What's Up(stairs)?

I've spent the last months catching you up on projects that we have had done for a while.  Now its time to get with the program and let you experience our remodel as we do.

So "what have we been up to?" you might ask... I will tell you.  We are pretty much done with the main floor, minus a few tiny things but we are ready to venture upstairs and tackle the master bathroom - well it will be a master bathroom when were done :]

Here is the before of the master bedroom / bath.

As you enter the room to your right, there is a little built in shelving unit complete with scalloped trimmings (GAG!) I like the idea of a build in shelf here, it will be good for books, jewelry, pictures etc. but it will definitely be getting a facelift. MAJOR facelift.

Directly back from the door is the bedroom window.  (This picture sucks, sorry) I love the ceiling angles of the room!  It adds a lot of visual interest. :]

 To the Left to the left, is a built in that makes no sense because it butts into the future master bathroom, so that is going buhbye.

 Here is the weird nook/closet/toilet/sink/wannabe bathroom which we will make into a fully functioning master bath.

 The previous owner shoved a toilet and sink in the back area which DOES NOT work for us because Justin doesnt fit back there.  The built ins to the left are HUGE and would provide great clothing storage but are also going buhbye to make more room for a tub and/or shower.

With the plan set, it was time to demo and give ourselves a completely empty space to work with.

 Justin is AWESOME!  Thats all I have to say.  He ripped out the toilet and sink, ripped out the built-ins and  ripped out the hardwood floors.

 Here it is empty with everything completely torn out.  The next step is to get a plumber in here and my father-in-law and rework the space to best fit our needs.

YOWZA!

Here is our wishlist:

Toilet

Clawfoot Tub

Double Sink Vanity (depending on space available)

Drawers Built into the attic space

Closet Space

That's a pretty ambitious list considering the amount of space in the room.  I'm sure we will have to make some adjustments but ideally, we would like to have what's listed above. Our estimated start date is right after the new year and I am SUPER excited!  Once this room is complete, the rest of the upper floor will be a piece of cake!

WISH US LUCK!  We're definitely going to need it!

Fine Dining

Since I have been so LAME lately with my blog posting... (hey, i'm a busy chick)  I decided to do a double post day :)  There is a lot I need to catch you guys up on.... I have a list going with blog topics I need to cover...  Geesh! Not enough hours in a day.

The dining room has taken us some time to fine tune and complete. I have to say that now, its one of my favorite rooms!  Mixed with new and old pieces, it is a very intimate cute space to dine with guests, with my hubs or by myself (one seat has an exceptionally great view of the TV) :]. 

The first thing I love about our dining room is the arched doorway, it add a lot of interest to the space and gives it more of a "grand" feel while entering into it.  It is small, that would be its only downfall, but the corner window helps bring in a lot of light and makes the room seem more open. 

Before, the dining room seemed closed off and small (remember the doorway that led to the kitchen?), the paint was silly and poorly done and the lighting fixture was circa 1986 and lets face it - Any decor from the 80's is no bueno.... just sayin.

Unfortunately this is the only pic I have of the before. (I wasn't really in the blog picture taking mindset at this point).  Anyways, you see the light, beaten floors and bad paint job - well I guess you cant really tell...

As you saw in the earlier post, we ripped out the doorway to make a larger opening, painted, refinished the floors, refinished the window trimmings and purchased a new lighting fixture. We purchased a new dining set from Mor Furniture and we loves it! It doesn't match our hutch perfectly but it's definitely close enough!

The hutch is a very special piece! My maternal grandparents gave it to us. It was their first piece of furniture they purchased as a married couple in the 50's and they didnt have room for it anymore in their home. I was MORE than happy to take it and whenver people come to look at our place, the hutch ends up being their favorite piece. :]

This vintage cake carrier is from my grandparents on my dad's side.  I LOVE THIS!  I remember every year for my and my Papa's bday (we share one, October 21st)  Grandma would make angel food cake and keep it in this carrier. :]

 

BON APETIT!

L. O. V. E.

WOW.  I LOVE THIS. A LOT.  LIKE A LOT, A LOT.

These are a few of my favorite things,

Look at the colors,

and antique brass table,

fruit mixed with flowers,

and the pillows angle.

Antique blue grey sofa,

and pale painted walls,

this is my favorite room of them all!

Sorry to get all "Sound of Music" on you but LOOK AT THIS!  It is beautiful and a definite inspiration front runner for the Master Bedroom and Bath.

Ahhh... I could stare at this forever.

Picture Courtesy of House Beautiful

Front Porch in Detail...

As you all saw in the "A Little Switcheroo" post, Justin and I did a quick redo of our front door.  The original screen door was a red color which, wasnt bad, but we felt it was a little dated and wanted to give it a little pizzaz. The front steps in my opinion were hideous.  They were the weirdest hue of blue/grey I have EVER seen.   Here... is the before :)

After a trip to McLendons I was ready to paint, paint and paint.  In all my excitement I sort of forgot about the fact that we were in mid october and the weather conditions were less than ideal for painting an exterior surface.  The evening was approaching bringing with it a cool damp dew that made the "30 minute dry time" non existant.  I am impulsive and I didnt care so I went ahead anyways.  After realizing my boo boo Justin and I had to figure out some way to just get it dry.  Enter hair dryer and HOT halogen light.

 So thats what we did.  I held the blowdryer while Justin held the lamp and we sat there and held them until we were bored (which didnt take very long) then we got a plastic tarp and covered the porch with the lamp under it, nicely heating (drying) the wet, wet paint.  I'm sure our neighbors thought we were very cool.

Here is the finished product.  We have much bigger plans for the front of the house but for the time being this will do.  We chose a black paint for the screen door to coordinate with the banisters, outdoor lighting and mailbox and a charcol grey for the steps.

What quick fixes have you done to your home?

A Little Switcheroo

BEFORE

                                                 AFTER                                                    



October Shenanigans

Another long break in between blogs. Please forgive me, I have great excuses. :]

October was a very busy month for the Dobsons, unfortunately not so much in the home renovation department, but we had a funfilled, celebratory month. And. It. Was. Fun. !!!

Our October jump started with the celebration of Justin's 26th birthday. We had a few of our people over, made great use of a DIY "pong" table and adorned our basement walls with some new art. ;] My birthday follwed shortly after and then we jet setted off to the fabulous Boston for our belated honeymoom/needtogetaway/birthday trip.

Boston was amazing. Period. Justin and I are now madly in love with the city and will definitely be going back. I dont know what it was about Boston that made us love it so much, but its just plain cool! The people are so nice, the food is awesome and the city life is normal, laid back and you feel at home wherever you go!

We took in every historical site in the downtown area, enjoyed vino and pasta in Little Italy, brushed up on our studies at Harvard and were bewitched in Salem. Every place we visited had amazing stories of the past and architecture that was to DIE for.

 

All in all we probably walked 20 trillion-bazillion miles and got about 2 hours of sleep but it was worth it!  I love adventures like these and it makes it even better being able to share them with the funnest/best/amazingest/sweetest person on the planet.  (I digress)  I am already looking forward to our next trip together, one that will hopefully be more relaxing but just as much fun!! We took a TON of pictures but I don't want to bore you with them all :]

*Back to the home remodel.  I've got our new dining room for ya as well as some inspiring finds for Holiday Season - stay tuned!!!

A Vintage Christmas

I was in Macy's this past Saturday and in the world of shopping malls Christmas time is already upon us.  Ornaments nestled in winter garlands adorned the ceilings and "Jolly old Saint Nick" was filling the ears of vigorous shoppers.  After a brief moment of holiday hipnosis (record player hault)... "what day is it?" 

Now, I believe that early November is way too soon for Christmas decor and music but I must say that it got me thinking...

I have decided that I want to decorate our house in Vintage Christmas this year.  My grandparents on my father's side are giving us most of their Christmas decor and I know there is bound to be some cool, vintage, festive items :)   I also just like the way it looks and think it would fit perfectly in Casa Dobson. 

I find some items that are a bit creepy in their old age but for the most part I love the sweet innocence that older things bring to a home.  They trigger memories and remind people of the "good ol days" and of a time when our world was a little less... well... jacked up. 

I LOVE the Thanksgiving/Christmas season.  I love the decor, the smells, peoples spirits and all the yummylicious food I get to eat and not feel bad because I have the excuse of the the Holidays. Justin and I are blessed in having such great friends and amazing family that we get to share this time with.

Whether its Grandma Wilson's yummy Chirstmas cookies, or Grammy Schuett's AMAZING dinner or donating Toys for Tots with the Dobsons, its nice how everyone comes together. 

* See my post tonight for my excuses on why it to me so darn stinkin long to post on our blog!  I am soooo sorry :]