Backyard

It's all happening in our backyard.

Check yourself because this may benumb your facilities.

Yes.
It's a fully custom backyard sofa made entirely of Trex, aka completely weatherproof.
Here's how it happened.
I've talked before about Tony, master contractor and carpenter extraordinaire.
He and I were discussing projects and he told me he'd like to build his own outdoor furniture that wouldn't have to be dragged indoors in the wintertime.
What? Yes.
He sketched a rough idea then and there, and I knew I was witnessing genius.

He started by building a wood frame in the shape and size of our choosing that took weeks to get right.
This is the part that excites me most, the customization of it.
We wanted something large to fit our 24'x24' patio and something that would hold lots of people.
We have a big family and do a lot of entertaining.
We're also casual.
We like to put the hooves up at the end of the day.

This is Tony wrapping the Trex around the wood frame.
The color is Winchester Gray.

I can't stop staring at it.

Office Update

I mentioned that I proposed a built-in shelf for Mr. Office.

He liked the two shelf version best.

They went in last week and everyone's ecstatic with the results.

Tony {carpenter extraordinaire} started with using industrial sized anchors that were drilled in to studs in the wall.

It was important for the shelves to be able to hold a lot of weight for heavy frames and books.

Tony came up with the idea to have the shelf extend from one end of the wall to the other which

visually makes them look seamless and modern.

I didn't want any molding, just a simple, clean, linear shelf with a lip to help secure what's on it.

I had the shelves painted the same color as the wall which, as you know, is my slow jam.

The whole thing looks drop dead awesome.

I decided to nix the standing books idea because it looked too busy with the rock memorabilia.  

The bottom shelf will now hold family pictures in gallery frames which should be the last job of the room.

For whatever reason I don't have a view of the entire room so until then 

here are some very dark phone pictures for you to eyeball.

Dining Room Update

I'm back feeling fresh like a watermelon mojito.

My vacation in Los Angeles was glorious, one of the best getaways I've ever taken.

I felt pure joy seeing my friend, reconnecting with her, and hanging with her two gorgeous boys and husband.

To add to the buzz I was already feeling, my girlfriend Kiki came to visit me last weekend.

We shopped downtown Chicago, smoked like we were high schoolers, 

and caught up on happenings.

Watch out 

because for me, right now, it's all rainbows and sunny skies and bear hugs.

Since returning home I've been working on vignettes around the house.

I put a bar in the dining room that sits on a brass tray I found antiquing in Des Moines. 

I think the tray was $9 if you can believe.

The red coral is from Pottery Barn and I'm still looking for lamps to flank either side of the buffet.

The monogrammed barware was a wedding gift of my mother in law's.

I also purchased a 19th century Italian mirror for $50 on eBay to go above the buffet, 

but shipping it has been a pain in the butt so who knows when it'll be here.

Hopefully soon.

Jamison Brosseau

I recently came across this old friend's artwork and was blown away.

Jamison and I were high school friends though I haven't seem him much since high school.

I'd heard he was living in Brooklyn and was an artist, which to me is the most romantic of livelihoods. 

I'm happy he's living the dream for both of us.

I find his work very energetic, bright, engaging, moving, bold, fun.

Words much like him when I knew him.

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Doings

I'm back from a blogging sabbatical.
Here are some doings in which I've been engaged in.

I helped a friend put up a family gallery wall.
I was nervous because most of the frames were small and I thought it may look too busy,
but it turned out fab.
Just don't look behind the frames, haha.
But seriously...don't.

I pitched a built-in ledge idea to Mr. Office Redo.

He loved the idea and decided to go with two ledges vs one.

The office doesn't have room for bookcases and every office needs books (duh) so the bottom ledge

 will fit standing, face forward art or coffee table type books 

while the top ledge will house personal photographs and rock memorabilia, which the Mr. has lots of.

And more from Project Office,
the custom trimmed curtains were hung on the bay window with Ikea RACKA curtain rods and
corner connectors
{many thanks again to Naomi for the idea}
which I will share more of in a later post because today I lack the strength to get in to it.
Let's just say it was a doozie, or so Hubs relayed to me.
And apologies for the bad, dark camera phone picture of the bay office window.

I found this vintage peacock chair in great condition at my local antique mall for $275.
I'm deciding if I should put it in my living room because the room needs something with height.
It's a little pricy but way less than an upholstered chair.
Also my style isn't necessarily at all bohemian.
I think I can work around that though.
Hmmmmmmm.

The little things are getting to me lately.
People I normally think are awesome I'm finding annoying.
I need a break.

On Thursday I'm heading to Los Angeles to visit my BFF since I was three, Ann.

I'm beyond excited to hang with her and just be.

I know it will be just what I need to get myself back in to the fray.

Oh Instagram,

I barely remember what life was like without you.

Balance

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Bathrooms for Alice

I received notice from a reader who said she was waiting for a post on bathrooms.

In my house bathrooms get pushed to the bottom of the list even though a well designed bathroom really excites me.
I blame it on having three small kids,

because generally most things I want and don't have is associated with them...
just kidding...or am I?

With their grimy germ hands and dried toothpaste in the sink,
it's no wonder I'd rather wait to finish our bathrooms when they're much older.
At least old enough to wipe their own butts.

Side note:  Can you tell the kids are home with me for spring break week?
*wink wink*

Anywho,
here are some bathrooms I find to be fabulous.
They aren't fussy or cold with stone everywhere like the bathrooms built for orgies that you see
in Vegas.
They're simple and elegant and brimming with personality.
Much like all rooms should be.

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