What Gran Gran gave me

Work has been INSANE busy….I have to keep reminding myself that I love my job. And I do, but I am missing the bloggy world.  I’ve only been able to visit 1-2 blogs each day, and then just for a quick look through.  I have really been surprised at myself by how much I enjoy seeing what other people are cooking, fixing, creating or just doing. That sharing and connecting is really cool. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to share.

And, on to some sharing of my own! Ever since we finished the office, I’ve been looking for some kind of bookcase or something for one of the walls.  While I was visiting my grandmother in Jasper, Arkansas, I saw this great piece she had stuck in the corner of her basement and was using for storage.  I asked her if she would loan it to me, and she said YES! 

But, alas, it wouldn’t fit in our car for the ride home.  So, my super sweet mother arranged to get it the last time she was visiting and bring it to our home.  How great is that!?!






It is in need of more work than I originally thought when it was covered with items in Gran’s basement. The original(?) finish is full of runs and uneven spots and then it’s faded and dinged in spots, too, but the size and look of it is EXACTLY what I wanted.  And even better, now I have a project!.  Ryan thinks we should paint it, but I’m really considering stripping it and staining it.  I really like the current color, and was hoping some clean up and Liquid Gold would save the finish, but that’s not going to fly.

What do you think?  Paint?  Strip? Embrace the drips, fades and imperfections and do nothing?

Stairway to Heaven or Hell

While we still have TONS of projects, one that is way down on the list for me, but that I am really considering starting soon is the railing. 

I'm thinking about painting it BLACK.  I saw a very similar railing, which really inspired me - inspiration.  And you see railings painted all the time. And, I really think I would like it better.

But we just have SO MUCH railing. And because it's all open, I really don't think there's a stopping spot....

From the bottom, looking up.

Looking down to the basement from the Main Level

When you walk in the front door.

From the Main Level...going up.

At the top of the stairs on the Second Floor

Looking up from the Living Room
 

Looking down from the top level - ALL the way down.  Makes me kinda dizzy. I like it!

I don't think Ryan is even remotely on board with this one, but you bloggers carry a ton of weight with him.

So, what do you think?  Yay or Nay?  Is it worth the trouble or not?