John wanted me to work Stool Boom into the post title because of this video (which he requests that you all check it out so that you can hum the song while reading this post). Anyway, now in stool news… we got them for our peninsula! And we’re so excited about 1) where we found them, and 2) the price (because four stools can definitely be a budget breaker if they’re priced at $250 a pop). But first, let’s chat about the kitchen budget in general for a second…
We’ve actually spent some real money in certain areas like:
- new Corian counters (around $1700)
- new stainless appliances (around $2213 with the new microwave but not including a range hood that we still need)
- new cork flooring ($848 including underlayment)
- new backsplash tile (and lots of it, since we’re taking it to the ceiling on one wall – around $280)
- tearing down a wall to create an extra wide doorway into the dining room ($700 to the contractor plus $90 for the drywall/trim that we did ourselves)
- in-progress total for the big stuff: $5,831 (still need a range hood, new lighting, floating shelves, art, etc)
And like the majority of renovators, we’re also choosing areas to save, like:
- reusing our existing cabinets (they’re solid oak, full of interior upgrades, and in great shape)
- reconfiguring the layout ourselves (we had fun pushing the pantry around and building a cabinet to enclose the fridge)
- priming/painting the cabinets ourselves (we did it in our first house along with in the office for our built-in desk and really dig the finished product)
- installing as much as we can (like some of the new lighting that we have on the agenda, and those cork floors that we plan to lay ourselves)
- using as many discounts and coupons as we can (we stacked discounts when we got our appliances and our counters, along with using a coupon code on our backsplash tile, snagging clearance cork, and getting three contractor estimates to shave over 3K (!) off the highest one)
- selling things we no longer need on craigslist for money to put back into the makeover (so far we’ve sold our old kitchen table, our old granite, and the black over-the-range microwave that came with our house for a total of $815)
We still have a backsplash to install, cork flooring to lay, new lighting to buy/hang, and floating shelves + a range hood to go up – so admittedly it looks kinda crazy for the amount of money that we’ve spent (since many of the elements that we’ve purchased aren’t in yet). But in a month or two the kitchen should look significantly more finished and upgraded. At least that’s the plan! It’s all just a work in progress until then…
But weren’t we talking about stools? Back to that subject. First we debated something clear/acrylic but heard from a few people who said they really disliked how scratched and foggy theirs got with everyday use and only found a few options that we liked (all of which were over $100 a pop). So we went back to the drawing board, which basically meant examining a ton of inspiration rooms. Which (duh) allowed us to pick up on a pretty obvious theme. Apparently we have a thing for industrial metal stools. We also like that they’re not wood since there are a ton of wood-legged chairs in the nearby dining room, so a contrasting metal look is a nice variation (so not everything feels heavy and wood-y).
For functional reasons we decided that our stools had to have backs (so Clara’s booster seat can snap onto one, so bigger kiddos can more easily sit up there, and even for the added support/comfort they’ll provide for adults). So it eliminated some of the cool backless ones like the stools in this photo from atlantahomesmag.com (we’ve seen similar versions on overstock for anyone interested). But that decision still left us wide open to cool science-y stools like these from Restoration Hardware. Too bad they’re $375 each, making four of them a budget breaking $1,500 (sniffle).
So we set off to find some thrifty (preferably secondhand) options for our kitchen – hopefully at around $60 each or less (you know, in an ideal world where perfect $60 stools abound). We actually found an awesome vintage one at a local thrift store for 50 beans (it was even counter height and not bar height, which is what we need) but there was only one and we needed four. Wop wop. So we took to the internet to try to find some sort of industrial warehouse or bulk manufacturer who made science-y counter height stools in our price point. What do ya know, we found these guys on a school supply website of all places:
I know, I know – it looks more than a little nerdy in that pic (especially because they placed the backrest super high- it’s adjustable). And because it’s not in a delicious room like the other stools above (nothing looks as glamorous when it’s cut out on white). But oddly tall adjustable backrests and white backgrounds aside, there was just something charming about getting lab stools from a school supply place.
They’re admittedly not exactly the same (aka: not nearly as amazing in shape or finish) as the stools in the above inspiration images, but those were sadly (very) out of our budget. And we had a feeling in the right room these affordable guys could really be elevated (you know we’re all about mixing high and low, so things like the new counters, ceiling height backsplash, new appliances, pretty pendant lights over the peninsula, and cork flooring should really elevate them). And the price was riiight. They were $33 each (we got the fixed height 24″ ones). Which means for $168 (including tax and shipping) we got four stools delivered to our door. Here they are in our still very raw and completely unfinished kitchen (but just scroll up to see how metal stools can look pretty darn cool in more finished spaces).
As for their finish, they look nice with the stainless appliances, but once the room comes together more I’m not above tweaking them if I think they’ll look better that way (they were $33 after all…). I’ve definitely contemplated these four options:
- trying a deeper color, like the brown and oil-rubbed-bronze Elle Decor stools that are up a few photos (thankfully metal takes spray paint really well, and any painted metal chairs that you’d buy from a store are essentially just spray primed and painted in thin and even coats). I was thinking I could even upholster the seats with rough chocolate leather or something, along with using ORB spray on the leggier metal parts.
- spraying them all white with wipable leather or vinyl upholstered seats if we want them to gleam like the counters (we’re contemplating a deeper toned accent treatment under the peninsula behind them, so white could really pop – more on that in a minute).
- somehow roughing them up by scuffing, sanding, and maybe even tinting them with some sort of metal stain or glaze that would give them more of an aged/beat up look like some of the more expensive antique-ish stools out there (they could then be sealed with poly so they wouldn’t rub off on anyone)
- spraying them shiiiiiny shiiiiiny chrome like the ones in the Cote De Texas photo a few pics back
We’ll have to wait and see as the room evolves. You know we like to tweak/learn/figure it out as we go. Our house is like a big puzzle and I’m Nancy Drew… and maybe John’s Scooby Doo? Wait maybe Burger is Scooby and Clara is Nancy Drew. And I’m Angela Lansbury. And John is Mulder. Or is he Skully? I always forget which one is the guy. Update: the guy is Mulder. Thanks google.
Ugh- but those orange-y wood cabinets are really cramping our style. We’re actually working on trim and baseboards and puttying and sanding right now… which means priming and painting are just around the corner! So I know some of you might not “get” the stools at all right now (mom!) but I promise when the rest of the room starts to make more sense around them, you might come around. Just give us a chance to get the room a bit more developed. Pretty please? When in doubt, just remember that our first house eventually looked like this, but while it was in-progress it looked like this. Haha.
We especially love how the two adjoined spaces don’t look too wood riddled since we skipped wood stools for the kitchen and went with metal for some nice variety.
And although they look a bit light on their feet (thanks to the airy metal construction) these dudes are solid. Not wobbly. Not lightweight. They’re lab stools for goodness sake. So there’s no flimsy feeling because they’re made to last decades in classrooms with people/teens/teachers of all sizes sitting/beating on them. Most likely while using bunsen burners.
In the comfort department they’re actually really comfortable (there’s a bit of flex in the back rest, which is really nice). I mean it’s not like sitting in a padded armchair, but for stools at a counter we think they’re perfect. And Clara’s booster chair snapped right into the one on the end, so that was nice (it said it worked with any chair with a back, but it was good to have confirmation that she was nice and secure up there). Yup, that means we’ve all been eating (and generally hanging out) at the peninsula these days!
Look, here are Clara and John making cookies at the ol’ new peninsula (can’t see much of the stool, but she’s all strapped in and happy to help stir). More on what amazing concoction they were making here.
Speaking of Clara’s assistance, she also “helped” us assemble the stools. Check out our little leftie in action:
And now for a Burger photobomb:
He couldn’t resist getting in on the action too.
Once we have some amazing (we’re actively on the hunt) pendant lights hanging over them above the peninsula things should start coming together a little more. We sort of have something like this in mind, but we’re definitely not 100% settled yet.
Oh and speaking of the peninsula, a few of you couldn’t tell from the installation photos that we got the corners of it rounded, so here’s a pic from the top with a penny on the edge to show how they’re softly curved. Hooray for no sharp corners (for the bean’s noggin and our hips!).
But back to the stools (I’m all over the place today, huh?). Have you scored a deal from a school supply company or other unexpected source? Have you recently purchased new stools or chairs? Are you into the whole rough/ industrial mixed with fancy/polished look? It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s funny how many of our inspiration kitchens are exactly that.
Psst- Ahhhhhh- who saw the Dexter finale last night? Don’t want to give anything away, but it was craaaaaazy! We’re still taking about it.
Shannon @ Bungalow960 says
Those stools are awesome! Takes me back to art class in high school. I’m sure you will find a way to make them totally you, even if that includes a coat of paint or two.
Ginny @ Goofy Monkeys says
Last night’s Dexter finale is a hot topic at our house as well! I figured it would happen sooner or later but WOW!
I love the stools. My school had them in the art room when I was in 5th grade!
Lindsay says
The stools look so good you guys!!! I love where you found them too!
Sarah in Indiana says
These stools are great! I like the way the current finish looks now, but who knows if some other paint treatment might not be best once you have the whole room together. But I like them so much I might get them for my kitchen peninsula. For my house, I think they would be really fun painted in bright, glossy colors.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, I could totally see them looking amazing in navy or orange or bright red!
xo,
s
Krystle @ ColorTransformedFamily says
I love how you guys are so committed to sticking to your budge. Yet you are still able to stick to the design you had envisioned. Thanks for reminding me that it is possible to accomplish your design intentions with a reasonable budget.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re welcome Krystie. That’s so sweet of you to say.
xo,
s
Alanna says
we bought some counter height stools a couple of months ago to go with our new kitchen peninsula (http://alanna-wendt-to-tennessee.blogspot.com/2011/10/barstools.html). we definitely had to have backs on our too, but unlike y’all we went with wood. we (especially our 2 year old daughter) love them!
YoungHouseLove says
Those look great!
xo,
s
Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods says
YAY! The kitchen is coming along so amazing! I love those stools! Very nice change from a traditional bar stool.
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
I REALLY like the stools! And the pendants. Like, drooling over the pendants. I spent the weekend pinning close to 100 kitchen inspiration pictures as that is on our goal list for 2012. Which is exciting…and daunting! Our lucky find was a leather storage ottoman (in the EXACT SIZE we needed) at Ross. It was $50, which isn’t super cheap, but a LOT less than anything I could find online: http://chrislovesjulia.blogspot.com/2011/12/mudroom-nook-part-iierrr-final-chapter.html
Luckily, we only needed one and not four. Not too shabby. :)
YoungHouseLove says
How amazing is that? It’s the perfect size!
xo,
s
Allyn says
I seriously LOVE that you used school equipment! That just seems so you guys (and me too. ha). Stools really can be the most overpriced things to find, so good job.
Also love the Nancy Drew reference. I wanted to be her when I grew up. Etsy has some store that sells purse/clutches made out of old Nancy Drew books and I almost bought one the other day. There was much squealing when I first saw it.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that sounds amazing! Maybe Clara needs one. Or I do…
xo,
s
Annie says
Digging the stools (there are similarly suh-weet finds at a salvage store of old state agency/university furniture here in SC)! . . . and so far, digging the option for a rough-hewn wood accent sub-peninsula. I also like the idea of adding a cohering pop of color there . . . Whatever y’all do, it will surely look spiffy.
P.S. I agree with the recommendation to check out Homeland…yowza, it is good. Plus, how can you go wrong with a cast that includes Inigo Montoya?! :-D.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s true. Inigo Montoya = tv gold.
xo,
s
Ashley W says
Yay! An X-Files reference! Ever since they put Seasons 1-9 on Netflix I’ve become obsessed… I was only six when it originally aired so now I have a chance to get into it.
I’m so checking out that school supply website! Love the stools, we had them in all my labs in school!
Carly says
Sherry, I never comment because I think of all the work you do approving… but I have to tell you how much I LOVE the stools- and the direction you guys are heading with the reclaimed wood. So, so cool. The stools and reclaimed wood have me so excited to see what’s happening next. Don’t listen to anyone who doesn’t like them because. They. Are. The. Bomb.
PS My mom has 50+ year old cork tiles in her kitchen and they are the most functional and comfortable flooring I’ve ever lived with. They still look amazing, too.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- thanks Carly! And so excited to hear about your mom’s 50+ year old cork floor. That’s amazing!
xo,
s
Katie Rose says
DEXTER FINALE = AMAZING! I will be twiddling my thumbs in anticipation for next season!! I cannot wait to see what this new twist will bring :) :) :)
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
I love old-school school items! The stools look great! You should ORB them and maybe add a fun fabric!
Chris says
Nice….I think the stools and lights look like they were made for each other, and adding a few small industrial touches looks so much more deliberate. I personally love the color and seat finish just as they are! As a science nerd, they take me back.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s true. They totally take me and John back. Clara… well, she doesn’t seem to have any flashbacks when she sits in them. But when she grows up I hope she doesn’t hate science (and therefore hate sitting down to eat- haha).
xo,
s
Paige says
really diggin’ the stools! I can totally picture them a bright and shiny stainless finish! Also–love the idea of the rustic wood board on the peninsula. Can’t wait to see white cabinets :)
Rachel says
I actually really love those school stools!
Regarding Dexter, I was suffering from my usual bout of insomnia and someone posted “OMG…..Dexter!!!” on their facebook page, so I got out of bed to watch it at 3:00 am. KA-RAZY! I cannot WAIT to find out how this pans out!
emily @ thirtyeight20 says
Great choice on the stools, and a great price! We’re looking at similar options for our kitchen — which actually has two pendant lights and a stainless prep table that came from my old high school when it was renovated! We love the schoolhouse/rustic/industrial combo at our place too.
Check it out: http://thirtyeight20.blogspot.com/2011/12/kitchen-update.html
YoungHouseLove says
So cool! I love it!
xo,
s
Kay says
ORB will look fab with the rich floors. I’m drooling
Bboss says
You need to stick some wads of chewed gum to really make them authentic! Takes me back to high school chemistry class.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, somehow I think our pre-teen kiddos might just do that for us someday (my brother stuck gum to the back of his headboard- grossest thing ever).
xo,
s
Annie says
I wouldn’t change a THING about those stools (‘cept for maybe addressing the warped-when-wet-thing mentioned above)!!
One question: do you have a direct link to the picture from atlantahomesmag.com?? I really LOVE that kitchen and want to investigate further! :)
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Alas, I looked and looked for one! I actually found it on Pinterest (not linked to the correct place) but thanks to the watermark on the pic I knew who to credit. Anyone have a direct link for Annie?
xo,
s
Momcat says
I’m thinking……. Love it! Great choice for stools and I am going to check out that site for a few things I have in mind for my house (a small utility sink, for one).
But what I am REALLY loving is the flokati rug underneath your Christmas tree! Totally digging that and planning when I can scamper up to Ikea to get one!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! That’s actually a few faux sheepskins from Ikea. I just toss them in a little circle down there and try to fill the whole space with presents!
xo,
s
Sara @ Russet Street Reno says
Since you asked, if they don’t stop this horrible “Deb-in-love-with-Dexter” storyline next season, I’m going to boycott the show. Embarrassing! I seriously hope the writers get back to their early greatness next season, these last couple have left me pretty annoyed. I’m interested to see how they handle the cliffhanger.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I’ve been loving it! Since they used to date in real life maybe I love them together? Or I’m just proud I called it like ten episodes back (they planted some very very early seeds and John said “no way!” and I called it. Haha.
xo,
s
renee says
They were MARRIED in real life and just divorced. Sadness.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, so sad. I can’t believe he beat cancer when they were married and then they broke up! So so sad. My mom and stepdad broke up this year after 13 years together. Sad times.
xo,
s
jina says
I love them! And I know you’ll tweak them to make them perfect for your room. Yay for great purchases!
Hannah says
I definitly say go with the distressed wood for the back of the penninsula. I’ve only been around white backs, and they get scuffed up and dirty really easily (especially with kids putting their feet on it when they sit in the stools). Plus, the wood would tie in the wood table in the dining area.
The Dexter finale was CRAZY! That ending is actually in the first book, so I wondered if they were going to write it into the show at some point…Can’t wait for the next season now!
[email protected] says
Loving the Corian countertops- I think if you painted the the stools with an uber-shiny finish, it would look so good against the more matted counters.
Stefanie says
In looking at the photo from the dining room area, I think you should totally frame out the side of the pantry cabinet in white trim and paint the entire thing in magnetic chalkboard paint. That would be a great place for Clara (and future kiddos) to doodle and play while you’re making dinner! Plus something to breakup all the white once the cabinets are painted!!
YoungHouseLove says
That could be really fun! The only thing is that if kiddos mill around under there and then stand up – crack! Right on the counter. So having the stools there is nice to keep little heads safe (they’re sort of like a buffer). Maybe when she gets a lot older and would know not to stand up without being sure she’s clear that’s a fun idea though!
xo,
s
Stefanie says
No, not the area under the stools – the big tall cabinet to the left of the stools (isnt that your pantry??) Not under the counter so they’d bump their heads!!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yesss! I have been debating that too! Either chalkboard paint or a magnet board or a pinboard or something for sure!!!
xo,
s
Amanda says
I think she was talking about the pantry cabinet by the door to the living room, not under the peninsula. I can see how that would be dangerous! A chalkboard and work center on the side of the pantry would be neat though!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, I was being a crazy person. Haha. All figured out now.
xo,
s
Emily says
I like them. I wouldn’t modify them. I think they have such a classic and easily recognizable style, that if you modify them, it may end up looking very noticeably DIY, rather than intentional.
They look great just the way they are!
Pamela says
Love the stools. The seat, not so much. Judging from the comments, I hope School Outfitters has a large supply in stock, because those stools are going to be sold out by the end of the day.
In related deal doing, I was down your way over the weekend and scored a vintage/industrial looking lamp at the Decorating Outlet.
YoungHouseLove says
I love that store! So glad you scored something!
xo,
s
Kate says
I have the strangest feeling that those stools will wind up painted with ORB, $herDog.
AmiDawn says
i’m pretty sure those are the exact same stools that were in my middle school woodshop!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, come on over and we’ll whittle something.
xo,
s
Emma says
Totally get them! I think they have a WONDERFUL shape and you can go so many places with them color wise. I tend to prefer ORB or aged/rugged look to shiny chrome myself. You can even make some cute circular cushions one day with fabric that coordinates with your kitchen. Well done!
Shona says
**DEXTER SPOILER ALERT**
Dexter is getting careless! Why did he go to the church to do his business when he knows that the police haven’t “closed” it as a crime scene yet? He’s normally too smart and careful for that! But of course, once the shocker happened I was too blown away to care that it was inconsistent with Dexter’s meticulous ways. My husband wasn’t shocked. He said he saw it coming all season long :/
As for what’s next, I wonder if Dexter will decide to tranquilize Deb, then take her home and put her in bed, so that she will wake up there and think what she saw was a dream. Poor Deb. Her taste in men just gets worse and worse…
YoungHouseLove says
**DEXTER SPOILER ALERT RESPONSE**
Yes, I thought about that too! If he would use something (tranquilizer or some other lab drug) to make her forget or think it’s a dream). Not sure though, they might think it adds a new element to the whole next season and beyond if she knows…
CRAZY!
xo,
s
Carly says
I have to say, the Waiting for Guffman reference made me giddy. Have y’all seen the whole movie? (I’m going to go home and bite my pillow!)
In other news, I love the stools! I love the look, and isn’t it so incredibly fulfilling to find just what you were looking for at such an amazing price? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- yes. John has made me watch it in its entirety many times. Haha.
xo,
s
Jenny says
I really like your stools – as is! What a great find!
colleen says
The stools are perfect – I would leave them as they are or rough them up a bit. I am an antiques/vintage dealer, and I specialize in that industrial look. I find those types of stools often, but rarely in sets of four, so you made a smart choice. Just be careful of the pressed board seat – when we find the vintage stools, the board is sometimes warped along the edges due to water damage. But you could easily prevent that with a few layers of sealer.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the sealer tip! So good to know that if we want to keep them as-is once the room comes together more we can just seal them and be done!
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
I’m a total fan of finding home decor in unexpected places. I’ve been on the hunt for dining room chairs and I think I finally found “the one(s)” in an out of business ice cream shop in town, now I just have to track down the owners and beg them to sell me 8 chairs!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cool! What an amazing story/idea!
xo,
s
Wendy says
I really like your new stools and can’t wait to see how it all comes together. I also LOVE the lights you’re considering.
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
I had a feeling that was coming with Dexter! The last few episodes really left me disappointed and wondering where the heck this was going. With the preview the finale I was all like really? Serial killer finds where Dexter lives again?? But yeah, total game changer at the end. And it was kiiiiilling me that there were no previews for the upcoming season! Can’t wait for the trailer!
Paige says
Yes! I’m totally on board with the industrial look sprinkled in. Your mom will totally see it once the cabinets are painted.
We recently got a metal school-ish end table in our living room–scored it for $15 at the ReStore:
http://finalclothesout.blogspot.com/2011/12/tiny-tim-i-mean-tables.html
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cool! I love it!
xo,
s
Andrea says
Oh, I really like those stools! I was thinking if the back of the peninsula were white, they’d pop in a subtle way…but adding a reclaimed wood surface there would be nice too! I actually really like that the metal stools kinda coordinate with the outline of the penny tile. Subtle coordination…I like it! =)
Phoebe says
THANK YOU for telling us about the school supply website! I’m looking for dining room chairs, and I was looking for something more industrial to counterbalance a ton of wood. I think some of those school chairs would look fantastic…especially the odder colors, like mustard yellow or mint green. I am totally all for your stools. I think they’d definitely look “cooler” with the aging/distressing idea.
Julie says
I love the stools! And, evidently, I need to start watching Dexter. I hope it is on Netflix so I can catch up!
Christa says
I know this post was written on Friday – but I love your ideas! Thanks for such cute ideas and ways to spruce things up for free :-) I saw this on pinterest over the weekend and thought about your hallway. I can’t wait to try out some of the ideas you posted and I love the idea about magazine pictures! I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about that yet.
I don’t know exactly if my link will work – but here’s hoping!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! Your link did work (although I think you meant to comment on the hallway post so I hope you can find my response here). Love it!
xo,
s
Lindsey Rockers says
Ok so I have to share this article with you that I just read last night. We’re on the hunt for bar stools for our counter and we wanted to go backless, so I was looking for a booster seat that could maybe attach to one when I wound this article.
It’s very scary and definitely made me rethink putting a booster seat on a tall chair or stool. Especially as our little one is getting older (2 on Christmas eve) and definitely would have the strength to push one over.
http://www.whattoexpect.com/blogs/theycallmemommy/toddler-safety-avoiding-a-horrible-accident
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh that’s so scary! It’s one of the reasons we were adamant against a bar-height peninsula/chairs since they’re so much higher (ours are counter height, so they’re only a few inches taller than regular chairs). There’s also a 12″ counter overhang, so Clara’s little legs couldn’t reach the peninsula to kick out against it thanks to the corain that sticks out to keep her so far away (she’s not tall enough for that to happen for many years). But we’re still going to be very very careful! Oh man, that’s is so scary! Thanks so much for the warning!
xo,
s
LL says
I had the same inspiration pic of the industrial metal stools from your first pic, and then I found them! For 60 bucks a pop at TJ Maxx (love the Maxx)! They’re black, not silver, so a little dark, but also intentionally scuffed and awesome-looking. I LOVE the lab stools – maybe because I grew up around them, since my mom’s a bio. prof. I think it’s great that you found them so cheap!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s amazing! What a score!
xo,
s
Sayward says
1. Love the stools!!! As a teacher, I see things in our catalogs ALL THE TIME that I think about buying for my house – furniture, posters… I’ve never actually done it, but what a great resource.
2. I was so enamored with your note from the neighborhood elves that I decided to become MY neighborhood spirit elf. I printed out cute little notes and plan to drop them off in the cover of darkness. I told my bff about this and she loved the idea so much that come Halloween we’re also going to be the friendly neighborhood spirit ghosts. I love the idea of encouraging the people who take the time to decorate!
YoungHouseLove says
THAT’S SO CUTE!!!!! I love it. You go, spirit elf!
xo,
s
Rachael says
We don’t do the spirit elves (which I love) but we have a Halloween neighborhood tradition. We “ghost” 2 of our neighbors with 3 pictures of a ghost, a bag of candy, and a page of instructions. You have to stick a ghost in your front window or on your door, then go “ghost” 2 other neighbors (we drop the stuff on their steps once it’s dark outside and ring the door bell, then RUN and HIDE!). The goal is to see a ghost in every window in the neighborhood by Halloween night.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh they have that in John’s sister’s neigborhood- except they call it “being boo’d!” Then they hang a sign in the window that says “I’ve been Boo’d!” – so cute!
xo,
s
Erin says
I am having some major stool envy. I can’t wait to see what they look like in the completed kitchen! I really really love the idea of Edison lights in your kitchen, but I have a warning/question for you. I recently installed an edison light in my living room, and in my understanding, any lightbulb with an exposed filament (edison bulbs) will give off a yellow light. It look me a while to get used it, but it works fine in our burnt orange room (though I would prefer a white light). I think it would make white cabinets and counters look yellow. Do you know of another type of bulb?
YoungHouseLove says
I think they should take other bulbs, so maybe just using a plain clear glass bulb (they come in cool white, natural white, and warm white I think) should work!
xo,
s
Erika K says
Love the new stools!
But on to Dexter! So stinkin’ good! Best finale since season 4. We kinda stared at the blank screen asking each other if that really happened. And next September is so far away!
heather says
I REALLY like those stools! I like them as is, and can picture them all the different ways you said too (I admittedly love the idea of white on white). I can’t believe you bought these for $33.00 a piece – that’s some serious score-age.
I also love mixing some industrial like lights in. Andy and I saw some this weekend at home depot that I liked the look of. I’m going to look around more but one of them was like a cage over the light (that sounds weird – it was awesome).
I decided this weekend to try my hand on our new lathe. It’s been so fun. If we decide to build the chairs for our dining room eventually I’m hoping to be on leg duty! We’ll see. I obviously have some practicing to do – it’s still a little heavy on one end.
http://www.likeacupoftea.com/diy-firewood-french-rolling-pin/
YoungHouseLove says
Ok, that is AMAZING! I love it!
xo,
s
heather says
haha thanks! It loves you back.