blue egg brown nest

The Urbanfarmhouse Store

March 31, 2020 by christen 2 Comments

My dear friend, June, opened up her very own shop about a year ago and it is just too adorable for words! It is located in this little house in Arlington and filled to the brim with farmhouse chic items and locally-sourced goodies! You cannot leave this gem without finding something for your home.

Dear June sells my oil paintings as well. It’s been very humbling and inspiring having my work, this type of painting, bought and hung in people’s homes.

For the safety of all, she has closed the stop and opened an ONLINE shop! I am so excited. She has curbside pick up hours.

Check out her sweet wares at The Urban Farmhouse Store

Here’s some of her finds below….

Thank you for giving me a place to hang my hat and buy my candles and decor, Sweet June! Love you! xo

Quarantine & Bookshelves (Take 2)

March 27, 2020 by christen 1 Comment

Hi!!!!! Where the heck have you all been? Just kidding. I know, it me and it’s so nice to sit here writing and thinking of you all. How has everyone been? Are we surviving? I’ve been quarantined for 11 days with the fam and it’s a real rollercoaster. I have found that there are a few things that help me. A schedule, texting or face-timing with friends, reading, an afternoon walk, cooking dinner with the kids and small and/or big project. Projects help.

I have cleaned out a lot of closets, organized papers, baked, browsed and read. Little projects. When Brent was able to take a break for tele-working this weekend, we got to start a big project. A big project gives big satisfaction.

Brent was able to order wood for the bookshelves that we’ve talked about building for a while now. Brent loves this type of work. I knew this would be good for him and his mental state.

Look at him go! That’s like 3 hours work of work too. I married the right man, People. We looked at a ton of photos and talked about the design. Here’s some of the images that we are going for. Dark and English. Oh, and of course a ladder.

Our study is rather small and we will require a desk and the small, leather couch that has been in there. My vision is that it will be a layered, cozy look. I am looking at some blue/green paints. We still have a ways to go before that part of the process. I love how the kids are involved.

Since we will have these cool built-ins, I am sadly going to need to sell a beautiful piece that I bought from a former client of mine. You may remember it. It has the most beautiful golden chicken wire on the door fronts, glass shelves. If interested, email me directly. cbensten@blueeggbrownnest.com

Last thought. I know we are all taking things day by day and it can be really isolating, lonely, anxiety-provoking and irritating. I hope you all can give yourself some grace during this hard time. Place your hand on your heart and take a deep breath. Thank yourself for doing your very best. We can do hard things.

Love to all of you.

Filed Under: building a house Tagged With: blue egg brown nest, Building bookshelves, chalk Paint, Design, interior design, study, vintage study

Color!

March 26, 2020 by christen 5 Comments

Brent said I needed to choose a color so we could get it before the rest of the world shut down. We hope to order it if possible? We are not quite there yet, but I’m definitely into dark and probably in the blue family. Shocker. Don’t tell DH, but I really don’t know how this will turn out…..eeek.

These are all Benjamin Moore. I’m partial to Dark Harbor. Anyone have any experience w/ this color?

“I encourage people to be brave with color and unleash their inner artist,” said Ms. Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute. “Experiment with color, have fun with it, allow yourself to live with it for a while. It is, after all, just one or two cans of paint. And when, and if, you tire of it, move on to another color and treat yourself to another creative exercise.” – New York Times

Yes, I agree NY Times. Now is not the time to hold back. We need something bold. I want to paint all the trim and the ceiling the same color too. High gloss. Brent is rather scared. It’s ok, I tell him. We can do hard things 🙂

Here’s some samples I found.

Apparently, it’s a popular door color too. Hmmmm.

Yes or yes?!

Anyone ride with Ally Love on Peloton? This is my very favorite quote from her. “Yes or Yes?!” I use it all the time with my kids. If you ride the Peloton try her. You will not be disappointed! She does a class on Sunday called Sundays with love. It is really motivating and inspirational.