My Last House

Our "new" front door





Our last front door




Was this great duplex that we basically gutted (yes, we've been down this road before). Anyhow, I painted the front door a great orange which I still love to this day. And I'm grateful to the new owner for not painting over it, who happens to be a best friend of mine. So I'm stuck with my new door. I want to give it a punch color (I think), but just can't decide WHAT color. Can I ask for some suggestions? Or should I just leave well enough alone?

Glass & Steel

Currently obsessed. I want to take the back portion of my dining room out and do
just as above. Images are from Brooklyn's Height's blogger Remodelista
and Katie Lee Joel's New York City Townhouse featured in Domino

Merry Christmas

to you and your loved ones.



PS Santa (aka a handsome husband by the name of Jerard) brought me that new digital camera after all. I'm sure you'll all be happy to see blurry free photos coming your way in the New Year.

House Watch

Finally managed to get out with my pathetic digital camera (Santa, please!) and snap a few shots of the house after some major repairs (new roof,windows, and more) and a much needed paint job. If you can remember, this was last year with a very pink- nosed 1 year old as my muse:








And after. A sandy yellow body and flannel grey trim. I hope you like!

Easton Delights

I've been searching for a colorful ikat to remove me from my sea of khaki and browns in my new living room, and I stumbled upon David Easton's new collection for Lee Lofa. The famed but low profile designer from New York has an interesting point of view on where we are headed as human beings and our need for shelter, and what will define the was way we live chronicalled in THIS article from New York Social Diary.

And my shallow,materialist side loves his closet seen here:








The rest of his New York City pad is drool worthy as well.








Images from New York Social Diary and Jee Jofa

Fabulous

Entry. Don't you think?

Picture from White & Wander blog, a really terrific spot to browse some overseas eye candy!

Getting In the Mood

A bit tricky this year, huh? The traditional images just aren't cutting it for me, but I really liked this one taken from Vanity Fair. We put up a couple lights and one enormous tree. I have to say it felt good, based on the fact we were living out of bags and boxes all summer. I think home is where its at lately. And a couple of reindeer perhaps.


***** I love how our reader Renee wondered if that is Sarah Palin in the middle??***

This Old House Part Two

If you can remember...

This is where we started out. Were we crazy? In some respects, yes.







And now..........






This is where we are to date. So many of you have asked for some updated photos. Sorry it took me so long. As you can see, we took out the wall between the dining and kitchen, got rid of those double arches (one not seen) that brought you into the original kitchen (yes, it was that small). Now a small open pantry and powder room fall in that area which leads you to our new back entry. The cabinets were built by a fantastic woodworker in our area, Jim. Painted in a Ben Moore green grey, trying to find the swatch to note the color. The new built in "hutch" takes the place of the first arch (the doors are meant to have chicken wire inserts, but we'll get to that later.) It's a great piece, basically taking the place of upper cabinets for storage. And I need it! Thanks to my friend Jen for her idea to build it. All the hardware is from Restoration Hardware and the lights are from School House Electric. I went with a very blue grey marble, I love it. And yes, I have already stained it and I don't care. The floor is a tiny hex which after searching high and low, found a pretty affordable variety at Lowes from Merola. The french doors have to get painted. Hate the handles the contractor threw on. But for now, they stay. Hope you like.

The First Lady

Browsing today, I found this picture of First Lady Jackie Kennedy. I'm not sure who took it, but I just loved it. I've been thinking the last couple days of what kind of First Lady Michelle Obama will be. I'm guessing pretty great. She recently said that she first wants to be a mom, which I understand and appreciate.

Apparently this picture is of the White House's Solarium, in which Jackie transformed into a classroom for Caroline and few friends, seen in the photo. Michelle's fashion has been at the forefront of the press. Do you think she'll take interest in the interior design of the White House? We'll soon see!

Oh Domino

I love you, but I hate you! Just when a girl gets her house all painted, you put out a layout that makes you want to start all over. Jenna Lyons, Creative Director at J. Crew, home in Park Slope, Brooklyn is killer in its black, yellow, and grey tones. Who would think that much chalkboard paint could really work? Does it ever for Jenna. Run, don't walk, if you haven't picked up this month's Domino. It's one for the archives.

Etsy

I have to say I love Etsy. It's a great source for original, affordable art. I picked up this original sketch for a mere $20.00. How about them apples? Check out Sarah F. Burns other works, she is a delight!

Finally

You can order off of ABC Home's website. There is a limited number of rugs, but some are really great. The 10% off is nice too!

What is Coziness to You?

Images from the homes or works of designers: Ruthie Sommers, David Jimenez, Todd Alexander Romano, and Robin Bell.





As we three (four including the dog) settle into our new digs, I realize I've yet to create a "so-called" cozy spot. It's really driving me crazy. I think part of the reason I've been driven mad by this is I gave up a working fireplace in the new digs. I know I will add one (most likely gas, you don't even WANT to know how much it is to build a new chimney). So here is my question for you. What do you need to feel cozy in your home and do you have it? I sampled a few of my favorite rooms above which all seem to have mastered it in diverse ways. Do you need a lot of print to feel the warm vibes, or can you settle in to a neutral palette full of texture and not too much noise? What else? Funny, both appeal to me. Somebody come build me a fire.


PS DJ, I will cozy up to that bar cart one of these years...haha.

Wonderful Windsor

I have to admit, it's been hard choking out the price of most fabrics to clients in this horrific economy. So I was pleasantly suprised to see Windsor Smith's new collection for Kravet, mostly well under $100 a yard, which is totally do-able for some dining chairs or a sad bench in need of upolstering. Plus, she's a cutie pie, I love her West Coast coolness. Ever check out her digs on Domino.com?


On a personal note, I know I've fallen off the planet and I appreciate all that have tuned back in. I'll report on my house project which has kept my off the keyboard. It's nice to be back!

Small House Beautiful

After last night's fabulous dinner at my friend Kathy's house, this kitchen came up in topic. It's House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Month designed by designer Stephanie Stokes. We marveled at the efficent and stylish outcome for this teeny kitchen. In a world of McMansions filled with seas of granite, this kitchen proves bigger isn't always better.
PS-Mirror your backsplashes, don't be afraid! It's super affordable and fabulously effective.

Sorry!

I do realize it's not Thanksgiving, and you should post words with pictures (aka the Harper's Bazaar photo.) Something is rotten in Denmark (as Erika, ironically from Denmark let me know) with the blog. I'm trying to fix it. Could it be possible that someone would possibly hack into House & Life? I dare dream that we are that important. Or maybe I am sleep walking and dreaming of turkey. All possible. I'll try to remedy!

This is why I've been missing...

The weird wall (see last post) is now gone in the living room. We found out the weird wall was load bearing (who would think a wet bar would be load bearing, but it was...hello header!!!)
No more wall between the dining and the kitchen! And notice the big opening cut in the back for the french door out to the back. Nice light! The two windows in the kitchen are being shortened to allow for base cabinets. In the middle of the windows goes the big range with (hopefully!) a herringbone tile pattern in subway. I know the world is sick of subway, but I never got a chance to use it in my own home and have always lusted after it. So subway it is! And notice that framed cutout next to the first door opening? That is my floor to ceiling hutch with brass chickenwire! I have no uppers, so we need the storage for sure. We are doing a good size island in the middle of the kitchen, and then a skinnier one between the dining and kitchen room. All in a painted grey.
Another shot of the opening. We found that the back porch was in really bad shape, so we are reframing. To the left is the new powder room which can't be seen in this photo. Then to the right, I want to create a type of mudroom setting behind that hutch wall. Maybe some lockers? What do you think?
The "new" addition to the master bedroom. We took one of those front bedrooms to add on to the small master, making for a nice tidy bathroom and walk in closet.

We've made some big strides on the house. Between the litter of racoons found in the eaves, to loads of rain and work, I've been slow on posting on the progress. But we are getting there!

Drum Roll.......

THE HOUSE!
The "prom" stairs as my husband and I have joked about as you enter the house. I love them. In the living and dining room, beautiful yellow stain glass windows.
The dining room. Felix is preparing to rip out that wall in the dining room. Look out!
Coming down the prom stairs to the sea of mauve and an odd wetbar. Both hot in the 80's. Not so much in 2008.
The "new kitchen" area. We are removing that arched wall and the wall to the left (behind is the dining room seen before.) Believe it or not, that is the actual kitchen behind that arch, with the oldest stove known to man.

Well its ours. Pink moulding and all. We now own our "new" home and I am thrilled to share the journey with you.