Como estan ustedes? It's Monday, and I am here with a bunch of finished projects I can't wait to show you. Oh wait. Just kidding. I am here with a long, largely aspirational but wholly exciting, to do list. A friend came over to meet Wesley a couple weeks ago and asked if I was all done with the apartment, or if I had anything left to do. I was actually flattered by the question; When I look around here all I see is a pile of unfinished projects. So yeah, I have some plans. Some of them are organizational - brace yourselves for more closet organization in the future - and some are small and fun and require - what else? - a can of gold spray paint, the guts to get out on our roof and use it, and a nap long enough to see it through - but some are a bit more intensive. Starting with this dresser.

You might recall that this dresser has roamed around our house. It once lived in our back hallway - the hall of closets - and actually held clothes. Then we moved it to the kitchen and tried to shove utensils into it, but it was too short and didn't provide enough storage to work there. Now, it's in our dining room.

It's not in super shape. It hasn't been since I bought it at a thrift store six years ago (and attempted - illadvisedly - to move it up the stairs to my apartment by myself), painted it this leftover wall paint and put these hideous knobs on 'er. I mean, the knobs might be fine in another context, but they're not here. I like the idea of having it in this space though, along the back wall of the dining area. It provides good storage and offers a nice space for a bar or pretty dish display. But I'm not going to buy anything new. I just want to revamp this piece a bit. And, since it's not in the greatest of shape, I'm feeling free to have fun with it. Here's my general inspiration:

These are the colors that I'm using throughout our open living space, which includes the kitchen, family room and dining room. I really like the deep teal and kelly green in particular, but the dark lime, bright apple and bluer teal all really appeal to me. Even the yellow in the painting seems like a bright and cheery option. So: What do you think? Any thoughts? I want it to be fun and bright and also a bit flexible. I find blues to be the most neutral of these colors, so I'm leaning that way, but the greens seem fun. What say you?

But of course, that's not all. There's also this Craigslisted Ikea kitchen island that is just nailing it in the storage and food prep department. We are all really happy we got it.

But I think it's a bit fugly. And even if I didn't think that, the paint splatters and knife marks the last owner left on it are Jamaica'n me crazy because I feel like it never looks clean. I've mentioned refinishing the wood, and once I really thought about that, I realized that I didn't have to leave it the natural butcher block blonde. I could stain it. Holy cow. The possibilities. I'm thinking a mid-toned non-red walnut. I just ordered a rotary sander, which should get here tomorrow, and is clearly the first step. It's a big project - but I'm really, really excited about it. I am totally confident that Wesley, who is "eating" (just hanging out on my boob) right now (it's cool - will make for at least once killer bicep at some point), will allow me the time to get 'er done.

Um, there's so much more. I really need to finish the little office space we've carved out of the back hallway:

Just looking at this photo stresses me out. I have plans though, and of all the projects, this is the least time-intensive. I want to continue the blackboard stripe from the rest of our hallway here, but we'll actually use it as a memo board above the desk. I'll organize and file and figure out the wrapping paper situation and things should shape up fairly quickly. It's just a matter of getting it done!

And these are just the tip of the iceberg. I sometimes I wonder about the point of all these projects if we're just going to pack up and move in November, when our lease is up. But barring some really big move - like outta the country - I don't think we're going to do that. At the very least, we want to justify the (obscene) commission we paid to the landlord's realtor when we moved in. Plus, moving sucks, this neighborhood rocks, and there is the teeniest possibility that the giant, industrial air conditioner on the roof outside our apartment, which makes the LOUDEST noise ever, is being replaced. That would seal the deal for staying here I think.

So that was a long post about three projects that aren't even done. Cool. I'ma get started...as soon as I do today's cleaning task (kitchen), make my bed, feed Wes some more and maybe, probably, shower. Talk Wednesday!