Cranes

So, we’re finished!! (Did I mention that?) And it’s really, really awesome. We’re loving the space, the coziness, the Christmas tree, everything. But I don’t want to blow a big reveal on a tiny digital snap. So I’m just piecemealing a few shots until you can visit in person.

Here’s a view from the new family room.

Painting I’ve had my eye on for 30 years

Another treasure from the Minersville Antique Supply is this painting that used to hang in my grandparents’ living room. Same spot forever; right over the 40s-era wraparound davenport. I don’t think it’s ever even been taken off the wall, it’s been such a fixture in their lives. I’ve always thought it huge and dramatic and a perfect memory of the Zinn legacy. Mom has since told me my Nana had the furniture store where she bought a bedroom suite throw it in to seal the deal. So I love it that much more.

Thinking ahead

The girls were a bit worried Santa might not know where to leave all the presents this year, seeing as how the tree is out in the new family room. So Lily took matters into her own hands (footstep cutouts to come).

The most excellent holiday candle in all the land

Promise.

Just the right blend of Christmas and cool, the Lume Luxe Balsam & Cedarwood holiday candle from Target (found it near the holiday decor section…can’t find it on the site) is enveloping our house in a scent I could eat, it’s that good. Delicious. Sophisticated. Merry. Smart. Warm. Mmmmm. Without a trace of Yankee Candle scent-schlock. Plus, the glass is mercury-ized, and it all comes in a lovely velvet box. One for them, one for you.

Steve the Carpenter

With the new counter came a new shopping opportunity: pendant lights! But what kind would go with the statement beast going over the table (PB’s Edison Chandelier)? Something to complement, but not look like we put up everything we ever liked inside one joint?

Steve ran across a few he liked (with prices we didn’t) and decided to let them inspire a pair of his own. Some fabric cord, lumber cut and clamped into blocks and two excellent bulbs later, and we have ourselves a coupla rockin task lights. Love them doll!

Spicy

Man, that magnetic paint is a beast. From a sticky lump of black metal ick in the can, to the bubbly six-coat finish atop our finely spray-painted cabinets (it KILLED me to brush on the first coat. Pure death.) But sure enough, it’s holdin’ em up there.

And p.s., I originally thought I’d DIY these suckers from some Lee Valley craft tins, a few magnet chips and some hot glue. No go. Somehow, there’s nothing more problematic than thin aluminum and hot adhesive. Was yucky, the paint pulled the magnets off the tins, we ran out of magnets. A crappy magnet project all around. Then, on a whirlwind IKEA run the other day, I found these giants, magnets already built in.

(Now they’re starting to peel the real paint off the cabinets, but relax. Just don’t peek under when you come over.)

Floors!

I know, I know. Where have we been? In a word: chowing. Our faces off. At the rents place. Also, watching parades, playing board games, burning through the Visa, making gingerbread houses, muzzling screaming kids and other excellent ways to spend a holiday.

So, the floors. Well, they are supreme. Job well done, King George. Have a look-see?

Kitchen tile

Discovered the most incredible selection of glass tile when we were looking for the bathroom stuff (thanks Sally!), and just settled on a wicked combo for the kitchen. It’ll be one part roughly hewn sea-glass pebbles in whites, greys and pale greens, and a second part sharp, stunning lemongrass subway tile.

The slick stuff will go behind the stove for easy-peasy cleaning, while the more organic pebbly bits will be a nice contrast with the cold clean counter. Can’t wait!

Look-Alikes Jr.

This post isn’t exactly about what’s been happening to our house as much as what’s been happening IN our house. Namely, the sublime book Look-Alikes Jr. by Joan Steiner, that Lil brought home from the library this week.

Every spread features an unbelievable tableau of household objects mixed with dollhouse props to create different ordinary but amazing scenes. Take the living room, one of our faves. A slice of kiwi for a chair seat! A binder clip and cinnamon sticks are fireplace logs on the mini hearth! Dried lasagna strips are the curtains! We keep finding new surprises with every sit-down with this little dream of a book, so I want to have one in our permanent collection.

If you’re not clicking through to order for Christmas right now…I’ll assume you’re just waiting for Black Friday. Check out her other titles, too.

(Mart, this has Calder written alll over it.)

Explained absence

Did I mention King George was here doing the floors? And as such, we are generally trapped downstairs, unable to walk in the upstairs hallway? And the cable I need to upload photos is in my office? Which is inaccessible? And surrounded by toxic polyurethane fumes?

So while we’ve been able to go to bed and everything at the ends of the past five or so days, I have not once remembered to grab that dang cable. And am therefore as yet unable to show you the glory that is brand-new hardwood. And it is good-looking. So tomorrow? Tomorrow they’re done with the sticky stuff, and will finish up in the a.m. with bits of trim and threshold pieces. After which I shall unleash upon you some of the other goodies we’ve been up to. (New columns out front! Kitchen backsplash selection! Other things with exclamation points!)