Summer Shades

We've been on the lookout for lights for the back deck since last summer and these ones we just picked up from Ikea fit the bill perfectly! The rattan shade adds to the whole breezy vibe and I love how you can see the silhouette of the lightbulbs through them. We bought the globe-shaped lightbulbs at Ikea too - they're energy efficient and should last 10,000 hours. Perfect for those long, languorous summer nights... can't you hear the crickets chirping already?

What Do You Think?

Baby HandyLuster should be making an appearance soon.  The due date is April 15th but babies tend to make up their own schedules with these things :)  The doctor and the doula tell me that its common for first-time mothers to go past their due date, though I'm feeling like this baby will make an early appearance.  What do you think??

Venture a guess on our online baby pool by clicking the icon above.  There's no prize to the winner (except for bragging rights that you are a baby guessing guru!).  I'll let you all know once I cross the finish line :o)

Summer Lovin'

Are you eagerly counting the days to summer? I sure am. I can’t wait until Baby HandyLuster arrives and we can go for long walks, explore the back garden, or lounge out on our back porch. Ever since we built the banquettes last year and got the cushions made, I’ve been waiting for the warm weather to arrive and just get outside.

A trip to Ikea last week got me even more in the mood. Have you seen their new summer collection? Its phenomenal! I’m loving their outdoor furniture, patio umbrellas, and especially outdoor cushions. I contemplated getting a few to use as floor cushions for Baby’s room, the colours were so fresh and vibrant. And what about the Solig mobile? Baby would love that too… multifunctional, people! We have a few more things to finish on the porch this summer like adding lighting and breezy curtains so I’ll be on the lookout for those things as well. Head out to your nearest Ikea before all the goods get scooped up!

Peekin' In On Baby

Baby HandyLuster's room is looking sweeter by the day! A few sneak peeks of the progress...

Baby HandyLuster seems impatient to see the room, judging from all the pushing and stretching and punching happening in my belly these days!

Scoop du Jour: Sarah's Cottage

Anyone who reads this blog knows I'm a big fan of Sarah, so I'm eagerly looking forward to her new 6-episode series, Sarah's Cottage. Filmed last summer, this series chronicles Sarah's makeover of her own cottage - while she's 6 months pregnant! I've seen what Sarah can do with a swank city space, so it'll be interesting to see how she beautifies a rustic, casual cottage. Painted floors, a bunkie, living 'off the grid'...can't wait to see what its all about! HandyMan has a cottage that is in dire need of a makeover itself so I'll definitely be taking notes.


The series premieres March 31st, 9pm, on HGTV Canada. For you US folks, I've heard rumours that the series will be shown in the US sometime later this year under the title "Sarah's Summerhouse".

Reader Question: Lindsay's Bedroom

Lindsay wrote in recently with her bedroom design dilemma:

I have no choice but to block a window with my bed. My room is VERY small. I really want a headboard but am not sure if it is appropriate to block the window. (There is still another window on the adjacent wall.) I guess what my question is, is if I am forced to block about 1/3 of the window what style of headboard should I go with? Something with cut-outs so that it allows light through or can I get away with a solid?! Or should I just forget about a headboard totally?

The window is not centered on the wall behind the bed. UGH! I think that could make for tricky times too! Here are some stats on the room:
- IT'S SMALL. Very SMALL but we love it! : )
-I've tried to put the bed on the wall with no window but it looked horrible. And made our small room even smaller.
-This is the bedding that I have already purchased for our room and some pics of the room

The size of the room and position of the windows does present a challenge Lindsay! I think a headboard in front of the window would be fine. If you have to block it, then I would say go all out and make the headboard a standout feature in the room. You could do something upholstered with tufting details, or something in a bold colour. A vibrant orange would go with the bedding you've chosen.  Just be sure to add other orange accents around the room.

To balance the proportions of the window, you could put a sheer in front of the window flanked on either side by drapes. Keep the look symmetrical by putting the side tables you have on either side of the bed (though painting them both in white will help them tie into each other and to the bedding more).  Adding mirrors above the side tables can also help reflect sunlight from the other window and bounce it around the room.

Here's a few inspiration pics that illustrate some of these same design principles:

From Design Sponge and  More Ways to Waste Time

Hope that helps Lindsay!  Do any of you readers have other suggestions for Lindsay?

If you have your own design dilemma, send me an email at ramblingrenovators@gmail.com!

Bathroom Bliss

Bathroom blight...to bathroom bliss:


There are still some bits and pieces missing, but I thought it was time to reveal the bathroom. HandyMan and I are juggling a lot of balls in the air right now (baby's room, Mama HandyMan's care, demands of our fulltime jobs) so getting those last few bits done may take a while. Or longer :o\ Hope you enjoy what we've done so far.



While we weren't able to expand the size of the room, we've managed to make it look and feel a bit bigger. Its amazing what white tiles and letting the sun shine in can do. Functionally, the room works better too. I can now get in and out of the tub without a stepstool ;) We also have storage in the vanity and have room to add another small storage tower. And the new fixtures are divine...I'm loving the adjustable rainhead/handshower.



Finishing touches are coming soon - the half-frosted door just needs another coat of paint, we have to find some door hardware, and the curtain is being made. I'm just glad we've finally traded the eewy-yucky carpet floor for heated floor tile! Bathroom done :)

Where are you Pakistan?

This really isn't a report i am proud of, but it's an issue i felt really distraught about... felt i should have people see it

Store It

I'm on the hunt for toy storage bins to sit on the shelf above the window in Baby's room. Who knew there were so many pretty options out there!


From L to R: Serena & Lily Everything Bins; Pottery Barn Canvas storage; IKEA Barnslig boxes; West Elm Canvas boxes; Umbra Crunch Can; Land of Nod Rattan baskets

Sandwiched

You would think I would have more progress pics to show you by now, but unfortunately we’ve had to focus on other priorities lately. HandyMan’s mother has been in the hospital the past week. She’s recovering well and improving day by day, but now HandyMan and I are firmly entrenched as part of the “sandwich generation”. We’re welcoming a new baby and taking care of our parents at the same time. This is new territory for me. My own parents are in good health, in their own home, and I have other siblings I can rely on if needed. But HandyMan is an only child so we’re it, the only ones around to ensure Mama HandyMan’s care, mentally, physically, financially.

Its definitely a stressful time in our household. I had hoped to enjoy these last few weeks as a family of 2, to take the time to enjoy renovating the baby’s room, to savour my pregnancy and all the physical changes it brings. But these last few days have been go-go-go… talk to doctors, to lawyers, to financial advisors, to therapists. But such is the circle of life, right? So we take it in stride. Despite the whirlwind around us, HandyMan and I have been conscious to keep the renos on track. Crazy, I know. And yes, I know that all Baby HandyLuster needs is a crib to sleep in and parents to feed and care for him or her. Ultimately, the renos can wait, if needed. Avoid some stress and don’t try and finish it all beforehand, our well-intentioned friends and family tell us.

But in these tough times, I’ve learned that HandyMan and I are renovators at heart – and that’s something that can’t be ignored no matter how hard we try. We live for the toil and the effort. We get an adrenaline rush from ticking things off the To Do list. We won’t hesitate to give up sleeping late on weekends to make early trips to the lumber yard. If we’re not building/planning/doing, we’re not really enjoying life, are we? Its amazing how standing in a newly-carpeted, freshly-painted room can soothe your soul. How crisp new baseboards and a sparkly new chandelier can lift your spirits. Can the insanity of renovations really help to keep us sane? It seems that way.

So these days, when we’re feeling down and out, HandyMan and I are dealing with it the best way we know how… with hammer in hand. Others go to the gym to relieve stress… we beat it out with a power tool :) Its not for everyone, but it works for us. Welcome to your crazy family, Baby HandyLuster. You’ll be inhaling sawdust in no time*


*I’m joking about the sawdust, Baby. Not joking about your crazy family.