Curb Appeal

Before summer is over, our goal is to up the curb appeal of our new place--while the weather's still nice!  Over the past couple weeks, we've made a few changes.  First, we removed that tired red awning, revealing a surprise:

The previous owners hacked at the molding to fit the awning in.  Sigh.  Another project for us.  For now, the front of the house looks a little bit disheveled. There's nothing wrong with our address plaque, by the way, I just blurred it a bit for these photos.

In the next couple of weeks, we're planning to re-do the trim, remove the storm door, and possibly upgrade the outdoor light fixture (oh, and get a welcome mat!).  On the plus side, check out my planters!

There's one on the porch, and one on the walkway up to the door:

Makes it a little more inviting, no?

More work to do in the yard today!

We Bought It

There it is...the new Chez J.  After so many years of moving, waiting, moving and waiting, Mr. J and I bought our first house.  It's not perfect, of course (starter houses never are), and there are lots of things we want to do, but we're so excited to be homeowners!

Cleaning, painting, organizing and yes, destruction have all begun in earnest as we work to get this place a little more up to date (and ready for our little one's arrival in December). Here's a little tour, with photos taken the day we got the keys.

Dining Room

Living Room - Note: L.Belle relaxing in her new home, and the amazing faux finish on the walls.  I realize I didn't get a photo of the fire place the day we got the keys, but you can see part of it just to the left in this shot.

Kitchen - Note: The amazing slate floors and maroon walls, circa 2002 when this baby was remodeled. Sigh.

T.V. Room

Stairs going up - Note: the amazing green carpet

Upstairs Bathroom

More Bathroom

Bathroom Floor (it's already GONE! Yay!!)

Stairs going up - our bedroom at the top, the T.V. room lower left

Master Bedroom

Your eyes do not deceive you, the ceiling is pink.  

Hallway

Soon-to-be baby's room - lots to do here!

"Closet"

Area we will turn into a real closet

And that about sums it up.  There's also a backyard, a garage, and a basement with a guest room (come visit!), another bathroom and laundry.  But, I must not have taken pictures - not the most exciting part of the house.  

We have a lot of work to do, but it's already started.  The paint is drying, and the dust is settling (for now)...updates soon!

New Beginnings

Things are changing here, and the blog is coming back.  Stay tuned for details (and my first post in over a year)!

Pretty

From here. You're welcome. Happy Friday!!

Ideas, ideas

Spring must be in the air...or something.  I'm feeling super crafty, creative, and inspired.

My latest inspiration is this DIY bookshelf project, and sidenote, how great is that mirror??

Thing is, I've already GOT an unattractive bookcase sitting around...ripe for a makeover I tell ya.  Details when/if I get there.

Ikat? I Can!

Inspired by my friend Kate's post about layering the masculine and the feminine, I think it's time to bring a little more GIRL into our living room.  Maybe I can sneak this ikat print in boyish blue past the hubs and start girlin' the joint up? (Just a bit, promise.)

What's this??

That, friends, is this linen, for this headboard.  That's right, I'm doing it.  DIY, y'all!! Happy Weekend!

Happy Weekend!

I want to go to there.

Image via Lonny.

Feeling Crafty

If I told you I was going to try to make something like this headboard would that be totally crazy??

Tutorials all over the internet--like here, here and here.

Stay tuned.

Apartment Therapy - Inspiration!

I came across this tour on Apartment Therapy yesterday, and I have been thinking about it ever since. The apartment belongs to Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere. I love these images.  AT House Tours are great, because they show actual homes that people live in, rather than spiffed up show houses (not that I don't love me a show house).  These images are just warmer, homier and more lived in.  And, if you've ever been to my place, you'll notice this gal and I have a little bit in common as far as taste...her Hunter Wellingtons, her Ork Poster, her globes, her brass pig, she's even working an orange-ish scheme in her dining room...a gal after my own heart.  No wonder I like these so much! Enjoy these images and Happy Friday!!

Not loving the pendant, AT ALL, but the rest of the dining room is lovely!