bringing Jens back

A little update on our Jens Risom coffee table... the top had so many drink rings and deep stains. With a veneer top, I had my doubts but Mark has really made some progress bringing it back to its original glory. Go Mark!

Speaking of Jens Risom, his Block Island prefab weekend home built in the 1960s is simply perfect. One of my dream homes!







In 1965, Risom purchased 7 acres of land for $5,000 on Block Island (in Rhode Island) and built this amazing prefab weekend home for his family. LIFE magazine sent a team to document the construction from start to finish. Risom had met a LIFE editor before the house was built and criticized the magazine for only covering expensive summer homes. He asked why they did not write about affordable homes that readers would be more interested in. That editor obviously took note. The article with a nice spread of photos appeared in the September 8, 1967 issue.

Photos by John Zimmerman for Life Magazine, 1967

den update: bookcaes- tv - wood chair - rug

It's official. I no longer have a TV in my dining room. You see, dreams can come true! New in the den is a $29 rug from HOBO that is a nice greyish brown and also super flat and sort of felt-like. Old stuff that has always been in that room include antique barrister bookcases and a wood chair that once belonged to one of Mark's relatives. Would you call that a captain's chair? I don't know. It's not like anything else in our house and Mark will not let me paint it. I suppose this room could now be called eclectic? Onto other challenges...I'm trying to find the right things to display in those bookcases along with our photo albums and books. It's not a pretty sight at the moment. And there's an equally unorganized matching bookcase on the other side of that wood chair.

Just look at the Vintage Cabin's nice barrister cases...

I love how the quilts and blankets look in there. Thanks to the Vintage Cabin for the inspiration. I might have to steal your look!

den update: coffee table sneak peek

coming soon: the den

What once was the green spare bedroom is now on its way to becoming the den. I was thrilled to paint over that bright Hulk green! The combined paint left over from the kitchen and basement turned out to be a perfect light grey. Now the hunt begins for a coffee table, rug, and some lighting. I can't wait to get this room put together! As you can see I've got a long way to go. Oh and I am only dreaming about a new couch...must find a way to make ol' dumpy work in this space. Right now, poor dumpy has temporary 2x4 legs!








black and chrome vintage task lamp
beautiful Jens Risom coffee table
Jens Risom sofa and sofa table
West Elm rug
love this magazine rack
vintage Danish modern daybed-sofa