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Coffee Talk 08.26.18

Greetings and good Sunday morning! It’s another bright and sunshiny day here in Philly, and I’m so happy the constant rain seems to have moved out for good. Okay, I probably just jinxed us, but we’ve had a good run of about 5 days!

Yesterday Paul and I went down to see our son perform for the first time in his college marching band. That was a surreal experience, for sure. On the one hand, it just seems like the natural progression of things — another Saturday, another marching band performance… but on the other hand, I had to keep reminding myself that our son is in college.

I wasn’t able to get a picture with him visible, but he’s out there somewhere… the drumline was in the back.

They performed their pre-game show for us, which is what is pictured above. And then they performed the first two parts of their halftime show, which is the one they will perform for competitions, etc. I like how the director shared the story behind the program because it’s not always easy to figure that out. They were just wearing their band t-shirts and shorts for this, but they will have full uniforms at their first football game in a couple of weeks.

Unfortunately I will miss that; I’ll be in Maine with my mom, but we have tickets for the next one.

It was definitely impressive — WCU is known for their music program and for their marching band, and it’s definitely a whole different league from the high school shows I’m accustomed to.

I wasn’t sure if we’d get to see my son afterwards or not, but he ended up visiting with us briefly, and we drove him back to his dorm. He’s definitely having a blast and getting acclimated and making friends outside of his buddies from high school; and while he was tired from a long 10 days of rigorous marching band rehearsals, he was in good spirits. All that to say, my mama’s heart is very happy today.

In other news, I promised some pictures from the updates we made to our house this week.

On Thursday, my family room curtains came in. I want to do a full room reveal on the blog eventually, so I just took one picture to share for now.

And then this is the cornice for the kitchen. It turned out a little more floral/feminine than I had expected (or remembered… I picked the fabric out before we moved in) but I think it works. I love how well the colors coordinate with my paint colors, and I’m really happy with the soothing light neutrals — they’re a nice change from the earth tones I had in my previous home.

We’re also going to add a matching cornice over the small window on the other side of the sliding doors because both windows are visible when you walk in the kitchen and stand behind the island, and it makes sense to have them coordinate. We had talked about a Roman shade, but my designer decided another cornice made more sense because of the blinds.

Then on Friday, I was so excited to finally get wood floors put in my office. The carpet was in here was in really bad shape, and I had my desk placed differently from the previous owners so the worst of it was on display. Originally I was just going to re-carpet it, but then I decided to go ahead and do wood floors. I want the space to be feminine and a little bit glam, and wall-to-wall carpet just didn’t feel right to me.

I wasn’t sure how well they’d be able to match the existing wood floors, and both doorways to my office open to the wood floors in the foyer so it really needed to work. Here’s a shot from outside so you can see both floors.

I am beyond thrilled with how well they match. You really have to look for it to see a difference. Unfortunately for our budget, this means I also want to do the family room and living room asap. The carpet in both of those rooms is pretty beat, and now that I know how nice the wood floor looks, I’m dying to do those rooms too. #mypoorhusband

Also, I don’t know why my camera casts a pink light on all my neutrals. The walls aren’t pink at all in person. When I do my final room reveals, I think I’m going to have Alison come and take pictures so everything looks right.

So that’s a lot of excitement for one week, wouldn’t you say???

Meanwhile, both of my girls start school tomorrow — my 12-year-old will be going to 7th grade at the middle school in our public school district, and my 15-year-old is doing 10th grade through the cyber charter school for her 3rd year in a row. For that matter, my son starts his college classes tomorrow too!

I’m looking forward to more routine and eventually cooler temperatures. I love summertime, but once the kids go back to school, I’m ready for fall. I don’t want to be COLD yet, but it will be nice when we can open the windows and get some fresh air in here.

For now, I’ll enjoy the sunshine and warm afternoons by the pool while they last. I hope you all have a blessed Sunday!

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42 Responses

  1. Your house is looking beautiful! The first picture reminds me of home and made me giggle. On one end of the table is a stack of coasters. On the other is a glass, with no coaster. Pretty much typical here, too! Lol. 

  2. I’m so glad you and Paul were able to attend David’s marching band event yesterday.  And I’m thrilled that he is so happy!  The curtains look fabulous!  I like how they compliment the fireplace instead of taking away from it.  And your office is WOW!  One advantage of having some carpeted floors is that it’s safer for us as we age and are less steady on our feet; when we fall it can help us to not get hurt quite as bad.  I love the tile in our kitchen and bathrooms, but I’m not crazy about having to dry and wet Swiffer them, so I will keep the carpet everywhere else, I guess.  Do you realize that Christmas Day is 4 months from yesterday!  Have a blessed day!

    1. Ginger Hiller, I did NOT need to know that. Let’s not talk about Christmas yet… I need to get thru fall first! 😉 I didn’t think about the carpet vs wood thing as you age. No wonder my Grampa always wanted carpet.

  3. I love the neutral living room with the Navy sofa. Everything looks great. I’m a neutral person so like all you did. So glad you got to see your son & will go to some games. Good that he is close enough to do that. I too am ready for chilly weather.

    1. Yes, it is so nice he’s close enough for that. I’m sure if he’d gone to Pitt, we would have traveled out for a game, but here we can go to as many as we want. 🙂

  4. Wow!!!! Great match on the wood floors.  No one would notice if you didn’t tell them.  Nice when such a large project works out.  I love what you put on the kitchen window.  Looks great.  Could you please tell me the color neutral you did in your kitchen?  Is it the same as your bedroom? Also the trim color.  I need to paint my bedroom a neutral and not sure what to go with.  So many neutrals out there. I have wood trim(dated) and taupe carpet.  Hard to decide.  Also let me know the brand of paint.  Thanks  Nice to hear how well your son’s marching band/college is going.  It is so nice as a mom to go home knowing they are settled and doing well.  I don’t have kids in the house anymore, so routine looks alittle different.  I don’t have the start of school to kick things off etc.  First rainy day here for weeks.  We’ve had a very hot summer for our side of the country.  Have a good Sunday.  Blessings.  

    1. We moved into our new house and the color we chose is called Toasty Gray by Behr. It is beautiful and is a nice warm neutral beige/gray that goes with everything. Just my two cents on what color we ended up going with 🙂

      1. Thanks Annalisa…..I will check out the Toasty Grey.  I just looked at the swatches I brought home and wow, its difficult.  The colors change so much with neutrals, depending if the lights are on or off etc. etc.  I don’t think any swatch I brought home is going to work.  Thanks for responding.  At first I thought you were Jo-Lynne answering me and I was confused, as I believe she said she used Edgecomb Gray, which I need to check out too, but don’t know the brand paint it is.  

        1. Definitely check toasty gray. Doesn’t have purple or pink undertones. Truly is a great neutral 🙂 I think you might like it! 

  5. I love seeing how your house is coming along! You are doing a great job decorating. I am not patient at all…and want everything done at once too!

    1. It’s fun, and I’m trying to enjoy each change as it comes, but it seems like every time I do one thing, the other things I want to change stick out like a sore thumb even more. LOL!!!

  6. Custom drapes are so lovely. I have them in my main areas, too. They truly finish a room. 
    Your carpet in your office is perfect. Just the right amount of design without being too busy. It’s also a great neutral that you could move throughout the house if you feel the need for a change. It’s coming together!
    It’s a good feeling to know your son is settled into college life,  busy with band and making new friends. You can rest easy. 
    Enjoy your day by the pool. I noticed nights are getting cooler. Fall is not far off.  And, that means booties! 😄

  7. You are just an amazing decorator!! I love what you have done to your home, from the paint to the floors to the curtains (are they called that anymore?) to the furniture!!! When you are done, can you come put my home together for me??  :)))))

  8. So glad you’re loving your new house. I’m sure it must feel good to have your office set up and in order now.  My home is definitely my happy place 😊. I encourage you to go with your gut and put hardwood floors throughout your downstairs. I have all hardwood with just big area rugs and I love it!! The only downside (if there is one) is that once a year I have to hire someone to come and clean my area rugs. We even have wood on the stairs. It cuts down on the seasonal allergies for sure. 

    1. I agree about the hardwood… after building our third home I was done with carpet.. also once you see the dust and stuff on the hardwood and realize that would be in your carpet makes you think.

    2. I am so with you when you say your home is your happy place. That’s how I feel. I’m such a homebody, plus since I work from home, I’m here all the time, so I really need to love it. We will definitely do the hardwoods down here, it’s just a matter of time b/c there are so many things I want to do and we want to be able to pay as we go. I never knew you could hire someone to come and clean area rugs… who do you even call? the same places that clean wall to wall carpet?

  9. You have made some wonderful decorating choices! I’m so glad things are going well with your son. I hope the new school year goes well for your daughters too.

  10. Your office floor looks fantastic… you can’t  see a difference at all. I love the rug you choose for your office too. You must be pleased… it’s so nice seeing things come together. We have just purchased some new furniture and our painting will be done in the fall lol I’m doing things backwards but I couldn’t wait on the furniture anymore. Thanks for sharing the updates. 

  11. I love the way it all looks. Where did you get the rug in the study? It is beautiful! What is the size rule on rugs under tables? 

    1. Oh, size rule for rugs… You definitely want enough room to push your chair back and not fall off the rug. You also want to consider your room size and have a foot or two of floor showing at the most. I’ve learned from working with my designer that she will always opt for the bigger size if we’re in between sizes. I found this on Wayfair: It should extend 36 inches beyond all sides of the table (no less than 24), so chairs can sit on a flat surface, even when pushed back. Don’t forget to account for extendable leaves, if your table has them. source: https://shopstyle.it/l/Q8PK

  12. Jo-Lynne, you are amazing! How much you have gotten done! Your office looks like a wonderful place to work! Congrats on all your accomplishments this summer! Ready for fall fashion AND decor! 

  13. Lovely house! I especially like the wood floors and elegant shape of the etagere in your office. The print in on your dining room cornice looks good with the large expanses of wood and paint.
    I’m happy for you that your children are doing well. It’s good for a Mom’s heart!

  14. Just beautiful love the hard wood floor!
    Your office has really came together!
    Fall, cooler weather and marching bands so fun!
    In my younger days at college I was a Dixie babe in the 
    Marching band at college.
    Yes that’s what we were called great memories!

  15. Our daughter just started college also this fall in NC. We are going to Parents Weekend in a few weeks and I’d love to hear/see your recommendations on what to wear, ie to the  football game, etc. thanks!

    1. Hey Patti. I saw a bit of everything. Keep it casual, no one dresses up for that stuff anymore, lol. Even jeans are fine, really. A lot of parents seem to wear college tees and sweatshirts, but I just wear my normal clothes.

  16. Your floors turned out great! Wish me luck. We are pulling up all the carpet in dining room, great room and old hardwood in foyer and hall! New hardwood everywhere! The dollar signs are climbing! Then, the area rugs! Thanks for the sizing tips! Good thing school starts next week for me! Need a paycheck and less shopping time!

  17. Love keeping up with your blog…..for the fashion as well as your new home and the decorating you are doing.  So fun to watch.  Beautiful home.  Just a few home questions.  I’m looking for a sofa the same color blue as yours for my sunroom.  Can you share where it was purchased?  Also, I’m currently looking for new kitchen and utility room valances or something similar. Just repainted the walls sherwin williams comfort gray…..turned out awesome…..but trying to choose a patterned fabric that will blend nicely in a subtle way.  I’m looking for ready made.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.  

    1. Hey Valerie. Thank you! I got the sofa an curtains through my designer — her name is Magda and this is her site: https://reimagineinteriors.com

      I would check out Ballard Designs and Smith and Noble — both have custom curtains for order, and you can get swatches ahead of time to be sure you have the color and fabric that works for you.

  18. Excellent choice on drapes and cornice window coverings. The wood match is wonderful. Your installer was a great craftsman.

    Using blue(navy) as your accent color is fun because you can change the tone in each room. I now have all Windows with white blinds or drapes and medium wide wood around them. Painted 1/2 the house with grey walls similar to yours. Love it because art in black frames pops out.

    Upstairs I use peacock and navy in bathroom and bedroom. Family room is dark and medium teal. Kitchen navy. Livingroom just neutral and brown. A couple of pillows and vases with ocean blues and navy. Bedrooms paler blue wall with navy or ocean blue rug and ocean blues accents. Navy is my neutral i pull through all rooms. It has taken me several years to keep adding and discarding. I have moved things from one room to another. Give yourself time to experiment. I love it when I have spent a day moving things from one room to the next and he notices.

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