Just what the recipe called for!

Its here! After many weeks patiently waiting for it to be delivered to our shipper. Our "new" antique stove has arrived from Illinois. Of course the driver was an hour early for the delivery appointment and I was running errands.

Anticipation has been driving us crazy. Along with concern that it would get here in one piece.

Revealed... and I am relieved! It is missing a knob and needs a little TLC but its just what the recipe called for to complete our kitchen renovation.

A few weeks ago I spent a great girls getaway weekend in Austin (only downer was Sex in the City was sold out!). Found this bottle of red at an adorable little grocery in the downtown area. The drawing on the label is an amazing likeness of our stove. We are planning to uncork in celebration after the stove is installed and I cook our first meal on it.

My Blog: Redecorated!

Custom artwork by PVE Design

Today is a happy day! I am over the moon to share with you the fantastic new blog header by the uber-talented Patricia of PVE Design.com. She has the midas touch. Captivating us with magical illustrations daily on her thoughful and inspiring PVE Design blog. I must say my header illustration is tops!

The chic and charming Patricia at work. Thank you for creating my lovely header, it is perfection! I'm sure to be smiling for days to come!

Custom artwork by PVE Design

Welcome, Shady Couple

This is my favorite photo of the "Shady Couple" taken when they were on vacation last year in Seattle. If you knew them it is obvious exactly who is in the photo although all their features are completely in the dark. Ms. Shady has made the big move in recent weeks to cohabitate with our LondonBrother. Moving down from hipper and cooler Austin, you know it must be love. We are all excited she is here!
They live just half a mile from us. Also renovating their charming Spanish style stucco bungalow. Also in the Deco District.

This weekend we visited the Fredricksburg Trade Days along with the Shady Couple. We picked up these chairs on our journey- they thought for ourselves. While they stayed overnight, we headed home to spiff up our finds for a surprise Housewarming gift.
one down, one to go!

These beauties were waiting for them when they got home at their place. The chairs will look smashing in their entry way. Welcome to the neighborhood!

After: The Desk Chair

Its done! And quickly too. Only two days later. The seat was rebuilt and new nail head trim for the arms as well. I'm thinking he matched the original nail head trim on the back rather well. And for only $80 dollars in labor I'm very pleased. Will definitely use this upholsterer for the next project on the list!

Tagged!

Recently, I was tagged by fellow blogger Brooklyn Limestone to answer a few questions that are making the blog rounds. If you haven't already check out her blog chronicling the Adventures in renovating a Brooklyn Limestone. Its full of amazing before and afters of the renovation that we here at the tiny Tudor can only aspire to. Not to mention well written with wit and great taste, Brooklyn Limestone is a MUST read!

1.) Where were you 10 years ago?

1998 brought me a promotion. I worked in visual merchandising for the company below. Looking back it may have been my favorite job. Getting paid to make things pretty - Now that was the life.
Moved into a great condo overlooking a courtyard. Very reminiscent of the apartment in the movie "Til there was you". Have you seen it? Check it out - if only for the architecture.

2.) Five items on your to-do list today?

1- Transfer business phone to cell 'cause today is going to be a doozie.
2- Mail important package at the UPS store.
3- Pick up my nephew. He'll be hanging out with me today while my sister works.


the photographer told him "Football players don't smile."

4- Pick up my desk chair from upholsterer. Shoot a picture for my "After" post.
5- Help paint a second coat on the front porch area.



3.) Snacks I enjoy.




Not really a "snacker", but these carb smart bars are delicious. The almond version is my favorite. So creamy and satisfying you would never know they were made with Splenda.

4.) What would you do if you were a billionaire? :

Finish and pay off our house. Take care of our bills and our family. Close this business. Open a new one with more opportunity for creativity. Give to charity. Travel, travel, travel.


5.) Places I would live:

London (no big surprise there), San Francisco, Edinburgh, Sedona, Italy, New Orleans

6.) Pass it on: Tag you're it!

Before : Making Over My Desk Chair

Before: My Desk Chair

Found this vintage desk chair at an antique mall in Phoenix. Just love it. I know its hard to tell but it sports brass caster feet and carved scroll arms. Both great features you can't see well in the above photo. I got it for a song and have happily pretty much used it as-is for the last three years. Until the seat started to go south. And oh, how quickly it went from no cushion....to needing one cushion... up to two cushions required just to use the desk properly. No way, no how was I going for a third.

There it is in its two cushion glory. I was actually taking a photo of the lamp I'm building out of old miscellaneous lamp and chandelier parts. So I got tired of perching on top of that huge stack of pillows all day. Time for a makeover- for sure!

These were the fabrics I was choosing from for the seat and arms. Tackled the dismantling myself but it got too much to handle. Those nailheads are a killer. Time for professional assistance.

to be continued...

Did you know?

Did you know that Wisteria had an outlet? I had no clue, until yesterday that is. When I read a post on Material Girls about a trip made to the outlet complete with pictures of the store including LOTS of goodies at BARGAIN prices. Soon discovered there is a link to the outlet on the main website for Wisteria online.

Check out the price on those spin stools. Amazing. Almost worth the 290 mile drive to Dallas to pick up a set, even with the cost of gas. Almost.

More good stuff from Wisteria Outlet.

Good news is they are having a huge warehouse sale the beginning June the 26th through that weekend. Bad news is no phone orders or shipping for the Outlet. Bummer.

P.S. Be sure to take a look at Material Girls blog for the tour of the store!

Sail in to Summer

image via House Beautiful

Wouldn't I love to "Sail" into Summer with the gorgeous chandelier in my wake. This dreamy dining room is the design of Alessandra Branca. Love the light, whimsical layers she uses to complete this room. Details like slipcovers on the dining chairs and trim on the drapery don't seem heavy at all. I bet all dining is fun under the ship shaped chandy!

29-Day Giving Challenge

Inspired by the talented, kind and charming Patricia of PVE Design to join the 29-Day Giving Challenge. The concept is: Give one thing away each day for 29 days. Why? Because to see the world change, we have to do something to change the world.

LEARN MORE: VISIT WWW.29GIFTS.ORG
GOAL: Inspire at least 2,000 people to commit to the 29-Day Giving Challenge by 7/29/08.

HOW: You can sign up and start your own personal challenge any time. Just click on "Sign Up" over in the top right corner of the screen.
WHAT: Your 29 gifts can be anything -- material objects, money, your time, smiles or kind thoughts. Sign up now and start giving!
SHARE: Discuss your daily experiences with the challenge on the forum or in your Personal Giving Blog. You can even post video clips, photos or audio files.
For help getting started blogging, go here.
STORIES: To complete the challenge, submit a story about the impact it made on your life to focus on giving for 29 days. Your story can be told with written word, short film, recorded spoken word, song or visual art.If you're not into sharing online:Email your story to story@29gifts.org.Or mail to the address below. Please include your contact info (email, phone, postal) with your snail mail submissions.
ADDRESS for SUBMISSIONS:
29-Day Giving Challenge
c/o Creative Urge
1335 N. LaBrea #2231
Hollywood, CA USA 90028

Join in. The greatest gift is the feeling you get by giving of yourself to others. Let's do something to change the world.

Unusual Wainscoting

Photo by Ngoc Ninh Ngo via House Beautiful

Today I'm on a quest for inspiration. Searching for unusual wainscoting ideas to apply in our living area. Love the geometric pattern on the above picture designed by Amanda Kyser. Beautiful shade of grey.


image via House Beautiful

Love the extra tall height of this one. Classic yet bold.


image via House Beautiful

And this one reminds me of shiplap. (We have lots of that.) I know they are using shiplap as a wall treatment more and more in new construction. Does anybody have a picture of unusual wainscoting they would like to share?

Kitchen Love.

Photo by Lucas Allen for House Beautiful

Check out this kitchen designed by Joan Shindler. The gorgeous floor caught my eye. Inspired by the floor of Harrod's dept store in London. I thought it reminded me of something. Have a great Monday!