Around the house

I found a grey linen duvet and sham set at Homesense on clearance, it took me nearly three years to find something I really liked...I see its time to give it a wash and iron but I am not looking forward to that task...

 Currently my dining room project is on hold, I needed some time to recover from the flooring install but I am hoping to get back at it early next week...

 After dealing with insane amounts of dust during the flooring install I decided it was time to get some dust collection, I found this beginner unit second hand. I am hoping it will really help reduce the mess...I have yet to decide how I am going to set it up, it is moveable so it can be used inside on occassion also...kinda excited to give it a spin.

 I was killing time the other day at Winners and found this fun marquee sign...aren't they all the rage? It was even in my shade of  deep blue so I didn't hesitate to bring it home.

 I moved the black media cabinet out of the living room, I am trying out this lovely dresser instead I love this piece as I've said before...I plan to mount the tv on the wall ...the sign is a fun touch it is battery operated.

I moved this cabinet from the living room up to our bedroom where it fits in beautifully with our black bed.

This cabinet has had many transformations, it was a hand me down piece from my in-laws, I think it is maple, it had other shelves and a lot of curves and a shelf with a little fence type detail, over the years I have transformed it into what it looks like today which to me is kind of a Pottery Barn style media cabinet which is more current and clean lined, I suppose I up-cycled it.

I searched for an early photo of it and this is all I could find an old photo of our old house...circa 2007 wow I sure over did it with the accessories back then...

So that's what has been going on around the house...oh and more importantly please pay attention to your breast health, if you have them...I know it is the last day of October but it is still officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month....I had my first mammogram last week and its not scary and painful like you may think it is....check your self and get into the Dr asap to have anything suspicous checked out....OK that is my little PSA.

Lot's of love, 

Chris 

unwrapping an early Christmas gift...

 I completed three coats of water base Varathane last night and thought it was about time to remove the plastic door and when I did and stood back in the kitchen to take it all in I must admit I was in awe of how beautiful it looked. If I may say so. After all it now looks like all those gorgeous Pinterest images I have been longing for for so long. Having the same deep rich flooring really expands and blends the space so much better. I just need to finish the quarter round and then wait a couple more days for the top coat to fully cure, luckily it is a three day cure water based Varathane then we will move some furniture back in. 

My opinion on decorating is that a room should always look beautiful empty, if you start with beautiful bones and character the less fluff you have to add and the easier decorating the room is. As well this is what adds value to your home, decor is nice and cute but it isn't there to stay like millwork. 

This project took me 16 days to complete which is a little bit shorter than the 21 day timeline that I wasn't sure I could even make. Now it did take me much of each day from 4-6 hours some days on average, I know 4 hours doesn't sound long , but working over head and on your knees for 4 hours is rough. I took two whole days off through the process I was on a mission. 

I am so happy to have that carpet gone, it was less than two years old and showing so much matting and crushing , under the sofa looked great but the rest was so shabby looking. 

Having a continuous flooring also means I can extend my table even into the family room a bit for large gatherings which will be a great option.

I have been looking for a nice rug for the family room, I mean I hate to cover the wood but the room needs an 8x10 area carpet.

If we didn't put in a rug the furniture legs would ruin the pine floors and the furniture would slide around which would be an incredible pain, plus it's just nice visually and functionally.

 I think I am going with a synthetic sisal carpet for now because of the price and wear and tear. I love real sisal but one dog barf incident and its ruined. I would love a more decorative option but we also need a new sofa so the sofa will come first as we can always upgrade our rug. As well I haven't found anything I love yet.

We are thinking the Ikea Hovas sofa would be the perfect choice for our big reveal... 

 I am happy to share I found some almost perfect wool 8x10 rugs for around $500 price at Home Depot which I think it pretty great but I still need to check out Homesense on a regular basis I suppose.

Life is about to get back to normal and Christmas is about to officially begin at our house. Happy holiday's!

If you would like to see how I DIY my coffered ceiling check it out here http://chriskauffman.blogspot.ca/2013/12/my-diy-coffered-ceiling.html