Whitewash Job

Remember how ugly our brick fireplace is? Of course you do, because that was the last post I wrote (sorry for not updating more frequently -- it really is insane how all consuming moving can be). So, now that we have new living room paint (yay Sanders!) and floors, the fugtacular brick fireplace must be destroyed. Like seriously, I would love to take a sledgehammer to it. Some demolition happy people suggested we rip it out entirely, and we are indeed considering a major overhaul somewhere down the line. But for now, I just need to tone that shit down. Way down. Justin Bieber's publicist down. So paint is the obvious answer.

I'm sure a white painted fireplace would look great (non sequitur sidenote: I totally have that side table but bigger).

Look how easy quirky Miss AB Chao makes it look.

I also like the look of Morgan's charcoal painted fireplace, over at Ye Old Brick House.

But I think what I want is something not quite opaque... more like this:

How cute is that house, by the way?

Or maybe even less opaque, like this.

I don't know. It could turn out super kooky, but I'd like to try whitewashing before I commit to completely covering the brick. I think a lil rustic feel would be a nice foil for all my shiny disco furniture.

What I want to know is: have you ever whitewashed brick? Did you use lime like an old school badass? Because I'm kind of into that idea... did I ever tell you that I used to make daguerreotypes when I was a full time analog photographer? I like chemicals.

If not lime, then what? I don't want a plasticky, hermetically sealed look.

At least not until my chemical laden plans fail on an epic scale.

[Remodelista, AB Chao, Brick House, Blue Rose Gold, Design Ties]

Terrible Pictures of Our New House

Sorry for the late post, friends. I was busy hanging with my girl Rosie, who picked up the most insane brass headboard in a far away suburb and then drove it all the way down to our house -- because this is a girl who loves good furniture and hates to see it go to waste. I plan to hook that sucker up pronto and then take beautiful pictures for all the world to slaver over and express jealous indignation that their friends are not as cool as mine, but first I have to do the laundry. Why does housecleaning keep getting in the way of my very important decorating projects? I'm pretty sure I need a live in maid. For now, please feast your peepers on these awful pictures of our living room. I am having some floor planning issues, as usual. Also, I need entirely new furniture. Surprise!

Stupid, stupid fans.

The great room is super long, and presents some super challenges. For now our dining table is hanging out at the far end and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

 Can you see where the tv is? That's pretty much the only place to put it, and it's not conducive to a pretty couch situation.

Please do not assume I like those lamps there. Or anything anywhere, for that matter. What I do like is how the painted banister and wall color turned out. Thanks, Matt! You rule! And thanks, Sanders! You are a color GOD.

So there you have it. We're all moved in but I am itching to wave my magic wand and change EVERYTHING. I'm formulating an overall strategy (Acid Wasp? Eurovibe Florence Lopez style? Something else?) for furniture purchases, but what I really should be doing is burning those blinds and painting the fireplace...

Stay tuned for a post on that hot mess later this week.

I Met Hell and Punched it in the Face

Between moving, suffering through the most hellatious flu EVER, a flooded laundry room, a broken dishwasher, and Better Half Ben's broken back, last week blew chunks. Our little family teetered on the precipice of a sulfurous abyss for days on end, but I'm happy to report that we avoided the gaping maws of hell (except for the dishwasher) and have moved straight into purgatory, an otherwordly waiting room filled with boxes and paper and dirty dishes. It's all good though, because it's QUIET here. And I don't HAVE to do anything. I could stare at these boxes forever... and ever... and ever. Maybe I will. Honestly, it's looking ok at the new house. Tons of projects to complete, and lots of pictures to share as soon as I can clear away the dirty laundry lurking in every corner. We've even mangaged to catch up on some tv, and I'm very glad that we didn't move into this house:

If you're watching American Horror Story, you know what can happen when good real estate goes very bad.

Apparently the Alfred Rosenheim house was for sale in January and it's a stone cold fox, no doubt. Too bad about all the dead people in there.

Yeah, I know It's just a tv show but now I'm going to have to get out my ghostometer (or whatever equipment they use in those dumb movies) and check all the closets and attics in our new house... Cross your fingers and toes and eyeballs that it's dead body free.

Happy Halloween!

[Alfred Rosenheim mansion]