Taking Down the Oak Tree

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Yesterday was one of those days where I was tempted to complain complained about having to do the ordinary mundane tasks of life.  Cleaning up messes I didn't make, washing clothes that somehow didn't make it to the hamper, cleaning bathrooms, picking up a kajillion tiny toy pieces, running errands, doing laundry, setting appointments....

Can I get an amen from the moms?

But in the grand scheme, it was still an ordinary day.  And that's good, too.  Because somewhere there's someone wishing for the ordinary.  I'm thankful to have a home, clothes for my family to throw on the floor wear, clean water, and my health to care for my family.  I'm thankful that we had an ordinary day because it means we're ok.

One of the appointments I set was to have one of our oak trees removed.  Since we originally moved here, we've been told that this tree is too big for the lot.  It was much smaller when we first moved here, and it has shot up over the past 12 years.  I have been honestly torn about taking it out because I'm a tree hugger.  Plus it provides so much shade and privacy for my front porch which I love!


But on the flip side, it's so shady that the grass no longer grows underneath it.  And even if I didn't care, my HOA does.  The other option was to limb it up so that more light could get to the grass.  It's also scratching up against the house wearing at the paint, so we're in need of a paint job too.  It's also close to water lines and the foundation, so it could lead to a lot of costly repairs in the future.  Or so I've been told.


So we've decided to take her down.


This majestic oak on my parent's property is proof of how big they can get!  

I am hoping we can pull the yard back together before winter sets in.  I've got one landscaper who seems to think it's possible!  If it was your yard, what would you do?  Limb 'er up? Or take 'er down?

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Master Bedroom Redo Ideas

Monday, September 28, 2015

It's a dreary looking Monday morning outside my windows, so I've got almost every light on in the house to brighten up the day.  I am an unabashed lover of sunlight and bright days.  That's one thing I like about Georgia--most days are sunny days!

I have been dreaming of this new look I would love for my master bedroom for years and slowly taking steps to make it over.  Most of my furniture is the original furniture my husband and I bought when we got married 13 years ago.  Although I still like the furniture, my taste have changed over the years.

Last year I painted the walls Slate by Restoration Hardware, replaced the carpet with hardwoods, replaced the bedding, and rearranged furniture in the house to bring in a desk for the bay window.








Those things alone made a big difference in the space.  It was like I finally found a color to compliment the wood tones.  But I am kind of ready to get back to work on it.  I got a new bed months ago, but still need to sell my old one to make room to put it up.

Originally I wanted a completely neutral Restoration Hardware feel for the space with botanical or bird prints for artwork...


this beautiful raw wood finish on nightstands and on a wall of custom built-in bookcases...

a linen upholstered bed,

 


and linen drapes on the windows.

But I this one from Cassie over at Hi Sugarplum has me craving more color!



Of course, I don't have a Restoration Hardware budget, so most of my plans will probably involve DIY's and hacks to recreate the look.  But having a plan will help me be cohesive with my choices.  I'll have to share some of those ideas later!


I hope y'all are having happy Monday!
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Adding Fall to the Dining Room

Friday, September 25, 2015

As I was posting my dining room on Instagram last week, the weather was finally starting to cool down here.  I actually pulled out a jacket to wear as I walked my son to the bus stop.  And I could hear the sound of leaves crunching beneath my feet.  And now...fall is actually here!


All of that, plus all of the beautiful home tours, going on now here and here, inspired me to bring out the warm colors in my dining room.  I love that the bones of the room are neutral, so that really any color can work no matter the season.  







My poor fiddle leaf fig hasn't held up well!


My shelves haven't changed too much since I originally built them, but I do like to rotate in some of the coral dishware and warm metals like copper for warmer tones.


Fresh and pressed clippings from trees and shrubs also warm up the space.





Happy Friday Y'all! 

(Many of these items have been purchased over the past several years and are no longer available, but I will source as much as possible.  Let me know if you have any questions!)

Sources:
Table: Ballard Designs Outlet-Final Call (no longer available)
Table Runner, Vases, and Orange Dinnerware: Pottery Barn via Ebay, Outlet Stores, and Craigslist 
Dining Chairs:  Ikea
Curtains: Ikea



Moonlight and Mason Jars Link Party

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My Favorite Inexpensive Art Prints for Boys' Rooms

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Gallery walls have been popular for several years now.  But finding artwork, or better yet large scale artwork, can be a bit intimidating and expensive.  Not to mention that artwork and decor geared toward boys can sometimes be hard to find.  And sometimes you need a piece to provide direction for the collection.

Enter Paper Source's Cavallini wrapping papers!  They are all pretty sizable--usually 20" x 28".  They are under $4 and even with shipping only about $12.  And they are boyish enough that he won't cringe when his friends see his room, although the first one might be debatable!  Finally, most will fit nicely inside an IKEA Ribba Frame so that the whole piece will set you back less than $35.



Favorite Cavallini Prints for Boys' Rooms

1. Cavallini Penmanship Wrapping Paper | 2. Periodic Chart Wrapping Paper | 3. Special Bicycles Wrapping Paper | 4. Hemispheres 2 Wrapping Paper | 5. Insects Wrapping Paper | 6. Celestial Chart Wrapping Paper | 7. Eye Chart Wrapping Paper


I used the Eye Chart wrapping paper in my playroom recently. I also used a Constellations wrapping paper in the Bub's room, which reminds me I will have to show you what's been done in his room.

Paper Source has such a great selection of wrapping papers that you could probably find one for almost any room!  I also have a few good DIY options for artwork that I will have to share.  What's your go to source for inexpensive artwork?

Linking up to Domestic Superhero-Pinworthy Projects.
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The Playroom Makeover-Gallery Wall and Other Changes

Monday, September 21, 2015



So, I have had these picture frames leaning against the wall of my guest room for...years.  I have been collecting prints over time, and well, sometimes you have to stop waiting for things to be just so and just do it, right?  So I finally took down these two seafans that I had hanging in the playroom from when it was the living room.



They were my first DIY artwork andI still love them, but I always felt they were too serious for the new space.  They have been replaced with a collection of prints and objects that I have collected over the years.


I still have to find something to replace the stand-in for the black frame in the middle.  (I am sure I will by the time the Bub is a teenager!)


The large eye-chart is a wrapping paper print from Paper Source.  Even with shipping it's only about $12.  They also have stores that have a pretty good selection.  And it fit perfectly inside a Ribba frame from IKEA.


The smaller prints are from separate trips with family to New York.  I picked up The New Yorker print when my family and I visited New York for spring break.  And the second print is a view from Central Park.  It's from a trip my two sisters and I took together 12 years ago.  I love having souvenirs like these to remind me of good times.




And my beloved little rhino, I found at Ross!  He may get a coat of spray paint soon.


So, it's kind of funny, because the playroom has kind of evolved into a reading room, but it's a cozy spot to do that! 


We're entering week 7 of the school year down here in the south, and I'm already over the early mornings.  But the school year is going well and the Bub is doing good, so that makes me a happy mama!  







Moonlight and Mason Jars Link Party
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Welcome to Oak House Design Co.!

Saturday, September 19, 2015





Hi, all!  Today's the day! I've been working for the last month to update the name and look of my blog.  I wanted to redesign and rename it to better fit my style and the direction I am going in.  My personal style has changed and evolved over the years and I felt that the blog needed an update to reflect that.

I am also excited  (and a little nervous, too) to announce that I am launching a new shop, Oak House Design Co, to offer some of the home accessories that I have created for my own home!  I am excited to be able to offer home and office accessories in custom finishes that you may not easily find in the big box stores.  Currently I am offering custom finished wooden file boxes, and wood-framed chalkboards.  I will be adding new items and finishes soon---including pillows, table runners, and wood-framed linen pinboards and more file finishes.

I wanted to introduce the new blog, and I hope that you will check out the shop OHDesignCo on Etsy.  I also hope that you will stop by on Instagram to get a sneak peek of what's being listed in the shop and the latest happenings here at The Oak House!  Thank-you for reading and following along on this journey!
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Dining Room Update

Friday, September 18, 2015

In the process of setting up this blog, I realized I haven't talked about the dining room since I completed the bookcases.  I guess, I got it to where I really liked it, because not a whole lot has changed.  These were some pictures I took over the summer, but never really posted, so I thought I would show you some of those.  I will probably be tweaking the room a small bit with the coming of the fall and changing of leaves.  I can't wait to bring in some fall leaves and autumn colors!







A closeup of what's on some of the shelves.  This probably gets rearranged about twice a year, to bring the fall colored dishes back up top.








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