The First Six Months: Kitchen

Oh, the kitchen. It's my happy room. You read all about our floor drama, so we can all agree that the new floor is the big kitchen accomplishment. The color is another one for me, and more generally, the way it's all come together. The space is roomy (for the city - suburban folks, note this please), airy, light, and bright. We'll get to updating our appliances one of these days, but until that happens, I'm not sweating anything about the room's general layout or functionality. Even the old cabinets don't bug me, which is truly the power of a fresh coat of white paint. The thing I'd like most? Pendant lighting. The old-school stage lights in the kitchen are really hot to cook underneath... and you already know how I feel about that '70s-era recessed lighting...

Kitchen, Done

• Removed linoleum
• Installed new flooring
• Installed quarter-round floor moulding
• Installed doorway floor transitions
• Installed new pantry door
• Painted walls, cabinets, trim, and doors
• New breakfast nook table and chairs

Kitchen, To Do

• Lighting
• New cabinet hardware
• Buy a new pot rack - this one is from the previous homeowners and is slanted on the left side, where the screw broke off in the wall
• Appliances... eventually
• Rug for the cooking area
• Fix the cord "situation" over on the tall built-in with the counter. It's time to drill somes holes and hide the cords.

Kitchen Paint

• Primary Color: Benjamin Moore Azores, color-matched to no-VOC Mythic Paint
• Upper Level Color: Benjamin Moore Cliffside Gray
• Cabinets: Mythic Bright White
• Trim: Mythic Bright White
• Floor: Vintage White Pine Pergo

Note: For this week's First Six Month Series, I'm using the realtor photos that advertised our house as the "Move-in" photo, and my own images for "6 months later."

The First Six Months: Dining Room

Our dining room is thisclose to being done. Yes, we still have a newspaper cutout on the wall representing "future vertical art." Yes, that newspaper happens to feature the Norway massacre, which is a most unfortunate coincidence. But we have a plan! And ironically, it doesn't even involve vertical art. More on that later. We have our completed set of butterfly maps up over our bar, un-saran-wrapped dining chairs that our cats are tentatively ignoring, a gallery of old family photos, and those great windows. Our big To Do in this room is removing the awful recessed lighting and hanging a chandelier. All in time.

Dining Room, Done

• Painted
• New table and chairs

Dining Room, To Do

• Remove recessed lighting
• Buy and hang chandelier
• Finalize art - no more Norway massacre on the wall! (I know, I should've taken this down forever ago... but my visual brain would rather see newspaper than "blank." And apparently I don't notice the details enough to hang up a happy front page.)
• Install crown moulding

Dining Room Paint

• Primary Color: Benjamin Moore Olive Branch, color-matched to no-VOC Mythic Paint
• Staircase Wall: Behr A Dozen Roses
• Trim: Mythic Bright White

Note: For this week's First Six Month Series, I'm using the realtor photos that advertised our house as the "Move-in" photo, and my own images for "6 months later."

The First Six Months: Entryway and Living Room

Besides the whole basement fiasco, we saw one big problem when we first walked into this house: the tiny living room created by what we refer to around here with an eyeroll as "The Wall." It's actually two walls - a rather normal wall than contains a hall closet on one side and bookshelves on the other, and then a ludicrous angled half-wall, likely built during a '70s home renovation acid trip. It was so clear before we moved in. "We'll open up this room immediately!" we thought. Or not. We got estimates and did some daydreaming, but it turned out that working on projects we could complete ourselves took precedence. Knocking down the wall to open up the living room is now a 2012 project, as are the ensuing furniture decisions. Just wait... more than three adults able to watch tv in our living room, coming next year!

We didn't put much thought into furnishing this room, because it's always felt temporary to us. Our couch fit nicely into the nook. The other furniture... not so much. It's a tad squeezed. We put some art we already had on the walls, and my favorite rug works well in here. The curtains used to hang in our old Dallas apartment - I forgot about them and found them in a box in the basement. That sort of represents how this room was put together. To be continued.

The fireplace was a bigger priority for us than The Wall. We hated the old mantel, and the strange angles of the fireplace meant that the old mirrored space was the only place to put our television. Do I like having a television on our wall? No. Have I made peace with it? Yes. We hired a great carpenter who built a new mantel for us - we wanted something as simple as possible. The weird angles of this wall make for an assymetrical look with the outer shelves off the mantel (we needed the shelving to house all the tv-related electronics). Sometimes this bugs me, sometimes it doesn't.

Entryway/Living Room, Done

• Painted
• Removed old fireplace mantel
• Hired a carpenter to build a new fireplace mantel
• Installed television on the wall (it has a large arm so the tv can be pulled out and angled toward the couch)

Entryway/Living Room, To Do

• "Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Electrician, tear down this wall!" (nerd alert) More specifically, we're going to entirely remove the angled wall and remove about half of the "real" wall, which will preserve only the hall closet and give us room for another chair/loveseat.
• Figure out furniture once room is opened up
• Replace awful recessed lighting in the living room with... something
• Remove recessed lighting in the entry and add a pendant light
• Finalize entryway wall hangings - the stuff up there now was pretty much just thrown on the wall so it wouldn't be empty
• Paint the interior of the fireplace shelves the green of the wall
• Install crown moulding
• Buy a fireplace screen and fireplace tools - our chimney passed inspection last week, woo hoo! Bring on the roaring fires...

Entryway/Living Room Paint

• Primary Color: Benjamin Moore Chestertown Buff, color-matched to no-VOC Mythic Paint
• Fireplace Wall: Benjamin Moore Eucalyptus Leaf, color-matched to no-VOC Mythic Paint
• Fireplace: Unknown carpenter's white (might repaint to match our "house white," Mythic Bright White)
• Trim: Mythic Bright White

Note: For this week's First Six Month Series, I'm using the realtor photos that advertised our house as the "Move-in" photo, and my own images for "6 months later."

The First Six Months: Front and Side of the House

Nothing could top the grand housewarming present that was our blossoming cherry trees, but I must admit, our newly red front door gives me a smile every time I see it. The new hardware (light, door features, house number) also takes us into this decade, which I think we can all agree is a good thing. (1970s does not equal "historic Capitol Hill" in my book.)

When we moved in, we thought we'd repaint the exterior of the house a deeper, more vibrant color. It's the side of the house that prevents us from doing so now; due to our side yard (yay light! yay windows!), we fear a dark color would simply look like a wall of darkness, instead of something great. The jury's out on the house color... but we do think repainting our creamy trim a bright white would be an immediate upgrade.

Front of the House, Done:

• Painted front door
• Replaced door hardware
• Replaced front light
• Replaced house number

Front of the House, To Do:

• Landscaping
• Replace fence
• Repaint trim
• Investigate cast iron stairs

House Paint

• Exterior: Unidentified taupe/gray
• Trim: Unidentified cream
• Door: Benjamin Moore Heritage Red

Here's a look at the side yard that demonstrates our Wall Of Darkness concern. The light color of the house breathes nicely along the corner, in my mind. You'll also see that our dining room window trim is painted a bright white instead of the cream of the rest of the trim - and it looks a heck of a lot better. For my "6 months later" photo, I couldn't catch the side without cars parked alongside us, so I took a closeup shot of the side yard instead. This serves to demonstrate that we've done absolutely nothing there except allow weeds take over. Sigh.

Side Yard, Done

• Nothing! Okay... placed my grandmother's old garden bench there? Set up a hose? Yeah, not much.

Side Yard, To Do

• Something! Namely, landscaping. I'd love a real garden here. And our hedges and falling-apart fence have got to go.

Note: For this week's First Six Month Series, I'm using the realtor photos that advertised our house as the "Move-in" photo, and my own images for "6 months later."

The First Six Months: Doers

It was a simple question, really. We were at a party and the subject of our house came up, so we ticked off the completed projects and the To Do's. Someone then asked us, completely nonchalantly, "Who are you paying to do all of the work?"

We laughed.

We've paid one person to help us out so far: a carpenter who took down the old fireplace mantel and built us a new one. We are not carpenters. But here's what we are, I'm proud to say: we are painters, stainers, sanders, floor-layers, mould-ers, caulk-ers, saw-ers, hardware-ers, framers, door-hangers, light-ers, decorators, and more.

In the first six months of homeownership, we've been doers. I like it that way.

Of course, it's cheaper to be doers. And our local housing market... it isn't cheap. We put it all on the line to get into this house of ours, and working on it ourselves stretches our dollars in a big way. Being doers is about so much more than saving money, though. It's about putting your mark on a space, about truly making it your own. It's about investing with your time and your energy, our most personal currencies. It's about getting personal, with every nail and screw and paint stroke. It's about a sense of accomplishment.

My grandparents did it. My parents did it. And now I do it.

There are things about a new house that are appealing, no doubt about it. The existence of even a single right angle, for instance. That's a novelty to us now. (Or at least to me - T grew up in a pre-Revolutionary War house that was even more crooked than ours is.) The thing about old, though... it has soul. It has romance. This is a house that talks to me with every creak. And I love it.

This week, I thought it'd be fun to honor our first six months in our house with a report card of sorts, and to lay out what we've planned for the next six. Some might say the second half of our year will be a little less doer than the first. We're calling in reinforcements to help with some biggies. Knocking out walls, for instance. Rebuilding ceilings for new lighting. Stuff that scares me. But there are lots of projects left, both big and small. I also know that because it's me, there will always be projects. This house is a work in progress, just like I am. We're in it together.

One more thing: thanks for playing along the past six months, truly. You guys have made all of it more fun. Stay tuned through the week for a special surprise on Friday... just one more way for me to say thank you.

Oreck Steam-It Winner!

Drumroll, please...

The winner of the Oreck Steam-It is....

LINDSAY!

Lindsay's a NC-turned-DC gal that I actually met randomly at a mutual friend's cookout last spring... what a small world! She recognized me even though I was decked out in pearls and pastels due to the event's "genteel sporting attire" dress code. Linday's planning her wedding at the DAR (I can already hear my mom swooning) and does lots of cooking with her fiancé David. Congrats, Lindsay! I'll put you in touch with Oreck right away.

Thanks for participating, everyone!

MVP Monday?

In the history of my little world, has Monday ever been the best day of the week? Has it ever been the highlight of anyone's week? Mondays are usually, at best, a blur or a slog. At worst, they're a cacophony of horror. But as the week unfolds in front of me in days marked by endless meetings and To Do's, I just might go ahead and call Monday the best day yet.

Our place, Halloween night

I don't know if it was the adorable homemade lobster with giant claws or the pint-size President Obama, but trick-or-treating was good for my soul yesterday. Even the grandma asking for candy made me smile. I'm just going to ride that high, then, and go ahead and call the rest of the week a wash.

That fun house-themed week of blogging I'd planned? Next week instead. When I can breathe again and write a little more coherently.

In the meantime, you have one more day to enter the Oreck giveaway. I'll announce the winner on Thursday.

Monday - who knew?!

Pumpkin pride (and pancakes)

Happy Halloween, everyone!

I'm geekily excited for our first Halloween in our house tonight. Bring it on, cute kiddos! I hope I have enough candy for you. You'll be greeted with a scary jack o'lantern and a happy jack o'lantern. Your parents will be greeted with this, our "Wow, who is that cool couple and just how much do I want to be friends with them?" jack o'lantern:

(kidding)

(sort of)

DC Pride!

Speaking of pumpkins, here's a recipe you've got to make asap. Since it's Monday, that might mean you're waiting until Saturday to make it, but honestly, don't wait any longer than that.

I'm historically not a pancake person - too heavy, and not nearly as fun as the crispiness of a good waffle. These pancakes, though, are changing my tune entirely. I think the difference comes in separating the eggs, then beating the egg whites before folding them into the batter last. It's a technique I'll use for all pancakes going forward. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pancakes

Adapted from Bon Appetit, found here

Serves 2, double for more

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup whole wheat flour (if you don't have any, using 1/2 cup all-purpose flour is fine)

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup skim milk

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

2 large eggs, separated

2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, pumpkin puree, egg yolks, melted butter, and vanilla extract together, mixing well until smooth.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing with a spatula until just combined.
4. In another small bowl, using an electric hand mixer (or stand mixer), beat the egg whites until thick and stiff.
5. Gently fold the egg whites into the pancake batter, mixing until smooth.
6. Meanwhile, heat a frying pan or griddle over medium heat.
7. Lightly spray the pan with cooking spray, and, in 1/4-cup increments, cook each pancake until lightly browned on each side, about 1 minute per side.
8.  Repeat with the remaining batter.
9.  Top with your favorite syrup, and enjoy!

Friday I'm in Love

I'm looking forward to carving some pumpkins and doing some fall cooking this weekend... how about you? In the meantime:

Generation Catalano

As a generational in-betweener, I've never felt quite at home in either the Generation X or Millennial categories. The "Generation Catalano" label, then, fits the bill nicely, although the piece is a tad short on analysis. Generational divides are so interesting to me. I think this split in perspectives can also be applied to many personal blogs, now that I think of it. Discuss. (And for you fellow My So-Called Life-ers, does it get any better than Jezebel's breakup letter to Jordan through the eyes of adulthood? I think not.)

The High Comedy of Local Government

My profession pre-disposes me to love Parks & Recreation... but even if I hadn't been in more than my share of public meetings, I'd love it anyway. Leslie Knope? Ron Swanson? Treat Yo Self? Comedic gold! That said, the professional hiccups in the Swanee Parks Department are the ones that get me giggling the hardest. This interview from the excellent Atlantic Cities gets to the root of why I know those plotlines all too well... the high comedy that is real-life local government. Save Whiskers!

A Little Something Pumpkin...

Or, you know, a mind-blowing enormous thing of pumpkin. Okay then, Grant Achatz. You win.

On that note, I'm so excited to greet our neighborhood trick-or-treaters on Monday! Next week I'll be celebrating our six-month (plus a little extra) anniversary in the house with some fun renovation report-backs and a neat surprise, so stay tuned!

PS: Don't forget to enter the big Oreck giveaway!

Love in a bowl

This is my favorite dish in DC these days: duck ragu gnocchi at Bibiana.

I can't get enough of this stuff.

Imagine, if you can, the sheer smokiness of this dish. On a cold and rainy night, eating Bibiana's duck gnocchi is the culinary equivalent of curling up by a fireplace. It begs for pinot noir. It looks deceptively simple, and then you begin to eat, and you cannot help but close your eyes and make an unfit-for-a-restaurant sound with your mouth.

I assumed the dish's bold flavor came from smoking the duck, but when I asked, our waiter told me that it's actually the potatoes that are smoked before they're turned into gnocchi. Here's where he blew my mind: The basic preparation for these potatoes - used both in this dish and in Bibiana's sweetbreads - involves hay smoking. I'm going to assume you're as unfamiliar as I was with the concept. Here's what it involves: an industrial-sized dutch oven in the Bibiana kitchen, filled with hay save for a bare spot in the middle. The center of the dutch oven is filled with potatoes, surrounded by the border of hay. The hay is then set on fire and the lid to the oven is closed.

I'm dying to hay-smoke something now.

And also, cook some duck. My sister's family is coming for Thanksgiving (!!!), and we're leaning away from turkey because we'll be eating so much of it the previous and following weekends with the rest of the fam. I don't want to go all Julia this Thanksgiving, so I'm not looking for anything extreme, but if you have a favorite simple duck recipe, I'd love to have a look. I'm thinking in keeping with our low-key approach, some simple breasts, maybe dressed with a decadent sauce that'll give them a Thanksgiving feel. So far the recipe that appeals most is in Alice Water's 'The Art of Simple Food'... it's very, very simple, but without a sauce. Any ideas?

But back to the dish at hand: please go to Bibiana for this duck and this hay-smoked gnocchi if you're local or visiting. If you're not in the mood for a night-out kind of dinner, try a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine at the bar. Hopefully your seatmates won't mind the sounds you'll be making.