Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Porch Reveal at Eleven-O-One


It's a lot of fun hosting Design Challenge;
Getting to share decorating ideas with everyone out in blogland.

And even more fun when those ideas
 are incorporated into a new room or space.

 that was featured back in August.




Head on over to see the wonderful makeover
she and her hubby accomplished.



This is the before, and above is the after.
With some great ideas, a little money,
and some hard work
really looks fabulous!


Thank you, Fran,
and thanks to everyone that takes the time to
leave a comment for those who are featured.
The feedback really means a lot.

I have space available for new features starting in mid October,
if you're interested just email me.

And if you haven't seen the latest
Design Challenge
just scroll down to the next post.




See ya tomorrow for
Vintage Inspiration Friday

xoxo,


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Design Challenge: Eileen's Guestroom/Studio


Welcome Eileen, from Cottage Beach House,
who has a Design Challenge that many of us empty nesters face.
College kid moves out to start life on their own,
and we are left with an extra room...
but it's one that inevitably needs a makeover.





Eileen is a gal that pretty much knows what she wants.
She has great ideas,
a wonderful room with great bones,
and some sketches that will make you envious
if you've ever started something like this.

Take a look at her photos from "Pre Move-Out" first,
so you can see the space.

Here's, Eileen
"in her own words..."


What I want to do is make this room into a guest room/studio for my sewing and paper work. The closet will be made into a craft closet. I want this room to have a Frenchy feel to it and I am partial to the soft greys, and very pale blue with whites and natural burlap or canvas.
 So from industrial young man's room to Frenchy style guest room studio is the challenge!  The intent here is to not spend anything except for new bedding and curtains and paint. I have all the pieces I need in storage from  previous rooms before their makeovers. I am open to painting anything and everything.

The first 5 pics are of the walls in the room, just before my son left. He liked it bare bones industrial, not even a bed frame.

















The next 6 are the furniture pieces that I have and wish to incorporate into the room.  I plan to paint the bureau white and marry it with the large mirror, which I will also paint white. I think they will pair up well.
















The night table which has been in the basement for years will get some respect and a new paint job as well.



 This great Frenchy chair that I found curbside, will get a fresh coat
 of paint and I am planning on re-covering with maybe some drop cloth and french script.



 
I'm adding a vintage bed frame I plan to pull out of the shed and paint and set up in here. I am totally stumped as to what I should do to the entrance which as you can see by the picture below, is an odd shape. I'd like to keep the bureau to use for paperwork and things like ink and scissors but I can't really envision how to create a Frenchy look with this one, (the upright dresser)




The next 4 are my sketched ideas of how I want the room to look,
now that I have a free hand.















Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks Debra for the inclusion in your design challenge!!
Eileen


You are so welcome, Eileen,
so now let's share some ideas that come to mind.
Bed linens and window treatments
 are something she's needing thoughts on.
Keep in mind the French feel she's going for.

So you see, Eileen has a good plan,
she just needs help with choosing a wall paint color,
and adding some "Frenchy-ness" in with the accessories.

Remember, we're not all decorators,
Let's just throw out some ideas that come to us.
Even if someone has left a comment with your idea,
leave a comment of your own.

We love lots of feedback!!
Thanks everyone!


Monday, September 19, 2011

Decorating a Fall Cupboard

I just love Fall!

and part of my Fall decorating ritual,
 besides re-doing the sunroom,
is redecorating my favorite little chippy white cupboard
 downstairs in our lower level sitting area.

Several years ago I bought the separate pieces
for a hundred dollars total...
and then they "got married" with a little paint.






This is a great spot to bring in all my great vintage pieces
for an eclectic Fall display.
I like to use a variety of things that I've collected
and then showcase a few Fall Projects.




I wanted to have some fun with some graphics
so I printed out this snazzy black crow image from
the Graphics Fairy.

I mounted it on an old brittle page,
from Websters Unabridged Dictionary, 1879.
Then digging through my stash of old frames,
I found one to fit.

Here's a little ironstone soup tureen
setting on top of a couple of black and orange vintage books.
I love using old books to give something more "oomph".



A great old bottle with a stopper I found last weekend;
it even has the liquid measured scale.
I found the seed packet graphic from the Graphic's Fairy and glued it on
for instant Fall inspiration.



Wonderful Aesthetic brown transferware Kenilworth plate from England



I also wanted to share this great old children's book'
The Children's Natural History at Home
teaching book from the late 1800's.
It's full of the most wonderful bookplates of animals.

I thought this page suited our Fall theme.


One of my vintage collection, 
this black large dial alarm clock.



and one of my Lefton Chipmunks from my studio collection.




One of the best ideas I've had is to paint these vintage suitcases white,
using plain old latex interior house paint.

(please disregard the old school drapery headers over the French doors.
I bought them eight years ago when options were limited.)
Is that a good excuse...?



Hope you had fun visiting the Holiday Cupboard,

I'm updating this post for Whisperwood Cottage
Fall Decor and Project Party.



Thanks so much for coming by,

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Inspirational Home Fall Open House


If you're looking for some Fall fun and inspiration this weekend,
be sure and drop by Inspirational Home, here in Springfield.

3830 S. Lone Pine Ave.
In Historic Galloway Village


The gazebo is decked out for a festive Halloween







Come upstairs and visit "The Bungalow"
vintage furniture and accessories.






Lots of Fall and Halloween goodies for the Home and Garden


Wonderful Jewelry in all styles
One-of-a-kind creations from Amanda Wampler
(and you'll even find a few of my vintage watch and key pendant necklaces.)




Boutique clothing and accessories


















If you're in the area,
hope you can come by for the Open House this weekend!
Everything you'll need to get into the mood for Fall,

xoxo
Debra