Sofa Table with a story

Don't you just love a good story?  This table has many years under its belt, but it was built just last week.  I come from a long line of creative homemakers who see beyond what something looks like in the moment to what it could be. 

A few months ago, my mom was watching the ruins of a burned out old house in hopes of talking with the owners.  She walks the area every day and knows the goings on, if you know what I mean.  Finally, she had a chance to talk with them and got permission to salvage a few of the porch posts.  I buzzed over there with my truck and my wonderful husband and these babies came home. 

The top shelf is barn wood, complete with red paint, from my daughter's new in-laws.  It was used as siding on their wedding wagon...long story.

The bottom shelf came from my grandmother's barn before it was torn down.  I guess there was salvaging in my blood way back then...almost 20 years ago...just waiting for the right moment to shine.

A couple of years ago, another local barn was being torn down and my wonderful husband salvaged some hickory posts and beams.  Today, a few pieces make the feet of this table.

So, when you look around your home, what story does it tell?

Hope you have a blessed day.

Linking up to Miss Mustard Seed FFF  and Addicted To Decorating

Quickie Bathroom Update

I have been quite remiss in posting my projects the last couple of months- I have been SO busy DOING them!  I always overload my to-do list around the holidays and it takes me awhile to recover.  For example, ten days before Christmas, when college students come home for the holidays, I decided to paint their bathroom and give it a fresh face.  It cost less than $150, mostly paint.  It was a deep satin red...

 I primed and painted two coats of color plus the ceiling.  I am loving the "robin's egg" blue and white decor with a running bird theme.  The picture is a paper collage with a sparrow in a snow storm..."His Hand is on the Sparrow."  We also got one of those nifty curved shower rods and a snap over the rod curtain.

I finally downloaded my camera and have lots more photos of projects to share.  Hope you all are safe and warm in this cold, snowy winter. 

Blessings.

Year round chargers

I don't know about you but sometimes, I just have to CRAFT! 

I picked up these bright, plastic chargers at Old Time Pottery for $1 each.  They would be a perfect base for some crafting.  First, I wadded and then flattened some white tissue paper.   I used Mod Podge to apply it over the gold.

 After that dried, I glazed with some dark brown acrylic.

 Then came the fun of decorating each one uniquely.  I LOVE these papers by Jim Holtz...very vintage-y.

 I used the cricut to add our monogram.  Then I followed up with a couple of coats of polycrylic.

These turned out pretty good and they are much more interesting than our placemats were.  They were not a big investment and I had so much fun making them.  Only problem is that now my dishes don't quite measure up.  This will likely increase the total cost of the project.  (chuckle)  We also discovered a side bonus...they hold paper plates nicely when we are being bums in front of the TV. 

I am looking forward to more sewing and creating and decorating and entertaining in the new year. 

How about you?   Blessings to you and yours.

A simpler Christmas!

 I am keeping it much simpler this year than I have in the past.  No Elf craziness like last year!  Be sure to check it out.

 I added a burlap garland to our tree this year.  I cut strips of burlap, frayed the edges and stamped the words to our favorite Christmas tunes all along the strips.  I used white acrylic paint and large foam stamps.  Usually, I have many strands of the red wood beads and this year I doubled them and draped them.

On my china cabinet, I put the middle size tall, skinny tree with white lights and vintage ornaments in front of a mirror.  My favorite shiny brights and santas are all grouped in this vignette.
I am going to hold my breath a few more days to add some fresh cedar and pine boughs.  And I'll kick in the cookie baking in a few days.  How are you treasuring the season?
Blessings.

My "Spot" continues to evolve

Remember the red chaise I finished earlier this year?  It looked rather lonesome in the corner with nothing to hug it.  Honestly, I wasn't really drawn to the spot.  My junking mentor, my mom, found the old door.  I grabbed these bifold closet doors off the roadside.  The lamp is one of those "touchy" things and so far it isn't possessed (coming on by itself-bad experience with that technology).  I found it at a yard sale.  The most expensive part of the door screen is the lamp shade at $6.99.  I got a piano bench to fit between the door and the chaise to hold my cup and my books.    
It is a really quiet spot to get away from the media and really cozy.  How about you?  Do you have a "spot" that hugs you?

Blessings

Hot Date = Trash Can

My darling husband called one day and says how about a date tonight?  Awww...

I suggested, how about a project together instead?

We didn't really have a plan, but there was a need.  Our trashcan was cracked, country blue, no lid (inviting the cat to rummage) and not pleasant.  We used cabinet door panels that I "just happened to have" and odds and ends lumber from the scrap pile.  There was no arguing and we had a good time accomplishing something together.  Fun!

A sweater slipcover?

I am cheap.  Yep, I look for creative ways to make our house comfortable ...on the cheap.  I longed for a comfortable spot to put my feet up by the fire.  Enter a one dollar garage sale hassock.  That's what we call them in the south.  And one large sweater from Goodwill.

 I pulled the sweater inside out, over the hassock and carefully tailored it to fit (not really, stretchy is very forgiving.)  I went around the bottom with quarter inch elastic so it comes off easily.

 So, here is the finished project.  Very cozy and the cat loves it.  I used the leftover arms to make some more stuffed pumpkins. 

Have a lovely fall day!  Blessings.

Fall is in the air

One of my most favorite things to do for entertainment is to play with my pretty things.  These items are usually meaningful.  This old UT Vols radio was my dad's in college.  The carved bird was a gift I got for my husband when we were dating.  And the amber glass was purchased on a trip with my mom and it has acorns from lovely walks with my dogs.

 I love old landscape paint-by-numbers.  And these "treasures" just feel cozy to me.  

 This bell jar is placed on a solid walnut pedestal my husband turned for me.  I am going to have a lot of fun with the little vignettes to place under glass.  I made the pumpkin out of the sleeves of a sweater left from another project.  It won't spoil!

Last night we hosted a wienie roast for my mom's milestone birthday.  We had chili with all the fixin's too.  It is definitely that time of year.  We are starting to see some color change on the trees here in Middle Tn, too.  Ah, fall is in the air!

YOUR style

Just have to share a couple of comments I heard this week on decorating:

"Do you think my ----- is dated?"

"I am not really comfortable because I am afraid I will mess up something."

"It feels like a magazine in your house."

"I love to look at all the interesting things around here."

Here's my decorating philosophy: If "it" (color, furniture, art, arrangement) brings beauty and function to your life, relax and enjoy it. If you are hanging onto "it" due to obligation or indecisiveness, get help to settle your space to more reflect yourself. The only time to really be concerned with what is "on trend" would be if you are trying to sell your home. That would be the time to back off on your own decorating personality to help the potential buyers see how they could live in the space. It is usually helpful to bring in a friend or professional to help you see your home's potential. You know what they say about another pair of eyes...

Have fun in YOUR home, in YOUR style.

Blessings

Door to Daybed

My son has moved into his own apartment. What a milestone for all of us! One concern was in furnishing it as inexpensively as possible. We decided to build a daybed for more seating and also sleeping. We are talking a studio apartment.
The actual build was very basic. The inspiration was to use this old door as the back. (I have had that door about 10 years, waiting for this exact moment in time, LOL.)

We started by sanding it a bit and then spray painted patches in the room colors. If I had it to do over, I would spray larger patches so they aren't so hard to find.

We painted two coats over the whole thing with Rustoleum's dark brown flat. After it was really good and dry, we sanded through the brown to expose the colors and some patches of the base color. All this was topped with a clear coat. I just happened to have some striped fabric to cover pillows and scored with this comforter at Goodwill for $3.99. We are pretty thrilled with the outcome.

Blessings

A touch of red-bedroom

I have said many times that my favorite color is red. I admit that this chaise is a huge blast of bold print and color. Certainly, too much is less than calming.

I put just a few touches on the other side of the room. I added the cardinal on the limb to the collage and just happened to have some crocheted trim for the pillow.

I guess it is enough for now. Aren't all homes in continuous growth and change? Never boring!

Blessings!

Tweaking a common bedspread

We have a king size bed with a pillow top mattress. This has always posed a challenge for me when it comes to a comforter that would cover the sheets. I know many tuck their comforters but that is just more trouble than I am willing to commit to on a daily basis. Finally, I settled on this relatively common mattelaise (sp?) spread. I wasn't thrilled with the scalloped edging.

So here is what I did about it: I added a neutral border. It is a tan basket weave print that will do for now.Moral of the story: Be willing to look beyond the obvious that is in front of you. You probably could put your personal stamp on it and it would be special.

Blessings

Pillows: when you HAVE to craft!

You know that I LOVE red! I had burgundy pillows on my couch for the longest time because it went with the rug, but I prefer the good ole fire engine red with a folk art-ish feel. This was a little piecing, a little applique and a few vintage trims. I can easily change the covers when I change my mind again! Sometimes, you just gotta craft!
Blessings

Easter Decorations

I wanted to share my latest crafty project. I blew out eggs....quiche for dinner!...and decoupaged with cut out napkins. On a few, I just painted my favorite robin's egg blue and speckled (I know, really huge for robin standards.) Notice how cute they are snuggled in and around the lovely turned wood pieces my husband made. Maybe I can keep my Martha card.
Blessings.

Come visit my house!

I am linking up with Transforming Home house tour party, my first linky thingy. I am delighted to welcome you to my home. We really live here...that means that you probably won't see huge, all encompassing photos because I moved the "pile" out of camera sight.

These are photos in my living room. Can you tell we have a gamer in the family? And we have the piano that really has no other home and we must keep even though no one plays it because...?

This is one tidy spot in my bedroom. I have tan walls, lots of white, some kinda denim-ish blue and a few pops of my fav, red. My bedroom is one of those projects that has taken so long that some things are worn out or out of favor. My red chaise is in this room.

My open kitchen/dining room is very casual country. The far wall is dark sage-y green beadboard which matches the backsplash in the kitchen area. To the left is my simple china hutch. I enjoy changing the display on the plate shelf, on the light side now.

And last, I thought I would share my laundry closet. It is painted a fairly bold aqua, with some red (of course). I am loving my machines, by the way. They are LG. I have a folding platform on top that we hinged for easy access if necessary.

Make it .....MORE

Thought I would share an idea for making your tub MORE.

Our deep jet tub is pretty simple. Simple is good. But this is the focal point in our bathroom and I wanted special. I used a pair of swing arm curtain rods mounted as high as possible with a sheer white curtain tied back to frame the alcove. The hanging light fixture draws your eye up.

A robin's egg blue ceiling and bamboo shades creates a bit of a spa feeling, don't you think?

I am thinking this sounds like a great place to warm the bones in this winter weather.

Have a blessed day.

Treasures on display

At the beginning of the year, I decided to change out as many of my decorative accessories as possible. I don't know about you but after a while, I hardly even noticed my "stuff." The black shelves (which I made on the fly) once held about 10 vintage cameras...not very colorful and no elevation change. Although the empty frame thing bugs my husband, I really like the age and form of these. The dried hydrangeas (see how) are just the right natural element.

These treasures have been in hiding a loooonnnggg time and now they fit the open spot in my kitchen. More hydrangeas...

I am going out today to buy a pneumatic stapler......YEAH! I am working on my first and maybe my last re-upholstery project. I have no idea what I am doing and just winging it. I can't wait to post the photos. (That will mean it is done, LOL!)

Blessings.

China Hutch given new life!

I love my china hutch. It was a gift from my husband for my first Mother's Day (almost 21 years ago). We even configured our floor plan to accommodate this piece when we were designing our home 11 years ago. My how time flies. It is a very simple, sturdy piece but I was a little bored with the darkness.
Here's my solution: I found some fabric that made me happy in the right colors and cut it to size for the openings. I used simple double stick tape to attach it. Honestly, I half expected it to be in the floor by morning...
To keep with the idea of lighter and brighter, I used a lot of white and a lot less than usual.

So here are the results...simpler, and lighter.

Blessings.

Lighter, brighter decorating!

After all that cleaning and un-decorating the holiday stuff, I went for a lighter, brighter style. I had so much on top of my kitchen cabinets that it is a wonder they didn't fall off. I put away a lot of crocks and pitchers and baskets...all old and dusty and heavy looking. Of course it took quite a bit of cleaning...I prefer windex or all-purpose cleaner for that job. After I cleaned all that stuff, I covered the top of the cabinets with wax paper so that next time it will be just remove and replace.
I've grouped similar items...

I love old radios and paint-by-numbers...

Did I mention red is my favorite color? And playful toys, too.

This is a collection of carnival glass with just a few accessories to fill it out...

So, when you look at your stuff, maybe you don't even see it anymore. I took everything down and brought out other treasures and it all feels new. Move it around and enjoy your home.

Blessings.

Architectural Interest

Newer homes often lack the character of yesteryear. "Back in the day" much thought was given to interesting molding, arches and panels. These days our home buying dollar doesn't allow a lot of room for fancy. I found this door at a house just before the bulldozer and brought it home, not sure what it's future held. Sometimes you just have to grab it when you see it. So, this lovely beaded board door rested in my basement for a few years. In a flurry of decorating inspiration, I mounted a corbel with a broken demilune tabletop on the door. After many yoga-like contortions (I was doing this alone), I got the door securely mounted on the wall with anchors. Then I hung the mirror on it...perfect to check your lipstick before you answer the door. I love to put a candle or flowers there on the shelf.

So, keep your eyes open for unusual but interesting treasures. They will eventually work their way into your space and add to the warmth of your home.

Blessings!