring it is a little sad. So, I covered up the horrible linoleum in the dining area with a natural fiber rug (from ikea) that also runs up over the seam onto the carpet about a foot and then this colorful rug is from Cost Plus World Market for like $17 and I added it at the sliding glass door entrance to limit the debris tracked in.

I have covered our dining room table (which is actually a very nice table from Cost Plus) with a table cloth for a while now. Forever its been a black burlap tablecloth I cut and still love but that part of the room needed some more color. I found this gorgeous tablecloth from TJMaxx/Homegoods. Its a Ralph Lauren and I actually contemplated making it into curtain panels and bought a few of them, but decided against them. BTW, finding a great print tablecloth and using them as curtain panels is a great idea!!! You can usually get each tablecloth for $15-20 at TJMaxx depending on if its a designer brand and then just clip them up with rings. They usually come in different lengths similar to curtain panels too.

I got rid of my long-time table decor of a ton of candles on a silver plate and decided to group some house plants. These guys were struggling with recovering from the move and then I had an orchid that was done flowering for now and so I grouped them to make more impact. I love it! I want to add a few more and surprisingly they are all starting to bounce back and have some good new growth on them post-move. They get better light on this table as well and I've started using plant food. My orchid has a new branch growing out and this is the first time I have actually maintained an orchid after its initial flowering instead of chucking it. I hope it has a second life! I used orchid food while it was flowering and tried to follow the instructions good and now don't use the food but just water it occasionally until its ready to flower again.

This is the view from the dining table (well actually the sliding glass door to backyard). 

I restyled the bookshelves and new pillows. I added the rest of our books that were still in boxes to free up more storage space. I also added a shelf for G's books. He has sooooo many books. I didn't even have all of his unpacked. He loves having a shelf of his own and frequently lays on the floor in that corner reading his books. I now have more accessories though which previously occupied the shelves that don't have a home so I guess it didn't help much. I have been contemplating a garage sale but I don't want to do the work again. I just have so much decor and pillows and all that jazz than I could ever imagine using and my tastes are changing.

My next update for the living room is a table skirt/cover for the dresser we are using as a media console right now. Its just a bunch of dark furniture and electronics on that wall and I HATE IT! I'm hoping that a more feminine gathered skirt will make a difference. I'll post that progress soon hopefully. I'm hoping to get it sewn while in CA this coming weekend! I also want to get an new floor lamp I've been coveting from Urban Outfitters.

The more time and effort I put into this place, the more I love it and don't want to ever move. I am starting to realize that unless a home is "my style" I really just want it to have no style so that I can do whatever the heck I want to it and my style can take on the spotlight. I think that is one of the challenges I faced with our CA home. It had so much wood in the beams, floors, and kitchen floor to ceiling cabinets. It felt like a very cabin like and transitional builder home. I really want an older home the next time around, something with the right amount of age and character and then add in my own style.

But that next house we own won't be for a long time to come most likely. I'm ok with it most of the time. The biggest challenge is friends buying houses and that feeling of wanting it all too. Thankfully we have our experience with our home in CA to humble us and help us patiently wait for that goal again. I am still so grateful for this little duplex because it fits our needs to a "T" and even some of my desires. I wanted a white canvas and a good sized backyard. We got both! No neighbor problems either so that is a blessing!

decorating a rental update, part 1

So I thought I'd share some of the more recent updates to our lovely rental. I posted my first efforts at decorating this place here. Before we begin with the updates, let me just say though that our little place is very difficult to photograph because of its small size and poor lighting. Its ok lighting for living in but for photographs its horrible! We have now been here for 6 months! Its crazy to think how quickly time has gone by and yet in a few ways it feels we have been here even longer than that. Our lease on this place was a 6 month lease and will now switch over to month 2 month. I remember thinking 6 months was so far away and wondering if we would make it here in Oregon away from family and at a new job. It still feels a little uncertain at times (just because of the challenges with R's work) but I really hope it works out for the long term (ask me that in April 2013 or shoot even February!!). I'm not sure about an entire winter/spring here due to the rain and gloom but I sure hope to it goes well and if needed we can escape to CA for some breaks where the sun still shines in the winter!! As for this little gem of a rental we originally planned to stay here 1-2 years. I can't imagine myself wanting to move in another 6 months and honestly this place can really fulfill our needs for a long time to come at the rate our family is isn't growing.

I picked up this little wicker nightstand at a local secondhand vintage shop called The Mercantile in Springfield, OR. This place has great prices!! I intended it to be for G's room but we have yet to get him into a twin bed, still on the floor on his crib mattress. I'm waiting for the right bed to come along. I might move it into his room eventually and once I find two nightstands I love for our bedroom. I also picked up the covered wagon picture for $1.75. I loved it because of our mormon pioneer heritage and how it represents it without being too obvious. It feels more abstract and I love that the background is black instead of white. I have yet to get a different frame, waiting to see where it actually ends up. Its here for now.

I have been searching Craigslist for a used wicker peacock chair. I almost bought a basic one used online for $90. I decided to wait and then a neighbor around the corner was having a yard sale. Well, let me say that they are horders, no doubt. This time it was to my advantage. There has been an ever growing pile on their drive way they keep covered with tarps and sometimes I drive by and their garage door is open and that garage is literally stuffed full from floor to ceiling with junk. A week before the sale I saw this chair pop up outside their front door. I just had this feeling!! Well, a few days later Ryan comes home from work and he tells me that they have moved the chair out closer to the road and indeed it appears they are having a yard sale. He insists we go look at it and I couldn't refuse. It was mine for $20 and Ryan scored a new George Foreman grill for $10 (he was pretty happy!). It had some "smell" to it. You know it probably comes with age and horders not being the most cleanly. So, I decided to take my chances regardless and gamble on the $20. I spent the next two nights scrubbing and spraying that sucker with a bleach water solution. I did the process twice and let it dry in the sun between each attempt. I think it definitely made a big improvement and was MUCH more clean. It is now residing in our bedroom. What a good gamble! I wanted it for the living room but it won't fit right now unless I sell the leather arm chair which I would may do in a heartbeat!

Sorry for the crumby iPhone photos. I am lazy these days and don't use my DSLR. The lighting is horrible in our bedroom (actually our entire house) too so that makes photos challenging. I am really into the bohemian vibe and so I'm trying to make that happen in our bedroom by layering lots of things. I have used square vases and thrift store finds to corral all of my jewelry and accessories. I am trying to work with a lot of what I already have and we'll see how that goes. My next addition to the room is going to be a DIY upholstered headboard. I'm just trying to figure out the textiles for the rest of the room so it will be a cohesive look. I'm thinking something with blues and purples.

Check back on Friday for part two of the rental updates!

What about you guys? Are you a thrift and secondhand store shopper? What are your recent finds? 

oregon life

Its been a while. Too long in fact. The time of "transitioning" is mostly gone (I think) and I think Oregon has begun to feel like home to me. Not "home, home" like the place I grew up, but the new home for our little family. The reason I feel this is because I finally feel homesick. I missed my mother this past week and when a new dear friend hugged me I imagined it was my mother embracing me and for now that hug will do. I am so glad that we moved away on our own. It isn't always easy but so far both Ryan and I have really seen the Lord's hand in our lives and we have grown tremendously! We are developing a really genuine and loving family of friends here. We feel richly blessed. Plus I absolutely know I'd have regretted not taking the chance and I'd always wonder what it'd be like to be on our own. I do miss my family dearly and I am ready for another trip home, but its only been just over a month. It feels like an eternity.

As for the rest of life here's what has been happening:

- G gave up naps, although I believe right at this moment he is crashed out on his bed, no pants and I just heard him cry out in his sleep "take off diaper". The no naps has been really rough. I'm adjusting and we have to get out of the house for a part of the day to survive. there has been sunny weather for a good part of May so that has helped! The clouds and rain returned this week though and its funny how quickly you can forget the sun exists and then when its sunny, how the doom and gloom exists.

- R is working hard! Like 10 hour days at work and then an hour or so of paperwork at home. He is determined and I'm trying to support him. I do get lonely, but I hope to adjust more. The greatest thing is his confidence and happiness levels at work. Yes, he still has patients that stump him, but he needs that to keep growing and keep humble. His greatest growth and opportunities from this job have come in spiritual ways. I can't explain how awesome it is to see him grow and how much I love hearing of his faith building experiences at work as he seeks the Lord's guidance with each and every patient. Its remarkable how the Lord really does hear and answer prayer.

- G and I are part of a Toddler + program in Eugene that is modeled after a special education preschool. It is preparing him for preschool in the fall without me. He continues to make progress and has had another of those overnight leaps in abilities. When those have occurred it is a clear indication to me of the Lord's love for him and his answers to prayer and hard work. They are true miracles!! With the refusal of naps, G started becoming more independent. He comes out of his room on his own which he WOULD NOT do and he is climbing all over furniture and jumping off all sorts of things and now will take on playgrounds and slides even though he still has some trepidation. He was a new kid overnight. I seriously asked, "Where did Gavin go?". You can imagine these advances brought good and bad. All of this and no naps was a whirlwind for me but I am ever so thankful that his brain continues to develop and connections are being made. The research says that Early Intervention works and that its key during these early years 0-3 while the brain is still developing and BOY HOWDY are they right!!

- The duplex is in a constant state of change, no surprise there! I'm on area rug #3 for the living room and I know R is more than ready to be done with that. As far as options that never even made it to our house we're on #?, I lost count. I'd finally order one to then have it not be in stock or then on backorder for months. It got frustrating. Then when some finally made it here the colors were not going to work or one had been laundered (wool) and the dyes were transferring to our clothes and skin. Not good, especially when the rug is over carpet.

- In the mormon church we are asked to serve in different areas of the church without pay. I was recently asked to be an advisor and teacher for the laurel class which is the 16-18 year old girls. That was only a month or so ago and then this past Sunday I became the 1st Counselor in the Young Women Presidency. I will still teach some, but more of my duties will be to specifically look after each individual girl in our church who is 14-15 years old. I was studying the responsibilities last night and making a list. I am excited to get to know these ladies and I hope I can be a positive example for them. I am very lacking in many qualities that would be good for this position, but I am hopeful that the Lord will teach me and help me to develop my abilities where I am weak. R has been very supportive of the time this is taking and the chance to get out and serve and be with these girls has already been a huge blessing to my life!

- We've already been to the beach a couple of times in Florence and Newport and it is absolutely beautiful and there are some great beaches! We are excited for a fun summer and fall! We hiked Spencer's Butte a couple weekends ago and that was really fun too! Beautiful, beautiful views to be had. G and I take lots of trips to the parks here and one of the most fun for us is actually Alton Baker Park. It is right along the Willamette River and is just gorgeous. No playgrounds, we just explore nature and spend lots of time watching the "waterfall" and throwing rocks (or toy tractors) in the "big river".

Throwing rocks at the "BIG RIVER". He's got quite the arm! Definitely a lefty too!

- I'm obsessed with Five Guys. I think we eat there every week and Ryan is a sweetheart for putting up with it. I want to venture out to local places but with G and his limitations we usually have to limit "eating adventures". With the warm weather coming I hope to have more picnics and get take out. We did that a lot last summer and would grab the food and head to a nearby park.

- Our church/ward (EUGENE 5th WARD) is absolutely the most friendly and kind ward ever! We aren't the only ones who feel this way about it either. It is contagious. I really feel like because of the kindness we have a true desire to pass it on and so it just keeps growing. Our bishop is a tender hearted man I can tell and he wants so very much for every individual and family to feel welcome, loved, and he does whatever he can to make sure that happens. He has offered so many things to help accommodate G and his needs and to help ease burdens on our family. I have been given a wonderful and loving visiting teacher who will be a lifetime friend I have no doubt. I have always wanted to have a mature example when I don't have my mother nearby and that is what this sister does for me. Her steady example and consistent little expressions of love for me have meant all the world to me. She too has a son with Autism, he is older, and I am so thankful for her perspective and her experience that I have to glean from.

- We had our first party at the duplex for cinco de mayo. I figured it was the one time the exterior of this gem would possibly blend right in to the fiesta! It was all very last minute but it turned out to be a wonderful evening! I think if it weren't for the kiddos us adults would have spent a few more hours chatting away, maybe even a communal sleepover (we do live in Eugene)? Kidding! Everyone pitched in with the food and that made it way more awesome (and easy). We've got some great new friends!

"Bohemian Mexican Picnic"

I had this great idea for a "bohemian mexican picnic". We sold all of our outdoor furniture before moving from CA so I had the thought to go crazy with blankets (thus the bohemian picnic vibe). I spent a couple nights staying up into the wee hours of the morning fringing mass amounts of tissue paper (not the kind for your bum) and strung it on twine to make it more festive out there. I was told it "made" the party. I sure hope so because it was a labor of love (or self-indulgence). Personally, I think it was the company of some great friends. I really hope we are all a part of each others lives for a long time to come!

We can't forget the food! Thanks to Annie's suggestion and mad skills we had delicious fish tacos. My favorite! Imagine gorgeous fruit kebobs, cilantro rice and spicy black beans, delicious mixed greens salad, blackberry lemonade and cucumber lemon water, and of course its not a party without chips and salsa! I spent way too many hours deciding on dessert since its not really an area of cooking/baking I've explored. I tried some blackberry pie bars from pinterest because I've made similar raspberry bars with great success and they turned out amazing. Even better they were 10x more delicious the next day. Don't you just love that when that happens! BTW, R and I both agreed that the blackberry pie bar recipe was better than the much loved Raspberry bar recipe. It was more pie crusty which we both love! Plus the raspberry bar recipe uses jam and its almost too sweet. The blackberry pie recipe actually had some lemon zest which complimented the berries very nicely!

Speaking of pinterest, I'm still obsessed. As of today I also hit 100 followers. So glad I finally did because now I am sure to become famous in the blogsphere by age 352. I hope I can live until then :). Are you still into pinterest or is it a dying flame for you? Or are you one of those who have yet to bite the hook?

That's it for now. I'll be back soon! I've missed this. I hope you have too!

Temporary: Decorating a Rental

So I'm guessing many who know me can imagine moving into a rental, instead of having a home I own just might be stressful and depressing since I won't be able to change and alter it the way I have my own home. Yes, it can be challenging, but I'm excited for the challenge! I've had my eye out for inspiration photos and ideas of ways to incorporate who I am and styles I love into our next home that are also transient and/or nomadic. Are either of those words actually meant to describe home decor? Well they are now! I've been so eager to just know what it is that we will be calling home. I have seen some great gems, some eye sores and some pretty standard builder grade homes. Honestly, I'd love a aged gem. I want something with character, but also something that doesn't have too much character (i.e. hideous 80s wallpaper, shag carpet, or walls and rooms that are every color of the rainbow). Speaking of colorful homes, ironically our home is quite colorful. We have a olive green office, pale yellow bedroom, red master bedroom, blue/grey living room, grey bathroom. That is partly because I didn't want to paint when we first moved in and then when I realized we wouldn't be here long-term I didn't want to paint. I'd love to get rid of that red bedroom. If we do rent out our house we may end up painting, but that will really stink because I didn't do it for myself but I will for renters. I'm pouting right about now!


While we're on the subject, how do you feel about colorful walls? If you were renting a house would you prefer white or neutral walls or be ok with color?


I'm personally hoping for white! A blank canvas so to speak. That way I can dictate the character and color palette myself. Here are some pics from pinterest that I've been thinking about. These are definitely on my list to add to our place as soon as we settle in!

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: livecreatingyourself.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Oversized black chalkboard. This one is made out of a large MDF panel. This is #1 on my list. I can't wait!

Source: google.com via Stacy on Pinterest


Temporary tape on walls to create abstract wallpaper. Room designed by Kelly Wearstler. Here's a link to a blog post by Jenny from Little Green Notebook. She used japanese masking tape to create a wallpaper effect.

Source: saraicat.tumblr.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Patterned roman shades and color in curtains verses color in walls and white drapes.

Source: libbiegrove.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest


Colorful area rugs and pillows and bookcases!

Source: theestateofthings.com via Stacy on Pinterest

And finally, for in the bedroom there is upholstered headboards and beds or bedding.

Check out more lovely images on my pinterest boards and follow me on pinterest! stacyb81


What do you think? Any suggestions? How have you made a rental/temporary dwelling feel like home and take on your style?


Oh, and one more thing.... I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on renting a house, finding rentals. We've only rented apartments. Anything to watch for? Any ideas on how to find out about available or coming availability of homes sooner than 1-2 weeks out? It seems everything on Craigslist isn't posted until its available or a short while out. I want to find this beauty now and start planning our move date!!

gallery wall update: children's art

Once you're a parent you quickly begin accumulating your children's art. I love it! Yes, these days between art time during daily intervention, art time during playgroup, and art time at the library, we are accumulating mass amounts! That doesn't even include when he requests to color during our free time at home. Yes, I admit some goes in the trash. Gavin is a little delayed in his fine motor skills so he still does large circles, but I love seeing the work as it progresses and he learns and improves his skills. As I mentioned before here, I was intending to create some more of my own art to fill in the center frame, but then when I sat down to start it, I realized that it was the perfect spot for some of G's works of art. I have been saving some and it worked out perfect. My trick is to choose the colors f paint or markers he uses and then let him go to work. That way it works with my color palette, which is all over the board these days it seems. The artwork can easily be changed out in the future too because you know there will be more of that! I love having his works displayed as part of the gallery. Its a mash up for sure! I've also already switched out some of the art until it feels right or I want a little change. Here are some other examples I've found of displaying children's art.

Source: iheartorganizing.blogspot.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: comfortwool.blogspot.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: blogs.babble.com via Stacy on Pinterest

You can check out more of my pins on Pinterest here!!

bathroom update!

*Disclaimer: Pictures were taken with my phone, crappy lighting, and this room (like most bathrooms) is very difficult to photograph due to the small size and odd angles.

Here is the bathroom redo in all it's glory. The goal was to get rid of the wallpaper and inexpensively turn it into something that resembles me and the rest of the house. I decided to forgo changing out light fixtures, adding beadboard and what not because we hope to not live here long enough to justify that, so I worked with paint and accessories. I forgot the before pictures. Imagine a pinecone wallpaper border midway down wall with wood trim in both sides. It was not me! Imagine that!

Well with Ryan leaving for Texas he felt the need to make my wishes come true. He is sweet. Thanks to him and his dad especially I finally got this room done (well 90% done). His dad is amazing! So handy and willing to help. He loves painting even more cutting in on the edges. Crazy and I love it!

I am not thrilled with the paint color but it is growing on me. The pics are on my phone so they aren't great and the room could use more light. Remember this post and my inspiration photo?

Well I ended up scrapping the colored towels on hooks and decided that wall needed something higher up on wall and art (if framed scrapbook paper can be considered art). It might seem a little copy cat from my inspiration photo but I'm ok with that. It goes so well. Oh and I love the Thomas Paul octopus shower curtain. Love the whimsy. I brought the rugs in from other room and am trying them out instead of the flokati rug I started with. It really wasn't practical for a bathroom anyway, dry clean only. I already had the ocean picture and just leaned it up against the mirror to break up the huge rectangle builder grade mirror. The striped towels are from TJ Maxx, the frames are from Ikea, and the scrapbook paper from Joann's. They have so much more selection than Michaels, at least in Chico. Crazy. I still need to reinstall the towel bar or go with the hooks I already purchased months ago from Cost Plus World Market for hanging towels. We shall see...

The paint is Benjamin Moore Aura Ac-27 Galveston Gray. Sometimes I go in and it looks blue and other times it is gray. I prefer the gray. The room desperately needs more light. In hindsight the color is too dark for the room so I should have gone with the next one up but I loved this color more and Ryan preferred it too on the swatch and in inspiration photos.

So, what do you think? Original enough in my personal application or too copy cat?

Oh and the human figure model by the sink. Ryan and I like to get creative with his pose and surprise each other. Makes for some great laughs. I found myself changing him up the other day to impersonate Ryan flexing his muscles in the mirror. But he's not here to enjoy my humor, darn Texas! I guess I'll have to text him a picture.

Other projects to come: Ryan switched out the dining room light fixture (all by himself). Yeehaw!

my house: dining room/kitchen updates

Dining Room/Kitchen Updates

I can't even remember how many months ago it was I promised pictures of the updates I've made to our dining room and kitchen. Well, it has taken time and in fact, still not complete. We did the initial painting and haven't finished the kitchen or hallway. I have, however, added some decor and we did finally get our pendant lights about the kitchen island switched out. Ryan's dad is AMAZING! I love that he has so many handy skills and he is so generous and willing to help. I ask for advise and guidance, and he saves me and does it for me. When Gavin and I were in Utah he came out I think twice to make these lights happen and I was so excited to see them up when I got home!

So, here the are the photos and I will be the first to admit they are not in focus and horrible lighting. As such, I took the liberty to edit them and use some fun new techniques I've come across. You still get the idea... Someday I will photograph them again and hope for better results. I've been trying to shoot out of auto mode so I'm still getting used to aperture and shutter speeds when dealing with bad lighting and it is proving to be more of a challenge than I realized. I also couldn't get the woods in the kitchen cabinets and floors to read right. They aren't as orange/red as they look. I would love to paint them out white but it would be a HUGE $$ investment to have it done right and since we don't want to be here long-term it was out.

Wondering what that big white circled on the photo is? Its covering up the horrible builder-grade light that is still in the dining room. It so doesn't go with the updates and I've been struggling to find the right light to replace it. We need the 800-1000 Watts of light that it gives off (isn't that awful though, I mean seriously not good). I am looking for a compromise around 300 watts and a dimmer switch, but its hard to find anything that will cast light up and not just down on the table. I am leaning towards an oversized paper lantern around 30-36 inches in diameter and a light fixture that is inserted inside around 300 watts.

I was able to create a little desk area for myself in the corner of the dining room. For the first 3 years we were in this house the cut out area sat blank and was the first and only thing people commented on when they walked into the room. "Why is that there?" Our response, "No clue!". So, after debating about having a built-in desk added and not wanting to spend that much money, I found this little parsons desk on WalMart.com. Its not anything crazy but it works for the area and will do the job. We probably won't need it once we leave this house so I think the minimal investment was key. I love having this little area. Its all mine!!

I think I've said it before that our house has some built-in architecture that really gives it a cabin feel. I love modern (think warm wood, black and white contrast, industrial, rustic). So, I have been trying to decide on some changes we can make to help meld the home closer to my style and at a low cost. Neither Ryan or I want to live here long term (like no more than 5 more years) so I hesitate to make serious changes to the home. I also don't know how many people who live in Orland would appreciate modern design so I don't want to invest in something that won't appeal to people when we go to sell the home.

This display on the console is probably not permanant. Ryan thinks its weird having the green board there. Its a bulletin board I made (still need some more nailhead tacks to finish the trim). It was a bulletin board from Salvation Army for like $10 and I already had the fabric. I used it for activity days but am not doing that any more. Down the road with kids we could post quotes of the week, whatever. We will see...

Here are the amazing lights! They look smaller in the photos, but seeing them here I wonder if I could pull off the next size up. I may try them out. I love large oversized lights! Here is the magnetic chalkboard wall I painted. I love it! I found some dustless chalk that works pretty good. We have already been enjoying it drawing clocks, airplanes, and trucks. I love that it breaks up the wood and adds the black that I wanted to use in the walls.

Here is the other angle. I sewed a faux roman shade for the kitchen window. It took me a while to line up the pattern. Note to self: when a beginner seamstress stick with solid fabrics. Its tough because i love the prints! Its not perfect but I'm happy with it (most of the time). Its a chevron print (zig zag). It adds a modern kick to the area. We still need to paint out the area around the shade with the gray that's in the dining room, same thing by the fridge and into the hallway.

The bathroom is next and coming along Sllllllllllllowly. Thanks to my father-in-law again he got us moving again by helping to remove the trim and wall paper in there. Removing wallpaper is probably the worst thing ever and I haven't done any of it myself yet. Ryan is so sweet to be working on it. I am excited about what I think the end result will be. It is coming out much like my inspiration board!! So excited!

What have you been doing around your house?

in my next life I will be an artist

The creative mind is an amazing thing! I wish mine was more inspired. I want to translate the above handmade (well hand decorated) ornament I saw here on a blog I just discovered last week Aesthetic Outburst into DIY Art for my home. Wish I was an artist! Help! I also want to try it on ornaments but I fear it will wait until next year.

option #2

So, I'm back with a second option for our guest bath. I've been debating between the striped walls and doing gray walls. My only hesitation with gray is that our hallway and dining room are already gray. I would do a darker gray, but still. Anyway, I wasn't sold on the previous design and it wasn't really jumping at me. I still love the inspiration photo but I think it might not work with the current bathroom without changing details like mirrors, cabinets, etc. So, I have more inspiration photos. Imagine that!! I started with the gray and then found a great photo to help move along the room. I am really loving this one!! What do you think?

Shower Curtain: Thomas Paul (I found it on csnstores.com)

Rug: Ikea

Orange & White Stripe Rug: Ikea

Lighting: Schoolhouse Electric

Shelf over toilet: Ikea

Glass jars: Ikea

Art: art.com (I think)

Inspiration photos: Gray dining taken from marthastewart.com Texas duplex house tour. Love that tour!!!

Let me know what you think!!

gray-licious

Well, if we're friends on Facebook you know I've been busy with various projects around the house. I'm so excited because our house is finally feeling like "our house". We've lived here for over 3 years now, but I never painted but just decorated around the colors the builders had picked. You see, every room in our house has some color it seems except 1 bathroom. It was one of the model homes. So, now that we're putting our spin on things I am falling in love with this house and have warned Ryan that if he wants me to never want to leave Orland it will be through making this home MY OWN so that I absolutely love being here.

The dining room/kitchen/hallway color,as you know, is Benjamin Moore's Senora Gray. I love it and it works so well with our living room color and with all the wood in our home. I feel like it actually makes the wood more beautiful and love the distinction now between the ceiling beams, walls, floors. I actually love the wood now and love my dining room table now more than ever before. Amazing that one gallon of paint (and primer in our case) can do that. It is so true that one of the most inexpensive and most impressive ways to get a new feel in your home is to paint.

I'm not ready to do a full reveal, still need to hang wall art and add some furniture, but I will give you a sneak peak. Before I do, I must say again we had a GREAT experience at Knight's Paint in Chico. Richard is so awesome. He even goes as far as to mop the floors if he knows we will be in that day so that Gavin can scoot and crawl around as he pleases. He has offered to give any of my friends and family the same contractor's discount. Their premium paint (eggshell) ends up being just under $29 a gallon!! Not bad especially for Benjamin Moore! I think that's even less than Home Depot's Behr.

In prepping to paint I had to move the bookcase that has been in our dining room. I've never liked it much there and a few months ago realized that a little cut out area of our hallway was a perfect spot for a bookcase. Although the ideal would be a built-in I don't want to spend money on it and this sucker would fit right in the spot. I really like it more now there and once we finish painting the hallway the wall behind it will be gray. You like my color coordination. These are all of our religious books (except for the Arnold book and NO we are not Arnold fans when it comes to politics. Ryan admires his days as Mr. Olympian!).

and just to give you even more of a taste of the changes going on around our house, here is a sneak peak of the magnetic chalkboard I painted on the front of our kitchen island. More to come on that!!

Discovery At Last!!

It has been discovered...the paint color!! Hallelujah!! We will be painting the dining room/kitchen this weekend if I have it my way and I think I have bribed Ryan into helping in my madness! He has his second to last assignment due this Friday night so he said he would have time to help me Saturday. I'm considering it my anniversary gift, although I did have to sweeten the deal a bit. Who said bribing and bartering wasn't good for a marriage? LOL!

So, here is the color. Benjamin Moore's Senora Gray 1530.

I first laid eyes on it here. And of course colors on your computer monitor screen NEVER look like they do in real life and especially not when you put them on your own walls in your house. Lighting is so very tricky. I have learned a lot about color between picking colors for the living room and dining room/hallways now. It makes me want to take that color theory class I've had my eye on for a few years now. Because the light in our dining room is coming from north facing windows, it is very cool. Thus, we needed a color with warm undertones to counteract the coolness of the light. I wanted gray and thus knew I was in for a long road of torture. I am on a first name basis with Rich at Knight's Paint in Chico (Benjamin Moore paints). He has been so very helpful lending me large color swatches, even an entire color deck with generous sized samples. He is even giving me a break on the paint price, making it cheaper than Home Depot and Sherwin Williams paints. We loved how it covered in the living room and having great help and someone to teach more more about color and painting methods has been key. Plus, it feels good to support local businesses. I promised Ryan I'd have everything prepped before Saturday, so I've got my work cut out for me.