::COTTAGE DREAMING::

I am wanting to sprinkle a little Americana around the house for the July 4th weekend.  I have some ideas in mind that I am hoping to show you all later in the week.

In the meantime, I have been wanting to make my family room a little more cottagey.  I have been playing over at http://www.polyvore.com/

Here is a board I came up with.

I have been talking about slipcovering my wing chair and english chair forever!  I am thinking maybe in denim.  Not sure.  We'll see if I can find some on sale.  I also would like to change out my side tables.  We have square ones that are pretty functional and unique, but I think there is too much squareness going on in this room and I think that round rattan table would work so much better.  Not to mention bring in some texture.  Next up I  think we are in need of a console table behind the sofa.  Right now we have a really nice Woolrich coffee table behind that has shelving; but I am looking for something a little more sofa height.  I really like the style of the one above as it has drawers and a shelf.  I like the shelf so that I can put some baskets on it.  I desperately need some storage baskets to house everyones junk that they leave  lying around.  One for each family member.  I am constantly finding myself cleaning up everyones junk before I house clean and this would be great to have to just throw everything in it's respective container and clean away.  I also like the top surface for lamps and  as a decorative space.  What do you think of those white dipped baskets up there?  They are different.  Love that.

Hope everyone has a great day!Pin It Now!

::CHRISTMAS DECORATING CONTINUED::

I will be continuing on with our home decorated for the holidays.

Below is our tree. I am so excited about our tree.  It is real.  The hubs gave in again.  He really wanted to pull out the ole artificial tree from the attic, but I was really wanting a real tree again this year.  We weren't able to go to a tree farm and cut it down in 20 degree weather, but it was fun looking for it just the same.

We decorated it with a box of sentimental ornaments that I have collected over the years.  This tree is the first very full and tall real tree we have ever had.  So, I am thinking about making  some more ornaments to hang on it.  I recently was surfing a linky party and saw a tutorial where someone shared how to make dove ornaments.  Don't you just love my tree skirt???  HAHA, yeah, it's a white sheet.  LOL, nothing fancy here.  I haven't had a chance to sit at the sewing machine.  Maybe next year we will have a proper tree skirt.

Here is a closer look of the tree.  It's a Nobel Fur...or is it Fir??  Ha, I am not sure how to spell it , but that is what kind it is.

 Here is the mantle.  I decided to leave my Joshua 24:15 up.  I had wanted to do another piece of art that Luke 2:11 on it, but just didn't have the time before we had company or in between before we had our holiday party.  I just kept it simple.  Some garland and some pinecones and our stocking holders and my mason jars.

 To the right of the tree in the breakfast nook I chose to hang my barn star.  I also decided to place the piece that my hubby made me here.  As you can see, I have only got as far as priming it.  Sad, isn't it?  It was too hot to paint it during the summer and by the time I had a chance to get to it again, the temps had gotten cold.  Hopefully in the spring, I can put a coat of cottage white on it.

 I chose to put our Christmas music here.  We have a tradition of buying on Christmas CD every year and  around Thanksgiving we start to play the Christmas music.  I also chose to put our nativity on this piece as well as a red quilt to give warm to the lower shelf.

 Here is our dining room. See that big empty wall behind it?  I have a couple of ideas for it that I will share with you .  Maybe y'all can help me decide which ideas to use there.   I purchased that dining table cover at Target.  Love it!  It was only $16.00!  I think that is a pretty good price as it is a big one.  I think it's 6ft. by 120 ft.

 I chose to keep the center piece simple.  You know, so there is room for plenty of food and the plates.  : )  I just used these glass candle holders and some cranberries.  Love the red.  I also used some cream round candles I had to place inside.

And this, well, this is my kitchen.  pretty blah for now.  Haven't done much in here.  I just wanted to show you where I blog from.  I usually am on the end there blogging and making sure that I am not burning dinner while I blog.

Well, hope you enjoyed the tour.
Have a great evening.Pin It Now!

::: I AM BACK....:::

I sure hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  I can't believe it's been that long since I posted. 
Sue, thanks for asking if I am all better.  That was sweet.  I am indeed feeling better.  I got over the pink eye ........and would you believe five days before Thanksgiving  and a house full of guests I got strep throat????  Oh my, I hope I am done with being sick for the winter season.  I was able to get antibiotics and am all better now.  We had my husbands family vising for  a couple of weeks and then I had a house full of guests from work for a Christmas Party.  So, that meant that I had to decorate the house for the holidays.  Our house here isn't as big as our old house, so I didn't put out too much, but just enough to get us in the holiday spirit and have it be cheery.  Enjoy the pics below.


Welcome to our home for the holidays!
We've kept things simple outside.  Just a simple red wreath on the door.  I purchased this at Target for a pretty reasonable price.  Of course if I had time I probably could of made one.  I have seen Martha Stewart make these before.  But I was on a time crunch to get things decorated.

As you come in the front door the first thing you will see is our living room.  We have an open floor plan which we love.  It's great for entertaining.

This is our living room and it's the first thing you will see as you come in.  I am standing by the french doors taking this picture.  The opposite side of the front door.   To cozy up this area for the hoidays I added some red checked pillows to the sofa.  I also have a quilt that I want to lay on the back of the sofa.   Behind  the sofa is our kitchen and to the right of it is our kitchen dining nook.   Between the french doors and the kitchen nook is a small wall and this is where we chose to put our tree this year.

Later this afternoon I will post the rest of the decorating pics.  Blogger is being grumpy with me and not allowing me to add pics at this time.

So be sure to stop by later on.Pin It Now!

Mini reveal of the masterbedroom...

Hi there!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  We did. 

Sorry to have postponed the bedroom reveal a couple of times.  I didn't want to reveal until it was TOTALLY done.  Unfortunately, I have come to realize it will be a work in progress.  So, I will share what I have so far.

So far I have only spent $74.74   My greatest find that was at the most phenomenal price you wouldn't believe were these lamps.  Here is a view of  it on my hubby's nightstand.  I really wanted new lamps for this room and I was looking for glass based lamps.  I found these at Target.

   Look at that glass.  Don't you just love it?  It's the kind that has a crackle look to it.  If you click on the picture you may be able to see it better.  And are you ready for this???  Doesn't this lamp look like it could be pretty pricey???  I thought so too until I picked up the lamp base and looked at the price tag.  They were $8.74 a piece!!  Can you believe that?  I thought y'all might not, so I took a picture of the clearance price tag.

 Next up is the bed.  I was looking all over for a white ruffled bedskirt.  I have to tell you though I was not about to pay $89.00 for a bedskirt!  That is how much they were for  a queen sized bed.  I already had this natural linen tailored one so I used this. I also already at this alternative comforter as well.  So, no money spent there.  FREE!!  Love it.

 Not sure if you can see the shams too well in this pic, but they are Battenburg Lace shams.  I also have a bed skirt to match it, but it doesn't quite go all the way to the floor, so I didn't use it. Since I already had these, they were free as well.  Don't you love when you are able to use what you have already?

       Here is a better view of the bed with the linens on it.

Here is a closeup of our cedar waterfall chest.  It is one of the few pieces of furniture we bought when we were first married.  It has served us well.  It is a very deep chest and I store lots and lots of blankets in it.  That blanket on it is the most soft blanket.  It is my fave and I occassionally curl up with it on the sofa next to hubby to watch movies.

One thing I didn't take a pic of is the one splurge I made....and that was on the sheets.  Y'all, I have never had 400 + thread count sheets before.  They are the softest, most comfortable sheets I have ever slept on before.  They even have a tag at the bottom of the sheet to let you know that that end goes at the foot of the bed.  So fancy.  I love them.  They seem to get softer each time I wash them. 

So, the grand total spent so far is:

Sheet set          44.00
Lamps             16.74
Shades             14.00
       Total         74.74

Not bad, eh?  Tomorrow I will show you the seating area and hopefully my version of the Bonne Nuit  pillow.

Let me know what you think so far.  Do the glass lamps look okay with our furniture?  Do you like the bedding?  Is there anything you can suggest to add to the bedding?

Enjoy your day!Pin It Now!

Ideas for the new house

Okay, so I got the unpacking and the laundry up to speed in one day. That in and of itself was unbelievable. Since that is all done and out of the way I thought I would share a little bit about the new house and ask for your ideas to help me decorate the guest room.

It's a four bedroom home. All on one floor. The guest bedroom is huge. Well, let's just say it's a lot bigger than the one we have now. I has space for a bed, dresser, end tables, reading chair with lighting and possibly a desk. You wouldn't believe the size of the closet if I told you. It's huge as well. I could probably do a jig in it for you (haha). What I like about it most is that it is has it's own private full size bath.

The backyard is big as well and one of the pluses that we are happy about is that it is fenced in. The previous owners have done a beautiful job landscaping it. There already is a veggie garden area established, an orange tree, a lime tree and a fig tree! So excited about that one. I have always wanted to make fig jam from my own figs. There is also a magnolia, rose bushes and rosemary bush. There is lots more, but I don't know all the names. It truly is a lovely home that they have taken care of.

Another plus with this house is we won't have to paint for the first time. The colors on the walls are lovely already. Well, except for the master bedroom. It is a tasteful green, but green is my least fave color. But I need to make it work somehow. So, that will also be a room I will need your help in. So send any pics or ideas my way.

Now, about the guest quarters. I am either going seaside retreat or farmhouse chic or maybe the B&B feel. I want your ideas to help me pull it off.

I like the idea of this first pic. I plan on placing something like this on the counter in the guest bath. I will have space in the bedroom to place a tray on a dresser with coffee and tea packets, cream and sugar and a coffee maker as well as mugs. You know, kinda like you would see at a hotel. Also toying with the idea of a mini fridge, but probably won't do that as the guest quarters are pretty close to the kitchen.

photo: Country Living

Here is one inspiration photo I like for the guest room. It's light pallate make it look fresh and welcoming.

Not sure the source of this one. If anyone knows please email so I can give credit for it. I love the light, tonal pallate going on here. Looks comfy and feels very welcoming.

This next one I really love and would like to incorporate this look into our master bedroom. Love the tonal tan bedding and the sign over the bed. Not too crazy about the pillows on the bed. I think verbage on those is overkill with the sign over the bed.

Okay, that's it for now.
Enjoy your weekend!

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Some Linky Love for you today

Hi there!
It's snowing here. Yay! It's so beautiful.

I have some projects in the works, but in the meantime I have some linky love for you.

Go checkout

http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2010/02/diy-beadboard-frames.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FpuSM+%28The+DIY+Show+Off%29

Ronda from

http://lesrondabatchelor.blogspot.com/

has a great tutorial that they are featuring.

You will also want to check out the fabulous DIY banquette over at

http://www.inmyownstyle.com/inmyownstyle/2010/02/howto-make-a-kitchen-banquette.html


and then head on over to

http://poshpieces.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-nest-pillow-pottery-barn-look-alike.html


for a PB pillow knockoff.

Have a great day!Pin It Now!

Down sick, but have a post for you

Got a bad cold or maybe the flu bug. In any case, I will post later in the week when I am feeling a bit better. Click this link to read my current post. i started the draft for this before we headed out for vacation, so it posted with that date. So weird. In any case, enjoy the eye candy on burlap, linen, ticking and more.

http://quiltingmemoriesfortomorrow.blogspot.com/2009/11/burlap-osnaburg-linen-and-ticking.html

Have a great week!Pin It Now!

BURLAP, osnaburg, linen and ticking..

It doesn't matter which one. Burlap, osnaburg or linen are all being used in decorating now. Take a look at these pillow shams that Etsy seller Simple Linens has made. I love the look of these.

Here is the front.

and here is the back. photos from Etsy: Simple Linens

Isn't it pretty? Simple Linens etsy seller says that this burlap look goes great with Toile. That's good to know as I change out the bedding in the spring/summer months to my black and creme Toile. I saw a blue ticking that had a little bit of yellow in it as well. Looks really pretty. I may have to make two sets. One set for the denim quilt I use on my bed during the year and one set for the Toile quilt.

I also love this idea of covering the box spring. Look at this box spring cover. It's blue ticking. Who would of thought to cover their boxspring? That can bring a whole new look to dressing your bed. Especially if you want to keep it simple. Wouldn't this covered boxspring idea look nice on a day bed?

photo:Garnet Hill

Look at the use of linen and burlap here. I am so loving this bedding and the architectural piece above the bed. Linen on the duvet cover and pillows and burlap on the stenciled pillow and burlap with the ruffle on the shams. Love this tone on tone look. Wonder what it would look like with black furniture???

photo by Laura Moss for Coastal Living

Here is another lovely use of linen. The look of upholstered headboards has bitten me. Linen or burlap headboards have such an elegant, clean look with the added punch of nailhead trim. By eliminating nailhead trim and dressing the bed with a less formal look you can have a more casual look. I love this look in the photo below.

What about this?? I have seen folks use this in some cool ways as well. It's jute webbing. This one has a black strip going through it. The webbing I have seen has red striping. Either way, you can't beat the price. At 99 cents a yard, I can think of some creative things to do with it. I love it. It's simple and textural.

Etsy seller Catnapcottage made this wreath for her door with it. I love the way it looks against the black door.

Last, Traci over at http://beneathmyheart.blogspot.com/search/label/burlap%20projects did a great tutorial on how to make a burlap table skirt. Loved the way it came out and it looks perfect in her guest house.

Down with the flu, so hope to post pics of our trip later in the week.

Have a great day!

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YOU DREAM IT..YOU CAN MAKE IT WEDNESDAY!

This is a new feature I will have every Wednesday. You ladies out there in blogland inspire me so much. Especially you ladies that like Pottery Barn. I ove looking at the catalog for inspiration, but don't have the money to spend on some of the very unique pieces they sell.

Today I am going to share a link with you to a creative lady who likes Pottery Barn as much as I do, but doesn't like the price.


First up we have Susie of


This gal is one creative cookie. She sees it, she creates it and then she shares how she did it. Back in July she shared how much she loved this decorative type font board that Pottery Barn sells, but couldn't justify paying that price. So she set out to make one of her own.

Photo by Pottery Barn

You can read about how Susie made this here:
http://www.susieharrisblog.com/2009/07/inspirationpass-it-on.html If you search her archives you can also find out how she made one of those cool flags that Pottery Barn has over or on a mantel as well. She's got an Etsy shop too. So, if you aren't the crafty type and want to purchase something you can check out her Etsy Shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5914190 She has some really ecclectic one of a kind pieces that she sells. Be sure you stop by her blog and say "hello."

Now I am going to share with you something from the Pottery Barn catalog that I think would make a great copycat project. Now, I didn't make this myself, but I am inspiring you with ideas to try it for yourself. If you make any of these ideas. Please let me know. I would love to feature you on my blog.

First one is this . How cool is that?

Photo by Pottery Barn

I love the fact that it's a giant key and love anything with verbage on it. This can easily be made by you with plywood or MDF and a little thing called an overhead projector or your local copy center. I may actually do this project. What I would do is look for a key silhouette or graphic and copy it onto some transparency and use an overhead projector to trace out the key onto the wood. Cut it out and sand and paint or stain. Then I would use the overhead projector again and do the wording with letters in a font that I have printed off on my computer. Sand it down in some areas to give it that worn, old look and mabye put a glaze on it to age it a little. Slap some of those sawtooth hanger thingies on the back and VOILA! You got instant style without spending a whole lot of money.


The same idea can be used for this one below. Except this one would require an extra step. Again, I would buy some MDF or plywood and cut it to size. First I would stain it. Then I would use an overhead projector and trace out the horse silhouette that I printed out on computer or enlarged at a copy store. Then I would carefully paint over the big stained area that is not the horse a white. Sand up in a few areas to give it that old, worn look and you are done. What's really cool about this picture below is that the wood they used looks like floor boards because if you look at the picture closely, you can see the differentiation (is that a word?) in the stain on the horse. Very cool, I think.

Photo by Pottery Barn

Tomorrow is DIY day over at Kimba's http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/
If you haven't stopped by her blog, you need to. DIY day will get your creativity juices flowing.

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Soft Furnishings

Have you ever seen any of Katrin Cargill's soft furnishings books? I love her style. Her spaces use beautiful fabrics and colors and they always look so inviting. I absolutely love this window covering and haven't been able to find out how to make it. I have an idea just from looking at the picture, but I would have to do a prototype to figure it out if it's right.


Photo: David Montgomery



She has written several books. She is most notably known for her soft furnishings books. She usually has about thirty or so projects in them to make. She has a book titled The Curtain Bible. I went to Amazon.com and read the reviews. Unfortunately, most folks have said the book has beauiful photographs for inspiration, but directions on how to make the curtinas step-by-step are lacking. I was so bummed to read that because I am a very visual person. I need step-by-step pictures to help me complete the project.

I have been wanting to redo my window coverings in my master bathroom. This just may be the one. Now, all I have to do is figure out how to make it.



edited:

While surfing around, it was absolutely serendipity that I came across this site.It is the exact window covering and there are step-by-step visual directions on how to put it together. The only thing lacking is good directions on how to do the cording, but that's okay. I am going to give it a try.

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/Materials_121120.htmlPin It Now!

BURLAP...

You all have seen all the wonderful things people have been doing with burlap, right?
Ladies have made table runners; covered stools and even framed some that have cool printing on the burlap.

My hubby played in a charity golf tournament the other day and he came back with this pretty cool bag. The even cooler thing is that he knew I would think it was cool...so, he brought it back for me. Don't you just love that? The husbands don't all the time agree with our decorating schemes, but they know what we like. You gotta love that.

So, inside the bag was one of those coir door mats that says "WELCOME." We stuck that out front to "welcome" folks and I kept the bag. Stenciled on the outside of the bag was the word LOVE. Not sure if I will make it into a pillow for the guest bedroom or frame it or what? Y'all give me some ideas. Here it is:

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MY FIRST TUTORIAL

Tomorrow I will be posting my first ever tutorial. I sure hope you all find it easy to follow and you enjoy the finish product. If I get a good response from the tutorial, I will be posting a second one next week.

My dad sent me a new memory card, so I was busy snapping away today. I took lots of pics of my house...inside and out to share with you all. I have lotsa of ideas rumbling in my head about how to change the look of my decor and sure could use the help of all you all out in blogland. I see so many makeovers and trash to treasures that turn out so well . I get so inspired,but if it calls for paint, I never can make a decision. Hopefully I can get all the pics up late this evening for you all. Please leave comments on what I should change, colors, etc. Hopefully this will help me to finish up some of my projects.

Have a great evening.Pin It Now!

Drop Cloth love...

Some folks have been doing some awesome stuff with dropcloths. Take a look at this. Jen over http://sanctuaryart.blogspot.com/2009/06/just-in-case-you-werent-sure.html is very creative. I love anything with wording. I may just have to copy this one. Click on the link to see how she used the drop cloth she had.

Wendy over at http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ loves to use numbers on just about anything. She is another creative lady. Take a look around her blog and also check out her post for today. She used a dropcloth to recover a chair recently with a little help from a friend.

http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_life_and_times_of_thi/2009/04/upcycle-a-painters-drop-cloth-tree-house-pillows.html Go give the Vintage Chica a looksee. She has used drop cloths in some utilitarian ways. I am all for decorating up and making things look great on the cheap, but I also am very practical. Here is another way she used a dropcloth.http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_life_and_times_of_thi/2009/03/how-to-make-a-spill-proof-tablecloth.html I love this idea as well. She didn't just throw it on the table she personalized it and it looks great.

I still have to show you my drop cloth drapes. I also have several other projects I am using canvas fabric or dropcloths on making a few things. So stay tuned to for that.

It's another lovely day here. Sun is out. Great temps and STILL much to be done out in the yard. We are still doing yardwork. Mulching the whole back yard, staining our deck and this weekend the hubs did some work with patio pavers....nope, no patio. That would be nice, but he didn't do a patio. We have an area just below the steps from our deck where we put our trash can and water hose holder and we needed a better area for them to be on so he paved the way! (Pun intended.)

Enjoy your day in your part of the world!Pin It Now!

SPRING DECORATING INSIDE AND OUT

I have the spring decorating bug. Unfortunatley I don't have all the cash to get these yummy fabrics right now.Did you know that Tommy Bahama has a fabric line? I didn't until I was surfing around for some indoor/outdoor fabric. Check out these two swatches. I just love them.

Joann Fabrics has more that are just lovely and great for pillows, curtains, making place mats for outdoor use with. What is great about this line is that it is good for indoor outdoor use.

In other news. I purchased the drop cloth for my drapes, but realized I needed to purchase the clip rings. So, my idea of a $10 deal turned into $24 plus. I also didn't want to use the rod I had in the family room either. It's one of those country kind. Pine wood with a shelf on top. Even if I took the shelf off, it would still look weird. Plus, it's not black like I would like it to be. I know, you are saying whip out the spray paint, but I don't think it will look good. So, that is why I haven't posted a picture of it yet. I hope to soon though.

Enjoy your weekend!

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DROP CLOTH DRAPES...AGAIN

So, ever since Layla from http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/
talked about how she used these in her home everyone has been using them. Take a look at what Hayley from http://thehandmadehousewife.blogspot.com/2009/04/drop-cloth-drapes.html did with her drop cloth. She put a cool fringe on them. I am loving that. Heather from http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/how-toturn-drop-cloths-into-curtains-012333 talks about different kinds of ways to hang them up and shows what she used.
Susie from http://susieharris.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-get-by-with-little-help-from-my.html talks about how she used them. It's fascinating to see what one person shares and how many people have followed suit to implement it in their home.

All this to say that I am going to be heading out to Home Depot or Lowes to be purchasing myself some. One lady mentioned that Wal Mart drop cloths had a more white look to it. Home Depot and Lowes had more of a linen look to it. I will be buying some from Wal Mart to do our bedroom windows and some from Home Depot to do our family room and dining room windows. So, stay tuned on Wed. I plan on showing you some pics. If there is any leftover cloth, I plan on making some cool pillows. Ihave ideas rolling around in my head people...lol, I need to get them out.

Have you used the drop cloth curtains?

Check out these cool wall art ideas. Kimba from http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/2009/04/painted-letter-plaques.html I love the "family" one she used. Scroll down and link to the other links she posted.

Have fun and happy deocorating.Pin It Now!

WHAT'S YOUR STYLE??

I was surfing and found this cool website. Here is the link:http://www.sproost.com/

You fill out a survey based on pictures of rooms you like, hate, love, etc. and at the end of the survey it tells you what your style is. I was surprised to find mine out. Here is what it said mine is:

Nantucket Style. You wouldn't know it if I gave you a tour of our house. Speaking of which I said I would be doing sometime ago. We have had a lot of overcast days here. It makes for bad indoor photos. It's sunny today, so maybe I will snap some pics of humble abode and you all can help me achieve the Nantucket style with what I have.


I plan on using this tutorial http://pinkandpolkadot.blogspot.com/2008/08/laziest-slipcover-tutorial-ever.html to try and cover my wing chair in our living room. I also bought this book on slipcovering to help me as well. If you want to look inside the book, you can click on this link to see what all they cover in the book. http://www.amazon.com/Slipcover-Style-Alison-Wormleighton/dp/0873496205/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239805216&sr=8-1#reader

I fell in love with Layla's drop cloth curtains over at the Lettered Cottage. You can find her here talking about them. http://theletteredcottage.blogspot.com/2009/04/dropcloth-drapes.html
I plan on doing the drop cloth curtains in the family room and dining room. I may add a band of color on them. Not sure where though. Maybe along the sides of the curtain. maybe at the bottom. We'll see. Shoot, at less than $10 a bag for drapes, I am sure I will figure something out. I also plan on using a drop cloth to practice my slipcovering on my wing chair. Wish me luck!

I love Layla's style. Very laid back, comfy, and cottagey. Is that a word? If you haven't been to her site before you are in for a treat. My two most fave rooms in her house are her kitchen and guest bedroom. Give her a looksee and tell her "hello."


Well, I am off to get some errands and housework done. I did post the winner of the giveaway yesterday, so please be sure to scroll down and look at that post.


Have a blessed day!Pin It Now!

Guest Bedroom....

As promised, here are some pics of the guest bedroom redo. I am going to keep it real for y'all and show the scary before pics and the progress I have made so far pics. It's not where I want it to be yet. I have found that I need to be patient and wait for stuff to go on sale, or make do with what I have. But I am open to ideas, suggestions....LOL, be kind, please.

Here are some before photos of the room when it was basically a dumping ground. In the midst of getting my daughters stuff out of that room and trying to move the guest room stuff in, it was looking a litle harried. The room really isn't that big. It's only 10X12, I think.

See the above photo..??? We were hoping to keep that little desk in there so we can use it as a sewing room when we don't have guests over. Well, dh had other ideas...and off it went into my daughters room along with those white shelves.

Here is how it looks now. Our daughter is finally settled in her room and we have the furniture in the guest room that will be staying. Don't mind that vaccum cleaner...lol, forgot it was there until I took the pic. Again, keeping it real, just for y'all.

This view is looking straight in from the doorway. The closet is there on the left, just behind the vaccum. Can you see my curtains? Love the ball fringe. To the right of me is the bed.

Here is a pic of the skirting on the bed. I love battenburg lace cutwork. It's such a fresh, clean look. I also have shams to match, but not enough pillows.

So, for now, I just have the bed skirt and white sheets on the bed and a pillow form...decorative one. I am hoping to cover it in some fabric I will show you later. But here are the pillow cases I got at Homegoods for $4.99! The one and only thing I have bought so far for this room redo. I love the color and the stripes and I think it's just enough pattern for the look I was going for.

Here is a front al view of the bed. Don't you just love that heart? If you remember, I mentioned that dh made that headboard for me for an anniversary gift many years ago.

See this tray...I am hoping to make a little placemat for it to place in the tray part. I am also thinking about painting it out a creamy white. This tray will have a couple of glasses, a water carafe and some snackage for the guests. Not sure where I will be placing it yet though.That luggage rack will be in the room as well in front of the window. Unfortunately it was the only place to put it. For now anyway. It's from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic line. I got it a long time ago on sale. Here is a pic of the tray with the fabric that I would like to use to make the placemat for it. It's also the fabric I was thinking about using on the naked pillow form on the bed. I was also thinking about maybe using an old cableknit sweater to cover that pillow form with. You know, to bring a little texture in.
Last photo is of the nightstand. Well, it's not truly a nightstand, but that is what I am using it for in this room. It is an old sewing machine in a cabinet. My mom made all our clothes with that machine when we were younger. So, it means a lot to have that in there. I just think that lace doily thing and that lamp are not the right thing for this room though, what do you think?
I like the fact it has the blue that goes with the room, but the shade and the base of the lamp itself are more cream. So, can you mix cream and white when decorating? Is that a no no? I don't know. I also love the pop of the red on the lamp base as well. Taupe or red was going to be the other color in this room that I brought in.

Okay, I lied, there is one more pic. A basket of fluffy towels. To me, a guest room should shout comfy, inviting and calm. There should be all of the necessities of home in there to make you feel comfortable. I usually fix up a little bucket of toothbrushes, shampoos and soaps, etc. We travel quite a bit and have a ton of those hotel size toiletries that we bring home, but never use. We usually save and put it out for company. There should be a clock, plenty of extra quilts, blankets and pillows. There is also a tv in there, but I don't think I got a shot of it. You should also have plenty of closet space if you don't have drawer space to offer. In our case with the room being so small, we have plenty of closet space, plus the hooks on the cubby over the bench.



Well, let me know what you think. I know the room looks flat now. It needs texture and some more color....maybe??? Give me some ideas and I will see what I can do to shop the house.

Next week I will show you the baby gifts I will be sending out as well as a home tour of MY HOUSE.

Have a great weekend.

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The domino effect...

Okay, so in the process of shopping my house for the two rooms I want to redo I have come to realize that I need to get some spring cleaning done and declutter in not one just one room, but many. We have so much stuff...just stuff. Stuff we don't use. Stuff we haven't used. Stuff that probably someone else can use.

Our pastor said something in a sermon recently. He asked the congregation if they were rich. It was a rehetorical question. You see he was sharing that in America, if you have a roof over your head, food and clothes on your back those are the basics. Most of us have the basics, but if you have more than that....and most of us do; then you are rich. It was some statistic he had found. I found that interesting and pondered about it later on. Made me start thinking about the things we don't use and others could use that may need it. Soooo, for the next few days I will probably be putting things together to get ready for a spring yard sale and taking things to Goodwill and just generally throwing things out.

I also stumbled on this blog:
http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-organized-pantry.html you have to check out the post I linked you with. She redid her pantry and I was just so inspired. I love how it looks like a piece of furniture instead of a pantry with a door. Great thing is that because she went through the trouble to organize everything she was able to throw things out that were outdated and not have two and three things of one particular thing. It's all consolidated and looking lovely.

What are you doing to get ready for spring?Pin It Now!

DECORATING...

I am looking to redecorate my guestbedroom. It used to be our daughters room, but we put her in the old guestbedroom. It has a bigger closet and she needed that space. I am looking for a peaceful, relaxing look in this room and I am hoping to not have to buy anything. Want to try and use what I have to achieve the look I would like.







Here is a room from BHG that I was inspired by. I love the contrast of the colors. I like the fact that there isn't a lot of pattern going on. It's simple and understated,but looks like it is very inviting and comfy.





Here is another one that I liked. It's blue and white again, but more vintage inspired.

Okay, so I went and to pics of the room even though it was a mess...you know, just to keep things real. Well, battery on camera needs charged. So, I can't post a pic of the actual room that needs decorating. I am off to charge the battery. I will post pics later on what I have to work with furniture wise, bedding wise,etc. And maybe you all can help me out.

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