2011 project list

Now that the new year has officially kicked in, it's time to compile a list of all the projects we hope to accomplish this year. Well actually in the next 6 and a half months before the little one arrives. 

1. Rip out living room's berber carpet and replace with hardwood

2. Purchase rug for dining room

3. New barstools for kitchen breakfast bar

4. Re-carpet steps, upstairs hall, master and guest bedrooms 

5. Fix hem on living room curtains (or replace if I find better ones)

6. Rearrange master bedroom

7. Basement. So much goes with this one I don't know where to begin.

8. Update artwork around house

9. Reupholster dining room chairs and purchase pillows for bench

10. Add shelf in laundry room for cleaning storage

11. Finish painting neighbor's junk bench I started months ago

12. NURSERY

This is just a list of what we've verbally talked about doing. There's a thousand other little things I could add, but these are the main projects to tackle. I'll admit I'd be pretty happy if we accomplish at least a third of these by the time the babe comes. 

I will keep you all posted!

Baby Room Ideas

Although I've just announced to you all that we are expecting, this is no longer news to us. As soon as we learned back in November that we had a bun in the oven, the wheels immediately began turning in my mind as I began to mentally plan our little one's nursery. 

We are fortunate that we both have very loving and generous parents (both sets are going to be first-time grandparents) who have offered to purchase different items of furniture for the babe's nursery. Jordan and I never expected nor would we ever have asked for such a generous gift. We both are really lucky to each have an amazing set of loving parents who have helped us along the way in more ways than they will ever know.

Now with regards to the nursery, let me start by saying that we do not know whether we have having a boy or girl. We do plan to find out when we can, but it is too early to tell right now. Regardless, I am very anti blue=boy and pink=girl. In fact, I practically despise pink and if we should have a girl I will highly discourage pink themed gifts. Instead I am leaning toward a gender-neutral, more modern looking nursery. I haven't decided yet whether I want to incorporate yellow, green, blue or combination of any of these for bedding and linens. I've really only planned most of the basics i.e., the furniture as well as some decorative ideas. I feel like it's too early to delve into such details as a color theme, especially when the sex is yet to be determined.  

We have one piece of furniture already purchased as a Christmas gift from my parents. 

It is the Hemnes 8 drawer dresser from IKEA in black-brown finish:

This will be used as both a changing table as well as storage for clothing, diapers, lotions, etc. I absolutely love this dresser and we originally were going to purchase it 2 years ago for our bedroom. But because of the layout of our other furniture, we settled on a different model Hemnes, tall instead of wide.

The crib is the next big purchase. I have been looking all over the internet for cribs. I knew right away that I wanted one in a white finish. I also decided early on that I am more fond of the sturdy wooden look with more of a square, boxy feel. I don't like the curvy headboards and sleigh-bed style cribs. I first fell in love with the Kendall Fixed Gate Crib on Pottery Barn Kid's website. But with a sale price of $399.00 and the fact that we weren't buying it, I felt guilty asking my in-laws for a $400 crib  (not including the mattress). Even if it is on sale. Well after searching website after website and looking at blog after blog for ideas, I think I've finally found the perfect crib:

The Graco Lauren 4-in-one Convertible Crib. It has the clean lines and sturdy wood finish I've been looking for, but without the high sale price. This baby is available at Target and Babies R Us, but it was at Walmart that I found the best price ($149.99, not including mattress).

I also am in the process of looking for a glider/rocking chair. I'm attracted more towards an upholstered arm chair with a glide feature and ottoman, more than the traditional wooden rocker/glider with a cushion. Finding the type of chair I want is easy however, finding one for under $500 seems to be the challenge.

Here are a few other ideas that I have for the nursery:

 

These adorable Lidan baskets from IKEA are $14.99 for a set of four. They'd be great to help store lotions, powder and other small items in or on the changing table. The largest basket could even be an easy to reach storage for diapers that I keep on top of the Hemnes. I already have a set of these in our master bath that I used to hold deodorant, moisturizer, contact solution, lotion and other daily necessities. 

The next decorative idea that I want are these fabulous zinc letters. I first saw the idea from Nicole at meohmymama. She has a post about a grandbaby room and this picture caught my eye:

Photo courtesy of meohmymama

These letters are available at Anthropologie, but for $18 a pop I'm hoping to find a less expensive version on Etsy or another website. I love the look of the word "baby" and unless we can decide on a name early on (and if it's a short one!) I think I will stick with that.

These Alvine Kottar curtains from IKEA are also a favorite of mine.

They are light and whimsical, but with a modern look. There are a few different versions of the white-with-grey pattern curtains at IKEA. But these are the most expensive ($49.99). I think because they are also the thickest. I'm still debating if I want to spend that much on curtains for the nursery. I plan to check out a few options next time I hit up IKEA.

One more item I am considering is an Expedit storage unit, also from IKEA. 

I've seen this particular item on a number of blogs for nursery ideas and it seems like a great storage piece for toys, books and baskets or other goodies. There are a number of different sizes, but the 2x4 block seems the most appropriate for what I'm planning. I think it would look good laying down so it's 4 blocks wide and 2 high, possibly under a window as a bench/window seat storage with some pillows.

Other than these ideas, I also want to find some sort of shelving for the walls. Whether it be the picture ledge style from IKEA that holds a few baby books or a deep, sturdier shelf for toys, supplies, etc above the changing table. And of course bright, fun artwork.

Note: Apartment Therapy has a great children themed website called OhDeeOh that I have been frequenting regularly for ideas. I have gotten tons of inspiration from this.

When it's not 8:00pm at night and I can get some sunlight in I will take a few before shots of the nursery. I didn't mention earlier but it is currently an "office" that basically houses a daybed and an unused desk as well as miscellaneous picture frames, wedding memorabilia and all our personal files. ALl of which will be finding a new home in the near future (except the daybed which will be donated). Possibly relocating to a new office in our basement.

For now I must go pay attention to my patient, sleepy hubby. 

Happy New Year!

It's officially 2011! As I said in my previous post, things have been pretty busy around here. Good busy.

2010 was pretty amazing, but I have a feeling that 2011 will be the best yet. 

Christmas was great as always. We always split our days. Christmas Eve is spent with my family while Christmas Day is spend with Jordan's.  We've been doing this for the past 6 or so Christmases we've been together and it works great for us since everyone is local. Jordan works every Christmas Eve but the restaurant closes by 2 so he had plenty of time to make it to Middletown for dinner by 5. We celebrate with my dad's side of the family so there's usually about 15 or so people crammed into the house. We moved it to my parent's house this year to be easier for my grandparents. It's super hectic especially when presents are being opened, but I wouldn't change a thing. 

Here is my adorable cousin Jace, thrilled at the room filled with Christmas presents.

I swear this pictures only shows half of the presents that were in that room. I absolutely love the excitement on her face. She is at that great age (4 years old) where she is just so much fun to be with. She has her own little personality and has become so much more outgoing. And really funny. She had just as much fun opening her presents as she did handing out presents to the family members.

The next day we had a quiet little Christmas morning just the two of us and the animals before heading to Jordan's parents for Christmas presents, followed by his Aunt Patty and Uncle Tom's then back to his parents' house for dinner. We later went to a local bar, Dead Presidents, to meet up with some friends of ours who live down the beach. They came up for the holiday and it was great to see them because we hadn't since the wedding in May.

Here is Lyla opening her present from Santa. A huge rawhide bone.

One happy pup.

For New Years we had about a dozen of our closest friends over our house. We are definitely at the point where we are over the whole bar scene and going out on nights like NYE. In Delaware taxis are pretty scarce and on big drinking nights like this the check points are out in full force. It's just not the hassle to go to a crowded bar and worry about getting home. NYE was a ton of fun. We had a tapas theme and made way to much food but it was delicious. All in all a great holiday season.

The best Christmas gift of all came in mid-November when Jordan and I learned that we were expecting our first baby! I am now officially 13 weeks along and due July 13th. We couldn't be more thrilled. Things were a little crazy at first because we weren't trying, and it came as a surprise. But we are happier than ever and can't wait to see what 2011 brings our growing family. 

Well there is your quick wrap-up of the holidays. We have a growing to-do list for 2011, now including a baby room to work on. So there is plenty more for me to post and update you all. I also have some pictures to post with the dining room and the master bath after being painted. 

I am back to blogging and won't be a slacker anymore!

I'm Still Here!

It's been almost a month since I've posted. Things have been pretty crazy for the last month. All good things though. :) Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I'm looking forward to a great night with the family. I promise to post soon and fill you in on all the goodness that has been going on. Until then, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Powder Room, Master Bath and DIY $9 Art

We really lucked out that the house was pretty much move-in ready when we bought it. 

Give or take a coat of paint or a new carpet, we really didn't have to do anything to the house. 

Take the powder room for example. Here is what it looked like before moving in:

The husband of the couple who lived in the house before us did tile work for a living. 

And he did a gorgeous job in the bathrooms and kitchen.

I really love the grey, black and white combo so after moving in I barely even touched the powder room. 

Here is what is currently looks like:

As you can see, not too much has changed. 

I did replace the mirror with a black framed piece from Marshalls for about $30-40. 

If you look above the toilet, you will see my cheap DIY $9 art.

I actually stumbled upon the pictures while playing around with clip art. I can't even remember what I was looking for, but a majority of these were listed under "vintage ad" or "playbill." The frames were an easy find at the local dollar store. So with the addition of cardstock and printer ink (both of which I already had), this art was an easy $9 and 1 hour project. 

Speaking of bathrooms, I just finished painting the walls in our master bath. 

I know that I said nothing needed to be done when we moved in the house, but there were a few things I just couldn't leave alone.

Please take a look at the master bath (before moving in):

I didn't take a picture of the second half of the bathroom with the toilet and shower, but you get the idea. 

Not pretty.

This was the first room I tackled painting and took care of immediately after moving in.

When I began the master bath, I didn't really have a plan for the rest of the bedroom and just wanted to get rid of the orange/brown/gray/I don't know what else sponge painted walls. So I started with a light blue color, that ended up looking more purple. 

Much better, right? (Note: I also painted the cabinets)

Since the room turned out more purple than blue, I repainted a few months later and got the light denim-blue I originally wanted. (I don't have a picture of that.)

Well, two years later and the master bedroom put together I have decided that the blue walls no longer match. The master bedroom has dark black-brown furniture, neutral walls and bedding with a splash of teal accents. The teal and denim don't look so good together.

Tonight I just finished the last coats of glossy WHITE on my master bath. I'm not exactly sure what made me choose white. I think partly because the room is so small I wanted it to look spacious. I also get ready in this bathroom and the white walls make it much brighter and makeup application-friendly. I plan to use some bright art and accent pieces to keep it from looking too washed out. I'm currently waiting for it to dry before replacing the towel racks, switch covers, etc so I have no photos, yet.  

I'll reveal the new bathroom tomorrow!