Archive for April, 2009
Hannah’s Second Design Dilemma
After getting some decorating help with her freshly renovated living room a few weeks ago, Hannah’s back for help with her master bedroom. Here’s her letter:
We need help with our new master bedroom. The goal is for it to feel comfortable, fresh, and invigorating upon waking. Our style is casual, comfortable, but visually interesting. We have NO furniture as of yet — just a lot of art! We’ve considered the Terra Bed but are by no means committed to it. We also need some end tables and some bedside lamps, window treatments, but we don’t need dressers or anything like that (the closet is the next room over). Maybe a chair? Whatever you think will help us best use the space. We definitely want a wall & ceiling color recommendation (the beams have yet to be installed, but they are stain-grade douglas fir). We like visually interesting prints and solids and a brighter, cheery feeling room, or a palate that’s soothing/comforting without being dull or boring. We like blues, greens, taupes, and whites. Thanks so much — looking forward to seeing your magic again this time! Cheers, Hannah
This space is primed for a major makeover. Here’s the plan:
And now for the mood board breakdown.
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Happy Earth Day To You
We’ve celebrated April 22nd in a number of ways over the years. For example, in 1985 I welcomed my little brother into the world (happy birthday Dan!) and in 2006 we put in an offer on a certain brick ranch and found out it was accepted later that evening. This year we’ve decided to do something especially earthy… we’re going to plan an edible garden! (Plan, not plant since many of the herbs we like need a bit longer before we dig them in).
Remember this post way back when about one of our bushes dying? We wondered what to do with the rest of the row now that one of the boxwoods bit the dust, but the overwhelming consensus was to rip out all the finicky overgrown bushes, expose more of that lovely brickwork, and start fresh.
We knew we could devote that small patch of dirt to something much more usable and functional (in fact it’s one of the only “full sun” areas in our entire almost-acre lot), so deciding to create an herb, veggie, fruit and even a bit of a cutting garden in that space excited us to no end. Don’t fresh organic food and flowers right out the back door sound like heaven? Here’s what we have so far:
Yes, there’s still lots of work to be done! And today’s as good a day as any (actually, it’s arguably better than most) to sit down with some gardening books and use trusty ol’ google to plan the rest of our garden. Other than a happy little raspberry bush (snagged for $9 at Lowe’s) and a surprise peony that sprung up from the earth (how did that get there?) we’re pretty empty.
Oh and we also transplanted a few daffodils (they never bloomed in the shade) and that tiny rosebush in the corner has always been there (poor guy was totally overrun by giant bushes his whole life- now he’s freeeeeee). We also dug in some spinach and lettuce seeds, but they’re taking their sweet time coming in. Here’s hoping they’re worth the wait!
So that’s the big Earth Day plan at Casa Petersik. What are you guys doing in celebration of good ol’ Mother Earth? Fill in the blank:
Today I’m celebrating Earth Day by ___________.
From unplugging the TV and keeping the lights off (playing cards by candlelight is always fun) to creating a compost bin, signing up for a rain-barrel workshop, or even swiching a few old bulbs out for compact florescents, there are limitless ways to show Momma E some love. Heck just bringing a ceramic mug to work can save a ton of trees. Tell us what you’re up to today! And of course any edible garden tips and suggestions are also welcome!
Reader Redesign: She’s Got Game
Kate’s playroom makeover is nothing short of a miracle! Here’s her letter:
You two are the best, and I read your blog everyday. I just redid the bonus room in our house and wanted to pass it along. Thanks for being such an inspiration! -Grateful, Kate
Here’s the chaotic and cluttered before:
And the amazingly organized after:
Can you believe that gorgeous oversized map on the wall (trimmed out of course)? And those cute orange letters above the window (spray painted by Kate herself!)? We love all the creative DIY touches that make the room so personal and memorable, and we have a feeling you guys are gonna love it too. To learn more about the makeover, you can pop in on Kate’s cute blog. Long live affordable DIY deliciousness!
Our Latest Article In Do It Yourself Magazine
What’s all that stomping you hear? It’s just us doing the happy dance. We’re super excited to share the second installment of our home makeover in Do It Yourself magazine. They shot our house back in October (here’s a fun look behind the scenes) and actually asked us to write a three part series about making over our humble little brick ranch to run in their Spring, Summer, and Fall issues (available everywhere from Target to Home Depot and of course Barnes & Noble). We still can’t believe that we’re bona fide contributing editors for a national magazine (hence all the dancing).
While the last issue was all about the step-by-step transformations that we whipped up in our kitchen and living/dining room, this issue moves on to cover the sunroom, den, laundry nook and mudroom (click to read the text on DIYideas.com). Look here we are relaxing in the sunroom. The funny thing about this shot is that we were actually just sitting there (trying to stay out of the way of the cameras) when the crew decided they should snap a few photos of us enjoying our downtime. Who knew the shot would make the story?! Doesn’t Burger look like a zombie with his little arms out? It totally cracks us up.
We were lucky to have two days of great weather to capture our whole house for the story, and we really liked the cute little props that they introduced to cozy things up for the camera. Can you find the tiny touch that they added to the sunroom?
Yup, it’s a little glass dish of gummy bears on the coffee table. How freaking cute is that? And guess who got to eat them all before the end of the first day of shooting? Yup, we did. But in our defense, we had a lot of help from the crew!
We also love how they let us write about things in stages. Showing the before picture as “Stage 1″ and the midpoint photo as “Stage 2″ really helps us demonstrate that nothing was done overnight. We really learned as we went and each room slowly evolved into the finished spaces that we enjoy today (well, no room is ever really finished…).
Look, there I am with my hammer and crowbar going to town on the half wall that used to be above the laundry center that was hidden behind crusty old bi-fold doors. Oh and we have a little behind the scenes secret to share. Before anyone asks me where I got those adorable ribbon shoes in front of our bench in the mudroom, they’re actually Beth’s (the editor of Do It Yourself magazine, seen here in the left of this photo) so I can’t take the shoe-shopping credit this time. That’s also her cute little jacket on the hook (but the purse and the scarf as well as the purse on the floor are mine). Talk about a group effort!
So there you have it, part two of our little three part series in one of our favorite shelter mags (thanks again for everything Beth, Cat, Erik and Piper). We had a blast shooting with you guys back in October! Stay tuned for the third installment coming in a few months and a super exciting announcement revealing what we’ll be writing about each issue after our last house story hits the presses. It’s something that we’re unbelievably psyched about and we can’t wait to spill the beans! Stomp stomp stomp. Sorry, we just have happy feet about the whole thing.
Susan’s Design Dilemma
We jumped at the chance to help Susan redecorate her living room. Here’s her letter:
I’m really open to new ideas for my living room. I just want a look that is more ‘put together’ and cozy. I like comfortable, modern and casual style. I would like to keep the furniture, but need slipcovers (my cats have scratched the upholstery). The rest is open to whatever you think. I have a lot of books & magazines so I really like having a large coffee table – it doesn’t have to be the same one, just similar in functionality. I’d like to replace the white cube bookshelf– but would still like to have room for books and other items I collect from my travels. Please help with the vertical blinds which look very ‘apartment-like’. I like the functionality of the verticals but I’d really like some ideas on how to make them more beautiful. I also have tons of marketing postcards (those free postcards you can get at restaurants, bars, etc) that I have collected from all over the world on my travels – I think they look cool but I really don’t know what to do with them… any ideas? I entertain a lot (as many as 50 people in my 1000 sq ft condo) so I clear the bench against the wall behind the sofa and use the pillows under the coffee table for extra seating. When it comes to a new wall color, I’m open to whatever you think would be beautiful and cozy without being too dark. I seem to really like orange for decorating – I also like blue and brown. Thanks! -Susan
Just look at that space! The gorgeous floors and large glass patio doors really add to the potential, so we’ll shift a few things and bring in some new accessories to spiff this space up in no time flat. Here’s our plan:
And now for the mood board breakdown.
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