Apr 20, 2015

What's Been Going On Around Here

It's high time we had an update around here! 

I hope you're all enjoying a nice spring. It's been a busy one for us so far. My husband and I spent the weekend helping our oldest daughter and her fiancé prime and paint the 
four bedrooms in their new house

We had a lot of fun but, boy, am I pooped today! 


On our home front, things are starting to get back to normal after having the new floors installed. The family room floors are finally done and happily curing. I've decided having floors installed and finished on site is kind of like giving birth; if we women didn't eventually forget the pain, we just might never voluntarily go through it all again. 

But, seriously, we do love our new floors!

There's not much going on outside around here yet. Local wisdom says not to plant your annuals until the snow has melted off of Shafer Butte. Since it keeps melting and snowing again up there, I'm playing it safe and waiting for next month.


 Spring has made a tentative showing indoors, though, with some flowers, a birdhouse, and a favorite ceramic bird.


The photo clipboards above the sofa are sporting some pretty spring art.


Free botanical prints from A Daily Something.


Tucker is back to looking at me like I'm nuts for walking all around the house pointing my camera at everything like I've never seen it all before a million times.  


When I say things are starting to get back to normal at our house, I really mean just starting. My chalkboard is still wearing its winter menu!


I did manage a bit of spring decorating in the dining room, too, though. And we also rearranged the furniture a bit when we moved it back in. We moved this homemade cupboard from the entryway into the dining room where there's room now beside the new table. I always wanted a buffet in the dining room! 


You can see my new green glass candlesticks from World Market peeking over the tray. I fell in love with their pretty sparkly spring green color and they're one of my favorite possessions now, but my taper candles are still packed away! 


 We are enjoying all the room beside our new table, and how we can easily fit six chairs here now. Walking between rooms feels so much better now.


Here's a close-up of the top of our new industrial/rustic/farmhouse table. 


 We ended up finding the perfect affordable sun blocking solution for our south facing window at Lowes with this lined bamboo blind. It even has a narrow black stripe that looks great with our black Windsor chairs.


I also like the way it picks up the other textures in the dining room and how it balances out the visual weight of the buffet and chalkboard on the opposite wall.


The best part is how I can close it part way to block the sun while still enjoying the sheer white cafe curtain below it as it softly billows into the room from the breeze through the open window. I just love curtains billowing in the spring breeze!

Did you notice the empty corner cabinet and the glimpse of our bare hutch in the next room?


Bare as can be! And the poor orchid all alone there on our old dining room table as it sits waiting for its new home at our daughter's house. If I didn't love the lack of clutter so much just now, I might be a little embarrassed to show you I haven't unpacked yet.


And the living room is just as empty! Well, not empty, just not decorated. I think I haven't unpacked yet because I'm simply enjoying all this calm after the chaos so much. I haven't even felt moved to add a colorful pillow to the sofa. Every once in awhile, I just walk in here and look at the beautiful new floors and feel utterly satisfied!

I'm not sure how long this will last. I ordered a couple of new area rugs, and maybe when I get them I'll be inspired to unpack and decorate again. 

By the way, how do you like the new furniture layout? It's so much more open, and we're really enjoying it for now. 


Before I go, I want to share some exciting news. My dear friend (really one of the nicest, sweetest bloggers in the whole world) Sharon, of Elizabeth & Co. has opened an Etsy shop where she's now offering the most gorgeous handmade wreaths you have ever seen. This is just a tiny sample of her exquisite creations.


ElizabethandCoWreath

Aren't they simply breathtaking? Way to go, Sharon! Best of luck with your newest creative endeavor.


I'm so glad you all stopped in to catch-up with me today.

Have a most wonderful week, everyone!





How about a fun spring party?!

Between Naps On The Porch
Mod Vintage Life
The Scoop
Cozy Little House
From My Front Porch To Yours
Our Home Away From Home
A Stroll Thru Life
Coastal Charm
Elizabeth & Co.

26 comments:

  1. Your new floors look beautiful Laurel! Love your new bamboo shade!!

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  2. I'll have the Almond Joy Mocha please... Your place looks so beautiful. Even the sparsely decorated room looks fab!

    xo

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  3. I adore your house! Your photography is outstanding. And I've been pinning away!
    Brenda

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  4. It looks amazing-all of it! I have that little bird house on my front porch!

    ~Trisha

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  5. So happy for you Laurel that life is getting back to the way it was after the whole floor reno! And, you 'hit the ground running' with your Spring Decorating! Glad you did so, since it'll be summer before you know it! LOVE the mx of textures in your dining room, and just think how fun it would be to decorate your BLANK SLATE room! I love the botanicals you printed too, I have a coffee table book filled with roses botanicals I bought from Barnes years ago, which I used before to rotate on my botanicals in our first house, I should use them again for next spring! Thanks for the info on the wreath company too! Will check it out for sure!

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  6. Looks really nice, I love the color of your walls. Have fun decorating!

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  7. Love it! Everything looks so nice. Every time I paint, I have a hard time putting things back on the wals, because it looks so nice and fresh and clean! I am visiting from Tuesday at Home today.

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  8. Yep ~ Shaffer has definitely been playing hide & seek with the snow! Hopefully this week it will remain snow free! My potted lavender has all kinds of new growth, and my late tulips are looking good.

    Happy gardening!

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  9. Wow Laurel, you really have created such a warm and lovely home and it just keeps getting better and better! I love the fresh shades of green and the touches of spring. And looking out towards your garden makes me anxious to get outside and play in the dirt again. I know your gardens will be bursting with color and charm! ... And a huge thank you and a big hug for your kind words and sharing my new little venture. You are so awesome my friend!!!

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  10. Your missing artwork. A few well placed oil paintings. I have a collection I rotate from. It truly finishes a home and gives it class that chalkboard never can. Proper placement is key with art .

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  11. Your home is such a beautiful expression of you and your surroundings, beautiful detail abounds!
    I am crazy over your clipboards and art too!
    Jemma

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  12. Everything is coming along. Take your time and enjoy the process and the openness. Love your green bird on your tray. Where's the tray from?

    Cindy

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  13. Hi, Laurel! The floors look great and so do all the spring touches and the new layout too. That's so exciting about the new house for your daughter. I'm not sure if you've had time to check out the old blog lately. I'm 27 weeks along now and we're having another girl! Anyway, I hope you continue enjoying your decorating and unpacking here and there. ~ Jamie

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  14. Laurel, your home looks gorgeous. Your new floors are sooo beautiful! Love all the details. Have a great weekend! xxx Maria

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  15. Love the floors and I love your kitchen with so many beautiful details!!

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  16. Hi Laurel, Love your new floors and I can imagine you are tired but just look at the reward. So worth it to have this beautiful space. Love your pics. Have a great week ahead.
    Hugs, CM

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  17. You're house is so cute! I was just in Boise last week with my husband on business. We stayed in a rental cottage on Jefferson in North End. So many beautiful homes!

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  18. Laurel

    Your home is so lovely. Being a minimalist I noticed the bareness of the walls. :)

    Hoping you can plant and decorate soon.
    gail

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  19. Your home looks absolutely gorgeous and so ready for spring! The floors really do look perfect. I will be "giving birth" to mine in about a month or so...send me an epidural! Enjoy your week!
    Shelley

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  20. You have a beautiful home. I love the crisp white and neutral colors. I'm your newest follower {ChicByTab}

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  21. You have to be so pleased to finally have the floors done. I cracked up at the giving birth analogy. I can certainly understand not being in a hurry to unpack decor, etc.....just pretend you are Amish for a bit! :)

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  22. Lovely, ours need to be redone, too, but we keep waiting ...

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  23. I LOVE your home, the dining room is just magazine perfection!!

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  24. Everything is wonderful - especially the wainscoting.

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