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Monday, March 30, 2015

Green tile goes bye bye

We have finally started work on our downstairs powder room!
If you want to take a walk down memory lane and see what it was originally looking like, you can visit here.

The bathroom wasn't that bad to start with but it definitely didn't reflect our style and was in need of some updating, especially the hunter green tile.

Originally we were going to try to keep the renovation relatively simple but...is it ever simple?
 I'll share our reasons for moving the plumbing around in another post. 


Back to the green tile. 
It had to go. 


But removing it wasn't going to be easy because the tiles were set in concrete. 
Busting it out would be extremely time consuming, frustrating, and messy.
So after consulting with many many people (our father-in-laws, my handy uncle that helped us tile our kitchen, the guys at the hardware store, etc.) and reading about it online, we decided that tiling over the existing tile would be our best option.

We were a little skeptical and nervous but luckily it worked!


Here's a quick rundown of how we did it:
First, we prepped the old green tile by roughing up the surface with a belt sander and a 60 grit sandpaper. 
Then, we cleaned it.
Next, we used a modified thin-set (this one actually) that is designed for this kind of tiling job. 


The tile we used by the way is a 3 inch carrara marble hexagon.
It still needs to be grouted, which we hope to get done in the next week.


I can't tell you how much brighter and lighter the space already feels. 
Goodbye dark green!



Next up for this bathroom besides grouting:
1. Install corner rounds along the woodwork and paint all of the woodwork.
2. Half-plank the walls.
3. Paint the top half of the walls and ceiling.
4. Have the plumber come back to install new toilet and vanity.
5. My favorite part...accessorize!

- Caitlin

Friday, March 20, 2015

Our family room: a peek at the progress

Today I'm sharing a tiny peek (no...really tiny, I only have 4 pictures for you) at what's new with our family room and how it's coming along (very slowly I might add).

To see what it originally looked like, you can visit here and to read about our progress back in November, you can visit here

It has definitely taken me a while to figure "the look" I wanted to go with and a little trial and error (and returns). But I finally feel like I know the direction I'm going in. 


I thought Chris would kill me for buying more throw pillows (there are worse addictions to have, aren't there??) but luckily he really likes these ones and with a 30% off coupon, they were super affordable. 



This coffee table is currently on sale although still pricey. 
We were lucky though to find and purchase a severely marked down floor model (a great way to save money when furniture shopping). 


Here's a source list for the pictures above...

woven throw pillows: H&M Home *
ticking stripe throw pillows: H&M Home *
*use code 2967 for free shipping and 20% off your order of $50
rug: West Elm
coffee table: Pottery Barn
end table: Home Goods
lamp: Home Goods
coffee table books: garage sale
wooden bowl: garage sale
paint color: Benjamin Moore Pale Oak

Stay tuned for a bigger look around this room soon!
- Caitlin

Saturday, March 14, 2015

J. Crew...not just clothes!

I'm loving how J. Crew has started to sell things for the home and have treated myself to a couple things.
Here are my purchases I recently shared on Instagram:



 Below are a few more things I've been eyeing and maybe you will like too.

I've been a little catch-all crazy lately. I just like how they corral odds and ends:

Printed glass catch-all

Here's that tray I have, which is on sale for only $6.99:

Medium ceramic tray

Ceramic hexagon catch-all

These soaps would be cute as a housewarming gift given with these towels that I love:

Izola maritime soap set

Hmm...the crafts I could do with this glitter garland:


Makeshop glitter garlands

I love these glasses and think they would be great as an engagement gift with some champagne:

Acme Party Box Bubble Cocktail Glasses

Wait...even J. Crew Factory has things for the home!
Like these throw pillows (coupon code HEYSPRING gets you an additional 30% off):

Factory graphic print throw pillow

Factory graphic print throw pillow

Have a great weekend!
- Caitlin

Monday, March 9, 2015

Our duvet...and our dog.

It doesn't feel like that long ago that I was on the hunt for some bedding for our master bedroom and ended up choosing this one.


I haven't grown tired of it yet as it's only been a year since it was purchased. 
However, the duvet has suffered some wear and tear thanks to...


...this sweet but not so innocent dog of ours.


Rosie and her paws have taken up digging before settling down on the bed so now our lovely duvet has two not-so-lovely holes in it. 

I'm dealing with the issue by covering up the holes with this fuzzy quilt for now but if Rosie decides to keep it up, we will be purchasing a new duvet sooner rather than later (and probably blocking her access to our room).

I've recently spotted a few new duvet options (for when it's really time to get a new one) which all happen to be stripes and are all at different price points.


The price on this one is so cheap! 
If their duvet quality is anything like their pillow covers, it will be hard to pass this one up.

H&M

I recently saw this duvet in the store and I think it actually looks nicer in person than the photo! 
The colors are really soft and soothing.

Crate & Barrel

Gimme, gimme, gimme. 
I just love this. 

Serena & Lily

- Caitlin

Thursday, March 5, 2015

A new look for a kitchen nook

For the past few months, I've been having lots of fun working with my friend Emily to help pull together a look/style for different parts of her already very beautiful house. 

Today I'm sharing a before picture and the design plan for this cute area of her kitchen that we have been referring to as "the nook":


Emily wanted to add some color and personality to the space so I put together this mood board to help us envision a new look for her nook:


My first thought was to add a couple of these Serena and Lily chairs to help complete the seating area. Next, we picked out some fun throw pillows in blue and orange to add color to the space (the pillows can be found here and here). The last part of the space that we are currently working on is getting window treatments installed in this awesome Thom Filicia zig zag fabric.

I can't wait to share the "after" picture with you!
- Caitlin