It’s been a shuffle-y couple of months around here, but now that the wall paint is dry, we’ve started putting things back into place.
There’s still a fireplace to paint (Simply White), and tile to (temporarily) cover up…
…but things are definitely starting to feel more like us around here.
I’ve had the shelf above (and below) for so long…but I never could find the right place to hang them.
I’ve been having a lot fun listening to the walls in this house though. You do that too, I’m sure. Walk around with some “thing” you love…holding it up, here and there. You get someone to hold it up for you, so you can walk by it to make sure there’s enough room to comfortably pass by…or to see how it plays with the other colors in the room. You know the drill. 🙂
We’re making one more little kitchen/living/dining room wall-related change today…
…then we’re hitting the road to the Midwest. I’m really looking forward to seeing my family in Minnesota and visiting friends and flea markets along the way!
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That is a great feeling when things start to come together in a new space! We also did the off-white to white switch for the light plates – makes a huge difference!
That wood corbel shelf is AMAZING-makes me think of Donna w/ Funky Junk! i love it! question: is there a reason you don’t spray paint or paint over your outlet covers? is it just not worth the time b/c they are cheap enough? just wondering –not questioning in a disrespectful way. Just wanting to know.
Thanks, Courtney! And as for the outlet/switch plate covers- we could paint them white, but the switches and outlets (inside the walls) would still be almond, so they’ve all gotta go! 😀
I LOVE the wire “catch-all basket” you have posted above. What exactly is it and is there a place to buy it or was it a flea market find? I absolutely love your blog – even my husband is addicted!!
Love seeing all your little Cottagey changes. Have a safe trip and a great visit. xxoo
Got it! right- almond has just got to go completely. i’m with you. thanks for clarifying.
oh, Minnesota is so fun! have a great road trip! stop by if your route takes you on the 90 west thru WI 🙂 have a super summer!
Oooh! I love what I’m seeing. Can’t wait for pics of the whole room!
That wire basket organizer is sooo cool! Are you using it for a family command center or will it be more decorative? We put together a family command center recently in a very small space, and I had quite a difficult time finding cool looking items that could also help get us organized. Those items are always there at the store when you can’t imagine where you’ll put them, and then gone when that brilliant idea finally strikes. At least for me. 🙂
Oh, and yeah for white outlets! One of those little things that makes such a big difference.
Oh, that pine shelf (is it pine?)! Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
Everything is looking so cottage-great! Have a wonderful trip : )
Tell me about the dog painting. I love it. I have been looking for a fun way and unique way to feature my dog, Miss Cali, in an art installation. Did you commission this or do it yourself. Thanks.
Sugarboo designs, I think. My friend has that painting. http://www.sugarboodesigns.com/products/art-prints/ Just trying to be helpful.
I’ve been debating in my mind about getting that wicker ikea chair in the top photo. Seeing it so pretty against your windows is swaying back towards “buy.”
Have a nice trip!
Trish
It’s amazing what cheap or even free changes can do to a space! Glad your home is finally coming to the place where it does feel like it’s YOURS. 🙂
Enjoy your trip and the drives and stops along the way!!!
Swing through Des Moines on your way to the Great White North and I will introduce you to the greatest architectural salvage shop in the Midwest! (hint: HGTV thinks it’s pretty great, too! 😉 )
Cheers,
Emily
Have fun visiting your family this weekend. I love all the snap shots of your house. Our house has been slightly out of order the past month while we have been painting our kitchen cabinets.
Love watching it all come together!
Bring a sweatshirt/jacket to Minnesota …. unfortunately we still have cool days in our forecast!
I love that you guys are taking your time with things. It makes me feel like I don’t have to do every.single.thing.right.this.second.
I had a similar situation with my fireplace. Mine had pinkish colored tiles all around it (and a tiny little hearth that won’t even fit a kid’s bootie!). I’d had enough one day and just slapped up some white latex paint and primer combo on it (no sanding or anything). It looks so good and fresh! I even ran the fireplace a over the winter and it still looks exactly the same as day 1. So much better than looking at tile I don’t like and it buys me time to decide what I want to really do around it.
I’m also working on changing out outlets and switches to white as I tackle the paint in each room. Such a tiny thing makes a big difference.
Love all y’all are doing!
You’ll have a cutie patootie place when all is done! Then you can start all over again, just like we all do. Have a great visit with the family, and enjoy the flea markets!
I absolutely love your blog! and I’m looking forward to reading about any MN flea market adventures. Im from that state and look forward to finding out about my new favorite stores. 😉
I’d love a little tutorial on changing out outlets if you have a moment sometime. I can handle the cover plate,
but am chicken-hearted when it come to anything resembling electricity! 🙂
I say that a room ‘speaks to me” (like I am such the designer) but I did a walk through of our now home three times at open houses to see/invision how the space would work for us. I pictured the lower level family room in shades of tan/cream with a wicker trunk as the coffe table and daybed area for guests. It came together just as I had imagined and didn’t care that the lady where I ordered the furniture couldn’t see the vision. The only bummer–my last home spoke to me as COLOR in the living room. Now it speaks to me in shades of leaf green (our current couch) and white slip covered chairs (can’t afford). So I have vivid/bold chairs and do not see the room changing anytime soon. The chairs would transform the whole room and let the other, less expensive changes follow (pillows/accent table, boxwood wreath). It’s a small but pricey change 🙁 And yes, I have been roaming the house with my several new preserved boxwood looking for the right spot/moving others/changing out. I have alot of little things I hope to accomplish this summer–finishing up stuff.
We’re doing the same things, Layla! Literally, our journey seems so similar right now. 🙂
That is SO fun, Erin! Thanks for visiting me today! 🙂
Cute, cute shelves! Have fun on your road trip to visit family!
Thank you, Marian! 😀
You have family in MN? I’m from MN. Not a great spring so far here. When are you visiting?
I was born and raised in southern Minnesota, Christine, and we’ll be there this weekend for my cousin’s graduation! 🙂
What do you do when you want a light bright environment but you can’t paint your dirty white/ecru walls and you have builder grade oak cabinets?
Love the touches you’ve added to make your house your home! It’s looking good!
i’m very sad to tell you that minnesota is non-stop cold and dreary right now. bring a hoodie. also? my entire house is simply white. except for the mudroom, which is palladian blue. there isn’t a better white out there. good choosing!
Looking great Layla. Just wanted to give you a heads up. If you are in Minnesota this week-end, their is a new junking event in Brainerd you and Kev might love to check out. It’s been created by Second Hand Rose & Massie Creek owners And will be held at the old railroad depot in Brainerd Saturday and Sunday memorial day weekend.
I love all of your cottage-y stuff….and I’m sure you have missed it all ! Have a safe trip to our neck of the woods;)
I just love your style! Thanks so much for your fabulous blog!
LOVE that driftwood sailboat!! Is that a DIY or can I find that somewhere? My parents have been sailors their whole lives and would love something like that!
Midwest???! Huh???!?!?!?! Really!?????!!
I act like the Midwest is like 100 square miles. 🙂 But still! You’ll be closer than ever!
Miss you, El. Love your cottageovers!
Curious…did you make the frame that the animal print is in
Do you have any suggestions of where I could look to find something similar to the 3-compartment wire hanging bins? I absolutely love that!
I absolutely adore your style! So fun and comfortable…and refreshing. Hope you enjoy your stop in the Show Me State!
do you ever paint or wallpaper outlet covers? your home is always so gorgeous and impeccably decorated, i wasn’t sure if you are anti fancy outlets. thanks for your thoughts!
I am not sure what part of Minnesota you are going to, but Ely is a MUST! Ely’s garage sales are out of this world!
Love this site! Just discovered it. Yippee!!
Layla,
I LOVE those wire racks. Do you remember where you purchased them?
Layla, you’re breathing new life into that space! It’s so nice to see some updated photos and see how you’ve used things in your new home. And the light and airy wall colors make such an impact. You’re giving me the repainting bug. The hubby won’t be happy 😉
I love your decorating style! Things look great and the place looks so inviting!
Wish the weather were better for you in Minnesota (my hometown), but hope you had a nice trip!