lighting

I have unrealistic ideas about lighting.  Like for 1:  I think it should be free (or practically).  I cannot stomach the idea of paying $1500 for a light fixture, no matter how beautiful and perfect it is.  Honestly, even $300 makes my tummy quiver.  I look at that money and see a summer's worth of swimming lessons, or a week of summer camp for my kids.  But I guess that's just the reality of being a mama!

In our new home, several rooms will come with lighting (recessed lights in the kitchen, living room and basement), and quite a few builder-grade, oil rubbed bronze fixtures for the hallways, kids rooms, laundry, dining room, bathrooms, and entry way.  I will probably want to change most of these out over time.  Some sooner (kids rooms) and some over time (dining room, bathrooms).  For most of these I'm just waiting to see exactly what they put in the house, and see how it looks before I spend more to change 'er up.

But there are a few spaces where there won't be a light fixture (only a ceiling rough-in) and we will have to put a light in in order to SEE!  These 3 immediate places are the master bedroom, which will get a ceiling fan, and John's office/study/library, which will get a hanging fixture, and the kitchen island, which will get a hanging lantern.

I'm most excited about the lantern, so let's start there.  I'll cover the other choices later.

Here are my kitchen inspiration photos.  At least the ones with lanterns.

by Tommy Smythe, via Heidi Claire

 by Healing Barsanti, via House Beautiful

 via decorpad

by Tracy Morris

These lanterns are all so wonderful!  The top image, by Tommy Smythe, is my favorite.

In my space, I only have room for one hanging lantern, which is due more to budget than style or space.   I'd love to keep the budget less than $500 (realistically)  Truthfully, I'd be ecstatic to see something closer to $100..  Although, this is the fixture I'd be willing to spend the most on in the whole house. So, here are some lantern options:

The leader: Cambridge Pendant from Restoration Hardware ($399)

 $240

 $150 

$439

$319

Who knows where we'll end up, but it's fun to plan ahead!

Floor Plan

Our new home is supposed to look like this on the inside.

We didn't make too many interior changes to the actual shape and size of the house.  But we did add a wall between the living and dining room.  The "living" room will actually become a study, office, or library.  Probably study at first, and when we add some built-in shelves, I'll start calling it the library!  And we extended the staircase wall to incorporate some double doors, so the study can be closed off from the rest of the house.

Upstairs, we left everything alone.  Check out the size of that master closet!  We won't have the (optional 3rd bath) so the closet will really be that big.  I have plans.  I'll share them later.

Construction should start in April.  Can't wait to see how it progresses.

glitter baby

I'm considering an update for Caroline's white dresser and nightstand.

Right now, the plain white dresser, is adorned with simple painted wooden knobs.

The dresser looks a lot like this:

I'm hoping to add some glittery, sparkly, crystal knobs.  Won't it make for a more personalized, girly dresser?

 I've found these examples from Anthropologie.  They are all pretty reasonably priced at $6-$8 a piece. 

Or these pale pink numbers.

But still, for 16 knobs + tax and shipping, that can get really expensive.  So I think I'll have to do some more searching.  I did see the top Anthropologie knobs on ebay for about half the price.  It would still be an $80 project, so we'll see.

Any tips for scoring some great glass/crystal/plastic knobs on the cheap?

bedroom chair

Many years ago, my husband gave me this blue chair as a birthday gift.

We had seen it at Storehouse Furniture in New Orleans, and I must have commented about it.

And, of course, I was thrilled to receive it as a gift.  It was certainly a gift I wouldn't have talked myself into.

Anyway, it's kind of been the inspiration for our master bedroom for the past 6 years or more.  I mean, it's not the kind of chair you just stick in any room and hope it fits!

But now, the light blue decor is being moved to the guest room, in order to have a more glamorous master bedroom.  {I posted some ideas here.}

And the blue chair might not make the move.  Although the new guest room hasn't even begun construction, I can tell that it might just be too small for a chair in the corner.

 So here is my idea for keeping the blue chair in the master bedroom....a slipcover.

 Not typically my style, but I think it might work.

 Now, only to decide to attempt it myself, or get an expert involved?

Paint Chips

Look at the creativity of some people just using paint swatches from the hardware store.

 I saw a invite like this online, and since I have a little experience designing stationery, I thought I'd try my hand at making my own moving cards.

I have a bookcase full of envelopes left over from the time I sold custom stationery, so I think I'll print these up and send them out when the time comes.

On The Market {UPDATED}

Our home is officially on the market.

For. Sale.

{I hope it doesn't last long.}

Because, it's HARD to keep a house in sellable shape all the time.  Especially with a 4 and 5 year old under foot.  So I'm all for quick tips that will help speed things up when I have to get the house clean for a showing, and overall tips that will make a house attractive to a buyer.

You know, learn something new that I don't already know from HGTV.

A quick search on the internet turned up these gems.  They are perfect advice. 

• Say to yourself, "This is not my home; it is a house -- a product to be sold much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf. (If only it was that easy, and that cheap)
• Clean out any musty smelling areas.  (Does this count spray painting furniture in the basement as a no-no?  My husband does.  Good thing he's out of town)
• Say goodbye to every room. (oh my)
• Don't look backwards -- look toward the future. (or you might just see that you overlooked cleaning that corner!)
• Remove all books from bookcases. (I just don't understand.  Then why did I spend so much time styling those bookcases?)
• Alphabetize spice jars.
• Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.  (Ahhh, yes)
• Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside?  (Yes.  I live in Colorado.  It's COLD outside.)
• Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. (I had no idea.  Who knew yellow flowers would sell my home!)
• If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. (Like my Restoration Hardware silk blinds in the living/dining room)  If a buyer never sees it, she won't want it. Once you tell a buyer she can't have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.  (I am starting to agree.  I think my "curtains up but coming with me" may have blown a deal already!)

Check back tomorrow and my house will be SOLD!

UPDATED:  No joke.  We really got an offer the day after I posted this.  And I did have to fight for my RH silk curtains, but it was worth it!

We're moving!

We're moving...and it's OK!

(most people ask, so they know how to react.  We're excited)

We've been on a quick trip to Pennsylvania, and have decided to build a house!  Lots to decide and get ready before the move, but here's what's pretty much finalized right now...

The house will be this floor plan, and look lots like this:

And we'll be putting said house on lot 321.

(at the bottom of the circle.  We like the lot because it has open space beside and across the street.  It also back to a wooded area.  It gives John a little more privacy, but still a neighborhood for the kiddos.  And REALLY close to John's new office!)