Put a bird on it!

Yes, I am affraid of all birds. Most people who have ever met me, know this about me. I am the girl on a happy hour patio dodging any bird within a 20 foot radius.

But man-oh-man, I love a good bird print!

So I am working on the "closet that doesn't have a purpose" and I wanted to add a little something special in there. Again, this closet is off the main living area and if anyone popped in for a look I want it to be semi presentable. I am really into wallpaper right now and have been browsing around my favorite websites for cool, non boring, non floral, non 70's prints. But I know nothing about wallpaper except that I hate what's in my house right now.

I really just wanted to line the back of the wacky shelves. They are all different sizes and I knew I wouldn't be able to find storage containers to fit all of them. Just a cute little print for the back wall. Maybe to distract from all the crap that will eventually fill these shelves.

I am super lucky in that I have some art supplies within an arms reach every day. To end the semester in my Design class I am teaching print making so I was taking inventory on supplies. While I'm digging through my cabinet-o-art I decided I would try to make my own wallpaper. I'm crazy I know. I did a quick sketch of an owl that is somewhere between cute and thoughtful. Did a quick linoleum cut and Voila! I have a stamp! This process is so super easy. I literally did the entire thing start to finish in 30 minutes. Yes, I know owls are trendy right now but I thought since it is such a small space when they go out of style next month no one will really notice.

He looks a little scary here.

Is it concerning that I went from gathering supplies for class to working on something totally unrelated. This is how my brain works most days. It's amazing I don't have my students sewing curtains....oooohh, idea!

This is what I do during my planning period....shhhh, don't tell!

So my first thought was to print right onto the wall. But with the texture and awkward size of the shelves I thought contact paper was my next best option. Mr. R splurged on the 20 inch roll for $11 and it was plenty for my little job. I measured the shelves and cut the contact paper and then started printing away.

My really fancy contact paper from Lowe's. $11!

Printing away, I got the stamp of approval from Mr. R.

Getting the contact paper on the wall was the most difficult part. Really because I kept trying to hang it while it was still wet. Patience....I am learning! I have to say I really like it. For the space, the contact paper solution worked perfectly. And really the best part is that it peels right off, no need to repaint anything. The contact paper does have a little bit of a shine to it but the printing ink dulls it up a bit.

 See the wacky shelf sizes. What were these people thinking?

What's really cool about the linoleum print is that I can use it on anything and use any color.

I might make my sweet sis some stationary. Owls are just one of the many things she collects.

I am not saying my contact paper/wall art is anything close to what is out there right now in the real wallpaper world. There are so many cool prints but I just can't afford them! My little owl print is working just fine for now and for $11 my sweet husband can't complain.

Owl wallpaper from Anthropologie $148 and $108.

Thanks for reading and following this baby blog. I am having so much fun with this house. If only there were more hours in the day, more days in a weekend, and more money in my pocket. This weekend we are working on our neglected yard. It is really sad! Hopefully I will have some more house photos soon.

Happy Weekend!

Much to do about nothing

So we have this closet....

I don't even know how to start this post. Hmmmm. If you have ever been in/lived in an old house you know that the closet situation is less than ideal. Our house is no different. We have clothes spread out in every room. Getting dressed in the morning is like a naked scavenger hunt, and I mean that in the most non sexy way.

Ok, so we have this closet. It is off the main living/kitchen/breakfast room and I am pretty certain it was the laundry room in a past life. When they added on the new addition circa '75 they moved the wash room and transformed this space into a pretty awesome closet. But what the heck and I supposed to put in here? My clothes? That wont be weird at all when we have guests over. Sorry to interrupt your lunch, can I squeeze by and get my pants?

What once was nasty carpet is now our awesome tile that is through out the kitchen and back den.

All of the shelves are different sizes. So hard to find storage boxes!

So now I am stuck. Does this become a craft closet? Filled with wrapping paper, sewing supplies, and glitter? Oh, but the space is so nice. My spring dresses could breath in here. My pants could hang free without and weird crease from the hanger. Any past roommate, suite mate, sibling, or husband will tell you I have a clothes clutter issue. This is not to be confused with dirty or messy because I am neither. It is a simple flaw in that I hate hanging up clothes. Or putting away clothes. Or wearing the first outfit I try on for the day. It's pretty serious by the weekend and I usually have a pile as tall as me. Sorry old roommates! So having my dressing closet in the main part of the house might pose a problem......OR!!!! It might solve my clothes clutter problem and I would be forced to hang up my multiple discarded outfits every morning. I know, I know, probably not.

Do I turn the biggest closet in the entire house in my crafting area?

The closet has been scrubbed and painted a crisp white. The ceiling is the famous baby blue from the laundry room. I think it adds a little something when the ceiling is a different color than the walls. And since there was a little blue left, I thought why not. I need some non-ugly storage containers, maybe some garment bags for non seasonal clothes, and maybe a few baskets. The weirdest thing about this closet is that someone build these really substantial shelves but they are all different sizes.

Stay tuned....

It ain't over til it's over

I have to keep reminding myself that this house will not be finished next week. This house will not even be finished next year. Home renovation and decorating is not a race. Decorating a house is a constant evolution of ideas, trends, and tastes. I'm trying desperately to avoid the trends!

The R's are staying put for awhile so what's the rush, right? 

It's hard for me to relax when I see little projects unfinished. And let me tell you, there are some projects around here! I am trying very very hard not to spend our last dollar on decorating. My husband has been very kind in reminding me that we have planned for different phases. There is a timeline and we need to stick to it.We want to retire one day, and travel, and have a slew of kids running around! I wonder how long this little house will hold us? Hopefully long enough for me to wallpaper the bathroom!

I have been very good so far. It's hard to spend money when you have zero free time to shop for anything.
I relaxed a little bit when I was browsing around one of my favorite blogs today, Brooklyn Limestone. Her posts span years. Some rooms are still not finished. It's a totally fabulous blog you should check it out. Or -Old Town Home- , they have been working on their house for 9 years! Definitely puts this whole home ownership into perspective. Maybe a few more bike rides and a little less compulsive closet painting.

Oh Craig!

Have you ever bought anything from Craigslist? I have not....until tonight. We drove clear across Dallas county but we came home with a mid century dining table and 6 total awesome chairs. All for...

wait for it...

wait for it....

You can see the wall opened up on the left. We need to get serious about this painting. Mint green aint cuttin' it!

Do you like the paint swatches on the back wall? Welcome to our life!

$100! I know! It was the guys great grandmothers! It needs refinishing and the cushions need to be re-covered but for the price, I am very happy! It looks great in the space. Yippy!

We spent another great weekend down at the Brazos House. Feeling very blessed to have such loving families.

Happy Easter!

Always a bridesmaid...

Ok, ok, I got to be a bride too! Today we had such a beautiful shower for one of my best friends Tiffany. Here are just a few pics of the decor which was so super cute! It was so fun getting all of the friends and family together. And most of all seeing the fabulous goodies the future MRS gets to take home! She has such great taste.

We had all of the brides favorite snacks. Powdered donuts, gummy bears, and skittles were scattered throughout the house....and lots more yummy food. We had so much fun putting it all together before the guests arrived. I have to say it was the easiet shower I have ever thrown. Can't wait until the big day.

I also have to add that I recieved a bomb diggity hostess "thank you" gift. Kate Spade hot pink earrings! Ummm, I will throw a shower everday if I get fun gifts like this. I am going to publically apologize for the hostess gifts I gave....not this cool!

Hello new everyday earring! I love you!

Happy Wedding!

Laundry Love

Well it's kind of a before and after. More like a before and "currently in the state of functional". The washer and dryer have arrived and I could not be happier. I am using I and not we here because I have been the one tromping back and forth to the laundry mat.

Unfortunately the laundry room is not quite a room, more like a closet. It is right off the main living area so I want  it to be pretty at a glance.There is a lot of space though. Plenty of storage cabinets and enough wall space to hang the ironing board. The original floor was a disgusting linoleum circa 1975. Dirty, dusty, and dingy...the trifecta that has been the most common theme for our little house so far.

Are you grossed out yet?

Cabinets and walls were a dingy yellowed cream??? With a splash of gross! Ever inch had to be scrubbed and painted. The grey on the paint swatch turned out to be the babiest blue I have ever seen. Words of wisdom, buy the sample paint before you buy the gallon! Well, I made it work. I got over the fact that the laundry room could double as baby boy's nursery and moved on. I also wanted to put a decorative element on the cabinet doors, just to give a little interest. I brainstormed for about a day....or like an hour. Chalkboard paint on the cabinets? Chevron? Stripes? I went with a herringbone print. Instead of solid color I decided on a rougher look.

My very technical measurements.

A pattern like this needed to be semi accurate so I made myself a homemade pattern. I just measured a few things and figured out what looked best. I little ruler action and some tracing I was ready to roll. I recruited a little helper along the way too. Look at that concentration! I will say the area she painted is my favorite. That girl is gifted!

MG hard at work....gosh I love her!

I want to put something clean and fresh on top of the cabinets because it feels really empty up there. Milk glass maybe??? Ideas??? I had this totally awesome "A" just laying around the garage. An awesome wedding gift from my sister-in-law. I thought it went perfect with the grey and blue paint. I will hang the ironing board underneath once I get it finished.

What we still need....
Lighting
Ironing board hooks
Ironing board cover

What would be nice to have eventually but not high on any priority list....
Cool narrow rug

Happy Washing and Drying!

Mad about Mad Men

I know the entire world is mad about Mad Men but we especially love it. After every episode I ask Mr. R to go out and buy me a pack of cigarettes. While he is out I'll put on my house dress and paint my nails red. This never happens by the way....but doesn't Betty make smoking look so glamorous!

I have a love hate relationship with every character. Pete...hate! Joan....love! Betty.....crazy! January Jones is so stinkin' beautiful though! Don...I go back and forth. Peggy....I question her decisions almost daily but I like her most of the time. I feel like I know them!!!

We love the show so much we might have had Mad Men themed engagement pictures taken. Ok, we did....but it was a very loose theme! They were pretty amazing I have to say. Thanks to Emma Goode Photography who is just all around awesome! If you forgot how photogenic my husband is, here is a little reminder.

We haven't seen the season premiere! I keep plugging my ears when I hear people talking about it. But tonight's the night. Two hours together watching our favorite show. I am super excited!

Happy Imaginary Smoking!