Changes!

We moved. Only a few miles away, but it's a lifestyle change fo' sho'. Goodbye, city bus commute with interesting and smelliful seatmates. Hello, shady suburban sidewalks and grocery stores that actually have parking lots. Do you know how nice it is to be able to get in the car, drive to the store for (insert needed item here), and be back at home in 10 minutes? I love it. This pretty much confirms that my heart belongs to the suburbs.

We are not all the way moved in yet, but most everything is out of boxes and stored in its holding place. Now it's time for the fun part - choosing what items go out on display and stacking books and placing coasters in convenient spots. That kind of thing.

And this is our bed, with the sheets rumpled just the way they should be (because ironing linens is not the best way to spend a summer day) and our brand new headboard. See the lamp? There are two of them, and I am searching for new lampshades. See the books? I'm proud of my growing collection. I don't add to it until I have finished what's there, and I only buy when I have a coupon. It's a slow and rewarding way of adding to the shelf.

Living rooms with navy blue

I like blue and red in a living room. Tom Scheerer's room, below, looks so refreshing with the white painted staircase.

I also like this room from the most recent issue of Lonny Magazine. It looks comfortable and pretty.

Speaking of living rooms, here's something I found for my own. A set of matching Herendon dressers! I plan to push them together to use as a TV stand. They're already painted a deep navy blue, a color that makes the clean brass hardware pop. 

They'll be in the new space next month!

Three for Thursday

I've accumulated a lot of photos on during this lazy spring of not much blogging. Here are three of my current favorites.

(Domino)

The first two pictures are a little more masculine than is typical for me. I'll end with a flowery pic to soften the post.

Sometimes Craigslist thrills me

Especially when it provides things like this:

It's pretty cute from the back, too.

Good job, Craigslist. Keep up the good work!

New apartment!

It's been a busy month. Our lease is about to expire, so we spent a lot of time apartment searching. A job change has made my schedule busy and unpredictable. And, March 2010 was the wettest on record -- 13 inches of rain! -- so things have been pretty dreary around here.

But things are looking up! The sun is shining, and we even found a new apartment that fit all (well, most) of our requirements. Namely, more space.

So many windows! The softly gleaming floors!! The space!!! Our lease doesn't start until the middle of May, but you better believe I'm already thinking of furniture placement and all the other fun stuff.

It's good to be back!

Rainboots, anyone?

I like this little scene.

(Sally Steponkus)

If only the boots were rain boots. Then this picture would be relevant to everything outside my window.

Sundays of Yore: 1951 Armstrong Bedroom

This bedroom from 1951 is quite clearly an eyesore. But don't write it off yet! I encourage you to take a closer look, because there are actually some interesting things hidden behind the awful ruffles and overused black floral pattern.

For one thing, the bed itself is kind of nice. If the ruffles went away, the bed might look something like this:

I like the crisp, tailored look of the black border on the floor. I think that could be achieved by layering a rug on top of seagrass. And, I love the way the black outline looks with the curly arm of the upholstered chair. Actually, I think I'd leave the chair just as it is.

The room would still need a lot more tweaks to make it current. New window treatments, an updated vanity, and different artwork, to name a few. Please don't forget new lamps. Also: Look what the lady of the house plans to slip into later. A nice green silky robe and high heeled red slippers. That's what I'm wearing right now!*

*Not true.