What's Your Preference?

We need to purchase 3 pendant lights for our kitchen to help with the overall light in the space and, mostly, for task lighting on the some of the counter-tops. 1 of the pendants will hang over the kitchen sink, and the other 2 pendants will hang in front of 2 large, side-by-side windows to provide task lighting on the counter-top below the windows.

I want the pendants to be kind of small - so as to not obstruct the window view - but to also coordinate with the other light fixture we bought for the center of the ceiling (see pic at the bottom of this post). I'm torn between a few different pendants. They have some similarities - like polished chrome/nickle hardware and size - but have a slightly different look.

Here are the options we're considering. Which is your favorite???

Pendant #1: Lite Source Mini Pendant
Description: Industrial chrome


















Pendant #2: Colonnade Mini Pendant
Description: Satin-etched glass with polished nickle hardware



















Pendant #3: North End Mini Pendant
Description: Chrome - classic rounded shape


















Pendant #4: Carina Mini Pendant
Description: Opal-cased glass with polished antique nickle

*POOF* It's Gone!

After much, much work, and much, much help from family and friends, the wallpaper nightmare is gone from this house! My brother, Adam, was in town on Friday, and he helped me get the rest of the hall/stairs project completed - including getting up on an extension ladder to scrape the high walls in our stairwell.


On Saturday, I did some cleaning up and then sanded ALL the walls and trim to prepare for filling cracks and painting.

And on Monday night, I finished by removing the border in the guest bedroom...


...and wallpaper in the front entry.



What's left to be done in wallpaper world?
A little clean up and some more sanding. That's about it!

I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel! Once Joey spackles and sands some of the fine cracks in the plaster, the painting can begin. And this when the real transformation should take place.

But first, to give you a look at "end result" of NO WALLPAPER in the hallways, stairwell, and full bath. And yes, much of the plaster underneath the wallpaper is PINK! Good thing we're painting!

Dream On...

Given that my house is in shambles right now, I was dreaming about what I would love for it to look like some day. Or some elements that I would like to use in the house. Many of these may not come for some time, but I can still dream, right?

Gotta love a kitchen with white cabinets, blue glass subway tile, and chrome hardware! (Hmmm... seems vaguely similar to what we will put in our kitch - but not quite as expensive.)

And what about window treatments? Because yes, windows do look either naked or sick without them! I heart bamboo blinds, roman shades, and plantation shudders.
The first 2 being affordable. The last one, not so much.


And I love any room with a cottage or coastal feel! Makes me relax.


Plus, how about nice neutral tones that feel clean and inviting? I love tans/creams/grays like this beautiful foyer done by Sarah Richardson.


Maybe someday soon our house will come together like this. In the meantime, I'll keep on dreamin'...