Before + After: The Little Blue House: Guest Bathroom

Ah, the pink bathroom.



If you recall, I began with a bathroom that boasted lovely Pepto-Bismol pink tiles and was approximately the size of a refrigerator. A small refrigerator.

After demolishing a linen closet in the hallway I reconfigured the entrance, adding nearly a third more square footage.

Before + Progress Pictures: The Little Blue House: Third Bedroom

This room was a dark paneled nightmare when I bought the house. I had the entire space drywalled, adding a ledge to store and display my artwork. This room still needs another coat of paint and additional window treatments. I cannot wait to hang billowy, cotton, white sheers in this space!

Yeah, I Paint 002

Him
2008
oil on canvas
hint: double click on the drawing for a close up view

This 14" x 18" unframed original painting is now available for purchase. Please contact me for details.

Update: This painting has been purchased. Thank you all for your interest.

Details Details, Take 2: Alvar Aalto Trays

Details Details is an ongoing series that points out little things that make a big difference.

Double click on the photos for a close up view.

Alvar Aalto trays come in a variety of colors and sizes.

The dean of my alma mater, Dr. Peter Magyar (author of the inspirational Thought Palaces), was with Florida Atlantic University's Architecture School during the time that I was there and, ironically, is now the dean at the Kansas State program that I transferred from.

I remember he used to find fallen leaves on his way into our studio space and place them into simple Alvar Aalto trays that rested on the desk in his office. Some of the plants were colorful or oddly shaped. All were beautiful. The combination of the organic symmetry of the leaves against the wavy modern design of the trays created little works of art in themselves.

A perfect detail to include in any space.

Before + After Pictures: The Waterfront Condominium, Part 2

Many moons ago, I promised to share the elusive before photos of one of my very first projects, The Waterfront Condominium. I finally came across the pictures recently when we were packing, and I just now had a second to scan some of them. There were quite a few, so you can expect a Part III of this Before + After in the future. While I'm proud of what I learned here, this was a looong time ago, and there are many things that I'd do differently today. In any case, the oldie (circa 2001ish) pre-digital camera pictures are below. Check out the retro photo book style presentation, complete with Scotch tape and everything. (Believe it or not, I actually worked at firms in college where they still made these. That's what I get for rolling into the world right before the onset of the 80s. If you turned 30 this year, too, holla.) Keep in mind that these really aren't true before pictures, since most of the demolishing was well under way. Plus, the new windows and doors had already been installed. The real befores were full of flea ridden carpets, rotting cabinetry and moldy layers of drapes -- along with the random roach motel. The neighbors wouldn't come near the place. To say it was hideous would have been too generous. Anyway, take a gander at what I whipped up, and feel free to let me know what you think. (Seriously, whether it elicits feelings of mild disgust or encourages you to high five me, I really want to know.)

To see the spaces -- from way back in 2001ish! -- as featured in DigsMagazine in February 2004, click here. (Their article's After pictures of the place are a waaay better quality.)

Double click on the photos to view them close up.

Dining Room + Kitchen
before on the left, after on the right

The concrete torn up in front of the windows show where there had been an exterior wall that stretched from one side of unit to the other. The space outside of that wall, by the windows, was originally an enclosed patio space. The concrete was floated to match the interior floor level, and the ceilings and walls were refinished. All of the windows (and the door) are new.

Kitchen
before on the left, after on the right

The entire unit had popcorn ceilings which were scraped off and refinished. Talk about messy.

Kitchen
before on the left, after on the right

Emerald pearl granite countertops, pumpkin cherry cabinets, European hardware.

Kitchen + Entrance
before on left, after on right

Originally a narrow galley kitchen, we removed the walls. The floor cabinets wrap around the structural column on the left. The two walls on either side of the water purifier carried the main plumbing and electrical lines. Both had to be unexpectedly replaced. Replacing the main plumbing line has happened in several units that I've purchased that were built in the 1960s. Be sure to be prepared for this, and let the building's manager know that they should be ready too.

Dining Area

before on the left, after on the right

Guest Bathroom

before on the left, after on the right

Guest Bedroom

before on the left, after on the right

I designed the desk and had it built into the wall with brackets anchored to the concrete. It appeared to float.

Master Bedroom

before on the left, after on the right

Fifth Bag Of Mailbag: Liar, Liar

Friends watch a black cloud from our wedding suite.

"...Did you guys really see a tornado or are you killing time playing around with photoshop? I never knew a tornado could make it's way to Florida..."

Yes and yes. We're certainly as prone as the next state to those dizzy little suckers. In fact, one of the larger concerns with hurricanes is the tornadoes (and water spouts) that spin off of them. The whole palm trees and peace thing they sell here is certainly a myth, no?

My Biological Clock Is On Snooze

Lately, every time I end a sentence with an exclamation point or leave an excited teaser voicemail for someone, the response I get is always the same, "You're pregnant aren't you?!"

No, I'm not.

Although, I'll admit to having fleeting cravings for fleshy rather than furry belly kisses and that irreplaceable baby smell of powdery lavender, I haven't really felt the push for children yet.

I think my biological clock is on snooze.


Frank Lloyd Wright designed his kids this play area.

What I have been thinking endlessly about -- for the first time ever -- is designing children's spaces. Either a bedroom or play area, the possibilities have me dreaming of something similar to Santa's workshop. A large, open, warm space (lots of wood?) with vaulted ceilings and tiny hiding areas filled with puzzles and blocks and bicycles. Think handmade toys with a vintage throwback feel that are both basic and infinitely whimsical. Non gender specific and anti pastel.


Christopher Robin sign on Etsy from IceHouseCrafts.

Anyone have a 5 year old I can borrow?


As featured on A Vintage Cottage Home.

Dricka Loves Dollar

I was at the park by The Downtown Townhouse the other day, when I came across the interesting declaration of adoration below.

Which name is more odd, Dricka or Dollar? I couldn't choose either.

Tornado For Breakfast

When Andrew took the dogs out for their morning tinkle spree, a kid pulling into the high school that's across the street from The Little Blue House waved him over.

"Dude, check out the funnel cloud."

Take a listen to my ever-so-professional video account of the scene below. Watch out, Mr. Cooper.

On a side note, the high school's mascot is The Golden Tornadoes. Yes, I think it's time to up our property insurance amount.

Double click on the photo to enlarge.

Promise Kept

Remember how I said I was going to give this a go in November? You know, after the move, and the new bike purchase and all?

Well, I decided that since our current place is so walkable, I might as well start now. So far, so good. I've found that I really love not relying on a car.

Places I've wandered by foot:
coffeehouse
beach
post office
bank
high school track
park
pizza parlor
mediterranean cafe
ice cream shop

Where do you walk or bike to?

Farmer Jo Is My Hero

One of my favorite go-to blogs, Farmer Jo, actually took me up on my sorry little request for an easy to whip up Moving Meal. Try these little gems for a party in your mouth.

Home Depot Deals

I'm always keeping my ear to the ground for a good deal, and this morning I found just that. Home Depot's website is offering $10 off $100 online orders. The coupon code is SAVECJU29. Plus, until September 24th, they're offering 50% off select patio sets with free shipping and free shipping on select ceiling fans. Not a bad time to think about stocking up on some new lounge chairs, now is it?

(In case your interested, they're also offering 10% off all LG appliances with delivery and haul away, but I've never purchased any from their store so I can't vouch for the competitiveness of their pricing when it comes to large appliances.)

So go on and buy your digs a little (or big) something special. And if you do, let us know what you scored!