S P R I N G P R O J E C T

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since it was so nice out this past weekend C decided to start his early-

spring-do-not-extend-into-summer-or-else project. we've got this goofy

little brick wall that separates the deck and the rest of the yard. I like having

it there when we bbq since it's a great place to put stuff and it's extra

seating...plus i like the separation.

So C is just tidying it up in his own special, do it right, way. This will be

topped with a crisply cut slab of bluestone to match the rest of the

backyard/patio stone. stay tuned!

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M O R E G R A Y K I T C H E N S

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here's another amazing gray kitchen from levinson/mcdavid architects

right here in brooklyn. love it!

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K I T C H E N C O L O R 2

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ok i love gray. haven't seen too many grayish kitchens...at least not in person.

i'm diggin' the idea of possible gray cabinets. the first 2 photos are an

amazing kitchen that is my major inspiration right now....with maybe not

such a crazy floor and not so glam & sparkly. the cabs are a very light gray.

photos from newmanandwolen.com.

this last one's nice too...more white then gray and very classic. like the

gray countertops/backsplash. it's something i've been thinking about since

the beginning of our planning.

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S T A I R C A S E B E F O R E & A F T E R

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there was a pretty narly looking staircase to the lower level here before.

looks like the staircase to hell...for a little while it was. we got right to ripping

out everything in the basement that the former 'owner/dirtbag/crazy person'

put in before. i mean, how can you even live like that?

the metal parts of the staircase had to be welded on site. fun!

installed and waiting for beefy maple treads.

then chris got to work on the gorgeous maple treads. nice and thick!

once everything's in place it's pretty freaking cool! an amazing transformation

if i do say so myself. it's funny looking back at these old pictures...how did we

see beyond the grossness and filth to buy this place...and think we'd live in it

as-is for a while? That changed quickly!

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T O O C U T E T U E S D A Y !

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willis love

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K I T C H E N P L A N R E V I S E

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revised plan just showing a more horizontal oven/fridge wall.

no more vertical pantry here but still trying the ol' appliance garage.

also this could work with a dark lower/light upper cab look.

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I N M Y H O O D

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the NYTimes featured an article about this couple who live nearby. what they've done with

their rental apartment is just gorgeous. i'm loving their lamps and window treatments!

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T O O C U T E T U E S D A Y !

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i know this looks like our cat arnold...but it's not. this is a cat that is up

for adoption at the humane society in nyc. last week i donated a box full

of returned comforters, old towels, and samples from the office. they kindly

sent back a photo of this cat enjoying his new digs. how 'bout you? next time

you buy new bedding or are getting rid of some old towels bring 'em on

over to your local shelter where i'm sure they'll make a furry someone

very happy. prrrrr.

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O S C A R S 2 0 1 0

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congrats to 'the cove' for winning the oscar for documentary feature.

this film and 'food inc' feature an issue close to my heart...animal welfare.

'food inc' particularly is a movie (and website) everyone in america should see!!!

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K I T C H E N C O L O R

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my sweet architect/cousin blew my mind by suggesting possibly painting

kitchen cabinets and not doing wood or white. what? you can do that?

i didn't even think of it...and now i can't stop thinking about it!

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G A R D E N B E F O R E & A F T E R

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spring is in the air (wishful thinking perhaps?) and that's got me

thinking about getting back in the garden.

back in the old days of 2004, our house had a pool. doesn't it look

inviting? as tempted as we were to go for a swim and catch a major

bacterial infection we decided to get rid of it. we amended and

balanced the soil, put down some bluestone, planted a tree, shrubs,

and perennials, and each spring we threw in a few veges and annuals.

then 4 years later we replanted the tree, put up a new fence,

replaced the old metal shed with a custom designed masterpiece,

(see patio & shed link to the right) and put in a bluestone patio.

keep in mind all this stuff had to go through our house since we don't

have separate yard access.

what a transformation!

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T O O C U T E T U E S D A Y !

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K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G 2

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here's plan #2. This one just puts the fridge next to the sink

instead of on the other side of the room next to the

stove...which leaves room for more of the vertical storage.

More storage is always good especially when you're trying

to do the minimalist/everything-thing-in-it's-place thing.

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K I T C H E N P L A N N I N G

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I've been tooling around with this kitchen plan for years. For a pretty good

sized room there seems to be alot of limitations (including budget!).

We have doorways on both ends, wonderfully large windows we'd like to keep

clear and unblocked, a weird angled wall, and a chimney stack. This plans

the best we've gotten to...with the help of our architects i think it can be

pretty fab. These are just my cheesy adobe illustrator designs.

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K I T C H E N M O O D B O A R D S

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I've been thinking about renovating our kitchen since the day we saw it at the

open house over 5 years ago..and let me tell you...it was awful. I considered

myself a visionary. (i'll dig up some pics to post). Well now that we're seriously

talking about renovating i had to do a few little mood boards so everyone who might

be involved knows what i'm going for. I have hundreds of photos i've been collecting

over the years...been reading tons of magazines and forum posts. I think i'm finally ready.

The fact that this'll probably be a partly d.i.y. experience has me pretty freaked out.

I think these images have really helped our 'dear architect cousin' who's advising and will

hopefully help our contractor when we find that amazing-cheap-perfectionist-type

.

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T O O C U T E T U E S D A Y !

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W H A T I ' M R E A D I N G

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Just wanted to give a 'shout 'out' for the happiness project.

The author boils it down as "what i've learned as i've test-driven the wisdom

of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from popular culture.

it's possible to be happier by taking small, concrete steps in your

daily life."

What a great read! There's so many little nuggets that really get me thinking.

Like "Just because something is fun for someone else doesn't mean it's fun for you."

I can't tell you how many times i felt like i should enjoy something because

doesn't everyone enjoy shopping with girlfriends. I don't i actually cant stand it.

Whew. that's better!

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B I K E L O V E

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This winter's been pretty brutal the past few weeks. Not being able to ride my bike

has got me down. I don't know if it makes me feel better or worse to visit one of

my favorite daily reads copenhagencyclechic.com and see all the fab photos of

people riding right on through the winter snow. Here's some amazing stats:

In Copenhagen 36% of the population commutes by bicycle.

During the winter 80% of them continue to ride.

When it snows the bicycle lanes have the highest priority and get

cleared of snow and salted before the roads.

I want to go to there.

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T O O C U T E T U E S D A Y !

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W O O D G R A I N L O V E

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seriously, i dont know what it is about woodgrain and faux bois that i love. maybe it's the fun mix of natural and manmade. i'm digging these tiles by artist bryan kerrigan. Maybe for the kitchen backsplash?

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O U R C U R R E N T K I T C H E N

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Our next project is renovating our kitchen. I'm currently in the research, planning, ogling other people's kitchens phase. Here's some glamour shots of our current kitchen.

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W A N T I T

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i can't even say anything except how brilliant is this?

from twelvesouth

"we're not just mac friendly-we're mac only"

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L O V I N G O P E N S H E L V E S

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what is it about open shelves i love so much? maybe it's how modern, and airy it makes a space look? Sometime lots of cabinets can be a bit oppressive. open shelving on one wall is something i'm def looking into for our kitchen reno. that's a commitment to keeping things clean and dust-free!