6pm

Have you been to the internet shopping site 6pm?  I hadn't even heard about it until my mother told me about it several months back.  My mother adores it.  Each day and week they have a new series of sale brands all heavily discounted (like 60 -80%).  My mother recieves daily updates on what's on sale.  While this move would be a fatal blow to my marriage, my mother and father seem to have weathered it just fine.  My mom likes to let me know when a brand pops up that she thinks I might like and lets me "pick something out".  I know, I'm ridiculously lucky. 

Today she sent me over to scout out a Patagonia jacket and anything else I might spot.  Here's what I left with:

The grand total? 

$200.

The jacket and pants are Patagonia and the shoes are all Steve Madden.

Thanks Mom!  Oh, and thanks 6pm.

Eva's pale blue room down the hall

Welcome to Eva's room! 

We moved into this house after returning from living overseas with barely a stick of furniture to our name.  We were attempting to furnish an entire home on next to nothing.  I often hear terms thrown around like "budget decor", "design on a dime" and ahem, "design within reach" and I often find the rooms to contain nearly nothing that I would consider budget.  Or perhaps their dime is just worth a little more than mine.  When I say that Eva's room was done on a shoestring, I mean a shoestring!  And odds are we found that shoestring at IKEA. 

The bed & dresser - IKEA.  The curtains were made by Sean with fabric from IKEA.  Clock and lamp - IKEA.  I made the bulletin board by attatching together two large cork boards and then spray adhereing on it fabric that we got from - wait for it - IKEA. 

The bedding and side-table (we went a little crazy here) and got them from Target.  The two pieces of art are from Etsy.

The branch bed print is from Black Apple and the dove release print is from Belle and Boo.  The cherry blossom mural was painted by my best friend, Tawny.  All together it is just perfect for Eva and she loves her own little corner of the world.

Simple Farmhouses by Russell Versaci

I am one of those people that really loves old houses but can't help but long for the comfort & ease of new construction.   Architect Russell Versaci designs for people such as myself.  In his own words - 

“For twenty years we have been in the practice of recreating tradition. We rummage through the attic of architecture to find treasures that will inspire us.  By measuring old buildings we discover the secrets to their composure and craftsmanship.  Then we create original designs by making something new out of something very old.”

With eleven farmhouses and two carriage houses, Russell's designs offer faithful replicas of timeless classics. You can check out the rest of his portfolio here.

Felix Rey for Target

 eenie, meanie, minie, mo.

Orla Kiely for Target

Have I mentioned how I love design for the masses?  I hate paying bundles for designer finds but that doesn't keep me from loving what those same designers create.  Ahhh, to get to bring Orla home and not go into debt doing it.  I showed restraint and only bought what I truly loved:

This apron is adorable.  This is just how I look in it, too.   

And this pitcher/vase is far larger in person then I was expecting. Lovely when being used.  Lovely when not being used.

And, ahem, 15 bucks apiece.  Did I mention that I love design for the masses?

the tale of a chopping block: a tragedy

Before I was born my parents purchased a John Boos chopping block. The kind with legs and casters.  I feel like I spend my childhood sitting on that chopping block.   At some point after college, my parents passed on some of their things to me as the downsized to a smaller home. Among the treasures was the butcher block.  I was thrilled and it was my favorite item in the lot.  When Sean & I (and baby Eva) moved to Morocco, many of the family treasures that weren't going with us were bequeathed to my brother, Jamie.  Now we are home.  

Jamie has a lovely home filled with lots of great finds, but it's that chopping block I'm always eyeing.  Though they have offered us everything back - I would never!  I don't want to be called naughty things. 

Then, last weekend, as we were meandering through a flea-market-type-thing by our home, I saw it.  The identical John Boos chopping block of childhood fame!  For $150.  You can't buy a John Boos cutting board for that little.  Sean's eyes met mine.  He knew exactly what I was thinking.  I knew exactly what he was thinking.  We have no money, and if we did, the last thing we need is a large chopping block.  We left chopping-block less.

I couldn't get it off my mind.  I mentioned it to my mom and she said "Go get it now.  I'll send you the money."  Even Sean was wavering.  I started stalking the seller.  Doing drive-bys of his little stall at the flea market, calling the number that was posted there.  Nothing.  Finally, yesterday I spotted the guy during my afternoon drive-by.  He was talking with a nice woman but I interrupted them.  

"Do you still have that chopping block?"

"Nope, gone."

Then the nice lady pipes up, "That's what I came for too."

It's a sad tale.  Still, I don't believe this is the end of the story.  

The spark has ignited, the search will go on. 

Orla Kiely for Target

Just wanted to add my "yippee!" about Orla Kiely's imminent arrival at a Target near you (and me!)  I am so loving this umbrella of hers. Wouldn't it be perfect with my standard issue military rain boots that I got from our local Army surplus store?  A bit of the Wellie look without the price.

Chicago

So...Sean & I had a really great time in the city, and we turned to the water being back on which was nice. I thought I'd give some feedback from our little excursion in bits and pieces.

first: I really do love train travel. In Europe, of course. But it was favorite mode of travel in Morocco and even for a trip jaunt to the city, I must say that the train seems the way to go.

second: I was not too impressed with the Knickerbocker. I know that I am spoiled with hotel rooms, and have stayed in some really great places but we continue to say after price-lining a room, "I'm sure glad we didn't pay full price for that." Even the places we really love seem SO overpriced. The day I find a place that I love enough to pay full price for, I will return again and again.

What's the best hotel you've ever stayed at? I'll have to post on my favorites sometime soon.

{image from cloud nine}

Knockoff Bathroom

In the same child's bathroom that displays my "Aaron Foster original" also hangs a shower curtain, again from Target, that is mildly reminiscent of Orla Kiely's famed "leaves", no?

{side note:  The above photos are of neither my bathroom nor wrapping supplies.  Target seems to no longer carry the shower curtain and this was the only image I could find online. Yes, I am feeling to lazy right now to go upstairs and photograph my own shower curtain.}

{secondary side note:  after reminding myself of the fabulousness of Orla's work I may be needing to add an item of hers to my Christmas Wish list.  Excellent timing.}

{image from Heather Moore}

Aaron Foster

I have admired the work of artist Aaron Foster for some time now.   Beautiful, earthy and...unattainable.  

 A few weeks back I spotted this at Target.   Granted, it is not nearly as beautiful as the real thing.  But at $40, I'll have to settle for these sweet impostor.

metal roofs

metal roofs: I went from not being so sure about metal roofs a few years back to really starting to dig them. My in-laws built this beautiful barn in New Mexico and they put a copper colored roof on it. It's fantastic. When people all over that town meet us they say "Oh! You're the folks in the copper-top." We're basically famous.

Metal roofs range from sheets of corrugated galvanized metal to a true cooper roof. I am focusing here on the corrugated sheet metal. I love that this material is inexpensive, long lasting, rugged and simple to install. It definitely has a specific look that would not work with a lot of projects but somehow fits into my ideal of simple, classic, modern and organic. And it's perfect for a barn. And there are so many colors to choose from that any structure can be unique to your personality. Like I said, it's really grown on me.

slate and fake slate

slate shingles: The top two pictures are of actual slate. The bottom two are images of synthetic slate. Would you be able to tell the difference? Perhaps only your support beams and wallet would know, and have a sign of relief with the latter. True slate is really beautiful, lasts much longer then you will and is very expensive. Synthetic slate, made from things like recycled rubber and plastic, is much lighter and much less expensive. And from street level, it may just be beautiful enough.

{images found at: inspect NY, Omi Stonework, Copperstate Roofing, Flores & Foley}

fake shake

shake-like options: The roof in the first image is made from clay tiles made to look like shake shingles. Clay tiles provide durability and fire protection that you just can get with authentic shake shingles.

The second roof is made of architectural fiberglass shingles. These cost only a bit more then the standard three-tab variety but offer a more dramatic look and still come with up to a 20 year guarantee.

{images found at Iron Rod Construction, the Roofing Store}

asphalt shingle roofs

asphalt shingles: Economical, durable and therefore the most common roofing option in America today. The first image shows a close-up of standard asphalt shingles. The second image shows a house clad in a premium grade. I was surprised that such an attractive option was available in asphalt.

{images from Hunt Construction, her home}