Hicks "Mini Pendant" Lights.

Most of us design junkies know and love the Hicks Pendants from Visual Comfort. I have used them before in design projects, and if my ceilings were taller I would install them in my home.

Now I present to you what I call the "Hicks Mini Pendants," but Home Decorators calls this the "Cadence Mini Pendant". I have gone ahead and added this to my wish list. 

 I could swap those out with my mini pendants, or most likely use them in an upcoming project for someone else.

Framing Idea: Embellish with brass.

You should know by now when I say "I'll be back tomorrow to post…", it's a lie. I intend to, but you know I have this adorable little boy who consumes my days and leaves almost no time for this poor little blog.

I think most of us are pretty crazy for brass these days. I added these brass flat corners brackets to Reid's little darlings photos. I found mine on ebay, but you can find some here. 

I can drive myself crazy over little details, but I like how these turned out. 

Trimming Details

Let's see, according to my post on May 24th, I told you we ordered a new front door. In mid December it finally came in. No joke, I will not be recommending the company to you.

 

Now I find myself in great debate about painting the new trim the color of the door, or leaving it white.

The collage below is a good mix of painted trim vs. white trim.

Before the trim was installed I was certain I would paint it the door color, but now I am leaning towards leaving it white.

 

What do you think: paint it white or paint it to match the door?

 

(Ignore the dishes from my al fresco dining. Also, new roof, new light and eventually an address plaque coming soon.)

Drama.

I felt our downstairs bathroom needed some drama. I was looking into wallpaper and did not want something busy that would compete with our checkered floor. And, if you can't pick a fun wallpaper, what's the point of installing it?
I have really been enjoying darker rooms and thought the worst that could happen would be a waste of ten dollars.

I'm so glad I painted. The room feels more memorable than it did with it's light tan walls.

Here's the before:

Lesson learned: take chances.

Trash to Treasure.

I found a base and reclaimed wood for our long awaited coffee table from my trip to Schillers. My brother in law, Bibb, works out of our detached garage, rent free. In exchange, I ask him to help with projects around the house.

Here's a look at the base:

While at the salvage yard, I also purchased a bundle of wood reclaimed from a tobacco barn. We cut the wood to size. Take a look at the tabletop:

The finished product:

Very industrial, with a hint of feminine character in the curled base.

And here's an adorable touch Bibb added when he welded it together:

It's a luxury to know a craftsman who can assemble and create the design that's in my head. Thank you Bibb.

Our Halls are Decked.

Christmas is going to be here in 19 days.

[ insert: Stop this train.]

I decorated. I've been shopping. I have a great Christmas mix I've been enjoying. Here are some photos of my Christmas decorations:



I made this little reindeer when I was six!

Does anyone else feel like this Christmas snuck up on them?

I also plan on trying to make my mom's cinnamon pecans for my coworkers. Are any of you giving gifts to people in your office?

Home Improvements.

I have the greatest family. My dad called a few weeks ago and said: "Ash, think of some projects you want completed on the house and call me back"

Me: "Dad, I have the list ready for you right now, no need to call you back. Ready? The kitchen, dining room and sunroom need to be repainted. The fireplace could use new tile, the downstairs shower needs to be gutted and retiled. The front door needs to be replaced and I'd like to trim around the door, we need a new roof, Tony wants to turn the garage into a man cave, do you want me to go on?"

Dad: "alright, Dale (my brother) and I might make time to come work on some of those for you and Tony"

Me: "Yes, come anytime!"

I get a call back a few days later.

Dad: " We're coming in 3 days. Get the paint and the tile."

At that point, I went into panic mode mixed with complete excitement and went shopping.

They started on the bathroom tile and thought demo would take a couple of hours, but our house was built [with quality] in the 1940's and instead of durarock behind the tile it was cement. Demo took up half a day. Then they discovered the walls weren't exactly straight so that meant cutting more tile to fit during the entire process.

Before: cracks in tile, handicap rail that was removed - general disarray.




After: new subway tile, new plumbing (and eventually a re-glazed tub, anyone in Tallahassee have a recommendation?)



They are saints. SAINTS for doing the precise work it took on our shower. They "taught me to fish" by saving a wall for me to tile and grout.

Then they moved on to paint the dining room/kitchen/sunroom. The original problem was two-fold. 1. The paint color was gray with a hint of purple and hint of blue in certain light. I wanted a gray-gray. 2. When I first painted, I ran out of paint and I went to get another gallon and Lowe's could not match the paint (even with the exact same code and same product from their store?!!?). Do you see the dark spots where I touched up the paint? It drove me mad, but not mad enough to repaint!
(No after- just know it's all the same color now, Sherwin Williams 7641 Collonade Gray) Last project was the fireplace. I knew I wanted to change it, but it wasn't high on my priority list. However, this small change dresses up the entire house and I love it.
Before:

After: marble 2" hexagon



Dad and Dale, we can't thank you enough. We love your help and you are welcome back anytime!

Just a teaser...

There have been many projects going on at my house. I will have before and after photos on Monday, but for now have a great weekend.

Texture is my Color.

Our guest room was the only room in our house I did not paint. The green walls were too vibrant and alive for my taste. I knew I would eventually repaint and decorate this room but it has been low on my priority list until recently.

I had the crazy idea that I would paint the room and sew 8 curtain panels. I am an amateur with the sewing machine. I only have one trick up my sleeve: ruffled pleats. I made linen panels in my dining room so I carried that same design over to the guest room.

Guest room before:




Instructions compliments of Jen

The finished product

Come on in and see...

It's like a winter wonderland in here with all the white linen.



A few notes: The ottoman still needs a cover; I want to repaint the (chalkboard) frame sitting on top of my desk. Would a matte white be too boring? You should know I don't love living with a lot of color, I prefer muted palettes. If I could coin a phrase it would be "texture is my color". I even debate leaving the striped headboard in there...just a few unfinished pieces I'm still thinking through.

My yellow in this case is not so mellow...

I have wanted to make an upholstered headboard for 2 years now but I have been unable to find a fabric that I was certain about, and I was afraid it would end up looking too homemade.
I stopped by a fabric store this weekend and found a remnant of brown, slubby linen that I loved (3 1/2 yards for the price of 1 yard- who could pass that up?) I did not have a project in mind but it was so cheap I couldn't leave it at the store.
Sunday afternoon I asked brother-in-law, Bibb to help me with this project. I used Centsational Girl's headboard post as my guide. Her project looked store bought and professional which was enough incentive for me to try. However, I added 2" high density foam to my existing headboard and had Bibb screw on 1/2" plywood around the corners of the headboard so the nail head trim could be able to be tacked in.
Here is our Master Bedroom

Before:

After:

That was so much fun we decided to go to Home Depot to buy plywood to make a headboard for our guestroom. I was looking at striped fabric this weekend and realized I'd have to sew together two 54" wide pieces of fabric to have enough material to cover a 60" queen headboard. One fabric swatch I took home was yellow and white striped and almost identically matched our 70" wide shower curtain. Problem solved, we used the shower curtain for fabric. (I have been looking for an excuse to make a shower curtain and I have one)


It feels so great to finish a project that I've had earmarked for years. If you have been thinking of making your own headboard and have been hesitating, I encourage you to try it. (Or hire me and Bibb to build you one- wink wink)