In West Philadelphia...House Tour

I may not have been "born and raised" here, but for now this is HOME.  The teacher inside of me wants to say, "We moved at the beginning of the year."  (School year that is).  It has been a hectic time at the ol' 9-5, so I'm just now getting around to posting a tour.

Here's the outside... and yes, that is a a google maps pic.  How'd you guess?  Our's is the one on the far right with the cute little window box.  Flowers come with the house, score!

Living Room

The house is on the small side with only 840 sqft of design space available (that's including the basement).  On the bright side, we have a basement!  No more shared washing and drying!!!  I was the worse!

I'm not digging the modern fan and some of the remodeling choices, but the wainscoting is a nice touch.  I'm not too sure about the Navajo-ish fire place either.  It's not my jam.  I'd prefer a white brick fire place like this one.    I toyed with the idea of fauxing something up, but I'm sure I'd just %@# it up.  

  Source: unknown

Kitchen

 Again with the modern lighting... why!?!  Not only that, but the cabinets practically match the hardwood, and white hardware reminds me of connect the dots worksheets from elementary school.  Boo!  On the up side, check out all that cabinet space!  Major step-up from our last place.

This is an odd space and really the only option I have to add a table.  So long farmhouse table.  You are just too big for this space. Here's a picture of it in our old apartment.

I'm thinking a banquette setting would be nice due to the limited space, but that's only if we plan on staying more than a year or so.

 Photo via Apartment Therapy

We are only renting, so heavy investing and hardcore construction are out of the question.  One of the best things about the house is the outdoor space (a treasure in the city).

Backyard

So there you have it.  This was only the first floor.  We have two bedrooms upstairs, but that will have to wait till another day.  All in all, I am so grateful to be living in an actual house rather than a tiny apartment!!  Four years and four places later, I finally feel settled.

Peace.

Make a Statement with Barware

Image: Charles Dickens Fine Jewelry

This is the barware that the hubs and I picked out for our wedding registry about four years ago. If my personality could be cloned into barware, this would be it.  Fun, funky and bubbly all wrapped up in a one package deal.  There's only one problem... I hate it!  You know that irritating behavior that you possess that, let's be honest, kinda even drives yourself crazy?  Well let's just say, I'm ready to give this barware the cold shoulder.  If it gets too cold it cracks.  Too hot it cracks.  Sitting in the cabinet being ignored all together... CRACK!  Who knew barware could have such a bad temperament?  The set above is made by TAG, which for the most part carries a great product. Let me be clear, I LOVE TAG!!  However, this barware has to go!

Images: here and here

Fun and funky can always win my heart, but this time around I am on a search for something a little more sophisticated, a bit more glam.  This weekend I stopped by one of my favorite stores, TJ Maxx, and spotted Lauren by Ralph Lauren Barware in Aston for quite the steal!

Image: Macy's

Aren't they pretty!?!  Best part, the highballs were only about $7.00 a pop.  You can also find the
Lauren Ralph Lauren Four Aston Highballs on Amazon  for $50.00, which is a great deal in comparison to Macy's $130.00 price tag.

I also get a hankering for anything in cobalt blue.  I lurve the Classic Lismore (above) by Waterford!  These will never be in my price range! 

Image:  Pinterest

Cobalt, however, really has a way of peacocking itself right off the bar cart, don't ya think?

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Erica on Pinterestt

Be Thankful! Plus Gilt Giveaway Announcement!!

I have so much to be thankful for this year!  In the past two weeks, I have made more connections with fellow bloggers and designers than I have over the past two years!  I am very grateful for every reader that finds The Tiny Abode worthy of reading!  Blogging has definitely been a growing process for me, and by no means came easy.   It took a really long time to get a grasp on my aesthetic... and it's still changing, but I feel like I am closer than I have ever been before.  Below, is a picture of a Thanksgiving table that was put together from Naomi at Design Manifest.  Naomi was one of the very first bloggers I started following from Philadelphia, and might I add... she's got mad skillz! 

  

Source: designmanifest.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

So thank you ALL for the follows and support!!!  And now it's time to announce the lucky winner of the $25 Gilt gift card giveaway!!  Is it weird that I'm nervous!?  We're using Random.org to choose the winner.  Congratulations lucky number... 7, Stacy!!!

Konfor... That's Turkish for Comfort

It's officially turkey season, y'all!!  What better way to celebrate than with a traditional Kilim rug?  A rug is an essential part of any home.  It is what brings a room together and defines a space.  It creates a mood and gives a room much needed character.

 So I say, forget the turkey,  I want a Kilim!  

Both of these rugs can be found on Ebay here and here.

And if you haven't heard, they look stunning in any kitchen!

Photo: House Beautiful

I'm really trying to convince my friend, whose kitchen needs a quick pick me up, to forgo the Home Depot bargain and instead buy something a little more aged.

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!

Casafina: To Splurge or Not to Splurge?

Photo: Ideeli

Ideeli has a current sale going on for Casafina stoneware.  All of our plates, bowls, coffee mugs, etc. are Casafina.  Jason has been very insisting that we are in need of a creamer and sugar set.  The set above doesn't necessarily match our Vintage Port collection pictured below (except ours are creme and mocha rather than creme and green):

 

Photo: Katie J's

Although  it doesn't exactly match, it's about as close as you can get while paying half the price!  Plus, it comes in more than one color.  Jason and I like the plum.  We figure with creme and mocha plates you can't go wrong mixing and matching.  Go to Ideeli's website for more great deals and let me know what color you prefer!!!

A Hollywood Haven... in Homewood, AL!

Jason is helping his cousin this weekend with a big move from NYC to Home Sweet Birmingham!  I guess all this talk about moving made me a little home sick.   I quickly remedied that feeling with a little real estate therapy (turned obsession).  Here's what I found:

 If I were to buy a house tomorrow, I think it would be this one!!  I know the outside is quiet underwhelming.  However, for a first time home, it rocks my socks!  The inside of the house is what really wooed me.  I could definitely see myself playing designer here!

I especially like the views from room to room. Oh, and the french doors, the light fixtures, the neutral pallet on the walls.  That's it.  I'm moving in!  All the work is already done for me!

The kitchen could use a little work...some new appliances for sure!  And I'm really not liking the placement of the refrigerator. It's a little awkward in my opinion.

I do like that the sink is under a window.  Every sink deserves a window!

Overall, I think this house is quiet the charmer.  Take a peek at the bedrooms.  Nice wood floors.  An additional bath in one of the bedrooms.  And once again, the windows are nice size.

The sun-room is most definitely a bonus!  We could definitely convert this into an office / art space.

If that wasn't convincing enough, this house is in the Homewood School District, has a nice size back yard, a patio, and a deck!  After living in a large metro area, you grow a deep appreciation for outdoor space, not to mention nice school districts.  Oh and air conditioner!  How could I forget!?

So what do you think?  Is it worth the 883 mile drive back to the south!?  Let's just hope this house stays on the market for another year or two!  For our sake, poor homeowners.

All pictures via Trulia