Now, I'm feelin' it...

What a difference a week makes.

Last Tuesday I was not really feelin' the love for my Living Room.

Don't get me wrong...

I'm happy and grateful;

I just needed to lighten things up in the worst way.

I think we all know that blogging gives us an opportunity

to expand our decorating horizons.

In this last two years I've really come to love and appreciate

a more light and bright aesthetic.

I don't consider the love of "white" to be a trend.

To me it's a cleaner, calming, refreshing outlook on life.

So over this last year I've found myself wanting to, and accomplishing,

some changes that are bringing my home to where I actually am "in my head".

Now I LOVE  my monster mirror,

it doesn't jump out at you anymore.

Same for the fireplace surround.

I don't like the texture of the heat resistant paint,

but at least it's not the jarring brass that it was.

These were two big impact makeovers,

that really changed the look of the fireplace.

I still have some things I am working on in here,

but the overall "feel" of the space is getting there.

I was surprised at the number of you that didn't "share my vision"

 for my grandmother clock.

(hope ya still love me anyway)

It's a new, inexpensive, battery operated, lightweight, reproduction.

Yes, it was pretty...

and it suited my taste 10 years ago...

but not any longer.

I waited till last to paint it,

giving it every chance to make it work,

but each time I looked in that direction it was all I could see...

Big, dark, and too busy.

I used two different paints on it.

My Creamy White from Behr on the body

and a special mix that I used on the walls in the kitchen,

also Behr paint, for the accent color.

I highlighted the embellishments...

Then used my stain/wipe on poly glaze technique

(Minwax stain mixed with Minwax Wipe On Polyurethane)

Then distress sanding with my mouse.

I'm really happy with it!

Then this small occasional table got the paintbrush too.

After spray painting the brass lamps

the shades now work for me.

To the right of the fireplace

 I had this ladies writing desk that I bought about six years ago.

It had been painted black to cover up a lot of faults,

but it had to go white as well.

It has some pretty detail that you couldn't see before.

But my favorite transformation has to be my coffee table.

Each time I look at it I feel all warm and fuzzy.

Right now, I just have garage sale floral pillows on the sofas.

Here's the new fabric for my four new pillows 

 that I'm hoping to work on later this week.

We have to get back our large ladder from the kiddos

before I can work on the chandy and the top of the armoire.

There's no way to spray paint that massive fixture,

(or take it down to paint)

I'm not wanting to spend a thousand on a new one,

but I do have some ideas.

For now this sofa table, below, has missed the paintbrush.

It may get it later,

but for now I'm taking a breather.

I've learned something big in this last week.

If you've given something a lot of time and thought,

and you still want to make changes,

don't be paralyzed and do nothing.

Our gut intuition usually is on target.

I love the changes I've made.

Maybe they aren't everyone else's taste,

but I want to wake up everyday and enjoy my spaces.

I cannot thank you guys enough

 for all the encouragement and input you gave.

Like I said, I looked at things with fresh eyes,

and was really open to some things I just didn't think I could do...

But DID!!!!

So far I've been able to do this without breaking the bank.

I spent $18 at Lowes for the silk accent lamp shades.

and $77 for the Pierre Deux 4 yards of material and trim.

(This is no longer available on the website,

but when new, their fabric runs between  $90 and $125 a yard.)

(can we say bargain...?)

I had all the paint on hand

except the heat paint that was $5.00

I'm linking this to these great parties this week

(links on the buttons on the sidebar)

the Power of Paint Party

at Domestically Speaking

 

Okey, dokey friends,

see ya back here on Thursday afternoon for

when I'll be joining in on the

Where Blogger's Create Party. 

Hope you'll join in.

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"!

love ya bunches,

Show and Tell Friday: Enchanted Gardens

Over the Christmas holidays I was introduced

to the miniature world of Enchanted Gardens.

 I was reminded of being newly married and

being mesmerized with constructing terrariums.

At that time a large antique glass bottle

 was my playground filled with small plants,

 rocks, and nature's tiny objects.

 My older daughter who has always

 loved miniatures of any kind; dollhouses, toys,

 ephemera, etc. found these at one of our favorite shops

 and proceeded to build herself

 a tiny paradise in a clay pot.

Me too, me too, I thought,

 I'd have some fun in those cold and dreary days of winter.

Angel vine is my plant of choice of late,

so angel vine it was.

A wire bench, clay pots, tiny watering can,

 birdhouse, and an urn.

They all came home with me.

Let us not forget the trellis which

completes itself with a fairy size chandelier.

Within days I had seen an article

in one of my favorite magazines,

"Midwest Living", that added to my inspiration.

So my clay pot found a home

 in one of my metal lunchboxes;

this one in a hexagonal design.

It's found a home in my kitchen,
out of the way of the gray fur babies reach.

My friend Debra Moore,

who owns Inspirational Home, here in Springfield,

 carries an extensive line of Fairy Garden elements.

Shhhhhh......it even includes the fairies.

I'm linking up with Inspirational Home's Shop Blog

so that you can see all the fun over there!

And if you haven't entered my

 Royal Treatment GiveAway,

there's still time!

Click Here

to join in the fun.

Today, I'm participating with Cindy from

 My Romantic Home

for

 Show and Tell Friday

And I'm also linking with Laurie for her

My Favorite Things Saturday

 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Yard work and some flowers are on my agenda!

love,

Debra

New Space at Spring Creek

It's finally here!

I moved in to my new space at

Spring Creek Antiques and Tea Room

in Ozark, Missouri

this week.

I had a little anxiety over posting these photos.

There are so many fabulous

and talented people out here.

A little intimidation, to say the least.

I began to wonder what had gotten in to me

to even talk about it...

Excitement I guess.

One thing I have learned in this last year

 of blogging is that we are all different...

And that's a good thing.

(at least I keep telling myself that)

So here are my humble offerings,

a lot cottage and a little shabby,

but hopefully something fun for everyone.

Just in time for Spring!

love,

Debra