Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Elizabeth and Kim, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on. Today I’m sharing Vol. 2 of the things I’m eyeing and buying for the new house. But first,
The spring-like weather I bragged about last weekend came to an abrupt halt and it’s been raining off and on all week. And, it’s cold.
Predictably, siding material for the house was delivered the day before it started to rain, so that project is delayed. But there’s still plenty going on. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are full steam ahead. And the pressure’s on for me to make final material selections. To that end, all the interior and exterior light fixtures were ordered this week. Yay.
Rendering by Eye for Pretty
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The death by 1000 decisions phase of the project continues, and Jim’s been calculating and recalculating placement for the pot filler over the range. We’ve gone round and round about it and he made me go over there to sign-off on the final decision … so if there’s a screw up it’s my fault. I see you, Jim.
Meanwhile, I’m second guessing just about every decision made to date including the white paint color for the downstairs living spaces. More on that later.
By the way, I’m wearing my new Tom’s platform espadrilles which, if I didn’t already mention it, are true to size. Should I be wearing them on a construction site on a rainy day. No. But, they’re super cute and I couldn’t help taking them for a test run.
A quick word about the Olympics, can you believe this is the final weekend? Too soon. I’m still smiling about Alysa Liu’s long program which was so inspiring and full of joy. Did you know she’s a Bay Area gal? Not to brag but the Bay Area can claim six Olympic skating medalists … in addition to Alysa, there’s Kristi Yamaguchi (’92), Debi Thomas (’88), Brian Boitano (’88), Charlie Tickner (’80) and Peggy Flemming (’68). Did I leave anyone out?
Back to Alysa … her music choice (why don’t all skaters choose Donna Summer?), glittering gold costume, and the ease and joy she brought to her performance … it was magic. And how about our woman’s ice hockey team? Impressive. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s men’s ice hockey final … I’ll be up at the crack of dawn to watch. And then it’s over until the Paralympic Games begin March 6. It’s been a wonderful distraction.
Enough chit chat, let’s get to it … things I’m Eyeing and Buying for the New House, Vol. 2 ~
Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Samples
What did we do before Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Samples? Well … we held up postage stamp size paint chips or bought quarts of paint colors and painted them onto walls, or poster board, with little sponge-like tools provided by the paint store. Thank goodness those days are over.
Anyway, in an effort to choose a white paint color for the Folly’s main living spaces, I ordered a bunch of swatches and took them over to the house to stare at them in various rooms, lights, and alongside our cabinet colors. It’s amazing how different a color can look in the same room from one wall to another and depending on the time of day … or season.
If you’re not familiar with Samplize, they offer peel and stick paint samples for Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Farrow & Ball paint colors. The swatches come in two sizes … 9 x 15 (what I ordered) and a larger format 15 x 18. They’re also fast, I ordered in two batches and both were delivered the next day (I didn’t pay for overnight shipping). Instead of peeling and sticking I use painters tape so I can move them around. Once the drywall is up I’ll go through the process again.
Loleta Hand-Knotted Rug
Last month I published Vol. 1 of my eyeing and buying series which included a couple of Serena & Lily rug options for our downstairs guest room/den. If I haven’t already mentioned it, I’m going to color drench the room in Snowberry’s front door and library color … Oval Room Blue.
I visited Serena & Lily’s Design Center to see the rugs in person and it turns out neither is right. Not to worry, I fell in love with the Loleta rug and it’s already arrived and waiting – impatiently – for the house to be finished.
Serena & Lily’ Spring Design Event is on, aka 20% of everything sale. I shared all my favorite Serena & Lily pieces from Snowberry here.
The South Seas bar cart I mentioned in Vol. 1 also arrived (I’m loving it’s dark finish) and instead of moving it to storage I put it into service as the Folly’s design center, corralling all my swatches and samples.
Mulholland Bed
I took advantage of the President’s Day sale to buy McGee & Co.’s Mulholland bed. I’d planned to purchase the same RH Jameson bed we had at Snowberry, but it’s discontinued. It’s a more traditional style and I loved its curved headboard. Curved headboards aren’t that easy to find right now with so many furniture manufactures, like RH, leaning hard into the sleek and modern. Maybe it’s no longer working for them because someone at the RH store told me a more traditional line will be arriving later this year.
Anyhoo, the Mulholland bed was the closest I could get to the bed I was looking for … you can see Snowberry’s primary bedroom here.
Can I tell you a secret? The blue velvet upholstery on Snowberry’s bed was a disaster. I mean, we have two white dogs … what was I thinking? I chose a light, alabaster fabric for the new bed and will bring color into the room in other ways.
Maison Nightables
Also for the bedroom, I’m eyeing RH’s Maison nightstands in the antiqued coffee finish.
We had the same nightstands at Snowberry in antique white, a finish that’s no longer offered. It’s probably for the best because with the new bed is lighter, darker nightstands are probably warranted. Still, I’m not completely sold on the finish and I’m keeping my options open. You know what they say, if you don’t love it it’s a no.
And, no, I’m not repeating everything from Snowberry in the new house. But I am bringing some elements that I loved and worked well for us.
Credit: Jessica Brydson Photography
Ridley Train Rack
The Folly’s guest bathroom is compact and we need to maximize storage space. The layout is exactly the same as Snowberry’s guest bath, but the window is quite a bit bigger and sits too low to place a towel bar underneath.
This train rack with double towel bars is the perfect solution to place over the toilet to hold folded bath towels and additional hand towels.
Ok, some people are concerned about towel bars or racks next to, near, or over a flushing toilet. I’m not, because I’m militant about closed toilet lids (just ask my nieces). Open toilet lids are vulgar and offensive IMHO and everyone at my house is well trained to close it before flushing … and to keep it closed at all times. Hell hath no fury like me walking by a bathroom – in my house – with the toilet lid left up. Aren’t you glad we had this chat?
Rattan Baskets
The Folly’s laundry situation will be a little different. It’s not a room, and it’s not a closet … exactly. It’s located just inside the entry to the primary bathroom and directly across from Jim’s closet. The stacked (one unit) washer dryer will have retractible doors, but the shelf space and folding counter to the right will be open and I’m eyeing these large rattan baskets, for the bottom shelf, to function as hampers.
Rattan Basket | Eye for Pretty Rendering
I posted a tour of the Folly to my Instagram … grab a coffee or cocoa, it’s a few minutes long.
Odds & Socks ~
Why big fashion doesn’t dress Olympic figure skaters … fascinating, and worth the effort to get to the free tier to read.
It’s been very cold and my hands are very dry, I’m on my second tube of this really good hand cream.
All roads lead to private equity (some of them may surprise you) or why everything costs more but works less. Currently living this reality at the pied-à-terre.
What I’m eyeing and buying so far ~
And that’s what I have for you today. If you missed Vol. 1 of things I’m eyeing and buying for the new house you can catch up here.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Elizabeth and Kim.
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