the kitchen floor, part 2

I found a fabulous new blog last week. Door Sixteen She and her husband are renovating their late-1800's house. I've been loving reading how she's solved problems that Chris and I are facing. Today, I opened up her blog to find painted white floors! And, not only pictures, but a step-by-step tutorial. Not only did it answer my questions, but it made me want to run home and tear up the floor. Chris will be thrilled.

the case for painting the fireplace. part I.

Let me begin by saying I LOVE fireplaces. I'll just get that out there from the start. But we have a hideous fireplace. It's dingy pale brown. It doesn't add anything to the room. It's just blah. The problem here is Chris hates the thought of painting brick and has firmly put his foot down. So out of the blue the other night he brings up the fireplace. Chris: Do you really want to paint the fireplace? My brain: omg. yes! yes! yes! Me: Yep. Chris: What color would you paint it? My brain: play it cool. don't make him think you want it toooo much. let it be his idea. Me: The same cream that's on the ceiling and all the trim. Chris: Hmmm. That might look nice. My brain: he's CAVING! Chris: But, doesn't your mom agree with me about not painting it? My brain: ha. my mom has taste. Me: Nope. She told me it's one of the ugliest parts of the house, actually. Chris: Hmmmm. And, he goes back to reading a magazine. Yep, that was the end of the conversation. But, it was a huge conversation because HE BROUGHT IT UP. So, now it's my goal to keep subtly (hahaha) nudging. Partly through negotiation and partly through proof. Stay tuned for beautiful painted fireplaces.

Dogs should be allowed in restaurants

I came across Jonathan Adler's design manifesto today. Wow. I'm in love. Here are a couple of my favorites: 1. We believe that your home should make you happy. 2. We believe that when it comes to decorating, the wife is always right. Unless the husband is gay. 3. We believe in rustic modernism: Big Sur, A-Frame beach houses, and raw beams. 4. We believe you should throw out your Blackberry and go pick some actual blackberries. 5. We believe dogs should be allowed in stores and restaurants. They resonate with me and make me laugh. I'll be sharing numbers 2 and 5 with Chris. In fact, I'll be printing and framing numbers 2 and 5 so they become ingrained in his brain. Number 1, though, inspires me. Your home should make you happy. You should smile when you walk into any room. It should offer solace and peace and comfort. Chris and I are getting there. In the midst of the cracking walls, lack of kitchen cabinets and bathroom mold, we have pockets of comfort. Pockets of solace and warmth. These pockets are slowly starting to make us both happy. I'm even becoming less stressed about all we need to do. We had ambitious hopes when I moved in. The kitchen and living room, at least, would be finished by Christmas. Ha. Ha. I'm beginning to realize this will take time. This is a process that may never end. Oddly, this is discouraging. This is exciting and stimulating. I didn't choose this house, but it is growing on me. We will have a home that makes us happy.