Events/Sales – The Artesian Project

Around Chicago, Events/Sales, Just because

(happy h&o-ween!)

The Artesian Project | www.theartesianproject.wordpress.com — (no fear, it’s a candy cig)

Happy Halloween to all five of my readers out there (hi mom!). We are taking a break on the house stuff this weekend to get into the holiday spirit. Last year my plans to go as Wendy Peffercorn from the Sandlot were crushed by the frigid Chicago temps; as was my plan this year (sorry Wendy, but it’s snowing). Instead, we went as Chicago’s very own Smokin’ Jay Cutler and the Black Unicorn aka Martellus Bennett. Don’t know who Smokin’ Jay is? Check this out, but just know that Smokin’ Jay DON’T CARE if you don’t know who he is.

This year, we are going as only the greatest musical duo of ALL TIME: Hall &

Oates. {please turn on “you make my dreams come true” whilst reading remainder of the post}. Matt will be taking on the role of Mr. Oates with his thick mustachio and I will the hot blonde that is Daryl Hall. So far a mullet wig has been purchased and (sadly) the rest of the costume is in my current wardrobe (knew those electric blue acid wash jeans would come in handy!). I will also be wearing my badass H&O earrings – which coincidentally, I am also wearing right now at work – that I picked up at the Renegade Craft Fair from Leroy’s Place (awesome stuff; they have that Rick Ross keychain you have been looking allll over for). Matt is going to work on the brooding stare while I will be mastering the mid-air jump and point for the evening.

Hall & Oatmeal Stout | www.theartesianproject.com — (hall & oatmeal stout)

Fun fact: one the beers we brewed for our wedding favor was Hall & Oatmeal Stout because I love to love them so much. And the label I designed won label of the week on GrogTag. Big day for the Wagners.

And here is the full wedding brew line-up just in case you were curious.

Around Chicago, DIY, Events/Sales, Houzz, Inspiration, It's all in the Details, The New Digs

(wood you like to know the recipe for adding instant character?)

I have always had a penchant for vintage things with loads of character, but after taking Woodworking 101 at the ReBuilding Exchange in the Spring, I want salvaged everything. I took the class with my future sis-in-law and we absolutely loved it. We hand selected our own timber and used real badass power tools over the course of the 4 week class. I will eventually be using my tabletop as the basement bar counter top – chyea! Sidenote: if you live in the Chicago area and have never visited the ReBuilding Exchange – GO! I have found many a pieces there for projects – including the mantel that turned into our headboard and is my favorite project to date.

So naturally, I now feel compelled to sprinkle the magic of reclaimed wood all over the new house: the recipe for instant character. I have already designed built-ins around the family room fireplace that will be using the wood pieces as counter top and shelving (contrasted against white cabinetry) which I am incredibly stoked for. Also, as mentioned above, I will be using the tabletop piece I made in class as the counter top for the wet bar in the basement – I also plan on taking a trip to ReBuilding Exchange to select a few thick pieces to turn into open shelving above the cabinets. I have been hemming and hawing about adding beams in the family room or the master bedroom and I think we are settled on the master (I was worried the dark beams would bring down the ceiling height in the family room). So without further ado, here are some of my fav uses of salvaged wood that I found on the interwebs that will *hopefully* be incorporated more or less into House Wagner 2.0.

Midcentury spaces design by los angeles interior designer Natalie Myers

Farmhouse spaces design by louisville home builders Southern Comfort Homes of Louisville

Delaware Beach House with Reclaimed Wood Beams beach-style-hall

Beach Style hall design by new york building supplies FauxWoodBeams

Farmhouse kitchen design by philadelphia home builders Sullivan Building & Design Group

Happy Friday!

Events/Sales, Lighting, The New Digs

(lights, please?)

Anyone else catch that Charlie Brown Christmas reference? No? Anyways…

My recent task for the new digs has been to select the lighting fixtures for the house. To some, this could be a really easy task: “Sure, I went to Home Depot and got 5 of these and 3 of those,” but unfortunately for me, I really, really, really like lights. I’m the girl taking pictures of chandeliers instead of listening to the tour (see above – Notre Dame Paris). I have been pouring over these lights for weeks; even woke up in the middle of the night last week and my first conscious thought was pendants. Sad, I know.

To me, light fixtures are like jewelery for your home. An easy (and sometimes affordable) way to add a touch of glam or surprise where it could have been dull. So we walked through the entire floor plan with our contractor and, sure enough, I signed us up for megaload of these “moments,” which can really add up.

So, here’s the plan:

1. Prioritize your light fixtures. You probably do not need to spend as much on your basement bathroom fixtures as you would in, let’s say, the powder room that will be used everyday by you and by your guests. Put quality fixtures where they will be used most. I put our kitchen counter pendants, powder room, and dining chandelier at the top of my list. Don’t worry, you can still get some great looking fixtures for less dollas for the rest of the house (Shades of Light is a great place to start).

2. Create a pinterest board (or what have you) so you know what you want to purchase when the time comes. Feel free to take a peek at my Lighting board on Pinterest for some ideas.

3. Be ready to strike when the iron’s hot. Know when those fixtures are going on sale. Join email lists, do some serious browsing, and ask around. Knowledge is power when it comes to getting yourself the best price: Crest Lighting, who I pass to and from the L everyday, offers a 20% discount for new constructions. I knew Restoration Hardware had an upcoming lighting sale (30% off – and still going!) and I asked one of their designers if this was the best price I would be getting or if I should wait for another sale – they will be honest with you.

So although our house will not be ready for quite some time (grrr), we are now ready with some quality kitchen pendants that are just right and powder room sconces that scream Parisian Bistro – oooh lala! Excited to show you how these look in the finished product. Christmas came early in the Wagner house 🙂

Around Chicago, Events/Sales

(renegade craft fair)

This weekend is the Renegade Craft Fair in Wicker Park and I am super stoked to go. I am a big fan of finding one-of-a-kind pieces with some spunk made from local artisans. Plus, being in the events business myself I like to show support to other events and the industry.

I went to the Handmade Market back in December and came out with a slew of gifts (what up Alapash & White Nest), so now with a new house (**hopefully**) on the way, I will be on the hunt to fill those blank walls. I think it is important to fill your house with pieces that have a story to tell – a family heirloom, a souvenir from a vacation, or something with some character. Here are a few of this weekend’s vendors that I am looking forward to scouting out:

Cartografika – hoping to go with a map-themed basement (my friends didn’t nickname me Cartesian Kristy for nothin), so these super cool prints would fit in juuuuuust right.
CHC – these bags are so perfect it hurts.
Leroy’s Place – omg Hall & Oates earrings? I could go for that…no? More about my love for H&O later.
Line and Shape Ceramics – I think layering different textures on each other is the key to a unique space and these vases have a LOT of texture – and are very different.
Sarah Mimo Clocks – I mean, just look at these. Want.
Studio Chris – vintage-esque posters for each Chicago neighborhood. I see you Humbolt Park.
Territory Design – Beautiful, handcrafted pieces from all over the globe with proceeds going back to the local artisans
Yoder’s Wooded Lot – love me some salvaged wood functional pieces
speaking of salvaged wood, I also heard that the Rebuilding Exchange’s in-shop line, RX Made will be making an appearance at the fair.