The View from Where I Sit | My Home is Where They Are

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVfG9QhS4qnoeUD9oQLV3_UDd0k2pl_7p9QAXW8L79GzbDR130BLIWELs0xMarZ2pOzYURvcebXw6Tm80uW9F6TqIsqvRd7thWoAewy6zqaARDGTA2-Na7TX3BFV00wSmObsaSeGpkYo/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVfG9QhS4qnoeUD9oQLV3_UDd0k2pl_7p9QAXW8L79GzbDR130BLIWELs0xMarZ2pOzYURvcebXw6Tm80uW9F6TqIsqvRd7thWoAewy6zqaARDGTA2-Na7TX3BFV00wSmObsaSeGpkYo/s640/IMG_0947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jcrew sale on my comp...</td></tr></tbody></table>The View from Where I Sit is pretty good.  I spend most mornings perched on a stool at our kitchen island equipped with coffee, my computer, phone and camera.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQZSFHcKdP9QCXn6m7dI0ZEgbJn0ncak3ZVQ3fWC3W9OgFLk4xUrx-dPeEa8J_tNiuvg1chFkBXtCdTV5i1xVoK5JzFWoGoSmqumJ2gH_6PouYBBxGTG8qMlG6IBHxFCVOYTJRoQzZM0/s1600/IMG_0936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQZSFHcKdP9QCXn6m7dI0ZEgbJn0ncak3ZVQ3fWC3W9OgFLk4xUrx-dPeEa8J_tNiuvg1chFkBXtCdTV5i1xVoK5JzFWoGoSmqumJ2gH_6PouYBBxGTG8qMlG6IBHxFCVOYTJRoQzZM0/s640/IMG_0936.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br />As I sit here in our New England home, 1,500 miles away from 'real' home (or where we had always known home to be), I might not feel completely at home, but I am definitely at peace being surrounded by all of my loves. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD994Pu5oQ2xfUN09fsEU6AB3Tu3hPI6FjVPsCTDF19j0-WBJ9z4Rzm-G_MRSSq4H9wYbiwQPY1qgHjH4gdudOAn5Ps6Rp3AdjJGQpJ-kQJwRfpISJ-sk78mTSjXQZKnPzsy791a7wVdY/s1600/IMG_0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyckQtkAeD6t2lIbv1WkrxYjfGFRygzZ8rwvre2jmiC14s3IIckeC_oWGyKYIKyvRjRyb-9WLdED4-dOpr4rSBgAEFGTNTZbPIgwGB2ppu3OzbDtdqdq5V0MWjcdO53j3ZJs0-bnpvLjc/s1600/IMG_0837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyckQtkAeD6t2lIbv1WkrxYjfGFRygzZ8rwvre2jmiC14s3IIckeC_oWGyKYIKyvRjRyb-9WLdED4-dOpr4rSBgAEFGTNTZbPIgwGB2ppu3OzbDtdqdq5V0MWjcdO53j3ZJs0-bnpvLjc/s640/IMG_0837.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">emma's mini crib right by my stool... literally what i see from where i sit just inches away</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-EwHkuTTv2jhZPQGpcx9Jh2A33oNrd9LwCEw9LM80Sbojh4CHbBoXA8FcDamoTnfHQjrM8kiIMWlZMV1YyLND6wQuDT4CnzOP3-bRXbXXw6WwQpvlugBqV9xWqFf1fafjig0s6RU_Es/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-EwHkuTTv2jhZPQGpcx9Jh2A33oNrd9LwCEw9LM80Sbojh4CHbBoXA8FcDamoTnfHQjrM8kiIMWlZMV1YyLND6wQuDT4CnzOP3-bRXbXXw6WwQpvlugBqV9xWqFf1fafjig0s6RU_Es/s400/IMG_0833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the Barefoot Contessa's "At Home" cookbook she says, "My home is wherever Jeffery is."  When we decided to make the move to Massachusetts I felt the same way - and hoped I would still feel that way when we got here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMvp1LMrSb-yracSUjXptFTe0e1ca61Q3TUmlKW_fZCGKxNV5xUHi5hX3WRBBkVWpRwaIjQJG6HnMih15GaQ2jxq5HGqZh70YhzoYw25CLHfbwCx-wlYKt4-aEbkjFgc02oT9PGUNz6Q/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMvp1LMrSb-yracSUjXptFTe0e1ca61Q3TUmlKW_fZCGKxNV5xUHi5hX3WRBBkVWpRwaIjQJG6HnMih15GaQ2jxq5HGqZh70YhzoYw25CLHfbwCx-wlYKt4-aEbkjFgc02oT9PGUNz6Q/s640/IMG_0938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the mr. in one of his many spots...</td></tr></tbody></table>And I do.  For the most part.  Sure, I miss a lot of things from "home" (our <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/01/our-home-is-for-sale-open-house-this.html" target="_blank">cozy Fairway home</a>, being close to family, our best friends, our favorite restaurants, our neighborhood, an affordable lifestyle...), but we've managed created our little version of home here.<br /><br />I hope to look back on our time in Massachusetts as a shared adventure between Mike and I - the two of us out on our own.  We were itching for a change and jumped at it the minute the opportunity became available to us.  I hope we're always able to do that - wherever we are in life.  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3npMYv6WwV40F1i9srvkK3DHD8jl8wvyAjD7-T_aAKc6mDn5qFHx1lmUYE7JUQ79ya0octgvp_2gVnUEFLuuTBExyN0hJOV3bwVypVHBA0YHmbHvQfzhNZDK4_wdC-XEe83wGwPCNCo/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3npMYv6WwV40F1i9srvkK3DHD8jl8wvyAjD7-T_aAKc6mDn5qFHx1lmUYE7JUQ79ya0octgvp_2gVnUEFLuuTBExyN0hJOV3bwVypVHBA0YHmbHvQfzhNZDK4_wdC-XEe83wGwPCNCo/s640/IMG_0816.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i was sitting on the floor in emma's room and mike was rocking/walking her to sleep in our room</td></tr></tbody></table>Little did we know that a big change in the form of a baby was headed our way! <br /><br />I'm not talking just about constantly relocating to a new place, but in all types of opportunities.  I hope we're always able to be open to and embrace change... even with the potential slight discomfort it might cause.   <br />  <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAaf1Fcxbm-imbJUMAfzgaLl_6IJ7WDsimiEw2gv3gafsZsQgub5F0JpH4YsPLoWhhYMLOIoPKWXhR7jzs6elAyEFGe7QyOWfmGX5KgaLBgJilgalOL8DimYuY5RAfWd_ZfNevHMLWQY/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAaf1Fcxbm-imbJUMAfzgaLl_6IJ7WDsimiEw2gv3gafsZsQgub5F0JpH4YsPLoWhhYMLOIoPKWXhR7jzs6elAyEFGe7QyOWfmGX5KgaLBgJilgalOL8DimYuY5RAfWd_ZfNevHMLWQY/s640/IMG_0932.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />While I'll never regret our decision to move here - it already has brought me clarity in so many ways - sometimes I think about how it would be different if we welcomed Emma into our Fairway home - would our experience with her be somehow different?  Easier because we had the convenience (and help) from our families?  Maybe.  Easier because of the contentment and comfort we felt in our old home and our own life?  Perhaps. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArEI_0VY3WF2MtlR0ZSH8vcqfxz3b-d-uhHOK-ra0G0Qe7WHW6RM2vB1PSMNXl_brannepRj6se_u0Hh55gg5FbPw-eHz5I7PWntrQgsX9Ezcpg7gYTzBIDXLoSHCQ7b22lIy3F8kh8I/s1600/IMG_0928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArEI_0VY3WF2MtlR0ZSH8vcqfxz3b-d-uhHOK-ra0G0Qe7WHW6RM2vB1PSMNXl_brannepRj6se_u0Hh55gg5FbPw-eHz5I7PWntrQgsX9Ezcpg7gYTzBIDXLoSHCQ7b22lIy3F8kh8I/s640/IMG_0928.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The only regret I'll have about our time here is if we don't live it to its fullest.  While it can be tempting to look forward to moving back home to the comfort of familiar territory (whenever that might be...), I'm determined to "do it right" while we're here.  With Baby Emma in tow, we're going to continue to travel and explore - to new places, new experiences and new friends.

The View from Where I Sit | My Home is Where They Are

Jcrew sale on my comp... The View from Where I Sit is pretty good.  I spend most mornings perched on a stool at our kitchen island equipped...

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Wood bathroom art + new lens!

First of all, can I just show off the best Christmas present I've ever bought myself?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/ekmps/shops/weston2739/images/canon_10-22mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/ekmps/shops/weston2739/images/canon_10-22mm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This thing is no joke.<br /><br />Remember the guest bathroom after picture I attempted to take?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQrNAFKGElxq-Ib0lVlSNgUSwXTPGY-oumfxnSSa83YWhjmBEHfYcga5_zLc3W6jz0fV4TG0LdzHXc0xONIvCy5HsvSvW47CayZo5gsKIkkeQPXy_dl2v3qkbvXDELGqkNjLOEmo32b2I/s1600/IMG_6130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQrNAFKGElxq-Ib0lVlSNgUSwXTPGY-oumfxnSSa83YWhjmBEHfYcga5_zLc3W6jz0fV4TG0LdzHXc0xONIvCy5HsvSvW47CayZo5gsKIkkeQPXy_dl2v3qkbvXDELGqkNjLOEmo32b2I/s640/IMG_6130.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br />Here's the same POV with the new lens... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGohWffUx04DZOgO-T2sW7lYu1saJDWWYnS7ud6MPdZxAhysVKriR4RT7NDkFlpbYOde2itoe_N4tKlk1WmVeuXDxg2B8EQN9kkzZQwHLw2naMqz45AjvvEaERS7ekSgkxqEDndU9H2E9G/s1600/IMG_7080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGohWffUx04DZOgO-T2sW7lYu1saJDWWYnS7ud6MPdZxAhysVKriR4RT7NDkFlpbYOde2itoe_N4tKlk1WmVeuXDxg2B8EQN9kkzZQwHLw2naMqz45AjvvEaERS7ekSgkxqEDndU9H2E9G/s640/IMG_7080.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />And look how gigantic my little office looks... <br /><br />Before:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAQWAjm5gZpdx6N1xEL8W83P5_pWOUDAFtijNSwhoLtFgD9xQDsntpVO5e5DNn7ht6sMdOWtTSQFxkA2ORYCAogCco4ivsaEbWniGs1mRjZ-1i45S6y0WYA2UHvzcBTg1LMqsswIUcm7T/s1600/IMG_3787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAQWAjm5gZpdx6N1xEL8W83P5_pWOUDAFtijNSwhoLtFgD9xQDsntpVO5e5DNn7ht6sMdOWtTSQFxkA2ORYCAogCco4ivsaEbWniGs1mRjZ-1i45S6y0WYA2UHvzcBTg1LMqsswIUcm7T/s640/IMG_3787.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBqGm3kI9HiA5xJi-9kbBrCaGSf6Ut5YBG-Q2-xPrnlWwm68B0vG51TbpqF1VrftM1sBXtIg_Gimgmv30U4YL9fihQTC7ZBkVB6TdfMLjR2x14pu_4IiffVUwC8Ksy8TVUeauxMPijI8z/s1600/office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBqGm3kI9HiA5xJi-9kbBrCaGSf6Ut5YBG-Q2-xPrnlWwm68B0vG51TbpqF1VrftM1sBXtIg_Gimgmv30U4YL9fihQTC7ZBkVB6TdfMLjR2x14pu_4IiffVUwC8Ksy8TVUeauxMPijI8z/s640/office.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>New rug via <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20659470&navAction=jump&navCount=" target="_blank">Urban Outfitters</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Booya. Peace out 18-55mm... it's been real.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I did a little project for the empty bathroom wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Flashback to the yellow shower room circa 2011:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-rmKpKiiSHdHjz8PN4IqObtVNmmIi46vzhbShLag3nQpqAevlzDPk5gLTDQWX17gZoUM6NEH9EeXRgvoZAI5bO5I_lg5nlBnmqscwWAY9XryJ7gfsyZlbxvIA8_pn4e6HygNh0q1CdJU/s1600/IMG_6785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-rmKpKiiSHdHjz8PN4IqObtVNmmIi46vzhbShLag3nQpqAevlzDPk5gLTDQWX17gZoUM6NEH9EeXRgvoZAI5bO5I_lg5nlBnmqscwWAY9XryJ7gfsyZlbxvIA8_pn4e6HygNh0q1CdJU/s640/IMG_6785.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I knew I wanted it to be rustic and spa-like... so it had to involve wood. I then did what every other rational human being looking for inspiration does... Pinterest. I searched every combination of "bathroom", "wood", "art", and "wall" possible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found some neat things... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/140526450842399226_5Lf1q6U0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/140526450842399226_5Lf1q6U0_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/go_with_the_grain_artwork_1109.aspx" target="_blank"><em>Source</em></a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/136937644889457788_4twiNTrL_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/136937644889457788_4twiNTrL_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/136937644889457788/" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/188236459394857037_T3ogog5S_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/188236459394857037_T3ogog5S_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86968573/white-birch-forest-topography-organic?ref=sr_gallery_12&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=organic+wood&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/66991113176865671_Y85nZljp_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/66991113176865671_Y85nZljp_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://www.vivaterra.com/accessories/wall-decor/birch-forest-panels.html" target="_blank">Source</a></em></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/250020216782969214_HThFuhhC_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/250020216782969214_HThFuhhC_c.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><a href="http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/12/our-favorites-in-2011.html/reclaimed-wood-wall-art" target="_blank">Source</a></em><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I determined I wanted dark stained wood planks, secured together somehow, and some sort of picture or word or something painted on. After days of contemplation, I decided to throw out the idea of involving paint in fear it would look too busy and I'd eventually tire of it. I wanted to keep it simple and textural so it wouldn't compete with the star of the show... the glass tile wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I went to Lowe's with a vague idea of what I wanted and started collecting my wood pieces. I ended up with a stack of pine wood of various thickness (3/8", 1/2" and 3/4").</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAKZukFAJbcufLYAYD1LaHH9zcz9PSo47lmLaCm04KazAxSdPx-AQlZLqjWFrZkA5jO0OV7QlyFDpiISaHo4fni2eZTKCFXVrPTcQQSLZw1Fcs7a-exMHHBzm5ZC0Amx81E7E9lzmJk6Q/s1600/IMG_7046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAKZukFAJbcufLYAYD1LaHH9zcz9PSo47lmLaCm04KazAxSdPx-AQlZLqjWFrZkA5jO0OV7QlyFDpiISaHo4fni2eZTKCFXVrPTcQQSLZw1Fcs7a-exMHHBzm5ZC0Amx81E7E9lzmJk6Q/s640/IMG_7046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Total cost: around $30.<br /><br />I then trimmed them to slightly varying lengths and began to arrange them to my liking. Once I decided on a layout, I took a hammer to each piece and beat them up a little for a distressed look:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9qyHwoE48URzkf_ADg_veK0GF2NhfOHbQw3eoMWho37dxDoVJtwNhRNaGyF3BCs9l7bDLdesMxUAbrvrx8X7FfjtO34yAwdFLUMsW4TOpIohnMDovNEi7_7rRRufc9r2vTxmzXN_R1Nh/s1600/IMG_7052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9qyHwoE48URzkf_ADg_veK0GF2NhfOHbQw3eoMWho37dxDoVJtwNhRNaGyF3BCs9l7bDLdesMxUAbrvrx8X7FfjtO34yAwdFLUMsW4TOpIohnMDovNEi7_7rRRufc9r2vTxmzXN_R1Nh/s640/IMG_7052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Finally, I grabbed my stain of choice: Minwax in Ebony.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bisA3TZAaseQ6XBcN6u4HkCevWo_nTOHQYaal5A39-E3kfNf_kVpV-hb_2GiaT7o__NxgHVNPO6gDIrYbUmlUc-HW3k_jy3jZ2OqL8RWxwKnchjH_UrnTV7q0tZYrnf6tCG9E3cFoUiR/s1600/IMG_7054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bisA3TZAaseQ6XBcN6u4HkCevWo_nTOHQYaal5A39-E3kfNf_kVpV-hb_2GiaT7o__NxgHVNPO6gDIrYbUmlUc-HW3k_jy3jZ2OqL8RWxwKnchjH_UrnTV7q0tZYrnf6tCG9E3cFoUiR/s640/IMG_7054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I like this color because it gives the wood a cooler gray tone (intead of a typical brown wood) which really goes well with the grey bathroom.<br /><br />Here they are after the first coat of stain:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rKQhtmvR1787brZ1s1z0w3a5RicpQ4hIY149-MSs-4DDMqGvpInPxnwLDqq07ZVd28Kg7FEzM4NDq9Hdx7AkNY7ZTWGt7R30aaAffvSMJsnfNyoAPmcZicK14GdahjxT_nwrIKZqKE2O/s1600/IMG_7055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rKQhtmvR1787brZ1s1z0w3a5RicpQ4hIY149-MSs-4DDMqGvpInPxnwLDqq07ZVd28Kg7FEzM4NDq9Hdx7AkNY7ZTWGt7R30aaAffvSMJsnfNyoAPmcZicK14GdahjxT_nwrIKZqKE2O/s640/IMG_7055.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />After letting them dry most of the day, I went over them with a second coat—some more than others to give them some variation.<br /><br />The next day they were dried and ready to go. To secure them together, I first applied a bead of liquid nails between each plank and secured them overnight between two heavy paint cans (sorry, no pics of this step, it was a one woman operation).<br /><br />Once they had time to set, I flipped the piece over and secured two horizontal wood pieces (first with liquid nails, then wood screws for extra reinforcement)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZb7mWXwLNpB4676GUf3432CUxRIWQgkuihcM41DmADVtVrTdOz-bdyLUHLxPEZmYMJXa-Ifu-6pfeLs5A3mMI3E_b-iEvJKDZebkSwfO2fU4fJlYp-OshXueDmRp5DlkvpPKy5nlC6pL/s1600/IMG_7064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZb7mWXwLNpB4676GUf3432CUxRIWQgkuihcM41DmADVtVrTdOz-bdyLUHLxPEZmYMJXa-Ifu-6pfeLs5A3mMI3E_b-iEvJKDZebkSwfO2fU4fJlYp-OshXueDmRp5DlkvpPKy5nlC6pL/s640/IMG_7064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And that's it! All in all, I'd say it took about an hours worth of actual work from start to finish. <br /><br />Totally worth it... I love the feeling it adds to the bathroom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoKShK7QPtaxz9pq688yf_al01MAz-FPc_zwh6uoBTDZ-y3Co_ky_1KJ0tnvdcBC1bQTViRWaCieVVll_K_wKATBoPvKmT9tAdhQfCrRj8d2wkZT8lq4AhVrWvlGESk0a2bg019htqDKx/s1600/IMG_7085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoKShK7QPtaxz9pq688yf_al01MAz-FPc_zwh6uoBTDZ-y3Co_ky_1KJ0tnvdcBC1bQTViRWaCieVVll_K_wKATBoPvKmT9tAdhQfCrRj8d2wkZT8lq4AhVrWvlGESk0a2bg019htqDKx/s640/IMG_7085.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2wzk1YR8OeysDXWqKbgasF8eJ2nR6gw44K6MJ6N8gBy0g4kLIi3WeaPZLOvcDiADXR0O-7YSREAAK7MW-T4ejAYdm-gcYfimYY44C6qQYbUT3B0pVEGOB8ZP2p6EFU8iYrs_PuF_NVcA/s1600/IMG_7081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2wzk1YR8OeysDXWqKbgasF8eJ2nR6gw44K6MJ6N8gBy0g4kLIi3WeaPZLOvcDiADXR0O-7YSREAAK7MW-T4ejAYdm-gcYfimYY44C6qQYbUT3B0pVEGOB8ZP2p6EFU8iYrs_PuF_NVcA/s640/IMG_7081.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYu-qL0X5kR3jNgWfwcS6ldQS3YvF0RctHAivHD7f_KSggPaSimPeJUdgo5hKNjeSM7u4hbSCy6cGB9GSCUHJ3ADSu0hqzru3xjJCCNwlVhZJ8JbcQ0c6Zv_HaDp4yVeZnJa30ePpM2oE/s1600/IMG_7069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYu-qL0X5kR3jNgWfwcS6ldQS3YvF0RctHAivHD7f_KSggPaSimPeJUdgo5hKNjeSM7u4hbSCy6cGB9GSCUHJ3ADSu0hqzru3xjJCCNwlVhZJ8JbcQ0c6Zv_HaDp4yVeZnJa30ePpM2oE/s640/IMG_7069.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Next week our handyman should be coming to build our kitchen shelves (!!) and a few other projects.... finally making some progress! There's a few last details I need to wrap up before I can post the official master bath after pics. Hopefully the long wait is worth it :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

Wood bathroom art + new lens!

First of all, can I just show off the best Christmas present I've ever bought myself? This thing is no joke. Remember the guest bathroom...

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In the works.

Happy 2012! Here's to a year of happiness, health, success and more house projects! <br /><br />I know this Etsy business of mine has totally been cramping my d&r style (and therefore this blog), but now that the chaos of the holidays have died down, I'm ready to jump back in. <br /><br />I've actually been borderline depressed about the lack of weekend house projects lately, and I can't handle it anymore. My New Year's resolution is to get back on the wagon and finish some of those projects I thought would have been done a long time ago. <br /><br />First thing's first... that master bathroom of ours.<br /><br />I finally swapped the twine-wrapped handles for some real rope ones. Check out this in-progress comparison shot:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64eFdvDHbH28-60xaHSZPvEm9XB6RrCbO95OGX0WGiXMQWFV03-KJG3CDnqGkDfFSHm2R7aEK0Z6fZ339C2LIWyoJq6g94Pgv2TWM_xhy3_O50xJ17B9vVZdkkskJVYrTDlqFE-C64s9S/s1600/IMG_6968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64eFdvDHbH28-60xaHSZPvEm9XB6RrCbO95OGX0WGiXMQWFV03-KJG3CDnqGkDfFSHm2R7aEK0Z6fZ339C2LIWyoJq6g94Pgv2TWM_xhy3_O50xJ17B9vVZdkkskJVYrTDlqFE-C64s9S/s640/IMG_6968.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I think I like them better.<br /><br />Next, I bought this bamboo bench (from Macy's, $80) to put inside the shower:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i40.tinypic.com/1074axs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i40.tinypic.com/1074axs.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Very spa-like. I think it will go well in there (and useful for storage!)<br /><br />Also, I finally pulled the trigger on this wide angle lens I've been craving (Canon 10-22mm)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/ekmps/shops/weston2739/images/canon_10-22mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://www.martinscamerashop.co.uk/ekmps/shops/weston2739/images/canon_10-22mm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Which means I can also finally take the official "After" shots of the bathroom... and then retake shots of every other room in the house. Woo!<br /><br />I did manage to sneak in a quick project yesterday. We stumbled upon the doorbell aisle in Lowe's which reminded me how badly we NEEDed a new one:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9IEfVssMuGDKsg1PRcCie5LARt37OS_39d85HWQO3XQPaTdZL052ISSYBMln9VEyU6UqtrjGMCPBcoCqdyeiM9LIuexf0-kqdoANov2jlYDq34HWDnsvihWs9L_KMcQx4YHoO1qNE-XJ/s1600/IMG_7037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9IEfVssMuGDKsg1PRcCie5LARt37OS_39d85HWQO3XQPaTdZL052ISSYBMln9VEyU6UqtrjGMCPBcoCqdyeiM9LIuexf0-kqdoANov2jlYDq34HWDnsvihWs9L_KMcQx4YHoO1qNE-XJ/s640/IMG_7037.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Brad did not think we "needed" one but he clearly had forgotten what ours looked like. Once he saw the word "LED" written on the package, however, he changed his mind (I can convince him to do any house project if there are LEDs involved).<br /><br />Here is our pretty new ORB and LED-lit doorbell now:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxaKMIWPnzHI9JG-k8GmQrN3XHHgrgdIDDQ1PB2GtkS-4tHScsYW-VgU6MsnZQWz48WSd4xLtoX9FRR0l8UekhCBQYch1BELVe4C9ex3R_2vyMD6Q2OThVelYvzX_nnjSjEWPh9HSsOvL/s1600/IMG_7043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxaKMIWPnzHI9JG-k8GmQrN3XHHgrgdIDDQ1PB2GtkS-4tHScsYW-VgU6MsnZQWz48WSd4xLtoX9FRR0l8UekhCBQYch1BELVe4C9ex3R_2vyMD6Q2OThVelYvzX_nnjSjEWPh9HSsOvL/s640/IMG_7043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Here's something else I bought yesterday (Brad doesn't know yet... surprise!)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/44613852528141734_Xl8i5ept_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/44613852528141734_Xl8i5ept_c.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><br />How sweet is this aqua chevron rug? It's a 5x7 from Urban Outfitters, and only $73 shipped! I was browsing through pinterest and it caught my eye.... I had to have it. I decided it would be perfect for the office. Last year I spent months searching every corner of the planet for the perfect office rug, and when I finally found "the one" and placed the order, they told me it was out of stock. So I gave up and forgot about it. Now I'm glad that happened, because I like this one so much more. <br /><br /><br />Because I've been deprived for over a month of making progress on the house, I'm in a bit of project overload mode and trying to do a billion things at once to catch up. <br /><br />First on my list... building open shelves on this empty wall (on the right):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRmwKlsbdsZWG7KZIyUcEqhgxg0G4yC3Hz_WK2hAW4dFJAkPHsMzNaCrGhV3_VfR29e65VKLHvhUItFoBmPAQ58qGcsm744Xy-LFWqHaEZcX8Tk0e72-cGPw9pqMuaFgOYQxKFOdeVr7V/s1600/IMG_5423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRmwKlsbdsZWG7KZIyUcEqhgxg0G4yC3Hz_WK2hAW4dFJAkPHsMzNaCrGhV3_VfR29e65VKLHvhUItFoBmPAQ58qGcsm744Xy-LFWqHaEZcX8Tk0e72-cGPw9pqMuaFgOYQxKFOdeVr7V/s640/IMG_5423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />The weird wall angles in our house usually end up creating challenges, but this one is a blessing in disguise because it's just begging for some good old fashioned open shelving. Talk about untapped potential from the last homeowners. I am <em>so</em> excited for this one. <br /><br />There will be two shelves, painted white, each held up by two wood brackets like these (also painted white):<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/public/Jy15hFpghyXsQ8-d6URftX_p3oyVvc014H-NTrd1HpOBQU8Ntcigil4VybR0mIxTAfhXxzY1nszY3BbXubaQIBWzR81bpd4vOaXGBmdovr6l9NOZTx2SuQ47oFfrbtx4XJayh1WHKu4Kiqz8ddy3jzbHow" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/public/Jy15hFpghyXsQ8-d6URftX_p3oyVvc014H-NTrd1HpOBQU8Ntcigil4VybR0mIxTAfhXxzY1nszY3BbXubaQIBWzR81bpd4vOaXGBmdovr6l9NOZTx2SuQ47oFfrbtx4XJayh1WHKu4Kiqz8ddy3jzbHow" /></a></div><br /><br />It will be a little tricky, however, because we have that weird corner angle where the microwave and cabinet stick out, so we'll have to outsource this one. I'll also feel more comfortable with someone else who can properly drill through the tile and locate the studs so these things are secure. Then I can get some painting tips from them for high-use and durable surfaces, because as soon as those shelves go in it's cabinet painting time! (I'll be doing the work on this project).<br /><br />A few more things I've been aching to get done include:<br /><br />Replacing the stained glass front door with modern frosted glass<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLogdDJ1PlLdSJRqkXH2woW28nplvtNQkLCdHQRDYx-VtN552h6z0I_7zmm8ha62lP76aBSMQc4C3-aTMoC81erv_kHLnTJ0L8mac6vVBiGvqyQ8fuycx70juslPfh0VPxvBMEV4GSz5U/s1600/IMG_6887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLogdDJ1PlLdSJRqkXH2woW28nplvtNQkLCdHQRDYx-VtN552h6z0I_7zmm8ha62lP76aBSMQc4C3-aTMoC81erv_kHLnTJ0L8mac6vVBiGvqyQ8fuycx70juslPfh0VPxvBMEV4GSz5U/s640/IMG_6887.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><br />Making an upholstered headboard and getting some art on those walls<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKPSjB4VEh5pO8wzskQW3HXz-Yzpl-LwPwHd_cAbwGSe8CI8YL1Dk9rIugIA85vMvugjF9v-sZscD4L4E75J1ipgHH97gHbsxVFIhV9Y41oqYjeI90yqCWCT2fI_kDClkw6bbWJqj_Z-I/s1600/IMG_5873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKPSjB4VEh5pO8wzskQW3HXz-Yzpl-LwPwHd_cAbwGSe8CI8YL1Dk9rIugIA85vMvugjF9v-sZscD4L4E75J1ipgHH97gHbsxVFIhV9Y41oqYjeI90yqCWCT2fI_kDClkw6bbWJqj_Z-I/s640/IMG_5873.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Getting a new mailbox/post (sorry, no pic available... just picture a giant white plastic rust-stained dinosaur box)<br /><br />Installing a new closet system...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JfZ3bYlae4aLTWMpJWod0VfhmKcUV0Jy0cxp4h2P2850Mt5dUvVQvp94k4hk7ruxZTAWPkXnnqrKfLogsbq7zKEWRqRwG4CmOPlckLEbyUvYXa6aJILm0ee0LZSedyYa8Q-LOdvMPONm/s1600/IMG_6652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JfZ3bYlae4aLTWMpJWod0VfhmKcUV0Jy0cxp4h2P2850Mt5dUvVQvp94k4hk7ruxZTAWPkXnnqrKfLogsbq7zKEWRqRwG4CmOPlckLEbyUvYXa6aJILm0ee0LZSedyYa8Q-LOdvMPONm/s640/IMG_6652.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We clearly need this. As heavenly as it would be to have California Closets come in and build the closet of my dreams... I just can't justify the cost. Instead, I'm going to attempt to find a way to plan everything out using pre-made systems... like this allen + roth from Lowe's:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/764053/764053458224xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/764053/764053458224xl.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I haven't actually taken any measurements or done any planning yet, so that may all change if those angled walls ruin my plans (see how they are problematic?) but I really hope I can make this work. I can't exist in this disorganized manner much longer.<br /><br />Then of course there are the other projects nagging at me... like adding stackstone to the fireplace mantle and front of the house, planting some palm trees in the side yard, adding a large mirror and gallery frame wall in the living room, figuring out a better storage solution for all of the supplies for my business, remodeling the entire sunroom, figuring out a garage storage solution........ the list never ends. I really hope we can accomplish it all by the end of this year. I've been trying to convince Brad how amazing our house would look if he would just let me do whatever I wanted. So far it hasn't been working... but I'll keep trying. <br /><br />Thanks for sticking with me through my extended vacation away from this neglected blog :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacC7tIn3D42QdevPGKzPifT0k0OP5NupUrWBrlxisHS8yESOkB1cLrGDlbvQSulQxJQUZ2d_eWPXZvG7Y83xdGZlxwVyUi3REaEptsUAnbY4YekEKCHJagn9lXyEybYcAe4LQiNNQWcy/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

In the works.

Happy 2012! Here's to a year of happiness, health, success and more house projects! I know this Etsy business of mine has totally been c...

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