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I'd mentioned that our dining nook attached to our kitchen has recently transitioned into our office. We're a long way from "finished" (am I ever "finished"?) but it's HUGE progress from where we started... Here's what this space is looking like right now... Here's where it was a few days before that picture was taken... Junk.  Everywhere. Like EVERYWHERE. This post should really be titled, "Junk Nook Turned Office Nook" but let's pretend it had been used as a dining nook, ha! The first and most major step of this transformation was with paint.  A good gallon of paint changes everything people. I went with Benjamin Moore's Intense White - the same color we used in our living room.  Officially my new favorite.  It's just such a pretty, calming neutral, true grey.  Super pale and light - it reflects light beautifully, and despite it's name it is definitely GREY - not white.  After putting one coat on the walls, this space ...

Ok I have done pretty much NOTHING to the deck, but wanted to share a few "progress" photos.  The deck is still peeling and in terrible condition, along with the chairs, but ignore all that.  I'm stoked because I bought some plants and they have already made a huge difference! I'm doing my best to not kill them - no promises though. I snagged a few boxwood's on sale at Orchard Supply, and they're lined up against the wall right now. I think I'd like to get two more to line the entire length of that wall so it's more full and symmetrical.  Obviously the boxwood's still need to be planted, but they are at least temporarily brightening things up as they are.   I see them sitting in a taller wooden planter... something like this : Having them there makes it easier for me to envision what else I see being planted there.   I'd like to stagger some plants, so that something taller - a vine climber like jasmine or creeping fig - can make its way up the...

We've been having some pretty incredible weather in San Francisco lately, and as a result, we've been spending a lot of time having dinner or drinks out on the back deck.  I even just love taking my book out there on weekends to read and get some sunshine. The downside?? It's not looking so hot these days...  The upside?? I have a plan, and it looks something like this... Embroidered Pillow ,    Flamingos ,    Decorative Wall Installation ,    Striped Seat Cushion ,    Stone Garden Stool Yep, the back deck is about to get a pretty fabulous makeover, and I'm looking to keep costs down here.  This transformation is going to take a lot of paint, a few plants, and a few well placed accessories. Before I break down the plan for you, let's take a look at the deck's current state, shall we? We've got a whole lot of peeling paint on the floorboards and wooden posts, some random cleaning supplies in the corner that are no...

Yep, that's right... I said "grout makeover".  I bet you didn't even know that was a thing, but it is.  Over the weekend, the grout in our bathroom got a major facelift.  Let me preface this entire post by admitting, this is certainly not the most glamorous "makeover" I've ever done, but I am super excited over it. Prepare your eyes people - the "befores" are pretty bad. Are you prepared?? If you were wondering, not that is not mold or mildew.  It's the cracked, peeling grout and caulking in our bathtub and surrounding areas that has been discolored over time. But it looks gross, doesn't it?? I was grossed out, even knowing that I'd scrubbed and bleached the hell out of it. What did we do?? We busted out some fresh caulk, and a little grout paint. The process of caulking is pretty simple, and there are lots of tutorials online - basically, clean the area to be caulked, and get off all the peeling stuff.  Make sure it's dry, tape...