...because home doesn't happen overnight.

It’s a special weekend post! Can I just tell you how crazy the next week is going to be? I am trying to wrap up a bunch of different projects for another Joss & Main event. One thing I love about the curated events are the lifestyle photos that go along with the sales for inspiration. I would like to include a few new photos of my house for the event so work, work, work it is. I have other blog related deadlines to meet before my sister’s wedding next weekend. My sister is getting married! The wedding is out of state and every person in my family of five is involved in the ceremony. I’m trying to round up quick, inexpensive outfits for everybody and then there’s the packing. Oh, the packing. But I’m excited to share snippets of the wedding with you along the way. It’s going to be a fun wedding! I think we have dentist appointments thrown in there somewhere and the boys really, really, really need haircuts before the wedding. Not sure how I’m going to get it all done but it’s a good busy. I like feeling productive.

Anyhow, today I thought I’d give you a heads up on a pillow sale that Crate & Barrel is offering right now. All pillows and throws are 20% off with free shipping. I’m always getting questions about pillows. How to mix-n-match them, where to buy them, where to find inexpensive down inserts, etc. I’ve bought a few pillows from Crate & Barrel recently. They are super stylish, reasonably priced and INCLUDE INSERTS. Yes, each pillow comes with a down alternative insert at no added cost. I’ve rounded up five Crate & Barrel pillows that I’m crushing on right now.

crate & barrel

Sources: linen knit white // naga // amaris // arabia // lacey

I think each of these pillows could hold their own but I also love the idea of using them all together on one sofa. Such a great mix! If you’re in the market for a sofa for your pillows then check out the sofa + sectional + sleeper sale too. Lots of good stuff going on over there.

And now I think you deserve a teasing peek at the painted brick fireplace. This image was taken after the first coat of primer + paint under not that great of lighting.

white brick 1

I have been painting. all. day. I think I will fall asleep holding a paint brush tonight. HH was skeptical but after the second coat he suddenly proclaimed, “I like it!” It’s definitely going to take some getting used to after seeing the red brick for so long but I am loving how much brighter and bigger our family room feels already.

Happy weekend!

This post is sponsored in part by Crate & Barrel. All pillow talk is mine.

images: 1) polyvore collage by Dana Miller, linked within 2) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

17 Comments

25.August.2013

Looks great. So much cleaner already. I have painted two brick fireplaces and never regretted either one. btw… I just bought a sofa like yours… your style is awesome. Your pictures of the sofa really helped me sell it to my hubby. ;) So thanks!

25.August.2013

All of that painting must be exhausting!

I’ve seen a lot of newly painted brick on the exterior of houses in our neighborhood lately. I am especially obsessed with one that is painted a deep moody gray. It makes me want to tear the siding off our house and refinish the stucco and paint it that color!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

25.August.2013

I would loooove to do this to our fireplace. Only we have a section of cabinets and bookshelves on either side, and hubby is opposed to painting either brick or wood, so I have to leave it :\ Maybe one day he’ll warm up to it.
Looks like it’s going to be great in your house!!

25.August.2013

I’ve been toying with the idea of painting our fireplace for months! But, I can’t decide what type of finish to use. Did you use eggshell, semigloss?

25.August.2013

I would love to paint our 1970 brick white. How can I convince my husband that it won’t be a hot mess after burning fires all winter? We use our fireplace on a weekly basis, firewood is stored on the sides of the hearth. Do you fear that the white will get scorched with soot, etc?

25.August.2013

Arrghhh the constant throw pillow situation! I never seem to be satisfied, always wanting to change it up and experiment with new fabrics. We just bought a few new ones CB2 that are working for now and a trip to the fabric store is always an interesting alternative. Much cheaper and totally custom!

Lookin’ good, House*Tweaking!

25.August.2013

During renovation, we converted the wood burning fireplace to gas. We had a gas line installed and found the gas insert on craigslist for a steal. Ideally, I would LOVE a wood burning fireplace but HH prefers gas. The gas is more kid-friendly. If it were up to me only, I would have a painted white wood burning fireplace. Originally, HH would have wanted a gas red brick fireplace. {He likes the painted brick now though.} I guess the painted gas fireplace is a compromise?

I’m wondering what to do about the gas insert and its surrounding frame. They are matte black and not hideous but I think they could be better. We’ll see.

25.August.2013

Semi gloss!

25.August.2013

Ooooh, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

25.August.2013

The fireplace looks great already! Can’t wait to see the end result!

In pillow talk, I just bought a few at C&B today (full disclosure – I work at the store in Michigan) and I’m hoping they’ll work on my new Aidan sofa (another C&B purchase – surprise, surprise). I bought the Amaris and Pelliccia pillows, but am still on the hunt for a solid navy pillow. I might actually have to look outside the realm of C&B! ;)

One last pillow comment – the inserts and covers are sold as set (C&B is also now offering a down-alternative), but they can also be purchased separately – in case you already happen to have an insert that fits.

25.August.2013

You work at C&B? Jealous! Good to know they offer the inserts and covers separately.

The painted brick looks so good!

26.August.2013

It looks great! Good decision. I painted our fireplace white in a previous house (it was a rental, but thankfully the landlord didn’t care), and it took forever to paint but was so worth it. I was excited when I saw that the fireplace brick was already painted white in the house we just bought, because that is time saved since I would have done it anyway!

26.August.2013

Oooh, I like it! Can’t wait to see it finished and styled. I know it will look great. I can’t get your mudroom/laundry room out of my mind!

26.August.2013

I apologize in adavance if you’ve already answered this question, but I’m crushing on the accent mirrors on either side of your fireplace. Do you mind if I ask where you found those beauties?

26.August.2013

Joss & Main!

29.August.2013

I am trying to sell that sofa to my hubs as well! I just love it and would have never found it if it weren’t for your blog. So excited!