Monthly Archives: January 2013

Amy’s Green House Conversion Part II

07 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by in Accessories, Bath, Bedroom, Dining Room, Flooring, Furniture, House Tours, Inspiration, Kids, Kitchen, Living Room, Tabletop

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bookshelf organizing, Ding Shack, Flor Carpet Tiles, HGTV, Kitchen Banquettes, staging, You LIve in What?

What does one do when approached by HGTV to put her home on one of their shows? Freak out, call Sarah and stage the heck out of it of course!  So here is a play by-play of the updating and staging we accomplished:

1. Switch around the Flor carpet tiles in the hall and playroom.

2. Remove old cabinets and replace with new ones. Update window sill with copper and build a banquette, (Thank you Ding Shack!). Choose a new paint color for the lower woodwork. Stage, stage, stage.

Side note: this is the new table for our banquette.  It’s not finished but it is part of an old bowling alley lane!

3. I finally hung some art work on the newly striped hall between the bedrooms and staged the book shelves in the master bedroom.

4. Straightened up the family room, more staging in the book shelves as well as the mantle.

5.  Finally I cleaned up the kids space.

I have no idea when my house will actually be on HGTV, but you can be certain I will let the world know all the details.  I think I’ll call the post, Amy’s Greenhouse conversion III: The Screening Party.

Images:
Amy MacMillan

My Favorite New Items from Serena & Lily’s Spring Catalog

04 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Accessories, Bath, bedding, Bedroom, Dining Room, Furniture, Inspiration, Kids, lighting, Living Room, pillows, textiles

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Chandeliers, Lacquer Furniture, Leather Furniture,

Did anyone else get the Spring 2013 Serena & Lily catalog in their mailbox this week? I’ve got to say that I’m always intrigued to see what they’ll come up with next. As someone who worked in the catalog industry when it started to crash, it is always amazing to watch when a company slowly builds to create a bigger, broader, and stronger collection each season and that’s exactly what Serena & Lily has done. Let’s start with the French Tassel window panels (above). I am obsessed with them. So obsessed in fact that after finally deciding on window treatments for my daughter’s room makeover that I might have to completely change the plan. The pink and yellow are my favorites, but really I’d take any of them.

Despite the fact that the Feather Shower Curtain‘s pattern bares a striking resemblance to chevron (the most overdone pattern on the planet right now) I really love it. The vertical line makes it more unique and the color options are spot-on. I never use purple in my house (unlike Pamela) and I am totally coveting that berry color–maybe for my new master bath shower curtain.

You know how I love an anchor so how could I not be in love with the Anchor Quilt and Pillow Covers?

And I certainly can’t overlook the Waves Sheet Set!

The Coco Chandelier made of rose quartz would also be adorable in my daughter’s bedroom. It also looks like good DIY inspiration. Either way, I like it.

But the Anya Blown Glass Chandelier is just stunning. It would glam up any room in the house in an instant!

Or if you’re looking for something more affordable, the $68 Origami Paper Pendant Lights add a chic modern touch.

Also on the super-affordable list are the Melrose Nesting Tables which are only $385 for the set of three. I love the color, the lacquer, and their slim profile.

The Bruno Chair may not be completely new, but it’s availability in leather has taken it to a whole new level. There are so many places this chair would be perfect.

There are lots of other fabulous items in the catalog that were introduced in seasons past that I saw in a new light in this Spring catalog so I highly encourage you to check it out. And now I can’t wait to see what Serena and Lily have in store for us next season!

My 2013 House To-Do List (It’s a Biggie!)

03 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by in D.I.Y., Inspiration

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It’s a really good thing to make lists, however, it can be a little bit discouraging to look back at all the things that didn’t get done. I thought I got a lot of my house project to-do list accomplished in 2012, but looking back at the list I posted to the world last January, I missed quite a bit too. Oh, and there’s the fact that of what I did get done, I haven’t posted it all here yet! So here’s an update on a what I actually finished, what’s still on my to-do list, and the many, many, many additions to my list for 2013!

1. Paint and reorganize the mudroom: Done (above) and it was featured on Apartment Therapy. Woot!
2. Replace front door and front steps: I purchased a new Dutch door (quadruple yay!) and my husband is in the process of sealing the wood so that it can be hung. We should have pics real soon on that one! The front steps and a new path will happen in the spring!
3. Dig up most of the front yard and re-landscape: We accomplished the digging out of the overgrown plants, but it happened so late in the fall that we didn’t get a chance to plant anything except for my new rose bushes.
4. Renovate downstairs bathroom from floor to ceiling: Did not even come close to happening, but it definitely is going to happen in 2013!

5. Replace original light fixtures in front hall and upstairs hall: The front hall light just got replaced a few weeks ago. It’s not exactly what I had originally planned, but I came across it on my umpteenth trip to Home Depot and decided I really like it. Plus, I think it will look great with the new Dutch door. I did purchase a new light for the upstairs hall from IKEA last week too and am just waiting for my hubby to install it. Oh, and I replaced the outdoor lights too!
6. Paint staircase and replace railing: I got the stripes painted on the staircase and just need to do the railing still.
7. New chandelier for dining room: Done! I just need a dimmer installed.
8. Refinish and reupholster dining room furniture: Not done, and I’m not sure it will happen this year either. :(
9. Hang curtains, get new rug, and replace lamps in master bedroom: Not done, but more on that below.
10. Hang curtains, paint, and reupholster furniture in my daughter’s room: This room got painted and a new bed and I love it. I just need to have the curtains made, and then I will be able to do the big reveal.
11. Put the finishing touches on my son’s room: This didn’t get done either, and again more on that below.
12. Tile and replace surround of fireplace: We removed the old fireplace screen and replaced it. I’m still searching for the right tile, but I can’t wait to show you what a difference just removing the screen makes. I wish I had done it 5 years ago!!!

2013 promises to be a year of big changes around here. In addition to finishing (or starting) many of the projects above, we have a few big projects including:

1. Install a fence in the front yard.
2. Replace the roof.
3. Replace the bulkhead door.

But the big, big change is that we’re either going to put a two-story kitchen/master bedroom addition on our house or possibly buy a new house. If we decide to stay and do the addition, we’ll take over my son’s room for the addition, and he’ll move into our existing room, and this will be the long, long, long to-do list:

1. New eat-in Kitchen
2. New master bedroom, bath, and walk-in closet
3. Convert pantry and dining room closets to built-in bar
4. Open up wall between kitchen and dining room and add sliding door
5. Add built-in bookcases to living room
6. Re-arrange living room and replace curtains and upholstery
7. Add sliding door to upstairs bathroom
8. New Deck

I’m looking forward to a very busy, but very fun 2013!