Friday, January 29, 2010

A Light Transformation

A few months back my heart skipped a beat when I found this gorgeous chandelier for ten dollars at the thrift store. It looks right at home in our foyer.There was just one problem with updating the foyer light.
The dining room light now looked a little tired and dated.
I love the fixture itself and knew that with just a little transformation it could look fresh and new.
These socket covers can be found where light fixtures are sold. I am drawn to the warm color and the details that resemble a burning candle.
I've used them before on our master bedroom chandelier. It's a simple fix. Simply pull off the old socket cover and replace it with the new---but first measure the length of the existing covers to be sure they'll fit.
The new covers and some pretty crystal (that are actually Christmas ornaments) are all this chandelier needed to give it new life.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Moving Music

Do you remember months ago when I wallpapered the odd nook at the end of my downstairs hallway with aged sheet music? Every time I see it it makes me smile. The only problem is that I don't see it that often since it's downstairs at the end of the hallway.
So I decided to combine that idea with this idea
to make this.Now I can display an aged sheet music collage wherever I'd like. And for now I'd like it in my dining room surrounded by mercury glass and real and electric candles.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Occasional Glimpses

The other night I walked through our darkened home. I walked into the family room and turned on the lights. Their glow brought enough light that I needn't turn on any others. As I finished up in the kitchen I turned and looked into lit the family room.
At that moment I got a glimpse, a still shot, like a photo in a magazine. The room was far from magazine perfect. Pillows and toys were strewn across the floor, which needed a good vacuuming. All of the surfaces needed to be dusted, but still I got that glimpse that happens on occasion.
I stood to take it all in.
Along with the glimpse came a feeling of reverence.
This is our home. Ours.
We are the ones responsible for making it a place of comfort. It is a place where laughter abounds,
where friends are welcome.
A haven for memories.
A shelter from the storms of life.
A sanctuary for our family.
I stood in awe as I thought of how
our hands have created many of it's contents.
This is the same room I pass through dozens of times each day
but at that moment it felt different.
It seems that I get so busy with the day to day that
I lose sight of the wonderful details that are my life
. So when those occasional glimpses occur I try to take it all in,
cherish
the moment,
appreciate
what has been revealed to my soul
and express gratitude for the blessings I have been given.

For I am truly blessed.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Process

I truly enjoyed your comments on yesterdays post! You made me laugh, and you motivated me to keep cleaning. You are awesome. Thank you! I would show you the finished closet. . .if it were finished. I only cleaned my side. Hubby's side still is a crazy mess. Which brings me to question, am I the only wife who's husband owns at least twice as many clothes and about five times as many shoes as she does?!?!
Since I won't show you our closet, I thought I'd at least include you in the process I go through while trying to change up an area that's a bit more visible in our home.
Not too long ago I showed you the top of the vintage dresser that sits in my living room. Even
though I am a gal who loves her layers, I'm ready to lighten things up a bit.I start the process by removing almost everything, keeping only a few items that I love and I'm not tired of. Then I think about the feeling that I want to have when I see this area. Right now I would enjoy light colors with a tiny hint of spring. Although I'm not ready for nests, eggs, and frilly flowers. Those can wait a month or two.
I grab a few things that are close by to see if a small change is all I need.Nope, I'm craving a little more. It's time to search in the storage room! I noticed beautiful orchids in the store the other day so when I discovered three faux orchids in my basement (yes, I do tend to forget what I have down there) I knew I was on the right track. I added the big book for layers but when I stood back to take it all in, it still seemed a bit too heavy visually.I love the lighter look of the silver tray and the way it contains the orchids so they have more importance. You know I can't stop there though.I added these elegant candle holders for height. It's almost there, but do you see what's wrong? The balance is off. I make a few minor adjustments so it isn't lopsided. Then add the small decorative ball and a ceiling tin replica to incorporate yet another layer and a few more touches of green.
Now, it's perfect!

Nothing Interesting

I have nothing interesting to post about today. I'm sorting through my closet, organizing and finding better places to store some of the things that got stashed there over the holidays.
Yes, I really did have a rubber chicken stashed in my closet.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The Right Timing

People often comment to me that they can never find great items at the thrift store. It really is a matter of timing, and by that I mean that you need to invest a little time and you need to be lucky enough to be there at the right time. One cannot just run in and out of a thrift store and hope to find something wonderful. Take your time! Treasures need to be hunted. I will often go up and down each aisle at least twice searching for that special something.If you're lucky enough to be there at the right time when that treasure is there, you might need to accept it in less than perfect condition. I was fortunate to be there at the right time to find this pretty little chair. I love the style and colors and it is really comfy too. It doesn't matter that there's a little bit of a tear on the arm. For now I just cover it with a throw. Later I might take a needle and thread to it, or a little hot glue.

I saw this beauty of a lamp at closing time.
I didn't buy it because I have a supply of lamps and this one needed a bit of work. But I couldn't stop thinking about it so the next day I ran to the store as soon as it opened and snatched it up. Hubby made the repairs and luckily I already had the perfect shade.
These two additions were just what I needed to finish off my little corner. With the exception of the flowers, photo, tin shelves (purchased from a neighborhood boutique),
dropcloth curtains, and the computer, everything you see came from thrift stores.I like the way the lamp and faux plant hide the computer from clear view from the doorway. And the comfy chair serves as a nice place to read, put on your shoes, as well as work at the computer. Finding incredible treasures at the thrift store really is just a matter of timing.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Not Just One

My husband decided that our home needed another computer. He was tired of sharing with the kids so he bought them an inexpensive used one. I thought it was a great idea until I had to figure out where to put "our" computer. We already have a room in the house designated as "the computer room" where computer usage is easily monitored. The room also contains all of the game systems so it gets quite a bit of use, especially on the weekends. It was decided that the other computer would find a home in the master bedroom---not the ideal place, but again, a place where it's usage can be monitored. However, I didn't want the computer, sitting on a big ol' desk, to be the main focus of the room.
I showed you this petite vintage dressing table that I started working on a few months ago.
It was a thrift store find. Unfortunately I deleted the "before" photo of it looking quite sad covered in pastel green and pink sponge paint. I stripped all the paint, gave it a good sanding, and painted it a creamy white. I replaced the hardware with these pretties. And now it sits quite proudly beneath the vintage tin shelves in the corner of the room.

Modern Home Decoration

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The Living Room Furniture Plan


Whether you're a newlywed starting from scratch or an empty nester downsizing to an apartment, the basic plan is the same. The first step in developing your theme is coordinating a personal scrapbook of the looks you like.
Browse decorating magazines and online furniture shops. Don't rush through this process. Make an assessment of how you want this room to get ideas for decorating a living room with furniture that makes you happy. If you entertain business guests frequently, your needs will be different from the sports fan's required big screen and casual seating. Function is primary to your plan.

Get Ideas For A Living Room From Some Different Sources

You probably won't find a picture of your ideal living room furniture all on one page. Look at different styles you find appealing. If you like dark oak and cherrywood, cut out pictures of each and stash them in your paper or digital scrapbook pile.

How about ...

* a modern Italian leather sofa?
* Oriental rugs or contemporary throws for a living room?
* Scandinavian design shags?

Look for living room lamps in any style that pleases your eye. Do the same with window treatments and art work. Assemble your scrapbook as you would a wish list and new ideas for decorating a living room will begin to surface. Your creative juices will begin flowing and your DIR project will start to emerge giving you a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.

Living Room Decorating Ideas And Tips

There are many great places to look for decorating ideas for a living room and a great place to start is online. Whether you decide to get inspiration by ordering home renovation publications and interior design magazines online or whether you want to browse through the many inspiring examples found on various Web sites, the Internet is a wonderful resource to consider.

Interior Design

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Color Schemes and Statements

To make a bold color statement, reds mixed with light greens or bright greens mixed with yellows and oranges are great for making a room really stand out. Black and white combinations also make a bold statement.

Never hesitate to use solid white blended with bright colors to create a bright, fun atmosphere in a room. Bold colors can be used in rooms where there is entertainment or family games. Bold colors also work well for a child's room or sun room. Bright colors can be used to set a mood or draw attention. Perhaps you'd like to draw attention to a certain area of a room. Dazzling colors will draw attention.

For a more relaxing room, use neutral colors with a hint of light color here and there to create a pleasant, calm ambiance. If your furniture is dark in color, lighten it up with accessories. A dark colored couch can be enlightened by a lovely throw rug or pillows. Use a table cloth or runner to brighten a cherry wood table.

A dark headboard of a bed can be complimented by a neutral colored drape or cloth. There are many accessories you can use to reform an otherwise dark or dull room. Other decor items that are inexpensive and can beautify a room are lamps , flowers, figurines, portraits, sculptures, tables, stools and drapes.

Textures and Color

If you're using neutral colors to maintain a peaceful aura in a room, textures keep the room simple, but interesting. Textures are created using decorative pieces that your guests will want to reach out and touch. Examples of pieces with rich textures can be soft, shaggy pillows, a velvet table cloth, a fruit basket that looks very real with fuzzy peaches, a canvas painting, etc. Textured pieces add to the decor of a room, but don't necessarily make bold statements unless they're very bright in color. You can blend these types of items into a room of neutral colors.

Colors for Bathrooms, Utility Rooms and Home Offices

Smaller rooms of the home are sometimes difficult to decorate. Limited space tends to result in limited imagination for many people. You shouldn't ignore these rooms, however. They are very important in your home, and can leave an impression also. For smaller rooms, light colors can make the rooms appear more spacious. Even though these rooms are limited in space, you can still be creative with the space you have available.
Your bathroom colors should be relaxing because this is where you spend time bathing and preparing for the busy day ahead. Wouldn't it be nice to have a lovely bathroom all to yourself for at least a "few" moments each morning?

If you have a home office, you can blend several bright colors to create a busy, fun atmosphere. Boredom and fatigue often hinders people who work at home (especially while operating a computer). Give your home office personality and excitement with a bright-colored decor. It might keep you awake and alert on those tiresome afternoons!

A utility room, although not frequently visited by guests, should be decorated for convenience, not just beauty. Organization is the key, and adding a splash of color will give the room an energetic atmosphere.

Spring Living Room Décor Ideas

Take a used wreath and remove the decorations. Arrange new spring flowers on the wreath, leaving a small area open at the top. Buy a wide piece of ribbon in a color that will match your room and the flowers.
Tie the ribbon loosely around the top with a bow above the wreath. Use the bow to hang it on the wall. You can also decorate the wreath and place it on a table or plate with a pillar candle in the middle. Use bright colors such as spring green, sunshine yellow, bright pink, or blue.

Candles and Fragrances

Candle groupings in pastel or bright spring colors can add new zest to your living room decor. Decorate your mantel or coffee table with different colors and sizes of candles. Glue ribbons or flowers on them to add variety to the grouping.
If you have a large multi-wick candle, use a ribbon to thread small flowers or beads in spring colors around it.

Does Your Living Room Smell Really Fresh?

Fragrance is another way to convey a spring decor theme in your living room. Buy new potpourri for your simmering pot, or lose leaves for an open bowl. Colorful dried potpourri will add colorful accents to match the other spring decorations in your living room.
This spring, be sure to brighten up your living room with crafts you have made by hand. Make your living room a comfortable, inviting place to spend time with friends and family. These personal touches will bring new style into your room.