Apparently Austin has moved into a subtropical zone, one where we receive three inches of rain in 30 minutes almost daily. It’s been a relief for our drought ridden region, except I’m starting to wonder if the sun is ever going to return or if we’re doomed to live in a mushroom forest until the end of time. Point is, I’m getting stuff done around here but I can’t take pictures because it’s pitch dark.
For starters, Ike got a new (craigslist) big boy bed that Matt is painting a creamy sooty black:
Just try to stop yourself from loving that cute bed.
Also my bedding came in from Overstock so the master bedroom is looking less crappy every day, if maybe a bit sleazy… I don’t know. That’s my next photography project so look for updates in the next few days if the rain will ever stop. This may be a little OTT, though:
Giant faux fur blanket I know you aren’t for real, but I think I might could love you anyway… maybe.
Meanwhile, swing arm sconces and new pillows are in the works for the front room.
I took the plunge and sprang for a pair of these Kelly Wearstler/Lee Jofa pillows, and now I wish I’d also gotten a pomegranate velvet cover from the same seller:
Should I?
And hey, did you know that if you buy a pair of unshaded swing arm sconces at a thrift store, a cup harp is the proper lamp fitting to connect the sconce to a real (not Ikea or clip) shade?
It looks like this. Now you know.
Also the nursery is slowly inching towards completion. To that end, I sent this chair:
To be upholstered in this fabric:
Which I scored for $4/yd including tax and shipping. Shazam!
And finally I sucked it up and bought more wallpaper for the hallway and powder room. Maybe those rooms will get done before baby comes, maybe not. Last time I papered our hall myself, but this time I’m having someone else do it for a VERY reasonable price. I will give out his info after he’s done… I ain’t got time for poaching.
What does all this add up to? Poverty. I try really really really hard to buy vintage, to use local retailers and shop small business, but I still have the stain of filthy capitalism all over me right now.
When Ben gets the Amex statement he is going to insist on putting the kids to work as child models, or at least as diamond miners.
Can’t say I’m opposed to a little mining (and hopefully smuggling). Child modeling is way creepier.
ps, that was intended to be funny.
Later, dudes. The doctor is about to poke her fingers in my special no no to see when the baby might come out…
I need two more weeks. Legs and fingers crossed!
Related posts:
LOL re: child miners. ok – that is a fabulous deal on the dalmation print. ive only ever found it for $15/yd at the cheapest. you better covet that source
I got it here and used a coupon on top:
http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=74883427-935f-4d6d-bfea-d933ca817b72
Almost sold out, though.
I am gratified that I am not the only mom that “needs more time” before her baby arrives. I have 7 weeks ( 8 weeks max) and we have…unrolled the carpet. And ordered a chair. And by “we” I mean “me” – I have no one to blame but myself.
this whole post makes me want to cry with jealousy.
i agree with tobe. i just need an amex card and some good credit.
Awesome score with the bed. You are getting so much done!!
Yea pomegranate velvet sounds deelish, but if it doesn’t happen for a bit I bet the front room will still look fab.
Can’t wait to see that chair in all its glory.
NOT sure about the blanket- I was gifted a faux mink and I found it to be all sorts of wrong. But who knows, its worth a try.
I saw that bed on CL and cried b/c I have no place to put it! good to see it went to a great home! cannot wait to see the reupholstered chair. did you use spruce? curious about prices. jam seriously in awe of your mad skills.
The bed is a delight…the fabric a total score…and I love the faux fur blanket. I have one from Pottery Barn from a few years back. But be warned…those things can be hot and are dry clean only. And I think we both know that never happens. So should you become—uh—suddenly amorous, it would be best to fling the thing as far from the bed as possible.
Erin, you make my day. P.S.- Please hook me up with your wallpaper man or woman. Not like that. You know what I mean.
Have fun at the doctor!!
The bed is super cute and I love the idea of sooty black on it. Your house is so fabulous. I feel your amex pain.
Seriously, I’m blown away every time I come here lately. I just stare and don’t know what to comment on first.
Yes to everything and can’t believe the deal you got on that fabric. Its sold out now.
I thought I scored big on Craigslist this weekend. Your gorgeous fabric and big boy bed finds are putting my second-hand shopping to shame.
I thought I won big this weekend (antique barn in rural PA = English ironstone and antique mirror for powder room; family heirlooms from both sides of the family finally came home with us for just, uh, $240 in U-Haul). But if you get wallpaper up, you’re winning. (AND STILL REALLY PREGNANT.) I will get back and make the case that I am winning if I can successfully convert an antique gas lamp (bonus thrown in by the world’s awesomest MIL) into a hard-wired electric pendant light for the bathroom. If I never show up here again, I did not have beginner’s luck with electrical wiring.
On the matter of saturated-color velvet throw pillows in general, I have two words: World Market. At some point, whatever color you covet will be in their season’s rotation, and it will be $10/pillow. Surely the price differential is worth a little patience and/or internet stalking.
Jessica, I’ve been blown away by everything, every time I’ve come here, for years!
That bed is the cutest! Love at first sight. As usual, everything you do is spot on perfection. I just absolutely can not wait for it to all come together…IN PHOTOS!!!
p.s.-ain’t nothing filthy about capitalism. Take that from someone born in the USSR. Thank G-d for this great capitalist country of ours! :0)
$4 – Thats amazeballs. Bargains dont come along like that down here unless its 100% polyester nasty. Im jealous & would consider making you but extra & send me some too. (uhem…)
As for child modelling – I went to one of those shoots once. creepiest thing ever. & thats saying something as I have gone to lots of modern dance performances!
Love the big boy bed…can’t wait to see it painted and great fabric for the chair!!
That bed is gorgeous. It isn’t vintage, is it? I haven’t seen anything else like it on my local CL, which is ridden with This End Up captain’s beds and faux brass cheeserie. I’d spend a week in a TX hotel room for the sole purpose of chasing down CL leads for things to bring home to Michigan. You find awesome stuff!
And, speaking of regional envy, I’d kill for some of that rain. Everything is brown here.
Really looking forward to seeing both kids’ rooms done! I’m in the process of overhauling a couple in my own house, so inspiration is quite welcome. And I’ll admit that I’m gunnin’ for you to have a girl baby,for no other reason than to see what sort of room you might put together for a little lady.
Please share your fabric source – looking for something awesome to recover 12 dining chair seats and can’t stomach the thought of spending $$$ on something my kids are going to sit on to eat spaghetti.
You guys are so nice! Thank you. Glad to have my spending rampage justified by others.
And btw, I never EVER spend money like this! I think I’ve just been hemming and hawing for so long that now is finally buy time.
As for the fabric source, I used fabric.com, but fabric guru is also good and design diva is awesome for fancy schmancy fabrics.
Gorgeous fabrics there well spotted. And yes definitely splash out on the pomegranate velvet covers, the look gorgeous too
I’m in Austin, too, and at least we don’t have to run the damn sprinklers every night, but I hear you. Gloomy doom for pics.
Recently did my little girl’s big girl room. I loavelurvelove your style. Rock on. Good thoughts for the pending arrival!
Love.it.all. Can’t wait for pics!!