Friday afternoon I realized I had no plans for the weekend, and, after several weeks of full weekends spent with friends/family before I moved, preparing for the move or settling in, it was a strange feeling. It was also the first time the reality of the move hit me; I realized I don't really know anyone yet, didn't really know my way around and, perhaps, worse that I am likely to be in that weird, new place for several more months. Luckily I've moved enough to know that feeling is temporary and that I just have to live through it.
I did a little research and found a place to get a haircut. Looked up Farmer's Markets and bike shops, then got serious about learning the Saturday bus schedule. I ended up putting together a pretty great weekend, and thanks to my bike shopping I'm already looking forward to next weekend and a long ride on my shiny new cruiser.
Any other ideas for getting adjusted to a new city?
"Could fee the sun about to rise, when I realized we had nothing to fear."
Marc Broussard - Home
As promised here are some "before" photos of my little cottage. As you can tell, all we did was clean (which was a LOT of work), move furniture in and get out the linens needed to spend a day there. I've got a list of projects I want to do waiting for me to find the time and cash. Many of you are expert DIYers, so I'd love your suggestions and ideas. Most of the house is furnished with furniture that came from my grandparents' house, so it is gently used, but from a variety of different decades which makes for an interesting overall "look." Get ready for a long post.....
This is the front room/parlor. I only vaguely remember the couch my grandma had before this one so I'm betting this set came from the late 70's. I actually adore the shape and lines of the couch and hope to have it reupholstered some day, I'm thinking a dark, midnight blue shade. What do you think? Anyone out there had something this large redone and have any ideas about cost or recommendations on fabrics?
I'm less in love with the chairs, but hope redoing them will help. As for the side table, I like the lines, but don't love the finish. It's wood veneer, so I don't know how painting it would turn out. Anyone tried painting wood veneer before?
This is the great room/family room. I love the high ceilings and how open it is, I also like the light fixtures (which are great throughout the house.) Doesn't the couch just scream 90s? I'm hoping a slipcover will fix the couch and chair. I'd like to go a soft gray (do you think that will work with the tan/taupe walls?) as a backdrop for some bolder pillows - think sunny yellows and bright blues. Any favorite sources for affordable, but durable slipcovers?
The desk was mine (circa 2002, Target) I'm still trying to figure out where my workspace will be in the house, so this is a temporary spot for now. You'll notice nearly all the wood pieces in the house are light/blonde wood. Something I'm not in love with, but some I'm unsure about painting. The end tables and round coffee tables are veneer, the desk, kitchen table and chairs are wood, so a bit easier to paint. Any tips - would you use latex or spray paint on them? Color suggestions?
The kitchen is open to the great room and sits just behind the front room. I'm dreaming of painting the cabinets a creamy white - I just need to work up the nerve. I also dislike the white fridge next to the other black appliances - but don't know whether it is better to save up my pennies for a new one or get brave and paint it black (note, it had quit working between the time I got the keys to the house and the day I moved in, thank heavens for a insurance plan I asked the seller for.)
The table and chairs were mine, Crate and Barrel (circa 2000.) I'm hoping to find two more chairs to add to the mix at Goodwill or a consignment shop.
The Master bedroom - and the site of my first project. This bedroom set came from my grandma's house (mid 80s-ish) and I'm thinking of painting it all the pieces white - the gold of the French Provincial style doesn't really work against the tan walls (and I think it is dated.) Would you try latex or spray paint? Part of me wishes I was brave enough to paint it a bolder color, but I'm afraid I'd hate it next year. I'm planning to swap out the bedding, but am still figuring out what I want (and can afford) but until then, I love this hand-blocked bed cover I brought home from Delhi.
The main guest room, better known as "mom and dad's room" since they supplied the bed. There is only space here for the bed and a couple of nightstands (to be found, for now I just put a couple of old book cases on the sides of the bed.) I'm hoping to do some sort of DIY headboard, spray paint the ugly lamps and replace the shades.
The 3rd bedroom is the smallest, only big enough for a day bed (I had one found on the local classifieds, but lost out to someone else.) The photo is of the dresser, in the room. I'm guessing it is from the 50/60s since in my grandparent's room for as long as I remember. I probably won't attempt to do anything to it for that reason. When we got it out of the trailer, we discovered there were still sachets and a small container of body powder in the drawers so it even smells a bit like my grandma, which I loved.
There are two bathrooms, which are identical (but reversed.) I loved the framed mirrors and, like the kitchen, am hoping to paint the cabinets a creamy white. I'm also hoping to add some color with rugs, shower curtains and towels (when I find some on a killer sale.)
Finally, here is the back patio and a bit of the backyard. I'm hoping to find a little bistro set and spend the evenings out here when it cools down.
One of my very favorite parts of the house is actually the front yard, but I've decided it probably isn't wise to post the photo of the front of house on the internet and admit you aren't currently there, so you'll just have to trust me that it is adorable.
Thanks for sticking around for the tour of my little cottage - as you can tell I have some projects in my future. I really would love your advice and ideas - so feel free to share.
For today's song, I've been obsessing about Marc Broussard this week since I finally got a listen to his new album. This song isn't off the new album, but I love it and it seems the perfect song for today's post - so here's his Home:
One last post from my trip to Cumberland Falls. I can't resist sharing some of the oddities I found while exploring. First up - spider webs that appear to be holding up the branches.
When I was a kid I was convinced a small mountain near our house was actual an entire dinosaur skeleton. I was sure the largest hill was the body, the smaller one which was connected with a ridge was his head and a small mound at the other side was the leg joint. With that kind of imagination I'm sure you can see why I thought the rock in the photo above looked like a snake's head.
Does anyone know what could cause this strange growth on a tree trunk?
And my favorite - this cool root that looks just like an old man's hand.
I'm feeling the need for a little more Marc Broussard in my world - his soulful, rootsy music makes me happy.
This trip to Delhi has been a bit of a surprise - instead of the heat and humidity I'm used to I find I'm freezing. It really isn't that cold, mostly 60's during the day and 30's at night. The problem is that buildings here are built to keep cool in and heat out. The marble floors never do warm up and we get by with small space heaters to attempt to keep our rooms warm. Genius that I am, I only brought sandals to wear (except for my sneakers, which just won't do it at work.)
Today calls for a little Marc Broussard to warm me up:
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Using papers from Sunkissed and Just Saying by Jesse Edwards.
