Welcome to the 812th Metamorphosis Monday! Hope you had a fantastic weekend! I’ve made some exciting and useful updates in my office recently that I’m excited to share, but first, I want to give you an update on the refrigerator that was delivered the middle of last week. I’m cautiously optimistic because this one is doing a lot better than the dented one that was previously delivered. The current arrived without any dents and is doing a much better job of holding the temperature I’ve set for the refrigerator and the freezer. Also, it appears to be making more ice. I still think the ice bin is smaller than it should be, and I don’t like that I have to press the “Ice Plus” button every single morning to make sure it keeps cranking out ice throughout the day, a much-appreciated suggestion from a BNOTP reader, but it is doing a better job of keeping ice the bin stocked.
I’m not sure how the last refrigerator they delivered ended up with two dents in the front, but as someone mentioned in a comment, there may have been more wrong with the refrigerator than just the dents. Maybe whatever caused the dents damaged something inside the refrigerator since it was never able to keep the temperature I had set, and it definitely never produced the amount of ice that this one does. I’ll continue to keep an eye on this one to see how it does over the coming days. Update: I was curious to see exactly how many glasses it could fill up when the bin is full, so I just tested it. It filled up a 20 oz Yeti, a larger 30 oz Yeti, and a typical drinking glass. After filling up those three things, there was still enough ice left in the bin to fill up another 30 oz Yeti. So if you had a household of 4 people and everyone filled up a 20 or 30 Yeti to the top with ice first thing each morning, you would pretty much empty out the bin and it would be a couple of hours before more ice was produced. Actually, as I just typed that, I heard it dump more ice in the bin, so it had ice in the tray waiting to dump.
Of course, there’s still plenty of ball ice in the lower bin. It makes 6 of these huge ice balls each day. Initially, I was dumping all those out in the sink because you’re not supposed to use the first few batches of ice that a refrigerator makes, but now that we’re past that period, I’m letting it accumulate below. Maybe I should start using the ball ice and see if it keeps my drinks as cold as the smaller cubes do. I’m very pleased that the refrigerator is doing a better job of maintaining the temperature I have set. That means the iced tea and other drinks I have stored in the refrigerator are already much colder to start with than they were from the dented fridge. One important takeaway from this experience for me has been to never accept a dented appliance. If the two dents had been on the side of the refrigerator where they would have always been hidden, I would have been tempted to keep that fridge since I was pretty desperate for a working refrigerator. After having it for two weeks while I awaited a new fridge, it’s obvious that refrigerator had other issues in addition to the dents. So think twice about keeping a dented appliance since you’ll never really know how it got those dents and if there are additional issues that will show up later.
Office Updates: So, let’s get on to those office updates I made this past week! You may remember this pretty lamp that I purchased for the office.
There is no overhead lighting in this room, an addition that was added to the Dollhouse back in 1951. That’s fine with me since I’m not a fan of overhead lighting, but I do need some light in the office at night. The only problem with this lamp was its location. Being directly behind the monitor on that side of the desk made it difficult to look into that monitor at night when the lamp was turned on, which was pretty much every single night since it’s the only lamp/light currently in this room.
Back home in Georgia, the lamp I always have on in the evening is across the room behind me. That works great for soft lighting in the evening as I work on my computer. So I needed to somehow get the lamp positioned behind me, not behind the monitor.
Problem solved, the lamp is now behind me and this arrangement is working great!
These photos were taken on a cloudy day which works out well for giving you an impression of how the lamp looks in this cozy alcove. I needed something to place the lamp on, something fairly narrow that wouldn’t take up a lot of space since I wanted to keep my new desk chair tucked back in the alcove. I love how it feels working here, tucked into this cozy space.
Love how the lamp looks here! This console table has exceeded expectations! Not only does it hold the lamp, but it’s the perfect spot for my desk calendar. Before, I had the calendar open on the left side of the desk. Now that space is freed up, and when I need to check my schedule or jot something down in my calendar, I just spin around and can easily reach my calendar without ever standing up. I love how this arrangement is working so much!
This console/sofa table came with the most detailed instructions I have EVER seen, and I’ve put together a lot of bookcases, cabinets, etc… over the years. The instructions were almost too detailed. Honestly, they were written the way I’d probably write assembly instructions, meaning they covered every minute detail to the point that assembling it initially looked way more complicated than it actually was.
I think the reason the instructions were written that way is that very early on in the build, if you get the installation of the drawer rails wrong, it will require taking A LOT of stuff back apart to correct it later, and nobody wants to have to go through that. Since the instructions were so detailed, I purposely didn’t have any distractions playing in the background as I assembled this piece, something I would normally do when putting a piece like this together. I gave it my full, undivided attention and I’m glad I did! It would have been a major pain to have to redo those first few pages of instructions.
All that is to say, I love this console and it’s perfect for what I need, but if you buy this piece, I recommend turning off all distractions when building it so you can fully focus on getting those first few steps done correctly. In the end, I didn’t have any issues and it came together beautifully. All the pieces were there and all the holes were pre-drilled exactly as they should have been. It’s a beautifully designed piece and I love how it’s working here behind the desk! (Console table is available here: Console/Sofa Table with 3 Drawers.)
Here’s a look into one of the three drawers. Between the desk, the console table, and the built-in shelving in this room, I have more shelf and drawer space than I actually need at this point. I’m not complaining, though!
Really, really like this console table and very much recommend it if you could use a table in a narrow hallway or behind a sofa or desk. (Console table is available here: Console/Sofa Table with 3 Drawers.)
Oh, almost forgot, I upgraded my chair this past week, as well. This was the chair I was using. I purchased it quite a while back when I was still staying at my son/DIL’s home during visits up to see them.
This is the new chair and it’s super comfortable. The chair was listed as being a “cream” color, which I worried wouldn’t work well with the off-white color of the desk. I love the color it turned out to be! It’s a nice, neutral, putty/taupe color that goes beautifully with the desk. Very comfortable, too! (Chair is available here: Executive Office Desk Chair.)
The other change I made this past week was here in the office closet. You may remember I recently added an Ikea Kallax to the closet for storage.
After trying out the set of baskets that I ordered for it, I decided to add a few more sets. I ordered enough to fill all the empty cubes, but I didn’t like how the Kallax looked with every cube filled. It felt like a wall in front of me when I opened the closet door. If the Kallax was being used out in a room and not tucked inside a closet, it probably would have felt very different. I like this arrangement that’s very similar to how I have the Expedit set up back in Georgia. (Baskets are available here: Baskets for Kallax or Expedit.
The only difference is that the Expedit has magazine holders (filled with older Traditional Home magazines) along the bottom row.
Atop the Kallax awaiting installation, are a Ring doorbell and Ring Floodlight. An electrician is supposed to install those this week. I’ve really missed having a Ring doorbell here! Unfortunately, I missed the delivery of a small table for the upstairs hallway on Friday. I was just a few doors down at my son’s home when FedEx tried to deliver it. If I’d had the Ring already installed, I would have known that FedEx was at my home and could have let him know through the intercom that I would be there in 30 seconds. Instead, he left a notice, taking the table away with him. So I’ll be sitting at home all day today, awaiting the delivery. Looking forward to sharing that update soon. Hopefully, the electrician will be able to install an outlet on the wall where I want to place the table in the upstairs hallway.
I’m always working on something here in the Dollhouse—thanks for following along on this adventure! Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday! Pssst: Did you know Between Naps On The Porch is on Instagram? You’ll find me on Instagram here: Between Naps On The Porch. Like to know when a new blog post is up? Subscribe for email updates (it’s free) and your e-mail will never be shared. Subscribe for free post updates here: Subscribe.
Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings, save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, you’ll need to link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Thank you Susan! Your office looks great, love the new chair~ glad you’re pleased with your fridge, it sounds like it’s working great.
Thanks, Jenna! So far, it’s doing a lot better. Hope you are having an awesome week, so far!
I’m so glad the fridge seems to be doing better than the original. That’s a great tip about buying it on a Lowe’s card so you have 30 days to try it out. We don’t use credit cards, but I think it would be worth getting one for that very purpose.
I’m curious about those round ice ‘cubes’ and what the purpose there is for having two different styles. I’d be trying the round ones out in drinks, if I had them. I bet one or two of those would keep a drink very cold for a good while.
I must have missed a post about the cabinets you originally had planned for that space behind your desk. This table seems to be ideal for your purposes though, and now you have that lovely space above for a pretty picture. 😀
I’m so glad things are going a bit more smoothly for you now. This is such a fun adventure to be on with you, Susan. Watching you start fresh with design and colors is very enjoyable. I’d like to do the same!
Thanks! I always thought that ball ice was used mainly for cocktails since the ice melts very slowly in that big round ball shape, but maybe it’s becoming more mainstream for all drinks with these new refrigerators.
Yeah, the bookcases that I ordered for behind the desk arrived damaged, I did a post about it a week or two ago. I didn’t attempt to reorder them because I figured it would be the same situation I had with the storage cabinets that kept arriving damaged, and I am not in the mood to go through that mess again. lol
I know, I normally like to use Amex for the points/miles, but with all the appliance horror stories these days, I wanted longer than 48 hours to try out the new fridge. I got lucky with the LG washer I ordered since I ran a few loads immediately and discovered that washer wasn’t for me during that brief 48 hour try-out time frame that I didn’t even know existed. One hour past and I would have been stuck with it.
I junked my 3 year old LG refrigerator after it broke down 3 times. It broke faster than I could get it repaired. I bought a simple side by side GE refrigerator and have loved it for 8 years. The ice maker is in the freezer where it belongs and cranks out 20 pounds of ice!
That sounds like my side-by-side KitchenAid in Georgia. 🙂 They do say the ones that are in the freezer work a lot better!
Thanks so much for sharing the progress on your Dollhouse it is turning out just beautiful.
Thanks, Annette!
XXX
Susan,
Thanks so much for hosting this charming party!! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes into it along with visiting all the links!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Have a great week, Deb!
XXX
Things are really coming together in your office! I looked at the side table and am now convinced you can order ANYTHING off Amazon! Interesting about your frig. My mother had a Frigidare that worked for years and years, so when I remodeled my kitchen in 2016, that’s what I got. My ice maker has a fast ice setting for when one has company and needs ice on demand.
They do have just about anything on there. The only thing that I have trouble getting delivered in one piece are the tall cabinets/bookcases.
That’s awesome! I love everything about this refrigerator so far, as long as it keeps up its ice production.
I enjoy reading your posts so much and always learn from them. I am a registered nurse with many years of experience with infection prevention and have a word of caution related storage of the ice scoop in the bin with the ice if indeed that is where you leave it. Bacteria from your hands gets on the handle of the scoop and can then be transferred to the ice. Yes, bacteria can grow on ice, some of which can make you sick when ingested. I have seen some nasty bacteria grow out of cultures taken off of ice bins where scoops have been left in with the ice.
You know, I always heard the germiest place in a restaurant is inside the ice machine since it rarely gets cleaned out. I’ll store it in the other bin inside the freezer, then just wash it periodically. Even outside the fridge, it will get germs if not washed occasionally, so washing is probably the key to keeping it as germ-free as possible.
Your office is looking fabulous! I love that amazing patterned area rug. Thanks for hosting. Hope you have a great week!
Thanks, Debra! I’m crazy about it, too. I’m still so surprised by how reasonably priced it was for an all-wool rug!
I bought a wall plug-in cover in white that has a white cord that goes along to a white plug-in strip that you can hide behind furniture. I may not describe this well but I ordered it from Amazon. The point is you wouldn’t see the black cords behind your console.
The single, skinny black cord that’s visible is the one to the weather monitor. I could move the monitor to the second shelf, but I really like having it on top. Fortunaely, the other cords toward the bottom aren’t visible when walking toward the desk. They are visible in that photo since I squatted down to take the picture of the console. I like your idea though for hiding cords. I have one cord way over to the left of the desk (when sitting at the desk) that runs from the AT&T modem thingy to my CPU. I was thinking of having AT&T come back out and move the location of where the modem comes into the house, but not sure if it’s worth the hassle. Tempting, though!
Things are looking great! I’m glad you are liking the fridge. One suggestion for the new chair is to consider replacing its black plastic casters with a set of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01KET1PUA?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
They are much easier on hardwood floors.
Right now it’s on a bamboo desk floor mat, but I will definitely keep those in mind. The floor mat is like the one I use at home. You know one thing I’ve noticed since living here, the hardwood floor in this house seems so much harder than the unfinished/finished-on-site hardwood flooring that’s installed in homes today. I wonder if hardwood flooring was hardier back in the day. Even though the flooring looks a bit rough in some areas from so many years of use, I did want to protect it so that’s why I bought the bamboo floor mat.
I think older homes used red oak and oil varnish and now it’s all white oak and poly. White oak is supposed to be harder and it gives people more color options, but oil finishes are harder, but the fumes from those oil based coatings are rough!
I am so enjoying all your new adventures with your Dollhouse. I live in Tennessee and have followed your blog for several years. I believe you like to shop as much as I do. Looking forward to all your updates.
I am having a blast putting this office together, for sure! Thanks so much, Judy!
XXX
Oh, Susan, your office is not only so aesthetically lovely, but so perfectly functional, too. That chair looks so cushy/comfy!
Everything is coming together so nicely! You should be an interior design consultant! Still impressed with your handy DIY put-together skills – I ordered a cabinet from Wayfair (they have so many nice ones to choose from) and I had all to do to put it together myself, and all that needed to be done was slide the pieces together, and then slide the spring-loaded doors in on the 3 shelves – but I did it! If Susan can do something herself, I could at least try! 🙂
That’s awesome, Cindy! Way to go!!! It feels good to do these things for ourselves and our homes! 🙂
Susan, I look forward to every post about the Dollhouse! You do such wonderful coordinating and ordering for your new home. Every thing you do makes such a great impact! If I wanted to order the black weather monitor in back of your desk, would I search in Amazon or would you send me the link?
Thanks so much, Judy! This is the weather station that I have and really like! https://amzn.to/3X9jeH7
Even though I have several back home in Georgia, I had to go ahead and get a couple for here, I find it so helpful and just love how it looks.
Looks really nice. When you go back to GA, what do you do to the icemaker ? Can you explain the Ring floodlight ? I didn’t know they made one.
I was thinking of your dollhouse today when I saw a Cinderella pumpkin coach with solar power lights for the yard.
PS I came back to look at all of your pretties in the office. Have you considered sconces in there ? I saw some unique ones recently. You can lift the lights out of the holder on the wall to use as flashlights if the power goes out.
I won’t do anything, it will automatically sense that the bin is full and will stop making more ice.
The Ring floodlight has a motion sensor on it so when someone walks into the area where it will be installed, the light will come on and I’ll get a notice/ding on my phone letting me know that someone is in my backyard. It will start recording so I’ll be able to see the person when I log into the app, just as the Ring doorbell does.
The pumpkin coach sounds adorable!
I just ordered the console/sofa table in white same as yours as I know you do your research prior to purchasing anything thus it was no convincing me I needed one as well!
I am enjoying seeing all you are doing in making the Dollhouse your home.
Hope you enjoy it, Nanc! I think that it really is well-designed, feels so sturdy and stable. I’m quite happy with this one and I think you will be, too. Be sure to pay attention to when the instructions say to NOT tighten everything down. In some steps, you do tighten everything way down, but at other times, you don’t. The instructions will tell you when.
I think this console/sofa table looks great….and doesn’t detract from the beautiful desk. I assume you decided against the large bookcase cabinet you had been looking at earlier. Great choice. I like the lamp behind you as well.
Fun to watch it come together.
Hi Susan, I am a long-time subscriber of your blog and enjoy it immensely. For some reason I’ve stopped getting notification emails of your posts. I didn’t even know you had actually bought the dollhouse and started to furnish it! I recently re-subscribed, but I’m still not getting notifications. Could you please look into that? I really miss your blog posts! Thanks, Marie
Hi Marie
This seems to an issue with Cox.net email addresses. I’ve had 2-3 other subscribers with the same issue. Something about Cox selling out to Yahoo and Yahoo email not working or something like that. One of my readers ended up setting up a gmail email address. I just did a search and found this info: https://www.cox.com/residential/support/coxnet-email-transitioning-to-yahoo.html#:~:text=For%20support%20before%20the%20transition,material%20before%20your%20transition%20date.
Do you have another email address that you could use? I wish I knew what to recommend. This apparently started after Yahoo took over handling all Cox email.