Carpet Shmarpet

I intended to have a nice, relaxing weekend while some friends were visiting from out of town. And then I happened to mention that our next house project was ripping out the carpet in the living room. He looked at his watch and said, "well, we have an hour til lunch. Shall we get started?"

Bathroom Rain

Isn't this the best shower ever?

One of these days we're going to demolish our upstairs bathroom and expand it into the closet so it's actually big enough for two people. Some day.

Image via emmas designblog via The Selby.

Laundry Room Surprise

I totally forgot to show you guys my husband's mad carpentry skills. When I was on a trip for work a couple weeks ago he decided to finish a long overdue house project: the Laundry Room.

It's really not a room at all, but just a closet in the kitchen with bi-fold doors. He proceeded to take it all apart to prime the walls to get rid of the hideous green that the kitchen used to be and paint it to match the rest of the kitchen. (He forgot to take a before picture and amazingly enough we can't find one from anytime in the years he's lived in the house. But trust me, it was always messy. And crowded. And green. Very green.)

Then he put in a counter top which added an amazing amount of space to the closet. Seriously, I can't believe how much bigger it feels. And the level of organization! Love. it.

He also put in a shelf.

The most amazing part is that the day I got home from my trip was also the day his parents arrived for a long weekend visit. The house went from mostly clean, to a complete disaster, back to quite clean. I was superbly impressed! Especially because he kept it all a secret while I was gone.

There's a bit more to do. Husband ran out of time to paint the shelf and counter a glossy white and I have some accessorizing plans floating around in my head.

But much improved, yes?

Hey, look! I'm crafty!

Apparently I have skills that are only newly being discovered. So I just wanted to announce to you all that I'M CRAFTY. As in, I am actually able to make and create something with my hands from start to finish.*

Case in point: this pillow.

I haven't been able to find just the right fabric for pillows for our house which was really annoying me because, seriously, how hard should that be? So I found some fantastic modern looking fabric in all the right colors.

And this weekend I washed it, ironed it, cut it, sewed it, and stuffed it. It's like a miracle!

Then, I was so overwhelmed with my new found skill that I hemmed these curtains that I had planned to create using that iron-on hemming stuff. And I made it fancy by adding this nifty coordinating fabric at the top. Yes, it's kind of girly. But it's our office/storage room/someday to be a nursery if we live here that long room.**

*My sister pointed out that I make jewelry, which she considers crafty. I consider it to be more fabrication, more art. But I suppose it's not worth quibbling over. 


**Ignore the hideousness that is the rest of the room. I'm cleaning it tomorrow because we have plans to paint it all this weekend before my in-law's visit mid-March.

Photos by me and Husband

Paint stripes

I'm generally not a stripe person but recently I've been loving the look of wide, painted stripes.

Photo: Design*Sponge

Photo: Design*Sponge

Photo: Young House Love

The trouble is that there really aren't any good places to paint them in our house. The two rooms where I think it would look fantastic already have lots of wainscoting... and that just seems like way too much. Our upstairs bathroom would work but I don't want to paint it since we're planning to completely rip it out and expand it into the next room over.

But this one, this I can imagine. It's my favorite. Same color, different sheens. This would even look good in a subtle white or grey tone on tone, don't you think?

Photo: Apartment Therapy

A Delightful Day

I woke up early, but then lounged in bed for an hour while Husband ran to the store for bread to make french toast. He also took the puppies for a gallop by the creek and when he returned I had tired puppies to snuggle with and fresh Dutch Bros. coffee to enjoy.

Later I spray painted a bunch of random fixtures and hooks. The people he bought the house from must have LOVED gold, for it's everywhere. We're slowly changing it everything to brushed nickel, which seems small but has a huge impact--on the house and our wallets! So I spray painted a bunch of things a matte silver today and they look quite lovely. Hooray for thriftiness!

I made some changes to my Etsy shop and fashioned a few pieces of jewelry that I'm quite proud of. Trying to actually make something of this shop is time-consuming. But occasionally, like today, I make something really lovely!

And finally, I read a book and ate the homemade pizza that Husband made (and cleaned up after later!!!!).

And now, it's off to bed.

Retro-style Peace of Mind

I love having things put away. I love having a place for everything--especially when that "place" is a box, bin, basket or cupboard. I don't like clutter and I'd always rather go through the extra step of opening something to get what I need than just reaching for it on an already crowded countertop.

And yes, my husband is the exact opposite. Fun times.

We went to Target this weekend and as we walked passed this amazing contraption I stopped with my mouth hanging open. And apparently with wide, pleading eyes because he picked it up and put in in the basket.

Ta da! This totally retro bread box is now sitting on our counter with sourdough, banana bread and bagels inside.

I've been wanting a bread box (yeah, I know, people think I'm weird) but not only is this a bread box... it's old looking and it's turquoise. We have turquoise retro kitchen chairs*, I kid you not, so this is awesome.

I feel like I could die happy right now.

*which really is kind of weird, because although I have an eclectic decorating style it still leans more toward the Crate & Barrel aesthetic than anything else. But we love them. And they came from Ikea--on sale!

Wet Toilet Seats

I listed one specific condition upon entering this marriage: I refuse to clean toilets. There are other things I don't like or prefer not to do but toilets are just non-negotiable. My lovely Husband figured that wasn't a horrible condition and so agreed.

The thing is, Husband and I have different views on cleanliness and household chores and the frequency of such chores. This is, in fact, by far the biggest source of contention in our new marriage (followed closely by learning to fight more politely). Even something obvious (to me) like cleaning toilets we can't see to agree on. In order to get onto a regular schedule we've tried a series of strategies:

We've (we = me, of course) tried nagging, to little success.

We've tried avoidance. No success there.

We've tried asking nicely followed by reward sex. Believe it or not, also no luck. At least not consistently.

We've tried lists posted in specific places around the house as suggested by the pastor who did our pre-marriage counseling. Husband requested important items be written on a white board he hung just opposite our bathroom. That has had some success, actually. But also, not consistently. 

What's actually worked (at least in regards to toilets): setting an alarm. Apparently, Husband finally just decided to set an alarm or appointment on his phone that goes off every Friday morning. So before he leaves for work he cleans the toilet and occasionally swipes at the rest of the bathroom.

So now on Friday when I get up and sit down on a very wet toilet seat* I smile.

*Why he thinks wetter is better when cleaning I'm not sure, nor why he doesn't wipe it down with something dry after his sanitizing spree--perhaps just to make sure I know it's been cleaned?