Silly Wabbit

In my attempt to stay busy and wait for our closing AGAIN; I have resorted to turning my small strawberry patch into a fortress. 

I feel like I'm living a Bugs Bunny cartoon.  I'mYosemite Sam being outsmarted by Bugs and I am not laughing.  Everytime I think I'll get to taste one of the ripe juicy strawberries, I instead find a small gnawed piece of it left dangling. 

It would be better if they at least ate the whole thing and left me wondering if I just imagined there where once strawberries there.  But no, they tease me and leave evidence of their cunning stealth ways.   Maybe it's time to call Elmer Fudd for help.  -S

The Ghosts of Maggots

I'm really wondering if anyone out there would have the heart to reuse - renew cabinets that had once had maggots living on the top of them? We've moved on to remodeling a home, and are all for restoring former beauty. However, would the ghosts of maggots always loom in a kitchen even if the cabinets were brought to better-than-new status?

Definitely a question you never expect to face, but actually something to consider.

-B

Lights!

In our recent weekend rondevu with our home, placing final touches in the living room was essential. It's currently the oasis in our renovation desert of complete possibilities. We found many options for lights. For example, our living room had no main light, and simply had one small can light built into the ceiling. It was not centered in the room, neither horizontally or vertically. Odd, yes. However, we came up with a great plan.

Our home is French Country style (I mentioned that before - it's been in an identity crisis for a while now. We're providing therapy.) We are working to blend French country with our modern love for art, and our eclectic decorative items. With the lights, we chose a light bar that is both modern in sleek style, but old-worldish in color and shape. Placing a darker colored light bar on a white ceiling was a little out there for us, but it absolutely worked. The light bar is centered vertically, lights up the bookcase and that side of the room at night, while our floor lamp takes care of the rest. It is absolutely soothing and French Country stylish.

- B

Is the Living Room Really Living?

While we're waiting for the Pink House to close, my family is actually remodeling our personal home as well. We recently purchased a French country style home with an identity crisis. From the outside, it's gorgeous - brick with shutters. Inside and around the yard, it's in need of love.

I hadn't realized how much I'd need a finished space to find peace until now. We've got open walls, missing cabinets, outdated wallpaper coming down by the day, and it has been very hard for me to find peace. Recently while on a night away, I spilled this to my husband. My desperate need for a finished space in the chaos to bring calm. I can see the big picture, I love the energy of the home, but I need a refuge.

My new definition of a living room is actually: the room that helps me feel truly alive. It is our first finished space, not the one needing the most work, but the first finished. It is amazing. It's gone from the color of granny pink blush to a beautiful brown butter with all the tchotchkes that make it our own.

I have to say, I am now in love with living again, thanks to my living room. –B