An Encore Autumn Outdoors Tablescape and Getting Started at the New House

It's so hard to believe that it's actually October now... and that it's my favorite time of the year, AND that I don't even have one real pumpkin on my porch. Really... no pumpkins on my porch, real or faux. I DO have some pretty rust colored mums and my orange pillows that I bought last year for the little iron bench. Here are a few pics from several years ago from an outside Fall Tablescape to keep me in a "happy place".

We closed on the new/old house Friday and spent the afternoon taking off the rose covered glasses, and getting down to business. It's really hard to get the full reality of a place when it has someone else's furniture in it. Let's just say we have a few more projects than we thought.

My husband started on the fun job of pulling out the probably 30 year old carpet and pad, so we could see if there were hardwoods under there. No hardwood, but we're glad we did, because when the old carpet went away the musty smell got better. I have to admit, I've left behind some pretty old carpet myself.

We met with our contractor guy, a young man who we've worked with several times in the past. He's honest and hard working and does a great job. I typed up a 4 page room by room list of things that need to be done and we went over it with him... at length. Some things we decided to wait on; other things need to be tackled now. Like the utility room / half bath next to the kitchen. I thought it was in pretty good shape but it had disguised, painted over 55 year old cabinetry and tile, and it is time for it to be updated.

This fix was not in our budget, so now we're doing a reno in there and forgoing some other projects. ouch. But that's just the way a remodel goes. Some things are unforeseen and need immediate attention. I knew if we didn't do it now, it would never get done and I'd just be unhappy everyday looking at 55 year old painted wall tile. (in mauve) It does have new floor tile and commode, so that's a small plus.

Paint touch ups were done... but the paint didn't match, so we are looking at painting about 2/3 of the interior of the house. Something we hadn't planned on. Thank goodness the ceilings aren't high, so Hubby and I can do it ourselves to save money. Only a few cans of paint were left for us, so I spent most of the day Friday trying to sort out paint colors and doing test patches on the walls. BUT, the good news is I'll be able to use my favorite paint color Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe in most of the rooms. I used it all throughout our current home and love the balance of gray and taupe with no blue or green undertones.

We painted the ceilings in the Living Room, Dining Room and Entry on Saturday and Sunday (in a dark room with a flashlight, to cut the glare, because the paint was so shiny you couldn't tell what was just painted or dry) which helped distract the eye from the glossy "tornado" style ceiling texture treatment, oh my. I thought it looked like an elderly lady's silver blue curls; the men saw tires. Any way you look at it, it made you dizzy. The flat white ceiling paint now sort of minimizes the visuals. At least it's not popcorn or dropped ceiling tiles from the 60's.

This week I'm on the hunt for hardwoods and carpet and picking out the vanity for the half bath. I'm going to finally get those darker hardwoods I've been wanting and picking another style of carpet. We had a "Frieze" here, but I'm doing something different this next time.

It's been hard seeing all my Fall decor and goodies packed away, but things just keep getting messier over here, so decorating is a lost cause. I actually took some pics from the new house Hearth Room mantel with a vintage print, but left my camera there. I'll have to grab it later in the week. Just my attempt to have a little Autumn ambiance in the midst of the remodel.

Ok, just checking in to share the start of the progress.

It's back in the mid-80's. End of the week cool down again. YAY!

joining in here:

Sunday at Home at Little Farmstead

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Dishing It and Digging It at DIY180

The Scoop at Cedarhill Farmhouse

Inspiration Monday at Refresh Restyle

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Keep in Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles

Style Showcase at Savvy Southern Style

Share Your Style at 21 Rosemary Lane

Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage