tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8282805998403797642024-03-08T06:33:42.735-05:00A Simple Kind of LifeJessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.comBlogger500125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-1512737540305208392017-07-24T15:14:00.000-04:002017-07-24T15:29:06.572-04:00Anthropologie SALE! (and sale on top of sale!!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We had some time to kill before the girls' had a dentist appointment this morning so I decided to give myself a long overdue peek into Anthropologie. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were having an additional 30% off sale promotion. I decided to treat myself and scooped up a few goodies for our kitchen. (Latte bowls were full price but a $6 I couldn't resist getting some to match the rest.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Links below!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxv6om1vqkQVHCIShL7QNZbzIkRFKb_OgAtSoDlG6WMnFj7Sob_0qUBL5IBWWbTiU9Zaef-DOIy1mgYaTptF5TMfW0NTbjYJ-oHgUdKp5ddyRl1b_ddpV6lE8ylxUoWH1HxkvaQ7zyyU/s1600/anthrosale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxv6om1vqkQVHCIShL7QNZbzIkRFKb_OgAtSoDlG6WMnFj7Sob_0qUBL5IBWWbTiU9Zaef-DOIy1mgYaTptF5TMfW0NTbjYJ-oHgUdKp5ddyRl1b_ddpV6lE8ylxUoWH1HxkvaQ7zyyU/s1600/anthrosale.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span itemprop="name" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/dhPs">moonbloom tea towel</a> | </span></span><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/dhPc">latte bowls</a> | <a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/dhPL">revel mug</a> | <a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/dhPC">revella side plate</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/dhPV">marina coaster</a> | lina bowl (<a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/dhWb">similar</a>) | <a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/dhP6">medina painted mirror</a> | matches (<a href="http://shopstyle.it/l/dhQg">similar</a>)</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<a href="https://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?device=desktop&exit=ProductCell-Image&id=637314606&searchId=8461b584-ba5d-48c6-a6f6-88cb62be5226&userId=31746194"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?device=desktop&exit=ProductCell-Image&id=637314606&searchId=8461b584-ba5d-48c6-a6f6-88cb62be5226&userId=31746194"></a><a href="https://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?device=desktop&exit=ProductCell-Image&id=637314606&searchId=8461b584-ba5d-48c6-a6f6-88cb62be5226&userId=31746194"></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-20065956992196023532016-12-21T11:03:00.001-05:002016-12-21T11:33:57.791-05:00Lucy's Room Updated<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0041_zpsltlod8w9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0041_zpsltlod8w9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To try and ease myself back into blogging I'm continuing the room tours showing how our house has evolved since moving in two and a half years ago. We have done a lot of work so far, with a decent amount still planned. Since moving in we have successfully repainted every room in the house with the exception of the fourth bedroom. That final room is our winter project, and it's going to be a good one! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today I'm sharing how Lucy's room now looks since <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/09/lucys-bedroom-resources.html">I last took some photos</a>. It definitely has changed a bit with some furniture swaps and fresh wall art. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0030_zpsk9vowyze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0030_zpsk9vowyze.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a more dramatic comparison, her room looked like this before we moved in. Fresh paint and a new layout has helped this room come a long way.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20BEFORE%20Photos/Channin15_zpsotfctqcq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20BEFORE%20Photos/Channin15_zpsotfctqcq.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The way the bed was positioned from the corner made the room look so much smaller. We chose to have the furniture against the walls for two reasons. First, we wanted to have one side of the bed against the wall until Lucy was older and less likely to roll out of bed. Also, the girls love to camp out on the floor and play with their toys on the rug so we wanted to maximize play space. As she gets older we will probably move the bed to come out of the wall, but this is the best setup for now.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0029_zpsmujay9hc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0029_zpsmujay9hc.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First thing you may notice is that we took out her dresser. We had a small Ikea Malm dresser for some time, but as Mila grew and began to open drawers we knew it was unsafe and more prone to tipping over. Plus with two closets we really didn't need the additional clothes storage. I was using one of the closets as toy storage, but Lucy never went in there for toys so it seemed a bit of a waste. We returned the Malm to Ikea (they will refund you if you have one!), used the second closet for her clothes and flipped her bookshelf down. This gave us better accessible storage for books and toys.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0034_zpshl8ilai3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0034_zpshl8ilai3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our girl loves reading and books have quickly been taking up more and more space in the bookshelves. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0069_zpsevqlx7ik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0069_zpsevqlx7ik.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also have her High Five mags, storage cubes with puzzles and small toys, as well as binders filled with school projects from preschool. She pulls those binders out once a week and loves to flip through and remember the different things she did the past few years at her old school.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0074_zpssb4xb3ku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0074_zpssb4xb3ku.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Flipping the bookshelf down also provided a place to put hair bows, her jewelry box, brushes and other things at her reach. Keeping things where she can access has helped groom her independence when it comes to getting ready each day and at bedtime.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0090_zpsojop943w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0090_zpsojop943w.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favorite part of her room is still her art wall. Between school and home we have new masterpieces almost daily. I try to switch out the hanging pieces as often as I remember. I love the bright colors in that little nook.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0040_zpsp1rjpw0n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0040_zpsp1rjpw0n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The play kitchen I made for her a few years ago is still in her room, although Mila plays with it much more than Lucy. I've been unsuccessfully trying to convince Lucy to let us move it into Mila's room since we've been making a lot of changes in there as well (photos coming soon). I may be able to convince her after a few Christmas presents arrive to take it's place. :) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0055_zpszxxaagnm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0055_zpszxxaagnm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0048_edited-2_zpsw8qdv73h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0048_edited-2_zpsw8qdv73h.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0033_zpsnege2t2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0033_zpsnege2t2d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stuffed animals are one thing we can't seem to escape. Every few weeks I sneak some older, unused ones out of the house and donate them. The favorites that still get a lot of love and play time are kept in a metal basket at the foot of Lucy's bed. We also have some large ones that are kept in her closet. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0032_edited-1_zpsxnh8fa3i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0032_edited-1_zpsxnh8fa3i.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0031_edited-1_zpsgcbivwsn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0031_edited-1_zpsgcbivwsn.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lucy's bedding is pretty simple, just sheets and a fleece blanket. We've tried comforters, but she gets too hot when sleeping and ends up kicking them off, so they're pretty pointless. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0050_zpsbnvvpzbd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0050_zpsbnvvpzbd.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The canvas prints above her bed were made from family photos we took last Spring. Those photos are such perfect representations of our girl. I'll be honest, I can't remember which company I used, but I do know I waited until they had a super discounted canvas sale. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, the most important thing when it came to designing Lucy's room was to make a place where she was comfortable and wanted to spend time. I love that on weekend mornings she will quietly play in her room before the rest of us wake up. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0077_zpsfcuokebp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0077_zpsfcuokebp.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bed - <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=310583904&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">Pottery Barn Kids</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">flamingo sheets - <a href="https://www.shopstylecollective.com/search?fts=flamingo%20sheets">Martha Stewart</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">euro pillow - Anthropologie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">purple velvet pillow - Etsy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stuffed unicorn - PB Kids</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pom pom blanket - Target (<a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=610793170&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">similar</a> and <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=523993209&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">similar</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rug - eCarpet Gallery (</span><a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=504694680&pid=uid5636-31746194-7" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">similar</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cube storage - Ikea, <i>discontinued</i> (<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S99017186/">similar</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lamp - Target</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fabric storage cubes - <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=512611852&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">Target</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LJD sign - DIY gift</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">jewelry box - PB kids</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">art display wire - <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60075295/">Ikea</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">art frame - Ikea and Target</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fur pouf - Target</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lucy wall letters - Anthropologie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Audrey Hepburn prints - Etsy </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">frames - Target</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">window blinds - Lowes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">play kitchen - <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2013/02/lucys-play-kitchen-closer-look.html">DIY</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">white side table - Ikea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">small lamp - Ikea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wire stuffed animal basket - <a href="http://www.target.com/p/wire-floor-bin-round-pink-pillowfort/-/A-50272397">Target</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">full length mirror - Ikea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">frameless mirror - Anthropologie (<a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=609489708&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">similar</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">closet knobs - Anthropologie (<a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=276175791&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">similar</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'L' hook - Anthropologie, <i>discontinued</i> (<a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=484594610&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">similar</a>)</span><br />
<br /></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-13166239016650808322016-12-12T09:14:00.002-05:002016-12-12T10:12:58.878-05:00Oops.. I Did It Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0118_zpsedi7epio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0118_zpsedi7epio.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Guys... I bought another rug.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You may or may not know, but I have a problem with buying rugs. I'm addicted to RugsUSA and can't help but peek at their website every time they are having one of their mega sales around any and all holidays. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course we didn't NEED a new rug. But this 9x12 beauty for just $116 and FREE shipping that arrived at our door in less than a week? SOLD. So why did I buy a new rug?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0115_zps25pgu3we.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0115_zps25pgu3we.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's rewind a bit. This is the 5th rug we've had in this room in almost four years. I know, I know, but bear with me. When we first moved in I put our cow hide rug (Rug #1) in front of the fire place with an old Target rug (Rug #2) behind the couch. The cow hide was a great rug and I love what it did to the space visually. But after time I realized it's definitely all look and no comfort. Plus occasionally it smelled weird, I guess that comes with cow hide. For a living room I wanted something cozy and comfortable.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0190_zpsb37494ec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0190_zpsb37494ec.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0019_zpsd5127293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0019_zpsd5127293.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rug behind the couch created a great space for the girls to play, but it was old, stained, and not very soft. Besides it was only meant to be a temporary solution. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enter Rug #3. My first RugsUSA purchase which began the obsession. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0038_zpsddf8943f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0038_zpsddf8943f.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was soft, comfortable and pretty. I was in love with the Moroccan design and was channeling the living room of my favorite, <a href="http://www.housetweaking.com/">House*Tweaking</a>. This rug was a pretty good deal for just $163. You can read more about purchasing that rug </span><a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-sweet-labor-day-deal.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/09/new-living-room-rug.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After some time I began to dislike the idea of people walking into our house and being greeted by the back of the couch. I wanted the living to feel as large as it really is and by cutting the room in half with the couch in the middle I felt like we were wasting so much space. We rearranged the furniture to open up the room, which quickly told me we needed a larger rug. I still loved the look and feel of the shag, so decided to go for a larger, similar style which a fresher look. (Rug #3 temporarily lived in our family room.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then we had Rug #4:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-XNn3Fvzqueoqxws8AzhDV52pTjVa2op11Nr-WsY7GpOJ9sy28QXFe3jH2YRnNEnn3MWB1ybqOHDpWIY220t4iXcBYk9u5n3gvTup6vdDAJ6YropZcb-XpOdf8pbopoToLrtBORHHLQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-XNn3Fvzqueoqxws8AzhDV52pTjVa2op11Nr-WsY7GpOJ9sy28QXFe3jH2YRnNEnn3MWB1ybqOHDpWIY220t4iXcBYk9u5n3gvTup6vdDAJ6YropZcb-XpOdf8pbopoToLrtBORHHLQ/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This has been an awesome rug. Easy to vacuum and it's light and bright. Exactly what I wanted for this space. Although I don't remember the exact price I know I paid just under $200 for a 9x12. It wasn't super thick, but I was ok with that. I figured the shag was soft enough for the kids to play and the color was what I wanted to brighten up the space. </span><span style="font-family: "\22 helvetica neue\22 " , "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">This room gets a ton of use. The girls play all over it and the floor is usually covered in Barbies, puzzles, crayons and much more.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lately the shag has begun to overstay it's welcome. It's been a year and a half, but I've noticed that the exposed rug has started to become gray and dingy while the parts where the furniture cover are still bright and white. I'm nervous to try and shampoo it after reading <a href="http://www.housetweaking.com/2015/10/08/how-i-ruined-the-living-room-rug/">Dana's disaster</a> which ultimately led her her just buying another rug anyway. My biggest peeve is that I'm tired of vacuuming up legos and stepping on buried Barbie shoes and finding hidden cheerios or other food among the shag. Like I mentioned, I always peek at RugsUSA during their sales just to keep some things in mind. On Black Friday I was pleasantly surprised when I found a 9x12 gray and white rug listed for just $116!! I seriously couldn't believe it. It must have been a rare deal because it's no longer even listed on their website for me to share with you. At that price with free shipping, I couldn't pass it up.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0116_zpsg8kop5gj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0116_zpsg8kop5gj.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new rug arrived in less than a week and I love it! The gray/black tones in the rug really warm up the space. Our red </span><a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=434097738&pid=uid5636-31746194-7" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pottery Barn velvet pillow covers</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> will go back to the regular Ebony color after the holidays and I think they will look even better. The rug is still very soft to lie and play on, my kids haven't noticed a difference. :) Tiny toys are easy to spot and have saved my bare feet. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0113_zps3v4lp7mx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0113_zps3v4lp7mx.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pattern is so pretty and perfectly compliments the rest of the room. I'm thrilled with this rug</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a full tour of our living room including a resources list, check out <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2016/11/living-room-tour.html">this post</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0131_zpsnacbjbhf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0131_zpsnacbjbhf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And finally, because I love doing this sort of thing, let's check out how the living room looked before we moved in..</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20BEFORE%20Photos/Channin2_zpsmxgdzow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20BEFORE%20Photos/Channin2_zpsmxgdzow2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and how things look today.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0117_zpsxregxppo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Christmas/IMG_0117_zpsxregxppo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-23408075341708496692016-11-15T13:24:00.001-05:002016-11-15T13:36:12.614-05:00Black French Doors: Before and After<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0919_zpsqnykd8f6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0919_zpsqnykd8f6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The french doors in our kitchen were definitely one of the selling points for us when buying our house. I love natural sunlight and the thought of pulling both of those doors wide open on a warm day and letting the sun stream into our kitchen with a view of our backyard was just so dreamy to me. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since moving in, we definitely get a ton of use out of these doors. They lead to our deck so during the summer they're usually wide open with the kids running in and out of the house. It's pretty common to see our storm doors covered in holiday themed decals or window marker drawings. Plus our pup spends a good amount of time watching the squirrels and bunnies hopping about our yard. (Don't worry, our old girl can't catch them.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0868_zpsufgwspeu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0868_zpsufgwspeu.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We certainly get a ton of sunlight, especially in the morning. After two years of draping towels over the doors during breakfast to block the sun I finally invested in some window treatments. I searched for some time before deciding on these curtains from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/DaniDesignsCo?ref=l2-shopheader-name">DaniDesignsCo</a> on Etsy. I wanted something that wouldn't permanently block the light, that I could fully open during the days, but would provide privacy at night as well as when the sun was just a little too bright to sit at the table. These curtains are so easy to install (velcro!), within 20 minutes of opening the package they were on the doors. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can see from photos in her shop that the curtains fully extend down to cover the entire window, while keeping the doors themselves uncovered. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0874_zpskbhu9tek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0874_zpskbhu9tek.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had been talking about repainting the doors since we moved in. The white side didn't look bad, but could use a fresh coat. What bothered me most on that side was the yellowed plastic dividers. At first I wanted to remove them completely (think <a href="http://www.housetweaking.com/2014/07/10/the-kitchen/">Dana's kitchen doors</a>). We would need to do some repair work and figure out a replacement trim for the edges. I honestly wasn't even thinking black doors to begin with, just wanted white and bright. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0875_zpsjvogjbsw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0875_zpsjvogjbsw.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing that we either didn't notice or didn't really care about at the time of house hunting was the condition of the OUTSIDE of the doors, which faces our deck. When we were looking at the house it was the middle of a snowy winter so we weren't thinking about how the outside of the doors would look when open in the kitchen. Well, here is how they look....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0906_zpslrz1rbj7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0906_zpslrz1rbj7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yikes, right? Yellowed, cracking plastic and a very hastily done red paint job. Definitely not the fresh clean look I had been dreaming about. I've been giving dirty looks to this side of the doors since we moved in almost two and a half years ago. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0909_zpskwkjnbyb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0909_zpskwkjnbyb.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now before you get excited about a dramatic before and after of the red doors, I have to admit I haven't tackled this side of the doors - yet! They are going to need a little more TLC before I can paint and since the weather has turned chilly we don't really see them as much. I wanted to tackle the inside first since that's the side we see all day long. But they will be done soon and you will definitely see after photos. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I stumbled up <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55802482862723068/">this photo</a> on Pinterest, and immediately my mind was made up. Keeping the dividers and going black on the doors. I didn't so much ask Jordan for his opinion, but just warned him that he just may come home one day to black doors. He was down. I'm lucky that there isn't much he doesn't trust me with when it comes to the house, and our tastes and pretty similar for the most part.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once more time, here's an old picture from a previous kitchen post:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0790_zpss2e5klws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0790_zpss2e5klws.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So while the doors don't look bad on this side, I feel like they didn't do anything for the kitchen. A lot of the kitchen has changed since this photo, most noticeably the cabinet colors (more on that before and after in another post). What you don't notice at first from the before photos was just how bad the hinges were. We replaced the door handles and deadbolts on all doors as soon as we moved in for both aesthetic and safety purposes since the house was a rental property and we didn't know how many keys were floating around.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also bought new hinges but never got around to changing them. Once I started painting I was glad we had that hardware already on hand because leaving the paint covered old hinges was not going to work. Once of my biggest frustrations when moving into a house is when you being to discover all the little shortcuts previous homeowners took that you now need to fix. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_9645_zpsorwuwv0o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_9645_zpsorwuwv0o.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a few days (let's face it projects take a bit longer when you have kids), we had fresh beautiful black french doors in our kitchen.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1077_zpsd3k6e5ow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1077_zpsd3k6e5ow.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">:) :) :) :) :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Am I right?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been about two weeks and each time I look at them I think how much I really love the change. Not only do they look nice, but they make the kitchen FEEL different. It's so important to me how a room FEELS because I'm spending so much time in our house as a work from home mom. If something doesn't feel cozy to me, it doesn't feel like home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another before: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0871_zpspr3rmxjx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0871_zpspr3rmxjx.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And after:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1081_zps3h2hsukm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1081_zps3h2hsukm.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new hinges look so much better, too, right? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1085_zpsrzu1j9st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1085_zpsrzu1j9st.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Purchasing a new kitchen table is going to be next on our list of things to tackle in the kitchen (and hopefully we will be doing so within a few months). This set is probably a decade old and we are slowly losing sturdy chairs and we've resorted to placemats to cover the condition of the top of the table.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1067_zpsfhnovlch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1067_zpsfhnovlch.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since the table, floors, and top of our fauxdenza are all the same shade of wood, I am leaning towards a lighter, possibly gray toned wood. I love the look of <a href="http://www.target.com/p/braxton-72-dining-table-rustic-brown/-/A-16748529">this one</a> from Target with a bench replacing the metal stools and some upholstered or metal white chairs on the other side. We also may hit up a local farmer's market and see what options they have.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But until then, these pretty doors are a nice distraction from the old table, right?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1083_zps8dxhtons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1083_zps8dxhtons.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1082_zpstxln1lag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1082_zpstxln1lag.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1094_zpsauida4rq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1094_zpsauida4rq.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1113_zpsulsiaat6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1113_zpsulsiaat6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I just love them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1103_zps2yq65b3j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1103_zps2yq65b3j.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1108_zpsb191xobl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_1108_zpsb191xobl.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since taking the after photos, I put the curtains back on the doors. While I really love how they look without window treatments, the sun comes in so bright in the mornings that we can't even sit at the table to eat breakfast. I searched for a while looking for window treatments that I liked and these are honestly the only ones I came upon that fit what I wanted, so back they went.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0013_edited-1_zpshzybowek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0013_edited-1_zpshzybowek.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They don't look bad at all, although I'm considering swapping the grey and white stripes for a solid black pair to blend more into the door. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0016_edited-1_zps1kxskc0j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0016_edited-1_zps1kxskc0j.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: '"helvetica neue"', '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;">What do you all think?</span></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-91973008473082876082016-11-04T14:04:00.002-04:002016-12-12T09:12:05.033-05:00Living Room Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3iVodhqkSJ_cOZ9Nn5F3HyTMnGZSDeW2VaIWC7NeW4nUtnAIGCW5X55IvfbegFZ8HSEUSacj1re7cm3ItMVF3iRZK4UT4zCGjodPyX3qJQ8WzM8ge30HNF1P-6mhi17dp2MvHeA6EzI/s1600/first.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3iVodhqkSJ_cOZ9Nn5F3HyTMnGZSDeW2VaIWC7NeW4nUtnAIGCW5X55IvfbegFZ8HSEUSacj1re7cm3ItMVF3iRZK4UT4zCGjodPyX3qJQ8WzM8ge30HNF1P-6mhi17dp2MvHeA6EzI/s1600/first.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyone out there? Ok, I've been MIA from here for quite a bit, but the projects at home have not stopped. I have a lot to share with you including a recent project repainting our french doors in the kitchen. I also completely transformed our utility room into an office/craft room/mudroom after we converted our heat to gas and removed the oil tank. Over a year ago I painted our kitchen cabinets and just realized I never shared photos! I'm hoping to do some catch up and share some fun projects with you all again. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The house is clean and the girls are playing nicely together in the other room so I found this the perfect opportunity to snap some photos of our living room space to share how it currently looks.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7brWd7T5R1QotYUUqTOWA_w_rWJb07SYbZnDbZVL5t0WxTrBHGwJBOp-h9efs_KUeacAHmqE6654NXj9JITZHBbhqxYCOumG4GQU3YxpfvQrERyGKdFU5En_TsgZdvNQC4AlZAvUf_U/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7brWd7T5R1QotYUUqTOWA_w_rWJb07SYbZnDbZVL5t0WxTrBHGwJBOp-h9efs_KUeacAHmqE6654NXj9JITZHBbhqxYCOumG4GQU3YxpfvQrERyGKdFU5En_TsgZdvNQC4AlZAvUf_U/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My biggest struggle in here has always been styling the fireplace. With all the shelves and nooks it can be overwhelming and cluttered. I'm not 100% satisfied but I am pretty pleased with how it currently looks. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clearly I'm a fan of vases... It's probably too much, but I've tried mixing up the finishes and they don't bother me. I'm sure next time you see photos this will look different anyway, it always does. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZkmrLBcg9fiZhD3GKJkn2DRBZNrq3yiyeVnoqfLJJwxdU4EPRWdelwXhZIT4fwisYQ4XePRzzsKTwKsQ483bPW8sMWSTyFeDDWTAwNUDwfi3b7mR2IhYkIYBKXgTPEaZfEHibVgfAZk/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZkmrLBcg9fiZhD3GKJkn2DRBZNrq3yiyeVnoqfLJJwxdU4EPRWdelwXhZIT4fwisYQ4XePRzzsKTwKsQ483bPW8sMWSTyFeDDWTAwNUDwfi3b7mR2IhYkIYBKXgTPEaZfEHibVgfAZk/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is definitely my favorite room in the house. I cannot wait to start snuggling up to some fires this winter. I recently bought that plaid fleece blanket from Target and it has been used a LOT already. It's so soft and warm.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWjzFhljaS3JR6Kh6187c2KDrAoJuEogpsQ52tQnFk8TJDO35xRy6oalQWtgpsvljcL-2gqu2hFT_vi7VYwwJz_8J898VlZcUMt8QfeVdbCLIMoYlEsFur6Jh8-8Ma6Ppz061aY48i1c/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWjzFhljaS3JR6Kh6187c2KDrAoJuEogpsQ52tQnFk8TJDO35xRy6oalQWtgpsvljcL-2gqu2hFT_vi7VYwwJz_8J898VlZcUMt8QfeVdbCLIMoYlEsFur6Jh8-8Ma6Ppz061aY48i1c/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQlL71DNc5ShY89KgO4IApfTzsYbD39a5nTrYUfo80vzGvSGvr1E0OnGtGjZ8UAjnVlUPHeFkJ7f0VpdjcWCd6caU3pRxWsBfJyG_CUXS-admJ8PJGrW9xmrhYtTl39HvfCsGhVRNJ0w/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQlL71DNc5ShY89KgO4IApfTzsYbD39a5nTrYUfo80vzGvSGvr1E0OnGtGjZ8UAjnVlUPHeFkJ7f0VpdjcWCd6caU3pRxWsBfJyG_CUXS-admJ8PJGrW9xmrhYtTl39HvfCsGhVRNJ0w/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The light that we get in this room from both the windows and french doors is so pretty. These photos don't even do it justice. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJNJIapd4vgirNZWRnJTnZ2ByxzrByo6xAswy37CPxdHBpqplATgsHBra5UcLUU70UB3hM7zJIfFvarzg9-6h1h0sYnJFB6FUQzXLaq4xLOor6tb368Vn2H-5XPFf3o2NNiHEwKCkWqg/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJNJIapd4vgirNZWRnJTnZ2ByxzrByo6xAswy37CPxdHBpqplATgsHBra5UcLUU70UB3hM7zJIfFvarzg9-6h1h0sYnJFB6FUQzXLaq4xLOor6tb368Vn2H-5XPFf3o2NNiHEwKCkWqg/s1600/6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is the view towards the front door and stairs. The white closet door is where we hide all the toys you can't see. It's actually a pretty deep closet and stores a lot since it extends under the slant of the steps.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfA96v74R-_KqjomkGCVlFpHmboy4K7Ch23k8NSAG9gfEdA6LQ7rJas_9smu9d28s3qJIBiQFKEX47VPBb_jwG19M8Fp6jkqrpQEi0M8e59M5lF_F4g-eq8pk8UWoIW5m4h2fMAHT_qos/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfA96v74R-_KqjomkGCVlFpHmboy4K7Ch23k8NSAG9gfEdA6LQ7rJas_9smu9d28s3qJIBiQFKEX47VPBb_jwG19M8Fp6jkqrpQEi0M8e59M5lF_F4g-eq8pk8UWoIW5m4h2fMAHT_qos/s1600/8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFXEVvGXVGmumVoOFdQCjNKiqd_bJBaEJwlqRnWFXoGDBF-ypZXHrRuTKqOan4IFgiYjQk9JK1af_lIxD0ed1TIZH9-ef6_9WipIBzksHs36yeeZefKrz5limaxY56pqZl2JOtxsuPl8/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFXEVvGXVGmumVoOFdQCjNKiqd_bJBaEJwlqRnWFXoGDBF-ypZXHrRuTKqOan4IFgiYjQk9JK1af_lIxD0ed1TIZH9-ef6_9WipIBzksHs36yeeZefKrz5limaxY56pqZl2JOtxsuPl8/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View from the front door.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRJF7em3mt6hXVNkrVy3KzUf0bVmvX3xGyQyxcfaLGZCSoktXFTYTwc3i61h3akWSsCwTwtkBtITLoMsO_CSTW2z0A-Bk3jm8wPPYKZeox_ylf7EU62mJ78Su6fysbsTjlj6Yqw0jqO0/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRJF7em3mt6hXVNkrVy3KzUf0bVmvX3xGyQyxcfaLGZCSoktXFTYTwc3i61h3akWSsCwTwtkBtITLoMsO_CSTW2z0A-Bk3jm8wPPYKZeox_ylf7EU62mJ78Su6fysbsTjlj6Yqw0jqO0/s1600/10.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This table from CB2 is still one of my favorite additions to the room. I bought the wicker mirror a few months ago from Target. I was on the fence about it at first, but now I love it. The rectangle mirror we had before just didn't fit the space right. The roundness of this one fills the space perfectly.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnuDL7BSMb9fNuxr1AXwCJrrpzx-uSXEf9LuaeMhE5D7RTGHPvaLv82Qwez9fGNJWEsz6x6IcL9e_MKuLk9LusBUHwl-Wm0gycfPa2DXLRuvEYjbMuUWzNT_g6-EEvDQRi7eHjWWA658/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnuDL7BSMb9fNuxr1AXwCJrrpzx-uSXEf9LuaeMhE5D7RTGHPvaLv82Qwez9fGNJWEsz6x6IcL9e_MKuLk9LusBUHwl-Wm0gycfPa2DXLRuvEYjbMuUWzNT_g6-EEvDQRi7eHjWWA658/s1600/11.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only thing planned next for this room is painting the window frames (currently brown wood) a black color (<a href="http://www.sarahsbigidea.com/2014/06/window-painting-101-and-102/">similar to this</a>) to mirror the french doors. If you look closely in these photos you'll see the bottom right window has already been done as a test. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1zpoyq9QhV3rTjbJIFWZM7qPtY_epLnAE2AbEvEFlXDkqOWLgJi3swWqKr4fqablCmA0TO1wFU_r1uu02NC2VT76Pl_7m6d1NTLfgDsiY9jBHgOzMVhNdYqX5srclPAdFy4lHiJy6J0/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1zpoyq9QhV3rTjbJIFWZM7qPtY_epLnAE2AbEvEFlXDkqOWLgJi3swWqKr4fqablCmA0TO1wFU_r1uu02NC2VT76Pl_7m6d1NTLfgDsiY9jBHgOzMVhNdYqX5srclPAdFy4lHiJy6J0/s1600/12.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzA318KyXFIKZfbc50ZvYU145e1ARZzmkGanxa8ipcvGoHgUuRK_yv1aO4NdL_HQRHy3xcihXLcUt8dwzmK9Pp1bIicVMjaUzSTM4HJlztIid3EjDYy8wDNcYKKsAD-6p4E_6XvTUwdg/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzA318KyXFIKZfbc50ZvYU145e1ARZzmkGanxa8ipcvGoHgUuRK_yv1aO4NdL_HQRHy3xcihXLcUt8dwzmK9Pp1bIicVMjaUzSTM4HJlztIid3EjDYy8wDNcYKKsAD-6p4E_6XvTUwdg/s1600/13.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the most commonly used space in the house. The girls usually set up camp with their toys or coloring books. They play while I cook, clean or even do some work at the kitchen table. The chairs are usually pulled out and Barbies are usually scattered all over the rug (with Barbie shoes IN the rug). You can't see but the coffee table is covered in water spots and crayon scribbles. It used to bother me, but that's just how it goes with kids.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfS4sJyefo26EGQsPLU-t9B5NsLogyJOpc2JXu_PhQDS-PhFTIItowtBmg8bJDQLA4ANF_eX9QXg6Xg7RLNEW3ZsO6KRhiBK1DGAR6GXCwGXvdIq_80yqpZs-IB2DvnUDO1j-exHQAb9g/s1600/girls1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfS4sJyefo26EGQsPLU-t9B5NsLogyJOpc2JXu_PhQDS-PhFTIItowtBmg8bJDQLA4ANF_eX9QXg6Xg7RLNEW3ZsO6KRhiBK1DGAR6GXCwGXvdIq_80yqpZs-IB2DvnUDO1j-exHQAb9g/s1600/girls1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTAu8YeNtspOXNWzAOc4oFmEUtBChLMHv_dgaAypQjnwpe0iJuKZJL_Nc42W66MN8tBb7aK2Cco7KzUI9z3qKWZPknwKNCKUYb3B_be5Vycpo1YbFlE82XZZShYUtpeCkKFcS4GoHthM/s1600/girls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTAu8YeNtspOXNWzAOc4oFmEUtBChLMHv_dgaAypQjnwpe0iJuKZJL_Nc42W66MN8tBb7aK2Cco7KzUI9z3qKWZPknwKNCKUYb3B_be5Vycpo1YbFlE82XZZShYUtpeCkKFcS4GoHthM/s1600/girls2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bookshelves serve as storage for board games, books and puzzles. The rest of the toys are hidden away in <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-toy-closet-aka-best-idea-i-ever-had.html">the toy closet.</a> We have baskets tucked in the fireplace and under the bench that hold art supplies, blocks, and other small toys. The bookshelves are from Ikea and we mounted them to the wall for safety. I love that the girls can access their own toys in there. Between the bookshelves and closet they know where everything belongs and cleanup is usually pretty quick at the end of the day.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa5ZnMnL5NX6hqC34dD1Cm5tH3KmwARrPEsRjLG5YhX_FkQw4xc5HRE4uTmMaBBbEJIQC6W5cNDwp4pucGOvffkMOSmTsbrkby-Ry80d1ZJL-eXSGaluStYCKPBlgL0wgPvtohDi6UVQ/s1600/girls3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa5ZnMnL5NX6hqC34dD1Cm5tH3KmwARrPEsRjLG5YhX_FkQw4xc5HRE4uTmMaBBbEJIQC6W5cNDwp4pucGOvffkMOSmTsbrkby-Ry80d1ZJL-eXSGaluStYCKPBlgL0wgPvtohDi6UVQ/s1600/girls3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpO52CtLjIZjlQqbF2rvX3blOS_Z17EIezAekraMdRlrAdRzQvx6FldIc8QClUUg2T9KfIakQyaCwyaI2bqNkcneTGLwbmqEb5eclDhyphenhyphenXyZ4hKw_z1TYyMUJMd7u5T1MZwkjR3wNKebw/s1600/girls4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpO52CtLjIZjlQqbF2rvX3blOS_Z17EIezAekraMdRlrAdRzQvx6FldIc8QClUUg2T9KfIakQyaCwyaI2bqNkcneTGLwbmqEb5eclDhyphenhyphenXyZ4hKw_z1TYyMUJMd7u5T1MZwkjR3wNKebw/s1600/girls4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There you have it. Our cozy, family friendly living room.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu4iOhpd09HHeG1AUmQA2ZIiqtu15FKKBWoeF35cD_Z_dTPlsIG2Js-Bb_ChlKUoQXqlcfDwoBr8zv2UL-Qoo8QPtImhuDBj0S2krlmI8kOEET1bUeyejalflk5_7HSDuVznqNLYWg2s/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiu4iOhpd09HHeG1AUmQA2ZIiqtu15FKKBWoeF35cD_Z_dTPlsIG2Js-Bb_ChlKUoQXqlcfDwoBr8zv2UL-Qoo8QPtImhuDBj0S2krlmI8kOEET1bUeyejalflk5_7HSDuVznqNLYWg2s/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, and to be real. This tent is usually smack dab in the middle of the living room. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQoxHsTHIFh9itI2-XAnf9shNUTQeB3QbaLOCGvVGWGQXAg7h62ZDIQOD4Ele6D0wiqEIRzU9bHjFrO8wUBIrY-EORBvZTmvbGMMHe0bQBi70whGA-mwQ8BZUlhFSvMKwLHtaqMJcbF0/s1600/girls5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQoxHsTHIFh9itI2-XAnf9shNUTQeB3QbaLOCGvVGWGQXAg7h62ZDIQOD4Ele6D0wiqEIRzU9bHjFrO8wUBIrY-EORBvZTmvbGMMHe0bQBi70whGA-mwQ8BZUlhFSvMKwLHtaqMJcbF0/s1600/girls5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resources:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wall paint - Benjamin Moore "Moonshine"</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">leather couch - <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=544099465&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">Overstock</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">coffee table - West Elm</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rug - <a href="https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-easy-shag-sg18-double-diamond-trellis/White/200OZSG18A-2808.html">RugsUSA</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">leather pouf - Etsy (<a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=533666692&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">similar</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">side chairs - <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S89817654/">Ikea</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">floor lamp - <a href="http://www.target.com/p/threshold-arc-floor-lamp/-/A-14727399">Target</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">console table - <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=483019986&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">CB2</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wicker mirror - Target</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gray velvet pillows - <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=434097738&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">Pottery Barn</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gray pom pillow - Marshalls</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">white pillow - Anthropologie</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">grey/white throw - <a href="http://www.target.com/p/throw-blanket-faux-mohair-plaid-grey-cream-threshold/-/A-50973526">Target</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wicker side table - Target</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bench - Target</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bookshelves - <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00263850/">Ikea</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">floor baskets with handles - Marshalls (<a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=472282111&pid=uid5636-31746194-7">similar</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">coffee table </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tray</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - <a href="http://www.target.com/p/round-woven-tray-threshold/-/A-50089341">Target</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">table lanterns - Pottery Barn</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hammered vases - <a href="http://www.target.com/p/14-metallic-vase-threshold/-/A-15274109">Target</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">mercury glass vases - TJ Maxx</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wood/chrome vase - Target</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">seagrass vase - TJ Maxx</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">snake plant vase - Marshalls</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">framed city prints - <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PurePrint?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Etsy</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-55892973721989523632016-05-22T22:11:00.000-04:002016-05-23T11:07:49.947-04:00Family Room Gallery Wall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0870_zpsn8wpk5cu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0870_zpsn8wpk5cu.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0864_zpseicozag4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0864_zpseicozag4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0868_zpszrizqkec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0868_zpszrizqkec.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0869_zpsu1spxzye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0869_zpsu1spxzye.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0878_zpsdtahr16n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0878_zpsdtahr16n.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0872_zps4wdb2c4i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Family%20Room/IMG_0872_zps4wdb2c4i.jpg" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-56322011829314405072016-03-19T18:30:00.004-04:002016-03-19T18:30:53.086-04:00Hello.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi there! Life has been way too busy to keep up with this blog. I still try to snap pretty photos of our house here and there. Here is a recent one of our living room. I've been struggling with the fireplace/mantle lately, but for the moment I'm happy with this view. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/livingroom1_zpszxq5nyws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/livingroom1_zpszxq5nyws.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-81362560477521160172015-10-19T23:12:00.000-04:002015-10-20T10:00:26.306-04:00Living Room Changes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0393_zpsdfhr30yp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0393_zpsdfhr30yp.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've made some significant changes in the living room since I last shared any photos. You can see previous posts <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/06/living-room-in-progress.html">here</a>, <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/08/living-room-additions-and-plans.html">here</a> and <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/09/new-living-room-rug.html">here</a> for comparison. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first change we made was adding two bookshelves as you can see above. Since everything in the room was low (couch, coffee table, console sale, bench, etc.), we needed to bring some height into the room. While I honestly really liked the collage of white frames we had on that wall, there was no furniture under them and I felt like we were wasting a huge piece of space in that room that could be better used. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We purchased two Ikea Billy bookcases, built them and mounted them side by side to the wall. Now we have a nice balance in the room and a ton more storage. I also feel like it gave the room some purpose and a much cozier feel by having some books and personal photos. Since we don't have a television in this room, we tend to use it more for socializing when we host parties/dinners or to relax with a good book or magazine.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/6326307_4_0_zps497e294d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/6326307_4_0_zps497e294d.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>(before)</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I have to add the staging photos for comparison to really show how much the space has changed. Above is how the room looked when we purchased our house. We initially stuck with the layout that the stagers used, having the couch facing the fireplace. It made sense at first, but after a few cramped birthday parties and a year with that layout, I felt like we were wasting all the space behind the couch. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to purchase a larger rug (taking advantage of a great deal from RugsUSA) and pull the furniture out to fill more of the space. Now we have a more open layout where people in the living room can socialize with those in the kitchen at the table. Also, there is a ton of floor space for the kids to play in my eyesight when I do things like cook dinner or clean up. You may remember this room is where we have our <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-toy-closet-aka-best-idea-i-ever-had.html">toy closet</a> so having them play here is convenient and makes for easy cleanup. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0391_zps9vbyeshz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0391_zps9vbyeshz.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0438_zpsy7yo2zqc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0438_zpsy7yo2zqc.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was very hesitant to put the couch under the window because of how close the window is to the fireplace. I thought the room would be unbalanced and heavy towards that side and the corner would be crammed. Once we added the bookshelves to the room, moving the couch under the window suddenly looked totally different other than times I had tried before. Things were much more balanced and I was surprised how much I really liked how it looked. I also took that opportunity to raise the curtains to the ceiling. I don't know why I didn't originally do that, but floor to ceiling curtains really open up a space. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0394_zps48jj0viy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0394_zps48jj0viy.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love these bookshelves. It took me some time to get them arranged in a way I was happy with, but the storage below is a huge upgrade. Plus the chair in front creates a cozy little reading nook in an otherwise open floor plan.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0397_zpstfr29eyf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0397_zpstfr29eyf.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One part of the room where I still feel stumped is the fireplace. First, a before photo.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0952_zps37613164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0952_zps37613164.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(before)</span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/6326307_2_0_zps23ac8993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/6326307_2_0_zps23ac8993.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>(before)</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fireplace is beautiful and I really do love it, although we have yet to make our first fire! Soon after moving in I put some fresh white paint over the cream that was there before. The wood shelves are gorgeous and the built in nooks provide a ton of storage. Still I struggle with ways to functionally use and style the fireplace without junking up the space. I'm wondering if a more neutral staple piece like a mirror in place of the <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2012/05/anthropologie-napkins-turned-wall-art.html">napkin artwork</a> might do the trick, even though this is one of my favorite DIY projects. So much that the other one is currently hanging above our bed. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0400_zpswxkxdgib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0400_zpswxkxdgib.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The small black square next to the fireplace is actually a door to a wood storage nook. We had all our wood stored on the bottom brick shelf until we used it all in our fire pit outside. It's an odd space to fill that I haven't quite figured out. I thought about putting a plant there like the stagers did, but I love the snake plant where it is and don't want the living room to feel like a jungle with a ton of greens everywhere. We use the top brick shelf in the fire place for our record player. Now that the wood is gone I'd like to find a clean, safe way to store our records on the bottom shelf. The girls and I listen to music in that room every day so having a good space to store our collection would be beneficial. The two wooden shelves up near the ceiling are kind of pointless and I've tried candles or knick knacks there but don't really like how it looks. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any suggestions for our fireplace are welcome!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0410_zpsfxg9ua1q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0410_zpsfxg9ua1q.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love, love this <a href="http://www.cb2.com/mill-console-table/s172901">console table</a> we received for Christas from my parents last year. It's from CB2 and I chose it after seeing it in <a href="http://sarahshermansamuel.com/about/">Sarah Sherman Samuel's living room</a>. It's almost like it was made for this tiny wall because it's super narrow (10") and hardly takes up any space. I'd like to find a larger, round or similar silhouette mirror to replace the rectangle one above the table. I'm currently digging the Parsons mirror (<a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/parsons-round-mirror-herringbone-w989/?pkey=cwall-mirrors%7C%7C">herringbone</a> and <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/parsons-round-mirror-bone-inlay-w990/?pkey=cwall-mirrors%7C%7C">bone</a>) from West Elm.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0412_zpso6drie7h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0412_zpso6drie7h.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you look closely you can see I haven't filled two of the pictures frames, but secretly I love the pretty paper Anthropologie uses to display them and sometimes just keep them that way for a while.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0934_zps94079a6e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0934_zps94079a6e.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(before)</span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0424_zpsewjsobhj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0424_zpsewjsobhj.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still need to purchase a matching pillow for the other white chair. My go-to shops for great, vintage pillow covers are <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BohoPillow">Boho Pillow</a> and <a href="http://themodboho.bigcartel.com/">The Mod Boho</a>. This particular cover is from The Mod Boho and I love the subtle pop of color it provides. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0364_zpszssobjrw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0364_zpszssobjrw.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another small change I made was swapping out the bench from the <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/10/mud-room-update.html">mud room</a>. I like the idea of having a place large enough for the kids to sit and put their shoes on or drop my purse when we walk in the door. I always really liked this bench and keeping it hidden in a mudroom that no one sees felt like a waste, so it moved here. The bench that was here before now resides in our bedroom. The narrow space between this bench and rug creates a faux entryway so people don't necessarily feel like they are walking right into our living room. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0368_zpshl1r5cfy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0368_zpshl1r5cfy.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And of course another shot of our beautiful front door.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0425_zpsnkokezmy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0425_zpsnkokezmy.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Certainly not completely where I hope to be in this room, but it's definitely quite an improvement from where we started when we moved. In the end, this room just feels comfortable to hang out in and the girls love being able to dump toys all over the rug and play. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-8371879670986300522015-10-16T15:26:00.000-04:002015-10-16T23:09:03.769-04:00New Front Door<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long time, no blog! Turns out being a work from home mother of two is seriously a FULL TIME JOB. I have little to no time to blog, but that doesn't mean we aren't still working on and fixing up our home when the time allows. I'm just popping in today (and hopefully will continue to do so as often as I can) to share some of the major changes we've had in our home lately.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First up is <b>hands down my favorite project</b> we have tackled in this house so far - our front door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0366_zps1oal5hng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0366_zps1oal5hng.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly our original front door didn't look bad. It was a nice dark blue painted to match our shutters. Sure, up close the paint was a bit sloppy, but that's not really a reason to replace an entire front door. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7059_zpsx3jflbp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7059_zpsx3jflbp3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sidelight lacked any beauty. It felt cheap, was super glare-y, and you could see the sloppily painted layer upon layer (apparently it was once red).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7061_zpstdtdzn5n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7061_zpstdtdzn5n.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The inside of the door was boring white. Again, not bad, but not a show stopper. After a few months I purchased a cheap blind from Lowes to hang in front of the sidelight because I hated that people could look into our house from outside, especially since we don't have a proper entry and the girls are often playing in the front room. It wasn't a perfect fix and you could still see through the sides, but it was better than the alternative.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7058_zpsm13deguz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7058_zpsm13deguz.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main reason we replaced our front door was because it was SO UNSAFE. When we moved in a year and a half ago one of the first things we did was change the locks on all exterior doors. Our house had been a rental property for who knows how long before it was renovated and sold to us, so we had no idea how many sets of keys could be floating about. We have 4 exterior doors with locks and replaced them all to new satin nickel finish knobs with new locks/keys. Of course the front door was difficult to change and through swapping out the handle something was damaged and the knob eventually didn't work right (yup our new knob). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7057_zpsd1lqfsol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7057_zpsd1lqfsol.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically to shut and lock our front door you just pushed it flush and locked the deadbolt. The handle/knob was useless. There was no weather stripping so you didn't get that 'woosh' suction sound when a front door is shut and sealed tight. Just a piece of wood hitting wood. Because of this, it also proved to be pretty drafty in the winter. Our first winter in our new house was a chilly one downstairs. I used to joke that you could sneeze an the door would open, but bottom line was that it felt very unsafe. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we received our tax return the following year, Jordan and I decided that a new front door was a priority upgrade for three reasons - safety, warmth, and curb appeal. When it came to what door and how it would look, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jordan didn't really have a preference. Of course I had <i><u>very</u> specific ideas.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the photo I had <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55802482858841208/">pinned as inspiration</a>:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/2aebb827ecd06aef1f19c2da74cfd3ca_zpsxnazub4m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/2aebb827ecd06aef1f19c2da74cfd3ca_zpsxnazub4m.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved the idea of a 'wood' door ( it's actually fiberglass but made to look like solid wood). The curved features were so unique and the door looked so different from any of the houses around where we live. I do love wooden doors that have windows cut into them at the top, but for safety purposes prefer to have a solid door where no one can look into our house when they come to knock. To save some of the cost, we briefly considered just replacing the door and leaving the sidelight as is, but we knew that down the road we would be frustrated that we did (even though the sidelight cost almost as much as the door!) I also insisted that we change the sidelight from half length to full with no dividers in the glass</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The more light we let in, the happier mama will be. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After getting some quotes and going back and forth making decision after decision, we ordered our door. I was anxious to get things started, but it took about 8 weeks to arrive. So it wasn't until early July that we finally were able to get our new door installed!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was home with the girls the entire time so of course kept peeking in on the process. This was also the same time that I painted our kitchen cabinets so our house was in major renovation mode. It was pretty amazing to have the entire old door and sidelight taken out. It looked huge!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7124_zpsu5t3mgmc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7124_zpsu5t3mgmc.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Installing the new door/sidelight was a two day process, so we did have to spent one night with a front door that looked like this: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7092_zpsvk4metlg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_7092_zpsvk4metlg.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the end of the second day we had a brand new front door/sidelight combo.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0366_zps1oal5hng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0366_zps1oal5hng.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Isn't it beautiful?! </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly I still tell Jordan how much I love it. We chose to do the same brown stain on the inside (as opposed to white like our previous door). We have so much white in that front room (rug, shelves, chairs, fireplace, etc.) that the brown in the door really warms up the space. It looks and feels like a completely different entryway.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0368_zps0jjhbnbq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0368_zps0jjhbnbq.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a major renovation that came with a pretty big price tag, but considering our situation with the old front door this project was a no brainer.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0367_zpsmekphkpf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0367_zpsmekphkpf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite features of our new door and sidelight is that the sidelight blinds are in between the glass. When opened, they roll up all the way to the top and are hardly noticeable. You can see the tiny bunch of blinds at the top of the window in the photo above. When closed, we have complete privacy at night.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll admit I was a bit of a brat and fought Jordan on the storm door. If I was paying for a beautiful front door, I was not going to cover it up with a big glass door and a huge glare. I argued that I would never have the front door open when I was home alone with the kids anyway so it would pointless. The company we used actually had a promotion where we got the storm door for free with our purchase. After going back and forth I eventually agreed, but said I wasn't going to like it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, I was wrong. I love it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0448_zpst5x91mjn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0448_zpst5x91mjn.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's pretty, it's sturdy and it's practical. And from the street you can still see our pretty wooden door (contrary to the glare in the photo below). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0454_zpspuxozqcq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0454_zpspuxozqcq.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(excuse our blurred out house numbers)</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A late evening shot with the blinds open.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_7137_zpsqlyxycvs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_7137_zpsqlyxycvs.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best part of having a storm door? All of that natural light! Turns out, I open the door a lot. Of course I keep the storm door locked since the girls are always in the front room, but even the dog loves having somewhere to sit and people watch. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0384_zps4x4acioz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/Channin%20-%20Front%20Door/IMG_0384_zps4x4acioz.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may be able to tell from these photos that we have made some big changes in our front living room, including rearranging the furniture. I'm getting some photos together to show you all soon how different the room looks since I last shared. Until then, you can drool over our new front door. I know I am.</span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-28240286277811284042015-04-20T09:19:00.000-04:002015-04-20T09:22:15.704-04:00Mila Jane's 1st Birthday Party<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_5124_zpsaz1sjqyf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_5124_zpsaz1sjqyf.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll admit I slacked on the monthly photo posts (although I did make sure to keep taking the monthly photos so still a win!). This past weekend we celebrated Mila's 1st Birthday with family and friends at our house. We lucked out with amazing weather (78 degrees and sunny all day) and it was just a really fun day overall. The birthday girl did great and even let herself be passed around (she tends to be a mommy's girl). No tears during 'Happy Birthday', unlike her big sister. Her actual birthday is on Wednesday so we will be doing something low-key as a family to celebrate the real day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0170_zps9znsbe2t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0170_zps9znsbe2t.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0176_zpss2ci4fvo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0176_zpss2ci4fvo.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0181_zpsciqww5fu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0181_zpsciqww5fu.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0183_zpsajravkxw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0183_zpsajravkxw.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0184_zpsvxep4qnx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0184_zpsvxep4qnx.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0185_zpsudprrsm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0185_zpsudprrsm2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I planned a Garden Party themed birthday party and let pinks and greens be the color scheme. I DIY'd most of the decor thanks to a faux floral sale at Michaels and tons of pink balloons and tissue paper from Target. I scored some paper goods on clearance from Target in different shades of pink and even used some pink Goldfish crackers as decor. I didn't have a full plan when I started, I sort of just let myself create things as I came pu with them. In the end I LOVED the decor of the party and it was exactly how I had imagined a perfect little first birthday garden party would look like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0177_zpswczztq64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0177_zpswczztq64.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0192_zpsn9cksj37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0192_zpsn9cksj37.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0194_zpsuwgk13rz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0194_zpsuwgk13rz.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0217_zpsrctandli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0217_zpsrctandli.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0214_zpsghtal69e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0214_zpsghtal69e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0205_zpsmf4qwoxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0205_zpsmf4qwoxx.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0204_zpsieeu49ak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0204_zpsieeu49ak.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0203_zps0mwjorke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0203_zps0mwjorke.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0210_zpsav83sw19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0210_zpsav83sw19.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0213_zpsnoxwt9fv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0213_zpsnoxwt9fv.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0339_zpshq7sbiec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0339_zpshq7sbiec.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As usual, I was too distracted to take many pictures during the actual party (I'm hoping to get some from my parents and in-laws), but wanted to share some photos of the decor and our sweet girls. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0229_zps8rta8sz2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0229_zps8rta8sz2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0237_zpsksp3rocd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0237_zpsksp3rocd.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0241_zpsqjhkbtn9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0241_zpsqjhkbtn9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0253_zps7hb3blsl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0253_zps7hb3blsl.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0254_zpsd7q9qn5h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0254_zpsd7q9qn5h.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0264_zpsl1nfypki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0264_zpsl1nfypki.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0281_zpsxzdpqoua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0281_zpsxzdpqoua.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0282_zpst3gspzpq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0282_zpst3gspzpq.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0300_zps7ee8ntad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0300_zps7ee8ntad.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0308_zps6klketua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0308_zps6klketua.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0310_zpsjfnt5wzi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0310_zpsjfnt5wzi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0318_zpsvqvtcysp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0318_zpsvqvtcysp.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0321_zpsmvs7st26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0321_zpsmvs7st26.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0327_zpskqturqyf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0327_zpskqturqyf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0332_zpsexmp3i8w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0332_zpsexmp3i8w.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0335_zpssheilz9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%201st%20Birthday/IMG_0335_zpssheilz9b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to all our family and friends who came out to celebrate with us!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-66982125884504153542015-03-02T23:21:00.002-05:002015-03-02T23:26:29.453-05:00Kitchen Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0820_zpsfgy1rhcv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0820_zpsfgy1rhcv.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you follow me in Instagram (@jessicademaio) or if you 'Like' A Simple Kind of Life on Facebook, you saw that I picked up a few new things from Homegoods over the weekend. Three out of four of the items ended up in our kitchen. It was motivation enough for me to clean the space up and take some photos to give you all a real tour.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like our kitchen a lot. It's a big space and very open, which both Jordan and I like. Is it my dream kitchen? No. Could it be? With some tweaking, it could come close. Before the house was renovated, the kitchen was split into a kitchen and a dining room with a wall between. I can't imagine how cramped both spaces would feel if that wall was still here (we also probably wouldn't have loved the house as much). With the exception of two bar stools at the counter, we didn't have an eat-in kitchen in our townhouse. We also learned from having one and never using it, that we really don't have a need for a formal dining room, so this setup was a perfect solution for our family. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0781_zpstc8tbci7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0781_zpstc8tbci7.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the first things we did in this space was <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/05/light-switch.html">swap out all the lights</a>: the pendant above the sink, the two flush mounts, and the light above the kitchen table. The lighter, brighter ones we chose were such a fresh change.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0780_zpswlstkjil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0780_zpswlstkjil.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Past the lights, new paint and our <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/10/fauxdenza-part-2-staining-and-styling.html">fauxdenza</a>, we haven't done a ton of work in the kitchen. We haven't needed to. One of the biggest things that sold me on this house and the kitchen was the white subway tile. While the cabinets aren't my taste and granite is great, just not the color I would choose, the TILE choice could make or break my kitchen feelings. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0029_edited-1_zpsg0vtcqfq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0029_edited-1_zpsg0vtcqfq.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like clean, simple tile and subway tile is my favorite. Either all one color (grey, black, white) or close to it. I apologize in advance to all of you who have this, but my biggest tile pet peeve is when people insert rows of teeny tiny multicolored tile in between their multicolored backsplash. It's too crazy and busy for me, especially when paired with a busy granite countertop. I just need simple and classic. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0051_zpsq7wubix9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0051_zpsq7wubix9.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me, not having to replace tile is huge. What I do want to change? The cabinet color. Yup. Brand new, barely a year old cabinets and I dislike them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0056_edited-1_zpspmfyrd3m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0056_edited-1_zpspmfyrd3m.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I dream of a tuxedo kitchen. (See examples <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55802482857996084/">here</a>, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55802482857075683/">here</a>, and of course <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/529102656195738903/">here</a>.) Crisp white cabinets up top, dark charcoal grey on bottom. And fresh, modern hardware to replace the current knobs and pulls. I would love an all white kitchen too, but because of the dark tones in the granite I think a charcoal colored cabinet on the bottom would look best.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0779_zps2q4y5mr0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0779_zps2q4y5mr0.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0792_zps2qdk1kav.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0792_zps2qdk1kav.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite part of the kitchen? The french doors that open to our deck. When we were still looking at the house Jordan recommended swapping them out for a sliding glass door, but I put my foot down. French doors are such a dream to me. In the summer I love opening both doors and letting the light and warmth pour into our kitchen. I hope to do some work to them this summer. The plastic dividers are yellowed and cracking and the outside of the door is a half-painted red. I hope to repaint both sides of the doors and remove the dividers for maximum light (picture like <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/219057969347879612/">this</a>). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0790_zpss2e5klws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0790_zpss2e5klws.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0812_zpstkexbmhl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0812_zpstkexbmhl.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/1d1ecd22-a693-4526-9538-e0c5125a9b95_zpshedzymzf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/1d1ecd22-a693-4526-9538-e0c5125a9b95_zpshedzymzf.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I painted that little sliver of wall on the far left with chalkboard paint. If I was a proper blogger/DIYer I would have had some elaborate calligraphy quote drawn for these photos. But I am a mom, and I'm tired, and I gave my toddler a bowl of Cheez-its and my iPad so I could snap these impromptu photos while the baby napped. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0785_zpsoulfiurd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0785_zpsoulfiurd.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0818_zpseo6n3jc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0818_zpseo6n3jc4.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Had to sneak a shot of these grocery store blooms that we've had for over two weeks without a single dead flower. Sorry for some glaringly bright light in some of these photos. Trying to get good shots in natural light while the outside is covered in bright white snow makes for interesting photos. Maybe I should have adjusted the exposure and taken fresh photos, but like I said. I am a mom and I'm tired... and I finished the Cheez-its last night. Besides then the next batch of photos will make the kitchen look <i>reallllly </i>good<i>,</i> even if I haven't changed anything.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0803_zps5ktatnfw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0803_zps5ktatnfw.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the part of the kitchen I don't know what to do with. There's a built in desk on the small wall between the kitchen and living room. If I was designing this kitchen I would either have done a full counter with glass cabinets above for tons of storage, OR I would scrap anything on this wall in favor or putting an island in the middle of the kitchen. Since I'm not designing this kitchen, I'm stuck with this built in. Bleh.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0783_zpsn9ewsuox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0783_zpsn9ewsuox.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are using it for what it is - a desk. More a dumping ground for mail and Lucy's school papers. However, I have a desk upstairs and our house is small enough that we really don't need two office spaces, although I do use it sometimes to do work during the day when the kids are home. I'd like to use this space as something else, however with the uneven counter and the opening for a seat, it's difficult to make it look like anything but a desk. I do think once we paint the cabinets I might like the look of this space a little better.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0810_zps9bpesiqw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0810_zps9bpesiqw.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And for perspective, how the kitchen looks out into the living room. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">End. Of. Tour.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0821_zps4zkla7da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0821_zps4zkla7da.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A quickie source list:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kitchen table, chairs and stools: Target</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Placemats: TJ Maxx</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Light over table: West Elm</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fauxdenza: DIY </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/10/fauxdenza-part-1-building-installing.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part I</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/10/fauxdenza-part-2-staining-and-styling.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part II</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Art above fauxdenza: <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2012/01/dining-room-art-complete-finally.html">DIY</a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'D' Plaque: Anthropologie</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glasses: Anthropologie</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Striped towel: West Elm</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Indigo Moon print: <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/10/honey-lake-studio.html">Honey Lake Studio</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fiddle Leaf plant: Home Depot</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Planter: Christmas Tree Shoppes</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shelf with hooks: Target</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pinapple print: Society6</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bulldog bottle opener: Pottery Barn</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cutting board w/handle: Christmas Tree Shoppes</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knife set: West Elm</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red striped towels: Homegoods</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Runner: West Elm</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canisters: Amazon</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Round cutting board: Crate and Barrel</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pendant above sink: Pottery barn</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flush mount lights: Home Depot</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Message board: DIY</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Print on desk: Grandmother's recipe, framed</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wood wine holder: Target</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upholstered chair: Target</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-38690870052485826492015-02-23T09:00:00.000-05:002015-02-23T09:32:21.369-05:00The Toy Closet (AKA The Best Idea I've Ever Had)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0727_zpstivxdliz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0727_zpstivxdliz.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Embarrassing side note: Please ignore the obvious fact that we STILL have yet to paint the wall behind the stairs. That will be happening with the entire upstairs hallway repaint we hope to do in the next few weeks.)</span></i></div>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a while (a loooong while) since I've found the time to write a post (no joke, this one took me a week to write). I miss it, I really do! Life has been a whirlwind filled with preschool, working from home, holidays, crappy weather and sickies after sickies. Most of my days are long and it's usually just the girls and me for 12-14 hours while Jordan is at work. When the girls go to bed, I usually start my work day. Working from home and working at night has left little to no time for blogging. If you follow me on Instagram, you can see how I fill my days.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll admit that at mid-February we are starting to go a bit stir crazy. We've had snow, rain, bitter cold, nasty winds, anything and everything keeping us indoors. We try to sneak outside when the weather cooperates (which is rare these days), but often we are stuck inside and have to make do with the toys and crafts we already have. With Christmas came a whole new set of toys, and while they are great for entertaining our kids, Jordan and I definitely had a "where are we going to put all this stuff?" moment. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little by little I still try to work on our house. Sometimes it's a simple as Mila takes a nap and I'm zoning out, staring at the wall drunk on no sleep and a caffeine buzz and I get a sudden idea to create a gallery wall in our upstairs hallway. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being at home all day, every day can be a curse for a DIYer like me who is constantly surrounded by all the things I want to change/paint/replace/decorate. Not only that, but having two young kids and being surrounded by toys everywhere was starting to wear on me. You can see in some photos of our </span><a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/search/label/living%20room" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">living room</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> that we have a coat closet under our steps that lead to the second floor. For the first few months of living here we used it as that, a coat closet.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_6592_zpsrpj9segj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_6592_zpsrpj9segj.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also used some of the narrow space under the steps to store extra toys that didn't fit in the baskets and toy box that we had in the living room.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_6593_zpsxot25nwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_6593_zpsxot25nwl.jpg"></a><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My parents bought us an awesome new console table for Christmas from CB2 to replace the vintage dresser we had against the kitchen wall. That simple swap has started to transform our living room/entryway into a real space and I quickly decided that the toys had to go. Don't get me wrong, I love/adore/cherish my kids, but when you enter my front door I don't want you to know I have them (kidding.. sort of). Jordan and I hate clutter, and kids = toys = clutter. The toys needed a new home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0711_zps69twin7o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0711_zps69twin7o.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we enter the house through the garage/mudroom, it's really inconvenient to have a coat closet by the front door. Jordan and I agreed that it would be a better use of space to turn that closet into a toy closet. We took out the coat hooks and moved them into the mudroom. We then purchased a few pre-cut, stainable shelves from Lowes (the same wood I used for the <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/10/fauxdenza-part-2-staining-and-styling.html">fauxdenza</a>) and some simple brackets. Within a few hours of hanging brackets and organizing toys, we had this:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0664_zpsgyb1vy1k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0664_zpsgyb1vy1k.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucy calls it her 'closet room'. It's beautiful and organized and all the toys with the exception of the oversized ones like bouncer, walker, etc. fit in here. Lucy knows where they go and each night before bed all the toys go <b>back in the closet</b>. It's <b>AMAZING</b>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0672_zpssj5ikih6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0672_zpssj5ikih6.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0666_zpsv7tb1e3j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0666_zpsv7tb1e3j.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There isn't a ton of reasoning behind where I put things with the exception of keeping toys with small parts either up on a higher shelf or stored in zip lock baggies in the baskets on the floor. The wicker baskets hold a lot of Mila's toys for easy access since these days she wanders into the closet and starts digging around. Books, board games and puzzles are grouped together but aside from that, things find their way back on some shelf in some order and I'm ok with that.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0673_zps4ji7whzy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0673_zps4ji7whzy.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The set-up was easy. Because of the slope in the wall, we had to do some quick thinking to make it work and still look nice. The closet simply has a 3' shelf, and two 4' shelves, one of which connects perpendicular to an already existing 3' shelf that I installed months ago. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0667_zpsftnnj3ra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0667_zpsftnnj3ra.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0675_zpsf1dmhb5m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0675_zpsf1dmhb5m.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0679_zpswzndmdi0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0679_zpswzndmdi0.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0674_zpsporcyhzj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0674_zpsporcyhzj.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photo below shows the pre-existing shelf. We decided we wanted it to butt up against the existing shelf, which left a gap on the left side. It conveniently worked out that we could use that space to tuck away fold up tents and tunnels. It seemed almost like it was meant to be that way. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0670_zpsuxnhkwkw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0670_zpsuxnhkwkw.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the exception of board games and puzzles, I like to discard the boxes that toys come in. So if you know me personally you've probably heard Jordan make fun of the fact that I have a freezer bag addiction when it comes to organizing toys. Things like tea sets, magnet dolls with a million articles of clothing, My Little Pony and their dozen hair accessories, and other toys that come with too many pieces are neatly zipped up and put away in the striped baskets. It saved me a lot of anxiety when we had the toy box as I hated the idea of a box full of loose toy parts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0676_zpsalv4izdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0676_zpsalv4izdr.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I even added hooks to hang Lucy's Doc McStuffins costume and any of her princess dresses she might bring down for the day. I snagged those lion hooks on clearance a year ago from Anthropologie for $3 each, knowing I would eventually find a home for them. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0672_zpssj5ikih6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Living%20Room/IMG_0672_zpssj5ikih6.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our new home is the perfect size for our family, but it isn't huge. Living in a house without a basement or 'playroom' dedicated to all things toys, we need to maximize our space and do it in a smart way. I really think that the toy closet was the absolute perfect solution to our toy storage situation. It might seem that for two kids we don't have a ton of toys, and maybe we don't. That's sort of intentional as I have learned that too many toys means that 75% of them don't ever get played with. Also keep in mind both girls have a number of toys that are kept upstairs in their bedroom closets as well for days when we are playing upstairs. My craft closet keeps us fairly busy on some of those cabin fever days, too. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see in the first photo we snagged the bench from the <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/10/mud-room-update.html">mudroom</a> and put it along the steps where I had originally put my <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/09/target-did-it-again.html">Target bench</a> (now in our master bedroom). With the toy box empty, it replaced the mudroom bench to double as storage for hats, mittens, scarves, etc. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0745_zpsyfa5w2fh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0745_zpsyfa5w2fh.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0749_zpspnhww5m8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0749_zpspnhww5m8.jpg"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls now bring their toys out and play on the rug while I make dinner, do dishes, even clean. It actually makes the perfect little play area.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It feels good to post! I hope this post is the start of more to come. Bear with me. :)</span></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-927689020754902052014-11-03T10:30:00.000-05:002014-11-03T10:30:05.383-05:00Mila Jane - 6 Month Milestones<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0120_edited-1_zps00444070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0120_edited-1_zps00444070.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are halfway to having a one year old! 6 months seems almost unbelievable. I am truly trying to soak up every minute, while at the same time I'm loving each milestone. I'm a little late posting this but I figure better late then never. At least she hasn't turned 7 months yet!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just about 15lbs. Gaining weight beautifully and eating great as usual. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sits up. Can only last a minute or so before she needs a little bit of assistance, but she's getting stronger each day. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can stand with mild assistance when holding onto something.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is starting to really like her walker and bouncer. Is sitting in each for longer and longer periods of time. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really focuses on toys and holding them, grabbing them, and of course putting them in her mouth.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting to use her consonants - dadadadada</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reaches toward people when she wants to be held/picked up. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very clingy to mommy.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less drool (woohoo!), but no teeth yet. Has starting chewing her tongue a lot, so I'm thinking they could be on the way.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loud, loud, loud! Squeals and shouts.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best laugh ever. Her laugh is so genuine and hearty. I don't remember Lucy's laugh being so 'real' at this age. I love hearing it several times a day. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eats rice oatmeal each night for dinner. Otherwise breastfed. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've tried 4 solid foods so far (squash, banana, avocado, apple) and she doesn't like anything! She doesn't even want to taste when she sees something other than cereal on her spoon. I even tried mixing with cereal, breast milk, etc. Girl doesn't want anything but milk and oatmeal.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0134_edited-1_zps0cdef9b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0134_edited-1_zps0cdef9b9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0148_zpsa8bf2910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0148_zpsa8bf2910.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0122_edited-1_zpscd37bb97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0122_edited-1_zpscd37bb97.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0141_zps74f54e21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0141_zps74f54e21.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0153_zpsa43ce4b3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0153_zpsa43ce4b3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-41766365581607107452014-10-21T08:25:00.003-04:002014-10-21T08:33:32.917-04:00Fauxdenza (Part 2) - Staining and Styling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0142_zps3bf33736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0142_zps3bf33736.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our fauxdenza is finished and we couldn't be happier. In the last post, I showed you how we built the cabinets and hung them along the wall in our kitchen. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0132_zps8df975c8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0132_zps8df975c8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For fun, let's rewind even more and see how things looked pre-shelves. Back when we just had a teeny bar cart.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0101_zpsec44a5dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0101_zpsec44a5dd.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong, I love that bar cart and it was an awesome thrift find. Unfortunately, things looked so awkward when we just had the bar cart alone because it was so small and that space is so large. We were in need of a larger, more practical storage solution.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0099_zps3ce3f847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0099_zps3ce3f847.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that the fauxdenza is finished, that side of the kitchen finally looks complete. The fauxdenza looks like its always been there. I can't quite explain why, but that part of the kitchen also looks larger to me, now. I think choosing a narrow storage solution that ran along the length of a big wall was a smart choice over adding a hutch or large piece of furniture that came over a foot from the wall. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spend so much time in our kitchen that it feels good to have this project complete. (Now to find time to work on those french doors next..)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0102_zpscb19ccb0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0102_zpscb19ccb0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how did we finish it? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the cabinets were hung, all we had left to do was stain and install the top. I found this gorgeous solid wood panel at Lowes. It was made for staining and the design of the wood planks is gorgeous. By luck, it just happened to be 1'x6', the exact measurement of our fauxdenza. (As a side note they also had other sizes with smaller or larger lengths and widths. )</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0005_zps283bbb3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0005_zps283bbb3d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I saw the planked design I was sold and you couldn't convince me to get a piece of wood cut down to size. Here is a closer look at the design of the wood, pre-stain.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0014_edited-1_zps2ef3cc42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0014_edited-1_zps2ef3cc42.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And how things look mid-stain. The color I chose was <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_458330-90-271571_0__?productId=50139878">Rust-Oleum American Walnut</a>. I wanted something that would compliment the kitchen table set and my usual go-to for all things stain (dark walnut) just wasn't going to cut it here. I needed a warm, red tone. This is actually the color I should have done our <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/07/tarva-dresser-hack-master-bedroom-sneak.html">dressers</a> in our bedroom to better match the nightstands, but oh well. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0016_zpsfa096e1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0016_zpsfa096e1e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three coats of stain and two coats of polyurethane (with a <i>very</i> fine sand between, this is key) was all it took before the top was finished. I couldn't wait to put the top on and start filling up those cabinets and styling the top. We decided right away that this was going to serve as a bar in our kitchen.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0137_edited-1_zps99ce915e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0137_edited-1_zps99ce915e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0118_zps1073a6c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0118_zps1073a6c1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We opted not to add wood pieces to the sides of the fauxdenza because we liked the look of a single wood top better. For the look of our kitchen the wood sides would have been too much. The styling of the fauxdenza needs some tweaking, but for now I'm happy with how it looks. I also love the pop of color from my Honey Lake Studio print. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0141_zps12313c9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0141_zps12313c9f.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To prevent drips from ruining the finish of the wood, I'm storing all our bottles in this metal tray I scored from Target a few months back. I'm excited to finally get to display some of my pretty glassware from Anthropologie.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0126_zpsf6eb7771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0126_zpsf6eb7771.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A big pro to having this fauxdenza is that we now have a lot of additional storage space in our kitchen. I wanted to be able to store glassware and other bar accessories in the same area as our 'bar' as opposed to keeping them in the dresser in the adjacent room. Now we finally have everything in one place. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0110_zpsc34ce38b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0110_zpsc34ce38b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see the vast amount of storage we now have. I'm not done filling those shelves, yet, but I was happy to clear our cookbooks off the top of our fridge and to be able to tuck some of the lesser used bottles away.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0106_zps9f24e6e0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0106_zps9f24e6e0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes we have a lot of booze, but Jordan and I both work (well I used to work) in the booze industry. In the words of Bethenny Frankel "Booze bought this house." So for us it's totally appropriate to have a piece of furniture dedicated to our booze. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0103_zps84df00d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0103_zps84df00d3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0129_zps3b86821a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0129_zps3b86821a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few shots of the beautiful wood top, because I'm pretty proud of my stain job here. I have definitely improved my staining skills since tackling the dressers. This top is so much smoother and looks so much nicer than my last project. As I mentioned above the key is a good, fine sand between poly coats. Makes a huge difference in the feel of the finish.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0127_zpsab0e3d7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0127_zpsab0e3d7a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0136_edited-1_zpsaf9b7f59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0136_edited-1_zpsaf9b7f59.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of the tutorials I read used a veneer edging on their wood tops, but we liked the look of the raw edge and decided to keep it as is. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0134_edited-1_zpsc5a11a6f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0134_edited-1_zpsc5a11a6f.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0119_zpsb6a5302e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0119_zpsb6a5302e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm still deciding if I want to keep the shelf and frame on the wall next to the french doors. The hooks are convenient for holding the dog collar and leash, but I'm wondering if it looks too cluttered now with the fauxdenza. We are also still contemplating installing a long shelf above the fauxdenza to store some of our pretty glassware. This would mean we would need to find a new home for our painted canvas.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0111_zpsad8a639b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0111_zpsad8a639b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you all think? Keep the painting or install a shelf? Keep the small shelf or find a new home?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-44450883299010949642014-10-09T11:23:00.000-04:002014-10-09T11:23:00.427-04:00Fauxdenza (Part 1) - Building & Installing the Cabinets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you're ready for a photo overload because this post is jam packed. <b><u>Side note</u></b>: if you don't already, but sure to "like" A Simple Kind of Life on Facebook (link to the right). Throughout this process I was posting sneak peek shots of our progress. I also often share behind the scenes photos that don't make to the blog and sometimes not even my Instagram account.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0136_edited-1_zpsddf375ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0136_edited-1_zpsddf375ea.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Part 1 of our fauxdenza DIY is complete. We have all three cabinets built and hung securely on the kitchen wall behind our table. We still need to stain and install the wood top, but I wanted to share our progress so far. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday was fauxdenza day in our house. My mother in law took the girls for a few hours so we could tackle the project.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0097_zpse26a1db6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0097_zpse26a1db6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cabinets themselves were actually very easy to assemble and with us doing them together, took no time at all. We did not attach the doors or insert the shelves at this point as we needed to hang them on the wall first.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0099_zps29acf25b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0099_zps29acf25b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the cabinets were together, it was time to hang. We purchased a suspension rail from Ikea to mount the cabinets. Each cabinet measures two feet wide, totaling 6 feet for the entire fauxdenza. The suspension rail is about 80" wide so it needed to be cut down.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0101_zps14e7ac2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0101_zps14e7ac2a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since our floor isn't smooth we stacked the cabinets vertically so we could line the suspension rail up against the cabinets and mark where to cut. Our reason for measuring against the cabinets and not just cutting at 6 feet is that we wanted the rail to be slightly smaller than 6 feet so you wouldn't see it from the sides of the fauxdenza.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0104_zps5dc1ca66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0104_zps5dc1ca66.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ikea suggested using a regular manual saw to cut the suspension rail, but we quickly saw that option wasn't going to do the job. Instead, Jordan used a scroller saw and with the exception of a few hiccups where the blade came out, the saw worked great and was pretty quick to cut the rail.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/10441906_832080073513843_7184037282598175838_n_zpsaf51aaad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/10441906_832080073513843_7184037282598175838_n_zpsaf51aaad.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the rail cut, we now needed to decide the height that we wanted the cabinets so we could measure where the rail was going to have to be installed. Because of the length of the fauxdenza (6 feet), we lucked out that we were hitting 4-5 studs in the wall meaning this was going to be pretty secure. Using the instructions from Ikea we marked out the spots on the wall and prepped to hang the suspension rail.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0109_zps7d06049f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0109_zps7d06049f.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's when we hit a bump in the road. We always have a bump in the road with every big project we tackle.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drill round one. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0110_zpsfd75b0cf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0110_zpsfd75b0cf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whoops. Apparently when I took photos of our mudroom progress I forgot to plug the drill charger back into the wall to charge the battery. That and the backup batter was already dead. It wasn't long before we realized that our progress was stuck and we didn't have enough juice to install the anchors for the rail. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a lunch break and the realization that it was going to take several hours to charge the drill enough to do what we needed, Jordan decided to run to Lowes and purchase a drill that could be plugged in.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drill round two = success!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0112_zps15ef330d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0112_zps15ef330d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After hanging the suspension bar we attached the cabinets, using Ikea's instructions. Once all three cabinets were hung, we noticed a slight gap between the the middle and right cabinets. This is when we realized that our wall isn't completely flat. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0113_zpsb569edaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0113_zpsb569edaf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gap was too big to just let be (we wanted it to look as seamless as possible from the front so you couldn't tell that it is actually made of three separate pieces), so we opted to adjust where it would be easier to hide.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0114_zps1a7146da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0114_zps1a7146da.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We lifted the suspension bar away from the wall until the cabinets were flush. It looks like a huge gap, but it's actually less than an inch (about .75"). We briefly considered shimming the gap with some wood, but because the rest of the cabinets are so secure, we didn't feel it was necessary and also didn't want people to see the wood looking sloppy. The screw is long enough that it is still very secure into the wall, plus it hits an anchored stud for extra support. In addition, there are 5 very secure screws along the rest of the fauxdenza to hold it in place on the rail. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0117_zps19ce9772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0117_zps19ce9772.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can see the results were much better. The Ikea cabinets came with screws so you could screw side by side cabinets together in the inside, also tightening any gap that may show between. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0120_zps52e00ab2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0120_zps52e00ab2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once finished the cabinets looked great and smooth.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0122_zpsdd2a2bf6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0122_zpsdd2a2bf6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a shot of how our kitchen looked most of the day while we tackled the project. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0123_zps7ef0dfde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0123_zps7ef0dfde.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last two steps were inserting shelves and installing the doors, both of which were fairly simple and straightforward. This is the point where we decided to call it a night. It was past dinner time and the kids were home at this point.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0127_zpsfd8c117c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0127_zpsfd8c117c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0128_zps9a0e175f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0128_zps9a0e175f.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So you can see where we stand with the fauxdenza. It already looks amazing and I'm excited to finish the top, fill those shelves and style the storage unit.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0131_zps5d97fc27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0131_zps5d97fc27.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0132_zps8df975c8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0132_zps8df975c8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning I stop by Lowes and picked up all the supplies needed to finish the fauxdenza. I'm hoping to finish this weekend with results first thing next week. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0137_zps68996ceb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/Fauxdenza/IMG_0137_zps68996ceb.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you all think so far?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-75623616020697875832014-10-07T10:40:00.004-04:002014-10-07T10:40:48.522-04:00Mud Room Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought today would be a good day to give a quick update on the progress of the mud room. We aren't working on this room full force, but I have been adding pieces here and there and there is definitely a difference in how the room looks now compared to before.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0116_zps083600b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0116_zps083600b2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you forgot, here is how the room looked after we moved in and sort of threw everything there.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTl2h_ChoxCZAv0jqx749hK-d9uEjoyseoTl6ElWS1ILO5CSdtahtf6FHatasPzD5cvMYia6Il7PBtT6gkS5wlWyH0-0VKYKPGSyaCEk47safRLf5gNdgo68z6cXr5F2xtlvvpkPdI4o/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTl2h_ChoxCZAv0jqx749hK-d9uEjoyseoTl6ElWS1ILO5CSdtahtf6FHatasPzD5cvMYia6Il7PBtT6gkS5wlWyH0-0VKYKPGSyaCEk47safRLf5gNdgo68z6cXr5F2xtlvvpkPdI4o/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here was the mood board I shared showing my <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/08/mud-room-planning.html">plans</a> for the space</span>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNGWdRaPcgT_c76zWoYTxY9YZiMGHAnis0X5VJJQASCbeZExqUad6SU9UsIayJr4Kup3SLptAurd02Dr3-4YvfCmYDF2UHz1OEs4xyrkNp4A6SzUm5k9zVCVYN9r9ez642L1Jhp_uHII/s1600/mudroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNGWdRaPcgT_c76zWoYTxY9YZiMGHAnis0X5VJJQASCbeZExqUad6SU9UsIayJr4Kup3SLptAurd02Dr3-4YvfCmYDF2UHz1OEs4xyrkNp4A6SzUm5k9zVCVYN9r9ez642L1Jhp_uHII/s1600/mudroom.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the room is looking much better and is starting to reflect the plan! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry for the poor lighting in these photos. I had to work with whatever came in the windows and any light I could steal with the garage door propped open.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0115_zps9e9d77c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0115_zps9e9d77c3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see I swapped out the baskets for under the bench. I originally wanted striped baskets, but when I saw these at Homegoods I knew they were the perfect size, shape and color for our mud room. They will be used to store hats, gloves, scarves, etc.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love, love these pillows. They are so beautiful that at first I wasn't sure I wanted them to be in our mud room, but I really want to make this a cozy, finished space since it's the first room we enter every time we come home. Plus I like the idea of having pillows to lean against to sit and take shoes off. Be sure to check out <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BohoPillow">BohoPillow</a> on Etsy for more of these gorgeous covers.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0134_zps9c52dcb0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0134_zps9c52dcb0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so glad I purchased this West Elm rug. I waited for a bit for it to go on sale and once it did, I snatched it right up. It offers the perfect combo of pretty and durable. I won't mind people trudging their wet shoes over this rug as it's made very well. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0126_zpsc9fc1d1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0126_zpsc9fc1d1b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I snagged some succulents I had on our front porch and relocated them on this sunny spot in the mud room. I like the idea of having some greens in this space. I don't want the mud room to be a cold pass through room where we just dump shoes and coats. I want it to feel like we put a little love into the space, too.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0121_zps01ae4c65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0121_zps01ae4c65.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll admit the rest of the room is still a mess, which is why you are only seeing this small corner. It's still huge improvement from before.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0131_zps9d5d8ca1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0131_zps9d5d8ca1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a peek inside the Ikea wardrobe where I'm storing my craft supplies for easy access when I need a quick kid distraction. I can always rely on paint, scissors or felt to settle a meltdown or give me some time to clean up or put Mila down for a nap.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0117_zpsdd880b39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0117_zpsdd880b39.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0127_zps171ea7c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Mud%20Room/IMG_0127_zps171ea7c9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We still have to tackle the curtain wall I mentioned before. We just haven't gone out and measured and priced out a track. I also did buy the Crate and Barrel pendant light when it went on sale a few weeks back. We have it ready to hang, it's just still sitting in the box. :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now we're off to start building our fauxdenza. Look for some updates this week!</span></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-60451720523284782752014-10-02T09:16:00.001-04:002014-10-02T09:16:02.409-04:00Honey Lake Studio<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've mentioned in previous posts how I am slowly trying to bring real art into our home, and I'm excited to share with you all my latest addition.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would say 90% of the Instagram accounts I follow are people who I don't know personally. For me, Instagram is a place to find 'pretty' or inspirational photos and to connect with other bloggers as well as small business owners. I admit I reserve looking at friends' personal photos through Facebook since most people link their Instagram and Facebook posts. (This means if we are friends but I don't follow you on Insta, please don't be offended!) One of my favorite things to do on Instagram is browse through the recommended users on the search page, or look at the news page and see what photos people I follow like. By doing so I have found so many new blogs to read, Instagram accounts to follow, Etsy shops to browse, and tons of Inspiration for our home. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0122_zps1e06a338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_0122_zps1e06a338.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several weeks ago I stumbled upon Jen Smith of <a href="http://www.honeylakestudio.com/">Honey Lake Studio</a>. Jen is a talented interior and lifestyle photographer. I loved the look of her Instagram feed and start immediately following her. Right after I followed her, she just happened to be opening her new online shop selling some of her prints. To celebrate this, she hosted a giveaway on Instagram, giving one lucky follower one of her prints for free. I've participated in handful of Instagram giveaways and don't get my hopes up, so imagine my surprise when Jen contacted me and said that I won!</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The print I chose was Indigo Moon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/indigo_moon_zps9f209a5c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/indigo_moon_zps9f209a5c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://honeylakestudio.bigcartel.com/product/indigo-moon">Indigo Moon</a></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The colors in this photo are so beautiful and really pop against the neutral pallet in our home, as you can see from the photo above. One of the reasons I chose this photo is because Lucy loves the moon and looks for it every single night. Now that we have the picture and I purchased a frame for it, Jordan constantly tells me how much he loves it, too. Winner!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are still deciding where to permanently hang this photo, but I couldn't resist putting it on display once I had it framed. I have a feeling this print may end up in our kitchen by the new bar we are building. (Speaking of, my Ikea delivery should arrive today!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sure to check out Jen's shop </span><a href="http://honeylakestudio.bigcartel.com/" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and see all the gorgeous prints. I'll warn you, you are going to want to purchase them all. Check back often as she will be swapping out prints seasonally Also follow Jen on Instagram (@honeylakestudio) for more great inspiration (Domino Magazine just shared her home in their latest issue, so trust this girl as fab taste.) As a bonus, Domino has featured Jen's prints as a <a href="http://domino.com/deal-inspirational-prints?utm_campaign=deals&utm_content=domino+deals+%7C+Colorful+Foutas%2C+Brand+New+Prints%2C+and+More+&utm_medium=email&utm_source=domino&utm_term=">Domino Deal</a> through Monday. Check them out now!</span></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-30363862212422988882014-10-01T09:44:00.002-04:002014-10-01T09:44:37.706-04:00Lucy's Room on Apartment Therapy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so excited to share that Lucy's room is being featured on Apartment Therapy! Check it out <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/lucys-eclectic-abode-my-room-210950">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/lucyroom_zpsbe3efd6a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/lucyroom_zpsbe3efd6a.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're a longtime reader, you might remember that her <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/my-room-lucy-jamesdelaware-157172">nursery was featured</a> a few years ago. It's very cool and somewhat interesting to see how much my decorating, photography and design tastes have evolved over the years. I see such a difference in Lucy's room now compared to her nursery. For her nursery it was more about aesthetics since as a baby she was primarily using the room to sleep and have a diaper change. I focused on making it look pretty, and have the perfect decorative accents - hanging pom-poms, a gallery wall, vintage mirrors, cute decorations, Lucy's name on everything, hanging her booties and teeny bathing suit, etc. For me, her nursery was just a fun room to decorate, and honestly more for myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0019_zps6ce24b45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0019_zps6ce24b45.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time around when decorating Lucy's room in our new home, I focused on making a functional space for her that she could have fun in and that she could maneuver around independently. She has a play kitchen perfectly her size with all the accessories stored inside. Her books are on the bookshelf at her height so she can look and choose which stories we are going to read each night. The art wall is hung low so she can help me swap out pictures. Her doll house is stored on the floor so she can plop down and play. The table in the middle of the room is just her size and perfect for art projects puzzles, tea parties and snack time I even store her art supplies in tins on top of the table so she can draw as she wishes. Her shoes are on the floor of her closet so she can select and put them on herself. In her other closet we have a shelf installed at her height that houses all her stuffed animals within her reach. Even her mirror is lowered to her size as well as one of her lamps so she can access to turn it on and off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0095_zpse2038457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0095_zpse2038457.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of these things, Lucy is very independent and able to do anything she wants in her room herself. She loves playing in this space and will often tell she that she is going to her room, no longer asking me to join her. I'm just so glad that she loves this space as much as I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0044_zps12552f69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Lucy%20Room/IMG_0044_zps12552f69.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Apartment Therapy for sharing Lucy's space!</span></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-42107843955734861282014-09-30T12:14:00.001-04:002014-09-30T12:14:44.132-04:00Mila Jane: 5 Month Milestones<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0042_zps30cf7005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0042_zps30cf7005.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0041_zps0808775e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0041_zps0808775e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She's 5 months, people. Stop time please. </span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still nursing amazing. Gaining weight beautifully. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm pretty sure we have 2 teeth creeping in, one on top and one of bottom. Chewing everything and loves iced teethers. She gets extra fussy around nap time and bedtime. I have been relying on teething tablets and gel to help her sleep. Once she's asleep, she's been sleeping fairly solid the past week.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We introduced oatmeal to her first (the doctor suggested that over rice cereal for her) and although the first two times she was uninterested, she now loves it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recognizes her name when you say 'Mila'. Will look for you and smile. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can stand (with assistance), and holds herself up on tummy time for very long periods of time. Not quite ready to sit up on her own, but she's close. Rolls all over the place.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very loud!! "Talks" all day, every day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is such a happy baby, it melts my heart when she smiles all day long.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very clingy to mommy. Will actually reach for me sometimes when someone else is holding her. I credit that to being home with her all day every day. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her relationship with Lucy is one that I can't even explain. There are times when the two of them just look at each other and laugh for 5 minutes straight. Like they are talking without even using words. It'</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">s amazing to see. She lets Lucy roll around, snuggles and "harass" her with no complaints, just happy to see her big sister.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0080_zpsd12ae2f2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0080_zpsd12ae2f2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0073_zps0b635d9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0073_zps0b635d9a.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually on schedule with naps and takes 2-3 each day. With teething they have been a bit of a struggle. Hoping they balance out soon. (Part of the reason this post is so late!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loves the Baby Bjorn and facing out while I clean or we go on a walk outside. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loves her feet. Tries to chew those toes all the time. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her eyes have still not decided what color they want to be. Some days they look brown, some days green, some days I still see some blue. </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0068_zpsa7c392a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0068_zpsa7c392a7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0056_edited-1_zpsc20da066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0056_edited-1_zpsc20da066.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0045_zpsc33cc7c0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0045_zpsc33cc7c0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0084_zps39d25308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/IMG_0084_zps39d25308.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/photo_zps2f1eac71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Mila%20Jane/photo_zps2f1eac71.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-8835596817466764742014-09-26T09:30:00.000-04:002014-09-26T09:30:00.939-04:00The Fauxdenza<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fauxdenza. What is it? The fake, floating credenza often made with Ikea kitchen cabinets and framed with stained wood. It's certainly not a new trend. This DIY has made its rounds through the blog world and it's a fresh, modern take on the traditional piece of furniture.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housetweaking.com/2013/01/15/diy-fauxdenza/">Dana</a> did it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/mudroom-after-5_zps291df715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/mudroom-after-5_zps291df715.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.chrislovesjulia.com/2012/09/fauxdenza-crendenza.html">Chris and Julia</a> did it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_9048_zps538cd316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/IMG_9048_zps538cd316.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/11/08/fauxdenza/">Anna</a> did it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/fauxdenza_zps1e20f886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/fauxdenza_zps1e20f886.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just to name a few. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up, we're going to do it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since moving in most of the work we've done in this house has been decorating. We're purchasing furniture, art and rugs, painting walls, planning rooms, rearranging rooms, etc. Aside from the <a href="http://jessicademaio.blogspot.com/2014/07/tarva-dresser-hack-master-bedroom-sneak.html">dressers</a> in our master bedroom, we have yet to tackle a real DIY project. Granted we've had some distractions since moving in (a new baby, me going back to work for 6 weeks, starting preschool, etc.), but now I am ready to get my hands dirty and make something. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, where are we putting this fauxdenza? The plan is to attach it to the wall behind our kitchen table, replacing my thrifted bar cart and making a larger, more refined bar in the kitchen.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0166_zps75a83dfd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0166_zps75a83dfd.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've mentioned several times about getting rid of the vintage dresser in our living room. That dresser just happens to store a good amount of our bar glasses and tools. By installing the fauxdenza, we will also have a lot more storage space for these items. In addition, we are tossing around the idea of hanging a large open shelf (similar to the look of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/55802482858377658/">these</a>) above the bar to store our glassware. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't expect any updates over the next week or so. I just ordered our cabinets from Ikea this morning. Yes, I ordered online and didn't go to Ikea. While this house is closer to Ikea than our last home, it's still a trip that needs to be planned out and is not ideal to bring two kiddos. The shipping was surprisingly reasonable (sometimes it's more than the actual piece of furniture) and worth it to save the gas and time. The pieces should arrive next week and hopefully I can convince Jordan to get started sooner than later. Once we do I'll share the entire process with you all. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm back in the DIY game. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-6061156549839773172014-09-24T22:51:00.000-04:002014-09-25T08:47:45.595-04:00Horses, Wagon Rides, & Tickle Grass<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0294_zps0d208fe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0294_zps0d208fe1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0183_zps552680aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0183_zps552680aa.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past Tuesday I took the girls on a play date over my friend Lindsay's house. I've known Lindsay 15+ years and her son AJ just happens to be in Lucy's class. She also has an adorable 2 year old girl, Mia. Lindsay's family lives in a gorgeous home that backs up to a farm. This lends to some very unique and fun play dates. Knowing this, I brought along my 'good' camera to snap some photos of the kids. Little did I know just how many photo ops we would have that day.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though we've had numerous playdates with AJ and Mia, Lucy is always shy when it comes to other kids. As the day went by we could visually see her becoming more and more comfortable and really coming out of her shell. So much that she didn't want to leave at the end of the day, and it was a long day! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first stop of the day was feeding the horses. We've been over and done this before so I knew Lucy would be comfortable around them. The kids had a quick swing on the swing set and grabbed some lunch before we headed out. A hike in the woods was followed by a ride in the wagon to stop by and see the horses again, then a short drive over to a local park to let the kids run around and explore. The views were breathtaking in the park and I was so glad I brought a camera. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was such a great time and I was truly grateful to have a day where I could just focus on nothing but the kids without worrying about cleaning, laundry, house projects, blogging, etc. Needless to say, both my kids were asleep 3 minutes into the ride home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0208_zpsf1070a5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0208_zpsf1070a5d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0161_zpse4f6d325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0161_zpse4f6d325.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0162_zps8c096792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0162_zps8c096792.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0158_zps506bccaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0158_zps506bccaf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0185_zps9cde0d83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0185_zps9cde0d83.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0188_zps0f7a8ca0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0188_zps0f7a8ca0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0233_zpsf637f90a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0233_zpsf637f90a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0159_zps08beb719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0159_zps08beb719.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0195_zps0f4035f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0195_zps0f4035f1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0157_zps0502d9d1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0157_zps0502d9d1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0166_zpsce56bde0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0166_zpsce56bde0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0169_zps07ce3a02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0169_zps07ce3a02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0170_zpseb53e703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0170_zpseb53e703.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0171_zps9e30ab67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0171_zps9e30ab67.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0218_zps2a912c4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0218_zps2a912c4b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0221_zps96fb183a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0221_zps96fb183a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0227_zpscc66d4be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0227_zpscc66d4be.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0228_zps9ec590ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0228_zps9ec590ee.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0247_zps9f61cfe7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0247_zps9f61cfe7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0250_zpsede9598d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0250_zpsede9598d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0262_zpsebedc942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0262_zpsebedc942.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0267_zps7ccc5601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0267_zps7ccc5601.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0271_zpscde71840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0271_zpscde71840.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0286_zps03b45b62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0286_zps03b45b62.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0301_zps06cc630e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0301_zps06cc630e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0309_zps87194fba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0309_zps87194fba.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0311_zpsf9dd45d9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0311_zpsf9dd45d9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0317_zpsb6ece2d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0317_zpsb6ece2d2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0319_zps55e59b81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0319_zps55e59b81.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0325_zps2a9ee790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0325_zps2a9ee790.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0327_zps1e641aa8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0327_zps1e641aa8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0328_zps96df004c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0328_zps96df004c.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0330_zps1d504d90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0330_zps1d504d90.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0332_zpsb65d3705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0332_zpsb65d3705.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0338_zpsa8786def.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0338_zpsa8786def.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0386_zps674afa2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0386_zps674afa2d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0342_zps0d471177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0342_zps0d471177.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0343_zps26d17837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0343_zps26d17837.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0346_zpsd22247d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0346_zpsd22247d3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0378_zpsccd6c1ee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0378_zpsccd6c1ee.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0374_zpsf1e54d20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0374_zpsf1e54d20.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0369_zpsa247e521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0369_zpsa247e521.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0359_zps822c82da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0359_zps822c82da.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0355_zps850d0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0355_zps850d0098.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0356_zps9a79b2df.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0356_zps9a79b2df.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0358_zps47e941b0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0358_zps47e941b0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A huge thank you to Lindsay, AJ and Mia for an epic play date. We had a blast and can't wait to come play again!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0387_zps963fce2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Pennington/IMG_0387_zps963fce2c.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-15314786447117854502014-09-23T09:03:00.003-04:002014-09-23T09:07:46.713-04:00House Crush: Amber Interiors 'Client Awesome'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are two homes that have truly inspired how I am starting to decorate our house. (Bonus points if you can guess which blogger is the second inspiration!) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This house tour by Amber Interiors is by far one of my absolute favorite homes. I honestly can't remember who I started following first on Instragram, @erinmayshed (home owner) or @amberinteriors (interior designer). One led to another and I started seeing sneak peeks of this amazing home. When Amber gave a full tour on her blog a few months back, I was in awe. Erin has since moved out and she and Amber are collaborating on the design of their new home (which I hear will have more of a midcentury vibe to it). I cannot wait to see how the next home turns out, although it will be tough to top this one for me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This home has inspired me to start adding more pops of color, bold prints, and textures into our house. Each room has such a cool, effortless vibe and the finishing details are so on point. That's something I struggle with in our home, getting the rooms to look and feel finished. Expect to see a little more pops of pinks, greens and blues in our home (with lots of white/gray) thanks to this great inspiration.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are just a few of the snap shots of this gorgeous home. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors35-682x1024_zpseeb5d6aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors35-682x1024_zpseeb5d6aa.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors34-755x1024_zps05220b1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors34-755x1024_zps05220b1e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The most amazing entryway. Everything from the woodwork and light fixture, down to the perfect area rug makes this such a clean, open, and inviting space. I also have console table envy as I'm on a constant hunt for one to put in our living room. I was thinking a light wood at first, but now this has me thinking white.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors36-682x1024_zpsda63aff1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors36-682x1024_zpsda63aff1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm in love with the french doors and huge windows in this dining room. If I wasn't so scared at night of people peeping in my house I would love a room (or a few) filled with floor to ceiling windows. The dark walls are something I'd love to fit into our house somewhere, but not sure where we could do them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors42-1024x682_zpseae668fe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors42-1024x682_zpseae668fe.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I honestly would have never thought to mix these patterns together in one room, but here they just fit. The two dressers flanking the fireplace are a refreshing change to traditional accent tables or chairs you would expect to see there.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors1-682x1024_zpsb58e9c23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors1-682x1024_zpsb58e9c23.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This little corner is my favorite. I love how cozy it looks and I want to curl right up on that chair with a blanket and read a book. The shelf styling is a perfect mix and match of pieces without looking cluttered (something I struggle with) and overall the pops of colors really make this corner.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors4-682x1024_zps93373d09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors4-682x1024_zps93373d09.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pillows, pillows, pillows! Amber Interiors sells the most amazing selection of pillows. Unfortunately I can't quite afford them, but I have found comparable shops through Instagram and am slowly working on my own personal collection of boho pillows (to be shared in a future post). The windows again have me craving more natural light in our house. Plus, who doesn't want to be snuggled up with a dozen pillows while you eat breakfast and have your morning coffee?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors10-1024x760_zpsb8ea32af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Home%20Tour/clientawesomebyamberinteriors10-1024x760_zpsb8ea32af.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The night stands and lamps are my favorite part of this bedroom. The indigo throw is a great compliment to the all white bedding. I would love a Moroccan wedding blanket for the end of our bed, but again a bit out of my non-working budget. Adding some type of crown molding and woodwork to some of the rooms in our house is definitely on our to-do list. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you think? Do you love this house and much as I do?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All photos above are via <a href="http://amberinteriordesign.com/before-after-the-farewell-tribute-client-awesome/">Amber Interiors</a>. Click to see the full tour.</span></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-67822300044066282752014-09-22T08:30:00.000-04:002014-09-22T08:30:02.797-04:00Setting the Table<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0158_zps10d7910d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0158_zps10d7910d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's talk kitchen tables. Specifically, styling them. How does your kitchen table look when you aren't eating? Is it completely bare? Do you have it covered in mail/computer/work? Do you have some sort of flower arrangement? Do you have it set with dishes?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0165_zpsab470fba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0165_zpsab470fba.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll admit I wasn't quite sure how to style our table after we first moved in. I tried a few different styles. The first few weeks after moving in it was completely bare, but that looked so unfinished. For a while I kept a simple vase with whatever unique fresh flowers they had at my most recent grocery trip. I love the look but it can become an expensive habit to keep up, plus I get frustrated when they start dying too soon. Then I had a tray styled with a few small dishes, bowls, salt and pepper shakers, and cloth napkins, but it seemed too fake.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0179_zps27b8f590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0179_zps27b8f590.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally decided to try setting the table, similar to how it looked in our dining room at the townhouse. To me, a set table looks cozy and homey.. as if dinner is about to be served. For our table, I opted to go with a simple arrangement of dishes and napkins as opposed to going all out with glasses, flatware, etc. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0172_zps18c963fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0172_zps18c963fb.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our <a href="http://www.target.com/p/threshold-153-16-piece-round-beaded-dinnerware-set-white/-/A-14172073#prodSlot=_1_3">dishes</a> are from Target and the napkins were snagged in the Anthropologie clearance room a few years back. When we moved I decided to pack up the blue dishes we registered for when we got married in exchange for clean, white ones. I began purchasing individual pieces here and there over the past year, and now we have 8 full sets (dinner plate, salad plate, and bowl). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the clean look of the white dishes and the beading around the edges gives just enough detail to dress them up a bit. I've collected a number of clearance napkins from Anthro and I must say these ones are my favorite. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0166_zps75a83dfd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0166_zps75a83dfd.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently began thinking about our current set up. While it looks pretty, some days it isn't very practical. When Lucy goes to eat or play something at the table, I have to push all the dishes aside (she uses her own dishes). We also don't get to sit down at the table and eat as a family every night because of Jordan's work schedule, so after a few days I feel like the dishes start to get a little dusty if we don't regularly use them. As a result I end up having to give them all a quick clean fairly often.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0167_edited-1_zpsade7004d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0167_edited-1_zpsade7004d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oops, you can see every scratch and blemish in our table from this angle. Keeping it real over here.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0156_zps64366ed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Channin%20-%20Kitchen/IMG_0156_zps64366ed3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For now the current set up will stay as is, but I'm always on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you all think? How do you style your kitchen table?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(P.S. I know I'm long overdue for a kitchen tour, I just can't seem to keep the entire room clean at once. Hoping to get one in the near future.)</span></div>
<br /></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-33758874468838186012014-09-19T10:40:00.002-04:002014-09-19T10:40:46.108-04:00Snapped: Watch Me Grow 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/wmgfallJad_zpsea938f80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/wmgfallJad_zpsea938f80.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today's post is especially for my local readers. If you're in the Philly area and haven't heard of Snapped yet I insist you find them on <a href="http://instagram.com/snappedstudios">Instagram</a> and check out their work immediately. I came across Snapped through one of their photographers, Jillian, as we went to the same high school. I began following Snapped on Instagram and Facebook and was captivated by their beautiful, unique photography style. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several months back Snapped kicked off an adorable Spring 'Watch Me Grow' photo series for kids. Each series has a theme based on the season and they shoot the children in a candid environment with set-up and props to match that theme. What I love about this series is that the photos are so natural and the kids are captured just having fun, not overly posed. The Spring series photos came out amazing and I regretted not signing Lucy up to participate. When I heard of the Fall WMG series I immediately signed up Lucy and Mila. I'll admit I've always been one to take my own photos of my kiddos, but nothing beats beautiful, professionally done photos. I also love the idea of having these photos done on an annual basis and seeing how our girls have grown. Plus I always want fresh photos to display around our house. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted to share Snapped and their Watch Me Grow series and give some of my mommy (or daddy) readers the opportunity to sign up, too! If the WMG series isn't for you, Snapped is still your go to photographer for wedding, engagement, newborn, or whatever photos you need.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you like what you see I would sign up for the Watch Me Grow series ASAP. Snapped was just named <a href="http://phillyhotlist.cityvoter.com/best/wedding-photographers/weddings/philadelphia">Philly's Hottest</a> and those opens slots won't last long!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/snappedlogojpeg_zpse2360ed5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/snappedlogojpeg_zpse2360ed5.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>About Snapped:</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Snapped is a group of artists (Jillian Lupi, Tom Schaaf, Eric Campbell, and Luke O'Brien) who provide quality photo and video for any occasion, anywhere. Snapped offers their clients the comfort of a boutique studio. They specialize in the best days of your life but also enjoy capturing the simple moments that happen every day. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-17_zpsa1f0ac58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-17_zpsa1f0ac58.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-3_zpsf11c16e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-3_zpsf11c16e1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>Fall 2014 l Watch Me Grow:</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Watch Me Grow (WMG) was designed to capture children growing through the year and making it an enjoyable and memorable experience for the entire family. There are exciting things that happen with each change of the season and Snapped designs their shoots to celebrate that in an artistic way.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-24_zpse3b34e4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-24_zpse3b34e4b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-22_zps1401d28e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-22_zps1401d28e.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Watch Me Grow is a seasonal photo shoot that the Snapped team designs and styles. They provide unique portrait settings that reflect the current season along with an activity for your children; all while they snap away! Every minute of the session is a photo opportunity and the final package includes a variety of poses, portraits and candid photos. The activities are very hands on for your child to enjoy and Snapped captures some of the most genuine emotions from these...happiness, determination, and pride to name a few! This photo series is open for children of all ages (babies to big kids). Snapped has a team of 4 photographers focusing on all different views of the event so no moment or image is missed.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-36_zps2968c967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-36_zps2968c967.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
On <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_786122092" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday, October 18th</span></span>, Snapped will be capturing all things beautiful about fall! All participants will enjoy home grown, hand painted pumpkins that make for the perfect photo prop, a pallet wall as a unique backdrop, and then all kiddos will paint their very own mini pumpkin.<br />
<br />
Check out more photos from their preview album on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/snappedstudios">Facebook page</a>, and be sure to email <a href="mailto:snappedinfo@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">snappedinfo@gmail.com</a> for all booking details!<br />
<br />
Fall, bring on the smiles.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-29_zps8a32c63a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/Sponsored%20Posts/WMGFallAd-29_zps8a32c63a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Friday!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-828280599840379764.post-49354628457022413152014-09-17T10:41:00.000-04:002014-09-17T10:41:18.721-04:00Meet Goldie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meet Goldie. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0121_zpsfc25a9c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0121_zpsfc25a9c1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucy's new dolly, handmade by me. I know, I can't believe it either. I actually made a doll from scratch using scrap fabric. I truly love working on our house and it's definitely been keeping me very busy, but I've been itching for a good DIY project. Recently I decided to finally take my grandmother's old sewing machine out of the box and reteach myself how to sew. I've had it for years and never had the courage to try to remember what I learned in high school. My grandmother passed away in April just after Mila was born and never had the chance to meet our little bean. Lucy's so young I'm afraid she won't remember much about her, so I want to give the girls something to remember my grandmother. A few weeks ago during one of my Sunday visits to my grandfather, I took home a dozen of my grandmother's sundresses. She always wore these dresses in tons of different bright, printed fabrics. I love them and they remind me of her so much. Since the dresses themselves are too big for me to wear, I wanted to use the fabric and make something that would remind me of my Beebah. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0120_zps7a285a63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0120_zps7a285a63.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before actually bringing scissors to the sundresses, I wanted to make a few test dolls. This doll is actually made of scrap fabric I had with my craft supplies leftover from previous projects. I sort of self taught myself how to make this after googling a few ragdoll tutorials and tweaking them a bit. I made templates for the body itself, but sort of made up the dress as I sewed. I hope I can recreate it!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0119_zps2e65475f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0119_zps2e65475f.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The striped fabric was leftover from a chair I reupholstered 2 years ago. The pom pom fringe was going to be used for curtains in Mila's room until I scrapped that idea. The legs are leftover from when I attempted to make a window for Lucy's skylight in her old nursery (oh that was a flop). The hair is yarn and her headband and belt are leftover from last year's New Year's Eve hats Lucy and I made. The only items I actually purchased were the fabric for the body and the stuffing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0136_zps6d8ebac1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0136_zps6d8ebac1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After two bad 'test' dolls, this doll took me two days to make. There are still a handful of things I would change or do better, but I'm learning so I can make more.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0144_zps7d1f51a2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0144_zps7d1f51a2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0140_zpseb8bb07a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0140_zpseb8bb07a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucy loves her new Goldie doll. She was so excited while I made it that she asked me constantly, 'Is my dolly ready yet?</span>' </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0109_zpsfb15f4db.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0109_zpsfb15f4db.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0096_zps3fe79880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l502/jessicademaio/DIY%20Projects%20-%20Misc/IMG_0096_zps3fe79880.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you tackled any good DIY projects lately? With this one down, I'm ready for more.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02805352177853158836noreply@blogger.com0