Sherry, Clara, Burger and I took our little home-improvement-hungry hands on the road this past weekend to help out a few family members in Northern Virginia who, by coincidence, have also moved recently. There must be something in the water – or at least in our gene pool – that has us all relocating lately. First up was my little sister Carrie, who we managed to get zero pictures of so here’s a random shot that she sent me after the fact (that guy on the left is her boyfriend, Robert, who will be making another appearance momentarily).
Carrie just rented a new apartment in Northern Virginia last month (you may remember us helping with her first apartment in Philadelphia and her second one in NoVa). She’d been planning the move for a little while, so back around her birthday in February she hinted that she’d like help painting as her actual gift. So Sherry and I wrapped up this little token of our commitment (a painting stir stick with a paint can opener on the end) as her official “present.” It reads: Redeemable for 1 gallon of Olympic Premium Paint And Painting labor – may be exchanged for a Starbucks gift card at any time (since we figured Carrie deserved an out if she decided to forgo painting – or if her moving plans fell through).
But all systems were go, so we arrived early on Saturday morning to look at the space with her and help pick colors. She and Sherry had chatted about how she wanted a taupe-y tan with a smidge of gray for the bedroom (to match the curtains that Carrie already owned and would later hang). The verdict: Benjamin Moore’s Ashen Tan, color matched to zero-VOC Olympic Premium Paint. We gave her that brand as a gift because we love how pure it is (even the colorants are VOC free) since the bean was with us (we switched off watching her in another room while others got their paint on). We landed on Ashen Tan because it would cozy things up and add some warmth to the otherwise basic white box of a room without feeling too dark or crazy (since Carrie wanted something soothing and classic). Here’s a pic of the space before we arrived:
And here’s Robert and me in full on painting mode on Saturday. Robert earns major points for helping me roll the room while Sherry cut in and switched off with Carrie as “babysitter.” Forgive this terrible iPhone picture that Sherry grabbed in progress:
The two coats of paint that the room needed took about two hours to apply – almost less time than it took us to navigate rainy day traffic from her apartment to the nearest Lowe’s (which, lucky for Carrie, was next to a Starbucks) and back. When we came back the next morning to help put the room together again (once the walls were dry) the freshly painted room was looking much, much homier thanks to the warmer walls:
Sidenote: Wondering what our favorite neutral wall color is? We have declared that it’s Edgecomb Gray, and you can click that to see why we love it so much.
Carrie would be annoyed with me if I didn’t emphasize that she still has art, pictures, and curtains to hang (maybe we’ll share an update pic in a while). She also plans to gradually replace some of the Ikea furniture down the line with pieces that are a bit less common (perhaps a craigslist find or two). But we still think it looks quite nice for just moving in a few weeks ago. Isn’t it amazing how even something subtle on the walls can take a room from “generic rental” to “cozy home”?
Carrie also already owns a lot of great accessories that help add a happy splash of color here and there (with more to be hung, like art and curtains) so the room still feels vibrant despite the muted wall color. Because you know Sherry went nuts feathering the heck out of Carrie’s nest with things like the blue throw over the chair and the pillows on the bed and these colorful accents on her side table before we snapped any after pics. The girl can’t help herself.
Even Carrie’s cat Duncan seemed to be digging the cozier vibe. Something he didn’t dig very much? Having to be trapped in the bathroom while we painted. Thanks to his keen interest in the process (he kept trying to rub up against the paint can and tiptoe through the paint tray), it seemed like the best plan (but not to him, of course). As for Burger, he voluntarily camped out in his crate (aka, his home away from home).
Of course, my favorite picture from the day is this one – which I jokingly snapped while Sherry adjusted the side table. When she heard the shutter clicking and asked what I was shooting, I lied and said “just white balancing.” I figured I’d get a laugh (or at least an eye roll) when she spotted her less-photographed end in the day’s photos when we uploaded them. Never did I suspect that she’d let me put it in the post. Her response “oh why not, we’ll keep it real.” Best wife ever.
Carrie’s still planning to paint her living room, but the size of the apartment kept us from being able to clear two rooms at once. So it’s gonna have to wait a bit. But we did use this trip to help Carrie select a cheerful artichoke-y green color for those walls.
While Robert and I rolled (and rolled, and rolled) the ladies settled on Fennel Splash by Valspar (sorry, I’ve got no clue which one that is in the pic above). And when I say “ladies” I do include Clara in that group. Look how much interest she takes in paint swatches. That’s my girl.
After all of the Saturday painting adventures at Carrie’s new apartment, we headed about 15 minutes away to my cousin Travis’ house. Travis and his wife Cat and their almost-2-year-old daughter Elsa also moved last month (Cat is Sherry’s best friend of 11 years who we introduced to Travis, then they got married, and the rest is history). They needed a larger house because baby #2 is expected to arrive any day now (although Cat’s hiding it well in this pic we snapped, she’s actually due next week).
They’re a stylish bunch, so we’re excited to see them get more settled so we can eventually officially House Crash them. Even though they’ve only been in their new place about four weeks, we were already loving things like their new yellow and gray bedding (from Target) and the fun yellow rug (from Garnet Hill).
Sherry even found herself helping Cat with a small house project on Sunday morning – hanging a collection of frames in one of their spare rooms. Leave it to my wife to happily take a hammer to someone else’s walls.
Since it’s the last visit we’ll have with those three before they become four, Sherry also used it as a chance to deliver her homemade baby book for Myrtle (the placeholder name they’ve been jokingly using throughout Cat’s pregnancy). They haven’t found out if it’s a boy or a girl, so the book had to work for either one.
Sherry made it the same way that she created Clara’s homemade baby book (the template is free for you guys to download here). It’s basically just colorful scrapbook paper (from Michael’s) slipped into a sleeved scrapbooking album (also from Michael’s) with home printed labels on each page (from this template Sherry made) for listing lots of memorable moments. Like events and trends from the day he or she is born (for Clara’s we put The Snuggie and Justin Bieber hair)…
… and mom and dad’s predictions for baby’s features, firsts, and favorites (which we witnessed Cat and Travis fill out right then & there) – among other things like developmental milestones and all that good stuff.
We didn’t assemble all of Clara’s book until after she was born, which meant that creating one for a bun that was still in the oven required a few placeholders – like these little footprint cutouts that Sherry made (which will be replaced with the real thing once the baby arrives).
Despite how much we enjoyed all of the painting, picture hanging, food eating, baby watching, and competitive board game playing* – this was perhaps our most favorite moment of the weekend: when Elsa snuggled Clara and Clara leaned over and nuzzled her right back. And how miraculous was it that I actually had the camera on hand? Maybe that’s why I got to put Sherry’s butt in this post. I earned some major daddy points for capturing this cute Clara-Elsa cuddlefest.
*We mentioned board games as one of our oh-yeah-we’re-wild weekend activities with the fam (there’s nothing like blowing off some room-painting steam like a rousing game full of smack talk and competition). This time our game of choice was Apples to Apples, and we accidentally invented a fun slash weird variation that we thought we’d share. In each round we blindly threw in an extra red card from the deck for the judge to consider (we started calling this non-existent extra player “The Computer”). It’s surprising how many times the random card was chosen over the ones that us human players thought long & hard about (which created a fun everyone vs. The Computer rivalry and a few “I can’t believe that was random” moments when The Computer played the best card). In fact, The Computer nearly won the entire game but Travis narrowly beat it in the end by just one round. Crazytown. Do we know how to let our hair down or what?
Terry says
We used Valspar’s Fennel Splash in our family room and love it! We were drawn to neutral colors but did not want to go the beige/taupe route once again. Fennel Splash was the perfect neutral choice for us and we love the calming, soothing effect it has on us at the end of a long day. I think your sister will love it.
Have followed your blog for years but this is my first time posting. Just want to give you a bit THANKS for all you so generously share with your readers. Clara is such a sweetheart!
Felicity @ Our Little Beehive says
Not having a Lowes nearby is the most frustrating thing about living in Arlington. It takes 45 minutes to get to the one 12 miles away in Alexandria on a good day. I’d give them all my business if they were closer!
Kristin says
that is one of the cutest videos i have ever seen! so adorable! has burger ever run into clara accidentally?
YoungHouseLove says
We should knock on wood when we say this, but not yet! Neither of them have hurt the other one yet, so we’re stunned because we imagined little accidents like that happening all the time. Might have just jinxed myself by typing that though…
xo,
s
Meredith K A says
I see I’m nowhere near the first to proclaim my love for that owl lamp. I don’t even care so much about the lamp part, I just love the owl!! Might have to scour the web for a similar one…it jumped right out at me in the photo, love at first sight!!
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating says
My favorite things about this post? The color of Carrie’s bedroom, which is close the color I have in the main areas of my house. The owl lamp. The Clara/Burger video, which reminds me of the “Baby Laughs at Bubble-Popping Dog” video I saw on GMA this morning. There’s something about babies laughing at their silly pup friends that makes a heart melt!
Eliza says
I love the floral pillow on the bed! (I am expecting my second baby in June and all of my nesting energy has been funneled into- of all things- choosing throw pillows for our couch. I have been spending hours on Etsy looking at pillow covers. My husband finds it very amusing!) So please, tell me, where is it from?
YoungHouseLove says
I think that’s from Target too (their Dwell line). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Erica @ Erica's Inspirations says
I have to say that the video of Clara and Burger was my favorite part of the post! Too cute!!
allison says
love the white bedding, and the pops of color on her nightstand/pillows/etc! although how does she get away with keeping it so white/fur free with that cute black cat? my cats seemed destined to get fur on all my white bedding!
YoungHouseLove says
Duncan definitely does his fair share of shedding, it just wasn’t that obvious in the pics. One thing Carrie likes to do is brush him to cut down on it though. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Alyssa says
I had my boy Harper (just turned one!) on my lap while scrolling through this post, and when we got to the picture of Clara holding the paint swatches he got a huge grin on his face and babbled what must have been, “Ooo! She’s cuuuuute!”
YoungHouseLove says
Ah, young love.
xo,
s
Lizzie says
I’m just impressed your one year old will sit on your lap without mashing all the keys on your keyboard. My one year old is OBSESSED with the “typing”! Laptop only comes out after bedtime :)
Michelle says
What a fun trip! I absolutely love the video of Clara trying to play with spaztastic Burger!
Carrie says
This post made me giggle… as you can see above my name is Carrie. My brother is Robert although we call him Rob. And my birthday is in February. :)
You guys feel free to drop in and help me paint anytime!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha that’s so funny!
xo,
s
Susan says
Is there anything in this world cuter or sweeter than a baby’s laugh?! Love the video!
Mindy says
Love the bedroom — it looks fab!
Target also has an owl lamp in a few colors: http://tinyurl.com/3fdc5n3
Carolyn says
Thanks for this post. It’s always fun to see you guys working in a new space. I love your new house of course, but it’s a nice change-up. Especially now that you don’t do the reader redesign posts anymore.
Elizabeth says
I LOVE the video. Those two kids are besties already.
kelsey says
Can I start by saying how ADORABLE Clara is….and BTW she and my 6 month old, Reagan, have that same shirt! Can you come to my house. I have such a long to do list that keeps getting longer and longer. I feel like it is never going to get done! I did paint a table last weekend, that was a big accomplishment, sad so sad.
http://kelseybmoore.blogspot.com/
You guys are so great, it totally comes through in your posts – your blog is one of my most favorites…actually it is my most favorite.
Steph H. says
Love the re-do. Ya both need to come do my apartment (even though I have an interior design degree!) HAHA! I’ve been in the same apartment for 2 years and so tired of it. It’s like a cave because I get no natural light! Trust me when I say I have a countdown to July 31 when I move out!!! hahaha! I alos love the owl lamp, I wish my sorority was an owl but we are teddy bears!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
That Owl lamp is super chic. I want it :)
Maggie @ Cheneyhome says
We are big fans of Apples to Apples in our house…and I LOVE the idea to play “against” the “Computer”. Definitely going to have to try that.
Beatrice says
Shorter posts, please! Am I the only one here who actually has other stuff to do and is sneaking it in when the boss is on a bathroom break? This could easily have been 6? posts. I know you’re trying to keep it current, but geez, trying to read all that at one time is tough. Thanks for listening. *smile*
Karla says
Nooooo!!! Keep them long and detailed please :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, no worries! We’ll keep blogging like we always have. Wordy most of the time, and sometimes a surprise little shortie post for fun. After almost four years of doing this we’ve learned that we just gotta do whatever feels like us because someone out there will always want more of something or less of something else. And long and meandering seems to be our style with the occasional haiku thrown in there. Haha.
xo,
s
Amanda says
I agree with Karla. Keep them long and detailed. (And thanks Sherry & John for not changing your ways ;) Woo!) They’re on the blog, they don’t go away. So if someone can’t read it all at one sitting, break it up into “posts” for your own benefit. No one says you have to sit there and read the whole thing at once.
J'Ann says
Very cute make overs. Loved the vid of Clara laughing at Burger lol.
A Girl’s Next Best Friend
Krystal says
I love Apples to Apples. My uncle is always the ref because my family turns into a bunch of dirty cheaters (not going to lie, I’m the worst) when it comes to board games, and I remember once laying down the “Seven Deadly Sins” card just as the History Channel played a trailer for their Seven Deadly Sins documentary. I literally put the card on the table when the narrator’s deep voice rumbled, “The Seven Deadly Sins”. It was such a crazy moment that my uncle decided I won by default. Anyways, I will definitely have to try your “computer” version next time we break it out.
carolinaheartstrings says
Great post. I love the pictures of Clara. Very adorable.
Diane says
It’s so sweet that Burger clearly has the notion down that he must play gently with Clara while indulging in his inner wild beast. He doesn’t collide with her at all.
And he is also clearly aware that Clara doesn’t yet understand the concept of gentle play. He runs from her when she tries to grab him.
Clever dog.
Kristin says
I am in LOVE with Carrie’s dress!!! Any idea where she got it from? Also loove your jeans and I see above they’re from Banana..awesome! (yes, I read your blog for the fashion ;)
YoungHouseLove says
I think that dress is from Banana Republic (maybe the outlet). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Catharine @ Your Modern Couple says
First of all that video at the end had me laughing so hard. I love how spazzy chihuahuas get. It’s like those two are BFF :) Second, where did Carrie get that lumbar pillow on her bed? I’m LOVING the fun modern floral print.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from Pier 1.
-John
Ashley W says
Your kiddos are adorable. Your little (2-legged one) one reminds me so much of our little one–she’s only 5 months, but has the same heart-melting laugh, 2 teeth & bald little head.
Amanda Wells says
Oh my goodness, her little laugh is the cutest thing ever.
Claire says
I’m not sure there’s anything much cuter than that video of Clara and Burger!
Ann @ The Domestic Domicile says
Oh my gosh – I am so loving the owl lamp!
Liz says
Wow – you guys REALLY know how to spruce up a room! I love everything you’ve done with it! Please keep showing these guest drop-ins. I love it when you transform other peoples’ spaces :)
Whitney says
Loved this post! Thanks for sharing your family adventures with us :)
Karla says
I just love that wall colour! It makes the room so warm and cosy and all the little pops of colour in the room just look divine! In fact, it has now become the inspiration for my own bedroom!!!
Can I ask…is the valance under the bed really dark brown or black?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s actually black since her curtains have a bit of black in them. It should all make sense when the rest of the art is up (some of which is in black frames).
xo,
s
Ashley says
Totally random question, but…
Do you use Photoshop elements? I’ve been considering buying Photoshop for the save for web feature (among other things) and I was wondering what you would recommend. Your photos are always amazing, by the way. And I LOVE reading your blog. Such a cute little family you have :)
YoungHouseLove says
We use Photoshop nearly every day for editing photos and putting our heads on other people’s bodies. Haha. We actually have Adobe Creative Suite, which has Adobe Illustrator and a few other programs as well (since we used those back in our days of advertising, but rarely use them now). For someone starting out, Photoshop Elements should be perfect! Good luck!
xo,
s
Alyssa says
Where is Carrie’s accessory pillow from? It’s great and I want!
YoungHouseLove says
Pier 1. So cute right?
xo,
s
justy says
Awww- that Clara is so adorable! And I have Duncan’s twin!
Heather says
I Love the video, makes me want a chihuahua and a baby!? This whole post was a great!
Jennifer says
Love the name Elsa – it’s my almost 5 year old daughter’s name too :) Believe it or not, one of my best friends has a daughter named Clara, one year younger than my Elsa and they are sweet little friends too. Reading this part of your post was like a weird alternate universe view of my life – well, sort of.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so cute! What a small world.
xo,
s
Erika says
Can I please learn where that adorable desktop calendar is…..
YoungHouseLove says
Sure thing, Erika! It’s from PaperSource.
-John
Laura says
A bit random, but I noticed in the picture of your daughter (the picture with her and her cousin) that she’s sitting in her highchair from home. Do you guys bring it with you when you travel? When I saw that I thought – wow, they’re as bad as me! I take the whole nursery practically when we travel, the most important being things related to sleep (sound machine, baby monitor, Bjorn travel bed, and more…). You should see the size of my daughter’s suit case! So I’m curious – how much gear do you guys schlep around on these adventures?
YoungHouseLove says
Good eye, Laura. That is the same high chair Clara uses at home. It’s actually a booster seat that straps to any dining chair, so it’s probably intended to be a product people travel with more so than one for everyday use at home (both of my sisters use regular high chairs at home but travel with the same seat Clara uses). So it’s not really that tough to pack up.
The first time we traveled with Clara we were crazy. She was 6 weeks old and we brought practically everything with us – her swing, her bath stuff, every toy imaginable. Her suitcase was HUGE. Now we’ve figured out what’s really necessary and it’s become much more manageable. Mainly it’s just stuff to sleep (pack n’ play, monitor, sound machine. sleepers), eat (seat, cooler with food), and stay clean (diapers, wipes, clean clothes). It still fills up a good portion of the car, but everything fits in our Nissan Altima just fine – even with Burger’s crate!
-John
bean says
I was a little scared watching the video. Are you sure it’s safe for Clara? I know Burger knows that she’s important, but I’m scared he’ll think she’s a little doggie or something. He was playing with her like a dog plays with another dog.
YoungHouseLove says
Have no fear – if Burger thought Clara were another dog, he’d probably just be barking at her. This video is more like Burger is having a spastic moment and to him Clara’s just another object to work around.
-John
Karla says
I can’t seem to find Carrie’s pillow on Pier 1. Would anyone know where else I may be able to get one online (I’m in Australia)?
I love, love, love it and it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. Kind of like my “Sue the napkin”.
I’d be so grateful :)
Caitlin says
Showing by 13 weeks Sherry? Sounds good to me – my jeans are getting tight and I’m only 10 weeks – but I found out yesterday that I’m expecting triplets, so now I feel the tight jeans are justified. Can’t afford to feel guilt about the size of your bum when you are hyperventilating about life with three newborns all at once!
Love the Clara/Burger video! Adorable – Burger is such a great sport. Don’t suppose he’d mind a trip to Australia to play with my triplets in say, about 12 months time? I’ll take all the help I can get!
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow that’s amazing! Congrats!!!!! I didn’t have any excuse with just one in there other than a tiny torso and nowhere for Clara to go. I always joked that she was sticking her legs out just to make me show so early. Haha.
xo,
s
Brittany M. says
LOVED the clip of Clara and Burger! Thanks for making me giggle on a very dreary day here in SC! Kiddie laughs always brighten a day!
Kate says
I am so late to the party but if Carrie wants a subtle green, another blog I read referenced “Weekend Getaway” by Benjamin Moore. It is beauuutiful in this shot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28352717@N02/4563506065/
I can’t wait to have a place to use it!
YoungHouseLove says
That does look great!
-John
kiki says
Where did Carrie get the lovely bicycle calendar? It’s absolutely adorable and would fit in perfectly in my room. I’ve got to have one!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s from PaperSource. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amy says
I read this post with my 20 month-old daughter sitting in my lap. Upon the photo of Sherry’s backside she pointed and said, “Mommy!” I thought surely she did not just say that. So after she made me watch the Burger/Clara video no less than 9 times I scrolled back up. Sure enough, “Hey baby girl, who is that?” “MOMMY!” Welp, I guess our bums are similar Sherry!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I love it! My long lost butt twin!
xo,
s
Lori @ Richmond, BABY! says
What great gifts! Love your sister’s apartment and Clara’s cousin is too cute!
Abby says
I got the matching yellow and gray tablecloth from Target and I plan to make it into curtains – and I have been looking at that rug online to go with it! Crazy to see it together in one room!
Donna Huebsch says
What a fun weekend – the paint job looks great…looks like it’s straight out of the pages of a magazine!
Also, the Clara/Burger video was too cute, even with my slow Internet speed…all I could see and hear was Burger blur and lots of baby laughing :o