tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85799076521986306972024-03-18T15:58:22.589-05:00Sixty-Fifth AvenueSixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-26232841952602870992018-11-12T20:11:00.000-06:002018-11-13T09:38:10.156-06:00family room updates with thrifted lamps- before and after<span style="font-size: large;">I made a few quick changes to our family room recently that greatly improved the function of this room. The first thing on the agenda was to add some additional lighting. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Its been getting dark early, so finding a pair of lamps to go on either side of the sofa was the first priority. This room has recessed lights, which are great some of the time, but it needed another layer. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WB8P2U1KepM/W-n-gyLWuxI/AAAAAAAAHEc/z5AupKuYxr4ipPNIzej4LF-Qy5csehIxQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WB8P2U1KepM/W-n-gyLWuxI/AAAAAAAAHEc/z5AupKuYxr4ipPNIzej4LF-Qy5csehIxQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_7590.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found a pair of lamps that I loved, but they were quite expensive at $1200 for the pair. You can see what I was lusting after <a href="https://www.lampsplus.com/products/currey-and-company-ultimo-matte-black-and-brass-table-lamp__16x00.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">here</span>.</a><span style="color: #f1c232;"> </span> I ended up finding lamps in an unexpected place when I wasn't looking. I was at a thrift store shopping for coffee table books (second hand stores are a great place to find inexpensive hardcover books) when I came across a pair of large lamps with a great shape. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-DAPX77-Ho/W-n9kdRZIJI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/T3HUtnxUdzsTPIoTJjav9etCm-5GM0NiQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="641" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-DAPX77-Ho/W-n9kdRZIJI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/T3HUtnxUdzsTPIoTJjav9etCm-5GM0NiQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7851.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeAzPvwvigc/W-n9kndMuTI/AAAAAAAAHDU/l3F34ruWFxgSlsXfTehkX-ZAHwj_7AKJwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7657%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeAzPvwvigc/W-n9kndMuTI/AAAAAAAAHDU/l3F34ruWFxgSlsXfTehkX-ZAHwj_7AKJwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7657%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ceramic base had a nice crackle finish but the color wasn't what I wanted. I was still thinking about the black and brass lamps. I brought them home thinking I could give them a makeover and if I didn't love them I was only out $6.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spray painted them matte black, hand painted brass accents using a brushed metal craft paint, and topped them with lampshades from Target. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1EFI15hDZqgxQAvrsopj6VeaVS4Pa3F74ze0byqO3rWijq9bIu3D2Ib2MhzYJ2QeYKLjiDiZdnizQ7dSCZi58GIdlqiIXwLvL5rJZ1OH3WQk5uqbu8z0AoHVuvgpjh-zzxcwQcq1-oI/s1600/IMG_7548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1EFI15hDZqgxQAvrsopj6VeaVS4Pa3F74ze0byqO3rWijq9bIu3D2Ib2MhzYJ2QeYKLjiDiZdnizQ7dSCZi58GIdlqiIXwLvL5rJZ1OH3WQk5uqbu8z0AoHVuvgpjh-zzxcwQcq1-oI/s640/IMG_7548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>If you give a mouse a cookie-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't that how projects go? One thing turns into another.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that my lamps were in place (I'm thrilled with how they turned out!) it was time to replace the morrocan side table that lived on this side of the room. It was a few inches shorter than the card catalog we use as a side table on the other end of the sofa. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE-xvfFsJl9Hh5ERdeZxSyBYOVeO3kWzqgYjXBz0-d6PTH5KNr49-byDICer_SwHqwaQAZl0wsbmK6orWxg8Sf7vLgxmafj9rNS5o1BNWArUyuLnh2UrT84zLhYWMXqsXsXrs7rGm8aE/s1600/IMG_7630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE-xvfFsJl9Hh5ERdeZxSyBYOVeO3kWzqgYjXBz0-d6PTH5KNr49-byDICer_SwHqwaQAZl0wsbmK6orWxg8Sf7vLgxmafj9rNS5o1BNWArUyuLnh2UrT84zLhYWMXqsXsXrs7rGm8aE/s640/IMG_7630.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love mix-matched tables, but if matching lamps sit on top, I prefer them to be a similar height. I found this one at Pottery Barn <a href="https://www.potterybarn.com/products/mateo-rustic-side-table/?pkey=cend-tables&isx=0.0.4995" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">here</span>.</a> The style compliments the antique coffee table and the size is just right. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6PT9_5dIXg/W-n-dhNXe4I/AAAAAAAAHEc/IBUi7OxLiA4bYcug1orCXR6m7ASzuSo_ACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6PT9_5dIXg/W-n-dhNXe4I/AAAAAAAAHEc/IBUi7OxLiA4bYcug1orCXR6m7ASzuSo_ACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_7545.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The back door, basket of shoes, and a stool are on this same wall so space is limited on this side. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6oOd-fKdCFs/W-n-govYYMI/AAAAAAAAHEY/xDWGJoE5Z_wL21p3nXcnLRhy4SKmQhM8wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6oOd-fKdCFs/W-n-govYYMI/AAAAAAAAHEY/xDWGJoE5Z_wL21p3nXcnLRhy4SKmQhM8wCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_7582.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let's talk about chairs-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've had these Louis arm chairs forever. They are from Ethan Allen and have held up great! I couldn't be more pleased with the quality, I just don't like the fabric in this room. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lately they have been moving around the house but ended up back here. I wanted to give them another good look before deciding if I want to invest the money to have them reupholstered or just go with something completely different.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDZ_avSEewk/W-n-e2kG5NI/AAAAAAAAHEU/VMjffovUF3wz8prKbibNLQHPkA304VoOACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDZ_avSEewk/W-n-e2kG5NI/AAAAAAAAHEU/VMjffovUF3wz8prKbibNLQHPkA304VoOACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_7564.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This time around I placed them on either side of the coffee table instead of the pair sitting side by side on one side of the room. This set up works so much better for conversation. I notice we are sitting in them much more often now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Artwork-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My family is not a fan of where I hung these framed botanical prints between the windows. I just popped them up there with removable velcro strips just for fun. What do you think?</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbFH4My4I8k/W-n-e6WYuhI/AAAAAAAAHEg/_RAGW_O3WCY_y07cdm5WJAAiuYGaSB-NgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbFH4My4I8k/W-n-e6WYuhI/AAAAAAAAHEg/_RAGW_O3WCY_y07cdm5WJAAiuYGaSB-NgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_7560.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dr5XiyWeiRg/W-n-he7JgJI/AAAAAAAAHEg/248AZtTwUL84xb3X2oG6AM2CYKgUUtN1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dr5XiyWeiRg/W-n-he7JgJI/AAAAAAAAHEg/248AZtTwUL84xb3X2oG6AM2CYKgUUtN1wCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_7602.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Getting cozy-</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This room is all about rich dramatic colors and cozy textures. I added some faux fur pillows and a new chenille throw blanket for the chilly nights we are already having. The </span><span style="font-size: large;">green and white hydrangea pillow cover is from <a href="https://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Everyday Occasions</span></a>. When I saw that pretty dark brown trim, I knew it would be perfect for this space. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now to finish up a couple projects before we start decorating for Christmas. Stay cozy friends!</span><br />
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<script src="//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US"></script>Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com131tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-85548979403043683062018-10-18T13:28:00.003-05:002020-10-02T12:58:17.837-05:00swing arm sconces and a gallery wall<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am really excited to share our most recent home project with you, so much so I had to write a post about it! I have been thinking about adding swing arm sconces to the gallery walls here in the living room for a while now. They would add cozy charm to the room, highlight the photographs and add a nice layer of light with the lamps we already have in place since this room doesn't have overhead lighting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sounds lovely right? Well there was one problem. Hiring an electrician to cut open the plaster walls to add electricity, then having someone fix the walls was not something we wanted to deal with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There had to be a way around all of that added expense and mess, but how? How can we add the charm of a sconce anywhere we want without electricity? Well <a href="http://nestingwithgrace.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Brooke Christen</span></a> came up with the genius idea to add a puck light inside the sconce. She even coined the term "magic light trick". Brooke shares all of the details with lots of inspiration on her blog <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://nestingwithgrace.com/diy-sconces-light-without-electricity/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Nesting with grace</span></a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's right, these babies are running on batteries! I hot glued the backside of the puck into the sconce, the top piece screws off so I can replace the batteries as needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075J8RJ8W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B075J8RJ8W&linkCode=as2&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&linkId=cccae88c2b2ba6d806ffd9503c4f96aa" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">puck lights</span></a> </span>I bought even come with a remote that has timer and dimmer options.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072SP6CVG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B072SP6CVG&linkCode=as2&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&linkId=c2ada242a578d476fef6b8c3fba4b4de" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Lights</span></a> I went with were a great price, they were brushed silver and I wanted black so I spray painted them. You can find my sconces <span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072SP6CVG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B072SP6CVG&linkCode=as2&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&linkId=c2ada242a578d476fef6b8c3fba4b4de" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;">Here</span>.</a> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">It would have been easier to buy sconces that were already black but my sweet husband surprised me with the silver ones for my birthday and I liked the brass accents, so I painted them. You can find a set of two similar black sconces</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FKK13DB/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07FKK13DB&linkCode=as2&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&linkId=62cbeeb5834fe838f3415b840b79719d" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">if you want a magic light trick or two for yourself.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZco9HZ1hSQ5DLo0VV0s954TRYfIupm6WAXoVICw52FrVv4JrS_CJZktGM-SzV0dfEKuUSyf56x9CWGe_vcgWd6mfGgshp5xl9OyQpiZoTZ_CB47BOGuH6P1NEPmNC8rSanh7hlN74Ko/s1600/IMG_2900.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZco9HZ1hSQ5DLo0VV0s954TRYfIupm6WAXoVICw52FrVv4JrS_CJZktGM-SzV0dfEKuUSyf56x9CWGe_vcgWd6mfGgshp5xl9OyQpiZoTZ_CB47BOGuH6P1NEPmNC8rSanh7hlN74Ko/s640/IMG_2900.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was time consuming meticulously taping them off before painting, but it was worth the effort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I love how they turned out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will share some pictures and video of how they look at night over on my Instagram account <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sixtyfifthavenue/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">@sixtyfifthavenue</span></a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I've got my eye on a spot in the dining room that would really <i>shine</i> with a"magic light trick" (I couldn't help myself with that one, ha!)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I found a few more inexpensive sconces below that would look great (click image to shop) and the puck lights we used.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078S96PWS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B078S96PWS&linkCode=as2&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&linkId=84528aa31d604137e7f1a2c079962f61" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B078S96PWS&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sixtyfifthave-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sixtyfifthave-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B078S96PWS" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sixtyfifthave-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01AOELIH0" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JTA4QXI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01JTA4QXI&linkCode=as2&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&linkId=e25e474ff935561f282a1461476fa7f9" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B01JTA4QXI&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sixtyfifthave-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sixtyfifthave-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01JTA4QXI" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> <img border="0" height="157" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B077ZT7L9T&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sixtyfifthave-20" width="237" /><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B00YXDQJ96&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sixtyfifthave-20" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sixtyfifthave-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00YXDQJ96" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pathson-Vintage-Mounted-1-Light-Suitable/dp/B07QNKJRV2/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=wall+sconce+with+fabric+shade&qid=1601661265&sr=8-12&linkCode=li2&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&linkId=fe624a1dfcc108913412430452ced9f7&language=en_US" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07QNKJRV2&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sixtyfifthave-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B07QNKJRV2" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Modern-World-AMW18012W6BK-Sconce-Black/dp/B07H4YQDYC/ref=as_li_ss_il?dchild=1&keywords=wall+sconce+with+fabric+shade&qid=1601661396&sr=8-76&linkCode=li2&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&linkId=d2a65be7a73af8a98cd7245f6d01324f&language=en_US" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07H4YQDYC&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sixtyfifthave-20&language=en_US" ></a><img src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sixtyfifthave-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B07H4YQDYC" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-6886514736158837792018-04-18T20:10:00.000-05:002018-11-11T18:42:41.111-06:00Easy spring centerpiece<span style="font-size: large;">Spring is taking forever to get here, this time last year we had blooming tulips and flowering trees. You've gotta love the Midwest! Lately, I have been buying flowering plants to bring spring inside. They last longer than a bouquet of flowers and cost about the same.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CAqwBgJ0xRvkGe-zXR5llvr-mOKQM6KIKJYUT6Y4PUU3Nj4wcr6jJYzjDxih2u-A-ogHZ6BxvJFqHMpX5pTWxL8V1AQR2AmqVDfCsY2o5z4tDI5JYiRJ5kSyOGwpqwf4BwXEmZCDqPQ/s1600/IMG_5700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CAqwBgJ0xRvkGe-zXR5llvr-mOKQM6KIKJYUT6Y4PUU3Nj4wcr6jJYzjDxih2u-A-ogHZ6BxvJFqHMpX5pTWxL8V1AQR2AmqVDfCsY2o5z4tDI5JYiRJ5kSyOGwpqwf4BwXEmZCDqPQ/s640/IMG_5700.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like having something pretty on the kitchen table, but since we eat most of our meals here, it needs to be easy to move.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For this arrangement I used a six dollar pot of white tulips from the grocery store. I didn't bother to plant them, I just popped them into this clay pot I found at an estate sale. I love that it already has a weathered, mossy look. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ovpx511e5E/WtfZZ700rcI/AAAAAAAAG94/FdFlyNAgzcw6lbW0tyxFJZkYacFieobzwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ovpx511e5E/WtfZZ700rcI/AAAAAAAAG94/FdFlyNAgzcw6lbW0tyxFJZkYacFieobzwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5694.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I usually use trays to corral a group of pretty things, but this time I used a big wood slice. A bread board or cutting board would look great as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can add a little drama to your arrangement by cutting a few branches to force into bloom. Cut the ends of your branches on an angle and put them into a floral water tube. You can find these at any craft store.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I arranged them in the empty space inside my pot and covered it up with preserved moss. You can also put the tubes right into the soil if needed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFrnnKy_dzs/WtfZXVB9beI/AAAAAAAAG98/KO3WIB0kBmkWiuSgtn1ZqiAHs-2I_h-jgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFrnnKy_dzs/WtfZXVB9beI/AAAAAAAAG98/KO3WIB0kBmkWiuSgtn1ZqiAHs-2I_h-jgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_2710.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My branches started blooming about a week later.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHvdVc-RGqY/WtfZW7fnGGI/AAAAAAAAG-I/gPSOK8BsXjkpWC55b7Jb-Df3TRB_-ITOwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GHvdVc-RGqY/WtfZW7fnGGI/AAAAAAAAG-I/gPSOK8BsXjkpWC55b7Jb-Df3TRB_-ITOwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Easy, inexpensive and long lasting. The perfect centerpiece to remind mother nature that it really is spring. </span><br />
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-79796966791855584442017-10-15T12:31:00.002-05:002017-10-15T13:27:08.330-05:00Creating an entryway when there isn't one<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have a thing for big beautiful foyers. One with a round table sitting in the middle of the room stacked with pretty books and a vase of seasonal branches. Or a unique entry table with a pair of matching lamps. Maybe I have this obsession because we don't really have a proper entryway. The good news is, you can carve out a functional space to welcome you and your guests almost anywhere.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sDZcd2K7Z8/WeKlGEm1XVI/AAAAAAAAG5o/brdY8-vc-_oq8m5cMT6mz2xrP_NAr6MCwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sDZcd2K7Z8/WeKlGEm1XVI/AAAAAAAAG5o/brdY8-vc-_oq8m5cMT6mz2xrP_NAr6MCwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3797.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We do have a coat closet opposite the front door and it works fine for our guests coats and shoes, but since this is one of only two closets on the main level (old house problems) it has to be multi-functional. And I have to admit, I haven't taken any time to make it look pretty on the inside. Honestly, its a total disaster waiting to happen if the door opens. Yikes!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7UrV59EgPQ/WeOMtFmx1iI/AAAAAAAAG6Y/OfNYYh5KvTsZLSz0brPuETgEXjLWhTO0QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3798%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="937" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7UrV59EgPQ/WeOMtFmx1iI/AAAAAAAAG6Y/OfNYYh5KvTsZLSz0brPuETgEXjLWhTO0QCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3798%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="374" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little area came together slowly. I started with a small bench for guests to sit and remove their shoes (we don't wear shoes in the house) but it always felt like it was floating a bit. Coat hooks were on my radar but I was terrible about committing and kept putting it off. (Does anyone else feel like hanging things on old plaster walls feels so permanent?)</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCeJ1n12wfk/WeOWsZmlkrI/AAAAAAAAG7M/-jcm9fwtHrYZ6joPfEWV59iKBcMUvpsHgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCeJ1n12wfk/WeOWsZmlkrI/AAAAAAAAG7M/-jcm9fwtHrYZ6joPfEWV59iKBcMUvpsHgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To get an idea of the layout, here is a view of our living room looking towards the front door before the hooks were hung.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Mlh0HCWduo/WeKw1zzftuI/AAAAAAAAG58/94_ok6ZkiTkSUG_BFGQDnK-KNZThw5PJQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="963" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Mlh0HCWduo/WeKw1zzftuI/AAAAAAAAG58/94_ok6ZkiTkSUG_BFGQDnK-KNZThw5PJQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3799.JPG" width="384" /></a></div>
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(The little white door opens to our mail slot in case you were wondering)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought a few of my favorite black and white coat hooks from <a href="https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/bw-wall-hook" target="_blank">Anthropologie</a> but after holding on to them and not pulling the trigger to hang them, I knew they weren't quite right. I needed something with a back plate for more weight. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I was surprised when I found these light and airy hooks at Hobby Lobby for a great price, I always forget how good their hardware selection is. These came as a set of three so I just hung two of them together to get the length I wanted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IjEInspov5w/WeOP3LpeDaI/AAAAAAAAG6s/wcq9HK-8Iq4VbYx-95LMj3AJd3HG5T9kQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IjEInspov5w/WeOP3LpeDaI/AAAAAAAAG6s/wcq9HK-8Iq4VbYx-95LMj3AJd3HG5T9kQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3800.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All we need now is for someone to clean out the coat closet (that would be me) and to find a rug to go in front of the door. I'll probably look at <a href="https://www.ballarddesigns.com/marina-indoor-2foutdoor-rug/265548" target="_blank">Ballard Designs</a>, their indoor/outdoor rugs are so easy to clean outside with a spray down from the hose. I have one at our back door, that opens right into our family room. This is the door we use everyday. Another non-entry situation solved with hooks, a big basket for shoes and a garden stool to sit on. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6oFokh9fjdg/WeOUVUvUOmI/AAAAAAAAG7A/W2Mlmo15f_s2WP9FqiTYtcRHeMagElhcwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6oFokh9fjdg/WeOUVUvUOmI/AAAAAAAAG7A/W2Mlmo15f_s2WP9FqiTYtcRHeMagElhcwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2725.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I store seasonal essentials in hanging baskets to grab and go. Sunscreen, bug spray and swim goggles for summer and hats and gloves in the winter. Its not ideal but it works. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-28410005322214695012017-08-29T16:28:00.000-05:002017-09-13T13:52:14.675-05:00Our comfort works custom slipcover<span style="font-size: large;">Oh my goodness you guys, I couldn't be more excited about the new <a href="https://comfort-works.com/en/farlov-sofa-covers-462" target="_blank">farlov sofa covers</a> from comfort works! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKZtzwo8ZIQLhyH6fioMg1TgVxcBwQ6u0wCA0OhdvremKWCPWESMPfygL4yjZWqcb6tewMJPR5Dd1BeggyaUT7EPHf5DSwU3OMl9yTrC0D5XmHEhLuhY5nOTXrsFb70vGdvBnyL0qvo4/s1600/IMG_3056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKZtzwo8ZIQLhyH6fioMg1TgVxcBwQ6u0wCA0OhdvremKWCPWESMPfygL4yjZWqcb6tewMJPR5Dd1BeggyaUT7EPHf5DSwU3OMl9yTrC0D5XmHEhLuhY5nOTXrsFb70vGdvBnyL0qvo4/s640/IMG_3056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After getting my fabric samples in the mail, I narrowed it down to a few favorites. I went with a light gray cover called kino ash to tie in with the dark gray family room that you can see through the doorway. I was really tempted by the suede for fall and winter. I might have to order one more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nu9fhBkv6ko/WaWf2q5MWGI/AAAAAAAAG44/i3zcp3uLbpczCKaKnkljh3JdJy6cls0ZwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nu9fhBkv6ko/WaWf2q5MWGI/AAAAAAAAG44/i3zcp3uLbpczCKaKnkljh3JdJy6cls0ZwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_5205.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you read my Ikea farlov sofa review <a href="http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2017/08/ikea-falov-sofa-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>, you know I didn't like the slipcover that came with the sofa. It had a very textured look and didn't feel comfortable to the touch. I wanted our <a href="https://comfort-works.com/en/home/customized-sofa-slipcover-541" target="_blank">custom slip covers</a> to be soft and I wanted more color options. In hindsight, I would have just bought the sofa and not the cover that Ikea offers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The look and feel of the fabric I chose is perfect for us. It's durable, washable, and fits our sofa so well. I am really so impressed!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5--1GDriqPI/WaSRC1zkfdI/AAAAAAAAG20/niFEVMZfuEsG6jfTpArkPxf-DMZTInH_ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1128" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5--1GDriqPI/WaSRC1zkfdI/AAAAAAAAG20/niFEVMZfuEsG6jfTpArkPxf-DMZTInH_ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3109.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was curious to see how the <a href="https://comfort-works.com/en/" target="_blank">replacement covers</a> would fit compared to the one that came with the sofa. I'm happy to say that this cover couldn't fit any better, It went on easily and looks amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love the helpful tags showing which cover goes where. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our living room is feeling so cozy now, just in time for fall. I'm ready to do some serious cuddling with my little family here. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #41403e; font-family: "open sans";">"This blog post was sponsored by (<a href="https://comfort-works.com/en/" target="_blank">Comfort Works</a>) I received a slipcover in exchange for my honest review"</span></div>
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-42752396779959746522017-08-18T21:50:00.000-05:002017-08-19T09:43:37.512-05:00Ikea Falov Sofa Review<span style="font-size: large;">When it comes to buying upholstered pieces, I go one of two ways; buy the very best you can afford and it could last a lifetime, or buy something inexpensive, knowing it will have to be replaced down the road. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was in my twenties I purchased a floor model sofa from Ethan Allen for a great price. It was well loved for years until the fabric wore out and it needed to be reupholstered. Having large furniture reupholstered isn't cheap, I think I paid around two thousand dollars including the fabric about ten years ago. The cushions held up great over the years and they never looked squished or saggy but the piping on the seats was starting to wear out again. It was time to take a good look and decide if I was going to invest in this piece of furniture again and have it reupholstered for a second time. I realized I wanted something a little longer with a washable slipcover. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been eyeing the slope arm sofa from <a href="file:///C:/Users/Administrator/Downloads/Belgian%20Slope%20Arm%20Slipcovered%20Sofa.html" target="_blank">Restoration Hardware</a> but it had mixed reviews about the cushions not looking good after a while and I didn't want to take a chance because of the price. Then when Ikea came out with their new Farlov line it stopped me in my tracks. They are not identical but there are similarities. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhFfMhDKotArMPRaTvk5HHvEfpWGXx75FZrwKbYvjPp8qZqtmX-o1e4fHt-10AtkXbBxNwh3xPidbOlZXougBLBVsqkkTvBevIkV3srLBi3vgU5G4Ux7tWiYdjWOhS4i9Ka1r0BsFH8w/s1600/farlov-sofa-white__0479740_PE619080_S4+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="495" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhFfMhDKotArMPRaTvk5HHvEfpWGXx75FZrwKbYvjPp8qZqtmX-o1e4fHt-10AtkXbBxNwh3xPidbOlZXougBLBVsqkkTvBevIkV3srLBi3vgU5G4Ux7tWiYdjWOhS4i9Ka1r0BsFH8w/s640/farlov-sofa-white__0479740_PE619080_S4+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/series/37557/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Ikea Farlov</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvBm30BSWoU/WZOkpslsw8I/AAAAAAAAGz4/_Cm_QWyxRg8TcvlKOqPn5t75QE-0Q9imgCEwYBhgL/s1600/cat80006-s14%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="696" height="313" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvBm30BSWoU/WZOkpslsw8I/AAAAAAAAGz4/_Cm_QWyxRg8TcvlKOqPn5t75QE-0Q9imgCEwYBhgL/s640/cat80006-s14%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/products.jsp?categoryId=cat80006" target="_blank">RH Slope Arm Sofa</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was excited to check out the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/series/37557/" target="_blank">Farlov</a> because the price is amazing, it has a washable slipcover and its really deep, which we like for lounging. I also like the simple arms, much less bulky than our previous sofa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first thing I noticed about the Farlov was the fabric on the slipcover. It isn't very soft and has a weird textured look that I didn't like. I knew right away this sofa would be amazing with a <a href="https://comfort-works.com/en/home/customized-sofa-slipcover-541" target="_blank">custom slipcover.</a> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ0ssGDYJc8/WZeaV1K-FEI/AAAAAAAAG1w/X-3mMoobh3kRHHvtZ61TSIxsWthhftQ7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ0ssGDYJc8/WZeaV1K-FEI/AAAAAAAAG1w/X-3mMoobh3kRHHvtZ61TSIxsWthhftQ7gCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2414.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As far as comfort goes, it's definitely not as comfortable as the Ethan Allen sofa was, you don't sink into the cushions the same way. But the depth, single seat cushion and slipcover sealed the deal. I'm excited to have a new slipcover made from a company called <a href="https://comfort-works.com/en/" target="_blank">comfort works</a>. They make beautiful slipcovers for Ikea furniture and custom covers as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't wait to show you what I chose! Follow along on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sixtyfifthavenue/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> if you don't already.</span></div>
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-59359796923652353762017-05-16T13:39:00.003-05:002017-09-11T17:11:59.030-05:00Kitchen before and today<span style="font-size: large;">Hello there! Since we have been picking away at phase two of the kitchen renovation, I thought it would be fun to share some before and in progress pictures with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To recap our journey, we gutted the kitchen right after we closed on our house, a couple weeks before we officially moved in. The kitchen was old and in bad shape, so we knew right away we would be starting fresh. I wanted all the messy work out of the way before we moved in if possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After having the tile floor ripped out and oak hardwood floors installed to blend with the original, we ripped out the soffits to see what we were working with. With any small kitchen storage is key, so cabinets would go to the ceiling if possible. I'm ok with getting on a stool to reach items stored on the top shelves that aren't used very often. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-lwGHvXEYU/WRtBPs44b0I/AAAAAAAAGxk/e4OUFn6QSqIieq6JeAYeC-hEauS0jy9_QCLcB/s1600/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-lwGHvXEYU/WRtBPs44b0I/AAAAAAAAGxk/e4OUFn6QSqIieq6JeAYeC-hEauS0jy9_QCLcB/s640/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B280.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Taking the soffits down created a problem, the heavy plaster ceiling didn't have anything to hold on to and was no longer secure. Having a new drywall ceiling wasn't in our original budget or timeline but with any old home things are going to pop up, or in this case fall down. I was so happy a bunch of mouse poo and icky stuff didn't fall from inside the ceiling. It seems like that always happens on the renovation shows right?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr0SeiWMHhffylHVeUmn781ij2pinT-IMJzwYBB7Z_9hIXJOAYnIlAKQLRD8_YBFQ38QQOQSsRDUWTgYu4amHysenGKqDU6xP1TkbeADT1MmD56oYH_60XTr0MzRc9vmn-uVe_7bwQ64/s1600/20151222+Londen+iPhone+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr0SeiWMHhffylHVeUmn781ij2pinT-IMJzwYBB7Z_9hIXJOAYnIlAKQLRD8_YBFQ38QQOQSsRDUWTgYu4amHysenGKqDU6xP1TkbeADT1MmD56oYH_60XTr0MzRc9vmn-uVe_7bwQ64/s640/20151222+Londen+iPhone+306.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was a bit worried about the newly installed floors hiding under those tarps, surprisingly they were fine. We hired the drywall out but unfortunately the guy doing it was very slow. The pressure was on to get the drywall mess done at this point because the new owners of our previous house wanted to move in. They were more than generous to let us stay a couple extra weeks so we could at least clear the dust. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also hired an electrician to add pot lights in the ceiling since the only light source was over the sink and kitchen table. Our last kitchen never felt bright enough at night so good lighting was important when able to start from scratch. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyTDY5PygmM/WRtBR_oWZ9I/AAAAAAAAGxw/Oj3syjdoMiYLMTfCmmkT5dOqedE4sctUACLcB/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyTDY5PygmM/WRtBR_oWZ9I/AAAAAAAAGxw/Oj3syjdoMiYLMTfCmmkT5dOqedE4sctUACLcB/s640/IMG_1086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We moved into the house without a finished kitchen, it would be six weeks before we had the time set aside to put it back together. That gave us time to figure out a layout and materials. After reading many reviews and blog posts about Ikea cabinets, we ended up going with the Adel cabinet and wood countertops. I liked the shaker style doors and soft close drawers, and of course the price point is great. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We used the software available at Ikea to design the space and fit everything in like a puzzle. Our little kitchen never had a dishwasher (for almost 80 years) so that was a must on our list. I used an integrated cabinet door over the dishwasher, it helps with flow since it is such a small space. Too many stainless appliances in a tight space would have been too much. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTsYMbSYK_Q/WbcF6oCFdrI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/KwUFQ19Rogs-pmfbk-6XSS5eFzQzCCrfACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTsYMbSYK_Q/WbcF6oCFdrI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/KwUFQ19Rogs-pmfbk-6XSS5eFzQzCCrfACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_2403.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It only took us two years to get back to work on the kitchen (insert sarcasm) Life of a DIYer can be slow at times, especially when it comes to the finish work. We still needed to add crown moulding to the cabinet tops and tile. I knew I wanted to use mini subway tile since the kitchen is small, and I wanted to take it to the ceiling. We are tile rookies so it took us about three full days to install and grout. It still needs to be caulked and the moulding needs to be finished but we are almost there!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46asKB7L3L5WRP0M4JHYP0sgP2KWeQHC0bgOoMQAltlQPd13_RpVgvu1uA5y4PRVtsEXa-ro6tNGHVU8qtYl4FOGEiyW6aQYJSWhE96PXGldIvU5cvtzx8PXPSRAN2ZD_Dgi0zi1sQ94/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46asKB7L3L5WRP0M4JHYP0sgP2KWeQHC0bgOoMQAltlQPd13_RpVgvu1uA5y4PRVtsEXa-ro6tNGHVU8qtYl4FOGEiyW6aQYJSWhE96PXGldIvU5cvtzx8PXPSRAN2ZD_Dgi0zi1sQ94/s640/IMG_1697.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a look at the banquette on the other side of the kitchen. We eat most of our meals here, do homework and just hang out together. Its the workhorse of the kitchen for sure. You can read more about the banquette <a href="https://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-kitchen-banquette.html" target="_blank">here. </a></span></div>
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-46003997172045345112017-03-23T13:18:00.000-05:002017-03-23T13:18:08.581-05:00The kitchen banquette<span style="font-size: large;">This weekend we will be finishing our little kitchen by tiling the backsplash and adding trim to the top of the cabinets. Sometimes we jump around from project to project and finish things as we have the time and resources. Tile has been put on the back burner as other more important projects jumped in line, so I'm excited to see it finished. As we prepare for the big backsplash tile project of 2017 (this is our first time) I thought it would be fun to see what the other side of the kitchen looked like when we bought the house and before we built the banquette. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsuWlAcFO-8ufpv5ffSAqkN-xy2xcC8GkjMa5NEPgxtfs04FsvV2YSbbhQe_N6zWpHy8Pd5V_NS_XCbDQGOi3F9PXhU2V7LGo-HRbX90Qup-L48QbYiGXDu6Bj8F6jqtv50KaIoTKQcY/s1600/IMG_1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsuWlAcFO-8ufpv5ffSAqkN-xy2xcC8GkjMa5NEPgxtfs04FsvV2YSbbhQe_N6zWpHy8Pd5V_NS_XCbDQGOi3F9PXhU2V7LGo-HRbX90Qup-L48QbYiGXDu6Bj8F6jqtv50KaIoTKQcY/s640/IMG_1682.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The house came with a lot of wallpaper and the kitchen had a lovely scallop trim to go with it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXNPgqy0IrlJDfY0lWbVa6JAaP0jLZfGDZF-28yw2__rRkhMlLoVv5voo4aL96iIkQqpYSBTJxMn5Gb8bmnDwMSldaZmyUmHQHeZKa-DgkwWUfQNHfPH-48uwPwjfYktD3G1cs7MSucc/s1600/20151222+Londen+iPhone+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXNPgqy0IrlJDfY0lWbVa6JAaP0jLZfGDZF-28yw2__rRkhMlLoVv5voo4aL96iIkQqpYSBTJxMn5Gb8bmnDwMSldaZmyUmHQHeZKa-DgkwWUfQNHfPH-48uwPwjfYktD3G1cs7MSucc/s640/20151222+Londen+iPhone+106.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Luckily we found original hardwood floors throughout most of the house except for the kitchen and family room which was an addition at some point. You can see a peek of the family room to the right of the kitchen.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWgVpN2xUcI/WNPzDqItH9I/AAAAAAAAGuI/Yvy5SJJOS-QcsCYd4hjuviCxUAmM4XFpwCLcB/s1600/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWgVpN2xUcI/WNPzDqItH9I/AAAAAAAAGuI/Yvy5SJJOS-QcsCYd4hjuviCxUAmM4XFpwCLcB/s640/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B149.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a small window of time to work on the house before we moved in, school was starting and the new owners of our previous house wanted to move in. The goal was to get a lot of the messy stuff done, so we gutted the kitchen, and had hardwood floors installed in the kitchen and family room.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL-Y7lozwBg/WNPzEPrn04I/AAAAAAAAGuM/llwjlhwncBg3km2fSlo4SYWwVh5vE5y-QCLcB/s1600/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL-Y7lozwBg/WNPzEPrn04I/AAAAAAAAGuM/llwjlhwncBg3km2fSlo4SYWwVh5vE5y-QCLcB/s640/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B293.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old plaster walls needed a bit of work after the wallpaper was removed. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYhf-WC_OpE/WNPzEbRL9DI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/tUG0vYodEuEynVkmmUkLLOwMZYrMJG49ACLcB/s1600/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tYhf-WC_OpE/WNPzEbRL9DI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/tUG0vYodEuEynVkmmUkLLOwMZYrMJG49ACLcB/s640/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B309.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The banquette came about seven months after we moved in, but I knew this was the perfect spot for one the first time I saw the house. We are an eat in kitchen kind of family, and a banquette would be the most practical and attractive option for our tiny kitchen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My husband built the bench seating, and included some much needed storage inside. One very important tip when building or having a banquette built is to be sure to have a nice deep overhang on the seat. It allows your legs to have room to naturally swing back like sitting in a chair verses sitting on a box. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5we6-b_0OKo/WNPy_88BKCI/AAAAAAAAGt4/cCLr9rrnidE1Zu3cfxl0ONCEAnzRIrflgCLcB/s1600/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B1129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5we6-b_0OKo/WNPy_88BKCI/AAAAAAAAGt4/cCLr9rrnidE1Zu3cfxl0ONCEAnzRIrflgCLcB/s640/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B1129.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We used plywood ripped down at Home Depot and nickles for spacing to get a planked shiplap look.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt-syOn-ix8/WNP9Pw4-r-I/AAAAAAAAGug/YmkHIDHsfigKHKV9xRr2y4J4ZqmMRN8hwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt-syOn-ix8/WNP9Pw4-r-I/AAAAAAAAGug/YmkHIDHsfigKHKV9xRr2y4J4ZqmMRN8hwCLcB/s640/IMG_1679.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One coat of primer and two coats of my favorite advance paint by Benjamin Moore finish it off. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWgVpN2xUcI/WNPzDqItH9I/AAAAAAAAGuY/x3GC3ouBomsrYXW4NHjN989l8sm3AE_yACEw/s1600/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWgVpN2xUcI/WNPzDqItH9I/AAAAAAAAGuY/x3GC3ouBomsrYXW4NHjN989l8sm3AE_yACEw/s640/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B149.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij8uwlwjtBI/WNP9QXBQ32I/AAAAAAAAGuk/5R2HaEwJxc06TkvTONMhu_v3jGtp2QeiQCEw/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ij8uwlwjtBI/WNP9QXBQ32I/AAAAAAAAGuk/5R2HaEwJxc06TkvTONMhu_v3jGtp2QeiQCEw/s640/IMG_1697.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't have imagined how functional this space would end up being for our family. It's comfortable, cozy and we spend a lot of time here working, eating and doing homework. </span><br />
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<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-54631625674906170022016-02-26T18:33:00.000-06:002016-02-27T07:40:25.255-06:00Dining room before & now<span style="font-size: large;">When we bought our new/old house the dining room came with busy red wallpaper and molding in desperate need of painting. The floors are original and were in really good shape, we just had them sanded and stained darker with a matte finish. I love how the floors turned out but talk about high maintenance! Every fuzz and piece of lint shows up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umQnJQt8y7s/VtCYB68mkiI/AAAAAAAAGDM/PLkXG2mf2g8/s1600/IMG_9596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umQnJQt8y7s/VtCYB68mkiI/AAAAAAAAGDM/PLkXG2mf2g8/s400/IMG_9596.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We lived with it like this for about six months until it was next on the fixer upper to do list. I really couldn't handle being in this room for very long.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCZYjOVlrpZORgyju1K5sq7GRErjFdIQYa12p8GQVqyIYvmdJsa13A73vpo75IW7_aBLmtF2rHVz9-SJ4uAMH_e3SeKaQsynWQMCV2f4VbQQM4FhXZZssLwXbdBCCspMe8nHz5mKL9Zo/s1600/photo+%252832%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCZYjOVlrpZORgyju1K5sq7GRErjFdIQYa12p8GQVqyIYvmdJsa13A73vpo75IW7_aBLmtF2rHVz9-SJ4uAMH_e3SeKaQsynWQMCV2f4VbQQM4FhXZZssLwXbdBCCspMe8nHz5mKL9Zo/s640/photo+%252832%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The before picture doesn't look too bad, ugly yes but the walls were in poor shape under the wallpaper and all the trim needed to be caulked and painted. It almost looked like someone primed the trim and lower walls but never finished with paint.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was the painter on duty but we hired someone to refinish the floors and skim coat the plaster walls after we removed the wallpaper.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCU5svI0uCvblrvPbE0V_9qNb1WaEls3m5-loNOi26fDx7azbHLM5ZmO7De80HVQ77C3-X_I8j8zWEsNcksSL68MUOBm2vb13rzssWnHyxEULSe5clr3-nVmnQoJspnhWNbTGS2SFcDY/s1600/photo+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCU5svI0uCvblrvPbE0V_9qNb1WaEls3m5-loNOi26fDx7azbHLM5ZmO7De80HVQ77C3-X_I8j8zWEsNcksSL68MUOBm2vb13rzssWnHyxEULSe5clr3-nVmnQoJspnhWNbTGS2SFcDY/s400/photo+%252830%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you haven't stripped wallpaper in your life, consider yourself lucky. This was the remove all the glue with smoking hot water step. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCqNEQTdKQM/VtCpbNRiZuI/AAAAAAAAGEI/3iuOjdWWlrY/s1600/photo%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCqNEQTdKQM/VtCpbNRiZuI/AAAAAAAAGEI/3iuOjdWWlrY/s640/photo%2B1%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We moved the chandelier from our previous house to replace the seventies brass chandelier. I gave the old chandelier a little makeover and used it in our bedroom, I meant for it to be temporary until I found something else, but I like it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our shabby chic buffet also got a little makeover with paint (Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray) and new brass hardware.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAHtPaXX-ZE/VtCpcpHGI9I/AAAAAAAAGEI/h8LsIeVKVL0/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAHtPaXX-ZE/VtCpcpHGI9I/AAAAAAAAGEI/h8LsIeVKVL0/s400/photo%2B3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I painted a big chunk of the wall with chalkboard paint because I knew I would miss writing and drawing on it like we did at our old house. And something about chalkboards just make me happy, weird I know;)</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFQ8K3uBtz4/VtCwnL1u6XI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/zK4rczeLOD8/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JFQ8K3uBtz4/VtCwnL1u6XI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/zK4rczeLOD8/s640/photo%2B4.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The giant mess in the background is the kitchen banquette in progress, more on that later.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qW5g8lZ-dNQ/VtCpL1kYt6I/AAAAAAAAGEA/Vd8hMfP7Pj0/s1600/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B1123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qW5g8lZ-dNQ/VtCpL1kYt6I/AAAAAAAAGEA/Vd8hMfP7Pj0/s640/20151222%2BLonden%2BiPhone%2B1123.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At this point I'm starting to breathe easier because I was over the hump of hours of priming and painting and the room was looking fresher and happy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk5E-DwMTxw/VtCpT2atH4I/AAAAAAAAGEA/ysrxvSEWUf8/s1600/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk5E-DwMTxw/VtCpT2atH4I/AAAAAAAAGEA/ysrxvSEWUf8/s640/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then it was time for the chair tryouts. I bought two wicker chairs last fall to kind of test them out, see how they fit and how functional they would be. They are comfortable but take up a lot more room then the smallish wood chairs, so once I realized we didn't need six chairs out at all times, I ordered the remaining two and love the way it pulled the dining room together.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbbHtonzrEht6ViyyCdXKcC9T8ULHnH4i4NtJf_i4HFu5GNha3rkwdpFUjS7udiLdcHqZDM6IxzK8VjW0Pp38xjb-UzWEGGJsB5Il_KtzLZKHN1E5tEzEX5g6GyQWynthOHlyB4uR_4g/s1600/IMG_9549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbbHtonzrEht6ViyyCdXKcC9T8ULHnH4i4NtJf_i4HFu5GNha3rkwdpFUjS7udiLdcHqZDM6IxzK8VjW0Pp38xjb-UzWEGGJsB5Il_KtzLZKHN1E5tEzEX5g6GyQWynthOHlyB4uR_4g/s640/IMG_9549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JshjkoNga7U/VtCpVV3U1fI/AAAAAAAAGEA/wNwQcdNbNzk/s1600/IMG_9581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JshjkoNga7U/VtCpVV3U1fI/AAAAAAAAGEA/wNwQcdNbNzk/s640/IMG_9581.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a look at the kitchen banquette from the dining room. We eat most of our meals there and use the dining room for games and crafts, lots of crafts:)</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkL3WpAcoJM/VtCpcvBjTHI/AAAAAAAAGEI/4gF9GaQTqlM/s1600/IMG_9607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkL3WpAcoJM/VtCpcvBjTHI/AAAAAAAAGEI/4gF9GaQTqlM/s640/IMG_9607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our "nature boxes" were inspired by Lauren Liess. She is a genius to come up with the idea to use an old printers tray to hold collected nature. We fill ours with little rocks, shells and other things we find on hikes or at the beach. I love the subtle color and texture and being able to see our finds everyday. I recently picked up another tray for the other side of the window and spray painted it with black chalkboard paint to match the other one. I don't plan on writing on it, I just like the soft black color. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next up is some type of shades for the windows here and in the living room, I'm thinking bamboo to match the family room and maybe trim for the drapes. I'll share the kitchen banquette process next time.</span><br />
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<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-33733255605831668212015-12-11T22:58:00.001-06:002016-02-27T07:43:00.302-06:00The Dining room Christmas tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This time last year we had only been here for a few short months. House projects were still in full swing and we didn't exactly feel settled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The dining room was still untouched, wearing busy red wallpaper and needed some major TLC all around. So this year I thought it would be nice to have a Christmas tree in here as well as the living room. (I'm planning a post about the changes we made in the dining room soon.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We brought the chandelier from our previous house and it turns out the ceilings are higher here, so its hung a bit high for my liking. But we are here to talk about the tree, not what I want to change or what isn't finished. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vD9ZZIPXQ-w/VmuQnYC7qJI/AAAAAAAAFwA/XqAP92OqWmw/s1600/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vD9ZZIPXQ-w/VmuQnYC7qJI/AAAAAAAAFwA/XqAP92OqWmw/s640/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the first time we've had two full size trees. In the past I've done table top trees, so this was fun for me.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOc1sOFQiHU/VmuYTtfUSaI/AAAAAAAAFww/eFE_L2SBUFo/s1600/photo%2B%252829%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOc1sOFQiHU/VmuYTtfUSaI/AAAAAAAAFww/eFE_L2SBUFo/s400/photo%2B%252829%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every year we go to a tree farm and cut our tree down. But for the dining room tree I decided to try something different. I ordered a fresh cut tree from <a href="http://www.greenvalleychristmastrees.com/" target="_blank">Green Valley Christmas Tress</a> in Oregon. It was pretty cool because it was delivered right to our door. This is what a seven foot fir tree looks like in a box! I have to say I was impressed with how well it shipped.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpXcRjFCx7Y/VmucpgJKtqI/AAAAAAAAFw8/3SxA5inZTSA/s1600/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpXcRjFCx7Y/VmucpgJKtqI/AAAAAAAAFw8/3SxA5inZTSA/s640/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B001.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't wait to unwrap it...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hyK-S4Km2B0/Vmucpx-BZQI/AAAAAAAAFxM/2BVYZb1YdZI/s1600/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hyK-S4Km2B0/Vmucpx-BZQI/AAAAAAAAFxM/2BVYZb1YdZI/s640/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B026.JPG" width="442" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is how it looked after we fluffed up the branches. I tried a new to me variety called a Nordmann Fir. I did have to trim it up in the back a bit to fit our space, next year I'll go with something slimmer. I will definitely order this way again in the future. This tree holds its needles really well and smells so good.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVtYP3w1cq8/VmueN9n_IRI/AAAAAAAAFxY/p06x0qn9FGM/s1600/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVtYP3w1cq8/VmueN9n_IRI/AAAAAAAAFxY/p06x0qn9FGM/s640/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm calling this our merry and bright nature tree. Lots of pine cone, wood and acorn ornaments. With some sparkly white and black balls thrown in.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lh84hyDcWGs/Vmufxmfam5I/AAAAAAAAFxk/UQ7hfZKUZ7I/s1600/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lh84hyDcWGs/Vmufxmfam5I/AAAAAAAAFxk/UQ7hfZKUZ7I/s640/DR%2Bxmas%2Band%2Bexterior%2B2015%2B052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Someone special is getting that cute vintage basket filled with a few goodies for Christmas. I love how it looks next to the tree, I kind of want to keep it now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Christmas music is in full swing here and I love every minute of it. It was nice sitting down to write our cards here at the table with the tree in the background. Last year I couldn't stand being in this room for more than ten minutes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx26uubb3eORpE2q4XrIs4wcSd434L3OrJT0p1Zdr_f3f2JTOq6Uzq_-FgGZCzIWnDaGvuR2xm_h1emc-heHaSdPcJaQDbSJMu6B6qKKeD8UQQvr1Hvn6Zk6MG-yHg55v9NTaKQ0DhmpU/s1600/DR+xmas+and+exterior+2015+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx26uubb3eORpE2q4XrIs4wcSd434L3OrJT0p1Zdr_f3f2JTOq6Uzq_-FgGZCzIWnDaGvuR2xm_h1emc-heHaSdPcJaQDbSJMu6B6qKKeD8UQQvr1Hvn6Zk6MG-yHg55v9NTaKQ0DhmpU/s640/DR+xmas+and+exterior+2015+034.JPG" width="334" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be back soon with some before pictures and I'll talk about what we've done in here and what the future plans are.</span><br />
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<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-23091056552282755962015-12-02T22:46:00.000-06:002016-02-27T07:46:58.376-06:00The new old house exterior editon<span style="font-size: large;">I'm blowing the dust off my blog to share some pictures of our new/old house. I want to document our progress as sort of a scrapbook to look back on and hopefully inspire someone as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time has flown by, we have been working away on house projects and living life here in our new town. I have to admit I was completely overwhelmed on and off for the first six months or so. We gutted the kitchen and downstairs bathroom before we moved in so living without them for over six weeks didn't help. The the little one was starting a new school in less than a week and life was chaotic. We still have lots more projects to work on but at least we feel more settled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I'm sharing the exterior all dressed up with an evergreen garland and urns that stand about as tall as me. (I'm 5'3) The font of the house got the most attention this year with a new front door, landscape, lights, a new doorbell and fresh paint for the molding and cornice around the door. The back of the house and garage are another story.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1sq7Hz3g8w/Vl-4yKrZzZI/AAAAAAAAFuc/DDnV0I2T0oA/s1600/ethel%2Bexterior%2Bchristmas%2B15%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V1sq7Hz3g8w/Vl-4yKrZzZI/AAAAAAAAFuc/DDnV0I2T0oA/s640/ethel%2Bexterior%2Bchristmas%2B15%2B001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our house was built in 1940 and is a cape cod style. Our street has seen a lot of tear downs with new homes built to look vintage. Two streets up towards town the lots become wider and the original homes are grander, built around 1920. The streets closest to town are mostly from the turn of the century again with new homes mixed in. Total eye candy for the house lover with so many different types of architecture in a small area.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pa0R0DLIfQ0/Vl-u6d_bYdI/AAAAAAAAFt8/I0BjNgiy0ZU/s1600/photo%2B%252818%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pa0R0DLIfQ0/Vl-u6d_bYdI/AAAAAAAAFt8/I0BjNgiy0ZU/s640/photo%2B%252818%2529.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the house when I saw her for the first time. Tons of landscape rock with 7 huge stumps hiding underneath that we found later and an old storm door that would slap our guests in the butt. Work would have to wait out here until we got things going on the inside. I was trying to be patient but I missed having flowers and landscape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Weeds started coming through those rocks and it was getting worse as fall wore on. We were still busy working on the inside so I got a great idea to put an ad on Craigslist for free landscape rock. A few people came and took all of them within a week or so! One step closer and we didn't have to dispose of them. After removing the 7 giant stumps that hid under all that rock we were left with this. A new roof, a couple new lights and a rock free garden bed ready to be planted in the spring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We planted 40 baby boxwood that will eventually form a hedge, (patience) and 10 little lime hydrangea along the foundation. I also planted annuals in front of the tiny boxwood since the hydrangea wouldn't bloom until later in the summe</span>r. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then the day came to have the new front door installed. (This is the primed color) We are a mix of DIY and hiring out. This was one we didn't want to tackle. The installer did a great job preserving the original molding around the door inside and out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He even removed the railings for us. No need for them since there are only two steps and it really closed the stairs in. I was doing a happy dance right about now! You can see the hydrangeas were doing great at this point. The empty space is there to allow everything room to grow and will be part of stage 2. We did plant a bunch of tulips in there this fall so I'm excited to see if they come up or if the bunnies ate them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The steps are not in great shape with holes where the railings were so the plan is to have them covered with some type of stone and widened a bit. A black door was my first choice but that would make us three in a row so I tried to go outside my comfort zone. I had a grayish green color picked out but changed to this last minute. Its a pretty color it just wasn't working for me so I painted it again before the cold weather came.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9LHLqSeOCA/Vl-1YDljRyI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/E9DzjA-g8TM/s1600/ethel%2Bexterior%2Bchristmas%2B15%2B007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m9LHLqSeOCA/Vl-1YDljRyI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/E9DzjA-g8TM/s640/ethel%2Bexterior%2Bchristmas%2B15%2B007.JPG" width="416" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A black door it is! It feels more like me now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It feels like home.</span><br />
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<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-69098798321674450762014-07-31T10:51:00.003-05:002015-12-03T00:10:27.239-06:00Sold!We have been very busy over here. We put our house on the market this spring and buckled in for a wild ride of house showings and house hunting. When our house sold we still didn't have a contract on a new one so the pressure was on. <br />
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Not our ideal situation and stress was high for a while. Mr. 65th even had a crazy father of the bride moment and wanted to buy our house back when we couldn't find a new one to buy! But we had to remember why we wanted to sell in the first place, better schools.<br />
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After signing a contract on a much larger house, it didn't feel right and wasn't in the neighborhood we really wanted so we got out of it. We would be buying for location this time around and that is what we did.<br />
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As of last Thursday we are the new owners of a cozy 1940 fixer upper in a wonderful neighborhood. Great schools, walk to train and a trendy downtown complete with a vintage movie theater. <br />
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The new owners of our house are letting us stay until next week so we have been able to get some work done at the new house before moving in. I will be back soon with pictures!<br />
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<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-39302403414976025312014-01-30T21:49:00.000-06:002014-01-30T22:57:33.713-06:00The Fiddle leaf figIt's been freezing and snowy here in the Midwest. School has been cancelled five times so far which has to be a record. Instead of being cooped up in the house for months on end we try to participate with old man winter by snowshoeing, ice skating and just getting outside. Sadly none of that is happening lately. <br />
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One way I am keeping my sanity is by bringing plants and flowers inside. Greenery in the house makes me happy. So after admiring the ever so popular and trendy Fiddle Leaf Fig in design magazines and blogs, I finally got one of my very own. I've heard about people finding small ones at Ikea for cheap but never saw one there until this past Saturday. <br />
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We headed out early hoping to find one of the elusive fiddle leafs. I was happy when I found about six of them to choose from. <br />
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This is Mr. Fig. He's just a baby but I think it's the perfect size for this spot in our living room. For twelve dollars it won't be a huge loss if he doesn't make it. I've read they can be kind of tricky to keep alive. I found the basket at an estate sale this summer. <br />
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This glossy green guy is called a goldfish plant. It gets little orange flowers on it that look kind of like goldfish. <br />
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It seems to be in the succulent family and has been really easy to care for so far. <br />
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Having a few new plants will get you to clean and organize your house. I bet you didn't know they could do that for you. It's true. <br />
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Have you had any luck with a fiddle leaf? I will let you know how it goes.<br />
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-27767284160044012812013-12-24T11:39:00.004-06:002014-01-06T09:09:58.219-06:00Christmas at our house 2013Hello! I am feeling better and I'm ready for the festivities to begin. Today we are making lasagna for our annual Christmas eve party. And tomorrow we will stay home in our jammies and play all day, I can't wait!<br />
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During a snow storm a couple weeks ago I ran out and took a few pictures. <br />
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To see our exterior remodel click <a href="http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2011/11/craftsman-style-cottage.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bf9000;">here.</span></a><br />
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We were hoping the snow would stick around until Christmas but it didn't. </div>
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I bought a couple five dollar wreaths from Home Depot and used one here on the front door. I pulled off the wrinkled red bow that it came with, hot glued some pinecones and added our glittered H.<br />
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I think it's a blogger prerequisite to use black and white ribbon this year. I really love how versatile and sophisticated it is. <br />
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The playhouse window boxes are filled with evergreens and icicle ornaments. The little boxwood wreath was leftover from last year so I popped it on the door. <br />
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Is all this snow making you chilly? The high is supposed to be 16 degrees here in Chicago, Brrr. <br />
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Here on the kitchen chalkboard wall I hung another one of those five dollar wreaths and glued on a few more pinecones....<br />
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The buffet in the kitchen got some fresh greens and paper whites. <br />
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Our tradition is to cut a fresh tree the day after Thanksgiving.<br />
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Pretty tree, just a very crooked trunk. When looking straight on you can't tell but from the side it looks like it's falling over.<br />
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Mr. 65th strung about 2500 lights this year. </div>
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I thought I was late to plant my paper white bulbs but they bloomed just in time. </div>
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More fresh greens on the dining room table and on the mantle....</div>
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Everything smells so good!</div>
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The little one didn't have her room clean in time to share her tree with you. Maybe next year;)</div>
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<strong>From our home to yours, have a very Merry Christmas!!</strong></div>
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-46598052288260343832013-12-18T22:55:00.000-06:002013-12-18T22:55:15.918-06:00Christmas Mantel <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One week until Christmas and I am sick. So instead of doing a Christmas house tour today I thought I would pop in and share our dining room mantel. </div>
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This year inspiration came from a branch I found in the backyard. I carried it around the house wondering where I could use it until I laid it on the mantel. It stayed so nicely without having to secure it I decided to hang ornaments from it. <br />
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The fresh greens make the dining room smell so good, it puts me in a festive mood every time I walk by. <br />
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The pinecone and acorn ornaments are some of my favorites. </div>
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I used them on our table top tree <a href="http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-at-our-house-2012.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bf9000;">last year. </span></a></div>
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Well, I'm off to bed. Tomorrow I am going to finish up our Christmas shopping and wrap presents. How about you? Are you ready for the holidays?</div>
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-61092993972771463452013-11-01T13:44:00.003-05:002013-11-01T14:50:04.825-05:00Serpentine DressersThere comes a time when I really miss having a paint brush in my hand. So lately I've been stalking craigslist and visiting estate sales to find a few projects for me to do. When I found this serpentine dresser set with the ball and claw feet I was sold. <br />
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I love furniture with curves and keyholes. <br />
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They were in pretty good condition except for a few chips and nicks that I fixed with wood filler. <br />
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They came with attached mirrors but I decided to remove them and patch the holes on top. I think that makes them more versatile and I'm sure I will find a use for the mirrors. <br />
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I followed my typical steps to make these girls over. First I clean the drawers and get rid of dust and spider webs. (my least favorite part) Then I sand everything and wipe it all down. Spackle if needed, sand and wipe down again. </div>
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Apply a light coat of good quality primer, I usually let that dry overnight to cure. Sand and wipe down and start your color of choice. I used Soft Chamois by Benjamin Moore. It's a soft white that doesn't look too new for antique pieces. Oh, I lightly sand between coats of paint too. </div>
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The original hardware was ok, in hindsight I should have painted a few and tried it out. Buying sixteen new knobs is expensive, especially when I bought these to makeover and sell. I think the glass hardware fits well with the feminine lines of these pieces but <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/search/770330.jsp?cm_vc=SEARCH_RESULTS" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bf9000;">these</span></a> knobs from Anthropologie would have been perfection. At fourteen dollars a piece I sadly passed. </div>
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Since it's getting too cold to paint outside, I am going to give Annie Sloan's chalk paint a try. I'll be back to let you know what I think of it. <br />
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Sharing this makeover with <a href="http://missmustardseed.com/2013/10/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link-part/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Miss Mustard Seed</span></a><br />
<a href="http://missmustardseed.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/FFF.jpg"><img alt="FFF" height="275" src="http://missmustardseed.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/FFF.jpg" width="550" /></a><br />
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-10004647134313969682013-10-31T09:39:00.000-05:002013-10-31T09:48:51.611-05:00Happy Halloween!Hello. It's been a while hasn't it? Today I'm just going to jump right back in and share our fall porch with you. <br />
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I took these pictures the other day when it was nice out, today it's raining and supposed to continue all day. I'm hopeful the little ones will be able to go trick or treating later. <br />
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This year we have a dramatic black cat. She was going to be a fox but changed her mind last minute.<br />
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I have been on the lookout for someone cutting down their tree so I could take a few of the stumps. They can be used in so many ways.<br />
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I used one here to elevate my favorite owl pumpkin front and center. Mr. 65th spray painted it and carved it with a template. A bit of the paint came off when we pulled the taped template off but otherwise it's been holding up great.<br />
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Off to clean the house and get ready to party indoors incase the weather doesn't cooperate.<br />
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<strong>Have a fun and safe Halloween!!</strong></div>
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<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-64043537991467148682013-06-17T10:18:00.002-05:002013-06-17T19:49:45.674-05:00Cake Do overI think baking a cake is like any DIY project, it can turn out great or it can be a disaster. At least that has been my experience so far. <br />
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The few experiences I've had baking have been working out ok until this past April when Mr. 65th got this cake for his birthday....<br />
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It just kind of exploded:) We had a good laugh because of it and enjoyed it anyway, at least it tasted really good.</div>
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I felt bad about the ugly cake and decided to try again for Fathers Day. When I saw a camp fire cake on <a href="http://cake-decorating.livejournal.com/932249.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Pinterest</span></a> I knew it would be perfect for my outdoorsy man. The question was could I pull it off?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LB0erQEsN84/Ub8haSpXHcI/AAAAAAAADQE/eJj7Mfe3SM4/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LB0erQEsN84/Ub8haSpXHcI/AAAAAAAADQE/eJj7Mfe3SM4/s640/IMG_0266.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Well, my confidence has been restored and I was proud to present this cake to the best Dad in the world.</div>
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I might have taken about 20 pictures of my creation since it turned out so well. The candy flames are just melted butterscotch and cinnamon hard candies, pirouette cookies make the logs. </div>
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The how to can be found<span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span><a href="http://cake-decorating.livejournal.com/932249.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Here</span></a> if you want to give it a try. </div>
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-52618143678539468132013-05-25T17:39:00.000-05:002013-05-25T17:39:58.928-05:00My TerrariumI love terrariums and have been admiring them online for ages. The other day I realized I had the perfect apothecary jar that I had filled with pinecones this winter. Now that I had a container, I was inspired to give it a try. I found a few tutorials on how to make one and headed out to my favorite nursery to buy my supplies. <br />
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It's as simple as adding layers to your container. The first layer is rock, mine were collected from our beach trips to Lake Michigan. (We seem to have an endless supply in the garage)<br />
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Then a layer of charcoal to keep mold away. I bought a small bag at the nursery where I got the moss and fairy silhouette.<br />
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Next I added a layer of preserved moss to keep the soil from settling into the rocks. <br />
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See how easy this is? Fun too! The last layer is your potting soil, plants and any accessories you might want to add. </div>
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With fairy gardens being so popular now tiny accessories are easy to find.<br />
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Someone was selling the tiny glass mushrooms at a fairy festival we went to recently. We still believe in fairies. See our <a href="http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2012/07/fairy-garden-2012.html"><span style="color: #38761d;">fairy gardens here.</span></a><br />
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I took my terrarium outside to take a few pictures. I read they need to be kept out of direct sunlight to stay healthy. Also, learn from my mistake and don't water too much. I have about a half inch of
water sitting in the bottom of my container that I can't get out. Turns out a plant mister is the way to go. Distilled water will prevent the glass
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The possibilities are endless and they are so easy to make. Have you made one? I want to hear all about it. </div>
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-28250044464974812862013-04-29T14:19:00.004-05:002013-05-02T12:48:50.158-05:00Ice Skating Birthday PartyOur little one turned seven not too long ago. We celebrated with a party at the ice rink where she is taking lessons. <br />
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Of course I had to put a pretty dessert table together for her special day. <br />
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I made the cupcakes (super moist box mix) and chocolate ice skate suckers. The skates took quite a bit longer than I had planned. When I bought the mold I thought it would be a fast project but I decided to add a second color.<br />
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I stuck the suckers into a piece of round foam, it reminded me of a skating rink. Mr. 65th didn't agree with me:) Oh well, it did work well to hold them up.<br />
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One of my favorite parts of planning this party was finding the perfect <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/113936969/vintage-tiny-ice-dancer-custom-printable?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=ice%2Bskating">invitation</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWvSFrszU-sekHEww0gKSyb7DVYgMWUyxuCjPc4Cnc28ssnb4ElSSgly8pGmmIaQ_caLmiwxhyWPytgbsWw_pWpmVLF7Uwj-2faKq8yuTKuvRWmy1FQvtGMO9XZ1rzeWFXD_jcR4itts/s1600/il_570xN.391471597_6dlv%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWvSFrszU-sekHEww0gKSyb7DVYgMWUyxuCjPc4Cnc28ssnb4ElSSgly8pGmmIaQ_caLmiwxhyWPytgbsWw_pWpmVLF7Uwj-2faKq8yuTKuvRWmy1FQvtGMO9XZ1rzeWFXD_jcR4itts/s400/il_570xN.391471597_6dlv%5B1%5D.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/serendipitycreative?utm_source=convo&utm_medium=trans_email&utm_campaign=convo_html">Serendipity Soiree </a>offers one of a kind designer event and holiday invitations. Catherine was wonderful to work with and I was very pleased with the quality.<br />
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The funny part is the little one's outfit almost matched her invites. We didn't plan it that way but it was cute!<br />
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We loved the invite so much I had to go back to her shop and buy the cupcake liners.<br />
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I had a personalized bracelet made for each of the girls from a great Etsy shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/stargazinglily?ref=seller_info">Stargazing Lily</a><br />
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They were reasonably priced and came out to be just under five dollars for each girl. So much nicer than filling a party favor bag full of candy and little junk.<br />
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We rented out the small studio rink so we had it all to ourselves. <br />
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The little one and her friends had fun showing off their skating skills and had a blast!<br />
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I hope our daughter will remember her 7th Birthday when she is older and always knows how very much we love her.<br />
<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-42609772459432321322013-03-19T14:47:00.000-05:002014-01-03T20:31:02.443-06:00Backyard Ice SkatingSince we still have one more official day of winter I thought I would share our ice rink with you today.<br />
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I have always loved ice skating so building this rink was kind of a childhood dream for me. This winter we started spending a lot of time at our local outdoor rink and the little one started taking lessons so it was the perfect time to give it a try. I started my research right away on the best ways to build one and how to maintain the ice for a smooth finish. <br />
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Then came the part where I had to convince Mr. 65th that this was a great idea. The weather can be unpredictable here in Chicago so we weren't sure our rink would be a success. As you can see we went for it and started to assemble the frame.<br />
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We used left over cement board siding for the frame and used wooden stakes to keep the boards strong. <br />
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Next we used clear plastic from Home Depot as a liner and started to fill it up with our fingers crossed. Our yard is not level so we ended up adding another board on the back of the rink by the playhouse, that way we had at least three inches of water in the shallow end. <br />
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While everyone was taking their Christmas lights down after the holidays we were decking out our backyard for night time skating ambiance.<br />
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This is where I was planning to have a hot chocolate station but we always went inside for cocoa to warm up.<br />
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Mr. 65th lacing up for a skate under the moonlight. Of course we had to have Van Morrison's dancing in the moonlight playing that night. <br />
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We used a pool noodle where we got on and off the ice to protect the plastic liner from a toe pick tear. <br />
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After the little one went to bed one night we dug out the old baby monitor and had a date night skating under the stars, it was very romantic.<br />
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After skating we would drag the hose out from the basement and put a thin layer of hot water on the ice to smooth it out. We did this at night when the tempeature was below freezing and there was no snow in the forecast. <br />
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The little one is turning seven next week and decided to have an ice skating party at the rink where she takes lessons. I found the cutest invitations from an Etsy shop that I will share soon.<br />
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Her request seemed appropriate considering how much fun we had skating this winter. <br />
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The ice melted and we took the rink down this weekend. I'm sad to see it go but I'm ready for winter to be over and for the nice weather to be here. <br />
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Sharing with the <a href="http://thecsiproject.com/2014/01/03/time-to-link-up-for-the-favorite-projects-of-2013-challenge/#axzz2pOMhUHy6" target="_blank"><span style="color: #bf9000;">CSI project</span></a>Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-78476964565656677582012-12-23T18:54:00.002-06:002018-10-19T21:19:29.281-05:00Christmas at our house 2012I can finally breathe a sigh of relief because everything is wrapped and the house is ready for the holidays. We are having our traditional Christmas Eve party tomorrow night, then we stay home in our jammies and play all day on Christmas. <br />
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Instead of making a wreath this year I bought a swag at whole foods and put our initial on it like I did <br />
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A nursery close by was selling tree tops for five dollars so I bought a couple for the outdoor urns. Then I used leftover Christmas tree branches and some store bought greens to fill in all around it. Simple and so easy!<br />
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For the little urn I replanted a little boxwood that I had in a clay pot this summer and then I used leftover greens again to fill in all around it. <br />
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I went with real evergreen garland this year and it makes all the difference. You can see before and after pictures of the exterior transformation <a href="http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2011/11/craftsman-style-cottage.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">here. </span></a><br />
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Let's head inside for a look around....<br />
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I kept the snowflakes going from our Christmas card <a href="http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-card-picture-2012.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">photo shoot</span></a> but changed the words. We are really wishing for snow this winter. A white Christmas would be even better!<br />
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We always head out to the tree farm to hunt for the perfect tree. This year we were wandering around for over an hour looking for just the right one. <br />
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This guy is on the skinny side because I was a little traumatized by the size of our tree last year, he blocked out all of the sunlight it was so big!<br />
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Our big tree has special ornaments that have been collected for years. The Eiffel Tower is new this year from Pottery Barn. <br />
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I went with white and brown craft paper again and dressed them up with pretty ribbon. <br />
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I am loving these chalkboard tags from Martha Stewart, chalk markers help your message stay put. You can even erase and rewrite using a damp paper towel. <br />
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More chalkboard on the faux mantel in the <a href="http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2011/02/feeling-springy.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">dining room.</span></a><br />
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I had fresh garland hanging around the old window but took it down when it wouldn't stay put so I replaced it with a fresh evergreen swag. <br />
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The little dresser in the hallway got some lovin too.<br />
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Remember the five dollar tree topper I talked about for the outside urns? Well, I had a genius idea to use one as a table top tree.<br />
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I popped one into a galvanized pot held in tight with florist foam and got decorating. <br />
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Here it is all decked out in a woodland theme sitting on the buffet in the kitchen. As you can see I gave it a good spray with some "snow".<br />
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A few new ornaments like these acorns mingle with garage sale pinecones. <br />
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And cute homemade mushroom ornaments. Tutorial found <a href="http://lilfishstudios.blogspot.com/2009/11/acorn-mushroom-ornament-tutorial.html"><span style="color: #7f6000;">here.</span> </a></div>
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I put together a Yule log using a birch branch, moss, acorns and a mushroom ornament from Target. The center is hollowed out a bit to hold the moss. <br />
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The squirrel is new this year too, I love his sparkly tail!<br />
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I will end this very long post with a couple bokeh pictures I had fun playing around with. I was inspired to try it out after reading this <a href="http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-bokeh.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">post</span></a> from <span style="color: #bf9000;">Honey We're Home. </span>I was so excited it worked!</div>
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<strong>From my family to yours, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!</strong><br />
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Sharing with the Nester for her famous <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2012/12/2012-christmas-tour-of-homes.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas Tour Of Homes.</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-18805068560794533192012-12-14T12:08:00.000-06:002012-12-14T12:16:53.074-06:00Christmas card picture 2012I should not be sitting here all cozy on the couch with my laptop writing this post because I still have a ton to do around here before the day is over. We are heading to my dad and stepmom's <a href="http://sixtyfifthavenue.blogspot.com/2010/07/our-weekend-and-winner.html"><span style="color: #bf9000;">log home</span></a> in Wisconsin tomorrow, then when we get back on Sunday, my mom and her husband are coming over for an early Christmas get together. I work well under pressure so it will all get done, it always does. <br />
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I usually take the little one's Christmas card picture in front of the tree, but this year we needed to do something different. When she lost one of her front teeth earlier this month, I wondered if she would lose the other one in time for Christmas. You know...so she could sing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"! I melt for her toothless smile. <br />
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As you can see the other tooth came out just in time for pictures. I know you guys have seen our kitchen chalkboard wall many times, I even took pictures of the little one in front of it for some of her first day of school pictures. But lots of family and friends have not been over exposed to it so I thought it would be fun for the occasion.<br />
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Here are a few outtakes that didn't make the cut...<br />
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This was the last picture I took during our quick five minute photo shoot. I can take a hint.<br />
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Ok, off to get everything checked off my list today.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great weekend!</span></div>
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<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-49012403621112284012012-12-06T11:14:00.003-06:002012-12-11T13:42:22.484-06:00giant pinecones for ChristmasWell hello there. I thought I would pop in today and share one corner of our home that is ready for the holidays. I have been trying to get some order to this crazy house full of Christmas boxes and everything else so I can finish decorating. The dining room table is buried and the floor isn't looking much better! Little by little right?<br />
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Yesterday I was spinning my wheels working on a few projects only to finish this ten minute arrangement using my favorite giant pinecones.<br />
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I had planned on using paperwhites but I didn't plant the bulbs in time so I picked up this flowering plant at Home Depot. </div>
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Small pinecones are good fillers for the empty spaces between the big guys. I don't think there is a time of year you won't see a pinecone or two at our house, we kind of love them.<br />
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A quick draping of fresh garland and a Merry Christmas sign wraps up this little corner of the living room. <br />
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I'm off to find my dining room table and finish a few more projects. Have a fabulous day today!<br />
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Sharing with Rhoda @ <a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/green-and-red-christmas-sparkle-in-the-kitchen/"><span style="color: #bf9000;">Southern Hospitality</span></a><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span>for her holiday vignette party.<br />
<br />Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579907652198630697.post-90024365188767376552012-11-21T22:20:00.000-06:002012-11-21T22:20:17.806-06:00Thanksgiving arrangementDo you still have a few pumpkins hanging around? We had lots of them so I carved a few to use as a festive vase.<br />
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This is so quick and easy I thought I would share, the possibilities are endless.</div>
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First carve out your pumpkin of choice, it doesn't have to be perfect.<br />
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Find a container that will fit snugly inside, I used a small mason jar for this one. <br />
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Add your flowers and enjoy. A perfect addition to your holiday table or as a hostess gift.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!</span></strong></div>
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Sixty-Fifth Avenuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10741086163384325244noreply@blogger.com1