Notes from A Cottage Industry

Have I been to one too many Vintage Fleas?

One of the charming vintage shops in Vancouver Washington came up with a not-new-but-new-for-our-area event…a monthly Vintage Flea Market, to be held on the first Sunday of each month through summer.

Last Sunday was the first one. Both of my daughters and I had discussed getting a booth space in the parking lot, but...the weather here in May is dicey at best, so we chickened out, and decided we would just attend the event as shoppers. As it turned out,the event was great, and the weather was perfect, other than some pretty heavy winds, which were playing havoc on some of the booth displays. I took plenty pictures, but as I edited them, I realized that what I was drawn to more than anything else, was the fabulous art of display these talented people have.

 

 

The place was crowded with shoppers…lots of browsers and looky-loos, and folks eye candy shopping for inspiration. I say this because I didn’t see a wave of near hysterical shoppers running at items as I have witnessed in years past when the crowds of women scampered to grab what they could before someone else snagged it. Out of the three of us, only one daughter bought something. She got two darling wooden turquoise children’s chairs to go in the playroom.

It got me to wondering. (And maybe I’m wrong. I often am, you know.)

Could it be?...Have I seen it all? The weathered creams, whites, and burlaps. The feed sacks, the chalkboard painted buckets, tables, dressers...you-fill-in-the-blank. 

Now, don’t get me wrong. I like this look. 

Heck, I love this look. ( I have a version of it in my own home, and my daughters have their own versions of vintage in their homes too..)

But I seem to have it already. So do my girls. I do not seem to come across anything that I feel like will add to my spaces with such impact that I am willing to pay a high price for it.    

That brings me to the other thing that we all noticed. (and I am wondering if you have noticed this in your area as well, as this was not the first event I have noticed prices edging up.) People seem to have really raised their prices. (and this may have been why nothing really grabbed me hard enough to buy it.)

I mean, I am not expecting yard sale pricing by any means at all, but eight bucks for a small metal tag that I was thinking could be too-cute tied with jute around a cloth napkin at a summer barbeque? That’s just not happening at my house, when we are eating off my thrifted-for-twenty-dollars-six-years-ago pfaltzgraph Filegree white dishes, and the handmade cloth napkins my mom makes for me with discount fabrics. It just seems that as a vendor in afair, without the overhead that ashop owner has to bear, the prices would be a little lower. 

 

Am I  getting out of touch?  Right now, the things that send me to the moon  all seem to be table setting related, or for parties, or a small intimate event. (Like a cozy breakfast for two)I never to seem to find any gotta-haves for my own home decor these days.

I am hoping it’s not that I am “getting old”. You know, like before you know it I will be sporting sensible shoes that resemble men’s house slippers, (gasp!)  going to bed with the chickens, and saying things like “he hasn’t got the sense God gave a goose”.   

What do you think? Are you feeling like you  have seen most of the ideas and pieces, or are you still finding so much stuff you need a pick-up to take it all home? I’d love to hear your thoughts on all of this, and also, I’d love, love, love to read what kinds of things currently do inspire you right now into nesting mode over-drive...

**Edited Tuesday, May 7, 2013- While as of now, I have not had any negative comments here from readers....I want to apologize with all of my heart to anyone I inadverently offended with this post....those that had a booth in this fair, and to Billie who owns the charming shop as I stated in my first paragraph. I did not realize....(obviously, I had a complete brain lapse, and ...I did not think.) as I wrote my thoughts, that anyone involved in the fair would take offense. (Not sure why, it just didn't enter my mind as I wrote. I think maybe it didn't occur to me because I didn't say anything negative about the products- quite the contray, they were all fabulous, or I wouldn't have taken so many pictures.)

The main point I was sharing, (or...attempting to share) besides noticing pricing on the upswing, was that I am kind of surprised at myself, at not being swept away in a vintage frenzy, as I have been only a few years back. The fact was, it crossed my mind that I might be thinking more these days like...ehem...an older lady. (No ofense meant to any women out there older than me. Especially not you, Mom.)

Again I want to say, to Billie, and to the vendors in the Flea Market event...I am sorry if I offended you in any way.

Truly.

(Insert large embarrassed cringe here.)

I will not ruin a perfectly decent apology here with excuses. I will say that Cottage Vintage Home's next Flea Market will be held June 2nd.

Pops of color.

Aaaaah, it’s Friday.

I cannot remember a longer week than this one. Seriously, the days have seemed to each be three days long at work, and I know why.

I have spring fever.

Yes, warm-and-sunny-blue-skies-flowers-blooming-everywhere spring fever.  This dry gorgeous weather hit the fabulous Pacific Northwest this week with such sudden-ness that I have been unable to concentrate on anything work related.

Even though I swore I wasn't going to buy any plants for outside until at least mid May, I ran out on my lunch break on Monday and bought several ivy geraniums. (We have red front doors, and I could just envision the bright pops of red geraniums adding that needed touch to the front of the house.

I then spent Monday evening sharing my vision with my Rock n’ Roll Buddy of the amazing impact the hanging flowers would have on our home once he installed the screws under the eaves  to hang them.

The geraniums waited patiently in the flower bed below where there new home would be.

I spent Tuesday evening letting the idea gel a bit more in his head.

The geraniums continued patiently waiting.

He obliged on Wednesday after work, (See? I knew he just needed time to digest the idea and see the potential!) and I was right. They added the perfect amount of color and balance. Once they were hung we went down to the sidewalk to bask in the awesome-ness that was our walkway of hanging geraniums.

*sigh*

Amazing what a huge difference four hanging flower pots can make.

Now I am thinking that we really need a nice shade tree out there in the yard behind the Adirondack chairs…..what do you think? Can you see that? (I would move the chairs more forward on the lawn, which is fairly large...)

 

 

It's just like decorating any other space in our homes... the front...the outside...is the first thing anyone sees, and you know what they say about first impressions.

So, when this time of year...this glorious weather...hits, I am suddenly all about creating a welcome feeling...outside. LAst year we painted the exterior, and this year I want to continue the momentum of making our home look happy...just like us.

The warm glow of the holidays....in the dining room.

This year I think..I know...we are all hugging our loved ones a little tighter, and the blessings of family and home hold renewed meaning.

We're still decking the halls around here, a little bit more each night, and each day I look forward to enjoying the warm glow that candlelight casts in all the rooms when I arrive home from work.

One of the rooms I am most excited about is our new dining room.(Do you remember it before?) It was the family room, but we have reinvented it, and now the first room you see upon entering the house showcases our fabulous craigslist honey pine dining set, and trust me, it looks like it has always been a dining room.
The original dining room of the house is actually very, very small, and will now be re-invented into either a music room for my Rock n' Roll Buddy (my vote) or a home office space.(Currently my home office area shares the guest room, which is a little tight, but seems to be working.)

We will be installing a beyond beautiful thrifted old crystal and brass chandelier very soon, (and you know I will share pictures!) but for now, the glow of christmas lights on the tree, coupled with candle light and the floor lamp in the cormer create a very inviting look.
My usually all white stoneware collection has touches of reds and evergreens, and bits of shiny silver...
The tablescape carries my latest favorite color-way of grey, red, black and white in a winter and Christmas-y theme, showcasing my glittery snowmen and a couple of my Santa hats from the grand babes photo shoot.
I continued this color theme through out the house, and I will keep the colors this way through winter, only putting away the actual Christmas items...tomorrow, the living room, followed by  the oh-so-Christmas-y bedroom!

Cozy supper set up.

There is nothing cozier than a meal by candle light. It adds a warmth to any table setting, whether it's breakfast, or supper. Some tea lights set in rock salt in old canning jars creates a casual and wintery mini-centerpiece.
I'm going with a red, white grey and black color way for Christmas this year, and I am using a couple of super inexpensive scarves as runners.(One on the breakfast bar, and one on the dining table)
...Giant plastic snowflakes (two for a buck at the dollar store last year) make fabulous chargers, and eensy-weensy mittens with an evergreen sprig add the perfect finishing touch.
Pretty, and warm, and welcoming, don't you think?It makes any meal feel special.

What a difference a fresh new color makes....

I do not have a green thumb. I do not know much about flowers, other than what colors I like.

What I do have is a desire to decorate.

Everything.

And, so I see the outside of our home very much the same way that I see the inside of our home. It's the outer part of our nest. And, as such, it needs to feel like welcoming, and  inviting, and cozy, and happy.

Like us.

We decided the house was in need of a new coat of paint outside, so we drove around the area until we found a home we both liked with a roof the same color as ours. I knocke on the door, and met the nicest gal, who was oh-so-flattered that we liked her house colors, especially since they had paid someone to select them!

She happily shared the paint recipes and we headed to the paint store. The gal also shared with me that a carpenter had added some new details to her home, and we ended up calling him in as well, to add some architectural details to the entry, windows and around the large garage door. What a nice difference!

Here was the front porch in the Before days, at the beginning of summer...
and now.. What happened when we painted was that the outside lights,and the trim suddenly popped out. The front doors suddenly became the focal point, everything looked warm and welcome.

Happy.

A little sign tutorial.

Okay, so it isn't really a little sign, but the tutorial is little...er...short.

Kind of.

And easy.

I've had this sign for...gosh...more than ten years. I was originally from a storefront somewhere in Virginia City, Nevada. It was green when I got it, and I painted it yet another green, with wording on it for a Billard room in my home way back when I was married. Later, I painted it black, and have been planning on painting a verse on it ever since.

I came upon the perfect verse, (Happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life.)and decided exactly where I wanted to hang the sign around the first of the year. (This was in fact, one of the bajillion things on my Wanna-Get-Done list before the rush of Easter company, but...I ran out of time.)

I made time this past week, and I thought I'd walk you through the process. (I shared the process once before, a while back...here.)

Again, here's how I do it:

Decide what you want to paint on your sign.(A wooden headboard makes a perfect sign, as well as old doors from cupboards, or a plain ol' one by six...) Once you have done this, you are are ready to start creating.

1.I use my favorite cheap n' cheesy program, Printshop, from Broderbund. (It's an easy program that a non-techie gal like myself can learn easily, and it's affordable.) If you don't have  a Print Program, you can print your letters (words, quotes...) in WORD.

2. Tape the pages of paper together.

3. Rub chalk on the back side of the paper. If the sign is painted a light color, use colored chalk. 4. Place the verse, printed side up, on the sign, exactly where you want it.
5.Using an old fine tip felt pen, outline all the letters, pressing fairly firmly.

6. Remove the paper. (The chalk letters did not photograph well at all, but trust me, they're there...)
7. Paint each letter, coloring book style.

8. After the paint is dry, wipe the sign off with a damp sponge to remove all the excess chalk residue..
9. Step back and bask in the awesomeness of what you have created.
We hung our sign in the family room, above the shuttered sliding glass door.

(I must be honest here, and tell you that my Rock n' Roll Buddy didn't really "see" my vision at all on the idea of hanging the sign above the door, but he hung it for me anyway. )

(That's what I love about him.)

It's a straight shot to see it as you enter the house through the front door. You likey?

 

PS...I am linked to

Because you can't wear it if you can't find it.

You might recall that my personal word for the year is Organize.

So.

I don't really have any fine jewelry. (It's all what my Mom calls "costume" jewelry.) And, until a couple of months ago, it was everywhere.

In my purse.

In my cup holder in my car.

In the kitchen on the counter.

On my night table.

In the bathroom.

Mmmmm hmmm, you get it.

You would think that after losing my watch a while back, I would have learned.

(If you thought that, then you do not know me as well as you might have thought you did.)

Oh, no, no, no.

After the watch incident, I proceeded to carelessly toss around misplace one of my very most favorite wear-em-several-times-a-week-coz-they-are-perfect-with-anything Silpada Hoop earings.

(OhyesIdid.)

At first, I didn't panic. It would show up, I thought.

(By who? A little earing fairy?)

Time went by. It didn't show up.

Now, I had two choices. To wear one earing, (a la' Jack Sparrow style) or...look for it.

I looked. And looked some more.

I slept on it, trying to somehow will it to find me.

Finally, I gave up pretty much all hope, deciding that since this was the 50th time I had lost one of these precisous hoops and surely all the praying in the world wasn't gonna bring it back to me, and clearly, this was going to be a lesson-learned kind of thing.

Again.

I decided two things. First, I needed a specific, organized place to house my jewelry. Counter space is at a premium in the bedroom, and master bath, so it occurred to me that if I could empty one drawer of my dreser, I could make a space to store things. The second thing I decided was that from now on I am only allowed to take off my jewelry while standing at my dresser.that it was time to organize my accessories, once and for all.

Feeling totally empowered at this point, I hit Bed, Bath and Beyond on a mission to find the perfect solution to my problem, on my lunch break, and emerged victorious forty-some dollars poorer, but much wiser, (and inspired at the possibility that I might become a member of the Organized People group in life)with a big bag or organizational trays made especially for holding jewelry.
After work I unwrapped them all, and set out arranging the trays in the drawer, and then began filling them.

Wow.

It was almost an out of body experience, as I marvelled at the neatly lined up bracelets, necklaces, complete pairs of earings.An organized  thing of beauty, for sure.

Oh! As for the missing earing? It showed up when I moved my dresser to get at a power outlet behind it. I promptly put the newly found hoop in it's proper place, next to it's mate.

Startin' to feel the love outside.

You know, when I was talking last week about giving my self way to long of a do-list before entertaining, one of the things on that list was to buy pansises and get them all potted up.

Well, I got that done, the day before the first round of company arrived.

(Yay, me!)

Pansies and graniums in the front yard, by the thrifted (way back a few years ago, in the Biggest Little City) Adirondack chairs, and on the porch. Pansies in pots on the back deck. Fabulous lil' splashes of color!

(So proud of myself.)

Then, I meant to take some photos.

But I forgot.

(You're shocked, I know.)

Then, this past weekend, the sun came out again (we've been having winter-spring here in the Pacific Northwest in case you don't live here and are outta the loop.) and we got the lawn mowed again and things are looking so spring-time-y-cheery, and I remembered to snap some pictures.

Well, a picture.

Actually, I got two decent shots. So pretty, and full of color, and life. I'm ready to be outside each day after work to enjoy spring.

And the sun.

And pansies in pots.

How about you? Has sprintime weather arrived in your neck of the woods? Have you started foofy-fying things up outside where you live?

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Meant to be...

...mine.

I was online one day, about...oh,  four months ago? Five? Maybe even longer than that.

(It doesn't matter exactly when this happened, just that it was a good while back.)

Anyway.

I came upon this picture on someones Pinterest Board, and I thought to myself, "That's just exactly what I need to hang in the house somewhere! It's a Beatles lyric, and it's rustic and vintage and perfect. Too bad I can't find one like it around here."

I then realized the picture had been pinned by a friend up here in the Pacific Northwest. I commented on the pin when I pinned it, and low and behold, she wrote a comment back, saying that it was at a recent faire, and was made by yet  another junker friend.

While I was tickled to know who created the piece, I was a bit disapointed at the same time, as I could only surmize the cute sign had sold at the fair, especially the way she had it propped up so cute in the back of that truck-bed!

Time passed.

I kinda forgot about the sign. I even toyed with the idea of making my own, but...well, I like that one.

I went to Monticello one day with my daughters, on a lil' inspirational home decor trip, and as I was browsing through the Salvage Garden area, there it was. A sign that looked oh-so-much like the one I had been lusting for.

No.

Wait.

Not oh-so-much like. It was the sign. Right there.

Waiting for me, I think.

Wow.

Meant to be.

I love it when stuff like this happens, don't you?

God bless Craig, and his list.

I haven't been to a single garage sale in...wow. I can't even tell you. For a girl that lived for Saturday morning yard sales, I have managed to somehow let saling slip my mind. It rains here, in the Pacific Northwest, you know. A lot of the fall. And winter. And spring. That is probably one reason I haven't missed it.

The other reason would be this guy named Craig. Now, I was a friend of Craig's way back when I still lived in the biggest Little City, and I still am awfully fond of him.

My Rock n' Roll Buddy and I are comeplete and total Craigslist Junkies. We both check in with Craig pretty much daily, for different reasons. I mainly scour the furniture page for cool vintage finds, and he looks at all sorts of other things, from appliances, to decking, to cars.

Seriously, what did we all do before Craigslist? (If you haven't discovered Craigslist yet...well, you need to, especially if you have any upcoming home projects.It's right up there with the invention of the microwave oven and the iPhone.)

Oh, the money we have saved. And the stuff we have unloaded. Craig and his list have truly been a Godsend around here.

Let me share with you some of our best of the best Craigslist deals-Had it not been for Craig and his list, we would not currently have this (complete with French doors and Deli drawer, thankyouverymuch)...
Only eight months old, and when my Rocker Buddy called Sears about a small broken sensor, they transferred the warranty to us...for free!
Or, this dishwasher and range...not to mention our favorite find to date, our flooring! (I am fairly certain some of you are sick to death of hearing about the hand scraped Chilean Hardwood, but...as for me, I will never tire of talking about it. And looking at it.)
We would not have this nickel finish ceiling fan, complete with remote control.(new in the box, no less)....
....Nor would we have found all of the construction guys that worked and helped us along with our big-fat-entire-house-two-week-marathon-remodel.

Oh! Have I told you about the dining room table we scored?
For a hundred bucks we got eight chairs and a table with two leaves for big family gatherings.

Oh, yes-we-did.

(I had leftover fabric from a slipcover project, and so recovering the cushions was a snap...And then, my guy listed and sold his five old dining chairs and one table separately, making himself a cool $60 profit....courtesy of...you got it. Our friend Craig.)

Yeah baby, that's what I'm talkin' about.

We're gearing up to tackle some outside projects next, and I'm sure we'll be working closely with Craig again on every single job.

Menus and tablescapes and errands, oh my!

Easter weekend will be here in less than 48 hours and I am still trying to fine tune my menus, clean house, pick up groceries, and wrap-up-finish-get-started-whatever about thrity-two twenty-six twelve projects around the house.

Anyone who knows me is not surprised.

I work best under pressure, apparently. Do you do that? Think of oodles of lil' things you are going to do around the house, and think of grand ideas that will absolutely make the room, or tablescape, or party (you fiill in the bank...)....think on 'em some more, and then, suddenly, you're having company and you want them all done..yesterday.

For instance, I tackled the new piece for the livingroom, and then, I spent a pretty good portion of one evening this week framing family pictures that I finally got around to having printed at Walgreens. (I've still got tot dust the hutch and figure out exactly where all of these newly framed photos will fit...)

Actually, when I consider that it has only been since the Superbowl that we got things rolling with decorating around here, that doesn't sound so strange to have so many projects still on the to-do list.

(I seem to use major events or holidays as my motivation I am noticing.)

(I guess I should start thinking about Mother's Day now.)

(And remember to be thankful that we will be out of town for Memorial Day weekend.)

*sigh*

Do you think I have time to pick up some pansies and get them potted after I grocery shop and hit the Post Office after work today?

Because, when you have a cold you aren't thinking clearly.

...that's what I am claiming anyway.

I am crazy busy getting ready to entertain this weekend, and I decided to take on a re-invention project last night. You see, we have a pretty substantial collection of DVD's and VHS tapes.

(By we, I mean that I have the litle boxed set of Season One of the Gilmore Girls, and my Rock n' Roll Buddy has pretty much every movie or concert available for purchase after 1192.)

(And, before you ask, yes, we have a VHS player to play those tapes.)

Anyway.

I wanted a storage piece to hold them, so they would be handy, but hidden. Well, I found one this past weekend on a lil' trip to Camas Antiques. The only trouble was that the piece needed a bit of TLC. (a dab of paint, some new bun feet, and the knobs replaced at some point hopefully.)

I got four little bun feet at Home Depot, and after work I painted them. Ralph then installed them for me and I got busy filling the cupboard. In the end, it held all of the DVD's and about a third of the VHS tapes, so...mission accomplished, pretty much. (Plus, it added a bit of interest to the wall in the living room and gave me another surface to add some photos and such.)I'll add a picture of the piece after work tonight....forgot to take a picture last night...sheesh.)

While I was at Camas Antiques, (when I should have been home dust mopping the floors, and cleaning the bathroom...but I have a cold you know, so I wasn't quite up to all of that.) I saw plenty of eye candy and wanted to share some of the fabulous vignettes with you....(I have been meaning to do this for a while, but always seem to forget my camera when I head down there...)

OH! Look what you can do with old pallets....(This was a new idea to me...love it!) Some fantastic pieces of furniture, for any room in the house...
...and I LOVE how Joann puts touches of new in with the old...I was lusting after these cool free standing signs, or photo holders (how great would they be on a dessert buffet set up, with great quotes and vintage photos???)
...and I am wondering if one of the newest grand babes might be a girl..? (These lil' shoes/booties will be a must-have!) I spotted this vintage laundry cart, perfect for my eldest daughter, with her big farmhouse laundry room, and the touches of red all around her home.....
...my friend Gwen's booth is always inspiration overload....I love her style!
Whenever I am wanting home decor inspiration, this place is where I go. It's less than two miles from my home and I always come home with a million and three ideas (and a few shopping bags...)

The Livingroom.

This room is really still a work in progress; a labor of love. It's evolving with every new little touch we add. Previously there were cut outs within the wall between the living and dining rooms, which we opted to wall in for a more separate room effect for the living room and the dining room. Here is the room at the beginning of the whirlwind rennovation... ...and a little way into the project.... ...and now...
The shutters added a nice rich look with the wood tone. (I am still dying to add some sort of drapery panels on either side with a brushed nickel curtain rod at some point to add more texture and interest....and I think I just found the perfect panels! More to come...) We're still searching for the perfect piece to house (and hide) all of our DVD's (over to the right of the window...) Also,I didn't get a good picture of it, but I think the brushed nickel ceiling fan really makes the room, and really pushes the heat down when we have our nightly fires in the wood burning stove...

You remember my hutch don't you? It's been re-purposed so many times! Purchased at a yard sale one summer long, long ago, it was a bright blue when I dragged it home for the first time, and I immediately painted it black and weathered it with sandpaper.

I originally had this fabulous hutch in the dining room at the big house, then, on to the living room on Norman Drive, to the dining room at my first place in Camas, to the living room at my last eensy-weensy place in Vancouver, and now, in the living room here. I'd have to say it is my all time personal best for purchases made at yard sales over the past 15 years.

I am pretty perplexed as to exactly what I can do with the huge wall flanking the wood burning stove...any ideas????
I'd love to hear your ideas for us!!!

 

A peek at the Laundry Room, and those oh-SO-beautiful wood floors.

I know, I have already bragged shamelessly about the amazing hardwood flooring we put in the house, but in all seriousness, they truly are the biggest "wow" factor in our whirlwind-remodel. (It is Chilean Cherry Engineered Hardwood. Talk about instant gratification!)

We put the gorgeous hardwood in the entry...here is a photo of one side of the double front doors, from inside the entry...
...and a shot from the living room looking down the entry hall to the elbow in the hallway....
...and we carried it throughout the long "L" shaped hallway. (Please forgive the lighting in these photos. The walls are a creamy soft off white, not yellow. I think the problem was the overhead lights...)
..oh, and here is a shot looking back down the entry hall toward the front doors and living room...
I'm not sure how I missed taking "Before" pictures of the Laundry Room, other than the fact that all we really changed in here was a fresh coat of creamy off white paint (The room has no window, and we wanted to keep it light) and the flooring. The old flooring was the original 80's vinyl, which was pretty neutral, but it had done it's time, and since we had the left over wood, we decided to go ahead and do this room. (And I am so glad we did! It warmed things up, added character, and flows so prettily from the hallway.) I am still adding my lil' accesories to the Laundry Room. (I collect washboards, and I have a couple of other ideas up my sleeve, which I will be sure to share with you!)
Anyway,I think the results are pretty spectacular. And, I think that when you want to make a really strong statement in a room, starting with the floor is a great way to go, don't you?

Spring fever hits the office, and our front porch.

We really can't complain about the rain and the cold this year out here in the Pacific Northwest. It's been mild and dry for the most part, according to the weather guys on television, but we've had a few snow flurries on and off here the past week or so, and are expecting more rain this weekend.That being said, yesterday was a beautiful sun-shiny day and today is looking to be a fabulous repeat.

This weather inspires me, (along with daylight-savings time coming to an end this weekend)and I am oh-so-ready for spring! To plant flowers in pots, and pull out my springtime decorations. Even with rain in the forcast for this weekend, I decided that I'd go ahead and start with some faux spring touches at work, in the main foyer...

as well as the front porch at home. (Actually, it's not so much a true porch as it is a front door area.)I replaced the evergreen boughs with poppies, asperagus fern and some lavender...

...and added a couple of springtime wreaths to both front doors.
It absolutely boggles my mind at just how real the faux flowers look these days. Seriously, look at my first photo up there and tell me that those little lavender sprigs in the pot don't look real enough that you'd like to put your nose to them for a lil' whiff of lavender. Aaaah-mazing. Truly.

When do you begin decorating for spring? Do you wait until Easter, or have you already got me beat by a couple of weeks? How much "Spring" decorating do you do outside, and inside, of your home? I'd love to hear what all you do!

 

The kitchen.

Let me begin by sharing what I am sure you already knew, the fact that yesterday was National Pancake Day. (A holiday I am quite sure was created by the good people from IHOP.) In honor of this, we cozied up at the kitchen counter and had Ralph's favorite...breakfast for dinner. (complete with pancakes, of course.) I share this because it seemed appropriate, since today I am showing the kitchen remodel. (For those of you that missed National Pancake Day Twenty-Twelve, mark your calendars for next year so you don't miss out.)

Now, on with the kitchen re-do details.

I was going to to start off by saying that we really didn't do much with the kitchen during the whirlwind remodel, but that's not true at all. It just doesn't seem as extreme of a difference as some of the other rooms...at first glance.(Don't ask me why I didn't get any decent actual true "Before" pictures. I don't know. I do have this one, which is kinda sorta before they started doing too much of the demo (As you can see, we still hadn't even taken down my cute window valance yet)....you can see the old Parquet flooring, dishwasher, and the innards of the older florescent lighting up above in the ceiling...(The ceiling had florecent light panels with plastic covering them in an oak frame that we had sheet rocked in and added can lights for a more modern look.)
and a bit further along...
The cabinets remained the same, but the flooring was replaced... ...as well as the refridgerator and dishwasher. (The range had been replaced last summer after a rather spark-filled incedient involving a large pot of oil with a leak and an electric burner...)
(Ignore the spatula and dishes on the counter...I didn't even realize they were there until I looked at these pictures later) Oh, and I know it's a lousy picture of my window treatment but, I ordered my valance from Country Curtains, and I have to say, they are really nicely made.

The fridge is our favorite new toy, with a deli drawer and a little bell that tingla-lingle-lings if you walk off and leave the door hanging open for too long. Did I tell you yet how crazy in love I am with the new wood flooring? Truly, madly, deeply.

Really.

Next up on the ren-no tour...the living room!

Welcome to the Family Room.

**Note** This is a RE-POST from my Blogger post yesterday. It didn't export with the other posts and I didn't want to lose all of your comments, so...if you have already read this post, that is why!

This picture totally reminds me of that old, old song from My Fair Lady, "Wouldn't it be Loverly?" You know,"...All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air, with one enormous chair...Aow, wouldn't it be loverly?..." Yup, makes me wanna curl up right there (right now) with a cuppa cocoa and my laptop....

Anyway.

That photo up above is to let you see a peek, a morsel, a cozy lil'corner of our home. Mmmm hmm, I am finally, at long last, ready to share a few Before and After pictures of another room in the house! (Can I get a drum roll please?) Without further adieu, I give you....

The Family Room.

Wait. 

(I'm getting ahead of myself.)

Let's see a shot of it..Before.

Before I lived here, when it was Bachelor Pad Central.

Functional. 

Organized, with no shortage of audio equipment, old or new.

After...with the newly installed oh-so-terribly-wonderful-and-worth-every-penny slide-by shutters (in the open position)....

...and, with the shutters closed....

Oh! I cannot tell you just how much I am loving these slide-by (that's what I call them, anyway)wood shutters! I personally think sling glass doors are the biggest challenge in the window treatment arena, because they need to be functional, and supply privacy, and energy efficiency, and look good all at the same time, you know? Anyway, I think these babies do it fabulously. 

Yes, the whirlwind remodel was so worth working around little inconveniences like no television or internet for a couple of weeks...(I swear I'd do it all again in a new York minute!)

Let's take one last look at the After shot one more time, shall we?....(Notice please the old bi-fold shutters are re-purposed over behind the chair to cozy up the corner of the room, and the audio equipment is still intact and ready to be used at a moment's notice...)

I hope you're enjoying the tour of our what's-old-is-new-re-born-cozy-and-warm home.
Next stop? The kitchen!(Okay, you can all stop reading here.)

*Dearest Guitar Man of my dreams,

I just want to say Thank you...for being such a Team Player and stretching yourself ginormously outside of your comfort zone. I know this was all huge for you, and I want you to know just how much I love that you did this for me!*

The Loo.

I know. It's a rather unusual spot to begin the re-no tour, but I've got to start somewhere and this guest bath is currently one of my favorite lil' places in the house.

It went from being a generic 1980's guest bath....

.....to being much more of a charming little space, don't you think?

 

This was the only room in the house that we painted a color instead of the creamy shade of off-white that we did in the rest of the house. I will readily admit that the color I chose didn't come out exactly as I imagined. I was shooting for a warm-ish putty tone, but with the bathroom being in the center of the house with no windows for natural light, it gives off a hint of a lavender undertone when the halogen light in the toilet-tub area is turned on, rather than the heat lamp. I think I'll live with the color for a few weeks and then decide whether it will stay or get a second coat of something else. (Aaah, the beauty of paint. So affordable to change and try out...)

 

The old mirror was a large sheet mirror that had seen better days, so we replaced it with a fabulous mirror that Ralph already had here at the house. It compliments the new brushed nickel light fixture we snagged on clearance at good ol' Home Depot....

A few little details here and there and a spash of white with the towels and shower curtain (I just love Target for bath things, don't you?) 

 

I'm still on the lookout for something adorable to hang above the towel bar, but for now I printed a quote I like and framed it in an old frame I had so the space wouldn't look too bare...

I've got a few more ideas up my sleeve for this bathroom,(Brushed nickel drawer pulls and knobs, and a pom-pom rug I saw and didn't buy last trip...) but I think we're off to a pretty good start...updates will be coming as the room evolves!

Move over, Nate Berkus.

Move over, Nate Berkus...'coz Ralph is in da house, and he is renovating everything. 

Wait. 

Let me begin at the beginning.

Once upon a time, way back in the late 80's my Rock n' Roll Buddy moved into the ranch style home in Stars Hollow Camas where we live today. He brought with him his uber-large blue recliner/hide-a-bed sectional sofa, his brass and glass coffee table with matching end tables, and a whole lotta band and stereo gear. Add to that, two growing sons and, over the years, many televisions. The end.

(In a nutshell,I guess what I am saying here is that, in fairly typical man-style, his life was not about decorating and foofy-fying up his abode.)

Now, me, on the other hand...I am as passionate about decorating and nesting as my Rock n' Roll Buddy is about playing one of his favorite guitars. 

So.

(Can you see where I am going with this?)

We had several discussions regarding individual tastes and style over the past few months, and debated the vast differences in opinions concerning the expected life span of a pair of pinch pleat draperies, and then..it happened.

Two and a half weeks ago, he called me at work and told me not to get too excited, but he had been thinking. Thinking that maybe we should look into some new paint, consider hiding the surround-sound inside the walls, possibly some window treatments, and yes, maybe new carpet wasn't such a wild and crazy thought.(How could a girl with Behr Paint running through her veins not get excited at this prospect?!)Let's just say I was...ehem...guardedly optimistic.

After some whirlwind research and price shopping on flooring, and bids with contractors, we were ready to begin our adventure. 

Give or take two weeks and a day, and we have a newly remodeled, redecorated, cozy haven of a home that we are both thrilled with. We added new carpet, wood flooring, painted the entire interior, got the surround sound working like a charm, and ordered shutters for every window in the house, along with a lil' surprise bonus of stainless steel kitchen appliances,all in fourteen days and nights, thankyouverymuch.

The man that three weeks ago claimed he didn't see any reason to replace a "perfectly good 27 year old carpet" in the hallway selected the hand-scraped Chilean hardwood for it's weathered time-worn beauty. This same man shocked me when he announced that "brushed nickel" is his favorite finish for ceiling fans and household hardware.(Who knew?)

Oh yeah, the Rocker's got style. (And the skills to negotiate the sweetest deals around.)

Don't be surprised if you see us someday on Nate's show in a segment of house-proud.

...Hope you enjoyed the teaser picture of the living room today. Tomorrow the real home tour begins! 

Here's your sign.

** Let me start off by saying that since Ralph posted a sweet lil' comment on yesterday's post, I will now feel free to call him by his real name here on my Blog, and, for the most part, lose the "Rock n' Roll Buddy" part when I refer to him here.**

Now that the most hideous part of moving is behind me, and my belongings are all piled a mile high at my new home, my mind is literally whirling with decorating ideas. 

My oldest daughter asked me several month ago if I was attempting to "domesticate" Ralph. We both laughed, but, I guess for lack of a better term that may be the case. Call it what you like; the change from bachelor pad to a couple's nest is a pretty decent sized leap, but I think it's all going to come together fabulously.

Anyway.

That brings me to my blog topic today (I bet you were starting to wonder what the heck my post title had to do with what I am yammering about.)

Signs with famous quotes, motivational sayings, and cute quips have become wildly popular in home decor, and that got me to wondering...how many signs...er...word art pieces are too much?

Here's the thing- I see so many great ideas that I even have four different boards of them going on my Pinterest Page, and I can visualize them in many spots around the house, adding a lot of personality. Let's say the back deck for example...

...or the kitchen...

 .....the laundry room...

....the family room (You know, Ralph is in a band, and so these only seem not only appropriate, but show our personalities...) 

...and any number of other spots around the house...

The thing is that I don't want it to be over-kill. It's a fine line between cool and cheesy, you know. 

So....How about you? Are you into word art? Do you enjoy it here and there, not at all, or all around the house??