New Brain on Backorder

I have been struck down with a migraine. Drat. So instead of posting about how we got our hot tub up and running, I am leaving you with something pretty to look at from the latest issue of Rue.

 
Love the complementary lamps, the mirror, the console, and all that yummy texture.

Let's hope the new, migraine-free brain gets here today so I can post about our tub tomorrow.

Snow Day in July

I spent yesterday sanding the first coat of mud on our walls. It's grueling and messy work. When I was done the floors were looking like they had just weathered a snowstorm...in July.

Thankfully I used rolled towels under the doors and plastic to tape off the entry and dining room so the rest of the house was not dusted in plaster.

And when I was all done, I was looking and feeling like a sexy beast.

My face was this eerie combination of red (from wearing a mask) and white from the plaster dust. I was really loving my powdered hair; I think our founding fathers would have approved.

I am back at it today with one wall that was still drying yesterday. Once that is done, we can begin the second coat of plaster.

Meanwhile, the latest issue of Rue Magazine hit virtual newstands. Maybe it's because I am uber focused on finishing as much of this project before school starts (T minus 2 weeks), but there wasn't too much that caught my eye - at least not that I felt I could do in my own home.

However, the ladies at Rue seemed to be having a moment with matchbooks.

Images via Rue

These detailed pics made we want to run out there and start collecting matchbooks from memorable meals and places. It also made me sad that I have missed out on collecting ten years worth of matchbooks from special dinners, hotel stays, and parties. But I guess you have to start sometime. We already have a large hurricane like the first picture that I could display them in.

But then I got to wondering, do restaurants still give out matchbooks? I'll be pondering that as I am sanding the day away.

Wednesday Eye Candy and More Blogs to Love

What is it about Wednesdays? I always have grand plans for the posts I hope to blog about during the week, but if I write during the week instead of over the weekend, I am just too pooped by this point. So the I-am-in-a-pinch-and-just-need-something-to-post post is rapidly becoming a fixture: Wednesday Eye Candy. This gorgeous pic is from the newest issue of Rue.

I adore those blue/grey walls, the fun patterned prints, the splashes of persimmon, and the brass lamp that is a shinier version of one we currently have in our living room. Maybe this pic will even inspire me to polish it. I could do without the cowhide, but I would take all that lovely mid-century modern furniture in a heartbeat.

If just one pic is not enough to get you through this hump day, head on over to the following blogs that I have recently added to my "Blog Crushes" list:

Sara of Russet Street Reno has a wicked sense of humor, takes on inspiring projects, and has a keen eye for color. Her writing is so addictive, before you know it, you will have read through the past year of posts. You've been warned.

Michelle over at Ten June is no slouch either. Her home is an elegant and fresh take on the more traditional. Her blog had just undergone a facelift, and she is in the midst of a bathroom reno, so now is a great time to check her site out.

We're halfway there!

Eye Candy

We had a couple emergencies pop up in our family yesterday. Oh the joys of home ownership! Our sink in the kitchen backed up to the sink in the garage, and no amount of snaking could fix the problem. Unfortunately, it's time to call in the pros. Thanks to plumbing problems, I am forgoing my planned post (my recipe for Shepherd's Pie), and leaving you with something pretty to look at instead.

While I am definitely ready for spring and thought Mother Nature was right there with me, it seems like she has changed her mind and has a few more weeks of winter in store for us. This shot from the first issue of Rue seems to capture this between-season moment. The scarlet coat first caught my eye, but then I immediately fell in love with the neutral shorts, tights, and boots combination. It's winter appropriate with its eye on spring.

Required Reading: Rue Issue 3

I am in So Cal at the Puente Statewide Conference. So while I am away, I thought I would leave you with some eye candy from the pages of Rue's third issue.

I was really drawn to two of the features in this issue: Jess LC's apartment, which also doubles as the offices for her jewelry business; and Tamara Kaye-Honey's LA home. Let's start with the latter, since you know her collection of mid-century furniture had me salivating over here.

The blue color reminds me of our current master bedroom (which might just get reincarnated in the new digs). But that desk! I would kill for it. How much do you love the built in bookshelf in the back? It is the perfect place to stash a printer. I will now be stalking Craigslist for something similar!

And here's the same room with a dresser that looks a lot like ours. I had been contemplating staining ours darker, but I really like how the warm honeyed color reads against the blue wall and white trim. (Which is good since our veneer is about as thick as a dime and we really couldn't figure out how to strip it without wrecking the veneer.) What are your thoughts? Does this stain work?

And now on to the living room:

I am normally not a fan of spaces with white walls, but I am loving this relaxed and light-filled room. The wall of windows and doors, the vaulted ceilings, and the warm wood floors all work so well together. That graphite couch even has me rethinking sectionals (which I have never been crazy about) and my beloved green sofa. Seriously, how well would that sofa work in our new space?

And the earthy hues of the sofa, rug, and coffee table really allow the punchy yellows and oranges of the ottoman and pillows to pop. The gallery wall in muted black and cremes doesn't demand attention, but really finishes the room. I think this room could easily be reinterpreted into our new living room. Oh, did I mention it's officially ours tomorrow?

Now on to Jess LC's vibrant space:

I want to transport that chair into my home! Since you all know about my love affair with that golden yellow color, this should come as no surprise. And I have to figure out where that blue chevron fabric hails from so I can DIY some curtains for the new home.

Let's not ignore the simple vignettes in the pic on the right. They have just enough color and movement without being busy, as does this nook below.

I have been eyeing this Bigso Stockholm office system from the Container Store for about 6 months, and I definitely want to use it to set up an office in the new home. Dreaming is so fun!

Anything else catch your eye in Rue?

All images courtesy of Rue.