October Goals

So I just realized it is already the middle of October. Oops. However, it is never to late to have some goals for yourself! Here is how we did on our goals for the month of September:

• Finish subfloor - Done
• Finish framing (!!!) - Basically done! One or two walls left
• Finish plumbing - Not even close to starting. Those plumbers...
• Start electrical - Nope
• Go to the zoo.... - Yes!
• Set up at home office - The basics are done
• Go to an apple orchard - Yes. So much fun
• Attend a State football game - Yep

October has already been a busy month. I didn't mean to abandon the blog like I unknowingly did, but hey, sometimes life happens. We went on a very fun week-long vacation to the Caribbean to visit (and surprise) my sister. I also start working from home this week which has been interesting trying to get everything connected and set up. I also am due to become an aunt any day now. Lots of changes! With the few weeks left in the month, here are my goals.

• Go to the NC State Fair
• Start plumbing @ Myrtle (not even going to kid myself it will get done this month)
• Start electrical @ Myrtle
• Pick out a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch
• Determine if renters will renew lease...
• Refinish Restore lights

Happy October! Before we know it, it will be Christmas time!

Subfloor excitement!

Gorgeous pre-fall run at the lake

Visiting the NC zoo

Wrapping up lighting selections

Stanley Chest Before & After | Vintage Furniture

This chest... Such high hopes for this little Stanley piece, but alas, it ended up being one headache after another. Before I go into details (and warnings for other furniture refinishers), here is the before and after.

It started off well. We cleaned, primed, and painted as normal. I loved how the paint color looked. It was the perfect shade of off-white.

I sparyed the hardware an oil-rubbed bronze and then highlighted the features in gold dry-brushing.

Still smooth sailing at this point. The last thing to do was a clear coat for protection and this guy was ready for a new home. I painted the clear coat with polyeurothane (mistake #1) at night (mistake #2). When I looked at it the next day, I found that my clear coat was streaky, had turned the color of melted butter, and looked terrible.

Ugh. So we did some research and found out that ployeurothane is not the right finish to use on light paint colors; you should use polyacrylic. All of the other furniture projects I have attempted were darker colors, so this was never an issue. The only option is to sand down, re-prime, paint, and clear coat. Ain't nobody got time for that. So it will stay as is - an "aged/antiqued" finish. Lesson learned.

*UPDATE: Some nice lady bought the piece to create dog beds out of the drawers. All is well in the world.

Subfloor | Myrtle House

We have floors! Beautiful, level, not-going-to-fall-through floors! Granted, said floors are simply plywood boards, but still. Quite an improvement!

I also found this old photo from March when we were still in the process of cleaning out the house. Both are taken from the same angle. You can tell there has been a lot of demo since then!

Yes, you are correct in seeing the ceiling is unlevel. The wood beam has completely been eaten by termites and is pulling down the beadboard. Hopefully with a few (hundred) nails, these will be securely in place again. When I first told our contractor I wanted to leave the brick fireplace exposed, he thought I was crazy (he confirmed this last week ;), but said that he now thinks it is going to be really neat. Framing is due to start this week!

Apple Hill Orchard | Travel

My parents wanted to make a trip to see the Myrtle House since they have never been, and we decided it would be the perfect day to visit an apple orchard. After factoring in timing logistics, we decided on the Apple Hill Orchard in Morganton, North Carolina. When I read on their website that they have homemade apple donuts AND apple cider slushies, I was sold.

The orchard is nestled in a quiet spot not too far from the highway in the foothills. It has the cutest little barn, store, and sprawling apple orchards.

My dad wasn't up to walking a whole lot that day, so we opted to view the grounds via tractor-pulled wagon. I mean, how else would you tour an apple orchard? ;) We had the nicest and most knowledgeable guide whose father bought the orchard back in the 1950s. The orchard originated in the 1880s, I believe.

The apples were oh so pretty on the trees. This orchard allows visitors to pick their own apples, or you can buy freshly picked ones from their store. We chose the pre-picked variety due to time constraints, but we are planning to come back next summer to pick some for ourselves. We even learned the proper method of picking, thanks to our guide. Apparently you are supposed to grasp the apple with your palm to twist to the side and snap it off. If you use your finger tips to hold, it will bruise the apple.

The part I think we were both secretly looking forward to the most were the baked goods. I have a serious sweet tooth, and these treats did not disappoint. The cider slushie was amazing on a warm day, and the apple glazed donut was not too sweet - just the way I like them.

I had an apple for breakfast this morning and it was amazing. Long story short, if you are in the Western part of NC, I would highly recommend this cute little orchard. It is a great place for kids to romp around as well!

High/Low Lighting | Myrtle House

If you follow along on Instagram (@elizabethburnsdesign), you may realize I am a tad lighting obsessed these days. There is good reason, however, as our electrician will be starting in a few weeks. I think we are finally done purchasing, and am pleased to report we came in a hair under our anticipated budget of $350 for all of the lights in the house. I love the mix of old and new and can't wait to see it all installed! In the meantime, I wanted to share two fixtures in particular that we purchased. I had originally fallen in love with their more expensive cousins, and was thrilled that we were able to find comparable substitutes for a fraction of the cost. First up is the Clarissa Chandelier from Pottery Barn. It looks like it might have just been discontinued (still available in a smaller silver version), but here it is in a blogger's home. This beauty retailed for $499.

Jones Fix

Jones Fix

And below is the Lowe's version that we snagged on clearance for $47. That is over a 90% savings! I was going to tell you to go out an snatch one up for yourself, but it looks like it may be about out of stock (at least in the RDU area). :/ The Lowes version has less crystals and slightly less detail than the PB version, but it is still gorgeous. If I get ambitious, I may try to add a metallic rub to the metal to make it appear more vintage.

Lowes

Another chandelier we bought is for the guest room. While the two below are not exactly like it, the general design is similar. The Arteriors Chandelier from Layla Grace goes for $1236, and the Shades of Light Chandelier is $789.

Layla Grace

Shades of Light

Again, this fixture was purchased on sale for $39.75. It is very pretty in person and a great scale for a small bedroom. There is a green version of it too if you are looking for something darker.

Lowes

I was surprised by how expensive lighting can be, especially when you are given the task of buying lighting for an entire house all at once. Have you ever had to outfit a whole home with lighting? Where did you shop? Did you splurge or save?