A small fixation

I think by now it is quite evident I get excited about a truly functional (and stylish) laundry hamper. While I do love the ones we splurged on a while back (and you may recall my post about this other one at Container Store as a nice option), I think I've found something even more perfect. It's from Crate and Barrel's fantastic new Clean Slate line (Oh, how I love this stuff!). It's got a lot going for it:

1. Pleasingly simple, utilitarian design

2. Wheels!

3. Folds up (be still, my heart)

4. Canvas bag snaps on/off for easy laundering

5. Bag is raised off ground (no more hanging over the top of the basket grasping at those last two socks).

 You can check it out here.

Parking pad

Permits are approved and foundation for the addition is being poured tomorrow - hooray! First though we'd like to share "Phase 1" of the project, which was to remove the giant bee-infested hedge out front and carve out a two-car parking pad. Oh, and re-frame the front porch. Here's a reminder of how it looked before:

Thankfully the husband had great vision for the parking pad- he generally does for these kinds of things (framing/structural, future walls, elevations) whereas I sometimes struggle envisioning those aspects. Though, I can visualize a finished interior down to the artwork on the walls and the way sunlight will be streaming in :)

I didn't realize just how old-fashioned and dumpy the front  hedge was till it was gone. It was as if the whole street brightened up and became more cheery. The house itself definitely stood taller and prouder. The front walkway was re-done as well, and we even included some adorable stairs up to the side yard for garbage can storage and just access around the house in general (I really have a soft spot for those little back stairs).

Since then we've demo'd a small, cantilevered addition off the back which contained the laundry and  bathroom, and have excavated for the new foundation. Forms were built today in preparation for the pour tomorrow. While this is happening some of the interior structure will get reworked - additional framing to support a new dormer, as well as reconfiguring the staircase. More to come!

Perfect soup mug: found

I've been on the hunt for this ... simple, modern, and just large enough for soup. A mug because the handle stays nice and cool but the soup is piping hot. $2.50 a pop at CB2.

Vipp modular kitchens

I happened across this Danish modular cabinetry on Remodelista the other day and it spoke to me instantly (I particularly love this unit above as a stand alone piece almost anywhere). I realized later I think it's because in a way it reminds me of vintage black and white enamelware, but in kitchen cabinet form :)

See what I mean? (darling enamelware bowls from Etsy) 

Available in white and black, the line includes modular cabinets, shelving, hardware, even kitchen accessories.

Also, how sweet is the design as a bathroom vanity?

Welcome, spring

Apologies for the lapse, March was a busy month. We expect to have word back from the City this week on our plans, so hopefully we'll have progress updates on the farmhouse reno/addition very soon! Hope you had a wonderful Easter holiday. It felt like summer here (a very welcome surprise!) and the little guy got to take in a couple innings at the local ball field where his dad used to play. Sweetest.

Modern (Farmhouse) Cottage

 From the front...

And from the back.

And, we wait.... for the City to issue our permits. The husband sketched elevations and floor plans and our drafter turned them into permit-ready and build-ready plans. A beautiful thing! Working with the constraints of the narrow lot while retaining the existing structure wasn't an easy feat, but we are way excited about the end result. Looking forward to getting started on this next project!

Oxo Tot

We are big fans of Oxo Tot, Oxo's line dedicated to little ones as they learn to use utensils and bowls and what not. Their product line is not cutesy or over-embellished; rather it's modern and sleek, while still feeling playful and fun. We have all of these items, except for the booster (I just think it's so well designed, and have a feeling we'll be ordering it in soon enough). The Oxo Tot product line definitely stands out among all the other brands from an aesthetic perspective, and I love to give praise to the companies that "get" the appeal of style and simplicity in product design for kids' stuff. Well done!