All posts by Sarah @ 702 Park Project

Happy Easter!

March 29, 2013Categories: DecorSarah @ 702 Park Project

I can’t wait to decorate next year for Easter! Who am I kidding…I can’t wait to decorate for any holiday at all in our new house! I think I will probably use any excuse to decorate. Secretary’s Day? Groundhog Day? National Cookie Day? (Yes, there is such a thing…and it’s December 4.)

Here are a few of the decorating ideas I’m currently loving:

Spring Mantel

You can check out more of my favorite holiday ideas on my Pinterest page.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday, and that the Easter Bunny is good to ya!

More Fireplace Love

March 28, 2013Categories: DecorSarah @ 702 Park Project

Yall know that I’m in love with the fireplaces in the house…all 8 of them! And I’m also a huge fan of the blog Young House Love. On Wednesday, two of my favorites came together in this blog post.

John and Sherry of Young House Love updated their ugly old brick fireplace into a large, inviting focal point. And they made it look so easy! I’ve seen enough of their stuff to know that they are true DIY pros, but I think Charles and I could handle this project. I think it would look great to add it to the office fireplace and stain it a very dark brown. We are planning to go “moody” and paint the walls a hunter green with lots of dark and wood accents, so I think this would be a great addition!

Here’s a few pictures of John & Sherry’s work:

Another Craigslist Score

March 25, 2013Categories: FurnitureSarah @ 702 Park Project

Charles and I definitely want a 36″ gas range for the new kitchen. However, since we know it will be quite a while before we get to the kitchen, we didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a new appliance. So I was excited when browsing Craigslist one day I found a Jennaire 36″ gas range. It was white, and not the prettiest thing in the world, but it would certainly get the job done until we can afford an upgrade.

So Charles contacted the seller and we went to check it out one Sunday afternoon. The sale price was $90, which is super cheap…these retail for around $1600 new. The range looked to be in good shape. A few minor cracks and a couple of knobs needing to be replaced, but overall, a good option for us. (It even included the manuals!)

After we looked at it for a few minutes and decided we wanted it, Charles offered the guy $80. (I learned from my dad that you NEVER pay full price on Craigslist and everything is negotiable.) The guy seemed sort of put off and said that he would like to get at least $125 out of it. WHAT!?! It was listed for $90!!!! He didn’t seem to want to budge, so Charles played hardball and walked away, telling him to give us a call if he decided he could sell it for $80. Well it was only about 4 days later that we got a text from him saying it was ours for $80 if we wanted it. I was so proud of my hubby for his negotiating skills!! It really paid off and ended up getting us a fully functional gas range (in the size we want, which is hard to find) for an incredible price.

Check it out…and yes, it does include all of the knobs and burner covers, I was just too lazy to get them all out and put them on!

On a similar note, our apartment living room is starting to look like a used furniture and appliance shop! Oh how I long for storage!!

702 Park Avenue…Across the Country

March 22, 2013Categories: Just For FunSarah @ 702 Park Project

It started with me wondering what 702 Park Avenue in Manhattan looked like. I feel like I’m way above my pay grade living on a street named Park Avenue! The cheapest apartment I found for sale when browsing Park Avenue in NYC was about $1.3 million. So yeah…we’re gonna stick with good ol’ NC!

So I began to wonder what some other places with the address 702 Park Avenue might look like in different parts of the country. Here’s what I found…

Happy Friday, yall! Have a fantastic weekend! (And happy birthday to my favorite cousin-in-law, Coach Michael Ellis!)

Pain is Temporary

March 19, 2013Categories: DecorSarah @ 702 Park Project

At least when it comes to wallpaper! Has anyone heard of Tempaper? It’s a “peel-and-stick” temporary wallpaper…no need for yucky, messy glue! Sherwin-Williams also has a line of temporary wallpaper. If only these had been around a few decades ago, we wouldn’t be struggling to remove the current wallpaper in the dining room. I’m seriously considering smoothing out the edges and either re-painting or re-wallpapering (yeah, I said wallpapering) right over it. No judging! To remind you of the current wallpaper that is soooo not working:

Yeah…that has GOT to go! I’ll admit I have commitment issues when it comes to wallpaper. It’s traditionally so hard to apply, and even harder to remove. Plus, if you don’t like the design or pattern once it’s on your walls, you’re kind of stuck (literally). So I think temporary wallpaper is the perfect solution for those with wallpaper phobias like myself.

Although I have my reservations, I do like the idea of continuing with wallpaper in the dining room. I’ve always thought of wallpaper as outdated and, well, just plain old. But the house is 110 years old, so if ANY house can have wallpaper, it’s this one! Plus I’ve found some really elegant patterns that don’t look outdated. In fact, they would probably vamp up this room a good bit. The three large windows provide so much light, and we haven’t decided on a color scheme for this room, so the possibilities are endless!

Here are a few that I am drawn to:

Happy Friday, Y’all!

March 15, 2013Categories: Just For FunSarah @ 702 Park Project

I hope everyone has had a great week! Unfortunately, no house news to report today. We are still waiting on an appraisal so we can move forward.

So instead, I thought I’d just share a few random things with you…

First, how about that Wolfpack!?!?! We handily beat the Hokies (80-63), so we will take on #4 Virginia today at 2:00 pm. It’s exciting to live in the same town as the ACC tournament. The whole city seems to be buzzing. GO PACK!!

Richard Howell beasting it (as usual) against Virginia Tech yesterday.

Since I haven’t been able to do too much shopping for the house because everything is still so undecided, I found a little retail therapy in other places this week. Luckily it all pretty much went on gift cards, so no guilt here! Here are a few of the things I picked up…

First, these super cute flats by Restricted satisfy both my shoe and gold fetish! They should arrive this afternoon, and I can’t wait to wear them!

I also got a few make up goodies this week. Thanks to this house project and my perpetually bad sleeping habits, I’m starting to see a hint of darkness under my eyes in the mornings. There is NO WAY I am having dark circles or bags at 25!! So I went to Ulta and they recommended this concealer cream by Benefit. It’s called “Boi-ing!” How cute! Today is the second day I’ve worn it and I’m already a true believer. It has excellent coverage and a great brightening effect. For any woman going through a home renovation, or just stressed in general, I would certainly recommend it!

For Christmas my mom got me a Birchbox subscription. For those of you who don’t know Birchbox, it’s a site that send you beauty product samples once a month. The subscription is only $10 a month and it is definitely worth it!! I’ve gotten great hair products, make up, skin care products, nail polish, and perfumes. I just got my last month, but I definitely think I will sign up again in time for next month. Anywho… one of the products in this month’s box is the new Benetint cheek stain, also by Benefit. I was a little nervous about trying a stain, but it’s incredible! It’s super easy to apply and lasts all day. Love love love!

Last but not least, I made a trip to Pier 1. I was so impressed with their inventory. And they had lots of good clearance and sale items too! I once again was overcome with my gold obsession, and ended up going home with this sculpture. Luckily it was on clearance for less than $15! I can’t wait to put it on a mantle or use it in styling a bookshelf. You will definitely be seeing this piece again!

Well, sorry for the randomness. Have a fabulous weekend, everyone! :)