Budget Minded Modernist
We need to build some storage, either flanking the fireplace or the french doors in the living room…and I’ve been waiting to use these.
They need replating, but I also like their worn appeal. I’ve envisioned building something like this, from Barrie Benson’s fab house via the late Domino.
The pulls are really too small to pull off that effect, but it could possibly work. Somehow, we will, we MUST use them in this house.
We had a freakish warm front come in over the weekend, so I spent every moment possible outdoors…mostly sandblasting. It became apparent that I would not be able to accomplish the painting of the newly blasted furniture before the weekend was up, and the cold was on its way back in.
I needed to paint something since I might not get another warm day like this until mid-March. I remembered a really OTT pic I’d seen in MSL, also found here …..
When I saw this, all I could think is how great it would have looked if they hadn’t put all that crap on there. As much as I love my birdies…this was fugly to me…yet I tore it out because I loved the idea of a metallic bonsai.
I didn’t have a faux bonsai, but sadly…I had a dead one. (BTW, This is why I need to stick to terrariums inside!)  I looked at my recently deceased bonsai and thought, “…well…why not?” I hadn’t had the heart to throw it out yet.
I started to mask off the pot, but it looked weird, so I just went all the way and gave it the shiny, icy, frosty in a can treatment.
Since I’m far too deep into my spring fever, this can hang out for the week, then it goes to the attic with the other wintry decor. Maybe I’ll perch a single, tiny bird on it next Christmas.
….and it was OBSCENE.
This is a photo from my last house….2 of many, many planting beds I had to feed my gardening fix. I made and froze enough pesto to last 2 years and I still gave half of it away to my neighbors. These beds got SO much sun that anything I planted there became overgrown quickly. It will be interesting to see if the deer will let me ever have anything like this again, but you know I’m going to try…maybe in the tallest part of the new beds at the side of the house.
Early spring brought lettuces, spinach, arugula…..ahhh….spring….I’m ready baby!
After a long day of digging in the dirt…I’d rinse off with a nice, hot outdoor shower. We’ve GOT to build another one of those. It was probably my favorite of all our DIYs at that house. I’d love one facing out to the forest with a Japanese zen vibe…better put that on the To Do list.
Last night, at about 2:30 am, I woke to THAT NOISE. I’ve heard them many times…it still makes my hair stand on end a little, but the difference this time … they sounded CLOSE.
I’m talking about the pack of Coyotes in the forest. They sounded a bit like this, but a LOT louder/closer and much more agitated.
I couldn’t get back to sleep until almost 5:00 am it freaked me out so much. They have several sounds, and this pack had obviously just made a kill.
Killin’ time is usually when we hear them at night….it gets very frenzied sounding and I don’t seem to be able to get used to it. In the past, they always sounded like they were several ridges over, but last night I could have sworn they were only on the other side of our hill….maybe a couple of hundred yards. Luckily, the Minors slept through that one.
Not cool. Too close.
I was relieved to see both fawns alive and well this morning.
Since I’m obviously pining for spring a bit…
$3500 via V and M
I see this faux bois as my little Snow White set….nestled in the woods in a small clearing with fawns at my feet and birds singing above me…..THINK AGAIN FOOL.
$1500 via 1st Dibs
Just love ’em and hate their price.
$2875 for these nice and groovy NOT Bertoias.
ANOTHER lovely Snow White set… hey, for $11,000, it should rake the leaves of the whole damn forest for me as well…..
Vladamir Kagan Set for $4500 at PS Modern Way….UGH!!! Oops…I drooled a bit on my keyboard…
Concrete “Drift” bench from Unica…only $17, 265!
Stone lamps FINALLY went on sale…but to $408 each from $611….sigh….
Last, but not least..my latest design obsession… vintage Van Keppel and Green/VKG Chaises. “Doublewides” as they call them…which is hilarious given the trailer connotation around here. I’ll live in THIS doublewide any day thank you.
sigh…$1800 for the pair or $9 hundo each…so LOVE these.
For those new to ModFruGal, I’ll post the lottery picks disclaimer…when I win the lottery, I will spend my new wealth on these shallow and meaningless objects only when the aged parents, charitable causes and purchase of an overseas home have all been attended to…c’mon..I’m not a COMPLETE monster.
Well, in addition to finishing the gravel patio and staining the new deck/stairs.  All of which are STILL covered with ice/snow so I can’t make progress there until the temps are much warmer. I CAN, however, put on a coat and use the sandblasting attachment to clean up and prep my collection of aging vintage patio furniture. Once the weather cooperates, I’ll be ready to paint and can knock it out.
On a freakishly mild day before “snowmageddon”, I tested out a chair and was pleased with the results. Sometimes the paint isn’t paint, but old, flaking powder coating and that’s tougher to deal with. This just has lots of layers of paint. Easy peasy.
Just a few passes with the sandblaster took that paint right off. Now if it would just stop snowing, I can finish the set!!! (I never thought I’d say that living in Nashville.)
I’m also trying to find a deal on some swank outdoor fabric for these benches.
My HOPE was that when those fabulous Trina Turk fabrics came out last year, I could get them at a serious discount THIS year. I’ve been trolling E-bay and I’ve come up empty thus far. Has anyone used LA Design Concepts?  20% over wholesale sounds good….I’ve requested pricing, but I’m not holding my breath that it will still be affordable enough.
All 3 are Schumacher, bottom 2 are Trina Turk’s 2009 line. Don’t you think that crazy Peacock is just meant for the Regal Beagle? The CC also has that bit of welding he promised for our Woodard pieces….