h a p p i n e s s

There is a chill in the air today! Can I tell you how completely excited that makes me? B e y o n d. It has been so very hot out here in the country *without air conditioning* during this recent heat wave. If you don’t know me by now – I get too warm when the temp teeters over 68 degrees. Perhaps it is my hearty Swedish stock that abhors the heat?I feel like I can smell Fall in the air – wishful thinking, perhaps? Whatever the case, my heart is happy. I am thankful for the sublime, cool breeze that is blowing through the barn. And for the very first time in many, many weeks – I am wearing my Love Quotes scarf in order to take the chill away ~ h a p p i n e s s!That’s right, I am hanging out in the barn these days. I have officially been exiled from the house by our tradesmen. The painters have taken over the entirety of the 1st floor. The woodworker is on the second level framing out our master bedroom closet and making repairs to the ceiling where we ripped out the wall. The master bedroom is coming along – the Shaker peg board went up this morning. It looks fantastic!The Mr. and I have been back and forth a million times about the color of the ceiling, but that is an entirely different post in this digital sketch book of mine… I feel like on occasion the husband’s design aesthetic deserves to win out, doesn’t it? What do you think?I’m so glad we moved the kitchen cabinets, the fridge and countertops out to the ‘romper room’ as it’s made my last few days here at the house far more comfortable. Did I mention to you that I am planning on using our old slip-covered white sofa out in the barn? I’ve had it since my college days and I feel it’s time to repurpose it in a more playful place. I have the espresso machine set up on the counter of the romper room. I moved our Target 5-piece wicker chat set from the screened in porch out to the barn space too. It’s my own mini-office (for the next 9 days or so) complete with a cool breeze ~ at least for today anyway!Images in this post: It’s clear which ones are mine. The pendants are from Dawn Hill Antiques in New Preston, Connecticut. One image (where noted) is from House Beautiful and the others are from Holley and Gill‘s beautiful young blog. The images that Holley & Gill are posting are so incredible and quite inspiring! I was seriously tempted to try to incorporate more of their images in this post! Instead, stop by and soak it in. If they stay on the same track going forward – I’d say it’s definitely a blog worth watching. Not to mention, Holley & Gill produce really beautiful headboards which are entirely worthy of their very own post here on ABCD Design.

Posted by Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo / Nesting and Personal and Sealed with a Kiss and Uncategorized

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19 Responses to “h a p p i n e s s”

  1. Caitlin @ Sacramento Street on 20 Jul 2010 at 2:58 pm

    Oh, I think the charcoal walls would look great with a glossy white ceiling! Btw, love the lights your putting in!

  2. Julieann/Creategirl on 20 Jul 2010 at 2:59 pm

    woohoo, I love sharing in your happy! I swear nothing makes my own heart swell more than the fresh smell of paint sawdust and the reality of a blank slate! Home is where the happy is afterall : )

  3. Belly on 20 Jul 2010 at 3:42 pm

    I agree! Renovating may be stressful but it’s a great cause for happiness, and you’ll be extra happy once you finish and enjoy all the hard work you’re putting into it now. I actually love the charcoal+natural combination, but not for a bedroom. I’d go with the glossy white ceiling.

  4. ABC Dragoo on 20 Jul 2010 at 3:42 pm

    @caitlin – I love them too… I don’t know if I can find the *right* spot for them, but I sure do like the look.

    @julie – thanks for chiming in – heart swelling, big time over here. I thought I smelled Fall, but maybe it was just the sawdust that is making me happy??

    Much love to you two ladies, thanks for popping by to comment today!
    xoABCD

  5. ABC Dragoo on 20 Jul 2010 at 3:43 pm

    @Belly — tell me why “not for a bedroom” –?– I need a good argument for the Mr. if I am going to get ‘my way’ on this one. Do tell…

  6. Belly on 20 Jul 2010 at 3:51 pm

    Amy- I dunno, It just feels kitchen-y to me. Does that make sense? When I look up from my bed I like to see a relaxing color, like white, maximum very, very light blue.

  7. ABC Dragoo on 20 Jul 2010 at 3:57 pm

    Good points Chedva.

    I wonder, would it change your mind — the ceilings are sloped at a great pitch, meeting in the center of the room at double height?

    ABCD

  8. Belly on 20 Jul 2010 at 3:59 pm

    No… I don’t think it’s bad, it’s just not what I would do.

  9. Jonathan Legate on 20 Jul 2010 at 5:33 pm

    As always Amy a lovely post about lovely people and things.
    Have I mentioned I have a big ‘ol crush on your blog?
    xo
    J

  10. ABC Dragoo on 20 Jul 2010 at 5:51 pm

    Crush is mutual my friend – you’re a peach! I always enjoy your tumblog posts!
    xxoo

  11. Michelle from Holley & Gill on 20 Jul 2010 at 8:48 pm

    Amy,

    Let me say how tickled I was to read this now that I’ve finally been able to sit down in front of a computer.

    For one, I hate to say this, but I’m with you on the white glossy ceiling as opposed to the natural, definitely must be the Swedish vibe that keeps swaying this kind of decision. Sorry to the Mr.!

    And second, this has seriously made my week. To be recognized for our headboards is pretty fantastic but my blog is primarily a collection of my thoughts, my tastes and my heart (as I can see from yours too!), so I was floored when I read this.

    Thank you, you continue to be a constant source of knowledge, inspiration and motivation for little-blogs-that-could like mine.

    Michelle

  12. Catherine on 20 Jul 2010 at 9:54 pm

    Oh Amy, I feel sorry for the Mr. but the glossy white ceilings are IT! They are the absolute perfect choice against the slightly industrial feel of the grey – can see it in my mind. Gorgeous…
    So enjoying watching the interior design process through your eyes. We work so hard to keep our clients upbeat through what can be a sometimes lengthy and frustrating process.
    Enjoy! Catherine

  13. Marcia on 20 Jul 2010 at 10:28 pm

    Such a lovely post and so exciting to be renovating! I have to agree with the glossy white ceiling, it will go beautifully with the charcoal grey without weighing down the room like the natural wood might. Best of luck with the reno!

  14. stacystyle on 20 Jul 2010 at 11:13 pm

    No fall. Banish all thoughts of fall. You’ll see it when the light changes around mid-August. Then there’s just no turning back.
    As for the other ideas you’re sharing for the house, I just get more excited every time I check in to see what’s new! I’m so inspired and am encouraged to post my own reno now!

  15. ABCDDesigns on 20 Jul 2010 at 11:41 pm

    Oh Stacy, you’re a Summer gal? Me= delighted, heart singing for pumpkin patches and the smell of burning leaves.

    And for sure — you must blog about your renovation! So much good material to inspire us all!

    Catherine + Marcia, thanks for popping by from Twitter to carry the conversation onto the blog. White seemed to be the real winner over there, as long as it’s done the “right” way. Regardless, thanks for leaving your comments here as well as on Twitter.

    Michelle,

    I spent a good long time going through your archives the other day and couldn’t decide which photos to take and re-post over here — I loved them ALL. Your selections really spoke to me. Not to mention, I love the aesthetic you’ve created and your blog within a website… it’s all very well done.

    xoabcd

  16. diane on 21 Jul 2010 at 11:38 am

    I would give the Mister the ceiling. Just might satisfy him and leave you the rest of the house. I like the gray and natural and think it is a just right combo for a master bedroom…..earthy, masculine, somewhat sexy. good luck!

  17. Punctuation Mark on 21 Jul 2010 at 12:20 pm

    i hear ya about the heat… and I’m in Miami with the AC at full blast… looking forward to see your images of the house once all the work is done!

  18. Sally@DivineDistractions on 21 Jul 2010 at 1:15 pm

    It is refreshing to hear happy thoughts from happy people. Just keep that lovely spirit, Amy. I’d invite you to Texas to spread your joy, but the 100 degree days would take you down!! I’m trying to channel your 68 degrees and think about wearing a scarf! It won’t be fall here for at least 4 months, and then we’ll have about 3 weeks of it!
    The ceiling is beautiful any way you choose to go. Men always want to keep raw wood…that’s another post….I think the white is more bedroom looking. Usually they like it when it’s finished. I try not to ask an opinion before hand!

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