Top Projects of 2011

Looking back over this last year, I found a few of my favorite projects to highlight. This first one was pretty quick and easy and turned a blah divided screen into a Frenchy beauty, using antique French lesson books, and tons of Mod Podge.

This petite dresser in the entry went from black to distressed white,

and was a "foreshadowing" of things to come!

Painting my laundry room, which can be seen right off the kitchen was long overdue. It took a few days but was well worth the effort! Now I'm not embarrassed with the view anymore!

And then it matched the kitchen re-do from late 2010.

One of the biggest projects I took on was the booth space at Relics Antique Mall. It's morphed several times this year, but the new tearoom should open this Spring, so I'm planning another space re-do at that time.

I'd wanted a potting bench for the last few years and this was my late Spring project that I enjoyed so much all Summer and Fall.

Then in July started the mother of all projects, at least it was for me this year; repainting all my Living Room furniture. This was a huge decision that I had wrestled with for quite awhile, then I just decided to take the plunge and go for it. So glad I did!

It has made a huge impact on our home and my emotions...

All together I think I painted close to 30 pieces of furniture,

and it took me the rest of the summer to get this room where I wanted it.

Then came this bad boy '80's Chandy

that I tackled on Labor Day!

Eight hours on the ladder and this was done! Painted by hand this is the icing on the "white" cake in the Living Room, what a change, and it saved us at least a thousand dollars of buying a new one and the installation. Big job, but wow, what a difference!

then came pillows...

table runners...

more table runners...

and playing with jewelry.

so  much fun!

Hope you enjoyed this ramble down Memory Lane of 2011.

Be sure and join in for 

Vintage Inspiration Friday

starting Thursday afternoon where we will be recapping

our favorite vintage posts.

I have some fun things planned for 2012,

and I'll be spilling the beans soon...

so stay tuned!!!

love you all bunches,

joining in for 

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality

Kim at Savvy Southern Style

Kathleen at Faded Charm

Michele at Primp

Sherry at No Minimalist Here

Sherry at The Charm of Home

Honey at 2805

Courtney at French Country Cottage

Alison at Stuff and Nonsense

Bird Prints on the Cheep, Cheap

Vintage Bird and Botanical Prints

are always a staple in home decor;

they just never go out of style.

And in the catalogs you can usually find some form of them for sale.

I've found a lot of the smaller prints in flea markets,

 but the larger ones are a little more scarce.

I love these from Ballard Designs but they had a sizable price tag for the set.

I'm not the first one to blog about this,

but one of the best sources for quality prints is calendar art.

Cavallini and Co. puts out fantastic poster size art calendars

 each year in several wonderful themes.

Birds, botanicals, Paris prints, vintage maps, and butterflies

just to name a few.

I didn't buy one for this year,

and I regret it, because now there isn't a one out there,

but I did have my 2010 calendar.

I had a print that was a little outdated, but the frame was still good.

so I trimmed down a calendar page,

and now I'm using it in my kitchen.

(goodbye...little peaches!)

(hello, sweet birdie and nest!)

(better shot in the dining room)

Sorry, it's so hard to get a good shot without glare.

And this is a vintage print that I found at a garage sale for a few dollars.

I just painted the old oak frame black;

now it's similar to the pricey catalog ones.

I have it in my Dining Room above this old metal flower stand.

and this one, let's just not talk about it...

Even Miss Wrigley is skeptical...

an old print and a dry brush of paint, ta da!

(sorry for the glare again)

There are a lot of inexpensive ways to find great prints

Don't be afraid to buy a "less than" print and frame if the price is right.

A little paint and a print exchange can result in a usable piece of art

without paying break-the-bank prices.

Joining in with these great parties this week:

And Good Life Wednesday at A Beach Cottage

See you all Tuesday morning with another

Hope you had a great weekend,

love,