asos

Lovely news from my other favorite cousin who I'm not actually related to. asos, a British online fashion retailer is in the U.S. now! Yep, that's right. And... free shipping both ways. Now we're talkin'!

A Full Tuesday

Yesterday I spent the day volunteering at a local Habitat for Humanity build. I got to work side-by-side with the future owner of the home (obviously we talked decor!) and learned a lot.  My arm still hurts from all the hammerin' but I had a great time. Have you habitated lately?

After I scooted home for some quick grub and a shower, I headed over to ole AU for an event planned by my lil' cousin, featuring the one and only, Gloria Steinem. That's right. Gloria. I definitely got goosebumps and I'm wicked proud of my lil' Q!

Furniture Care

I would like to thank KPQ for having me as a guest contributor! I am so happy to be part of a great blog like Finch. I’ll be blogging about my (and KT's) new apartment in NYC and I hope our findings will provide you with enjoyment and help you with your spaces as well!

Since this apartment is much bigger than our last (whoop!), we have been on the look out for new furniture. I am personally really into mid-century design. And it just so happens, I am lucky enough to have parents with great eyes for design and purchased this coffee table years ago. Then they were kind enough to hand it down to me:

I love this piece. It is about 5 feet long and 16 inches wide. Not exactly sure what we are going to use it for yet. Books? A TV stand? Do you have any ideas?

Before all that, this piece needs a bit of work. Enter: The Brick House. KPQ directed us towards this site for another apartment related reason and I am addicted! This particular link discusses the process of refreshing vintage wood. I followed their directions and will recap my experience below:


So I bought all the supplies:

Murphy's Oil Soap
Teak Oil
Howard Feed-n-Wax
Fine Sand Paper
Super Fine Steel Wool
Rags

First Step: I sanded the troubled areas (scratches, watermarks, etc.)

Second Step: I sprayed the surface with Murphy's Oil Soap and wiped it down. This is to clean up the dust and dirt from the sanding. Also using a small hand held vacuum (ours is called "The Shark") proved very helpful in getting all the excess dust up!

Third Step: With the use of a lint-free rag, I started rubbing the Teak Oil onto the surface. The minute I started rubbing in the Teak Oil it started looking great. I waited 10 minutes or so before putting a 2nd coat on. The wood drank 3 coats of the oil before some of the oil stayed on the surface and wasn't absorbed in (my clue that it was done). Now only one more step to go!

Forth and Final Step: I used the "Supa Fiiiiine" Steel wool to apply the Feed-n-Wax. I wasn't afraid to use a lot. Any of the wax that does not take can be wiped off later. I let the wax sit for 10 minutes and then wiped off the excess. All Done!

Here is the comparison (click to enlarge):

Verdict: I was really hoping for a "WOW" moment when I was done and I was disappointed. I think my expectations were too high. I also think I might have sanded the trouble areas a little too much because they stand out next to the non-sanded areas. Does it look better after? YES. Does it still have water marks and other wear and tear and I was hoping to get rid of? YES! I think the only way to make this piece look new would be to really sand the top and basically remove the top layer of wood! Which in a NYC apartment is tough! All in all a good learning experience and now it will last longer and be less susceptible to other forms of punishment. Hope you all enjoyed my first post. I know I did!

-Nick

Can it be true?

I would like to welcome Nicky to finch! Nick has been a huge supporter of finch since its inception and has often provided ideas, material and comments along the way. Now, he will take on a new role as guest contributor!

It's true.

Nick recently moved into a new place in New York City and is going to keep us posted with all things apartment.

Stay tuned!

See Jane Work

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Work has been a bit silly and this rain has really got me down! When will it end?

To brighten my day a little, I just bought a new iPhone case. Mine kicked it a few weeks ago when I dropped my phone. Luckily it was the case that took the brunt of the fall and not the phone.

I noticed this little ad in Daily Candy and decided to bite the bullet on this adorable Jonathan Adler (yummy!) case from See Jane Work. With the 30% off discount it was pretty good deal!

Lots of other fun colors too!

Yay for Friday!

It's Here!

And it's just as yummy as promised. Click here to check out the first issue of the new shelter magazine Rue!

Zara Online!

Ahhh! How did I miss this. I have always wished Zara would open up their stores online and now my wish has come true! Wooohooo!

In other news, I had my second sewing class yesterday. I'll post pictures of my new hand-made pajama pants tomorrow. Above is a little pic of my new favorite thing... my tomato pin cushion, complete with emery strawberry. So classic. Tell me this doesn't remind you of rifling through your mother's sewing kit to find scissors (that were totally off-limits). That's right, I'm hardcore.

Houzz

My favorite cousin, who isn't actually a cousin, sent me a new delicious shelter site. Houzz is a great way to store decor images you like in folders and label what you like about each photo you select. I'm addicted already and my file folders are stuffed! Do it!

Holden

I just finished The Catcher in the Rye this morning on the Metro and LOVED it. Somehow I never read it in high school. I thought it was such a great story and loved the stream of consciousness style.

I just ordered The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen from the library. His new book Freedom is getting so much press, I thought I should start with his previous book that got such rave reviews as "The Great American Novel". Has anyone read it?

The Tote

Well folks, the six hours I spent at G Street Fabrics on Sunday may be considered among some of the best of my life. Ok, maybe a little exaggerated. But it was indeed thrilling! I was actually giddy! A dream, realized!

There were four other women in my class and our instructor was fabulous. To begin, the instructor walked us around the store floor where we were able to choose our own fabric and she could make sure we purchased the correct materials. Then, we got to work. Learned how to use the machines (the most intimidating part!) and the basics. The results are below. I'm so proud. So proud that I refuse to actually use  the tote, and prefer to just stare at it. Can you frame bags?

Next Class Project: Pajama Pants. Stay tuned!

It even has a pocket in the front a la Lands' End.

And don't forget the lining!

My fabric is actually upholstery remnants.

It's pretty big. But doesn't exactly go with my pajamas.

Sewing!

I'm off to my first sewing class today and I'm so excited!

Stella + Dot

I keep seeing Stella + Dot all over the internet. It looks like a direct sales program like Avon or Arbonne but with jewelry. Does anyone have any experience with them? What's the story?

Rue?

Hmm... Very intriguing! Maybe it will be like Lonny? I'm anxious for the premiere issue.

Cod

I just finished Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky. I have to admit, I usually stay away from non-fiction, but this tale of fish wasn't nearly as boring as it sounds. I had no idea how much of a role one single species of fish could play in the world order. Cod is fascinating and I definitely recommend.  It's a short read, well-written and enjoyable. Too bad after reading it I can't go get a nice filet of cod because it's on this list!

Recent Purchases

The 'Haters Gonna Hate' print is for sale again. Whoopee!

I also bought the new Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces.

Delish!

Danny + Annie

From Cup of Jo. I dare you to watch this and not tear up. Story Corps is my favorite part of Friday mornings on NPR and this is no exception! It reminds me of my grandparents Willie and Ann.


Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

RH: Beverly Hills

Especially after the snooze fest that is RH: DC, this looks amazing! I can't wait.

My Chairs!

I was just perusing the Design*Sponge Best of Dining Rooms post and saw the photo above. They are the exact same chairs that I brought back to DC with me in July! They were my paternal grandparent's kitchen chairs. I'm not much of a red person, but I love the bright color on the chairs and the yummy fabric. See mine in bad photo below. I can't wait to get them cleaned up and change out those brown cushions!

A HA!

I think I figured out what I want to blow up. We used these stamps on our wedding invitations and I love the design. How great would they be above a bed!?

Oval Office Upgrade?

While the Obamas were on vacay, the Oval Office got an upgrade.

I like the new wallpaper, fabric on sofas and the coffee table. I LOVE the blue lamps and the red stripe above the wallpaper. I'm not in love with the leather chairs and wish the carpet had a little more design to it. I wish we could see the drapes on the windows behind the desk.

Overall I think it's an upgrade, but wish there was a little more color (shocking, I know). I can't imagine how difficult it must be to decorate the oval office, modernize it while still maintaining tradition and formality.

What do you think?