Living Room Updates

Stopping in today with some way overdue living room progress!<br /><br />Last time you saw it, we had just painted it & finished the new railing and it looked a little something like this...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5240t_K0NykVt2zLyIXktx7pERh17OzlpCQrGcPc-QEANnFLCCU382mGafbP9iI2DClf2sVnQJSIh909_EyXeQMBw3vIULgW0mPDNFPOSlzzUse3Bxta-5VXC1cVYgAclapTnRKDn_X_a/s1600/IMG_2507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5240t_K0NykVt2zLyIXktx7pERh17OzlpCQrGcPc-QEANnFLCCU382mGafbP9iI2DClf2sVnQJSIh909_EyXeQMBw3vIULgW0mPDNFPOSlzzUse3Bxta-5VXC1cVYgAclapTnRKDn_X_a/s1600/IMG_2507.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQXSu6cuxcQW1dm572KNfKOKn0o2EfMxGfWym_T_Ll-sUrg5_9JnUmsCXmu9CkPPHQsgmraNu3U6XsRXsHeZlsWw04298QGJRf9XTdHl9hzoDUJV4Rge5tSE3HCO3WMPaUmaXdeYoi34I/s1600/IMG_2663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQXSu6cuxcQW1dm572KNfKOKn0o2EfMxGfWym_T_Ll-sUrg5_9JnUmsCXmu9CkPPHQsgmraNu3U6XsRXsHeZlsWw04298QGJRf9XTdHl9hzoDUJV4Rge5tSE3HCO3WMPaUmaXdeYoi34I/s1600/IMG_2663.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYReC39oQ5G43_ELjycL4eyK2VIbnoyzNrMOQg-dt41GP0IMeOYsGyT5vCmQ3Tfk238vQL5nxDmuVPpkxwtK4FabvhcxYTUDsXdQ_6umyLX80-EN-6OsICNua_kUyuiOr_Q5UaQJhTXnB7/s1600/IMG_2509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYReC39oQ5G43_ELjycL4eyK2VIbnoyzNrMOQg-dt41GP0IMeOYsGyT5vCmQ3Tfk238vQL5nxDmuVPpkxwtK4FabvhcxYTUDsXdQ_6umyLX80-EN-6OsICNua_kUyuiOr_Q5UaQJhTXnB7/s1600/IMG_2509.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOjuIBYYyA59BRmY2DOFAtiYcrPeHAn8WDevHPBQifrCgKClZfmn3d6xlhWg6A6WRGvAN6Oimz9001f0QYRAhwd1remMlnlD5sM28vSznQ8f4qy2Nh0aBb_54AI9cTDDOWnYrRvDZCWuW/s1600/IMG_2508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOjuIBYYyA59BRmY2DOFAtiYcrPeHAn8WDevHPBQifrCgKClZfmn3d6xlhWg6A6WRGvAN6Oimz9001f0QYRAhwd1remMlnlD5sM28vSznQ8f4qy2Nh0aBb_54AI9cTDDOWnYrRvDZCWuW/s1600/IMG_2508.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A big bright empty shell, basically. It had a view going for it but that's about it.<br /><br />Step 1: Window treatments. When I ordered the woven shades for <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/04/kitchen-chronicles-reveal.html">our kitchen</a>, I picked up the same ones for the living room (the two rooms open to each other so I liked the consistency). They're the Singapore Oak color from <a href="http://www.justblinds.com/products/8331" style="background-color: white; color: #208692; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;">justblinds.com</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">.</span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR-_we47jFh-KBs9Z6dyKM8MAX4wo-33AKWPyd3PhiiM6b8MKc2rUkNh9docNRdtVaTZjMQr9zaLNPDzU6yb-8BBRxkC6TxTNMWm35K69o2aw62EW5JaB-AWdl6yqYT8ojymGL2yGEtD6/s1600/IMG_2830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR-_we47jFh-KBs9Z6dyKM8MAX4wo-33AKWPyd3PhiiM6b8MKc2rUkNh9docNRdtVaTZjMQr9zaLNPDzU6yb-8BBRxkC6TxTNMWm35K69o2aw62EW5JaB-AWdl6yqYT8ojymGL2yGEtD6/s1600/IMG_2830.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Definitely helps to combat the starkness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUAg5Uqc776NdsmG9t3HWbrWnktGOzXIC4X3oWqglfXAfs9Bj6ROi05bQdy5HjVfpKPUmznk8DP4dEU_jAATiGTT1PDK6rLK4CslAj6YyTteOjW-9KKVpFXb163JAZWRBVKFcKznwGmn5/s1600/IMG_2831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUAg5Uqc776NdsmG9t3HWbrWnktGOzXIC4X3oWqglfXAfs9Bj6ROi05bQdy5HjVfpKPUmznk8DP4dEU_jAATiGTT1PDK6rLK4CslAj6YyTteOjW-9KKVpFXb163JAZWRBVKFcKznwGmn5/s1600/IMG_2831.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7eQ1ru7_jU0KvOsGh79-aV86KugpqkoYqAxP20h2QnMUrXyKAE4DUa8_Ly7qcgfg73vvW8lSCFfwtuB-FX7fCEb4RJSz83aSL3ruh4Zgski8RLb26DyTVNQXwMtsMAd6cQcZpjVQgDQl/s1600/IMG_2833-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7eQ1ru7_jU0KvOsGh79-aV86KugpqkoYqAxP20h2QnMUrXyKAE4DUa8_Ly7qcgfg73vvW8lSCFfwtuB-FX7fCEb4RJSz83aSL3ruh4Zgski8RLb26DyTVNQXwMtsMAd6cQcZpjVQgDQl/s1600/IMG_2833-2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />To add even more texture and soften things up, I picked up these 118" long Ritva panels from Ikea, which I am loving <i>(huge shout out to a sweet reader named Erin who saved the day & sent me an extra Ikea curtain rod bracket at the last minute!).</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciTfqeFAXIjcykRlHsRSppvgFbbO5VImQWPvEOXc-Xg9g-I4HWDnLkpX6hDpAWPCG-7WvTBqgWE0rgZJ5A7uMDhGaM2qg8OayQjilrtsjBhIy_p3zJdrQfwtq8A67euP2Mxy4o6CdY7ma/s1600/IMG_3051-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciTfqeFAXIjcykRlHsRSppvgFbbO5VImQWPvEOXc-Xg9g-I4HWDnLkpX6hDpAWPCG-7WvTBqgWE0rgZJ5A7uMDhGaM2qg8OayQjilrtsjBhIy_p3zJdrQfwtq8A67euP2Mxy4o6CdY7ma/s1600/IMG_3051-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />They're a nice thicker linen weight, much more substantial than the Vivan panels I've used in the past.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7GbhnX2j9TXiSN88boF8arrDCGKppbuFavKYo0dyIGfL0a5j6WjMPMEX9gsPpBCEl3Tvu8PTLX1CmRH4goUjp7YtO1vH681clbMrjMrWXZZF_nq4OwVJGxqhinBJjRwcJKOLhLaFrZ3j/s1600/IMG_3052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7GbhnX2j9TXiSN88boF8arrDCGKppbuFavKYo0dyIGfL0a5j6WjMPMEX9gsPpBCEl3Tvu8PTLX1CmRH4goUjp7YtO1vH681clbMrjMrWXZZF_nq4OwVJGxqhinBJjRwcJKOLhLaFrZ3j/s1600/IMG_3052.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Step 2: Art. Remember this <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2013/07/easy-diy-50-gallery-wall.html">20x20" framed photo gallery wall</a> I put together for $50 in our old bedroom?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JcnXqTA4ICA0FtZLe4aRhLOEiIcQ9GLJszCa9LMgkk70zMbGOH44ErWu6tHXkJ6b9mOqqu08RmntayJ_I33hgqpE0cJ44VwB9szK2SaCrbSKrnjadb3jQ-UoV1MIDtqVe37KitS6GvHz/s1600/IMG_0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JcnXqTA4ICA0FtZLe4aRhLOEiIcQ9GLJszCa9LMgkk70zMbGOH44ErWu6tHXkJ6b9mOqqu08RmntayJ_I33hgqpE0cJ44VwB9szK2SaCrbSKrnjadb3jQ-UoV1MIDtqVe37KitS6GvHz/s1600/IMG_0739.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I thought they'd be perfect for the tall narrow walls on either side of the windows, so I switched up the arrangement and hung them up the other night...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChmc-OVaI4eBRrjUKqVx8tJSR3rpPmZk9NarxrYt33UZh9FcimLquhzxGnDEdDfqtGTOuyL0XJOl9Dfej40GUj1-iIWi85vq3nM_Kr7yyhV_cJ7YBvNGDziVABfEnzwI_5xi9uTP0Wqd2/s1600/IMG_3075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChmc-OVaI4eBRrjUKqVx8tJSR3rpPmZk9NarxrYt33UZh9FcimLquhzxGnDEdDfqtGTOuyL0XJOl9Dfej40GUj1-iIWi85vq3nM_Kr7yyhV_cJ7YBvNGDziVABfEnzwI_5xi9uTP0Wqd2/s1600/IMG_3075.jpg" /></a></div><br />...ignore the awkward TV placement, that's unfortunately where the cable jack is and we're working on relocating it soon!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMg9HB7XQyd3aSj73lYZwtykBSFIUa615lsLgBTwIKC-W4yBmUOtm-YDUZfFaSiqXi_B9UcbZ4y4HG7_GmluKI3OwySNvdP4LoB-PNgaHfUXfqSloHxEoYV6DxnDghiI2ifV707kuQYY7/s1600/IMG_3020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMg9HB7XQyd3aSj73lYZwtykBSFIUa615lsLgBTwIKC-W4yBmUOtm-YDUZfFaSiqXi_B9UcbZ4y4HG7_GmluKI3OwySNvdP4LoB-PNgaHfUXfqSloHxEoYV6DxnDghiI2ifV707kuQYY7/s1600/IMG_3020.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The next addition was a piece of furniture. I spotted this antique sideboard on our local Facebook buy/sell page and knew its was the one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4QQctVt6hmmKrK7bkYAVUEc8oVwhDNWotFYMdbEB4aYASbLluygpgmnnmYi9nspwV7H5gvJilD4cS2u2wvf8qOG3juULzRRhzTRtxh9X77uEXAXdejVF4tS3cFKTvKrIqotTmvFLxcQG/s1600/Screen-Shot-2014-04-07-at-7.05.24-AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4QQctVt6hmmKrK7bkYAVUEc8oVwhDNWotFYMdbEB4aYASbLluygpgmnnmYi9nspwV7H5gvJilD4cS2u2wvf8qOG3juULzRRhzTRtxh9X77uEXAXdejVF4tS3cFKTvKrIqotTmvFLxcQG/s1600/Screen-Shot-2014-04-07-at-7.05.24-AM.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I think I talked them down to $220, but it was the perfect size and I had been looking for months (hard to find anything good up here), so it was worth the splurge.<br /><br />This was actually a month ago... remember the <a href="http://instagram.com/p/moRg-3vQ4-/#">instagram photo</a> I took of Susie modeling it the day I brought it home?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-a.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-prn/926720_785536848125344_195940526_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-a.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-prn/926720_785536848125344_195940526_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Here it is filled with treasures.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZTOzlS2_4G0NXcbnvzYRpeezcffka2MplihkdW9OjHzr9nFG4cpEahmKD3syQTS4q2R3pkxfpMQpmQ-JAltb5h9LyMEWdUqJQCO-_G0KC27MNBXtZEs-1xUJnkmdn7I9AJvxglhhmxG_/s1600/IMG_3069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZTOzlS2_4G0NXcbnvzYRpeezcffka2MplihkdW9OjHzr9nFG4cpEahmKD3syQTS4q2R3pkxfpMQpmQ-JAltb5h9LyMEWdUqJQCO-_G0KC27MNBXtZEs-1xUJnkmdn7I9AJvxglhhmxG_/s1600/IMG_3069.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The top row houses artifacts from our travels, and I'm still working on the bottom row. I just threw a few items in there for now, but it will be fun to switch up with the different seasons/holidays.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqogIyCWb4dceJsq2oaclxbovXzs2Ld5Aj0GmhCgSHfXxGrlaSvvRxy4uCVCReuaCY9lbbRclyp-crJnzYmOWPbl8L5WQltfll8CwuneGD9jbLH-S5YC_QblkID7MIwd2LudR6uUlBgvh4/s1600/IMG_3070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqogIyCWb4dceJsq2oaclxbovXzs2Ld5Aj0GmhCgSHfXxGrlaSvvRxy4uCVCReuaCY9lbbRclyp-crJnzYmOWPbl8L5WQltfll8CwuneGD9jbLH-S5YC_QblkID7MIwd2LudR6uUlBgvh4/s1600/IMG_3070.jpg" /></a></div><br />I also grabbed a few items out of storage for the top—this date wood block I made a couple years ago and a little birdie for spring, along with one of my newer <a href="http://www.jennasuedesign.com/all-you-need-is-love-chalkboard/">chalkboard prints.</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMpto5nku_mx0MOrjhS1A5TCZaG9eeLc9Y-Ls5lk_ErxpyeLx8BM9peBgC8nb2gRI8y6OE9VIBBa-sD-fMw0BwXS0uXDJ79NFH97Mc35xaYewX0Cl_VKTwN4DNOVHAr_9m1Tt4fp4JF6s/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMpto5nku_mx0MOrjhS1A5TCZaG9eeLc9Y-Ls5lk_ErxpyeLx8BM9peBgC8nb2gRI8y6OE9VIBBa-sD-fMw0BwXS0uXDJ79NFH97Mc35xaYewX0Cl_VKTwN4DNOVHAr_9m1Tt4fp4JF6s/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg" /></a></div><br />I love the hand carved detail on this cabinet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QzNMI6XK_CCCDWsaG_WT5xjK_1KTK9sGxH4QQeSHdv0kLskdHreKrJOQ76c4YgzvAqPjtcI36YYLfvAQZAZNHVx4JJE0hDfXKW7Emhl-sbTq5PyxEWbBFexLseH8mutCWYsEk2InThfQ/s1600/IMG_3066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QzNMI6XK_CCCDWsaG_WT5xjK_1KTK9sGxH4QQeSHdv0kLskdHreKrJOQ76c4YgzvAqPjtcI36YYLfvAQZAZNHVx4JJE0hDfXKW7Emhl-sbTq5PyxEWbBFexLseH8mutCWYsEk2InThfQ/s1600/IMG_3066.jpg" /></a></div><br />To finish it off, I framed one of my prints in an old Ikea Virserum frame I painted black.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9SYU1owuDjrFsckn2De9_RQ2QbJGUMwqWMquM-MeXPUNTLEEWHkzN7stMUPrlLflCnEUVC-xFztKg5yYF9jSclVbgJUZTScpz_t1WBsFpjnWcVNzXLDM6XvskJl_KCylk2cmwgMj0xof/s1600/IMG_3062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9SYU1owuDjrFsckn2De9_RQ2QbJGUMwqWMquM-MeXPUNTLEEWHkzN7stMUPrlLflCnEUVC-xFztKg5yYF9jSclVbgJUZTScpz_t1WBsFpjnWcVNzXLDM6XvskJl_KCylk2cmwgMj0xof/s1600/IMG_3062.jpg" /></a></div><br />It's a 20x28" <a href="http://www.jennasuedesign.com/san-francisco-california-1/">cityscape of San Francisco</a> (my favorite city, and so far my favorite piece of art in the house) <i>you can get your own (of any city) <a href="http://www.jennasuedesign.com/cityscapes/">here</a> :)</i><br /><br />Not sure how I feel about the glass doors yet—I'm leaning towards replacing them with chicken wire for something a bit more rustic. As for refinishing, the wood is in great condition and I like the natural color, so I plan to leave it as is for now. I may do a light sanding and restraining in the future to something slightly darker.<br /><br />And see that pop of greenery on the right? I found this ficus tree on the same local Facebook group and picked it up last Friday.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkzscaY1Qx_JhKem2nlIaZrtgHGAW80fqY4G8Rfc73grVWqPNu63_svg6xhwyNL39pSzIrhgM_NSK1RJkPYY5dI_bO6J2C2NDqWUe8ECykPR58GwTQaSPL0igcmThryR11ooxI737GwdQ/s1600/IMG_3059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkzscaY1Qx_JhKem2nlIaZrtgHGAW80fqY4G8Rfc73grVWqPNu63_svg6xhwyNL39pSzIrhgM_NSK1RJkPYY5dI_bO6J2C2NDqWUe8ECykPR58GwTQaSPL0igcmThryR11ooxI737GwdQ/s1600/IMG_3059.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I haven't had a lot of luck with indoor plants in the past, but I'm determined to make it work in this house. So I have high hopes for Fitzgerald the Ficus (I figured if I named him I'd be more inclined to try and keep him alive).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlDZMkajUMjG6IAyheJHMizjBHju-GoV6ig8AMxIhyphenhyphen1bvWXx953l6x92iXeihhZ4Nb72A7xGQ_7bOJPSXVYysLao7s_-XsT7UAbbL6IFPgBKTAmHTVVURLZz5GIDWKB53ia2fXdTJnUrv/s1600/IMG_3064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlDZMkajUMjG6IAyheJHMizjBHju-GoV6ig8AMxIhyphenhyphen1bvWXx953l6x92iXeihhZ4Nb72A7xGQ_7bOJPSXVYysLao7s_-XsT7UAbbL6IFPgBKTAmHTVVURLZz5GIDWKB53ia2fXdTJnUrv/s1600/IMG_3064.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Now that the room has some personal touches, I feel like it's finally starting to come together.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJDN6VPHHH2wXjq9sRM2HM0PeWVSyrpZUevhjASbhJMCiZ69p39Fqeofu6DsQo1ureZ5PKsWQAisVfU64cvP84rTBDlC-ujFGGMwaEAwbq-3x0vQDq0mhvleOxEruHD5jMb8zz0N8q665/s1600/IMG_3065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJDN6VPHHH2wXjq9sRM2HM0PeWVSyrpZUevhjASbhJMCiZ69p39Fqeofu6DsQo1ureZ5PKsWQAisVfU64cvP84rTBDlC-ujFGGMwaEAwbq-3x0vQDq0mhvleOxEruHD5jMb8zz0N8q665/s1600/IMG_3065.jpg" /></a></div><br />Starting being the operative word—we still have a long way to go.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xbsB8tGftyiCfRLtNPjsxwmnNn5uC2vI78pR35J_YjskZCZRSGFL-wmm8lrJ0bc-d5JaHaEdYY2V3c4v5V1xL0R8T831cx26up1_bBmrQMsFagwBVNumU8wZsAvQz0Q_0RWPKmPR4MAB/s1600/IMG_3074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xbsB8tGftyiCfRLtNPjsxwmnNn5uC2vI78pR35J_YjskZCZRSGFL-wmm8lrJ0bc-d5JaHaEdYY2V3c4v5V1xL0R8T831cx26up1_bBmrQMsFagwBVNumU8wZsAvQz0Q_0RWPKmPR4MAB/s1600/IMG_3074.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4NQiB_z07uzZy_DomufVFQDOOWg5y6pnbuKq3KAr8lQI6ZwmbN4Y-te33HeM9-drdF9JDehk36XdglgIHzSItARC5ZBruSiV-Vq1cZ-rXJZ3NczTmUwstpmcH61vMrRCm882y0xDygCE/s1600/IMG_3073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4NQiB_z07uzZy_DomufVFQDOOWg5y6pnbuKq3KAr8lQI6ZwmbN4Y-te33HeM9-drdF9JDehk36XdglgIHzSItARC5ZBruSiV-Vq1cZ-rXJZ3NczTmUwstpmcH61vMrRCm882y0xDygCE/s1600/IMG_3073.jpg" /></a></div><br />But we're getting there!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJDAN6R73RIEGlAgNaGehA6WB6H4AHBL3rvVUHr7hJsb9dz2WsNq6H5Cny-1lELhZ5lLjctAVB5VhpSbTLPZP70dT62acBIhfjuwn0O4AqvMbjlnG2QbIv3gltTZhVAryCHRH3G6HWb95/s1600/IMG_3056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJDAN6R73RIEGlAgNaGehA6WB6H4AHBL3rvVUHr7hJsb9dz2WsNq6H5Cny-1lELhZ5lLjctAVB5VhpSbTLPZP70dT62acBIhfjuwn0O4AqvMbjlnG2QbIv3gltTZhVAryCHRH3G6HWb95/s1600/IMG_3056.jpg" /></a></div><br />And Susie has become quite the gymnast since we put up the new stair railing. She's been practicing her balance beam skills—running across the top level and jumping onto the couch below—and she'll sit on this post for hours.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIPsVWOFm7IouYYM9Dva00eclA71g5tqmyIs2KhEs-V3EvIUpsEIrOcUQjMYNfciVTjwWqiOoRt9KdZtTuBLqVpaq8hfg-LvoRnVqnyyqW6KIFUS-jtXMlG57WkGqP9odVCyybqaAe77n/s1600/IMG_3054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIPsVWOFm7IouYYM9Dva00eclA71g5tqmyIs2KhEs-V3EvIUpsEIrOcUQjMYNfciVTjwWqiOoRt9KdZtTuBLqVpaq8hfg-LvoRnVqnyyqW6KIFUS-jtXMlG57WkGqP9odVCyybqaAe77n/s1600/IMG_3054.jpg" /></a></div><br />Biscuit, on the other hand, thinks it's a scratching post. Bad kitty.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGFDXrvGGvv59RDEY_yobkmIFd8PFOkPm7EoAQJu3ni5c_Ix1x_Zc4l9Vx22ijS78RSjWRHIolqucWDEOTzxToFZCq4FdVQiMTvEkI4BOVqhGnJIZWdPaaI_UtVc1Jx6ZJmXKVhoywI4A/s1600/IMG_2929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGFDXrvGGvv59RDEY_yobkmIFd8PFOkPm7EoAQJu3ni5c_Ix1x_Zc4l9Vx22ijS78RSjWRHIolqucWDEOTzxToFZCq4FdVQiMTvEkI4BOVqhGnJIZWdPaaI_UtVc1Jx6ZJmXKVhoywI4A/s1600/IMG_2929.jpg" /></a></div><br />This weekend I'm turning my attention back to the studio for a few more updates, and by the end next week I hope to have it 100% done and ready for the official "After" tour. Time to get organized!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />

Living Room Updates

Stopping in today with some way overdue living room progress! Last time you saw it, we had just painted it & finished the new railing an...

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Our Outdoor Oasis

Happy Cinco de Mayo! One of you lucky readers has another reason to celebrate today as the winner of the Rustic Giveaway... check <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-rustic-giveaway.html">the Rafflecopter widget</a> to see if it's you!<br /><br /><br />Speaking of celebrations, we had a big one this weekend—our Housewarming party. If you've been following me on <a href="http://instagram.com/jennasuedesign#">instagram</a>, you may have caught my post right before the festivities went down...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-c.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-ash/10245933_1415238382081578_1769212563_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-c.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-ash/10245933_1415238382081578_1769212563_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />Everyone seemed to have a great time and the kitchen performed like a champ. It's built to entertain—we love that it's able to easily accommodate large crowds (over the course of two days) and come out of it unscathed and ready for more. I predict lots of summer gatherings and holiday parties this year!<br /><br />If you're wondering about that deck photo, I'm here to explain. We've been making some improvements to the backyard over the past few months which I haven't covered yet. Unfortunately I don't have a proper before picture, but here's one from when we were house hunting. This was basically the extent of the view...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0fq4-RK3bb6ojsSbx_LAuUlJDn1SmuekQo9axTxIJX-t1b_l6KglKOUOv9C9oSzvBX3l9GlfSi-7uQp3JHTHgJ7QYlVQfaBOHlD03eFouu73bjSAtRfSU3a-8KdkOhgnxkK_JGHft3GN/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0fq4-RK3bb6ojsSbx_LAuUlJDn1SmuekQo9axTxIJX-t1b_l6KglKOUOv9C9oSzvBX3l9GlfSi-7uQp3JHTHgJ7QYlVQfaBOHlD03eFouu73bjSAtRfSU3a-8KdkOhgnxkK_JGHft3GN/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />On the left were trees that blocked most of the mountains on that side. I wasn't able to take a pic before Brad started cutting them down—here's a mid progress shot after he had cleared out a few:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVW-ztTNIfEMkKxQBO7D81zzgC3hCMbOlBu2cqWhvKcZV09rNGszClmNjouUhO39wmWKReJh4BPdV-Hm5yv_lSIr2gElAnLyCovjLOj4Jw_S_W1Crg5uNP9YwH4G8r-38HIyv3lFAEisr/s1600/IMG_1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVW-ztTNIfEMkKxQBO7D81zzgC3hCMbOlBu2cqWhvKcZV09rNGszClmNjouUhO39wmWKReJh4BPdV-Hm5yv_lSIr2gElAnLyCovjLOj4Jw_S_W1Crg5uNP9YwH4G8r-38HIyv3lFAEisr/s1600/IMG_1936.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Here's the man in action:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS5IknBOMbyNec9nWQpoEnnqmPDKJ8RYQTXBEANq_lPgQxixAj-hcILZzjhLSgJ85jbw36blKPU4h11_9NipAVqQEKh88ijBdb72HbiC9DwS7tqG8R8osVc9DFGX921OThQ_25uFztFoj/s1600/IMG_1934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS5IknBOMbyNec9nWQpoEnnqmPDKJ8RYQTXBEANq_lPgQxixAj-hcILZzjhLSgJ85jbw36blKPU4h11_9NipAVqQEKh88ijBdb72HbiC9DwS7tqG8R8osVc9DFGX921OThQ_25uFztFoj/s1600/IMG_1934.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The freshly dropped foliage caught the attention of our deer friends.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a3ugaPt6PRKjdO-ABCCNKggkmOlr2jqBA-YeiTTL-3WBBDw_evMxfWBDijxfauciRqwCs4EhANRsaT4KFpu3pXZVt6rLFW4g7OY4Ak-i6wYYM2zc_Dk1zbcQHAOLAP9vbtjTWQI3XYAD/s1600/IMG_1938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3a3ugaPt6PRKjdO-ABCCNKggkmOlr2jqBA-YeiTTL-3WBBDw_evMxfWBDijxfauciRqwCs4EhANRsaT4KFpu3pXZVt6rLFW4g7OY4Ak-i6wYYM2zc_Dk1zbcQHAOLAP9vbtjTWQI3XYAD/s1600/IMG_1938.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There's a trail that runs through our backyard and we often see them running around and playing back there (the babies are adorable!)<br /><br />Brad did as much as he could by himself, but tree cutting isn't his specialty so we ended up calling in pros to finish the job. There was one tree directly in front of our master bedroom window that was really close to the house. Here's the view from my studio where you can see it blocking the left side:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKkHcnHZocQgEYZ8C-3i_bpyB6ictoYl5zK7OP0kaCm7N8e5dcHcNj78FYX_9lpSA8ACL83ahyphenhyphenKV4L9yisQj8frsFAUljnAKUnjxiopwcu3KiaIaXgYxaPojQI6Xhzb5RyV4fHII9f4oE/s1600/IMG_1937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKkHcnHZocQgEYZ8C-3i_bpyB6ictoYl5zK7OP0kaCm7N8e5dcHcNj78FYX_9lpSA8ACL83ahyphenhyphenKV4L9yisQj8frsFAUljnAKUnjxiopwcu3KiaIaXgYxaPojQI6Xhzb5RyV4fHII9f4oE/s1600/IMG_1937.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I actually captured it coming down—you can check out the video <a href="http://instagram.com/p/lQPLAPvQz7/">here</a>.<br /><br />And now the view from the studio window looks like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B0Mu4Y5vi0Ci54uU_Y63_foSBXRZr6YCTSXdlUVkDwwj849lsxJAGOFjCAoGYfw1NTTUiZO4tD4LUaROGhZlwjIR4-ewNu326jEdAzVkKMOmIpw3JIJqRFdGkJj2elKI8yqATDNCQD3o/s1600/IMG_2181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B0Mu4Y5vi0Ci54uU_Y63_foSBXRZr6YCTSXdlUVkDwwj849lsxJAGOFjCAoGYfw1NTTUiZO4tD4LUaROGhZlwjIR4-ewNu326jEdAzVkKMOmIpw3JIJqRFdGkJj2elKI8yqATDNCQD3o/s1600/IMG_2181.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Much better.<br /><br />It's a huge difference in our bedroom. The tree was blocking the majority of the view before:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6RX6hx_5QxsoV9LmXtShgdV9M8z1bUZ6uuI3XuNG8ZNS7KaPJOhaLBVhm5H5RYW0vJhn9EOeeiONsFEsoLev54iCmpbNFcM9Tj2K8VeYrcIl_ls1CGU5gQljHbsGL7rEeAq5jMH2gJpA/s1600/IMG_2090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6RX6hx_5QxsoV9LmXtShgdV9M8z1bUZ6uuI3XuNG8ZNS7KaPJOhaLBVhm5H5RYW0vJhn9EOeeiONsFEsoLev54iCmpbNFcM9Tj2K8VeYrcIl_ls1CGU5gQljHbsGL7rEeAq5jMH2gJpA/s1600/IMG_2090.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />and now it's wide open...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTWoW6AMN6R9oDFE7OKeHxCYXaoRIUY3gSVF2a9j9XipAqFy-RhS9umMK5sviagtEz_OyafuFQp0LaM3zG0VsR_wz1gaJF__H2UWBy7N4lkaH_jP5PRL70Qo-IepOnSO6inqWAeo1KoX9/s1600/IMG_2179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTWoW6AMN6R9oDFE7OKeHxCYXaoRIUY3gSVF2a9j9XipAqFy-RhS9umMK5sviagtEz_OyafuFQp0LaM3zG0VsR_wz1gaJF__H2UWBy7N4lkaH_jP5PRL70Qo-IepOnSO6inqWAeo1KoX9/s1600/IMG_2179.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Now that the trees were out of the way, we were able to see the backyard of our house for the first time. I don't think I've ever shared much of the backyard, so let's start with the deck. Here's the main deck off of the living room, taken from the lower deck:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfmpSN21QbpLzkfcPQrcLFf9-K8uboMSrMEt8b14fp5CJO86sCBNbed2A25sBUlV2wKQtmPNrk4sv8-xC5xSFbMFTZkHV43qK5mb1UIR1mcV2as4jadOCw6_zJb60nCMzCJ-18pgI-bB1/s1600/IMG_2172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfmpSN21QbpLzkfcPQrcLFf9-K8uboMSrMEt8b14fp5CJO86sCBNbed2A25sBUlV2wKQtmPNrk4sv8-xC5xSFbMFTZkHV43qK5mb1UIR1mcV2as4jadOCw6_zJb60nCMzCJ-18pgI-bB1/s1600/IMG_2172.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's the lower deck, as seen from the ground:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj2c9WvpdyDt_MuTLwNw9xEb0XVlRQ5TDq9aoV5fvVhsXSNrJKPHf6qsBvKeYKqb8yRBnwG5OLFUof2c2zR-DLRH8JLeT-t6kohL7ZUNPTP8GIJr4MY_cf3AcJclfsCCzvUDk4jfH4kvz/s1600/IMG_2173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj2c9WvpdyDt_MuTLwNw9xEb0XVlRQ5TDq9aoV5fvVhsXSNrJKPHf6qsBvKeYKqb8yRBnwG5OLFUof2c2zR-DLRH8JLeT-t6kohL7ZUNPTP8GIJr4MY_cf3AcJclfsCCzvUDk4jfH4kvz/s1600/IMG_2173.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />I took some photos of the back of the house but they got deleted, so here's the one I have from my phone a few months back when we were doing a burn pile:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-e.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-ash/1170973_690160517707484_736822981_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-e.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-ash/1170973_690160517707484_736822981_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />That day was the first time we'd ever seen the back of the house in it's entirety after the trees were removed. If you're curious about the layout—to the far left is the living room, the next window over is my studio, then the guest room, and the window on the right is our bedroom. The lower levels are the main downstairs room.<br /><br />Now that the view was opened up, it was time to focus on our outdoor living space. I spotted the Ikea Arholma set and noticed that it was 25% off with the Ikea family member card, and I was sold. It was exactly what I had pictured and already a very inexpensive alternative to similar sets. So that weekend we took a little road trip to Sacramento, and just a few days later we were relaxing in it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_yyIF1OVZohzy-aV2PrkoygdXgxRT9WvA7MHR9qzuo-0FLZPXZo7GL1PW-C0l8NnU5XpkNq0R64VwJKfTIlz9phkuKyeEQGSOUeSQCmWh4C8MAZgsbe6yJEZuU0CIpxOCxhmvXY9lsJ0/s1600/IMG_3032-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_yyIF1OVZohzy-aV2PrkoygdXgxRT9WvA7MHR9qzuo-0FLZPXZo7GL1PW-C0l8NnU5XpkNq0R64VwJKfTIlz9phkuKyeEQGSOUeSQCmWh4C8MAZgsbe6yJEZuU0CIpxOCxhmvXY9lsJ0/s1600/IMG_3032-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5jivcMyfrggJkaSJ2xbtw_gD81SJS-natK5mmepsdBYm5KVhoNrWJ2mfvUtr71z-duw47HqdErWDdzRiKJIe5AIVLrjfqmZzOBCCiMEJXz636y7J49otCi9hz9QmLmu-i3MBzDd1puHv/s1600/IMG_3034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5jivcMyfrggJkaSJ2xbtw_gD81SJS-natK5mmepsdBYm5KVhoNrWJ2mfvUtr71z-duw47HqdErWDdzRiKJIe5AIVLrjfqmZzOBCCiMEJXz636y7J49otCi9hz9QmLmu-i3MBzDd1puHv/s1600/IMG_3034.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also picked up this <a href="http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/nuLOOM-Outdoor-Indoor-Rug-9-x-12/6006442/product.html?CID=209535">9x12" outdoor rug</a> from Overstock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjde9SVYAN4SWHBDviLND5PaPMxQM_XnKxZPVOTHCPVaAqUCgYm7a3KzCR_VQ22lPF3kUsHlJZHzr4RY-j9Faf5IEbPeqFb003gb3ffx6Ig11W1alnCAaaoVFxVpQpYmvYBwcIxGiyjcu2j/s1600/IMG_3037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjde9SVYAN4SWHBDviLND5PaPMxQM_XnKxZPVOTHCPVaAqUCgYm7a3KzCR_VQ22lPF3kUsHlJZHzr4RY-j9Faf5IEbPeqFb003gb3ffx6Ig11W1alnCAaaoVFxVpQpYmvYBwcIxGiyjcu2j/s1600/IMG_3037.jpg" /></a></div><br />I love how versatile the pieces are...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9pOgW8b9eFMH80dz_7h4OUhbiZ7M7sl9a-rT1xq8J4e5bgktuf9nhN6YNJEy0TWG0sDaWUJyX_tG3tU58QwsIisSZUHNZREq__0UiHJEhFNPhLMxhObpbD1a_hoBxxpeOjOECgz6DKAE/s1600/IMG_3033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9pOgW8b9eFMH80dz_7h4OUhbiZ7M7sl9a-rT1xq8J4e5bgktuf9nhN6YNJEy0TWG0sDaWUJyX_tG3tU58QwsIisSZUHNZREq__0UiHJEhFNPhLMxhObpbD1a_hoBxxpeOjOECgz6DKAE/s1600/IMG_3033.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />There's endless possibilities for different layouts.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY26cAuke7Pyk79m0jGwM5xGrqJ_k7RiMe9AWqlCv4zby0_MlKtys-SkhQbeSNaK1aohJ56LxlKXTbRlBABKltc6odMjWw70urVgQg6NdjnS7qlqTTJy0FYcandKcN9bsO38BbBnGhY3r6/s1600/IMG_3038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY26cAuke7Pyk79m0jGwM5xGrqJ_k7RiMe9AWqlCv4zby0_MlKtys-SkhQbeSNaK1aohJ56LxlKXTbRlBABKltc6odMjWw70urVgQg6NdjnS7qlqTTJy0FYcandKcN9bsO38BbBnGhY3r6/s1600/IMG_3038.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph5xwizAvP4rfja38D3N4-sI9iYGRqQKS_0twwglQdR9jKb59epNO7wDCtjbFP8hJUEcjY8XqkQe4riUTd_jcArPzd2QnVPc_63GvRbRTjaGv_lzPOo7E01hIJEEFo_wGoHnYuLTZPKNt/s1600/IMG_3040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph5xwizAvP4rfja38D3N4-sI9iYGRqQKS_0twwglQdR9jKb59epNO7wDCtjbFP8hJUEcjY8XqkQe4riUTd_jcArPzd2QnVPc_63GvRbRTjaGv_lzPOo7E01hIJEEFo_wGoHnYuLTZPKNt/s1600/IMG_3040.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bffptVpnmavpM1OK_fXq6P8FQYJ-dTqq1QtfxPFX8utNhNi95nPKQbJI9AdETXsZZ4qKvPztIpr1y-mXCf9b9L9Y5Wah9LYvZGzk_TOp-O6KSqvGP9e8sCmzhU3VnBMI7G2jx7gremwP/s1600/IMG_3041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bffptVpnmavpM1OK_fXq6P8FQYJ-dTqq1QtfxPFX8utNhNi95nPKQbJI9AdETXsZZ4qKvPztIpr1y-mXCf9b9L9Y5Wah9LYvZGzk_TOp-O6KSqvGP9e8sCmzhU3VnBMI7G2jx7gremwP/s1600/IMG_3041.jpg" /></a></div><br />They're quite comfortable, too.<br /><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6ovbvSDYobtrO5NqCK7Ej_zBKo49PFwlii4zusQvF2YPHPQwDZ4GMnk6ZjdgnJwJanOyXYgIN2Gn_CnXeYrYvajW_Xv-3t5WKOOgDGc2JNP3felky-eyY3LX_0WtoDbQFeE7V-Q-f6Dl/s1600/IMG_3042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6ovbvSDYobtrO5NqCK7Ej_zBKo49PFwlii4zusQvF2YPHPQwDZ4GMnk6ZjdgnJwJanOyXYgIN2Gn_CnXeYrYvajW_Xv-3t5WKOOgDGc2JNP3felky-eyY3LX_0WtoDbQFeE7V-Q-f6Dl/s1600/IMG_3042.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I just realized I forgot to take a photo of this, but Brad wired up our flat screen TV next to the living room windows (we had it outside under our open patio in Florida), so we've been watching movies at night and playing concerts/music when guests are over.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lk4EGf8aZB6SRWKSqKkZn2-JwGQ3yTp4bWWBwMRlwO0uGYONwqq2m0uojifA5BlQ-wQCmfmkY7jOa1Nt8x4-x-udhgQGPeio34k1u8n_qW0XmnNCHroNYFu9ZZUglRVb1ltpeeiU88CF/s1600/IMG_3044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lk4EGf8aZB6SRWKSqKkZn2-JwGQ3yTp4bWWBwMRlwO0uGYONwqq2m0uojifA5BlQ-wQCmfmkY7jOa1Nt8x4-x-udhgQGPeio34k1u8n_qW0XmnNCHroNYFu9ZZUglRVb1ltpeeiU88CF/s1600/IMG_3044.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The weather has been perfectly lately, so whenever we have guests, the deck is the favorite hangout spot.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGBJZywcmQVNWNojtgqhnN0aQXQCBr0KG8OW6xyxNdBzCxdurnB72dfoWKBdGu356IzjTr1sdM4NP1kLJGkJXrJ_MbMMjl3sK7TOqau6p0SNxaQQqPgyR1d1LdyI7cEfvyGm1uPdLgZsU/s1600/IMG_3046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGBJZywcmQVNWNojtgqhnN0aQXQCBr0KG8OW6xyxNdBzCxdurnB72dfoWKBdGu356IzjTr1sdM4NP1kLJGkJXrJ_MbMMjl3sK7TOqau6p0SNxaQQqPgyR1d1LdyI7cEfvyGm1uPdLgZsU/s1600/IMG_3046.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's a shot from the living room looking out...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z-FcsDc9dM9DHrQjFZuVY55E9urka9SzBvmuwbHbqqlwU3USJ6oFULQds8-lOWWOdxol171smPOSUeh1E8xZEK-jScqAkoZV_D-xhK1O6ulQQST33MA5BtemnqZgDHrTC0wViBykVD7a/s1600/IMG_3048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z-FcsDc9dM9DHrQjFZuVY55E9urka9SzBvmuwbHbqqlwU3USJ6oFULQds8-lOWWOdxol171smPOSUeh1E8xZEK-jScqAkoZV_D-xhK1O6ulQQST33MA5BtemnqZgDHrTC0wViBykVD7a/s1600/IMG_3048.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Yes, we finally have curtains! There's actually been several updates in the living room which I'll be sharing on Thursday. But for now I'd better get back to catching up on work (and recovering from this weekend...) Enjoy your week!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Our Outdoor Oasis

Happy Cinco de Mayo! One of you lucky readers has another reason to celebrate today as the winner of the Rustic Giveaway... check the Raffle...

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A Rustic Giveaway

<div>Happy May! It sure feels like summer here already... I'm loving the 80° shorts weather after a cold spell last weekend while our Florida friends were in town. We still had a great time showing them around our neck of the woods...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfxFUp5-UV4k0ol7eKAIzXyTIih3cHJeR4jOhYVXi1dDt3M9dF2r1VQkdOkLojHI7g562M19sLtNxNZCLILdVz_jIAM4xDFCuLrqEJ-sjHpWLzQFNy5O7NBhfV-nVa6eZ0rNuCtSrELBK/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfxFUp5-UV4k0ol7eKAIzXyTIih3cHJeR4jOhYVXi1dDt3M9dF2r1VQkdOkLojHI7g562M19sLtNxNZCLILdVz_jIAM4xDFCuLrqEJ-sjHpWLzQFNy5O7NBhfV-nVa6eZ0rNuCtSrELBK/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RJ60zDGwnK61D805Ck0c_mCNGgV6PWTrMEXeyfDQq2APbCQHGYQ11elGo9ttDrvl_fADyp8yC-Bxjo7HVJ6DzI1jEaWJtjsVGU2NUtuMec8omi3YjJf0Fe71Kd-j7hyphenhypheneaL80IFD1933r/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RJ60zDGwnK61D805Ck0c_mCNGgV6PWTrMEXeyfDQq2APbCQHGYQ11elGo9ttDrvl_fADyp8yC-Bxjo7HVJ6DzI1jEaWJtjsVGU2NUtuMec8omi3YjJf0Fe71Kd-j7hyphenhypheneaL80IFD1933r/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Growing up in Northern California I never really appreciated the beauty of this place, but now as an adult living here after 10 years away from home, I get it. <i>(though I still miss Florida like crazy...)</i><br /><i><br /></i>Now it's back to work as we tackle a few last minute projects and plan for our housewarming party on Saturday. The kitchen is ready, but I'm in the middle of some living room and outdoor updates for our guests (more on that next week!)<br /><br />In the meantime, I have a little surprise for you guys. Remember this chalkboard from the kitchen reveal?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgst3h7YF1W0LJbXHABBpuEsU49rKoiDu0Yk8BTS5xzDbFkPyHT9vlngN-YoGG3XydMPRzAhrs_e95ypf0o2TxdLdECViIrDeHec-DgajvDOmP2lndsYWEbTWK6N-S_DdvCz-jIcKu9fBnM/s1600/IMG_2921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgst3h7YF1W0LJbXHABBpuEsU49rKoiDu0Yk8BTS5xzDbFkPyHT9vlngN-YoGG3XydMPRzAhrs_e95ypf0o2TxdLdECViIrDeHec-DgajvDOmP2lndsYWEbTWK6N-S_DdvCz-jIcKu9fBnM/s1600/IMG_2921.jpg" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div>This was made by the talented LZ at <a href="http://www.thesummeryumbrella.com/">The Summery Umbrella.</a><br /><br />LZ creates a wide range of handmade goods for your home using reclaimed wood.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/106801728/4-distressed-reclaimed-wood-chalkboards?ref=shop_home_active_10"><img border="0" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/010/0/6782192/il_570xN.461879618_71lh.jpg" /></a></div><br />Everything from frames, to chalkboards, to planters, shelves and even hand painted personalized signs.<br /><br />I love this whale so much:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/159052553/whale-reclaimed-wood-sign-26x12x05?ref=shop_home_active_14"><img border="0" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/018/0/6782192/il_570xN.552268418_et72.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>and this magnet board...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/123179256/magnetic-distressed-reclaimed-wood?ref=shop_home_active_6"><img border="0" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/015/0/6782192/il_570xN.461881836_5tsy.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div>and this sweet custom sign:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/152481230/custom-kids-clubhouse-reclaimed-wood?ref=shop_home_feat_3"><img border="0" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/043/0/6782192/il_570xN.504265380_rwmc.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br />What's great about this shop is that the wood comes in a variety of different color finishes and she can even custom color match. So many possibilities—I wish she was around when I was planning my wedding!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/159340371/color-chip-sample?ref=shop_home_feat_4"><img border="0" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/019/1/6782192/il_570xN.562871684_4txv.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br />I'm so pleased with the quality of my chalkboard and it has become one of my favorite pieces in the room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64Xb9VbccWdwuxvPJrnfSpREN197JS9dpl0lN69k_tUMzlRq_Yo-NSCi5rPMNPI3T1lJ1wVkNZYLUif-pCC8IBv6GsglFvXVwWAx4pXGFSnbI2QVzGddQuNQQzHvjE7L-uPr6uvvrp4NC/s1600/IMG_2862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64Xb9VbccWdwuxvPJrnfSpREN197JS9dpl0lN69k_tUMzlRq_Yo-NSCi5rPMNPI3T1lJ1wVkNZYLUif-pCC8IBv6GsglFvXVwWAx4pXGFSnbI2QVzGddQuNQQzHvjE7L-uPr6uvvrp4NC/s1600/IMG_2862.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />You can pick up your own oversized chalkboard at her Etsy shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/186064360/large-distressed-reclaimed-wood?ref=shop_home_active_6">here</a>, or if you're feeling lucky... how about a giveaway?<br /><br />Up for grabs is your choice of one of the following:<br /><br /></div><div><b>Two 8x10 prints of your choice from <a href="http://jennasuedesign.com/">jennasuedesign.com</a> </b>(up to $20/ea) <b>framed in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/119656032/8x10-reclaimed-wood-picture-frame?ref=shop_home_active_1">8x10 reclaimed wood frames</a> in the color of your choice</b><br /><b><br /></b>-OR-<br /><br /><b>$75 shop credit to The Summery Umbrella</b> (<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/thesummeryumbrella">Etsy</a> or <a href="http://www.shop.thesummeryumbrella.com/main.sc">Website</a>)<br /><br /><b><br /></b>You can enter 3 ways:<br /><br />1) Leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/thesummeryumbrella">The Summery Umbrella</a><br />2) "Like" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesummeryumbrella">The Summery Umbrella</a> on Facebook<br />3) "Like" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jennasuedesign">Jenna Sue Design Co.</a> on Facebook<br /><br />Simple as that!<br /><br />The winner will be announced in Monday's post—good luck!<br /><br /><br /></div><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/604dd72/" id="rc-604dd72" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>

A Rustic Giveaway

Happy May! It sure feels like summer here already... I'm loving the 80° shorts weather after a cold spell last weekend while our Florida...

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