Much to be thankful for...

It was a very laid back holiday here. Just 5 of us, a turkey & the trimmings. We brined for the first time - I think we'll do it again for Christmas. Mr. Limestone made the turkey. I made the side dishes and an apple crumb cake that needs tweaking before I make it again.

Hoping you had a much better day than this little guy did.

A different kind of window treatment?

Ive been thinking on what to do with the bare window in my office. Its an odd width and length which rules out ready made options. I don't want to spring for a custom made one - mostly because I'm cheap but also because I haven't seen anything I love enough that is worth $300+ dollars.

So Ive been trying to come up with some alternate ideas. I stumbled upon this photo:
Photo found via Flickr search from AshleyHome



It got my wheels turning on how I could make something like this work for me. I don't have the ability to do anything like this freehand but I could certainly design it on paper and then trace using paint pens. Obviously, I wouldn't do a coffee machine since that makes no sense. And I need something a little more solid to block the view a lot more. But maybe I could do a typewriter or some other office appropriate imagery. Or maybe a pretty pattern? What do you think?



And then moving onto the floor, Suzie found this great Zebra pattern rug from Overstock for me.

Again, Im being a tightwad here in holding off on spending this much money on something I really don't need. But that doesn't stop me from admiring it, does it?

For the record, Im so NOT an animal print person. Not because I find animal prints morally offensive (I don't) but because I think then tend to look a little too garish for my tastes. But for some reason, I think this room needs something a little crazier than I normally go for. What do you think? Too much? The trend is over?

Style & Skill Crush: Eddie Ross

I admit to spend a little too much time reading blogs. I can't help myself - there are so many wonderful ideas, so little time. So I think it might be time I start paying my dues in blog love land. With that in mind, today Im starting a feature to highlight a favorite 'style & skill crush' (as I like to call them). I certainly have mentioned a few of my favorites before: One Pretty Thing, PVE Design, Restyled Home, etc.

Today's spotlight is on Eddie Ross.

Im sure everyone who has a full google reader blog list is already fully aware of his genius. Clearly, he has many facets including being a fabulous designer,

skilled floral arranger, furniture restorer and stylish crafter but that is not why I am in awe. The skill that absolutely floors me everytime is his amazing way with a flea market!

Ive lived in New York my whole life. Ive been to these flea markets. Trust me, they are not the vintage treasure uptopia that Martha Stewart or HGTV would have you believe. They are 99.99% junk. So its no small feat that Eddie is able to walk into the chaos and walk out with score after score. Its more than a cool trick, its a talent that makes me addicted to his posts. Check out some of the goods:

Not only does he share what he found with his readers, he also gives some good tips on how to score a find yourself. Now if only I could translate some of his tips into flea market gold. Oh design gods, grant me the power of Eddie Ross the next time Im flea shopping. :)

My only question is: Where does he keep all of these great things?

Making of a home office (part 4)

Now that I look back on prior blog posts about my office, its actually embarrassing to admit Ive been mentally working on my office for 9 whole months with little to show for it. 9 months for this tiny room? Where does the time go? Oh well, time well wasted I guess.

I am happy to report that some progress was made on my office this weekend. Its by no means finished: I need help with getting it done so I'd love suggestions. Specifically, I need input on a window treatment, a rug and all the other little things that finish a room off.


As you can see, I managed to get the Ikea Trollsta Sideboard. What an incredible PAIN IN THE ASS! Why is it that I completely forget the hell of Ikea until its too late? Just getting it in the car resulted in multiple bruises. Sure, thats more my clumsiness than Ikeas fault but Im putting this on them nonetheless. Then we had to lug all 161 pounds of it up two flights of stairs. It then took 4+ hours to put together. And after all that, the doors didn't quite close properly. So I decided to nix them. The open shelving is probably more functional anyway but if I had known this was going to be an all day event, I might have opted to keep all my crap in cardboard boxes. Ok, vent over.


I think empty frames might be becoming my trademark :)

Actually, I have a plan of what to put in the upper right gold frame (stay tuned for an update) and I have lots of inspiration bits and pieces to tack up to the corkboard. I just don't know what to do with the bottom gold one. I'd like to make it some sort of functional display of tools but Im not quite sure how. And for those extra attentive blog readers, these gold frames are the same ones I scored for gratis on a New York City sidewalk in May.


I haven't quite decided if I want to push my desk up against the wall as you see here or to position it short side to the wall as seen here. I think just from a cord management perspective, I may need to leave it push up against. What do you think? As you can see, this wall is very bare...not sure what to put up here.

Ok thats pretty much it. Its a tiny room so it really shouldn't be taking me this long but alas, it is. Also note that the view from my window is something really unsightly but I get beautiful southern light from the window...so i'd like to be able to cover the bottom half of the pane while leaving the top one open. (Which is why Im having such a hard time with this treatment). I think I need some fabric in here to soften things up but nothing has jumped out as me.

PS: In case you think Im some sort of freak who throws everything away and is forever neat, have no fear. My closet full of messy supplies is in the guest room and is a complete mess.

Holiday Blog Decorating

Well, I couldn't decide if I wanted to change my blog header for good so I made a holiday banner instead. I'll take it down in January but this looks a little more seasonally appropriate. What do you think?


In other holiday decor news, Christmas is fast approaching and I just might be breaking one of my own decorating rules. What is this vow Im shattering? Its the no fake plants EVER! rule. But Im THISCLOSE to getting a fake Christmas tree. Er, I should say "faux" - yea, that sounds much better.


Yes, these are all fakers. Photos from Frontgate.com


Do I love the smell of a real tree? Yes! Do I love dragging a real tree back from my local home improvement center? NO! Do I love fitzing and futzing with it to get it straight? NO! Do I love untangling and arranging strings and strings of lights just so? NO!


So it seems I have good reasons to get a 'faux' tree...but I haven't done it yet. Im having a hard time getting over the not real part. Also having a hard time finding the perfect one.

So what does everyone in blogland do? Faux or real? If you have an artificial - what kind?

Blog redecorating?

Ive never been one to change my blog header or name but I'm thinking maybe its time.

Pros of changing:
-I'm not really renovating anymore.
-The header is getting dusty up there, it could use a redesign.

Cons:
-I do plan on doing some reno flashbacks next year (2nd year anniversary!)
- I like to think that the archives can be helpful to those that are in the midst of renovation hell. Without the word renovation, they would never find this place.
- Adventures in Decorating sounds really lame.

What do you think: Leave it as is or change it to reflect what I'm focused on now? Any suggestions for what I can use INSTEAD of "decorating" or "design"?

Drats. Office setup foiled by Ikea.

I had very much hoped I would be able to post photos of my office setup in progress. I wasn't foolish enough to think it would be complete by today but I had hoped to show a glimmer of possibility. My plan was to show you this sad looking before photo

followed by a less pathetic after.

Sadly, here I am on Monday morning with nothing to show. Its not because I was lazy and put it off (as I have been doing for the past 4 months). I had a plan this time. As you can see, I need storage as well as some display space and finally decided on the Ikea Trollsta sideboard.

Its not 100% ideal but it met all the key criteria: cheap, fun and could be assembled in the room so I could fit it thru my narrow hallway to the office.

I even roped a very nice friend with an SUV in taking me to the local Ikea to pick it up on Sunday. On Saturday evening, I had a date with an SUV and a Louis inspired sideboard. I dutifully checked the invetory tool on http://www.ikea.com/ And what did I find? They were OUT OF STOCK!

Boo! Hiss! (sound of rotten tomatos being thrown)

So no progress was made at all. My office is the same barren wasteland its been all these long ugly months. Damn you Ikea, you sapped my home decorating agenda of promise!

All jesting aside, I was bummed. I hate when Im all geared up to do something and I get off course. But Ill try again the next time I can get my SUV driving friend to give me a ride. I hope Ikea is prepared :)

In more positive news, I did get some time to work on Christmas cards and cleaning up my disaster area also known as a closet. Silver lining, clouds, all that.

Entertaining basics...

Last week, commenter Raye Law asked:

Can you share what your must-have entertaining basics are? I noticed your white ruffle cake stand and tall glass cylinder. Any others you always go-to?

First off to Raye, thanks so much for reading along and the comment. (I luuurrrve comments)

As to an answer, I wish I could say I had a handy little list of entertaining must haves but Im simply not that organized. I tend to throw together my parties with what I have at the time and I pick up a thing or two depending upon the occassion, if needed. But spurred on by your question, I do have a few suggestions of what I find important to setting up a lovely buffet or display.

Small plates

I try to avoid plastic whenever possible. And a few sets of small cocktail plates prove very versatile and inexpensive. You can find them in all sorts of designs too like the whimsical example above from West Elm. Personally I have I have two sets with small imprints of wine and cheese that I received as a gift a few years ago and I use them constantly.

Cheese platter

Any sort of large flat black board will do. I have a slate one that is good for smaller cheese plates and when I have more people over, I tend to use a large black cutting board I have handy. Having a board makes it easy to put the hunks of cheese down and then fill in the spaces with crackers and fruit. Always a crowd pleaser.

Tiered Serving Dish, Cake Stand and or Footed Bowl (or all three!)

Here is where you can add some height to your display. Very important for visual interest. It has some obvious uses (um, cake?) but a cake stand/footed bowl also makes a great spot to create a centerpiece, display favors or a host of other uses. I have a ruffle one from Williams Sonoma but I have my eye on the milk glass set pictured above from Martha Stewart.

Other things that I also like to keep on hand: Clear tumblers for any kind of drink, a big tub good for keeping bottled drinks on ice, plenty of flatware and a big stack of plain white paper napkins.

As Im clearly an amateur entertainer, thats all I have to share. But if you are looking for some professional (and much more complete) advice on stocking your party pantry, you can look no further than this book

I was very fortunate to be one of the winners of a contest that Restyled Home hosted to celebrate Matthew Mead's new book. My autographed copy arrived last week and I finally got a chance to pour over the beautiful photographs and practical tips Matthew includes. I wish I could add a few of my favorite photos in the book but Im afraid illegal scanning of a gift book would be in bad form so I can only share my comments. A good deal of this content is devoted to suggestions about what serveware you should have on hand for a party and its a very good list. This is the perfect gift to give to a new homeowner or bride&groom. If you are looking for a better answer to Raye Law's question, I definitely suggest you pick it up.

Happy Friday!

Hello November...

With Halloween and Election day behind us, I think that means its officially time to start thinking of the best holiday of the year: Christmas.

(Saks Fifth Avenue, Dec 2006)

I know, I know - many of you out there will say its too early. I know all you grinches who complain when you hear Christmas music in the stores or decorations going up before the twelfth month is upon us. But not me: I love Christmas.

Think of the beauty of a city lit up with twinkly lights and greenery. The fun of giving and receiving gifts. Cheery music with a message of joy to all. George Bailey running home to hug his wife and kids. Christmas is symbolic of all the best things about humanity. What could be more wonderful?

Restyled home started off the season with a great post that rings in the spirit. I hope I can live her advice to prepare in November and enjoy in December.

My first order of business is to work on my holiday "cards" for 2008. I tend to go a little overboard with my holiday mailings. No hallmark cards from me. Last year I sent out a package of mixed greeting cards that I designed and packaged wishing everyone happy occassions to celebrate all year:

The year before that I sent out a trifold of good luck wishes along with a lotto ticket (can't find the photo of that one). In 2005, I sent out a little box with "sweet" holiday wishes and Christmas pez

And in 2004 I sent out a holiday music cd in a personalized tin


So you probably get the idea - I take christmas cards seriously. And I love to receive all kinds of cards too. I don't get nearly as many as I would like now that its a lot less popular of a tradition with people our age but Im hoping I can re-start a trend.

And speaking of Christmas cards, isn't this a fabulous idea for displaying cards?

(courtesy of the now defunct Blueprint mag)
Not sure if I'll have time or the need for such an elaborate display but I think its a great idea.

Happy All Hallows...

Halloween 2008 is now behind us. Our little get together to hand out the goodies went well and we're now cleaning up.

Here are a few photos from the nights festivities.

Thanks to another great idea from Martha, I made this no bake cheesecake the night before the party. The spider web design was super easy to make and it got oohs and ahhs from the guests.


I focused most of the effort on decorating the outside of the house but I did a few things to outfit the indoors as well. Like these mouse silohuettes which were a steal at $5/package at Michaels crafts. (Also from Martha Stewart.)


I made a coffee table centerpiece using a small skeleton I had in my old Halloween decorations box.


I created a little witches brew bar with some extra plastic spiders, black thread and green food coloring. I didn't get a great photo of this but this was a very last minute project and it turned out really cool with the spiders looking very eerie in the green liquid.


And of course the Wisteria candelabra looked pretty fab with its dripping candles on the buffet.


And yes, I decided to keep it but I bought some dripless candles for non Halloween use.


And in case anyone is counting, we gave more than two thousand pieces of candy out last night to all the tirick or treaters big and small. We saw some great costumes including an invisible man, the Mona Lisa and a bridge to nowhere. 364 days and counting til Halloween 2009...