This little light of mine.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine.
Let it shine.
Let it shine.
I've been blogging about interior decorating. I love interior design. I've been painting rooms and hanging wallpaper since I was a bitty girl. It makes me happy. But, it is not the only thing in my life. Not even close. I also love to cook and I love to dress nicely - a day or two out of the week. Of course, I adore my family more than anything or anyone else in the world. Absolutely. Positively. Love. My life is not really about design. Not even close. My life is about ..........................LIFE!
That is what I will blog about. Life.
Our house on highland sold. It was terrifying and exciting. We are five humans, a turtle, dogs, birds. Talk about stress! Wanna hear the best part? My in-laws offered up their crib, but, I'm dang near 40. I don't want to live with my in-laws. It might happen because we could save $$$$$$$$ but, I would rather not. Did I say might happen? I meant that it did happen. It did. Whatevs. We lived with them for approximately 6 weeks. It wasn't thaaaaaat bad. I can be such a whiner.
We really, really, really wanted to build a home. We didn't build. We bought an existing home that needed some updating. Did I say some? I meant a ton. As in a shitload. (funny...that word didn't spellcheck) We've been restoring/remodeling homes for nearly 20 years. Three kids, two dogs, a turtle, canaries and oh yeah, a marriage to nurture and provide for = no time to DIY. We will have to find time. I guess, right?
We've been in our new home for over TWO years! It is not looking at all like the same place. I plan to start blogging again, but it won't be every day like some of these other awesome gals in blogland. Just when I have something to say or I've done something I feel like bragging about. Talk soon!
~E
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Saturday, August 3, 2013
A READER'S CONCERNS : PB BASIC VS EKTORP SLIPCOVER (REVISED)
Sallie contacted me about an ebay purchase she recently made. She was told she was purchasing a PB Basic slipcover. When it didn't fit - at all - she contacted the seller insisting that this was not the right cover. The seller told her that she did not own a PB basic sofa. The reader contacted me for help with identifying her slipcovers. When she described her cover my heart sank. I knew it wasn't a PB and very likely an ektorp but I requested pictures to verify. I am not an expert...but I can shout confidently and point a finger that she did not purchase a Pottery Barn Basic Slipcover. It is extremely likely an Ikea Ektorp Sofa slipcover.
Buyers Beware! There are dishonest people out there. We must remember that we get what we pay for. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. I posted about using ektorp covers on basic pieces. I still use ektorp covers for my pb basic chair. However, I purchased my pb basic sofa 12/13 years ago. When the covers and the sofa itself wore out, I also purchased a cover on EBAY. It was sold as a PB basic slipcover. When it arrived, it had to be stretched and pulled to fit on the sofa but it did fit. We moved the basic to the playroom because our Charleston had arrived. I didn't mind the ill-fitting cover on the basic but it wasn't my main seating piece. I paid $100 plus shipping. They sell new from Ikea for only $49. I was ripped off and shizzed on. So was Sallie. Years ago, my cover mostly fit. Sallie's does not.
It's happened to one of my readers. It makes me sad for her. Hear me when I say that the Ektorp covers POSSIBLY WILL NOT FIT the PB Basic pieces. They are a stand-by only. As soon as you purchase your PB pieces, start saving your change in a coffee can or under your mattress for new slipcovers. They WILL need to be replaced someday and they are expensive. I wish someone had told me that. It is a wise move. I am saving for new ones. You should too.
Sallie's words:
"Please feel free to use any of my pictures and story. I paid $169 plus $36 in shipping. I was offered a refund by the seller minus shipping and would also have to pay return shipping. So I would be out $72 which was unacceptable to me. If it fit ok I would have dealt with it. But I can't even get it on and the seller keeps insisting I have the wrong sofa. I sent the seller several pictures with measuring tape in them showing the shortfall.
My reply to Sallie:
DISCLAIMER; Opinions expressed are my own. I am not compensated in any way by Pottery Barn or Ikea. Neither company knows I exist. I worked at PB for several years and use that experience to share information about the merchandise with you. I have been a PB addict for almost 20 years. I have a problem and could use therapy but that topic is for another post.
Buyers Beware! There are dishonest people out there. We must remember that we get what we pay for. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. I posted about using ektorp covers on basic pieces. I still use ektorp covers for my pb basic chair. However, I purchased my pb basic sofa 12/13 years ago. When the covers and the sofa itself wore out, I also purchased a cover on EBAY. It was sold as a PB basic slipcover. When it arrived, it had to be stretched and pulled to fit on the sofa but it did fit. We moved the basic to the playroom because our Charleston had arrived. I didn't mind the ill-fitting cover on the basic but it wasn't my main seating piece. I paid $100 plus shipping. They sell new from Ikea for only $49. I was ripped off and shizzed on. So was Sallie. Years ago, my cover mostly fit. Sallie's does not.
It's happened to one of my readers. It makes me sad for her. Hear me when I say that the Ektorp covers POSSIBLY WILL NOT FIT the PB Basic pieces. They are a stand-by only. As soon as you purchase your PB pieces, start saving your change in a coffee can or under your mattress for new slipcovers. They WILL need to be replaced someday and they are expensive. I wish someone had told me that. It is a wise move. I am saving for new ones. You should too.
Sallie's words:
"Please feel free to use any of my pictures and story. I paid $169 plus $36 in shipping. I was offered a refund by the seller minus shipping and would also have to pay return shipping. So I would be out $72 which was unacceptable to me. If it fit ok I would have dealt with it. But I can't even get it on and the seller keeps insisting I have the wrong sofa. I sent the seller several pictures with measuring tape in them showing the shortfall.
I think I will end up having a slipcover made locally. I plan to pre-wash and dry a white cotton twill and have them made without cotton cord (which will shrink). $450 in labor, 21 yards of fabric at about $12 a yard... Ouch. I have children, dogs and a cat so I really just wanted to change the look of my family room and be able to wash away any mishaps."
My reply to Sallie:
"Hey Sallie,
You should contact PB to see if they are offering any sales or deals on their slipcovers. Call them and tell them what happened to you. Speak to a manager if you have to. I saved a few hundred on the Charleston white twill just by waiting for a sale and then getting an email through PB for 15% or 20% off. I don't remember which. If you register on their website and sign in frequently, they will send you discounts to purchase their items. You can combine deals and get free shipping sometimes. If you have the PB card, you get 10% back in rewards or interest free payments for several months. I use the rewards points but the interest free payments might help you to purchase an authentic PB cover. After you pay someone else that kind of labor, pay for fabric etc, and a cover without cording (the cording really does look best) you might find yourself still not loving the cover and you've lost that much more money.
Just some advice. Anything is worth a try.
I hope you win your fight with that ebay seller. What a crap deal. Shame on that person.
Thank you for allowing me to use your info."
You should contact PB to see if they are offering any sales or deals on their slipcovers. Call them and tell them what happened to you. Speak to a manager if you have to. I saved a few hundred on the Charleston white twill just by waiting for a sale and then getting an email through PB for 15% or 20% off. I don't remember which. If you register on their website and sign in frequently, they will send you discounts to purchase their items. You can combine deals and get free shipping sometimes. If you have the PB card, you get 10% back in rewards or interest free payments for several months. I use the rewards points but the interest free payments might help you to purchase an authentic PB cover. After you pay someone else that kind of labor, pay for fabric etc, and a cover without cording (the cording really does look best) you might find yourself still not loving the cover and you've lost that much more money.
Just some advice. Anything is worth a try.
I hope you win your fight with that ebay seller. What a crap deal. Shame on that person.
Thank you for allowing me to use your info."
Friday, April 12, 2013
Simplicity...
We listed our home and have an accepted offer within a matter of weeks. Who knew! Since then, my life has become a swirling vortex of chaos! We began this journey with the idea of building. We have our plans from the architect. It is my dream home. A perfect white farmhouse with a perfect white porch surrounded by hydrangeas and children running blissfully through the yard. That is what I imagined. The simple life.
But would it be simple? Oddly enough, my husband and I both decided we needed to "talk". You know, one of thooooooose talks. What do we really want? How simple could - large home, a bigger yard, a bigger mortgage, bigger tax bill, etc, - it all be? What if our version of simple was exactly the opposite of what we'd been dreaming about?
Smaller home, smaller mortgage, smaller tax bill? Doesn't that sound better? Wouldn't that all equal more time for our marriage, children, family, friends? We are rethinking our plan. Big Time! No seriously, we are. You see, we had a 1200 sq ft home. It was tiny. Teeny tiny. But I loved that little cottage. We worked on it for 5 solid years. We finished the basement and added all kinds of wonderful character. It was lovely. I miss it. I miss it every day. We had great neighbors. You know, older folks. They were considerate and kind. They never let their dogs bark their freaking heads off or run through our yard and poop, poop, poop. We currently have neighbors with two dogs that bark at all hours of the day and night for hours on end. They are completely oblivious.They allow their cat to stalk and kill the beautiful birdies at our feeders. We've since stopped feeding the birds. Our previous neighbors were COURTEOUS. They were not ENTITLED. We took care of each other. We helped each other. We said we were sorry. We were friends.
We left because we thought we wanted MORE. We wanted BIGGER. We wanted NEW. Leaving that little home, is one of our biggest regrets. We contacted the current owners. They love it. They won't give it back. Bummer. I have some deep thinking and soul searching to do because who knew that you can't just have your house back. Oh wait, it isn't mine anymore. Get over it. Move on. Yeah, bummer.
I apologize for my absence. Sincerely. I'll pop in here and there. Let us pray that I pop in with a plan!
Please tell me, what is your idea of a simple life? If you were in our situation, what would you do? I could use some insight. Thank you!
Take on the day!
~Emily
But would it be simple? Oddly enough, my husband and I both decided we needed to "talk". You know, one of thooooooose talks. What do we really want? How simple could - large home, a bigger yard, a bigger mortgage, bigger tax bill, etc, - it all be? What if our version of simple was exactly the opposite of what we'd been dreaming about?
Smaller home, smaller mortgage, smaller tax bill? Doesn't that sound better? Wouldn't that all equal more time for our marriage, children, family, friends? We are rethinking our plan. Big Time! No seriously, we are. You see, we had a 1200 sq ft home. It was tiny. Teeny tiny. But I loved that little cottage. We worked on it for 5 solid years. We finished the basement and added all kinds of wonderful character. It was lovely. I miss it. I miss it every day. We had great neighbors. You know, older folks. They were considerate and kind. They never let their dogs bark their freaking heads off or run through our yard and poop, poop, poop. We currently have neighbors with two dogs that bark at all hours of the day and night for hours on end. They are completely oblivious.They allow their cat to stalk and kill the beautiful birdies at our feeders. We've since stopped feeding the birds. Our previous neighbors were COURTEOUS. They were not ENTITLED. We took care of each other. We helped each other. We said we were sorry. We were friends.
We left because we thought we wanted MORE. We wanted BIGGER. We wanted NEW. Leaving that little home, is one of our biggest regrets. We contacted the current owners. They love it. They won't give it back. Bummer. I have some deep thinking and soul searching to do because who knew that you can't just have your house back. Oh wait, it isn't mine anymore. Get over it. Move on. Yeah, bummer.
I apologize for my absence. Sincerely. I'll pop in here and there. Let us pray that I pop in with a plan!
Please tell me, what is your idea of a simple life? If you were in our situation, what would you do? I could use some insight. Thank you!
Take on the day!
~Emily
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
This is what happens...
when you don't listen to your intuition.
We are selling our house. We tried to sell it once before - about two years ago. Shortly after we bought it, put on an addition and remodeled or updated most of the home. We bought our home because it is large and has a lot of log cabin appeal. It is very charming and we saw the potential. The garage is GIGANTIC something that had us at hello. Our last house had a single-car garage that we never once parked in for all of the five years we lived in our little cottage. The house that we live in now looked nothing like what we wanted and we planned to work on it for 10 loooooong years to accomplish that. It was the size of it that attracted us. Bigger is not always better. We were going from 1200 square feet to 3200 square feet. We had a home that we loved but we felt as if we were outgrowing it after our third child was born. We miss that lovely little home (and the small mortgage) still after living here for four years.
We've decided that we don't want to have these big projects to do to make this home ours. It is a beautiful home as it is and there must be someone out there who will love and cherish it for just that. We've spent so much time deconstructing and changing things, that we lost track of family and friends. Now, our children are older and so are we. We no longer have the drive or the energy and certainly not the time to remodel a home. We don't even want to do that with our time. We are beginning a new adventure.
We are selling our house and building! I am so very excited about this! Another huge project I know, but we are looking forward to it. I have so many thoughts. Have any of you ever searched the internet for house plans? It is overwhelming to say the least. We've decided to hire a designer to draft our plans for us. We know exactly what we like and that is the best route for us.
I will continue to blog about our Highland home but will slowly transition into sharing the building and designing process with you as well. Our home is listed now and we've had several showings. We don't expect it to sell quickly because it will not appeal to most. It only takes one person to love!
I still have projects to finish on Highland. A reader requested that I review the Ikea Ektorp sectional we recently purchased. I will get that done shortly. I also have new purchases from Pottery Barn that I need to review. This is the Ektorp sofa pictured with our pottery barn ottoman.
Thank you for continuing on this journey with me. Please feel free to leave your comments and ask questions. I love when you all do that!
~Emily
We are selling our house. We tried to sell it once before - about two years ago. Shortly after we bought it, put on an addition and remodeled or updated most of the home. We bought our home because it is large and has a lot of log cabin appeal. It is very charming and we saw the potential. The garage is GIGANTIC something that had us at hello. Our last house had a single-car garage that we never once parked in for all of the five years we lived in our little cottage. The house that we live in now looked nothing like what we wanted and we planned to work on it for 10 loooooong years to accomplish that. It was the size of it that attracted us. Bigger is not always better. We were going from 1200 square feet to 3200 square feet. We had a home that we loved but we felt as if we were outgrowing it after our third child was born. We miss that lovely little home (and the small mortgage) still after living here for four years.
We've decided that we don't want to have these big projects to do to make this home ours. It is a beautiful home as it is and there must be someone out there who will love and cherish it for just that. We've spent so much time deconstructing and changing things, that we lost track of family and friends. Now, our children are older and so are we. We no longer have the drive or the energy and certainly not the time to remodel a home. We don't even want to do that with our time. We are beginning a new adventure.
We are selling our house and building! I am so very excited about this! Another huge project I know, but we are looking forward to it. I have so many thoughts. Have any of you ever searched the internet for house plans? It is overwhelming to say the least. We've decided to hire a designer to draft our plans for us. We know exactly what we like and that is the best route for us.
I will continue to blog about our Highland home but will slowly transition into sharing the building and designing process with you as well. Our home is listed now and we've had several showings. We don't expect it to sell quickly because it will not appeal to most. It only takes one person to love!
I still have projects to finish on Highland. A reader requested that I review the Ikea Ektorp sectional we recently purchased. I will get that done shortly. I also have new purchases from Pottery Barn that I need to review. This is the Ektorp sofa pictured with our pottery barn ottoman.
Snow day today!
Thank you for continuing on this journey with me. Please feel free to leave your comments and ask questions. I love when you all do that!
~Emily
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Anna's Room...
I am letting go of having it just right. I kept waiting for the right moment to photograph and get this post done. Then, only an hour ago, I walked into her room and the sunlight felt just right shining through the windows. The bed was unmade and there were toys tossed about. I quickly tidied up a bit and grabbed my camera. I hope you like it!
This is how it started. I sold her crib and changing table
and searched craigslist for these:
and had them painted a bright white.
Here it is. All pink and purple!
This was a pottery barn dream rocker. I removed the wood gliders and
screwed on some feet that I painted the same white
as the other furniture in the room.
I purchased this high chair from etsy. It is darling!
That little dog bed belonged to our little poodle Kate who passed away.
Anna now uses it for her baby's bed. I couldn't let go of it.
We miss little Kate.
The doors that belong on this closet just went on yesterday.
Better late than never...
Anna & I love Lalaloopsies.
A view of her shelf in her closet.
Anna loves her new room. She spends more time playing in her room now.
I think it felt less like her own space while it was still a nursery with a crib.
Now, it feels more like a big girl room.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Emily
Thursday, November 15, 2012
my wandering mind...
You will see this post title quite a bit from me. It is because I find it nearly impossible to focus on just one project, just one room, or just the house, or just the yard. You know what I mean. I take everything in and I am perfectly happy that way. It drives Mr. LOH pretty nutso, but, he married me knowing I am like that. I should be focusing on the final touches for Anna's bedroom. I know. I know. I know.
With the celebration of Christmas just around the corner, I start thinking about what I should get for my three deserving children and wonderful husband. You're thinking that we ALL do that right? Well, do you all think about what kind of gifts would look best in your house? Do you think about a current project you are working on and how that gift should be a slam dunk with that project? I do. I am so bad like that.
Benny's room has been slowly evolving into a sports-themed room. It began as a woodsy-camping-wildlife kinda thing and "evolved" into football and basketball. The boy changes his mind with the wind. I can totally relate.
Benny loves the pattern and they have a vintage-y vibe to them. Don't you think?
I love PBK bedding. It is divine. However I can't justify spending money on the sheets anymore. My kids burn through their sheets for whatever reason or they go from spider-man to squirrels to football to elephants to star wars or something wildly unpredictable like that. I bought these sheets from Target and actually like them more than the sheets I have previously purchased from pbk. They are a very nice quality! They aren't on the beds yet - I plan to save them for the reveal. Once we start using them and washing the bajeebers out of them, I will let you know how/if they hold up. I have high hopes for these.
Any who, I've been looking for basketball hoops for Benny's room. There are a gazillion choices out there. I would like it to mount to the wall. I have this ambitious itch to paint the backboard myself and do something fun and funky. I just might do that. We shall see.
Any ideas out there for indoor basketball hoops for a young boy's room? I would love to hear from you.
It should be D-U-R-A-B-L-E. Boys will be boys!
Have a great weekend and thank you so much for visiting!
~Emily
With the celebration of Christmas just around the corner, I start thinking about what I should get for my three deserving children and wonderful husband. You're thinking that we ALL do that right? Well, do you all think about what kind of gifts would look best in your house? Do you think about a current project you are working on and how that gift should be a slam dunk with that project? I do. I am so bad like that.
Benny's room has been slowly evolving into a sports-themed room. It began as a woodsy-camping-wildlife kinda thing and "evolved" into football and basketball. The boy changes his mind with the wind. I can totally relate.
We started out with Vintage Camo sheets from PB teen. One navy and one black.
Our final answer? Circo Score! sheets from Target.
I love PBK bedding. It is divine. However I can't justify spending money on the sheets anymore. My kids burn through their sheets for whatever reason or they go from spider-man to squirrels to football to elephants to star wars or something wildly unpredictable like that. I bought these sheets from Target and actually like them more than the sheets I have previously purchased from pbk. They are a very nice quality! They aren't on the beds yet - I plan to save them for the reveal. Once we start using them and washing the bajeebers out of them, I will let you know how/if they hold up. I have high hopes for these.
Any who, I've been looking for basketball hoops for Benny's room. There are a gazillion choices out there. I would like it to mount to the wall. I have this ambitious itch to paint the backboard myself and do something fun and funky. I just might do that. We shall see.
Pottery Barn Kids hoop. But do I want a toy? The chalkboard score keepers are a nice touch. No prob for a DIY project.
Or a real hoopy hoop? Sorry about the photo. Just couldn't get it right.
Any ideas out there for indoor basketball hoops for a young boy's room? I would love to hear from you.
It should be D-U-R-A-B-L-E. Boys will be boys!
Have a great weekend and thank you so much for visiting!
~Emily
sports...
I have two sons and a husband. My husband and I met because he came to my hometown university on a football scholarship in college. I happen to love football. Lucky him.
Now that Anna's room is just about complete, I find myself occasionally (ha!) browsing the www looking for things for Benny's room. He and Isaiah share a bedroom. Thankfully, they both have the same interests so I don't have to tape any divider lines on the floor nor do I have to hang a long curtain to separate them and their private space. We don't allow computers or gaming of any kind in the kids' bedrooms and they don't have TV with the exception of dvds that we find acceptable for all of them to watch. In other words, they don't spend much time in this room anyway.
Nevertheless, I find myself wanting to make it welcoming and comfortable for them and their guests. I also want this space to grow with Benny. He is only six years old. I don't want a do-over on this room anytime soon.
I am thinking about picking up a couple of these from Ikea.
Ikea doesn't offer consumers the option to read reviews on their products. I am looking for any feedback on these pieces that you may have.
I think either color is safe for a boy's bedroom. I just can't decide. Something about that pop of red is really exciting to me. The white feels safe and definitely neutral. Maybe I should let you all decide...
I will mix them up with some walnut-finished beds. I haven't found any that I like that I can afford, but this one had me at hello.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a fabulous weekend!
Now that Anna's room is just about complete, I find myself occasionally (ha!) browsing the www looking for things for Benny's room. He and Isaiah share a bedroom. Thankfully, they both have the same interests so I don't have to tape any divider lines on the floor nor do I have to hang a long curtain to separate them and their private space. We don't allow computers or gaming of any kind in the kids' bedrooms and they don't have TV with the exception of dvds that we find acceptable for all of them to watch. In other words, they don't spend much time in this room anyway.
Nevertheless, I find myself wanting to make it welcoming and comfortable for them and their guests. I also want this space to grow with Benny. He is only six years old. I don't want a do-over on this room anytime soon.
I am thinking about picking up a couple of these from Ikea.
Ikea doesn't offer consumers the option to read reviews on their products. I am looking for any feedback on these pieces that you may have.
Do you like the red?
Or do you like the white?
I think either color is safe for a boy's bedroom. I just can't decide. Something about that pop of red is really exciting to me. The white feels safe and definitely neutral. Maybe I should let you all decide...
I will mix them up with some walnut-finished beds. I haven't found any that I like that I can afford, but this one had me at hello.
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