Over the past few months we've been working on getting our dining room more 'put together'. We managed to hang a few photos, put up some curtains and install a wall shelf for all our books. It's so nice being able to use this space, considering that only 6 months ago it was filled with tools, wood and sawdust!

before

after

our bedroom chair (i just reupholstered the cushion with striped yellow fabric)

Happy Holidays! ...from our back deck! After being completely inspired by the talented work of my fellow designers at Hoerr Schaudt, I made my first meager attempt at winterizing our planter containers. We had several trimmings left from our Frazier Fir Christmas tree and then we went out and got some Red Osier Dogwood branches to add some color as well. Can't wait to see it once the snow falls tomorrow! I know they're pretty simple but now that I know how to create them I'll probably go all out next year. Hopefully we'll also have some more containers by then!

In other condo news, we FINALLY finished our ongoing light installation project! We got it up this afternoon, and I must say it is so very nice to have a real light again, rather than a hole in the ceiling. We've also updated our bed linens, blankets and pillows. Next, I'll be working on some artwork to go above our bed. So many more projects ahead! Happy Holidays!

the little things...

We've been taking very small (but neccessary) steps over the past couple weeks on the condo. A host of different visitors have stayed with us over the past month (which we have loved, by the way!) so we haven't had any large chunks of time to work on things. But we have been making headway in getting some small things accomplished! Like doorknobs!

As usual I agonized over the style of doorknobs and plates to purchase from Rejuvenation. It was between a beaded metal knob design, glass or the white porcelain. We ended on the porcelain because we like how they contrast the oil rubbed bronze plates and it's also very Victorian inspired. We're also really excited that the plates have keyholes (you can't get those at home depot!)

One other small accomplishment is that we put up some curtains in our bedroom. I know everything is looking very black and white right now... in time, I promise, we will have some color in our lives. The overall plan for our bedroom is for most everything to be black and white with simple pops of color as accents (new duvet and pillow covers soon to come as well as some additional furnishing pieces).

coach house cabinet

The history of the coach house cabinet: So, when I was a kid, my parents rehabbed houses. We moved a lot and were often living in the houses they were fixing up. When we weren't rehabbing a house, we were living with my Grandmother at her old coach house in Wilmette. The house used to be a real stable to the larger house next door. The horses and coaches were kept downstairs and the upstairs was an attic apartment for the coachman. In the 70's my Grandmother bought the place and fixed it up as her little getaway... it was called 'Happy House'.

So we lived there on and off when I was a kid up in the attic apartment. It had 2 bedrooms, a living area, small kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen had the cutest vintage stove and refrigerator. There was also a small countertop for food preparation, which we are assuming the coachman built. Though currently painted with about 3 layers of various paint, the wood is a mixture of oak, birch and maybe mahogony? The back of the piece is actually wood beadboard that was used throughout the coach house itself and the top is possibly zinc - the coolest part being that it has hundreds of knife marks on the top of it from chopping assorted things over the years. We stored all our cereals, cookies, snacks, etc in the bottom roll cabinets and our silverware in the top two drawers.

Now that we have our bedroom all set-up we've decided to rehab the cabinet and turn it into a dresser of sorts, I'm thinking those old storage cabinets would be a great place for jeans and t-shirts! =) We just started the process of scrapping off some of the paint this past weekend. More progress photos to come in the following weeks!

can you tell I made him pose for this one?

bedroom!

We moved into our very own bedroom this past weekend! Horray!! We've finally moved out of the kitchen and in our very own bedroom, and it feels SO nice! =) Ok, so the photo probably doesnt do it justice but after countless hours of patching, caulking, sanding, sawing and painting... the room was in good enough shape to live in; and that's good enough for us! We still have to put on outlet faceplates, install our ceiling light/medallion, finish the door casings and purchase our closet doors. Not to mention decorating! I have plenty of ideas, now I just need to find the time to help make the room truly look finished... but in time I suppose.

The other monumential occurance is that since we moved our bed out of the kitchen, we were able to move our couch and tv in to take it's place! We haven't had a couch/tv in about 3 months, so it's very nice to have that pair back in our lives. Justin and I made a realization while living without these things just how truly lucky and blessed we are to have such luxuries in our lives. Most of the world lives with very little 'space' and very little 'things', yet we live in abundance here in America. For most people here, having a family room with a tv is just a standard way of life. This experience has once again humbled us and shown us how lucky we really are. We are so blessed to have a home of our own and the freedoms to make it exactly what we want. And for that, we are thankful to God.