Carpet for the family room and backyard update

We found a carpet at West Elm for the family room, so now I think we'll decorate the kitchen/family room with blues and browns. We are also planning on ordering a large square leather ottoman for the family room. With a tray on top, it can serve as a coffee table as well as an ottoman and be baby/kid safe.

We got a couple of quotes for the backyard from some contractors, and have decided to hire a landscape designer first. The designs we got were simplistic and after seeing a few completed homes I don't feel they know enough about plants. I want plants that don't require a lot of maintenance, will survive (!), and will look good. Simple things like cut outs in the concrete, having varying heights of plants, etc really make a difference in the appearance of the yard. We aren't looking to do anything crazy, just a patio, grass, retaining wall, and builtin bbq.

Unfortunately our consultation isn't until June 24th so that means it won't be until July before we get the plans, and then we have to submit to the HOA and hire a contractor. I'm not sure we'll have a yard by the time the baby arrives.

We have a table!

We got the dining room table today after almost a week delay because of rain. I can't believe it rained right before we were supposed to pick it up. At least it arrived in time for G's birthday party so we have somewhere to put food and cake! Here it is bare naked. Hopefully I'll get some place mats and a centerpiece sometime, but I'm doubtful it'll be before the party.

What's in the attic and the new chandelier

Dave went up in the attic to put up some empty boxes and found loads and loads of insulation. He said it was two feet high at least.

On Thursday night he also installed the new chandelier we got for the dining room. He's only crashed into it twice so far.

New couch arrived!

Check it out:
Dave fixed the fan too, so it no longer comes halfway into the room.

A clean house....finally

Except the garage, that is still a big disaster. There is also a cricket and lizard running around in there amongst the mess.

We had a crazy cleaning day on Friday and got a lot of stuff cleaned up and even managed to hang a few things. The office still needs to be unpacked and we still have a lot more things to hang on the wall. Dave even installed some ceiling fans.

Living Room:

Kitchen/Family Room:
Loft:
Office:Master:

Hallway:

Finally shutters!

Today after returning home from our exciting morning at the zoo, the shutter installers were in our driveway to greet us. They spent a couple of hours installing shutters throughout the house. They look great and it's wonderful not living in a fish bowl anymore. Although I have to say that the house is a lot darker now, since previously we didn't have any window coverings downstairs at all.

I'll post pictures later.

Kitchen floor finally complete

Today Dave finished caulking the baseboards. We also rented a carpet stretcher and reattached the carpet in the two entrances into the kitchen/family room.

Unfortunately in the last minutes of our kitchen remodel project Dave gets a call from work and spends the rest of the weekend working. In fact, he worked all night long on Sunday coming home at 6am Monday morning!

Even though we completed the project, we didn't get to start actually unpacking the rest of the house or organizing the garage as planned. Now I know what our plans are next weekend!