Week 1 of summer break is in the books! The change of pace is always so welcome, but my house is a disaster and somehow I am more exhausted. This weekend brings drop-off for sleep away camp for both my boys! AND sunny, hot weather. How are you planning to spend the weekend?
This week’s inspiration is an ode to summer and fun! Including: a packing list, palm trees, ice cream and the coolest ping pong table in all the land! Have a great summer weekend. Love big. It’s in the details. xoxo
When we moved into our home in 2007, the room on the lowest level of the house struck me as really strange. It was long and narrow, with an extremely large brick fireplace/hearth. {When we viewed the house before we purchased it, the previous owner had one single arm chair in the middle of the room. Not helpful.} With really only one useable wall, it was nearly impossible to have a sofa or any furniture for adults. I had no idea what to do with it, so it became a play room. At that time we had VERY young children {ages 5 months and 3 years} so it served to be an extremely important space. Over time the kids had fewer and fewer toys and we decided it was time to create a space that we could all use and love. Today I am sharing the before shots and a quick description of our project.
FAMILY ROOM: BEFORE
Oh, look at all that brick! The project started out simple: remove the brick fire place, hearth, and insert and create a useable wall. Like any project it grew over 2+ years of thinking and planning. In the end the list also included: new lighting, removal of wood paneling {which I had painted}, new flooring, new paint, new molding and base boards. I also became obsessed with a rolling door to the laundry room. {Plenty more on that side project later!} We had not originally planned on updating the laundry room and powder room, but eventually decided it was worth doing all three rooms at once.
LAUNDRY/POWDER ROOM: BEFORE
Our laundry room and powder room are essentially caves. No natural light at all. Why I thought it was a great idea to paint them eggplant purple, I will never know! The number one wish for this space was to move or remove the eye sores above the washer/dryer. Who doesn’t want an old security system control box front and center? Also on the list for the laundry room: new washer/dryer, new cabinets, and counter top. The bathroom: new light, new sink/vanity, new toilet.
I spent months collecting images that served as inspiration for these three rooms. Below are a few of the images/ideas that served as guide posts to decisions I made throughout the process.
More on the outcome and finished looks are coming soon. The construction is complete and we could not be happier. Unlike a HGTV design show, the room did not magically come furnished and beautifully styled. That is a work in progress.
Women of a certain age must share the news with friends when they find a beauty product that they love. It’s in the contract! Recently I have come across a few items that are great additions to my beauty bag. Want to know what they are?
1. Somme Institute: Transport|2- Soft cotton pads infused with magic. I purchased the jar with a purple dot after a facial and was fairly skeptical. I was proven wrong within 1 week. My skin is brighter, my adult acne is under control { with the use of a prescription antibiotic} and my hyper-pigmentation is much less noticeable. Seriously, they are awesome!!
2. Sephora Express Cleaning Wipes– I purchased this little pack to remove makeup while traveling. I am obviously super lazy because this is how I cleanse my face most nights. I will be buying the larger pack soon. These also work great after a workout if you can’t take a shower or wash your face right away.
3. Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer – Okay, so this concealer was an investment. However, I think it will last a very long time. You don’t need much at all and it covers my dark circles like no other. It blends perfectly and doesn’t settle into the fine lines around my eyes, which is a HUGE plus!
4. Dove: Clinical Protection|Clear Tone – I was in between deodorants, so I gave this one a try. So far it is pretty fantastic. It goes on smooth, with very little residue. It is marketed to also lighten the skin of your underarms, but I haven’t really noticed a difference. Bottom line, it actually works and I don’t have to worry!
Summer in Seattle is the best 3+ months of the year. This summer is already shaping up to be sunny, hot, and awesome. With active boys and beautiful weather, it is essential to be outside and keep them busy. Searching out fun is a difficult job, but someone has to do it! How about 18 holes of mini golf? Real greens, sand traps, and scorecards.
The Rusty Putter at The Golf Club at Newcastle is an amazing destination for a little fun. In about an hour, you can golf all 18 holes. The views of Seattle, Lake Washington, and Bellevue are breathtaking. Grab a drink at the grill after your round and call it a day.
On a side note, Newcastle is also a perfect spot for date night. Grab a drink from the bar, head out to the putting green, and unwind on a warm summer’s night.
I will be featuring fun summer ideas over the next couple of months. If you have a great idea, leave a comment below or send them to me at denise@whereisjune.com.
I recently had lunch at Stateside in Seattle. Yes, the food was delicious but I could not get over the design elements. Color choice, brass detailing, lighting, a mix of old and new, and that wall paper. THAT wall paper. The unexpected pop of green palm fronds and it was oh, so perfect! I am still thinking about it two weeks later. A dramatic wall paper can really pack a punch!
So, I did a little searching:
Which is your favorite? I could find a way to use any of them in my home! However, if you have ever had to remove wall paper, you know it isn’t a decision to take lightly. Do you have wall paper in your home?
{All image sources and other dramatic wall papers can be found here.}
Oh, my goodness. The forecast calls for nothing but blue skies and warm {WARM} temps. This is too good to be true. We made a decision as family last night to soak up every last ounce of sunshine and fun that the weekend will provide. It also includes the delivery of a new washer & dryer. I have not had one for almost 6 weeks! I may kiss them when they arrive.
This week’s inspiration is ode to summer. Bring it on! Love big. It’s in the details.
1. We are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Buenos Aires! Stay tuned.
2. Dreamy beach inspired decor. But that front door!
One year ago today I was arriving in Rome! In May 2014, my husband and I took a two week trip to Italy. My grandmother left me a small bit of money. I wanted to use it for something that would make her happy. Neither of us had been to Europe so this trip was extraordinary for us! It has obviously been months and months since our trip, but I wanted to be really thoughtful when writing about this experience. It was life-changing in some ways, stressful at times, and truly unforgettable. I will post every week for the next several weeks, since our trip consisted of 3 distinct parts-all with their own amazing sights and memories.
Roma: The Eternal City {Day 1-5}
Rome is an amazingly busy city! Scooters zip by, cars navigate streets the width of a jogging path, and people fill the streets day and night. We loved the energy and felt comfortable as soon as we arrived. Aaron and I quickly learned how we DID NOT want to travel. Our first two days in Rome were jam packed and crazed with historical sites and museums. And miles and miles of walking. By the end of the night two, after we left the Vatican, we finally broke down and took our first cab. As I leaned back in the seat to rest my head I muttered out loud, “If we do that again tomorrow, I will hate Italy and I will hate you.” A lesson quickly learned: You don’t need to see it all.
Over a year and half ago, I posted about a possible remodel of our boys’ play room. They had outgrown the need for a dedicated space just for toys. When they have friends over, they love to watch movies and play video games. The time had come to invest in making this space something to love. A little over three weeks ago, the process began! While the end vision is coming together, the first stages were a little unsettling. Massive amounts of demolition and sheet rock dust, made it hard to see how it could all go back together. I guess surviving and thriving during a remodel is a skill.
Here is what I know so far:
1. Have a clear vision and budget.
While others can give input and advice, you need to have your own vision for the space, whether it be a family room, a kitchen, or a bathroom. While I am no designer, but I was clear how I wanted the room to function and the short list of needs. The least sexiest part of a remodel is the budget. You have to have a budget. Decide which details are the most important, so that when you have to make compromises, due to budget constraints, you are still guaranteed a final product you will be happy with.
2. Learn to love Pinterest.
It has literally helped me make almost every decision. Paint color, tile, trim work, switches. You name it, I put it in the search box of Pinterest and found what I wanted. Visually I could narrow down my choices. I could then find it just by searching or asking for help from my contractor or a friend.
3. Appoint a project manager.
I was appointed the project manager. If my husband and I had to decide every little detail together, we would probably end every evening in an argument. To save our sanity and keep the project moving along, I have made most of the choices and decisions. He is more interested in the final outcome. Your project manager should be the person who is most interested in the process and the details. That’s me and I love it!
4. Embrace the mess.
You cannot control it, so just go with it. Hey, how often do you have an excuse for your house to be a disaster?
I can not wait until we are cuddled up on the couch watching a movie in our new room. I promise to post again about this project!
Would you like a peek @ the inspiration for the room and all its details? Follow along here!
This year the costume exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is dedicated to Chinese fashion. I can’t wait to see what the designers come up with tonight!
It is said that baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous than adult snakes because they haven’t learned to control the amount of venom they inject when they bite. They just release all their venom in one swift, deadly release. Now, this little fact is mostly likely not scientifically sound-but for the sake of my argument let’s say it is.
I am raising a baby rattlesnake.
Little Man is a tightly wound ball of emotions. He can go from a kind, sweet boy to door-slamming, venomous creature in a matter of seconds. What can set him off? His iPad not responding, losing or not performing well in a game, a change in schedule, his socks. It is my job to teach him how to control is venom. He 100% got it from me. {I 100% believe it is the Italian blood coursing through our veins. While I was not as volatile or stubborn, I was a master door slammer and screamer.} Navigating this as a family can be difficult and challenging. In public, it can be frustrating and embarrassing.
What have I learned {and continue to learn}:
1. Acknowledge his feelings.
Often he is verbalizing exactly how most of us feel. Software glitches, a strike out, traffic, homework, Mondays. No one likes these things. I find myself saying, “I understand it is super frustrating.” I say it over and over. I am not sure if it super helpful, but I want him to know that I recognize what he is feeling.
2. Set him up for success. Be flexible.
I try to be ready with a preemptive strike. I know him well enough now to foresee certain situations. Before a our LEGOLand visit, we talked about lines and how there is likely to be long waits for rides. We checked out the interactive online map and plotted a course to a coveted ride. I sat out with him when he didn’t want to ride the BIG roller coaster. Instead we wandered around {just the two of us} and found an exhibit where he could build a robot. Sometimes he just needs down time.
3. Let him be.
He knows what he likes and wants. When he was really young, I used to coax him or force him to do something he didn’t want to do. Jump in jumpy houses, go on a merry-go-round, pet a dog. The list goes on and on. Then one day it dawned on me. If he doesn’t want to, don’t make him. Let him be. Well, let him be, unless it involves his education, safety or being polite.
4. There is a limit!
He needs to know that while we do have control of many things, life is a series of readjustments and compromises. I serve him no good, if I smooth every path for him. And honestly, I am just not that patient. There comes a time where enough is enough. Time alone in his room often does the trick, for both of us. I’d like to say I am always the calm, serene role model he needs. Uh, nope. I do yell and I do lose it. {I am saving for his future therapy!} My challenge is being consistent.
From my own experience, the outbursts decrease with age and maturity. However, as the parent, I will just need to survive and come out on the other side of this. Thankfully, we have wonderful friends and family that care about Little Man and show great love toward him. I appreciate their willingness to help him navigate the world and continually support me in return. He is endearing and has a lovely soul. I so want the world to see that!
