Simplifying our stash (and a freebie!)

Sometimes I'll get an email asking me for renovation tips. I don't usually have much sage advice to share but I finally have something that every single homeowner should do. Organize your paints!!

While the renovation was going on, making sure our paint colors were all neatly labeled was just about the last thing on our minds. After the reno, we were all too happy to wave good-bye to our contractors and throw all of the supplies in the basement. As a result, we have a little corner of the basement that looks like a defunct hardware store. Most of the cans have no indication of what's inside.



So as three years have gone by our walls have suffered the inevitable dings and scuffs that moving in bring.

Mr. Limestone and I have been talking about sitting down and getting this task of touching up done for at least a year now. Its not a very glamorous task so it just got pushed and pushed until it could wait no more. The hardest part was figuring out which colors went with which rooms. And since we were going through the pain of sorting through it, we didn't want to end in this predicament again. Organization was the only option. He brought home some pretty little paint cans and we got to work. While I know a simple scribble with magic marker would have done the job, I decided they should be pretty too. So I designed some simple labels to use on the cans.


We sorted, stirred and poured.

We went around the house with tiny paint brushes touching up here and there. Was a bit worried it would be splotchy but the beauty of flat paint is that you can't tell the touch ups from the original coat. Ahh, relief.

I filled out the labels and Mr. L came up with the genius idea to paint the top of the can so we had a better swatch to work with next time we needed to touch up.

In the end we didn't really completely knock out the giant mountain of mystery paint cans but we got a lot done. Maybe one more round and we'll be in good order.

If this post has you itching to organize your own paint stash, I'll lend a hand in by sharing the labels.


******Download the labels here.******

If you end up using these or you have your own tips, I'd love to hear about it.

Breaking down the bedroom projects

In spite of some serious efforts this weekend, I'm not quite finished with the bedroom. I need to make a few more tweaks but I'm feeling good about it. (I even broke my personal rule of photographing rooms only during daylight hours to show you...but its not the most accurate portrayal of the color. Ill have some better photos for you next week.)

If you remember last week's post, I put together my ideas. I decided to add yellows and grays to the existing color scheme and now that I see in the flesh, I love it. No surprise that I like the grays, creams and blues (since that is everywhere else in my house) but the pop of yellow adds just what I wanted in here. I know this color scheme may not be for everyone but its exactly what I imagined so Im really happy with it.

But lets talk about some of the details. First off for the walls. I randomly found this fabulous vintage photo on flickr and wanted to use it somehow. So I got out some paintbrushes and did my best in recreating it in acrylics with a twist on the colors.

Hardly a masterpiece, I think its a fun way to subtlely personalize the space with something I did by hand. I'm not convinced its location over the bed is the right place. I might switch this around a bit but I'll have to play musical walls this weekend.

Using some of this lovely fabric from Amy Butler, I pulled out the sewing machine to make two pillow cases. Thanks to the those who answered my calls for help on twitter! It really was a simple project - too me about an hour (excluding the time to wash and dry the fabric first)


After a lot of searching, I finally found a dresser I loved. (This was one of the two items I mentioned purchasing at FIND.) I needed something to sit in the space left of the fireplace tohold the cable box so a little bit of additional storage was welcomed as well. I searched forever for a second hand or budget piece of furniture but never found something that didn't have a major issue. Once I spotted this commode, I fell in love. The curvy shape and the slightly distressed finish was exactly what I wanted.

After I got it home, I realized just how substantial it was. Its made of a very heavy hardwood and its finish is well applied. So it made me feel better for splurging on it.

So I'm just about there. Its not perfect but its getting close to something I'm happy with. More to come before I call it done. Ill share more details then.

Love Actually is all around (with a freebie!)

One of my absolute favorite movies is Love Actually. The title line, "Love actually is all around", is part of the voice over introduction filmed at Heathrow's International Arrivals Lounge. I love the movie but that intro always makes me misty eyed.

With my favorite movie and Valentines Day in mind, I wanted some to do something sweet for the blog. I'm sure actual flowers and chocolate would be appreciated, it would definitely be a budget buster. Instead, consider this a tiny early Valentine for each of you. Just download and print.

{ CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD }

I have it hanging in my cube for a little pick me up while I wait for Spring to arrive. I hope you can enjoy it with me.

Attention small businesses:

If you would like to become a sponsor, I'd love to have you. Email me with any questions.

Mental Getaway

Its January and that time has come. I'm just sick of winter. Actually NYC has been really lucky - we've hardly had to deal any storms (yet!), its brillantly sunny out right now and its not even that cold. I've just had my fill - I want warmer air, more hours of daylight, flowers blooming. The crisp cold air is great to get me into the holiday spirit but every year around now I grow tired of it.

So what else is a girl to do but daydream about warmer climates and exotic locations? And my daydreams are quite dangerous because I tend to actually want to go to these places. For now, its all just a dream. Take a mental vacation courtesy of these amazing photos found on flickr. The best part? No packing necessary!


Taj Mahal, India by Stuck in Customs


Santorini, Greece by colored notes


Dead Sea, Isreal by xnir


Somewhere between Kenya and Tanzania by alles-schlumpf

And while we do have a few trips planned in 2010, none of the locales above are on the agenda as of now. So I'll just have to settle for the mental getaway for today.

Where are you dream jetting off to?

2009 Home Resolutions Revisited

Much like everyone else, January is a time to reflect on what I have (or have not) accomplished in the last 12 months. A bit more than a year ago, I posted this home decor to-do list.



So how did I do? Lets go to the blog files!

#1 I totally did clean out the box room. Admitedly, it was watching an episode of Hoarders that motivated me but its done.
Score: 1 me, 0 to-do list.

#2, This room is not really quite finished yet (a few more little things are needed) nor did it even get this far until Jan 2010. But hey - I should get some credit, right? So lets call it a split.
Score: 1.5 me, 0.5 to do list



#3. In fairness, I didn't really need that much in here but I did find 3 pieces of furniture for the bedroom without spending a fortune. 2 second hand nightstands and 1 Target chair. I'm deducting 0.25 for never getting around to painting the nightstand on the left.
Score: 2.25 me, 0.75 to-do list



# 4. Not sure about this one. I did manage a couple of things like those black lamps. And I did put quite a bit of time into those collages.


But I really didn't finish. So I can only justify a measly quarter of a point.
Score: 2.5 me, 1.5 to-do.

#5. Total failure here. I did get one closet organized for about 10 minutes (while all of the other closets in the house remained in complete chaos) and then I messed it up immediately afterward.
Score: 2.5 me, 2.5 to-do

Eek! This is a close one.

#6. Huzzah - I definitely got the guest bedroom done. In your face, to-do list!

Score: 3.5 me, 2.5 to-do

#7. Hmmm... another tough one. I did finally get a coffee table, covered up the open windows, added 2 purdy & cheap damask ottomans, made a fun personalized pillow.

But most of those things aren't really accessories, are they? The problem is I really don't know how to accessorize in here. I don't like clutter. My cat knocks things over. I'm verry happy with all the major pieces. But a finished room has accessories! So call me confused..I just don't know what to do beside lay on the couch. Suggestions are welcome but until I sort it out, Im giving myself no points on this front.

Final score: 3.5 me, 3.5 to-do.

So how did I do? I guess it depends on how you keep score. If this were a test, I would have a score of 50% - clearly a big fat F! Or if you are of the sporting mind, its a draw. Either way - I hope I have better luck this year.

So what is on your home to-do list for 2010? How did you do in 2009?

Vexed in the bedroom.

Generally I tend to have a very good idea of what I want a room to look like when Im done with it. I have lots of ideas to start, toss them around in my head for a while and decide. I can usually "see" what its going to look like at the end without much effort. Did you notice how I wrote 'generally'? That’s because there is one room that has vexed me (yes, I said vexed. Dramatic, right?) - our master bedroom. It’s the only room where I've never had a proper vision for how it will come together. Sure, I've flailed about trying different things but, not surprisingly, have never been happy with the result.

I admit, this room has certainly come quite a long way from 3 years ago.



When it came to finishing it off, I was stumped. Who knows why?

If you've been reading for a while, you'll know I had the finishing the master bedroom as a home resolution for 2009. EPIC FAIL! Sure I did make a few bits and pieces of progress. I got a lovely headboard and nightstands. The ornate frame got sprayed and hung over the fireplace. I designed some romantic collages that make me misty. I managed some giant silhouettes with a scroll saw and my fingers intact. But still, it just wasn't looking finished.



So when I won a virtual decorating package from Paula Grace Designs, Inc., I knew exactly what I was going to use it for. And she sent me a great binder full of ideas - a rug choice that was perfect, beautiful fabric swatches for linens, an amazing chaise lounge chair for the area around the bay windows. She had a vision! (Of course she did - she is a talented professional! If you need some proper interior design help, this is a fabulous service.)




I now had someone elses ideas for this room! I stared at that binder for a while before I realized that it wasn't what I had envisioned for the room. And poof - there it was, the idea that had been alluding me for so long. I did take some of her suggestions so that alone helped me a great deal...I just went a slightly different way. More importantly, she helped me crystallize my own ideas.

So I started the hunt for the items I needed. I will admit I spent a good bit deal more than I originally had hoped. I just couldn't find the pieces I need at my usual cheap haunts. Ultimately I decided after struggling in here for 2 years, a couple of splurges were in order. Of course I mixed in some diy and budget friendly options as well. Here is a sneak peak at what I have in mind.



So you're wondering where my after pictures are, right? Sorry - I don't have them because I haven't put much of it together yet. I have most of the pieces ready to go and one little sewing project to finish before I can put do a presto chango. I'm kind of nervous now that I've really took the plunge. What if I hate it? Either way - Ill tackle that this weekend. Wish me luck!

Style & Skill Crush: FIND home furnishings

This time around, I'm not fawning over another blog but a local brick and morter store. Aptly called, FIND home furnishings - this store sits on one of the most unassuming blocks in Brooklyn. I stumbled on it completely by accident (Its sits right across the street from Lowes, so I stumble on it a lot!)

I admit I've been lurking in there, just browsing, for quite a while. I never made a visit without having a long list of things I wanted to bring home with me. The space is huge - full of furniture and accessories to keep me occupied for entirely too long.

This time around, I spoke to the owners who were very approachable and knowledgeable. We talked about home decor trends - everything from mid century mod to Scandanavian limed. They were kind enough to let me snap some photos to share with you.

The store is broken into little vignettes. Each are outfitted as if you just walked into some (impossibly stylish) apartment where the owners just steped out. I struggle with accessories so this is a skill I'm really quite in awe of.

This industrial library corner was definitely my favorite. Bookshelf with ladder? Metal map cabinet? Old books? Swoon.


And I'm still thinking of these gorgeous coffee sack upholstered chairs!



If you are in the area, definitely make a detour to stop here. The website has a several of their larger pieces but you can't really get the full effect without stepping over the threshold. And it just so happens everything in the store is 30% off right now so yet another reason to stop in.

You may have guessed already but I did finally buy something. Well, two things. I'll show you their new homes in a future post.

3 years and counting..

This week marks the third anniversary of our house closing. To be honest, it feels so much longer than just three years. Thinking back to the state of the house in Jan 2007 - no heat or running water, frayed wires, a leaky roof, broken windows, cracked plaster, water damage, the works! - it seems like a lifetime ago. For those that haven't been here at the beginning, I think a look back is in order.


---------dining room ------------------my office---------------- guestroom---------------

-------parlor bathroom---------------master bath------------guest bathroom---------

-------------hallway------------------ living room------------------- kitchen----------------

Oh how far we've come...

---------dining room ------------------my office---------------- guestroom---------------

-------parlor bathroom---------------master bath------------guest bathroom---------
-------------hallway------------------ living room------------------- kitchen----------------

As much as renovating was rewarding, I must admit Im so happy to not have to deal with the contractors, the decisions, the bills, the dirt and the hassle everyday. Its nice to be able to focus on the smaller, less urgent projects on my own timetable.

Hope you enjoyed the little flashback. If you have any questions about the renovation that I haven't already answered, just ask.

If you are curious, you might want to check out some past Q&A posts: here , here , here , and here.