Tugboat Printshop

Posted on | August 11, 2008 | 1 Comment

Here is a little evening eye candy for you. I’ve been eyeing these prints from Tugboat Printshop for awhile. I decide to buy the two to maybe put in my new office. I love the color and texture the blockprint gives. Each print is $45 each and custom framing is available. Check out more on their site: tugboatprintshop.com.

Category: affordable artwork

Weekend Warriors: Tackling Floors and Clogged Drain

Posted on | August 10, 2008 | 2 Comments

Greg chilling at the local bar after a long day of hard work.

We just back from a weekend of working hard on our house. I managed to pull up the old tile from the bathroom and kitchen floor. What a pain in the ass. I got blisters on both fingers!

On Sunday, we tackled one of our nastiest jobs yet. We been having a problem with a backed up drain that causes water to back up in the toilet every time we take a shower. We tried the standard issue snake to get the clog out with no luck. Turns out we needed to rent the “Electric Eel” which is a motor powered large snake with a cutting bit. Friends suggested that the clog was due to roots growing into the pipes.

The electric eel proved to work but not without a lot of mess. We pulled up 4 large root systems that resembled small animals. Seriously gross! The situation got ugly once the electric snake started flinging excess poo up from the drain. I had to make a poop gaurd so that we didn’t get soaked. (I know doesn’t it make you want to throw-up!). We eventually got it all cleaned out and feel pretty good that the problem is solved. I would have never done the job without Greg. It was way so messy and stinky! Thankfully he’s tougher then me. See more images on my flickr page.

Kitchen with tiles down

Katy pulling up the tiles

Greg using the standard issue snake

Rental sign for Electric Eel at Home Depot

First big root

And the giant root

Category: house renovation, kitchen

Claire Coles Inspiration

Posted on | August 8, 2008 | 1 Comment

I am about to pack up the car and head up to the house in Marblehead for the weekend. We have to tackle a leaky roof and some backed up pipes. The toilet on the first floor backs up with water when we take a shower on the second floor. Joy!

Before we go I thought I would share some wallpaper I saw at ICFF that I’m inspired by. Claire Coles is a UK artist that designs wallpaper, ceramics, and accessories. I’ve been wanting to pick a wallpaper for our front entry but I just can’t decide. I don’t know if I have found “the one” quite yet. What if I painted it myself? I did go to school for textile design. I could do it! At least I think I can. I love the colors in Claire’s work. Blues, reds, and golden yellows are a great combo. Maybe I could stamp an allover design like Claire’s on the walls first. Now I’m thinking! Check out more of Claire’s work: clairecolesdesign.co.uk.

Category: wallpaper

Mecox Gardens: Dining Tables

Posted on | August 8, 2008 | Comments Off

I checked out Mecox Gardens for a little dining room inspiration last night. Mecox is extremely expensive. It’s the Hamptons crowd Crate & Barrel. Ok not really. Seriously though most of these tables are anywhere from $2,000-$15,000. It is one stopping shopping for gorgeous antiques, reproductions, and lots of indoor/outdoor pieces.

I found a antique zinc top table in an old domino and thought it might work in the dining room? The zinc has a rustic look but the texture and color bring a little life into the room. I pulled together a few zinc tops and some other shapes that I like above and below. I have to keep looking because these are all way out my price range but are still great inspiration. Check out more: mecoxgardens.com.

Category: furniture

Beach Dwelling

Posted on | August 8, 2008 | 3 Comments

I just discovered Beach Dwelling out of Birmingham, Alabama. I love the casual vibe with with a bit of Swedish sensibility. Even better? Everything I clicked on I could actually afford! Well not exactly…if I saved up I could. I love this pearled chandelier ($1,075.) for maybe my bedroom? We are thinking of bumping out the ceiling up through the attic. Might look cool? The wood stool ($295 each) could be an instant buy. I was thinking I could group three together for a little bench at the end of my bed. I’ve seen tons of these wood stools but this stool has wavy carved stripes that feel so beachy. Check out more: beachdwelling.com.

Category: furniture

$1 design finds at dominomag.com

Posted on | August 5, 2008 | 5 Comments

My $1 story for domino launched tonight on their website. Check out 25 great finds under $1 that seriously are not cheap or tacky. I can’t believe all the good stuff I actually did find. A tip for shoppers: shop big chain stores clearance section—99 cents stores and dollar stores don’t necessarily sell things under a $1. Check out the slide show here.

Assorted colored gift tags, $.40 each, mannysart.com for information

Small bowls, $.85 each, crateandbarrel.com for information

Category: $1 design finds, accessories, tabletop, textiles

Front Garden

Posted on | August 5, 2008 | 2 Comments

Over the weekend we were up in Marblehead working a few small projects. We finally got majority of the garden dug up. We just need to patch the basement window and add more cobblestones. I can’t believe how long that took. I dug down about 2 feet to remove all the roots and add new healthy top soil. The roots were seriously out of control! We put in some cobblestones my Mom brought down from Maine along the border and planted three Endless Summer Hydrangeas.

We were trying to decide if we wanted the cobblestones to be flush or a little bit raised? A neighbor walked by and said they look better vertical and raised up. I hate them that way! They look like teeth.

Eventually we will add in more flowers and bark. We tried to space the hydrangeas as far apart as possible since they get so big. The placement feels strange. I want one under each window but the space doesn’t really work out that way. I guess they will grow in? Greg promised to make me window boxes for all the front windows for next Spring. We don’t have a yard but we will have plenty of flowers.