Here & Now: Simple Pleasures

Thank goodness for Friday, an end to a mean little week, a series of pesky disappointments, and (for my poor fiancé) a nasty bout of food poisoning. There's often a simple cure for what ails you. For Adam, a day of sleep and soup. For me, feeling low and uninspired, $10 and some fresh air. I walked up to our neighborhood farmer's market and bought asparagus and a peach (the first of the season), an iced latte from Peets, and a single stem from my friend at the flower stand. By the time I got home, the stings of the week had faded. Today we both feel much better.

I know what you're thinking, dear readers. "Wait a second, Elizabeth- what's that in the picture? Your sofa isn't leather, or wingbacked, or tufted, or trimmed in brass nailheads!" Very true. My old couch was sadly none of the above.

Meet our new couch. It's a beauty. And I plan on spending my Friday in its embrace with cats, coffee, and magazines by my side, watching my peony unfurl. 

xoxo

Elizabeth

Not Neutral on Neutrals

No matter how many colorful garments hang in my closet, I always find myself reaching for the black sweater, brown skirt, brass-studded belt, white loafers. I know what works for me.

The same is true of interiors.

Images: Apartment Therapy, Remodelista, Delight by Design, Head Over Heels, Covet Garden Issue 6

Products: English Campaign Chair from Kim Fiscus for One Kings Lane, Quail Feather Pillow from Burke Decor, Dark Nostalgia by Eva Hagberg

Something Old...

I love, love, love to fix things.  I am always taking pity on the weird, flawed things out there that require a little extra attention- my oddball cat, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer I'm test-driving tonight (fingers crossed!!), my dilapidated furnishings, my boyfriend... (heh heh, just kidding Adam).  

I seek out items that will be a challenge for me, and the process of fixing them up usually teaches me a new skill. Plus, the result is always so satisfying- there is nothing better than seeing your vision come to life.  Well, almost nothing: it is pretty damn satisfying to say nonchalantly to your shocked friends, "Oh, that desk?  I did it myself." 

However, there are only so many needy things that a girl can rescue!

So, today I'm introducing another segment of my Craig's List project. 

I'll post a deserving "as-is" find from CL every Wednesday morning... and on Wednesday evening I'll show you my ideas for an extreme makeover.

Today's Wednesday Fixer is...

This Neglected Brown Velvet Wingback Chair

Kicked to the curb!

The seller lists this chair at $40 or best offer: it's inexpensive because it has a rip in the back (oops!).  This is definitely not a typical apartment dweller's chair.  I tend towards a more traditional aesthetic, but this is really pushing it, even for me!  It's a classic shape more commonly found with doilies on the arms at Grannie's house, and that's probably not the look most of us are going for.

So!  How will I make this very formal and forlorn chair compatible with our 21st century Ikea stylings?  See you tonight!