Home Tour Recap

Guys, the home tour was insane... in a good way! If you are visiting my blog because you were on the tour - WELCOME!

So about that home tour...

I have a lot of dreams, but being on a home tour was never one of them. But when a friend suggested that my house would be great fit for the Irvington Historic Home Tour, I thought, why not? I emailed the board of the Benton House to ask about the application process and before I knew it I was having a home visit that ended with a "we'd love to have you on the tour!" After that I had about four months to plan, which turned to be just that, planning only. What with my month long trip to Switzerland, my unfortunate accident, and subsequent surgery (more on that here), I was happy to just get the house cleaned (you can read about my realistic to-do list here)!

Anyway, enough with the set up. The tour itself was amazing and strange. It ran from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm so for five hours I stood in my living room welcoming people into my house.

Me, awkwardly being photographed. No joke, my friend had to coach
me on how to smile, that is how much I dislike getting my picture taken.

While I could tell you lots of stories about all the awesome people I met, I'll keep it simple with two lists. First, the phrases I said hundreds of times, and second, the most common questions/comments I heard.

These are the phrases I said about 500 times (which is around how many people came through my house!):
"Hi, I'm Jasmin, welcome to home."
"Thanks for visiting."
"Thank you, I appreciate that."
"Have a nice afternoon."
"That's so nice of you, thank you."
"I have a blog if you want to know more about ______."

These are a few of the questions/comments that I heard A LOT:
"Are you English?" - my response was always, "No, just an anglophile."
"You sure do love to travel."
"You are an avid reader."
"Are you an artist?" - I said, "No, I'm just artist-ic."
"We are soul mates/we should be friends." - I got this comment a lot! It was my favorite comment of course :) Welcome, to all of my new friends!
"Where did you get that chandelier?" - the dining room chandelier was very popular!
"What are those little books on the wall?" - the post card wall art led to a lot of questions.
"Are the floors original?"
"Is that a photo of your grandparents' wedding?"
"Did you take those photos behind the old windows?"
"How long have you lived here?" - Since I've been here for 20 months, I had the weird decision of saying I've lived here for 20 months which makes me sounds like the mother of a toddler or saying a year and a half, I went with "A year and half." or the occasional, "Almost two years."
"How old is the house?"
"Is there a basement?"

Flowers from my Mom!

Flowers from the tour coordinator!

Disclaimer: I am a major introvert so the thought of talking with hundreds of people for five hours straight was anxiety inducing to say the least, BUT everyone was so nice and kind that my anxieties quickly vanished.  I had a really lovely time and I was happy to meet so many cool people. Special thanks to my Mom, Hayley, Kristen, and Amy for being with me for moral support :)

New Blinds, Finally

Happy, happy day! I finally got new blinds in the living room! 

Soooo goood right?? While I was grateful that my house came with blinds on every window (seriously, that was amazing), they were all of the $4 vinyl variety. Not my favorite obviously, but they kept sun and people's eyeballs out. That is until Bob systematically destroyed the blinds in the living room. He kept getting his paws caught up in the cords and yanking them down. After buying four new blinds for the living room (it was only $16 but still, they are ugly and I hate buying ugly things as place holders) I said enough was enough and I refused to buy more. When he broke two more a few weeks later I held my ground. And then... well, a year later I still only had two out of four blinds in the living room, but Bob totally learned his lesson.

But, my long game paid off because when I finally decided I had enough money to buy the ones I wanted (it too me a loooong time to decide what I wanted, here is a post about that) they were on sale! $140 later (sounds like a lot but it totally isn't for blinds, trust me on that!) and new blinds were at my house. Of course, it didn't occur to me until after they came that I would have to hang them, boo. Thankfully, they came after my cast came off (oh yeah, my cast is off!!!!) but my wrist was/is still really stiff so I wasn't sure if I could do it myself (drilling is hard for me on a normal day). I asked my brother to help me hang them some time and he said yes, but in typical Jasmin style I randomly decided one day that I couldn't wait another second and that I was going to hang them that moment. And I did! The process required a lot of cursing and two-handed drilling but the end result was totally worth it. Now, let's revel in their glory shall we?

They are also thermally lined (not sure what that means, but it sounds good) so they provide great coverage at night.

Needless to say, I'm extremely happy that my wait is over.

Last Post Before the Home Tour!

Soooo.... that time has come, the home tour is this weekend! I'm excited, nervous, and I'm already tired thinking about how long I'm going to be standing and schmoozing. But I think it will go well. If you live in the Indianapolis area you should definitely check it out! My house is one of six homes and there are also three buildings. It should be pretty cool. Tickets are available at several Irvington locations (more information here).

In other news, here is what I was able to accomplish before the tour (my original list here, my updated list here):

1) Replace/Get blinds in the living (currently only two of the four windows have blinds). 
2) Hang the TV (I already have the mount).
3) Buy new plants to replace some of mine that are looking sort of sad.
4) Clean, just like, everything.
Bonus items:
* Build sofa table to replace my 'faux' table I created (here). 
* Re-grout shower 
(posts to come about all these projects soon!)

Considering how I was gone for a month and then one-handed for the first five weeks I was home, I'm pretty proud of everything I was able to accomplish. I am excited about the home tour for a lot of reasons but mostly because having my house this clean made me jump on an opportunity I have been thinking about for a while. What is it? Well, you will just have to stay tuned to find out! 

New Art: Irvington Edition

The home tour is inching closer and in preparation for the tour I got news and a gift. The new is that, despite all the information to the contrary, my house wasn't actually built in 1925... it was built in 1922! How did I come by this info? An Irvington historian told me. Every home on the tour was researched by a historian who gathered as much information about the house as possible. All the information was interesting but the most surprising thing was that my house is three years older than I though. Crazy, huh?

I also got an awesome gift. Every year before the home tour there is a poster contest. As a one of the homeowners on the tour I got a signed copy of the winning print (done by Paula Nicewanger)!

via Facebook

Isn't it lovely? Even better, when I got home I found that the 10"x15" print fit perfectly in a frame I bought for $2 at a yard sale last summer. The frame was a dull wood color so I did a quite spray paint job to make it look a little more modern. If you are wondering how I spray painted something while wearing a cast on my dominate hand, the answer is, my cast now has spray paint on it.

I hung it in the dinning room corner that I updated a few months ago (here). I think it looks great!

Again, apologies for the blurry pictures, but dude, I'm doing the best I can with this cast. 

Home Tour To-Do List Updated

This September my house will be featured in the Irvington Home Tour which I mentioned here. I'm still really excited about it, but since getting back from my trip and my subsequent hand surgery I have lacked the energy/ability to attempt nearly all of the projects I so ambitiously assumed I would get done in time (for the full list click here, but be warned, it is a ridiculously long list). It was, in fact, 18 items long. Yeah... sometimes I really overshoot things. So my new and improved (and much more realistic) list is 4 items long.

1) Replace/Get blinds in the living (currently only two of the four windows have blinds).

2) Hang the TV (I already have the mount).

3) Buy new plants to replace some of mine that are looking sort of sad.

4) Clean, just like, everything.

Bonus items:
* Build sofa table to replace my 'faux' table I created (here).
* Re-grout shower


From the day I get my cast off till the day of the home tour I have 25 days. I'm not sure yet how quickly I'll have full use of my hand after the cast comes off, but I think that completing these four tasks (with the possibility of two extra bonus items) within 25 days is reasonable.

Wish me luck!

What is done, ... but not done.

Sometimes when I talk to people about this blog they say, "Aren't you going to run out of projects at your house to blog about?" Because my house is small and for the most part completely decorated, I understand their question, but the answer is always 'No.' A few weeks ago I did a post showing the 'before' and 'current state' of my house where I listed out what I've accomplished so far and what I hope to do in the future, but that isn't where the list ends. I don't consider myself an artist, but allow me to use the analogy that I'm an artist and my house is my canvas and for that reason I don't think I'll ever be able to consider this house finished. So here is a run down of what looks done but in my mind is not done and may never be.

Bedroom bookshelves:

This is an older picture of these bookshelves (currently the books are still backwards) but overall it is the same. I hate this wall which is unfortunate considering it is directly across from my bed and I have to stare at it every night. I love the dark blue walls but as soon as I painted them I realized that the black bookcase would have to go because it is too dark against the wall color. I've considered painting it white or something but geez, that sounds like an awful amount of work. The small silver shelf was never intended to stay there long but I haven't taken the time to find it another home. Overall, this wall annoys me because it is messy and random and too dark. I'm waiting until I get a bookcase for the dining room wall until I deal with this though. My hope is that the dining room bookcase will hold all of the books from these shelves plus all my books in storage (of course, by 'storage' I mean stacked in a corner of my room looking hoarder-ish) and then I can get rid of this bookcase. Don't get me wrong though I genuinely love this bookcase. Having glass doors on a bookshelf seriously changed my life, but I'm not sure I'll have a place for this bookshelf once it is moved out of this room. I could keep it in the basement in hopes that I'll use it in future but that seems wasteful somehow. I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it. Same with the silver shelf, I don't have any other plans for it currently so who knows where it will end up. So what will I do with that wall when it is blank?

via houzz.com

via theeverygirl.com

I'd like to get a parson's desk and add a large cork board or art above it. I haven't had a desk in years and I don't need one to sit at, but it would be nice to have a place to organize and store 'officey' stuff. But we'll see, I'm always changing my mind about this sort of stuff.

The Living Room Tables:

If you count, there are two side tables and a coffee table in here and I hate them all. Actually that's not true, I hate two out of three. The left side table is Lack table from IKEA that cost $7.99 and it serves it's purpose but it's boring. The coffee table was $30 on clearance from IKEA and I feel the same way about it. I like the table on the right because it's from CB2 and it opens up like an old school desk but it looks sort of weird where it is. I like the mismatched look (they are all different styles but since they are all white they work together) but I'd like to upgrade in the future. 

Maybe a coffee table like this?

via houzz.com

And maybe something like this for a side table?

via CB2

Or this?

via CB2

What I have now is just place holding for better stuff so I'm always on the look out for a the perfect replacement. 

TV Stand Area:

I love this dresser and the lamps and the harp and the TV, but how it is set up now is a little bland. My plan is to hang the TV (I have the mount I just haven't attempted to do it myself yet) and possibly hang art around it, like this:

via Brooklyn Limestone

Or this:

via One King's Lane

Considering I already have the TV mount this project should be completed soon but I've had it for over two months now and it hasn't even made it to my to-do list so maybe not.

Dining Room:

Ugh, the whole dining room is bugging me right now. I really want to repaint it but I'm holding back because I don't want to have to redo the postcard art which I love. But that messy gallery wall to the right has got to go. I'm still hoping to get my dream bookcase one of these day (I know I'm like a broken record talking about that stinkin' bookcase - you have no idea how much I think about it, it's nearly compulsive) and I would like to paint before that happens, but who knows. 

Things I hate in this room: dining room table, gallery wall, wall color, and IKEA credenza. 

Things I love in this room: postcard art, light fixture, and the curtains. 

I'm thinking about painting the room a lighter color and simplifying the gallery wall and since I can't afford a new table maybe I'll get a tablecloth or something. I'm thinking of going with a lighter color like this: 

via My Hands Made It

Or this:

via Houzz

I don't know if I can go lighter though. I've tried it in almost every room now and I always go back to dark and bold colors. I'm just afraid that I'll paint it a lovely dove gray and hate it. Soooo.... who knows what will happen.

Overall, I'm very happy with what I've done to my house so far and everyone is very complimentary of it, but since it is my work I will always see the cracks and imperfections in it. The good news is that I'll always have a new project to tackle which is fine by me since I really enjoy doing this sort of stuff.

Do you feel the same way about areas of your house? Or am I just too picky?

The State of the House: One Year Edition

Well, it has been one year (and five weeks) since I moved in to my little house and I have to say, best mistake ever! Why mistake? Honestly, I was not financially prepared to buy a house, but I really wanted one so I did it anyway. There is a saying that goes something like, "Bad decisions make for good stories" and that is literally the story of this blog. I wrote more about my decision to buy over continuing to rent for twentysomethingindy.com. You should check out my article and the rest of the site because it's awesome.

The point is I wasn't completely ready to become a homeowner, but I love this house and in my mind that equals so far so good! I simultaneously feel like I've been here forever and for a month, but it's actually been 13 months. Let's take a look back on all the progress I've made (with the help of friends, family, and hired hands), shall we? Also, bad before pictures because I wasn't a blogger then and for some reason didn't think to take any 'before' pictures, ah well, live and learn.

What I accomplished this year on the outside:

- I had the exterior painted

- While it isn't seen and nobody would notice, the biggest, most expensive thing I had done to this house was a major electrical repair before I moved in. I hate spending money on stuff that isn't seen and appreciated but I guess not dying in a house fire is good too. 

- The backyard fence was repaired (not pictured) 

- I added patio chairs to the front porch (a minor improvement over just plain empty)

- While not a large accomplishment I managed to mow the grass several times... go me!

On the agenda for the coming year and beyond:

- Screen in the front porch (it is already framed and ready)

- Add a daybed or some other type of furniture to make the porch more welcoming

- Dig out and replace those large ugly bushes in front (forsythia is the dream)

- Potentially replace the sidewalk up to my porch

What I accomplished in the living room this year:

- Painted it 'Suede Gray' by Behr

- Added a gallery wall, furniture, art, etc. 

- One thing I managed to 'un-accomplish' was that I broke two of the blinds. Lame. They are those $4 ones from Walmart but I refuse to buy them because they are ugly.

- Added a faux sofa table (here)

On the agenda for this year:

- Buy new blinds! Seriously, it is about time. Those blinds are hideous, but I can't seem to jump on a blind style (more about my indecision here). 

- Get a second couch. I want to get the same couch I already have and put it where the red chair is now. 

- Mount the TV. I got a mount and haven't taken the time to hang it yet. 

- Add art around the TV? 

- I'd like a bigger rug, different coffee table and side tables, a real sofa table instead of a faux one, etc. but I'll just have to see how much my budget can handle this year.

- Rearrange gallery wall, change out pictures, etc. 

What I accomplished this year in the bathroom:

- New tile!

- Installed new medicine cabinet. 

- Painted the room three times (ugh) and it ended up 'Ballet White' by Behr (more on that here). 

- Hung art, towel rack and hook, crates, and a second shower curtain (more on that here). 

- Installed new faucet.

On the agenda this year:

- I'm thinking about painting again, I know, I know, but seriously wouldn't it look beautiful navy blue? I asked my friend that and she said, "isn't every room in your house dark blue?" Touche´. 

- Re-grout the tub and shower. It's gross and a good re-grouting is loooong overdue.

- Change the light fixture. I am really good at cropping out things I don't like so it isn't pictured here but the current one looks something like this and it's fine, but I really want to get something else so hopefully this will be the year. 

What I accomplished this year:

- Painted it twice and it ended up 'Canon' by Ace Hardware (side note: I love the black walls, way more than even I though I would).

- Added art and open shelving.

- Added a chalkboard wall.

- Installed cork floors! (toe kick is not present in these pictures, but it is in now- I need to take pictures again).

- Installed new faux wood white blinds to the windows and the door.

- Installed new light fixture.

On the agenda for this year and beyond:

- New countertops and backsplash (so excited for this!)

- Possibly replace the light? It hangs at about 6'1" and whenever my 6'2" brother comes over he complains about it so maybe I'll lift it up or just change it completely.

- I'd love to add a ceiling light by the chalkboard wall. It is super dark back there at night (and not just because of the black paint, it has always been dark back there). Not sure how much that would cost but it's on my brain.

- I've been thinking about added roman shades or something else to the windows. 

What I accomplished this year:

- Painted it 'Underwater' by Behr.

- Added curtain rod and curtains (here)

- Installed new light fixture

- Added gallery wall

- Added postcard wall art (here)

- Recovered dining room chairs (here)

What I hope to do this year:

- First and foremost I want to get my dream bookcase (here). The wall to the right is blank and sad and I want to change that as soon as possible. 

- I've been thinking about repainting, ugh I know, what is wrong with me? I'm obsessed with painting! But no seriously, I like this color, it's just... I can't put my finger on why I'm tired of it. 

- Re-do or do something completely different with the corner gallery wall, it looks messy and it's a little too much with the postcard wall art (and I really like the postcard wall art).

- Touch up the paint around the light fixture's canopy. I've been meaning to do this for a year, maybe writing it down will make me do it.

- Replace the buffet. It is an IKEA clearance piece that I got for like $40 and I want to replace it with something more solid. 

What I did this year:

- After living with an off-white paint color for six months, I decided I am not a white room kind of person so I went bold and blue by color matching Sherman Williams' 'Loyal Blue' (more on that decision here). 

- Furnished it mostly via craigslist (campaign dresser, jenny lind bed) and IKEA (Rast dresser, Billy bookcase, Knappa light fixture). 

- Hung a light fixture on my own! (here)

What I should accomplish this year:

- I'm really dreading it but the floors seriously need refinished. When I first moved in the bedrooms were carpeted (see the before picture) but since I really hate carpet I ripped it up. The hardwood floors are original to the house and actually look pretty good but in this room they sprayed the trim and since they were planning on putting carpet down they didn't worry about getting white paint on the floors. See the right of the picture above? How the paint comes out about 2-3 inches from the trim? Not cool people who painted the trim, not cool. I may actually tackle this project on my own but we'll see how brave I get.

- I'd love to add curtains or roman shades to this room. The white vinyl blinds in there are fine, but I think an upgrade would be nice.

- If I get my dream bookcase this year I will be moving all the books from this bookcase into that one (plus my books from storage) and then selling this one. I really like this bookcase, but if I have my dream bookcase I really won't need this one. If all that happens I'd like to get a parson's desk for that spot to create a sort of in-room office space. 

What I did this year:

- After being used as a storage unit for 12 months I finally cleared this room out which was a big weekend project.

- I left my daybed, rug, and old dresser in there.

- I craigslisted a desk and bought a chair and lamp set at a used furniture store. (here)

- I painted this room with the left over paint from the kitchen's first paint job, 'Suede Gray' by Behr. (here)

- I DIYed fabric lampshades. (here)

- Added a little bit of art that I already had. (here)

- Cleaning should definitely get it's own bullet point because I did a lot of that in this room.

What should get done this year*:

*My student has only been here two weeks so I haven't decided if I'll keep hosting someone but for now she's there and I won't be doing any projects in this room, but if I don't keep hosting... 

- The hardwood floors in this room also need refinished, although they aren't as bad as my room since the trim in here didn't get painted. 

- Change out the basic light fixture for something a little more fun. 

- Add curtains or different blinds.

- Repaint it a more exciting color. 

Not too bad for 13 months! I'm happy with the progress I'm making. Most of the projects I did this year were lower cost things like painting, getting used furniture from craigslist, and making my own art. I tried to space out the expensive projects (Jan '12- electrical repair, June '2 - bathroom tile, July '12- exterior paint, Feb '13- kitchen floor) and since I did four major projects in 13 months that averages out to about one project every three months. If I continue on that path this year, I hope to do the kitchen countertops, screen in the front porch, refinish the bedroom floors, and upgrade the landscaping in the front - but we'll see what actually gets done!