A Passion for Scrapbooking, Decorating and Shopping

Gift ideas: Artwork & Calendars...

When I last wrote about Kimberly Applegate and her artwork, I mentioned that I made some purchases myself.  The artwork has been framed for sometime now.

They've been leaning against a wall in our bedroom because we have not moved forward on our wall color selection.  My fear of color commitment is preventing progress but that is a story for another day.

I am very excited though about these pieces and know they will complement our room very elegantly when it's complete.

And in the wet bar area of our basement...

I decided we needed something whimsical and bar-appropriate.

It's the foil & wire from the top of a champagne bottle made to look like a chair.  I love this piece for it's uniqueness and imagination.  Very clever of Ms. Applegate and her creativity to create such a whimsical piece of art.

As I shared in the Art & Photography section of this site, it's the architectural muscle and style of chairs that truly represent my passion for interior design.  And I find her artwork to be the ideal gift for almost anyone who admires design in any shape or form. 

There are some pieces that represent a moment, such as a favorite chair with a pile of books nearby that would appeal to a book reader's typical setting. 

And with all the fuss I've made over calendars lately, I also learned that Joie de Vivre is offering her version for 2009 featuring her artwork (there are 3 versions).  It is the answer for my desire to have a home decor themed calendar as well as space to note small details. 

Both the calendars and artwork at Joie de Vivre make divine gifts for the holidays.  Keep an eye on eBay too for Ms. Applegate's original artwork. 

I hope you find these ideas helpful.

Joyeux Noël my friends.

Colonnade by Moen...

UPDATE:  Faucet is sold.  :)

Today we are pretending as if company is coming this week and we have to get our house in order.  It's a great motivator but we know the truth.  Company is not coming and we are taking our sweet time with our chores. 

Every time I head upstairs my guy seems to think I'm headed toward my craft room to spend time with ol' Mac.  I claimed to be handling the laundry, so in between loads I am jumping on here to share the latest purge from the basement.

I almost forgot about this Moen faucet.  We purchased it for our wet bar sink but I was not careful about my selection in comparison to the sink which is much smaller than the ordinary kitchen sink. 

See, it was not a wise choice on my part.  There's more about it here.

It is now seeking a home who will appreciate it for what it's intended for.  A kitchen sink.

Laundry is beckoning.  And I've got more purging to do.  :)

No smoking...

Ever since our basement was completed in January, we've been very slow to decorate the space.  It's a combination of decision-making, funds, and time. 

Our room for media-watching has been without seating for a long while.  We've laid pillows and blankets on the floor and watched movies but it lacked comfort.  My one-and-only finally selected burgandy leather recliners for the room which are being delivered this week. 

So things are beginning to take shape.  I suggested artwork for the walls, but my guy is very nervous about hanging anything after the labor-intensive paint job.  The suede-painted walls look great but I think just a little artwork here and there would be nice.  He's taking my suggestions into consideration as we agreed from the beginning that he would decorate the room to his liking.  Although I agreed, I can't  help but make suggestions.  Decorating is such a passion for me, it is difficult to just step back and let him have at it.  I'm trying though.

The room is very narrow so there is not much space for end tables for set drinks on.  So I suggested he give the room sort of that smoking room look.  And perhaps a cigar ashtray stand next to the recliner would be neat as it would serve as a place for his beverage. Mind you we are not smokers but the masculinity of a smoking room appeals to me.  He's liking the idea. 

Seeking an ashtray that is not so commercial-looking is a challenge.  I envisioned a wooden stand with a brass ashtray but I haven't come across anything that fits the description.  I won't give up though.

And we're not looking for cigar-smoking posters but something that gives an old-world look to the room.  Perhaps more library-like.  And a humidor to house the remote controls would be pretty neat too.

I'm constantly seeking inspiration to share with my guy, and I'm asking all of you if you have any ideas to share, please do so.  It's not easy finding a room with a stogie motif!

Basement photos...

I went photo-happy today on our basement and have included a photo album of a select few photos for viewing. I have to share that ever since I switched to a Mac, Typepad works slightly different and I'm still adjusting. So I was not able to figure out how to take portrait photos and switch them to the proper viewing format.

We are still in the process of decorating and I'm trying to convince my hubby to do more painting using the RL Suede techique, but he still has not recovered from painting the media room. There are mirrors to be hung as well as some artwork. And we need to purchase chairs for the media room as well as a TV for the pool table area. As we progress with the decorating portion of this project, I will continue to add photos to our album. Sharing the inspiration here. It's a fun road to travel.

A family-friendly basement...

Our basement remodel project began last summer and was completed during the Christmas holiday.  Actually, we have some minor items in need of attention, but they are being dealt with.

Part of our mission with this project was to make the basement family-friendly.  And what I mean by that is so that if we have a loved-one to care for with special needs, our basement can accommodate that. 

I'm so glad we did.  My FIL will be staying with us temporarily while he recovers from some ailments.  One thing I've observed with the elderly is that they do not take to change very well.  So I've made it a mission for my FIL to feel welcome and be as comfortable as possible. 

Our basement includes a bedroom off the main rec area with it's own door to the bathroom.  In the bathroom we have an ADA-compliant shower where I've hung 2 waffle-weave shower curtains (JCPenney) for easy access and a spa-like feeling.  A special chair for his comfort is available at his disposal.  I'm trying very hard to give the bathroom more of a spa-like atmosphere vs. a sterilized feel.

In the bedroom is a window where I have a recliner for him to enjoy reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee in the mornings.  There's a shelf with a cable-ready TV for his viewing pleasure.  Unfortunately the large walk-in closet is already filled with stuff.  I've designated it our "holiday" closet where anything holiday-related is stored.  So if my FIL's stay becomes a permanent one, I'll purchase an armoire for his clothes.

I've stocked our wet bar with microwave-friendly foods for his breakfast and lunch.  Due to ordinance rules by our county, we were not allowed to install a stove in our wet bar.  So I purchased a toaster oven and water kettle for toast and coffee or whatever he may fancy.

Our poker table converts to a dining table where my FIL can enjoy his meals during the day.  I just need to find a lovely but masculine tablecloth for it.

We are also placing wireless intercoms on each level of our home.

I am truly thankful that I was able to obtain most of the necessary items for my FIL by shopping online.  No kidding.  During the past 2 months, it has helped me save time and money and given me the ability to fulfill my FIL's needs.  And when he says he wants peanut brittle, by golly I'm gonna find him some! 

I share this with anyone and everyone as there might be someone out there dealing with similar issues and are looking for resources and guidance, just like me.  It truly was instinct on our part with the planning of our basement remodel and designing it to be ADA-compliant. 

I promised our builder we'd provide updated photos, so I hope to post a photo album this weekend.

Looking for zen...

Throughout this whole basement remodel project, I'm learning that my decorating taste has become more electic.  I think I know what I want but it somehow evolves into something completely different than what my taste is known for.  And that is traditional.  I'm a traditional gal.  Love neoclassicism and reflecting anything in a traditional sense in our home. 

So what do you call this?   

I call it our zen bathroom.  I saw an opportunity to think outside my comfort zone.  Adding a little of the unexpected, sort of a modern twist.  It was a risk and I'm glad I took it.  The path has been a little bumpy, but we are well are on our way to finding zen in the bathroom.  Our goal was to achieve style but in a practical way.  Practical in the sense that our bathroom and pretty much the entire basement is ADA-compliant.  We hope that our parents remain healthy but in the event they become not-so-healthy, we'll be prepared to help. 

It's sort of like taking an umbrella with you in case it rains.  Usually if I have my umbrella with me, it doesn't rain.  And in the case of our bathroom, I hope we do not need an umbrella, but if it rains, we'll be prepared.  Or as prepared as we can possibly be.

So we are hoping for sunny days and healthy parents!

p.s. - when I said the path to a zen bathroom has been bumpy, I wasn't kidding.  We currently have a situation with the location of bath tissue holder.  One butt cheek lands on the toilet and the other lands on the tissue holder.  No zen has been achieved yet. 

Functioning appliances...

Our world is looking brighter now that the appliances have been installed into our wetbar. 

Only minor things to deal with like replacing the sink faucet.  I purchased the faucet long ago when we were originally going to use a larger sink.  You can see in the photo how the kitchen faucet overpowers the wetbar sink.  I must now purchase a bar faucet.

Also, the wine cooler door needs to open on the opposite side.  It currently opens to the left and hits the wall.  So they will change that for us.

And, when they installed the refrigerator last night, it dawned on me that they were not aware that it has an icemaker.  Thank goodness it was not difficult for them to install a water tube after-the-fact.  They also plan to install some wood trim around the microwave so it looks built into the cabinet.

We ordered these appliances online long ago and they've been sitting in our garage until recently.  I'm so relieved that they function well thus far.  And maybe, just maybe, we'll be ready to ring in the new year with a finished basement.  That will be worth celebrating.

Did I say finished?  Of course there are decorative touches to be made.  The madness never stops....or so my hubby says. ;)

Media related...

After much hard work on my hubby's part, his room is just about complete.

He painted the screen with Behr paint in silver screen.  Added moulding painted black to finish it off.  And then painted the entire room in Ralph Lauren's suede paint in Dusty Mountain.  He then vowed to never paint using the suede technique again.  It is time consuming and labor intensive. 

  We are both pleased with the outcome.  It makes you feel cozy.  Now if we can only find decent recliners.  That mission continues.

Tonight, we are going to prop some pillows on the floor and watch one of our favorite Christmas movies which is guaranteed to make you laugh every time. 

Hope you are enjoying the holiday season. 

One step closer...

It was another weekend spent in the basement.  We moved things around, cleaned, painted and replaced switchplates.

Today, my hubby painted a screen in his media room.  We'd never heard of such a thing until we met someone who painted his screen and highly recommended it.   We went to Home Depot and purchased Behr paint in a color called "silver screen".  He painted 2 coats today and is planning to outline the screen with moulding painted black. 

While the paint was drying, hubby also begun to clean up the unfinished portion of the basement that we will be using for storage.  I'm anxious to get things moved from the garage to this space very soon!!  Parking outside of the garage has not been fun, especially on cold mornings where I have to scrape frost off my windows.

I visited Lowes for more switchplates and am nearly finished replacing those in the basement.  And while I was on a roll, I decided to purchase new switchplates for the family room too.

And we moved the console from our dining room to the basement for a warm, welcome touch.  I purchased the lamps months ago from Horchow as one of their weekly specials.  The cordless phone is from PB but it is only 900 mhz.  It was a decorating sacrific.  I chose style over technical ability. 

The red table runner was a last minute purchase today.  It needed a punch of color, particularly for the phone.  A black phone on a black table was just blending and the runner helps it to stand out. 

I am now looking for a silk plant or perhaps an ottoman or two to place underneath the console to conceal the cords.  And I have a mirror to hang above it but am a little wishy washy about it.  I have gold lamps to coordinate with but the rest of the basement is accented with silver/brushed nickel accessories and fixtures.  So I'm a little undecided right now on how I'm going to handle this. 

Tomorrow, we have our fingers crossed that the bathroom faucet arrives so the plumber can install the appliances and fixtures which will allow the countertop to be put in place. 

Also, my hubby is taking on another painting challenge tomorrow.  He's chosen a RL suede paint (dusty mountain) and will use their technique to achieve a suede look on the walls of his media room. 

We've got a lot on our plate but it has, more or less, been fun.  Did someone say that Christmas is a week away??  Gee, I better get the tree decorated.

They never said it would be easy...

First, it started with the ADA-compliant shower we selected for our bathroom.  It's a special order and would take 3 weeks.  It arrived damaged and had to be replaced.  Must wait another 3 weeks.

Weeks would go by with no activity in the basement whatsoever.  The shower was holding up progress.

Finally, the new shower arrives and is installed BUT the shower head we selected will not work with this shower.  Must select a new shower head. 

New shower head is installed but clashes with the handrails in the shower.  Must order a new shower head at an extra cost to us (it was my choice, I couldn't live with the clashing of fixtures).

Switched from granite to high-definition laminate countertops due to budget constraints.  So, the undermount sink I purchased months ago had to be exchanged for a drop-in sink.

Called the flooring guy to advise we are ready for installation of carpet.  No one has kept him in the loop and he is not ready.  Ten days later, we have carpet.

And after rescheduling the delivery date of the pool table numerous times due to the fact we had no carpet, it finally arrived last weekend.

The faucet I purchased for the bathroom sink will not work.  It requires 3-holes and our sink only has one.  Must select a new faucet.  New faucet arrives and copper tube is bent.  Must be exchanged.  Still no faucet.

After mis-communications between our builder and the countertop folks, the countertops were finally delivered and are now sitting on the floor in our basement.

Originally this project was to be completed by the end of October, then it was moved to the end of November.  At which time, my hubby said I bet it will be Christmas before this project is finished.  We have our fingers crossed that the new faucet is delivered on Monday and the appliances and countertop will also be installed at that time.

We should consider ourselves very lucky.  I've heard the stories related to nightmare remodeling projects.  Frankly, there have been times where I lose my patience and wanted to scream but I'm trying to stay focused and maintain every bit of confidence that remains inside of me to see the completion of this project.

Please god, give me the strength to see this project through.  And before Christmas, pretty please.  Amen.

Working hard...

Now that our floors are covered in the basement, we've been working hard at moving things back to where they belong.  And much has been done, but you couldn't tell by looking at our home.  It is still in a disarray.

My hubby has been waiting for months for this delivery, and the good news is it arrived today.

We played one game and I won, but only because he scratched on the 8-ball.  Honestly, I am no competition for him.  I only managed to get one ball in the pocket.  I must practice....A LOT!!

And, you may notice in the background of the photo, we also hung wood blinds in all the windows and have Smith & Noble to thank for a great bargain.  Their Special Offers section has all sorts of fabulous deals.

I also spent a little quality time in our kitchen and installed this organizer all by myself.  It was another great deal I found online and even purchased two.  I was only able to use one under our kitchen sink as the disposal was in the way and could not install the second one.  So it will go under the sink in the wetbar when it is complete.

This organizer was easy to install but there moments where I wish I had my precious drill which I have not yet received.  I know one thing, the closet organizer for our coat closet we just received will not be installed until I have that drill.  You can work up a sweat using a screwdriver! 

And I found switch plates from Lowes in a Satin Nickel finish for the living room and dining room. 

We accomplished many things this weekend, mostly in the basement, but we ran out of time putting up our Christmas tree.

The weekends are just never long enough.  We need 3-day weekends!!!

Frieze...

It's luscious. 

It exceeded my expectations.

And with the assistance of a carpet expert, we selected one that is casual, cozy and perfect for our basement.  One thing I learned from this experience is that this carpet is called a frieze....fancy schmancy word for shag.

Also, after many months, we finally received our light fixture for above the pool table and we love it. 

We hope to find recliners for the media room over the holidays as we want to begin watching movies and enjoying this room as much as possible.

By Christmas, we will be enjoying this new space, only to rest up for the next project.  ;)

Nitty gritty tile...

Tile with style.  I am thrilled with the tile and how it looks in the basement.  The photos I'm sharing do not do it justice.  Particularly since we have dust and dirt everywhere, but this is the reality of remodeling.

We have this tile in the wet bar area and at the back door.  What I love about this tile is how it complements the cranberry-colored cabinets.  And there's a bit of sparkle to it.

And we went with basic white tile for the bathroom.

I am siked about this space and anxious to begin moving in!

A lighted basement...

Progress in the making here...

We now have a chandelier hanging where the poker table will go.  Hubby has reservations about this chandelier but I think it will look great once the furniture is in place.

And here we have pendants hanging over the unfinished wet bar.  Both of us are so-so with these pendants but will wait to reserve judgment once the countertop has been installed.  We are thinking that it may be a bit overkill on the lighting here due to the size of shades.  What do you think??

And this is the light fixture I chose for the alcove between the bathroom and utility room.  It was tough getting a good shot of this area. 

Here's my bargain of a ceiling fan from Overstock hanging in the bedroom. 

  And this is the fixture above the sink in the bathroom I found online through a link on Home Decorator's website.

Finally, this light fixture is one I purchased off eBay.  (Kinda looks like a flying saucer with the angle of the photo I took.)

I must stress the fact that there are great deals to be had online.  I'd say that 90% of the accessories/furniture/appliances for our basement were purchased online.  There were a couple items I received that I had to return but nothing major. 

We are looking at a fully functional basement hopefully by Christmas.  And that is where hubby and I will be spending it. 

And, as you can tell, it's hard to get good pictures without proper lighting.  ;p

Slowly but surely...

...things are coming along in the basement.  We are waiting for the tile to arrive and the carpet needs to be installed. 

What we have is new wood railing for the stairs.  It opens the view leading into the basement significantly more than it did before. 

And we have cabinets partially installed at the wet bar.  Then the appliances will go into the cabinets and a countertop will be added as well as plumbing fixtures.

I should have taken a picture during the day as my flash is not strong enough for a shot like this.  But you can get an idea of where things stand, in case you are interested.  I've spent so much time lately sharing gift ideas that I thought I better redirect my focus on other things, like decorating and scrapbooking.  :)

Leave no detail unturned...

Catchy phrase I saw today and had to use it. 

We are gearing up for the much talked-about space downstairs by selecting a color of stain for the handrails.  In an attempt to match the stain on the handrails elsewhere in our home, I landed on fruitwood.  If I were daring, I would have chose ebony but I'm playing it safe. 

One item up for discussion is a decorative interior door to the basement.  I don't want it to look like a dungeon, so I am convincing hubby that a door like this is what we need.  I want it to project a "welcoming" look.  Know what I mean?

Lastly, I've selected some basic switch plates in bronze for the open rec area and media room, with thanks to Amex.

And, not to leave any detail unturned....based on comments in my previous post, it seems this butt-kicker contraption for the media room is quite popular among my girlfriends.  The combination of this contraption and McDreamy can make for a dangerous liaison, for sure.  It is nice to have girlfriends with a wonderful sense of humor....or were you serious?  ;)

If these walls could talk...

...they'd say "I'm bare, I need some color".

This project is moving along much more quickly now that the basement has been 'drywalled'. 

The walls need to be 'mudded' before the painters arrive next week.  We selected antique white paint, which will hold over nicely until we decide on colors once the rooms are furnished. 

We are still shopping around for recliners for the media room.  The plan is to place 2 recliners on the platform and 2 just below it.  Should be nice and cozy for some movie-watching.

The pool table should arrive next month.  We even created a little niche for the pool cues. 

We are getting pretty excited about the prospect of a completed basement.  The designing and planning are coming to life before our very eyes. 

The moment we get home each evening, we race down the stairs to discover something new.  To see progress each day has been so fulfilling.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Packages in all shapes & sizes...

This is not my vision of a good mail day.  To have to open these boxes and create more trash is a daunting task.  It wasn't so daunting when I placed the orders, but what are you gonna do.  Just grin and bear it.

So, our new glassware for the wet bar arrived in tact.  The light fixture I ordered for the basement closet from eBay arrived in great shape.  And the light fixture and shades from PB arrived too. 

Then I get to my JCP order and was completely disappointed with the decorative drapery rods I ordered.  The finials were chipped and exposed not wood, but plastic.  I must continue searching for nice decorative rods and finials. 

All-in-all, the orders were a success with the exception of one minor blip which can be easily taken care of with a trip to JCP.  And you know what that means, I have to go to the mall.  ;)

A shower of happiness...

It finally arrived and has been installed in the basement.

Plans include a hand-shower and I intend to purchase a teak bench as there is plenty of room there.  We are going for the zen-look.

Signs of life are apparent in the basement again and things should move along nicely now.  Our fingers are crossed that the project is complete by the end of October.

Shifting over to our blah living room, I have been searching for wooden decorative rods and finials for the window treatments and found ones in the shape of an urn (sorry for the blurry photo).  Hmmm....I like it.  I just wish S&N were having a sale right now.  The search continues...

Treats on display...

How about this jar??  I think it would be great for biscotti or peanuts in a shell on display at the wet bar. 

As you can tell, I am beginning to shop for accessories for our basement, although we still have no shower (it's being delivered today...finally) and there is no drywall.  But I'm not going to let that stop me from my mission to accessorize. 

I found a water kettle for tea and hot cocoa.  And I'm currently hunting for a percolator and soft throws for the media room.

And salt is a must for popcorn so I found this set, which is a novel idea for the wetbar. 

Am I forgetting anything?? 

5-Arms...

First, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share feedback on our living room.  I've jotted down notes from all the wonderful comments in preparation of our meeting next week with an expert.  And if you have anything further to share....please do so!!!  I greatly appreciate the guidance.

And speaking of guidance, I have another item for your consideration.  This pertains to our basement remodel.  There will be an area for a 'future' game table and we plan to hang a chandelier above it.  I have searched and searched for a proper chandelier and have narrowed it down to this. 

The reason I chose this chandelier is because of the metal shades.  I think it will add a nice touch above the 'future' game table.  We want to have it on-hand when the electrician begins installing all of the light fixtures.

Now, my question is......do I go with antique bronze (1st photo) or antique nickel (2nd photo)?

We have fixtures to go over the pool table and wet bar that are antique silver but it has some gold tones to it.

What do you think?? 

What's the deal???

Our basement remodel has not progressed as quickly as originally planned.  I haven't mentioned the project in a while as it really has been quite boring.  And the deal is the shower we selected arrived with a crack in one of the walls.  And it will take about 3 weeks to get a replacement. 

The project is on hiatus until the new shower arrives, and once it is installed, the drywall can go up and the pace will pick back up.   

In the meantime, our garage is housing all of the appliances, light fixtures, and everything else that belongs in the basement.  Our home is still a bit of a mess.  Most days, I try to ignore it but I almost constantly feel like we are in a state of chaos. 

My temporary cure for that is to peruse decorating magazines, dreaming of how a well-organized and completely decorated home would feel like.

More studs...

What a beautiful sunny morning.  I took a walk around the basement and snapped a few photos showing how it is shaping up.

We are going to remove some of the drywall so it will open-up the stairs to the rec area.  Then it won't seem as if you are walking into a dungeon...I hope.

And here is where the bathroom is shaping up.  It will have 2 doors.  One from the rec area and one from the bedroom.  We've ordered a contemporary sink & vanity and a shower that is ADA-compliant.  My plan is to give it that zen look.

And some of the fixtures are beginning to arrive.

The media room has now been studded.  We are working on where the component closet will go and possibly some shelving.

The project is moving along at a nice pace.  We are meeting with the electrician this week to identify where we want lighting to be placed as well as dimmers and switches.  With Candice's influence, I've got some ideas up my sleeve.  We'll see how it goes.

Sexy sink...

That is what the kitchen designer said when I emailed her the link of the bar sink we decided to purchase.  Her comment somehow validated our decision.  I never viewed a sink as sexy, but she is right about this one. 

Our original sink selection will not work as we are now installing more budget-friendly Wilsonart HD countertops vs. granite.  Therefore, we need a drop-in sink vs. an undermount. 

And hubby and I were just walking around the basement in amazement over the work that has been completed thus far.  We are slowly seeing our dreams magically become a reality. 

Affordable cabinets...

We have one small dilemma right now, and that is finding affordable cabinetry for the media room to house the components, cds and dvds.  I thought I found a solution, but hubby is not thrilled with it.  He doesn't want white cabinets.  I kinda agree, so I suggested we paint them. 

The question is, what type of paint to use?  That is something I'm going to have to look into.  And hopefully I can convince him. 

Then, in the meantime, I got this strong desire to visit the PB Outlet this weekend by seeing what Candi found.  Such great deals....just love 'em.

A stud or two...

Things are taking shape in the basement.  And I see the early stages of a wet bar here.

And beyond the wet bar will be a bedroom aka storage room...maybe a place to exercise?  Gosh, did I say exercise? 

Back to the wet bar.  I am looking forward to filling the fridge and wine chiller with beer, wine and some bubbly.  Oh, I mean healthy juices, power drinks and water.  Those who know me well will know the truth!!  hee, hee...

Selections...

It's a go!  Our basement is filled with studs and drywall, all ready for building.  What began as a discussion of "what ifs" is now becoming a reality. 

We are now at the stage of "how do you like this?" and "I love this".  For instance, how do you like this countertop sample?  Does it coordinate with the cabinetry?  And I love this carpet. 

We are close to completing all of the decision-making of every minute detail related to this remodel.  Then we can sit back and watch it come together. 

Empty space...

Our basement is empty and ready to be reinvigorated with great function and to be a fun place to hang out.  The builders arrive tomorrow to go over the floor plan, placement of walls and to review all sorts of other details.  And Day 1 begins on Monday.  We are READY!!

It pivots...

In 4-6 weeks we will have a mirror for the bathroom.  Hooray!  The selections have been a bit time-consuming but going pretty smoothly.  I really wanted the PB or Restoration mirror, but this is comparable at a slightly lower price.

With the price difference, I decided to upgrade to satin nickel fixtures in the bathroom, including this mirror. 

I was also fortunate to find these vanity sconces in a satin nickel finish at a very reasonable price. 

The bathroom is coming together.  Still need to find a bath tissue holder and I hope to accomplish that task this weekend. 

Work begins on Thursday, and my to-do list is getting shorter by the day.  It's all pretty exciting.  :)

Let there be light...

I have dedicated a tremendous amount of time in seeking pendant light fixtures for the wet bar and pool table, only to consistently hear the words "discontinued".  Not a favorite word of mine (next to "backordered").  So, I had no luck seeking what I mentioned in a previous post. 

I did find something I like, although I wouldn't describe it as casual, perhaps a little more classic in style. 

I'm pretty excited about this find because I got a fabulous deal.  And I suspect the reason is that they will or already are discontinued.  I was able to find this style only on a couple of websites.  And the manufacturer doesn't even show them on their site.

I received my confirmation from the vendor last night indicating they will be shipped August 4.  Hallelujah!

My next mission is now to find a bath tissue holder.  Details, details....

Did I say shag???

In my search of carpet for the basement, I knew I was seeking something neutral, soft on your feet, will keep you warm in the winter-time, and that it would not be necessary to vacuum every time someone walked on it.  So, a carpeting expert suggested this.

When I described it to hubby, I used the word "shag-style".  He didn't like what he was hearing.  We've seen shag carpets in our day, and knew to steer clear of it when it came to decorating our home...until now. 

I'd say this is a more refined-look of shag-style carpet.  I'm going after a bit of a casual style for the basement because I want it to be fun, comfy and cozy.  Not fussy and overdone.  I've convinced hubby this is the carpet for us.  He's trusting my decision on this.   And I hope I do not disappoint him. 

Funny how fads come and go.  And I am learning to never say never! 

A mission for a light fixture...

I have been on a mission the last week or so, searching for lighting above the pool table in this photo.  Unfortunately this is not a great pic but click this link and you'll see what I'm talking about. 

You know how it is...you see something in a magazine that you really like.  Well I really like this light fixture and just learned that it has been discontinued by the manufacturer.  Darn!  I have been all over the 'net searching for this fine piece of lighting and managed to find one lighting store that carries it in pewter.  At this point, I'll take any color it comes in as I love the style. 

Once it is confirmed that the fixture has been shipped to me, I will feel much better.  In the meantime, you are dealing with one obsessed person here.  My Dad would always tell me, "if there's a will, there's a way"....well I hope Dad is right!

Appliances & Fixtures...

The chaos is beginning in our home as we have boxes scattered all over, including Christmas decorations stacked in the living room and guest room.  And soon I will no longer be able to park in the garage.

This is the result of clearing out our basement as the project may begin a bit sooner than we anticipated.  And we're OK with that.   The sooner, the better.  Thankfully, our product selections have been fairly easy.  Speaking of which, we've selected:

A faucet for the wet bar sink.  I selected a typical faucet as the sink will be a bit larger than the average bar sink.  This was the kitchen designer's idea in the event we have a family member living with us, occupying the basement bedroom.

Another suggestion by the kitchen designer is a full size dishwasher.  This style was actually less expensive than a smaller, 18" wide dishwasher.  And with this diswasher taking more space, it means less cabinetry and less cost.  I like that!

The refrigerator will fit nicely in the peninsula of the wet bar.  It will be a nice place for hubby's beverages of choice.  And ice is a must for my Diet Coke (gotta have cold Diet Coke with ice...I know it sounds crazy). 

And a wine chiller to store white wine (for my girlfriends) and champagne (for moi).

We also made room for a microwave so we can heat up popcorn and nachos...yum, yum!

And I have two words to share concerning these purchases...."online shopping".  Yes, there are great deals to be had online.  Even when it comes to appliances and plumbing fixtures.  :)

A Seville...

...I'm not referring to a Cadillac Seville but a pool table called Seville.

We agonized the last 4 days over details and style of a pool table.  I was surprised when we visited the dealer and learned that you can customize a table, right down to the apron and legs.  But we were relieved to hear it would take 8-10 weeks as we are in no hurry.  The basement should be finished in mid-to-late October, so the timing is perfect. 

My hubby takes no joy in spending money, so for him to actually be excited about making the journey tonight and putting down a deposit was a rare moment to enjoy.  I like seeing him happy and do not want him to torture himself over a purchase he so much deserves.  Truth be told, he let himself enjoy this moment for about 30 minutes before the guilt set-in.

When the table arrives, those feelings of guilt will turn to moments of joy (at least I hope so).  :)

So....in addition to the photography classes I am currently taking to learn how to use my camera, I must now learn how to play pool.

Entertaining Mom...

NOTE:  I had to re-post this entry due to problems with Typepad, therefore I lost the comments associated with it.  Drats!

My Mom has kindly taken on the task of house-sitting when our basement remodel begins in late August.  The project will take about 8 weeks, so I've begun a list of activities my mother could enjoy while hanging out at home. 

1. Puzzles - she loves to put together puzzles but I'm sure she does not want to spend the entire 8 weeks doing this.
2. Iron-ons - she loves to iron, so I thought I could purchase some t-shirts and cute HS iron-ons and have her make some adorable shirts with sassy quotes.
3. Candle-making - she's never ventured down this road and neither have I...but I thought it would be fun??
4. I've run out of ideas.....help!

Unfortunately my Mom does not read novels.  She does enjoy home & health remedy-type books, which is why she is always suggesting I eat or drink strange things and placing certain plants in my home.  And she used to crochet but hasn't done it in years and has no interest in re-starting that hobby.  Scrapbooking is of no interest to her, or any type of papercrafts for that matter.  No to crosswords, although she likes word-find books.  Looks like I have quite a mission here.

In addition to all the other missions I have related to the basement project, entertaining Mom is my top priority.

NOTE:  I had to re-post this entry due to problems with Typepad, therefore I lost the comments associated with it.  Drats!

My Mom has kindly taken on the task of house-sitting when our basement remodel begins in late August.  The project will take about 8 weeks, so I've begun a list of activities my mother could enjoy while hanging out at home. 

1. Puzzles - she loves to put together puzzles but I'm sure she does not want to spend the entire 8 weeks doing this.
2. Iron-ons - she loves to iron, so I thought I could purchase some t-shirts and cute HS iron-ons and have her make some adorable shirts with sassy quotes.
3. Candle-making - she's never ventured down this road and neither have I...but I thought it would be fun??
4. I've run out of ideas.....help!

Unfortunately my Mom does not read novels.  She does enjoy home & health remedy-type books, which is why she is always suggesting I eat or drink strange things and placing certain plants in my home.  And she used to crochet but hasn't done it in years and has no interest in re-starting that hobby.  Scrapbooking is of no interest to her, or any type of papercrafts for that matter.  No to crosswords, although she likes word-find books.  Looks like I have quite a mission here.

In addition to all the other missions I have related to the basement project, entertaining Mom is my top priority.

Teak'n...

Another great deal for the spa bathroom.  I like that it is a shelf as well as a towel bar.  I still need to find a bath tissue holder, vanity lights and I'm looking for a tilt-mirror similar to this.  I just do not want to pay PB prices. 

Tile...

Would you expect a morning spent looking at tile to be exciting?  I must admit, it really made my day.  And what made it so great is that I found something I liked in a matter of minutes.  You see it, and you just know that is it. 

I'm looking for Tuscan flair and felt this tile gave me just that.  It has a bit of red tones that will pick up the color on the cabinets and very tiny specks of black that will tie-in with the black appliances.

I also chose a plain solid white tile in 12x12 for the bathroom.  Gee, that measurement sounds familiar!   

My only wish is if I could have sustained this high when I went appliance shopping afterward.  Let's just say I have a lot of homework to do in that department.  ;)

Wet bar & bathroom cabinets...

Decisions, decisions.  Some were made today on the cabinets for our wet bar.  We chose Princeton style stock cabinets in cranberry, which are similar to the ones in our kitchen.  We do not know the exact configuration yet, but have decided that there will be no glass doors (I don't want to see everything), there will be a hidden trash can, a wine rack and a place to hide a microwave.

And the space will accommodate a dishwasher (it was recommended we go with a 24" as the 18" is more expensive...odd, isn't it?), under-cabinet refrigerator with icemaker and an 18" wine cooler.  The appliances will be black as stainless steel is more expensive.   

They will finish off the cabinets with moulding and under-cabinet lighting. 

And I selected this stainless steel bar sink, which is the same brand in our kitchen.

As for the bathroom, we are considering this sink to bring that spa-look to the room.  Plus it is wheelchair accessible, if the need arises.  I thought this was a brilliant idea on the kitchen designer's part.  My plan is to accessorize the room in teak (I purchased a trash can last week). 

I'm pretty excited about the plans and can't wait until we receive the configuration to get a better sense of what we are doing.  Decisions can be tedious, but they can be fun too!!

Monticello, Egyptian & Ferns...

Here's the latest on our basement remodel:

Moen Monticello bath fixtures

We have made some selections on our plumbing fixtures for the bathroom, which coordinate with the fixtures in the remainder of our house.  One difference is the shower will have a hand-shower with wall bracket.  It's a big shower, so we wanted the water to travel with you.

Egyptian Spa Bath Towels

And I couldn't resist this great deal on spa towels (in ivory).  I think they will be perfect for this bathroom.   I may add a little teak in the room to give it that spa feel.

Etched Fern Goblets

Moving to the wet bar, I picked up these goblets for $9.99 at our local Target.  Quite a bargain and hard to resist.  I thought the goblets would be perfect for wine as well as soda, water, or whatever you may fancy.

The Need to be Inspired

Progress is going in the right direction, albeit small little details we're dealing with here...but it's a start.  Now we must spend time shopping for a vanity and medicine cabinet.  Honestly, I'm not sure where to begin on this task.  Someone please Inspire Me!!

Gameroom...

It is called Monogram and it's high on my list of appliances to consider for the much-talked about wet bar.  I'm still undecided on the refrigerator/ icemaker combo AND a wine cooler.  I guess it will all depend on how much space we will have as I want to allow space for cabinetry/storage. 

And check out this little dishwasher.  It would be a perfect fit.

Another thought running through my head is whether all of the appliances should be the same brand?  Such details to consider. 

I am now getting ready to pour through the latest PB catalog, in search of a medicine cabinet for the new bathroom.  Which brings me to my next dilemma....should we go all white, including cabinets or go with a dark wood????

Woe is me.

Sub-Z...

In my search of under-counter refrigerators for our soon-to-be wetbar, I discovered one that I really like when we visited my sister and brother-in-law this week.  They have one in their wetbar and I like that it has a refrigerator, freezer and ice maker all in one component.  We really do not want to get a separate ice maker as I do not believe we will use it that often.

Now the challenge is finding a great deal on this baby. 

And since we have not chosen a contractor yet, we have not made any concrete decisions on cabinetry, etc.  But some of the things we are contemplating are having a wine rack vs. a wine refrigerator (can't imagine we need to dedicate an entire refrigerator to wine) and we'd like to have space for a microwave (to pop popcorn). 

And, depending on cost, we'd like to have a granite countertop bar.  I have also flipped through many decorating and remodeling magazines.  I also visited Lowe's today and picked up cabinetry brochures. 

Right now, we are gathering information and resources, and hopefully very soon we'll decide on a contractor and get this project going!

Model Basement...

Still searching for ideas on basement remodeling, including media rooms and wetbars.  I did come across some photos I took some time ago of the basement in our neighborhood's model home (looking at model homes is another hobby of mine...love all of the eye candy and inspiration).

   

Our set-up will be slightly different from this one.  At least that is the plan for now.  We decided to carpet the floor (to add warmth) and we may add a gas fireplace (to add more warmth), depending on our budget.  The wetbar may possibly have a bar in front of it.  And the bathroom will have french doors (to make it wheelchair accessible, if the need ever arises) and a stand-up shower vs. bathtub.

As for wetbars, well I'm at a loss right now.  Not sure exactly what we want to do.  I did come across a neat drawer-styled dishwasher.  I'm collecting all of these ideas and placing them in a folder.  And when the time comes, we have plenty of ideas to discuss with the contractor. 

For now, I will continue to research for ideas in magazines, websites, and maybe, just maybe, I can talk hubby into visiting some model homes.  Oh, come on hubby, it will be so much fun!!

A new project...

Yup, you heard me right...another new project.  We've decide to take the plunge into remodeling our basement and had our first opportunity to meet with a contractor tonight to discuss our wish list.  And our wish list is a media room, bedroom (aka storage space), bathroom and an open area that will accommodate a pool table and wet bar.

Now that we're in discussions with a contractor, it feels as though this project has officially begun.  We've talked about it for months.  And now we are beginning to focus on the details of this room.  I've spent some time seeking photos of media rooms and wet bars online and honestly can say that I have not come up with very much.

I did find some ideas on wet bars from Aristokraft, which are the same brand of cabinets we have in our kitchen. 

And I found one I liked from Kraft-Maid. 

And I came across great wet bar appliances from U-Line. 

If we decide to go with this contractor, we will meet with a kitchen designer to come up with an appropriate wet bar design.  And the media room is my hubby's project.  It is the one room where I will not have much influence over.  As long as he is happy, I'm happy.

Of course there are many other details of the project we will be delving into.  I'm sure it can be tedious at times, but I am very much looking forward to it all.  It will be very gratifying.  :)