Merry Christmas to me!

I'm finally getting around to showing off my new chandelier! 

All I wanted for Christmas was for Brady to finish up our guest room-turned office.  Oh and I also wanted him to refinish a chandelier I had my eye on.  Brace yourself, because here it is...

Before

This is a horrible before picture.  It was taken at the Restore. I saw so much potential! The size is gigantic. The lines are awesome. It is a quality chandelier... which is hard to find these days, unless you want to spend a couple hundred dollars. We bought this and a pack of replacement bulbs for a grand total of $21. I am a bargain hunter. I even talked them down $5 whole dollars.. It was a proud moment.

Progress

 Brady disassembled the fixture, gave it a really good cleaning and sprayed it a high gloss Kelley green.

We also painted a new ceiling medallion.

After

And the AFTER! I am beyond in love with the way it turned out.  I actually considered swapping it out with our kitchen chandelier. 

All lit up

quick and easy home improvement

Paint your front door!  So many people simply buy trim and doors and leave them with nothing but the factory primer.  We were guilty of this in our last house and I notice it all the time in properties that I show.  Painting makes it not only easier to clean but makes it look so polished.

For our front door, I was dying to try out Glidden's new Trim and Door paint.  It comes in 8 colors and is supposed to be drip free with no brush marks.

I was so surprised at how different a gel paint is from regular paint.  It was so thick!  They were right about it not creating drips but I certainly did get a few brush marks.  Perhaps I did something wrong?   Either way it doesn't bother me what so ever.  The high gloss finish out ways the bad.  Also, the fumes are SO SO strong. Don't paint unless it is warm enough outside to open the windows.

Before.............

After.....................

Speaking of dream ceilings...

As I mentioned, I dream about having gorgeous wooden/cathedral ceilings.  Just for fun, here are a few inspiring pix...

contemporary family room design by san francisco architect Simpson Design Group Architects

contemporary bedroom design by san francisco architect Cathy Schwabe Architecture

contemporary dining room design by new york architect Greifenstein Boyce Associates

modern kitchen design by san francisco architect John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

modern family room design by toronto design-build Capoferro Design Build Group

^This could be done in any home.. if you had the budget for it!

contemporary living room design by new york architect SchappacherWhite Ltd.

I would also LOVE to have beamed or tray ceilings, but don't get me started on that!

New Listing

I really need to start blogging more. I am going to make a bigger effort! The reason I've kind of fallin off of the bloggin wagon is because I have been SO busy at work. I am so thankful that the market is as good as it is, especially in the middle of the Winter! 
I am going to start to integrate a bit of the Real Estate world into this blog and see how that goes. I am not a professional home designer, so I think I should start talking about the things I DO know. Don't worry, it will be fun. No boring stats, more like fun pix and tips for Home Owners!

I just got a sweet new listing! It is so cute and has so much potential!  4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 fireplaces, across from a good school, $189,900.

I LOVE the ceilings!  I dream of ceilings like this.  If only my home had this much character.  I live in a box, this is not a boring box house.  {I just need to keep on dreaming.. maybe one day!}

Actually, the interior kinda reminds me of my parents old house.  Their house was 16 years newer, but the updates are very similar.  It has the same doors, trim, kitchen, patio door in the dining room.

I kinda miss that house.  BUT I love their new house more, so what am I blabbing about! 

Statement Chandelier

Happy New Year!

One of my 2012 resolutions is to take more risks with my decorating.  All my favorite designers (David Bromstad, Jonathan Adler) steer clear of boring decor... so why am I always, well sometimes, playing it safe? 

Lately, I can't get my mind off of statement chandeliers.  I love an over sized chandy in a funky color and/or dripping with bling.  It brings your eye up and makes a tiny room feel a whole lot bigger.  It is also extremely ballsy and fabulous when the walls are painted white to allow the color or bling of the fixture to stand out.  Yep, I am now lovin white walls... only with extremely good styling can white walls look chic... otherwise, do not attempt! 

Since my basement is still a work in progress(sigh), I have decided to convert our guest bedroom into an office.  This required a whole new paint color and a trip to the Re-Store for an old and neglected chandelier.  (Pix to come)  In the meantime, here are some inspiring photos of carazzzy and cool statement chandys.  Enjoy!

eclectic dining room design

I feel like this chandelier could be a good DIY project.  I can't get over how much I love this room.

modern living room design by new york architect Ira Frazin Architect

eclectic living room design by atlanta interior designer decordemon

contemporary kitchen design by minneapolis general contractor John Kraemer & Sons

That island is so amazing! And look how similar it is to my desk.. crazy! 

eclectic family room design

I would kill for this chandelier.  KILL for it!!

eclectic dining room design by san francisco architect Mark English Architects, AIA

contemporary entry design by san francisco architect Andre Rothblatt Architecture

eclectic dining room design by new orleans architect Bockman Forbes + Glasgow, Architecture + Design

modern living room design by seattle photographer John G Wilbanks Photography, Inc.

eclectic dining room design by los angeles interior designer megan arquette c/o beachbungalow8

eclectic dining room design by dc metro interior designer Lauren Liess Interiors

Vintage Revivals

Check out this AMAZING make over from Vintage Revivals, one of my favorite blogs.