Holiday decorating is nice for a bit, but honestly after more than three weeks of clutter I begin to get an eye twitch.
Last night we got home from my parents house and I began walking around the cottage and removing bits and bobs of the holiday decorating. Gathering it all onto the kitchen island while my husband quietly went up into the attic and began bringing the boxes down.
He knows me. Without saying a word he began taking the ornaments off the tree and placing them in their boxes. I cleaned off the mantel and returned the topiaries to where they usually sit. Clean, somewhat bare, but back to it's "normal" state- I breathed a sigh of relief.
The library is coming along. We wrapped the room in one coat of Sherwin Williams Functional Grey...
We need to re-sand with 220 grit, just to smooth it out once more. Paint causes wood grain to rise, so sanding between coats gives it a smoother finish. We will start that this afternoon and then finish it off with one more coat. The walls and ceilings will be painted in the same colour, but in a different finish.
I am so excited to finally unpack the many boxes of books and arrange them on the shelves. The upholsterer finished the window seat cushion, so I will pick that up this week. I imagine many hours of curling up in the library and reading for our family. A home is not a home without books.
I snapped this shot of the sun setting the other day. Winter skies in Texas are so pretty.
This week I plan to do a lot of thinking about what direction I'd like to go in for 2014. I feel that change is on the horizon- just not sure what it looks like yet. I love that everyday is a gift to reinvent, renew and revise yourself. Looking forward to doing just that.
Last night we got home from my parents house and I began walking around the cottage and removing bits and bobs of the holiday decorating. Gathering it all onto the kitchen island while my husband quietly went up into the attic and began bringing the boxes down.
He knows me. Without saying a word he began taking the ornaments off the tree and placing them in their boxes. I cleaned off the mantel and returned the topiaries to where they usually sit. Clean, somewhat bare, but back to it's "normal" state- I breathed a sigh of relief.
The library is coming along. We wrapped the room in one coat of Sherwin Williams Functional Grey...
We need to re-sand with 220 grit, just to smooth it out once more. Paint causes wood grain to rise, so sanding between coats gives it a smoother finish. We will start that this afternoon and then finish it off with one more coat. The walls and ceilings will be painted in the same colour, but in a different finish.
I am so excited to finally unpack the many boxes of books and arrange them on the shelves. The upholsterer finished the window seat cushion, so I will pick that up this week. I imagine many hours of curling up in the library and reading for our family. A home is not a home without books.
I snapped this shot of the sun setting the other day. Winter skies in Texas are so pretty.
This week I plan to do a lot of thinking about what direction I'd like to go in for 2014. I feel that change is on the horizon- just not sure what it looks like yet. I love that everyday is a gift to reinvent, renew and revise yourself. Looking forward to doing just that.
What are your goals for 2014?
Oh I am so like you ... I arrived home last night exhausted from 2 days with family, made a cup of tea and thought I would sit on the couch, watch some tv and recover. But I was distracted by all the decorations. I went "Christmas light" this year but still :-) .... so I got up and starting packing away. It's nice to be back to the calmness.
ReplyDeleteAgree! I am thinking that next year's decorations will be nothing but fresh greenery and vintage books. I can handle those for longer periods of time ;)
DeleteI feel a need to hold on to Christmas a bit longer. Maybe it's because I didn't have everyone together and I'm wishing for more time, but I'll hope for next year. Loved the twinkle of lights in the background.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year,
Bonnie
Not having everyone around is tough. Similar situation here with our youngest daughter. It makes the holidays melancholy for me. Enjoy a few more days of sparkle ;)
DeleteI'm like you…starting to feel the twitch! Love that grey and I cannot wait to see your room reveal! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jamie
We should be posting updates throughout the weekend. Travis has promised all night painting if needed, lol! Follow me on Instagram!!
DeleteI took down our Christmas decorations from inside our house too. The outside is still decorated though. Probably will stay up a bit longer due to bad weather heading our way. It does feel good to get it all down though doesn't it? I feel like the house is cleaner now. At least your husband helps you. Mine leaves it all to me! Can't wait to see your library. The color you chose is very pretty. You and I have the same colors in our house, lots of neutrals. I'm hoping for a better 2014 too. 2013 was stressful.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. Sometimes the clutter makes things more stressful- so clearing it also clears my head a bit. Our first home was nothing but colour, but then we moved and neutrals just felt so much calmer. I've stuck with it- but did add a bit of blue in our bedroom. Here's hoping for a less stressful 2014!
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