May 31, 2009

Our First Place

In the months we've lived in our home, we've worked to make it our own. We've tackled a variety of projects with plans for more. Most recently we built a fence with our neighbors and renovated our powder room.


The new vanity and mirror are from Lowe's, and the faucet is from Home Depot. For under $200, the vanity included the granite top and under mount sink.


The paint color was chosen from the cover of a book that we got recently. (It is more accurately represented in the above photo on the left.)


Before & After: We kept the light fixture, but the medicine cabinet mirror was very small. The oval mirror is much better in size and proportion to the vanity. The pedestal sink was alright, but it is nice to have storage in there now, and the color is much better!



Our living room: The sectional just arrived a few weeks ago, and now we are working on finding side tables, a coffee table, a rug, lamps, pillows, window treatments, and artwork. The television was one of the first things we purchased - even before we had anything to put it on! Kyle did a great job researching which one he wanted. The console is from Crate & Barrel, and the lamp and side table I had in college.



We purchased our dining table because of the top that pulls out to go from seating 6 to seating 10. In February, Kyle and I started leading a community group through our church. Each week we have around 15 people that meet and eat at our house. We needed a way to maximize our space and the dining table has been great! We also set up a card table in the living room. The chairs stack to the side when we don't need them.


Our kitchen: We love the look of the granite countertops and the stainless steel appliances. The pantry (not shown) provides additional storage. I would like to paint the cabinets, add hardware and molding, tile the back splash, and change the paint color.


Our bedroom: The bedding was a great compromise between what we each wanted - I like pattern while Kyle preferred solid bedding. We ordered the upholstered bed frame and then I had an upholsterer make the headboard to match. On the accent pillow, I laid a printed fabric from Romo that I'm considering using. I want to use accessories to bring color into the room.


We got a great deal on our nightstands from Whitley Galleries because they were a discontinued style. Next, we need lamps, art work, and curtains. Across from the bed we have a desk, media, and storage system, but it is pretty empty right now.


This is our master bathroom as it looked the day we moved in. Not much has changed. It was painted the same red color as the other bathroom. We're hoping to repaint, change the vanity or at least the counter top, get a new mirror, and tile the floor. We're also planning to change out all of the brass hardware found on the doors.


Shortly after moving in, we added a closet organization system in our 8' x 8' closet. The three shelves that were in there before hardly took advantage of the space. On the left wall, the poles were hung too close together and you couldn't actually hang clothes from it. Now we both have plenty of space and lots of shelves for other things. We bought some of the accessory pieces, like a tie rack and shelves for shoes, and now we have shelving on three walls instead of just two.


Almost any interior designer would tell you, it's a lot harder to do your own home than it is to work on others. I haven't rushed to make it look finished, but instead we've taken our time finding pieces that we know we'll enjoy for a while. We chose a few pieces to invest in - mainly our mattress and our sectional, which we will have for a long time.

How have you made your space a home? What pieces were most important to you?

May 30, 2009

Happy Birthday Jenna!

I hope you have a wonderful 24th birthday! Remember two years ago when I gave you the world's largest gummy bear? That's a pretty hard gift to top. Perhaps a blog post will suffice? Love you!

May 29, 2009

Vacation in Clearwater: Part III

After going to north shore to catch up with some of the staff and students of CBSP '09, we had to stop at McKay Park for a picture! It was great to see some of the staff again and meet the students as they went to the beach for their first outreach.


The weather was beautiful and the beach was crowded on Memorial Day.

The picture of Gus (the egret) was taken with my dSLR camera. The one on
the right was taken with my point and shoot at sunset. Oh, the difference.

A beautiful sunset over Sand Key Park!


Funny moments: The phrases churches put on their signs are sometimes
cheesy, but this one cracked me up! (The chuch was completely covered
in tarps by Terminix.) And to the right, cranes.

We had a great time in Clearwater! It was so relaxing and such a great break. We enjoyed visiting some of our favorite places (we ate at the Columbia twice) and finding new ones. It was great to see the students that are down there to grow and serve the Lord, and to reflect on how much we have grown and changed since we were in their shoes.

May 28, 2009

Vacation in Clearwater: Part II

It was a bit strange to be back at the Villa, mostly because so many things have changed. The new Hyatt that is nearing completion blocks the view of the beach and dwarfs the Golden Villa. Aside from the construction, things are nicer than they were four years ago. The new bridge is finished, downtown Clearwater got a face lift, and the walk along the beach is nicely landscaped.


Kyle in our rental car, a convertible bug.

The Golden Villa is now golden! Ken and Linda painted the place last fall. (It used to be a light pink, which you can see in the photo on the left below.)


Kyle and I four years ago (left). Out to eat overlooking the water (right).

Part III tomorrow.

May 27, 2009

Vacation in Clearwater: Part I

We had a great time in Florida! But for the first few days, this was all we saw:


It was such a relaxing trip! Since it was so gross outside (I haven't seen it rain that much at the Villa since the hurricane came through!), we spent most of our time inside. We played Settlers of Catan quite a few times. Kyle pretty much dominated - I only once out of some seven games. For reading, we brought Sacred Marriage, which I would recommend to anyone, and Kyle took a few of the Harry Potter books. I also spent some time reading my camera manual trying to brush up on my photography skills.




Slowly but surely, the rain slowed and the sun peaked out - just about the time we were sick of staying indoors. More pictures soon to come!

May 20, 2009

Clearwater Bound

We're on vacation! See you next week.

May 18, 2009

Home Sweet Home

About a year ago, Kyle and I started talking about buying our first place. We were initially looking in the areas between Raleigh and Chapel Hill for something that would be convenient for both of us. Most of what we saw were 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes, but the idea of living in a neighborhood with mostly families didn't seem to fit quite yet. After we found out that Kyle could ride the bus from Raleigh to Chapel Hill to work, we started looking for something that would be convenient to a bus stop, to our church, and to my work. Even though we loved the first place we visited, our Realtor Matt Peedin was great at showing us other options and walking us through the process. We did end up buying the first place we looked at - a one bedroom, 1.5 bath condo downtown!

One of the new signs just down the road

I snapped these shots on the Boylan Bridge as we took a walk one night


Our place! Well, sort of - this shot was taken back in 1996 before the lumber company was turned into condos in 2002

Here is the building today


Our first place!

We've loved living here. It's been just enough space for the two of us, and we love the location. I love seeing the skyline every day as I drive to work! We walk to church most Sundays, and there are several great restaurants just down the street. We're slowly but surely making it our own. Interior shots to come soon!

May 17, 2009

Four years ago

Four years ago today in Clearwater Beach, Florida, Kyle and I met. While neither of us remember that first conversation, it was on May 17th that we arrived in Clearwater along with 40 other college students. We spent 11 weeks there, on Summer Project. It was a life-changing summer, and I don't just say that because we met then. So many wonderful friendships and relationships came out of that summer, and it was an amazing time of spiritual growth and living in community. It's hard to believe it has been four years!



May 12, 2009

Oh, the places you'll go

My brother Brent graduated from Appalachian this past weekend! Kyle and I made the trip up to Boone, and it was a beautiful day to graduate! (The first beautiful graduation weekend in the last two years - both of my graduations were cold and rainy.) He majored in Music Industries with a concentration in guitar. I can't wait to see where he ends up! After completing his internship, he will be off into the real world, and he may very well settle down in another state to work in the music industry. (I'm hoping for Nashville or Atlanta.)

The Music Man

What a rockstar

Walking across the stage

My family (sorry Brent, this was the only one that wasn't blurry)

Siblings

Tassel in the face. Muahaha.


Congrats!

May 11, 2009

Quiet on the set!

We recently shot a video at work to give new clients a snapshot of everything that we do. I think it turned out great!



For more videos on local businesses, head to Triangle Blvd.

May 7, 2009

So glad for Spring!



My neighbor gave me these beautiful peonies! I'm so glad the weather is getting warmer - Kyle and I are looking forward to going on vacation in just a few weeks, a trip to Clearwater Beach, FL where we met.

We've been busy doing some home improvements. I'll share some pictures when we finish our bathroom renovation.