TV is the Scourge of Humanity (and Decorating)

Yesterday we thanked The Rev for such a beauteous day off, and then we hit the San Marcos outlets in search of treasure. Because shopping is about cultivating peace and understanding, right? If we hadn't actually found something worthy of the trip, I would be depressed that I live such a miserable and shallow existence. On the other hand, have you seen what was happening with our tv situation?

RAGE. ANGER.

Also, WOW I really need to take some new pics of the house. But I am lazy and Ike is home sick, so no pictures today.

I suck.

Anyhow, this is what we bought to disguise our components and "blend in" with the wall. Say hello to the West Elm Niche buffet. It usually retails for $699, but we got it for $199 because it had a few tiny chips here and there. High five.

While I kept holding out for some amazing antique to come my way, it actually fits the space fairly well. And it was cheap, so when Better Half Ben figures out how to hide the components by running cable through 2x4s and bricks (probably never), I won't feel bad about abandoning ship.

Now I just need to figure out how to style this sucker.

I shamelessly stole this image from Naomi of Design Manifest's pinterest, which is a total douche move because she was probably planning to post it tomorrow but I need it NOW.

To put myself back in Naomi's good graces (fingers crossed), I'm showing her Ikea Rast hacks that she used as a tv credenza. Crafty as all get out. I'm thinking I should paint the hardware on the Niche gold, and then steal the shelf idea. Because I am a thief.

I find Celerie Kemble's tv set up both charming and hilarious. Should I just put a giant vase full of flowers in front of the tv, cross my fingers, and pray no one notices it's there? Awesome.

And then there's fabulous Laura Day. No matter how many times I post this picture, it's never enough. My take away from this image is to make sure I tune the tv to 2001 or A Clockwork Orange before I photograph it in situ. Oh, and to buy an amazing Ello mirrored credenza, stat.

File that one under #thingsthatwillneverhappen.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have some Downton Abbey to watch. Later, taters.

Crazy Wallpaper I May Buy

First of all, thank you SO MUCH for your kind and generous well wishes on yesterday's post! While making babies is lots of fun, carrying them is... not so much fun. Thank you for filling the gaping void left by my good friends gin and tonic. Now I promised to get off my ass and play decorating party with you, so yesterday (in between American Pickers and Pawn Stars... I am obviously addicted to vicarious antiquing) I ordered a motherload of wallpaper samples.

I'm really digging this Abigail Edwards Seascape paper for the small but bright nursery, be it boy or girl:

For a boy I would paint the ceiling dark teal, for a girl I would use aubergine. White roman shades trimmed in matching cord, deco mahogany furniture, Ike's old hot air balloon chandelier (see it and the furniture in Ike's old room here), this chair reupholstered in warm charcoal (patterned?) velvet, and a few tiny persimmon accents. Bam! And that's about all that tiny room can handle. Except for a baby. (please, jeebus, let it handle the baby!)

So here is my tentative nursery girl palette.

And the boy palette.

Plus there will be lots of gold and black and flame mahogany up in that joint.

ps: we painted our front room that teal color, but darker.

pps: planning to paint the master bedroom that aubergine color... but darker.

Thoughts? Concerns?

Am I already scarring the fetus for life by plotting such things?

The scarring has to start sometime.

Fireplaces That Don't Fill My Heart With Murderous Rage (None Of Which Are Mine)

I know I'm a tease for stringing you along without showing the money shot, but sadly I have no pictures of my dumb fireplace today. I just haven't been home long enough to get anything done, and today promises more of the same. Oh holidays, in many ways you are ruining my "life." If I seem a little melodramaculous, it's because I'm still bent out of shape over what must be done with the fireplace. I enjoyed your comments yesterday, so much so that I even made up a mock sketch of a charcoal fireplace:

I'm calling that a no... I think. I do love the idea of adding some shades, though.

I'm going to try REALLY HARD to just hang a damn picture on the fireplace today, mostly so you don't have to endure the tragedy that is shabby chic white painted fan grates winking at you with crusty old maid eyes. In the meantime, please enjoy these pictures of fireplaces that don't suck.

Why can't my fireplace look like any of these? Why god WHY?

Deep breaths. Mellow. Blood pressure dropping.

Until tomorrow.

[Casa Mollino, Colombe Stevens, AD, Abigail Ahern, Nina Campbell]