Monday, November 16, 2015

TWTW - the one with the crew

Spoiler: This is another scatterbrained and rambling weekend update. 

Thursday night I did all of my chores like a good little hausfrau: put laundry away, changed sheets, emptied the dishwasher, blah blah. I headed to the shore and got down there around 8:30. When I went into the main part of the house, I just stood there in awe. We got the living room and kitchen painted last week and the entire place was a total disaster. Three hours later we had it all cleaned up. Friday morning sunrise:
The day progressed quickly from there...old couches were picked up, MFD assembled furniture, I cleaned bedrooms upstairs, new furniture was delivered, we made beds, etc. Then MFD lured me to Home Depot under the premise that we'd also be going to Target. Two plus hours later, Target was no longer an option. We did get kitchen counters ordered. 
"Come to Home Depot," he said. "I'll take you to Target after," he said. 
MFD's mom arrived and we got some stromboli and a bucket of salad. My dad and Carol arrived soon after and Carol brought some goodies from the Cake Boss. The third photo is just shit everywhere on Friday night. 
Saturday morning sunrise...also known as the one where I dropped my phone on the beach and was back at my car before I realized it. Derp.
Hi ho hi ho, it's off to work we go. Things we did Saturday include: removed, sanded, painted, rehung kitchen cabinet faces and applied new hardware; painted trim on the main floor; removed remaining powder room wallpaper and patched some holes in there; hung decor; replaced shower head; taped area rug down; assembled coffee table; moved furniture from efficiency to upstairs; hung mug racks upstairs and downstairs; and I don't know what else. Everyone busted their ass all day and it was great. I get a huge thrill when every single item is checked off of my to do list especially when the list is daunting. 
Breaks were limited but I did give them one for lunch (Wawa) and chili I made at home and brought down with me. First dinner at our new table:
Sunday morning we hung some more stuff and my Dad painted the powder room. It made me sentimental, thinking about other owners in this house's 115 year old history doing the same, a lot of which still exists in the house now (original doors, etc). I love putting our touches on this old house that was so loved and cared for - two of my favorite things the former owners left are the Ocean City switch plates and the Ocean City clock. But the first thing I ever noticed was the door, and it's still the first thing I notice when I unlock it or lock it back up for the weekend: the Cead Mile Failte plaque that means a hundred thousand welcomes. When we first saw the house and I looked at that, I felt a click. And that means it was right. 
I know, blah blah just get to the updates. Here's the kitchen in progress, original listing photo in the top corner. Wallpaper removed, walls painted (Sherwin Williams SW 6675 Afternoon), cabinets painted/hardware changed out, stools painted, granite counters and appliances ordered. Mug racks (Ikea) hung and like the dork I am I will be changing them out so the same mugs will not be there all the time. 
Living room: walls painted  (Sherwin Williams SW 6745 Lark Green), furniture replaced, art hung. I used all of my own pics taken in Ocean City in this room aside from a shot Lil took of us on the boardwalk the day before our wedding. Everything is a work in progress in this house but this room is pretty complete aside from valances (needed throughout the first floor) and painting the cabinet under the TV, which won't happen until spring. Before and after: 
Couches are Raymour & Flanigan - Cindy Crawford Cape May line. Coffee table - World Market. Side table: HomeGoods. 
Dining room: painted, replaced table & chairs. 
Blue bedroom got a queen bed, sized up from a double, and is awaiting a second side table. I finally found a use for the shells I've been collecting since I was like five. Original pics on top new pics on bottom. 
Yellow room also got a queen bed up from a double, and new bedding including a throw pillow from Pier 1 that I'm obsessed with for some reason. Original pic in the top left. 
Powder room: Wallpaper removed, hole patched, painted Sherwin Williams Wisteria (SW 6822)
And one of my favorite touches - boat cleats lining the staircase. I'm missing one at the top and then we'll put some rope through. 

New in the efficiency apartment this weekend, sans before and afters: Console table from Wayfair, so easy to put together a chimp (and me) could do it. Shower curtain and storage from HomeGoods, mug racks from Ikea, Threshold cabinet from Target, rug from Wayfair. 
As you can see, I love color and energy in a space. Investment wise, I grumble but defer to the realtor in the family who knows what will appreciate better. Decor-wise, I don't hem and haw, I just go with my gut and buy it/hang it/shimmy it around until I get it right. We did the same thing in our house, from zero to 60 in a snap. Doers gotta do, man. And they need to have people to boss around. Thanks to infinity to our weekend crew of my Dad and Carol and MFD's mom. My mom and Lori are up next weekend! LOL

I know it's hard to see what's going on when I throw a bunch of photos at you of a house you don't know about and haven't seen in person. I'm sorry if it's not easy to see in photos, but it's definitely coming together. I feel great about the progress made this weekend. 

I got home around 2 on Sunday, did two loads of laundry, ran to Target to return shit and buy more shit, and then I did weekly food prep: egg muffins with spinach, diced green chiles, and cheese; breakfast burritos with sausage, egg, cheese, diced green chiles to freeze; pulled barbecue chicken over spinach for lunches; cucumbers, bananas, orange peppers for snacks; poop soup - just kidding, it's dog stew and it cost more than anything I made for the humans in the house; and Sunday dinner - baked chicken, steamed green beans, and fatassery in the form of Grands biscuits. 
The dogs had another tiring weekend seaside. They do enjoy the vestibule downstairs but don't like being alone while all the work is going on upstairs. 

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This weekend was the last big work weekend at the shore aside from MFD's kitchen stuff but I'm out of that after choosing countertops - future weekends will be more settling in and you'll see things actually outside of the house and maybe not quite so scattered when it's played back for you on Monday.

I could end with a thought on terrorism and panic and hate, but I won't. Because that's what the terrorists would like me to do and I am a fucking American and a citizen of the world and I will not live in fear. It's a devastating feeling when your country is under siege. Some of us know it fleetingly and some of us live it daily. I don't think this is a world in which peace is a possibility - since the beginning of time we've fought each other over our gods and our resources, our land and our people - but it doesn't stop me from wishing for peace anyway.

I'd rather end with saying I hope my fabulous friend Melissa had a wonderful birthday Saturday, and wishing my brother and Aubrey a happy first anniversary, also Saturday. Right photo courtesy of Evan Leslie Images, your man for all of your wedding/engagement/family/newborn/dog/headshot/arty/want new pictures of yourself on a Sunday needs.
Peace out.
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Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending

46 comments:

  1. I love love love love lovvvve all the colors! If I ever own a shore house or lake house or beach house, I'm calling you up for interior design recommendations!

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  2. You are making great progress, lady! Everything looks so awesome, I can't wait to see the final product! Oh Home Depot, such a time suck, hope you get your Target visit this week.

    Great way to end your post, no FEAR, we just need to take back our broken world. #LOVE

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  3. It looks like it is really coming together. Love the coffee table from World Market. You do know how to manage a crew!! Awesome job!

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  4. It's crazy the amount of work you guys have already done and how it's all coming together in just a short while!! I can't get enough of all the sunrise pictures that you take!! xo, Biana BlovedBoston

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  5. Gosh, you guys work FAST!!! It is already looking totally transformed!! Love the saying that's at the front door--it's a beautiful welcome for sure!

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  6. I love the plaque to infinity and beyond!!! I feel like I am in a dream saying I am going to my Stephanie's shore house this weekend A dream come true. Thanks to the universe to infinity and beyond!! Amen, on not yielding to the fear
    the evils want to instill. Faith- not fear. There is way more good in the world, for sure.
    You could command one of those quick renovations on the TV. Just awesome.
    Love your proud and grateful MOMMA

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  7. Such a labor of love! It looks so bright, and welcoming!

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  8. That coffee table! I think I need one. Been looking for one anyway...

    Love that you took the wallpaper out of the bathroom :)

    Also, I'm not at all envious of the hard work you're putting in..but the finished result will be well worth it!

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  9. It really looks great and just reading about all of the work and your weekend wore me out! It'll all be great and worth it when it's completed, but I can tell already it's going to be a great place.

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  10. Wow you have been busy!!! Looks like you are making some great progress!!!!

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  11. I am in love with the living room wall color and the cleats on the stairs are genius!

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  12. i love all the colours you've used so far and the progress is great! can't wait to see the final unveiling of the entire house in its finished state.

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  13. Everything that you've done so far in your shore house looks fantastic! I love that you used a collage of your own pictures in the living room, I feel like it makes it even more special. And your coffee bar area is amazing! I wanted to do that in our house, but we didn't have the wall space to do it.

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  14. Everything looks so adorable! I love it. I can't believe how much you've done in such a short time, considering that you and MFD both have full time jobs. I don't think I could do it!

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  15. Wow the shore house looks great. You accomplished so much this weekend, I'm tired just from reading it.

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  16. Those sunrise photos are stunning! I love the coffee mugs on display, I have so many fun and cute mugs it makes me sad they live most of their lives hidden behind a cabinet door.

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  17. Your house looks so great!! Hopefully there are many years of wonderful memories for you and others ahead. Are you going to do a vacation comment book? The houses I've stayed at in the OBX have them. It's for positive things you experienced or funny stories from your trip. I loved reading about all the other experiences between my yearly trips to the house :)

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  18. I am in shock. Your house looks SO good. I admire your ability to just get shit done. well done!

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  19. Everything looks great! I wish I had focused more when I was kid-less to get more shit done like you, but traveling was more important to me then! Oh well.

    Also noticed black beans in your poop soup or dog stew, a cheaper alternative is to cook the beans yourself (assuming you didnt do that and used canned) and if you did that good work!

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  20. So glad you were able to find your phone! And can we talk about how much I love all the beautiful colors in the shore house?! Perfect for a bright and cheery vacation home <3

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  21. With you on wishing for peace. Well said.
    As for the house... WOW, Steph! It looks amazing, really. So perfectly Ocean City, so perfectly the shore. I loooove all those paint colors you chose and those little touches are just amazing. Nice work!

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  22. Someone has been busy busy busy!!! I absolutely love how your house is coming together!!!! The living room paint is by far my favorite thing and the furniture and coffee table in there a long with the art is exactly how I would picture a relaxing shore house to look. Love the mug racks and all the little details everywhere. All of your hard work is totally going to pay off!!!

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  23. I cannot wait to see this house live and in person. This will be the only reason I break my "no Jersey Shore" rule.

    I definitely need to channel some of your energy because you've done more in owning that house for a month than we have in living here for two years.

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  24. The colors - obsessed!! I love the mugs hangers :) Also, that sunrise was AMAZING, sorry about your phone :-\

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  25. I'm so impressed by your to-do list achievements! I love when you have days that are just super productive. I really like all your coloured furniture, especially that Threshold cabinet. Good luck for the final push!

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  26. I absolutely love the coffee mug area! What a smart idea.
    We're wanting to redo our kitchen but every time we go to look at counter tops, I dont like ANYTHING... & especially what the hubby does like, NO WAY! He likes all the texture - I want a smooth counter top. This is going to be an adventure.

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  27. Everything is looking phenomenal! I love the mugs on display, be still my heart.

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  28. Love the colors you chose! Looks like a dream to live in. Congrats.

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  29. Wow! It's looking fabulous!! Love the color, love the artwork, love, love, love!

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  30. I love the bright, sunny, shore-inspired paint colors! It makes it so much more like a vacation home. You guys are really kicking ass getting this place put together and it's seriously impressive!

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  31. I love it all, Snotty. Good job! I'm not a shore person, but I would totally rent that house.

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  32. wow, I so love being witness to all of this! Love the rotation of willing relatives, ha. I'm sure they will appreciate using it when it's all said and done. You guys are definitely putting in the work and I think it looks fantastic. I also love the dogs looking all forlorn, hahah.

    Great thoughts on peace. I'll continue to hope for it too. :(

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  33. Love being able to see all the before/after pictures! You guys are doing a fabulous job- I LOVE how bright and beachy it is. I officially need more color in my own home- we are so neutral and boring simply because the house came neutral and it "worked" with all our stuff.

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  34. Very colorful and festive for a shore house. Sounds like you were extremely busy all weekend...hopefully it will be time to just re;ax there when everything gets taken care of. Good you had some visitors to help with the process.

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  35. Wow, you worked at the house and then also went to Target (finally hehe) and made food? You're a machine. A determined one.

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  36. Everything looks amazing and your sense of decor is wonderful!

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  37. The house is looking amazing & those photos are all stunning! Excellent job!

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  38. I am so very impressed with your progress on the new house, you are getting it done :) I love the new colors! It makes me tired just hearing about your weekends. I love all the original pictures you are using, what a nice touch.

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  39. That sunrise, though! <3! And the green of the living room makes me happy.

    I think you may have accomplished more this weekend than I have this entire year, btw!

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  40. I love all the colors you chose, and the nautical touches, particularly the seashell lamp! I have a collection of shells too that currently resides in clear candle holders in my bathroom because I have no idea what else to do with them. Also love that you used all your own photos in the living room and the mug racks. You've made some amazing progress!

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  41. Man, the colors on the shore are gorgeous... I love that you captured the waves, too!
    I have also fallen victim to the promise of Target. Except I always make Target 1st. ;) Little insider tip for ya. ;P
    I can't believe how much you've gotten done so quickly!!!! I love the paint colors you picked... especially the living room and bathroom! And I love that you're going to keep rotating mugs, lmao

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  42. You'll have to send me the listing. It looks gorgeous and you guys have kicked ass getting stuff done. Love the boat cleats and the bedding you picked up most :) Congrats for the millionth time.

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  43. It's all coming together and looking so good!!! I'm so glad you have tons of people to help.

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  44. You guys have done so much in such a short period of time, and that's awesome! I need to channel some of your "get shit done" mentality over the next few weeks because things keep getting added to my To Do list, and I just honestly don't feel like doing any of it. Sometimes pushing things aside just makes it worse, though. So when I'm feeling particularly lazy or uninspired, I should come back to this post. You seriously get more done in a couple of days than I do in a couple of weeks sometimes. (And man, was that embarrassing to actually admit!)

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  45. I love how it's all coming together. I also love that you've got some weekend shift workers (slaves?). That is worth its weight in gold. Gold, I tell you. I do have to say though... I'm insanely jealous of your beach views. I could deal with a few of those sunrises in my life right now.

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  46. yay for ticking shit off the to do list! what a good feeling. i love that Cead Mile Failte plaque - what a lovely meaning.

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