Annie Sloan to the rescue!

I am remiss when it come to "before" pics......sorry! This little folding table was a steal at $10.00 at a recent garage sale:D The finish on the top was in terrible shape, but nothing Annie Sloan couldn't take care of. I love the way it turned out. I used Chateau Grey and Old White for the top, using a Martha Stewart stencil I purchased at Michael's.

I love the fact that it folds to store against the wall!
It is on it's way to the antique mall:)

Now this piece was a different situation entirely.
I found this vintage sunburst clock at
Goodwill.
I removed the back and all the clock workings.
Once clean, I painted it again with Chateau Grey
and dry brushed over the top
with Old White....Annie Sloan.
I found a mirror that fit the opening
but ended up mounting it on mat board to actually make it work.
This piece was a "Sorocco" piece from the 50's.
It was one of the first plastics
to hit the decor scene back in the day.
I didn't apply any wax....
just left the chalk finish which has a really nice look.

White Painted Wood Floors......

Well.....after much deliberation
we finally decided on what to do
about the worn out carpet!
It has been down since we built the house 13 yrs. ago
and the time had come to replace it:D
The problem we had was.....I didn't want anything dark,
since all my furnishings
were based on the light almost cream colored carpet.
Hubby said we needed something darker
because of all the grandkids:(
I didn't want dark......so.....I set out to find something
that would meet both of our needs.
The alternative I came up with was
Shabby White Painted Hardwood" flooring!
Although it was much more expensive
than we wanted.....
we decided to do some of the grunt work ourselves
to cut costs:D
The flooring I found was a custom hardwood flooring
that had to be ordered
That was all right because we didn't have a rush!!!!
After two months the flooring came Monday.
It had to acclimate in our house......
which meant that it had to sit for 3 days before being installed.
Last night we moved all the doors and furniture
from the area.....
once again stacking everything in the dining room and piano room.
Not a big deal really:D
Today they started!!!!!! YEA!
They will be installing the great room and hallways first.
Once that flooring is in,
we will move the furniture back in and onto the new flooring
At that point we will clear out the kitchen and dining room.....
that means dishwasher, stove, frig, washer and dryer
....OH MY!
Hopefully the beginning of next week they will complete
the last two areas
and
we will then install our quarter round
and re-install some of our moldings (kitchen).

We are not putting the flooring in the bedrooms at this time.
I still like the feel of carpet when we trip out of bed:D

Thinking of Fall!

While at Nell Hill's in K.C.
I picked up these beautiful white pumpkins
and
was ready to start introducing "Fall" to my home!
Starting with the mantel,
I used a twig wreath I purchased at an Estate Sale:D
The pumpkins and wire basket worked well with it.
The leaf stems were also from N.H.
and
added a special detail that I really like.
I purchased some artichokes at the grocery several weeks ago
and let them dry out.
I really like their shape and texture for Fall and Winter displays:D
Now I have to "Fall-sify" the rest of the house:D

I was impressed with several succulent gardens
I had found the galvanized oil pan
(probably used for changing car oil)
at an Estate Sale sometime ago.
I really like the inside garden
and
only hope it takes me through the winter months.
Having something live and green is so nice
when it gets cold and bitter outside:D
This garden sits on my kitchen island for the time being.
Not sure it gets enough light there....so I will have to see how the plants do!
Check out this fabulous succulent table
created from old wooden pallets:D

There are so many varieties of succulents available....
it is hard to choose:D
The pea gravel keeps the plant leaves from touching the soil.
This garden needs little water
and
should not be watered until the soil is completely dried out.
Easy....huh!





These succulent starts sit in water on my kitchen table!
A friend gave them to me a month or so ago
and
I simply love they way they look.
Although they are rooting
I would love to keep a stand of them on the table
all winter long:D
Thanks Toni!

Nothing like a visit to NELL HILL'S when in K.C.

My sweet Missy checking out the wares:D

A bed skirt Arica and I were looking at for Maddie's big girl bed!
I think when Maddie finally masters the toddler bed,
it will be time to try the regular twin!
At this point I think I could make this bed skirt for her color scheme:D

Isn't this sweet?

I always bring a little something special home with me from Mary Carol's.....
this year it was white pumpkins and greenery:D
I will share what I used them for in the next post!

Little DIY just completed!

It appears I posted these pics in the reverse order.....but....Oh Well!
I found this silver tray at the thrift store and it had such an appealing shape and size
I couldn't pass it up!
As you can see the surface was in bad shape.....
which didn't bother me a bit:D
I decided it would make a darling chalk board for my kitchen....
so I proceeded with ChalkBoard Paint!
Once complete I put it on my counter with the help of a large metal easel
I had stored......and I just love it.
What do you think?

Quick bathroom make-over......

This lower level bathroom has always been accented in bright colors.....
so a change was needed badly!
Hubby and I laid the floor and put up the bead board almost 7 yrs. ago.
Since the room is basically white......a change wasn't difficult:D
A trip to Homegoods & Target got me started.

The large piece of furniture was purchased many years ago at an estate sale......
just a couple coats of white enamel
and
a good round with the sander.....and Voila!

Most of the pieces hanging on the walls were nabbed from other areas of the house....or the storage area.
The framed egg botanical prints were purchased at a paper show my sis and I went to some years back. They originally hung in the laundry room but have been replaced with the chalkboard (in the post below).
The fern and Salomon's Seal plants I dried and framed after seeing Martha do them on one of her segments:D

New towels and woven rug were purchased at Homegoods.
The pieces on top of the cabinet were items
I made (like the collage box)
or had (like the fall fruit and pine cones)
or bought (like the basket.....Target find).

This room is easy to change since there really isn't any color to work around.
The wall are painted "Dried Grass"....a color I found at Walmart of all places!
I love the color and have used it several places in our home:D

It's official......White Painted Floors!

I have always loved painted floors and to believe that I am going to have them
in my home....makes my heart sing!!!!!!!!
I found these images on Google search to give you an idea of what will soon be our home too:D



(Not sure why these images are sooooo small!)
Our floors are not hardwood now, so the chore will be monumental,
but the results will be worth it!
I think so anyway.....not sure hubby shares my sentiments.




We are having the great room, dining room, halls, kitchen and laundry room done with these floors. I posted a sample of the flooring by Shaw several posts ago.....if you are interested.



Our floors will be factory finished.....so the surface should be ready for all the traffic we have at our home:D






Can't wait to see my kitchen with hardwood......
we have lived with sheet goods
for the past 13 yrs.






This clean happy look is what I want..............
everything doesn't have to be white,
but the sunny feel is what I am going for.






Will post more as the project progresses.....

So Much to Say.....So Little Space....mostly thrifting!

This is the BIG NEWS around our house!
We are planning on changing the flooring after 13 years:D
This is the flooring we want:
Shaw Hardwood Flooring Cape Ann, Clayton series.
I have looked and looked for the last several months and have brought home numerous samples.
After much discussion and debating......
we need flooring that will last when all our grandchildren run and play.
At the present time,
we are shampooing the existing carpet every month or so.
It is worn thin in places and needs replacement!
I want to keep the look of my home light and airy.
No dark floors for me!!!!
This will be installed in kitchen,
great room,
dining room
and all hallways.
I am not looking forward to the mess, but it can't be helped.
It is time for us to do something and this flooring is just what I wanted!!!!
YEA!

Couldn't pass up these gorgeous pieces earlier this spring.
Hubby and I went to the Mayfest in Maeystown, Ill.
I bought these antlers without a clue how I was going to use them.
I looked at them for a long time before I found a place I liked them.
They will probably move again,
but for the time being they are resting in a wonderful vintage wire basket
on top of the T.V. cabinet.
Simple and elegant......love them:D

In the dining room I have a little black chest that holds my sheet music. On the top I have two vintage silver pieces (thrift store finds) as well as a cloche I decorated with moss, wicker ball, shells and vintage bird. It has been around for awhile:D The wreath....oh the wreath! What is not to like? Last week-end hubby and I were at a local estate sale and I picked up two of these beauties. I simply can't give them up........(they were purchased for the mall booths but I changed my mind).

These pictures feature nature in our living room.
The wire stand was a gift from my kids several years ago.
It was purchased at "The Curious Sofa" in K.C.
I use it for many things including fall gourds and nuts.
Perfect centerpiece for my coffee table:D
Right now it is filled with shells....again,
collected from garage and estate sales.
Once in a while I am able to pic some up at the thrift store. I wish I could say I picked them all up while visiting the ocean.....but no!

Our mantel is decorated with nature as well.
I dried and matted the ferns found in our yard.
The frames were thrift store finds.....
a simple coat of spray paint and I was on my way!
I used vintage player piano music as the background for the ferns.

This photo and the one below are all about thrift store finds!
Above is a combo of dishes I love using together:D
The large dinner plant was purchased along with more of the set
at T.J.Maxx several years ago.
I found an entire set of Wedgewood China (England) Ranunculus pattern
at the thrift store about a month ago.
Along with some red patterned dishes purchased at an auction last year.
I love the way they compliment each other
and
really enjoy using them together.
The sad part......I am out of room in my china cabinet:(

Below is a grouping of jars purchased at Goodwill at different times.
I used an Etsy site to order the black numbers
that I applied to the front of the jars.
I really like the way they look on my kitchen windowsill!
I may purchase some more of the numbers to be placed on white dishes.
They might make a nice wall collage:D

I found this darling wire chair at the Antique Mall
while cleaning up our booths.
It was just what I needed to balance the wire basket
I have hung on the wall that houses my white pitcher collection.
That is happiness.....and the price was perfect too!

I need a bigger plant and maybe a second plant for the bottom shelf!
What do you think???

While "Thrifting" I have found a couple of cake plates to add to my collection.
I like seeing them out, instead of stuck downstairs in a closet!!!

After a very long day in the sun and heat.....I am so proud of the way the yard looks. I was still working with help from hubby at 6:30 yesterday evening. I layed down a large amount of mulch along with hauling off 3 full trash cans of trimmings. With all the rain, everything has grown like I was feeding them steroids!!!! No Miracle Grow needed!

Looking outside from the lower level.....so pretty and green! We live outside in the summer and these areas
become our living and family rooms!

This is the harvest from some of my plants on my deck!
I can't wait to see the harvest from the Community Garden
I am involved with:D
Things are looking good and I will have to take a few pics and post them.
Plants are doing well with all this rain!

These are some of the fun fabrics I picked up in Paducah last month. I am making a skirt with the "Cat in the Hat" print and stripe:D The floral will be a cute little sundress .....both for one of our little girls!

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I think out littlest girl will be cute in a sundress
out of these cute fabrics.

I know Halloween is far off...
but this fabric will make some cute pillowcases
or skirts for my little girls!

Treadmills