Design: Dining Table

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As you may remember, we finally found a dining room table. After much determination, boy found a steal on Craig’s List and after many hours of maneuvering, we nudged it into our jeep late last Friday evening. It’s a gorgeous black farm table with the perfect amount of wear and tear. Now the question is . . . what shall I do for seating? 

Over this past weekend, we found a wooden bench at a local thrift store for six dollars (!). Take that World Market! Now I just need to figure out what chairs will complement the best. Since the table is so rustic and classic, I’m considering a mid-century aesthetic for the chairs. Here are some of my design inspirations . . .

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Bar Cart

Aside from other important furniture for our home (i.e. bed and dining room table), I am on the hunt for a metal bar cart. I'd love to transform a flea market find into a sleek bar cart. A Beautiful Mess has a great redo of a rickety find into quite the statement piece. Look how pretty . . .

To accessorize, I adore these vintage liquor bottles with art decals via re.invintage. 

Up to No Good

(photo via piccsy.com) 

So, remember that we entertained the other evening? Well, the cheese platter wasn't the only eventful happening. Our friends arrived, Philip mixed up some delicious cocktails, and we clinked glasses to celebrate the new place. Just as we're settling in, a knock at the door led to some very disgruntled neighbors, and I really should have captialized 'very' to communicate just how truly upset they were. The wife and husband went to explain how we were the loudest tenants they had ever been under and how for the last week, our movements resembled that of a horse. No introductions, no warnings, no understanding; to say the least, Philip and I were mortified. They exited our front stoop with our jaws still agape at what had just happened. After our friends left and until the next morning, we tossed and turned around ideas of how we could resolve this conflict. And by Sunday afternoon as we stood at a local bakery, we found a solution.

Artwork

"Serious Business"

The living/dining area is *almost* set up, and then we're on to the bedroom. Since we chose grey for the walls, I'm trying to stick to black and white with a couple of accent colors. Ideas are welcomed! 

On Entertaining

(photo via High Terrain, Brookyn Slate Co. product)

I've talked about what to get the host or hostess when you stay the weekend or simply join for dinner,  but as the host, what's your go-to dish to serve? My tried and true is a well thought-out cheese platter. I like to include a variety of cheeses, some light crackers or baguette, grapes or apple slices, and if I'm feeling saucy, I'll find some devilish fig chutney to add. To complete the platter and upon boy's constant request, I break off a few pieces of dark chocolate.

Grey Hues

Well the living/dining space is painted a midnight navy, and we couldn't be more happy with it. While relaxing and trendy, it's a great hue to have in your palate for decorating. Photos forthcoming.

For the bedroom, we are painting it slate grey, sexy but calming. Here are some of the photos of my inspiration . . .

Tiny House Movement

Have you heard of the Tiny House Movement? I stumbled across the Tiny House Blog and was amazed about the popularity of these little homes. Tiny houses are built on trailer platforms and typically sized between  100 and a 130 square feet. Being the extreme minimalist that he is, boy thinks it's a great idea, but I just don't think I could get on board.  I would go crazy with no room to host, no space for guests staying the night, and no separate quiet spaces of my own. Well, and my claustrophobia would surely kick in! Photos below are from the home of a creative couple who wanted to call a home- the Tiny Tack House- their own. I couldn't help but think of the tune, Little Boxes, when reading this. 

Summer Must Haves (3)

I'm on the hunt for new summer reading as all my current books have landed on the nightstand gathering dust with only a few chapters read. The English major in me is saying to persist on, but I'm yearning for something new. How about The Makioka Sisters? It's been compared to a Japaneses version of the English show Upstairs, Downstairs and as an avid fan of Downton Abbey, this book sounds rather clever.

My {tried and true} friend Court posted photos of freshly cut hydrangeas the other day, and it reminded me that I have relaxed on having fresh flowers in my home as of late. I really do not think you can say summer more dramatically than with hydrangeas. Don't you agree?

(photo via Style Me Pretty) 

Home in Morocco

Just stumbled upon this lovely Moroccan country home via Freshome. It's the perfect fusion of eccentric and minimalist, vintage and kitschy, and antique and modern. This home seems so 'in fashion' with all the Aztec prints springing up this season.  Although, it's  slightly circa Flintstones, I adore the concrete enclosed appliances and those bookshelves. More here.