Market Day

I spent part of Sunday afternoon strolling through the Sandwich Antique Market with my shopping buddy, Henry. We found some interesting things, but nothing we couldn't live without. I found perfect pieces to fit in places I've already filled with furniture, but nothing that's on my current shopping list (the perfect rectangular kitchen table, a bench for the front door, a basket for the mail and papers that always litter the kitchen table). So it looks like I'll have to keep shopping. Darn.

Looking Up

Henry now has two new reasons to look up in his room. We finally found a replacement for the boring light fixture in his room with a fun new one from Ikea. It makes the room a little happier. And better yet, he has a very cool new mobile made by his Uncle David. He loves to check out the wild animals as they float by (and would love to have the chance to smack them and make them fly again.... it only took once for me to figure out that wasn't a great idea!).

Kitchen Table Quest

I have this idea that changing out our oval kitchen table for an unique rectangular one with a window seat will change our lives for the better. Every day will be easier. The food will taste better, the room will be cleaner, the boys eating at it will have better manners, birds will sing and there will never be another cloudy day. Or something like that. But I do think it might be cool.
This table would be PERFECT.... if it weren't sized for a 4 year old. Or I guess it would be perfect for 2 of us. Neil and I could return to eating on the couch like we did in the pre-kids years.

Flea!

Flea market that is. You really think I'd allow an infestation around here with my parasite paranoia?
Anyway... my mom and I had a great time wandering the rows of "treasures" at the flea market Saturday morning. Here's some highlights I caught the next day when I drug Neil back there to check out a newel post (that we eventually elected not to buy, but gave us some ideas for our upcoming stairway project).

The table I fell in love with and was heartbroken to discover it was 3 inches too tall

I also fell in love with this funny metal goat. But I fell in $35-or so-love, not $85 love.

My grandma used to have one of these according to my Dad.


The newel post prospect

Summer Projects

With summer now here, all of our house projects move outdoors. We've been busy cleaning up beds in the backyard, trimming overgrowth, and building a new raised garden bed for vegetables. Our plantings are looking better than they have in years this summer and are finally starting to fill in enough that I'm not needing to do nearly as much weeding. This is the first year I haven't rearranged any of the perennials or added any new ones. It's nice to take a break and enjoy what's there (while I plan for next year) and it gives us a little more time to fiddle with the new garden bed. We finally put up lattice under our deck this year and I've been enjoying not losing the cat under there or worrying about raccoons taking up residence while we sleep. Our next projects are re-staining the deck and finishing the borders of our beds to keep the grass out. I've got a few other ideas, but I've found it's best not to overwhelm my "contractor" (husband) with them all at once so I'll keep them on my mental list for now...

Finished Bathroom!

Unbelievably, the bathroom is actually finished. Except for the knobs on the cabinets, but otherwise done. Neil's old platter fits nicely on the molding over the toilet and we finally have a spot for the ole bathroom water buffalo again. I would like to find a print for the long wall that faces the door. I'll have to spend my next rainy day scouting Etsy...

The Sink is In

I've been as slow to post on the progress of our bathroom as the bathroom project has been to progress. Four months later, we're about 30 minutes of work away from wrapping the whole thing up. So I'll post pictures of the finished product in a few months when we actually do finish it (you know how we work). The sink has been in for a couple months now and looks and works great. It's Neil's first try at sinks, but hopefully far from his last. One of his sinks was featured on Etsy's Storque blog last week.... we're hoping that leads to lots of new sinks being created soon!

Suggestions?

Obviously, there's a space that needs to be filled here. I'm thinking probably not natural wood because of the wood counters and orange walls (a bit too much, I think). I had thoughts of making a thin frame out of various shades of green glass subway tile, but haven't found the right size or colors to make it look how I want it. Also had thought about a twig frame painted white, but currently have no twigs. Something modern and simple would be nice. I'm looking and coming up empty. Any suggestions??

Completed project

Ok, false advertising. The only project we've yet to complete is buying a new dog bed (because it was a one-step project). Our other project is stalled in step 4 or 7 or 28, I'm not sure. The sink, countertop, and faucet are in. The paneling behind the toilet needs more paint, the exhaust fan is missing, and despite searching the greater metropolitan area for the right mirror and considering multiple do-it-myself mirror frame projects, the space above the sink is mirror-free with no prospects. I'll try to get some photos of all in process so maybe I can get some mirror suggestions. In the meantime, at least Ruby is enjoying the benefits of one complete project.

Latest project

Here's a mock-up of the most important part of our latest project. More to follow as it all comes together...