Kim's place...some progress

Like Jo, I have been so busy the last week or so trying to get some work done in my house. There are some exciting things coming up that involve my place and Jo's that we'll tell you about when we can. But in the meantime instead of doing a regular post (since I am lacking in time) I thought I'd post what I've been working on, and purchasing, lately.

For starters, I spent a few hours yesterday (with some help...thanks Jeff!!) putting up a forest mural in my living room. It was painstaking, and worrisome because we ended up with alot of bubbling, but this morning when I went downstairs, I was relieved to find out they pretty much all flattened out once it dried. PHEW. I love the result. It's kind of wacky, and that's my style. The cat on the couch is a pillow I bought on Etsy. Nah, just kidding, that's Jo's favourite cat Lucky.

Now for the office. Last weekend I painted the office floor-to-ceiling white. I finally said buh bye to pale blue walls, and ugly light oak hardwood. The room is SO MUCH BRIGHTER now. It gets alot of sunlight throughout the day, and with everything white, it's just such a nice room to spend time in, as I do...ALOT. My desk was super long, so I cut it down and covered it in some eBay fabric I've had for a while. Jo suggested I paint the door leading to the back deck yellow, and it looks awesome. I have a ton more work to do in there but it's a good start.

I've gone a little nuts lately on eBay and Etsy (and local shops) looking for trinkets and furniture to finish off some rooms with. Today I received 3 parcels, and am waiting for a bunch more. They included the pincushion chair, the resin grapes and the metal tray. The lamp I bought yesterday at a mid-century modern store here, and the table I bought last week at Value Village. It really needs a coat of paint, and I'm not sure what to do with it. I also have 2 chair cushions at an upholsterer so more photos to come hopefully later in the week.

Flea market scores

I just got back from the flea market, which is REALLY crappy and the only one we have here. But I managed to score, big time. I think Jo and I are starting a peacock chair collection - not that either of us have room for several of these chairs in our small spaces, but when you spot a really decent quality one for TWELVE dollars, you've just got to scoop it up. Which is exactly what I did. I also picked up 2 terracotta buddha heads for my backyard for $10 each, a brass peacock for $5, a brass vase for $7, a West German vase for $15, and a painting for $6. All in a morning's work.

Weekend SCORE!!!!!!!

So forget about my post the other day about the Eames shell side chair that I found that I was going to make my office chair. That will now be an office visitors chair. Because I scored this a couple hours ago, for $160:

What's kind of funny is the guy I bought the yellow chair from was supposed to email me a photo of a kelly green shell chair he had that I told him I was interested in (he never did). I'm glad he didn't because this one is WAY better!!! (And ignore the background of the photo - my office needs ALOT of work).

A FANTASTIC mail day!

Today was one of the greatest mail days EVER!! Stuck between my screen door and front door were 2 packages that I had totally forgotten about. It was the 3 bargello pillows I won on eBay. I have developped quite an obsession for these pillows, and now own 8 of them. They are so colourful and vintage-retro looking. Perfect to hide the not so great colour of my vintage sofa.

I saved the best for last. I finally broke down and bought a cowhide rug, also on eBay, for my living room. I really wanted a "shapeless" rug because I had tried a couple of rectangular ones and they made the room look too small. It ended up being just under $200 including shipping and it arrived in less than a week. The cats love it too. Now I am for sure going to get a zebra one for my dressing room. (And no, I haven't had time to get my chairs upholstered yet).

Weekend score

I am seriously lacking in outdoor furniture and since I have a pretty big yard, a front porch and a deck in the backyard, I knew with spring here that I would soon have to start looking. I regularly search Craigslist and Kijiji for furniture, and the other day I came across some amazing rattan patio furniture - 2 chairs and a loveseat. I picked them up yesterday in Aylmer, Quebec, and I am soooo in love with their rounded shapes. They need some paint, and they are pretty old and showing their age, but I can't wait to have at 'em. I'm seeing some fun bright colours, in paint and some cushions. Sorry for the kind of crappy photo, but we still have so much snow that I had no where else to put them outside.

When we arrived at the seller's home I was totally smitten. The house was absolutely gorgeous. There was a for sale sign out front so I checked the agent's website and found some photos. It's a heritage home, in downtown Aylmer, 3000 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms. This home is dreamy - such incredible architectural details, but it seems just about every room is wallpapered which could be a nightmare to deal with. Regardless, it would be such a blast to decorate.