Well, we've been busy as usual around here & I thought I'd share some pictures of our progress. Above & below is the mantle arrangement I just did today... You know how you just get restless sometimes & need a change?
I still haven't gotten anything on the walls "permanently" in this house yet!! And the walls are still the same shade of builder's white as when we moved in... It's been driving me insane but what I want to do requires lots of time & effort and we're just so not there yet. But anyway, I had fun picking some hosta leaves for the mantle (below):
And, in the kitchen we've made a few minor changes. Here's the "before" for a quick reminder:
And here is it now:
The cabinets are now a pretty shade of gray-green that works really well with our views outside. I'm really happy with them but who knows how long they'll stay green? We also got cup pulls from Home Depot for the drawers & knobs for the cabinets (to match my far-in-the-future stainless steel appliances) which made HUGE difference (to me ;) .... Still no wax covers on my vintage chandelier...
I found this HUGE chalkboard (almost 6 feet high) at one of my favorite thrift stores for $40 and I can't tell you enough what a lifesaver it's been!!! My little guy got really into throwing his food on the wall by his high chair (ahhhhhh!!) and I was really second-guessing putting up wallpaper because it would get ruined. (ignore the messed up wall in the corner ;) 
Now, it's in the perfect spot to protect the wall & now he wouldn't dare ruin his beautiful artwork by throwing food on it. Yay!! Wallpaper coming soon!!
And finally, my coconut bead chandelier from Anthropologie arrived!!! (below) I'm having some issues because of course now the chandelier makes me want to buy the right table and the perfect chairs... hahahaha
(It looked AWFUL with my little Gustavian desk I was using as a console (the aqua one?) so I moved in an Ikea shelf we have, thinking of it as a temporary fix for the iron & reclaimed X shelves I want so badly... ) But I'm actually pretty happy with it and I'm sure it'll stay for a bit... (Husband is even happier :) I desperately needed a spot for rotating accessories & pretty things so now I've got it! yay!!
So, one last look at our dining room as it is now... Soon to come- slipcovered parsons chairs and HOPEFULLY the perfect table... We really want to use this space as an extension of the living room and a library/ place to display books & cool objects and have it double as a dining room when guests come over. For now, I'm very happy :)
Hope you enjoyed!! Have a great weekend!!!
xoxo,
lauren
As a decorator & a textile designer, this is my place to muse... perfection doesn't interest me; Reality and charm do. Fresh floppy flowers from the garden over long-stemmed roses any day, I love it when things are slightly off and tell a story. 
38 comments:
I am an older designer and enjoy your blog. I want to make a suggestion...the kitchen shelves would be so much nicer with big thick brackets instead of metal L bars and thicker shelves. You can add a bit of trim to the shelf and give the appearance of a thicker board. Believe me it will be worth the trouble. You are doing great and have a wonderful start. Hugs to the baby!
All of your images are great, but I adore the 1st. I can almost feel the smoothness of that wood, the colour is so warm and inviting. I also love your arrangement and especially the ceiling rose [?]. Lauren what colour are you planning on when you paint? I live in builders white now.. although not so white! Julie
it looks great!!! what are your kitchen floors,and dining room? with the anthro chandlier? it looks white, but i can't tell what its made of.
i plan on (sort of) copying your kitchen diy when we movie into our new house.
;)
I cant believe how far you have come with the place since you have moved it- you have completly transformed it into a different house- I LOVE it!!! All of your choices are amazing! Love the new light fixture, love the chalk board (I want one now too
), love the color of the lower cabinets, I LOVE.IT.ALL!! xoxo
Lauren, it is just the perfect work in progress. I love all the ideas and lovely images. I need the inspiration for our new home we are building in a bit. Can't wait to see what else you do.
I am not a designer by any shape or form, but speaking as someone who admires design, I actually like your kitchen shelves just as they are. I think they look sleek and refined, but not in a hard, cold way at all. And I think I'm the only homeowner in NYC who does not covet stainless steel appliances. I actually like the appliances you have, I think they blend well with your design. It all looks so fresh, and clean, without looking sterile. It's really all so inviting looking.
I love the mantle too, and your dining space is coming along very nicely.
And the sweet drop-leaf is a wonderful 'make do for now'.
Great blog!
Great ideas!
Your home is absolutely lovely. I enjoy your blog. Thanks so much for sharing.
You are making great progess in your home. I love the clean crispness of your decorating taste. It is so refreshing. Thanks for sharing.
Charla
Lauren- it's looking great! Can't wait to see more.
What fun progress you are making. It does take time and I know exactly how you feel about getting restless and wanting to do something different. I find myself re-arranging tables and bookshelves at midnight sometimes - tired but so satisfied! I love your new chandelier - it is great looking!
I'm so impressed with how quickly your kitchen came together. That gray/green color on the cabinets looks fantastic. I'm on the cusp about painting mine in a similar shade and your work is so inspiring. And that chalkboard, what a find and a steal! I'm totally jealous!!! The chandalier looks fantastic, great choice. Happy weekend!
P.S. I forgot to tell you we had an old chalkboard in our kitchen at one time and you will have so much fun with it! I still have it and hope to use it again someday.
Looks great, Lauren!! Love how you accessorized your mantel. And the mantel wood is gorgeous!!
The coconut bead chandelier is really unique. And the chalkboard was a great find -- good idea to use it to protect your wall from flying food :-)
I hope you'll join us for Rewind Wednesday next week :-)
Kelly
All of your changes look great! I know it's not where you want it yet (I understand because I'm there too) but it really looks beautiful.
I love the wood on that mantle. I also love hostas and queen anne lace. I used both for my wedding flowers. The kitchen redo is amazing as well! Cant wait to see the wallpaper.
Fabulous chandelier for your dining room, Lauren!!
Victoria @ DesignTies
Your house is coming together so nicely. I still think your kitchen transformation is amazing. And I love your coconut bead chandelier! It's such a statement piece and the texture of it is fabulous. Have a great weekend! xo
All the pics make your home look so calm. I actually love the look of the white mantle accessories with the white wall behind. It draws attention to the beautiful wood.
Lauren, your kitchen looks fabulous - I love the updates!
Wow, the kitchen looks fabulous! It has a European flair to it with the Shabby Chic styled shelves mixed with American styled counter tops and cabinets. Awesome! I definitely think your kitchen would loose that fusion style and interesting expression if you changed the shelves.
The mantel looks amazing. Love all the white, and how fun that you used a ceiling medallion as a styling element! :D
Your kitchen looks amazing!! I can't believe it is the same space!
Well Girl! Everything looks spectac. Not cookie cutter.
The mantel...is it over a fireplace? Or just on a wall?
The chandy....PERFECT! I'll live vicariously through you!
Are you planning on painting bookshelves wall color...or dark?
I could see you painting that whole wall in chalkboard paint...and putting chalkboard in Christians room.
LOVE-R-LY...every bit of it!
I love all of the pix that you post, but especially love how you have transformed your own home! I posted about your kitchen in the past...and it keeps getting better! Love the huge chalkboard! I bet it will be great w/ kiddos! Also love your Antro light...unique and sooo fantastic!
Love seeing your house and the changes you make. The mantle looks so wonderful with all that white and the little hit of green! You are a stylist too :)
xo
Maria
I love the dining room, so clean, neat, and uncluttered. Breath of fresh air for an anti-stuff girl like me...
Yes yes yes, I love your blog!
Agneta from Sweden
the plaster medallion as art trick is brilliant, I love it! also a big fan of the grey green cabinets.
Just for the record...When we bought our home 7 years ago all walls were yucky builder white. I immediately jumped in, spent many $$ and hours painting every room in the house. This summer I re-painted my kitchen, family room, master bed & bath a bright,pretty white!
It feels fresh, clean, and uncluttered. Just for the record, your place looks amazing. Gather special things slowly...you will make better choices & appreciate them forever because I can tell you have a great eye!
Lisa
Lauren, I left you a long gushing note but then my internet died and I lost it all. Your house looks divine - love all your choices and your exquisite taste!
Thanks SO much for the sweet offer on the Curry & Co fixture but I've decided against it for now. You are too kind and I so appreciate knowing your sweet offer made it possible.
Do take care and don't rush the decor. I have a terrible impatient streak and always trying to SLOW down myself. Your new light is WICKED. Love it!
xo Terri
P.S. What colour are your green kitchen cabinets? Love the shade! xo T.
Love it!!!!! What color is the kitchen cabinet paint, it is perfect!!!!
LOVEEEEEEEEE the chandelier!
so gorgeous! Love it all.
Beautiful mantlescape, your pics are so lovely !
Kate
Your chandelier just makes me smile. It looks great with the shelves. You really have a great eye, Lauren.
xo
Brooke
wait - wouldn't the ikea desk/table look great under here until??????? me thinks so!
looking great, Lauren!
Lauren, your style is so chic and simple. I LOVE everything you've done so far. You've made so much progress!!! And you're on a slim budget? Can't tell!!!!
P.S. I vote for one of your faded green linens and totally agree with considering using the back if it looks nice.
your light fixture is AMAZING!
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