Dining room 99% done!! - IKEA Stockholm Rand Rug installed (finally)

I have been hoarding this rug since last April when Haley came to visit.  After we ripped out the carpet and cleaned up the hardwoods, we laid it out and realized that the original rug purchased was HUGE, it covered the entire floor and and extended up the walls on either end!  J said it made his eyes unable to focus... After the kitchen was completed, we gathered up all of the returns and planned a trip to exchange the rug and return all the construction extras.  By then something crazy happened, the rug was no longer listed on the IKEA website, then rumors that it had been "obsoleted".  I even started to look for other similar style rugs...

The morning I loaded up, J convinced me to take the rug "just in case".  Good idea, J!

When I walked into to the Centennial store, there was a miracle- not only was the display rug hanging up, but two, brand-new rugs were available, as well and in the right size!  I returned the WAY-too-big rug  and bought the smaller size.  I was really happy because I love this rug, but Kitty loves it even more!  He had a little freak out ;)

Chino approves too!

But I like it the MOST!  (I know this off center, but the table is lined up with the kitchen opening.)

Almost exactly how I pictured the Dining Room when we moved in.

Too bad it had to be the construction zone for the past three years...

Every dinner is candlelight when you demo-ed out the the only light switch :)

Maybe we'll get some installed lights in here soon...(birthday surprise-J?)

TO DO LIST:

- finish wiring updates
- install lights/ light switch
- order/install blind
- decide on a pendant (or two?) for over the table

Dining Room Light?

I have been looking for a light for over the dining room table for ever...

Help me choose!

Really affordable (and you get all 3):

I have loved this one forever:



Too predictable?:


Dream Light:

2013 Goal #1- Accomplished!

Everything that needed to be hung on the walls upstairs is up!!

Bathroom:

 95% done in here...

Close-up they remind me of the pattern blocks from Tom & Molly's house...love those!!

Dining Room:

Added and rearranged a few things.  Fixed the broken glass in the black and red print from Grandmother.  Printed a few of J's crazy hiking photos and moved the Jermaine Rodger's/Deftones bunnies.

Maybe next time I'll use a real camera instead of my Iphone? ;)

Great Lakes print and my Menominee/Lake Michigan lighthouse photo are a good match!

Living Room:

After a quick project to fix a decision that has been bugging me for years...

 I can love this print of Howard Olson's again!  Reminds me so much of WI fall/winter skies.

I also really like it with my new lamp and shade!  Still sure the blue couch is still moving downstairs though...

 I think the watercolors are my current favorite art in the whole house.  Love opening the door to this view!

 Kitchen:
Love the cookbook shelf.  Hate to have cluttered counters!

 Close up-  Thanks Haley! I got J the CO version to match the WI print.

Finally, a Dining Room!

J & I worked all last weekend getting the pile of tools, extra trim, bits and pieces that need to be returned to IKEA and basically everything that DOES NOT belong in a Dining room out of the room.  We also moved the extra couch and (HUGE) coffee table out of the Living room, deep cleaned the kitchen and bathroom, purged and organized.  I told J that all I wanted for Christmas was to have him hang all the big stuff on the walls.  He did!  It looks like we actually live here :)  I was SO tired Sunday night!

Here's the view from the Kitchen:

So glad we opened up the doorway!  

So glad my Grandmother had such good taste (table and chairs)!

From the front door:

Still need to get some lights in here.

Closer:

Aah, what a refreshing view to the Kitchen :)

From the Living room:

Still have to pull out all the smaller, framed photos and print some new ones for this wall.

Punch list:

-electrical: add a light switch, can or track lights, pendant over table?

-blind and drape for front window

-print, frame and hang photos

-install rug (thanks Haley)!!!!

-move internet plug-in