Thinking About My Home Buying Moment

<div>It seems like we've been living here in Arizona for both a really long time and almost no time at all. But we're actually about eight months in now!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo DSC_1239.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/DSC_1239.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />While we used a realtor to help us buy our house, I did a lot of online research myself to find the homes we wanted to walk through. Trulia was an enormously helpful site in both searching for listings and for learning about areas in our new city, and I was really excited when they invited me to share some of our renovation journey as part of their Home Buying Moments series (see all the moments and <a href="http://on.trulia.com/postcards" target="_blank">their post cards here</a>).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s-a.io/EE6"><img src="http://s-a.io/EE6.img" /></a></div><br />It was a fun exercise to think about how much things have changed around here in the past eight months, and what I would do differently if I could go back in time. So here's a little Q&A that I conducted with myself, because why pass up an opportunity to write in third person?  :)<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><center></center><i>So Jenny, the Scorpion Lair (aka the faux well) is still sitting in your front yard? And WHY haven't you removed any (ANY!) of the gingerbread trim on the exterior of the house? I thought you wanted these gone first thing?</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2684.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2684.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Oh, man, I really hate that the trim is still on our house and that that horrible well is still sitting out front! I wish I had all the time and money in the world so I could do all of the things and do them <i>now. </i>But the bottom line is home projects cost so, so much dumb money that we've had to pick and choose what we can tackle and when. I was really hoping that exterior projects would have happened this winter, but now I'm crossing my fingers for late spring. The benefit of having to wait to do all of the projects is I have time to really think about what I want to do.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo 1DSC_0351.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%205/1DSC_0351.jpg" /></i><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><br /></i><img alt=" photo DSC_1206.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/DSC_1206.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo 2wDSC_0420copy.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/2wDSC_0420copy.jpg" /></i></div><br />I'd love to paint everything at the same time that we do the tear-out, but it's looking like we'll need to replace all the window and door casings before painting, so the tally just keeps on rising!! It helps me to look back and think about all the things we HAVE finished though. We are making steady progress.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo xIMG_6104.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/xIMG_6104.jpg" /><br /><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9781.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9781.jpg" /></i></div><br /><i>Hey Jenny, remember how the whole roof needs to be replaced, too?</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1926.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_1926.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(hi, Linus!)</div><br />Yeah, OUCH!! (<i>$$$$$$)</i><br /><br />The good news is we very much knew about the roof situation before we bought the house and we built that future cost into the final price, so that at least helps me <i>feel</i> a little better if nothing else. We also had the roof patched as part of our buying negotiations (the lighter shake shingles, which haven't weathered much yet), and the patch job earned us back another two or three years, if we want to take it. Our neighbors down the street had a shake roof just like ours and they got a new tile roof put on this month that is ceramic, but has texture like shake. Theirs is pretty and dark, like what I would want to do. I have so much research to do on this that it's nice that we have another year or two to figure it out and to set aside money.<br /><br /><i>Speaking of money, I know you've gone back and forth a lot about renovating the kitchen. What are your current plans for the space?</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2064.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2064.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_0659.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_0659.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Good question, self! I feel like there are three different options for the kitchen. First, keep everything pretty much as-is, just with a couple more coats of paint slapped on it all. I'm okay with this option, but it would definitely be a temporary fix.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5967.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_5967.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Second idea, spring for a huge reno and create the kitchen of my dreams by closing in most or all of the back porch. I'd be obviously SO excited about this option, but truly, I just don't think it's in the cards right now. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_6899.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_6899.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2071.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_2071.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0672.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2017/IMG_0672.jpg" /></i></div><br />And the third idea, which is the one I'm leaning toward this week, is do a mini-reno and update mostly just the things that will stay put or can still be used when we do end up doing the full-blown reno later. Those items: new gas range, new cabs and counters, new refrigerator. So it's still a whole new kitchen and a pretty big reno, but it would be all cosmetic. No moving of walls or plumbing, no new flooring. We'd save all that good stuff for later, for down the road a couple years.<br /><br /><i>Jenny, how do you like your new wood floors? Do you wish you had done something different here?</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_8913.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_8913.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><i><br /></i>I am not a sour grapes person, but it's true, if I could go back in time, I probably would have just sprung for the unfinished white oak and I would have stained it on site. I don't love that our floors have that factory finish to them and the stain is a little different than what I hoped for. I will say I think they are starting to look a little more broken in though, so I'm hopeful. And the good news is if I ever come across a sack of money and a month of free time, I could refinish my floors and do the gray oil stain/sealer look that I dreamt of in the beginning!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_5288.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_5288.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5559.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_5559.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_5802.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_5802.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo zDSC_04161.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/zDSC_04161.jpg" /></i></div><br /><i>What's been your favorite project in the house so far?</i><br /><i><br /></i>Tough call! I think it's a three-way tie between the fireplace, the laundry room and the new studio floors. I love what we were able to achieve with each of these with just some elbow grease and not a lot of money.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo gDSC_0573.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%2010/gDSC_0573.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo IMG_0406.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2015/IMG_0406.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><br /></i><img alt=" photo IMG_2676.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2676.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: start;"><i></i></div><br /><i>What's something that you thought you hated about the house, but now you love?</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo IMG_5633.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%209/IMG_5633.jpg" /></i><br /><br /><img alt=" photo IMG_6477.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_6477.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><i><br /></i>Our house is not really a square or rectangular shape, and there are lots of exterior doors because of it. It used to make me uncomfortable, but now I love it. It makes moving furniture around and taking projects in and out of the house a breeze. Now I wouldn't close off any of the doors even if I could! It's like this house was meant to be ours. :) And now that the studio and the playroom's up and running, it feels even better than ever.<br /><br /><i>Is this house your forever house?</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_9488.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_9488.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I really, really love this house, but I don't even pretend to know what our future looks like! We recently were pretty sure that we were going to move back to NYC for Michael's job this year (can you even imagine!), but it's looking like his company would actually like us to stay here for a while longer, maybe forever.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo sDSC_0360.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/Album%205/sDSC_0360.jpg" /></i><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><br /></i><img alt=" photo IMG_6269.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/IMG_6269.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /><br /><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo IMG_9951.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/IMG_9951.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_0968.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2019/cIMG_0968.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />I've decided to treat it like my forever house, even if it ends up not being that. I'm trying to be extra careful with all of my choices, but I'm not doing things for resale value, etc. I want to make this home special for <i>us</i>, and if we happen to find ourselves in a place where we need to sell in the future, hopefully buyers will like our house as much as I am liking it these days. I feel equal parts grateful and hopeful about the house.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><center></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo qDSC_0665.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2013/qDSC_0665.jpg" /><br /><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo Kit14.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2016/Kit14.jpg" /></i><br /><i style="text-align: start;"><br /></i><i style="text-align: start;"><img alt=" photo wDSC_1044.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2014/wDSC_1044.jpg" /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>So, friends, when you bought your house, what was your favorite Home Buying Moment? Do any of <a href="http://on.trulia.com/postcards" target="_blank">Trulia's postcards</a> ring especially true for you? <a href="http://on.trulia.com/postcards" target="_blank">No. 48</a> was pretty much spot-on for me, with every house we looked at! :)<br /><br /><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>This post is sponsored by Trulia. The views expressed here are solely my own. To learn </i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>more <a href="http://on.trulia.com/postcards" target="_blank">click here</a>, and as alway, thank you for supporting LGN sponsors!</i></span></div><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><i></i><br /><i></i>

Thinking About My Home Buying Moment

It seems like we've been living here in Arizona for both a really long time and almost no time at all. But we're actually about eigh...

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Kitchen Inspiration: Shelving Units on the Counter

Today has been a crazy shoot day for Domino and I am tired, but excited about how the projects turned out. :) I am heading back up to my parents house tonight to close out our Spring Break week with a bang. We're going on a really cool hike that I haven't done since I was a kid, and I know my girls will love it.<br /><br />I'm back to thinking about the shelving in our kitchen again. I took down some of the upper cabinets to make room for a symmetrical set of shelves, but I've not been able to find brackets that make me excited. Then I saw this pretty cute <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49931798/" target="_blank">wall shelving unit</a> at IKEA a while back and I realized I'd love a shelving unit rather than separate shelves. The IKEA one wasn't the right look or size for my kitchen, and I want shelves that sit on the actual countertop, but they got me thinking for sure. Then <a href="http://www.laurenliess.com/pure-style-home/our-kitchen-before-after" target="_blank">Lauren Liess' kitchen</a> in the current issue of Domino seriously, seriously sealed the deal. Her custom ironwork shelves are TDF.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Norman_13033LL_085_web.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/Norman_13033LL_085_web.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />I've got some project ideas in the works (I found some brass parts that could work really well), but one of my friends told me brass is lame now. I don't agree with her (I think pretty much any real metal material is going to be a forever classic), but I sort of get what she is saying. I think I will always have brass in my home, but do I want a full set of brass shelves forever in my kitchen? I think if I used another metal too (like Lauren did), the mix will help keep things fresh.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo Norman_13033LL_087_web.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/Norman_13033LL_087_web.jpg" /></div><br />What do you think? I kind of thought copper was going to make a bigger comeback last/this year, but it hasn't quite hit the stride that brass did four or five years ago, has it?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="http://www.laurenliess.com/pure-style-home/our-kitchen-before-after" target="_blank">Photos by Helen Norman, via Lauren Liess</a></i></div>

Kitchen Inspiration: Shelving Units on the Counter

Today has been a crazy shoot day for Domino and I am tired, but excited about how the projects turned out. :) I am heading back up to my par...

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The Side Porch Gets a Little Love

<center></center>On March 29 I'm going to be hosting <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/213220958876335/?ref=5" target="_blank">The Phoenix Garden Party</a>, brought to you by The Home Depot Garden Club. There's going to be all sorts of fun happening at the event - a personal chef and a professional gardener both teaching great classes and offering Q&A. And I'll be there to take some of the classes, too. Come hang out and eat and learn and get your hands dirty!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1395.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1395.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1494.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1494.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>In preparation for the garden party, I've been doing some updates to the little side porch area that I started decorating last summer and never finished. I LOVE how just a few small changes to this space made with paint and a few new plants have made a huge impact on the overall look! Here's what we did:<br /><a name="more"></a>You might remember how before, the porch swing was this bright blue color. I liked the color, but it was looking a little circus-y out front with the red door and the bit of blue from the music room popping out behind the windows. Since my goal in life is to not be the crazy neighbor, the blue had to go.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1339.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1339.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Plus the tannins from the knots were starting to peek through the latex paint the seller had painted it before I bought it. Nothing a little oil-based painted can't tackle!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1370.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1370.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />We used a quart of low-lustre oil-based paint in BM's Chelsea Gray and I LOVE the finish. It's not glossy at all, but it has a really beautiful furniture-like finish. Similar to what the Advance line produces, but oil-based is about as hard-wearing as it gets. It's a great option for painting floors if you don't want a glossy look.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2721.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2721.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the first coat of paint, we caulked the gaps in the planks and the look is much cleaner on the seat now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1388.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1388.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It makes me so, so excited to get our house painted. Brown be gone! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1400.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1400.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you spy my little pride and joy kumquat trees here? I bought two at Home Depot and potted them in my chalky black planters (the same ones we had on our back balcony in Brooklyn) and flanked the porch with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1501.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1501.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They're so pretty. :) I think I probably laid it on too thick when I told the girls not to pick the fruit. I heard Evie telling the neighbor kids that "my mom will cry if you pick her baby, baby oranges."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1481.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1481.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I planted the most delicious-smelling honeysuckle at the tree bases as ground cover. I'm obsessed with the idea. Honeysuckle > dirt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1384.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1384.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, I couldn't stand the green vinyl stake ties so I used a little nylon cording left over from the cleaning buckets project to replace the ugly with pretty.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1497.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1497.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been able to keep these alive and happy for a couple weeks now (!) and I feel like some of that has to do with putting rocks in the bottom of the planters to help with drainage. I always either overwater or underwater. whoops.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2723.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2723.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Is there a prettier color combo than gray and bright, clear orange?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1386.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1386.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I took off the nasty old hose roller thing that was hanging on the brick before and picked up this cool bowl that's made to be a hose-keeper. It has a hole in the back of the bowl for feeding the last bit of the hose through, so you have just enough to reach the spigot. I love it and it makes it super simple to pull out and to corral the hose.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2842.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2842.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My vintage Homecrest chairs that I picked up at Junk in Williamsburg finally got a makeover! <i>GOLD!!!</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1458.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1458.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before they were sort of just rusty ivory?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo cIMG_1343.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/cIMG_1343.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My beloved Design Masters spray paint came to my rescue again and I wasn't disappointed :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1415.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1415.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1419.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1419.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The finish isn't perfect, but that's more about the condition of the chairs than anything else. I like that they show their age though, I don't want them to look brand new. The white chairs were refinished and powder coated by a craigslist seller and they look almost too perfect :) I guess the combination of the chair pairs works though.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1467.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1467.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1440.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1440.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I did buy new outdoor pillows for the white chairs, but rather than buying new cushions for the gold chairs, we spruced up the old ones with some little hot pink tassels I made from nylon cording and a little bit of wire. Cute right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1422.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1422.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also taped off the edges and sprayed the center third with just regular old white spray paint. I thought the paint would sit on top of the cushion a little more thickly, but it sort of just absorbed in a cool way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2773.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2773.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2777.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2777.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I loved the subtle color difference.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1525.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1525.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Between the pairs of chairs I put the little antique faux bois table base I found in the backyard of the brownstone that the landlord gave me. I love it and I love her (Hi, Sally!). I found a little table at a thrift store for just a couple bucks and the marble top works perfectly on the faux bois base.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1484.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1484.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2827.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2827.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got a new bowl planter for the brick wall and planted pretty morning glories.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1399.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1399.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1476.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1476.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also brought a pair of ficus trees I had in the back yard out to the front porch. I am so crazy about the drippy planters!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1409.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1409.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I planted some Mexican sage in there too. The little blooms are such a pretty pop of cobalt!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_1436.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_1436.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo IMG_2838.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/IMG_2838.jpg" style="text-align: start;" /></div><br />Anyway, lots of fun changes to the side porch! <span style="text-align: center;">I'm ready to tackle more of our yard, but I think I want to wait until after the garden party. :) I feel like a bit of a novice in this area, so a little know-how and confidence will go far! If you're interested in coming on the 29th, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/213220958876335/?ref=5" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">feel free to RSVP here</a><span style="text-align: center;">. I'd really love to meet you!</span><br /><center></center><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" photo 282971_10152703850900031_854044833_n.jpg" border="0" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/ALBUM%2018/282971_10152703850900031_854044833_n.jpg" /></div>

The Side Porch Gets a Little Love

On March 29 I'm going to be hosting The Phoenix Garden Party , brought to you by The Home Depot Garden Club. There's going to be all...

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