Hi! Sorry for last week's absence. Rest assured, I was hard at work things that will eventually come this way, including the everlasting (and incredibly liberating) purge, which I can't wait to share with you, some deep cleaning, some reflections on Oscar the Roomba, and even some good eats. But one thing I have also been doing, perhaps paradoxically, given all the purging, is making a wish list. As we continue to live in this apartment (and are signing up for year 2), and as I am freeing myself from stuff I was holding onto - just in case or because I thought I should - it's making room, mentally and actually, for the things that could make the space much better. Including a coffee table. We had been using this heavy trunk.

Sorry for the crappy pic, but that's what we call a "before" shot. Anyway, you might recognize this trunk from Christmases past, including in our last apartment's living room as a long side table, and in this house in the office before it became Wesley's room. I love the rustic wood, the color, and the fact that it holds a TON of stuff. But in this room?

It was bringing me way, way down. It felt like it ate up the whole space, and, not intentionally, all the furniture in there was in the same tone family, which made it feel very sort of 70s basement rec room. I've also been thinking I wanted something round to provide a little relief from all the straight lines and rectangles in here. When the Ikea catalog came this week, I fell in love with the Stockholm table. And Dot and Bo offered a good deal on this Anima table. But both, though round, low, mid-century-inspired and lovely, were still in the walnut-y tone family. I really thought something white would feel a lot lighter, more updated, and less matchy-matchy. When I spotted this Land of Nod kid's Bin Play Table on a local listserv for $50, I decided to take the plunge.

It's a teeny bit taller than my absolute ideal, but it actually works out really well for working on the couch and pulling up a pouf to color or play a game. And, even though I sort of cheated by taking the "before" pics at night (I couldn't wait to try out the new table! There was no way I could wait 'til morning), trust me when I say it really does make a huge difference in here. Everyone's noticed it.

And, even though it feels so much more open, it does still offer some storage! I threw our basket of small games in there for now, but I anticipate this being a spot for Wesley's toys when it's time for those. Speaking of Wesley:

You're welcome. And, are you thinking that some things have a-changed in our space? You're right! We've been here for 9 months and it's high time I shared an updated house tour. Stay tuned - a real time, how we're living photo dump is coming your way!