still adjusting

Time flies...when you spend it reading countless books, writing papers, and running discussion sections.

Though I haven't updated, I still worked on projects and tried out some new recipes. So first things first, we needed a matching DVD tower but couldn't get out to Ikea. So I turned to Craigslist where Ikea products flourish. No red towers were listed so I figured, inspired by Ikea Hacker, that I could make some changes.

 Doing some research online, I found the appropriate Bin primer and got paint to match the color of our other tower. Using brushes, left the shelves and tower streaky so I used a small roller.

The tower is a little sticky but no residue sticks to the DVDs.

 While it may have been cheaper to buy a new one, there was no transportation out to Ikea in the suburbs. Plus, I appreciate that one tower a little more than the other.

Now I have symmetry and can better focus on hockey.

Furniture Face Lift

After moving to Chicago, apartments have very little closet space so we needed a dresser to store our clothes. I took this solid one from our family's basement.

Excuse the mess - we had just moved!

My dad worked very hard in 1983(he made sure to lay his claim in permanent marker on the inside) to refinish it for my sister but it needed updating. After inquiring with my dad about how to cover up his really shiny polyurethane layers, I used foam brushes to coat it in two layers of Minwax Polyshades American Chestnut.

I switched out the old wooden knobs for some new metal ones from Target. They have a bit of a convex shape that has enough room to grasp. Buying them in bulk definitely saves money, especially for 10 knobs.

I think it turned out pretty well. It doesn't clash with our bed frame as the previously yellow shade. I love how it looks against the walls and white accents. I think I will add my own name to my dad's inside the dresser.

My first refinishing project: Done!

Enemy of my alarm clock

I don't know if its just the impending winter or my desire to remain in bed in the morning but I've fallen in love with these luxurious comforters and duvet covers.

This is the West Elm Pin-Tucket Duvet Cover. Who doesn't want to curl up in that? This is the more reasonably priced of the two and with a 10% off coupon from signing up for their catalogs, I'm super tempted to indulge in some quality bedding. Then I'd have to decide on a color to fit in with my mint blue walls, though keeping in mind I might end up in an apartment with neutral walls.

 

I think the first one, Sea Spray, this Light Amethyst, and the one below, Slate, are my top choices to work in my room now and any future beige or white walled apartment. Though I am enjoying how they aren't simply named gray, purple, and black - just too easy.

 

I love how the texture is nearly a pattern and its not just a plain comforter. Talking about texture, here is the Anthropologie Circus Duvet Cover. Though they don't offer as many and as vibrant colors as West Elm, it definitely has amped up the luxury level but at nearly $200, it is indeed a luxury. 

It is definitely worth it to look at the reviews, similar to the Urban Outfitters website, that includes user photos. These are really useful to see the different uses and the color combos. What I think is telling, however, is that the company's photos and those of the customers' often have another blanket over part of the duvet cover. I guess it serves to balance out the intense detail. 

These are kind of pricey but I can dream...hopefully under these duvet covers someday...

Mid-Century But Not Modern

So in my last post, I included a photo of a pair of end tables I purchased off Craigslist for a great price. Unfortunately, the purple paint just doesn't fit with its mid-century style. I just can't tell what the material the end tables are made of or what paint is covering them now.

The paint is peeling in strips and feels like rubber. I really don't think its good for the piece or my sanity to continue peeling inch by inch.

The wood, or whatever it is, still seems to have some primer or maybe the underlining of the paint left over.

There appears to be three parts to the end table: the main top, the bottom (this seems to be wood), and the top. The paint is also peeling here as well.

The pieces are both very heavy on their own. They have a manufacturer's emblem on the bottom and I'm still working on what it says. So, with more time because of Labor Day, and an email shoutout to my Dad, hopefully I will have these two down by next week!

After checking the bottom and using the old grave engraving method with a pencil and paper, it appears that they are Lane end tables. Not sure when they were made but I guess I'll put my history background to work with some research.

Thrifty Finds

Living in Chicago, I've been able to take advantage of bountiful Craigslist options and thrift stores galore. Normally these mid-century fruit baskets(?) run about $12-20 on certain online sites but I found this one at The Ark on Milwaukee for only $5!

My first find!

The Ark seems like the Salvation Army was forced to move into a studio. While I've seen some nice furniture, I've had more luck with their kitchen section. In that area, a bit of a mess, but I found these plates, which were also sold online for more than I paid (only $1!).

Sadly, there was only 3 but it reminded me of some dishes that I had found, and quickly bought, online.

Nearly a match

After my old desk didn't make it to our new apartment, I started searching on Craigslist and quickly became addicted. It was similar to my interest in apartment hunting; I was able to see all the oddities and now I can spot a deal when I find it. After multiple ventures across the city, I believe its a great way, albeit a costly one, to discover the different neighborhoods.

My first venture took me to Logan Square on Kimbal near Belmont for this Urban Outfitters lamp base. For only $10, I can afford to buy a nice drum lamp shade to complement the new wall color. Failed attempts to get a desk and a mid-century chest in the Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village made me hesitate to favor the close transportation of close neighborhoods.
My next find was in the Lincoln Square neighborhood close to where Steve and I dropped off a rental application and the September German fest. I really love the mid-century style but with Mad Men's success, it does not come cheap. So to counter the inflated prices, I can only afford pieces that need a little work which is how I found this set of end tables.

Now I just have to figure out how to remove the paint from wood and possibly laminate.

My most important and best find has been my desk. My old desk, bought from another student for a mere $25, was frankly a behemoth. With 7 drawers and built to last, it couldn't make it up the staircase. Graduate school, and all of my storage needs, requires a desk.

Although I traveled to the Lakeview/Roscoe Village area, the people selling this desk and a chair were kind enough to deliver it. Now the school year can start. No, no I take that back.

New Home, New Walls

Although I had no problem with the sage coloring of the walls, my red furniture looked more like a Christmas color scheme. So the green had to go...

In regular daylight

With Flash

We used Glidden Granite Grey. It dried super fast with little fumes but it must've been all the open windows that helped. It came out a little more blue-toned than I'd like but it feels fresh. There's still a lot of work to do - nothing is yet on the walls. Once we started, I was motivated to do something about the bedroom. After deciding against the green of the living room, I found images of other Glidden rooms and picked out their Gentle Tide.

Without flash

With my camera flash on

It's a minty bluish color. Nothing on the walls here either. It feels much more comfortable and refreshing than dirty cream walls. Both colors make the white trim pop.

Before: After Hopefully Soon

Bathroom- Rusted blinds so a garbage bag provides privacy

Green living room

The office/music room

A very blue kitchen

Hodgepodge bedroom