Bachelor pad dresser, that is.  My husband's single life dresser is what I like to call, a man chest.  It has no special quality to it, boring shape.  Take a look for yourself... 
But I'm determined to turn it into something unique for our baby boy.  We were just laughing that his once bachelor party pad dresser now belongs to a baby.  HA!  You never know where life will take you, or your furniture..  So anywayyy here are a few inspirational ideas that I have for remaking this drab dresser into a fab find for our little guy, with a manly-er feel, of course.  These are a bit beachy looking so I'm hoping with a darker aqua color they will still have the desired look that I'm going for: 
Hoping to start this project this weekend, with the help of my wonderful husband, of course.  More photos to come soon.  And who knows, we might get crazy and finish the nursery rocker too.  Although since I can't do any of the painting right now, that's all up to Jaime  :)

~A
 
Since I've been pregnant and the weather in Chicago has not been too cooperative, my new business starting point has been on hold.  Which has made this impatient person very impatient!  On top of that, the rental space I was looking into previously fell through.  Apparently it is a tough world out there for furniture refurbishers who live in the city!

Needless to say, my projects are sitting, waiting at the moment.  HOWEVER, I had a snow day yesterday.  Yes, in March, a snow day.  Being a Texas girl this was very confusing for me but somewhat exciting at the same time.  So given that day to myself, I decided to begin my ideas for completing the baby's room.  Here is a portion of his room at the moment which you will see isn't too exciting...
My darling Grams bought the beautiful crib for us, so this is what has begun the inspiration for our baby boy's room.  I thought it would help to get the crib sheet on, generously purchased by my best friend Leah, along with the blanket and mobile.  But sadly it just looks more in need now!  Not to fear, I have ideas flowing.. If I can focus this pregnant brain into something wonderful. 

And PS, we found a great modern rocker on Craigslist that we plan to renovate for the nursery.  As well as my husband's previous bachelor pad dresser.. more to come on that...

I also found the cutest ideas on Pinterest for the changing table wall.  Here's a sneak peak.. 
And here are the letters that I have so far... definitely some work to do but as you can see, Mister Jones is helping me immensely so it should be completed in no time.  Also, giving my sister credit, she thought it would be an awesome idea to make the letters for the baby's name all in the same pattern... love the idea!  But it came a little late as the letters had all already been purchased.  Good to note for later though -
More to come VERY soon...
~A
 
"What art offers is a space - a certain breathing room for the spirit"   -John Updike
This brings me to my next exciting hurdle in this new project:  finding a work space.  When it comes to living in Chicago, there is no extra room for work space.  Unless you're living in the burbs perhaps.  Especially in the new place that we call home which is a fairly small 2nd floor condo.  Therefore my next new venture is finding a work space that is affordable, safe, not located in BFE, and artist friendly. 

I have found such a place!  Maybe.  Greenleaf Art Center offers a small studio space with free parking (HUGE HERE!), A/C, heat, participation in group shows.  Sounds like a great deal but what a commitment!  I keep thinking back to my days living in Dallas where our second bedroom was used for storage and randomness... But then I think about it and I feel that if I had a studio to call my own, I would really be able to dive into my work without the distraction of Young and the Restless or reruns of the Fresh Prince at 2:00 in the afternoon.  The only problem is ventilation - do I get a huge fan?  Or is it enough to have a/c and a mask?  Decisions, decisions.  The biggest of them all is fitting a studio space into our expanding family budget.  Any ideas out there, I would love to hear them!

~A
 
I really wanted to say, no beginnings.  Because really I'm starting this new business from nothing but a pain in my heart, a longing that I've always had.  Not to be selfish or to stop working in the 'real world' but because I have never felt that I belong in that world.  My husband is SO passionate about his job.  His job is so satisfying because he does something that is both satisfying personally and professionally.  I actually get jealous that he has found this calling in life that he excels at, loves to do, and gets paid to do!  Here we are being happy at one of his "work" events: 
Me, on the other hand, I haven't been so lucky as to find what my husband has.  And don't think I haven't looked.  I have been working in the corporate world since I was 17 and have searched high and low for my calling.  I hope someone can back me up on this one - I have worked in retail, marketing, nonprofit, legal, finance.  The problem isn't the fact that these jobs were ALL horrible.  Some were, but the problem was my heart was never in it.  My heart has always been drawn elsewhere.  To some creative idea that I don't know if I will ever succeed in - starting my own business. 
Aside from a seemingly negative point of view about my new venture, I am VERY excited about the possibility that it holds!  I just want to be completely honest when blogging about my small beginnings because I don't feel that you get anywhere in life from not being truthful. 

I am going to put myself out there, put my work out there and hope that people like it!  Here goes, something...

~ A

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