Basement Reno, Part 3

 We finally got the carpet installed and finished the ceiling and paint! All that is left now is hanging frames and buying the finishing touches.

 We hung a new banister (banister and hardware is from home depot). We stained it medium walnut and put a couple coats of polyurethane on it.

 On the way down the stairs we added a little cubby for easy access to household items. The boxes have paper towels, toilet paper, light bulbs, batteries...just stuff that I don't have storage space for upstairs. The boxes are from ikea and I modge-podged some prints from Make Way for Ducklings onto the front.

 These shelves and boxes are from ikea...just storage for toys. The two prints are blown-up from Madeline and the frames were on sale at Michaels.

 Molly's little nook. She loves turning the light on and off. I was going to make a big pillow to go inside, but found this cute dog bed at TJ Maxx.

 Next to the nook we painted the wall with chalk board paint. We added some hooks for the roll of paper (also from ikea). We'll wait until Molly is a little older to try it out.

 New windows. I really wanted to paint the trim and doors the same color as the walls. Some people thought it sounded crazy, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.

 New couch and primed chairs... still not sure what color to paint them. The couch is a sleeper - thought that might come in handy some day, from Americana. TV mount without the TV :(

 Office area. I still need to hang a few things on the wall and cover the seat cushions, but you get the idea. The lights are from Amazon. The desk is just a butcher block countertop from ikea that I stained. The shelves are planks of walnut that just have a coat of poly on them. The brackets are from ikea.

 I want to get (or make) some bigger throw pillows for the couch. I was thinking a mustard color.

 Ceiling....I really struggled with this drop ceiling. I REALLY didn't want it, but i finally gave up trying to figure out other options and just did it...I guess it doesn't look TOO bad.

Dehumidifier and mini fridge in the closet.

So, eventually I still need: a coffee table, a TV, to paint the chairs and cover desk chairs, get a little kids table, pillow for the couch and some poofs for extra seating.

I'm so glad this project is done!!

Basement Renovation, Part 2

Drywall is up, mudding is finished, and we've started painting!! Who knew this little reno would take so long. The end is in sight, and now it's the fun stuff...paint, furniture, artwork....things you can actually see!

The can lights are in and waiting for the ceiling. Much to my opposition we are installing a suspended ceiling. They are ugly...but apparently useful if you ever need to get to the pipes/wiring above.

I love walnut. I had a couple planks and decided to use it for the deep window sills. I love the way it looks without stain...so just applied some sealer to protect it.

The little closet on the left holds the dehumidifier with drains into the washer drain through a hole in the wall. All of the baseboards are cut and ready to be installed after the carpet comes.

Sneak peak of the paint color :)

Something To Chew On

Luca is 5 months old today!!  Time has flown by and I can't believe he is this old.  Since he crossed the 4 month threshold, I feel like he's much more his own person - a super strong little man who loves to be moved around and explore, always with a big smile on his face.    We laugh a lot around here with him, which is wonderful.  My favorite moments are when he comes to hang out with us in our room in the morning before we get up.  His cheeks and hands are the softest things I've ever felt and I like taking that opportunity to be close to him when he is calm and still waking up.  Bottom line: he's a great addition to our crazy squad!

And, Luca's ringing in this month-aversary with two new teeth!  His two bottom front pearly whites started to pop through a couple of weeks ago.  He's been doing great with teething - lots and lots of drool but very little fussiness (we'll take it!).   But, L has developed an affinity for some odd favorite chewables!

two chompers poking through on bottom

the ever present drool collar

 i love to eat wooden spoons!

L @ 5 months with Mommy

 Luca has also developed some new mobility skills:

standing practice

is aggressive with his new found love of his feet

learning to sit up by himself 

 future kung-fu master?!
(rocking out in a onsie gift from my gradschool friend Kim and her fiance Juta) 

We're doing great up here but definitely miss all of you.  June's beach trip can't come fast enough!  Love to the HST Aunties!
xoxo from BeanTown,
M

Basement Renovation Part 1

We have been busy renovating our unfinished basement. We finally decided we needed a playroom/rec space for our growing family. We started by waterproofing the cinderblock walls and cement floor. We used a product call Armor concrete sealer (from Amazon) and sprayed the walls and floor.

Next, we added foam board insulation. It's suppose to be great at keeping heat in but I mainly chose this product because of it's moisture barrier properties. (We also added batting after the framing was up).

Then came the framing. This has been the longest, most tedious part so far. Our basement has so many pipes, wires and duct work that it made it tricky to frame. We made 3 soffits for duct work in the ceiling. I'm still struggling with the ceiling. I think it's smartest to do a suspended ceiling - but they are so ugly! Let me know if anyone has any ideas!

I'll post pictures next time of the hung drywall, it actually looks like a room!

Beach Trip

This weekend we went to Seaside for a good friend's wedding. We had a great time! Here are some of the highlights...

Lodging:
We found the cutest place on VBRO. It was very quaint, but perfect for us--and you couldn't beat the location! It was steps away from downtown seaside with great views.

 Food:
We were excited to eat out at some great restaurants! Here are some highlights.

Donut Hole: sweet potato pancakes

Donut Hole: yummy assortments! They are famous for their red velvet donuts :)

peanut butter filled, chocolate coconut, blueberry

yummy lunch at Great Southern Cafe

guava mojito

Scenery:

Where Truman Show was filmed

Local farmer's market

Wedding:
It was a beautiful (but freezing) wedding on the beach and I was honored to read. Erin looked beautiful and looked so happy! The reception had some teary parts as her father almost passed away a couple of times over the past few years, but he's happy and healthy now!