MidMal Reviews: Ralph Lauren Candlelight

The second bedroom is demo'd and the electrician will finish up this week. Then Bill and Steve will be in for insulation/drywall and mud/tape, and finally we'll be ready for (totally sexy) French Dan to come refinish the floors. With that milestone in sight I needed to paint the dining room ceiling and crown moulding.

The room has the same big backlit moulding and coved ceiling we saved in the entry. I was so happy with the white trim and pale turquoise ceiling paint we used there that I decided to do the same thing in the dining room. It looked great when it was all done.

Ralph Lauren has discontinued a lot of their ancilary paint products over the years (I always thought their stencils were good), but still available is Candlelight. It's a clear topcoat designed to change the way light hits your walls. If you look at the pictures on the RL website its subtle and pretty. Hoping to enhance the already good looking ceiling this weekend I gave it a try. Here's a review.

The Product: You'll be stirring this for a while, you might want to ask your salesperson to run it through the shaker. Also note this stuff stinks like wet gym socks, and that odor will hang around for a day or so. Don't paint before you have people over for drinks like I did.

Application: Along with the paint you need a couple of specialty RL rollers, one 4 inch and one regular 9 inch. They're very shaggy to mottle the surface. They recommend completing an entire wall (or ceiling in my case) at a time, and also that one person do all the painting. The small roller is used to cut in edges, but only two regular roller lengths at a time. Then two regular strips are rolled on, filling the roller twice for each strip. Finally, X's are made in rows over the freshly painted strips, picking up the roller after each stroke. It sounds worse than it was, then again I'm very comfortable with paint techniques. Either way I think the whole ceiling took me about an hour and a half.

The Result: I'm not in love. I was expecting something subtly magical, what I got seems more reminiscent of semi gloss paint. The increased sheen is also going to emphasize any imperfections in your surface.

The Verdict: We're going to live with it for a bit and see if it grows on us, but I smell a repaint in my future.

Easy Closets Again

If that doesn't stem the tide of coats, jackets, hats, gloves, scarves and umbrellas, nothing will.

Baseboard, a new light fixture and some doors and we can count the entry closet done. The system is the same Easy Closets that we used in the bedroom and again, I'm pleased. It took us about 3 hours start to finish but was no big deal. I'm still a fan.

Fashion Break

With the little break in our hellish weather I started thinking about a new fall coat. Wouldn't this unconstructed beauty be great? It's Lubiam's more casual LBM 1911 line.

Congratulations Michelle Bachmann

on your Iowa Straw Poll win! I'm pulling for you, I really am. And not only because your husband Ladybird is going to be skewered by SNL at every opportunity. Your inability to be photographed NOT looking bat-shit crazy will be the best thing about the upcoming Presidential campaign. Run you incomprehensible religious wingnut, run!

Enjoy your weekend

I've got some painting and odd little tasks to finish up, but shower glass was installed yesterday and the 48 hour silicone cure period ends Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning's shower should be the highlight of my weekend. Here's to no more pink bathrooms!

Modern Love

Mrs. Blandings has mentioned Joanna Votilla and Modern Love, her shop at 45th and State Line a few times, and with good reason. Joanna has a great eye and her place is always filled with beautiful things you'd love to own.

I drive by pretty regularly (Kincaid's is in the neighborhood as well) and when she was open Saturday I had to run in because in the window was this incredible lamp.

Simple, yes, but oversized in scale. The base is 13 inches in diameter and the whole thing is 40 inches tall with the (original, unadorned and unblemished) shade. Best of all though is its shiny, pristine, burnt orange glaze. Its not far off from the can of paint waiting to cover the sideboard that I'm anxious to get to work on.

When I picked it up over lunch today she said "Live with it for a few days and let me know." I've moved it around a bit and its great on a table by a comfortable chair (although probably not that chair in the first picture). It's also terribly handsome on the grey antique Chinese cabinet, but sadly big enough to block the tv that will hang there soon. So while I'm not exactly sure where it will end up, I'm absolutely positive its not going back.

Modern Love is open Wednesday through Saturday, noon to five, at 1715 West 45th Street (just east of State Line).

Confidential to HGTV

Ok HGTV, tonight I reached the tipping point. We've all been watching competition shows for a while now, and there's a systemic problem: the team challenge.

I know you think that drama makes good tv, maybe it does or maybe it doesn't. There's one thing however that I'm absolutely sure it does, and that is dilute the design.

David Bromstad told one of the contestants tonight, "We're a design network." You need to decide if that's true or not.

These people barely know each other and have wildly varying design backgrounds and personalities. When things inevitably go wrong its the room that suffers, and then we get to hear Vern tell the meeker/quieter/more polite of the pair that they should fight for what they think is right. Hey Vern, what exactly should Karl have done tonight to stop Cathy from overstyling the kitchen? He told her he didn't think what she was doing was right and it was obvious she had no intention of changing course. Should he have physically restrained her from stacking up more food?

The designers could have interesting ideas or points of view, but we never get to find out because you're emphasizing the competition over the design. And with the exception of David Bromstad, the competition hasn't even produced stars or compelling shows. Its time to do this differently.

Lindsey Adelman Studio

Via Decorno. How hard would this rock my dining room. If only it didn't cost as much as a decent used car. They're all good, check them out here.

Introducing Tucker

And once again, we are four.
This is Tucker, who's name we just finally decided on. He's an 11 week old schnauzer who ended up at a rescue down by Sedalia, most likely because he's very brown, rather than the black or salt-and-pepper he should be.

I'm sorry there aren't better pictures to show you, but there hasn't been much standing still. Alex seems more than happy to have a baby to play with, and the baby has no backdown what so ever.

So far we've not had any accidents in the house. (Whoops, make that one accident in the house - pay attention dad!) I wasn't sure I believed the rescue lady, but he really does seem to know outside is where he's supposed to go. He also slept through the night pretty well, although he did wake up way early.

Alex has been a total sweetheart, dealing with the near constant assault of needle teeth and playing tug as required.

Cross your fingers that the peaceful transition continues!

More contenders

Look what I found at Mitchell Gold/Bob Williams. The Clifton sofa. Only 36 inches deep, and while very different from that Henredon leather I loved, there's a lot to like here. I'm digging the wood base and slender arms. Also, I've always wanted a couch with a single seat cushion. This picture is the 97" length, but we'd do the 85. What's better, the 85 has two back cushions rather than three, which I think is cleaner. I'm hoping MG/BW has some decent fabric choices because its upholstered all the way around. COM is 17 yards, and you know there's no ceiling on what you can spend on fabric.
There's a Clifton chair as well, and its just as good looking, but I worry about everything being square. Remember this stuff will be sitting in front of a long, rectangular Chinese cabinet and a big black rectangular TV. If we wanted to throw in some curves, the Winslow chair could work. They're 32 inches wide, and we'd likely want a pair (perpendicular to the sofa). They're 36" deep which seems like a lot, but they'll sit on the long axis of the room so it might be okay. I'll have to make templates to be sure we have room. COM on this is 7 yards, not so bad.
And finally the one thing we've both agreed on and decided would be perfect across from the chairs and in front of the fireplace, American Leather's Rex bench. We'll buy it just like its shown here, in white leather. Modern, but with a little mid-century feel too. I love the buttonless tufting, and most importantly it provides some extra seating and doesn't block the view of the fireplace.
The only bad news so far is that the asian-legged cocktail table I bought to refinish isn't going to work in here. I think it would look fantastic, but the 42" square size is just too big. It's not really bad news though. On the other side of the media wall is a whole other room (living room) waiting to be furnished as well. That table would also be fantastic between a pair of loveseats or apartment sized sofas, floating in front of the big front window.

Enjoy your weekend

Remember, hoarding is bad.

Million Dollar Decorators: With a wimper

Well, that was anti-climactic wasn't it. It doesn't even feel like enough for my 30 second recap, but since Raina was kind enough to point you here...

1. Kathryn, I'd spend the rest of my life getting Dragon Lady Factor to pay her bill.

2. Martyn, Happy MLB Day! I hope you get a free shot and a brisk reach-around at The Abbey!

3. Nathan, I'm glad your arm surgery went well. I learned about that from Twitter rather than the show. Because there was more of you on Twitter than on the show.

4. Mary, I liked your tent. I still think you're nuts, but I liked your tent. Oh, and a number of your lamps.

5. JAM: Congratulations on the Hungry Cat install. Or rather, please congratulate Ross and all the Bravo production assistants on the Hungry Cat install. So much stress and strife. Please know that after all that exhausting work I love your master bath and dressing room.

See you next season!

Today on Gilt

Amy Howard Cayman ottomans, 25 inch diameter by 20 tall. Industrial mesh, casters, and a little velvet on top. $1340 for a pair.

Beautiful monster

Do upholstery shops build custom sofas? I'm assuming they do if they're of sufficient size, I can't think who else would do it. Never having ordered one built before I don't know.

I'm planning the family room again and digging the Henredon leather sofa above. The problem is that its 44 inches deep and my room is only 13 feet wide. I've been dragging around a tape measure and I'm not convinced I can't make it work, it would just be so much easier if it had a smaller footprint.

Bargain Alert: Target

I hate Target. I went for a toilet bruth and ended up spending 46 bucks.

When we finally do get to decorate around here I'm looking forward to having some plants, so when I walked through the Garden section and saw clearance signs I had to detour down the aisles.

Won't this glossy white fiberglass planter be good? Maybe on the gray chinese cabinet under the tv, filled with ferns. (or perhaps Bonzai?!) Its 18 by 8 by 9 inches tall. Best of all, it was marked down from $35 to $17. It has a plug so you can have drainage or not. And if white won't work for you a light sanding and some spray paint could fix you right up.

You know how stuff at the Target gets beat up so check for chips and cracks if you go. And if you're going to go, go quick, markdowns seem to disappear quickly there as well.

Take me out to the ball game

Brett and his law partner Rachel recently welcomed a new partner to the firm. Last night, to celebrate his joining them, and to thank a number of folks who've referred business or otherwise helped them out, they hosted all of us in a suite at the Community America park to watch the Kansas City T Bones play the Wichita Wingnuts.

Here's my friend Carol and her daughter Charlotte, along with me and my cocktail.

I've forgotten how much fun these games are. And they had fireworks after.

I've said it before, if you have a Northern League team in your area, go.

Please take out your text book and turn to page 126

I like to look at things. Furnishings, and rooms. Its why I read the blogs I read, and kind of a reason why I write. Its visual vocabulary building for the most part. I see a rug I like here, or a light fixture there. I'll see a room and think it looks comfortable, or has nice light, or something else. Rarely though do I see a room, or a suite of rooms, and think "that's exactly what I'd have if there were no constraints."

The July/August Elle Decor came yesterday. Lots of pretty. Courtney Cox's new place in Malibu, for example. Also a nice remodel in Nantucket. And then I hit page 126, a pair of apartments, gutted and combined by Steven Gambrel.

I won't even list everything I like about this home because I can't count every single thing and color and idea found in each photo. But that's what I like about it. Every single thing.

I know a lot of people save their magazines as reference material. I never have, but I'm keeping this one because this one residence really does represent everything I'd ever want or need.

Enjoy your weekend!

Here's hoping your parties are more fun.

Million Dollar Decorators: Another 30 second review

1. Ross, still digging, JAM, still annoying.

2. Nathan and Kathryn, adore even more.

3. Shannon Factor, GO HOME DRAGON LADY.

4. Favorite moment of the episode: Mary MacDonald to JAM on where to get a drink. "Yes, it happens right here. Or in my purse."

And New York makes six

I'm still holding out for a California wedding, but it's nice to have another option. To the New York legislature, thank you, honestly I didn't think you had it in you.

And to Maggie Gallagher, Brian Brown, The National Organization for Marriage, The Catholic League, and your supporters I will say this: Please stop. You are on the wrong side of history, and everyone sees it but you. Your fearmongering falls on increasingly deaf ears, and one day gay men and women will marry everywhere. Our families, though vastly different from yours, will be protected as yours are now. And you cannot stop it. Civilization will not crumble, and the institution of marriage will not be damaged as you insist it will, but strengthened through inclusion.

This isn't about you. It is, ultimately and singularly, about love.