We no longer have a folding table in our breakfast nook and I can’t wipe the smile off my face! This cerused oak round table was the first furniture purchase we made for our home and it’s a beautiful one. For some areas, we’re doing phase one furniture, but this table is here for the long haul. It has totally changed the feel of the space and has us so excited for the rest of the changes that are coming. Fresh paint (also currently underway!) dark windows. I ordered chairs but they are on backorder right now–this week so many many things clicked and it definitely has me excited for the coming months to share more progress with all of you.
On that note, one thing I’ve been especially aware of lately is when I or others post progress photos and get bombarded with recommendations or questions on other things we should change. “Are you keeping that wall color?” “I’m surprised you didn’t change ______” You know the kind I mean? While I understand (most of the time), the questions come from a good place, these types of assumptions and questions bum me out because I think it prevents others from sharing progress photos. And more importantly, it prevents everyone from celebrating progress! I’d love to see more real-life renovating shared. More authenticity. More swatches of paint on the wall and less fear about whether others will accept it. But I don’t think that can happen until we stop treating progress like failure to get to an after. Progress is a step in the right direction and worthy of its own support I say. Let’s hear it for progress–any amount!
Other fun things this week
• We have been looking for a painter for weeks and then earlier this week, I posted it one more time on our city’s facebook page and got a message right away from a lady named Dorie. She has been painting for 20 years and had a job postponed for 2 weeks and could start on our job the next day! It felt miraculous, honestly. Although we have so many things changing and construction–nothing is going to make us feel more at home then a fresh coat of paint. We are going with white walls and contrast trim in the main areas and although it’s gonna take through next week, each brush stroke has me excited. I’m sharing daily progress on Instagram! We’re going a little warmer on the trim, but I fell down a beautifully deep rabbit hole of contrast trim and I haven’t seen one I don’t love. This softer example (via) had me tint ours to 75% at the last minute! No regrets!
• I’ve got my eye on this green stonewashed quilt in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and these UGG blankets make the best gift during the holidays!
• Here’s the eyelash serum I’ve been using lately. I’ve tried so many and each one either didn’t work, irritated my eyes or after time made my lashes thinner, even if they were still long. This one has left my lashes long and thick!
• We’ve been reading this book–It’s Not The Stork: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends–with our 5 and 9 year old to start and open conversations about anatomy, boundaries, safety and sex and it has been an amazing resource and has definitely done it’s job normalizing talking about sex with our girls. Both girls have enjoyed the book and the education that comes with it on their own levels. Definitely a must have and suitable for ages 4+!
• We put this rug in our master this week and although it may end up in another room (literally our entire room is changing now due to a new direction in every sense–details coming soon)–it’s so gorgeous! Really recommend it for the price.
• These cut out booties. Droooooool.
• I shared a Chris Cooks on Instagram this week and our cheese grater stole the show.
• People tell you who they are–listen.
• I have heard such good things about this blow dryer–worth it??
Have a happy happy weekend!!
i LOVE the contrasting trim paint. As someone who always purchases houses that need TLC – I appreciate progress photos. It gets hard to live in a space that isnt quite finished especially when you see all these final curated pictures online. Your progress pictures are such a breath of fresh air – thank you for the continued inspiration!
Would you be able to share the sources for the chairs at the new breakfast nook table? I can’t seem to find them anywhere on the site, and I’m going for this style in our dining room. I specifically love that rounded back one. :) Thanks!
These were all collected over the years, mostly from Wayfair.
I love It’s Not the Stork! Such an informative book and I am so glad that you mentioned it. I learned about it from attending a workshop by Amy Lang of Birds+Bees+Kids. So many amazing resources for parents. Check her out at https://www.birdsandbeesandkids.com.
The “have you considered…?” comments bum me out as a reader and I’m always so impressed to see your positive responses to those comments and your willingness to engage so open-heartedly! I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the potential impact those comments could have on people’s willingness to share their progress stories. Online spaces can be awesome places to share and learn but they can also be easy places to be a little less careful about our judgments- thanks for being so frank about the kinds of spaces you are trying to create (online and in your home). I started reading your blog because of the beautiful spaces you create, I keep reading it because of your kind, conscientious attitude. Thank you!
Curious about the eyelash serum! Did you notice any issues with irritation (especially since you had PRK surgery)? I had LASIK this past spring and am interested in trying it, but wondered if you noticed any increased dryness or irritation with it. Thanks!
I have with others but not this one