Happy Weekend!

It's the weekend! What are you up to? If you were here, Evie would tell you a knock-knock joke and sing you a song from Annie, two of her specialties.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6880copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6880copy.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />Michael and I haven't been home and available to really <i>work </i>on the house together for a couple weekends, so we are planning to do nothing but stay here and finish up projects. I am so excited! The floors are looking great and the trim is really starting to come together. I'll have a post up on that early next week. I can't wait to share.<br /><br />Now, back to the wheelbarrow. We decided to take down the rest of the faux stone from the fireplace in the living room, just to be safe. I've been hauling the stone out all day and I'm officially exhausted! Jason's coming over tomorrow to frame out the new fireplace and then I'll start working on the trim.<br /><br />Just a little sappy note - I am so happy we live in this house. It is really starting to feel like ours. We put up the door trim and a bit of baseboard yesterday and it was one of those major sigh moments. It's all coming together. :)

Happy Weekend!

It's the weekend! What are you up to? If you were here, Evie would tell you a knock-knock joke and sing you a song from Annie, two of he...

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New John Widdicomb Louis-Style Chairs

<center></center>I've been having the best luck with thrift stores and vintage furniture shop finds since we moved here! I won't lie, it feels like a super-sweet consolation prize for leaving New York's great vintage shopping scene (which I had been really sad about). It might take a little more work to find the great pieces here - but they do exist and they are <i>cheap.</i> It feels a lot like Delaware did, where people either don't know what they have or they know and don't like it so are willing to part with things for a song. Which is still weird to me because, you know, the internet exists! Why not sell the stuff online? Not that I'm complaining about getting deals!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6862.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6862.jpg" /></div><br />I've lived in lots of different cities at this point and I think the best way to find new sources is to be willing to stop your car everywhere you go. Whenever you're driving, be watching for signs for thrift stores, used furniture and junk shops and even consignment stores. Don't ever judge a book (shop) by its cover (window displays/signage) either. Often times the weird new stuff will be  prominently displayed in the front and the great vintage finds will be tucked in the way back. This exact scenario played out for me a couple of days ago when I was driving around Scottsdale, waiting for my cracked iPhone screen to get repaired (why I don't have any real-time photos of the experience). I saw a consignment store had banners and balloons out front saying they were closing down, so I decided to pop in even though the place looked like it was going to be a major flop in the finds department.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6847.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6847.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a name="more"></a><br />I nearly turned right around about three steps into the store. It was almost completely empty except for a handful of oversized Tuscan stuff that is (was??) so popular here. But I kept walking around and found a back room area that had a pretty good selection of vintage things. The owners were moving things out of the room. Apparently they had officially closed down the day before. I did a quick once over and the only thing that really caught my eye was a dining set in the very back corner of the store. Six chairs and a table.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6849.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6849.jpg" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6851.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6851.jpg" /></div><br />I asked how much for the set even though I thought I wouldn't take it. Only $50. It was a steal. I went over to take a closer look at the set. The more I looked at the chairs, the more I wanted them. The proportions were perfect and I loved the elongated oval shape of the backs. The tight caning was in perfect condition and I really liked the style of the weave. So simple.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo zIMG_6856.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/zIMG_6856.jpg" /></div><br />Then I flipped one of the chairs over and saw a flash of a gold name plate. That was a good sign.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6844.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6844.jpg" /></div><br />WHAT THE JOHN WIDDICOMB.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6839.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6839.jpg" /></div><br />No wonder the shape was just perfect and they weighed about a million pounds each. So solid.<br /><br />I told the sellers I would love to buy the set and asked if they were sure that $50 was enough. While I was asking that, my mind was racing with Do I or Don't I ethical questions about needing to tell them about what I figured was the real value of the set. And then the owner completely put me to ease by saying "Oh, aren't they great? Did you see they're by Widdicomb? I wish more people cared about great mid-century design here. I'd be happy to give them to you for $50 just so I don't have another set to load up on the truck."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6859.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6859.jpg" /></div><br />I still felt a little guilty, but I was also <i>so excited</i>. Find of the century for me! I've been wanting Louis chairs for a long time, but I've been too picky up until now to spend a ton of cash on brand new chairs. I'm so glad I waited. I gave Ali, my sister, the table already since I think we're going to use the old Drexel table like I mentioned before. I think the two styles will pair really nicely together!<br /><br />The same day I found this cute pair of swivel arm chairs for $30! I love the shape of the arms. They need to get reupholstered, but I think they're going to look amazing in a new fabric. I'm thinking maybe the library?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo dIMG_5528.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/dIMG_5528.jpg" /></div><br />Since my luck was running so high that day, I also swung into Home Fabrics to look for a vinyl for the Louis chairs. BINGO.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6869.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6869.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Dark gray. Buttery soft. So much like leather in look and feel. Not thin, squeaky or sweaty like most vinyls. And is was only $6.99 a yard!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6868.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6868.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Most anything would be an improvement on the current fabric though. Looks like these chairs got a little face lift in the 80s. Time for some new clothes, ladies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6858.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/IMG_6858.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Now to figure out what color I should paint the frames. My mom and I were talking about it and she suggested considering leaving them mostly as-is, just a good cleaning and brightening. I like the idea a lot and it might look good to have something a little more antique-y looking in the room, but I don't want them looking too vintage in the bad way. You know? If I go bright white though, they might look too new and cheap-looking. Black would be a similar result I think, unless I did a chalky, matte paint. But then, fingerprints! I could do a bright color, but I want to paint the lanterns red, so that would be overkill. I was also thinking about stripping the frames and doing sort of a limewash look... Lots to figure out!

New John Widdicomb Louis-Style Chairs

I've been having the best luck with thrift stores and vintage furniture shop finds since we moved here! I won't lie, it feels like a...

Read more »

Starting to Pick Paint Colors

I keep kicking myself for not painting the house before the floors were put in (we're on the home stretch there, by the way! So happy!). But the fact is, it just didn't make sense to paint before now. The walls just weren't ready. We still have some drywall work that has to get done and one of the rooms needs to be skim-coated, so I haven't been thinking all that seriously about paint colors. But it's time to figure it out now. I had so much fun sitting on the beach in San Diego over the long weekend, looking at paint decks and finally thinking about how I want to decorate our home. Let the games begin!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xDSC_0445.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/xDSC_0445.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For the most of the main areas and the hallways, I want to do a neutral light gray. I do this in most every home I decorate, just because I think it always looks so fresh and bright and clean.</div><a name="more"></a>The two colors that I thought were going to be my main contenders are on the left, above. On top is Benjamin Moore's Titanium and Wickham Gray is on the bottom.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xxDSC_0442.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/xxDSC_0442.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought I needed something with a bit more blue in the undertones, but I think Wickham Gray (bottom) is too blue. I'm leaning toward the Titanium (top). Those green undertones are just singing to me in here!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The order is switched in the photo below. Titanium is on the bottom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0452.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/sDSC_0452.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I might throw up a few different colors up on poster boards today to see if there's a color I like more. Maybe something a hair darker. I don't want to go too dark though.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0465.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/sDSC_0465.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_0473.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/DSC_0473.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the music room, I was thinking about doing a green lacquer. The color here is Kennebunkport Green. I'm going to let this one sort of simmer for a bit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vDSC_0439.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/vDSC_0439.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm pretty positive I want to do Knoxville Gray on the big wall of built-ins in the library. This is one of my very favorite colors. It is like a chameleon - it just sort of works with whatever you pair it with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo vDSC_0440.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/vDSC_0440.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If I don't use Knoxville Gray on the shelving, I might be tempted to use it in our bedroom. I put up a sample of Palladian Blue, but it might be too sweet for what I'm imagining in here. It's a great color though.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0461.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/sDSC_0461.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo ssDSC_0459.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/ssDSC_0459.jpg" /></div><br />Also on the to do list today is to finalize a layered trim design for the big doors and pass-throughs. Jason (who is very good at carpentry) is tackling those for me. I'm going to start the base boards and the regular door and window casings myself, so I really need to figure out these paint colors soon.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0474.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2011/sDSC_0474.jpg" /></div>

Starting to Pick Paint Colors

I keep kicking myself for not painting the house before the floors were put in (we're on the home stretch there, by the way! So happy!)....

Read more »