Feb 21, 2012 - 
Open House 
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Open House No Comments Adventure Awaits in an Indiana Jones Bedroom
With a family of four boys, we are always looking for adventure. A few years ago I wanted to give one of my boys an Indiana Jones themed room. We already had army green walls with a Star and Stripes Mural on one wall (from a previous airplane themed room). The star and stripes would work perfect with the vintage travel and adventures of Indiana Jones.
The opposite wall was painted a medium blue and then I painted a (really easy) World Map mural. It was to remind me of the maps they show when Indie is flying from one archaeological site to another. A spare craftsman desk and vintage industrial chair help create age to the space.
The ceiling was already a sand color which matched Read more [...]
Have you ever been to a Paper Source store? On our last trip to Carlsbad my husband and I happened upon one of their adorable stores. One entire wall of their shop was lined with beautiful wrapping papers. They are a mix between fabulous scrapbook paper and amazing hand made wallpaper I'm not gutsy enough to glue to the wall. I knew right then and there that I wanted a place to display beautiful papers. I wanted a wrapping paper station that was compact, affordable, and displayed beautiful paper. A few months later inspiration struck.
I decided to make my own Wrapping Paper Station. We've been working on our basement and just finished up all of the trim. I looked around and 
Have you ever had something in your house that you LOVED. Something that if you moved you'd surely take it with you, even write it into the contract...it's one of your Favorite Things. Well, I was working on an open house post for my front room and couldn't stop taking photos of my antique crystal chandelier.
When we were building our first house, the french cottage, I did a lot of antique, vintage, and funky shopping. I went to a shop in Salt Lake's art district called Elemente. It is full of odd furniture, art and the owner is pretty funky herself. Anyway on one trip we found this beautiful chandelier for only $100!
It was love at first site. The arms and base look like antique 
My 12 year old son Jake loves artsy projects almost as much as I do (and I couldn't be prouder). While I was making my bleached out chevron rug, he wanted to get in on the game. He took an old skateboard of his and made a plan.
He taped off a rough design with blue painters tape (no measuring needed) and laid it on old newspaper.
Grabbed the orange spray paint and sprayed away.
Patiently let it dry thoroughly (this was the tough part).
Pealed off the paint and went back to skateboarding.
Now he has a very cool skateboard that is unlike any other.
Great job Jake!
This is the last of the open house series on my first house, a French Cottage. The interior was full of toile, hand distressed beams, florals, checks, 70's stripes and Ralph Lauren paint finishes. Truly a labor of love ten years ago, hopefully you'll find something still relevant today (please excuse the photo quality, these were taken a long time ago with out a blog in mind).
The Foyer/Entryway
The foyer was a large two story open space with the staircase in the center. One of the upstairs bedrooms had an open window with home made shutters overlooking the entry (inside the room there was another single shutter that could close). The entry was so large and we had such a small 
Cinnabon rolls used to be a treat I couldn't resist on a trip to the mall or just before catching a flight in an airport terminal. Well with four kids I don't fly much and there aren't any Cinnabon kiosks in our malls anymore. I have tweaked a few different recipes and come up with what I think is the best, most decadent and delicious cinnamon rolls. These are a cinch to make in a bread maker (note: if you don't have a bread machine check your local thrift shop they usually run around $10).
Dough Ingredients:
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees or 30 sec in microwave)
2 eggs room temperature
1/3 cup margarine, barely melted
4 cups all purpose flour (Lehi Roller Mills is my fave)
1/2 
On the main floor of our home we have a tiny guest bath. I have tried to spruce it up many times, even going so far at to paint it Kelly green (yikes! that lasted less than 24 hours). I decided to go the opposite of bright. I went for a feeling of weathered, worn, dull and peaceful. Style influences vintage, industrial, farmhouse, and beach.
I painted the walls a light grey (Ralph Lauren Tudric Pewter interior eggshell paint - mixed and matched at Lowes)
I wanted to something on the ceiling. This was a small space with nothing interrupting the ceiling except a bathroom fan (which I later spray painted gray to blend in). About a year earlier I came across a lot of FREE 
A friend of my husbands offered a free plastic car bed on Facebook around Christmas. Justin took him up on the offer and picked it up. Our little guy was so excited to get out of his crib and be in a big boy bed, especially since it was a car (check out his Cowboy Nursery HERE)! For me, it became a challenge. How in the world was I going to make a giant blue plastic car bed look good in Rockie's room. Well, I'm still working on it, I'll let you know when that is all worked out.
To start, I knew I needed some art work. I shopped on line and found little that was right. I love the vintage signs but the ones I'm interested are way too expensive. The small metal reproductions available 
I have a problem, I am a compulsive organizer. My kitchen pantry is the subject of this weeks obsession. I like my pantry to be "merchandised" like a corner store. When I walk in or glance in at my pantry I want to be drawn in to a neat, clean, well stocked space. A space to inspire me to whip up a yummy treat or grab a quick snack.
Note: if you would like to tour my Midnight Beach Kitchen, check it out HERE.
Here are a few views from outside the pantry.
First of all, you must be able to see well in your pantry. When we built our current track house, the builder wasn't going to put a light in the pantry! I insisted on a fixture being wired and then we purchased 
With all of the love that we put into the exterior of our little French house, the interior received just as much attention. I wanted the look of an old farmhouse kitchen with old cabinets. I actually got a great compliment once from my brother in law Jeremy when he asked "how did you get all of those salvaged cabinets to fit perfectly in the new kitchen" (this was in the year 2000 when rubbed off cabinetry was a newer idea). Style Note: I opted not to have a glaze on the cabinetry because, like the exterior, I didn't want it to look dirty, just used.
Wood Floor: As for the wood floor...I LOVED this one. It was a pre sanded but unfinished floor from Carlisle Wide Plank Flooring.