I got good feedback after the first installment of Floorplan Saturday so I decided to run with it. I’m thinking it will be twice a month max.   Every week would get boring for those of you who don’t get weak in the knees for floor plans like I do.

I could and will write a whole post on what I like and don’t like in a floor plan but for now lets take a look at one of my personal favorites.

Kensington Park by Frank Betz

No doubt, Kensington Park is a cottage lover’s dream .  The lines, mixture of materials, and details.  Yes, please.   Of course, every cottage needs a front porch and beautiful windows.  The doors make an impact as well.   I saw this house being built in a nearby custom home subdivision which lead to my seeking out the plan.  This particular house was brick but even without the board and batten it was incredibly charming.

The funny thing about floor plans is that what doesn’t appeal to me might appeal to you. What is a positive in my book might be a negative for your family.  So much depends on your stage of life and what your needs are.

Square footage:
first floor: 1755
second floor: 864
Total: 2619

Positives:

-Side load garage (the one I saw in person had a 3-car)
-front porch
-double sinks in Master
-huge kitchen with great usable space
-mudroom area
-two bathrooms upstairs
-potential bonus space in attic
-several closets for storage
-laundry tub
-separate breakfast space
-sizable bedrooms with good closets

Negatives:

-no living room or study
-only one closet in master
-master is close to the main living space

Master down is a positive for many but sometimes a negative for those with young children. While I love this house,  I do like a separate space for a study or den.  If we didn’t have a piano, I probably wouldn’t care as much.

Regardless of any negatives, this plan makes a beautiful home.  Having seen it in person, I can tell you it is a very livable plan with a lot of lovely details.

Now, what are your likes and dislikes about the plan?

-Erin

I’ve got a nice pile of random stuff to share so I thought I’d cram it all together for a little Friday mish mash.  Home decor finds and cell phone tower tales wrapped together like a pig in a blanket.

I made a stop this week at my favorite home decor market, Black Lion located in Pineville, NC. There are a zillion booths with all kinds of fun things.  I bought a couple of little things but nothing major.

Fuzzy i-Phone pic but I love the look of that bench!

B is for blues and boxwoods.  Ahh.

I  need to change my dining room table-scape and make it more summery!

 Those doors are divine as is the painted chest.

Do you see that random tree?  Wait, how could you miss it.  That is someone’s idea of disguising cell phone towers.  They have popped up all over town and it makes me feel like I live in a comic strip.  I wonder how many tax dollars that took?  I didn’t really notice the towers before but now that we have trees floating in the air I can’t help but see every one.

We remembered our dear departed dog, K.C. this week on her birthday with a mini balloon launch. This was Lacey’s grand plan and it is sweet that she cares so much.   Both kids were really excited to send K.C. a present.

I did some quick i-Phone snapping in the fabric store so that I could get those sources for you (original post here).  Because they are “for the trade” it is a wee bit harder to track them down.  Emily A. Clark had a good post earlier this week on how to purchase fabrics that are specifically trade-only.  In my case, I decided to order the pillows through the store so that I could get those yummy fabrics.

It actually made sense economically.  Had I ordered yards of fabric to make pillows, the store would have marked up the price.  However, since I am using their seamstress for my pillow order, I get the “for the trade” price.  Yes, labor is more than if I had made them but with the better fabric price and a Memorial Day sale it makes sense to go that route.

Because I ended up having them made, I’m getting a knife edge on two, cording on two, and a nice jute strapping on another.  They will also have zippers which is great with little kids!

Speaking of little kids, Reid was clearly was not bothered by fabric samples on the couch.

So, back to the big decision!  Option One (below) was the winner!  That was my pick and it was the winner among my readers.  Thanks for the emails, Facebook replies, and comments.  I really appreciate your input.

Okay, so about those sources.    See below for details!

A. Magnolia Fabrics, Pattern: Edenroc, Color: Ironsides

B. Magnolia Fabrics, Pattern: Eleusis, Color: Persimmon

C. Magnolia Fabrics, Pattern: Weinman, Color: Rumba

D. previously owned pillows

E. Magnolia Fabrics, Pattern: Malski, Color: Mango

F.Duralee Fabrics (Thomas Paul prints for Duralee), Pattern: 20964

G. Magnolia Fabrics, Pattern: Velez, Color: Boisen

Just so you know, that coral one (E) is super pricey!  For that fabric, I only got a single pillow that required one yard because it was fancy-schmancy.  The others weren’t cheap but they were doable for this project.  I wish I could give you a price per yard but all of that to-the-trade stuff is super-secret privileged information apparently.  I should have jotted it down when I went over it with the associate but I was busy waffling on welting colors.

For the couch:  two “20 by 20″ with a knife edge in A, one “18 by 18″ in E, and a “14 by 20″ lumbar with jute strapping in F

For the yellow chairs: two “14 by 20″ lumbar pillows in fabric B with charcoal cording

One thing I have learned from this process is that there are SO many more options when you buy from a dealer.  I could have spent days looking at fabric.  Also, there are a million trim and accent options which scream”detail”, one of my very favorite words.

The pillows will take 4 weeks or so because the fabric has to be ordered.  Happy June Birthday to me!  Mr. C, just so you know, it will cost less than a new couch.  

-Erin

There is a store near my house with floral arrangements that take my breath away.  I have one in the foyer that I love and I willingly forked over the funds last year after putting a birthday gift card to use.  I’m not going to pretend that I can put something together as well as a floral designer.  However, the small arrangements are pretty pricey and I figured I could handle that on my own.

I knew I wanted preserved flowers which is different than what you see at most craft stores.  In my case, I bought hydrangeas at a booth at a local home decor market.  They were marked down 50% which made the diy-version extra worthwhile.

I also bought the container at the market but at a different booth.  The floral foam came from Michael’s.

1.  You will need a small container for your arrangement.  Think outside of flower pots for a more interesting look.
2.  Floral foam.  This was $3.99 for 2 cylinders at Michael’s.  I only used one.
3.  A couple of stems of the flower of your choice.

Thanks for all of your input on the fabric samples!  I’ll keep you posted on the outcome.  I’m also going to track down fabric sources this weekend.   I can tell you the dragonfly pattern was a definite yes the minute I saw it.  I have a little thing for dragonflies.   I have them here and there throughout my house.  I don’t want to be the crazy dragonfly collector lady with an overload of kitschy dragonfly doodads.  My affinity is a little more subtle and I hope to keep it in the realm of normal.  Whatever that means.

I think it might have started because of my love for the Dragonfly Inn on Gilmore Girls.  Can I say best show ever on TV?  Except for Friday Night Lights of course.  Oh, did anyone see the finale of The Office?  Thoughts? #jimandpamforever

ANYWAY, I thought I’d find some dragonfly inspired pics for you to peruse while you drink your dragonfly tea in a dragonfly mug.

Now that would be too much.  Just to clarify, I own neither of those things.

I’m about to ask your opinion.  However, be warned I might not take it.  Isn’t that annoying? People are always asking me my thoughts on house stuff and then they end up doing whatever they wanted to begin with.  I guess in our gut we know what we like.

I’m having the preschool-is-almost-out-panic.  I’m thinking of all the things that I’d rather not wait until September to do and cramming them in my last few free hours. Last year, my end of school frenzy resulted in wallpaper samples which lead to wallpapered ceilings.  Who even knows where this desperation will take me?

This year I’m focusing on fabric.  Specifically, I want new family room pillows.  It has been almost a year since getting the rug for the ottoman and I still have nothing that coordinates with it.  I’ve looked haphazardly but the time has come to go custom.  The pattern is strong and not just any set of pillows will do.

Yesterday I perused fabric for 2+ hours at a local fabric store.  I will price out everything later but for now I decided to create groupings with potential.  We have no plans to trade out the couch or chairs any time soon.  We have had them for 10+ years and they are in great condition.  I need to incorporate the neutrals from the foyer and dining room and the color that is in the kitchen.  The family room transitions between the two.

The buffalo check pillows are mine – they have been in a basket in the dining room but I pulled them because I thought they had potential.

 Same grouping except the bottom right fabric.

Same grouping except the bottom right fabric.

***

Interestingly, my favorite in the pictures is different from my favorite in person.  I know it is hard to imagine all of that coordinating but once you see it with furniture it works.

Green couch, yellow chairs, tan-ish rug, bold ottoman, blue room, neutral foyer, bright & colorful kitchen with yellow stripes.  I’m trying to ACTUALLY pull it all together!!

I have this fabric checked out until Thursday which is my next free morning.  Thoughts??  One, two, or three?

-Erin

I had a very blessed Mother’s Day weekend.  One of my dear friends hosted a special brunch on Saturday so I was spoiled two days in a row.  My mother was in Durham, NC visiting my ill grandmother meaning our traditional coffee date will have to wait. A little bittersweet but Mother’s Day is for so many.   I look at what I have in my family and realize I have little to complain about.

Thanks to Mr. C, I savored a little slice of peace yesterday afternoon, reading on our corner porch.   I have spruced it up a tad since the last time you saw it so I thought I’d share the updates.

Whoa, chevron.  This rug was my chevron initiation and I’ve had it since last fall.  I’m pleased with how it held up over the winter.

I can see it from my kitchen so it is nice to have something neutral that is attractive. It also covers an accidental spray paint stain.  Occupational hazard, right?

My second World Market garden stool ended up out here.  I needed a perch for my coffee and it works nicely.  I can grab it back if I need it in the family room. I’ve had this throw for a few years now and the fact that it coordinates is a happy accident.  I was skeptical about leaving it outside but it is machine washable.   So far, so good and it has been a very yellow spring.

I think of this porch as my personal oasis.  A little selfish maybe, but it has become my little spot to get away from it all.

Do you have a special cozy spot in your home?

-Erin

In honor of Mother’s Day weekend I thought I’d share a little Motherly love from our home.  A Mom can show love in all kinds of ways.  One of those is to embrace the many handmade items that come through the door everyday.

A Mother’s love means not re-arranging her child’s deliberate display.

A Mother’s love means displaying little treasures whether they coordinate or not.

A Mother’s love means potato gardens on the counter.

A Mother’s love means displaying artwork made by little hands.

A Mother’s love means placing special gifts prominently.

***

Some things are kept forever while others eventually end up in the recycle bin; keeping a rotating display of artwork gives kids a sense of pride.   It is important to remember that the perfect home is neither staged nor magazine-worthy.

Wishing all Mothers a joyful Mother’s Day weekend.

TGIF!

-Erin

Thank you for your kindness regarding Reid’s endoscopy yesterday.  He was quite the model patient. Except when he puked the “happy juice” they gave him before putting him under.  It was fitting really.  We were there for chronic vomiting and he made sure to show off his special talent.   Regardless, he was sweet and cooperative which made things so much easier!

We’ll find out for sure what we are dealing with next week so now we go back to what we do best – waiting.

In the mean time, the rain has slacked off so maybe we will see sunshine for a few days this week.  I caught some sun today and snapped a couple of pictures of my new mirror.

You’re right.  I’m crazy.

A new what? 

I so did not need another mirror.

But you haven’t seen it yet so don’t judge.

See?  Isn’t she a beauty?

This mirror was in my very favorite local home decor store.  I happened upon it a few weeks ago and couldn’t get it out of mind.  I started dropping by for little visits just to check on it. Earlier this week, I stopped by and the mirror was gone.   I was so bummed and my stomach dropped.  (Dramatic, much?)  Finally, I realized that it had been moved and not sold so I knew I had to give in.  She won and I couldn’t be happier.

I believe I stated somewhere on this blog that I would never again need to buy another mirror. Well, blanket statements like that are silly because you just never know.  I splurged but hey it’s almost Mother’s Day, right?

Do you like?  Do you think I should keep it hanging or lean it?  It can do either.  Maybe I need to lower it an inch or two.  I used an existing nail to test it out.    You know I would hate to make another nail hole.  (Insert evil laughter).

-Erin

P.S.  I moved the chalkboard to the dining room.  More pictures to come.

I’ve got a pile of stuff to show you but we have been living in semi-darkness for days on end.  It has rained and rained and rained.  I’ve whined and sighed and pretended that the sun was out.  My backyard is squishy, my rain boots are tired, and my kids are bouncing off of the 18 foot ceiling.

I think my last photo opportunity was two weeks ago but who is counting?

I actually like rain for sleeping and reading and cozying but the little people don’t seem to appreciate the beauty of that combination.  I know one day they will be sleepy teeneagers that we drag out of bed mid-morning.   I’ll make sure I enjoy the rain then.  For now I’ll be supervising bike-rides around the trash can in the garage.

Since I can’t show you any home decor stuff,  I figured I’d update you on the latest regarding Reid’s health.   I’ve had so many helpful readers so I want to make sure I keep you in the loop!

We will be singing, “Goodbye Krispy Kreme” to the tune of “Goodbye Norma Jean.”

Tomorrow, Reid goes for an upper endoscopy at our local hospital.  He will be under anesthesia and have blood work done at the same time.  He will also have the celiac test.   I think they swab intestines for that.  Or something similar.  They will also be checking out his esophagus for any damage that may have occurred when he was intubated as a newborn.

We have always assumed that his terrible gag reflex combined with his texture issues is the cause of his chronic vomiting but better to check everything!

We decided not to give up gluten before the testing because he would have had to go back on it which seemed too difficult.  We have transitioned a few of his favorites (waffles & crackers) just to make things less drastic when we do finally give it up.  We have been going round and round about food allergies since January so I’m ready to DO this thing.

I’m fully aware that Reid might not test positive for celiac but I have no doubt that he is sensitive to gluten so I think we will be removing it regardless.

We are still avoiding milk and yogurt but he has had some cheese in the last few weeks.  I haven’t been giving him “straight” cheese but rather have used it sparingly here and there in certain dishes.  I feel like there are so many healthy things that he will eat with just a little cheese.  I haven’t noticed any difference in him but time will tell.

Speaking of cheese, soy cheese is NOT an option.  Reid broke out in hives from touching it so he has a definite allergy.  I’m curious to see what the allergy testing says but we will be avoiding items with soy.  For now, I’m just making sure I give him things he has had before. Hopefully, I’ll find out more about the soy allergy with the testing!

I’m finding all of this food information so fascinating and kind of scary.  GMOs, hormones, the natural food & juicing revolution.  Yikes – it is a lot to take in.  I am trying to sift through what I think will work for us and what is best for our family.

Wish us luck tomorrow.  The hard part will be “no food or water” after midnight the day before.  Little man is not going to be happy about that.   I’ll have to fill his belly to the brim tonight!

-Erin

P.S. Weather dude just said, “Weather pattern not breaking, flooding, more rain, yada, yada, yada.”  I might be buying a boat.

P.P.S.  I’m very sorry for those of you who are getting this weather in the form of snow.  So very sorry!