Save Me From Myself

Not even 4 days back into the design blogging lifestyle and I'm already trying to justify a $650 coffee table purchase.  Let's start with some back story:  Some of you may remember that I've been living large with the panthers for the better part of 2 years:

But since the introduction of the tiny blessing baby Eero into my life, I've come to realize that the wobbly glass topped felines may not be the best-baby-walk-trainer out there.  After several frantic craigslist and ebay linked emails with Erin I found this:

$650 of pure, swirly, formica and bronze cocktail table magic (plus $180 shipping).  I tried.  I really really tried to justify this purchase but if I were going to spend $830 on a coffee table, would this be the one?  Ok, yeah, probably.  Can you guys save me from myself, or is this actually justifiable keeping in mind that my budget was $200? Share your wisdom.  Pretty please.

Our Nursery

In anticipation of our wee little bundle of joy I've finally finished the nursery I've been planning for the last 9 months.   Luckily, our very own Erin is an A++ photographer and somehow or another I managed to sweet talk her into coming over for last week and taking some pics.  You dudes get to reap the rewards.  Let's not waste any time:

Tada!  Ok, let's start at the top: The light fixture is a repurposed bird cage that had originally been used to hold rolled silver at my wedding.  I painted it black, Matt made it work.  Art on the gallery wall was covered in this post.  The pouf is from this ebay seller, I made the curtains, which are covered in this post.  The bumper was made by yours truly and the rug* used to live in Erin's dining room.  I traded her a night of babysitting for it, which, by the way, she never took me up on.

*BTW, I understand that there is a vicious anti-zebra rug movement going on right now, but guess what, I got this rug for free and I don't have to feel bad if the baby messes it up.  Plus, it goes.  Winwinwin.

Pretty damn cute, right?  You want to know where I got this stuff?  The light was a round top score ($10!) and the swivel rocker was purchased at Uptown Modern, I had the cushion made for it because the one that came with it was gross brown.  The pillow was bought on super clearance at anthropologie.  The terrarium used to hold plants but, despite my green thumb, they died, now it has toys.  The star hooks are from hobby lobby and the clock was a whopping $7.99 at Marshall's.

It just keeps coming, right?  Let's see... the dresser was found by Erin on craigslist (she has CL talent, yo) the tiger painting was purchased by Erin at the thrift store for (wait for it) $3.99 - I think I still owe her for that.  I purchased most of the lanterns at the cleverly named, paper lantern store.  The orange light is another round top score.

Here's a shot to put the corner with the dresser in context for you dudes.

How's my sweet little baby angel supposed to recognize his family without a little educational tool?  Pics of the crew live on a magnetic board over his changing table.  (table base bought at Salvation Army and painted black by me).  FYI, the magnets are made from wood cutouts bought at hobby lobby that we glued magnetic backings onto.  It's hard to find cute magnets these days.

Gratuitous lantern shot.   Did I mention that the walls are Benjamin Moore Harbor Grey? I just can't get enough of it.

And a last look at the top of the dresser.  I forgot to mention above that the room is tiger-friendly, not to be confused with tiger-themed.  Our little man is going to pop out in the year of the tiger, just like his daddy and his uncle, it's cool, we're into it.

So, there you have it:  the only completely complete room in my house... minus the occupant.

FSBO

So you know about this little project I'm spending 9 alcohol-free months cooking up?  Turns out he will be taking up an entire room in my house once he arrives in October.  Do you know what that means?  I'm losing my guest bedroom.  Le sigh.  Well, my loss is your gain as I have to part with my dearly beloved headboard and side tables

Be the envy of all your guests with this spectacular padded queen-size-bullfight headboard.  Have your eyes ever beheld such a site?  I thinkith not.  Imagine seeing this everyday.  In person.  Sweet dreams, right?  I'm selling the headboard, which could just be used as a wallhanging, for $80 and the pair of side tables (sorry for the bad picture) for $50 (that's $50 for the pair).  The lamps are staying.  Booya.

If you're interested, leave a comment or shoot me an email:  hollaback@design-crisis.com

Kisses!