Guest Room

The guest room at Hunter Drive actually started out as our master because it has the largest closet.  It is not our largest room and sits in the front of the house so after a few months we moved bedrooms.  Today, the guest room hosts the occasional overnight-er but mostly serves as a dressing room for hubbs because both of our wardrobes do not fit in our present room.  I know, largest closet in the house used as a dressing room, how are my clothes missing out on this?  That story is another blog post...

         

Guest room when we purchased Hunter Drive

Current guest room

Anyway, this is the only room in the house that I did not select the paint color for.  Although its a nice light green, its just not the shade I had in mind.  Its probably best that we didn't get it right the first time around because I wouldn't have thought to paint it the color that I'm currently crushing on...Ralph Lauren's Chocolate Souffle.

November 2011 Country Living found via Cottage and Vine

I know it might be a little dark for this not so large room but I think with some white trim/molding and some colorful accents (most likely the green that I've already got in there) it might make this space nice and cozy.

Cold feet contd.

After some measuring I realized that a 5x8 just wasn't going to cut it for the living room.  This became an issue because when you jump to an 8x10 the price jumps too (quite a bit actually).  While the hunt for the perfect living room rug continues, I have found a new rug obsession....painted rugs.  Check out two of my favorite examples from the blog-o-sphere:

               

               Painted rug by Charm Home

Painted rug from the almost 40 year old intern

Let me tell you, there are a lot of other painted rugs out there all using some version of a stencil or tape and the all important erslev rug from Ikea. Who can beat $39.99 for a 5x7 and $59.99 for a 6x9?  Granted these are flat weave and will require a location in our house that needs some floor coverage but doesn't require a cushy pile.  The men in my life, hubbs and pup, like to lay on the floor so comfort is almost as high as aesthetics on the priority list.  So, I'm thinking a painted rug looks like an excellent replacement for our current kitchen rug http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/39827?feat=902-CL1 (sorry for the link, I'm too embarrassed to include a photo).  Note to self, never purchase a braided wool rug.  Ikea here I come!!

Cold Feet

Most of the rugs at Hunter Drive are hand-me-downs.  And like most things I didn't pick out, I can't wait to buy a replacement.  We have really nice hard wood floors and a dog so I've tried to use rugs sparingly in our home.  Or, more honestly, I'm having a hard time finding the perfect floor covering.  On top of that I'm not thrilled about dropping a couple hundred bucks for something that will just become a haven for dirt and dog hair.  But the real problem is, I have cold feet...literally, so I really need to purchase a new living room rug before the winter.

The living room at Hunter Drive is in transition from the land of beige to a cozy spot with pops of color and new accessories for a look that is more modern than traditional.  A multicolored floral rug isn't going to cut it this time.  I also want to find something that will go with a variety of looks for down the road so I can change the curtains and pillow covers at my choosing.  I've been leaning toward something geometric and black and neutral.  Here are my favorites so far:

Tangier Rug at Ballard Designs $599 for a 6x9

Espana Area Rug in charcoal at Home Decorators Collection $249 for a 5x8

Kite Kilim Rug at West Elm $249 for a 5x8

Which do you like?  I've also been stalking home goods to see if something in my criteria magically appears.  No luck yet, but there are a lot of locations I can check out over a 3 day weekend!

Back Up: what happened to our bathroom?

I started this blog with the idea of showcasing the diy projects hubbs and I were doing around the house.  Tackling the bathroom was the biggest (and longest) project we had done yet and every time I go in there, I still can't believe we did it.  So...here are some before photos to remind you of how outdated and dingy the lone bathroom at Hunter Drive was:

                  

Lets just say it left a lot to be desired (and probably wasn't cleaned enough over the years ever).  Here is the bathroom today:

We started the renovation by just about gutting the whole bathroom.  The only thing we kept was the sheetrock and even that mostly came down.  The layout is exactly the same and was probably the easiest way to go.  What we did:

• Wainscotting with trim and a custom "ledge" around the whole room, sink alcove and ceiling
• Changed out the whole vanity and replaced it with a (free) double sink top and custom cabinet
• New mirrors, lighting and fixtures in sink area
• Demolished the cast iron tub and tile walls, installed new tub deep soak tub, imported tile and fixtures
• New toilet and found storage cabinet for over toilet
• Ripped up linoleum floors and rotten sub floor (yuck), replaced with new tile

Cost?  Probably $3,000 in all.  I think the look is much more expensive and luxurious.  Now if we only had a second bathroom...

Living Room Re-do Part 1

It's been a little quiet these days at Hunter Drive.  But that's just because I've been busy working instead of blogging!  A couple weeks ago we had an appraisal as part of refinancing our mortgage so hubbs and I were busy finishing up half done projects left and right.  We painted the foundation, planted some new flowers, and even did the finishing touches in the bathroom.  I also got right to work on more living room projects.  Take a look!

Living Room partially done

As I mentioned in the last post, I have recently fallen in love with Antler Damask (on the right most pillow).  It is a "new to me" kind of love, as this print by Joel Dewberry has been out for some time.  I was thrilled to find something traditional but quirky and in such fun colors.  Plus it matches our set of antlers that already hang over the TV.  I made two pillow covers from AD and 4 others in coordinating stripes I scored at Ikea.  I followed Brett Bara's online tutorial to a T.  My zippers dont look all that professional but who can tell?

Pillows in their new covers lined up

I also took down the beige curtains and moved in some red ones from our office.  The color isn't perfect but it works for now.  Left to do on my list is:

• New rug - a trellis pattern or something else geometric,  maybe black and white
• More antlers and sportsman accessories for the TV wall
• 2 new lamp drum shades or another more modern shape
• Rearranging the corner cupboard - possibly with antlers and trophies?
• New spot for the oar?

What else?

sneak peak

Joel Dewberry's Antler Damask

Just ordered today!!  I'm so pumped for this to arrive in the mail.  If only online shopping allowed for instant gratification...  Who would have though hubbs would go for pink?

Striped

The living room at Hunter Drive has been giving me the blahs.  I know we need a full makeover complete with new curtains, pillow shams, rug and more contemporary lighting.  Since I plan to make the curtains and pillows myself it will take some time before things are "fixed".  On Sunday, in the middle of Hurricane Irene, I just couldn't take it anymore.  During a lull in the storm, I jumped in the car and drove to Home Depot (sorry Lowes, I had a gift card) where I purchased some paint and tape to stripe an accent wall in the living room.  I had been following a couple of tutorials on Green Street Blog and Young House Love, which were the inspiration for this project.  I think we're off to a good start!