A Little Tradition will Begin

My husband loves our son (obviously). He can barely contain his excitement at the idea that in a few months, we'll have another to hold and kiss and cradle and hug.  My husband also, hadn't been able to celebrate Father's Day , since he lost his Dad 23 years ago. This past year, I took the boys out and took some pictures and made the day super special, and just for him. This year, we'll do the same. 


A few posts ago, I told you about how I plan on preparing all old family pictures in our retro-modern (hopefully) dining room/living/entry way. At the stair landing, in the same room we mounted a picture of Nate and his Dad from 1980. It's old, but not that old. It's in the room, but not really. It's a perfect location. It's kind of a transition up the stairs into the modern day chaos we call the playroom. 

This is where it begins...

After I saw it, I had an Epiphany. (Oh, yes, I did!) We'll frame some photos from every Father's Day, black and white, and run them up the stairs in chronological order. Yes, that's it! I have wanted a nice tradition in photos with Gil, but I couldn't figure anything out that wasn't already tired or too corny. Here it is, we have or tradition. 

Father's Day 2011:

I'll pick two or three shots from each year, frame them and mount them.  I'll be sure to update you on this progress of this one. I guess first, we need to paint the wall! 

Chip Away, Chip Away, Chip Away... Dixieland

I am not conventionally organized. (read: I am a mess), and my husband is very orderly. A lot of the time, that's oil and vinegar, but with the house planning and design execution, it has turned out to be a good thing. Our lack of funds for extra things also helped me reign in my wild imagination and prioritize my purchases. ( I call it the Charlie Bucket life.) We meet somewhere in the middle when it comes to selecting projects for each weekend.  


Here is some advice for you. (I am typically not an advice disher) 


Make a list, and chip away. That's it. A lot of websites these days will allow you to create a shopping list, but of course there is always Pinterest to store your ideas, colors and final design plans. (I certainly take advantage)


We have a running shopping list at IKEA online (shocking, right?). I found it to be just as rewarding to remove an item or two from the list. With a penny in my pocket, I did still feel like I was getting things done, and rooms were coming together. 


I would only put a few items in my radar at a time. This has saved me from imminent failure. I stood in our family room (the one with the fireplace) just a few days ago, and started tho think about what still needed to be done and what needed to be purchased. Don't do that. It just worries you, trust me. I put the "things" into dollars, then the dollars into our budget, and in a few "carry the one's" in my head, I wasn't too inspired, or pleased, or underwhelmed. 


The house will come along. It will. It has already, but sometimes it's that final product that you can hardly wait for. What I have to remember is that there is no final product. What fun would that be? I have my chocolate factory. Now, I just need to keep developing the "Three Course Dinner Gum" so no one turns into a blueberry. 

Quick Update - Living Spaces

The family room.
It's getting there, but if you don't mind, please replace the excer-saucer with a womb chair. Just for now.
I am beginning to like the color and movement in this room. Now, I need to tighten it up.   

My little work station
I haven't used it much yet, so it's still nice and neat, and a little stiff. 

Table (*piano bench*)close up
This was black, but we needed a lighter tone. Notice the black coffee table to the right. Not for long! 

Bonus Room
We have the bones of the upstairs playroom. This will hopefully change and get some great color in the next month or so. Fingers crossed! 

Ahh...new beautiful, wonderful, quiet water heater.
This is where our money went this month, but I tell you, it's great. Look at the booster pump on it. Wow. 

On the bright side...

Something Old

Hi there! I want to start by letting you know that I have been attempting some posts about various dishwasher adventures, Roadhouse and the awful 40's style that is marauding out in the land of design these days. I have deleted exactly two posts on accident. Boo. I haven't forgotten the house, the adventure or the fun of moving into a foreclosed home. (eesh)

I have been thinking, for the entry, living room, and dining area, that we'd do a throwback to a cross decade "vintage" look, with just a dash of a twenty first century feel. I thought about this because the only place for my art deco armiore is in that room. The room itself is already black, white and gray, so what the heck? 


Now the room needs a little nostalgia. (and some chairs, but we'll get to that later) What better than to cover the walls with none other than old family pictures. Yes! We already have one blown up and hung in an oval frame. 

It's my dad in the carriage there. Cute, huh? I love grandma's style! It was 1942, by the way. Sorry dad, but remember, mom is still older. 


I have these pictures:

My dad and Aunt Jeanne - I just love this one. What a stud. 

Grandma and Grandpa Herbst (on right) 

...and more of my mom's family, not to mention hubby's kin. I think that these pics will bring a little swagger to the room that a modern shot just can't swing, you get me 
daddy-o? I also like seeing all these pictures up to display our heritage, even if Grandma Julia (not shown above)  has on 3 dresses and stolen shoes. ;) 


No matter what the art on the wall is, I always think that it should mean something to you, and it should invoke conversation. I think we get that done with the huge picture of screaming children from the 40's, yeah? 

My to do list for this room (in order of wishing)


1. Get seating. (I am thinking of buying a twin of our zebra chair in Gil's room and making a little seating area and perhaps a chaise lounge. yum.
2. Pick an accent color. My head always goes to chartreuse. The more I think about it, the more I like it. I must tread lightly so not to over do that one, however. 
3. Get wall cabinets from, guess!, IKEA. They are perfect for that huge open, boring, expansive wall. 
4. Paint the armiore a sexy black. (or just watch my mom do it. that would be just fine too.) 
5. Get a rug. Perhaps a shag. I'd love white, but hubby would go off the deep end with that one. 
6. Get a proper dining table. At first, I thought I wanted a rustic table. Now, I think I want a sleek one in here and I will replace the island in the kitchen with a rustic chopping block or barn wood table. Yes, yes, that makes more sense. 


In the meantime, I have to go cultivate a baby, make dinner, and upfit a warehouse or two and try to find a loving cat a new home. Bye for now! 

This week - Easy Street

Hello everyone! I have been more than lazy at the house this week. I needed a little reprieve. Things have happened there, though. We will have Internet and cable this week, and we are picking up a new TV for the living room. Nothing large, nothing technologically mind blowing. Just a little guy to stream Apple TV and some baseball games. (162 of them or so) We did, however, do some living. We went to the beach. We played in puddles. We cuddled and loved each other.  This week is Easter, and happy one to you all! We'll be indulging in local meats and veggies for a big Easter meal. After that, back to work! I hope your week is filled with warmer breezes, a thought to make you smile and at least one good hug from someone you love. 


Here are some beach moments to share from our week: