Thrifty!

April 1st, 2010

I picked up this set of modernist fireplace tools recently. I’ve been looking for a set like this for a long while (even though we haven’t ever used our fireplace) and it popped up unexpectedly when I got lost looking for a Salvation Army and ran into a freshly opened consignment shop called “Cottage Consignments”.

Yeah, I know. I didn’t have much hope.

True to form almost everything in the shop was dreadful…but…I’ve found that sometimes it’s good to get off the beaten path to hunt for a little gem amongst all the crap; and if the shop doesn’t specialize in that particular style you’re looking for – guess what – the pricing is WAY better.

FILED UNDER: fireplace, living, thrifting, thrifty, vintage

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Den

March 31st, 2010

The new Eames lounger got a spot in the den.

I updated the shelving unit to celebrate.

The fake Eames lounger got relegated to the bedroom.

I took a nap to celebrate.

FILED UNDER: den, furniture, vignette

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Patio

March 29th, 2010

PATIO Phase One : COMPLETE.

150 cement pavers on the ground, be-yotches.

What did it look like before? Like this:

And After:

You can check out the whole process HERE. It ended up costing about $200 to do this whole fire pit/gravel/patio paver area.

For those of you considering this kind of paver installation: just don’t be like us. Level the area, put sand down first and tamp it flat, add crushed rock and then lay out your pavers after all that – then and only then fill everything in with gravel. Don’t do gravel first like we did, unless you’re a masochist. Or vying for the title of DIY amateur hour champion.

After all the headaches and backaches, I think it turned out alright. Time to move onto PATIO Phase Two : Other hardscape stuff. I’ve got some big ideas and I’m crossing my fingers that we don’t do that all backasswards as well.

Still got a long way to go though…

FILED UNDER: after, before, DIY, exterior, landscape, patio

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