A foyer is kind of important, don't you think?

After seeing this photo at get to fixin':

I decided three things were in order for our entry way.

1. Painted ceiling
2. Wallpaper
3. Modern lighting

I love love love Heather's ability to mix modern and vintage. Um... a Louis chair, mid-century sconces, Victorian molding, ornate ceiling medallion, countered by thoroughly modern black wood floors, Cole and Son wallpaper, a bubble chandelier. I'm definitely jealous and inspired.

My entry right now is nothing, practically empty, there's a cat post in there. I'm just happy that it's clean. (Funny tidbit about our ceiling light: It was a cut glass bowl with a base that got sprayed by our ceiling guys. Being frugal I thought, give it a good cleaning and repaint the base black. So the other day I went to change the lightbulb and not only was the "cut glass" a large piece of PLASTIC, but now the switch doesn't work and the light won't turn off. So basically I have a bare bulb hanging there and if light is required you must step on a stool and screw it in. Needless to say, this brought the foyer up higher on the list of priorities)

ANYWAY, I'm excited about this because it's a small space and quite possibly, I could FINISH this room. First order is wallpaper, it WILL set the tone for the entire house, it NEEDS to encompass our personality without scaring people off. I'd like it to be conversational yet not incite people to scoff when I'm not around. No pressure.

I work in graphic design and by default, I'm into geometrics. Ferm Living's Squares is rad in a neutral Q*bert kind of way. But maybe I won't like it as much in a year?

In contrast, their Bindweed is more organic and plants never go out of style. Bonus, I wouldn't have to worry so much about 90 degree angles (which surely our walls are short on).

Pieces by Julia Rothman uses facets and organic shapes. But I wonder how silver this really is...

Aquatic by Pottok has amazing, urban style, which is appropriate. We live in Oakland for pete's sake! I would love to put Little Whales in our downstairs bathroom.

This could quite possibly be my favorite, Erin by Madison & Grow. I love blackbirds and crows, they crack me up. Plus, it's not too feminine so that satisfies my husband's metal tendencies. I'd probably go with a lighter color, but I'm into it.

Speaking of birds. We could always go with Cavern Home's Blackbird, which is rightly becoming a classic during this wallpaper revival.

So what have I learned? There are a LOT of amazing choices out there. I didn't even explore color. I'm guessing this project will take a little longer than expected. But so nice to think about something pretty for a while...

Weekend Project | Basement Sink

Overall, I'd say most of the original character has been stripped from this house. The doorknobs, the built-ins, the pink and green bathroom (admittedly, I'm relieved about that one) they're gone. But we still have a few details, the molding, the solid wood doors, the odd cupboard. And down in the basement, this beauty:

Oh, not the stove. That's just nasty. I'm referring to that fantastic, metal sink. This room was once a second kitchen (yeah, I know, someone ate FOOD down here), but now it is being converted into our new laundry room. We've ripped out the walls, the ceiling, the floor, the stove - all necessary actions due to termites, rot, and a ghastly amount of filth. We've purchased a new washer dryer (thank you Black Friday Sears!) and we've gotten a quote from a plumber (whose raised eyebrows at the mention we were keeping this sink only makes me more determined). Now all we need to do is refinish it so it can take it's proper place as the centerpiece of this room.

Yeah, that's bad.

But this is my kind of project. I love bringing poorly treated rejects back to life. It's cleansing not only for the sink, but for my brain. I find this relaxing, active meditation. This is because I'm nuts.

So I started by removing the sink top to get a good look at it. Hmm, this is cumbersome and really dirty. I think it needs to go outside. (Note that every time we pick this up, our gloves become immersed in grease.)

So we brought it out back where I can zap it with the hose. I removed all the doors and drawers, and in the bright daylight realize the cabinet has been refinished before, there is some sadness at that fact. But what relief that they thought to remove the handles before painting, they are in mint condition! Everything else was drenched in 409 and I went to town with the scrubbies.

The sink itself will get a good cleaning and a homemade refinishing. We still have to scout for a new faucet, I think Ace Hardware carries vintage styles.

It didn't take long to realize I was completely kidding myself that I could do this in one weekend. There is a lot more rust than I first thought. It's going to take two days to clean and sand before I can even prime it.

I can't wait to crack open these puppies. That aqua is straight up yummy...

2010. Bring it on.

I used to be the most organized person I knew, a list maker and master-juggler... my handwriting was impeccable. These days, I'm more inclined to throw my hands in the air and curl up on the couch, "mañana, mañana" as the Junction busboys used to say. The thing is, I don't like this new me. I like the old me and if we are going to tackle this house in our lifetime, I gotta bring her back.

Let's start with something beautiful, because so far this blog has been a whole lot of ugly.

{2010 calendar, via Camilla Engman, $28}

Pretty sure my 2009 Camilla calendar expired yesterday so I'll order this one today. See that girl on the right? She's shying away from responsibility, but not me!

Next up, I've been drooling over this for years. Time to take the plunge because this stack of contractor estimates is crowding my inner peace.

{Russel+Hazel Collator, via Amazon $29.99}

I have a vision of using clipboards like these for each room in the house. I'll hang them in a row on the wall by my desk for quick reference.

{Hardboard Clipboard, via Amazon, $2.49}

For the ultimate in list-making and because surely, I can't do it alone, this is kind of crafty.

{Do & Delegate list organizer, via See Jane Work, $10}

Oh jeez, for a little impulse internet shopping, this is too cute to pass up. Excuse: I have been collecting a lot of random business cards. Erg, it's out of stock at the moment, hopefully that won't last long!

{People Business Card Holder, via See Jane Work, $14}

That ought to do it. I feel the anticipation of my organized life pumping through my veins. In 2010, I will not be trampled by the wild stampede that is this house, but rather in charge of each project, one at a time, check!