tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44782014075114289682024-03-14T20:28:03.645-04:00An Urban CottageAn Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-34105876409209925362018-10-28T18:58:00.000-04:002018-10-28T18:58:00.682-04:00House Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpZ9XBh1Wio/W9Yb8VIMH3I/AAAAAAAAL98/tkRKpGi9AdohfgCQUUMDmIqDavVIEoVxACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7809.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vpZ9XBh1Wio/W9Yb8VIMH3I/AAAAAAAAL98/tkRKpGi9AdohfgCQUUMDmIqDavVIEoVxACK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7809.jpeg" width="524" /></a></div>
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Someone was kind enough to nominate me on Modenus as Top Design Blog/Social Media</div>
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influencer so I thought it would a good time to update the blog with more recent photos</div>
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of what I've been posting in Instagram this past year. </div>
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I'd be honored if you'd <a href="https://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/designhounds-top-100-2019-vote-for-your-favorite-design-blogs-and-influencers" target="_blank">vote for me</a>. When I last looked, I was at number 29!</div>
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I hear all the time that you miss the blog and while it was fun sharing the renovations while</div>
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they were in full swing, there's just not enough time or material to keep it up on a regular basis.</div>
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I know that many of you follow me on Instagram, but if you're not an iPhone app kind of person,</div>
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here's some images of what'S of been going on around the house.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpsX_9j0lCo/W9Yecu8QT0I/AAAAAAAAL-I/0G4fUBmcRcc-0MHQ_WRE2cN3v0Q8w_2IQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7802.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpsX_9j0lCo/W9Yecu8QT0I/AAAAAAAAL-I/0G4fUBmcRcc-0MHQ_WRE2cN3v0Q8w_2IQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7802.jpeg" width="534" /></a></div>
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The entryway hasn't changed at all. I'd really like to paint the trim darker gray but</div>
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there are so many coats of paint on the trim, I can't bring myself to just slap another</div>
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coat on. It really needs to be stripped before I paint again.</div>
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But how do I strip the baseboards without messing up the finish on the stair treads?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwNqr0CdbkQ/W9Yefoe-keI/AAAAAAAAL-Q/ZLfEBI4OOM4EceRuipFsDQHhTClzq2BggCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7813.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwNqr0CdbkQ/W9Yefoe-keI/AAAAAAAAL-Q/ZLfEBI4OOM4EceRuipFsDQHhTClzq2BggCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7813.jpeg" width="514" /></a></div>
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When I first moved in to the house, I furnished it with a lot of second-hand furniture </div>
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that allowed me to save of improvements and I'm slowly starting to replaced it with a</div>
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mix of antique pieces that I've had reupholstered and...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBfBjC-FnSM/W9Ykw14SNjI/AAAAAAAAMAU/EFuQYDZYxHoFRL02OsuM4riYOtvbz6CcQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3279.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SBfBjC-FnSM/W9Ykw14SNjI/AAAAAAAAMAU/EFuQYDZYxHoFRL02OsuM4riYOtvbz6CcQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_3279.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>
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...more modern pieces that I've slipcovered in white so I can swap out</div>
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pillows, throws and artwork that change up the look very easily.</div>
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In summer, I pare down even more and go without a rug on the floor.</div>
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I struggle with collecting and acquiring but I love this photo of the living room</div>
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where I've edited down to only a few favorite things.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOHkxXaQoM8/W9YepPEV8II/AAAAAAAAL-g/3XzeHTXabDQre0yjPahpT5hgBV1a-5kgQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7808.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOHkxXaQoM8/W9YepPEV8II/AAAAAAAAL-g/3XzeHTXabDQre0yjPahpT5hgBV1a-5kgQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7808.jpeg" width="512" /></a> </div>
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The former dining room room has been turned in to a study. I found an old mantel</div>
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which creates a great focal point for the room and added a few comfy club chairs upholstered</div>
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in a neutral herringbone fabric and a more modern footstool covered in steel blue velvet where</div>
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I can pile up books and magazines waiting to be read.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-KNEXeviCM/W9Y98VfnkpI/AAAAAAAAMAg/6ZY1oHVYhhcVmYllIxCvwfM7PweAjPAoQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-KNEXeviCM/W9Y98VfnkpI/AAAAAAAAMAg/6ZY1oHVYhhcVmYllIxCvwfM7PweAjPAoQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_3049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had a bumper crop of Annabelle hydrangreas this year. So fun to make a huge arrangement.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kC_7WUAxdbg/W9YeunW9gxI/AAAAAAAAL-o/937SfHFhJ08dxTCiZaezcA6ilzMrxoh3ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7797.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kC_7WUAxdbg/W9YeunW9gxI/AAAAAAAAL-o/937SfHFhJ08dxTCiZaezcA6ilzMrxoh3ACK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7797.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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I love how cozy this room has become.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVGFQmWCIbc/W9Ye02z84xI/AAAAAAAAL-w/ToYxoWePT1U23Wvinh1Dfwyyo8myiIQ0gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7798.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVGFQmWCIbc/W9Ye02z84xI/AAAAAAAAL-w/ToYxoWePT1U23Wvinh1Dfwyyo8myiIQ0gCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7798.jpeg" width="482" /></a></div>
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I absolutely love my kitchen. In a historical house, I think it's hard to create a space</div>
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that has all the modern conveniences while respecting the age of the house.</div>
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I was so, so lucky to find the old store counter that provided the bin drawers and</div>
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column details that make up the base cabinets. Everyone that comes in and sees</div>
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this kitchen comments on how warm and homey it is. That makes me happy,</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_KWV1XUzFM/W9Ye74sgoCI/AAAAAAAAL_A/DNhqxgN8XTo1G8CaFCDmhzHv1pHnZjkgQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7803.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_KWV1XUzFM/W9Ye74sgoCI/AAAAAAAAL_A/DNhqxgN8XTo1G8CaFCDmhzHv1pHnZjkgQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7803.jpeg" width="516" /></a></div>
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Back when I did the open shelves, there were a lot of people that felt the open</div>
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shelves would allow the dishes to get dirty and greasy. By displaying items</div>
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that are used all the time, I haven't found that to be a problem at all. And from what</div>
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I've seen in magazines and other media, open shelves have stood the test of time.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODYsO30ADAo/W9YfB3EsFtI/AAAAAAAAL_M/Q5NM2t_rJDI_yA-pLIqv_tUHAsjTdPgNgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7801.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODYsO30ADAo/W9YfB3EsFtI/AAAAAAAAL_M/Q5NM2t_rJDI_yA-pLIqv_tUHAsjTdPgNgCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_7801.jpeg" width="390" /></a></div>
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I'm still cooking and baking, trying to perfect my pie crust.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PPmetwaz7E/W9YfGfau59I/AAAAAAAAL_Y/x_S8eVyqyVo1GT9ahYMMWaEIXw1ApgjSgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7804.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PPmetwaz7E/W9YfGfau59I/AAAAAAAAL_Y/x_S8eVyqyVo1GT9ahYMMWaEIXw1ApgjSgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7804.jpeg" width="498" /></a></div>
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And I love making whole meals on the grill. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPEfOdSfsp8/W9YfMh6VMuI/AAAAAAAAL_g/27GXjrTeq4QBwBBB5CxKMlGz7PBZBu3QQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7799.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPEfOdSfsp8/W9YfMh6VMuI/AAAAAAAAL_g/27GXjrTeq4QBwBBB5CxKMlGz7PBZBu3QQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7799.jpeg" width="482" /></a></div>
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Upstairs hasn't changed a lot. I still have the wallpaper that I glazed with </div>
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watered down paint to downplay the pattern.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reJVyuLcLug/W9YfQerxHLI/AAAAAAAAL_o/CgXJBhncBd8Af6w_5fLF2nwMNfVPDc0DgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7807.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reJVyuLcLug/W9YfQerxHLI/AAAAAAAAL_o/CgXJBhncBd8Af6w_5fLF2nwMNfVPDc0DgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7807.jpeg" width="554" /></a></div>
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If you're a long-time reader, you'll remember that the upstairs of my house was turned into </div>
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an apartment around 1900, so doors were opened up between the three bedrooms that allow</div>
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you a view from the back to the front of the house. It's kind of odd quality to</div>
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have bedrooms open up to each other but I do love the open feeling it allows. </div>
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I've considered closing them up but there's no rush to do this. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2W8s9BSxNXI/W9YfUb3O66I/AAAAAAAAL_w/7iNy9l0KEMIttOdFNNlh_sLK6I8ciL24QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7806.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2W8s9BSxNXI/W9YfUb3O66I/AAAAAAAAL_w/7iNy9l0KEMIttOdFNNlh_sLK6I8ciL24QCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7806.jpeg" width="486" /></a></div>
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I still adore this old green painted cabinet. I'm seeing a lot of reproduction </div>
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furniture from Asia that has similarly distressed painted surfaces,</div>
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but nothing beats the real thing.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0pN68GuGuU/W9YfZGhYLUI/AAAAAAAAL_8/6iJMQREXUP8ghXqscVdDJ9Isfl7TkdEDwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7805.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0pN68GuGuU/W9YfZGhYLUI/AAAAAAAAL_8/6iJMQREXUP8ghXqscVdDJ9Isfl7TkdEDwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_7805.jpeg" width="484" /></a></div>
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I did a lot of work on my garden this year. The garden needs constant tweaking</div>
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as some things suffer and other things grow out of control. I hired a landscape</div>
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architect to help me develop a longer term plan for my little outdoor space.</div>
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I would like to establish more privacy and move to plants and shrubs that look </div>
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good for a longer portion of the season.</div>
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The grid at the end of my porch will eventually be covered in climbing hydrangea</div>
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and will provide a screen between by space and my neighbor's living room window.</div>
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That's a quick little update. I'm interested to know if anyone still visits so let</div>
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me know if you were here. I've love to hear from you.</div>
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And if you <a href="https://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/designhounds-top-100-2019-vote-for-your-favorite-design-blogs-and-influencers" target="_blank">voted for me on Mondeus</a>, THANK YOU!</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-1714746942756126732015-01-11T07:53:00.000-05:002015-01-11T10:44:12.205-05:00Restoring Charm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeQHGMIJ76Y/VK0k7OR9jvI/AAAAAAAAL1I/XBMavXN-T7I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-04%2Bat%2B8.49.29%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeQHGMIJ76Y/VK0k7OR9jvI/AAAAAAAAL1I/XBMavXN-T7I/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-04%2Bat%2B8.49.29%2BPM.png" height="320" width="229" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYQVwzCW_HQ/VK7pOcxb72I/AAAAAAAAL2g/AMAawmf2VFM/s1600/shutters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYQVwzCW_HQ/VK7pOcxb72I/AAAAAAAAL2g/AMAawmf2VFM/s1600/shutters.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2013/10/a-bewitching-old-stone-house-in-the-hudson-valley.html" target="_blank">Remodelista: A Bewitching Old Stone House</a> <a href="http://www.oldhousedreams.com/2012/04/09/1750-colonial-milford-new-jersey-725000/" target="_blank">Old House Dreams</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xff670ip4_A/VK0k4aMxDTI/AAAAAAAAL00/Vupok_kkphA/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-03%2Bat%2B12.14.46%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xff670ip4_A/VK0k4aMxDTI/AAAAAAAAL00/Vupok_kkphA/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-03%2Bat%2B12.14.46%2BPM.png" height="320" width="215" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pj-S00U5QW4/VK0k4QraTGI/AAAAAAAAL04/uXHjqelmw0Y/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-03%2Bat%2B12.13.34%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pj-S00U5QW4/VK0k4QraTGI/AAAAAAAAL04/uXHjqelmw0Y/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-03%2Bat%2B12.13.34%2BPM.png" height="320" width="265" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">In the Fields</a> <a href="http://www.madelinestuart.com/interiors.php" target="_blank">Madeline Stuart</a></span><br />
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I was talking with someone about renovating an old house a few months ago and I came to</div>
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the conclusion that my goal isn't always "renovation" as much as it is "restoring charm." One </div>
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of the things I love about old houses are the details, sometime quirks, that they have.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdn0La8ToLo/VK0k4E2m5XI/AAAAAAAAL0w/7dvYKxDnmF4/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-03%2Bat%2B12.15.50%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdn0La8ToLo/VK0k4E2m5XI/AAAAAAAAL0w/7dvYKxDnmF4/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-01-03%2Bat%2B12.15.50%2BPM.png" height="640" width="496" /></a></div>
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Darryl Carter's Living Room</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxZF4Ev-R1s/VKXBekJIQlI/AAAAAAAAL0Q/Z04g3z1vWu8/s1600/shutters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxZF4Ev-R1s/VKXBekJIQlI/AAAAAAAAL0Q/Z04g3z1vWu8/s1600/shutters.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Darryl Carter, same room, different view</span></td></tr>
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Some of my favorite details are shutters and moldings.</div>
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(While Darryl's shutters seem more decoration than original details, I like how he's paired</div>
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the shutters with roman blinds of the same color as a window treatment. I also notice he</div>
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typically uses shutters that cover about 2/3 of the window. I need to add, I love this room!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6sifhQ5F3w/VK51hcgEbVI/AAAAAAAAL14/IErk_FH06Q4/s1600/IMG_3518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6sifhQ5F3w/VK51hcgEbVI/AAAAAAAAL14/IErk_FH06Q4/s1600/IMG_3518.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Shutters, in particular, are really common on old New England houses.</div>
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I wish I could find the photographs of my old condo; it had shutters that</div>
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folded back into the wall. I'll show you if I can find them.</div>
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This is one the charming old houses in Marblehead, Massachusetts that</div>
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looks still has its original shutters.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NABFB8UCCy0/VK51hXDc3qI/AAAAAAAAL18/ZMeBN3T9Ihw/s1600/IMG_3519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NABFB8UCCy0/VK51hXDc3qI/AAAAAAAAL18/ZMeBN3T9Ihw/s1600/IMG_3519.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Shutters are also great for privacy if your house is right on the street.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_03FFOPQXM/VK51b_MWhBI/AAAAAAAAL1o/2J38gwU1YgE/s1600/IMG_1199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_03FFOPQXM/VK51b_MWhBI/AAAAAAAAL1o/2J38gwU1YgE/s1600/IMG_1199.jpg" height="640" width="460" /></a></div>
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I believe my house was originally built for laborers so there aren't a lot </div>
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of fancy details; in fact, in typical Yankee style, the detailed mouldings</div>
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were installed only in the living room where guests would see them.</div>
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Now that I've replaced all of the windows downstairs, I thought adding shutters </div>
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to all the windows would be a way to add charm and provide a privacy solution </div>
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since my house is so close to the street. So last summer I took down my drapes </div>
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and rods so I could try living with the windows open and uncovered during </div>
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the day. I found that when it's light outside, you really can't see in at all.</div>
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I had just a few months earlier, seen Loi install shutters in <a href="http://toneontoneantiques.blogspot.com/2014/04/sharing-paint-colors.html" target="_blank">his Maine house</a></div>
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so I contacted his source, Shutterworks in Lewiston, Maine, to see if they'd (A)</div>
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provide me an estimate and (B) be willing to work with me long-distance.</div>
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The price seemed really good and yes, if I measured carefully, they would</div>
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make the shutters and I would drive up to pick them up so save shipping costs.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EL49mWSEzA/VK51bjdFpBI/AAAAAAAAL1g/E2OSUzwfbh0/s1600/IMG_1503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9EL49mWSEzA/VK51bjdFpBI/AAAAAAAAL1g/E2OSUzwfbh0/s1600/IMG_1503.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Fred at Shutterworks does almost every style of shutter imaginable </div>
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so my task was to choose something that "fit" the house. I decided to</div>
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base the shutter panels for the windows on the panels in my tiny basement </div>
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door which I believe to be original to the house.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zl9lLcIG4U8/VK51b8F8S3I/AAAAAAAAL1k/ScjL0XVoCjA/s1600/IMG_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zl9lLcIG4U8/VK51b8F8S3I/AAAAAAAAL1k/ScjL0XVoCjA/s1600/IMG_1621.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Just to make sure I liked it, I asked Fred to make</div>
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me up a sample so I could see what it looked like.</div>
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And the "Urban Cottage" shutter was born.</div>
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I carefully measured each of the windows--three times each--and</div>
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sent the measurements off to Fred. I think it took about two months</div>
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for building and painting the shutters and I drove up to Lewiston the</div>
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week before Christmas to pick them up.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGvATE_Av0c/VK_KDDXkJgI/AAAAAAAAL20/ZxTRNM4F5ag/s1600/IMG_2259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGvATE_Av0c/VK_KDDXkJgI/AAAAAAAAL20/ZxTRNM4F5ag/s1600/IMG_2259.jpg" height="640" width="539" /></a></div>
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And here they are!</div>
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Fred works with a painter so I was able to get them spray painted before the pairs</div>
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were assembled. I used Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIP5LJJXfp4/VK_KC5tOIkI/AAAAAAAAL2w/gMVpfHGUvC4/s1600/IMG_2260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIP5LJJXfp4/VK_KC5tOIkI/AAAAAAAAL2w/gMVpfHGUvC4/s1600/IMG_2260.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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So my first project of the year is getting these installed.</div>
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I'm looking forward to the old New England charm these </div>
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will bring to my downstairs. </div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-54859380815458324432015-01-01T09:56:00.000-05:002015-01-01T10:13:10.149-05:00Happy New Year 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw1v6LQFRps/VKVbEEjANuI/AAAAAAAAL0A/q9D09E8ughI/s1600/IMG_2235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw1v6LQFRps/VKVbEEjANuI/AAAAAAAAL0A/q9D09E8ughI/s1600/IMG_2235.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I always think of my grandmother on New Year's Day. She was a very superstitious woman </div>
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even though I now suspect many of her beliefs were made up to keep my brother and me in line. </div>
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But she was clear about New Year's Day: what you did on this day determined your fate for </div>
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the next year. Things such as cleaning the house or doing laundry would certainly doom you </div>
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a year filled with endless housework for the next year. I wish she were still alive today so I </div>
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could get some clarifications on things such as painting window mullions, blogging, cooking, </div>
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or even eating for that matter, because I don't know if these are positive or negative endeavors.</div>
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I'm also not sure where she would fall on issue of undecorating the Christmas tree. It certainly</div>
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includes a cleaning component. But this New Year's Day has become my traditional day to</div>
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undecorate and take down the tree. There's just something about cleaning up, putting away and </div>
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cleaning up that feels to me like a good way to start a new year. And, even if she would claim it's wrong, I would argue it's a perfect way to spend a few moments thinking of her.</div>
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However you spend this first day of the year, I wish you best throughout the new year!</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-57718387730190957752014-12-23T21:14:00.003-05:002014-12-23T21:14:36.091-05:00Merry Christmas 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rj93EMsbCHM/VJoekrH1wYI/AAAAAAAALzw/rmlCmiNEDUU/s1600/IMG_2218a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rj93EMsbCHM/VJoekrH1wYI/AAAAAAAALzw/rmlCmiNEDUU/s1600/IMG_2218a.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></div>
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I had big plans for the Christmas tree this year. I ordered a Silvertip </div>
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and had it shipped from California. Itplanned it to arrive the first week of </div>
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December and after my office move I was going full-on in to Christmas decorating.</div>
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The office move went perfectly and the next day I came down with the flu.</div>
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I am thankful that the flu waited until the move was done I was </div>
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disappointed I just didn't have the energy to do everything I wanted to.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYhPC3XbxkU/VJi9KciojmI/AAAAAAAALzg/Jif2inddawI/s1600/IMG_2183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYhPC3XbxkU/VJi9KciojmI/AAAAAAAALzg/Jif2inddawI/s1600/IMG_2183.jpg" height="640" width="342" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Silvertip trees grow naturally in layers, very much like</div>
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<a href="http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/2011/12/tree.html" target="_blank">the tree I created a few years ago</a>. Pottery Barn uses these trees</div>
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for their catalog, although looking at <a href="http://blog.potterybarn.com/the-story-behind-pottery-barns-holiday-catalog-trees/" target="_blank">this post about their trees</a>, it's</div>
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clear they must still do some trimming to get that spare feather tree look.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzYy9NQW2_w/VJi7bTAiHdI/AAAAAAAALzE/gnfYXh_2qqo/s1600/IMG_2201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzYy9NQW2_w/VJi7bTAiHdI/AAAAAAAALzE/gnfYXh_2qqo/s1600/IMG_2201.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So I've done a much scaled back tree using some things I could easily</div>
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get my hands on. It's mainly pine cone garlands, birds, and leftover</div>
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flowers from Thanksgiving and flowers and leaves from the garden.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FO__kJmxwzU/VJi7dKOFqrI/AAAAAAAALzU/BWvKW22Xgt8/s1600/IMG_2196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FO__kJmxwzU/VJi7dKOFqrI/AAAAAAAALzU/BWvKW22Xgt8/s1600/IMG_2196.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Even though it wasn't the tree I planned, I still love it. As much as </div>
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I cherish all my collection of vintage, shiny ornaments, there's something</div>
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about using all natural materials that just feels right on a tree.</div>
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I hope that everyone is well and preparing for a wonderful time</div>
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with your family and friends.</div>
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-91912272852972562102014-11-30T18:50:00.003-05:002014-11-30T19:33:22.091-05:00Rooibos Cranberry Sauce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBsJwjXcbRQ/VHusBH6-2CI/AAAAAAAALyo/KWzcan-Ym8g/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B6.14.02%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBsJwjXcbRQ/VHusBH6-2CI/AAAAAAAALyo/KWzcan-Ym8g/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-11-30%2Bat%2B6.14.02%2BPM.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
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As I was finishing up my Thanksgiving cranberries and enjoying </div>
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a cup of chai, I thought the chai flavors would work realy well with the</div>
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cranberries. So I dunked a rooibos teabag in the bowl of hot cranberries</div>
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and left it in for about 10 minutes. I was really pleased with the results.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I thought I'd make another batch by making the chai first and using</div>
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it as part of the liquid in the cranberries. Here how it goes:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OgSC7lTaJQ/VHulRVbnu5I/AAAAAAAALxs/CRAJaUPNw-A/s1600/IMG_2161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OgSC7lTaJQ/VHulRVbnu5I/AAAAAAAALxs/CRAJaUPNw-A/s1600/IMG_2161.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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<br /></div>
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12 oz. bag of cranberries</div>
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3/4 cup of strong chai rooibos*</div>
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3/4 cup of orange juice</div>
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One cup sugar</div>
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Pinch of salt</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4b1dSNValcU/VHulRFS4fxI/AAAAAAAALxo/z_sWr5o8gFU/s1600/IMG_2158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4b1dSNValcU/VHulRFS4fxI/AAAAAAAALxo/z_sWr5o8gFU/s1600/IMG_2158.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Make chai rooibos using 3/4 cup of boiling water with</div>
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two teabags of chai rooibos. I used Yogi brand.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLTnJ44N1sk/VHulSSAYDfI/AAAAAAAALx4/HNvWNlmGy8g/s1600/IMG_2163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLTnJ44N1sk/VHulSSAYDfI/AAAAAAAALx4/HNvWNlmGy8g/s1600/IMG_2163.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.</div>
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Reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes until thickened.</div>
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Pour into a bowl and bring to room temperature.</div>
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Cover and refrigerate when cooled.</div>
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The spices in the chai are subtle but add a warm, almost</div>
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floral quality to the cranberries.</div>
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I love cranberries and will eat all I can for the rest of the year.</div>
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I always make extra and enjoy them on toast (or even on ice cream)</div>
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after all the Thanksgiving leftovers are all gone.</div>
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend</div>
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with their family and friends. Let the holidays begin!</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-4664497015017936322014-11-27T07:49:00.001-05:002014-11-27T11:18:30.712-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvZW-CJmuL0/VHcc36JCV8I/AAAAAAAALtU/N6mDGwz0b4M/s1600/IMG_2139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KvZW-CJmuL0/VHcc36JCV8I/AAAAAAAALtU/N6mDGwz0b4M/s1600/IMG_2139.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm happy to have a few days' break to relax, to cook and share</div>
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time with friends and to be thankful for everything I have.</div>
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I might even get in another post.</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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(Flowers are from my friend Shelley at <a href="http://blog.bowstreetflowers.com/" target="_blank">Bow Street Flowers</a>.)</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-77718991565200613722014-11-02T18:20:00.001-05:002015-01-11T07:54:28.423-05:00Around the House, Kitchen Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGjFr_NW_Qc/VFa1MFhpuKI/AAAAAAAALsM/wASdjTFFf2Y/s1600/IMG_1757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGjFr_NW_Qc/VFa1MFhpuKI/AAAAAAAALsM/wASdjTFFf2Y/s1600/IMG_1757.jpg" height="640" width="508" /></a></div>
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I don't know how I ever found the time to blog so steadily for three years.</div>
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It just doesn't seem to be happening lately. My office is moving in about five</div>
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weeks and designing the new office, planning the move, building a new</div>
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corporate identity and building a new website has really taken up a lot of</div>
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time the past several months. But here it is November so I've been</div>
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trying to get the house and kitchen ready for Thanksgiving guests.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hCSipaaZt9k/VFa1N4znuVI/AAAAAAAALsU/_fU-LHXAqFM/s1600/IMG_1599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hCSipaaZt9k/VFa1N4znuVI/AAAAAAAALsU/_fU-LHXAqFM/s1600/IMG_1599.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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In particular, I wanted to get the floating shelves stained before the holidays so when we</div>
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had a few warm days where I could have the windows open, I decided to get them finished.</div>
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Above was the before.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PgnO_BC1MhQ/VFa1U-X-lEI/AAAAAAAALsk/wToYsYyN0sM/s1600/IMG_1993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PgnO_BC1MhQ/VFa1U-X-lEI/AAAAAAAALsk/wToYsYyN0sM/s1600/IMG_1993.jpg" height="640" width="446" /></a></div>
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And here they are freshly stained to match the old bin drawers.</div>
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I'm happy with the color but I think I want to ding them up a litttle</div>
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bit and apply some dark wax that I'll leave in the dings.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--227J8DPb4k/VFa1sPlpH1I/AAAAAAAALs8/MnNF-M23jKQ/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--227J8DPb4k/VFa1sPlpH1I/AAAAAAAALs8/MnNF-M23jKQ/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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My mom visited last week so we drove out to Hudson, NY to pick</div>
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up a few new things for the shelves. If you haven't been to Hudson, NY,</div>
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it's really worth the trip. The town is just packed from one end to the other</div>
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with great antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AkpGFda-ho/VFa1w8UoOUI/AAAAAAAALtE/p2Xw2KMPj6o/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2AkpGFda-ho/VFa1w8UoOUI/AAAAAAAALtE/p2Xw2KMPj6o/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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My mom also has great knack for arranging things.</div>
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I caught her a few times moving things around on the shelves.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0OQfvAgALs/VFa1i0OCZmI/AAAAAAAALs0/ILGGR8OYghU/s1600/IMG_2092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A0OQfvAgALs/VFa1i0OCZmI/AAAAAAAALs0/ILGGR8OYghU/s1600/IMG_2092.jpg" height="640" width="636" /></a></div>
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I'm sure these will evolve but I'm really happy with how this looks right now.</div>
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I still have to paint the windows before I can call the kitchen done but the snow</div>
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outside tells me that I'll have a lot of time indoors coming up to get that done.</div>
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Hope to show you around Hudson, NY sometime soon.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-49857238963941968832014-09-21T20:43:00.000-04:002014-09-21T20:43:03.403-04:00Happy Fall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shfrNJaMB_8/VB9e5TyPlwI/AAAAAAAALqk/q9Q8hu9GwU4/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-09-21%2Bat%2B7.11.31%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shfrNJaMB_8/VB9e5TyPlwI/AAAAAAAALqk/q9Q8hu9GwU4/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-09-21%2Bat%2B7.11.31%2BPM.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's hard to believe that fall has arrived. It seems like July 4th was just a few weeks ago.</div>
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But I will say I really enjoyed summer. My job is requiring a lot more of my time and</div>
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attention and something really needed to give. I took a vacation from the house even I</div>
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didn't take a vacation away from home. I appreciate all of you who left comments or sent</div>
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e-mails wondering where I was and how I am. You're all the best!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfDCr2irJFg/VB9o_ZWrdEI/AAAAAAAALrk/Xd3bvDS949s/s1600/IMG_1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfDCr2irJFg/VB9o_ZWrdEI/AAAAAAAALrk/Xd3bvDS949s/s1600/IMG_1093.jpg" height="499" width="640" /></a></div>
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Backing up a few months I was experimenting with stains to match my old bin drawers.</div>
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I thought a good match was somewhere between golden oak and golden pecan.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MM_5pgl7_k/VB9fAawvJjI/AAAAAAAALq0/OfLc1zGalyA/s1600/IMG_1662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MM_5pgl7_k/VB9fAawvJjI/AAAAAAAALq0/OfLc1zGalyA/s1600/IMG_1662.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So a couple of weeks ago, I mixed up a 50/50 mix of golden oak and golden pecan</div>
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and just went at it. This was right after I had stained one of the little</div>
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floating shelves. And I was pretty happy with the outcome.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UzBzmltvbBs/VB9e6O2wIZI/AAAAAAAALqo/UsRPy0_rsDw/s1600/IMG_1118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UzBzmltvbBs/VB9e6O2wIZI/AAAAAAAALqo/UsRPy0_rsDw/s1600/IMG_1118.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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And then on to the upper cabinet next to the fridge.</div>
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This is the before...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyLTA9iD_J0/VB9fAiLWVgI/AAAAAAAALq8/GSFRZUeeedg/s1600/IMG_1726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fyLTA9iD_J0/VB9fAiLWVgI/AAAAAAAALq8/GSFRZUeeedg/s1600/IMG_1726.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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...and this is after.</div>
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I didn't want the wood to end up too shiny so I decided to finish</div>
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off with just a coat of wax. I've done the little shelf on the left</div>
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which you might notice ended up just a little darker than the cabinet</div>
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from the wax finish. In the end, I'm happy with it,</div>
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Having the upper cabinet stained may seem a little unusual but I</div>
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think it's necessary to balance the bin drawers on the other side</div>
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of the kitchen. And it's unexpected which I like.</div>
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You might also notice that I painted the panels around the fridge</div>
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the same color--BM Chelsea Gray--as the lower cabinets.</div>
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I really like how this turned out.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E55bu4mf408/VB9fAh379oI/AAAAAAAALq4/qOBWNU7HlwI/s1600/IMG_1725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E55bu4mf408/VB9fAh379oI/AAAAAAAALq4/qOBWNU7HlwI/s1600/IMG_1725.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have this constant internal battle between wanting</div>
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everything to be edited and spare on one had, and wanting</div>
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to display all my collections on the other hand.</div>
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Right now, edited is winning.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gbq5T6KBmRA/VB9vriw4_yI/AAAAAAAALr0/Ct8DG3JDIWE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-09-21%2Bat%2B8.38.01%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gbq5T6KBmRA/VB9vriw4_yI/AAAAAAAALr0/Ct8DG3JDIWE/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2014-09-21%2Bat%2B8.38.01%2BPM.png" height="640" width="636" /></a></div>
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Next I'll be moving on to the shelves that flank the stove.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And I need to paint the windows. There's plenty of time</div>
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to be indoors though coming in the next several months.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-20132655090831379182014-07-26T08:14:00.000-04:002014-07-26T08:14:06.517-04:00Out of Office Reply<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0XoApRd03M/U8vMXBzscbI/AAAAAAAAK2I/Hh101XI4Im0/s1600/IMG_1462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0XoApRd03M/U8vMXBzscbI/AAAAAAAAK2I/Hh101XI4Im0/s1600/IMG_1462.jpg" height="365" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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It seems like the world is on vacation. Over the past three weeks</div>
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as I e-mail things to clients (this is in my real life, not the blog life).</div>
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I get the same thing: Out of Office Reply. While things have slowed</div>
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down a bit, I find myself unable to get any time off. A website to build,</div>
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an office blog to launch, a new office space to find and an employee</div>
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to hire. It could be much worse, I could be one of the hundreds of</div>
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overqualified people out of work and looking for an entry-level position.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, it's a blessing to be busy even in the summer.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IH6w2rbSTUA/U8vMbeioXVI/AAAAAAAAK2Q/YbPvLQhVRoE/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IH6w2rbSTUA/U8vMbeioXVI/AAAAAAAAK2Q/YbPvLQhVRoE/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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In my little but of free time, I've been chipping away at the</div>
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outdoor painting...lots to do on the back porches.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJpq97SucR8/U8vMbgZ42bI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/LM94M_Z4QQY/s1600/IMG_1400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJpq97SucR8/U8vMbgZ42bI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/LM94M_Z4QQY/s1600/IMG_1400.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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While the front porch ceiling is sky blue, I've taken</div>
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a different approach to the back porch.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGyj5CbjXQM/U8vMghTjiPI/AAAAAAAAK28/cJ9n82JPdmk/s1600/IMG_1481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGyj5CbjXQM/U8vMghTjiPI/AAAAAAAAK28/cJ9n82JPdmk/s1600/IMG_1481.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I've used semi-gloss Decorator's White (Ben Moore) so it's</div>
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an extension of the kitchen ceiling. I love it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3SX2bzTkws/U8vMgNOHjZI/AAAAAAAAK20/c3TpUmGYU5I/s1600/IMG_1465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3SX2bzTkws/U8vMgNOHjZI/AAAAAAAAK20/c3TpUmGYU5I/s1600/IMG_1465.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I'm also trying to figure out what to do with the dining room.</div>
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Now that the table is in the kitchen--and it's working wonderfully--I</div>
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don't really have a use for this room. For now, I centered a gate-leg</div>
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table I recently picked up...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85iHVQmWLlQ/U8vMgEJdKyI/AAAAAAAAK24/g-33htMui1A/s1600/IMG_1466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85iHVQmWLlQ/U8vMgEJdKyI/AAAAAAAAK24/g-33htMui1A/s1600/IMG_1466.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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..and I've set out a few things that I enjoy looking at.</div>
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This changes almost daily.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0f4k5yzivI/U8vMgdhh70I/AAAAAAAAK3A/bX9tHJgiCt0/s1600/IMG_1479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0f4k5yzivI/U8vMgdhh70I/AAAAAAAAK3A/bX9tHJgiCt0/s1600/IMG_1479.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I've also moved a large painting from the front hallway to</div>
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the dining room. It was almost impossible to see in hallway</div>
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and at least I get to enjoy it in here while I contemplate what</div>
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this room will become. I'm strongly considering a keeping room...</div>
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a nice home office...or museum room. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDolRTLC_Mo/U8vM8NXOMzI/AAAAAAAAK3I/SfeuMpK0EB8/s1600/IMG_1464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDolRTLC_Mo/U8vM8NXOMzI/AAAAAAAAK3I/SfeuMpK0EB8/s1600/IMG_1464.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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So my apologies for not being around much. </div>
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I hope you've all got your out-of-office reply turned on</div>
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and are out enjoying summer! </div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-55598411149823922642014-07-03T16:41:00.000-04:002014-07-03T16:41:32.254-04:00Happy Independence Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kGFQvAqJoI/U7W8IcQ6ZwI/AAAAAAAAK1Y/uit09CIeDBg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.22.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kGFQvAqJoI/U7W8IcQ6ZwI/AAAAAAAAK1Y/uit09CIeDBg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.22.43+PM.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've been doing a flag series on Instagram this week and I thought I'd share it with all of you.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I0yxbkmgSsA/U7W8H1mycxI/AAAAAAAAK1U/aKnQ1Kmj_6Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.22.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I0yxbkmgSsA/U7W8H1mycxI/AAAAAAAAK1U/aKnQ1Kmj_6Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.22.20+PM.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love old flags and anything George and Martha Washington so it's fun to pull them out</div>
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this time of year and give them a place of prominence.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xac6H-o1PPw/U7W8IH4HXcI/AAAAAAAAK1c/OzgOxONDfzQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.23.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xac6H-o1PPw/U7W8IH4HXcI/AAAAAAAAK1c/OzgOxONDfzQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.23.07+PM.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Old parada flags decorate the kitchen light.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUIMnpHx0K0/U7W8NFVNHXI/AAAAAAAAK1k/tBB4nYeT-3g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.23.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUIMnpHx0K0/U7W8NFVNHXI/AAAAAAAAK1k/tBB4nYeT-3g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.23.23+PM.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Langham Hotel in Boston decorated for the holiday.</div>
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Boston City Hall today. It's so humid you can see it in the air.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzRiZIf78vc/U7W8PZhGdHI/AAAAAAAAK1w/A-_UfXEwu0E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.24.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DzRiZIf78vc/U7W8PZhGdHI/AAAAAAAAK1w/A-_UfXEwu0E/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-03+at+4.24.00+PM.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Old State House with bunting on its balcony.</div>
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The Declaration of Independence was "proclaimed" from this balcony in July 1776.</div>
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Hurricane/Tropical Storm Arthur is coming up the East Coast and will rain out</div>
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the 4th so Boston pulled together and is hosting its annual Boston Pops concert</div>
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and fireworks show tonight.</div>
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Wishing you a safe and happy Independence Day!</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-7653504991231217592014-06-29T08:19:00.000-04:002014-06-29T08:19:14.387-04:00Provincetown Prints<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blanche Lazzell, Anemone II</td></tr>
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A few years back I did <a href="http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/2010/03/ferol-sibley-warthen-and-provincetown.html" target="_blank">a post about <u>white-line woodblock prints</u></a>. It's a printing process that's</div>
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uniquely American; in fact, it was invented in Provincetown so the prints are often referred</div>
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to as Provincetown Prints. Unlike traditional woodblock printing where each color requires a different block, this process uses just one block with a tiny groove cut between each section to divide the colors. This method leaves a thin white line separating the colors, hence the name</div>
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white-line print You can see a few of my own white-line prints in this old post about <a href="http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-artwork.html" target="_blank">my artwork</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blanche Lazzell advertising print</td></tr>
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The invention of the process is credited to Bror (B.J.O.) Nordfeldt and it was developed by a</div>
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small group of artists who were in Provincetown (unable to travel to Europe) during WWI.</div>
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The two prints above are by Blanche Lazzell who, arguably, has become the most famous of</div>
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the practitioners of this process. She taught the printing process to the next generation of</div>
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artists and it's still practiced and taught today.</div>
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The Provincetown Art Association and Musuem, celebrating its 100th anniversary</div>
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this year, is now showing an exhibit of Provincetown prints made over the last century.</div>
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I wanted share a small subset of that exhibit, the prints from those earliest days that </div>
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show the life and times of people 100 years ago. The scenes, the dress, the styles</div>
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and lifestyles captured in these prints is wonderful. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSNXR_3IDCU/U61PwQhQ77I/AAAAAAAAK0U/Y1BwcyuuwYk/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSNXR_3IDCU/U61PwQhQ77I/AAAAAAAAK0U/Y1BwcyuuwYk/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></div>
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Harvest of Sea by Flora Schofield, 1933</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tR3mu0Deq38/U61Pv2dT_AI/AAAAAAAAK0M/blb_1sAnC38/s1600/IMG_1352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tR3mu0Deq38/U61Pv2dT_AI/AAAAAAAAK0M/blb_1sAnC38/s1600/IMG_1352.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Woman Sewing by Maud Squire (etching) ca. 1915</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSZCVMCiaHI/U61Pvo3IYUI/AAAAAAAAK0c/2MPrYw6O8q4/s1600/IMG_1350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSZCVMCiaHI/U61Pvo3IYUI/AAAAAAAAK0c/2MPrYw6O8q4/s1600/IMG_1350.jpg" height="640" width="528" /></a></div>
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"The Pianist" by Ethel Mars, ca. 1918</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJvgkZavVDA/U61PumHbXRI/AAAAAAAAK0A/vSX_R-oI8t4/s1600/IMG_1348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJvgkZavVDA/U61PumHbXRI/AAAAAAAAK0A/vSX_R-oI8t4/s1600/IMG_1348.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
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Tea Time in Morocco, Bror Nordfeldt, ca. 1916</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmsQE0kSJSU/U61Ptop2O1I/AAAAAAAAKzw/NzteNwSy6Io/s1600/IMG_1344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmsQE0kSJSU/U61Ptop2O1I/AAAAAAAAKzw/NzteNwSy6Io/s1600/IMG_1344.jpg" height="640" width="488" /></a></div>
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The Party by Ethel Mars, ca. 1920</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQIa8drhIbY/U61PsnktZGI/AAAAAAAAKzk/0D-Kw9jHEO8/s1600/IMG_1340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQIa8drhIbY/U61PsnktZGI/AAAAAAAAKzk/0D-Kw9jHEO8/s1600/IMG_1340.jpg" height="640" width="584" /></a></div>
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"Mother Love" by Edith Wilkinson, 1914</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivEtjoaaIGk/U61PsGWuFeI/AAAAAAAAKzg/N19A1kZga6g/s1600/IMG_1338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivEtjoaaIGk/U61PsGWuFeI/AAAAAAAAKzg/N19A1kZga6g/s1600/IMG_1338.jpg" height="598" width="640" /></a></div>
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Figures and a Dog, Ada Gilmore, ca. 1916</div>
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This is my favorite one. I've also seen this print titled "Gossip" which I love.</div>
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Aren't the outfits great?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oBwPeddfwwU/U61PuIQ-WII/AAAAAAAAK0E/NT_moeilLYo/s1600/IMG_1346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oBwPeddfwwU/U61PuIQ-WII/AAAAAAAAK0E/NT_moeilLYo/s1600/IMG_1346.jpg" height="640" width="584" /></a></div>
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Untitled, Mildred McMillen, ca. 1916</div>
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This is a great Provincetown scene before automobiles that now line the streets. A horse and</div>
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buddy are perhaps delivering fish or ice. The sailboats in the harbor seem to be floating the sky.</div>
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This amazing show of Provincetown prints work is on exhibit until August 10th, 2014.</div>
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Provincetown Art Association and Museum</div>
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460 Commercial Street</div>
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Provincetown, MA 02657</div>
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<a href="http://www.paam.org/">www.paam.org</a></div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-25019818712647734482014-06-25T12:16:00.001-04:002014-06-25T12:16:27.953-04:00More from the Tip of Cape Cod<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Di2AFXez4w/U6lfccOXgdI/AAAAAAAAKxM/CjcFw9tI9ss/s1600/IMG_1334-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Di2AFXez4w/U6lfccOXgdI/AAAAAAAAKxM/CjcFw9tI9ss/s1600/IMG_1334-1.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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So here we are again where we last left off. Low tide on Provincetown Harbor.</div>
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The water is quite shallow in much of the harbor so when the tide goes out, the sun heats the water</div>
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and sometime by the end of the day, the water is incredibly warm when the tide starts coming back in.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnhvVqvcnuA/U6lfgC4KpVI/AAAAAAAAKxc/TEP8tmmSBFg/s1600/IMG_1364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnhvVqvcnuA/U6lfgC4KpVI/AAAAAAAAKxc/TEP8tmmSBFg/s1600/IMG_1364.jpg" height="640" width="570" /></a></div>
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Provincetown is filled with textures. Weather worn clapboards, shingles and a sculpture</div>
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in front of the museum are well contrasted here.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi7EAZ554ac/U6qr-o7ys2I/AAAAAAAAKzI/U5MTC9YeQ0o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-25+at+6.58.49+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi7EAZ554ac/U6qr-o7ys2I/AAAAAAAAKzI/U5MTC9YeQ0o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-06-25+at+6.58.49+AM.png" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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You may remember this house from <a href="http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/2012/12/gray-day_2.html" target="_blank">a post I did</a> in all black and white about</div>
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a very gray day in Provincetown. I have to say, it's unfortunate the hedge</div>
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doesn't allow a view or path to the front door. I suspect it's a privacy hedge but even</div>
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a solid white gate would look better. That's my critique for what it's worth. </div>
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I just happened to be lucky enough to be there on the day when this beautiful</div>
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Gothic Revival was getting a whitewash. There's so many things I love about this photo.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MZvEGR_VKw/U6lffzmJO8I/AAAAAAAAKxU/-7Twcztd7zU/s1600/IMG_1367-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MZvEGR_VKw/U6lffzmJO8I/AAAAAAAAKxU/-7Twcztd7zU/s1600/IMG_1367-1.jpg" height="640" width="592" /></a></div>
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I think it was Erin from Whaling City Cottage who pointed out on Instagram that the </div>
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trim looked like shark's teeth. Isn't it great? I love Tom's straw hat and and the crooked chimney.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YIFSe-HIIk/U6lfgHDp3-I/AAAAAAAAKxY/w-BStRIPTdY/s1600/IMG_1367-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YIFSe-HIIk/U6lfgHDp3-I/AAAAAAAAKxY/w-BStRIPTdY/s1600/IMG_1367-2.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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And here's Huck, in a great action pose, having been convinced to use a wide brush.</div>
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No rollers, no sprayers. Completely old school.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pN7gTntw6iA/U6lfh6lRk-I/AAAAAAAAKyA/9SskS2UjYSs/s1600/IMG_1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pN7gTntw6iA/U6lfh6lRk-I/AAAAAAAAKyA/9SskS2UjYSs/s1600/IMG_1370.jpg" height="522" width="640" /></a></div>
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The town has unfortunately become overbuilt but it does make for some pretty nice compositions</div>
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of gray shingles and white trim...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gf1v_kBSufY/U6lfiFsBfZI/AAAAAAAAKxw/rcYQmfIcIew/s1600/IMG_1372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gf1v_kBSufY/U6lfiFsBfZI/AAAAAAAAKxw/rcYQmfIcIew/s1600/IMG_1372.jpg" height="640" width="504" /></a></div>
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...mixed with lots of cottage charm...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdXHr-4i9LE/U6lfjiiU5rI/AAAAAAAAKx8/heOnK7jJy6M/s1600/IMG_1373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdXHr-4i9LE/U6lfjiiU5rI/AAAAAAAAKx8/heOnK7jJy6M/s1600/IMG_1373.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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...pretty gardens with white picket fences with a view of the harbor from almost everywhere.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rBGWIPZB02k/U6lfjz6Fd9I/AAAAAAAAKy0/4WS1DT54smg/s1600/IMG_1377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rBGWIPZB02k/U6lfjz6Fd9I/AAAAAAAAKy0/4WS1DT54smg/s1600/IMG_1377.jpg" height="640" width="496" /></a></div>
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Roses seemed to be the flower of the week.</div>
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Although Provincetown has been a fishing village for centuries, it's main wharf</div>
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is now a mix of fishing and pleasure vehicles.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHziktqaB8I/U6lfmypr1LI/AAAAAAAAKyU/A9iT6exPotE/s1600/IMG_1381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHziktqaB8I/U6lfmypr1LI/AAAAAAAAKyU/A9iT6exPotE/s1600/IMG_1381.jpg" height="640" width="574" /></a></div>
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The beach at low tide.</div>
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Provincetown's main street, Commercial Street is lined with shops,</div>
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galleries and restaurants.</div>
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John Derian's little shop is a hidden gem. It's a cute little shack packed with his signature</div>
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decoupaged wares and some great one-of-a-kind pillows, lights and other homes</div>
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accessories. Look for it on Law Street right near the center of town.</div>
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And the famous Lobster Pot. It's become an icon with all of it's fun vintage signage.</div>
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(Note: Get the lobster-avocado cocktail!) </div>
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There's a show at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM)</div>
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of woodblock prints that represent 100 years of print work in Provincetown.</div>
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IT IS AMAZING!</div>
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It's open through August 10th so if you can make it, it's worth the cost of admission.</div>
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This is a print by Edna Boies Hopkins whose work I love but I'll show you </div>
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another subset of prints in another post.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-20370614046557264462014-06-22T08:52:00.000-04:002014-06-22T08:52:53.686-04:00Inspiration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQExn6EdMv4/U6Yci_d_4XI/AAAAAAAAKw8/2-RpWjqVE3o/s1600/Inspiration+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQExn6EdMv4/U6Yci_d_4XI/AAAAAAAAKw8/2-RpWjqVE3o/s1600/Inspiration+Collage.jpg" height="331" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Photo: Me Painting: Christina Baker</td></tr>
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I decided to take a day off work and escape to Cape Cod the other day. I sat in bumper-to-bumper</div>
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traffic for an hour to hit the road to relaxation. Funny how that works. I had a great day in</div>
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Provincetown seeing old friends and meeting new ones. It's just a two-hour drive from Boston but it's a world away. People you barely know greet you with a hug or kiss on the cheek--something I'd be quite uncomfortable doing with people I see on the subway far more often. But I digress.</div>
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I find it relaxing to walk around with my camera and look for compositions to photograph.</div>
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I'll share more of my photographs in another post but while I was there, I was posting some of photos to Instragram. Shortly after I posted my photo of Provincetown Harbor at low tide, I saw Christina Baker post one of her paintings called High Noon. I thought my view of the harbor</div>
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could easily serve as inspiration for Christina's painting. And I love seeing the two side by side.</div>
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Enjoy more of Christina's paintings on her <a href="http://christinabaker.net/home.html" target="_blank">website</a>, <a href="http://christinabakerart.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a> and <a href="http://www.greggirbyfineart.com/artists/c_baker/" target="_blank">Greg Irby Fine Art</a>.</div>
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The weather is perfect which, to normal people, might mean the beach or a barbecue. To me it's a big painting weekend out on the back porches. I have to get back out there.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-84446211402268507562014-06-12T11:29:00.001-04:002014-06-12T11:29:51.775-04:00A2Z Vintage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For you locals, I wanted to give you a heads up about a new place to</div>
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check out. I've talked about Darby Road a few times before--it's where</div>
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my "store counter" kitchen cabinets from--but the former Darby Road</div>
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warehouse has a new business called A2Z Vintage that carries vintage,</div>
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antique and one-of-a-kind items.</div>
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I thought I'd give you a tour of their 10,000 square foot warehouse </div>
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to show just a little a bit of their eclectic mix of items.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IjD7TsOOK78/U5SPiDXrnAI/AAAAAAAAKuE/tNj6_JAc2RQ/s1600/IMG_1234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IjD7TsOOK78/U5SPiDXrnAI/AAAAAAAAKuE/tNj6_JAc2RQ/s1600/IMG_1234.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Right outside is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time.</div>
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These are faux bois columns for a pergola. You can see in a few </div>
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places where the beams go in. The tops actually collect water and</div>
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drain it down to the bottom. Wish I had a place to use these. </div>
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A great piece for an unfitted kitchen. I love the touch of old green paint.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTswmLwfcYg/U5SPqyTJUuI/AAAAAAAAKu0/tybSSvWLaxc/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTswmLwfcYg/U5SPqyTJUuI/AAAAAAAAKu0/tybSSvWLaxc/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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A nice variety of "mantiques."</div>
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If your name is Joseph and you have a cafe, here's the perfect sign for you.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFauAAVPy0I/U5SPkZNquoI/AAAAAAAAKuU/xs5qttSxvV8/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RFauAAVPy0I/U5SPkZNquoI/AAAAAAAAKuU/xs5qttSxvV8/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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A great pair of urns. Notice the fish motif in the second one?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42175aN_jqs/U5SPljyD0sI/AAAAAAAAKuk/YFlRJVXvcC4/s1600/IMG_1253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42175aN_jqs/U5SPljyD0sI/AAAAAAAAKuk/YFlRJVXvcC4/s1600/IMG_1253.jpg" height="640" width="410" /></a></div>
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A 1840s painted armoire.</div>
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A monumental 1850s English pine cabinet. Just gorgeous!</div>
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A great collection of vintage and antique rugs.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dK7Ib4Bz4jY/U5SPuqM7_-I/AAAAAAAAKu4/4VAGs9lOfJs/s1600/IMG_1264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dK7Ib4Bz4jY/U5SPuqM7_-I/AAAAAAAAKu4/4VAGs9lOfJs/s1600/IMG_1264.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I flipped for this antique Heriz. I asked Paul to measure to see if</div>
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it would fit in my living room. It does! It seems these rugs were out of style for</div>
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a while but have you been noticing them being used more in modern settings?</div>
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There was a pair of these great driftwood sconces.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Qa9ng83LcM/U5SPvWdNbWI/AAAAAAAAKvE/xyFy_UnC2tY/s1600/IMG_1268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Qa9ng83LcM/U5SPvWdNbWI/AAAAAAAAKvE/xyFy_UnC2tY/s1600/IMG_1268.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The perfect stool for a princess to put on her glass slippers.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjcpEli3hOw/U5SPv7fJhxI/AAAAAAAAKvI/eBRpoC8QUz0/s1600/IMG_1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjcpEli3hOw/U5SPv7fJhxI/AAAAAAAAKvI/eBRpoC8QUz0/s1600/IMG_1269.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></div>
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Look at the marble top on this antique Italian-style vanity!</div>
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There's also a little bit of mid-Century mod furniture,</div>
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lamps and accessories. Perfect for your '50s ranch!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwBnfFUgl94/U5SPwJwti5I/AAAAAAAAKvc/RAg9Wc7YA68/s1600/IMG_1274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwBnfFUgl94/U5SPwJwti5I/AAAAAAAAKvc/RAg9Wc7YA68/s1600/IMG_1274.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></div>
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The owner, Jon Ames, has a great eye for paintings.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y8uwTuhCz8/U5SPw_YbiMI/AAAAAAAAKvY/IrG_7Zp_ItA/s1600/IMG_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y8uwTuhCz8/U5SPw_YbiMI/AAAAAAAAKvY/IrG_7Zp_ItA/s1600/IMG_1280.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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There's also a nice selection of Asian pieces.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkbPiyDEtMw/U5SPxSuV1KI/AAAAAAAAKvU/5fnA3UP6vP4/s1600/IMG_1282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkbPiyDEtMw/U5SPxSuV1KI/AAAAAAAAKvU/5fnA3UP6vP4/s1600/IMG_1282.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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I love this blue color.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vCj0HO5AsO0/U5SPyVihpII/AAAAAAAAKvo/CPA8z0GgTyc/s1600/IMG_1284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vCj0HO5AsO0/U5SPyVihpII/AAAAAAAAKvo/CPA8z0GgTyc/s1600/IMG_1284.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Victorian settees aren't really my style but I'd love to see this recovered</div>
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on something like a grey tweed or herringbone pattern.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_ds6IcmXzg/U5SPzEdk-WI/AAAAAAAAKv4/6iFHCP85vXc/s1600/IMG_1285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_ds6IcmXzg/U5SPzEdk-WI/AAAAAAAAKv4/6iFHCP85vXc/s1600/IMG_1285.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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A beautiful little faux bamboo table perfect for evening cocktail.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1dRqkEp0Yc/U5SPzD59hjI/AAAAAAAAKv8/WsYvfntI9pI/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1dRqkEp0Yc/U5SPzD59hjI/AAAAAAAAKv8/WsYvfntI9pI/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Baa Ram Ewe!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqUrGKjENOk/U5SP0nsvclI/AAAAAAAAKwU/w2hqlouAjrw/s1600/IMG_1295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqUrGKjENOk/U5SP0nsvclI/AAAAAAAAKwU/w2hqlouAjrw/s1600/IMG_1295.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Okay, so blue damask might not be your thing but look at the beautiful</div>
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frames on these Louis chairs! Again, I'd do these up in men's suiting</div>
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to balance their feminine curves.</div>
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Be sure to check out A2Z Vintage soon to take advantage</div>
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of their 20% off Grand Opening sale. Let them know I sent you!</div>
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A2Z Vintage</div>
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39 Green Street</div>
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Waltham, MA 02451</div>
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Hours are WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY 10-5</div>
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and by appointnment.</div>
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<a href="http://www.a2zvintage.com/">www.a2zvintage.com</a></div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-35760900279861599982014-06-02T13:55:00.000-04:002014-06-02T13:55:11.844-04:00Summerizing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I don't know why time seems to evaporate this time of year. The days</div>
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are longer but now the weekly chores extend to the outside spaces and</div>
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the extra daylight hours easily get filled. </div>
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For the past few years, one of my springtime rituals has been taking</div>
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down my living room drapes and rods--I still have to do the latter--and</div>
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let the sun shine in. I always enjoy this simpler look. My living room</div>
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is very small, just 11-1/2 feet square, and taking down the drapes makes</div>
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the room feel larger. I'm considering making this a permanent change</div>
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by adding shutters to the lower half of the windows and a roman blind at the top.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SgK46wz-4dc/U4vAwnYpu0I/AAAAAAAAKs4/O8HCjqlLniY/s1600/IMG_1198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SgK46wz-4dc/U4vAwnYpu0I/AAAAAAAAKs4/O8HCjqlLniY/s1600/IMG_1198.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"> Bi-fold shutters would fold back to let in the light during the day </span><span style="text-align: left;">and</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">close at night for privacy. I would rarely close the roman blinds </span><span style="text-align: left;">on the</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">top half but they would provide a little color, softness and/or texture.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I'm also planning a new slipcover for the sofa that will lighten up the</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">room for summer. More on that later.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Oy2Ur53Uk/U4cNAD2iq5I/AAAAAAAAKrg/U_Po31TJkLE/s1600/IMG_1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o6Oy2Ur53Uk/U4cNAD2iq5I/AAAAAAAAKrg/U_Po31TJkLE/s1600/IMG_1137.jpg" height="320" width="284" /></a></div>
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I recently took a work day off for a carpe diem and I headed</div>
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up to Essex, Mass with the Princess of Pillows, Carol from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/6wilson" target="_blank">6Wilson</a></div>
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for a day of treasure hunting and I thought I'd share a few images from</div>
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that day. Above is an antique set of Japanese spouted nesting bowls.</div>
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I've never seen anything like that. It's amazing they're all in perfect</div>
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condition after so many years.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CH3mnVSoFY0/U4cM_Fez33I/AAAAAAAAKrM/fEmM20in_8M/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CH3mnVSoFY0/U4cM_Fez33I/AAAAAAAAKrM/fEmM20in_8M/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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A high-strung quartet.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjZqIgMMuFo/U4cM_WerfJI/AAAAAAAAKrI/xcWMV1gKSCI/s1600/IMG_1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjZqIgMMuFo/U4cM_WerfJI/AAAAAAAAKrI/xcWMV1gKSCI/s1600/IMG_1135.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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I have a weakness for old wood and rope.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsqsS70juZY/U4xjZswqOCI/AAAAAAAAKtU/IitwbSrl424/s1600/IMG_1151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsqsS70juZY/U4xjZswqOCI/AAAAAAAAKtU/IitwbSrl424/s1600/IMG_1151.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></div>
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And if you've ever been to Andrew Spindler, you may</div>
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recognize the mammoth succulents he has outside.</div>
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And no day in Essex is complete without a stop at Woodman's...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0NuhNXpHE8/U4cNCPTvEtI/AAAAAAAAKrs/1T02BstgVHU/s1600/IMG_1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k0NuhNXpHE8/U4cNCPTvEtI/AAAAAAAAKrs/1T02BstgVHU/s1600/IMG_1149.jpg" height="400" width="315" /></a></div>
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...for a lobster roll and onion rings.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8nvpAx6Wn0/U4cNXINm54I/AAAAAAAAKr8/Yxgr43LY4j0/s1600/IMG_1115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8nvpAx6Wn0/U4cNXINm54I/AAAAAAAAKr8/Yxgr43LY4j0/s1600/IMG_1115.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I've been picking away at the painting in the kitchen. I wasn't</div>
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in love with the dark color I had chosen for the back of the kitchen</div>
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shelves. So after a few new samples, I changed it to Ben Moore</div>
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Iron Mountain. I guess it's also Darryl Carter's Vinton Brown.</div>
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I think it works nicely with Chelsea Gray</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6hJ1K3qh7-A/U4cNXFD0sQI/AAAAAAAAKsA/V4xRFuOflfo/s1600/IMG_1119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6hJ1K3qh7-A/U4cNXFD0sQI/AAAAAAAAKsA/V4xRFuOflfo/s1600/IMG_1119.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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So I've been working on the bits that needed painting a little at a time.</div>
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I used the cabinet color around the fridge and painted out the</div>
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back of the cabinet with the Iron Mountain. I still need test stain samples</div>
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but I needed to get some wood conditioner and more pieces of fir so my</div>
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samples are as accurate as possible.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGSeqHM2HfU/U4yz6GgealI/AAAAAAAAKtk/rwql7Kg5Jys/s1600/roses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGSeqHM2HfU/U4yz6GgealI/AAAAAAAAKtk/rwql7Kg5Jys/s1600/roses.JPG" height="393" width="400" /></a></div>
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And lots of other projects going on at the same time.</div>
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I'm still cleaning out, organizing my basement.</div>
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It's not a bad basement for an 1842 house but it's painted</div>
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Pepto Bismol pink on all the walls. The ceiling is old post and</div>
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beam construction but that was, sadly, painted Virgin Mary blue--</div>
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you get the idea--so I got some waterproofing paint by Behr in a </div>
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color called "Silt" for the walls and I'll mix up some brown-gray for</div>
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to highlight the beams. It will never be a beautiful or finishable</div>
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basement but I think I can make it a really cool, funky space.</div>
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I'm also totally reworking the garden. My new French doors give me</div>
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a different view and I think I want to screen the view of my </div>
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neighbor's chain link fence and their view right into my kitchen.</div>
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I still need to paint all the new exterior porch work as well as my fence</div>
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which doesn't match my house.</div>
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So lots to do! My apologies for not being around much but that's</div>
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probably the way it's going to be this summer.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-51899021895207861672014-05-08T11:20:00.000-04:002014-05-08T11:20:06.623-04:00Golden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1qloZmGkjA/U2qC5n3BPyI/AAAAAAAAKqc/C6fyTA6B57M/s1600/IMG_1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1qloZmGkjA/U2qC5n3BPyI/AAAAAAAAKqc/C6fyTA6B57M/s1600/IMG_1097.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Still to finish in the kitchen is this one upper cabinet next to the fridge.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax6fN5yaqAA/U2qC3lKq3lI/AAAAAAAAKp8/lIgbld4Q3IM/s1600/IMG_1084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax6fN5yaqAA/U2qC3lKq3lI/AAAAAAAAKp8/lIgbld4Q3IM/s1600/IMG_1084.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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When I started planning the kitchen renovation, a few of the things high on</div>
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my list were hiding the microwave and adding a TV. Having this little space</div>
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tucked next to the fridge seemed to provide the golden opportunity to get both.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYvub0QVpWI/U2qC3tVqXoI/AAAAAAAAKps/HhngJBau1A0/s1600/IMG_1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYvub0QVpWI/U2qC3tVqXoI/AAAAAAAAKps/HhngJBau1A0/s1600/IMG_1087.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I think I mentioned earlier that I was painting the back of the cabinet</div>
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a dark color called Ben Moore Deep Creek. I learned in my art</div>
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training that your eye goes to the area of highest contrast so the</div>
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idea behind the dark color is to "hide" the microwave and the TV.</div>
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And then I'll use white pieces of pottery to further draw your eye</div>
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away from these things. An interesting experiment if nothing else.</div>
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I've quickly staged it with a few things so you see what I mean.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uckaoID2Bck/U2qC30h5cGI/AAAAAAAAKp0/J57Wih27n0g/s1600/IMG_1089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uckaoID2Bck/U2qC30h5cGI/AAAAAAAAKp0/J57Wih27n0g/s1600/IMG_1089.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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But this little area has also proven to be a challenge.</div>
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The original plan was to have a full-sized microwave but my ductwork</div>
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guys thought this would be the best location for the heating duct to the</div>
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upstairs bedroom which left me only 16 inches for a microwave.</div>
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I know they make tiny microwaves that will hold a mug but imagine</div>
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how psyched I was when I found a 15-1/2-inch model (Whirlpool)</div>
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that still holds a full-sized dinner plate. It's perfect actually.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DHvQ_Cl1ynE/U2qC4Rw8NgI/AAAAAAAAKqI/AZnsZehD2-U/s1600/IMG_1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DHvQ_Cl1ynE/U2qC4Rw8NgI/AAAAAAAAKqI/AZnsZehD2-U/s1600/IMG_1090.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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And deciding what paint colors to put where is driving me crazy...</div>
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this side panel on the fridge especially.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbznxD1QmvQ/U2qC4kfxP0I/AAAAAAAAKqE/-okB-VAhqlY/s1600/IMG_1091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xbznxD1QmvQ/U2qC4kfxP0I/AAAAAAAAKqE/-okB-VAhqlY/s1600/IMG_1091.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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It starts out at the floor where I feel it should be the same gray as the cabinets...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax6fN5yaqAA/U2qC3lKq3lI/AAAAAAAAKp8/lIgbld4Q3IM/s1600/IMG_1084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax6fN5yaqAA/U2qC3lKq3lI/AAAAAAAAKp8/lIgbld4Q3IM/s1600/IMG_1084.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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...up to the top where white feels right.</div>
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If I start with dark gray at the bottom, I'd have to carry that all around</div>
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the fridge...</div>
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...and quite possibly around the corner on to the wall. Nothing feels perfect.</div>
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How would you feel about an ombre treatment?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m8ll5kes_c0/U2qC3JxQKQI/AAAAAAAAKpo/tPVotCzxju8/s1600/IMG_1075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m8ll5kes_c0/U2qC3JxQKQI/AAAAAAAAKpo/tPVotCzxju8/s1600/IMG_1075.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anyway, while I mull that over, I'm thinking about staining</div>
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the wood of the upper cabinet to match (as closely as possible)</div>
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the bin drawers. The two sets of bin drawers are pretty close</div>
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to each other so having that upper cabinet match those</div>
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would really help balance things out.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68MSJbaEww4/U2qC5IA0lvI/AAAAAAAAKqQ/aKk85cfPFSo/s1600/IMG_1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68MSJbaEww4/U2qC5IA0lvI/AAAAAAAAKqQ/aKk85cfPFSo/s1600/IMG_1093.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It looks like it's somewhere between Golden Pecan and Golden Oak.</div>
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If I can make it match, I'll be golden.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-84818816046289479632014-05-01T14:47:00.000-04:002014-05-01T14:47:32.909-04:00Kitchen Goings-On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGVOMAbDTvc/U2GmTl1IA1I/AAAAAAAAKpM/pVdz34K_Dd0/s1600/lead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGVOMAbDTvc/U2GmTl1IA1I/AAAAAAAAKpM/pVdz34K_Dd0/s1600/lead.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Hey, long time, no see!</div>
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I made it though my big project. It was a lot of hard work but we really rocked it.</div>
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It seems like so long ago, but I really enjoyed reading all of your comments</div>
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about the in-the-ground garbage pails. It seems to have brought back a lot</div>
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of memories for people and it was fun reading about them.</div>
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I've moved my dining room table into the kitchen and it fits perfectly!</div>
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The chairs are Ligne Roset Calin chairs that I've had for a long time.</div>
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The room needed something modern to keep it from getting too stuffy</div>
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and I think these work well. They also have slipcovers that come off</div>
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and can be machine washed which I love. So they're not only practical,</div>
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they're as comfortable as any upholstered living room chair I've ever had.</div>
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I'm missing one of the slipcovers, though, and it's driving me crazy!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bsEQlQ8rAfM/U2GN8bmQ5LI/AAAAAAAAKno/SReZXAzEhTg/s1600/IMG_1063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bsEQlQ8rAfM/U2GN8bmQ5LI/AAAAAAAAKno/SReZXAzEhTg/s1600/IMG_1063.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Even with the chairs pulled out, there's plenty of room for me to</div>
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get around the table to the sink and stove, dishwasher and armoire.</div>
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I've finished painting the cabinets and I'm still liking the drawers unpainted.</div>
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The drawers look a lot more orange in the photos than they do in person;</div>
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I'm not sure why that's happening. Still need to paint the windows but it</div>
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needs to be a little warmer so I can leave them open while the paint drys.</div>
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It's been so cold here!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4sTbccN2p4/U2GgENWqfEI/AAAAAAAAKog/Ez4qtd1Ou8U/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l4sTbccN2p4/U2GgENWqfEI/AAAAAAAAKog/Ez4qtd1Ou8U/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I bought these stemware racks from The Container Store. They're made for</div>
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under-cabinet mounting and I've mounted them up in the top of the armoire.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfiM6fzwd8A/U2GgEwX7IvI/AAAAAAAAKoo/uUMNKL-JUJE/s1600/IMG_1006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfiM6fzwd8A/U2GgEwX7IvI/AAAAAAAAKoo/uUMNKL-JUJE/s1600/IMG_1006.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Their design isn't the best I've ever seen. I didn't feel they were very</div>
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secure so I added a washer to the screw which will work much better. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiyMiLWbd6A/U2GmfFvR9II/AAAAAAAAKpU/OJxMJblsFzo/s1600/IMG_1013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiyMiLWbd6A/U2GmfFvR9II/AAAAAAAAKpU/OJxMJblsFzo/s1600/IMG_1013.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used two triple racks, one on each end for champagne and wine glasses and two single racks</div>
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in the center to give more room for the martini glasses. The thing I love most is when the armoire</div>
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doors are closed, you can't see the glasses at all. </div>
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I bought new baskets for the lower two shelves. Also from The Container Store, these are their</div>
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large Hogla baskets. All or most of my cookbooks will eventually be moved to an upper</div>
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cabinet next to the refrigerator, but for now, they're out of the way. I'll still have lots of</div>
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storage space in here once they find their new home.</div>
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Since I'm storing some food items in the baskets, and I wanted to keep the</div>
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bottom of the baskets clean, I found two plastic trays (also Container</div>
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Store) that fit perfectly in the bottom of each basket. These will easily</div>
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come out for washing whenever necessary.</div>
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I still have a few cabinets and drawers to organize but I'm loving</div>
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my baking drawer. Everything I need for the task all in one place.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGtrYNbAW3s/U2GmDAVWpfI/AAAAAAAAKo8/YFhh0-RL7mw/s1600/scone1.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGtrYNbAW3s/U2GmDAVWpfI/AAAAAAAAKo8/YFhh0-RL7mw/s1600/scone1.jpg.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The maiden voyage of my new stove was to whip up some blueberry scones</div>
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for an Easter brunch. I loved having marble countertops to roll out the dough.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESEofmlhlJE/U2GmFPDU2MI/AAAAAAAAKpE/Bzt7I_r40L4/s1600/scones2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESEofmlhlJE/U2GmFPDU2MI/AAAAAAAAKpE/Bzt7I_r40L4/s1600/scones2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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These scones are from the America's Test Kitchen recipe...and they're killer!</div>
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You, too, can make these and won't believe how awesome you are!</div>
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Here's the video on how to do it.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xQx2kO4dILU" width="420"></iframe></div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-84026520428545705592014-04-09T18:27:00.001-04:002014-04-09T18:27:56.732-04:00Floundering<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flSCH3SPxsA/U0HgE1QXGbI/AAAAAAAAKms/GTVB_aBsPOQ/s1600/IMG_0869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flSCH3SPxsA/U0HgE1QXGbI/AAAAAAAAKms/GTVB_aBsPOQ/s1600/IMG_0869.jpg" height="400" width="346" /></a></div>
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I'm knee deep in a huge project at work that involves some</div>
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late nights and weekends and keeps me on call 'round the clock.</div>
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Fortunately I'm able to work remotely so I'm not stuck at the office</div>
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for so long but it's left me kind of floundering, not wanting to start</div>
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any projects. So I move around from a little unpacking, a little</div>
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cleaning up in the garden, and a little organizing</div>
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I put three boxes of stuff over on the neighborhood "free" table</div>
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this weekend and it all went like hotcakes, including a new griddle, the hot</div>
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plate from my temporary kitchen, a half dozen Cafe Fanny cafe au lait bowls,</div>
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cookie cutters, some old mixing bowls and a few small pots and pans.</div>
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An elderly woman scored a brand-new aubergine Staub kettle. Seeing her</div>
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makes me feel guilty I ever spent so much hard-earned money on something</div>
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to heat water...and then never used it. I hope she loves it. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5ZaKspFYmI/U0HgEu4VRSI/AAAAAAAAKmo/dI5UEM_Xz94/s1600/IMG_0872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5ZaKspFYmI/U0HgEu4VRSI/AAAAAAAAKmo/dI5UEM_Xz94/s1600/IMG_0872.jpg" height="640" width="450" /></a></div>
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I've also been tinkering with what goes on the kitchen counters and</div>
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shelves. I'm back and forth over having them be spare and decorative or</div>
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completely utilitarian. A little mix of both is how I'm liking them right now.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jmq-RObJVk/U0HgEh59emI/AAAAAAAAKmw/Jt8k3tF0j7w/s1600/IMG_0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4jmq-RObJVk/U0HgEh59emI/AAAAAAAAKmw/Jt8k3tF0j7w/s1600/IMG_0874.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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A little shelf above the dishwasher was to be for a few drinking glasses</div>
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and/or mugs but I love playing with little vignettes so this what's going</div>
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on here right now. I still can't decide what to do with the shelves: paint</div>
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them white, light gray or stain them to match the unpainted bin drawers?</div>
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So maybe I'm also procrastinating a little bit.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cek5xvnlY_s/U0HgFkObd-I/AAAAAAAAKnA/QSiY05LrgE4/s1600/IMG_0875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cek5xvnlY_s/U0HgFkObd-I/AAAAAAAAKnA/QSiY05LrgE4/s1600/IMG_0875.jpg" height="640" width="441" /></a></div>
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My little garden was trashed by the porch project and after seeing</div>
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<a href="http://toneontoneantiques.blogspot.com/2014/03/our-garden-in-southern-living.html" target="_blank">Loi's garden on his blog</a>, I want to start from scratch. I was out raking</div>
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over the weekend and rediscovered this in the corner of the gardne</div>
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that I don't believe I've ever shown you. Any idea what it is? </div>
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I'll reply in the comments to the first person that gets it right.</div>
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This work project continues through May 1st so please don't expect a</div>
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lot from me for a little bit. I'll be back soon.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-21101669380710104252014-03-23T11:46:00.000-04:002014-03-23T11:46:58.563-04:00European Country Antiques<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQiMFGq5KGs/UyeeYPeGPXI/AAAAAAAAKjA/TKM9jMf0uQk/s1600/IMG_0827+lead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQiMFGq5KGs/UyeeYPeGPXI/AAAAAAAAKjA/TKM9jMf0uQk/s1600/IMG_0827+lead.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Let's take a tour of <a href="http://www.ecountryantiques.com/" target="_blank">European Country Antiques</a> in the Huron Village</div>
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area on Cambridge's west side.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHyAAqmDIrY/UyeeiRTcFHI/AAAAAAAAKjI/xZZL0RldVjY/s1600/IMG_0817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHyAAqmDIrY/UyeeiRTcFHI/AAAAAAAAKjI/xZZL0RldVjY/s1600/IMG_0817.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The store is at 146 Huron Avenue near the corner of Concord Avenue.</div>
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Huron Village is primarily a residential area but within a few blocks of this</div>
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intersection are some of Cambridge's finest independently owned shops.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U1F-T_VXfAU/UyeeiUjG40I/AAAAAAAAKjU/Lu4jALicrG4/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U1F-T_VXfAU/UyeeiUjG40I/AAAAAAAAKjU/Lu4jALicrG4/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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But once you step through the door, you're in a different place and time...</div>
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a place that embraces you with its warm honey-toned woods, beautiful</div>
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painted antiques just waiting to tell you their personal stories.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-efSZ52OL7b0/UyeeiiiZ78I/AAAAAAAAKjM/rO8FZUZInfM/s1600/IMG_0820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-efSZ52OL7b0/UyeeiiiZ78I/AAAAAAAAKjM/rO8FZUZInfM/s1600/IMG_0820.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The shop's website says the shop captures the authenticity of</div>
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true European countryside shops, the ones stacked to the limit with</div>
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furniture, where every time you move one piece you discover another.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9fl_HiX1yIs/UyeejVZZaGI/AAAAAAAAKjY/xNMOQ22w7T0/s1600/IMG_0821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9fl_HiX1yIs/UyeejVZZaGI/AAAAAAAAKjY/xNMOQ22w7T0/s1600/IMG_0821.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Many of the antiques are in their original form. Oh, how I wish I</div>
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had a place for this large cabinet!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HyAmo7iHnjE/Uyeejnlb7gI/AAAAAAAAKjk/P6QRsab7Mwc/s1600/IMG_0826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HyAmo7iHnjE/Uyeejnlb7gI/AAAAAAAAKjk/P6QRsab7Mwc/s1600/IMG_0826.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Other pieces, such as this kitchen island, have been built from</div>
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reclaimed antique furniture pieces into modern forms. There is storage</div>
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on one side, room to tuck a few bar stools on the other, all capped</div>
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off with a butcher block top with tons of patina.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gii7AvbVqfw/UyeekKqYr_I/AAAAAAAAKjo/fYs7dtX5Yxk/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gii7AvbVqfw/UyeekKqYr_I/AAAAAAAAKjo/fYs7dtX5Yxk/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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There a lots of great lamps, these made from old balusters...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzCc69lUew4/Uyeeno1-qrI/AAAAAAAAKko/WD5yeRScRpQ/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzCc69lUew4/Uyeeno1-qrI/AAAAAAAAKko/WD5yeRScRpQ/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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...urns and other architectural fragments...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GpPwyCBlooQ/UyeenGAf18I/AAAAAAAAKkk/4hrxVgK4Zoo/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GpPwyCBlooQ/UyeenGAf18I/AAAAAAAAKkk/4hrxVgK4Zoo/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></div>
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...lots of great vintage and antique accessories...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gCUCO5OV7iw/UyeekuxY7MI/AAAAAAAAKj4/uXb7XsYD83k/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gCUCO5OV7iw/UyeekuxY7MI/AAAAAAAAKj4/uXb7XsYD83k/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></div>
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...wonderful rustic tables....</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzRv1DN5j-E/UyeelR0AEzI/AAAAAAAAKkA/gyHJYfUs4KM/s1600/IMG_0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzRv1DN5j-E/UyeelR0AEzI/AAAAAAAAKkA/gyHJYfUs4KM/s1600/IMG_0832.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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...and unique case pieces to display your finest wares...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7qjDCSuaeyo/UyeelRXijFI/AAAAAAAAKkE/3-tLfUuCyJE/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7qjDCSuaeyo/UyeelRXijFI/AAAAAAAAKkE/3-tLfUuCyJE/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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...all with incredible details.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sTZvWYZSZIs/Uyeen00aNgI/AAAAAAAAKkw/Xav-UwExpbE/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sTZvWYZSZIs/Uyeen00aNgI/AAAAAAAAKkw/Xav-UwExpbE/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" height="640" width="472" /></a></div>
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This is another favorite piece.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_9s0wywlr0/UyeemY5b91I/AAAAAAAAKkU/Hgep86RnPEQ/s1600/IMG_0838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z_9s0wywlr0/UyeemY5b91I/AAAAAAAAKkU/Hgep86RnPEQ/s1600/IMG_0838.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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A great Scottish chest of drawers.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L10Vdk022xM/Uyeeme5z4XI/AAAAAAAAKkM/2wtSJEjrrjQ/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L10Vdk022xM/Uyeeme5z4XI/AAAAAAAAKkM/2wtSJEjrrjQ/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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And a nice selection of mirrors.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGqw_8YjkCg/UyeemX7lVqI/AAAAAAAAKkQ/mdfQ9r8Igfk/s1600/IMG_0844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGqw_8YjkCg/UyeemX7lVqI/AAAAAAAAKkQ/mdfQ9r8Igfk/s1600/IMG_0844.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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This trestle table is from one of the store's custom lines.</div>
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Their tables come in two different woods, three different leg styles</div>
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and in a variety of finishes.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6GEblIQtiM/Uy7x5rySHFI/AAAAAAAAKlI/xxir94E6lmg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-23+at+9.24.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u6GEblIQtiM/Uy7x5rySHFI/AAAAAAAAKlI/xxir94E6lmg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-23+at+9.24.55+AM.png" height="640" width="537" /></a></div>
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If you've been searching for that one special piece to finish of a room and you</div>
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don't find it here, talk to store manager Angela, or owner Ed Stuart, about the</div>
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possibility of making a custom piece designed just for you.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYA7JBIr5TU/Uy7_v-m3EUI/AAAAAAAAKlk/uzOBZDM76aE/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYA7JBIr5TU/Uy7_v-m3EUI/AAAAAAAAKlk/uzOBZDM76aE/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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European Country Antiques is about a mile from Harvard Square. On a nice day,</div>
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I would walk down Brattle Street to see all the old mansions, particularly the Longfellow</div>
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House where George Washington lived for a short time during the Revolutionary war.</div>
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Take a right on Sparks Street and walk to the end which is Huron Avenue. ECA is on the</div>
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right just past Concord Avenue.</div>
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But I would drive so you can visit all the great shops along Huron Avenue. There were</div>
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several that were now to me so I can't wait to get over there and explore again.</div>
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Be sure to tell them I sent you!</div>
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European Country Antiques</div>
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146 Huron Avenue</div>
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Cambridge, MA 02138</div>
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<a href="http://www.ecountryantiques.com/">www.ecountryantiques.com</a></div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-62422396929740648032014-03-16T19:08:00.000-04:002014-03-16T19:08:19.444-04:00The Kitchen Armoire<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odo1PpsYMZY/UyYg_hc_M0I/AAAAAAAAKiI/poXQGsHJC3k/s1600/IMG_0855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odo1PpsYMZY/UyYg_hc_M0I/AAAAAAAAKiI/poXQGsHJC3k/s1600/IMG_0855.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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My armoire was delivered a few days ago so I've been busy</div>
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unpacking more boxes and moving dishes from the dining room</div>
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that served as my temporary kitchen during the renovation.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MTABdbDWRzQ/UyYhCft4-6I/AAAAAAAAKiQ/ClxmDrheTg4/s1600/IMG_3866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MTABdbDWRzQ/UyYhCft4-6I/AAAAAAAAKiQ/ClxmDrheTg4/s1600/IMG_3866.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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If I widen the view, you can see the armoire sits in the corner of the kitchen between the </div>
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dining room and the French doors to the porch. This makes it convenient both to get dishes to</div>
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the dining room table and to put them away when they're unloaded from the dishwasher.</div>
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Let me show you some of the details on this beautiful piece.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuG09Ebb4aM/UyYhGoZlmMI/AAAAAAAAKiY/sh-WS5ywh1A/s1600/IMG_0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuG09Ebb4aM/UyYhGoZlmMI/AAAAAAAAKiY/sh-WS5ywh1A/s1600/IMG_0859.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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All of the original hardware is in working condition.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l54j42kL7WM/UyYhGv0nHPI/AAAAAAAAKig/RHdGXOVs6B4/s1600/IMG_0860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l54j42kL7WM/UyYhGv0nHPI/AAAAAAAAKig/RHdGXOVs6B4/s1600/IMG_0860.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The armoire, I believe, is French and is a "knockdown" or "breakdown"</div>
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armoire meaning it breaks down into pieces so it can easily be moved up</div>
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the tiny staircase to your pied-a-terre. The block of wood above the raised</div>
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panel slides back and forth and actually locks the top and side together.</div>
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I love the oyster color of the interior.</div>
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I'm looking for stemware racks that I can mount in this upper portion</div>
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of the armoire so I can really optimize the storage space in here. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pk-b78PSp0w/UyYhGtm9QbI/AAAAAAAAKic/w8IMH_ht1oI/s1600/IMG_0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pk-b78PSp0w/UyYhGtm9QbI/AAAAAAAAKic/w8IMH_ht1oI/s1600/IMG_0863.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I love the alligatored finish. And notice the mortise and tenon</div>
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joint and dovetails on the upper corner. You just don't see these</div>
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details on new pieces anymore.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tlH1UMobz5I/UyYhHUHzIDI/AAAAAAAAKiw/RsEXqlPTbKY/s1600/IMG_0865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tlH1UMobz5I/UyYhHUHzIDI/AAAAAAAAKiw/RsEXqlPTbKY/s1600/IMG_0865.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I've put all my dishes and serving pieces in here and still have about</div>
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half of the space open so I'm trying to figure out what else would make</div>
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sense to store in the lower shelves. You'll notice in the upper photos I</div>
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put a few of my English fishing creels on one shelf that I can use for</div>
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some hidden storage. I like the texture and color they add to the piece.</div>
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I mentioned in an earlier post the piece came from European Country Antiques</div>
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right here in Cambridge. I was really impressed with the shop and the service</div>
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they provided so, next time, let's meet over there so I can show you around.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-53247366755230660872014-03-09T20:36:00.001-04:002014-03-10T12:32:26.586-04:00Moving Back In<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUZ8d4RcQ34/Uxzs7fRFHrI/AAAAAAAAKgk/ptghmo6VWxA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+1.07.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AUZ8d4RcQ34/Uxzs7fRFHrI/AAAAAAAAKgk/ptghmo6VWxA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+1.07.42+PM.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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The grouting is done...and it's white. I have no photos of the process</div>
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because it was tough. It's been several years since I last grouted anything</div>
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and I've never done such a large area. I wasn't sure how long I would have</div>
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the time I started grouting until it set up so I moved quickly. It was difficult.</div>
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It was messy. I broke out in a sweat. And I might have cried a little bit. </div>
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Once I had about one-third of it done, I stood back and was certain I</div>
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made a mistake using white. It should have been gray, I thought.</div>
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But once it was all done and I'd wiped off the white haze, the subtle</div>
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color difference and texture looked beautiful and my attention went back</div>
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to the cabinets which is where I thought it should be.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwBY8UoYvqg/Uxz216zmF2I/AAAAAAAAKho/kcQ1NEHPSKQ/s1600/IMG_3809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwBY8UoYvqg/Uxz216zmF2I/AAAAAAAAKho/kcQ1NEHPSKQ/s1600/IMG_3809.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I should note I'm not done painting the cabinets.)</td></tr>
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This was what the kitchen looked like on Monday night after I'd finished the</div>
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grouting and I started contemplating what I'm going to do with the window</div>
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casings and sashes. I'm going to paint the French doors on the opposite wall</div>
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the same as the cabinets so I think I need to have some of that darker value</div>
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on the windows to balance them. Having the dark gray above the white sink</div>
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will also make a nice composition I think.</div>
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Everything needed to be cleaned out of the kitchen for a final coat on the </div>
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floors. I understand that it makes a lot of sense to leave a final coat until</div>
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all the work is done--there were a few scratches that happened--but it was a</div>
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drag having to keep the cats barricaded from the room while the floors dried.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPbZ6xREwdQ/Uxz22tZAaXI/AAAAAAAAKh0/JlS4LooX9AM/s1600/IMG_3826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPbZ6xREwdQ/Uxz22tZAaXI/AAAAAAAAKh0/JlS4LooX9AM/s1600/IMG_3826.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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But all the workmen are out the house and I can start moving back in. I had</div>
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to wonder, after living with the bare essentials for the past seven months,</div>
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what was in all the boxes that were stacked in my front hallway. I'm taking</div>
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a critical look at everything and making tough choices about what I keep.</div>
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I'm a hunter and gatherer by nature and giving away doesn't come easily.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15vzIg0jxqc/Uxz22j2tv3I/AAAAAAAAKhw/J2PVNpkAJwg/s1600/IMG_3825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15vzIg0jxqc/Uxz22j2tv3I/AAAAAAAAKhw/J2PVNpkAJwg/s1600/IMG_3825.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I recently discovered my neighborhood had a "free table." Anyone can</div>
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drop off or pick up from the free table. It's a great place to drop things off</div>
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that wouldn't really warrant to trip to Goodwill or selling at a yard sale.</div>
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People leave books, clothes, boots, housewares, artwork, all kinds of things.</div>
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Even the worst of things seems to find a new home.</div>
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I have some vintage stuff I can send off for sale but a good deal of this</div>
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stuff will be going to the free table.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfwtmiQ9HGA/Uxz1QeTWyFI/AAAAAAAAKhA/E6vmyBY1IAA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+12.56.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfwtmiQ9HGA/Uxz1QeTWyFI/AAAAAAAAKhA/E6vmyBY1IAA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+12.56.21+PM.png" height="400" width="310" /></a></div>
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I've never really been an organized person. The house</div>
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might look presentable but I have screwdrivers in my sock drawer</div>
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and paint cans in the dining room cupboards. I want that to change.</div>
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I gathered up all my gift cards and headed to The Container Store</div>
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where I got all kinds stuff to pimp out my cabinets. I got several</div>
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of these pull out drawers so I can make better use of the space.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhOTfTRv-yY/Uxz1X6PC9dI/AAAAAAAAKhc/F8gu8S79wN0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+1.00.06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rhOTfTRv-yY/Uxz1X6PC9dI/AAAAAAAAKhc/F8gu8S79wN0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+1.00.06+PM.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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In some of the cabinets, I can fit two. I thought</div>
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the lid racks would also be good for cookie sheets</div>
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and cutting boards. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUSWCcB7Qf0/Uxz1QlqRXWI/AAAAAAAAKhE/BlXYB12oQAs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+12.58.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUSWCcB7Qf0/Uxz1QlqRXWI/AAAAAAAAKhE/BlXYB12oQAs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+12.58.19+PM.png" height="320" width="251" /></a></div>
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I wanted to have a pull-out trash and recycling combo </div>
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but the bins were so small, the really didn't make sense.</div>
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So I got a trash bin and there will be room left over for</div>
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a paper grocery bag to sit next to it for recycling.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJwm38ORWL8/Uxz1R8GRhqI/AAAAAAAAKhU/20BWcYIyDeA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+12.59.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HJwm38ORWL8/Uxz1R8GRhqI/AAAAAAAAKhU/20BWcYIyDeA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-09+at+12.59.05+PM.png" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
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And I got a few of these dividers for the deep bins</div>
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to store smaller pans and cutting boards.</div>
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I'm kind of spring cleaning as things move around. After</div>
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several months of renovation, the house is just filthy and I</div>
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can't take it anymore.</div>
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My armoire will be delivered this week and I'm really looking</div>
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forward to getting all the dishes, serving pieces and glassware put away.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-3766559279334301942014-02-25T16:27:00.003-05:002014-02-25T16:30:55.273-05:00Tiling, Vol. 2 and Cabinet Hardware<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxJyykFg9Ro/Uwv4dUmK3RI/AAAAAAAAKe0/BqP451QnIRQ/s1600/IMG_1038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxJyykFg9Ro/Uwv4dUmK3RI/AAAAAAAAKe0/BqP451QnIRQ/s1600/IMG_1038.jpg" height="400" width="335" /></a></div>
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Last weekend, I conquered the tile cut around the outlets.</div>
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This past weekend, I had the supports for the floating shelves to deal with.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkgNCvdaup0/Uwv4hUCybyI/AAAAAAAAKe8/IpdklXgAeWw/s1600/IMG_3769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KkgNCvdaup0/Uwv4hUCybyI/AAAAAAAAKe8/IpdklXgAeWw/s1600/IMG_3769.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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I wish I could say I planned it--(I'm just having good DIY</div>
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karma right now--but the support rods almost all fell perfectly</div>
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on the edges of tile so I could just cut around them.</div>
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You'll notice the little stripes on the ends</div>
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of the tile. That's some kind of plastic or hot glue that gets</div>
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added to prevent the tile from scratching in shipping.</div>
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They pop off really easily with the putty knife.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCtz15KKgiA/Uwv4hZf09QI/AAAAAAAAKfE/BGFD914yZEU/s1600/IMG_3771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCtz15KKgiA/Uwv4hZf09QI/AAAAAAAAKfE/BGFD914yZEU/s1600/IMG_3771.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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These half circles were fairly easily to clean out with the wet saw.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRLvEUpYIU/Uwv4iLjlusI/AAAAAAAAKfU/gySUKKtPTXg/s1600/IMG_3774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRLvEUpYIU/Uwv4iLjlusI/AAAAAAAAKfU/gySUKKtPTXg/s1600/IMG_3774.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not perfect but the shelves will cover my errors.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tQjHv83M18/Uwv4jteuitI/AAAAAAAAKfc/lvmmjsL-f2s/s1600/IMG_3763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7tQjHv83M18/Uwv4jteuitI/AAAAAAAAKfc/lvmmjsL-f2s/s1600/IMG_3763.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was only one place where the rod fell right in the</div>
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middle of a tile. They do make diamond-edge hole cutters</div>
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that fit on your drill but for $27 I thought I'd try this.</div>
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I cut the tile horizontally and then cut the hole in the center</div>
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of the cut. It's not pretty the shelf covers it so who will know?</div>
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And I saved $27!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDWf4UPKs7c/Uwv4jZsmCPI/AAAAAAAAKfg/GrxQzdWnb0Y/s1600/IMG_3757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDWf4UPKs7c/Uwv4jZsmCPI/AAAAAAAAKfg/GrxQzdWnb0Y/s1600/IMG_3757.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Another thing I found really helpful was drawing two</div>
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vertical lines that marked the placement of my first</div>
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whole tile in each row. Such a time saver.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hnkS17CfXvU/Uwv4py07pmI/AAAAAAAAKf0/FgvEOpDeIdw/s1600/IMG_1037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hnkS17CfXvU/Uwv4py07pmI/AAAAAAAAKf0/FgvEOpDeIdw/s1600/IMG_1037.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm really loving the reflection of light off the tile.</div>
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It really makes the kitchen feel brighter and larger.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1PCqkH8Xto/Uwv4qD8g7DI/AAAAAAAAKf4/b9PQEgyR738/s1600/IMG_1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1PCqkH8Xto/Uwv4qD8g7DI/AAAAAAAAKf4/b9PQEgyR738/s1600/IMG_1046.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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As I got close to the ceiling, I decided to put in another</div>
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row of the cigar/pencil tile almost like a picture rail.</div>
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It was a spur of the moment decision but I think it</div>
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makes everything look very well planned.</div>
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For those of you that said I should leave the shelves</div>
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unpainted, I also see that possibility...but not this wood.</div>
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If I wanted to go that route, I'd look for some boards that</div>
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were a little more rustic. Maybe I can have two sets</div>
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of shelves: Spring/summer and fall/winter shelves.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSLx8q6Pt70/Uwv4pkIvomI/AAAAAAAAKfs/GJFCYVYQheQ/s1600/IMG_0953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSLx8q6Pt70/Uwv4pkIvomI/AAAAAAAAKfs/GJFCYVYQheQ/s1600/IMG_0953.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
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I can't remember if I showed you the hardware I picked<br />
out for the cabinets. It's all from Restoration Hardware.<br />
The pulls on the left are the Bistro Pulls, the round knob<br />
is the Season Knob and the bin pull is called the<br />
Ornate Square Pull, all in oil rubbed bronze.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cBbxokOR6w/Uwv4qZrw_hI/AAAAAAAAKf8/dMDYuQLKY_c/s1600/IMG_3725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cBbxokOR6w/Uwv4qZrw_hI/AAAAAAAAKf8/dMDYuQLKY_c/s1600/IMG_3725.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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The Bistro Pulls are used on the top drawers above</div>
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cabinets, and the knobs are on the cabinet doors.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSV1xC7JAHw/Uwv4q0I2IoI/AAAAAAAAKgI/n7xEZmsRiQs/s1600/IMG_3803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QSV1xC7JAHw/Uwv4q0I2IoI/AAAAAAAAKgI/n7xEZmsRiQs/s1600/IMG_3803.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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The bin pulls were added to the old bin drawers.</div>
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I haven't yet painted the old bin drawers. Once the new</div>
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hardware was added, it transformed them. I'm kind</div>
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of liking them unpainted. It's a little quirkier which is very me.</div>
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I do wish the two sets of bin drawers were a little farther apart</div>
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so the unpainted wood was better distributed around the room.</div>
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But I have to live with them like this for now.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-52725731283001662792014-02-18T18:02:00.000-05:002014-02-18T18:02:00.310-05:00Tiling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2AG1oDRuvU/UwK5P9KvLTI/AAAAAAAAKcY/VOdWIGjd0XE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-17+at+5.05.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n2AG1oDRuvU/UwK5P9KvLTI/AAAAAAAAKcY/VOdWIGjd0XE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-17+at+5.05.07+PM.png" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
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When I'm not shoveling snow, I like to kick back and install some tile.</div>
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I had a three-day weekend so I thought it was the perfect opportunity</div>
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to devote the whole weekend to getting the backsplash tiled. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNFfK2DFTQw/UwK5ZhYb2lI/AAAAAAAAKcg/DjlK3-G5p5A/s1600/IMG_3726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNFfK2DFTQw/UwK5ZhYb2lI/AAAAAAAAKcg/DjlK3-G5p5A/s1600/IMG_3726.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I can't stress enough the importance of planning. You never want</div>
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to end up at the end of a row with a tiny sliver of tile. If you don't</div>
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trust your math, why not just lay them out along your counter?</div>
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(Of course, you should use your spacers.)</div>
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I thought I would add a short backsplash on the sink wall</div>
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of the kitchen so I did this little mockup with two rows of subway.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chlzxL_h8Y8/UwK5Znc4HrI/AAAAAAAAKco/l4t7zp4f8pg/s1600/IMG_3727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chlzxL_h8Y8/UwK5Znc4HrI/AAAAAAAAKco/l4t7zp4f8pg/s1600/IMG_3727.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The tile will meet up in one corner of the kitchen so I'm adding the</div>
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same bullnose to the stove wall so that detail carries through on both sides.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AIQLivBhGb4/UwK5ZmnfobI/AAAAAAAAKck/oCbX3oqKXAg/s1600/IMG_3734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AIQLivBhGb4/UwK5ZmnfobI/AAAAAAAAKck/oCbX3oqKXAg/s1600/IMG_3734.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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All fairly easy until I got to my first outlet. </div>
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I held a tile in place and marked out the sides of the outlet</div>
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with a black china marker. Of course, I turned off the power</div>
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to the outlets before unscrewing them from the box. One</div>
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thing I don't mess with is electricity!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOhf4qvtrSI/UwK5aGrQQ6I/AAAAAAAAKc4/wMe59feZZW8/s1600/IMG_3735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOhf4qvtrSI/UwK5aGrQQ6I/AAAAAAAAKc4/wMe59feZZW8/s1600/IMG_3735.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Then I marked the bottom edge of the outlet.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ejZm6ychOhw/UwK5auQmsaI/AAAAAAAAKc8/9IV6b1yHdHk/s1600/IMG_3736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ejZm6ychOhw/UwK5auQmsaI/AAAAAAAAKc8/9IV6b1yHdHk/s1600/IMG_3736.jpg" height="400" width="313" /></a></div>
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And then drew the outline of the cut I wanted to make.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwEfBF15xvc/UwK5a3UAymI/AAAAAAAAKdE/CQiYDE1OiAg/s1600/IMG_3737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WwEfBF15xvc/UwK5a3UAymI/AAAAAAAAKdE/CQiYDE1OiAg/s1600/IMG_3737.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I bought a wet saw when I was replacing a bathroom floor</div>
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in my first condo ten years ago. I recall it was about $100</div>
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at Home Depot and it was money <u>very</u> well spent.</div>
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It has an adjustable guide that will ensure straight cuts.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FFYRDbUroZo/UwK5bf4ChuI/AAAAAAAAKdM/XUBxY-uRhCU/s1600/IMG_3738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FFYRDbUroZo/UwK5bf4ChuI/AAAAAAAAKdM/XUBxY-uRhCU/s1600/IMG_3738.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I cut down one side and then the other.</div>
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But now what?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-z-CDkMYIU/UwK5c5PypUI/AAAAAAAAKds/sbCNY6MxbRg/s1600/IMG_3740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P-z-CDkMYIU/UwK5c5PypUI/AAAAAAAAKds/sbCNY6MxbRg/s1600/IMG_3740.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I decided to make a diagonal cut just to remove a </div>
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good amount of the tile I wanted to remove.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PV4qDxx2jHc/UwK5b3L6T7I/AAAAAAAAKdY/rsbcR858mig/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PV4qDxx2jHc/UwK5b3L6T7I/AAAAAAAAKdY/rsbcR858mig/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Then I made another diagonal cut to remove more.</div>
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I didn't quite hit the bottom corner but when I went to</div>
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make a second cut, it broke cleanly at the bottom edge.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYWKsIS05a0/UwK5cVDkXCI/AAAAAAAAKdc/iSoxOs20zd4/s1600/IMG_3742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYWKsIS05a0/UwK5cVDkXCI/AAAAAAAAKdc/iSoxOs20zd4/s1600/IMG_3742.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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With the remaining triangle, I made a series of cuts stopping</div>
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each time at the bottom edge of the opening. These break</div>
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off very easily when you press on them.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZUhe0OXHOY/UwK5cmNxDZI/AAAAAAAAKdk/LYq-G5eCciA/s1600/IMG_3745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZUhe0OXHOY/UwK5cmNxDZI/AAAAAAAAKdk/LYq-G5eCciA/s1600/IMG_3745.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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All seemed perfect until I dropped it on the counter when</div>
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I was setting it in to place. I kind of panicked at this point because</div>
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you'll also notice that the tile got stained from the terracotta-dirtied</div>
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water from the wet saw. See it in the cracks? I thought I might</div>
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have to come up with some other method of cutting the</div>
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tile...until I thought of painter's tape.</div>
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I mean, this stuff's supposed to lock out paint so maybe its</div>
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edge-lock technology would be enough to keep the</div>
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terracotta juice from staining my tile.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lbd1MW9sAjo/UwK5eOjP4JI/AAAAAAAAKeM/32eeeEEv9aU/s1600/IMG_3766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lbd1MW9sAjo/UwK5eOjP4JI/AAAAAAAAKeM/32eeeEEv9aU/s1600/IMG_3766.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I left the "cut line" exposed and covered the areas</div>
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on both sides that might have gotten wet.</div>
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This worked like a charm!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcsdcLyo6JE/UwK5dCRSnNI/AAAAAAAAKd0/dG9oQWvxCl0/s1600/IMG_3750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lcsdcLyo6JE/UwK5dCRSnNI/AAAAAAAAKd0/dG9oQWvxCl0/s1600/IMG_3750.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is my second attempt at the outlet opening with a piece</div>
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of tape down each side of the cut and one across the bottom.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0E_iRV1cKhU/UwK5dgVRaII/AAAAAAAAKeA/Dci8a6EwzSY/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0E_iRV1cKhU/UwK5dgVRaII/AAAAAAAAKeA/Dci8a6EwzSY/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is what the back looks like.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ywg9HI3Vpjk/UwK5eH-e5GI/AAAAAAAAKeE/o0BxlsOVcts/s1600/IMG_3758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ywg9HI3Vpjk/UwK5eH-e5GI/AAAAAAAAKeE/o0BxlsOVcts/s1600/IMG_3758.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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After the first one, they're really pretty easy.</div>
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Also note that I cut the tile close enough to the top</div>
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and bottom to catch the flange of the outlet but not</div>
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close enough to cover up the screw holes. So no spacers</div>
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are needed to bring the outlet flush with the tile. But</div>
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I did need to get longer screws on some of the outlets.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ScjuUsdyEcw/UwK5eoKqbSI/AAAAAAAAKeU/J-qFD2oyVVc/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ScjuUsdyEcw/UwK5eoKqbSI/AAAAAAAAKeU/J-qFD2oyVVc/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I stupidly thought I could get this done in one weekend.</div>
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But everything takes at least three times as long as you expect.</div>
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And I'm not in any rush. So what if it takes three weekends?</div>
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Slow and steady wins the race.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh9SUdzZeu8/UwK5zCPegrI/AAAAAAAAKek/LUQ4occl0lE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-17+at+5.05.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh9SUdzZeu8/UwK5zCPegrI/AAAAAAAAKek/LUQ4occl0lE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-17+at+5.05.43+PM.png" height="400" width="393" /></a></div>
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I really love that cigar detail a few rows up from the counter.</div>
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It makes it look a little more special.</div>
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Someone pointed out on my grout post that the ungrouted tile</div>
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shows you what dark gray grout would look like.</div>
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I kind of like it.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-80859718866932513712014-02-07T12:13:00.002-05:002014-02-07T12:13:56.406-05:00Tile, Grout, Lights and Floating Shelves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TomDPA8rY10/UvRB4D_v18I/AAAAAAAAKcA/NtD03xPrYZA/s1600/IMG_3647+tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TomDPA8rY10/UvRB4D_v18I/AAAAAAAAKcA/NtD03xPrYZA/s1600/IMG_3647+tile.jpg" height="640" width="474" /></a></div>
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The tile I chose is made by Horus Art, the style is Tiffany in Biancho Crackle.</div>
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It's a nice soft white...with a little dash of cream. I thought it was perfect.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But let's talk about your grout feedback. It was really fun.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZIsSMxDlrM/UvRAswxYGsI/AAAAAAAAKb4/KpkWLXQmqnY/s1600/a5779ab05b469f4087cc67893d2e8467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HZIsSMxDlrM/UvRAswxYGsI/AAAAAAAAKb4/KpkWLXQmqnY/s1600/a5779ab05b469f4087cc67893d2e8467.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via SA Decor</td></tr>
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<br /> According to your feedback about gray grout:<div>
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Pro: Wouldn't look dirty</div>
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Con: Looks dirty</div>
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Pro: Looks like your favorite oyster bar</div>
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Con: Looks like a Soviet butcher shop</div>
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Pro: Adds interest</div>
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Con: Too distracting<br /><div>
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Does that clear it up?</div>
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There were some of you that have used light gray in your bathrooms</div>
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and others that wished they had. Some of you liked both. And one</div>
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anonymous comment said if I used gray, our romance was over.</div>
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That's pretty serious stuff!</div>
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Overwhelmingly, though, most of you said white.</div>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fUJlg1cPek/UvQ5GKxCDHI/AAAAAAAAKbE/-Zq6o6NiHvY/s1600/Mill+Valley+Loft-Style+Kitchen+Remodelista+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fUJlg1cPek/UvQ5GKxCDHI/AAAAAAAAKbE/-Zq6o6NiHvY/s1600/Mill+Valley+Loft-Style+Kitchen+Remodelista+com.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mill Valley Loft, Remodelista.com</td></tr>
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I'm in camp that likes both but I think they each have their place. I see dark</div>
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grout as being industrial, even restaurant, perfect for a modern, loft-like space.</div>
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One commenter also suggested it's a vintage look and I can almost see it in</div>
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a place like The Breakers kitchen in Newport, Rhode Island.</div>
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It's also a great way to add pattern in space with clean lines.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3y0mkfGNDgw/UvQ5GJ_a20I/AAAAAAAAKbA/Uoy9sISjzXA/s1600/Michelle's+Mill+Valley+Kitchen+Remodelista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3y0mkfGNDgw/UvQ5GJ_a20I/AAAAAAAAKbA/Uoy9sISjzXA/s1600/Michelle's+Mill+Valley+Kitchen+Remodelista.jpg" height="640" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle's Mill Valley Kitchen, Remodelista.com</td></tr>
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I wanted a nice, clean look that didn't detract from some of the other unique details</div>
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I've put in the kitchen. I love a lot of different styles and I'm slowly learning</div>
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I don't have to cram them all into one room. So I'm doing white.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlwyvmIH-jw/UvQ5Bt2ipzI/AAAAAAAAKac/HfZNJZzybCo/s1600/IMG_3625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlwyvmIH-jw/UvQ5Bt2ipzI/AAAAAAAAKac/HfZNJZzybCo/s1600/IMG_3625.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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The light fixtures are all installed. This is the Circa Milton Road pendant</div>
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and in the background is the cutie patootie E.F. Chapman Marine flush mount</div>
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in bronze also from Circa. I'm not sure yet whether I'll have a table or island</div>
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underneath it. I'm hoping my dining room table will work so I can turn</div>
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the dining room into a keeping room/den/library. We'll see.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kX-1B-qX2DA/UvQ5BlfmIqI/AAAAAAAAKak/t0PowhNTszE/s1600/IMG_3623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kX-1B-qX2DA/UvQ5BlfmIqI/AAAAAAAAKak/t0PowhNTszE/s1600/IMG_3623.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I chose the Milton Road pendant (by Thomas O'Brien) because </div>
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its flutes beautifully echo the flutes in the columns in the cabinets.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLLfwlwl0Ks/UvQ5Bg8z_yI/AAAAAAAAKaY/erXoComg7CA/s1600/IMG_3626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mLLfwlwl0Ks/UvQ5Bg8z_yI/AAAAAAAAKaY/erXoComg7CA/s1600/IMG_3626.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I ordered another light from Circa for over the sink but it was very</div>
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backordered so I bought a backup which is the Franklin light from</div>
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Schoolhouse Electric. I'm not in love with it and, yes, it's crooked. I'm</div>
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pretty sure it's the shade, which incidentally fits horribly into the bronze</div>
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ring, so Schoolhouse is sending me a new shade. Stay tuned.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FZbHwzizFYA/UvQ5SkaZ63I/AAAAAAAAKbQ/Bpb54wIWyXk/s1600/IMG_3681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FZbHwzizFYA/UvQ5SkaZ63I/AAAAAAAAKbQ/Bpb54wIWyXk/s1600/IMG_3681.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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In the last post, and a few photos back, you'll remember the blue tape</div>
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I put up to mark where floating shelves would go. I wanted to show you</div>
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how those were made. Holes were bored into the studs just slightly smaller</div>
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than the diameter of the 3/4 inch rebar. And then the rebar is banged in to</div>
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the holes. It's extremely solid. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsTcmPTbblY/UvQ5TBB5Y6I/AAAAAAAAKbU/GQX0ZNLuvMI/s1600/IMG_3682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsTcmPTbblY/UvQ5TBB5Y6I/AAAAAAAAKbU/GQX0ZNLuvMI/s1600/IMG_3682.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The shelf planks also have holes bored, just slightly larger so</div>
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they slide on easier but are still fairly snug.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTvyq_ARUYA/UvQ5S2LYDfI/AAAAAAAAKbY/_p--M68WObY/s1600/IMG_3683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTvyq_ARUYA/UvQ5S2LYDfI/AAAAAAAAKbY/_p--M68WObY/s1600/IMG_3683.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
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These will be painted either white or light gray, I'll have to experiment.</div>
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Should I do white or gray? I'm just kidding.</div>
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I'm off to pick up my tile and white grout.</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4478201407511428968.post-71619032803115241172014-02-05T11:21:00.002-05:002014-02-05T11:21:55.444-05:00White vs. Gray Grout<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09oHIAELPNc/Uu1AD76ZMLI/AAAAAAAAKYo/y6gp1Cs_0XM/s1600/via+Domino+Holiday+2013+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-09oHIAELPNc/Uu1AD76ZMLI/AAAAAAAAKYo/y6gp1Cs_0XM/s1600/via+Domino+Holiday+2013+.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Domino</td></tr>
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Today's a very gray day with lots of white snow falling so let's </div>
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talk gray and white....grout, that is.</div>
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I've seen a lot of great kitchens using subway tile with gray grout lately.</div>
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Alison Cayne's kitchen in the Domino Holiday issue is a recent favorite.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBg1V0p9JfA/Uu-9FermGqI/AAAAAAAAKZ4/lbqJ6yCMrzM/s1600/shelf+marks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBg1V0p9JfA/Uu-9FermGqI/AAAAAAAAKZ4/lbqJ6yCMrzM/s1600/shelf+marks.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
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On my "stove wall," I'm planning some floating shelves--I put up some<br />
blue painter's tape just to experiment with their placement--but before<br />
that, I'm going to be installing white subway tile from the counters to the ceiling.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxczQJAD9-o/Uu1BnDvuUwI/AAAAAAAAKZQ/V-v09YZS2k8/s1600/IMG_7034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxczQJAD9-o/Uu1BnDvuUwI/AAAAAAAAKZQ/V-v09YZS2k8/s1600/IMG_7034.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dougelissa.blogspot.ca/2013/06/kitchen-reveal.html" target="_blank">via Our House blog</a></td></tr>
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I've already purchased my tile--a soft white with a crackled glaze--and</div>
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I've already made a decision on the grout. But if you look at these examples</div>
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of both white and gray grout, you'll see why it was a tough decision.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDYvxBgwIqY/Uu0_8zdu26I/AAAAAAAAKYA/lapk6kPyOGM/s1600/crown+point+cabinetry+via+Houzz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDYvxBgwIqY/Uu0_8zdu26I/AAAAAAAAKYA/lapk6kPyOGM/s1600/crown+point+cabinetry+via+Houzz.jpg" height="640" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown Point Cabinets via Houzz</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mMKJzWrUg4/Uu1CW6VSJaI/AAAAAAAAKZY/ldHZNHFWPJo/s1600/9898aa323b91e100ed45f35455c74814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mMKJzWrUg4/Uu1CW6VSJaI/AAAAAAAAKZY/ldHZNHFWPJo/s1600/9898aa323b91e100ed45f35455c74814.jpg" height="640" width="529" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplyseleta/6801631147/" target="_blank">via Simply Seleta</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BriW-DqLHFU/Uu1AJqcSNpI/AAAAAAAAKZE/EwFCJDKz6Vg/s1600/plaza-interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BriW-DqLHFU/Uu1AJqcSNpI/AAAAAAAAKZE/EwFCJDKz6Vg/s1600/plaza-interior.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via Plaza Interior</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjzfHVJUnSE/Uu1AJboUPcI/AAAAAAAAKZA/mUVNdrA8KaY/s1600/Daniella+Witte+Skona+Hem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjzfHVJUnSE/Uu1AJboUPcI/AAAAAAAAKZA/mUVNdrA8KaY/s1600/Daniella+Witte+Skona+Hem.jpg" height="640" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniella Witte via Skona Hem</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0phZsfSWr0/Uu1AFgYqm7I/AAAAAAAAKYw/XYcTzJKhxns/s1600/MArtha+Stewart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0phZsfSWr0/Uu1AFgYqm7I/AAAAAAAAKYw/XYcTzJKhxns/s1600/MArtha+Stewart.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta Stewart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shQzv_EWiFw/Uu1ADJ6BKXI/AAAAAAAAKYQ/1WR4pgtUbo8/s1600/Photo+Anna+Kern+via+Desire+to+Inspire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shQzv_EWiFw/Uu1ADJ6BKXI/AAAAAAAAKYQ/1WR4pgtUbo8/s1600/Photo+Anna+Kern+via+Desire+to+Inspire.jpg" height="401" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna Kern via Desire to Inspire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qss_29tRkkU/UvJjAvpWAbI/AAAAAAAAKaI/aa1piCOLmUY/s1600/elle+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qss_29tRkkU/UvJjAvpWAbI/AAAAAAAAKaI/aa1piCOLmUY/s1600/elle+decor.jpg" height="640" width="546" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badgley & Mischka Kitchen, Elle Decor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLLIYGQsH74/Uu1AE7W64rI/AAAAAAAAKY0/Ionf73mK_Ro/s1600/via+Houzz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TLLIYGQsH74/Uu1AE7W64rI/AAAAAAAAKY0/Ionf73mK_Ro/s1600/via+Houzz.jpg" height="640" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via Houzz</td></tr>
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This might be a lighter value gray.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2eCro6Q4GnU/Uu1ADSzE57I/AAAAAAAAKYU/cPzNhoDN5Wc/s1600/via+Apt+Therapy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2eCro6Q4GnU/Uu1ADSzE57I/AAAAAAAAKYU/cPzNhoDN5Wc/s1600/via+Apt+Therapy.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via Apartment Therapy</td></tr>
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<br />Are you in the white or gray court...or do you love both?</div>
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An Urban Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.com93