Tour-Chapter 1

After avoiding it ALL summer, I’ve finally gotten around to devoting some time to the Tour.

Here’s the plan…as I maniacally rearrange update rooms around here, I’ll always keep the most current incarnation…or NOW shots on the Tour.

Now, what I’m curious about is…should I bother with the close-up shots of random vignette-y crap that is so incredibly hit or miss (mostly miss here), or are we just interested in the overall “before and now” sense of things?  Talk to me.

When I get a feel for how it will be most useful, then I’ll start to add some other rooms and maybe add more photos…gotta start somewhere…right?

So, Let’s start the Tour in the Living Room!  Link Updated 9/16

Via Gallefrey on Tripadvisor

Duplos and Ping Pong

Even if you never played Ping Pong, you HAD to want to after seeing Jonathan Adler & Simon Doonan’s table in their latest NYC apartment. BTW, I’ve never called it table tennis and I don’t really see me starting now.

It made the rounds a few months ago as well as in The Selby.  I love the Saarinen bases and can even appreciate the fussy wallpapered top (too busy for me, but it’s perfect for their place.)

The Things got interested in Ping Pong this summer after playing in the rec room where we swim.  The pool is now closed, but why should that mean an end to our fun?

I started looking for ideas to build one outside, but as fab as these are…there are no rearranging options for tons of concrete….

Via Lucky Dragon

Love them, but kinda bulky..

Now these are superb….

Via Flylyf

Via Decorator in a Box

I already have a dining room table, so let’s just make do.  I check online to see that my local Target has this in stock….only to get to the store and realize they don’t…Lies!!!!

The closest sporting goods place was farther than I felt like driving, so it was improvisation time.  I bought only paddles and balls and headed home.

This was a job that only Thing One and Thing Two could help with, so I put them to work.

And then it was PLAYTIME!

We played for 3 hours today….with more scheduled for later….

Estate Sale

Estate sales around here can be pretty disappointing.  If granny chic is your style, this place is a goldmine…but affordable scores can be elusive for me.  So, I was pretty excited to bring home this little stash for $10.

The CC has had his nose in this awesome book since the moment I brought it home. (Think how to make a molded plywood chair kinda awesome.)

I’ve been collecting these Dorothy Thorpe glasses for about 12 years now, but ever since Mad Men featured them... poof! The lamp requires no explanation.

Have a great weekend..go junkin’!

Nook

I don’t think I’ve ever showed you “the nook”.  It has been host to every chair in and out of the house…this round, we’ve moved out the egg and brought in the barcelonas from the bedroom.  They are working out nicely there for now.

It’s quite a popular spot for being so tiny.  We use it as an indoor front porch, where we can watch the neighborhood action, read a book, or simply enjoy the stars…no repellent needed.

It was a decorative area for the previous owner since the office was in the playroom….

Now, it’s just our serene chill zone in the treetops….

With the promise of fall coming…I expect to be spending more time here…with a big furry blanket….Mmmmm.

Tush Cush

Remember how I wanted some fancy outdoor fabric for my patio furniture here?  And how I wanted to sew them myself to save the ludicrous expense here?

Well, neither of those things happened.

What I did manage was a no-sew fabric origami contraption that is the most unprofessional DIY ever, so don’t blame me if you do this and get laughed out of your neighborhood…K?  Just sayin’.

Joann was having a 50% upholstery foam sale, so I knew it was time.  Just as well I got there early too, since the cutting table was 6 deep with peeps and foam.  I got 2 inch Nu-Foam for boats and outdoors along with some iron on velcro, and my cheap fabric.

Rather than cramp my hand for life attempting to cut the stuff, I splashed out on a $20 electric knife…trust me on this…you need it if you have foam to cut…period.

So…now it’s cardboard template and cutting time….

Then comes some tricky folding of the fabric to make it look as neat as possible…..then attach the velcro to your key places.

Then you’re done…all told, materials cost was $58 for foam and velcro (I got enough foam for 2 long sofas and I have 2 yards left-6 yards total) $12 for fabric and $20 for the knife.  $90 total.

You won’t wow anyone with this ramshackle upholstery job, but your tush will have some cush that’s inexpensive and easy to wash.  Down the road, we’ll get something done right, but the weather is glorious and un-saunaesque so it’s time to enjoy the deck…NOW.

Share, Share…Fair, Fair.

I’ve been trying to harvest herbs this week to make pestos, herbed cheeses and the like.

Having a garden again after 2 years makes me VERY happy.  Every time I had to buy rosemary at the store, I died a little inside.

Anyway, I got all my ingredients together for a rockin’ tabbouleh and when I went out to harvest the parsley….

Whaaaa?  Why are there stems where my lush leaves used to be?  Oh…well hello there!

It’s the very hungry caterpillar…I think he’ll be happier with the parsley than those old cupcakes anyway.  In my last garden, dill was their favorite nosh, with the occasional parsley appetizer, but since my dill is done for the summer…parsley it is.  Enjoy little guy..just leave some for me..MmmKay?