tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17208951723668601382024-02-19T07:39:37.282-08:00Community Bungalowa life to be lived among other peoples things...Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-89882847420447994872012-01-19T08:48:00.000-08:002012-01-19T08:48:32.917-08:002012, a year for resolutions.I've never been fantastic about making resolutions. I'm good at keeping them, maybe that is why I don't make them. Three years ago, I vowed to do away with diet soda. My addiction was disgusting, I couldn't get from point A to point B without stopping at Chik-fil-a (they carried caffeine free diet coke, my drug of choice). I quit cold turkey and feel like I'm healthier because of it. The long term effects of aspartame, splenda, and other chemically derived sweeteners are not known, and I can't believe I actually craved that stuff. Ga-ross. So that was the last resolution I made...three years ago. Blerg. This year I was feeling curiously like I needed a re-boot and made a list of resolutions and a tracking chart that I taped to our fridge. These endlessing fascinating entries on the blog are my accountability: <br />
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1. Memorize one verse a month. By the end of the year I'll have 12 new verses in my heart and mind. January's is Psalm 46. Ahhh be still and know...<br />
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2. Change our bed sheets once a week. I've always thought it was once every two weeks until I read Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. Ew. <br />
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3. Run a 15K in 1:15. That's around an 8 minute mile, which isn't very fast at all but it's fast for me. I ran my half marathon with a 10 minute mile so this will be a challenge. My first 15K is in March but I'm not really aiming to run my goal that quickly. My expected finish for that is around 1:30. I think our Olympic team can run a marathon in that time. Go USA!<br />
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4. Read one book a month. I love to read but never do. My attention deficet brought on by my iphone has replaced books with facebook and the news. I already finished my book for January (The Great Gatsby, can't wait for the movie!!). Matt and I currently reading Tim Keller's new book about marriage and I bought Mark Driscoll's book "Real Marriage" yesterday. I also got "Swamplandia" which I've heard so many great things about. Any recommendations, let me know.<br />
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5. Climb a green route at the rock gym. Matt's brother, Eric, took us to Vertical Ventures while he was home for Christmas and I left the gym wrecked. Seriously, my body and my ego were destroyed. Not only was I terrible and looked like I was constipated the entire time, I discovered I'm scared of heights. Not all heights, just the ones where I'm suspended only by my weakling arms. After a weak of recovery, Matt and I went back and I was worse than before. So discouraging. Two weeks later we went again and I felt great. My arms weren't throbbing until the end (we were there about an hour, taking turns), and I finished almost every route I tried. The routes are marked by difficulty, pink and orange being the easiest. Green is the next stage. My goal this year is to climb a green route. If anyone ever wants to go with me, let me know. It is no fun going alone. Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-5275319233659956882010-12-02T14:05:00.000-08:002010-12-02T14:05:56.162-08:00Was my last post really in March?Things are slowly progressing at Casa de Hires and there really hasn't been much to blog about. There is still plenty to do but it just hasn't happened yet. My entire birthday and Christmas wish lists were for stuff for the house. <br />
One big project that had to wait until it chilled out a bit was our porch. We are most assuredly porch people. We swing on our porch, we eat on our porch, we talk on our porch, and having a porch was a necessity for Matt and I. We wouldn't hardly look at homes without one and we are so glad we got such a big one. Another beautiful aspect of our porch in particular is our railing in which doubles a bench seating. It was such a nice detail that made our house unique from all of the others we were showed. However, unlike much of the house which has been replaced or restored (the plaster walls, plumbing, central air and heat (!!!), and additional bedrooms and bathrooms) the front porch is original to the structure. Which means it and the planks are 90 years old this year (we bought the house on such a grand birthday year!). The paint has been peeling away for quite some time and every time we come home we kick some more off like we are helping the situation in some way, and while we have planned to paint and seal the antique wood ever since we began kicking up the loose paint, it's been too dang hot in Florida to allow the oil based paint to cure. We knew when it got a bit cooler this month we'd have to make ourselves do it. We cleaned, sanded, and swept the wood, then taped the trim up. If you get a Christmas card from us you can tell how bad it was but sadly that had to be taken a while ago and before we made ourselves get down to business.<br />
Before:<br />
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We decided to paint it the same hunter greenish blue that it already was and Home Depot whipped up a can to match in no time.<br />
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We google-ed the best approach to painting the old porch and everything we read said to make sure you paint yourself an escape so Matt started on one end and I on the other and we met in the middle to make painting a porch sound a lot more romantic than it actually is. The whole process wasn't all that painful however as it was a beautiful day and Matt had to make a "Best of 2010" play list for a fan site so we listened to that while we worked. No whistling needed:) <br />
After:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ09yu0hOPyuY36-kh8hhlvSA9qTVlprRZlIQ60tS_YhwLVDJMqOhDEFfnPh6HyS-XqzuL3icQ8_knjZ1kkD6rERMP1x7-qvYVNO22C00p3ouJNFDvl5Iw4WiRAcJXSFu3bo-BzWnEv0/s1600/photo%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ09yu0hOPyuY36-kh8hhlvSA9qTVlprRZlIQ60tS_YhwLVDJMqOhDEFfnPh6HyS-XqzuL3icQ8_knjZ1kkD6rERMP1x7-qvYVNO22C00p3ouJNFDvl5Iw4WiRAcJXSFu3bo-BzWnEv0/s320/photo%25289%2529.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-75854609194873276072010-03-27T12:10:00.000-07:002010-03-27T12:16:27.865-07:00Slowly but ...It seems like it's taking forever to put our house together. Everything ends up with a trip to Home Depot for "the one piece" we are missing. I think we have about 15 charges on our credit card for less than $2 for those "one piece(s)". Matt has become quite the electrician though. My dad has been installing our fans and chandeliers (I've gone through three in the short time we've been here, I just couldn't decide!) but he lives in Lutz. So Matt decided to give it a try and he did great! I hope he can keep up with my indecision. We got all new light fixures in our living/dining/kitchen room, yes, a new chandelier. This new one came to me FOR FREE from some good friends of ours that just bought a house and the chandelier came from the contractor when they built it. They had their own fancy smancy stuff to put up so I gladly took the 5-lighted brass one. Before and After.<br />
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Along with my lengthy list of things I dislike (I really need to work on shortening it, A LOT of stuff bothers me...), right below Wal-Mart is florescent lighting. It makes you look old, God forbid you have a pimple, and it makes a weird buzzing sounds constantly. It's all around bad. There are plenty of options to allow enough light to shine on without having to resort to florescent. So there was this big atrocity in our kitchen when we moved in....<br />
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We looked everywhere on craigslist for something used but decided to use our gift card at Ikea for the fixture. We tossed around recessed lighting (expensive and would take longer than I wanted to live with our current light), drop down pendants (not enough light) and finally decided to use a track system. Kind of "dorm room chic" but we liked these better than the fancier options. Combined with the awesome natural light that streams in all day, it's perfect.<br />
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Our guest bathroom has been incomplete for about 3 weeks because we found a gaping hole when we removed the mirror (excuse me, chipped away the mirror that had been GLUED on....who does that?). We seriously kept a flashlight in there for when we used it. We had to have something to cover the missing drywall and I wanted to use the pre-existing light fixture that came with the house. So I sprayed (of course) the fixture and Matt mounted it onto a floating shelf we had lying around. Yup the kind of shelf that mounts to the wall to hold candles, etc. just mounted sideways. In the before you can see the lovely off-centeredness of the hole. Not only did they stab the dry wall with a screwdriver but they didn't even bother to center it....Why????? Ugh. A good rule of thumb is to remember that even if you love your house, there will be a time when you will no longer live there and someone else will. Don't let them think you are stupid. Do a good job.<br />
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We also finished our bedroom headboard. I liked it before I painted it but some of the veneer had chipped off so it was kind of un-usable. I saw these colors at Target from Liberty of London's new line. There was this free downloadable desktop that I got and loved the colors. If you want the one I have or a different sweet one (they are all great) here's the <a href="http://www.target.com/b/?node=2241595011&ref=sr_shorturl_liberty">link</a>. Voila. We painted the headboard two different colors and a giant rectangle on the wall that Matt enclosed with molding. Still working on the rest of the room but the bed is set and here is our started mirrored wall. We've still got a couple more to put up but it's getting there.<br />
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To round out our last two weeks we have our TV. We don't have cable and while I love movies, never have time to watch them. We have a Wii that is pretty much used just by Matt unless I feel like getting my butt in gear on the Fit but for the most part we don't use the TV that often. So why'd we buy a 50 inch one? I still am trying to justify it. It was on sale? We finally had it installed so that the box wasn't covering up our fireplace any longer. Just in time for it to warm up....boo.<br />
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Yay! Who's up for a New Moon showing? I can dress Matt up like Edward and Luke can be Jacob. See? Twins! I feel just like Bella. Is it possible to share your love between these two cuties?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczShSLvl4yHK9zlZhqAddPIi72wFWPba0Dg_IG7RAVrAxj02RMahB-N3mj8PVtl0LGiMEvRxdVTfXf9df9sjcUi7qyDlB51Gf7pKcfPbkakadejB79Puk_f9fDu8IpsikgAm5nfPg3AQ/s1600/photo-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczShSLvl4yHK9zlZhqAddPIi72wFWPba0Dg_IG7RAVrAxj02RMahB-N3mj8PVtl0LGiMEvRxdVTfXf9df9sjcUi7qyDlB51Gf7pKcfPbkakadejB79Puk_f9fDu8IpsikgAm5nfPg3AQ/s320/photo-13.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vPHHhwVV9eOmEut0PooquGW4EhVDLdTo-5k7P-QI0N4E1DkR0v6CdzShtZrdEDTozP5R0C1iv7MvVqjGmNQCwWQzkJ5unliChqj7w_He2TJI1vdrSdahtdBfxVnVBx5sAJWnu3lfEh4/s1600/photo-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vPHHhwVV9eOmEut0PooquGW4EhVDLdTo-5k7P-QI0N4E1DkR0v6CdzShtZrdEDTozP5R0C1iv7MvVqjGmNQCwWQzkJ5unliChqj7w_He2TJI1vdrSdahtdBfxVnVBx5sAJWnu3lfEh4/s320/photo-14.jpg" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-2584170867831373852010-03-14T19:20:00.000-07:002010-03-14T19:20:30.688-07:00Walking on Sunshine. Woe-O.For the past two weeks, Matt and I have been walking in socks everywhere, spreading a fine layer of dusty chalk in every crevice in the house. This was because in all my "new home ownership splendor" I decided the first thing to do upon unlocking our house was to rip out the Berber carpet in our master bedroom and expose the lovely subflooring. This was with the intention that we'd put the new flooring in immediately. Two weeks later, it wasn't in but we aren't going to dwell on past mistakes (right Matt?). It looks beautiful and we are kind of over the moon with our new ability to not get socks dirty seconds after we put them on. Excuse the under bed storage, I forgot to pick up our bed skirt from the laundromat on Saturday. <br />
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We still haven't sold the breakfast table, but after I posted about our table woes, I got responses from the sweetest people! Lindy in St. Augustine, one of Eric's friends, who I met in Hawaii when she was about to go to Bali and I was getting back from Sri Lanka and happens to read the blog had two tables around that she wasn't using and graciously offered up. I was ready to drive the four hours to pick up the sweet drop leaf antique she was parting with but knew we couldn't pick it up this weekend. Then my friend Suzanne text-ed me a picture of a table she was ready to put on the side of the road for someone to pick up when she read the blog. Suzanne <i>happens</i> to be moving into our old house, which <i>happens</i> to be about three minutes from our new house. Her sweet husband even delivered it to our house tonight and we ate dinner on it on the porch. We are pretty blessed. I'm going to paint it and the chairs but here it is in all its solid wood, crayon-y, rounded with a leaf goodness. Seriously, it couldn't be any more perfect. I started sanding some parts today but it's a big job. Once it's sanded, I'll put a couple coats of kilz and then the paint. I'm thinking "vintage linen". I've practically got the entire Behr paint chip book memorized. It's sick.<br />
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Logan came over on Friday night to install the desk he made for our wedding present. It was custom made for our old house but we just couldn't part with it and he had to re work the design elements for the new house. It fit perfectly and we are excited to see the room develop. This is really our music room, as we normally use our laptops on the couch, but we charge them here and organize our tax stuff here so this makes for a fine place to put it all. Along with Matt's thousand guitars. Oui vey. You can see, any flat surface is quickly a grounding place for boxes and "stuff". The craftsmanship is incredible, the support for the entire desk is in the wire attached to the stud wall. It's levitating. The box underneath used to encompass our printer, which we got for free with our laptops but soon broke....we have to re-purpose it soon. Perhaps, ground storage in the closet.<br />
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Couple of breakthroughs happened this week too. We finally are rid of our "tool box". As renters, we usually just called our landlord, the elder Hires, and they fixed it. We needed a hammer, two screw drivers, and a can of WD-40 to fix most of our houses' ailments. That time has passed and we've graduated to the season of life where a real tool box is called for and cardboard boxes are for sissies. Before and after.<br />
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On Saturday there was a rummage sale in Seminole Heights, which you know I got my bottom up at 7 am to go to. I got a silk quilt for the guest room and a full length mirror for our room. Total for both, $13. Go me. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUDddxoK-H3mj-p1YECyFsJvXjXYw7hQ0dNRrxKuUrBH8gmQC9th6hrF2VoHYzK-Y7eg84t6ezBV11fG5mGMXkdIue7wxiwRcUnL2f6of7jioiumEKlRkjUet5Ib9C74PufPgGzh228M/s1600-h/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUDddxoK-H3mj-p1YECyFsJvXjXYw7hQ0dNRrxKuUrBH8gmQC9th6hrF2VoHYzK-Y7eg84t6ezBV11fG5mGMXkdIue7wxiwRcUnL2f6of7jioiumEKlRkjUet5Ib9C74PufPgGzh228M/s320/photo-4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucE197WFsTJEBhOmwLfntlu1S07xyPMpPsSMU0mGRaBl9Vg-w_bQPSZEE0jzpZDdcMaE549o6ZUr2qm0UZ2ZxWPqSx89CtbXMoGuOvWGHjQaKb5fR3P_C8URfWhAniwRbBxe8s3oJAPo/s1600-h/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucE197WFsTJEBhOmwLfntlu1S07xyPMpPsSMU0mGRaBl9Vg-w_bQPSZEE0jzpZDdcMaE549o6ZUr2qm0UZ2ZxWPqSx89CtbXMoGuOvWGHjQaKb5fR3P_C8URfWhAniwRbBxe8s3oJAPo/s320/photo-5.jpg" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-7088690684373779692010-03-08T19:38:00.000-08:002010-03-08T19:38:15.589-08:00Moved in somewhere.So we feel like we haven't stopped unpacking boxes and trying to get organized but it looks like we haven't even started. Stuff is still everywhere and our floors aren't in yet. My dad came yesterday to install the flooring in our bedroom and got the closet done and said because of the uneven floor and installing on top of the original floor, we should probably get a professional. Ah, the blessings of a 90 year old home. Props to him though....spent about 5 hours putting the floor in such a small room. Looks awesome, can't wait to see it in the rest of the room, which you can see is a mess with old vinyl and dusty subfloor. The installers are coming sometime this week and once that gets done, the unpacking will really start rolling.<br />
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So the breakfast table is being put on craigslist today, very sad, I worked so hard trying to really reverse Matt's present aversion to metal/glass tables to no avail. I did a darn good job though. Thanks for the memories table.....breathe Rachel, in....out.<br />
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If anyone has a wooden pedestal table lying around and wants to sell it, you have two eager purchasers in us. We are looking for a used, wooden (any kind) round table with a leaf. We don't want much, but it's hard to find. If anyone wants to drop about $5000 on a new one for your favorite new homeowners, I'm kind of geeking on this <a href="http://www.thosmoser.com/category/dining_tables/product/167/georgetown_single_pedestal_extension_table/">one</a>. Breathe Rachel...<br />
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So Matt and I missed Valentine's Day this year and spent it roughly 2000 miles apart which allowed me to celebrate twice since my students are FANTASTIC and got me lots of delicious treats and once again when he got home. I got Matt bed sheets because we are kind of "bed sheet snobs" (he more than I) and love to delve into luxuriously soft (and sadly, expensive) high count sheets. We have one set that we got for our wedding that we wash and dry and put right back on every time so I got him a new set, not very exciting for most people but I think he was stoked. I just got my gift on Friday when Matt picked me up from school with this attached to the ipod. <br />
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He'd secretly recorded our favorite Johnny Cash song (my favorite at least) for me. So sweet and creative and I loved it. To boot, he brought Luke with him, so it was a special moment for me with both of my boys. <br />
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On Saturday I bought a headboard for our bedroom from craigslist. We are painting it this slightly scary lemongrass color and I'll post some pictures when it's done. It's got three coats on right now and I'm going to give it a little somthin' somthin' to perk it up. <br />
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We also decided to give the dresser a coat of sparkly white paint on top. Not ideal because the wood had a nice grain but there were some spots that were damaged so we got that done over the weekend too. Here she is all taped up but with the new pulls on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHy9fIihuTc0i9U1EqU0dytt9lTfgKRDOhqr2eGP9ovZxlXunDgptkumvClThSXbjCIQQ4VRid4HJnzVFf3SHZrlAMvxUL09jGV0kAz0HaIFBsXioDt7-hfP2euuGB9vAHcnUuDOIyRs/s1600-h/photo(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHy9fIihuTc0i9U1EqU0dytt9lTfgKRDOhqr2eGP9ovZxlXunDgptkumvClThSXbjCIQQ4VRid4HJnzVFf3SHZrlAMvxUL09jGV0kAz0HaIFBsXioDt7-hfP2euuGB9vAHcnUuDOIyRs/s320/photo(6).jpg" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-60460684298852208392010-03-03T09:17:00.000-08:002010-03-03T09:17:14.732-08:00Always make time for a road tripMatt is home! Picked him up on Monday in Birmingham and got to go to the show too. Incredible. His tour mates are fantastic people and really really fun. Full band is definitely the way. One of the openers, Caitlin Crosby, snapped this picture in the green room before the show. She's a sweet girl, and runs a cool website called <a href="http://www.loveyourflawz.com/">"Love Your Flawz".</a> You should check it out.<br />
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After the long trek from Alabama (during which we picked up this sweet eames knockoff for 20 bucks at a roadside antique store for my bro's graduation present)....<br />
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Matt walked into our new house for the first time since we decided to put an offer down. We've painted every paintable surface since the closing and moved all our furniture in he was probably more overwhelmed than amazed but it'll take time to widdle (sp?) away at all the stuff we've collected. We are trying to live more simply and cut away what we don't need. This is the organized mess he walked into. <br />
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Upon coming to the house for the first time, I promptly had my brother and Scott rip up the carpet in the master bedroom. Here we are two weeks later with plywood underfoot. Probably a little too hasty but my dad is installing it this weekend so only 4 more days of dusty socks!<br />
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Scott installed our closet last week (with my help..:) and we finally got our clothes in it this morning.<br />
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Also, there were so many little things that needed to be brought up to par, like the ill flushing toliet in the master bath that Matt is working on right now.<br />
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I took a picture of a chandelier I'd bought on ebay and put it in the last post. I'm not done re wiring and extending the chain yet but here it is ready to be completed.<br />
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So so so many things to do but we probably waste the most time deciding what to work on. It's incredibly overwhelming to have your entire house dumped into a smaller house and working through where everything is and where it needs to go. Even harder for Matt because I packed everything. Home ownership is a good feeling though and we are trying to get everything ready for our house warming party in the near future.<br />
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Big congrats to Scott and Amy!! They've worked so hard getting our house ready and they finally closed on their own today! So exciting! Can't wait to help!Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-3730613221244501082010-02-24T18:28:00.000-08:002010-02-24T18:34:20.342-08:00No rest for the weary.The move is going swimmingly, exceptionally in fact, with the case being that Matt is not here. My friends are magnificent and my dad actually used his lunch to drive to the house and install a ceiling fan today. That's devotion and I am truly blessed. As always, the projects keep coming and I'm inching closer to finishing each one even though many haven't even started yet. I finally got my ebay goods this week, one being a fabulous brass chandelier that I scored for $5. I finally painted it last night and it looks excellent. The chain was too short however for where I want to hang it so I need to head to Home Depot to get some extra chain and wiring. Once it's hung from it's permanent home, I'll post the after.<br />
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The wood floor has been chosen and we decided on bamboo. I'm not a huge bamboo fan as I don't like to walk into a room and know it's secrets immediately and I feel that's always the case with bamboo. It just looks so much like.....bamboo. However, it is the hardest solid wood floor (and apparently a solid wood floor is hard to come by.....EVERYTHING has plywood backing and a thin veneer. EVERYTHING). We are only putting it down in our master bedroom and master closet but the rest of the house is original solid old pine hardwood and the feeling of walking on engineered crap after stepping on the good stuff would bother me. After consulting with the good folks at Lumber Liquidators and considering our furry pup, we decided that the hardest wood available was probably best for us. And they even had this carbonized version that is a darker color, keeping a little mystery alive until you peer a little more closely. It also matches very well with the original wood. And for 3.99, it's really a steal.<br />
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I also have been working on Matt's and my dresser for the past couple weeks. Or month. It's been a long time. When Matt moved into our rental, it came with this little solid wood mid century dresser. Here it is in all it's taped up, Luke-ified glory. Yes, that's his dog food next to my jewelry box. Things need to change.<br />
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I'm a sucker for a free piece of solid furniture and while the handles of the original piece were really bad, I found something at HD called "wood filler" where you can actually fill in parts of anything that need to be smooth and aren't.<br />
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I used it on a picture frame where the holes had been drilled clear through the frame and it worked wonderfully! I can't even see where the holes are now that I've painted. So I disassembled the handles and slopped this thick nasty goo into each handle space. With it being so thick it took about a week to dry.<br />
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And then it turned to marble. Seriously, unsandable, possibly harder than bamboo, cement was now filling the holes of our dresser. After it ripped my sander to shreds, I called my father in law who has some carpentry background and he brought over a hammer and chisel and chiseled away at the filler. Call me Michaelangalo because it worked. All it took was a light sanding once I'd gotten the filler down to a reasonable height and touch up filling in the holes. Once I cleaned off all the dusk from sanding I got to painting. I use "Kilz" primer because it's a classic and while I bought the oil base primer because I've heard it's the best, I'd already put enough sweat into this dresser and oil based anything is hard to apply. I went out and got the latex kind to use instead. When I use the other, I'll let you know how it holds up comparatively. And here it is, our french inspired, whimsical/ modern seven drawer dresser. I've still got some paint to do around the bottom and I bought dresser legs so it'll pop off the ground but I'm stoked. I just emailed this to Matt, so I'll be sure to include his response in my next post. He keeps saying "I need to see it in person" which is probably Mattspeak for "yikes".<br />
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So, one of my favorite magazines, Metropolitan Home just folded and like my Domino and Blueprint subscriptions, the owners of the company compensate you with another magazine until your subscription ends. However, this is one of the last design mags in this company apparently so they send me "Woman's Day". Great, just want I was wanting, EVERY SINGLE MONTH. My whole Domino subscription has been like a continual downgrade as magazines are folding left and right. Next I'll be receiving "Star Weekly" for 6 months. So anyway, Woman's Day didn't turn out that bad and I was especially stoked to see a special article on their new editor. She was moving into her new office and changing her decor and look what she has, could it be a startling replica of my chair? Perhaps she reads my blog. I'm going to hope she does to add to the list of my mom and Matt. Hopefully we don't share the same flair for fashion.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7POWdnvYYShhVm6b6oR4Mj-D4ftLHdV5SrM61pKhSEhznQLcGTY6cCj28-l323jxRpF5VAuq5acocW4E4jFhaA-u1Vl8WhDxXHCPKoAcoXanPwVfhJoKC0QqDZZ1joclcCfx12wTiG8/s1600-h/photo(40).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7POWdnvYYShhVm6b6oR4Mj-D4ftLHdV5SrM61pKhSEhznQLcGTY6cCj28-l323jxRpF5VAuq5acocW4E4jFhaA-u1Vl8WhDxXHCPKoAcoXanPwVfhJoKC0QqDZZ1joclcCfx12wTiG8/s320/photo(40).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4bS5jXHnoLHxvzY17Q8-JZQs32You0qcpTOQYKh_bN8NQJth_6xBdUG58qwqOwpQQrzhlOjNgEeM-bL-RZ9AeSuxJCEFtOXUYNdOZEEOvet9A4AuwTWW_OqO_VpSTteH93L2tGvy-Zg/s1600-h/photo(46).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4bS5jXHnoLHxvzY17Q8-JZQs32You0qcpTOQYKh_bN8NQJth_6xBdUG58qwqOwpQQrzhlOjNgEeM-bL-RZ9AeSuxJCEFtOXUYNdOZEEOvet9A4AuwTWW_OqO_VpSTteH93L2tGvy-Zg/s320/photo(46).jpg" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-62011569975483406162010-02-21T05:08:00.000-08:002010-02-21T05:08:05.275-08:00Closing, move in, and on and on...So our closing was at 3pm on Thursday, however it was so much fun we continued it to Friday. Murphy's Law definitely applied. First, Matt had to sign the closing documents (you can see the obvious problem with that) and then they got the papers to Matt but didn't mark for him to sign so he only signed where his name was (banks do not observe the idea of logic), then the fax showing he signed the last papers didn't fax in time for the closing so and Matt was furious that it could have been right the first time so he had to canceled an interview in his fury. Everyone was in an overall bad mood so we decided to wait until the documents were fedexed the next morning to pick up the keys. Upon the documents arriving safely and properly signed by my dear husband, we were okayed to pick up the keys to our new house! Exciting until the listing agent wasn't in on our glee and wasn't at the office that day to actually give us the keys. So my mom and I waited in the parking lot for an hour for the realtor to get there and voila, simply homeowners! The fight was worth it and our house is looking swell. These are the before pictures. Not bad but going to be much better.<br />
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text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS7LqDqZemdkae7XIvoqKKwlFbhfJkcowAZ1NIOjAwF2Kj45-OYAfvrddUIEzeVPamezM6HFr5QNpBplWcwGkNPkvnEhxSPLk4tpF8m1vnZR2FL74a8nRU0TbZUQJfawS1yFelYpJ5C4/s1600-h/side+yard" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS7LqDqZemdkae7XIvoqKKwlFbhfJkcowAZ1NIOjAwF2Kj45-OYAfvrddUIEzeVPamezM6HFr5QNpBplWcwGkNPkvnEhxSPLk4tpF8m1vnZR2FL74a8nRU0TbZUQJfawS1yFelYpJ5C4/s320/side+yard" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMje5osuJYabvAw8sJWzhUrOVTFgE3H2xdeR6xn-jguIL1rolmittJTHlr_Rjb-qtJlOey1dIlobK7hfkeAL_mygv_hIxF5tt5N1v6BY3YMF9hKA3Isd-mV2ugM2VwlpHmC4IO45iXgok/s1600-h/back+yard" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMje5osuJYabvAw8sJWzhUrOVTFgE3H2xdeR6xn-jguIL1rolmittJTHlr_Rjb-qtJlOey1dIlobK7hfkeAL_mygv_hIxF5tt5N1v6BY3YMF9hKA3Isd-mV2ugM2VwlpHmC4IO45iXgok/s320/back+yard" /></a></div><br />
I don't have the "after" shots yet as it's only been two days, but our friends and family have been miracle workers. Moving alone without Matt here was a daunting thought but they've been incredible. We've painted the large room that encompasses the living, dining and kitchen areas, the guest bath, the master closet, the guest room and the master bed room. Scott and Logan ripped out the berber carpet that was in the master bedroom and I need to pick out some wood to put down. We've spent about $200 on paint (not used:) and all we really need big to buy is the flooring (I'm working on salvaged but it's hard to find...) We also need a daybed or a full size bed if you know of anyone getting rid of or selling theirs. I'm going over today to finish the other paint jobs but here are some working shots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIof-0n4IX_uhBG3yvBem4CHlIbimReIOIggFW3Et2liI8WzD3A77dIw08UsttOnQr8MB1EHYD3lL8A5H8yAVpo7qCJpmUSpzQOhaQTn9QLH71y3OT4hHNQi9cbmEBtTmVvAoDkSdXd8/s1600-h/photo(33).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIof-0n4IX_uhBG3yvBem4CHlIbimReIOIggFW3Et2liI8WzD3A77dIw08UsttOnQr8MB1EHYD3lL8A5H8yAVpo7qCJpmUSpzQOhaQTn9QLH71y3OT4hHNQi9cbmEBtTmVvAoDkSdXd8/s320/photo(33).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8B5Z9_MF0dOBRMwengT1kGK2DlOizqQMy95n4AotHeHz2NW89ZupAGDkNjqiXhiTm-OSCzFQjYDK4RqbYwARYMx0yIPUDRz_UVm4gY3lpBG6__oYxaR1iaJl9oKeisfMDZ8bbATZLcI/s1600-h/photo(34).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8B5Z9_MF0dOBRMwengT1kGK2DlOizqQMy95n4AotHeHz2NW89ZupAGDkNjqiXhiTm-OSCzFQjYDK4RqbYwARYMx0yIPUDRz_UVm4gY3lpBG6__oYxaR1iaJl9oKeisfMDZ8bbATZLcI/s320/photo(34).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LVwDIomJecy0NHRKt-ECpt9KqqPgte0ukincKcdCPLEf4IiEyf-_yLgo_mmIApa0-G6E3D4jka5I5i3-_7kBUQmKLENzKexQGWdx3Qrt6tmI5F5UTnN-nAheBq3Od9x747K1FNVAtEc/s1600-h/photo(35).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LVwDIomJecy0NHRKt-ECpt9KqqPgte0ukincKcdCPLEf4IiEyf-_yLgo_mmIApa0-G6E3D4jka5I5i3-_7kBUQmKLENzKexQGWdx3Qrt6tmI5F5UTnN-nAheBq3Od9x747K1FNVAtEc/s320/photo(35).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vqdLxNNOAGlp_fbJD4YrS73f9A8EG2b7Zz1XE05cAi-Q_Gi92U9sgKrfSJuacdQEaLKvpy2FGJ7Y7Vq2Dkhkxcl35g5NFQvZY9SSPsg4k1jCssaQS8ipv7zKCs8xzvO6-FdVcxha8tM/s1600-h/photo(36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vqdLxNNOAGlp_fbJD4YrS73f9A8EG2b7Zz1XE05cAi-Q_Gi92U9sgKrfSJuacdQEaLKvpy2FGJ7Y7Vq2Dkhkxcl35g5NFQvZY9SSPsg4k1jCssaQS8ipv7zKCs8xzvO6-FdVcxha8tM/s320/photo(36).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vqdLxNNOAGlp_fbJD4YrS73f9A8EG2b7Zz1XE05cAi-Q_Gi92U9sgKrfSJuacdQEaLKvpy2FGJ7Y7Vq2Dkhkxcl35g5NFQvZY9SSPsg4k1jCssaQS8ipv7zKCs8xzvO6-FdVcxha8tM/s1600-h/photo(36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vqdLxNNOAGlp_fbJD4YrS73f9A8EG2b7Zz1XE05cAi-Q_Gi92U9sgKrfSJuacdQEaLKvpy2FGJ7Y7Vq2Dkhkxcl35g5NFQvZY9SSPsg4k1jCssaQS8ipv7zKCs8xzvO6-FdVcxha8tM/s320/photo(36).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtMxjUth2gtvN4Wj7HHDYcwmRMFUj1hMA6xpofzvzOVoBr1mgpIpZogFTSgXy3V3eHtB7GRjqATyN7lqxDd9yASANHJb5yj_SmmmJa6kxmuwhw-RUFZcczS7OYq_P8U_7_z6CnlIAETQ/s1600-h/photo(37).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtMxjUth2gtvN4Wj7HHDYcwmRMFUj1hMA6xpofzvzOVoBr1mgpIpZogFTSgXy3V3eHtB7GRjqATyN7lqxDd9yASANHJb5yj_SmmmJa6kxmuwhw-RUFZcczS7OYq_P8U_7_z6CnlIAETQ/s320/photo(37).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglQgSi2fhqVu_gATi3hrOp5atXUY8YcuHOEH1xPQBY2hsqOrjNJlg1d6_yTjVIvnCZGCvNcMbysl8CF9xJE0ek0UTNW4LPWIgJUg76ryufu1kGcw4ILTfSTrWJQ3hMNcBublAMdYirbU/s1600-h/photo(38).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglQgSi2fhqVu_gATi3hrOp5atXUY8YcuHOEH1xPQBY2hsqOrjNJlg1d6_yTjVIvnCZGCvNcMbysl8CF9xJE0ek0UTNW4LPWIgJUg76ryufu1kGcw4ILTfSTrWJQ3hMNcBublAMdYirbU/s320/photo(38).jpg" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-39248208363246795572010-02-19T04:30:00.000-08:002010-02-19T04:30:37.747-08:00Crown me Queen...of spray paint that is. Along with three projects I've completed on this fabulous long weekend (and it's not even over yet!) I'm also going to share two incredibly handy devices that make your like easier. Well, one will only make your life easier if you have the unending desire to spray paint everything that I do.<br />
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First project is one that's been going on in the back yard for some time. We started with six of this bad boy:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOwx2YvGjE6BOcio6TbqkczJSds43fKvfIBA7pk6tREBhN2aGXOdrXTJWJuxeCmBG5nYw8vGshqSCNi-gnruepzgHPx5-ZvHr_T3St_Z7GMshDdjZ4bxNURUx7HNtvlTgEJQYBnnoNvc/s1600-h/photo(26).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOwx2YvGjE6BOcio6TbqkczJSds43fKvfIBA7pk6tREBhN2aGXOdrXTJWJuxeCmBG5nYw8vGshqSCNi-gnruepzgHPx5-ZvHr_T3St_Z7GMshDdjZ4bxNURUx7HNtvlTgEJQYBnnoNvc/s320/photo(26).jpg" /></a></div><br />
and no, that's not someone's failed attempt at making it to the bathroom on time, that the tannin from the grapefruit tree's leaves that fall year round staining our white rubbermaid chairs inherited from my parents. While I've seen the coolest patio furniture EVER this week I'm glad we aren't sending these babies into the landfill for a couple more years. They are pretty much indestructible and not recyclable yet so I can't happily shuttle them off to a place where they'll take up space till my grand children's, grand children's, grand children invent a way to make garbage melt away cleanly and greenly. So I found this paint (sprayable of course) at the ol' HD that allows one to paint on plastic leaving a smooth and colorful finish. Very cool but at about 4.99 a bottle, kinda pricey. However, the chairs were free and I rationalized that 5 bucks a pop for patio chairs was still cheaper than going out and looking for them. For the six chairs it actually took 7 bottles of the stuff but if I did it again it would probably be less considered I'm a far better sprayer than I was when I started this project. Here they are in all their $35 dollar glory.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGWalaw_JCX42cS8WFbGb3jPgZQ2V4zjISUIARH8hERcWhA59xN3Js0bGxhuQ7xMZFGM1IwIvo66Vb2ZXPqu0am_dJiqaMGvCQT9LgTnQxWR5fR3zKIJBMtRqpNs1di_upM4XWmcVCWo/s1600-h/photo(27).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGWalaw_JCX42cS8WFbGb3jPgZQ2V4zjISUIARH8hERcWhA59xN3Js0bGxhuQ7xMZFGM1IwIvo66Vb2ZXPqu0am_dJiqaMGvCQT9LgTnQxWR5fR3zKIJBMtRqpNs1di_upM4XWmcVCWo/s320/photo(27).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogYKpZ5RB000DPktqnIzao4zs6wqBBdqpdylIqbv2-mmse4HEr5Qkg0EV2eIqhPqVE9OQVMPk2OpgQ0_We5dxE3oxtJK__lEbvyZaY5zKo3nUMoVXoKKrDGG2jjk3eQOCAhJKEycHEbE/s1600-h/photo(28).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogYKpZ5RB000DPktqnIzao4zs6wqBBdqpdylIqbv2-mmse4HEr5Qkg0EV2eIqhPqVE9OQVMPk2OpgQ0_We5dxE3oxtJK__lEbvyZaY5zKo3nUMoVXoKKrDGG2jjk3eQOCAhJKEycHEbE/s320/photo(28).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2elIIDSbgrueji5TABTl5z_UnyFW2IIOh9NdUhRsqbNy9752OOSjSY0r1RCyiol1gonFyXM6UtDefvlshFa2H1J75IqfVTXVhm4pRzYQ7Kb3OGOpgazCzNhid_g_ZBuF2IsbW5Kpy9eQ/s1600-h/photo(29).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2elIIDSbgrueji5TABTl5z_UnyFW2IIOh9NdUhRsqbNy9752OOSjSY0r1RCyiol1gonFyXM6UtDefvlshFa2H1J75IqfVTXVhm4pRzYQ7Kb3OGOpgazCzNhid_g_ZBuF2IsbW5Kpy9eQ/s320/photo(29).jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Last post, I left with the absolutely adorable retro chandelier (I was right, Matt said "hideous") that I bought in New Port Richey, FL from "Donna" who was a hoot. She kept saying, "I can't believe you wanted this." I almost painted it a glossy red like I'd seen in countless blogs last week, but decided on black on a whim. The cylinders that contain the wiring were rotted when I bought it so I threw them out thinking I'd just buy some pvc pipe and spray it whatever color the lamp was. Just to see how it'd look I used a black paint chip I had on hand to cover up the wiring and it looked great so I picked up three more at Home Depot and used double sided tape to make it smooth. Easy and free. The lamp was $25 and the black paint I used was $3 bucks. It took the entire can. I just bought a brass chandelier on ebay today so after I get done with the mega project I'm working on tomorrow I'll start whipping that into shape. I love chandeliers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkkYsUyMsv5I2GNLKiZquG37SZc-45MrilMRtnVKEn73a8-lmszPv9Sd77M0d6OjQx_PDAb9PoP2toFRWdjWyBegqoloevugx4MTV5UfVwvzEeCaBLi9AE1lHDC1_m4W0KmF32K-rkFk/s1600-h/photo(22).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkkYsUyMsv5I2GNLKiZquG37SZc-45MrilMRtnVKEn73a8-lmszPv9Sd77M0d6OjQx_PDAb9PoP2toFRWdjWyBegqoloevugx4MTV5UfVwvzEeCaBLi9AE1lHDC1_m4W0KmF32K-rkFk/s320/photo(22).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrnfm_ZwBFUmDu6MkM_c443Sh12vZdMLRQyPmhBsjzY7DyiTeE5Xyh5Yy3aZrWAFxkGgxVfMys6q9orhSgA87S5kmoAt7Ir6HRoTrM09y-0m_87yxvt1t1yeEloEQrW4LIOh_6WvaDy0/s1600-h/photo(23).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrnfm_ZwBFUmDu6MkM_c443Sh12vZdMLRQyPmhBsjzY7DyiTeE5Xyh5Yy3aZrWAFxkGgxVfMys6q9orhSgA87S5kmoAt7Ir6HRoTrM09y-0m_87yxvt1t1yeEloEQrW4LIOh_6WvaDy0/s320/photo(23).jpg" /></a></div><br />
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This was a little "on a whim" craft that took about 5 minutes. I was getting bored since I've already packed and I'm still waiting for some stuff on ebay to make its way South. Somewhere in the course of Matt and I getting our house ready, we acquired this little gem.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtcj73bLiP4pn7LdiqpZn-31no2THdXi2my2it-kELjvX0DfBziAYQCLM9fkPLtv-NVJ2iHcmJFnhWyojUGmhD3BOUIjsTvXGn5XDw5xC7CPYZbwt6i1F5biPqHVzixLeDTYciiDgYmM/s1600-h/photo(20).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtcj73bLiP4pn7LdiqpZn-31no2THdXi2my2it-kELjvX0DfBziAYQCLM9fkPLtv-NVJ2iHcmJFnhWyojUGmhD3BOUIjsTvXGn5XDw5xC7CPYZbwt6i1F5biPqHVzixLeDTYciiDgYmM/s320/photo(20).jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I'm pretty sure it came from Matt's aunt and he loves it. I knew he be bummed if I donated it so I found the remnants of a little can of green spray paint and while I think it'd look dynomite in orange, I worked what I had. Here is the spunky new lamp, and you can definitely tell there's an elephant in the room. Such a punster. It kind of reminds me of those Buddha bookends that I love so much but am not Buddhist. All the punchy color without the religion. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqBqaHJImdUjkh2KV3pNbZVVpliTRljftSkxbhVu5LaRcqKjNgkRIgwF9u7n7zs5iQ2DwuPt6u2zZza0xgXXWV9r74GcvkrgLjjerzQuXf6V-Jj832wt0sOddEA_q_WckOAiuxQVo5z8/s1600-h/photo(24).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqBqaHJImdUjkh2KV3pNbZVVpliTRljftSkxbhVu5LaRcqKjNgkRIgwF9u7n7zs5iQ2DwuPt6u2zZza0xgXXWV9r74GcvkrgLjjerzQuXf6V-Jj832wt0sOddEA_q_WckOAiuxQVo5z8/s320/photo(24).jpg" /></a></div><br />
Onto the incredible new gadgets I found that I'm sure the rest of the world has already embraced and is frequently using but I just discovered. I'll start with the problems. We own the most wonderful faux feather (I'm allergic) plush duvet insert that my dad's wonderful secretaries at work got Matt and I for my wedding. We love it......however we hate duvets. Like a giant pillow case that never seems to settle just right where you get the insert and not just bunches of duvet fabric, we can't stand messing with it each night. Enter in....duvet clips. $5.99 for a pack of 4 and so worth it. If I'd had a 20% coupon to Bed Bath & Beyond they'd be even cheaper but I'd pay double. There were two brands and the woman helping me said this one was the best (they were the same price). You need these.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZeg-JR6WzoX33kdOi1V7bJJWtA2cFEJOHrcvVTfrhK5Mrpm95ucUK7Lcpx-crBoqpJJ1k16qblp2T-p47lwUNcZb-JERhdUflVdSo5AYLPSG0AlnBbK5q2uieaCzQwVddSYWrXDeJfI/s1600-h/photo(31).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZeg-JR6WzoX33kdOi1V7bJJWtA2cFEJOHrcvVTfrhK5Mrpm95ucUK7Lcpx-crBoqpJJ1k16qblp2T-p47lwUNcZb-JERhdUflVdSo5AYLPSG0AlnBbK5q2uieaCzQwVddSYWrXDeJfI/s320/photo(31).jpg" /></a></div><br />
The second little gaget comes from my willingness to spray paint everything. In the past month I sprayed six patio chairs and four dining room chairs. I had two calluses on my index fingers from the nozzle and a right thumb that continues to cramp when I turn a door handle. After finishing the chairs, I still had the base of the table to spray and couldn't even will myself to buy the paint. If I had the paint waiting to be used I might feel guiltier about not spraying them but oh the pain. So finally I dragged myself to Lowes to finish the project I'd started and like a spotlight from heaven I saw this little guy. Not only does it completely erase spraying discomfort, it allows the painter more control, thus use paint more productively. It only took two cans of paint for the base and I'm willing to bet it's because I was able to spray more evenly. Even for one project, this was worth it. You need this too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkKJGEUGdxIKLBkTpuQ27I1XJazPTqEgyZQ4Aa5XT5MwGIBCELZUMeTYLmtgQOj2lMfdB8B_8PjMqZLkTfHclbapdKt0bErAA1nZq4-WxYxkOMUOmnPsn88ez284cJCuuJ0uTrPsEDD4/s1600-h/photo(32).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkKJGEUGdxIKLBkTpuQ27I1XJazPTqEgyZQ4Aa5XT5MwGIBCELZUMeTYLmtgQOj2lMfdB8B_8PjMqZLkTfHclbapdKt0bErAA1nZq4-WxYxkOMUOmnPsn88ez284cJCuuJ0uTrPsEDD4/s320/photo(32).jpg" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-19396842007499039612010-02-12T19:50:00.000-08:002010-02-12T19:51:50.274-08:00A week of good things.One week till closing and I am so so so very excited. I wish Matt were here so badly but alas, the life of a musician's wife is indeed a lonely one. Good thing I have a furry 4 month old bud to keep up with. I have lots of new projects to share, found items, and good craigslists stories. I'll start with the stories. So that road trip I made to Palm Harbor was fruitfull because I got the greatest circular mirror for our guest bath. The people I bought it from were a nice enough couple but didn't expect to get this in my e-mail a week later (names withheld to protect the seller):<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"Hello Rachel this is * and *, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just want it to know how everything is going with you,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You know? * and I just moved to Palm Harbor from Boston and she was wondering if you would like to hung out with us someday, you seem like a nice person to be friends with, we enjoy music, cooking, art all types, just chatting etc.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*&*"</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0KpJZnhDglwbxOrbC6N5TzpVmPA7pvepq4-RmfbHyLa0LapUp6lpRTwEnJsULuaPTUziw1I5x4ArulGgzUAks9S6pCB5rwwLaxSHMd-CdDLXh_dyNk_DMg0wdfrT8Gxqb954PS74468/s1600-h/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While not what I expected from a craigslist transaction, I was flattered at first then a little creep-ed out. However, isn't that what part of this whole mission is about? Building Matt and I's new home with a sense of community? I feel for this lonely couple fresh from Boston, but we live in an age where I'm frightened from even friendly gestures. I did get a great mirror from *&* and so happy to share it with you. Our new guest bathroom has almond colored tile and I'm going to paint the walls a slightly lighter shade. The real pop comes from the garish red I painted the mirror to go in the boring almond bathroom. Before and After....</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikH0GqewF-kP0ETEMlLNZHN0JRDP5-k3skfcaaSJ-QNHqMA9aPkPpVdpE1rK22GI-H7-1ChvFcFH9Ly7f5Wjd7yrl9Y-28oXAn71Ehzcm_h5QkDU7gMUQmfI9ZaGrocRDjeKCoTzTDPlk/s1600-h/IMG_0607.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/AVvXsEikH0GqewF-kP0ETEMlLNZHN0JRDP5-k3skfcaaSJ-QNHqMA9aPkPpVdpE1rK22GI-H7-1ChvFcFH9Ly7f5Wjd7yrl9Y-28oXAn71Ehzcm_h5QkDU7gMUQmfI9ZaGrocRDjeKCoTzTDPlk/s320/IMG_0607.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0KpJZnhDglwbxOrbC6N5TzpVmPA7pvepq4-RmfbHyLa0LapUp6lpRTwEnJsULuaPTUziw1I5x4ArulGgzUAks9S6pCB5rwwLaxSHMd-CdDLXh_dyNk_DMg0wdfrT8Gxqb954PS74468/s1600-h/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0KpJZnhDglwbxOrbC6N5TzpVmPA7pvepq4-RmfbHyLa0LapUp6lpRTwEnJsULuaPTUziw1I5x4ArulGgzUAks9S6pCB5rwwLaxSHMd-CdDLXh_dyNk_DMg0wdfrT8Gxqb954PS74468/s320/IMG_0605.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I found this mirror (still on a mirror obsession) at a thrift store on Hillsborough whose entire proceeds goes to missions in Cuba. I don't have a before even though I swear I took one but can't find it. This is going in our bedroom "mirror-ed wall". </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp3WPpshayj7r0cI8eXPO6ht54QTHK5YfAyufS6Zn9pQurBDHLGJR2KYDfNnQ0LMFhytt8MZZC0GQrEq0l3M_NRDpWS4kopEhIuS5P7k-lOZATIcqPREa8LZ-KlNApbRDNOeDwSLlm9k/s1600-h/IMG_0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp3WPpshayj7r0cI8eXPO6ht54QTHK5YfAyufS6Zn9pQurBDHLGJR2KYDfNnQ0LMFhytt8MZZC0GQrEq0l3M_NRDpWS4kopEhIuS5P7k-lOZATIcqPREa8LZ-KlNApbRDNOeDwSLlm9k/s320/IMG_0604.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I do have a wonderful craigslist story to balance out the bad however. I met the sweetest couple today and their too-cute daughter in the pursuit of a quirky West Elm rug. They live in Sarasota and I was prepared to drive the hour and a half but she called yesterday and said they'd be in Tampa today and could run it by my school to see it. Um, yes? I was just telling Matt yesterday that while we believe using already manufactured items as long as possible and not sending old stuff to the landfills is the greenest way to go, is driving all over Florida for used goods defying the very purpose? So cool that Nina and her sweet family came to the "green" rescue. I love this rug and it will be perfect in the entrance to the new homestead. It was so hard to find a 100% wool rug with no plastic or synthetic fibers used and I am so stoked. I'm pretty sure Matt will like this one.</span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAa9N1ToDm0_8dJPmvBrzY9alxOmCSLQ9D5w2-UKRpVPDT5KY9b3bEQ1Lun9z6cxQuv-8RuES3bV29MBZL7fs1-LRzGw-UBpjvY0EftIaJ2Ko0ad6ECMrXmjkixwL0ymV2FskCVrAUAI/s1600-h/3n13ma3l85Ob5T65S8a26e602faf49ff91ad8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAa9N1ToDm0_8dJPmvBrzY9alxOmCSLQ9D5w2-UKRpVPDT5KY9b3bEQ1Lun9z6cxQuv-8RuES3bV29MBZL7fs1-LRzGw-UBpjvY0EftIaJ2Ko0ad6ECMrXmjkixwL0ymV2FskCVrAUAI/s320/3n13ma3l85Ob5T65S8a26e602faf49ff91ad8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It must be said that my husband is a very good man. He is seeing these pieces and my purchases the same way my family and friends are, on my blog. He lets me buy whatever fancies me mostly because he's away on tour. And when I say "whatever" I mean that if he doesn't like it when he gets back, we are selling it. This was the case in the search for a table. I wanted a glass table and he didn't. I wanted a particular table and his take on it was, verbatim "anything but that". So what would the thoughtful considerate wife do? Keep looking of course for a table that fit every family member's needs. I however thought that my sense of style and interior knowledge far surpasses my husband's and I bought the "anything but that". Taking this as a mission on my part to get Matt to love my transgression, I immediately tore off the hideous upholstery and covered the seats with a streamlined green diamond check Navajo-ish fabric. I then sprayed white lacquer on the metal chairs and voila. Brilliant. I haven't finished the table yet and my mom is convinced a cave man taught me how to upholster so she's going to help me finish the rest. But I think they are swell. They came from Weeki Wachi (sp?) and my wonderful mother helped lasso these babies into my dad's truck. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zSdrWzSdRDBWqfQinpR7zvJIPJnMBT4nPtINgs2gL44E8LcSuGsDw1_e7qaBinEkgydpRNPJNTmQXwe8C7kJli6_XcTUAcLWP-Ga8s0nljFwQmPicqUxvOM1Ixz4LjksWuFemCzqIec/s1600-h/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zSdrWzSdRDBWqfQinpR7zvJIPJnMBT4nPtINgs2gL44E8LcSuGsDw1_e7qaBinEkgydpRNPJNTmQXwe8C7kJli6_XcTUAcLWP-Ga8s0nljFwQmPicqUxvOM1Ixz4LjksWuFemCzqIec/s320/IMG_0608.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBKmmNs8Jr0KW8VbDQ4YhVZeQnCc2F5_IdYiOdh_IIspvK1ORJs8pB8BXsZcZ_RKlEfCNUku3vWQf7mwd17Td2FN4A52E1w2j-hmaB1yMZ6c9wPuv5NOPGEIjXiDEiYsvUu92C3jQTiQ/s1600-h/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBKmmNs8Jr0KW8VbDQ4YhVZeQnCc2F5_IdYiOdh_IIspvK1ORJs8pB8BXsZcZ_RKlEfCNUku3vWQf7mwd17Td2FN4A52E1w2j-hmaB1yMZ6c9wPuv5NOPGEIjXiDEiYsvUu92C3jQTiQ/s320/IMG_0611.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDnFgY5BGOfzdHPKEuXQblsRt6qcSqcHF5OphqsyEst-gOefxfIca7XEe-jzgcin01XQp6KfkE8gK0mxU3C639OJcUYW0Zerub_AXCEENPsrKMWMjbf9rkbtv0BqzPbi14qUq-aritpg/s1600-h/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDnFgY5BGOfzdHPKEuXQblsRt6qcSqcHF5OphqsyEst-gOefxfIca7XEe-jzgcin01XQp6KfkE8gK0mxU3C639OJcUYW0Zerub_AXCEENPsrKMWMjbf9rkbtv0BqzPbi14qUq-aritpg/s320/IMG_0609.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLtm96NfEPfxgjsjwH2b4fVXB_rXgkl__Vk72O_tFSpfM7qJ951o_7OJeeEgGaFXn9oH9pQ6AqoyEaS2TcjSEr4E8HryZHPvymLP_WlRyRwX31tQkifBqHIuWU9h-e_aMqrpZt0bj7y4/s1600-h/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLtm96NfEPfxgjsjwH2b4fVXB_rXgkl__Vk72O_tFSpfM7qJ951o_7OJeeEgGaFXn9oH9pQ6AqoyEaS2TcjSEr4E8HryZHPvymLP_WlRyRwX31tQkifBqHIuWU9h-e_aMqrpZt0bj7y4/s320/IMG_0610.JPG" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNu3PtXY0AR3eULL312vzbdHxpNufw7mKvkK5Hyfl0FNbVwGcegMSEwy3AyIQa_Sq9pGBSfB5xs1eJdvSkVQIVviBcSslMg_IlHCxiejcIesUbEfiQkVeb2a4Gr7jji6GSLkoKc-J690/s1600-h/IMG_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNu3PtXY0AR3eULL312vzbdHxpNufw7mKvkK5Hyfl0FNbVwGcegMSEwy3AyIQa_Sq9pGBSfB5xs1eJdvSkVQIVviBcSslMg_IlHCxiejcIesUbEfiQkVeb2a4Gr7jji6GSLkoKc-J690/s320/IMG_0606.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I've got still more projects to work on and a nice long weekend to get them done. I'll leave one last image to truly intrigue you. Matt is going to hate this. And then love it of course.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOClxeTpDQ0BlgqhIT9P7IaosN_FqprnAIAnbKPFTos5wg27eYM1YgfevjjJ9EZhO8Phrgylbw8ofiirZh_Jb5JeQhrmu3MUmACrJHyQphAFayUt3BmZpgadJ0ozLVNk64qwS2JKVmVI/s1600-h/IMG_0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOClxeTpDQ0BlgqhIT9P7IaosN_FqprnAIAnbKPFTos5wg27eYM1YgfevjjJ9EZhO8Phrgylbw8ofiirZh_Jb5JeQhrmu3MUmACrJHyQphAFayUt3BmZpgadJ0ozLVNk64qwS2JKVmVI/s320/IMG_0612.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-62291901826759739572010-02-05T17:05:00.000-08:002010-02-05T17:05:36.612-08:00An unexpected road trip<div class="MsoNormal">Exciting journey out to Palm Harbor on Wednesday for the <a href="http://communitybungalow.blogspot.com/2010/01/oh-stimulus-how-you-tempt-me.html">cause</a>. Thought it’d be a 20 minute trip but I misread my GPS and it ended up taking an hour. My poor puppy had to ride along on our little odyssey and he chewed up my lunch Tupperware in the process. He was a trooper so he deserved it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The REASON for our little trek was for a beautiful mirror. I’ve been absorbed in the ability of a mirror to completely transform a space from a small and windowless cave into a light and airy room. In the new house we have a 9.5 by 9.5 room that is really in need of some light bouncing around. It’s got a window to the front porch which is going to be the catalyst. I scoured our house for any mirror I could use and found one with some potential. In the meantime I’d been searching for mirrors on craigslist and found one in Palm Harbor, thus the expedition. Palm Harbor is really far. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first mirror is one my mom gave me when I moved into the town house I shared with Logan. I painted it white (surprise surprise) with a new white lacquer paint that they sell at Lowes (my rust-oleum isn’t carried there…). I'm planning to use it in our bedroom for a little mirrored wall I've thought up. The Palm Harbor mirror isn't completed but it's going to be great. I won't spoil it's greatness yet because it's proving hard to tape off a circular mirror. Once it's done, you'll see it in all it's mirror-y goodness. And for the meantime you can drool over how cute my dog is in the car. He's a good road mate.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzl_fXbadC_NGAh1PnCqvPJHc-o4juIllMQKkmhOeQxDmd-2GawA6-UBAtEH46gB6MeWd-ftyXpHHh8stc7xjHvisOKlrrO29OvCwp8Ve8kG4tPFgTlfvplk8pmWaZMtSIHf1lIbIiN-s/s1600-h/photo(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzl_fXbadC_NGAh1PnCqvPJHc-o4juIllMQKkmhOeQxDmd-2GawA6-UBAtEH46gB6MeWd-ftyXpHHh8stc7xjHvisOKlrrO29OvCwp8Ve8kG4tPFgTlfvplk8pmWaZMtSIHf1lIbIiN-s/s320/photo(16).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHoNDelwEAQQxcp3X2ih4ufdbkjLPuhxW4h4xuD9PwjK_1kM_w3vnP3yPe7EePsqBSm6XlZYxri4NgINrUA2g8pc1-0b9Q6k7WR3kN-qhW0DxMRobqfpXmzJ-AQx0z5Vgilf1r0oGneQ/s1600-h/photo(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHoNDelwEAQQxcp3X2ih4ufdbkjLPuhxW4h4xuD9PwjK_1kM_w3vnP3yPe7EePsqBSm6XlZYxri4NgINrUA2g8pc1-0b9Q6k7WR3kN-qhW0DxMRobqfpXmzJ-AQx0z5Vgilf1r0oGneQ/s320/photo(17).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9khrsCjALCikvZGbInNzT6YgHbh63Qzg2r9gst8pe9A0IvpwCRM5T1EmlBPCR59jf1Gbuh2fXmvFSjEQ4GSoargVgTfs_xBjbpVEijv8v1ylpmliS-6eUr7taszVkO6PYc80pM3dKF6M/s1600-h/photo(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9khrsCjALCikvZGbInNzT6YgHbh63Qzg2r9gst8pe9A0IvpwCRM5T1EmlBPCR59jf1Gbuh2fXmvFSjEQ4GSoargVgTfs_xBjbpVEijv8v1ylpmliS-6eUr7taszVkO6PYc80pM3dKF6M/s320/photo(18).jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERmaDz13j5LYavwc0WkQZiUF7-7hCTvSY4I5TRI24FKB5_xigIjimoR5XbigqjdbAy_GB-6NCfP6Me3AB9Gjp-Aaen0-HoYZaKvWZ-nqFv09KgmnDCb5YLLqK-WyuXk7q4Q3y2-3AC1k/s1600-h/photo(19).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERmaDz13j5LYavwc0WkQZiUF7-7hCTvSY4I5TRI24FKB5_xigIjimoR5XbigqjdbAy_GB-6NCfP6Me3AB9Gjp-Aaen0-HoYZaKvWZ-nqFv09KgmnDCb5YLLqK-WyuXk7q4Q3y2-3AC1k/s320/photo(19).jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-15890138323322447182010-02-02T19:14:00.000-08:002010-02-02T19:14:28.940-08:00Tuesday Missions...With the countdown on (16 days!) and my unreal desire to have every single piece of furniture before move in tapping me on the shoulder at 5 am, I stopped by the thrift store on the way home from work. We are looking for a guest bed frame and possibly a headboard along with the endless search for rugs. While I found none of those things, I did score some sweet deals. My mom bought me an adorable cupcake stand for Christmas and I've been obsessed with them ever since. I bought some material to make a couple, some pottery (I can't have enough vintage pottery, please stop me), an adorable sunny basketweave purse ($.50!) and was ready to leave when the cashier totaled my purchases. $3.50 was the grand total of my bag full of stuff and I was beyond ecstatic, until she told me I had to have a $5 total to use my card. Cashless and bummed, I sadly looked around the shabby interior for anything to buy to fill the void. I saw a lonely looking chair and added it to my bounty for a whopping.....wait for it.....$2.50. Yup. <br />
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I immediately took it home for some re-upholstering. The only fabric I had lying around was from the kitchen curtains I made last year but it was just enough to cover the chair pad, so it was probably meant to be. Seriously, this took less than 10 minutes and while the fabric won't be on there forever, the chair is so classic, I can change it anytime to refresh. <br />
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My husband is probably reading this thinking "we don't need another chair" and it's true. While I said I'm obsessed with cupcake plates, it's nothing compared to my desire for "another chair". They can go anywhere! Next to the door as a catch all for umbrellas and a nice place to tie your shoes, along a wall just in case you get tired on the way to your bedroom, scattered throughout your living room should the unexpected party of 5 show up, you just never know when you might need another chair. Here's the before and after along with the totals....and the last picture is of my too cute purse.<br />
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Chair: $2.50<br />
Fabric: had it already but for the record it costs $7.99 a yard a Ikea and I used about 1/4 yard.<br />
Staple Gun: Just borrowed from my mom on Sunday<br />
Total: If you include the fabric, $4.50<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWNsY9VhrmJDds1Kro-NpJWZZmw5ild7QTeBd_K1cgCUreUv0q79aFM9ghwssAk_aD0-i70r5VaRvdBQcwYGaJ3C08ja6Z9qa7zBEEzddVg3nWD4kJxfB1EEgfWXHJ-CLfiDzuyO-UjQ/s1600-h/photo(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWNsY9VhrmJDds1Kro-NpJWZZmw5ild7QTeBd_K1cgCUreUv0q79aFM9ghwssAk_aD0-i70r5VaRvdBQcwYGaJ3C08ja6Z9qa7zBEEzddVg3nWD4kJxfB1EEgfWXHJ-CLfiDzuyO-UjQ/s320/photo(13).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMLPZJeA6BBumZIKgLxpyGdKHmZEDaqVmVeQhFftswElhC_s28JLpDRzX-0lBzMU9e2TD8p07JGlx3bftprr8r4n_oU32vp15saBc5tvouV8SAfj6NDa_uv4uJfK0D8gPM3VSpzj9Vc0/s1600-h/photo(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMLPZJeA6BBumZIKgLxpyGdKHmZEDaqVmVeQhFftswElhC_s28JLpDRzX-0lBzMU9e2TD8p07JGlx3bftprr8r4n_oU32vp15saBc5tvouV8SAfj6NDa_uv4uJfK0D8gPM3VSpzj9Vc0/s320/photo(14).jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaTN3Dgkw0jfIVdXu1rSs2JgWwLBx0RePifFJ8F9WbeBdnd3CVyRiDdbhwkfw3nfDBhfcFZEPGJmHhwjZmpaA8D9cmJKI8Q3pQ7j-MrNHUz01eCLIhPExXtEr4CgM3BZVGpXiF0pucc8/s1600-h/photo(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaTN3Dgkw0jfIVdXu1rSs2JgWwLBx0RePifFJ8F9WbeBdnd3CVyRiDdbhwkfw3nfDBhfcFZEPGJmHhwjZmpaA8D9cmJKI8Q3pQ7j-MrNHUz01eCLIhPExXtEr4CgM3BZVGpXiF0pucc8/s320/photo(15).jpg" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-7873151171875032592010-02-01T14:22:00.000-08:002010-02-01T14:22:42.295-08:00Road Block #1<div class="MsoNormal">Trying to find a used rug is proving difficult. We currently enjoy beautiful terrazzo flooring in our 60’s rancher but our new home has warm original wood floors. I want whatever we pick to “pop” and our dark brown shag isn’t popping as it is probably close to the color of the stained pine. My pickiness and impeccable sense of style are just increasing my troubles finding something. I'd really like these <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/color-bound-sisal-rug/?pkey=crugs-neutral-brown">bad boys</a> but alas, <a href="http://communitybungalow.blogspot.com/2010/01/oh-stimulus-how-you-tempt-me.html">the resolution</a>...I’ve scoured ebay and craigslist for fun, durable, and “us” rugs to adorn our floors to no avail. I’ve got a couple projects going on now, but Tampa is killing it this week with the rain, so sadly no painting outside for me for the next couple of days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnw4PyuYF36ioSL9aBqgSvGsNzcVBiOfPYSmT97BXQlP7ATcsRscWUphApGFqv6RDC0atf5jY4nz-EOIQOfOFsd-j92tdiPp0I5Q_55zVnqAgSGEueZhWdCAKx0iWSoQ-KGgrHuUNUF8/s1600-h/photo(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Our closing date is within the month! We move in 18 days and time is crawling by. I can’t wait to start getting boxes out of the house and let the hours (and hours and hours) of painting begin! Before any furniture is placed in the new house we need to paint the ENTIRE house. Granted 1100 square feet is not as huge as I’m making it sound but not one wall is of acceptable color. A “could have been” soothing cream was mistaken for a pukey beige at Home Depot apparently. Also on the timeline for that week is installing wood flooring in our master bedroom which was once the back porch and now converted into a room. In the remodel, the past owners installed grey berber which looks fine but I’d rather rip it up now when nothing is in it than rip it out later and have to move everything out. In the case that the original porch flooring is looking swell, well, that'd be a miracle but for now, I'm planning on new stuff. Other small projects are removing some cabinetry and putting in shelves in the kitchen. I’ve given myself a week to do all of this which is probably crazy considering I have a full time (over time) job but I like to have ambitious goals. When we go back to the house I’ll post the before pictures. Here's the front with my fine lookin' husband, his parents, and our realtor out front. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnw4PyuYF36ioSL9aBqgSvGsNzcVBiOfPYSmT97BXQlP7ATcsRscWUphApGFqv6RDC0atf5jY4nz-EOIQOfOFsd-j92tdiPp0I5Q_55zVnqAgSGEueZhWdCAKx0iWSoQ-KGgrHuUNUF8/s1600-h/photo(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnw4PyuYF36ioSL9aBqgSvGsNzcVBiOfPYSmT97BXQlP7ATcsRscWUphApGFqv6RDC0atf5jY4nz-EOIQOfOFsd-j92tdiPp0I5Q_55zVnqAgSGEueZhWdCAKx0iWSoQ-KGgrHuUNUF8/s320/photo(12).jpg" /></a></div>Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-30574478836857134412010-01-31T12:33:00.000-08:002010-01-31T12:40:10.955-08:00Project OneSo there is this amazing vintage store near our new house from which I bought two danish side tables that needed a little love from about a year ago. The legs were splitting some so the owner gave me a break on the price. My husband was coming home from a trip and I wanted to fix them up to surprise him with. In my haste to make them amazing in a couple hours, I did a crappy job with taping off the metal trim and an even worse job painting them. I definitely slacked on the gift but my awesome husband liked them anyway :). When we got the house I found two incredibly great side tables at West Elm that I had my sights set on and these were finding their way to craigslist, but after my <a href="http://communitybungalow.blogspot.com/2010/01/oh-stimulus-how-you-tempt-me.html">enlightenment</a>, I can now only dream of you, <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/g057/?pkey=cside-accent-tables">wonderful side table delight</a>.....<br />
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I forgot to take a full on "before" but you can see the bad paint job in the pictures. In the first one you can even see I didn't even end up painting the back legs because I was bummed with how horrible they were turning out. After full on cleaning each table (we have two) I carefully taped each one using the Sunday ads to cover the tops. I used Rust-oleum's Lacquer spray paint in white. I've bought so many cans of this product, it's really incredible. Super shiny and fresh looking. So instead of two sad and worn out danish duds, we now are the proud owners of two clean and modern danish dazzlers. So that alliteration was a little damp.... Below is the cost breakdown.<br />
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Side Tables: free-already had<br />
Tape: already had it<br />
Paint: 1.5 cans of Rust-oleum White Lacquer $8 <br />
Total: $8 <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKVYFkcBv1H-0rtAUtV8M3sz3v-oNE6Pl023iNXBpVj4GP9XjMZRO2o92LOzo0m-FKwj-kUHxkJmH6F3zPwx1BfAOWSEJf4mZxXQ7UPMhrKAIUndCaVRTQXQQCvw3V1AlJxlim1rIMOw/s1600/photo(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKVYFkcBv1H-0rtAUtV8M3sz3v-oNE6Pl023iNXBpVj4GP9XjMZRO2o92LOzo0m-FKwj-kUHxkJmH6F3zPwx1BfAOWSEJf4mZxXQ7UPMhrKAIUndCaVRTQXQQCvw3V1AlJxlim1rIMOw/s320/photo(6).jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvu_qz_vrk4nGwo4r_D6PutwuMr84ntMmral-y76r2xQeW16bFD6rHvYFgx9jvb2wpLH5tNfxvbY2_jKCve_6nv6O37eE42hPsDDZFvVElqv8r0BI-bZTWTDeJXjPc6jKHWkDf5JOiVc/s1600-h/photo(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72lmNkst3ZHvDUR4dvXcabM4i4kXteKJEc4i2Y_AVR4K0v3Zds7ggh3pZSOOIJfUch1xK2RH8jW_XV-5hcOKXBiy4GY0UEA2MBOgxoqe2nQXBoP2o6nPgdp-oDimCW1LH6Qa4cg7pP1o/s1600-h/photo(7).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/AVvXsEh72lmNkst3ZHvDUR4dvXcabM4i4kXteKJEc4i2Y_AVR4K0v3Zds7ggh3pZSOOIJfUch1xK2RH8jW_XV-5hcOKXBiy4GY0UEA2MBOgxoqe2nQXBoP2o6nPgdp-oDimCW1LH6Qa4cg7pP1o/s320/photo(7).jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyULuW_juFAhSU8KGFV3XeAdXEmrPWoEpDDVPPosh1Knk1WwPoTWKplxx2Fr11zSBhNAqWWeYBE2oc1O4D9fP_cBmJLfs5eAUwcp4XyrXj6uJxyEGjcilztjtNbJXiScVCBqCxGY6lp3I/s1600-h/photo(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyULuW_juFAhSU8KGFV3XeAdXEmrPWoEpDDVPPosh1Knk1WwPoTWKplxx2Fr11zSBhNAqWWeYBE2oc1O4D9fP_cBmJLfs5eAUwcp4XyrXj6uJxyEGjcilztjtNbJXiScVCBqCxGY6lp3I/s320/photo(8).jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKVYFkcBv1H-0rtAUtV8M3sz3v-oNE6Pl023iNXBpVj4GP9XjMZRO2o92LOzo0m-FKwj-kUHxkJmH6F3zPwx1BfAOWSEJf4mZxXQ7UPMhrKAIUndCaVRTQXQQCvw3V1AlJxlim1rIMOw/s1600-h/photo(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg52kHhpUBbFNdjduT8lU-eGGol1JYHa6Npvo3f4IKBfGFVTX87LvRsJ9LAMTUOavDbqgYTK4e88Zuz_PLVw8Dka2Bz9YOq0KOG-LhbO9GJIlWnmxWj35_VwWuE18-ZS9RtiLssPdDGU/s1600-h/photo(5).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/AVvXsEhqg52kHhpUBbFNdjduT8lU-eGGol1JYHa6Npvo3f4IKBfGFVTX87LvRsJ9LAMTUOavDbqgYTK4e88Zuz_PLVw8Dka2Bz9YOq0KOG-LhbO9GJIlWnmxWj35_VwWuE18-ZS9RtiLssPdDGU/s320/photo(5).jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvu_qz_vrk4nGwo4r_D6PutwuMr84ntMmral-y76r2xQeW16bFD6rHvYFgx9jvb2wpLH5tNfxvbY2_jKCve_6nv6O37eE42hPsDDZFvVElqv8r0BI-bZTWTDeJXjPc6jKHWkDf5JOiVc/s320/photo(10).jpg" />Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1720895172366860138.post-51779082415652278432010-01-30T10:14:00.000-08:002010-01-31T12:44:38.293-08:00Oh, stimulus, how you tempt me.Our first house that we can put in our own flooring, rip out a wall on a whim, and lay down some sweet sweet sparkling linoleum. No asking, no begging, just doing. It sounds like our previous landlords have been nightmarish but actually it's just been our parents. And they've been awesome. They've let us paint a room kelly green, a kitchen brick red (and badly), get an enormous dog, and ruin new paint jobs with countless nail holes. But now we are fleeing out nest, investing in a 1921 bungalow, and are free to do whatever the blazes we want with 1100 square feet. If that's as big as your master bath, just smile and say it's "cute". <br />
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Once we signed the contract for the house, my mind flew to the countless ideas, designs, and color schemes that had lodged themselves into my pyshe from two years of Dwell, Trad Home, and my favorite bloggers. My wish list was envisioned and before my husband could even ask me if we were planning on keeping our cerulean couch, I'd begun packing. With our move in date more than a month away I boxed everything I didn't think we need for that time. 15 packed boxes in, I began to ask myself, if I could live without these things for a month, why in heaven do we need them at all? We have so much stuff. And we aren't pack rats. And we (well, I) aren't sentimental. If we, the modern minimalist couple that has no need for quilted tissue box covers and the like, have boxes full of crap, what does the rest of the world hide in their homes? <br />
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Thus begins our promise, goal, resolution if you will. We, The Hires, pledge to not buy one single piece of new anything for our new home. If we have enough and our neighbors have enough to build the storage centers flooding our city then we are going to make a small dent in Tampa's junk by using only used things to fill our bunglow. There are some asterisks as my husband was not exactly thrilled with this goal.<br />
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-We have tons of gift cards we can use (why waste free money?) and sadly, not one is for a thrift store<br />
-My husband did not want to buy a used TV<br />
-Personal items will not be used (he was grossed out by another person's towel)<br />
-we are putting new flooring in the house, salvaged was way too expensive<br />
-gifts are fair game, why rob our loved ones from the blessing of blessing? <br />
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And so it begins. I will catalog every dollar we spend on either fixing up what we already have or splurging on someone else's goods. Our bungalow is going to reflect not just us but our community.Rachel E. Hireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586342867693977413noreply@blogger.com1