Inspiration

Are you ever itch'n for a change in decor - but aren't sure just what you need? Enter this little wooden step ladder - not expensive, but rustic - just my style. It has found a cozy home on our island and as my family (ahem) is REALLY enjoying Tuscany at this very moment (for reals) - I am celebrating their travels . . . Bon Voyage to Heidi and Crew and the poor grandparents who had to tag along.

I love using these breadsticks for display - the longer ones are parmesan garlic and are quite tasty. Might have to refill those . . .

Vintage Treat . . .

1967 Mercedes 200D Fintail Wagon

As I was chauffering the family towards home tonight - Scott hollered for me to flip a u-turn as he wanted to check on these sweet ride. Apparently this car was "discovered" by a local garbageman (he spotted it in a garage) and it has been stored for the last 27 years. The lucky garbageman paid 900$ for it and it is worth over 30K as is. It still has the original plastic protecting the interior in some places. Scott has dreams of it as our next family SUV - putt putt putt - I think I'll need a big floppy hat for this one.

Saved from the flames

We performed a rescue mission yesterday - saving this incredible piece from its torched doom. Some might say that is precisely where it belonged, but I see great things for this table. Bonus is that a rustic old bench was also on the burn pile - so we grabbed that too. Last week, my heart plummeted as I noticed that the pile had been lit and my table would no doubt be ashes by morning. Imagine my glee when I noticed that the fire had only partially burned - leaving my table untouched! The girls were not too pleased as the dwelling was right across from their school. We were headed to the back yard as the school buses rolled by - Milah was most humiliated and wished that she belonged to a different mother at that point . . .

Turn, Turn Turn

One of my favorite aisles at the Goodwill is the wood stuff. I scored this lazy susan for 3.99 recently and knew exactly what it's "next" life would be . . .

After some paint - more paint - a little sanding and a little more paint - it's done! I'm throwing a price tag on it and it's going to market . . .

My inspiration was from the Ballard Design Catalog (a personal fave) - a MUST for house junkies.

I'll Take Cream with that . . .

Take a close look at this bag - made from coffee bags! I'm gonna be hitting up every coffee drinking character I know for their empty bags. All that's used is a zig zag stitch - first you sew the sides, then the bottom, and finally - the ends. Add trim at the top and handles.

You could use other plastic coated bags as well - candy, chips, capri sun . . .

Stop the car - I hafta grab my camera

Makes me want to move to the boonies, sell baby chicks, salt licks, and dog food Unique Fence - this homeowner offered 5$ for old doors and was inundated with calls - LOVE it!

Itch, Scratch, Burn

Somewhere I came in contact with poison oak and am being shunned in my own home. After being gone for 5 days, all I want to do is hug the kids and cozy all together, but I can't touch them. Scott banished me to the couch where I attempted to sleep next to the crazy hamster who exercised all night - apparently his membership is to 24 Hour Fitness. The girls were fighting this morning (grrrr) about who would get to hug me first when I was healed (ahhhh).

Slip Sliding Away

So, I was strolling thru the Salt Lake City airport, searching for the departure gate - when I felt an odd sensation. It was as if my half slip was slipping. Sure enough, I looked down at my feet and my white slip was hanging well below my black skirt. I quickly assessed my options - Hmmm, I could either go in from the top and tug upward or reach in from the bottom and pull it towards the floor. I was too far from the restrooms (to take care of the private matter, privately), so after positioning myself behind a large shrub, I chose the latter method. I half expected some snorts of laughter to break out around me as the offending article puddled at my feet and was stuffed in my purse. Why couldn't this happen at home while I was making dinner? Why must it happen in a crowded airport terminal where the main recreation is people watching? Wish I could say that a recent significant weight loss was the culprit - apparently just a lesson in humility.

Virtual Home Show

I love driving through subdivisions at night and glancing in the windows of the houses that are lit up (ew, creepy). I love touring model homes even tho I have no intention of buying (what a louse) and I love home tours on blogs . . . Check out this one, and score some great ideas. Every day this week, there will be 4 houses featured. No peeking in windows or fibbing to realtors - just check out these creative digs . . . Click here for the tour

Now for a Long Nap . . .

So, we spent our Spring Break in a rainy Bakersfield. Apparently their average rainfall is around 5 inches/year and I think we experienced 3-4 of those inches. Phooey. A friend summoned me down to decorate a model home in his new subdivision. I grabbed a willing and helpful assistant (Mom) and a capable and loving babysitter (Dad) and we headed South through sleet, snow, wind and monsoon like rains. Let me just say that those freeways in California are no picnic - hazardous is more like it. Hooray for our ever present friend, Mr. GPS as he was a constant and reliable companion. We would NEVER have navigated our way from one store to the next without "him." We were priviledged to work with a beautiful home - so it wasn't too much of a stretch to make it look welcoming. Travertine floors, high ceilings, knotty alder cabinets and trim, and great attention to detail. I admit that when I get the chance, I love to watch those decorating shows - but I have now come to a sure conclusion. Yes, you do see a few people working hard, but behind the scenes there are teams of support staff and others shopping for the loot. Thankfully there was no one filming our progress, but we sure could've used a few more helpers. It was fun but exhausting. We finished at 1:30 in the the morning, so these pics are not the greatest as there was no natural light at that particular time of day . . .

Dining Room

Still need a table/chairs - painted Island Tan, a rich caramel color

Before Kitchen After

Master Bedroom. There will be animal print chairs against the painted wall and a custom headboard for the bed. Possible window treatment on the skinny window in the blue/green color.

We loved the bedding - from Tuesday Morning. Wall paint color is rainwashed by Sherwin Williams . We would like to wipe a deeper color and maybe a bronze on too, but we'll have to leave that to the professionals.

Tween girl's room - bedding from Amy Butler. Paint color is Meander Blue from Sherwin Williams. This looks kinda boring, but it adorable.

Jack/Jill Bath - all mirrors in bathrooms are backlit - which give an awesome glow.

From the entry

The entry features a "groined ceiling", which has been finished with a venetian plaster in a brownish/mustard tone - impressive!

Loved these huge iron front doors

We had posh digs to retire to in the evening. The kids got tired of staring at this pool in the backyard and jumped in anyway -even tho it was freezing. It was a quick swim.

A necessary stop at Williams on the way home @ Granzellas

Sunday Best

I was inspired by a recent article in the latest Flea Market Style Magazine as they featured a table topper with men's ties. So off to the smelly thriftstores . . . searching for retro ties in brown tones.

In the model home that I am decorating, I want it to feel like home, not a museum. So I am mixing old with the new and throwing in a few whimsical items to make it interesting and fresh. This Burlap/tie runner will be on the towel rack, probably on top of the bath towel and under the hand towel.

These pictures really don't do it justice - after pulling it from the sewing machine I squealed with delight. Go forth and raid your Grandpa's closet . . .

PG-13 Post

You might remember the male mannequins that were an odd Craigslist purchase last summer. I have 3 left and they have enjoyed their perch in the basement as security guards. Problem is they are all the male variety. I saw an adorable idea for a female type and it required a little remodel . . .

First things first, you get the idea . . .

Add a skirt and some pearls, and we have a feminine version of Burlap Benjamin. She's a fairly ripped gal, now she needs to head to the thrift store and find some ivory stilettos.

Confession Time

Don't think we're a bunch of lazy slobs around here BUT . . . we have a clock that requires a ladder to change the time. WELL . . . since the "fall back" time, we had never bothered to decrease it by an hour, so for months, it has been 1 hour ahead. Until this last weekend - it is once again, the correct time. Move the clock? No. Grow some legs? Sure. Take up stilt walking? Sounds fun.

Some serious Coinage

So I was searching the web for the perfect master bedroom bedding as I am helping a friend decorate a model home. I wanted a pleasant mix of feminine and masculine, in the grey family. Ah Hah! I spied the ideal ensemble on (hold your breath) Neimen Marcus. It was an exquisite combination of toile and ruffles with a smattering of geometric shapes and cozy yumminess. I was eager to begin placing items in my virtual shopping cart. HOWEVER, a quick glance at the prices squashed my enthusiasm. After totaling the items as shown in the picture, I fell to the floor gasping for breath. They were asking 4500.00 for the bedding! The little neckroll pillow was 365.00 - UN-BE-LIEVABLE. I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing that I had foolishly spent such a ridiculous amount of money. I guess I'm off to Target, Goodwill, and to possibly do a little dumpster diving.

Scare Hair

A field trip to OMSI is always fun. Apparently Milah found it electrifying!

Hey, it's worth a try?!

Do you think if I put this in the full dirty clothes hamper or the dishwasher that needs to be unloaded it will excuse me? Sten thinks it is a cop-out. I think it is wisdom.

No, I'm NOT Crying

Sniff sniff. We went to another sports awards banquet tonight, this time for swimming. I should know by now. I should take kleenex with me. I feel that durn lump in my throat and the tears spill out of my reddened eyes. I can't help it - when the coach gets choked up, I lose it. I know these kids - some of them I knew back when they still believed in the tooth fairy and they kissed their moms at the bus stop. Anyway, the kid that used to kiss me goodbye (sniff, sniff), won an award as underclassman outstanding swimmer. Sniff sniff. His coach laughed as he introduced Sten and mentioned that they had to work on his breathing a bit this season as they were nervous the kid was going to drown. However, comparing his times from the beginning of the season to the end of the season showed a huge improvement. Hip Hip Hooray Sten!

I find it disgusting to drive by the High School as the kids are let out - looks like a bunch of hoodlums and girls in ill fitting, revealing clothes (don't I sound like a crabby old woman?). Tonight tho, I felt excited for the future of each of those kids and I felt that their experience on that team will only aid them as they make their way in the world. If you've lost faith in this generation - stumble into an awards banquet - you will be moved. Oh, and don't forget your kleenex.

Quarantined!

Bucket within easy reach, bell for summoning, warm rag, and jello in the refrigerator. Poor Maren caught a bug that we were hoping would leave our crew alone. Why is it as soon as someone is smitten with this, you can't help but feel a little queasy yourself?

I heart OLD cabinets

To truly appreciate this post, I have to take a little detour to last summer . . . one late afternoon Scott and I found ourselves unexpectedly dining together in a slightly upscale restaurant (our meal was not garnished with french fries). The food was divine, the weather was beautiful, the conversation was memorable, and the kids were in their cages in the basement absent. Sometimes spontaneous moments are the most enjoyable - too much pressure when everything is planned in detail . . .

Anyway towards the end of the meal, I mentioned a Craigslist ad I wanted to pursue. The evening was still young, and even though the item was in the boonies - he was game. Down a gravel road, up a hill and through a stand of firs, we finally reached the address. A young woman showed me to the item, and I did a little bargaining (yes, Dad - I did). There were a few people wandering around and it seemed like an odd scenario - so we inquired. We were told that EVERYTHING was for sale and there were 2 barns and 2 houses that we were welcome to peruse. Roll up your sleeves Dear, we're gonna be here awhile!

We didn't see each other again for about an hour - each spying out items that interested us. One of the items that caught my eye was this old cabinet that was buried in a dusty corner, piled with junk. I offered 10$, which the woman quickly accepted and Scott threw it on the truck. We spent 90$ and our truck was LOADED to the max -we chattered all the way home about our good fortune and our plans for the loot.


Recently, Scott begrudgingly helped me fix the old grungy fir cabinet (He'd already helped me with a few other projects). We had to put beadboard on the back and clean it up a bit. His attitude soon changed as we stepped back and took a look - it turned out awesome and I am having a rough time parting with this beauty.


Apparently it used to have doors - love the old latches

I like to run by the nasty thriftstore in town occasionally - I can only stay in there for seconds at a time as it is necessary to run outside and take in fresh oxygen. In the "free" bin, there was a stack of old encyclopedias (you know the ones that we plagiarized). SCORE! Perfect display items! SCORE! Perfect color!

I have a "thing" for tarnished silver pieces - these are very reasonable at thriftstores.

I'd never used Old English before, but it worked awesome for livening up the old thirsty fir.

Don't Miss It!

Dave Ramsey is coming to Portland April 9th and to Colorado Springs March 26th. 5 hours of listening to someone yabber about money and finances - BORING. Not so tho - you will learn and laugh. More than once you will give your spouse "the look" that says, "listen up buck-o, he's talk'n to you!" In every household, according to Dave, there is a free spirit and a nerd. Which are you?