Open Letter to my Realtor :)

Michael & Myself at a Keller Williams Art Show
(the show was Jimmy McGill)

September 23, 2008

Dear Michael,

THANK YOU for all of your help in finding us our new home and dealing with all the paperwork and details that goes along with it.

When we set out to look for our first home we had such an unusual set of circumstances: we needed a large home office, a craft/art studio space, wanted 3 bedrooms, we were on a very set budget and we wanted an open loft feel in a home. Most people would say we were dreaming, but you kept on looking and trekking out to look at homes with us, even to neighborhoods we did not know much about.

I will never forget some of the “fixers” (I call them dumps) we looked at and some of the “almost at our budget” dream homes we saw. You never gave up on us, even when we took a break from looking, we always new you had our backs.

Of course, I will never forget when we saw our home for the first time and as the realization that we had found "the one" set in we were so excited to get in.

As we begin to settle in our new space, we could not be more thrilled! We got our open floor plan, more office and craft space than we had, a stunning kitchen, 3 bedrooms and finally I got my first dishwasher. We are so happy with journey and the outcome.

If you ever need a reference, please don’t hesitate to call on Eddie or myself.

Thanks so much!

Cathie Filian
Happy Homeowner Thanks to Michael Maloney

The Scoop:

Michael Maloney
Keller Williams Realty
4652 Hollywood Blvd
LA CA 90027

(323) 842-9687

website: michael maloney at keller williams

DIY: Install a Doggie Door

Max Using The Door All By Himself!

One of the projects we had to do within the first week of moving was install a doggie door for max. The project was finished in just under 1 hour and that included clean up!

We purchased the kit from Home Depot with a gift card my mom gave Eddie for his birthday! (His b-day is September 9th)

We originally bought a large door (even though Max is only 14 pounds)and found that it was a little small for Max. We exchanged it for the extra large size and it is perfect. The sizes on the box are a little misleading. It is best to open the box and see for yourself if your dog/cat will fit the opening.

The kit comes with an adjustable frame, tracing template, a magnetic flap and a security plate.

You will also need a measuring tape, pencil, level, saber saw with the appropriate blades (wood or metal), phillps screwdriver and safety goggles.

This project is best completed with a friend or partner who can help line up the door on the other side.

I can't stress how simple this project was! If you are thinking that you need a doggie door....go for it and install it yourself! Max was thrilled with his door and by night he was using it all on his own.

Here are a few tips when using doggie doors:

1. Before you install make sure your backyard/front yard is secure with a fence.

2. Use the security plate when you are out of town.

3. Encourage your dog to go through the door with repetition, mini treats and encouragement. It is ok to open the flap for your dog until he/she gets the hang of it.

4. Don't expect your dog to get the hang of the door overnight and if he or she does, give them a treat with lots of hugs and kisses.



Step 1. Working at least 3" from the base of the door and in the center, trace around the template at the appropriate height for your dog. Make sure you use a ruler and level prior to tracing. See the package for dog heights.



2. Wearing safety glasses, use a saber saw and cut on the marked lines. Remove the center piece and discard. Doors are different....ours is metal with a foam core some are solid wood, etc. - be sure to use the appropriate blade for your door.


3. Smile at your workmanship and don't worry if you go over your penciled lines.



4. Insert the outer frame into the opening from the exterior side. (You can add caulk around the frame at this step is desired). Place inner frame in the opening from the interior side and screw the two frames together. Don't over tighten.

Home: Moving Day

We are in the new house!!! We can barley maneuver around the boxes and mess but we are in! Here is a peek into our moving day - still tired from it.

We had awesome movers!

Can you believe the dolly was called "The Liberator" - so funny!

The truck in the am...

My new office in shambles.

Eddie ready for a cold one.

Miss Blythe made it safe and sound!

My Craft room EXPLODED! Must get in order asap!!!!!

Finally...a proper closet.

The boys are tired.

Moving!

This weekend we are officially moving and Sunday night will be our first night to sleep in our new home. Boxes are everywhere and we still have so much to pack!!!! Internet will be up and running on the 19th. I have so many pics to post. TONS of before and afters. Signing off for now! Ciao Baby!

We Got The KEYS!

Keys to our new home!

July 10th, 2008

Eliza landed just in time for the big day.

So Excited!!!! Eddie carried me over the threshold.

Time for a TOAST and lots of painting :)

New Laundry Closet!

click pic to enlarge

It is funny, when I first started to design the colors (etc) for the new house - my head was swimming with ideas for the master bath, living room and the perfect white for the kitchen cabinets. The laundry room was last on my list. Well not anymore - since the new washer and dryer are being delivered on the 18th and the closet looks a fright - we needed to act fast!

We picked up the paint a few days ago from Home Depot - The paint is by Behr and the color is butternut squash. I love the warm yellow color and since this is a closet and not a room, I think it will be bright & cheery.

I am recycling some closet maid shelving that was left behind by the previous owners in the guest bedroom closet. I hang dry almost all of my clothes and now I will have a small space dedicated to the damp clothes.

The budget has been pretty good for this little room. $1256.00 Total!

New washer and dryers from Sears - $1200.00 (on sale)
Paint and primer from Home Depot - $50.00 ($5 rebate by mail)
Paint supplies - $0 (we own)
Shelving - $0 (recycled from old closet)
Shelving tips from Home Depot - $6.00
Drip dry hangers - $0 (we own)
Wet clothes bin - $0 (recycled from craft room)

Craft Room Paint Color and Curve Balls...

Benjamin Moore - Hot Color Picks
I really like the green!

So.... I am up at 4:30 am to put a few last minute touches on a proposal for todays meeting - normally this is all done days (even weeks) in advance but, late last night a giant curve ball was thrown at us - so here I am, with hot rollers in may hair, working away while the rest of LA sleeps, with the song "Under Pressure" running through my head.

So now, onto the the fun stuff .....scouring the internet for paint colors. I really want to paint the craft room a fun color. It has been pink in the past. I even had a turquoise craft room at one time. I adore the color "pea green" and I am starting to think it might be a good choice. Plus I think it would swell with my new chandelier.

Must drink more coffee....

Ordered My Craft Room Chandelier Today!

I ordered the chandelier for my new craft room today! I have a very industrial shelving and basket system for holding most of my supplies so I really want to soften the room with color and ultra girlie details. Still on the hunt for the color........

Painting the Front Door!

New Front Door - ready for a makeover!

The door on the new house has a glass insert that I am not super fond of - but for now we are working with we we have - so a gallon of glossy paint and a little elbow grease will spiffy up this door.

I have always been fond of brightly painted front doors. They have a welcoming, cheery feel and set the tone for the home. Eddie and I both decided to go with a bold color.....now what color will it be????

While we were shopping at Sears for new appliances, I stumbled across the new paints by Ty Pennington. Most of the colors were rich and vibrant. Two colors that popped out at me were, Kiwi Green and Tortuga Teal.

I love the Tortuga Teal color, it really has a southern California feel and the Kiwi color is my "all time" favorite color. I think the green would look really pretty with all my holiday decorations both Halloween and X-Mas.

I found this doormat from Smith and Hawken for Target. I think it would look cute with the Kiwi paint.....


I am still looking for new outdoor lighting fixture and house numbers. I do like this one but the glass edging in the window is gold. I am thinking of using a silver leaf paint pen by Krylon to change the gold to chrome. I think then maybe the front door will grow on me.

The Krylon leafing pens have a unique patented valve system allows the user to dispense paint in a smooth, controlled flow. They also have a special chisel point allows you to vary the width of your paint strokes. You can use them on wood, metal, ceramics, glass, rigid plastic and fabric.

Dining Room Design Part 2

Click to Enlarge

So as much as I love the idea of the hot pink dining room I am not sure that Eddie will flip for it. So I might reserve that design idea for my sewing or laundry room. I love the idea of a swank laundry area with a funky chandelier. So I have reworked the dining room design and have incorporated another one of my pieces from my art collection. It is also by Ryden but it has a very different feel. The piece is titled Exotica and it has a tiki vibe to it.

I have also included a few other goodies of mine: My wine sling that my sister Debbie gave me for Christmas last year. It usually lives in the family room with all the darker tones but it looks very swank with the mod table and chairs. I also have a collection of ceramics from the 50's that include a gold mermaid that would look swell. I adore the work of Jonathan Adler and last year my hubby bought me the "Woman Pitcher" she would be perfect on the sideboard. I have loads of accessories that will blend with this design including some other art work.

For this design we would need to buy paint, the chandelier and fabric to recover the chairs. Not bad for a new dining room!

Dining Room Design Ideas

Click to Enlarge

Woo Hoo! It looks like we got the house!!!! We still have tons of red tape and hoops to jump through but it looks like we will have the keys by early July!

I was up at 4:00am scouring the internet for ideas and on the hunt for the perfect black chandelier that does not cost $5,000.

We will have 3 different eating spots. One is a counter style in the kitchen, the second is a mini area in the family room with dark rich wood tones (eclectic modern style) and the other is a more formal/fanciful dining room.

One of may favorite pieces in our art collection is Little Star by Mark Ryden, so I decided to build some design ideas based on it. We own a danish modern oak table and chairs for 6 and 2 matching sideboards. I want to work with I have for now so I think I am going to re-cover the seats with new fabric. Still looking at fabrics..... so many I love. I especially love Joel Dewberry's fabrics.

We put the offer in!

The kitchen over looks the family room!

After the inspection we put the offer in on the house that is just around the corner from where we are. We are super excited but, prepared for not getting it because they have 6 other offers. My stomach turned when I heard the news.... Some were low ball and others were "at or over" the price. We bid a solid offer so fingers crossed - we get it! We should know on Monday or Tuesday.

The kitchen needs more love than it looks in the above pic. Our plan would be to paint the cabinetry white and use subway tiles for the back splash. Oh the joy of shopping for tiles!















This is one of the back decks















This is the formal living room and dining nook which translates to us as "home office and sewing nook".

The house needs loads of work but....we are pretty handy...hahaha

decorating in my mind and loving every minute of it

Eddie and I are getting an inspection on a new house tomorrow.... Sorry Mom, if you are reading this now....I tried to call you. Everything happened really fast.

Fingers Crossed.