WOWZA

For a few months now, Brian and I have been throwing around the idea of purchasing a cabin.  After we took our house off the market, we realized just how much money we would be losing to actually sell in this ridiculous market.  But the idea of lakeshore living still nagged at us.  It was something we didn't want to give up.  So the thought of a cabin began to surface on our radar.  It was an idea that was incredibly intriguing at the very least.

If you would have asked me 6 months ago if I wanted to own a cabin I would have laughed at you and come up with 100 different reasons as to why that was a really stupid idea.  For starters, first off all, we are really busy.  I mean, really busy, all of the time.  2nd of all, cabins are really far away!  I hate driving so far for just a weekend.  3rd, my business requires my time on the weekends.  4th cabins are a lot of work and money.  Those are just a few reasons.

With some time, the idea of a cabin really started to grow on me.  I have very fond memories from my time at our cabin as a child.  And by cabin, I mean a tiny trailer at a campground.  We didn't care it was tiny.  We spent all of our time by the lake, on the boat and having fires at night.  If it was rainy, we played cards as a family for hours.  It was awesome and I truly enjoyed it.  I really want those memories for our little family.  I want my kids to grow up going to the cabin, bringing friends up there, playing cards on rainy days and just being together as a family. 

At ECFE last week we discussed the best way we can foster great relationships among our children in adulthood.  It's a really deep question that has many facets and no number one right answer.  But research shows that creating fun times and great memories as a family is the number one factor in creating great adult relationship amongst siblings.  I really believe it's true.  I think the more fun and family oriented activities we can create for our kids today, will not only instill friendships and lifelong relationships with these munchkins, but will also help impart our morals and values in their core beings. 

I know this got very deep, especially for a Thursday evening but I'm so consumed with this process I needed to share with the world (or the 20 some readers I have here).  I am really excited about this and hope that our 2nd showing tomorrow goes well.  I am hoping we can put an offer in on this and be in before summertime.  I want these good times to start rolling as soon as possible.  If we make a purchase, look out for an Evite to an awesome housewarming party come this summer!  Everyone's invited to christen our lake home!

A big girl room

I have 2 redecorating projects on my mind right now, of course you already know about my living room redo, but I've been pondering Annika's room for quite some time now.  I think I've finally decided what I want to do.  I found my inspiration in this room:

You see, Annika loves gardening, flowers and bugs.  She is so curious about all living things and this room screamed Annika when I saw it.  For the most part, the bed is what I'm hoping to replicate.  I don't care much for the bird feeders but I love the picket fence headboard and footboard, and how easy would that be?  So, I'll be making that for her.  

Next up was the task of finding the perfect bedding set.  I searched and searched and nothing really did it for me, until I saw this:

I know some people may think I'm crazy, but I think this is just so darling.  Do you remember Sunbonnet Sue?  I do, I remember her from my childhood.  This is just so innocent and sweet and so totally Annika.  We both agreed on this set too so that was a bonus!  I bought a cute white ruffled eyelet bedskirt as well that will complete the set.  

Next up I have a really cute vintage bench that my grandma gave me.  I am going to recover the cushion on it in some sort of coordinating fabric and use that same fabric to make (or have my mother in law make) some girly roman shades with ties. 

She has a flower table in there already, but I think I am going to paint it to match.  Either red, or white, not sure yet.  Right now it's just kinda cheesy and ugly but will look cute when painted.  I also am going to paint a dresser that we already have and put up a mirror above it so that she can have a big girl type vanity to look into.

Currently she has a white toy chest to store all her toys and while it really doesn't fit with the theme in there, I think I need to find a way to keep it since she has so many polly pockets, barbies and littlest petshops that need to be stored there!  

Lastly I am going to paint the walls.  I would love your opinions on color, etc.  I would love to put up some wainscoting and then paint the upper portion a red, but not sure I want to tackle that at this time.  I like what a fellow blogger (Nicole) recently did in her son's room with a stripe up top of a different color so maybe I can do that.  Just not sure what colors to do!  Help me!  

So, what do you think?  Do you think my little girly girl Annika who loves bugs, dirt and flowers will love her new place?

Redeco...

Thanks for all your tips and ideas.  Here is what I have in mind for that space.  

First of all, the couch will be staying.  Everything else (and there's not much there) will most likely be going, besides the tv of course!  

Here is my inspiration.  

This is the layout I'm aiming for.  Of course I don't have the windows on the side of the fireplace but you get the picture.  I really LOVE the colors, of course my couch is a chocolate color, but I'm hoping to find some chairs in either an orange, or a light cream color (like the couch in the picture) to accent it.  I have a friend searching for chairs of this variety:

 

I want two of them.  I would like to find either a square coffee table in a chocolate colored wood, or a trunk that can double as a coffee table/storage space.  I will also need a small side table for in between the chairs.  

I am searching for some curtains but am waiting until I figure out what color chairs I will be getting.  What I'd really like is plantation shutters, but we'll see if that's an option right now.  The best part of this redo is that if I go with some deep oranges or a similar color, I won't have to repaint at all.  

I haven't decided yet if I should paint the mantel, we'll see.  If I do, I will be going with white built-ins of some variety.  I would really like a small storage bench on part of the built ins with a nice comfy pillow/pad in a coordinating color.  

I will add some fun pillows here and there in coordinating colors as well.  I am going to repaint an old frame I have and get a picture of the kids put in it for above the couch.  I love my Organic Bloom frame but sadly it's not quite large enough.  I'm sure I won't have any trouble finding another place for it! 

I know that most of this is in my head, but I hope it makes sense.