I WANNA live there Wednesday # 100

Good morning everyone !

I found the cutest little bungalow for this week -

Hudson, Quebec
( an area that we looked in last fall when we first sold our last place )
229,000
2 beds - 1 office ( could be 3rd bedroom ) 1 bath
Wood Fireplace
Partially finished basement
Realtor : CARL POIRIER

I'd love to see this hanging light even closer

I just love this tiny kitchen - filled to the brim with charm

I want a mug shelf now !!!
This kitchen proves you can still go " big " in small spaces - the floor length drapes and light fixture bring elegance to the room

And I LOVE the bedroom

They'd have to include the chiffonerie in this sale - how beautiful

Basement

The little house in the woods ! ( with lots of room to add a pool )

I think it's just adorable - and had it been available last October when we were frantically looking for something - anything - to buy - this may very well have been where I'd have been blogging from tonight!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone -
I'm working non stop to at least show you something from the 2nd guest room by tomorrow

Much love,
Me

Sharing at these fabulous parties !

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson                             From my Front Porch to Yours
The Charm of Home                                               French Country Cottage
Between Naps on the Porch
My Turn for Us                                                      It's Overflowing

When the stars align.........................

Sometimes you just gotta grab them - pluck them right out of the sky and just be grateful that you happened to be looking up at just the moment when they' were about to cross each other.

No conversations with your better half that go on for days

No second guessing

I was looking for a love seat for the " reading room "
A full 3 seater sofa would be a little crammed because there's no way John is giving up his arm chair
( please don't look too closely - I'm trying to fluff out what isn't finished - which is basically the whole room still )

So I've been checking online for one - without any luck - until I decided I would just purchase an Ektorp from Ikea - the best solution for me because it comes with removable slip covers and they're so reasonable ( 79.99 ) that you can change them out seasonally without much cost involved.

I originally wanted to go with white - to tie in with the white slip covers in the living room - but was torn between getting the grey to tie in with the stencilled floor in the room

Anyway the decision was kind of made - done deal - it was necessary to have it because the t.v. happens to be in that room as well....................

And then I happened to be online and came across this ( in a neighborhood adjacent to mine almost )

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EKTORP LOVESEAT - GREY

Date Listed	14-Oct-14
Price	$50.00
For Sale By	Owner

Very good condition! Must go because new couches .............

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And it was still available when I contacted the seller !

That, my friends, is what I call perfectly aligned stars.

White slip cover for under 100.00 -

A perfect match for the room across from this one

You can see the post on these slip covers HERE

THEN THE STARS GOT CROSSED - BECAUSE THE NEXT NIGHT WHEN WE WERE GETTING READY TO PICK IT UP - THE SELLER SENT ME AN EMAIL TELLING ME THEY'D CHANGED THEIR MINDS..................

A huge disappointment - but hey - IKEA still has them, right?

Until I came across 2 very pretty loveseats ( better then 1 I suppose ) that I figured I could have slipcovered
 - in new condition -
The seller and I agreed on a price  - and then..............
Nothing -
No reply - just vanished into thin air.

Now it's getting heartbreaking

Until I came across another EKTORP Love seat - great price - new white slip cover had just been purchased - again 10 minutes away - ...................
Too late - just sold M'am.................

That's ok - because I saw a another Dark Grey one further down - I'll take that one instead.
Eagerly sent off the email - too late - sorry - just sold.

Now I've come to terms with the fact that I have to get to Ikea - and so I type EKTORP IKEA in my browser and up pops another Craig's list ad - just listed - for a White Ektorp - 3 seater this time.

We picked it up last night.

SELLER'S PHOTO

The strangest thing of all of this story is that in all the years I've been cruising online for furniture - I have never - not once - seen an Ektorp love seat OR couch for sale.  ( other than in the last 2 weeks )
MY stars are like everything else in my world - they get sidetracked - they collide - they explode - when there's a fork in the galaxy, they obviously take the wrong path but somehow - amazingly - every now and then they align -
And for a moment or two it's glorious

I'm still liking the grey ( for the winter at least ) so a trip to IKEA may still be happening this weekend.

IKEA

But last night we both sat watching the Hockey game together - until John asked me to please leave the room or stop talking.
Hmmmph - I've been kicked out of far better rooms, let me tell you

Suzan says- Can't you talk and watch hockey at the same time?
John says - No actually, I can't
John says - And neither could you if you were actually watching the bloody game
Suzan says- John - I could play hockey and carry on a conversation - I'm all about multi tasking.

I've never bought a second hand couch before - and I'm a leetle teeny beet terrified.....................but I'm not going to voice my concerns - and that way everything will be fine, right?

Have a wonderful day everyone !
Look up - you just never know when your stars will be doing their magic.

Hugs,
Me

101 uses for Fence Planks

Suzan says - John do you think you could cut a few of those wood planks for me
John says - What for now?
Suzan says - I have an idea for an empty frame
John says -  How about putting a picture in it?
John says - Now that would be a unique concept, wouldn't it?
John says - What do you want to do with it, put wood planks on the back of it?

And he laughs his head off
Until

Suzan says -  YES !!!
John says - I think you're getting carried away with the bloody fence planks now

But the idea was born this summer - when I put empty frames on the actual fence outside in the eating area

Suzan says - Something about the decorative frames against rustic wood spoke to me
John says - Why is it that whenever something's speak to you - it involves work for me -
John says - What do these things say?  " Oh look John's taking a break - can't have that "
John says - And the bigger question is - why do inanimate things keep talking to you ?
Suzan says - Well it's much the way your golf clubs call your name on the weekends ..................

The original plan was to white wash the planks - but he hammered them all in before I could get to it

It's perfect for above the bed ( in the guest room bed nook - which is not finished )  Does anyone else hang artwork while a room is still being painted?

Think of the possibilites ( other than just leaving it is of course - because more is more is more, right? )

Later on I noticed John gathering up all the remnants of the leftover planks

Suzan says - HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
John says - Getting rid of these
Suzan says - Well you can put them right back down
John says -  Aw c'mon Suzan - what are you planning on doing - writing a book on 101 uses for Fence Planks?
Suzan - Holy cow - that's a magnificent idea John - maybe I will -
Suzan says - But in the meantime can you cut me just four more little pieces sweetie schnookums?
Suzan says - I have another frame.....................

Have a wonderful day everyone
Back to that little guest room for me

Update:  I added a round mirror I had to the center !

Much love,
Me

Come join me at these parties !!!

Between Naps on the Porch                       My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
A Stroll Thru Life                                       Stone Gable
Distressed Donna Down Home                  Kathe with an E
An Extraordinary Day                                Home Stories A to Z
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson                From My Front Porch to Yours
The Charm of Home                                  My Turn for Us
My Romantic Home                                  Funky Junk Interiors
Be Different Act Normal                            One More Time Events
Life on Lakeshore Drive                            It's Overflowing
The DIY Showoff                                      Beyond the Picket Fence
Adorned from Above                                Remodelaholic

A Friday Chat about This and That

So there I was at a comedy show - tons of people in the audience - and I find myself walking towards the stage door - where I talk the manager into giving me a chance to get on stage -  I start telling jokes and everyone just stares at me...........no expression -
I then start making faces and hopping around like a lunatic - again - no expression - until someone screams
" Get her off the stage "

Having no luck there - we moved on to a Karoke bar - and when I got up to sing people started leaving the bar................
And the manager came over and begged me to please stop.

I woke up devastated.
My dreams are getting weirder and weirder

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Amazon stalks people................has anyone else noticed that if you're on Amazon looking at items - the next time you visit a blog - an Amazon Ad will pop up - WITH THE EXACT ITEM YOU WERE LOOKING AT !!!!!!!!!!!!
Please tell me some of you have noticed this strange occurrence and that I'm not losing my mind.

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I had an email in my in-box advising me that I could put an end to embarrassing elections -
WTH?  I thought.
Elections don't bother me personally - ( although they SHOULD embarrass the politicians who participate ).
Then I realized the word was Erections.  I need to wear my glasses more often - how embarrassing.

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I'm receiving an abnormal amount of emails from foreign women who apparently want to marry me.
They love my manliness and have always wanted someone like me.
I'm flattered but will have to pass.

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I need a facelift ( just an observation )

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Or at the very least an eye lift

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When we were celebrating a 50th birthday almost monthly
Can it really have been 5 years ago?

and now - back to pressing details

Have a wonderful weekend everybody !

Much love,
Me,

Decisions...............decisions

Good morning everyone !

I'm torn with what to do for a dresser in the little " adult " guest room -

There's this one ( which I'd have to paint - and which is no problem at all )
Before and after HERE and HERE

I'd have to paint it - since it will NOT go with the Black/White decor................

There's such a lot of storage in this ( don't mind the " staging " - this photo was taking last year in the old house )

All those shelves - plus those 2 drawers - and another 2 on the bottom half  ( I would NOT paint those 2 interior drawers - I still like the miscellaneous lol )

IF I decide to go this route ( and I think I might - because there's something European about an oversized armoire in a tiny room - with a bed and chair  ) what color should I paint it?

Black ?  ( the floor will be white - so the contrast might be pretty )
( I think this is Restoration Hardware - but I'm not sure )

Or do I go White - with black accents along the lines of this one I did last year?  ( before and after HERE )

Or do I just go with this dresser instead? ( paint the handles black )
( before and after HERE )

Of which I have a matching little end table somewhere in storage ( hey - that would look great in my living room actually - gotta get that out of there LOL )
( before and after HERE )

I only list the links because I personally love to see how something looked before

Calling all comrades in arms - I'm absolutely torn here............................

Have a wonderful day
Much love,
Me

Looking for inspiration?
Join me at these fabulous parties !

My Romantic Home                                      Funky Junk Interiors
I Should be Mopping the Floor                      Between Naps on the Porch
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia                  Kathe with an E
Miss Mustard Seed

I WANNA live there ...............................

Will return next week - because I spent far too many hours trying to make a (*&$R(*&@ Greek Key design around one of the windows in the second guest room .......................

I went through a roll of painter's tape and on to the second one before I just said #@&(@(*)& it.
I feel like a complete idiot -

Every now and then I'd let out a screech and John would ask what was going on
Nothing I'd scream at him - absolutely nothing -
( because that's exactly what was going on )

Either I'm very tired - or I seriously lack motor skills.
( I think I lack #*&$*()&$  motor skills - but we'll just say I'm *&$(*&$^%(  tired - because I DID do it once staging a *$&@(*&&$  house for sale )

This little room is driving me insane !
Like bat shit crazy ( as my friend Tina from What We Keep says ) click on the link to read a great post on keeping things in perspective - AND get a good laugh.

And if that weren't enough I can't get on to my blogger dashboard - it keeps telling me I don't have a google plus profile - %$^#*&

This quote by ERIC CARLE says it all

One day I think it's the greatest idea ever that I'm working on. The next day I think it's the worst that I've ever worked on - and I swing between that a lot. Some days I'm very happy with what I'm doing, and the next day I am desperate - it's not working out!

Have a wonderful day everyone !
I'll be in the guest room trying to %$^&#%  finish painting.

Bed Nooks

I LOVE them - and it's one of the great things about this house ( it just may be the only great thing about this house in all honesty lol )

I have a few of them because of small dormers and such.....................but there's a space in the small guest room I'm working on - while not actually a " nook " per se - could easily be made into one.

Here's some inspiration photos - I've linked them to their original source but  you see a lot more on my Pinterest page HERE

You can also see some great reading nooks I featured HERE - ( while not exactly beds they're beautiful spots to curl up )

 HOUZZ

LIVING WITH LIBBY

IMMORTAL LONGINGS

 FOLLOWPICS

Down the road - 100% - I'll be building a frame and a support to make a proper nook in this spot
( and one other - in my bedroom which was where the original idea of a reading nook took place )
And had I known how easy it is - I would never have bought a bed frame............check out the below
( and think of all the storage you could incorporate into it )  Looks to be simply made out of plywood and very basic in design..................all of those pieces can by purchased at Home Depot where they'll cut them to size for you for a small fee - really - this is do-able that I wish I'd seen it before I went and bought the bed frame.
I HAVE to use it for at least a little while or John will kill me - and there's so many other better reasons he has to do so - best to leave this one alone for now.

DESIGN SPONGE

So for now my bed nook will involve placing an actual bed in the space - I love that there's a small window where the bed will be ( there's another small window on the other side of the room )
The view is pretty dull when you're standing because it faces another house - but when you're laying ( I tried it by crouching backwards - think LIMBO ROCK..................and all you see are tree tops - quite beautiful actually - so I'll have to ask guest to crawl in on they're hands and knees and just plunk themselves on the bed.

And here is the beginning of a bed nook in all it's glory LOL ( this is the footboard - the headboard is much taller - but I almost killed myself getting it in here for the sake of a photo so I wasn't about to change it )
Just one more centimetre and it would never have fit...............almost like it was made to measure, right?

Can you believe how lucky I got with this one?

I found 2 of these wall shelf sconces while shopping in my inventory cupboard - aren't  the scrolls a perfect touch ?
I'll be spray painting them black ( they were purchased at Pier 1 maybe 10 years ago )

 I picked up 2 of these from Ikea - 8.99 each - for reading lamps over the bed - I may be making a little something - something for them to hang from ( or I may not be - you never know - because I never know where I'm going from one minute to the next )

I also found this duvet cover and shams in the linen closet ( just sitting there for 4 years now - an impulsive buy because one day I might have the perfect setting for them - that day has arrived ) black and white which is perfect..................... (  sometimes this OCD shopping of mine really pays off in the end )
They're also from Ikea - and they still have them actually !

I'm working my butt off to finish this room - by hook or by nook.  I gave myself a week - it may take a leeeetle bit longer than that.
I think I'm slowing down in my 50's - 5 years ago this would have been done in no time flat - just another one of those perks about aging that makes me want to shout ( not kick my heels up - just shout )

Here's one more for the road - isn't the bedding  gorgeous?

A SIMPLE LIFE AFLOAT

Have a wonderful day everyone !
I'll be painting................and painting .....................
and painting

Much love,
Me


Looking for inspiration?  Join me at these fabulous parties !

From My Front Porch to Yours                                        My Romantic Home
One More Time Events                                                    Life on Lakeshore Drive
I Should be Mopping the Floor                                        Between Naps on the Porch
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia                                     Stone Gable
A Stroll Thru Life                                                            An Extraordinary Day
Kathe with an E                                                              Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
French Country Cottage