BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Home Projects for the Next 6 Months

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Mid-century Modern Living Room and Entry
This was taken in January 2019. I love looking back at how things have evolved. You can see a more recent image here with the artwork we added above the entry table.

Sometimes I get pangs of jealousy when I look at home bloggers like Chris Loves Julia who dive into their house projects and seem to make major transformations in such a small amount of time. And then I remind myself that it’s their job. For most of us, house projects have to be balanced with occupations, vacations, social schedules, and monetary commitments — all of which hinder the grandiose plans of a remodel or a fully decorated place on a short timeline.

I was completely naive to this when we closed on our house summer of 2017 and thought we’d be living in a near-complete home by now. That’s not even close to reality! It is fun to look back, however, at the progress we have made like painting the wood paneling, having this built-in installed in to divide the “open-concept” bedrooms, and finally replacing the old storm door. So, in an effort to keep things moving along, I put together a list of things I’d like to complete in the next 180 days, listed out by month. Some are easy and won’t take more than a weekend or two. Others are a bit more ambitious or pricey, but I tend to have more success when I hold myself accountable to a timeline. Here’s what’s on deck:

January

  • Finish removing paint from old door hardware.
  • Paint the door frames in the guest room.
  • Mount doors in the guest room.
  • Hire electrician for a couple of projects.
  • Choose stairwell paint color.
  • Hire painter to paint the stairwell in February/March.
  • Organize our beer collection in the basement and purchase wine racks for the corked bottles that need to stored on their sides.
  • Order materials samples for roller shades to install in the bedrooms.

February

  • Have our stairwell professionally painted. (We already got a quote for painting and plaster repair of some cracks in the space. It’s $840, which is why we’ve put it off a bit. I wanted to do wallpaper, but that’s going to be at least $1,000 in wallpaper alone and we’re not planning to live here forever. It seems like a smarter decision to paint now and allocate money to other projects before something as indulgent as wallpaper.)
  • Install door for my closet. (Our carpenter has the door now to do restoration work on it, so it’ll need to be painted before putting it up. This might be pushed back to March, depending on when he’s done with it. I told him it wasn’t a priority and can take a backseat to other projects he has.)
  • Replace the light fixture in our office.
  • Replace the light fixture in Dave’s closet.
  • Purchase and install roller shades or drapes for the bedrooms and office.
  • Address our closet organization needs. Purchase systems that will optimize the spaces, and install by the end of March.

March

  • Install closet organization systems.
  • Fill in the guest room trim with vinyl spackling to hide the nail holes and joints.
  • Paint the guest room walls and trim.
  • Replace the door handle leading to our sun room with a vintage one (or replica) that coordinates with the rest of the house’s hardware.
  • Mount exterior garage light. (We’ve had a solar-powered light to install since last year and haven’t gotten around to it yet. Oops!)

April

  • Purchase and install new light fixture in the guest room.
  • Start seriously looking for dining room storage, whether it’s a vintage sideboard, new credenza, or a even a modern ladder bookshelf.
  • Organize the basement.
  • Catch up on any projects that didn’t get done in the first three months!

May

  • Stain front porch and deck — assuming we have enough days in a row that are warm and dry enough for it. (Considering this project also includes power washing and sanding, I think it’s plenty for the month!)
  • Purchase planters and shade-tolerant plants to spruce up the front porch.

June

  • Budget bathroom refresh. (We were discussing our priorities for house renovations that we’ll need to hire someone for and I think the front of the house and sun room will win out. So, in an effort to make the bathroom cuter than it is, I’m going to make cosmetic upgrades and swap out light fixtures, paint the cabinets and walls, install new hardware, and we might try replacing the linoleum flooring with a different design/color. I’m also toying with the idea of painting the tiles or staining the grout.)

I’ll continue to work on sharing my progress with you with either project-based posts or monthly recaps!

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Weekend Roundup: A Decluttering Checklist, Dry January Inspiration, A Pretty Pendant & More!

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Weekend Links on Bedknobs & Baubles
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Happy first weekend of 2020! We don’t have much on the agenda other than putting away the Christmas decor, cleaning the house (the holidays left it in shambles!), and picking up sandwiches for lunch at a new-to-us deli that somehow flew under our radar last year. (Does anyone else get in dining-out ruts with their favorite spots? We need to make it a point this year to try new places more regularly!) I hope you have an equally restorative couple of days before the first full work week in awhile!

Declutter your home this month alongside Ashley of The Gold Hive with her handy checklist.

I had no idea that Spanx made dress pants until recently. I bought the skinny ankle-length pair. They’re comfortable and perfect for work. To avoid the legging look of the top of them, I paired them with the oversize sweater I won’t stop talking about which hits mid-hip.

I have a penchant for searching out interesting animal facts. Did you know the slow loris is both venomous and may have evolved to mimic a cobra?

Another thing to file under “weird things to learn this weekend:” How Paris’ open-air urinals changed a city — and helped dismantle the Nazi regime.

My favorite part of turning the calendar to a new year is daydreaming about the vacations we’ll take. We don’t have any travel plans on the books yet, so I’m open to all of the inspiration I can get. (I’m thinking a tropical destination; somewhere in the U.S., possibly Maine; and Europe, possibly Poland and Prague, Croatia, Stockholm, or Vienna and Budapest. That said, ticket prices generally influence where we go!)

I love the organic shape of this delicate pendant.

While I’m not doing a dry January, here’s some inspiration for those of you who are. (I’m opting to cut back significantly on alcohol, sugar, and high-fat foods overall. I’ve also decided to stop drinking alcohol during the work week unless I have standing plans with friends that are more than just a last-minute happy hour. I did this a couple of years ago and dropped 15 pounds from January through May, so that’s part of the motivation, too.)

I’m making this soup recipe tomorrow!

Finds Under $50

Earlier This Week

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My Favorite Products of 2019

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Top Nine Products of 2019

I spent the first day of the new year snuggled up on the couch, unwilling (or perhaps unable) to move after having entirely too much fun with some friends the night before. It wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to kick off day one of a new decade, but I can’t complain when it was merely the aftereffect of spending time with people I love. I thought a bit about resolutions while I was couch-bound (and will share them with you next week). One of the things I’d like to do this year is make more sustainable decisions when it comes to my lifestyle and shopping habits. One of the best things we can do is to make thoughtful purchasing decisions and buy quality products that will be used numerous times and loved with abandon. With that in mind, I thought I’d share my favorite products from 2019 with you. (You can read my 2018 list here; I’m still smitten with all of those items and use them regularly — especially the hand vacuum, which I reach for almost every day.)

Trek bicycle – I used Dave’s sister’s bike from the ’90s for nearly eight years. I hated that thing. Half of the gears didn’t work and it was heavy. I’d be struggling on each hill while Dave flew by with his nice, lightweight bicycle that weighed a fraction of mine. I know my new bike barely cost anything in the world of cycling for people who actually do this for sport, but it was a lot for me (and after adding in a few accessories, it was close to $1,000). But you know what? I don’t dread bike rides now. I think I actually *gasp* enjoy them.

Pottery Barn curtain rods & West Elm curtains – You can see some of the before photos of our dining room in this post. The three windows along the wall look toward our neighbor’s house with only a driveway to separate the two homes. We took down those dingy, stained roller shades this year and added a curtain rod and sheer curtains. I love the traditional look of the curtain rod (we went with the standard finial) and the curtains have just enough texture to make them look more expensive than they are.

The Ordinary ‘Buffet” serum – This impulse buy from Sephora quickly made its way into my nightly routine. It leaves my face ultra soft and my complexion brighter — and you can’t beat the price!

J.Crew turtleneck sweater in supersoft yarn – I now own three of this sweater (two in light grey and one in emerald). As the name suggests, it is ultra soft. The shape is just boxy enough to be comfortable, but trim enough to be flattering. Plus, it doesn’t stretch out during the day. I’m obsessed with it and will likely buy it in another color yet this winter.

Kate Spade ‘Margaux’ crossbody purse – I bought this purse before our spring trip to Portugal thinking that it would be the perfect warm-weather bag with the light color, cross-body strap, generous size, and convenient slip pocket for my phone. It was even better than expected in person when I discovered that the slightly triangular shape allowed it to rest close to my body without feeling bulky. Plus, the pebbled leather repels rain. It was my most-worn bag of 2019.

Schoolhouse ‘Blooming Field’ pillow shams – I hesitated to purchase these when they first debuted and kicked myself when they sold out. I checked the Schoolhouse site every day for two months waiting for them to be restocked. The pattern is beautiful in person. We put these on unused pillows on our bed to use for decor rather than actually sleeping on them. I know they’re just a simple pillow sham and shouldn’t be that exciting, but the craftsmanship and attention to detail in the design won me over.

Speakman ‘Anystream’ shower head – Dave purchased this shower head for us after our old one started to lose pressure and wouldn’t get better despite soaking it in vinegar to loosen hard water residue. We really should have swapped them within the first few months of living here. It made such a big difference in the water pressure and our showers have felt so much better. It almost distracts me from the nagging feeling that we should really get at a bathroom remodel or at least a budget-friendly refresh.

Schoolhouse ‘Irvine’ sconces – We technically purchased these in 2018. However, they sat untouched in a box for six months until we finally mounted them in January of last year. I could go on and on about the quality of Schoolhouse products and that’s because they’re really that good. We’ve purchased less expensive light fixtures for other places in our home, and these are just far beyond compare when it comes to quality. We paired the brass sconce with these shades.

Weber ‘Spirit II E-310’ grill – I can’t believe we didn’t get a grill until our second summer in our house! Hanging out on the deck, grilling dinner with a cocktail in hand and music playing is my absolute favorite thing about summers at our home. We bought this one from Home Depot as part of a Fourth of July sale with free next-day shipping. It took some time to put together, but it wasn’t difficult. It cooks evenly and is a breeze to use and clean.

I’d love to know your favorite products of 2019!

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Weekend Roundup: A Plush Faux Fur Jacket, Habit Tracking, Decluttering Tips & More!

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Weekend Links on Bedknobs & Baubles
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I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are gearing up to make 2020 one of the best years yet! Personally, I’m looking forward to clearing the holiday decor and getting a fresh start on my lofty home to-do list. There are so many projects in limbo that I’d like to commit time and effort in the new year to getting things done. I’ll share some of those goals with you next week. Until then, I hope your last weekend of 2019 is amazing!

Remembering some of the brands we lost in the 2010s.

There’s a steep discount on this Kate Spade faux fur jacket! I just ordered it in both colors to try on and see which one I like most. (The photos are better on the Bloomingdale’s site, but it’s much more expensive there.)

The Amazon Coat, one year later.

Habit tracking may be more effective than New Year’s resolutions when it comes to making changes in your life.

A gorgeous wear-with-everything cuff bracelet.

Ten truths to help you declutter your home.

Why fashion in the 2020s will be about making new clothes out of old ones. (While textile recycling is important, it’s always better to be a thoughtful consumer and purchase items you’ll love and wear for years.)

Try this for chapped lips.

Save your used mascara wands this year and donate them to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge.

I’m in love with this swimsuit.

Finds Under $50

Earlier This Week

  • Snapshots of the most Christmassy moments from our trip to Belgium earlier this month.
  • Sharing the pieces I added to my wardrobe and home over the past two months.
  • I might be biased, but this is the prettiest Christmas tree of the year. (Considering that post has my highest number of likes for an Instagram ever, I’m guessing you’d like to see more home content. Let me know if that’s the case!)

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Recent Purchases: November & December 2019

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Latest Purchases

PURCHASED – FOR ME
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Leith sparkle tie-waist, long-sleeve dress (also in plus sizes) – Unfortunately this sold out shortly after its debut, but it’s worth getting your hands on if it pops back in stock. The dress is perfect for cocktails with a shimmery fabric and the blouson sleeves. It’s clingy so I went up a size and wore it with sheer black tights to smooth things out.
  • Kate Spade flair flora ruffle-neck blouse – This blouse doesn’t do much for me online, but I fell for it at Bloomingdale’s in Chicago last week. The fabric drapes beautifully and I adore the print. It has buttons up the front and you can leave the top couple undone for a casual look. Go with your regular size.
  • J.Crew turtleneck sweater in supersoft yarn – I love this sweater so much that I have it in light grey and emerald green, and I bought a second light grey to tuck away in case something happens to the first. Your normal size has a relaxed fit that doesn’t look too boxy on. Plus, they don’t stretch out during the day.
  • LOFT floral cutout mixed media blouse – This blouse has a really pretty print that pairs well with pants or a skirt for work. The fabric drapes nicely, despite its weird combination of a knit jersey in back and a polyester front. Your regular size works for this one, too.
  • Lele Sadoughi leopard-print headband – I adore Lele Sadoughi jewelry and own a few pieces (including these new beauties Dave gave me for Christmas), and I was wondering if her headbands were worth the hype. It’s well made and comfortable, but I’m not sure I’d encourage splurging on more than one for the fun factor of the trend. The turban-style is available at so many retailers now for a lower price that you could go that route for a trendy item. That said, I decided to keep it because I really do like the print on it and it’s a fun piece for my wardrobe.
  • Banana Republic tie-waist mini dress – I was on the fence about this formal dress and this human hair wigs when I ordered it online, but it’s really great in person! The drape is pretty, and the tie-waist gives it a flattering shape. It’s a pull-on style with an elastic waist, making it incredibly comfortable. I went with my regular size in this one, too.

PURCHASED – FOR HOME

  • CB2 ‘Marie’ coupe cocktail glasses – I had these on my holiday wish list for two years and finally decided to buy them for myself. I love them. The quality is much better than you’d expect for the low price point.
  • HAAND ceramics bud vase – I stopped in Room & Board in Chicago last week and hadn’t realized that they also sold artisan home goods. This bud vase has a beautiful organic shape.
  • Hearth & Hand throw blanket (not pictured) – As an online reviewer points out, this blanket isn’t grey like advertised. It’s a beautiful forest green. The throw is soft and generously sized.
  • CB2 potted faux pine tree (not pictured) – This is a chic little table-top Christmas tree. I love how simple it is and it sat atop a side table during the holidays.

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Things I tried and didn’t love.

  • J.Crew swing coat in heather camel – I don’t know what size or color the online reviewers purchased to give it such rave reviews, but this coat was awful on me. I tried the camel one and it’s so oversize that I felt like I was wearing my dad’s hunting gear.
  • Banana Republic puff-sleeve dress – Fit-and-flare dresses are typically flattering on me, so I gave this one a whirl. I loved the sleeves and the flirty length of the dress, but I couldn’t get over the print. It felt too matronly and outdated.
  • Banana Republic metallic dot tie-neck dress – This was really cute and seemed well made. I just couldn’t get the sizing to work and didn’t love it enough to order it again in a larger size.

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