updated project list for our master bedroom

Last night, I lay in bed unable to sleep and started thinking about what projects we have left to finish in our master bedroom. The list is surprisingly not that long which, of course, gave me the itch to get things done. I also already took care of one of the projects last week - changing out all the old electrical outlets and having our lamps rewired - so I am feeling the momentum from that little task.

1.  Replace/Paint Window and Door Trim - Our bedroom is basically the only room in the house to have different window and door trim - so annoying! And while this might sound like a super involved project, I think its actually not that big of a deal because we have really primitive modeling - a simple triangle header with basic 4 1/2" sides. We even have the leftover, pre-primed wood from when we did the project room. Maybe Jeff could accomplish this task in a weekend...

2. Caulk Gap Between Wall and Ceiling - When they installed our nice new ceiling (a year ago!) a gap was left from a difference in material thickness. Jeff has already fixed this issue in the office and again its pretty simple - just some caulk and paint. 

3. Paint Baseboards - A detail I didn't originally tackle. The doors also need to be painted but I think we will just pay to have all the upstairs doors sprayed at one time. Although, I sort of what to change out the existing 6 panels with 2 panels as I think that was what was original to the house.

4. Purchase and Hang Curtains - We have three windows that all have lined bamboo shades but I would really like to layer them with curtains. Curtains tend to always be an expensive project even if you are not doing custom so I having been searching the sale inventories and am interested to see if our new Ikea might have something. I go back and forth between wanting white or a soft pattern or West Elm has some chambray that have caught me eye. 

Belgian Heavyweight Textured Linen Curtains via Restoration Hardware

Linens and Draperies by Les Indiennes via Luxe 

Cotton Canvas Chambray Print Curtain via West Elm

5. Armoire - We have an old Ikea armoire that I was all excited about moving into our bedroom and painting a soft color. Then I looked at the piece a little more careful and I don't think it would be worth the effort. So now I am searching for a Craigslist one to refinish!

Bedroom Cupboard by Plain English

6. Purchase a floor lamp - We don't have overhead light in our room so I have been meaning to get us a floor lamp for the longest time. I am thinking brass.

Other things more on the long term/be patient list are: purchase a spindle bed (I never stop searching!), hang more art, find an interesting chair to place in the corner (next to the floor lamp), always love more bed linens and re-work our closet. 

For similar posts see this Spindle Bed entry, a bedroom inspiration post with Bradshaw Kirchofer or for inspiration images of bamboo shades click here. 

fixer upper season 2

I must not have been the only person to enjoy the pilot season of HGTV Fixer Upper as Chip and Joanna Gaines are back for round two. Airing Tuesday nights at 8 PM central, the show's format is pretty much the same as the first season which I think is a good thing (see my original post about the show here). Chip and Joanna are just so easy to watch as they seem to be genuine people who truly enjoy what they do. Below is a selection of my favorite home transformations from both seasons one and two. 

This house was maybe in the worst condition of any of the homes featured on season one. The house had been abandoned for several years and was probably close to being condemned. Miraculously, Chip and Joanna were able to bring it back to life and make it a great home for their carpenter and his young family. 

In episode eleven of season one, the Gaines undertook this outdated country home and I just love the exterior transformation. And that tree!

The last episode of season one is maybe my favorite to date.  The architecture of this particular home was just so unique and desperately needed to be saved and preserved. 

In the first episode of season two, the Gaines did a really nice job of giving back character to this historic bungalow. I especially like the paint color with the natural wood accents as well as the landscaping.

In this week's episode, Chip and Joanna were tasked with renovating this horrible exterior very clearly from the 80s. And while its still not great (bad bad bad proportion and scale) its about a thousand times better. 

If your interested in seeing more - watch the show! And check out the Magnolia Homes website as well as Joanna's blog.

Have a great weekend everyone and happy watching!

jersey ice cream co.

Jersey Ice Cream Co. is a design firm unlike any that I have ever encountered. They are "homeless home designers". A design duo that not only relocates for each new project but moves into the house they are renovating! Their premise is that by totally emerging themselves in a space they "create homes that feel true to themselves - sincere yet functional - the homes they were always meant to be"(Jersey Ice Cream Co.). Its a pretty radical idea that seems to be working for Tara Mangini and Percy Bright as their work is popping up all over the blogosphere and in major publications. They focus largely on historic properties and seem to have knack for transforming spaces back to their original glory. Just check out these incredible before and afters.