Thursday, January 31, 2013

a tiny update for the Tiny Tudor

So, there has been this little, tiny, no-one else on earth would ever notice, thing that has bothered me since about week 3 in our house.  I strongly dislike the glass shades on our bathroom light fixtures.  Really they are perfectly wonderful and nothing anyone would ever find offensive or even remarkable for that matter, but they have bothered me none-the-less.  The frosted tulip shape would not be my first choice but the rest of the fixtures suit me fine so I have often thought about just replacing the glass.  It's a tiny change that no one would ever even likely notice, but for less than $20, I can walk into the bathrooms without wondering about changing them!  So I popped into Home Depot on a whim yesterday and got some samples to try.  One won't fit at all so that left only 2 to choose from.  Knowing we might someday change these whole bathrooms means I don't want to put a lot of time or money into this, but this is a little change that will have a big effect every-day for me.  The upstairs ones are very similar but are sconces on either side of the mirror.  I don't want to show the rest of this bathroom as I want to paint it in the next month and do a before and after so a little peek is all you get. 
So, I'd like your help!! Which do you prefer, (and current is not an option) the clear or frosted glass?  I think I'm decided and they will be different for upstairs and downstairs, but I'd love to hear what you all 4 think!  Thanks in advance for your input!


as they are now

clear, frosted, current




clear (lights off)

frosted (lights off)

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

B's Big Boy Bedding

One of my personal life-mantras is, You can make excuses or you can make it happen, and lately, with this blog, I am NOT making it happen.  I'm not making excuses, just admitting it's not the priority I wish it could be.  Thankfully, the things keeping me away from blogging more are weekend wedding trips away, and house-guests, house-guests and more house-guests.  I've also taken a little more time to think about some elements that are the final pieces before I reveal some rooms.  So, please know my head constantly spins with post ideas and if I didn't have to sleep, or eat, or care for my family, my home would be a dazzling display of domestic creativity and I'd be sharing every mouth-watering tidbit with all of you.  The great news is I have projects in my head to last until eternity and beyond-boredom is impossible here!
Today, for a quick creative break, I decided to start looking at big boy bedding for my nearly two-and-a-half year old.  Potty training is on tap for next month and the big boy bed transition will soon follow.  I am hopeful that will also mean we can pair down his bedding to just a duvet or comforter and his one special blanket. 
His room is one that just needs one final touch before the big reveal so you'll have to trust me that the colors for each of my choices would work.  I may end up sewing something myself but these are a few I liked at quick glance around the interwebs. Please let me know your favorites!



Garnet Hill Skateboards percale sheeting-the concept is scary as B already loves skateboards but the colors are great.  The wide green stripe would NOT work.
Skateboards Percale Bedding


 Galaxy Sheeting by Dwell Studio- I think this is too near the wall color but I love the subtlety.
Galaxy Dusk Duvet Set

Brody Sheeting by PB kids-perfect colors and I know B would love this!



 Organic Star by PB Kids- I would have to make this one out of the white sheets with gray stars but I love it's simplicity and the ability to add other colors.




 Junior Varsity by land of nod-I wouldn't do the quilt but B loves all things sports and these colors are perfect-maybe a little busy, but there are no other patterned fabrics in his room.
Bedding_JR_Varsity


Parallel Bars Bedding by land of nod-I particularly like the sheets and the B was a wonderful coincidence.  I would make the duvet from these sheets and maybe search for a red B :)
Bedding_Parallels

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

confession

I have a confession.  This fever hasn't broken.  That spring fever I spoke of feeling last month is only getting stronger.  As the fever grows, so does my husband's list of outdoor accent and planter projects.  The fever took me over last week and I bought a planter.  As I stood contemplating buying two more today while it was 9 degrees outside, I knew I had to take action.  Admitting you have a problem is the first step, right?
My name is Jess, I have spring fever, and I'm going to do everything in my power to tuck it away for the next 8ish weeks.  Think of me, pray for me, whatever you do, please send some thoughts to mother earth and maybe she'll bless us with an early spring!!

I ordered this medium galvanized planter from the Williams-Sonoma sale last week.





$100 for one of these!? Not when I can build it myself for $25! Mark this one down as a summer project! 
I've asked my husband for two of these, and two rocking chairs, and 3 more pallet boxes.  I might need to learn to use the woodshop!


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Mid-Season Mantel and the Pallet Box Problem

 
I've nearly settled into the glorious time when the only reminder of Christmas decor is the holiday cards I usually display until mid-February, if not March 1.  We successfully utilized attic space in our Tiny Tudor for our holiday decor which also freed up guest room closet storage for other things.  This has been a HUGE help though I may keep a small box of things in my office that were missed on the final decor walk-through, oops!

(Note: there is a A LOT of storage opportunity in our attic but the more we are up there, the more we realize we'd like to utilize the space one day for vaulted ceilings and exposed beams.  That said, I am hesitant to store any more up there as I don't want to rely to heavily on the space being available ;) Below is the picture that first made me quip to my husband, "Do we really NEED an attic?"
1)  who needs and attic? 2) is it too late to move to austrailia?  desire to inspire - desiretoinspire.net - Stalking warehouses with cute little courtyards

I'm really enjoying my mid-season mantel and have a Valentine's crafternoon planned soon for a little more fun:)  I LOVE mercury glass so all of this will be staying out until spring and the frosted cranberry wreath from Nana's warehouse that I have coveted,..... well,........ my entire life, will also likely not get tucked away until the Christmas cards do.





So, the pallet-box problem is this, What do I do with it now?  While all the holiday inserts would still be quite suitable, the pine boughs are very crispy and less aesthetically appealing everyday.  

I want to start herbs in it in front of the kitchen window in the spring but I fear it's much too cold there now for anything to grow well.  It would look quite lovely on the slightly raised hearth next to that trio of candle-holders, but what does a girl put in her pallet box in January and February??  Please help, dear readers!  Thank you in advance for your brilliant and creative ideas.

Friday, January 4, 2013

coming to a close

Well, our first Holiday season in our new home is coming to a close.  Though it does seem like lots of work for 5-6 weeks of enjoyment, it was all very worth it.  Unfortunately, I started getting horrible spring fever on Christmas Eve so I am all ready to plan outdoor seating and perennial planting.  Thankfully we have some family birthdays, house-guests and Valentine's Day to tide me over as winter has really just begun. 
I wanted to share two wonderful decor gifts I received over the holidays before bidding a final adieu to the Holiday season on this blog.



I received this darling sign from my mother-in-law on December 23rd so it enjoyed some quality time on display over the holidays.  It seems it was custom made for the spot I hung it in and I love the mix of vintage and sparkle.  When my mom walked in on Christmas, she noticed it right away and before anything else. 



I spotted these pillow covers on Pinterest several months ago and a sweet new friend I count among my new blessings for 2012 mentioned that she could easily make them.  I welcomed her enthusiasm as they are something I would never endeavor and sent her the covers so she could make some for me and some for herself.  They wildly exceeded my expectations and I'm very excited to put them out next year!