It's New To Me

It seems that I rarely buy retail anymore. You know what I mean? I get more of a thrill revamping something second hand or what I already have. that buying at regular retail stores....well it's just boring! :) I love that challenge of re-inventing!

If you've been following along, you know that spray paint is my BFF! But ever so often, I come across an accessory that I don't have to paint, which is great too, because then I don't have paint on my hands for the next three days because I don't wear gloves.

I found a beautiful vase at the Beaver's Dam Antiques and did not have to alter it a bit! I did a new little vignette on the coffee table in honor of it. It's my way of welcoming it to the ever growing family of vases. Also, we finally got a sea grass rug! It was a birthday present from Justin, boy, does that man know me like a book! Not only does it look great, it smells great too!

So I went from this: Bare Floor To This:
Justin and I love the new rug, however, the kids complain about it, and the dog thinks it a big back scratcher, but we are getting use to it! :)



Painted glass votive, spray painted small vase and plate, very simple. Love my manzanita branches. The star fish I love too, this is the natural color. Most commonly found bleached white. I love the grey!





Especially next to the green!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are inspired!!

Visit Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life

Shades of White

I definitely have a natural inclination towards white. White makes me feel, for a lack of better word: Simple.

I like the thought of being simple right now.

Although I don't use white on the walls, I find plenty of ways to use it. White fluffy towels, crisp white lampshades, perfect white matting, white dinnerware, and my all time favorite.....milk glass.

I think I like white because you can pair it with any other color and it is always right. Add texture, and you begin to build a story. As of late, grey has been bobbing it's head into my home, it has always been in my closet, yet never a design choice, but that's no more.

I also like the great contrast of black and white. A natural pairing, but combining it with one other color, I can't think of anything better.

How do you feel about white? Do you have white walls, or do you accessorize with it?

Sprucing up the Kitchen

Sprucing up the kitchen and Helpful hints for displaying dishes.

I am a collector and creatively displaying dishes can sometimes be daunting.

I have a china hutch (with closed storage) and an open storage piece that I use. Of course I use the kitchen storage as well.

Now in my dream kitchen, I would have a combination of open and closed built In's...not to mention more square footage...but in reality, I'm gonna use what I've got.

Tip #1: Baskets for storage.

I found these square lidded baskets, approx. 12X12 that I store napkins in. I bought this particular style to fit on my shelving, but they are making baskets in all shapes and sizes to meet your needs. Baskets add great texture and color as well as function.

Tip #2 Limiting color pallet.

I have found what works for me is keeping a simple color pallet. I usually use white and one other color. For me, that's green. Of course the baskets provide a color of their own. All of my specialty plates that do not fit within the color pallet stay behind closed doors until the next Tablescape Thursday (wink;)!

Tip # 3 Visual Balance and repetition

Not everyone will have shelving like this, but I think you can take away some idea of what I mean by visual balance and repetition. since I am displaying dishes, stacking is almost a given. I actually really like seeing stacks of dishes. I think it looks really pretty.

Distributing color will also help with balance...I don't have all green and then all white...I broke it up from shelf to shelf. Notice also the texture (baskets) is distributed from shelf to shelf too.

On such a square unit, I used a lot of circles to break up all the lines...this shelf is perfect for dishes!

While still on the sprucing up mode I decided to do a different quick and simple centerpiece. I had an oval silver platter (thrifty love) that I combined candles, leaves & berries, and fruit, to make a colorful seasonal centerpiece

I used a tablecloth folded in half across the table for some additional seasonal flair.

I also did a couple of projects that I've been wanting to do and today was the day...

Remember this picture I took at Circle R Ranch? If you don't, you can read about it here. I decided that I wanted to frame it up and use it in the kitchen. It's just graphic enough that it's not too country for me....

I printed it out here at home, on good photo paper

Using some matting and a frame that I had around the house, I think it turned out beautifully and I displayed it on top of my dish display shelf.

I was thinking that later (when I get some extra coin) I could order a print of it even larger and and do the canvas look...that would be really great!

But for the now...I'm happy with the at home version! It's right at home amongst the milk glass and wicker...

I finally got around to hanging the chalkboard tray I did weeks ago. I have a small wall in between the back door and window perfect for hanging four trays, all thrifty love, and spelled out

H-O-M-E. Love it!

Blogged for Kimba's DIY Day.

Thank you for stopping by today!

I hope this has helped you and inspired you!

Hooked on Gray or Grey!

Hi Bloggers and welcome to another edition of Hooked on _______! (You fill in the blank :) Be sure to visit all the participants at Hooked on Houses http://hookedonhouses.net/

This week I'm featuring Grey and/or Gray, which ever you prefer...I'm not sure when it started happening...I've always enjoyed the look of zinc and grey is in my wardrobe, but sometime in the last, oh, let's say 6 months there has been a surge of grey on the market and I'm hooked!

I found these beauties at Target , I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...I can't quite explain them...they are quite large, wickery-ish, painted orb thing-a-ma-bobs...they presently live in my unusable fireplace. I really like the controlled chaos of them...


Bedding, from Thomas O'Brien, this was a splurge...I must admit.

Thank you for stopping by! Are you hooked on grey too?

Michelle