WAYNE-scotting

In my never endless quest to recreate the Southern Plantation of my dreams....

Is that me or Scarlett O'Hara? Doesn't matter.

OF COURSE I insisted suggested wainscoting (which I pronounce WAYNE-scotting, the second syllable like the dog breed which is probably wrong) which is a type of molding:

There's just something about all those little boxes

I was promptly shut down by the Yankee, which I have mentally chalked up as yet another reason to restart the Civil War, but not today because I have things to do.  We decided to keep things contemporary, and go for a slightly thicker baseboard and NO crown molding near the ceiling to keep the eye fresh and free. Have you ever ordered baseboards online? Its very confusing.  Also I HATED about 95% of them because they're too traditional (and this comes from someone who likes WAYNE-scotting).

I took this screen shot of the baseboard I liked from Dyke's Lumber. Pretty much all of our house was planned via shared Google Docs because we both work full-time and have crazy schedules. Note to readers: if you are doing this, you should probably have someone quit their job. Preferably you.

I really liked the clean look of these tall baseboards. So we ordered them from Dyke's and the contractor picked them up hallelujah I didn't have to do that. With a coat a paint, they look pretty nice:

Internet, I don't know if we will later add some molding at the top near the ceiling. So this is how it looks for now:

What do you think?

Keeping original 1930s details

Our house was built in 1938 and was actually the 'model' house that was shown before the row was built. Neat huh?

When it was undergoing construction, we found this hand-painted wallpaper underneath one of the walls:

Today I'd like to share with you the details we kept from the original construction.  We kept the original arched book nook and entryway cubby.  Here's a before and (semi) after pic that highlights both of these well.  This is like one of those seeing eye comics where you have to say what's changed:

Before

After

We also loved this neat little hallway lamp. We cleaned it up and re installed it in the hallway, where it originally hung:

We are also reusing the old radiators (just freshened them up with paint). You can see it to below kitty:

A bonus of the new windows is a big beautiful cat sitting perch, or what normal people would call a windowsill.  We had a piece of carerra marble, which we loved but unfortunately couldn't use in the bathroom cut to fit. And someone loves it.

Feline Fridays

This is kitty's version of sittin' on the dock of the bay.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Flooring + Bare Walls: Living Room Mini-Reveal

Remember the entryway nook? 

 It wasn't finished, but now it is!  The thin cardboard protecting the floors has been removed and we're ready to roll!

There's a fan light. I am a nut for lighting. I don't feel there's enough light, but once we get some table lamps, I think it will be ok.

The kitchen actually in use:

We're almost there!  The only thing that's still annoying is the constant construction dust. I swear no matter how much I vacuum, there's always so much dust. A few thorough mops and it will be will much better.

Here's the infamous skylight with lighting. And still-wrapped appliances.

Internet, I have a confession. If I could it all over, I would either do:

A) A very dark floor and those same greige walls

B) Those same floors and a warmer paint color

I feel like the paint is a very cool hue and the floors are a very warm hue and something's not quite right.  But you live you learn. And with rugs, I'm sure it will all warm up a bit.

Renovation Resolution #5: Advertisements Lie

Its been a while since I've discussed a Renovation Resolution.  You can catch up on the other 4 here and here.  Today's resolution is useful if you ever undergo a major renovation: advertisers lie a lot.  That's not new, you say, but particularly around house stuff, they sure do.

Here's something that showed up on on my Twitter feed:

Lies.  You what's better?  Anything. Naps, white wine, enjoying life, not endless to-do lists.

Here's another:

Can you?  Are you sure?  Ever better question: Can I?  Are you really sure?  

NEVER stop improving?  I guess "Improve until you're really sleepy and tired of being covered in paint then leave it half-finished" doesn't really fit as a tagline.

Are there any other maddening home improvement ads I've missed?

What's your Janka Hardness Score and Other Things I Never Thought I'd Care About

Having wood floors that I actually have to care about is making me a bit of a nut (not as crazy as SOMEONE I know who god forbid you get a fleck of paint on the floor and his head spins around but nevermind).  I am constantly worried about someone/something scratching and ruining that beautiful hardwood.

Never thought flooring could be so good looking

So I did a bit of research and discovered that flooring hardness is based on a scale called the Jankess Hardness Score.  Ours is Acacia which has a score of 1750 which is a nice medium hardness (that's what she said).

So of course I do a bunch of searching about whether or not I can wear heels and honestly, I still don't know.  I even emailed the manufacturer and the answer was basically: don't.

I think I've resigned myself to not having the cool house where people have to take off their heels because the floors, my god the floors.  Ugh.

Greige reveal!

You'll remember my quest for the perfect greige aka beige meets grey. Not too beige, but not too grey with a cool tone underneath.

Internet:
Take it in. Take it allllll in.

Cathedral:

And you KNOW that little brown nook is going to get painted soon. I'm busy people.

Here it is next to our old door:

Sometimes it looks slightly purple, sometimes it looks more white. Sometimes blue. Its like a mood ring. I love it.