Guess what, guys! I am FINALLY done with my brick wall project. Yippee! Hooray! Whew.

Once the mortar was mixed and the bricks had been laid out, I experienced a major "Oh-crap-what-have-I-gotten-myself-into" moment. I honestly felt that I'd bitten off more than I could chew. But everything was all set and ready to go, and those naked, patched-up walls were seriously starting to make my eyes bleed. So there was no turning back. It was time to get down and dirty.

It's been a grueling, dusty, and extremely rewarding month. Here's the recap of my first foray into masonry:

Recognize this awesome laser? A perfectly level foundation is the key to a straight wall, so I used this handy tool to guarantee that my bolsters were 100% straight prior to laying the first brick.

Next, I combined powdered thinset mortar with water and mixed it into a thick, batter-like consistency. The boxes of veneers came in mixed assortments of grays and browns, so I organized all the bricks by color in order to plan out an even distribution of all the variations.

This technique is called back-buttering, and it really is like spreading peanut butter onto a piece of toast! I found that an even 2/3" layer was enough to grip the wall without oozing everywhere.

After back-buttering, I pushed and wiggled each tile against the wall until the mortar started pulling at the brick. Once the suction was created, I slowly slid the brick up and over, using spacers to maintain even distancing between each brick. I went with 3/8" spacers, which is the standard joint spacing for real brick walls.

------------ Repeat for 280 square feet. ------------

It took me about two days to get a hang of the fundamental techniques and stop making huge messes everywhere. After that, I started throwing bricks on the wall like nobody's business. This project didn't call for any extraordinary skills, but it did require an insane amount of tedious repetition and grunt work. I can't even complain, because all that squatting, lifting, bending, and reaching totally whipped me into shape ;-)

I also tackled a smaller wall by our entryway in order to establish a smooth, transitional flow into the living room. The previous owners were obviously really into the color red. I think it made them happy. Kinda like how Wonka makes me happy.

Mid-point laser check! Yup, still straight :)

Almost there!! Chris and I signed the back of the final brick before it was set into place, and...

Bam! All done.

This project was a true labor of love. Sure, I've been sporting a set of calloused man hands for about a month, and I also dropped/broke a brick on my foot, rendering myself incapable of wearing any cute shoes for the next few weeks. But the wall is finally complete, and I am deliriously happy with the outcome.

Once the crown and base mouldings are installed, our living room renovation will be finished! We are sooo close, and I absolutely cannot wait to share the final transformation with you. Stay tuned!

One of my favorite memories of Florence was the time Chris and I spent sitting outside a tiny bistro café, chatting, people watching, and sipping cappuccinos. It was so relaxing and romantic!

Since our existing kitchen already had an Old-World-European motif going on, I decided to take it and run with it. My goal was to adapt the same look and feel of that café into the workings of a functional kitchen. Here are the traditional and modern elements I married up to create a timeless space that we can enjoy for years to come:

Brass Hardware - Rather than changing the color of our cabinets, I sprung for some new hardware instead. Swapping in new knobs, handles, and pulls is an easy and affordable way to update cabinetry. Hardware is like jewelry for furniture, and you'd be surprised what a difference a tiny change can make! I opted for brass hardware, which develops a lovely patina over time and will beautifully compliment the cherry wood as it ages.

Pendant Lighting - Pendant lighting provides an industrial quality that is often present in classic bistros. My handsome Hicks pendant delivers a solid punch of masculinity in an otherwise elegant space.

Marble Backsplash - I've got a slightly unhealthy obsession with marble and have been searching for a practical way to incorporate it into our home. Marble is a highly porous stone and it stains easily, which makes it a high-maintenance choice for countertops. It also comes with a fancypants price tag, which made it no-go for tiling the bathroom. Our backsplash, on the other hand, only required a minimal amount of square footage. It was the perfect opportunity to pounce!

I went with a polished Carrara Bianco, which has a greyer base and more veining than Carrara Venato, which is a whiter stone with less veining. The cool marble gracefully harmonizes with the warmth of our cabinets and lends a rich gourmet feel to the room. Totally worth the splurge!

Gray walls - Benjamin Moore's Chelsea Gray is a deep, sophisticated gray with a hint of brown. Combined with a fresh coat of white paint on the ceiling, this new color sets the tone of a very fresh and cozy atmosphere.

I also have a bucket of chalkboard paint that I'll be using to create a chalkboard wall later on. I dare you to find a bistro without a chalkboard! Not only are they extremely useful, they are just so much fun.

Get a load of this spice drawer! This drawer was part of the original kitchen design, and I get a little giddy every time I pull it open.

Wine fridge. 'Nuff said.

The sink and faucet are staying put for now, until I find an ideal replacement. (I'm thinking farmhouse!) Still working on styling those glass cabinets...

This sunny spot on our window sill would make a great home for some kitchen herbs! Even though my two current victims include a lonely cactus and a basil plant, I hope to gradually expand. Maybe some cilantro for guacamole... or perhaps mint for mojitos?? :)

Black & White Floors - I did not touch our floors because they were already the shizz. Black and white octagon tiles are the quintessential example of pre-war aesthetic, and I love how their vintage New York vibe balances out the modern sheen of our stainless steel appliances.

And there you have it! A simple, yet powerful transformation. ("Befores" here) This room feels much more personal now, and it actually inspires me to step up my culinary game. And you know what? I am really, really glad I gave those cabinets a chance :) More later!

Ah, exposed brick. The stuff my dreams are made of. Brick walls effortlessly exude rustic charm and supply loads of character to any space. They were totally on my wish list during our apartment hunt, and since our new place did not come with a lovely stone wall, I decided to make one myself! That's when our renovations hit a wall (pun intended). The bricks I ordered were not available for months, so we had to place the project on hold.

Several weeks ago, with our expected delivery date on the horizon, I started palm-rubbing and getting excited again. Then I received a super distressing phone call - Apparently, there had been a freezing spell at the manufacturing plant in Bigler, PA. My share had cracked and was ruined, and the next batch wouldn't be available for another few months.

I totally flipped out when I heard the news. Looking back now, I sort of feel bad for the guy on the other end of the line. Thankfully, he remained pleasant and reassured me that there were enough bricks salvaged from the ruined batch to cover the square footage I needed. They were cut slightly larger than my original order, but I jumped on the offer and snatched them right up. Like I said, it's all about knowing when to compromise! :)

The shipment was scheduled, and I took a half-day last week to be at home for the drop-off. I didn't know what I was expecting. In my head, I was picturing a few big boxes that could be neatly stacked and tucked away in a corner by the door. You can probably imagine my shock when I saw this huge flatbed rolling up our hill.

The driver (His name is Horacio) had mad skillz. He pulled a U-ie AND parallel parked this ginormous truck in front of our building.
Next, Horacio unhitched the forklift and drove it backwards down the street, against traffic, up to our side entryway. Then he plopped the crate down on the sidewalk and drove off with a wave as I stood there with my jaw hanging open.
Cue ominous rain clouds gathering overhead. It was getting ready to start pouring at any minute, so I didn't even have time to freak. I needed to hustle. I borrowed a heavy-duty hand truck from our super and spent the next hour moving the 35 lb boxes into our apartment.

Needless to say, my arms were ready to fall off by the time I schlepped all 27 boxes upstairs and into our second bedroom. I was completely exhausted, but also felt overwhelmed with relief. I FINALLY had my bricks! Hooray!!

Now the fun can really begin. It's time to roll up my sleeves and turn my dream brick wall into reality! More later :)

It’s hard to believe that this will be the last post I write from our home on Booth Street. Over the past seven years, apartment 6G has sheltered me as I’ve grown into the person I am today. It is filled with unforgettable memories. I will truly miss this place and the friendly neighborhood that has become so familiar through the years.

Chris and I were running around like two headless chickens yesterday, tackling last-minute errands and logistics. It was exhausting, and I felt super stressed and emotional all day. With all the chaos surrounding our move, I figured we'd be too crazed to celebrate Valentine's Day. But, as usual, Mr. Jeng had something up his sleeve - a simple picnic in the middle of our empty new apartment.

I couldn’t have imagined a sweeter first memory for us to share together in our new home.
I know there will be many more :)

We’ll be bouncing around over the next several weeks as our team works on wrapping up some final details. Lots more to come once I resurface from this sea of bubble wrap, boxes, and tape. Wish me luck!