Re-arrange

I've been wanting to get more seating in our "main room" for a while. The big table that we've had as the central point is awesome, but it's not really that great for visiting unless you're eating. I've wanted a more cozy place for people to sit and talk.

A few months ago, I was able to put two wing back chairs in front of our windows, but they only allow for two people to sit - which isn't that helpful when people visit. Finally, this past weekend I realized that if I moved some of our kitchen equipment to beside the fire place and next to our utility room door (and closer to where the sink is) it would open up enough space for a couch to sit perpendicular to the wing back chairs creating a sitting area.

I went ahead and moved the kitchen stuff (which meant moving my craft/printing station to the hallway which wasn't a big deal) opening up a spot for a couch and started looking for one online.

I knew I didn't want anything too bulky or heavy, because it would need to travel up a narrow and steep set of stairs. I was hoping for something "period" that could eventually be used in our downstairs once we renovate. After a bit of browsing, I found the most incredible Victorian sofa on craigslist for a really good price.

On Saturday, we drove down to Murfreesboro to buy it. It's beautiful and in impeccable condition and I can't believe it was so affordable. Yesterday, I got a rug to tie the furniture together a bit and add some warmth. It'll be great to have this spot for the baby to sit and play on the floor during the pre-crawling stages - but we might need to move the kerosene heater first.

34 weeks!

33 weeks!

We're at 33 weeks today, which is exciting! Just 7 more weeks until the due date and technically just 4 more weeks until the baby is considered full term!

I've recently posted several baby updates at www.babycrews.com so check those out!

31 week photo

First public pregnancy shot! 31 weeks along with just 9 weeks to go! For previous & future updates check out: www.babycrews.com/updates.

Old doors

Today we're in the middle of hanging two antique doors in our house - one for our bedroom and one for our bathroom. The trim work isn't done, but will hopefully be finished this afternoon. This project, I must say, is not something we are doing ourselves - we hired a guy that knows how to build trim and hang doors.

Originally, we thought we would just buy a few solid wood pre-hung doors from home depot because those usually run about $175 + tax which is less expensive than buying old doors and hiring someone to build out the trim and hang them.

But when we got to home depot, we learned that the sizes and widths that we needed were not industry standards so we'd have to special order the doors and pay extra to widen the frames and alter the door widths. Once the extra costs were assessed, it made more sense switch to old doors and hire someone to build the frames/jams and hang them.

This past Tuesday we found a 6 panel 30" solid wood door at Architectural Elements on Lebanon Pike for $40. This price included the hinges, the plates, internal turning mechanisms and glass knobs! Unfortunately, we were unable to find a 28" door for the bathroom.

Wednesday morning, I headed over to Preservation Station (which is known to be more expensive than other salvage places) but might have what we were looking for. Fortunately, a 3 panel 28" door (which included the internal turning mechanisms) that had just come in and was priced in budget at $45. With tax and and hinges the total came to $60. At Preservation Station they don't just "throw in" knobs and plates like they do at Architectual Elements so buying that stuff would have been another $35-40. I postponed this purchase and as it turns out, the guy hanging our doors was able to connect us to a few plates and knobs at a lower cost.

More updates and pictures to follow as the project is completed.

My funky spot

This is where I get stuff organized, crafted, emailed, printed, etc. It's where I keep craft paper, a few fabrics, stamps/ink, sewing supplies, markers, pens, tape, rulers, etc.

Often, I'll work on my laptop at our super-sized table, but when the table is being used for bigger sewing projects, it stays right here.

Baby Crews

I am 30 weeks along this week! This means we're just 10 weeks away from welcoming Baby Crews into the world! For birth plan info, registry ideas, photos, updates and more please check out: www.BabyCrews.com

Design*Sponge post

I love the blog: Design*Sponge and find this recent post inspiring! It's just a matter of picking the prints and picking the wall!