Moving Furniture Back To Our Bedroom

The remodeling isn't finished yet, but we're getting there.  We're so close, Bo and I can finally move back into the master bedroom (which used to be McCord's nursery, about 4 months ago).  This means I can start decorating, and I'm pretty excited about that. 

It still has a long way to go, but here are some progress pictures.

This is a picture of the headboard my dad and I made.  He built the frame in a couple of hours, and then I took several days to upholster it in some linen fabric I've been holding onto for a while and add nailhead trim.  Our contractor hung it today!  I have had my eye on upholstered headboards for a while and finally found a great tutorial at 12 Devonshire.  I also checked out the links she included.  I am so appreciative of fellow bloggers who share their creative projects.  Many, many thanks!



Never mind that our nightstands don't match - it's on my to do list - but I'm cheap and don't like spending money.  It may take me a while to find something matchy in my price range.



I found a whole bolt of fabric at Blacklion a few months ago for $10.  I had no idea what I was going to use it for, but the color worked well for my design scheme in the bedroom, so my mom suggested I make coverlet out of it.  I still have a little fabric left over for another project.  The pillows are from Pottery Barn outlet and the chevron lampshades are from Target.

The glass shop installed our glass door for the master shower yesterday. We ended up choosing the frameless design.

Here's the marble slab we picked out for the vanity top.  Still looking for the right mirror to go in this space.

As you can see, McCord prefers brushing his teeth over his hair.



Right now I'm working on some window treatment for this area - lots of sewing to do in my future!



This has nothing to do with remodeling, except the renovations have inspired me to spruce up the rest of the house a little bit.  We are finally putting pictures on the walls after 6 months of living here!  My next design challenge is bookcase styling.

And in other news...

This little guy turned 19 months old today! 

We've been paci - free for over a month now, we're back to a napping schedule, and he's learning how to do all sorts of things on his own.  Sometimes when I pick him up out of his crib in the morning, he looks like he has grown up over night.  He's only 19 months-old, but I know I'll blink and he'll be 19 years old and asking for the car keys.  How I adore this curious little guy.  He's all-boy, yet such a lover.  It's not unusual for him to bang his tractor on the table, turn to me or Bo for approval, and then when he sees disappointment on our faces, run to us for a hug. 

Life is good.

Big Day for Renovations (almost done!)

This is the new headboard that my dad and I made.  He made the wooden frame, and I upholstered it.  Can't wait to have our contractor install it in the master bedroom!  I'll update links to tutorials that we followed in a later post.

This is a window seat going that is being installed in McCord's and baby brother/sister's bedroom.  It will become a little reading nook with shelves on the wall for books.  Drawers pull out for toy storage.  We just had the sconce installed and got it from the Pottery Barn outlet.  I have lots of sewing to do in this little corner of the house - window treatments and a cushion for the window seat. 

They installed the vanity today for the Master bath - loving the walnut stain we chose!  We picked out a Cararra marble top which should be installed early next week.

What you see when you wall in the master bath - shower on left, vanity on right and toilet in far right corner.

We carved out a little space in the master bedroom  for this closet which was installed today too.  We'll keep linens here and some of Bo's clothes.

New (to us) lantern in master bedroom. I think I found this at the Habitat Resale store. We are using antique bronze finishes in the bedroom.

Master bath shower - obviously some work needs to be done here....

...but I couldn't resist showing the marble hexagonal tile on the shower floor.  This will also be the backsplash behind the vanity.  I think this is my favorite thing about the bathroom.

View from Master bath looking out into bedroom.

These are the colors we are going with for the bedroom. Except the pillow, all of the fabrics are part of my stash I've been hoarding for years - picking up remnants here and there.  I found the water color painting a few months back at a thrift store for $2.

Downstairs bath is still not complete, but our contractor is working on the drawer fronts - fitting them around the plumbing.

Here's our new banquette being installed in the dining room.

High Cotton Hiatus

High Cotton is on hiatus!

Above is a picture of my last completed HC project shipped out to Columbia - several ruffle wraps for my sweet sorority sister, Caroline.  Many, many thanks to all of you who have messaged me about my most popular items - wraps, giraffes, and boys' belts.  I wish I had time enough to complete all of these projects before baby #2 comes, but I've become a sentimental mama lately, and I am treasuring every second I have with my 18 month-old before he becomes a big brother.  I cannot thank you enough for being supportive of High Cotton from the start.  Right now I feel like I'm just "pressing pause" for a few months while I soak up as much time as I can with my family and work on a few final sewing projects for our new house.  When baby #2 arrives, I hope to be able to resume my HC endeavors in small doses during nap time. 

I hope you understand. 

 

Life with an 18 month-old is challenging, sometimes frustrating, and downright exhausting.  But it's also deeply gratifying to see your small toddler learn something new.  My heart runs over several times a day as McCord runs to me with a huge full-on body hug.  And when those little open hands reach up to me asking to be held, my heart melts into a big puddle.  These are the moments that I've been waiting for as a mother.  The moments I want to remember forever.  Thank you God for showing me this kind of love through my child.  It's overwhelming.

And while I'm being sentimental, let me recommend this list: "25 Rules for Mothers of Sons" written by Tabitha Studer.  I think it made me a better mama just to read it.  You'll enjoy it too.

Here are the past few days in pictures.

fixing things



supervising the next-door neighbor's roofing project



trying out paint samples for kids' bath

having a teddy bear tea party

making Valentine's cards

and finger painting

and making messes

making Valentine's Chex Mix

I absolutely recommend this one!

giving hugs

Ready For Valentines

I am so happy that Valentine's Day falls in February - it's such a nice pick-me-up during such a slow and bleak part of the year.  I am especially fond of it's girly-ness and it's ability to inspire children with a handmade spirit- can't you remember pasting doilies and ribbon together to make beautiful Valentines for your classmates?  What fun! 

So in the spirit of Valentine's Day, I've been collecting images on my Pinterest account of fun things McCord and I can do to prepare.  It's not too early to start decorating, right? 

Here are few of my favorites.

Calzones - recipe here

Valentine's Day Chex Mix - recipe here

Wax paper and crayon "stained glass" - directions here



Doiley Garland



Crayon heart Valentines

Love birds

2012

Happy New Year folks!

Hope you partied like rock stars.

What's McCord's resolution?

To be just like his daddy - from wearing his ear muffs while doing yard work -

to washing the car

He is afterall, a big brother-in-training.

First Haircut

I've been putting it off for a long time, but McCord is almost 18 months old and I finally realized that he's long overdue for a haircut.  I've been afraid that he'd look too grown up, so I gave the stylists instructions to shape up the front and sides and leave the curls in back intact - without looking like a mullet.  And she did a great job!

BEFORE

BEFORE (profile)

This was actually his second time at the salon.  Last time Bo got his hair cut, we took Mc to watch.  This time when we went back, Bo got his hair cut first and then he held Mc on his lap for McCord's haircut.  We we all surprised that Mc didn't even flinch.  He remained his typical serious self the whole time and then looked at himself proudly in the mirror afterwards. 

AFTER

AFTER (profile)

After Bo went back to work, Mc and I decided to have a little celebration party - just the two of us - at Chickfila.  Icecream and playground.  What fun!