home and harmony

Little Splurges, Once a Year

2012-01-19T12:28:00.001-08:00

Every January I treat myself to some little splurges, thanks to the birthday money burning a hole in my pocket. I always seem to have my eye on a few specific things throughout the year that I hope will still be there for my special birthday spree. The funny thing is, my splurges (almost always) come from Anthropologie.

It never fails… every year after trying on some delightful little numbers in Anthropologie’s dressing room, I end up walking out of the store with things for my home instead. I like pretty clothes as much as the next girl, but I love home décor more.

This past year, my eye was on The Noble Peasant Shower Curtain. But yikes, the price! I couldn’t justify it until January. Did you know if you have their Anthro card (not a credit card), they’ll send you a 15% off coupon for your birthday month? That eases the guilt… a little. So, the curtain is what I walked out with this year.

It’s romantic without looking girly. Does that make sense? A lovely subtle damask design sweeps the top and bottom. The fabric is a thick linen and is lined.

It’s quite luxurious but looks hilariously out of place in our dreadful bathroom. Here’s the current state of things:

Do I exaggerate? No. We won’t be finishing the bathroom renovation for quite some time. As silly as it seems, it’s rather nice to have something pretty hanging amidst all the ugly.
An additional perk of shopping at Anthropologie, is that their packaging can sometimes be as sweet as the product inside. The curtain came packaged in a zippered linen pouch… perfect to make a pillow out of. So that’s what I did:

Two gifts in one!

Our Front Door (finally)

2011-12-13T13:18:00.001-08:00

If you remember, our new front door was the first find for our new farmhouse. We bought it off of craigslist for $100 before we even closed on the house. Here it is before:

I originally painted it “Laughing Eyes” (by Ace):

But once installed, it still looked too blue. I knew I wanted to paint the porch ceiling blue and Laughing Eyes was not giving me enough contrast. Here is our ceiling in the process of being painted (not close to finished):

In the end, I decided upon Coventry Gray (Benjamin Moore) for the front door color and I’m happy with it:

It took us until now to post pictures because it took us 6 months to finish the project. (and it’s still not even done… see the unpainted door jam?) Since one thing leads to another in this renovation process… it wasn’t just a matter of swapping the new door for the old. Oh no. Since it was a different size, there was gaping where the siding met the new door, which required us to change the siding. We replaced the aluminum siding with Hardiplank and painted it Cottage White (Behr).

We could only afford to replace half of the siding of the house (it wasn’t in the plans after all), so currently we are sporting a two-tone look. The top half is still white aluminum. I’m hoping the neighbors don’t think it’s for keeps. At least from the middle down, the house is lookin’ pretty.

The galvanized lights are from Lowes. The super simple Swedish wreath is from Ikea. Doormat is from World Market. The dog is not for sale. :)

Kitchens, Old & New

2011-12-08T05:39:00.001-08:00

I was so excited to hear that our old kitchen was included in the fall issue of Kitchens magazine. I especially enjoyed this particular article since Rebecca Razo included one of my other passions… organization.

Thank you again Rebecca for the incredible honor! I have to say it was difficult to go from the above kitchen to this one:

I had to remind myself that it wouldn’t stay this way forever.

In fact, we ripped it out about three months after moving in.

The space is now our dining area, and we used this 16x22’ back room of the house for our new kitchen:

The room is open and bright. We tore down the wall separating it from the old kitchen, making it even more open to the rest of the house:

See us through the window below? That’s us with our realtor when we first looked at the property. Little did we know what we were signing up for!

The bookshelves moved to our new school room (in progress). And the closet next to it came out. The swan sitting on top came with the house.

We found him a new owner, much to our children’s chagrin. They begged to keep it. Sorry kids.

Being a lover of English cabinetry, I was ecstatic to find someone selling an entire English kitchen on craigslist! It was designed by the famed English manufacturer, Smallbone. Here it is in the original house:

The owner of the house was replacing it with a more contemporary kitchen since they were trying to sell the house. Here it is now:

The house is a mansion in a golf-course community. I can see why an English country kitchen wouldn’t quite fit the bill. But something like this would:

Our gain! Here are some other English Country Smallbone kitchens:

Beautiful, right? The kitchen was probably worth over $50,000. We got it for $5000. An Ikea kitchen would have cost us more! And an Ikea kitchen would have been our only alternative due to our budget.

When I saw the kitchen I knew that we could make it work in our empty space. Since Smallbone designed the kitchen as individual pieces of furniture, it was easy to mix and match the pieces however we wished.

It came with the farmhouse sink!

I think we got the craigslist deal of the century. It looks a bit “old country”, but we are contemporizing it to look “modern country”. It will look different in our space, and will work beautifully I think. Here is my hubby measuring for new windows and determining placement of the kitchen pieces:

Can’t wait to show you the finished product!

Simple Stockings

2011-11-30T09:29:00.001-08:00

How thrifty is this? Using old sweaters and flannel shirts to make stockings. When I originally saw this image on Pinterest, I was instantly sold on the recycled, hand made holiday aesthetic. But being the purger that I am, I didn’t have any old sweaters or flannel shirts sitting around in storage. Several trips to Goodwill later, I was able to successfully stock up on a pile of cable knit. The problem? It’s still in a pile. I never got around to the project. Sigh.

But thanks to my friendly neighborhood Target, I got off the hook. So much for the “recycled” aspect. But it still looks “homemade holiday”, especially mixed with our unfinished staircase. ;)

The stockings were around $12 a piece. The monograms add a personal touch, and each letter is on sale for $2.50 in the ornament section… thrifty!

I simply tied the pompom strings around the ornament string.

If you ever get around to the recycled stocking project, I have some old sweaters you can use. :)

Allure

2011-11-28T12:52:00.001-08:00

Isn’t it pretty? I love it. We would have preferred to lay true wood flooring, but the kind we wanted was way over our budget (of course). So, it came down to choosing between cheap hardwoods, laminate or Allure vinyl flooring. I know, I know, vinyl sounds absolutely horrid right? But have you seen the Trafficmaster Allure selection at Home Depot? So beautiful!

I chose the color, “Limed Oak”. I like the variation of warm tones throughout it, and I especially love how it looks pickled in spots. The fact that it doesn’t go clickity-clack when you walk on it is also a plus (like laminate would). With it being vinyl, clean up is a breeze.

Not only is the floor down, but I finally finished one wall in our foyer. It’s so wonderful being able to look at this one spot in our house and see it complete. Look to the left or the right or above… and not so much. All in time.

We decided to keep the plank walls and caulk in between them. Thanks for your votes on that one! It helped tremendously. The planks are painted “Clean White” (Valspar) flat, and semi-gloss for trim and baseboards. The doors are painted “Cottage White” (Behr).

I found the drawer pulls at Anthropologie, but they work just as well for door pulls set vertically.

I’m enjoying my new finished spots, however small they might be!

Girl’s Day Out

2011-11-26T17:11:00.001-08:00

I was so excited to have the opportunity to meet fellow bloggers today in my neck of the woods. It was my first ever blogger meet-up. Technically, we were all strangers, but it didn’t feel like it. A few of them I felt like I already knew through reading their blogs. Funny, but true.

It was the magnificent Marian (Miss Mustard Seed) who sent the invite for Raleigh locals to meet for a day of fleamarketing. Not only were there decorating bloggers, but also some Miss Mustard Seed fans as well. I qualify for both. :) I should have gotten Marian’s autograph as I’m certain it will be worth gold one day. Big things are happening for her, and I’m so thrilled to witness her journey.

So… I didn’t bring any cash, since I was only there for the social aspect. Ahem. What do you know? They take checks. I was forced to bring home a few treasures…a vintage hamper (the coolest one I’ve ever seen), a wicker night table (fabulous lines), and some old Victorian shutters. I would have brought home more loot had the other ladies not been the first to spot it! :) I’m not bitter. Nope.

Here were the blogger stragglers left over at the end of the day… taken at SuzAnna’s Antiques:

From the left to the right: me (hi!), Marian (Miss Mustard Seed), Tammy (Tattered and Timeless), Fiquet (Farmhouse to Home), Brittany (Pretty Handy Girl), and Kristen (Sophia’s Décor). Click on ‘em and visit. So happy to have met these talented and creative chickies today! Thanks Marian for the girl’s day out… a rare but fun treat for me. :)

By the way, our floors are in! I must say, I’m enjoying our improved living conditions. Although, I miss the crickets.

A Goodbye Letter

2011-11-13T12:21:00.001-08:00

Dear Particle Board Floor,

It’s only been 5 months, although it seems like we’ve spent an eternity together. I’ll always remember your rustic surface and the way dirt and various debris stuck to you. You provided daily exfoliation for my feet, which came in handy during sandal weather. What you lacked in beauty, you made up for in practical ways. All spills (which were frequent) just soaked right into you. I never had to mop. Not once! The cracks here and there not only provided a window-view into our earthen crawlspace, but they also made for wonderful built-in dustpans. My children especially enjoyed sweeping dinner fragments into the cracks for the camel crickets living below. No wonder the little buggers like hanging out at our house so much. We have you to thank. Even though we will be covering you up this week, it’s comforting to know you’ll always be there under all the layers.

Your humbled homeowner,
Rie

Lazy Man’s Applesauce

2011-10-12T15:01:00.001-07:00

It’s become an annual tradition… truckin’ to the mountains of North Carolina to apple pick with friends. This year we went back to Justus Orchard- it’s family-run and lots of fun.

the gang minus the boys

Each year we have a serious and competitive contest for “Best Apple”. This time, our son Gavin took first place. Makes a Mama proud. ;)

So what do you do with bushels of apples and not a whole lot of time or motivation? Cook up some Lazy Man’s Applesauce! I call it lazy since there’s no tedious peeling involved. Which makes it more nutrient rich too (I like to use that excuse):

Cinnamon Applesauce
(Slightly adapted from allrecipes.com)

2 lbs of apples of your choice
1.25 cups of water
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 lemon

1. Core and roughly chop apples (I left skin intact for a boost of nutrition)
2. In a medium pot, add apples, water, juice of 1/2 lemon, and cinnamon stick.
3. Cover and bring to a boil.
4. When boiling, turn down to a simmer and partially cover. Let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until apples are soft and begin to break apart.
5. Remove from heat completely, and allow to cool.
6. Remove cinnamon stick. In a blender or food processor, blend apple mixture.
7. Top with additional cinnamon (optional)

Makes about 4 cups.
Recipe and photo found at Tori Takes a Bite.

I freeze my applesauce in gallon sized Ziplock bags. Easier than canning. Just make sure they are Ziplock brand. I ruined a ton of applesauce last year using cheapo bags… they all opened up and created an applesauce skating rink in my freezer.

Sorry it’s been more recipes than decorating here lately. But the décor side of my life is slow going at the moment for obvious reasons. Rest assured, in a few months there should be lots of material!

Chilly means Chili

2011-10-03T05:39:00.001-07:00

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There’s a chill in the air and the evenings are getting shorter. We’re breaking out the sweaters and socks and having bonfires over here in Mr. Roger’s neighborhood. Two in one weekend! Conversation with friends, hot chocolate and s’mores… marking the change of seasons. There’s nothing like it!

I’d like to share my favorite chili recipe… perfect for fall! Every time I make this, I get rave reviews. And like every other recipe I post on my blog, it’s easy too. With almost 1300 five star reviews on Allrecipes.com, you know it’s gotta’ be good! Using Verde salsa is key to this recipe.

Our favorite brand of salsa is Pepper Dog Salsa, you can find out where to buy it here.

Debdoozie’s Blue Star Chili

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) jar salsa
4 tablespoons chili seasoning mix
1 (15 ounce) can light red kidney beans
1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans

Directions

In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and saute for 10 minutes, or until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired.
Add the ground black pepper, garlic salt, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning mix and kidney beans. Mix well, reduce heat to low and simmer for at least an hour.

Another weekend treat was seeing the movie Courageous in the theater with our boys. I know people’s opinions of movies are so subjective, and because of that I don’t usually recommend any.

But this one is different. If you have a man in your life…whether it be an older son, a father, a brother, a husband, a co-worker, or a friend… please bring them to see this movie. It’s the type of movie that will affect everyone in one way or another. It very well could be life-changing. Go see it!

Late to the Party

2011-09-29T06:05:00.001-07:00

I’m always late to the party when it comes to things like this. But here I finally am… a newbie on Pinterest.

If you’re on Pinterest and want to follow along as I pin, click here or click the Pinterest link on my side bar.

What a clever idea… organizing all things that inspire in one spot. I’m digging it!

I’ve been collecting images of kitchens with subway tiles, as I think we’re headed in that direction with our new kitchen. Late to the party on that one too!

Hopefully not too late that it will look outdated in a few years. To me, subway tile is classic. I suppose time will tell! What do you think? Is it timeless or a trend already on the way out?

On a different note, I want to give a big shout-out to Rebecca Razo for including some of our bedroom and bath images in the Fall issue of Bedrooms and Baths. Thank you Rebecca!

Before and After and In-between

2011-09-20T13:07:00.001-07:00

Finally one of the rooms downstairs is completely finished. Did I just say finished? Yes!

Granted, it’s a tiny room, but I’ll take finished any way I can get it.

It’s funny how priorities shift almost weekly in this renovation process. Real life charges on and sets the course. Nothing is how we planned it to be. One thing leads to another. So much for our pact: “we’ll only work on one room at a time and not move on until it’s finished”. Ha! Almost every surface in our house has been touched by the messtruction in one way or another. It’s how it goes…

So, we had to bring the piano in from storage as piano lessons started up again(fall crept up on us). But to bring the piano in, we needed to have a place to put it! Which required a good two weeks of work. Remember…one thing leads to another.

Our new music room used to be the living room of sorts. It was the room you walked into from the front door. The piano now sits where the woodstove was before.

The wall that you would see when you walked in the front door.

Like some of the other rooms, we had to replace some floor joists and straighten the walls. Basically a complete gut job. Upon opening the wall, we found the home of its previous residents:

giant wasp nest inside wall

Thankfully they were long gone, or it would have been quite a sting!

We added the wainscoting which is painted “Clean White”… a Waverly Valspar color. Above the wainscoting, I used my favorite neutral, “China Moon”, also Valspar. The ceiling is painted a grayish blue for a unexpected splash of color. Ceiling light with Edison bulb from Lowes.

We moved our vintage French sofa in the room as the size was perfect for the space.

Above sits a framed scripture plaque I made. The background material is handmade paper from the art store (love the texture!).

On top is a piece of fringed sheer fabric with the verse “printed” on using the miraculous Citrasolv.

Instructions for using Citrasolv found here.

I love browsing fabric stores. I’m *always* inspired by fabric, and when I saw this, I fell in love. It has that vintage flair that I was looking for, the colors were perfect, and mixed with the pom-pom trim, the pillows turned out so playful and fun.

The fabric roman shades came from Lowes. I’ll probably be using the same ones on all my downstairs windows. I love that they are sheer to allow the light through, and the linen material provides texture. And they’re cheap!

Our new piano teacher insisted on an adjustable bench seat. Does she not realize the design dilemma that left me faced with???? I scoured the internet for a cute, cottage-like adjustable piano bench. I’ll spare you a similar search. It doesn’t exist.

I decided to make a slipcover, and added some pleats at the bottom for a more tailored look. Much improved I think, although there was no way to tactfully cover up those honkin’ knobs on the sides!

I wanted to play up the black keys of the piano by choosing a bench with black legs, and also by adding a black task light above. I knew I didn’t want the traditional ho-hum piano light, and when I saw this industrial looking light from Pottery Barn, I thought it was perfect for the space. I love the clean lines and contrast against the white walls, and it provides a very practical purpose in addition.

I always shy away from making a room look to0 themey. But since this is a music room, I did add some theme-like elements but only because they are actually used items.

Sharpened pencils at the ready in the smaller Anthropologie apothecary jar, and music flashcards in the bigger one.

You might recognize this row of hooks and mirror from my old laundry room. A large tote hangs on one of the pegs which holds the kids’ current music books. Hanging storage=more floor space.

The antique doors leading into the room were a souvenir we brought back from a trip to Asheville, NC. They came from one of my favorite antique shops ever, Oddfellows Antiques. They have the most unique stuff… a lot of it European. I don’t know where these particular doors are from originally, but I like to pretend they came out of a charming stone villa from the French countryside. One can daydream! I still have to finish painting them, so I suppose that disqualifies this room from the coveted “finished” status.

But I like to cheat… in my view, they technically belong to the living room. And as you can see, the living room is definitely not finished. Still in-between.

But better than before.

the “before” view of the same space

Variation on the same theme

2011-08-26T09:52:00.001-07:00

As much as I would love to go all out and change things every time we move (or move things around), the irksome budget constrains me.

So if you think you’ve seen this room before, it’s because you have. Served up three different ways… here, here and now here! This time we unbunked the beds and painted them apple green. The makeshift bolster pillows became accent quilts again.

Instead of pink pom-poms, I chose to hang white paper lanterns, both plain and eyelet. You can find similar ones here.

Do you see the tree outside the window? That’s one of the reasons we bought the house. We love our trees!

The lanterns above the beds are cheap exterior lights from Home Depot.

For a bit of feminine whimsy, I attached a white ruffle ribbon around the glass shade with craft glue.

On the left wall of the room we framed out an old mirror with some of the downstairs wall planking and painted it pink. I love how it reflects the light. And the tree!

I’ve long admired Katie Daisy’s artwork on Etsy.

Joyful is how most people would describe Eva and Charlotte who share this bedroom. So when I saw this print, I knew it was perfect. It is them!

And for Charlotte’s bed, I sewed up a Swedish inspired heart and filled it with lavender. Since Charlotte is blind, this gives a personal touch to her bed that’s all her own. A little squeeze, and lavender scents the air.

A variation on the same sweet and girly theme.

In other news… the downstairs is coming along. You’ll be happy to hear that the planks are staying! But nothing is finished quite yet. Soon, very soon!

The Proper Care and Feeding of a Blog

2011-08-22T11:16:00.001-07:00

If there is a book by that title, I’m not the author of it. Clearly, I’ve fallen down on the job! Truth is, our life is so utterly FULL right now. Any spare energy remaining at the end of the day is focused on keeping some semblance of order amidst the construction and mess. Messtruction. My new made-up word, since you can’t have one without the other. I have had a little time here and there to work on one of the girl’s bedrooms. I hope to have a post up by the end of the week. Bear with me and stay tuned!

Planks or Drywall

2011-07-27T06:31:00.001-07:00

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We are at the point of deciding what to do with our walls in the new living and dining room.

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As the original plank boards are going back up, I’m having second thoughts about them!

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You see how in these pictures the plank boards are clearly separated with spaces?

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Clean and neat. Straight and spiffy.

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Ours aren’t like that. Our boards are so old and uneven, there is no way to get a clear line of distinction between each one. Ours would look more like this:

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And this:

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And this:

Flawed. Casual. In a summer camp/cottage sort of way.

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Drywall is whispering in my ear, tempting me with it’s promise of a smooth clean surface and illusion of perfection.

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But our old sweet battered farmhouse is whispering in the other ear, begging for authenticity and freedom to be imperfect.

Planks or drywall? What would you choose?

Favorite Things

2011-07-22T05:48:00.001-07:00

I hardly ever iron. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it because I actually do. But there are only 24 hours in a day, and I’ve found a faster way. It’s called Downy Wrinkle Releaser. You can find it in the laundry cleaning section at Target and Walmart and online.

It surprises me how many people I’ve met who haven’t heard of it, so I make it my duty to enlighten them…. and now, you! The secret to an iron free life is to unload the dryer immediately, fold the clothes or hang. Then on the day you pull out your favorite ensemble, simply spray any remaining wrinkles, and smooth out with your hand.

Or you could do it my way and spray after the clothes are on. I’ve been known to line the kids up before church on Sunday and spray them down. Does that qualify me for the bad mom award? Probably, but hey, they look good and we’re making memories.

Eva, just sprayed.

The spray comes out in a fine mist and doesn’t saturate the fabric. It’s excellent for around the house too. In fact, I didn’t iron the curtains in my latest project:

I just sprayed them once they were up. It works! I also use it for bedding… sheets, duvet cover, bed skirts. It’s great for traveling too! Just pour into a small spray bottle, and it can tag along in your luggage. My friend says that I could probably make my own using fabric softener and water. She might be right, but I haven’t attempted it yet. Until then, this is definitely one of my favorite things.

A Trip to the Day Spa

2011-07-18T12:26:00.001-07:00

I am thrilled to be included in the September issue of Cottages and Bungalows! Rebecca Razo wrote a flattering article highlighting the master bedroom and a bathroom from our previous home. Thank you!!

I have to tell you that seeing photos of our old finished spaces gives me a twinge of buyer’s remorse. But what’s done is done. Move on. I had a good long chuckle from this paragraph at the beginning of the article:

“Between its subtle shades of white and cream, clean silhouettes and Rie’s clutter-free approach to interior decorating, it’s no surprise that her home has the calm and soothing atmosphere of a relaxing day spa. It may come as a surprise, however, to discover that daily life in the Sterling home is about as far away from a trip to the day spa as one can get.”

So funny! And it couldn’t be more true. If only they could see us now. Want a peek at our current little nightmare? Hold on to your hard hats…

My husband, with the help of our angelic neighbors, took out the old set of stairs (which started at the back of the house) and created a whole new set which now leads up at the front.

Before the stair work, there was a rotten floor to replace:

The old floor came up only to expose floor joists calling out to be replaced as well:

It’s ironic that my son is blurry in this picture. Wobbly is probably exactly how he felt after this particular day of hard, manual work.

Here is the shot of the living room. Want to sit a spell and visit? I can make tea! Do you take cream? Sugar? Sawdust?

We could sip together huddled in this corner. There is a little spot of beauty to gaze upon across the room. Antique doors just installed! They provide a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

Through them, you’ll enter what will be the new music room. Right now it’s an extension of my husband’s tool shed (i.e. the house). There is no shed. Or garage.

As you leave, watch your step! Dump runs happen daily. And all of this just from the front two rooms. Needless to say, in our downtime, we live upstairs and at the back of the house. You know… at the day spa.

First Thing in the Morning

2011-07-09T08:58:00.001-07:00

My husband and I decided that anything we do on the second floor (which includes all the quirky bedrooms and one scary bath) will have to be super quick and super cheap so we can focus our time and funds on the bigger priorities. Once the downstairs and exterior of the house are complete, we’ll begin ripping apart the upstairs, uncovering the wood walls, ceilings and floors.

before

Once again, the teensiest bedroom in the house has become our “master”… the smallest to date! But we’ve determined to make it work. More on that organizational challenge in a later post.

before

The first crazy week we were here, I painted over the sunshine yellow walls until all was well and neutral again. But then the following morning I woke up staring up at this:

I’m into the whole texture thing but not of the popcorn variety. Our ceilings are only 7 ft. high which means our top mattress lies just a few feet below, which means we lie even closer. Mixed with the charming florescent light fixture and rusted air vent, it all made for the most unpleasant view first thing in the morning.

Since we couldn’t take the time or the money to rewire a new light, re-vent the heating and air, and scrape off the popcorn, I decided to veil the uglies with a canopy instead. I found inexpensive sheer cotton curtains from World Market and cheapo curtain rods from Lowes.

We screwed the rod hooks to the ceiling in four places, and I sewed the ends of the curtains together to drape over the rods. It turned out like a dreamy tent which brings back memories.

I can’t tell you the difference it makes to the whole mood of the room…

and to the mood of its inhabitants.

Although, Bailey’s mood is rarely altered.

Unlike me, he keeps a sweet disposition…

no matter what he sleeps under

or wakes up to.

Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

2011-06-30T06:17:00.001-07:00

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It’s not just a hop, skip, and a jump away to the nearest neighbor out here in the country. That’s why we never expected to get to know anybody… not in a real personal way. So imagine our surprise when in the first week of moving in, we got not one, but TWO full-out dinner invitations (which we accepted). For our family of eight, it’s no small feat having us over.

When a neighbor saw our moving truck hurtling down the road, he and his son sped over on their bikes to help us unload. Another neighbor brought us a plate of home baked cookies, and another brought us a box of chocolates. That sweet couple even brought a pen and paper to write down all the children’s names and ages so they wouldn’t forget.

As someone who likes everything just so before inviting people in, it’s been a humbling experience for me. Everyone wants to see the fixer upper in its “before” state. Oh my!

I never expected how much this house would stretch me… physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. I also never expected the blessings we would receive through the kindness of strangers we now call friends.

Coming up for air

2011-06-21T11:38:00.001-07:00

Last week, in no specific order (because there was absolutely no order), we:

-rerouted laundry plumbing to a new room

-tore up three rooms worth of carpeting

-replaced main drain line to septic field

-added three inch vent through the roof for new laundry line

-removed the old laundry room walls, pipes and hot water heater

-hardly slept

-showered much

-installed a new hot water heater

-ripped out a closet

-ripped up rotten flooring in foyer and old laundry room

-took out the old front door

-installed new front door

-laid new plywood over exposed floorboards

-tore off the living room’s ceiling tiles

-insulated two walls

-rewired and installed new porch lights

-ripped aluminum siding off front of house

-painted a bedroom

-painted a bookshelf

-uncovered some character (wood paneled walls and ceilings-yahoo!)

-met the nice neighbors…human and non

-were asked about a hundred times when we could get our own horse

-moved 90% of our belongings into the house

-wondered if we had officially lost our marbles

-filled a 17’ truck with construction debris (2.5 tons worth)

-bled a little

-sweat a lot

-cried a little

-cried some more

-and when it got too overwhelming

-we went outside

-enjoyed the views

-and counted it all joy

Transition

2011-06-08T04:38:00.001-07:00

image: Atlanta Bartlett

Closing is today… one week later than anticipated thanks to paperwork snafus. We’ve been in strange limbo, staring at packed boxes lining our hallways and crowding our living space. We’ll be renting out our current home until the housing market recovers (it will, it will!). We have a couple weeks to transition our stuff over to the new place, which I’m counting as a major blessing. I have lists upon lists which I can start crossing off now. When those have dwindled down a bit, I’ll be back with some before shots of the interior of the fixer farmhouse. I’m telling you, it’s bad. But could be worse. That’s my perspective anyway! Here we go…

Old House Smell

2011-06-07T04:51:00.001-07:00

Every time we’ve visited the new farmhouse, I’ve noticed a distinct old house smell about it…sort of like a damp basement. I actually have an odd affinity to damp basement smell. Alas, I know not everybody does. Until we find the musty culprit and extinguish it, I’m going to have to cover it up somehow.

Essential oils are one of my things. They make me happy, and I like to experiment mixing them. The process makes me feel all smart and chemist like.

Today I made a home fragrance spritzer using a large assortment of oils. It’s always interesting to me that each oil individually has a very powerful (and not always pleasant) scent, but blend them together, and the result can be clean, light and fresh.

And that’s exactly what this spritzer conveys… clean, light, fresh. I can’t wait to introduce it to the farmhouse (this week!). It’s great on skin too… I’ve been using my children as testers. Everyone smells delightful. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

Essential Oils:
10 drops lavender
10 drops peppermint
10 drops orange
15 drops ylang-ylang
15 drops bergamot
15 drops rosemary

1 Tablespoon Vodka

1/2 cup distilled water

Step 1: measure and pour vodka into glass spray bottle (I got this bottle at Whole Foods for about $3.00)

Step 2: drop in the essential oils

Step 3: cap the bottle and shake vigorously to combine

Step 4: measure and pour in the distilled water

Step 5: cap the bottle again, shake, and let sit for a few days, shaking periodically to infuse the oils

Step 6: spritz away

When white turns into gold.

2011-05-25T06:46:00.001-07:00

I know it’s just one among thousands of sock systems employed by large families far and near. But this is the system I began when our children were just wee bitty, and it’s the one we still use today.

Like any good system, it’s simple so it works!

It’s no exaggeration to say that these Gold Toe brand socks have changed my life. No more sorting or stacking or looking for pairs. When I pull out a sock from the dryer, I throw it in the sock bin and call it a day. The gray differentiates the boys from the girls. The stripes differentiate size.

When my children need socks, they simply find the appropriate striped sock x 2.

Gold Toe brand socks can be found in many stores, but I buy ours at Target. If they ever discontinue them I think I’ll cry.

Singing the Blues

2011-05-24T06:30:00.001-07:00

And the winner is… blue! I appreciate your votes and comments. My Norwegian friend, Margitta, from White as Linen reminded me of this post from the Milk and Honey blog. The gist of it was that exterior and interior colors should coincide.

I snatched this image a while ago from the Sea Cottage blog. I filed it away as the image that most expresses the pallet I desire for my home. Do you see a speck of coral red? Nope. Blue and Green? Yes.

After three different stores, a plethora of blue paint chips and three painted-on samples, I settled upon “Laughing Eyes” by Ace.

Don’t you love the name? It is the perfect mix for the door… not too blue, not too green, not too light, not too dark. Just right. We think!

Color Quandary

2011-05-18T04:30:00.001-07:00

We’re under a time crunch now. I tell ya what, this is my kind of stress. I’ll take it! We close May 31’st on the old farmhouse, which means we’d like to have the front door ready to go by then. Since my husband is very much a “whatever you want dear” kind of guy, it’s up to me to choose the color.

I posted about the old door we got off of craigslist here. And by the comments, I could tell you must have been reading my mind.

My first choice for the door was to strip it down and poly it but unfortunately that won’t work. We have to change the doorknob to the other side so the door opens into the new living room. That means we’ll have to patch up the hole on the other side. Painting is the only option.

When I first spotted this door from Cottage and Vine, bluish green became by next favorite choice (Wythe Blue by Benjamin Moore):

But then there’s the whole porch ceiling issue. You see, after painting our current porch ceiling blue, I kind of fell in love with the look, and it’s become a must-do for our new ceiling.

Blue door, blue ceiling. Too much? Maybe. But then I found these images of blue doors with blue ceilings:

It works. It’s probably just a matter of choosing the right blue for contrast. But is all the blue screaming “Coastal”?

The new house is a very traditional farmhouse in the country. There’s even a token red barn in the background:

Nothing says classic farmhouse like a red door… my next choice. I would choose a coral red for a twist. Can’t you picture a sky blue above this door?

Last but not least is another traditional look. Black:

I was against the idea of black until I saw it against a blue ceiling and now it’s in the running:

images from Ekster Antiques

Would you like to participate in choosing the color? I added my first-ever poll to the top right side of my blog so you can cast your vote. Pretty please!

Guest Post- Christan

2011-05-16T05:31:00.001-07:00

My best friend from childhood, Christan, has always been a writer. And a good one! She’s going to be a guest blogger for Dayspring’s (in)courage blog in the near future, and I just have a feeling it’s only the start of good things to come for her. If you haven’t checked out her blog yet, please do… I know you’ll be encouraged. She just has a way of squeezing out purpose from the ordinary things in life. She also has a flair for the creative, as evidenced below. Give her a visit at Repurposed Heart. Thanks for guest posting my sweet friend!

Repurposed Crabbing Baskets

It started out as an economical decision. Pottery Barn taste on a tag sale budget…

While visiting my brother’s family in New Jersey, we had spent a day on the water. All eight of us. And with bodies ready to retire, he prepared his boat to rest until the next time the Delaware Bay wooed him back. I wanted to help, but his hands were swift, his face determined, his stance confident. I was misplaced.

We grew up in Florida and New Jersey and had even lived our youngest years in the Philippine islands. But we never had a boat. We swam, we became the water, but we never skimmed the surface. Never conquered it.

After four years of college in mid-America, I married a Kansas boy and eventually settled in St. Louis. And fifteen years later, I still miss the coast, and the salt, and my childhood home. And my big brother.

He’s always been on a different plane than me… more common sense, more perceptive, more aware of the world. He’s a doer – the type that puts you to shame. Always repairing. Always restoring. Always starting – and completing - projects. Reflective yet practical. A thinker and a pragmatist.

I watched with mystery that day - my brother, three feet away yet worlds apart. Encircling us overhead were traps – crabbing baskets – tokens of his favorite pastime. Salty and rusted, they wore the evidence of purpose.

Do I dare ask him for one? Do I dare ask to enter his world - the world he has claimed for himself as an adult? It’s one of pensive solitude and purpose. It's a world just like him.

Of course. Take two or three. Take as many as you’d like. He tried to find the nicest one, but I insisted on charm instead. It would be repurposed, after all. I wanted to take the ocean – and my brother – back home with me.

Once back in Missouri, I repurposed my brother’s hobby into coveted wire baskets - worthy of holding my son’s sports magazines or my artsy daughter’s paper scraps. Spray paint and twine – that’s all it took. Oh, and some patience.

I opened the baskets by unwinding the string, hosed them down, and let them dry in the sun.

After a few coats of Rustoleum black spray paint, the traps were ready to be transformed into knock-off Pottery Barn wire baskets with a tad more charm. And history.

And then the winding of jute twine began. In and out, over and under. Again and again and again.

I stopped every so often to make sure my tension was just right to keep the basket an even square. A simple knot in the front was the perfect final touch.

The traps are designed to open on any side, so the transformation wasn’t as easy as I imagined. It took a ton of patience over a couple days. But risking to open our hearts isn’t always easy either. Originally designed to confine, the baskets served as instruments of freedom that summer day in New Jersey. And in the weeks and months to come. Freedom to step into his world. Freedom to stay.

Favorite Things

2011-05-10T14:52:00.001-07:00

I just love when others post about their favorite things, so I’ve decided to start up a section dedicated to my own favorites. It’s the little things in life…

First up is my newest find. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm. I spotted it for the first time at my local Target store just a couple weeks ago, and I absolutely love it.

Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in “Peony” used to be my go-to, apply-it-20-times-a-day-lip-stuff, but no longer. It’s been replaced with this new balm in “Hibiscus”. The color is perfect for me…just like my natural lip color… but a little more pigmented. The application is smooth, soft and lovely with no fake sparkles. If you’re a “natural” kind of girl, I know you’ll like it too.

It runs around $7 and worth every penny. Remember I’m fair and blond, so “Hibiscus” might not work for you. But there are lots of other delightful colors to suit your fancy. Click here to see the selection.

Growing Pains

2011-05-09T14:43:00.001-07:00

Little Arthur Scott Bailey is growing up. Very different from his red headed sister Milly. He’s the fiery one. Go figure! Chews more. Eats more. Barks more. Runs more. Jumps more. Pees more. But snuggles more. We’ll keep him.

…another door opens.

2011-05-08T17:18:00.001-07:00

Isn’t it ironic? And we didn’t even plan it. Turns out the first project for the new house is a front door! It just so happens that we found this lil’ old beauty last week on craigslist for $100.

That’s just how we roll. We see a deal and snatch it up, then find how we can work it in. And we always seem to somehow.

So… a question for you. What color to paint it? We’re leaning towards red. Would love to hear your thoughts.

And if you missed the post about what house we’re talking about, click here.

Parade of Homes #13

2011-05-02T20:44:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the Parade of Homes tour, day 3! If you missed out on the previous two days, click the above link to start the tour from the beginning!

Thanks for stopping by! To see the next house on the tour, click the image below:

When one door closes…

2011-04-28T07:41:00.001-07:00

I first started this blog because we were planning on building a home, and I wanted to document the process. But those plans fell by the wayside, and we assumed we’d be in our current home for several more years. We were *so sure* we’d be staying that we used up all of the collected items (intended for the new house) on this house instead. Like our front door. And our laundry sink. And the bathroom sink and legs. And the fireplace mantel. Plus more…

Oh yes, remember this? It wasn’t so long ago was it? It’s evidence that we were not planning on moving when we built in this little desk nook! It’s now turned into this:

We had to cover it up for resale. Not everyone has the need for a pint sized built-in desk after all. This old door came out of a friend’s barn. People will either love or hate it. Which might not be good for resale either though. Hmm.

So the scoop is that we found a fixer upper in a great location, and we’re going for it!

It’s a farmhouse built in 1930. One would think it would be oozing with charm inside but not so. Throughout the years, it’s gone through much “renovation” which we fully intend to undo. Surely there are treasures to be found underneath all the layers. Let’s hope!

There is a sheep and horse farm next door so we can pretend it’s ours but without the labor. ;) Perfect.

We thought we’d be transitioning back to suburbia for our next house, but it wasn’t meant to be. Country living has gotten into our bones at this point, and we’re embracing its benefits.

In a few days I’ll be participating in the Parade of Homes tour that’s being hosted by A Bowl Full of Lemons. It will be a nice way to exit one door while entering another. I hope you’ll come along!

Plain English

2011-04-25T05:23:00.001-07:00

I’m been window shopping cabinetry lately.

Just because I’m weird like that.

My favorite manufacturers come from England.

Specifically Plain English.

Have you heard of them?

I’ve caught glimpses of their work throughout the years.

And always loved what I saw.

Very simple.

Always Calm.

With Shaker influences.

No, they are not paying me to say this.

But if you are reading this Plain English...

Feel free! ;)

To see more Plain English, click here.

Favorite Hymn

2011-04-23T05:33:00.001-07:00

My husband and I have always loved this hymn and last night we recorded our rendition of it… free for you.

Click here to play or download.

“Hallelujah, What a Savior”

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

written by Phillip Bliss

Keeping it Real

2011-04-20T18:30:00.001-07:00

Dear Rie,

My question, and I suppose I don't really expect an answer (maybe this is a rant or sorts, lol), is HOW do you keep everything so clean and beautiful? I'm the mother of three boys. Where is the mud from that awful orange North Carolina clay?

And the fur from the cat? And the crayon marks from the two year old that sneaks away a green crayon and colors all over your favorite ottoman when you aren't watching? And the stinky litter box for the kitty? And the toys given to your kids by every family member known to man?

Oh, how I LONG for a simple home like this. I throw away paper after paper and thing after meaningless thing tracked in by my kids from grandparents and church Sunday School projects and coloring sheets from the restaurant and plastic toys from McDonald's.

I feel like such a kill-joy, and have even had other parents ask if I let my kids keep **anything** at all. And after all the tossing, my home is no where near the simple beauty that your home is. ***sigh*** Please tell me you have really big closets that are stuffed full of everything LOL.

Sincerely,
A Reader

Dear Reader,

Oh my, if you only knew how much pictures hide!!! I don't show rooms messy because I don't think anyone would be inspired by them. :)

Our island top at 8:30 a.m. this morning

I know I wouldn't be inspired by my decorating books and magazines if everything was shown in disarray. But of course, our house is not always like the pictures.

The “relaxed” state of our sofa most of the time.

Like everyone else, we make a mess, and then we clean it up. Our house is in a relatively messy state throughout the day, but the children do chores before dinner time, and things get back in order around that time.

A common sight on bedroom floors.

As to the specifics: mud. Well, our floors hide a TON of dirt! They really look dirty all the time because they are distressed and the dirt blends in. I hardly ever mop. Really!

Our stovetop does double duty as a drying rack.

The fur *is* on the furniture. It just doesn't show in pictures. There have been crayon marks, pen marks and marker marks on various surfaces throughout the house but Magic Erasers are my friend. Also we have a rule that the children do art at the tables and desks only. That helps.

Our banister after a few weeks of neglect. (yuck)

Our banister after a few swipes with the Magic Eraser. MAGIC.

The cats are outside and inside, so we have no litter boxes. The toys given to the kids go away very soon after they arrive. Really... we don't keep a lot of toys. I find the standard building/creative toys are the ones that keep, and the rest go. (legos, playmobil, dolls, art supplies, pretend toys, etc.)

Trust me... I toss constantly!!!! If I didn't, then things would get out of control, and then *I* would get out of control, and that's not a good thing. So, I'm providing preventative maintenance. :)

The girl’s animals-making a scene in the armoire. i.e. deprived kids being creative ;)

I don't have big closets… the secret is that we purge often. The kids will help with this. I'll tell them to take two bags in their rooms...one for garbage, one for giving. They are quite good at filling them. I find they lose interest in a lot of toys, and they very easily part with the ones they’ve grown bored with.

Welcome to our reality!
Rie

a little of this, a little of that

2011-04-17T16:50:00.001-07:00

Did you think our bedroom looked a little bare in the last post:

Yeah, me too.

So I added a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Romantic touches here and there.

Like these crewelwork framed pieces passed down from two generations. They add a sweet vintage touch:

And this darling purse belonged to my grandmother who recently passed away.

Whenever I dress up I really do use it. It always makes me think of her and the elegance she exuded.

Do you dress like your house? I do. At least conceptually. Simple with a feminine twist… that’s me.

I used an old battery crate turned upside down to serve as an ottoman. The chair is from Wisteria:

Oh, and I painted the bed on a complete whim. I woke up one morning and decided it needed to be our island color.

But now I think it’s a little too light. And not quite right.

But good enough for now.

Board by Board and Never Again

2011-04-09T10:10:00.001-07:00

700 square feet on my knees and never again.

I’m still brushing stain in my sleep, so excuse the pessimism.

So here’s the nitty gritty:

We tried a pickling stain, but found too much yellow from the wood still showed through even after two coats. Then we tried brushing on regular white wall paint, then rubbing off the excess, but that proved too thick and had a tinge of blue.

So finally we settled on deck stain. After trying out several different application methods on scrap boards, we found the best solution: 1 cup of deck stain to 1/2 cup of water. After mixing, we applied with a paint brush.

The problem we ran into with all of the above methods was demarcation lines. That’s why painting board by board was the only way we could figure to do it.

Since we thinned the stain with water, we didn’t have to worry about it drying too quickly before finishing each board. But brushing even two boards at a time, we ran into it drying, showing those irritating lines.

When the stain for the whole room was finally completed, we followed it up by sponging on three coats of polyurethane in satin. That part was a breeze comparatively.

We like the end result. In fact, it’s exactly the look we were after. But. “Never again!”

Although… those are the very same words I uttered after a very hard labor with my first baby. And we all know how that worked out in the end. Which probably means a lot more whitewashing in our future. ;)

Ikea Family Live

2011-04-06T12:41:00.001-07:00

Have you heard about Ikea Family Live? It’s sort of like Houzz, but with a personal twist.

First spotted via Vintage Simple after she posted this homey image:

I’ve been quite smitten since.

Instead of “Idea Books”, they have “Home Stories”, where people take you into their own homes and share the process of designing them.

Like the family above, who converted an old school into their house. Read their “Home Story” here.

I’ve always had a thing for European design sensibilities.

Mixed with the fact that I’ve been in love with Ikea forever…

Ikea Family Live is a smorgasbord of inspiration for me.

And now maybe for you too.

How not to whitewash a floor

2011-03-29T07:38:00.001-07:00

1. Remove lid to a gallon sized can of white stain

2. Balance lidless can of white stain on the edge of the bathtub

3. Knock over can of white stain onto freshly laid wood flooring

4. Use spackle knife to scrape puddles of white stain back into can

5. Vigorously rub paper towels over entire area

6. Think positive thoughts. Perhaps you have just discovered a new inventive whitewash application.

7. Realize that no, you have not.

8. Retrieve the belt sander.

Spring wrapped up in a room.

2011-03-25T09:33:00.001-07:00

image courtesy: House Beautiful

I’m introducing some color of my own into the house today (via scrumptious lilacs). Is Spring blooming yet by you? I just adore this time of year!

White Washing

2011-03-20T14:15:00.001-07:00

So it’s been quiet here on this little ‘ol blog…

image found here

but not due to inactivity. At this house? Never!

image found here

We’ve been busy beavers, laying wood floors for the first time ever.

image found here

Pine boards for the master bedroom, found for 80 cents a square foot via craigslist (of course).

image found here

Cheaper than carpet. Can’t beat that!

image found here

We drew inspiration from these photos and others like them.

image found here

Can you venture a guess what look we’re after?

image found here

We figured we didn’t have enough white around here, so we’re creating more.

image found here

We’ve been surprised with the process. Details of how we are going about it to come.

Friday Special

2011-03-04T06:57:00.001-08:00

Who knew that opening an egg carton…

could provide not only nourishment for the body…

but also for the soul.

Eggs by Aldi.

White on White

2011-03-03T07:42:00.001-08:00

Lately I’ve been pulling the covers up over our pillows and calling the bed “made”. With our new (old) farmhouse style frame, it just seems fitting. Like something Ma would have done out on the prairie.

The simplicity and ease has grown on me to the point that I rather prefer it. The extra pillows are stored away for the time being.

Our sweet Penny passed away last year, and since we couldn’t get along with only one dog in the house, we added a second long haired dachshund.

The children named the little guy Arthur Scott Bailey after their favorite children’s author.

I think he makes up for the lack of adornment on the bed. I’ve always admired the white-on-white color scheme after all.

Beauty at the Barbershop

2011-02-24T08:16:00.001-08:00

They just don’t make things like they used to.

Which is why I’m so drawn to antique stores and the like…

Always on the lookout for that extra special piece.

Well, this has got to be our most unique find yet. An old barber shop mirror turned sideboard.

This piece has replaced our old mantel. Yes, that same one we installed not too long ago. (embarrassing)

Plans not tended to tend to change. Needless to say, the fireplace insert project never happened. But this barbershop piece fits in better with our new demolition plans. Stay tuned!

Several little birdies have congratulated me on being mentioned in the Flea Market Style 2011 magazine:

But I have yet to get my hands on it! It’s not from lack of trying. For two weeks now I’ve combed the racks and nada! Even yesterday! I’ve only had a sneak peak from Urban Farmgirl:

To say I feel honored is an understatement. Thank you so much Flea Market Style! I chose Revival Antiques in Raleigh as my favorite place to shop. They started out as a booth at the Raleigh Flea Market, but now have a showroom and warehouse in downtown Raleigh.

The showroom has a mix of accessories and furniture that they have repurposed:

But the warehouse is my favorite part…stuffed full of treasure just waiting to be polished up… or beat up, depending on your style ;) My kind of shopping:

I have bits of Revival sprinkled all throughout my home. The barbershop piece being the latest, but definitely not the last.

To learn more about Revival Antiques, click here.

Makeshift Bolster

2011-02-17T08:44:00.001-08:00

Part of our spontaneous “vacation day” included separating the four girls into two rooms. Which meant bunking two of the beds to accommodate a smaller space.

Since we could no longer drape their colorful quilts at the foot of their beds due to the pesky ladder, I decided to repurpose them as bolster pillows instead.

I didn’t want to spend any money on bolster inserts, so here’s what I did…

I used an old king size pillow and grabbed some string.

Then summoned two available children to hold down the ends after I folded it in half.

I tied the string around one end pretty tight and made a knot.

Then I wound the string over and over around the folded pillow.

Until it resembled a giant grub.

I then laid out a twin quilt (mine is cut in half, but you don’t have to do this).

At the bottom edge, I started rolling the quilt tightly around the pillow.

Once rolled up, I safety-pinned the seam in the middle to hold it secure.

Using string, I tied each end as tight as I could.

At which point, the pillow took on the form of a snazzed-up Tootsie Roll. Much better than a grub.

Then came the most expensive part of this project.

$6 for a roll of satin ribbon from Michaels.

A pretty bow for each side finishes the look.

A Writing Nook for Charlotte

2011-02-07T15:34:00.001-08:00

As mentioned in a previous post, this Perkins Brailler has become a permanent fixture in our home.

Just like you and I need easy access to a pen and paper, little Charlotte needs something quick and accessible too. And just like sighted children who develop writing skills by first scribbling with crayons, Charlotte “scribbles” on her brailler.

However, her “crayon” is bigger and heavier than most, and can’t be simply tucked in a drawer. So, we tucked it in a closet instead.

We took off the closet door, and my handy husband made a desk top and built it in. I lined the back of the closet with burlap for a bulletin board effect.

I painted and distressed an old chair a creamy white, then used a thrift store shirt to make a little skirt. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know this wasn’t my first time repurposing clothing.

I thought the tag in the shirt was so cute, I decided to utilize it.

When I started out this project, my vision was for a wall of vintage braille flashcards above her desk. But when was the last time you happened upon vintage braille flashcards? Me neither. So I made my own…

I found raised stick-on dots at the craft store. Score!

We can easily take the flashcards on and off the metal hooks for practical use. They are for Charlotte to learn by touch and for the rest of us to learn by sight.

I often think how humorous it is that God would place a blind child with me… a woman so obviously drawn to aesthetics. Perhaps it’s to help me “see” things from a different perspective. Yes, I’m sure that’s part of it.

But I suppose if nothing else, Charlotte has a mommy that will happily help her decorate her first home. :)

3 days & 3 bottles of lemonade later…

2011-01-24T11:51:00.001-08:00

I’ve been busy in my laundry room since my last post. Melanie inspired me with her Ikea bottles. But since the nearest Ikea is three hours away, we opted for some sparkly lemonade instead, French style:

Who knew Mom organizing the cleaning supplies would be so tasty? Drink up kids!

Distilled water, vinegar, and mineral oil are my tried and true solutions. I used my label maker to mark them, so there is no guessing what’s what.

Handy labeling trick: if you put a space in between each letter, the labels come out more interesting.

Above my machines, we have Oxy Clean spiffed up in a pretty jar with some gifted homemade soaps sitting beside. Mrs. Myers is my splurge, and since she’s already dressed so nicely, I left her as is.

And hanging below is my version of a clothes line.

I had my son fetch me a stick from the woods, and we hung it with twill ribbon on each side.

I’m always hanging unmentionables in the oddest places. But now I won’t have to.

Oh, and while we’re in here, you’ll notice my inside-out lampshade has a new home, which was the by-product of our bedroom switcheroo.

The hooked rug came from my Grandma Mable’s attic.

Not really. But I like to pretend.

It really came from Uncle T.J. Maxx.

Cleaning Pretty

2011-01-21T16:20:00.001-08:00

I really did think my laundry room was settled. But after reading this post by Melanie from Pretties and Posies, I’ve got the itch to tweak it a little.

Photo courtesy Pretties and Posies

Mainly my plans are to put more of my cleaning supplies on display, like the above. I’ll be sure to share when it’s complete. Thanks for the inspiration Melanie!

I’ll take a stack of these please.

2011-01-19T05:02:00.001-08:00

I’m pretty sure these little beauties went on sale just for me.

But at $3.95, I couldn’t help sharing them with you. On sale here.

But then I woke up.

2011-01-18T13:19:00.001-08:00

Just poking my head in to tell you about a dream I had last night. I’m sure it wasn’t the first time I’ve dreamt about home décor, and I’m certain it won’t be the last. (pathetic, but true)

Last night’s thrilling dream… Cottage Living magazine came back!!! It felt so real. *sigh*

Vacation Day

2011-01-17T08:38:00.001-08:00

My handy husband travels four to five weeks out of the year. And for some odd reason whenever he goes away I get these insane urges that require LOTS of muscle power.

One time the kids and I took the entire week to completely gut the garage. If you could have seen our garage, you would know why I would call the process “gutting” and not “cleaning”. With all of the projects we do around here, the garage becomes The Dump.

So this last time he went away, I had a sudden urge to play bedroom switcheroo. Yep, three bedrooms were calling my name. I could have waited a couple days for the main muscle man to return home to help. But instead I got the bright idea of enlisting my children.

I gave them the option of doing their normal homeschool or helping Mom with her crazy plans for the day. Much to my delight (but not surprise), they chose switching the bedrooms around. It was a unanimous chorus of enthusiastic optimism. The perfect way to start the day.

Down and up, up and down went dressers, lamps, clothes, shoes, chairs, mattresses, bedframes half unassembled (because we couldn’t figure out how to get the screws out of the other half). One flight of stairs to the other, back and forth, until it was finished. At around 9:00 that evening.

At the end of the day, I asked the children if it was worth the day off school. If they could go back to that morning and weigh their options, what would they choose?

“School.” :)

Here’s a little peek into the fruit of our hard labor. More to come!

Dreamy Whites Shop Opening (and a giveaway)

2011-01-14T05:44:00.001-08:00

The much anticipated Dreamy Whites online shop is now open. Maria has filled it with authentic French Farmhouse goodness. Truly exquisite!

Keswick Country is offering an extremely generous giveaway with some items from the shop. To enter, click here.

Refresh

2011-01-06T11:03:00.001-08:00

I always knew deep down inside that my wild-for-me bohemian bathroom would never last.

And I was right. It was just too, well… wild for me.

Farewell fancy skirt, hello wicker basket.

The enameled “flower box” is now holding some seashells and mixed with the Dash and Albert rug, it’s all looking rather beachy. Which must mean I’m ready for summer.

One thing I hadn’t shared before, was the copper pipe we integrated into the sink base. I love that we can see it now. I think it adds a clean, industrial element.

A fresh change, for the time being.

Plain Jane

2011-01-04T11:54:00.001-08:00

plain (plān)

1. Free from obstructions; open; clear

2. Not elaborate or complicated; simple

3. Marked by little or no ornamentation or decoration

4. Straightforward

5. Beautiful. (my definition)

I’m still on a minimalist kick, can you tell? And no one does it quite like Jane Cumberbatch.

I’ve especially appreciated this little interview at styleathome.com, where she discusses her design philosophy and inspirations.

Jane’s blueprint for simple style? “Few, functional and fine.”

O so Clean

2010-12-28T11:45:00.001-08:00

It’s about this time every year that I feel the almost panicky urge to pack it all up and move it on out. And when I say “it”, I mean everything. And when I say “out”, I mean out and into a U-Haul truck.

I’ve chalked it up to the winter doldrums. But instead of taking such extreme measures (I’m married to a sane and practical kind of guy after all), I seek out inspiration from houses even more spare than my own.

Like the O so talented Kelly Mcguill from O so D.

The images of her home provide the nudge to shake out all my drawers and scrub my closets bare.

A much more doable solution for my restlessness, right?

I love Kelly’s practical decorating advice and unpretentious style.

Besides the up and coming clean sweep, I also have a few new projects planned, all thanks to Kelly.

To see more, visit her here.

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-26T15:40:00.001-08:00

An uncommon sight, but one to behold.

Garland of Snow

2010-12-20T11:27:00.001-08:00

Paper, scissors, and time with the little ones equals a delightful window dressing. One to keep up all season, we think.

In Good Company

2010-12-19T05:37:00.001-08:00

At our house…

a sick day on the couch buys you sympathy from some furry friends.

Table Talk for the New Year (& beyond)

2010-12-16T11:34:00.001-08:00

Last time I went perusing through my favorite store Anthropologie, I happened upon this little book sitting on their shelf… and promptly imagined it on mine.

First, I was drawn in by the exquisite design which included gilded edges:

I could have easily justified the purchase, using it as a desk prop alone.

But when I ventured inside its pages, I realized it was an upgraded version of our Table Talk cards.

The same type of questions, but a way to record everyone’s answers… for the next 5 years.

A little book of memories!

my only collection

2010-12-14T07:54:00.001-08:00

I’ve never been a collector. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’m more inclined to purge items rather than hold onto them (which I sometimes regret later).

But I do have one collection of sorts:

Growing up, I admired the pages of the decorating magazines my mom would bring into the house from time to time. I remember when Country Living magazine was all about “homespun”, and I watched their progression throughout the years with anticipation and delight. Right out of highschool, I paid for my first subscription of House Beautiful. Little did I know, that would be just the beginning of a burgeoning collection.

I owe a lot of my decorating ideas to the plethora of design magazines out there. They all feed me a monthly diet of inspiration, which contributes heavily to “my disease”.

I was crushed when some of my favorites closed down. Sniff. I still miss them so. It makes me treasure the back issues I’ve kept, and makes me all the more grateful for the magazines still up an running.

Never would I have dreamed that my own home would ever be highlighted in one of these.

So imagine my surprise when Romantic Homes featured my blog in their January issue! Best of all, I’m surrounded by some of my favorite bloggy friends. I’m downright giddy about the whole ordeal and will likely stay beaming for quite a while.

What a way to add to my collection! Thank you Romantic Homes.

Making it your own…

2010-12-13T04:54:00.001-08:00

Check out my very talented friend’s blog post today!

She writes about making the holiday more her own style, and all the lovely touches accompanying that change. Every bit is unique and inspired. It’s all so beautiful, just like her.

Click here to see!

Votives, Simple & Sweet

2010-12-07T12:26:00.001-08:00

Have you discovered these adorable canning jars?

They are made by Better Homes and Gardens, and sold in Walmart stores.

I love their chunky shape and quilted pattern.

So much so, that I plopped in candles and hung them with jute (unraveling the ends for texture).

Added a sprig of green and a trio of berries to each…

for a simple and sweet addition, inside the front door.

Seasonal Display

2010-12-02T09:35:00.001-08:00

Decked out in seasonal decor, our new door is looking pretty festive. My daughter posed in front to show just how tall the door is. It’s big!

I bought the swag from Wreaths of Maine, but swapped out the plaid ribbon for creamy silk. I also stuck in some lighter greenery here and there. I didn’t intend to be in the picture, but there I am. Hi!

The iron hares came from my mom. (thanks Mom!) I like them so much, I’ll probably keep them up all year. I hung them with droopy linen bows.

The wax candles are battery operated, and give a dreamy glow in the evening. This has been my first experience with battery operated candles, and I can’t believe I haven’t tried them them out until now! They’re my new favorite thing.

The planter baskets came from TJ Maxx. They are presently on clearance for around $6.00:

The kids cut some greenery from the trees in the yard, and we stuffed the baskets full. We also threw in some sticks and pinecones.

Welcome December!

Weekend Project

2010-11-29T07:56:00.001-08:00

So… we got back from our week-long excursion at 11:30 p.m. Friday night. As my husband and I were sitting with our morning coffee at 8:00 the next morning, we talked of the various house projects in the line-up. 30 minutes later, he had the air compressor and nail gun going. I think it’s an addiction, this hobby of ours.

The old kitchen (above) had a cupboard built into the backsplash to the left of the sink. See? It was extremely impractical. Being 5‘3”, my little arms can only stretch so far. We always thought a shelf under our lower cabinets could come in handy, but the cupboard and it’s doors prohibited us from building one.

So this weekend, we covered up the glorified hole, and built the shelf we always wanted. Using leftover wood, the project was free!

My husband built the brackets, so they are one of a kind. Like him. ;)

The antique salt and pepper shakers belonged to my grandma. I adore them.

They were passed down to my mom, and then on to me. I don’t think I’ll ever let them go - until death do us part. Sorry girls.

I wanted the shelf to be utilitarian, stacked with things we use multiple times a day.

Practical…

but pretty too.

What I’m Thankful For

2010-11-25T05:44:00.001-08:00

I could start a whole blog based around all the things I'm thankful for (maybe that's not such a bad idea). Even the hard things in life are blessings in disguise, if we choose to look at them that way.

Today, I'm reflecting back two years ago where I spent Thanksgiving Day in Poland. I was in Warsaw, finishing up the final weeks of the adoption of our new daughter. The rest of my family had already gone back home, and I would have been stuck in a hotel room alone with Charlotte if it hadn't been for two other American adoptive families, who invited me along to share in their Thanksgiving festivities.

So, we feasted on Pierogies and expressed thankfulness together for the blessings of the three special needs children sitting around the table with us that day.

This year, we are spending Thanksgiving with good friends. Between the four families celebrating together today, 11 of the children have been adopted.

So today, once again, I'm reminded and thankful that "God sets the solitary in families..." Psalm 68:6 and "He defends the cause of the fatherless.." Deut. 10:18.

Thank you Lord for caring for these little ones.

New Entry

2010-11-22T13:30:00.001-08:00

It’s in! There’s nothing like a big gaping hole in the front of your house to motivate project completion. :)

The old french doors moved to the side of the house to replace some rotten ones.

We stained and kept the wood (on the exterior side anyway). Oak isn’t my favorite wood grain, but when you find a door that’s worth a couple thousand dollars and pay only $150.00 for it, the pickiness subsides. :) We took the hanging lantern from inside the house, and hung it over the door. I love the contrast between the metal, wood, and painted siding.

Now all she needs is a little dressing up. I’ll be sure to share the adornments once completed. Have a happy holiday!

Wedding in a Barn

2010-11-20T06:47:00.001-08:00

Ya’ll know by now that I’m already thinking up wedding ideas for the future. Having four daughters will do that to you.

The daughter of Judy (from the Remnants of the Past blog) recently got married, and her wedding is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

The ceremony was outside…

And the reception was held in a rustic barn…

Of which I got to play a very small part, as they used my Mr. and Mrs. burlap tags on the bride and groom’s chairs:

I love how they draped them in front with the dark ribbon. The attention to detail of every aspect amazes me…

But the loveliest thing amidst all the pretty décor was their acknowledgement of what the celebration was all about…

For more details and pictures, visit Style Me Pretty.

It’s like the sky

2010-11-18T10:17:00.001-08:00

Surprise! The to-do is done!

Our porch ceiling is now painted a pretty turquoise blue.

I wouldn’t have made the (self-imposed) new year’s deadline if it wasn’t for this boy.

He and I balanced on ladders and worked together. When there’s a will (and a 13 year old around), there’s a way.

November Issue

2010-11-11T10:35:00.001-08:00

If you can get your hands on Southern Living’s November issue, DO! It’s superb… featuring two houses with decorating styles that are truly unique and inspiring. I can’t decide which one I like better. Can you?

House #1:

House #2:

Click here and here for more peeks from southernliving.com.

Upheaval

2010-11-10T10:30:00.001-08:00

We finally got around to hanging the “Rendre grâce” sign.

It’s centered in our dining space for a daily reminder to give thanks.

What feelings or words does this room conjure up for you?

Peacefulness?

Rest for the weary?

Calm serenity?

Well…….. at present, it’s screaming CHAOS! MESS!

Just when one project is done, another begins. Always!

The only thing that keeps me sane amidst it all is the anticipation of the next thing coming. Like this 8 ft. hardwood door we found for a steal at Habitat’s Restore. It’s gonna be good!

Rustic Storage

2010-11-05T10:03:00.001-07:00

Spotted a few weeks ago on one of my favorite sites:

A nifty solution for where to put what. Using pallets!

I could build a whole room around this idea. Ingenious!

Visit Remodelista for specifics.

Poor Man’s Linen

2010-10-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

A while ago I was honored to be a guest over at Melanie’s Pretties and Posies blog. If you’ve never visited Melanie, please do! You’re in for a treat. If you missed my guest post there, I decided to repost it here today. I’m taking a bit of a bloggy break to catch up on some things, but I promise to be back! I’ll be working on some much needed changes to our second bathroom. Currently, it looks like something out of an episode of The Jetsons. If you don’t believe me, stay tuned and you’ll see!

Today’s topic is using drop cloths in decorating. My love affair with drop cloths began when I was a young newlywed. I needed a cheap way to make our apartment into a home. With its dingy, old linoleum tile floors and dark paneled walls, the place needed all the help it could get.

House Beautiful magazine came to the rescue and provided the inspiration I needed. I had saved an article about a designer lining the inside of his entire bedroom with white drop cloths. The drop cloths even continued over the window, allowing the light to filter through the fabric. I ended up duplicating the look for our apartment bedroom, and every night it was like sleeping inside a dreamy tent. We loved it!

In our current home I’ve used drop cloths in several place. Here, for the curtain under our laundry sink. I simply topped it with a piece of old curtain trim for a little flair…

The curtain under our kitchen sink is also made with drop cloth fabric…

As well as the inside-out liner of our bedroom chandelier…

I cut some of the ready-made hem from the drop cloth edge to make the ties. Easy!

If you’ve been reading home décor blogs for long, you have probably noticed canvas drop cloths making their rounds. There’s a good reason for their popularity. With their nubby natural texture, drop cloths give the look of linen without the hefty price tag. That’s why I like to call it poor man’s linen. It makes a great substitute!

My Morning…

2010-10-22T11:22:00.001-07:00

“Mom, it looks like a factory!”

Yes, a little one of sorts.

So long farewell

2010-10-21T11:21:00.001-07:00

The time has come to sell the last of my inventory from my Etsy shop. As I posted about here, it’s time for me to say goodbye to my fabric piles, along with the hundred other ideas swimming around in my brain. Right now I need to pour out my creative juices on some other important things… like this little girlie.

So here’s your last chance to get some of those “Recipe for a Happy Home” towels.

I’ve found some new towels I like even better than the old ones. They are woven cotton with a red stripe running down the sides. Cute, huh? These towels make a great addition to a shower or wedding gift.

I also have listed four 100% linen ruffle pillows in snowy white. Very shabby and oh so chic.

To view the last in my shop, click here.

Simple Letters

2010-10-18T06:54:00.001-07:00

Sometimes we’ll ask our children what their favorite memory has been in their little lives, thus far. One time our son responded by saying his favorite memory was a simple letter I had written him the week before.

Obviously it was still fresh on his mind, otherwise I’m sure he would have chosen something a bit more, well, memorable! Likely he would not even remember that specific letter now. But it drove home the fact that this small gesture matters a great deal to my children.

So, I keep writing letters. And sometimes I’ll get a sweet letter in return, which makes it all the more worthwhile.

The letter doesn’t have to be reserved for when they are doing everything perfectly or when they’ve accomplished something great. How often could we, as parents, use a pat on the back when life seems to be crumbling around us? Our children are no different, except maybe more impressionable.

Is there someone in your house who could use an encouraging word? You might just make a favorite memory this week in the life of a child. :)

Give Thanks in French

2010-10-11T13:51:00.001-07:00

Imagine my delight when I discovered the French translation for “Give Thanks”.

Rendre grâce. Dual meaning in English, how about that? It’s perfect, that’s what! I had to implement it somehow.

For $10, I bought an old shutter from my favorite local junk shop, and took a chance that Citrasolv would work not only on fabric, but wood too. It did!

Next up… cutting the shutter in half so it looks like a sign in the end like this:

Perfect for Fall, but a good reminder the rest of the year too. Now where to hang it? Any ideas?

p.s. many have emailed me asking where to purchase Citrasolv, as it’s not the easiest thing to find. I bought my bottle at a local art supply store for around $6.00, but Amazon carries it here as well… but unfortunately for more than twice the price. A little goes a long way though, if it’s any consolation.

Lawn Party

2010-10-07T11:05:00.001-07:00

Oh the plight of a little dog....

in a houseful of girls.

Mats for Doors

2010-10-04T15:37:00.001-07:00

It shouldn’t be so difficult locating unique and interesting doormats. But it is.

That’s why I’m bubbling over at finding these simple, chunkified mats to wipe the feet with. And the price is nice… with the half circle being only $14.99 and the round one, $34.99. Thank you World Market.com.

2 packages, 2 shops, 1 announcement

2010-10-03T17:03:00.001-07:00

You gotta love it when the mailman rings with two packages in tow. Especially when those two packages come from two special ladies.

Do you recognize this silver compote? It was first spotted on Miss Mustard Seed’s blog. She just opened up a new shop and posted some of her beautiful vignettes. I wish so badly I could visit in person… maybe one day! If you click on this link, you’ll see I’m the first comment inquiring about her beautiful bowl. When there’s a will, there’s a way. She was so kind to ship it. I just love it. I adore everything she does. So very talented and so very sweet.

And have you heard the news? Maria, from the exquisite Dreamy Whites blog is opening an online shop this month. I’m so excited, as it’s going to be filled with all kinds of French goodness. I can’t tell you how wonderful her package smelled when I opened it! Lavender pillows, lavender soap, lavender stems and a lavender colored antique bottle to top it all off. I have little pieces of Maria in every corner of my house now, and it makes me smile. :)

On the topic of shops, my own Etsy store is about to close. I have one more batch of the popular Recipe towels to sell next week, but after that, I’m saying goodbye to all the burlap and linen piles stacked up around here.

It was a fun summer venture for me, but I find any time left over at the end of the day (or in my case, the middle of the day), I’d prefer to spend it doing what I love most. Which is… decorating my home and making it a peaceful haven for those who live in and visit it.

I do daydream of having a brick and mortar shop filled with all the things I love. One day. But for now, for me, this isn’t the season. So I live vicariously through my friends, and I don’t mind it, not one little bit!