Sara Elizabeth Block Printers: Whiting Factory

I got a second surprise today. My block print came from Sara Elizabeth Block Printers! Love, love! I ordered "Whiting Factory" (below) in a large panel piece for just $32.50. My sister ordered the lobster print (above) and was able to get it framed for about $300. The lobsters look great in her family room. I am thinking of getting my piece framed in a antique wood frame. I want to order a dozen more. Great gift! Check out more: sarah-elizabeth-shop.com.

Ikat Fabric: Uzbeck Alive

I received some gorgeous ikat fabric from Uzbeck Alive today. I ordered three pieces to check out the quality and color of the fabric for possibly use for some pillows. The textile is top quality and really beautiful. I did have a problem with my postman and my fabric got sent back. Uzbeck Alive immediately e-mailed me and resent the fabric absolutely free within just a few days. Great service! How cute is the package it came in (above)? Check out their store here: uzbekalive.com.

Dining Chairs: Classic Shapes

I've been thinking about what I would like our new dining room to look like. The house is so old that I feel like I need to go with an older classic style. I've been eyeing these two styles. Above are antique Windsor chairs that appear August issue of Martha Stewart. I love the simple shape and black finish. I did a quick search and found chairs ranging from $300-$30,000 for individuals and sets. Windsor chairs are classic Americana. Depending on age and set size the price increases.

The chairs below are from my favorite classic kitchen from Domino. I've been dreaming of the blue penny round tiles in my kitchen for days. The rare set of Thonet Bentwood chairs look totally dreamy in the space. There are number of different Bentwood styles but this is truly my favorite. A similar style is available at Conran for $275 each. My search begins now!

Susan Daul: Fraktur Artist

I discovered these pieces this afternoon and fell in love. Folk art artist Susan Daul creates simple framed artworks called Fraktur. Fraktur are a highly artistic and elaborate 18th century and 19th century illuminated folk art drawings created by the Pennsylvania Dutch. "Some of her Fraktur reflect the reworking of a period piece, but most of her designs are original and come from the excitement she feels for this fascinating art form." (traditionalfolkart.com) I love the colors and ornate frames she creates for the pieces. Super fun and whimsical. Prices range for prints from $72-$175 and original paintings will run you from $350-$2500.Check out more from Susan on her website: susandaulfolkart.com.

Wood Farm Tables

I love old wood tables. The table we have my mom actually found for us on the side of the road. The name "Randy" is carved into the center of the table. I was actually searching tonight for dining chairs when I came across these gorgeous farm tables. The tiger maple wood is so pretty. I am sure it looks stunning in real life. The tables range in size from 5 feet-11 feet. Available in Cherry or Tiger Maple wood finishes. Prices range from $1,200-$3,200. Check out the site: greatwindsorchairs.com.

Old Bricks and Cobblestones

My second stop on Friday was at some place that had bricks and cobble stones. I don't even know what to call it. There was nobody there so we were out of luck. My mom told me you can pay the town to take the bricks. The bricks and cobblestones are from old wreck buildings in the town of Portland. You would have no idea this place was here unless someone told you. The bricks are 4 cents each and the cobblestones are $2 each. The bricks are a deal. The cobblestones seem a bit steep. I wanted them to put as a border in my front garden and eventually bordering my driveway. I guess I need to investigate some other sources. The place was interesting though!

ReStore Portland, Maine

We have to buy everything new for the house from sinks to molding. Since neither one of us are millionaires we need to find cost effective resources for the renovation. We don't have the money to just hire an architect and come back in a few months to a gorgeous home. We are excited about doing all the work ourselves. I love the hunting part. You never know what you'll find.

On Friday, I headed up to my mom's house in Portland, Maine to check out some local resources for building materials. We checked out the Restore run by Habitat for Humanity first to see what they had. I saw lots of doors, windows, moldings, sinks, and spare wood. A great resources for anyone working on a renovation. Greg and I really want to use as many recycled materials that seem appropriate not only because it is cost effective but it's just logical to use old buildings supplies for a home. We don't want to add to the waste in landfills and junkyards. I took a few shots of the store so that you could get idea of what you can get at these store. Get more info about Restores in your area: habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx

Leaky Bathroom Roof

We got to Marblehead late Thursday night. As we turn down the corner to the house I think both of expected that the house could have burned down. "Someone would have called us, right?" The house was standing to our relief. I ran inside to the second floor bathroom and tried to turn on the overhead light. I pulled the cord once. Nothing. And then a second and third time and I got small sparks. I shouted to Greg to come and check it out. Greg came upstairs and tried and he yelled, "We've got sparks!" I screamed back "No shit, I told you that already." (You can feel the love?)

After a little investigating we realized the light was full of water. Thanks god we didn't get electrocuted! Seems the floor above the bathroom was filled with water because of leaky roof and the water slowly leaked down into the light. Aah the fun! The image above is our leaky bathroom. The image below is a view from outside the house. The second smaller bump out on the back of the house is where all the bathrooms are. The roof at the top is our demon.

Marblehead Weekend: NOOD 2008

We just got back from our second weekend in our new house. We didn't get a whole lot done on the house but we did have fun relaxing. I was recovering from a week of being sick and greg spent the weekend racing in the NOOD: Marblehead (National Offshore One Design). Check out his video of their awesome start on a Sonar named Crusher from Noroton Yacht Club. They just made it in between another boat and the committee boat for a perfect start. I'll share more of our projects we have in the works later this week. Night.

Pulling Up Old Carpet

We ripped out all the old carpet from the third floor last weekend. Thankfully that was the only place that the stinky cat carpet lived. We were hoping that the wide plank wood floors lived underneath the carpet. Unfortunately, all we found was painted stinky cat piss plywood. Yuck. Maybe there are wood floors under the plywood? Check out our brief video of my mom helping pile up the old carpet out on the lawn below.

Digging Up The Front Garden

I have some more photos to share of the renovation from last weekend. In these photos were are digging up the front garden. I pulled out about 6 huge garbage bags of roots from the tree. I just keep digging and digging and finding more roots! It was like a coral reef of roots.

I was digging for two reasons. The dirt came up too close to clapboards on the house. I had to dig down to expose the foundation. If the soil too high the clapboards have the possibility of rotting or could causing bug problems. The second reason was we are preparing to put Endless Summer Hydrangeas all across the front. I have to dig down far enough so that I can bring in a nice healthy layer of top soil. The bright blue color of the hydrangeas in an effect of the ph in the soil. I've heard rumors people use to put old nails in the soil to achieve super blue flowers.

The old toolbox (below) we found stuck between the old window and the basement. I'm sure the house will be filled with all kinds of treasures.

West Elm: Cozy Sweater Pillows

I stopped into West Elm on 18th street and the store look as if it was staged for a hot chocolate movie marathon. All the new pieces were earthy, soft, and cuddly. The store felt very Americana alla Thomas O'Brien. I love the soft wool pillows and cable sweater pillows. Prices range from $39-$59 per pillow cover, insert is separate.

I have a tear out from an old book from about eight years ago has a pattern for making pillows from sweaters found at the the Salvation Army. Maybe I should get to that project? Check out more cozy knits: westelm.com.

Entryway Wallpaper: Boussac Papiers

I just found these two wallpapers via housebeautiful.com. Very traditional. So pretty though! I feel like my mom would love this paper which makes me kinda think am I starting to get old lady taste? Let me explain...my mom is a matchy-match queen! I moved a lot as a kid and every bedroom I had was some variation of a Laura Ashley or Waverly inspired floral. My garbage can even coordinated with the bedskirt. Gag! Check out more colorways of these wallpapers: pierrefrey.com.

Entryway Wallpaper: Timourous Beasties

Image Courtesy of Domino Magazine

I have a secret love for this modern damask print from Timorous Beasties. I love Rorschach test meets royal seal quality expressive damask. Maybe this could be a fun paper in an entryway? Timorous Beasties also makes a great pineapple and pheasant printed wallpaper (below). I love the patterns modern take on a toile inspired print. Check out more: timorousbeasties.com.

Ring Pull Knobs

Image Courtesy of Domino Magazine

I totally love the ring pull knobs from Thom Filicia's kitchen in upstate New York. The knobs are totally classic but have an unexpected look on kitchen cabinets. They kinda remind of knobs you find inside an old sailboat. I found a whole bunch of variations of ring pull knobs at myknobs.com. Prices range from $5-$10 per knob. Check out more: myknobs.com.

Entryway Wallpaper: Pierre Deux

Favenay Cream Wallpaper, $150 for a double roll, pierredeux.com

I was dreaming about wallpaper for the front entryway this afternoon. I am thinking I might want to paint all the woodwork a black gloss. The area is pretty small so a bold wallpaper might be nice. I was kinda wanting to go crazy and go for a big floral but part of me thinks I will just get be sick of it in a few years. How about a soothing toile? I'm not sure...I could be toiled out. I feel like I've seen so much of it in the last few years that it feels kinda old and safe. Check out more wallpaper from Pierre Deux: pierredeux.com.

Pastoral Black Wallpaper, $90 for a double roll, pierredeux.com

Garden Sage Wallpaper, $90 for a double roll, pierredeux.com.

Matin Et Soir French Blue Wallpaper, $90 for a double roll, pierredeux.com.

Fishs Eddy

Last night I also checked out Fishs Eddy to find a few more things for my $1 store story for domino. I found a few totally cute things that you'll be to check out at dominomag.com sometime next week. I took a couple shots of the stores to show of Fishs Eddy great assortment of china in action. I love their displays I feel like I am in my grandma's closet filled with goodies. If you can't make it to their store in New York be sure to check the website: fishseddy.com or check out more photos on my flickr photostream.

Fishys Eddy
889 Broadway at 19th Street
NYC 10003
212.420.9020

New Anthropologie Windows

I stopped into Anthropologie tonight to see if they had anything fun on sale. I didn't really find anything I needed. I was able to take some shots of their new windows and inside the store a fun fauna like display. Anthropologie should publish a book on decorating. I am sure it would be amazing and be filled with so many creative diy projects using household materials. I love the new displays that use simply paper cups, paper mache, and fabric for the umbrellas.

Found Objects: Book for Brides Newspaper

We found old newspapers underneath an old floorboard in a closet on the first floor or the house. We seem to have about 3 newspapers dating around May 11, 1956. I fell in love with section from the Daily Evening called, "Book for Brides and The Young Homemaker." There are all kinds of funny articles on etiquette, bras, singer sewing machines, and pretty much ways to please your husband. Scary! Fun to poke through and read. To check out more shots I took check out my flickr page here.

Old Postcard

We found this postcard of the house in an old baseball card shop over the weekend. We assume the postcard is from around the early 1900's. I love the fence around the side of the house and the shutters on all the windows. The original door is shown in this photo. We learned that a drunk driver hit the house in the 80's and completely took out the corner of the house. Total bummer because the windows above the door look like old bull's eye windows.

Finding Old Wallpaper

O.k. bear with me while I learn how to edit movies. This is a total hack job but everyone is e-mailing asking what we did with the (new) house over the weekend. We did some unglamorous things like pull out stinky cat carpet and clean the place. We got bored and started chipping away at a wall in a small room on the second floor. We found this beautiful floral wallpaper under layers of plaster and another layer of wallpaper. Were not sure if the paper is original. The house dates to 1750. The paper has a whimsical Liberty of London style. I have to do some research. I will share more fun things we found over the weekend once I get some rest. Night!

We Bought a House!

We bought a house in Marblehead, MA! We finally closed on the house this past Thursday. I am honestly still in shock and can't believe that we own a home. The whole thing just doesn't feel real.

"Me? I actually own a whole house?"
We feel so lucky. Check out the house on flickr here. The image below is of Marblehead Harbor on our first night. The harbor is just a few blocks down the street from our house.

Celebrate: We Have Search!

I am still at work at Domino. We are wrapping up adding search to the website. So tomorrow you can search for your favorite paint colors, furniture, and designers. They will be all kinds of great stuff to check out on the site including the new August issue! I wanted to share my collage I did for Sites We Love this month. I love Kiosk they are a great source for fun budget finds. Night!

Entryway: Flush Mount Lights

We close on our house this Thursday. We are getting really excited! We have a lot of work to do that doesn't involve decorating. It will probably be months before I get to start picking out lighting or paint colors. I can still dream about these flush mount lights for our entryway in the meantime. I love the classic style but glamorous detailing. The house has been neglected for so many years I really want to dress the place up. Check out more lighting at: circalighting.com.

Photos: July 4th

Here our a few shots from my July 4th. I love my sister planters on her front porch decorated with $1 store American flags. Everyone enjoys fresh shipped in lobster rolls from Bayley's, our favorite lobster Pound in Maine. I grabbed one shot of my peanut butter whoopie pies before they were all gone.

Happy July 4th!

Happy 4th of July! I am busy in the kitchen making cheddar biscuits and peanut butter whoopie pies. I thought I would share this because it just felt appropriate. The print was done by a good friend of mine in our undergrad years. These days Jacob does less political prints and sticks to images of beeboxes and seagulls.

July 4th in a reminder to all of us of our independence and freedom. Please remember: register to vote! Don't forget to keep your voter registration up to date if you have moved to another state or changed addresses. Be involved in your future and take back our country. Go Obama!

Yellow Owl Workshop

I just hit my wall. One last nautical-themed post. I met Yellow Owl Workshop when I was at the Stationery Show a few months ago. I fell for their Je'taime card, but now I falling for this affordable ship painting and stamp collection. The both sport my new favorite theme! Ship painting on wood panel, $16.50. Stamp Collection, $36.50. To purchase and check out more: yellowowlworkshop.com.

Evan B. Harris

So I kinda wimped out on making all my desserts. I bought a strawberry shortcake and a peach pie. I did decided to make my childhood favorite from scratch: peanut butter whoopie pies. It's way to hot in the house right now to crank up the stove so I'll get up early and make up a batch. In the meantime I thought I could do a few blogs and watch a movie.

I've really getting into nautical themed art and textiles lately. I'm thinking its going to be one of the big themes of my store. Kinda of a perfect idea since I will be living in an old New England seaside town. I found these prints via something old something new blog. Totally charming and nautical. The prints are of larger paintings done by Evan B. Harris. Prints are $20 for about a 11" x 11" piece. Check out more at: charmingwall.com.

Ethnic Embroidered Ribbons

One last post before I head off to the store for baking supplies. I saw these embroidered ribbons yesterday and was reminded of the post I wrote about embroidered curtains. What about one of these ribbons sewn onto a white sheer? So fun and colorful! I found one of the styles available for purchase on M&J's website: mjtrim.com. Have a nice 4th!

Link Love: Fourth of July Dessert Recipes

This afternoon I am cruisng around for recipes for July 4th. I've been assigned adult desserts. It's a backyard party my sister is hosting with about 30 people—1/2 of which are children. I was thinking cookies, bars, pies, and maybe my all time favorite: Rhubarb Pie. Here are a few recipes that caught my eye.

Rhubarb Pie: Everyday Food

Strawberry Shortcake: Martha Stewart

Frozen Lime Pie: Joe's Stone Crab

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies: Everyday Food

Toasted Marshmallow Cupcakes: Jennifer Shea, owner of Trophy Cupcakes

Sour Cherry Pistachio Crisp: Martha Stewart

Peanut Butter Jelly Bars: Barefoot Contessa

Lemon Bars: Barefoot Contessa

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisps with Cardamom and Nutmeg: Bonappetit

Rifferaff Paper

I got a lovely e-mail from Shannon Riffe of Rifferaff as a potential for my new online store. I am in love with her designs that she features on cards, journals, and wrapping paper. Totally digging the modern, ethnicy, colorful motifs. My new store has kinda been put on the back burner because I am in closing hell with the house. Eventually I will get the store up and running. I am definitely keeping Shannon in mind. To purchase products from Shannon check out: rifferaff.etsy.com.

Missoni Dots Pillows

I feel in love with this Missoni pillow last year. I saw it in a number of UK home magazines but I couldn't find anyone that carried it stateside. My luck has suddenly changed: Auto in New York now carries the dots cushion! Auto has a huge collection of Missoni textiles including pillows, poufs, and bedding. Everything is available for purchase online: thisisauto.com.

M&J Buttons

One of my favorite things about New York are button stores. The floor to ceiling boxes of buttons is like being in a candy shop for adults. Check out M&J for a superstore filled some of the best and widest assortments of buttons and ribbons. In the store you'll find designers, crafters, and interior designers all searching for that one perfect button to complete their project. The energy is exhilarating. M&J has a great website filled with most of the things you can find in the store. A good compromise if you can't make it to NY. Check out the website: mjtrim.com.

M&J Buttons
1008 Sixth Avenue
Between 37th & 38th
New York, New York