Old chair, new chair

Sorry I haven’t written lately.  Between the beach and trivia and work, I haven’t accomplished much to report.  I’m still in the unpacking phase, so until I get that completely out of the way, the painting will not commence.

One thing I can report is the sad fact that I have to buy two new chairs for the living room.  I was counting on being able to use two green chairs from my grandparents’ house for my living room, maybe getting them recovered one day down the road.  In my mind they were in good enough condition to use in the meantime one way or the other.

When I moved them in, though, I realized that I was sadly mistaken.  Not only was the upholstery stained and shredded by the claws of my grandfather’s cat B.G., the springs and the “guts” of the chairs had long since given out.  To have them rebound and reupholstered would have cost more than buying new chairs, according to my mom, so the decision was made to get some new ones.

Luckily for me, Malouf Furniture just so happened to be having a mega double blowout bargain basement rock bottom prices sale of the century with twelve months no interest, and while shopping there, I spied a retro-modern style chair that I liked.  After going back and forth on the fabric, I decided to wait until the new swatches come in to custom order the perfect pair for my living room.

The pictures above show the old green chairs I currently have and the new sweeping armchair that I intend to purchase.  They are very similar to a chair I like from West Elm, but much less expensive.

What was that sound, you ask?  It was the sound of more money leaving my wallet.

Happy Owloween

A few weeks ago, mom came home from Big Lots with this little guy.  She said it only cost $10 and she “just couldn’t pass it up.”  I used it to decorate my campsite at King Biscuit two weekends ago and after the festival I decided it would be a nice addition to East Monroe Avenue.  I’m sure my neighbors are just thrilled that I’m moving to the neighborhood, tacky lawn decorations and all.

Be gone, carpet

Right before Dave left, he pulled up the last of the carpet in the house.  Although there weren’t hardwood floors underneath the carpet in the den, it had gotten extremely dusty during all the construction and simply had to go.

Being the clean freak she is, my mom offered to buy me an area rug if I’d just consent to ripping the dusty carpet out (which at first I was opposed to).  With this offer in place, I couldn’t say no.  So out went the carpet.

Underneath the carpet lived a long-hidden gem of a linoleum tile floor that resembles terrazzo.  See for yourself:

While the long range plan is to eventually lay ceramic tile in the kitchen and den, I am out of money in the short run, so I’m going to be living with my linoleum floors for now.

All contributions to the “Tile Thomas’ Kitchen and Den Fund” can be mailed to 402 East Monroe.  Donations are not tax-deductible but will be appreciated all the same.

Family, friends, and floors

I have the best family and friends.  And the best hardwood floors! On Wednesday night, my mom, Melissa Tribble, and I ripped out all the carpet and pad in the house to reveal some of the most beautiful hardwood floors I’ve ever seen.  Mom says they are white oak, but all I know is that they were well preserved under all that carpet.

Melissa and I came back after dinner and began pulling up the staples and tack strips that kept the carpet down.  We were able to finish the master bedroom and the hallway.  I have contracted with Victor Stokes to screen the floors, fill the holes, and re-seal them once Dave is done with his construction work.

The photos above show mom with a piece of carpet pad in her hand in the living room, as well as the floors that were hidden underneath the carpet in the master bedroom.  These are the floors even before they were swept and mopped, much less refinished, so you can get a sense of the condition they are in.

A big thanks to mom and Melissa for their help with the floors.  I have a feeling that before this house project is over with, I will be indebted to many, many more people than just the two of them!