Briefly, and in other exciting news, the Oehmen's have gone aquatic - and as of Sunday - have 9 new family members: Comet, the gray and gold comet pond fish; Shellie, the all-white goldfish (who we thought was awesome but my mom later pointed out will probably be in the direct sight line of birds and cats) named after the white shells on the sandy beaches of Pawleys Island; and, last but not least, 7 Japanese snails who will remain nameless. The pond is already looking cleaner and the 2 veteran fish, Freckles and Goldie, are actually welcoming Comet and Shellie which is exciting stuff!
Instead of FAQ's, we'll call this the furniture, accessories, cleaning or "FAC" section. When you move into a house with the intention of saving $x by July 2014, you cannot buy all new furniture. What you can do is refinish, re purpose, recover or go antiquing (thank you, Stacy Golleher). I've hit up more markets and high-end consignment stores in the last month than I have Nadeau, or One Kings Lane, which I'd consider a win for team Oehmen. What I've learned so far is that you can find some quality pieces, for half the price, that will probably last you twice as long.
Furniture
Speaking of quality (ha), I'd been eyeing the Charlotte World Market chair for a good month or so, but wasn't sure about the fabric and stability without seeing it in person. Every week or so, I'd check to see if it was still around, still liked it, and then it went on sale. Of course, typical KHOehmen style, I waited, decided I wanted a pair, and they were nowhere to be found and discontinued online. Panicked, I called every World Market within a 50 mile radius, found two floor displays (one at Pentagon City and one in Falls Church), and decided to check them out in person. Needless to say, after seeing the one at Pentagon City, I was sold. Mind you, the PC chair was missing a leg that never arrived with the original shipment. Thankfully, the MIA leg was delivered to our house this weekend AND I got the chair for $80! The Falls Church experience isn't as riveting except that I did talk them into 10% off since it was the floor model...even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. Saturday, my fun, patterned, surprisingly uber cheap chairs made their debut in our family room and I'm loving the pop of color(s) they bring to the room:
Rather than recycling (nice way of saying throwing out) our other arm chairs, we moved them to our dining nook (see pics below) for now. They may find their way to the upstairs guest room (since we have so many guests and when we do they sit in the room all day) at some point, but that's still a work in progress. Why is it a work in progress, you ask? The queen box spring for that room wouldn't squeeze up the narrow staircase without sawing it in half (believe it or not, people take the time to do this), so we're now on the hunt for a new split set. Don't worry, Carly McKeon and John Senger, by the time you arrive next month (cannot wait) your room will look like a full-page spread in Oehmen House Magazine!
Speaking of spread, when I'd normally love to spread out on the couch on a lazy Sunday afternoon and watch an intense LMN (Lifetime Movie Network) flick, we've been in what I like to call couch limbo for the last couple weeks. My parent's graciously left us a Pottery Barn sofa thinking we might be able to create two TV areas - one up, one down - and we were more than on board with this concept. However, we quickly learned that with our existing furniture it was going to be too hard, and a little awkward, to try and incorporate a couch into our dining room. On Thursday, when our painter finished up the inside, I offered him the couch, he manhandled it out the door, and we were finally able to put our couch in the family room and organize the rest of the room. It's coming along, but Pinterest ideas constantly flood my brain, so who knows if this is how it will look next time you all visit.
Current family room setup:
We're trying to decide if we should mount our TV. Any thoughts? If we don't mount it, I hope to buy a new console that is a bit taller, and thinner (sort of how I wish I was most days), in the coming weeks.
Movin' on up...stairs that is. Mr. Cuddles has this cute, little chest that used to live in our walk-in closet where he keeps workout clothes, above-the-calf socks, and other items. I actually really like the chest. It's a wonderful chestnut color and desperately needed a new home in our house since it definitely wouldn't fit in our non-walk-in closet (a teardrop falls). I decided it would be a great piece in our hallway upstairs, and that it could still serve the same purpose for Mr. Cuddles since it would be easily accessible right outside the bathroom. One problem: how in the world would I create a stylish setup and not a "we put this chest in the hallway because we had no where else to put it" setup?
Here's what I came up with:
With the addition of some DC-themed photos (White House garden tour program, print of 1789 restaurant from my 30th birthday dinner with my fam, and my 2009 presidential inauguration ticket), it's proven to be fashionable and functional for Mr. Cuddles...and his hoarding.
Accessories (and paint)
We changed out the hardware on all of the kitchen cabinetry as the owner predating my parent's installed white cabinets with gold knobs, painted the walls mustard, and chose a green laminate for the counter tops. As you can imagine, this color scheme has proven a bit difficult to work with, so for the hardware, I wanted something that would work well with all the colors in the room. I decided on a ceramic painted knob. I've had some luck finding decorative knobs at World Market, so that was my first stop. The ones we chose are not my favorite but they work so well with the existing setup that a) you hardly notice them, and b) we'll have no qualms about leaving them for the next lucky owner. I really liked these but felt that they were too harsh for the room, and too specific for some people's taste.
While everyone has different taste, an important point to remember when changing out hardware, painting or any other home improvement project you plan to leave for the next owner or renter is to STAY NEUTRAL. I don't mean neutral like two friends are in a fight and one asks you to take their side but you need to remain neutral. I mean the nude pumps, black dress, gray cardigan kind of neutral. While you might like mustard walls in your kitchen, chances are 95% of people - who might buy your house - don't! You can always add colorful accessories, fabric, drapery, or furniture to make a statement in a room.
Goodbye mustard, hello Windham Cream a.k.a. Benjamin Moore HC-6 (Regal select in eggshell finish). The kitchen is now this soft, neutral color that I believe would work well in most spaces. I highly recommend it for a smaller room/nook, basement or basement apartment, or nursery as it works well to subtly brighten a room's existing characteristics while still remaining, you got it, neutral.
Kitchen predating my parent's (their stuff was moved before I could photo document):
Kitchen now:
Still working on the built-ins and will probably rearrange a million times in the coming months, so I will be sure to re post any new, creative ideas I come up with!
Getting back to the updates, along with our kitchen knobs, we also replaced the upstairs closet hardware. While many of you might think "so what?", it actually made a big difference in both rooms since the old hardware was the same as the kitchen. In the master bedroom, we again chose a neutral ceramic painted knob that works well with our antique, cherry pieces as well as what I like to call our "mushroom" wall color.
In the guest bedroom, we went with a basic cream knob with metal detail.
Cleaning
Another small fete that goes a long way is a good, deep move-in clean. Especially if there are pets involved. I spent a half day sweeping and dusting, wiping down cabinets, closet doors and shelves, vacuuming, and sterilizing the bathrooms and kitchen. Then I did it all over again. Some will try to convince you that I'm an OCD cleaner (so what if I clean every Sunday including washing all sheets and towels, isn't that normal?), but I disagree. I think it helped Mr. Cuddles and I literally have a fresh start in our new space. Getting in a good Sunday cleaning is also a great way to start off the week.
TBD (for blog purposes, To Be Done)
Two words - tile paint. The existing main floor and master bathrooms are a cream tile with colored inlays. The main floor bathroom has a maroon (yes, that's right) inlay and the master bedroom has a royal blue one. Mr. Cuddles, being "Tim the tool man Taylor" that he is, wants to remove the inlays via saw and replace them with new ones. To me, that screams yellow caution tape, hazard, disaster area, royal mess, whatever you want to call it. So, I suggested black tile paint. Old school black and white tile is way in, and I'm quite confident not going anywhere any time soon, so we've been researching the best way to go about prepping, priming, painting, and sealing so we can get started. This is the best YouTube video, and accent, we've found on the topic thus far. I will be sure to post a before/after pic once we're finished (according to Mr. Cuddles, "pies and cakes are done, people are finished").
The moral of my DIY story (Clark, Carly, Jessica Perno and Kelly Greene this 'saying' is for you) is this:
- Prioritize updates and create a budget for each project.
- Particularly if you're a renter, painting, changing out hardware, and refurbishing old furniture are budget friendly ways to make a house feel like a home.
- Pick a price point for new purchases. If you won't be in the house long, don't spend an arm and a leg on a new piece that might not fit in your next place.
- Plan a project timeline.
- Please, STAY NEUTRAL!
- Pat yourself on the back if you find a good deal (hello, Charlotte chairs). Good deals only mean you can spend more on the things that really matter!
- Pipe in some of your favorite tunes and get cleaning! Nothing feels better on Monday than knowing your deep clean is done for the week.
- Poll friends, family, and coworkers for their home improvement tips and ideas, or if all else fails, YouTube it.
These are a few of my favorite things (included but not limited to furniture, accessories, and cleaning supplies):
Furniture & Accessories
- Home Goods
- Nadeau
- One Kings Lane
- Safavieh (check Target for bits and pieces of their line)
- Kellogg Collection
- Georgetown Emporium
- Front Porch
- Kensington Row antiques
- Little Miss Pixie's
- Gallery St. Elmo
- Eastern Market
- Green Front Furniture
Cleaning
- Clorox/Lysol wipes (Lysol doesn't seem to streak as much)
- Pledge Multi Surface wipes (great for electronics, computers, glass, leather)
- Scrubbing Bubbles foaming bathroom cleaner (I'll spray toilet, shower, sink, etc. and leave for a few hours before rinsing)
- Lysol All-Purpose cleaner (can use in place of Scrubbing Bubbles for bathrooms and kitchens)
- Shaklee Basic H (best multi use cleaner)
- Mrs. Meyers liquid hand soap (basil scent)
- Electrolux vacuums
- Beeswax furniture polish (little goes a long way, so be sure to wipe with a dry cloth after applying)
- Resolve carpet powder (quick and easy, vaccumable carpet cleaning)
- Rubbermaid broom (indoors)
- Quickie corn broom (outdoors)
- Quickie dust pan and brush
- Williams-Sonoma pop-up sponges
- Bounty select-a-size paper towels
- Windex
- Glad ForceFlex trash bags (expand without tearing)
- Industrial trash bags (heavy-duty clean out sessions)
- Murchison-Hume Counter Intelligence (food safe counter/furniture spray, so good for moms)
In closing, I've decided to keep my recipe-a-day format rather than designating a page, so I'll continue to post them this way unless anyone objects.
Happy Tuesday and hope you enjoy this recipe courtesy of Jane Aylor vis a vis one Jimmy/Rosalynn Carter!
Jane Aylor's Pecan Cheese Spread
1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, finely grated
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup chopped/diced pecans (I recommend candied or lightly sugared)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (preferably white)
salt and pepper to taste
sprinkle of garlic powder
dash of cayenne pepper
1 (12 ounce) jar strawberry preserves
Triscuits (I like reduced fat) or Blue Diamond Nut Thins
Directions
Combine cheese with mayonnaise, chopped nuts and onions. Mix in black pepper, cayenne, salt and garlic powder, and blend thoroughly. Place in/on smaller serving dish or platter leaving space in the center for a ramekin or condiment cup and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Remove from refrigerator, fill center with strawberry preserves, and serve immediately with crackers of your choice. Don't have time to make your own cheese mixture? Consider doctoring up your favorite Palmetto Cheese (mine happens to be jalapeno) and serve the same way!
Seasonal
Serving
Summer: Serve in hollowed out red, green, yellow, and orange bell peppers with Garden of Eatin' Red Hot Blues chips, or inside a sourdough - or rye - bread bowl with toasted bread crumbles for dipping.
Winter: Serve bite-sized and warmed - rather than a dip - on toasted baguette slices with a dollop of strawberry preserves on top. See below for other topping suggestions.
Transitional
Table Setting
Since this is an appetizer more so than a meal, I'd recommend...
Summer: Place stuffed peppers on a glass, rectangle platter and garnish with smaller, diced peppers (some of each color), cilantro, or vegetables (for no carb folks).
Winter: Place bite-sized pieces on a slate or handmade/reclaimed wooden cheese board or marble pastry slab. Instead of topping with strawberry preserves, consider plating smaller jam jars in each corner in an assortment of flavors for people to choose from. i.e. strawberry, fig, peach, or raspberry key lime. CAUTION: Have colorful, fun, or traditional spreaders on hand. This dip is too good for people to not use their fingers, if prompted!
Since this is an appetizer more so than a meal, I'd recommend...
Summer: Place stuffed peppers on a glass, rectangle platter and garnish with smaller, diced peppers (some of each color), cilantro, or vegetables (for no carb folks).
Winter: Place bite-sized pieces on a slate or handmade/reclaimed wooden cheese board or marble pastry slab. Instead of topping with strawberry preserves, consider plating smaller jam jars in each corner in an assortment of flavors for people to choose from. i.e. strawberry, fig, peach, or raspberry key lime. CAUTION: Have colorful, fun, or traditional spreaders on hand. This dip is too good for people to not use their fingers, if prompted!
Cakes'
Commentary
Always think of new ways to serve old dishes! Just like go-to outfits, we all have go-to recipes we use over, and over, and maybe too many times over again. Figuring out fresh ways to display favorite dishes is a great way to make guests relive that first scoop of pecan cheese spread, forkful of hash brown casserole (coming soon, I promise!), or bite of homemade chili.
Always think of new ways to serve old dishes! Just like go-to outfits, we all have go-to recipes we use over, and over, and maybe too many times over again. Figuring out fresh ways to display favorite dishes is a great way to make guests relive that first scoop of pecan cheese spread, forkful of hash brown casserole (coming soon, I promise!), or bite of homemade chili.
Comments for Cakes? Please submit comments, feedback, questions, or things you'd like to see posted!
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