While I was sad to drop my mom off at the airport last night, I was thankful that we had two weeks to spend with her!

Last week she flew into Iowa and drove with me to Canada. My dad joined us there and we spent a week visiting family and friends.


My awesome parents!

The best part was being able to spend precious time with my sweet Grandma who is bravely fighting brain cancer.


Grandma Kember and I

For having just come through brain surgery and radiation treatments, doesn't she look amazing? I think so!

While we were away, Cameron was hard at work on the house. We wanted to finish mudding and sanding the addition without having Talmadge exposed to all the dust. 

Here's a little tour of the room he worked on while we were gone.

This type of mess is very normal around our place. Things are shuffled from one room to another while we make progress.

Just painting a coat of primer on these walls makes it look better already! Here is the opposite wall from the picture above.  The cabinet unit in the corner is going to be our little coffee bar someday.

As you can see, another door(to our future master bedroom)has been installed.  Actually, there's a total of three(see the bathroom door HERE if you'd like)out of the nine doors we ordered that are now in use!

The picture above is the closet I posted about HERE.  Anyways, that's all I have for now, but will have lots to share as we continue to work on these projects over the next few weeks.

Happy Valentines Day!

First off....Happy Valentines Day to all my readers!  I feel so fortunate to spend the day with the ones I love, and especially to have my mom visiting all the way from AZ!

After Nana gave this little guy his morning bath, we got right to work on the house.

We prepped all the walls and ceiling for priming by wiping them down and touching up dings and scratches with a little drywall mud.

After that we went through a few gallons of primer(bare drywall sucks that stuff up!). I usually do two coats of primer to make sure it's well covered. Primer is always cheaper then paint!

Things are looking better already and we're nearly ready for paint. I'll try to put together a post of some prepping/painting tips later this week for you.  But for now, we're taking a break to do a little shopping!

New doors

A few weeks ago, we ordered the interior doors for our house from Home Depot. This weekend we picked them up and have them stacked in our dining room, ready to be installed!

Cameron wasted no time installing one of the doors though. Can you guess which one?

Yes, we finally have a functioning bathroom door! And a little (much appreciated) privacy. Even without a door handle or trim, it's a step up from the blanket that's been hanging there for a few years.

So, along with installing all the doors, we need to finish the staircase, then prime and paint a few walls. 

Thankfully, my mom is here for a few days and with her help we should make significant progress. Guess that means I'd better get to work. Have a great Monday!

Giveaway Winner!

I'm excited to make someone's Monday great!
The lucky winner of my Graphic Image Giveaway is......

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Deal!

While browsing Pottery Barn to source items for a client project, I came across a great deal for our place!

Since we recently finished residing our house, I've been on the hunt for new house numbers.

Well, the search is over.


Pottery Barn Stencil House Numbers

 Isn't the cut-out design fun?
At $3.99 a piece and free shipping, it wasn't too difficult to get the husband's approval!

They also come in satin nickel, but I think the dark finish will be a nice contrast against our grey siding.

Now I'll need to do something about the sad little mailbox still propped up against the house!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the Graphic Image Giveaway! Today is the last day, I'll be announcing the winner on Monday! ENTER HERE

Bolster Pillows

I'm pretty sure Cameron would be thrilled if I caught on to the idea of bolster pillows. 
He's less then excited about all my decorative pillows! My arguement that they add color, pattern and texture hasn't convinced him to like them either.

Ever since seeing this picture in a Southern Living magazine, it's been something I want to do as soon as we start decorating our house.

Southern Living

I've come across a few more examples and am really liking the impact a single, large pillow has.

Marissa Waddell Interiors

Southern Living



Little Green Notebook

Do you care for this look? Or do you prefer the mix of a couple pillows?

P.S. If you haven't already, make sure to enter my Graphic Image Giveaway this week!! ENTER HERE

Thrifting!

You could say it's an addiction. My rapidly growing collection of chairs is almost getting out of hand. 
Ask Cameron how many bentwood chairs are stacked in the basement waiting to be repaired. Or about the upholstery projects, or my fiberglass Eames chairs....the list goes on.

Well, I just added two more chairs!

It's just too difficult to walk away from a well designed chair. Especially if it's a good deal or free, say, from the curb or dumpster!

I picked these up from Goodwill on Friday. Yes, I braved the cold and snow to do some thrifting! At $12.38 (not $12.50 or $12.99), they were a pretty good deal.  And, they're in awesome condition! I could leave the upholstery as its, but grey tweed + bamboo?? Not the best mix.

I'm crazy about the shape of these chairs and that I found them as a pair. I have yet to decide where they'll go and whether or not I'll paint them when I reupholster them.

In the mean time, a few images of bamboo furniture done right!



All images via Pinterest


Leave them natural or hit them with a can of spray paint? What's your preference??

Speaking of painting furniture, you need to read this post HERE by Emily.  Apparently, some think this "trend" needs to be over.

P.S. If you haven't already, make sure to enter my Graphic Image Giveaway this week!! ENTER HERE