The Next Big Thing

We moved into this old house we call home two and a half years ago.  We actually closed on the house on a Wednesday, got married that following Saturday, and promptly left for our honeymoon on Sunday.  It was a whirlwind of activity, but we had big dreams -- (and by "we" here, I mostly me "I"... my husband is much more interested in football than drywall) -- for how we would spend our first year of marriage updating the house and turning it into our nest.

But life had other plans.  A month after our honeymoon, I found out I was pregnant.  

The painting was postponed.

Fast forward to the present.  I have an almost-two-year-old and a house with only 2 out of 7 rooms painted the way I want them.  But that is all about to change.

Since Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth, why not add "repaint," "rearrange," and "renovate" to the mix?

So here is the next big project... The Great Bedroom Switcheroo 2011

(These photos were taken a looooooong time ago when we moved in... currently these rooms are a bit better looking than this -- but not much)

Step 1 -- turn the current Guest Room into the new Master Bedroom.

Here's my vision:

Master Bedroom by Maura Barth on Polyvore.com

I have the paint samples and intend to pick the color this weekend... then we're off to the races!

Check back soon for an update, and wish me luck!

~Maura

My Way

If I had it my way -- and believe me, I like having it my way -- I would live year-round in a cottage made of stone and beadboard by a lake somewhere where the weather never goes below 50°.  I would garden (successfully), I would shop thrift and antique stores, I would take long hikes through the abounding nature, and I would cook (and eat) unless I wanted to go out to eat.  I would throw casual parties.  I would play with my kids and my husband and our (hypothetical) dog in the vast backyard.  The sheets would always be clean.  The windows would always be open.  And once a week we'd have a spectacular-but-not-too-dangerous hour long thunderstorm, and when the lightning stopped we'd play in the puddles.

If I had it my way, my family and I would travel the country, always making sure that once a year we made it to a snow-covered wonderland for 2 weeks at Christmas.   And sometime around the middle of February, we'd find ourselves on a tropical beach, renewing our winter-weary souls (and our tans).

But there is more to life than leisure time.  School has to be attended, money has to be made, laundry has to be done.  And even though our normal responsibilities get in the way of my "dream life", I have to admit that the little life I do have is not too shabby.  Besides, if I had all that, what would I have to dream about?

So I suppose maybe I already do have it my way.

This Weeks Obsessions

One of my favorite things to do during my "downtime" (aka, naptime for the kiddo) is surf my favorite home decor shops online and fawn over all of the beautiful things that I.wish.I.wish.I.wish I had for my own house!  So I thought it might be fun to share some of my faves from this week.  

Here are a few things I have been drooling over lately:

Dash & Albert Rugs - I would put one of these beauties in every room of my house if I could!

(Photo Cred: dashandalbert.com)

I LOVE color, and it is often hard to find area rugs that use the bright and cheerful colors that are so dear to my whimsical little heart.  Enter Dash & Albert.  Their rugs are beautiful - everything from sweet stripes, to funky botanicals, to playful plaids - they've got it all!  And their rugs don't appeal only to the bright-color-lovers like me... they've got beautiful neutrals and muted tones as well.

Not to mention, the prices are quite reasonable for well made area rugs.

And they make pillows and blankets too!  Check them out here to add one of their great pieces to your decor!

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The Chas Armchair from Pier1 Imports - I mean, seriously.  I'm pretty sure this chair is furniture's version of a hug.  I can just imagine curling up right here with my nap blanket and falling asleep immediately reading a good book.

(Photo Cred: Pier1.com)

Imagine two of these babies and a nice cushy ottoman cozied up to a warm fire... Sounds like heaven to me. (Just add cocoa!)

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Candle Sconces - like these from Pottery Barn or this from Z Gallerie (if you're feeling more inspired by nature).  Grouped together or place individually flanking a mirror or piece of art, the warm glow from a candle sets the tone for any room in the house.  

(Photo Cred:  potterybarn.com)

(Photo Cred: zgallerie.com)

I am already picturing the Z Gallerie version  in my dining room (but that's for another post, another time)...

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Decorative Knobs - the right knob, accompanied by a little paint, can transform the most drab dresser into a showpiece.  Here are a few that I am currently digging...

(Photo Cred: 1 and 4 - Anthropologie.com, 2 and 3 - MacKenzieChilds.com)

And for the more budget conscious, there's always trusty ol' Target:

Find these knobs here, here, and here.  And then redo all of your dressers with them :).

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And last but not least - I am obsessed right now with getting organized!  (I know, kinda boring to most people, but not to me!)  I have actually put many of my "make it prettier" projects on hold for more of my "make it more functional" endeavors.  But who says you can't pretty things up and organize them at the same time??  Here are a few things that will help accomplish just that!

(Photo Cred:  Ikea.com and Target.com)

The links for these actual pieces are below, but I often find boxes and bins that are just as cute at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and believe it or not, even Goodwill.  (Oh man, I love me some Goodwill hunting! --get it?  GoodWill Hunting??  heehee!)

Find these items here, here, here, and here.  And then whip your house into shape!

Of course there are so many treasures out there, I could make this post last for days, but I'll be back to cover more of my favorites with another list next week!  In the meantime, happy window shopping!!

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Disclaimer:  I have not been paid by any of the companies listed in this post, nor have I been given any free swag.  

I just love these products and want my readers to have a chance to love them too!