Day 310 - Curvy

When shot in macro, the curves and swirls of a contemporary vase take on a totally different perspective. (You can get a peek at the entire vase here.)

Day 308 - Hurry up shot

Totally a last minute shot -- I was busy watching the Redskins lose to the Steelers. *sigh*

Anyway, for this week's theme, this was taken from a different perspective than I usually do. I just sat the camera down on the flat surface of a book, focused, and snapped this table decoration. Kinda interesting angle.

Day 240 - Southwestern still

Part of a collection of Southwestern pottery we got in Colorado quite a few years ago, these have been packed away since the family room redo. I only resurrected them because I needed some subject matter for this week's still life theme, but they look right at home in the new cabinet, so maybe we'll just leave them out.

Day 197 - From one end to the other

Usually there's a cat laying on this piece of family room furniture...

BONUS PHOTO:
My tiny visitor has returned several times since my first picture, and today I managed a few more shots. I just got it in my viewfinder and kept clicking! Had to delete about half of them - all blurry - but these turned out well. It's really exciting to be able to take pictures of this fascinating, non-stop little creature. :)

Day 143 - Lazy reflection

So, I was sitting at my desk this evening, wondering what the heck I was going to do for today's photo, when I looked up and across the room and voila!... there it was, reflected in the cabinet door and just waiting for me to notice. :)

Day #306 - Let there be light...

Well, it fits into its contemporary setting, and it'll be nicely functional with the two individual light arms, but I have to admit, our new floor lamp for the family room is a little strange-looking!

Day #284 - Decisions, decisions...

We're having a terrible time finding an area rug we like for the new family room. Today we discovered we could kind of make our own, or at least choose our own colors to go on pre-designed rugs. At the moment, we're going with the lighter brown (Canyon) for the body of the rug with Fudge, Ivory, and/or Black as the accent colors. Now we just have to decide on a design...

Day #269 - Him and her...

Being at a loss for a picture today, I took a close-up of the sculptures on the mantel. They look black but they're really bronze. Another Pier 1 find.

Before and after photos...

Thanks to you all for hanging in there with me through the family room redo and for all the compliments and encouraging words you've given.

I've put the before and after photos in my Picasa Gallery - you can see them here:

Family Room Photos

Just click on the "Family Room - B&A" album. You can view them individually or with the slideshow option.

Day #268 - We have a room!

They have arrived! The cabinets were delivered today and we are beyond pleased. There's supposed to be a pull-out lazy susan type thing for the TV that's missing, but that's minor. The shelf configuration in the TV unit is temporary though, until that piece arrives. We're also waiting on a companion vase that won't arrive until November.

So, with the exception of a few finishing touches, we have a room! I know I've only been giving you bits and pieces as we've gone along, but I'll be posting before and after photos of the whole project on my regular blog in the next couple.

Day #265 - A little fall color...

Found these colorful accent pieces at another of my favorite spots, Pier 1. They fit perfectly with the new family room color scheme... and the approaching season. (ooops - excuse the price tag I haven't taken off yet!)

Day #264 - Before/After...

BEFORE

AFTER
(I don't know what that circle on the fireplace is -
reflection or something I guess.)

Well, I've been waiting for the new cabinets to come before posting pictures of the finished work, but it's going to be at least another week or so and my grandson's been after me to send pictures of our progress, sooooo... The cabinets will go to the right of the fireplace.

Day #263 - Floor decor...

Funny how little things can bring us such pleasure. We bought a small throw rug for in front of the patio door and I just love the way it looks when the sun hits it. The photo doesn't really do it justice - the colors are richer - but it looks so nice on the new floor.

Day #253 - Keeping the cold (and cats) out...

We are so pleased with the new fireplace doors that arrived Saturday. Finding anything for it has been extremely difficult because it's old, and this particular model isn't even manufactured anymore. Luckily, I found a place on-line that makes doors to fit and voila! - they do! Perfectly.

(the surround really is blacker - it looks gray because of the flash, I guess.)

Day # 249 - Books

Being at a loss for a photo today, this is what I came up with. As we continue to put the family room back together, I just stuck my Harry Potter books in the bookcase because they were readily available - the others are packed away and I didn't feel like sorting through them all yet to see what stays and what goes.

Day #248 - Brazen beastie...

It's almost impossible to sit in my own chair without first having to move a cat! Nothing in this house goes unclaimed by the beasties - they totally believe that we're just here to provide them with cool stuff, including this comfy new pillow that Buster has taken over.

Day #247 - Chim chiminey, Chim chiminey, Chim chim cher-ee...

Today was chimney cleaning day and my trusty, friendly chimney sweep posed for me. The guy has been cleaning my chimney for umpteen bazillion years... well, about as long as I've lived here anyway. I just love that he dresses for the occasion!

Day #246 - Getting organized...

One of the cabinets we found at Ikea (Lew was working on the other drawer.) Along with the matching wall units, which still have to be put together, these will work very nicely for the printer/scanner and other storage. We're pleased with our purchase. :)

Day #244 - When the going gets tough, the tough go... shopping!

Guess where we went today?? :D I was really starting to stress about the cabinets we need for the other side of the family room because the space we need to fill is odd-sized. It was looking like they would have to be made too and I really didn't want to put that kind of money into the darn things. I think we may have have found some components that will work though so am feeling better about the whole thing. Not the exact right size, but hey, I can adapt!

Day #241 - Oh, what a tangled web...

Now if only the area behind my desk looked nice and tidy like the rest of the room! *sigh* One more area that needs attention, we still have to do the cable wrap thing - I so hate wires hanging all over the floor.