Scenes From The Office

I have been trying to get the office organized as it's sort of been the dumping ground for all things move-related. We cleared several boxes out yesterday and it still has a little ways to go, but here are some pictures of the acceptable part. I brought most of the organizational stuff from the old house, most of it is good old Ikea. I'm pretty happy with how this room is shaping up!

I have always organized my books by color.

Even though it's a book rainbow, it stays behind closed doors!

I scored a great vintage thermos collection at my favorite Scott Antique Market

This unit is just a simple bookshelf with glass doors from Ikea. I had Gabe paint the inside of the glass doors with glass primer that I had tinted blue, just like it was regular paint. I replaced the cheap Ikea knobs with nicer hardware from Lowe's and voila! It's a custom cabinet that I am in love with!

There are a LOT of arts and crafts supplies to be stored here in the office, but it's pretty much under control now!

I have decided to collect a few vintage pennants of places that are important to me. Though I am not in love with the colors, these are the first ones I have found. Still looking for a vintage Alaska pennant, or Juneau Alaska. I saw the perfect one on ebay and lost it! I hate that!

This is a piece I did last winter with a beautiful frame that Gabe made for me. That flying machine man is off of a Trader Joe's bag- you just never know where you'll find stuff to make art with!

Weather or Not

I have been eyeing this fox weathervane from Target for awhile because it looks like my dog Triscuit, so I finally scooped it up as they only had two left the other day.

                                  Partially finished- dog inspection underway.

I painted it to match her and I think she approves! We have to find a good place for it, I am hoping to put it on the roof but we'll see.

Savannah To The Rescue!

My friend Michelle's chocolate lab Savannah went swimming this weekend, so I thought I might add some fun photos from that. She seemed concerned that I was drowning, as every time I'd go underwater, she'd leap in and paddle out to me, When I resurfaced, she's turn around and paddle back. Good to know we have a lifeguard here at Unicorn Villa. (Did I mention that's what we're calling the house? A story for another time.)

Let There Be Light!

      Before-  chalice monstrosity in foreground, modern pendants in back.

                                            The dreaded chalice

                  Modern pendants above sink and Dan's shoulder

                                  Skip installs new fixtures

                   And voila! Three matching fixtures that I adore!

                            Finally a light in the office! So perfect.

I am so excited! Furthering my quest to replace the Home Depot light fixtures in the house, I came across a fantastic website- it's called Schoolhouse Electric. They are based in Portland, OR (always a good sign) and they manufacture period lighting fixtures and shades, many of which are hand painted. They have one store in Portland and one in NYC, but I made my selections on the website and yesterday they arrived, carefully packed and ready to hang. 

My dear friend Jenn is loaning me her boyfriend Skip for many around-the-house jobs. He hung the chandelier in the dining room and will be helping fix many things from the home inspection list. He had already planned to come by yesterday to work on some other things and was able to hang all of my fixtures that the Schoolhouse people sent as well!

The kitchen had three fixtures that just weren't doing it for me. See the large chalice in the realtor photos from the previous owners? I was not feeling that or the modern (why so modern? WHY?) pendants above the sink. Skip switched them out to my new schoolhouse fixtures and I am so pleased. 

Additionally, I got a fixture for the office/studio, which did not have one before, just a switch and a hole in the ceiling. The hole is currently off center (who DOES that?) but Skip put up my fixture for now and will move it to the center at a later time. While he worked, Shauna and I and our new friend Dan Savage listened to Ac/Dc and Elvis and enjoyed a late night snack of mojitos, cashews, apples & cheddar, pears & brie, and the amazing Cape Cod Potato Chips. It was a great day!

Cabana, anyone?

                             The before- cabana in pieces

                        The beginning...dog escapes photo

             Michelle takes a brief respite as we are nearing completion

                        Finally! Refuge from the sun! A job well done.

If you've got a backyard with a pool, you may as well have a cabana, or so I decided when I went to Z Gallerie and saw the perfect one. Last Sunday my friend Michelle came over and helped me put it up. Actually, she spearheaded the project while I assisted, and she totally rocked it!

It's really a simple design, so hopefully it won't be too much of a pain to take down for winter, and I love it! I plan to cut the tassels off- I think they cheapen it somewhat-and I am currently looking at some other ways to tie the green color scheme in. Our backyard feels like a high end resort now, don't you think?