Sunroom

After composing my blog post about all the projects I've got on my mind about the house I came up with another one!  Our sunroom.  One of the things that I really loved about our house when we bought it was that it has a fully enclosed sunroom that connects to the family room.  The deck is connected to it and it overlooks our yard.  It is a nice room. Sadly the previous owners did nothing with it, and I have say that I am ashamed we've done very little with it as well.  We did take down the sliding plastic shades from the windows and painted the walls, but there is still alot left to be desired. 

The really big eyesore?  Carpet.  Ugh.

The sunroom is host to hunter green carpet.  Not only is the room fully carpeted it has (and this is gross) big pee stains on it from the previous owners dogs.  The dogs also damaged the carpet under the door.  So yeah, it looks pretty good.  Our plan has been to replace the flooring for a while now.  I have been very tempted for the last several years to just rip up the carpet and paint the floor until we did something with it.  My husband disagrees with this idea, strongly.  So alas the carpet has stayed.  I am hopeful that soon we will have new floors (probably a wood laminate or tile of some sort).  So stay tuned for a room makeover soon (hopefully - hint, hint babe!)

I'm also considering hanging some soft long white curtain panels in the room.  We'll see though.

In the meantime, while I'm dreaming of a new sun room, here is some eye candy to start you day dreaming of your own sun room (or of summer, or something equally as relaxng).

LOVE, L-O-V-E the Young House Love sunroom (and their whole house)

The next set of photos are from Steve & Brooke Gianetti's home.  Their house is GORGEOUS.  They enclosed the back porch to make this sun room.  To see more of their house and to see what Brooke is up to check out her blog.

After Brooke needed more space for a home office they decided to change the above side of the sun room, which was underused, into an office space (below).  Doesn't it look like a relaxing place to work from home?

I really love the colors and texture in the room below by Lola B's. 

I hope you're looking forward to a relaxing weekend!

24 rooms in 344 square feet?

If you didn't see this article on the MSN homepage you've got to theck it out.  Talk about innovative uses of space!

Spring Fever

I've really got the itch to make some changes around the house lately.  I don't really have any one project specifically in mind, but instead have millions of projects that have crept onto my radar!  A few of the projects that I have been eyeing are:

• Finishing our bathroom wall:  We had plumbing issues about 3 years ago that required them cutting into our wall.  The wall hasn't ever fully be repaired....I think it's time to spackle, sand, and paint!
• Redoing our master bath:  Wallpaper needs to come down and paint needs to go up!
• Planting:  I've really been wanting to take a trip to our local greenhouse and buy some plants and flowers to pot and plant in our flower beds.  I have no green thumb (AT ALL), but I'm ready to get my hands in the dirt.
• Kitchen:  Although it is SO not a possiblity to redo the kitchen right now, the hubster referenced how ugly our kitchen was the other day and it really got me thinking how I'd love to brighten that room up (not to mention update), but alas, this is purely just a dream.

Anyone else got the bug to redo stuff in your place?

Amateur Photography Hour 2

Since I'm working on my photography skills I'm going to try and pick up the camera whenever I have a few minutes to get more comfortable with it.  Here are the best shots from yesterday's practice.

Thanks for looking!

Thought for the day

Sent to me by my mama this AM:

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” - Scott Adams

And this photo below goes out to the aforementioned mother.

Brutus, thank you for being so patient as mom yelled 'sit' and I pointed the camera in your face.  Poor guy.

Amateur Photography Hour

I'm trying to learn photography.  I'm just a beginner and I know NOTHING about it what so ever.  It is kind of scary to learn!  But I'm excited to learn a new skill set to be able to help out with the photography side of our business as we continue to grow.  {Official plug:  looking for photography or event design?  Check out Creative Event Studio!}  With the camera in hand and a semi-willing subject here are a few pictures of me learning photography....

Runners feet = gross

I really love this one.

I didn't take this last one (obviously, since I'm in the picture), but I love it!  (thanks babe!)

So what do you think of my pictures?  Wish me luck as I try and learn more in the coming days!

Looking for a place to rest?

All of the sunny spring weather has really had me wanting to get our house spruced up.  Yesterday I had high hopes of doing some planting. Go figure the day that I'm able to work outside the weather decides to be cold and rainy!  In reference to the inside of our house I'm itching to do something new.  Of course I'm sure that my husband would say that a good cleaning would make the house look much more Springish :)  Lately my dream of a country cabin has come back with a fury and I've been wishing I had the time to just go and bum around in the sticks for a while.  Since that clearly isn't a possibility here are some more country/cabin/rustic pictures that I know you'll all enjoy.

Doesn't this look quaint and peaceful? (sorry - not sure of the source)

I'm really loving this picture from the Thomas Callaway porfolio.  Seems very comfy, lived in, and a bit rustic.

I'm not sure where this stairway came from, but it looks like it's fit perfectly in the home from above

This picture from French Country Living is maybe a tad too rustic for me, but still I really am loving all the textures and how your mind immediatly feels more at rest when envisioning yourself in the space.

I think that this table spot from Velvet Linen would be homey with my family and friends and a hot pot of coffee.

Spring Tabletop

I seem to behind everyone else in blogland since I'm just now posting my spring tabletop.  I had this up before Easter and then on Easter threw in the easter eggs for more color.  For those of you out there who don't like a lot of color you may not like this setting!  Thanks to the hubster for taking these pics!

This setting is all about color and pattern and layering, layering, layering!  For a post Easter look all I have to do to keep it current for spring is remove the easter eggs and maybe put the napkin in the glass in their place for an additional layer/level to the tablescape.  I've also since added two medium sized glass hurricanes that have frosted colors on the outside for additional depth.  All of the items featured were things I already owned, so this setting cost me zero dollars!

To see last years place setting (which features the same pink and green plates) click here.

Spring

It is finally Spring here in the Midwest.  There is rain and thunder mixed with bright sun and fresh color.  When I wake I hear the birds chirping, thankful that Spring has finally arrived.

I've been mulling over this poem the last few days, reminds me of rolling green hills, friends, family (with me and those loved and lost) and makes me feel the promise of what's to come.

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in

my heart) I am never without it (anywhere

I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

I fear

no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) I want

no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

-EE Cummings

 

So in that vein I hope all of you are welcoming not only our changing weather but also the feelings of new life that Spring brings.