"Free your mind and the rest will follow!"

This is what I feel like shouting from the rooftops!  Has it really been five months since I last blogged?  Yes.  Yes, it has.  

BUT... I HAVE AN EXCUSE.  A PRETTY DARN CUTE ONE.

To celebrate our little comeback at The Tiny Abode, I am teaming up with Lamps.com in this blog post.  Lamps.com contacted me to do a review on one of their products.  I felt that this would be the perfect motivation to get me back into the joys of blogging.  More importantly, I cleaned my desk!!

I am reviewing the Adesso Graham Desk Lamp. 

I chose this lamp due to its sleek design and pharmacy / industrial style.  As you can see, I have a quite traditional French Provincial desk. I needed something to modernize the room... add a little pizazz, if you will.  I was not too familiar with LED lighting prior to using this lamp.  I was quite intrigued!  See that tiny circle in the middle in the pic below... that's it!  Crazy, I know.  It's so tiny!

 But check this out!

For such a tiny bulb, it gives off substantial lighting.  I purposely took this photograph at night so that you could see the real affect.  The lighting was not what I expected at first, and it took me some time to get use to it.  Most of the standard bulbs which we purchase in stores are more of a warm light.  Warm lighting definitely has its place.  However, having the right type of lighting in the appropriate setting is what makes a space work.  I might not choose to have an LED light in my living room; a space where I want to feel warm and inviting... cozy... go ahead fall asleep on my couch.   In my work space, I need something that is going to keep me awake!  It's not unbearable, by no means.   It's appropriate. My husband, who is a painter, is always proclaiming how essential it is to have the right type of lighting.  Any photographer would second that!

Here are some perks about LED lighting provided by Adesso: 

* Energy Efficient

* LED's last up to 50,000 hours

* SAFE: does not get hot

* SAFE: shatterproof, vibration resistant

Oh, and I added some original oil paintings by Jason Espey Art.  That wall was crying for some attention.  See what a little ol' lamp can inspire you to do!  The space really does feel so much more inviting!  We have a lot of work to do in the bedroom still, but this is definitely a nice start!  

Thanks Lamps.com!  

And here's a lil' something to get you motivated! 

Disclaimer:  The information provided in this post is based on my own research and experience.  None of the above should be considered as a substitute for your own product research.

9698c0ca756d01aeac05c6b34af29ccc8dcc424c04084bba0a

SMS: Super Mom Syndrome

I recently signed up for Apartment Therapy's January Cure putting rather high expectations on myself.    We definitely have been putting our fair share into organizing our tiny abode in preparation for baby (Holy Heck!  Am I 35 weeks already!?), but by no means am I following the guidelines or email notifications that Apartment Therapy has been sending me (in which I signed up for).  On the other hand, I think that you should!  It's really a great tool, but there are WAY too many distractions and baby preparations going down in this apartment to seriously follow the this year's January Cure.  Being a perfectionist, I can't help but be a bit disappointed that I was not able to meet this expectation.  News Flash to Self:  I am not a Super Mom nor Super Woman for that matter. 

Now let's all take a moment to breathe, shall we?

If you follow my Facebook page, you will recognize this cute lil' cloud (available here).  This is one of the inspiration pieces I have found while designing our Sunshine themed nursery.  You can read more about our nursery inspiration here.  

This weekend we managed to attend a pregnancy preparation course... WOWZA!  The videos I watched.  Nuff said.  Thank God I now have this glider to come home to... in which I will be sure to practice my pelvic tilt rocking and breathing exercises.  

And here's where it gets real, Y'all!  This was and practically still is our current state of the room we refer to as "the nursery."  Oh, yes.  As hard as it is to tell, it's coming along!  Jason, the hubs / soon to be new dad, has been doing a great job applying layers of perfection into this massive piece of furniture.  

It's hard to tell now, but we are using Behr's Nocturnal Sea.  

Also, if you look really hard, you may even spy a crib.  More on that later.  5 WEEKS (at least I hope)!!!

Mod-ing Up a Traditional Rug in the Dining Room

I have a GIANT red rug.  I found it on Craigslist a while back thinking, "OMG... I have to have that!"  Sound familiar?  The rug really was quite the steal.  I even spotted it's fraternal twin on One King's Lane for $$$$ more than what I emptied my pockets for. You can take a peak the version I scored here.   This all sounds dandy I'm sure, but there is a problem.  It's SOoooo traditional.  Bleck!   Since having this blog, my taste has had a tendency to change.  I think I was in the process of figuring out my style.  This is something that will forever be adapting, as it should.

 

It's All About the Chair

It's easy to style a room in a traditional format unintentionally.  Especially when you grew up in a very traditional style home.  I haven't quite figured out how to describe my taste, but if I were to name it I would say that I am more inclined to gravitate towards a Frenchy Boheme composition than anything.  What the heck is that anyway?

Image: A Cup of Joe

 

I think my best solution to tone down the trAd is to go for a much more modern chair and skimp on the French Country.  I really like how the Eames style chairs above are intermixed into an otherwise country farmhouse setting. 

 

Image:  Unknown

 

Ok, so this rug is not a traditional Persian, BUT the colors are very similar to the colors in my rug (red, blue, gold, navy), and the farmhouse table is nearly an exact replica to mine.  Thus, I am inspired!  My artsy hubs keeps telling me that there is too much white in our space. He's right.  How awesome are these blue Bertoia chairs above!?  If I could only score these on CLs or Goodwill for pennies... my life (or at least my dining room) would be complete!

Image:  House Beautiful

 

Ok, this may look familiar.  It's been floating around the internet for at least a year now, and I may have even featured it on the blog once.  So there is no rug here, but I'm eyeballing the chairs.  What do you think about the industrial look with a traditional rug underneath?  I almost scored these charis on Craigslist, but the seller bailed on me.  Errrr.... we had a time / location, and she sold them to someone else!  I think there needs to be a Craigslist Etiquitte 101 course.

Still bummed.

 

Image:  Overstock

 

They're still priced very reasonably on Overstock, but I was going to get them for 1/2 the cost.   Bigger and better chairs await me I'm sure (I hope).



What I like about You...

Designed by: The Tiny Abode



Ok, so this is old news for all of you who follow on facebook.  Unfortunately for the blog, Facebook has been getting a lot more of my attention lately.  I wish that weren't the case.  You can follow The Tiny Abode's Facebook page here.  Keeping up a blog is hard work!  Can I get an, "I heard dat!?"  You know what I'm talking about. 

Yes it is true my fellow Philadelphian lovers, The Tiny Abode has moved south *GASP*!!  Oh the horror!! Not that I dislike Atlanta, but I miss you!!!

Designed by: The Tiny Abode

Let me tell you... reverse culture shock is legit!  What in the world are we doing here you ask?  Well... we're trying to figure that one our ourselves.  Moving was a very difficult decision for us to make.  Below is a pic from our moving day.  We had great neighbors!

Photo: The Tiny Abode

We were both (referencing the hubs) in very good positions before deciding to make the big leap.  Jason was teaching fine art to High Schoolers and was a teaching fellow at Studio Incamminati. I had just received a promotion at my previous job in a department that I was really looking forward to working in.  Nonetheless, here we are in the South embracing what HOT-Lanta has to offer. 

Photo:  The Tiny Abode

I'm hoping to be better with updating the blog.  Looking foward to sharing our apartment (it needs a lot of love).  Half of our furniture was left behind in Philly, so I am scavening Craigslist for the following: dining room chairs, console / media center, and a dresser. 



West Philly Home... Living Room

Hello ladies and gents, here is a glimpse of what we've been up to at The Tiny Abode. Tiny spaces are tricky! Figuring out a layout does not only need to look good, but its got to work too.  We do not have a lot of Benjamins to be throwing around, so most of the furnishings are the same we had at our previous apartment in East Falls.  Now that a layout has been established, we're starting to consider accessorizing options.

I know its hard to tell with these dark pics!  It was broad daylight.  Maybe it has something to do with East facing windows, or it could be that I am relying on my iphone.  Regardless, this girl needs to add "awesome camera" to her Christmas wish list.  Sorry for the giant tangent!  

Anyway, I am not sure what color curtains (or patterned curtains) to use in this room.  As awesome as this Persian rug is, I think I may have made a boo boo purchasing it.  Who am I kidding?  It was an AMAZING deal, but I am not sure if it is the kind of vibe I want in this room.  I would love to bring in some graphic prints!  Vintage Modern, if you will.  I will also be adding some greenery and a gallery wall for those finishing touches. 

Okay, here is a look at the before. Gross, right!?!

Any ideas on paint colors?  Better yet, anyone want to come help me paint!?!  Painting to me is such a task and seems like such a big commitment.  In reality, its the simplest and one of the cheapest ways to spruce up a space.  I must just be lazy over worked. 

64 Perry Street, New York, New York...

My real estate high is not over.  Did you know that Carrie Bradshaw's New York apartment is up for grabs!?!  I have to say it is quite the showcase!  Much, much different than what was actually filmed as the interior of Sex and the City.

Take a look at those herringbone floors!

You know I have been told that my celebrity look alike is Kristin Davis or better known for her role as Charlotte York.  In that case, I think I'll just pack my bags and make myself at home!

Photo: The Wall Street Journal

What was actually filmed was the exterior of the home which is located in West Village.  Although, we all know that Carrie lived in the Upper East Side.

Regardless of location, this house is stunning!  The price tag matches the glam at $9.65 million.  You can check out more details here. And just for fun, here's a quiz to see "Which SATC Character is Your Style Twin?"  

Here are my results...

Big surprise.

Lovely, Lovely Lamps

One never really knows what he may stumble upon when entering the organized chaos of a vintage shop or thrift store.  Quite honestly, it can be rather overwhelming without a game plan in mind.  Often I feel like a kid in a candy store with ADD, not really knowing where to start or where to stop for that matter.  Last weekend, however, was different.  I knew what I wanted.

Lighting...

This, my friends, is a Paul Hanson Ginger Jar lamp.   I didn't really know what I was looking at while shopping, but I knew that I liked it.  That's all that really matters anyways. 

Here are some more lamps that I am more than just a little gaga over...

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: adaanddarcy.com.au via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: assemblageltd.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: assemblageltd.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Below is a picture of my lamp in it's entirety.  It has some minor damage (See the base?), but overall it's in pretty superb shape.  For fifteen dollars, I couldn't let this piece slip by.  Jason thought I was insane at first, but after introducing him to 1st Dibs and showing him that we could very well have a $1000 lamp in our possession, he changed his mind rather quickly.  That is after we got over his idea of selling it and my cry back, "I want expensive things!"  Just this morning he told me how proud he was with me and my bargain of a deal.

Now, where to find a lamp shade that will fit this giant sucker?  Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!!  

P.S. I'm sure many of you were distracted by the nudity.  That is an original oil painting by Jason Espey, my awesome husband.  He has a facebook page, so you should go like him!  And for fun, you can tell him that I sent you!   If you enjoy reading The Tiny Abode please feel free to follow us on facebook or twitter.  Or you can use our little subscribe linky to the right. 

I have a dream... Painted Floors

Whoa!  Where'd you guys go!?  It's been weeks if not months since we last spoke.  Ok, maybe that's a bit my fault {totally my fault}.  After the holidays, I crash!  Onto recovery!  After being spoiled in Alabama, I am forced to come back to Pennsylvania only to be submerged in my career.  Day jobs...pshh.  Who needs them?  {I do!}  Speaking of careers, I hope you are all off enjoying this beautiful holiday in honor of a truly great man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr!  Jason had to go to school... what's up with that?   If you are interested in ways you can serve and are in the Philadelphia area, go here.

Long weekends like these give me time to take a good look at my unconventional apartment and start dreaming up ways to make this challenging space swoon worthy!  Like say... painted floors!

Source: racheleisner.com via Donna on Pinterest

I wonder if my landlord would go for it!?  Highly unlikely, but it's fun to dream!  What are you dreaming up for your space?  Feel free to send me an email with pics and I'd love to share!

Snowing in October... Trick or Treat?

It's a snow day in Philadelphia and along the rest of the East Coast. 

Photo:  Debbie Czarnecki-Lapinksy via Action News

Therefore, my butt was inside!  Snow!!  Already!? Noooooo!!!  Being stuck indoors on a Saturday is not my ideal weekend.  I was bored to say the least.  So bored that I decided to set the table just for fun. 
Sorry in advanced for the low quality pictures... it was a dark day.

The hubs got confused with all the "missing" silverware.  It's rare the table is preset.

I even lit the candles.

I'm not sure how I feel about my creme and mocha plates with white chairs and accessories.  Maybe I should just change out the center pieces and runner.  Hmmm?  The plates are by Casa Fina, and they are 100% awesome!!

Working at golf courses while in college proved to serve a purpose.  Everything may not match, but at least I know how to set a table!  And if you want to get really fancy check out this diagram. 

Photo: One Hungry Mama

Apparently my water glass and wine glass should be switched.  

Shh.... don't tell.

Above are my freshly painted curbside chairs.  What do you think?  The seats still need to be recovered, but I"m happy with the high gloss finish.  Ideally I would have faux bamboo chairs, but those suckers are not cheap!!  The zebra rug will be moving to my office soon, and the pictures/art will be taken down eventually and replaced with a plate wall (or so I say.... it's always changing around here).

Source: ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The more I think about the color scheme, the more I'm convinced that I need a set of white plates.  What do you think?  I love all the white with the farmhouse look.

My Pseudo Farmhouse

It's a beautiful day in Philadelphia!  A nice 68 degrees, with only a slight autumn breeze, enough to make you want to crawl up on your roof top!  

So that's exactly what we did!!

A quite unique perspective, and it gives you an idea of just how close we are to our neighbors.

(Please excuse the lack of make-up... it's Sunday, peeps!)

A little rooftop therapy, if you will.

 Farmhouse Table Update:

Today is only two degrees shy of perfect spray paint weather.  I think I am safe to give it a go!  Besides, there are very few days ahead that will offer this type of weather perfection.

Backstory:

 I found four of these matching vintage chairs on, you guessed it, none other than the curb!!

The chairs are covered in dated upholstery and what I'm guessing to be cat scratches.  Overall they're in pretty good shape.  Sturdy, just the way I like them!

Besides, it's nothing a few cans of spray paint can't handle. 

I simply lightly sanded the chairs, wiped them clean, and Kilzed away the ugliness.

I'm not sure if you can tell, but the chair on the left is slightly darker than the chair on the right.  I was going for antique white, but it turned out to be more of a buttercream... no thank you.  So, I will be spray painting all four today in Krylon's High Gloss White. 

Here's a reminder of the Restoration Hardware-like table I found at Impact for a steal at $35!!

 And the Restoration Hardware table currently on sale for $2295!!

Courtesy: Restoration Hardware

Just for fun, here's a farmhouse table in a chic city apartment.  Farmhouse chic is not just for the country!

Be on the watch for my reveal!