Who Brought the Cool Kid?

Before I get to today's post, let me just say- I'm writing this on my new lappy!  Last time I got a new computer was 6 years ago, so this is kinda super duper exciting for me.  And it came a day early!  Hooray!!! Ok, I'm done with that happy dance and I'll move on to another.  My future nephew's nursery furniture is D O N E!!!!  I delivered it to his room over the weekend and the parents-to-be couldn't be more happy (or so they tell me, although I doubt they'd tell me if they didn't like- that would be awkward- but I hope think they really are pleased).

If you're new here, or just have a bad memory- I had purchased 2 midcentury pieces that were in rough shape for $15 each to refinish so that my nephew will be the coolest newborn in the history of ever.

Dresser Before:

...and the dresser NOW:

and check out the side view:

Sexy, no?  Perfect to grow with a little boy!

The dresser wasn't alone, though.  It had a matching cabinet.  that started out looking like this:

Honestly, the closer you got to the original pieces, the worse they looked.  It was bad.  With MUCH MUCH sanding, I whipped them into shape and here's what the cabinet looks like today:

The original knobs didn't all match and that wasn't kosher, so I had to fix it.  4 of the knobs were kinda cool, but I couldn't find their companions.  I ended up finding 11 matching vintage knobs on ebay for $20 and I like them better than the original.  I'm sooo please with the result on these.  Of course they ended up being much more labor intensive than I planned (because everything ends up being more work than planned, because I suck at time planning) but I'd do it again- maybe for my next niece or nephew.  Now that the room has all it's furniture, it's time to get to the details (i.e. the fun part!!).

So to answer the question in the title of this post- Who brought the cool kid?  My sister did, obviously.

Rain Rain

Pinterest is quite wonderful.  It opens you up to an entire world of beautiful images and amazing resources.  I love how you can click on most images and be brought straight to the source- you learn where to buy it, how to make it, or who created it.  Sometimes, however, you come to a dead end when you REALLY want to find the source... like with this amazing image:

It just puts a smile on my face.  I kind of love it.  lots.  but I have no idea where to get it- HELP!  Any idea where to find it?  who it's by?  have you seen it somewhere else??

HELP!

First World Design Problems

I had started a long winded post, whining about my 'first world problems' and how my how my house isn't where I want it to be yet, but Wordpress deleted my draft.  I think that was the universe telling me to stop b*tching. So I'll listen. After I was forced to say goodbye last week to my 6 year old alienware laptop, I decided to take this opportunity to upgrade.  In 8-10 days, I will have this baby in my hands

a 15" MacBook Pro with the anti-glare screen (not a fan of glossy screens)!!  Kinda excited.  I'm also thinking, now that I'll have a laptop which actually not run outta juice instantly when unplugged, I can start blogging on the train home, giving me more time to blog better.  I know I promised at the new year that I would blog more & blog better, and I've yet to step it up.  I'll have no excuses now!!

Enough with my tangents, let's get to what I was planning to blog about.  As usual, I've been keeping myself quite busy.  I'm putting finishing touches on my nephew's nursery furniture and am hoping to deliver it to his room this coming weekend.  My sister will need a place to put all his gifts that she gets at her baby shower in 2 weeks.  Which is another thing keeping me busy of course.  Shower planning and DIY are full steam ahead.  Maybe for this shower, I'll actually remember to bring my camera (unlike for B's bridal shower- fail).

I'm already mentally working on my next home project which is scheduled to commence in May- maybe mid-April if I'm lucky (between babies, wedding, and birthdays- none of which are mine- my schedule is overloaded).  My dining room is finally going to get some love!  Aside from putting furniture in it and hanging a few curtains, the room is the same as the day we moved in.

This picture is from May.  If you add a little extra clutter, it looks pretty much exactly the same.

My plan for this space include

  • a built in china/liquor cabinet

  • Board and batten

  • A vibrant paint color
  • New lighting
  • Refinished chairs and buffet

I know board and batten is everywhere in DIY blogland lately, but I'm really hoping it's not over-done.  I think it'll be the perfect way to add some period charm to my 100+ year old house and at the same time will give me the opportunity to put a vibrant color above the ledge without turning the room into a cave.  I'm itching to get started, but I have to be patient (not my best quality).  I can start with baby steps and work on regluing and repairing my future dining chairs.  My the time free time allows, I'll be ready to put detailed plans into action.

I can't wait!

I hope I'm not the only one obsessing fixated on future projects.  What projects are you hoping to get to next?

images via apple, pinterest, pinterest