New Dining Chairs

 I'm so excited.  After almost 35 years of marriage, I finally have my first dining room chairs.  My husband and I both love them and they are comfortable too.  (My husband also recently replaced the old 80's brass fan with these two chandeliers.  Not my favorite but they were inexpensive and blend with the lights in the addition and kitchen area.)

They blend with the table, french doors, and linen draperies.  Where did I finally find chairs I could afford?  You will probably never guess.



Costco.  they were in the latest Costco magazine.

What Do You Think?

You probably think that I am crazy but my husband and I found these old windows at a salvage place in Salt Lake. We bought two to go in our family room addition over the TV (see first picture). They need a lot of cleaning up but in my mind they will look amazing. (Sometimes reality paints a different picture however.) Can you picture it? Will it be good?
They are big and heavy. The trick will be how to mount them on the wall. I'm waiting for warmer weather so I can clean them outside and not freeze my hands off. Stay tuned to see the final look. I have my fingers crossed that they won't get broken and that they will look great.

I Have A New Table

I found this table at a local furniture store. It looks just like the one I am in love with from Restoration Hardware for less than half the price. It is 10 and 1/2 feet long with the leaves in. We broke it in Saturday night when we had dessert and games with about 5 other couples. We could all sit around one table. Now I need to find chairs that I can afford and that I love. Anyone have any ideas? I'm thinking an upholstered parson's chair. In the meantime, we will be using our old oak chairs. Very study and very comfortable but not very stylish.

My new Sectional

I ordered this sectional the end June but didn't get it until November. (I tried to move the "man chair" out of the picture. It reminds me of the Dad's chair of Frazier. I'm stuck with it for a while I think. I do share the space with my husband after all. He has approved all my choices and loves the room too.)

The rug is also new. Both were purchased at the Gate House...an interior design store that I love. The room is coming along...slowly but surely. It takes a while to save up or work extra for what I really want. It's the first time in 34 years of marriage that we are buying what we love instead of settling on something because it is inexpensive. I bought a sectional with slipcovers that can be taken off and washed, seats a lot of people and is comfortable. I debated having two couches for more flexibility but went for the increased seating capacity. It is plain and I change the look by changing the pillow. I hoping this sectional will last for the rest of my life.

My Round Top Purchases for the new Addition

Here was my first purchase. It is my new entertainment center. Do you think I can make it work? I can picture the big screen tv on top of that nice plank can't you?
I wish I had that mirror on top or those pans on the bottom shelf where the DVD player will be.
I love that urn on the other table too and what's not to love about the coral piece. It's a beauty. Unfortunately, I had to pass on so many treasures. I only had a little budget after all.
Can you picture this as my sofa table? I can picture it with big lamps on either end and large baskets full of quilts, pillows, and /or magazines. I know...you think I'm crazy right?
Just look how industrial and cool it is though. Look at the patina on that wood. Can't wait to decorate it up for Christmas with a small tree and all my vintage ornaments. (The room is 15 1/2 feet by 34 feet. The walls are 12 tall with a tall timber framed ceiling. The room can take some big pieces of furniture.)
Here is my coffee table. I don't remember which one but it is one of those. I'll never have to worry about the table top getting scratched from putting your feet up on it. I might have to do a little sanding and waxing to keep from getting splinters but that's OK.

I bought two of these. Now if I can just find the right light kit and a great lampshade, I'm in business. Won't they look great on top of the sofa table? I'll have to think of something great to do with the crates. Have any ideas?
See those doors. I bought a set of old European doors from the South of France. I'm not sure how I'm going to use those yet but I'm hoping to find a place. I might have to list them on ebay if not. They would make a great head board too but I'm going to use my old mantel to make one of those. Candice also bought a set and she is going to use them to make a headboard. I love old doors.


Here is a zinc top table I purchased as well. I wish they would have thrown in the tablescape...maybe they will surprise me with it...wishful thinking.

Another view of it.
Candice saw this little beauty first. It is either from the South of France or Belgium. It's very tall and not very deep which is just what I needed. I'll store the DVD's and videos in the bottom and books and beautiful things behind the glass.

I also purchased a couple rolls of antique carnival tickets and five player piano rolls, a large wooden dough bowl, an old turned column piece, and I think that is it. I hope I don't have any regrets once everything arrives...if they arrive. Everyone said the shipping coming was a good one but they haven't called me and they said they would. I'm a bit worried and am keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out. I'll let you know. It's a leap of faith for me.

So what do you think about my purchases? I really want to know. I do like unique. I don't want to have what everyone else has that is why I don't like shopping in big box stores, etc. One of a kind is a good thing in my book.

Stay tuned for the reveal of Candice's purchases. I don't have pictures of them at Round Top so will post pictures of us decorating her living room and the mostly finished room. I can't wait until you see them.

After that, I will show you how the addition is progressing. We removed the fireplace mantel yesterday and they are supposed to put the hole through the wall tomorrow. The timber frame and roofing is supposed to go on tomorrow too but nothing ever goes as scheduled so we'll see. It is exciting though.

Layla's Design for our Family Room Addition

Here are the virtual designs that Layla did for me. What do you think? This is the library area...our current family room space. This is looking from my kitchen/eating area.
This is area the corner and to the left. That french door will go out on to our patio.
This gives a little larger view of the space.
This is the old family room area turned into Layla's vision of a library space.
OK, give me your opinions. What do you think? I'd really like to know. The walls are 11 feet tall with high pitched ceilings with ceiling beams. The ceiling in the old family room area is 9 feet tall.

Christine did another post about a dream she had about my room. You can vote for the settee you like the best. She is also having a give away for her 1 year blogversary. I know she would love to hear from you.

It is thundering outside with snow in the forecast tonight. (As in winter storm warnings on the news tonight.) Bahhhh...it is so hard to go to work and drive around in that stuff. What a long winter we are having. I'm trying to be grateful for the water we are sure to need this summer.

Steph posted about the photo booth at Creed's yellow party. So much fun and a great party idea.