Sectional / Table / Chairs / Area Rug / Swing / Curtains / Toy Storage Drawers / Pendants / Painting / Mirror / Lamp / Play letters / Blinds

Chris and I are making the 8 hour round trip to Ikea this weekend to pick up the parts to make our standing desk. After way too much back and forth, I finally decided on ordering the drawer fronts separately from Semihandmade so that I could paint them whatever color we want. I’m leaning toward a dark green with hints of gray in it right now, like this Campground color by Valspar. I’m going to try to stick to our shopping list, but with Ikea so far away, we really only go once a year. So! Anything I should be eyeing? I’ll snapchat our trip, so you can follow along by following juliamarcum over there, if you’d like.

Fun things this week!

-I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect barstools for our standing desk. Everything I read, says to having a barstool available so you can take frequent seated breaks throughout the day until you’re body is accustom to standing for extended periods of time is strongly recommended. Not taking standing breaks can result in strain and swelling in your joints (cankles). I made a Pinterest board here of my favorite barstools I’m eyeing for the standing desk, but they could also work beautifully in the kitchen.

-For those that follow on instagram, you saw a glimpse of my new office chair. It’s this one from Crate and Barrel. After over a year of sitting on a modern molded plastic windsor chair (that I actually really like, just not for working long hours in), I finally splurged on this one and it has made working so much more comfortable, productive and enjoyable. It’s soft on the back, but the seat is firm so I don’t sink too low while tying to work. It swivels for easy movement and the low-slung arms feel natural to rest on and tuck easily under my desk. In short–it’s wonderful. And while we’re building a standing desk and complete office downstairs, we’ll be keeping this casual, small work corner upstairs for now. In the very least for bill-paying, but I think it will eventually become a place where our girls have their computer time, or we can write a quick email.

-Speaking of Instagram, Katie Hackworth, half of the detail-obsessed architectural designer team that is H2Design+Build, has been someone I’ve followed for years now. Every room they do, I could live in. Every one inspires me, and a lot of our current home is inspired by their work. She posted the best sneak peek of a plaid basement hallway they installed. And well, now I have to find something to wallpaper in plaid.

–Kitty. Cat. Hamper. (Faye’s going to flip!)

-Aren’t these the sweetest bunkbeds? Greta has been begging to share a room with Faye for a few months now, so we’re planning on building built-in bunkbeds for them in the next couple months. These are serving as major inspiration. I love that the bedding doesn’t match, but coordinates. A great tip for a shared bedroom space.

–How to start an art collection.

-I’m still someone that likes to physically write plans, goals and events down on a calendar or in a planner or both. The first half of this year, I tried to go strictly digital using Google Calendar and an app called Wunderlist. While it’s been nice to be synced with Chris, I’m feeling disorganized. I’m going to keep trying, but I also ordered this sleek planner that goes from August 2016-December 2017 for my own personal use. It’s very boss and small enough to fit in my purse.

-Off topic, I get a few questions about what makeup I use. I don’t have a lot of time in the mornings to put on makeup, but when I do, I keep it simple–Mary Kay CC cream with spf (I wear light to medium), I use Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser in light as a concealer/highligher, Anastasia brow wiz in Chocolate, and this mascara forever and ever, plus chapstick. If I need a little extra color on my cheeks, I like Bare Minerals Faux Tan.

Hope you all have a great weekend! We’re hosting a birthday party for my mom and there’s rumors of string lights and karaoke.