This Old Goth Haus: Flooring and Other Bits and Bobs

Our floor in the living room, bar area and dining room is almost complete! Last week was a mentally and physically exhausting with doing this project and I have to say that I hope to never have to put flooring down again. Though I love to tackle DIY projects in general, I have even more respect for people who work physically demanding jobs that involve flooring, tiling, etc. 

The house is still a bit of a mess as we took a break this week, yet on Sunday we'll start putting in the quarter round moulding and put everything back. Another positive thing about throwing the house into chaos is rearranging furniture and getting a fresh perspective.

Derek came home last Tuesday to a defeated wife and a mess everywhere. I'm very grateful that he didn't let my frustration get the best of him and he was able to finish up the bar area. 

If you're wondering what product we are using, it's the TrafficMaster Allure vinyl plank flooring in the color Teak. I would not recommend this product if you have radiators unless your radiators are enclosed. Pain in the ass. Haha!

I was also inspired to look for some new end tables. I wanted something that would compliment the flooring and would look nice with our Mid Century Macabre decor. I was drawn to the LOVEBACKEN design and thought the price was right. So, we took a trip up to the IKEA in Burlington, ON in Canada. The exchange rate is fantastic right now and traveling to Canada from Buffalo is as easy as crossing a bridge that is ten minutes from our house. Much love to Canada!!!

We also came home with one of the derpest bats I've ever seen, look at those upside down wings! That's ok, derpy bats need love too. Hehe!

Oh yeah, Game of Thrones is back on and we're pretty darn excited! 

Have you been working on any house projects?

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Mid Century Macabre : I Love Home Decor

Our Adrian Pearsall chair was purchased by Derek for $5 (about 12 years ago), 

will be reupholstered soon.

I snapped a few photos to load and share about living room decor and design over the Retro Renovation blog. I absolutely love how informative and resourceful the blog has been to me and many of their readers. I love mid century design, but I also love the macabre, thus our home decor style has always been blended. So, I thought I would share my snaps with you all and show what we've been up to inside the house. 

The bar stools are from Derek's Nana. She sold her home in New Jersey that she built with her husband in 1954 and moved down to Virginia to be closer to Derek's parents. We are honored to have them in the house as shortly after their basement bar was built (in the 70s) Derek's Grandfather was hit and killed by a drunk driver at 45 years young.

Gotta love when you find coffee table for $9 while thrifting. To think, I almost passed it up until I picked it up and realized that it is solid piece of furniture! 

My gawdy lamps fit into the Mid Century Regency look I had in mind. We've have the couch for years, bought second hand and it's a solid piece. I am dreaming of a new couch, but am grateful this old soldier has been with us for years.

Very new-to-us piece that I picked up at a consignment shop for a song. We need more bar storage and this bamboo shelving unit was perfect. I'm really glad I waited other than settling, as this adds some 'light' into the bar area. Still hard to believe the bar area of the living room was Pepto (ab)ismal pink and an awkward room off the kitchen. Knocking down the walls was the best idea ever! 

barkcloth curtain panels were made by me

Our dining room got a new carpet! I was trying to figure out how to tie the room together and taking inspiration from the colors of the barkcloth curtains, I choose a shag green carpet. Now our black dining set 'pops' and it's the perfect compliment to the colors in the plamp (plant lamp) and all the black velvet paintings that are hung on the main wall (not pictured). 

Derek's face, hahaha!!!!!

Here's an example of our 'wall-o-velvet' in the dining room. The latest addition has been a cute blue-eyed puppy with a basket of flowers and a few others hanging about the room. What can I say, we love kitsch!

Even if you don't like our decorating style, it's just an example of how you can put together a whole house while being thrifty and unique. I love home decor and I love to see how others design their space. I believe it's an extension of your personality and that you should surround yourself with things (and people) that you love. 

Thank you for reading, until next time!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

I Love Being Thrifty

I love being thrifty. That means we visit garage sales, scour thrift shops, garage pick, visit antique/vintage shops, trade with friends and use Craigslist. We've been really, really lucky on Craigslist these past few weeks and have gotta a lot of great things for the Hut. The palm trees (second one is across the room, where I'm standing taking the photo), the bamboo love seat and chair, and the two wicker tables have all come from people selling on Craigslist. We got everything for a steal. The Hut is coming along nicely, but we have lots of decorating and unpacking to do. I haven't seen some of our collection for almost 6 months!

We also added this mid century credenza to our dining room, courtesy of good friends. It's nice when you can swap as a bunch of us decorate our homes in a similar fashion, so it's nice to see items go to good homes. I have to mention that Derek picked up the shadowbox at a garage sale a few years ago, painted it and surprised me with it! Can't say no to $10!

I really think I was a frustrated interior designer in another plane of existence. Hahahaaha! I just love to DIY, decorate and repurpose! My environment really effects my mood, so I think that's why I put so much care and thought into my space. Now that we have our own house, we both are busting with ideas, but know we can't get it all done at once. Crazy to think we've only been living in our house for almost 5 months!

Thank you for reading!

Stay tuned for my first GIVEAWAY! Details will be announced on the blog this week!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla