Currently Coveting: For The Home

Spring fever has started, which for a Midwestern is rough. At least two months of cold weather to go, and counting. For those of you in warmer climates, I want to be you. 

With Spring Fever comes the urge to purge, one of my all time favorite hobbies (you wouldn't know it if you saw my kids rooms, but I swear it is true). And the biggest bonus of emptying clutter is seeing the spaces you are in more clearly and what might be added. 

Smartly, of course. 

After the clean out is done, add a few items to enhance your space. And of course make you happy, most importantly. 

Here is what is on my current wish list. 

1. This pretty mirror would bring some whimsy to the dining room. 2. Always on the hunt for a good runner, loving this one 

3. A modern print would add a great mix to usual antique wall art  4. Worship these ceramic canisters for pretty open shelf storage  

5. Mary could use these pink velvet drapes in her room. Other colors and great price  

6. An abstract painting that would bring some color into a space  

7. Blooming magnolia branches before the real thing starts. Silk is also an option, really 

8. Our family room couch needs a refresh. Thinking these bloom and print pillows would be a good mix  

9. A large white washed platter for my coffee table to hold remote/candle/candy 

10. An extra set of silverware in brass is so fun. These are on super sale 

11. Our kitchen has no clock, its weird. This wood one would bring some warmth 

12. I have a few of these classic French glasses and they are perfect for little hands. and big clumsy ones too.  

13. Having a few favorite photos in black and white  placed in these rose gold frames would be SO pretty  

14. A marble butter keeper to feel fancy for under $20

xo

Erin 

Kitchen Details

 I gave a little glimpse into our kitchen the other day on Instagram and I got a lot of questions about the details and sources. 

We kept out kitchen footprint almost the same, but expanded the island and attached our kitchen table to it based on spacing. I WORSHIP the pedestal under the kitchen table surface. I designed it with Artifactual Furniture Co. which did many projects in the house and I love them. The floors were original to the house, we just had them sanded and stained in this dark color. The wood has a lot of red, so I was not able to lighten them up asI would have liked, but the dark floors feel right for the traditional style of the house. Here are some other sources. 

1. I searched for the prettiest, but sturdiest (our last one was pricey and broke) pull down faucet I could find and loved the details of this Waterstone Faucet. We used this brand for filtered/hot water and this for the pot filler as well. 

2. We ordered our cabinets through Wellborn. It is a classic shake with a bit of edging detail. The island is in Bleu and the rest of the kitchen is Glacier. 

3. Our countertops are Aurea Stone. This was a new product for our fabricator and it is beautiful. It has all the best qualities and durability of quartz, but the veining has a lovely depth to it that sets it apart. It was less expensive than Ceaser Stone as well. 

4. Wishbone chairs come in a lot of price points, but I went with the lowest I could find (back in stock soon). I love the natural seat base, but my kids still fling tomato sauce and play with play doh so I wanted something I could easily replace with no pain. This natural finish is nice too. And these are a bit nicer. 

5. Fireclay Tile is such a top notch company. I worked directly with one of their reps and came up with concept design together. I wanted a fun shape and love the large size. We incorporated in the gray/bleau so the kitchen was not so stark white. 

6. I actually got this Caitlyn Wilson rug for our back door on her last sale. I think want to order in the runner size for in front of the sink now as I love the softness it brings to the room. 

7. My knobs and pulls are Atlas. Just wanted something classic in polished nickel. I also chose something that would not be painful price wise to switch out as now I feel like I want to switch it to brass. 

8. I found my giant dough bowl at a local antique store, but even PB is selling them now. It brings some warmth and is a great catch all/fruit basket. This one and this one on Esty are great finds and prices. 

Let me know what other questions you have. I will try and post more photos as time goes on and each room feels more finished. 

Ask any questions as well! 

xo

Erin 

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Kitchen Table + Chairs

I am so excited that my table and chairs have come! Thank you for all your feedback when I was deciding, it made ordering new things sight unseen a lot less scary. As you remember, this was the old set (and old wall color). It was a great set that we ended up selling on Craigslist (first time!), but the dark color was too much with the dark floors and island. 

The new set is so much more bright and cheery. It seriously lightens up the entire space. 

I love the style of the Boerum table from West Elm. It has a farmhouse feel, but is in a modern style of a Parsons. This is the natural finish. And you will not believe that a table this large and of this quality was only $600. 

The Serena & Lily Riviera chairs were worth my obsession for a year. I LOVE them. The navy is the perfect color woven with bright white. Again, the quality is really nice, which scared me given the price and the fact I had never seen them in person. 

Another bonus to both pieces is there are easy to clean and durable for the kids. The chairs wipe clean and the table does not show every finger print like a dark stained version does. 

Such a fun addition to the house. And a huge relief that it all worked out after only shopping on the Internet. What do you think? 

xo

Erin  

Dining In

I have been kind of obsessed with getting a new kitchen table and chairs for the last month. It is something we really do not need, but since I feel like I live in our kitchen/family room I want a change. 

 This is our current set up....

The table is really nice and so are the chairs, it is just annoying how the floors and the furniture are the same exact color. 

I have LOVED the Riveria chairs from Serena & Lily for awhile, so I know I want those as replacements. Has anyone ordered them before? 

For the table I want something affordable that can will  get destroyed by my children over the next few years. But that has some style and goes with the style of our home. West Elm delivers with this Parson's style table but in a rustic patina hued wood. 

Table: West Elm, Chairs: Serena & Lily

What do you think? Do you like the combination of modern lines with rustic and bistro style? I am loving it, Matt thinks the chairs are weird (rattan? really?), but I have always wanted them. 

Would love to get by Christmas maybe.....

xo

Erin 

Coming Home to Fresh Paint

We are back from our trip to see the grandparents and falling back into line is taking a few days. How nice is it to have your parents around to help with your kids? I am so grateful that they want to be so involved and allow me to take a nap. 

While we were away the painters did a few jobs around the house, the first being our family room/kitchen. Previously it was a buttery off white that normally would be fine, but it bugged because the kitchen cabinets were also off white. The fact they matched has bothered me since we moved in. 

Here is what the room was like before...

I chose a cool, calming icy gray (Sherwin Williams Ice Cube). Something much lighter that gives me more options for decorating down the road. This new color has made me like the kitchen cabinets more and just has a fresher look than before. Don't mind my little model...

I am a little annoyed that the painters forgot to paint the ceiling in between the beams. Those are always the things that happen when you are away when the job is getting done. But even Matt says that this new color makes all the other rooms (all that buttery white) need new paint too, so they will be coming for a visit again soon. We also had our room painted, which I will share once a couple more pieces

 come in.

What do you think? Not a huge change and hard to tell in photos, but I love it. 

PS: Need some new throw pillows, any suggestions???? 

xo

Erin 

Bringing the Outside In

The spaces that end up most inspiring to me are those that actually look like they can be lived in. They are more casual and have an eclectic mix of patterns and textures that is easier to recreate than something that looks formal and totally "done." One material that I love in spaces is rattan and bamboo. It almost feels like these pieces are meant for the patio, but look fantastic in a living room or kitchen. Plus, it gives off that whole beach-y, relaxed vibe that makes your space look inviting and comfortable. 

I LOVE this living room. Totally eclectic and fun. 

These chairs make a fun statement and bring warmth to the room. 

Again, eclectic. Makes you feel like you can put it together with some things you already have. 

I have been eyeing these Ikea chairs for awhile. Look how great they look with a cushion and colorful pillow. 

Chairs are so insanely expensive, so the rattan options can give you some seating options that do not feel like they will break you. 

1. Pier One $299

2. Byholma from Ikea $94

3. Serena & Lilly $450 (Just for fun, but I kind of want one)

4. Stella from Home Decorators $299

5. Pottery Barn $179

6. Storsele from Ikea $119

7. Pier One $159

8. Almsta from Ikea $99

9. Furbish $795 (pricey, but look comfy)

xo

Erin 

Renovation Results

Renovations are truly labors of love. One day you are smitten with the vision you are seeing come together before your eyes, the next it is four months later and you are still trying to cross those final items off the list. 

Our new house had been completely renovated recently, except for the basement level. While finished, it needed a complete gut. We took everything down to the studs (about 1200 sq ft) and came up with a simple design that would be functional, airy, and satisfy our needs for years to come. 

Since it was a basement, the entire concept was to keep it fresh and light. Matt and I worked alone with our contractor, which was a learning experience, especially for me. My desire to use a designer was trumped by our enthusiasm to conquer this project ourselves. The outcome is fantastic, but I absolutely learned a lot. While there are a few details I overlooked because of my "amateur" status, they most likely would never be noticed by anyone else. 

The basement consists of a large family room, half kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It was not a walkout basement when we started, so we had a door cut (through the foundation) into the stairwell to the outside. This alone took two more weeks than we had planned, but it is amazing to have that access to the backyard. 

We are still waiting for furniture for the family room, so I will wait to share pictures of that space. I have also not decorated the spaces yet. Nothing on the walls, accessories, etc. All in due time! I am so excited to show you what we have done. 

Bathroom...

To make all the spaces cohesive, we used Benjamin Moore Pebble Beach on all of the walls with white trim. To contrast with the light walls and ceiling, we picked slate tiles on the floors. 

The granite is absolute black to keep it really clean looking. We used very affordable fixtures throughout since this space will not be used very often. Everything is from the Moen Banbury line. The nautical light fixtures are from Shades of Light. We chose white subway tile to keep it classic with one band of cobalt glass tiles to break it up a bit. My contractor used some extra trim to build the mirror.

 Bedroom...

The nice thing about this bedroom is that it has a full size window, something you do not normally see in basements. The carpet (wish I would have vacuumed it before taking the picture!) is Martha Stewart in Thunderhead. 

Everything was from our old house except for the dresser, which I got at Ikea. I am obsessed with the glossy white front and patina colored wood. 

Kitchen...

We used the same materials in the kitchen as the bath to be cohesive. The granite bar top matches the bathroom, then we used butcher block for the rest of the space. I am really into the mix of materials. We used a carpenter to build everything, including the counter tops. It took a lot less time then ordering them through a cabinetry company. 

He built these deep drawers and tons of space to hold just about everything in our house. I am on the hunt for some art to hang on that empty wall. 

While tiles was not our first choice to finish out the ceiling, we decided on not dry walling since we are unsure of other work we might want to do soon. Tiles make it a lot easier to get to any duct work, wiring, etc. The washer and dryer is a bit bigger than we anticipated, but the fact we have a second set of full size machines makes me giddy. The microwave is also a convection, which doubles up the cooking appliances. 

And there it is! Months of work and still working on the rest of it. It has been so fun to start using the space a bit and this "in-law" suite will be well used over the holidays. Once the couch that Kate Marker Interiors ordered for me comes in, I will share the family room. Think tons of built ins, toy chest bench, and a comfy deep navy couch to curl up on. 

xo

Erin 

Turn Up the Lights

And then there was light...

I finally got to take out the lamps I had been using in the kitchen and flip a switch. Even though I was obsessive over the decision, I am glad I went with these Restoration Hardware pendants. The industrial feel of them is a nice contrast to the country look of the cabinets and barn floors. I went with brushed nickel to match the stainless appliances and the open glass dome so light would reflect into the vaulted ceiling. So happy I can check this off the list and enjoy the light for the holidays. 

xo

Erin 

RH Lighting Sale

I have settled on a light fixture for the great room in the house. Three of these nineteen inch pendants will be hanging in between the high beams in satin nickel. 

Best part is that Restoration Hardware is having their lighting sale until October 18th on ALL lighting. Take advantage if you are looking to get any of their fantastic pieces. 

Another tip that I learned is that you can lock in that price for 90 days without actually having purchased it yet. So if you are in a bit of a pinch for the cash right now, you can call before the 18th of October, place your order, then call back within 90 days to be charged and have them shipped. 

This worked great for me this week since we placed the carpet order and painted this week for the basement. Almost done! 

Then of course I started looking for other places to take advantage of this sale. I am liking this flush mount for our hallway. Very nautical and maybe I will order as well. I have two more weeks to decide...

Here is to a weekend of lots of little surprises that make your day better. 

xo

Erin 

Before & After: Great Room

This house is probably going to be a work in progress for many, many years to come. Which is kind of what we love about it. The basement remodel is at the tail end and I cannot wait to show you the finished product. Until then, I can share with you at least one room that although not "done" feels like home. 

The main living space is the kitchen and family room. Before we moved in, it looked like this....

Although the built in bench and storage was good looking, it was not functional with how we use this space. Lucky for us the floors ran through and it was an easy demo. Now the room is open, airy and where we spend most of our time. 

The floors are one of things that sold us on the house. They are restored barn planks stained dark brown. They run throughout the entire main floor. Keeping them clean has turned into a bit more work than I had anticipated, but it is worth it. 

I cannot wait to actually cook something in that fireplace. The bar area next to it has turned into a make shift office. Need to relocate that mess pronto. 

Looking for new pillows, maybe a gray and white strip? 

Light fixtures for between the beams still need to be decided on. I am leaning towards an industrial or nautical style (like this). The house has a very country look (we literally live in horse country), so I would like to bring a bit more modern style to each room while keeping with the traditional feel of the house. 

One of those couches is most likely going down to the basement family room and I think two comfy, yet chic chairs will replace it. I am also dying for a new ottoman, so the one above may be heading South as well. So sick of all the beige. 

I hope to keep sharing more rooms over the next couple of weeks. Next up, the not-yet-used dining room. 

xo

Erin   

Easy Update

Slowly, but surely, I am starting to settle in and even hang some pieces on the walls. There was a big gaping hole over the stove that was screaming for something to fill it. I have never hung anything above a stove and thought it might be a little funny to have framed art hovering over pots and pans sizzling and bubbling on the range. I bought these vintage French serving piece prints at an antique fair a few years ago. They are pages out of an old catalogue and I love them. I had them mounted on charcoal grosgrain and framed in metallic silver. And I think above the stove is the perfect spot...

Given my current indecisiveness, I used 3M hooks so I can easily rearrange. Although, I think these two prints have found their home. 

After some searching on Pinterest , I realized there are a lot of ways to fill that empty space. Similar to what I did, these botanical frames are fantastic. 

This built in nook and faucet is genius. 

Charming dishware can be displayed.

A simple pot rack makes for a pretty space and functionality. 

More contemporary than my kitchen allows, bit this shelf is perfect for prep and tools. 

Surprising Kitchens from Ikea

Ikea has always been a great place to browse and maybe pick up a piece or two that you either don't want to spend a bunch of money on or caught your eye and could not live without. It has come a long way from college apartment furniture and your go to place for a TV stand. 

While we all want the kitchen of our dreams, with this economy and real estate market the days of pouring your life savings into it are pretty much over. Well at least for most of us. Ikea has seriously stepped up to the plate with affordable options to give you a super chic and functional space that will look every bit as great as the neighbors who drained their 401ks. 

PS: My other favorite find at Ikea right now is house plants. Although I am struggling to keep them alive, they have the best plants for cheap with great pots. 

xo
Erin