Weekend Wrap-Up

Disclaimer: This guy gave me his head cold this weekend and I have been hopped up on cold medicine for approximately 24 hours -- I am a little loopy, and take no responsibility for any typos and bad jokes that may ensue. 

This weekend, Jeff brought out the big guns:

We began the ominous task of hanging a new chair rail and assembling our own wainscoting in the dining room on Saturday, and I have to admit -- we felt pretty legit.

Jeff got a miter saw for Christmas, and this was the first time he has used it. It even has a laser.

And yes, I am pretty sure we broke every rule that I ever learned in wood shop by putting this saw in the middle of the room with no eye protection, and me running around barefoot... but we're learning. Jeff is still working on this project, but here's a sneak peek:

I also started painting the trim work in the dining room, and finished taping off in the formal living room and the foyer. I know that doesn't sound like a major accomplishment, but I went through three roles of Frog Tape and it took me all weekend; so, I apologize for needing a moment of recognition.

I am pretty sure that I will be able to paint trim in my sleep by the time we finish this house. And you should get used to seeing photos of the process here, because it will likely be my only project for the next 2-3 weekends. 

In other news, I didn't quite get around to cooking a new recipe this week (like I mentioned here) -- so, one night I poured my butternut squash soup into the crock pot to make myself feel like I had tried something new, and I put my sandwich on a frying pan to heat up. In my book, that is cooking.

School started back on Monday [after a two-month-long winter break] so my system is in shock and slightly resistant to the idea of class and projects and studying; so, bare with me over the next few days as I adjust -- there may be more posts about what I'm eating than about remodeling projects, but I'll try to stay focused, I promised.

Here is a bit of iPhoneography from this week to put this cold-meds-induced post out of its misery:

A heavenly moment after Jeff set up the miter saw:

Jeff being asked to hang work at the pin-up show we went to last night:

The beginnings of my first project this quarter:

 Our date night on Thursday night to see Django Unchained:

 And Toby, on one of our walks this week:

Happy weekend, all.

Here's to hot tea ... and cold meds.

Love,

Ryan

Cabinet Fever

Before we had even closed on this house, Jeff and I purchased the above mid-century modern china cabinet off of Craigslist. I saw it, fell in love, and convinced Dad to drive us to the absolute-middle-of-no-where-Georgia to pick it up. She has been my remodeling-muse ever since.

Here she is on the day we moved in -- back right corner:

And for the last three months, that is where she has stayed; stuck in a corner, alone and empty -- sans china in those lovely cabinets.

I am happy to report, however, that we finally have movement.

Here she is from the back:

Ignore the ivory trim work as it will all be painted white (see window) this weekend. And yes, that is the current state of the formal living room -- a product of the painting party I mentioned here. 

Here is the wall that the beloved china cabinet will live on for the rest of her days:

Note: the dining room is currently awaiting wainscoting, white trim, clean floors, etc. Everyone should actually just pretend that they never saw this post as I plan to do a major before/after post once the rooms are finished. I suppose I'm ruining the surprise, but I'm pretty much dying for this particular shade of gray. Pun intended.

So, who wants to come over and clean that chandelier one crystal at a time?

In other Craigslist news, look what we bought for the foyer:

Apologies for the poor iphoneography, but this piece is currently disassembled in the family room. The top piece of the buffet is a liquor cabinet ... with a light feature. The 1950s were just so damn cool.  

Oh, and you want to see a peek into the current state of said foyer?

To quote my beautiful Mom on this one, "the color really is not as bad as it looks in photographs".

Here's to mid-century design, liquor cabinets with swag, and turquoise mermaid harbor walls.

Ryan

2012 iPhoneography

Here's to another year of beautiful moments. 

Wishing you all the best in 2013. 

Ryan and Jeff

P.S. I'll be back in January with a whole slew of unattainable resolutions and remodeling goals. Just you wait.