One Down . . .

Remember <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/seeing-spots.html">this fabric</a>?  Before she and her sewing machine had a minor disagreement, my mom was able to whip up a pillow for me.  Looks fantastic, right?  So cheery (and washable!) and that makes me smile.  Mad props to my mom for getting a perfect fit and sewing in a barely perceptible zipper.  I'm looking forward to her sewing me more because I am greedy like that.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomnBjghOOyDpvA9k_CiSxE55NHyiz-Jae0vRSuXrpqrJ5wW8debU4WHI4PNJVsMm0KDMEK5gLPp2e9LKAyMviiGYhVmEhaiqYRNVHmLxxK8m7T2Jd3lX6OsG5grz8PAFoMC-hOifyncnG/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomnBjghOOyDpvA9k_CiSxE55NHyiz-Jae0vRSuXrpqrJ5wW8debU4WHI4PNJVsMm0KDMEK5gLPp2e9LKAyMviiGYhVmEhaiqYRNVHmLxxK8m7T2Jd3lX6OsG5grz8PAFoMC-hOifyncnG/s640/006.JPG" t8="true" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQoKVr8RXFuqIy3MyDQG80ht_gERSUUeAaj6A47bJnY_KXhLoKW44KhIlBOs_XnkPe8de-x5CJXMAMCB0Btq3nAegwIiWaBB87FcNjnf8u5v6mFV2I5qNWS0HTmo1gEC8jxphBi0X-PjR/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQoKVr8RXFuqIy3MyDQG80ht_gERSUUeAaj6A47bJnY_KXhLoKW44KhIlBOs_XnkPe8de-x5CJXMAMCB0Btq3nAegwIiWaBB87FcNjnf8u5v6mFV2I5qNWS0HTmo1gEC8jxphBi0X-PjR/s640/057.JPG" t8="true" width="480" /></a></div><br />I will be internet-less for a few days.  While I'm disconnected from the world, check out my <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/p/diy-projects.html">DIY Projects page</a> - I added my new projects.  And we have been hard at work on a BIG reveal so stay tuned . . . <br /><br />Have a fabulous weekend!!

One Down . . .

Remember this fabric ?  Before she and her sewing machine had a minor disagreement, my mom was able to whip up a pillow for me.  Looks fanta...

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"New" Living Room Chair

I took a break from all the textile art (<a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-felted-bead-necklace.html">necklace</a>, <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-needle-felted-art.html">abstracts</a>, and <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/im-over-at-young-crafty-today.html">pretty yellow flowers</a>) to re-arrange some furniture, with smile inducing results.  It can be so tricky to decorate our small townhouse because sometimes I have to work with what we have and work with limited funds.  <br /><br />I've mentioned the need to find a work surface for Hubby - something small, for casual use.  After lots of hmmm-ing and haw-ing, we decided not to <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/still-nosey-newt.html">find a unit to serve as guest storage <em>and </em>his desk</a>.  We decided it makes the most sense for me to just share the office, instead of relegating him to the guest room.  With a location determined, we thought about getting a vintage teak unit, like the one pictured below, to replace <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/bookcase-tweaking.html">my expedit</a> and serve as his work surface.  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4XJvkc669TB5yEkg3j4SlBnscqDedeX1XLcoamaS6WDRdlOlC7Bjr6AHyNv51ud1XHtNYFENYjOQvB-r5onjCm1qwXNABIWGmolSnnUvzAj78PjwpQ6NhHX-5JBj1Pt4HSn4ddDDQPPl/s1600/wall+unit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4XJvkc669TB5yEkg3j4SlBnscqDedeX1XLcoamaS6WDRdlOlC7Bjr6AHyNv51ud1XHtNYFENYjOQvB-r5onjCm1qwXNABIWGmolSnnUvzAj78PjwpQ6NhHX-5JBj1Pt4HSn4ddDDQPPl/s400/wall+unit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too expensive!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />But the unit in question is $1400+ and doesn't meet all of our storage needs (one day I will show you what is behind the white door).  Plus, it seemed like just too much furniture for the office.  Then I had the genius plan of moving the office chair downstairs into the living room (not sure what I will do with the two chairs - from Loblaws grocery store - that used to live there) and finding a narrow console table/desk for the now empty office corner.  Although the office space is still empty, here is the chair in the living room.  I am loving it there!  Remember, the room will have <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/seeing-spots.html">new throw pillows</a> soon.<br /><br /><strong>Living room with old chairs:</strong><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGJkUO2adNKQKwshea8QD2G1f18OdDD5wuCagqs8OC9D-V-lEtTrfIv-aFFqelT8TndTP32WChlQYDG0rTK6BQW46CO0XDtJWQW-JRJjqCefU238nFYckKqph5Zwi54AYvbB-XoL4TCA/s1600/P1050949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGJkUO2adNKQKwshea8QD2G1f18OdDD5wuCagqs8OC9D-V-lEtTrfIv-aFFqelT8TndTP32WChlQYDG0rTK6BQW46CO0XDtJWQW-JRJjqCefU238nFYckKqph5Zwi54AYvbB-XoL4TCA/s640/P1050949.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like my little grocery store chairs because they are comfy (and cheap!),<br />but they just looked so blah . . . </td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W4LwH0VYqfJUmpD3W0V3d6SaG7wvd6vcyYOIxKqQd574f-ZRAcQ5_I8-H5_zF16pOYL9IXwNJ4VF7-FHgjmZzUToFiuHnQ-L1wiflYGkWG6yyeCauZvpmFBB76WLK-N2ls77xlXlkLo/s1600/P1060456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W4LwH0VYqfJUmpD3W0V3d6SaG7wvd6vcyYOIxKqQd574f-ZRAcQ5_I8-H5_zF16pOYL9IXwNJ4VF7-FHgjmZzUToFiuHnQ-L1wiflYGkWG6yyeCauZvpmFBB76WLK-N2ls77xlXlkLo/s640/P1060456.JPG" width="480" /></a></strong></div><br /><strong>Living room with my office chair:</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgkO4O3OGRwbOZiL456-D8-d08_knhF_1tucrgG3BhC3XcGDU_oiVC9lv8ukxZlmic360pMAPp9i8OC3qAROHHijk-OHT-gxYUSskdCcSJvFx9Df_CpVvOurNJiudwq4MCqXVTP8q0pUG/s1600/153.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgkO4O3OGRwbOZiL456-D8-d08_knhF_1tucrgG3BhC3XcGDU_oiVC9lv8ukxZlmic360pMAPp9i8OC3qAROHHijk-OHT-gxYUSskdCcSJvFx9Df_CpVvOurNJiudwq4MCqXVTP8q0pUG/s640/153.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLp6dJ3gPo7G7a8LbOYWgbcKwhOlG678ury5_CAdLlUdHFOkGrd0AmxIbjVJpuFOvqu9me5t2q9zwX_x_5KQh3EoXrkgeSYtIjti2szf3dS_-5OYpwE9tWwygV5MXCiiG35Ug1UTsfrdq/s1600/154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLp6dJ3gPo7G7a8LbOYWgbcKwhOlG678ury5_CAdLlUdHFOkGrd0AmxIbjVJpuFOvqu9me5t2q9zwX_x_5KQh3EoXrkgeSYtIjti2szf3dS_-5OYpwE9tWwygV5MXCiiG35Ug1UTsfrdq/s640/154.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO7oEvyzrNv-D529LJi2zgvpI9CVEy0OKMWpure671nu_3yR8B7CutalA4v5_OBZdII8iqv7jYOIkkFnEiuUvJdhzmIuZ6L9fJ4mAZ3mIdVkm9AXvw6ecEqT_AraOc7QWF7bZfMqrA3ZE/s1600/144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO7oEvyzrNv-D529LJi2zgvpI9CVEy0OKMWpure671nu_3yR8B7CutalA4v5_OBZdII8iqv7jYOIkkFnEiuUvJdhzmIuZ6L9fJ4mAZ3mIdVkm9AXvw6ecEqT_AraOc7QWF7bZfMqrA3ZE/s400/144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole L-shaped living/dining area seems much larger now</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CpZn6nI91c7t6SEzF7nJ9Ka9Z0JfMty_NmLAKIxuqjPaiQ70tTBaLf7oceNsVy9vNO6-Ptjh7bAL27Y8bHvpbsdePMcPP8q9XGj4VSmenyvaU45hIko1H8GLpG_6dm_KnRaFDgYQtcA_/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CpZn6nI91c7t6SEzF7nJ9Ka9Z0JfMty_NmLAKIxuqjPaiQ70tTBaLf7oceNsVy9vNO6-Ptjh7bAL27Y8bHvpbsdePMcPP8q9XGj4VSmenyvaU45hIko1H8GLpG_6dm_KnRaFDgYQtcA_/s640/140.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally - a good shot of the fabric!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />The empty office space.  See pics of it before I dismantled it <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/help-me-pick-colour-any-colour.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_58hvsPFO7UAvMk3A2iCZXNOeDXRhSmTpzqrqgegc2zolkHKIf_aUduvUfdmJwsd_qXO6YozHlKwONT8mwKA1n0sxP5KXyajxtejdXYu5GWDKjEaOs2lEGG31WAN3YqxkjmP2kU1oLX4q/s1600/190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_58hvsPFO7UAvMk3A2iCZXNOeDXRhSmTpzqrqgegc2zolkHKIf_aUduvUfdmJwsd_qXO6YozHlKwONT8mwKA1n0sxP5KXyajxtejdXYu5GWDKjEaOs2lEGG31WAN3YqxkjmP2kU1oLX4q/s640/190.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Kind of what we're looking for - even narrower would work.  We just want something that isn't a huge executive desk.  I have already posted a "want ad" on the local online classifieds and am starting yard saling soon, so I'm hoping to find something perfect, for a bargain!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXbbQrkj6BDubpG3HK9gJtPzGGYheCKRVVIn62kwiWmDR7-5w8JFNHBoYHkxrRxg9ADvK6rkRRTMyO43ZMXKM6Xg8tRe_LCrcl4IKsB7mLNV59kVE96Xa9LRNo11pITO2rR5XewADQ50c/s1600/west+elm+desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXbbQrkj6BDubpG3HK9gJtPzGGYheCKRVVIn62kwiWmDR7-5w8JFNHBoYHkxrRxg9ADvK6rkRRTMyO43ZMXKM6Xg8tRe_LCrcl4IKsB7mLNV59kVE96Xa9LRNo11pITO2rR5XewADQ50c/s400/west+elm+desk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/pratt-desk-g152/?pkey=coffice-desks">West Elm</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

"New" Living Room Chair

I took a break from all the textile art ( necklace , abstracts , and pretty yellow flowers ) to re-arrange some furniture, with smile induci...

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Seeing Spots

Our living room and dining room were among the first rooms to look more "finished".  Don't get me wrong, there's lots more to do but this space has looked pretty much like this since we moved in.  We painted, added our furniture & art, bought a new light fixture and fireplace doors, but that's nothing compared to other areas of the house.  With rooms <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/12/main-bath-before-now.html">like this</a> and <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/bedroom-update.html">this</a>, there were other areas in more dire need of our attention.  But now that other rooms are coming together, the living rooms is starting to look worn out.  First, <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/in-lieu-of-new-upholstery.html">the sofa shenanigans</a> and now the throw pillows are literally coming apart at the seams.  Sigh.  Undetered, I went fabric shopping for a fun fabric for fresh new throw pillows and found something great!  (Say that ten times fast!)<br /><br />Picture the pattern a bit crisper than in the photo - a more vanilla-ish white background with cheery aqua, green and deep yellow circles.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKvap5VN-9pAYn2pKOpcy0v-21HpjBQtaB6CYg7mOPyWSm3IMV5mrvKfadVem3jwjPXW0_8NgaGkLvX2wGZzjc9HGDehDvo66XhK6dy_d2JcwbdJ23vXPF2_QqRvgVcTqwyzkgQXr7y9i/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKvap5VN-9pAYn2pKOpcy0v-21HpjBQtaB6CYg7mOPyWSm3IMV5mrvKfadVem3jwjPXW0_8NgaGkLvX2wGZzjc9HGDehDvo66XhK6dy_d2JcwbdJ23vXPF2_QqRvgVcTqwyzkgQXr7y9i/s400/096.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicY6SXuOdBAiIlqGQZqdDRuabt-FGJQPuPg4VCW8R2SpKslej4Zlfa8E1JJWjy-UNMH_fwHxTcmvXd2qrEb0zAA2lQeCLkHig_xk6leVADkpxn4kLgZQwTOi22TMFZwVBWtE3FMQaXEQ6h/s1600/091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicY6SXuOdBAiIlqGQZqdDRuabt-FGJQPuPg4VCW8R2SpKslej4Zlfa8E1JJWjy-UNMH_fwHxTcmvXd2qrEb0zAA2lQeCLkHig_xk6leVADkpxn4kLgZQwTOi22TMFZwVBWtE3FMQaXEQ6h/s400/091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I think that once this fabric becomes pillows, they will dress up the sofa (paired with the existing brown print pillows my mom sewed) and the accent chairs (not pictured) nicely.  I think the print ties in well with the artwork, a major fixture we tend to decorate around.<br />  <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg89MtV8XWRXkEm8kNxH03LVB-OBdSL-hgoTRHPzCnfJu8B2wvyYMfT3tER1-TPZ3JF9XOXyWVTmlYr50YIm7JkdmYWgm5X9FEC_anPLvl-CZlLWx0XapQoCh8LPnBp6TqVdQRbXWhmk/s1600/P1060064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg89MtV8XWRXkEm8kNxH03LVB-OBdSL-hgoTRHPzCnfJu8B2wvyYMfT3tER1-TPZ3JF9XOXyWVTmlYr50YIm7JkdmYWgm5X9FEC_anPLvl-CZlLWx0XapQoCh8LPnBp6TqVdQRbXWhmk/s640/P1060064.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIA1E2cH9ht4mCjtqkrVQJmogKB76aivumLKbpjBFoPw251qEDC2ntnGUDZ4Ws0XuM2nDDTafWwv0bobK0cSSc8g3kvZvPk7AYOL-EX3-1c0P9sL2FpPE4ea9zYwCd0rKOtxr6UcB94A/s1600/P1050936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIA1E2cH9ht4mCjtqkrVQJmogKB76aivumLKbpjBFoPw251qEDC2ntnGUDZ4Ws0XuM2nDDTafWwv0bobK0cSSc8g3kvZvPk7AYOL-EX3-1c0P9sL2FpPE4ea9zYwCd0rKOtxr6UcB94A/s640/P1050936.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>

Seeing Spots

Our living room and dining room were among the first rooms to look more "finished".  Don't get me wrong, there's lots more...

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Sofa Search

So, I've previously complained about the hole in our sofa from the Brick (see <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/in-lieu-of-new-upholstery.html">here</a>).  I thought I could live with it until we move (three years-ish) but I don't know if I can.  But if we look for a new one, our search is a bit complicated . . . <br /><br />Even though we are pet-less and child-free we still manage to be messy.  The other day I sneezed my soy latte all over the ottoman and sofa but because it is "leather," it wiped clean.  (I say "leather" because it was sold as leather, but actually vinyl.  Grrrr).  Anyway, we have three options:<br /><ol><li>Stick with the crummy sofa</li><li>Buy a new leather sofa (but invest in better quality = big bucks)</li><li>Buy a fabric sofa</li></ol>So - <u>question for you all</u>: is a fabric sofa easy to keep clean?  Because I love the styling of the one below and it is $999 (which = affordable).  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="308" src="http://www.structube.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/ChambreParkerClioComo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.structube.com/">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghy80Kn9sSqcAG_FYKO-e4htcjjCxtQHsGJyMMnE9ckapUZizxjlTWaSOk279O33J-MA4iEQpGgW73pN0FhrzAzWTP6Jd79iI-_1wkA-mFprYfmckfBLX-6imTnx1m1lu3AnqOBZ0shM/s1600/sofa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghy80Kn9sSqcAG_FYKO-e4htcjjCxtQHsGJyMMnE9ckapUZizxjlTWaSOk279O33J-MA4iEQpGgW73pN0FhrzAzWTP6Jd79iI-_1wkA-mFprYfmckfBLX-6imTnx1m1lu3AnqOBZ0shM/s320/sofa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.structube.com/">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96BCqJIGSR5s-lq3jfQ2gLFoeJ3YPiRwVi166agZ-Ampm00UxFqT3zmQJSN8TlRpPnrmsWd22_x0S5W7imTLsNZfyOiLBGp2bVkazbLg_P0YTT24LUvvtZ5BHaQB_XIULFQSaDSBDIQQ/s1600/sofaII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96BCqJIGSR5s-lq3jfQ2gLFoeJ3YPiRwVi166agZ-Ampm00UxFqT3zmQJSN8TlRpPnrmsWd22_x0S5W7imTLsNZfyOiLBGp2bVkazbLg_P0YTT24LUvvtZ5BHaQB_XIULFQSaDSBDIQQ/s320/sofaII.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.structube.com/">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This will be much like my bedding search.  Expect a number of sofa search posts in the months to come until a decision is made.  Which, knowing me, happens instantaneously or is a painfully drawn out process.  I suspect the latter in this case.  </div>

Sofa Search

So, I've previously complained about the hole in our sofa from the Brick (see here ).  I thought I could live with it until we move (thr...

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In Lieu of New Upholstery

File this under 'band-aid solutions" & "lesson learned".  Months ago, I <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/living-room-and-dining-room-after.html">briefly complained about our sofa</a>.  And now it is worse:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGwtiW9qWI8x8jAaqYTme6zOI5E7d2enNDYqbdT_7W0MOrJrPrd1sAGb8m6P7iplNLTV5xDdveO1j7PsuvxyuZH4K5L2KxgMCjQWjdqQUht79qMAw_Gx7Dt8HzWP_4R7BzjaDmKr5kls/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGwtiW9qWI8x8jAaqYTme6zOI5E7d2enNDYqbdT_7W0MOrJrPrd1sAGb8m6P7iplNLTV5xDdveO1j7PsuvxyuZH4K5L2KxgMCjQWjdqQUht79qMAw_Gx7Dt8HzWP_4R7BzjaDmKr5kls/s400/046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAOaMIG7S0HiBr2xZUUwxATjnKTXmDPcWIuz7tY1_u3coXd8cdmvWnTG3HUJuNeTYFaki_S2CeSLb3zyowbsTbSLwsjotcFUvGk4fRJFDHtHqW0jyodCN6fBjZN_s9l1OSKI1rQibTT0/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAOaMIG7S0HiBr2xZUUwxATjnKTXmDPcWIuz7tY1_u3coXd8cdmvWnTG3HUJuNeTYFaki_S2CeSLb3zyowbsTbSLwsjotcFUvGk4fRJFDHtHqW0jyodCN6fBjZN_s9l1OSKI1rQibTT0/s400/047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Can't tell you how thrilled I am that our couch is disintegrating.  Sigh.  I contacted The Brick, where we purchased it from, and learned that even though we bought the extended warranty, it won't cover this because the top part of our leather sofa is vinyl and vinyl isn't covered.  We did not know it was vinyl.  It was, apparently, our responsibility to ask whether any part of our "leather" sofa is vinyl.  Now I have been eyeing the rest of it suspiciously.<br /><br />But, <u>silver lining</u>: aiming to cover it up while we figure out what to do, I found this fabulous throw (in houndstooth, yay!).  By Liteksas & Calw, it is lambswool and silk, plus it is made in Lithuania (where my hubby's grandmother emigrated from).  I might not have even <em>looked </em>for throws had the sofa not started looking horrible, so . . . bright side, right?  Plus I like how it breaks up all the dark brown.  And, even though patterns scare me, it is yet <em>another</em> patterned element I've introduced, so yay me.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeQ73aEuXLwqxQY9C-lQH8cRrqxpXhwYC-O2qaD0IJB0hYI-kfFxB2BM-Gfg8rdwhyVxYIPlZq64QKUdjnZrvlrMnb3y-dwdTqn5uO-R1JTlnP9HlUfayyeHlkhF4JVAuE7pkv_WpTX4/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeQ73aEuXLwqxQY9C-lQH8cRrqxpXhwYC-O2qaD0IJB0hYI-kfFxB2BM-Gfg8rdwhyVxYIPlZq64QKUdjnZrvlrMnb3y-dwdTqn5uO-R1JTlnP9HlUfayyeHlkhF4JVAuE7pkv_WpTX4/s400/048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDFejGMWwIAklQmoutDnjnnHZHfWlkInWT3s4bnOdf3j5i3bTx4zPy3ARnk5Zw6mLckH1rST7b5wX_N6SZ1ooEYCr6FqpU91XMvDbJE7wlo39FFhw1bVSpp71lMZFQi8rDMajh649osM/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDFejGMWwIAklQmoutDnjnnHZHfWlkInWT3s4bnOdf3j5i3bTx4zPy3ARnk5Zw6mLckH1rST7b5wX_N6SZ1ooEYCr6FqpU91XMvDbJE7wlo39FFhw1bVSpp71lMZFQi8rDMajh649osM/s640/059.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGW_gNbDC6JrmmnMW2ohPKuc8zv1QTfgtQ4qFYsswfnToNM-nGnqIST70BjQFEwctqY8ePRHjreRpIxucGZrl0XwkAz14R0HDOXj_BHd1kT-6IyICHw5tsHEAebVLDHOz5VseRIDQMhk/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGW_gNbDC6JrmmnMW2ohPKuc8zv1QTfgtQ4qFYsswfnToNM-nGnqIST70BjQFEwctqY8ePRHjreRpIxucGZrl0XwkAz14R0HDOXj_BHd1kT-6IyICHw5tsHEAebVLDHOz5VseRIDQMhk/s640/055.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A7HpbJz9IXDW9CWyeMC4y7UUfFCduE7mO2SW4LqfDi17ShSfADCpdOhE9YrXS7ZDn4q9nbhNdk4_vg2fGLWns2s9RjqqugVa9hTx98TkYAYVbRYupVfBKmzxOFVqKeLftklrqYK4mng/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A7HpbJz9IXDW9CWyeMC4y7UUfFCduE7mO2SW4LqfDi17ShSfADCpdOhE9YrXS7ZDn4q9nbhNdk4_vg2fGLWns2s9RjqqugVa9hTx98TkYAYVbRYupVfBKmzxOFVqKeLftklrqYK4mng/s400/056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />But, If I had a time machine:<br />I would save our pennies a bit longer, and buy better quality.  I also would have asked <em>tons</em> more questions and not assumed anything based on the store's description.  <br /><br />But, alas, we did not do the above because this sofa met our four requirements at the time:<br /><ol><li>Brown leather (we like to eat messy things in there and nothing cleans better)</li><li>Sofa bed (at the time we didn't have a guest room)</li><li>Clean lines</li><li>Under a grand</li></ol>Now we're in limbo.  Buy a new sofa? Take The Brick to small claims court? Just leave the throw and party hearty, not having to worry about wrecking the darned thing?  Setting it on fire was brought up, but dismissed.  <br /><br />Have you made any big purchases you regret?  What would you do in our shoes?<br />P.S. Click <a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/living-room-and-dining-room-after.html">here</a> for more living room pics.

In Lieu of New Upholstery

File this under 'band-aid solutions" & "lesson learned".  Months ago, I briefly complained about our sofa .  And now ...

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Inspiration: Sarah's House

Awhile ago, I was mesmerized into watching back to back episodes of "Sarah's House" on television, re-runs of course.  I think the only thing more jealousy-inducing than watching one episode, is watching seven in a row.  Because I've been trying to channel Sarah as I make my fabric decision (so close the picking something for the vintage teak chair, I promise!), I thought I'd post a few of my favorite rooms from "Sarah's House".  These aren't hot off the presses, but delightful none the less.  So here's a little post-weekend eye candy:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymsInUXT-qeBV36UT4kBqEjWhhDy-R-oX2TwUEpKZKlJoO4M53Igyx41E7soi2sMm_ye3cOwvPcaFoeyncCw1klZL_ivOsHyY7yiwFeRxNgyjHAyoZnZrrFTW-t87K2n8osJIsrSEVlk/s1600/sarah%2527s+house+IIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymsInUXT-qeBV36UT4kBqEjWhhDy-R-oX2TwUEpKZKlJoO4M53Igyx41E7soi2sMm_ye3cOwvPcaFoeyncCw1klZL_ivOsHyY7yiwFeRxNgyjHAyoZnZrrFTW-t87K2n8osJIsrSEVlk/s400/sarah%2527s+house+IIII.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXoj1V19H1tYCax6Zzd6sgOoTlz5rtPY1tL8Lzp2MbrESESzZEgacGdyHNKkO1G8h18hcNDNeDmai8NRiNcuDlHChwTG9gWol5gSJ_ENsTnOrljJkI0ysjlg0nSZeTGbzA_jeRfhmq6g/s1600/Sara%2527s+lvrg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXoj1V19H1tYCax6Zzd6sgOoTlz5rtPY1tL8Lzp2MbrESESzZEgacGdyHNKkO1G8h18hcNDNeDmai8NRiNcuDlHChwTG9gWol5gSJ_ENsTnOrljJkI0ysjlg0nSZeTGbzA_jeRfhmq6g/s640/Sara%2527s+lvrg.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AbRfzj1kZBCmPy0rSwMGxU5ccGxZrlScFuPg3HUL1hvurd2KNcSEH8lsFlXZNfjyU9pHoH0c17wpxXsse53fOXFPQ_xfBFLMXAFxU9c06i0V5TGgsxUrQWMrBxvJn-V-JvxuGdSj7oU/s1600/Sarah%2527s+House+IIIIII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AbRfzj1kZBCmPy0rSwMGxU5ccGxZrlScFuPg3HUL1hvurd2KNcSEH8lsFlXZNfjyU9pHoH0c17wpxXsse53fOXFPQ_xfBFLMXAFxU9c06i0V5TGgsxUrQWMrBxvJn-V-JvxuGdSj7oU/s640/Sarah%2527s+House+IIIIII.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-C-y9A-QOw40oU2wgvElK3xwPdGWJosY5Y-FnoIeilsDFaL7K-5eG2245PWSnVRcT6eUJZXcHdZY4FScJb2_6e0yKOyym_OpPF8xfbDjCiTGlRVQ0v4bTq5ezuA5WIjVCasTSl0Qt7o/s1600/sara%2527s+house+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-C-y9A-QOw40oU2wgvElK3xwPdGWJosY5Y-FnoIeilsDFaL7K-5eG2245PWSnVRcT6eUJZXcHdZY4FScJb2_6e0yKOyym_OpPF8xfbDjCiTGlRVQ0v4bTq5ezuA5WIjVCasTSl0Qt7o/s640/sara%2527s+house+III.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT1vzXzfabuktGKvr7lF9W2qVn3RfOnN5aEJ-_fSrfHy03HbwyvEmkVzABtEfYOLPQxv5yn7Z8PA9rfugE31eaGQaLCnXc5j5T7Wkl76k37ltQDRNfbjNucbXSwFCvLl1fz8JzbFiGo8/s1600/sara%2527s+house+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkT1vzXzfabuktGKvr7lF9W2qVn3RfOnN5aEJ-_fSrfHy03HbwyvEmkVzABtEfYOLPQxv5yn7Z8PA9rfugE31eaGQaLCnXc5j5T7Wkl76k37ltQDRNfbjNucbXSwFCvLl1fz8JzbFiGo8/s640/sara%2527s+house+II.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrRUTLoanoC90_P53iCJ-3esJsT6Uud943AwaQPimIQa0X5gCe7wdkM7XteZjuiJYKGpF4k9kT-TTWDKNzzHlzElQcMEiqfyE_2oZLuvR0vwFbvtEnGhO8p3UAKnqOcEPGZYiHYSP5ag/s1600/sara%2527s+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrRUTLoanoC90_P53iCJ-3esJsT6Uud943AwaQPimIQa0X5gCe7wdkM7XteZjuiJYKGpF4k9kT-TTWDKNzzHlzElQcMEiqfyE_2oZLuvR0vwFbvtEnGhO8p3UAKnqOcEPGZYiHYSP5ag/s640/sara%2527s+house.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><br />If you want to see more stunning rooms, check out her portfolio <a href="http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/portfolio/project/sarahs-cottage/dining-room">here</a>.

Inspiration: Sarah's House

Awhile ago, I was mesmerized into watching back to back episodes of "Sarah's House" on television, re-runs of course.  I think...

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Apparently It WILL Be Winter Here

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So, apparently I cannot stop winter from coming.  It is snowing as I type.  Sigh.  On to Plan B: lots of toasty fires.  Our firewood holder is another vicarious DIY project courtesy of my grandpa.  He welded this firewood holder and matching set of fireplace tools.  I love the simple lines and just how much wood it can hold.  Hauling up firewood from the basement is nobody's favorite job.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiNz2xdf9_kafENblDpwAdL0SnW2m3P2vFBF0EUUUv59RJ_xOXqJGsYiEoned7_it-omjyYanuchAdUV7u213BSBZQlG2kuYLme0eOzYefROKbHLZacsMYNvVxwxfrXAYYUMtxmhl67I/s1600/574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiNz2xdf9_kafENblDpwAdL0SnW2m3P2vFBF0EUUUv59RJ_xOXqJGsYiEoned7_it-omjyYanuchAdUV7u213BSBZQlG2kuYLme0eOzYefROKbHLZacsMYNvVxwxfrXAYYUMtxmhl67I/s400/574.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMTrWrf4DQqMunNZ4csCISliNfsgnS2gMo_2k3NVt3o3Q2Avt26RShYNvVWFyOL9xMcDbTUvv2dpRjY4mR1y0bNd5Ai3JxfxzxCIKF8_YDgJai6L6V_dYh84Pji5V4DwZ1r7diJMQ51s/s1600/575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMTrWrf4DQqMunNZ4csCISliNfsgnS2gMo_2k3NVt3o3Q2Avt26RShYNvVWFyOL9xMcDbTUvv2dpRjY4mR1y0bNd5Ai3JxfxzxCIKF8_YDgJai6L6V_dYh84Pji5V4DwZ1r7diJMQ51s/s640/575.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>If you don't have an awesome grandpa to weld you your own firewood holder, there are a ton of really fun options available at places like <u><span style="color: #0066cc;"><strong><a href="http://www.fireplacemall.com/">this</a></strong></span></u> (see pics below) or try repurposing a big vintage washing tub or doughbox--anything you can fit some logs into, really.<br /><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5a1VX9ewMkSpu5ghAv8XWawBqXIarwXJZaxgqwhD1iw-fa0bQdD11-8nznHHDu6zD7h2AG4HK41rJO-CjFYEV_6OxbNUFCAHuPPisyKWeiq4QMdLQ3b6TwyT1QGnfOqsWZxA70ziYJHI/s1600/Firelog+holder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5a1VX9ewMkSpu5ghAv8XWawBqXIarwXJZaxgqwhD1iw-fa0bQdD11-8nznHHDu6zD7h2AG4HK41rJO-CjFYEV_6OxbNUFCAHuPPisyKWeiq4QMdLQ3b6TwyT1QGnfOqsWZxA70ziYJHI/s400/Firelog+holder.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is a little like mine</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHlbKG7jmssynNj2mA1tgfLDYTqVLKzl82eBj9jTpTnRQDFf4Sk5bk32cm8cXPbCTYHppzElQ0a0MpVb6PruFM-zmVkOV7_Sg62WG6zA5IqdxVUraYUqdFIbJpP8vJ-Q0lnee9IxPjIM/s1600/firelogholder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHlbKG7jmssynNj2mA1tgfLDYTqVLKzl82eBj9jTpTnRQDFf4Sk5bk32cm8cXPbCTYHppzElQ0a0MpVb6PruFM-zmVkOV7_Sg62WG6zA5IqdxVUraYUqdFIbJpP8vJ-Q0lnee9IxPjIM/s400/firelogholder.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too genius for words!</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3W2gx28m8YYwG2p8V06_1Bd_QTjaGwAKmlB_r_0iNX3SM3J6nUN2qQ3ClbohlfAAPxZV8w5wTae2nizO_be7kPu8FKKVzZFTr_jo_dCXOVN6jLhAp3z_KMTOb8uXDAMg4s_KOBZjvvI/s1600/firelog+holder++II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3W2gx28m8YYwG2p8V06_1Bd_QTjaGwAKmlB_r_0iNX3SM3J6nUN2qQ3ClbohlfAAPxZV8w5wTae2nizO_be7kPu8FKKVzZFTr_jo_dCXOVN6jLhAp3z_KMTOb8uXDAMg4s_KOBZjvvI/s400/firelog+holder++II.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0JwrIXB513Urfz4PjnLbOp3RPR0zk17WD_V4HXeaOxDc3my3VHlLBamptn-GymGmba7CbtWIxoejyycO3-VxNjHNzp9H5WM5GGqUBFf8RlUwywttW2LT2A5hrTQs9yRtdKwz6U5ABeI/s1600/firelog+holder+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0JwrIXB513Urfz4PjnLbOp3RPR0zk17WD_V4HXeaOxDc3my3VHlLBamptn-GymGmba7CbtWIxoejyycO3-VxNjHNzp9H5WM5GGqUBFf8RlUwywttW2LT2A5hrTQs9yRtdKwz6U5ABeI/s400/firelog+holder+III.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>For keeping piles of firewood neat, try <strong><a href="http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=10045&cat=2,42194,40727,10045">this</a></strong> firewood storage rack from Lee Valley.  The metal frames act like bookends that you attach to 2x4's you provide.  Luckily, we have enough debris (moving suuplies, boxes of scrap lumber, a cooler) in our basement to act as "bookends" but if you have a neater basement than us (or store your wood outside), this could come in handy. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2bwVy_ydAE3WDEu6DJ9xP2hUwCh7darnc_Me3EH1EKnZSCSwkA4bXzFmuNFniKQNOWMtDcMGltG6Udn5TEDO6ypE3_WaLgrdn4xT1L9UVDfvHbhBRyF-2mFzNk8Xlv94LR7GS2z9lKo/s1600/Lee+Valley+Log+Holder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2bwVy_ydAE3WDEu6DJ9xP2hUwCh7darnc_Me3EH1EKnZSCSwkA4bXzFmuNFniKQNOWMtDcMGltG6Udn5TEDO6ypE3_WaLgrdn4xT1L9UVDfvHbhBRyF-2mFzNk8Xlv94LR7GS2z9lKo/s400/Lee+Valley+Log+Holder.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're considering buying a home with a wood burning fireplace, check out <strong><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Lesson%20Learned">this</a></strong> post about what we wish we'd known.  </div>

Apparently It WILL Be Winter Here

So, apparently I cannot stop winter from coming.  It is snowing as I type.  Sigh.  On to Plan B: lots of toasty fires.  Our firewood holder ...

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Living/Dining Room: "After" (ish)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So I posted the sad “before” shots of the living and dining room </span><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/livingdining-room-before.html">here</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  Below</span> are a few in progress </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We painted everything (trim, walls, and ceiling) white for a clean, bright look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The whole house (except for one half bath) is white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We wanted it to look like an art gallery--the white really helps reflect light and makes a good backdrop for our artwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>There’s my dad and grandpa hard at work!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>These two rooms required the LEAST amount of work.  In addition to painting, we replaced window coverings and the light fixture and had the fireplace insert removed (under duress) and installed new fireplace doors.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmNV4b0Jz3EgJ60Rjqx2GOTVpiOnVCSJU3Ee49V1u8J-R-bqBRFDlRo7bJD3JMjXlXspa_t7eZbzrc7hr9jjte7RvtMvlo8Vdw97JGJfyP6Sk0bnba15Y6YH0VpatPLqAtcYY8mA2EzE/s1600/P1030667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmNV4b0Jz3EgJ60Rjqx2GOTVpiOnVCSJU3Ee49V1u8J-R-bqBRFDlRo7bJD3JMjXlXspa_t7eZbzrc7hr9jjte7RvtMvlo8Vdw97JGJfyP6Sk0bnba15Y6YH0VpatPLqAtcYY8mA2EzE/s320/P1030667.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad used the window coverings that came with the house as drop cloths!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnryHmvDHI9nl_aBryjEhocEg1qYP0m6xwmhaSc1ngVmG658JPx5b_t9WHmSdHNfiRH9X7FdRGRN_QZPrbwfV4bUtuQnfGNfTQDG_aSWW5DQGObTFiHcWnGLcrMQhC_LZRHh6h2z2Jv7Q/s1600/P1030677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnryHmvDHI9nl_aBryjEhocEg1qYP0m6xwmhaSc1ngVmG658JPx5b_t9WHmSdHNfiRH9X7FdRGRN_QZPrbwfV4bUtuQnfGNfTQDG_aSWW5DQGObTFiHcWnGLcrMQhC_LZRHh6h2z2Jv7Q/s320/P1030677.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My mother-in-law was a sweetie and sent us flowers, </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">which was an interesting contrast with the mayhem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Thrifty decor</strong>: My grandmother sewed the curtains for the whole house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I picked a creamy sheer drapery fabric with a subtle square pattern for the living and dining rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Most of the pillows are silk and purchased from HomeSense, but the brown print pillows were sewn by my mom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  The vintage teak side tables were purchased at an estate sale for $20, but I need to give them some TLC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The vintage Lotte lamps were a steal at an antique show, but unfortunately their original shades had been lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGJkUO2adNKQKwshea8QD2G1f18OdDD5wuCagqs8OC9D-V-lEtTrfIv-aFFqelT8TndTP32WChlQYDG0rTK6BQW46CO0XDtJWQW-JRJjqCefU238nFYckKqph5Zwi54AYvbB-XoL4TCA/s1600/P1050949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGJkUO2adNKQKwshea8QD2G1f18OdDD5wuCagqs8OC9D-V-lEtTrfIv-aFFqelT8TndTP32WChlQYDG0rTK6BQW46CO0XDtJWQW-JRJjqCefU238nFYckKqph5Zwi54AYvbB-XoL4TCA/s640/P1050949.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tKXFlA_4sgd_n3MQF6Tbq3Mjz19ies59l0rOnX-dM29PK-9FnW71tfvwfIdNgCtIeisvA68qw9xgN50yK74_NAeV61wq6mOyZqJwj4q0rzr_P_V10ns1I5tPyH-DW9n927vVxiie_gE/s1600/P1060064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tKXFlA_4sgd_n3MQF6Tbq3Mjz19ies59l0rOnX-dM29PK-9FnW71tfvwfIdNgCtIeisvA68qw9xgN50yK74_NAeV61wq6mOyZqJwj4q0rzr_P_V10ns1I5tPyH-DW9n927vVxiie_gE/s640/P1060064.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>One problem</strong>: our sofa and ottoman (both from The Brick) have begun to crackle and our warranty won't cover it.  Sigh.  We've waffled about just keeping it or buying a new one and I finally imagined a sofa so wonderful that it couldn't exist.  I decided if we find that imaginary sofa--vintage styling, mustard or cinnamon coloured leather--(knowing we won't) we'd buy it.  Wouldn't you know I found it?  It is made by American Leather and looks so gorgeous.  But we weren't planning on buying a new sofa and it would be a pretty big splurge so thus it is kind of a moot point.  But I can pine (and save!) . . . </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TUf6rfT-lho0ZimPmOC1AxyO2lyssUm0MaOXzrM30xwK5mk4zTd0cFNUm3w0_GaMi3mdPs3Sura8JL0CR8aarbeScN7uHEBdQBlN21d_vl9rEyce8nQz0GHY9sVJT-IVeoBaeG1fHUg/s1600/American+Leather+Dream+Sofa+in+Mustard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TUf6rfT-lho0ZimPmOC1AxyO2lyssUm0MaOXzrM30xwK5mk4zTd0cFNUm3w0_GaMi3mdPs3Sura8JL0CR8aarbeScN7uHEBdQBlN21d_vl9rEyce8nQz0GHY9sVJT-IVeoBaeG1fHUg/s320/American+Leather+Dream+Sofa+in+Mustard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So pretty . . . for more info, click <strong><a href="http://americanleather.com/Sofas_and_Loveseats/All/Bennet.aspx"><span style="color: cyan;">here</span></a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTG7HKM0vow-fFCkbpv0eoD_ll_oKxdh1XTPt3FeXrK7mL6qqjHlml4aLNUYr8yhmFjX79ut0UpLZnAFP8R5kppVQ-GBuYBOqMNqPbZG7lXFmhMXW5IyhyphenhyphendgQMY_6qZFJ11V0ukpMBKg/s1600/P1050971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTG7HKM0vow-fFCkbpv0eoD_ll_oKxdh1XTPt3FeXrK7mL6qqjHlml4aLNUYr8yhmFjX79ut0UpLZnAFP8R5kppVQ-GBuYBOqMNqPbZG7lXFmhMXW5IyhyphenhyphendgQMY_6qZFJ11V0ukpMBKg/s640/P1050971.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">Some close ups:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANS3HQaESEE6IrC2-yqVdHv4-a5rTIDplUzyBydBnZ_sRuPW_jRdwvEHCpsaJ3idWRo6XwjUzVfKtRgDgZ4y_zQLWYNBtEV5fLnHxEtQBHFtq0o5U4RRisAV1dINVKr2avrna00VjrIY/s1600/P1050964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANS3HQaESEE6IrC2-yqVdHv4-a5rTIDplUzyBydBnZ_sRuPW_jRdwvEHCpsaJ3idWRo6XwjUzVfKtRgDgZ4y_zQLWYNBtEV5fLnHxEtQBHFtq0o5U4RRisAV1dINVKr2avrna00VjrIY/s400/P1050964.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2TwltBs56Zq3dNB-Sk1NZMxMvwSWpQsfWCpYXIAgdlM4_XyP53cFhki2oV3q6ef1Q_CalFVGQpJD9GmXBZbHgHsYOe2NKhivg7ORUAO0uEWQTRIIlmxNg7VJQdmiYUvz_f5bvsueVQ8/s1600/P1060058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2TwltBs56Zq3dNB-Sk1NZMxMvwSWpQsfWCpYXIAgdlM4_XyP53cFhki2oV3q6ef1Q_CalFVGQpJD9GmXBZbHgHsYOe2NKhivg7ORUAO0uEWQTRIIlmxNg7VJQdmiYUvz_f5bvsueVQ8/s400/P1060058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov-6JIjM56_C_Ou6zJKI607EkcaNsGJ4O0QAtEP-YCyjRehucg5AnbPN6OqUmgia_-alX9DvX47eSAD3nLxcPW2vNUw_GojN4-Cn3z_0-L39OQIMYVH0Lkony1XDiTGllIC5USdgSJNk/s1600/P1060066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhov-6JIjM56_C_Ou6zJKI607EkcaNsGJ4O0QAtEP-YCyjRehucg5AnbPN6OqUmgia_-alX9DvX47eSAD3nLxcPW2vNUw_GojN4-Cn3z_0-L39OQIMYVH0Lkony1XDiTGllIC5USdgSJNk/s640/P1060066.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ7FwGjaOvhmec6Wu1GEBJdNUzJo0uK46XR9FLqUbVdG1rlsvreJrZPA0pulTeMiFkqtcypawMNtfVBTSZl5-URmxafsLrSJW9fglVFbRF_BRVMo1StqrmSramhjPX0Oui0e6THbuBSE/s1600/P1050952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ7FwGjaOvhmec6Wu1GEBJdNUzJo0uK46XR9FLqUbVdG1rlsvreJrZPA0pulTeMiFkqtcypawMNtfVBTSZl5-URmxafsLrSJW9fglVFbRF_BRVMo1StqrmSramhjPX0Oui0e6THbuBSE/s400/P1050952.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My grandather-in-law is an artist.  He gave us these two paintings of his as a wedding present!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JnDIg7N04LRnFPDz19mcGAC3Fzh1KzNoXH4jmQiuATJs-pdrZGQs3TR27ofVI7PO-YyKredIjPOqfi8bbd6NAQb05_8OGSUbXw6ZduEJniFsDXGbQP-LcalaEEZQfsfw5dZeuswunko/s1600/P1060253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JnDIg7N04LRnFPDz19mcGAC3Fzh1KzNoXH4jmQiuATJs-pdrZGQs3TR27ofVI7PO-YyKredIjPOqfi8bbd6NAQb05_8OGSUbXw6ZduEJniFsDXGbQP-LcalaEEZQfsfw5dZeuswunko/s400/P1060253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfqVJHYmYmPbvmjOZkXsxwESmJ5Rur664GpB9jjMBgp8C8fVwidPsHamS4uX9WhBT27VSVIaIaZBkk_yrs5v9W9HLXUwaiBa4Y14VFC_RSBj3axpXtew9L3W7Pe7zsV3_eg58V0SeQJA/s1600/P1050950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfqVJHYmYmPbvmjOZkXsxwESmJ5Rur664GpB9jjMBgp8C8fVwidPsHamS4uX9WhBT27VSVIaIaZBkk_yrs5v9W9HLXUwaiBa4Y14VFC_RSBj3axpXtew9L3W7Pe7zsV3_eg58V0SeQJA/s640/P1050950.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KWSNpBfFkbbLLVen6laqXIgMECUv56rpmGy6jgeK73aLKI_C1rJDR91YF3xKhV-mXPBT_RkWgihIYzglMdP3WZHS1VJzDeDdw3wM8Cxh-AH9kZMhilqdox1EhR5A3Po_SWxkhvtoHDY/s1600/P1050951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KWSNpBfFkbbLLVen6laqXIgMECUv56rpmGy6jgeK73aLKI_C1rJDR91YF3xKhV-mXPBT_RkWgihIYzglMdP3WZHS1VJzDeDdw3wM8Cxh-AH9kZMhilqdox1EhR5A3Po_SWxkhvtoHDY/s320/P1050951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The dining room table is mid-century teak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I posted an online classified ad, looking for a vintage table and a lovely couple responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The chairs in the kitchen belong to this set, but for leisurely dining we wanted something comfy and these chairs are super cushy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The artwork is also by my grandfather-in-law, the candle holders were made by my husband's aunt but I don't want to ruin them with candles. . .  <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>  </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eJD4vGAgHFl8tdSd6ZgPWO9TCgWPXsnIO77dvDhR41hyiCYDBpGci3sDCC3cwD5s-NoCXzjd2Xhp9E9KBUItF8iux6yB0DI3J65JsCOl3mGHWppcH_1IYo5VmW4EJ5UYuSMTR06eV7E/s1600/P1050937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eJD4vGAgHFl8tdSd6ZgPWO9TCgWPXsnIO77dvDhR41hyiCYDBpGci3sDCC3cwD5s-NoCXzjd2Xhp9E9KBUItF8iux6yB0DI3J65JsCOl3mGHWppcH_1IYo5VmW4EJ5UYuSMTR06eV7E/s640/P1050937.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the thermostat?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlzEyEwrqAkk_htY58EpVgIUNPI5n0ASZ3NbEDgUCIPNg105cKt1g_2tODOkLL-cskmB4Rrx90HH03n1feTs4F5AWwM1kcUAB5z-Ktkd3tPOirmf7BM_zelUjuNkvOzd_QySOsa_Pg5s/s1600/P1050981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlzEyEwrqAkk_htY58EpVgIUNPI5n0ASZ3NbEDgUCIPNg105cKt1g_2tODOkLL-cskmB4Rrx90HH03n1feTs4F5AWwM1kcUAB5z-Ktkd3tPOirmf7BM_zelUjuNkvOzd_QySOsa_Pg5s/s640/P1050981.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoppFe-8v9AkU5J4FgE4Ydyc075mSD2qWZN7BwLYG-Cz7E0v-vJalc15GDjULFbbGr0GGudxNnaVivtniZvDsh2cMwItbraSOw_cmeVbuYl4mChPQbLlhuJl4OfEPXNp3fN5dFDFDzYk/s1600/P1060261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoppFe-8v9AkU5J4FgE4Ydyc075mSD2qWZN7BwLYG-Cz7E0v-vJalc15GDjULFbbGr0GGudxNnaVivtniZvDsh2cMwItbraSOw_cmeVbuYl4mChPQbLlhuJl4OfEPXNp3fN5dFDFDzYk/s640/P1060261.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBg24ahDxAsNZe-x9xI7-QjHMBBTvLCIRnDSX5zZfdk9Sz3WpMuCEO-BoW5l-FzuDzz3oh_X36Kgc80mgPXoSi51K_Zvr6Qmy385I5ZTaZrqL6GBghmwcwGpGvdQsGxAflYpd-_JhpePA/s1600/P1050940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBg24ahDxAsNZe-x9xI7-QjHMBBTvLCIRnDSX5zZfdk9Sz3WpMuCEO-BoW5l-FzuDzz3oh_X36Kgc80mgPXoSi51K_Zvr6Qmy385I5ZTaZrqL6GBghmwcwGpGvdQsGxAflYpd-_JhpePA/s640/P1050940.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK6SNQxdmuIWcYsGmap3upQZCDDeffDutCGogCyyTF6lEMxM1Jw77sVS0X34znTlM5mNjcDoU_MsBlhbD-Imy78nHIw9zCzBv2z3It-BNEhY9XE47Ar1SKSqyzVFtGg4wGXdtf9ABCos/s1600/P1060056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK6SNQxdmuIWcYsGmap3upQZCDDeffDutCGogCyyTF6lEMxM1Jw77sVS0X34znTlM5mNjcDoU_MsBlhbD-Imy78nHIw9zCzBv2z3It-BNEhY9XE47Ar1SKSqyzVFtGg4wGXdtf9ABCos/s640/P1060056.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This plant stand was built by my grandfather, an artist and welder.</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Work in progress:</strong>  We still have to remove the non-functioning thermostat and then fill the hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I have more artwork I am itching to hang in that spot!</span></div>

Living/Dining Room: "After" (ish)

So I posted the sad “before” shots of the living and dining room here .   Below are a few in progress shots.   We painted everything (trim,...

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