So That Happened...

His name is Lando, he's 5 months old and kind of a jerk.

After we tore up the carpet we thought concrete flooring was the perfect surface to house train a new puppy.  So that's sidetracked us.

But I'm ready to get back on track!

There's a gorgeous gallon of Classic Silver by Behr waiting for my front hallway.

It's on.

Antique furniture guilt.

Standing in my hallway is a really beautifully made table that has been in my family for at least 100 years.  Unfortunately like everything else in the house it is worn out, and tired, and badly in need of a coat of paint, or sanding, or both.  But I'm paralyzed by my Antique Furniture Guilt.  It's the same guilt that has our 150 year old dining table in the garage rather than being eaten on lest it get ruined or scratched or one of those white water rings.

I have made a point of not letting my possessions own me but am failing where it comes to these old things.  I'll never sell them, so why does it matter if I "destroy the value" by painting the entryway table to make a beautiful impact.  Like this one from  Anne Coyle which was in the HGTV Magazine this month:

How gorgeous is that?! 

or this one from SimplebutMatters.com 

one more:

(this time featured on betterafter.blogspot.com)

Finally, don't judge me, I've been living with this table for 35 years, the last 13 of those I've actually owned it.  And I've felt guilty to do anything but dust it! 

What do you think? Lemon yellow? Kelly Green? Bright Tangerine? 

Either way, it is headed for a change or it is headed for the attic.

And what good will it do me up there?

From the Windows, To the Walls!

While we moved to Austin in 2006 it was after a crazy ride on the New England real estate bubble and we weren't in a rush to get back into it.  We rented some great houses but then the house immediately next door to my sister and her family came onto the market two years ago we jumped on it.  The house was built in 1999 in a cul de sac and the entire thing is beige.  I think the builders called it "Summertime" but it's creamy beige and matte.  Two years of Norton style entertaining, and children, and life and the whole house is tired.  And ugly.  And no matter that Stanley Steemer has ME on speed dial and visits me every few months the carpet is done.

And I hate it.

And today I got my husband on board and we're going to do something about it.

Sumertime.  And a bed frame.  There's a story there. 

the view in from the front door.  you probably wouldn't want to come in!
(and I wouldn't blame you!)

Here are some before pictures.  (yes, it looks filthy, but as far as what I can do, it's clean, I even shampooed the carpets less than a month ago!)

the view into the kitchen.  yes, the linoleum is the same color as the paint.
it is also the same color as the exterior of the house!