Re-do, almost done...

Nothing like a deadline to flat out make you move, to get something accomplished. Our St. Louis kids came in yesterday evening at 6:00 and it was literally 5:59 that I finished vacuuming my new light and bright dining room. Bigger project than I like to admit. I cleaned and rearranged and that was as much work as the paint and papering. But I'm happy with the results.

When we moved here 7 years ago we bought new dining room furniture. It's no secret this was not my choice. I don't like all the scrolly fancy schmancy big dark wood. My husband did and he chose it. I prefer a more frenchy style, and if I had my way and unlimited budget we'd have something else. But...I let him have the final say. Now after seven years as our tastes have changed, he likes the white distressed look himself. Anyway... I knew I needed a lighter look and feel to the room, so if furniture won't change at least the walls could.

So the lighter paint and wallpaper has gone a long way to making me happier. If you remember I had a sage-green paint and paper up, pretty but too dark for my taste now.

                 

         

                             

        

Oh, and after 2 loads on the delicate cycle (thank you Lezlee) and some paring down, my china cabinet is back together; sticking with my white china and just a few odds and ends.

                

And I traded out my antique Belgian tapestry table runner for a new favorite antique linen one.

 

I will change out the chair covers for a linen look, when I find the right material, and find some white or brown transferware plates for my plateholders under the sconces, but at least for now I don't feel like it is a cave.

I can't say enough for Benjamin Moore paint. It is expensive, but never a drip or run on the roller, doesn't splatter and the coverage is really great. And thanks to Heather and Denise from Bella Dreams, who gave me a hint on "Shieldz" tinted wallpaper primer. That way I just wallpapered over the existing paper and saved me tons of time and mess.

                                                  

                                  

Didn't want you to think I had lost it, and that I would have to spend my weekend in the fetal position. OK, I'm off to start enjoying the holiday weekend. Hope yours is a great one! Be safe.

love ya,

Debra

p.s. Now that life is back to "semi-normal" I hope to catch up with you all. Please don't think I'm a bad friend if I haven't made it by lately. You all really brighten my day and I love and read each comment as you can tell from this last post. You guys are a real joy to me, so please know that I care about each of you.

linking to Decor Mamma at Finding Fabulous

The DIY Club

She ain't heavy...she's my fountain

Look at this lovely old fountain...

isn't she just the sweetest?

I found her in St. Louis a few weeks ago.

She called to me from an alleyway amidst other concrete treasures.

I had to have her.

Who would think that she could make a grown man

cower in pain and agony?

And then be blamed (along with me)

for a week's worth of discomfort

...I'm just sayin...

Here's another back breaker from a couple of years ago...

What is it with the heavy stuff,

that just makes me swoon?

This little fella isn't quite so heavy

but he's definitely a "two hander".

Not too heavy,

but wouldn't want this concrete doorstop

landing on my tootsies.

And speaking of sweet husbands...

This is my Birthday clock,

wonder why he likes to remind me what time it is?

I've stopped counting Birthdays!

Love the detail.

And finally, an urn that sweet husband bought for me

from Pottery Barn.

When he first saw it he complained that there wasn't any way

EVER he was carrying that sucker out to the car.

But that was before my dear sweetheart

realized it wasn't heavy,

just made to look that way...

Oh, the joys of shopping,

old or new,

heavy or light.

But wouldn't trade my guy for anything...

hmmm....

nope,

not anything.

Say Hi to...

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life

Kathleen at Faded Charm

Cindy at My Romantic Home

Jessica at My Favorite Things

And Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie

Thanks Gals!

Hope you're having a fun week!

I'm still waiting for the wallpaper I ordered to get in...

Thanks for letting me share this random post

to keep myself from storming the home decor store.

love ya,

Debra

Purse Alert!

Hi Everyone! No, I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, but I STILL am in some sort of alternate universe where my house is in chaos, projects are half finished, and oh doodle, I have company coming on Thursday! Can this situation be saved by anyone except the "Lone Wallpaper Ranger" and a faithful wallpaper companion, or two?

Well, I'm not really complaining, just antsy to get the rest of the Dining Room done, before I go cuckoo and load a dumpster full of nic nacs and mismatched china!

So taking a break from insanity, I wanted to share some photos of a purse I purchased from

Daphne Nicole

She's having a give away too, so be sure and enter!!!

last week.  I had been stalking her blog and then her new website for weeks! I finally decided on one that is in neutrals, so it would "go with everything", which seems to be my new mantra for not only decorating, clothing, accessories, and now life in general. Is it age? Hmmmm....? Maybe I won't go there.

I could have posed with it and taken pictures, but good grief, it's almost 2:00 in the afternoon, and I'm still in my pajamas, so I'll save us all the embarrassment and just hang this cutie on my TV armoire door.

Honestly, I'm not lazy, just worked all weekend outside in cleaning up the pool area, washing outside furniture, planting, painting misc. "stuff", and generally being the energizer bunny. So today, I'm being a bum.

Enough about me, look at this darling specimen of vintage yumminess! The attention to detail! The handcraftsmanship, (whew, big word for, dang, this girl does great work!) Ooodles of vintage charm...a brooch, lace, fringe, oh golly I'm just in love with it!!!

You can have one too, just not one like mine,

since all are one-of-a-kind fabulousness!

So. Go. Check. Out. Daphne's wonderful creations! She will even let you have a hand in sharing your own ideas for creating something fabulous, just for yourself!

OK, got's to get on the ball around here!
Hey, I have more projects to start that I can only get half done.

Hope you are having a great week,

it's hotter than Texas here right now!

love you all!

Debra