Mid-December Day when Dreams Come True

Well, it has been a crazy month so far. Mike and I put out a goal of having our living room redo done by December 19th--tomorrow! The slate laying started on Dec. 1st and we were assured it would take a week. That fit in perfectly with our 19th completion date. But on Dec. 5, the slate was less than half laid. As the saying goes "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" so we got two tile setters and one laborer the following week. By the 11th, the slate was down, on the 12th the grout was on and we expected the sealing to be done on the 15th--just a week behind schedule. Well, the sealant did go down, but it was Mike and me doing it.

Over the weekend of the 13-14th, I painted the walls. And I scared myself, they were so bold.

 

 

I had worked on this faux finish on a sample wall and was aware of the color and shine, but putting on the east walls of the room created so much drama that I started to question my own taste. I then worked on the simpler cream walls.

 

This is a light cream with a slightly darker hue, pounced on the wall.

Then I put on a rosy rouge to tie the walls together.

 

Once the floor was in and the walls were painted, it was time to start putting the room back together. We had Mike's grandmother's Oriental rug repaired, so even though it is thread-bare, it no longer has holes.

 

 

I began to have faith that the overall plan was going to be good. The rug tied everything together, and it started looking like home again. In fact, for Mike, he had everything he needed, once his recliner was moved in. Home Sweet Home!

 

The push was on. In the last two days we moved in furniture, put together new pieces, and counted on 3 peices of new furniture to be delivered today. And this is what was keeping us on pins and needles. Snow and ice.

 

 

 

So how could I blame the delivery driver when he was hesitant to drive the 45 miles out of town? But a small miracle happened, and the furniture arrived mid-day. Hooray!

So here is a photo essay of today's activities.

 

Good Gracious! A 28 peice bookcase!

 

Blending the old with the new, I dressed up an old lady with a little pizazz.

 

Here are the new chairs and end table.

 

Mike worked all day to get up our new monorail track lights.

 

And we finally took a break with an eggnog.

 

Though not everything is done, we have accomplished a lot in a short period of time, and I've gained insight. I've regained trust in my esthetic sense. I am loving the warm colors, the mix of old and new. I have renewed faith in delivery men who do their job in inclement weather. I can still do a full day's work with the help of ibuprofen. I am a lucky, lucky, lucky woman.

But don't think we've forgotten the season. We have a tree waiting to come in to the house to spread cheer and seasonal fragrance.

 

And every night and early morn we have a light display to cheer the weary travelers and the friends who drive to work in the dark.