The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Last week it was The Grateful Dead....this week it's Tom Petty.  I'm feeling musical I guess.  My son will be so proud.

Seriously, the waiting is killing me!  I want escrow to close and I want to be moved so I can commence decorating.

Here are some pretty rooms that I want to copy right down to every last detail (it's ok to do that right?)  

This one above from Jennifer Laraia Designs has me thinking about a sectional for the first time ever.  It's so pretty and inviting. 

Cannot shake this one.  Danielle Moss.  The painting reminds me of the Cougar Town painting and I'm in love with the brass sconces from Euro Style Lighting.  White sofa, no brainer for me.

I've had a crush on these chairs (above) for a long time but always thought they might be too modern for me until I saw how Liz Bachman styled hers with sheepskin and ikat pillows.  Love!

I really love the light and airy feeling in this dining room (Liz Bachman again).  I've always loved the West Elm chairs but never would have thought of using them with this table....love them together.

And if I could squeeze in this little tulip table (decor8) that would make me happy.  Here's an eye opener....almost all of the dining tables in my Pinterest  board are tulip tables.  I've never owned one.  Apparently I really like them a lot.

And of course you remember this bedroom.  This is going to happen, some way some how...and by some how I mean without the $1300 nightstands.

 

And could we please throw in one of these cuties....loved this Jonathan Adler pillow for awhile now.  Just buy it already.

Six months of NOT buying stuff while house hunting is no fun!  

I'm ready to shop and agonize over every decision and second guess myself to death and wonder if I have any taste at all.  Yep, that is my decorating process.  
 

#happyhumpday

xo

~Karen~

 



~ S U C C E S S ! ~

What a long strange trip it's been....Grateful Dead anyone? 
Well, grateful anyway.

Yes, I have kept on "Truckin" and success is a wonderful thing.

After six months and nine offers, I am finally in escrow!!

 

Let that sink in for a minute.

 

I really wanted a view...this is a crummy picture of part of my view.  The picture does not do it justice.  It really is a beautiful panoramic view seen from the whole condo. 

So lucky!

 

 You guys, there were times when I thought I would never be a homeowner again.  Real estate prices here in LA are shooting up.  All of a sudden.  Crazy making.  Thought I might get priced right out of the market. 

 

Feeling blessed and lucky to be in escrow on a place that's in a great area and has pretty much everything on my wish list.

It's not a fixer, but it does have granite (you know how I feel about that) so that may have to go eventually.  Why do they use granite for the backsplash?  Oy vey.  At least it's gray...and it's actually much lighter gray in person than my iphone picture shows (and way less pink, it's not pink at all).

That granite backsplash may be gone sooner rather than later.   Ooooglay.

 

And the floors are much darker than I would haven chosen, but you guys I am truly happy to have floors!  You would not believe some of the dumps places I considered (because sometimes it's hard to resist the urge to turn something awful into a thing of beauty). 

 

But these floors are pretty nice and they will certainly do for now.

 

 

 

So many of you have emailed, prayed and sent your good vibes to me and I cannot thank you enough!  It's such a blessing to have so many wonderful friends in this blogging community.  You are the best!

 

~ Thank you from the bottom of my grateful heart ~

 

xo

 

~ Karen ~

 

 

 

Another Adorable Small Apartment ~ Chicago Style

I'm a terrible blogger.  If this were my real job, I'd be fired for sure.  Fortunately this space is only for funsies and I get here when I can.

 

Lately I keep finding adorable small apartments designed by some really talented young gals.  How cute is this home of Danielle Moss,

co-founder of the wildly successful blog

The Everygirl.  Check out the full post with sources, interview and lots more pictures here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of white, just like I like.  And so very cute!

 

In home search news, I have put in 9 offers and still have no home.  This real estate market stinks y'all and it is not for wussies.  I am still hanging in there....barely.

 

Praying for miracle.  That would be a nice birthday present (which is Monday, lucky 13th).  Have some offers out there presently.  If I get one, you might here me screaming for joy.

 

Happy Mother's Day weekend to all the lovely mommies out there. 

 

#keepthefaith 

 

xo

~Karen~

 

 



Groovy Hollywood Hills Pad

Despite all the wonderful prayers and good wishes from everyone, alas the 1929 West Hollywood Spanish condo was not meant to be.  The owner got a little greedy with all those offers flying.  Whatever. There are more fish in the sea.

 

I'm now honing in on this charming 1960s co-op in a sweet neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills called Beachwood Canyon.

(took this the other day standing in the middle of the street on a very cloudy day...kinda cool looking)


Nice views all around....this is out the kitchen window...




Parts of this tiny gem have not been touched since being built in 1961.  Such as this relic from the Jetson's space age era... 

 

 

 

 

I would almost feel bad ripping out this groovy tile...almost.

 

 

More grooviness in the bathroom...

 

 

Obviously this would all go buh-bye, but then what?

 

I am not a country kitchen person, nor a lover of modern and sleek. I guess I prefer something classic, not trendy.

 

So I ask you this...

What style do I replace the 1960s with?

How important is it to honor the era of the building?

 

Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice!

 

#keepongroovin

 

xo

~Karen~

 

 

Knock Knock

Who's there?

 

 

Me!  I'm here and I want to live here so please pick me!  I just love this little peek-a-boo in the front door!

 

I'm one of a bajillion people offering on this tiny 1929 Spanish style condo in West Hollywood.  Pray for me.

 

Here's what else I love about this home:

 

Actual foyer...tiny but a real foyer.

 (MLS photo)

 

 

Beautiful old hardwood floors in great shape.

 

 

 

Cabinet lighting - under the cabinets and above the cabinets.

 

 

 

Ten foot coved ceilings.

 

 

 

 

Extra large windows that even on this gray day are light & bright and look out at this courtyard.

 

 

 

 

Kitchen updated nicely in the style of the home (with no granite...houzzah!).

 

 

And naturally, the service entrance...yes, yes, through this door my servants will come and go.

 

 

 

Bathroom window

Courtyard fountain

 

 

Outside entry

 

(MLS Photo)

 

 

And finally, this is the street.  I took this photo the other day when the sun was shining, standing in the middle of the street.  I could be motivated to walk more with this view.

(all photos via my iphone unless otherwise noted)

 

If you are the praying sort, all prayers will be appreciated.  In this crazy real estate market, I will definitely need some divine intervention. 

As with all things, it's in your hands Lord.

 

xo

~Karen~

 



Granite and Stainless Steel. {Over It}

Attention Home Sellers: Please stop. 
Please please please I beg of you...stop.

(warning: radical opinion ahead)

 Stop ruining perfectly good kitchens with granite and stainless steel!

It's over.  It's done.
I've never been a fan, but searching for a new home has really reinforced my feelings about this dreaded duo.

My least favorite thing to read in a listing is "updated kitchen" because I know that means one thing only...granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.  Apparently there are no other ways to "update" a kitchen. 
   

In my opinion granite and stainless steel are going to be to this era what avocado green and harvest gold were to the 70s.

Unless you're talking about these lovely gold Viking appliances, which I'm totally digging.  How awesome are these?
 

But I digress...
Mark my words.  Future generations are going to be hiring hulky guys to get those heavy, ugly, massive hunks of rock out of their kitchens while they shake their heads and ask "what were they thinking?".  

(again, it's only my radical opinion...no offense to granite lovers)

Fact: 60% of us think that granite has run it's course..I read it on the internet therefore it is true (wink wink).

One of my favorite choices for countertops is marble.  In the only kitchen remodel I've ever done, I chose the yummiest crema marble for my counters.  I loved the way it looked (and I had white appliances, which I also prefer over stainless).

 

I designed my kitchen (above) based on this image from a BHG issue (below).  I think I still have this torn out page in my files...it's a beauty.

 One of my other favorite countertops is wood.  The kitchen below belongs to Vanessa of the blog This & That.  Vanessa and her husband live in Auburn, Alabama...how fun is that during football season?!  Go Tigers!  They did such a beautiful job on their gorgeous butcherblock countertops and they did all the work themselves.  (Actually they did the whole kitchen remodel themselves...such impressive skills!) It looks so warm and beautiful don't you think?  I think Vanessa's are my very favorite wood countertops...and sweet Vanessa is one of my very favorite bloggers. 

  

 

Vanessa says her countertops are still going strong and looking great 4 years later!  You can read her post about them here.

Here's another example of a nicely updated kitchen using butcherblock countertops.  This home seller used orange and yellow glass tile for the backsplash.  Love this.  Fresh, clean and so pretty.

 There is one granite that I think looks really great however...solid black granite with white cabinets like this kitchen on the set of Cougar Town.

  

I also like nice, clean tile like the black and white below, and there are so many options with tile.  Just look how clean and fresh it looks.  Sort of timeless don't you think?  You just cannot get that look with granite. 

  

So what do you think?  Is granite here to stay or is it nearing the end of it's popularity? 

What is your favorite type of countertop?

I'd love to hear what you think.

Thanks and have a great day!

~Karen~

xo

Room With a View

I could get used to the view on this old street in Hollywood.  I really love old streets...they have so much charm and history.
 

 (all photos via my iphone unless otherwise noted)

And how beautiful is this old door?  Great looking patina and deco numbers.

 

 

 

I love the placement of the numbers, and the lock, peephole & doorknob hardware are all antique brass...original to this 1962 Hollywood condo.  So pretty. 

 

 

And when was the last time you saw a detail like mosaic tile in an entry?  Is it supposed to be Lake Hollywood (aka the Hollywood reservoir)? 
 

 

 

Old Hollywood has some real gems.  This particular gem however was all in the packaging...great on the outside but meh on the inside.  Sorry but I need SOME kind of a view (and by 'view' I mean something other than the building next door or a block wall).  This may be a stretch since I don't have a million dollar budget, but I am holding out for a decent view. 

In this view of Hollywood you can see the Capitol Records Building on Vine, the Knickerbocker Hotel sign and other parts of the city. 
That's a decent view.

I am even willing to sacrafice things like updated kitchens and bathrooms for a nice view...that's how important it is to me. 
In this view, you can see the roof of the building next door but over that is a very pleasant view of the Hollywood Hills. 
I would take this view in a New York Hollywood minute.

Where does a good view rank on your list of must haves?  What are you willing to sacrafice for a view?

Thanks for stopping by!

~Karen~
xo