Yesterday and another shopping spree

Yesterday we attempted to walk the unpaved trail towards the park that's about 1/2 mile behind my home.  We stopped well before we could even go half way.  Two reasons for this:  the trail was VERY muddy AND we saw about 20 (yes twenty) deer running through the brushes. While  I am not afraid of deer,  I am afraid of whatever was making them run in a panic.  Shhh- listen to nature, lol.

Today was big errand day- and I still didn't get everything that I set out to purchase.  I still didn't get my area rug and now my kids are missing their new lunch boxes and my husband is missing a couple of new tools (reportedly needed to finally install my fan).

The goal was to purchase furniture for the basement in effort to move a lot of the activity out of  view of guests.  We toured our local furniture store Raymour and Flanigan because I already had credit with them and the basement didn't really need any of the custom furniture we had been purchasing lately.  That's when we stumbled upon this http://www.raymourflanigan.com/Product.aspx?zpid=22854 

This was a floor sample so we got the set at a steal of a price.   We also purchased this http://www.raymourflanigan.com/Product.aspx?zpid=21788 for the guest room.

 While the sales person was checking on extending the financing for these items (later discovered my 36 month could have been 48 months- grrr!)  I spotted another floor sample that I thought would be a better buy for the basement http://www.raymourflanigan.com/Product.aspx?zpid=25144. 

 The problem- the basement door wasn't wide enough to allow us to move it downstairs so we purchased it for the family room instead and thus I finally have furniture for this space.   I do plan on getting a few accent pieces but I finally feel that we have enough for the main living spaces.  

Plank Tables and Mailboxes 2

I have found few more vinyl decal that I think might be just the thing- fancy and it clearly shows the address

I think I like the first one better, less distraction.  This company offers the decals in different colors but I will probably just pick white to keep it clean and simple.  These were found on Etsy as well.   My husband may think I am off my rocker for this one.

I am home sick today (insert hiss and boo here) and so I have been watching  ton of  HGTV.  I think I want a plank table now for the morning room.  I had originally said distressed but I love the rich hues and tones of a table like this

Or this

Still not sure of the seating for the tables- it must be durable and easy to clean to withstand my boys and their friends.   I am really not a fan of the bench seating that seems to popular pairing with these tables.

For the Interior Decorating Impaired

If you have been following this blog for a bit you know I have repeatedly said I am no good at interior decorating.   I know what appeals to my eye but how to put together myself well........

This is not my current home- just an example of what I usually accomplish 

Drab, bland with very little interest to the room.  And thus the reason for hiring someone to help me pull it together.  That's when I ran across this article from Houzz.  It does some great work of breaking down of where to begin  and how to set it all up.  By the way- join Houzz!  It's a great website and app for everything and anything for your home. 

If you still need help planning your space- get your iPad involved. 

This app is one of the best as you can adjust for YOUR floor plan.  Don't like this app- well just search for Interior Design and I am quite sure you will find something that fits your needs. 

What ever you do- don't feel like you have to rush to get that decorated model home look. Easier said than done.  Take your time- you are planning on living in this home for some time, why not enjoy the process? 

For those of you have this decorating thing done pat- any other tips or tricks you would like to share?  Help us non DIY, non decorating folk out!

The Wish List Grows

I really need to stop reading other blogs- I get way too many ideas!  At  this rate I will need to hit Powerball or Mega Millions really soon.

One of the DIY projects that I really want (and that I felt Ryan overpriced) is under cabinet lighting.  I briefly looked a puck lighting but decided to hold off exploring any more products until we officially moved into the home.  That was until I read another blog where they switched out their heat registers (totally copying this) and installed decorative switch plates.  Being the nosy curious person that I am I decided to take a look at the link that they provided.  What they did NOT say is that this company provides a modular under cabinet lighting system that can expand your outlets, add usb ports and even digital music connect.  What I like best is all the DIY videos for their products and the total walk thru of how to plan and install the product.  They even let you use a program to figure out the best configuration for your space.  My hypothetical configuration costs about $229 vs the $995 RH would have charged JUST for lights

Another blogger got quite a shock when speaking to their former PM about 30 day repair work.  In their discussion about scheduling time frames to repair squeaks or some other such thing, the PM casually told them not worry about being at the house- he STILL HAD THE KEY!  So we are going to do as they suggested and re key our locks.  That was until I came across this fancy contraption 

Yep- you too can have a key less entry to your home with Kwik Set Smart Key.  I am normally not a fan of punching in numbers to unlock stuff- but this somehow got my attention.  I guess I just imagine a way for my kids to get in if they lose their key at school or on the playground or some other such place.  And the fact that it's not too pricey (okay this one is pricey but matches all my hardware) and another easy DIY makes it even better.

Back to the blogger who switched out their heat registers- yeah I researched that too and again  I can have it match my hardware- but this I will definitely hold off until we do some brainstorming with an interior designer.

 I hope my husband plans on bringing in more cash in 2015, this stuff is adding up.  

Shopping Spree!

I am on a shopping spree!  Well a shopping spree in my head.  My taste have changed vastly since  purchasing my current home.  My tastes as well as my income and I am ready to upgrade EVERYTHING!  Best yet- my husband is on board!  There is so much I want to do with the new house that  I am feeling a little overwhelmed.  So I made the decision to list the items I want to purchase in order of importance and the list of places I want to consider.

1. We need food and a place to store it.  We didn't finance a refrigerator through Ryan Homes- we wanted to purchase one  and pay it off right away.   This is the one I have got my eye on

2.  In the city- there are plenty of laundromats.  This is how I am surviving until the move- my dryer broke 2 months ago.  I need a new washer and dryer. I checked Consumer Reports for the best washer and dryer that met these criteria:  quiet, energy efficient, and large capacity.   This top load washer and dryer from LG with its 5.2 capacity fits the bill.

3   The bedrooms- we need new bedroom furniture.  I will focus on the beds for now.  The current plan is to give the bunk beds to my youngest son, purchase a full size bed for my oldest son. purchase a king size bed for us and give the queen mattress over to the guest room.  Whew.  Now I have purchased at some big name furniture company- twice.  Particle board and plywood is they offered.  I decided to go Amish.  This book has been my bible.  True Amish furniture is still made the way THEY use to make Grandmom's furniture .  The pieces that get passed from generation to generation is what I am after. 

4.  Let's eat- getting a table for my hard earned morning room is also a must.  I am looking for an "antique" type dining set for this area.  This will be one of the most used spaces in my home.  I want something that already looks like it been through a little something- so that if my boys add a few more knicks it will just add to its character.  I will also get this from the Amish- did I neglect to mention that buying from the Amish means that my furniture will be custom and handmade.  This is similar to the look that I am after

5. My last course of action before slowing down my spending spree is to purchase window treatments.  Of course I have a found a place that will do free design and make my treatments for me.  I can't wait to shop here!