Subtle pattern

Here is that wallpaper that I couldn't swipe an online photo of last week. I'm sorry there's nothing included to give you a sense of scale, but just trying to find decent light to take this shot was daunting. If you can see the fold lines, each of those sections is nearly 8.5 by 11 inches, so just think of six pieces of copier paper laid out in two rows of three.

Basically we're trying to open the living and family rooms up to one another. The family room paneling and parquet floor will be replaced with drywall and oak plank to match the living room, and right in the center of the entire thing will be what we're calling a media wall. Seven feet long and thicker than a regular wall (we're thinking 8 or 10 inches currently) it will hold a flat panel tv on the family room side, and a credenza and some art or a big mirror on the living room side.

The entire room, including the entry, will have painted walls, but we wanted a little bit of pattern for here in the center just to break things up a bit. We'd originally thought about paneling the entire thing horizontally with gray prefinished wood flooring, but we have an old grayish Chinese cabinet we'll use under the tv to hold components and it just seems like too much wood.

This paper seemed too taupe to me at first, but the more I look at it the more I'm convinced its fine and that I can find a gray that works with it but doesn't read too brown.

Cute Contractor hasn't gotten back to us with numbers so I have no idea if or when we're getting started, but whever its a go I think we've got the wallpaper question answered.

Hello Handsome

Photo: Craig McDean

Apparently Tom Ford doesn't wear clothes at home. Which reinforces my belief that Richard Buckley is one of the luckiest men alive. Interview (literally) here.

Why I'm retiring to Palm Springs

It's become almost a tradition. It snows, I step out on the side porch and take a picture, then whine on the blog!

The upside is that the company I work for is very good about weather, closing early yesterday and not opening until 10 this morning. Plus we're casual, which to me is the best thing that could be done for one's employees. I'll be much warmer in jeans and harness boots than I would have in slacks and some Donald Pliner slip-ons.

Brett got up and shoveled the driveway making it easier for both of us to get in and out, and perhaps more importantly, giving Alex a spot for his morning constitutional. Sweet boy, Alex is one of those dogs that prefers dry paws. While that occasionally complicates spot selection, it does make for less mess being tracked back inside.

Here's hoping your day is warm, safe and dry.

Raina knows how exciting this is

Today we installed Schluter fabric in the bathroom. Yes, only two pieces, but they're large pieces. Combined with thinset mortar that was a bit on the runny side it took a while. Luckily, Brett is off work tomorrow for MLK day and may finish up the pony wall.

The fabric is going to cover what we need to cover, but isn't going to go as far as I thought. Luckily I bought a gallon of HydroBan, which is a rubber product that you apply to your drywall with a roller like paint. Two coats and you're ready to tile on top of it. That should cover everything else and be more than enough protection to handle any water or vapor that might get past the tile.

We also met with another contractor about reconfiguring the living room, family room, and entry. He seemed to completely grasp what we want to do and specifically said he would break down our quote so we could choose jobs as necessary. I'm really hoping we get good numbers back from him. He came with good references and he's done things for others that we absolutely are going to need. Like build an addition for the master bath. It doesn't hurt that he's also attractive. And by attractive I mean really hot.

Dear Sherwin Williams

I'm a big fan of your Cashmere paint line. This is the third house I've used it in and have nothing but good things to say about the coverage, finish, and durability.

I've never considered you for wallpaper however, because most of the books you have in-store are not so great. A bud of mine recently found that you have some good grasscloth, so tonight I got online and looked around.

Being able to search by color was helpful, and I found something I think I love. But then I couldn't crib the picture. People do a lot of sourcing online. I have folders on my laptop devoted to furniture and fixtures and all sorts of things I want to remember for future use. Except for your wallpaper, because I couldn't.

Yes, I'll order a sample for five bucks, but it would have been nice if I could have grabbed the picture for my file.

Thanks,
Dave

My newest obsession

Apparently it's been at 51st and Main since August, but somehow until this weekend we'd missed Yogurtini. And I've been twice since Friday night.

When you walk in you're greeted by about 14 frozen yogurt machines. Each has two flavors and a swirl. Grab a cup, pick your yogurt, and slide on down to the topping bar. Nuts, fruit, cereal, crunched up candy, its all there. At the end are the sauces.

Top your yogurt as you like, weigh and pay. It's brilliant.

I was out for a bit this evening and surprised Brett by bring some home. I had the same thing I got Friday night: Dulce de leche yogurt, waffle cone pieces, slivered almonds, coconut, and caramel sauce.

For Brett: Chocolate/Vanilla swirl, brownie pieces, crushed peanuts, crushed cashews, crushed Kit-Kats, chocolate sauce.

If you don't have a Yogurtini near you check around, there are other franchises with similar concepts. I'm finding the array of choices and do-it-yourself construction irresistable. I'm totally thinking about going tomorrow for lunch.

Greek chic

Here is eBay item number 350167897809.

$1500 or Make Offer. I'd make an offer. It's cool as hell but that's too much for a chair without provenance. I'm not making an offer, as much as I'd like to.

There's a matching sofa under a separate listing, but that's a bit much for me. I like the beauty of a single statement chair. You could change out those casters for something less obtrusive. GAAA I love that fabric. Classical motif AND quilted. It's perfect for the grayscale scheme we're working here at Chez Malaise. Damn it.