crittergram

Lately, I'm obsessed with Instagram- an awesome app for the iPhone that gives new life to images. It's quite simple- take a photo with your phone or save a photo from an e-mail or text, open the app, load the image, apply a predetermined filter and voila!

Here are some images of some very cute and furry friends that help make this world a happier place!

one of my favorite things

I know this video has been out for some time now, but for me, it will never get old. I love and adore the way it makes me feel like a little kid. Enjoy :)

http://youtu.be/O8ROuv3SOnU

bathroom makeover!

I think it's about time I update you all on a little project I've been working on!! Do you remember those little glimpses of my teal bathroom you've seen in shots of my kitchen projects? Well, I thought that would be a pretty simple, inexpensive project to tackle, so I did!! 

If you don't remember, here's a little reminder... This is an image from before I gained possession of the home.

And here are some pictures before I got busy with a paint brush...

bad "frosted glass" job that i did awhile back... i removed it with a razor blade and you will see in a later image that i replaced it with an adhesive textile- a nice way to provide privacy

no toilet paper holder

I started with painting the trim white- same as the kitchen

i even had a friend to help me! thanks jenna!!!!

granted the window isn't in, but hello neighbors!!

And then onto the color! I opted for Valspar's "Lyndhurst Timber." I think I prefer something consumable like

| java | mocha | hot chocolate | coffee |

So... my camera did a lousy job with capturing the true color, but you get the idea.

bella likes it! i already had the bath mat - $15 from tj maxx. towel hook- $10 from lowes. black table- $2 from a garage sale that i spray painted black. wire basket that i've had forever- i'm considering that free. toilet paper- functional accessory... i obviously paid for that, but lets call that free too :). bella- can't put a price on her.

ideally, i would like to find a feminine scalloped beveled mirror, but for now, i removed the frame that the previous owners had the mirror in so, mirror- free. window privacy- scrap material from work- free. shower curtain- already had- free.

i have a toilet paper holder!!!! so exciting!!!!! i am eventually (hopefully) going to cut new cabinet doors to coordinate with the doors that i will eventually put in the kitchen.

closeup!

And here's the Kohler sink and toilet I would ideally like to have in the space

All in all, this project cost me less than $100!! And such a transformation!

xoxo 

a

queen of half way

I'm quickly realizing the importance of completing a project before moving on to another [I'm never going to get anything done!]. Everything around the house has been at a bit of a standstill lately, but I hope to get back to work soon! I have plenty to finish before I move onto larger projects!

It all started when the left cabinet wouldn't latch correctly. I tried repositioning the hinges... When that didn't work, I took the latches off, sanded the layers of paint surrounding the latches, patched holes and then finally repositioned the latches. Another issue was that the bottom right side of the left door was catching on the metal edging. I ended up taking the edging off, thinking that I would prime the existing material and paint it. Well... that didn't happen... I figured I could make it look better than that- I just haven't figured out what to do with it yet. I'm open to suggestions!

before

current

I don't really have a good excuse for this one [the wainscoting] other than I don't have a vehicle to haul material and I haven't decided how I want to detail it. I've become more and more indecisive... I don't like doing things twice... I fear that I'll do it and not like it and not be completely satisfied until I redo it.

And while we're in the kitchen- I really don't like the green! I love green, don't get me wrong, but when I changed the light bulbs from incandescent to CFL's, the color completely changed. Thankfully it didn't take me long to do or much money. I'm thinking this will be a good rainy day/too hot to go outside project.

It's hard to tell in this image, but I think I'm going to go with the bottom shade of green- it's more earthy. I've had such a time with choosing paint color!! You would think that someone that works with color for a living would be better with this, but nope! Not me!!

The spare bedroom is getting there... I finally got the photo I took in Leadville, CO printed. It's actually a collaboration piece between my dad and me. I love it! It has the feel and tone of many of Andrew Wyeth's paintings, one of my dad's most admired artists and one that I enjoy as well. 

See the down comforter sitting on the bed? Well, I have been meaning to make a duvet cover for it for oh, probably a month or two now...

I even have it pinned together! It's just a matter of borrowing a friend's sewing machine and running a few straight lines!

I still need to finish painting the ceiling in the spare bedroom too. I don't like painting ceilings... but then again, I don't know who does. 

I've started exploring paint colors for the bathroom too! Originally, I wanted it to be all white- trim and everything, but now I think I want a little color it there.

I'm thinking more of a warm grey [I'm obsessed with everything grey] to pull out some of the lighter warm tones of the tile. Once again, the color isn't quite  accurate, but as of tonight, I'm going to go with the second one down with white trim. Typically, I would never paint wood, however, the bathroom was redone more recently and the wood doesn't match the original, so it's going white.

Moving outside! I want it all done at once! This bed is a work in progress consisting primarily of transplants.

The front bed is getting there [with a shaved Bella!]! Until you walk around the side of the house. I remedied it this evening though- edging, weeding,  and mulching! Next, I want to till up the south side of the house [which doesn't have any sort of landscaping/flowers right now] and transplant day lilies that are taking over the back yard.

I have several other projects on the list, but I'm thinking it would be good to finish what I've started!

xoxo

a

happy father's day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there, especially to my dad! Hope all of you have a wonderful day!

And, Dad, Happy Father's Day from your grandpups :)

xoxo

a

one year!

Most of you know that I [more than likely] wouldn't be in Michigan if it weren't for Herman Miller. Today marks the one year anniversary of my first day of working there. I can't believe that a year has already passed! Looking back, I realize how far I have come and how much I've learned! Never in a million years did I think I would be using my education in the way that I am. So much of what I do is based on the science of materials [although I depend on the individuals in the Design for the Environment team to do the chemical and material makeup assessment] and its use in an artful, environmentally conscious way.

this was taken the weekend before i started working

I began my journey as an intern. I was initially reluctant to take an intern position after graduation, but I couldn't pass up an opportunity with such an admirable company. As time progressed, I realized that I wanted to continue to work at Herman Miller [and yes, be willing to put up with Michigan winters]. The Color, Materials, and Finishes team decided to hire me full time and the rest is history!

One of the projects I worked on as an intern was supplying power to the Eames Tandem seats. Check out the Herman Miller blog post for more info!

Herman Miller Interns Develop a Power Solution for Eames Tandem Seating

I also might add that a year ago, it was definitely not this hot in Michigan. It's after 9 right now and it's still 89 degrees. I'm melting...

xoxo


a

purple, purple, purple!

My flower + veggie garden is jam packed full of purple! Go K-State!

xoxo

a