BRICK HOUSE ~ BROWN SHUTTERS

A case of the "I wants" and some cute grey houses

2010-12-03T23:29:00.000-06:00

I wants...

some of these (these 3 to be exact)

and this (with some new shades)

and this beautiful runner

and oh yes, this please

adorable-ness...

and this

and all this too...

maybe this

And then I'd like to be invited in for a tour of this...

and this

and after seeing these spooky window boxes, this

Um. Yes. Please.

This was my favorite (I think it was the kitty part)

And this house trimmed out in orange...

If I could figure out some of these changes at Blogger, I might come around more often. So frustrating...it's hard not being a genius! :)

Lovliness

2010-07-16T11:33:00.002-05:00

Via Brabourne Farm Blog...source unknown

The simplicity of this makes me smile...
Sorry I'm so stagnate...busy summer days! :)

I could kick back here for a spell...

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To see the rest of the property...go here.

Luv-ley

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country living

via Marley&Lockyer blog

adorable-NESS!

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double click to see the painted armoire

from here: http://www.dragonsofwaltonstreet.com/single.htm?ipg=8160

A happy front door

2010-05-17T10:49:00.003-05:00

While driving the backroads of Alabama recently...we've passed this wonderful old house several times. Yesterday, I had my husband pull over so I could take a quick picture. Quite charming, no?

How gorgeous is this?

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photo: this lovely blogger

I keep staring at it...
perfection in my book.

Anyone know where one might acquire the artwork?

That is...if it is "acquirable?" :)

Eye Candy

2010-04-25T21:52:00.003-05:00

(a rather large picture...click to view in full)

Love.

These guys are amazing...

Up for Sale

2010-04-14T23:19:00.003-05:00

This color combination takes my breath away. See the whole house here.

Love this room.

Check out the rest of the house here.

Painted Outdoor Furniture

2010-04-12T10:34:00.004-05:00

I recently bought 2 chairs like this and spotted a couple more a few weeks ago for a good price. 2 are black and 2 are white. But this look is SO. MUCH. FUN. I don't have a table...but figure I could work that out later. I never even thought about painting them fun colors like these. So many fun things to consider... :)

Picture from this fun blog!

Slipcover Perfection

2010-03-25T12:08:00.004-05:00

I almost wrecked my car yesterday driving past this Slipcover Shop. These chairs were BE-uuuuuuuu-tiful! Oatmeal colored linen...a chocolate band...sweet perfection. They would make me so happy if they were in my house. I just don't have room. Boo-hoo.

I called the lady and got her prices. The lady I normally use charges $225 per wing. This lady charges $285 with the band. Of course all that doesn't include the cost of the fabric...and you need about 8 yards of solid and 1/2 yard of colored.

I wonder how they would look with the skirt just skimming the feet...like a 3/4 skirt? I must stop thinking about this...I have laundry to do.

I bet Ginger Barber would like these. :)

**edited to add...I just noticed those two chairs are just a smidge different...see how the backs curve a bit differently? Can you tell I keep coming back to these pics? sigh...

Thrifting...

2010-03-18T12:18:00.003-05:00

Isn't this painting AWESOME??!!

To me it is and the price was even better...$10.

I totally love his hair...

The colors in this pillow...oh sigh.
$2.

And a shot of my new chairs...they need some work...but I'm not worried.

$150 for 4 chairs and a glass-topped table.

I hope to sell the table (that I don't need) and recoup most of my money.

These are not the exact chairs I wanted.

I want some just like the ones I donated 10 years ago after buying a new dining room set and having no where to store them.

My stomach still feels the dread when I think of how foolish I was.

Actually, I blame my husband.

He knew how excited I was about the new set...

and took that opportunity to unload what he saw as ugly.

No worries though...I like the thrill of the hunt.

And when I find the 6 chairs I want...all will be good in my world of faux bamboo.

I've had this in the back of my mind for awhile.

2010-03-13T20:49:00.006-06:00

I just didn't expect to luck into one when I did the other day. I saw...I gasped...the people in the store laughed at me. I clutched my heart and declared true love. $85 later...she was mine.

My husband on the other hand...did not gasp. He stared in horror at what I brought home. I knew he wouldn't like it...however...it is growing on him. And he loves me...happy wife...happy life, right? :)

We hung it up in the kitchen over the pine farmhouse table. The shades didn't come with it, but from Pottery Barn several years ago and I love how they toned down the glare of the bare bulbs. I know what you are thinking...chinoiserie and pine? Huh? But yeah...I'm loving it.

We've still got a few kinks to work out...always do when dealing with old light fixtures. I think that is the part that really annoys my husband.

I think a paint job may be in it's future...to tie it in with the new chairs I bought...to go with the new light fixture yesterday. One thing ALWAYS leads to another in my household.

My husband rolled over in bed this morning and told me I was starting to act like the Federal Government with all my spending lately. He's a funny guy... :)

More pics to come when I get everything all polished up and purdy lookin'.

Phoebe Howard

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credit: Phoebe Howard
...certainly knows how to put together a lovely room. Gorgeous.

Blues and Greens

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source: Realty South

So loverly. :)

Shutters

2010-02-24T09:02:00.003-06:00

I love the idea of using some old shutters inside like this. My friend Amber pointed me in the direction of this blog from a store in Arizona. Lots of great pictures to inspire!

Kitchen Love

2010-02-21T22:16:00.004-06:00

Good gravy do I like this kitchen.

Honestly, it's more like I love this kitchen.

And most of the other rooms in the house too.

I have never seen cabinets like these beside the stove.

...please gimme.

And the built-ins next to those botanicals...lovely. Gimme some of those too.

And the marble. oh, oh, oh.
gimme, gimme, gimme!!!!
The oversize hardware...fantastico!

See the rest of it right here.

Poi-ple Twoooo-lips

2010-02-12T15:53:00.004-06:00

I bought this blue vase at the thrift store this week for $6.88. I really wanted some white tulips but WalMart was fresh out. I think these purple ones are probably even lovlier than the white.

My husband just called from WalMart...I told him to look for white tulips...to match all the white snow we got today. Plus, I have another empty vase that needs to be filled. It has been a snowy and most beautiful day here in Birmingham.

My daughter pointed out the man on the tree next door with snow on his eyebrows...

Wreath Love

2010-02-08T21:27:00.003-06:00

(click to see the whole thing...sorry 'bout that.)

I love this wreath. For instructions...go here and read more from her lovely blog.

Oh Southern Accents Magazine...

2010-02-02T18:55:00.003-06:00

How I miss you.

Terribly.

I feel so empty without you and others in my life.

:( (cue the tear running down my cheek)

{click to view the whole beautiful picture}
Southern Accents Magazine

My kind of pretty

2010-01-28T22:14:00.004-06:00

Credit Amy Morris via this lovely blog

I'm feeling crazy busy lately. So...if you don't mind (all 3 of you sweeties who stop by... :) I think I'll just post pics that I like for a bit of time. Just to keep things moving along.

Recently, I pulled out a white pitcher that I had stored in my china cabinet. It is very similar to the one in this picture. I bought 2 packages of $5 tulips from WalMart. They didn't look like much the first day...but after that...wowza! They were gorgeous and changing every hour it seemed. I love tulips but can't remember the last time I bought any. They lasted a good 10 days...and worth every dollar spent.

This week my husband brought a bouquet of flowers to our daughter from Fresh Market and she promptly arranged them in the white pitcher. They look so pretty sitting on our kitchen table. I now vow to keep flowers on our table all year long.

Black painted stripes...

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ROCK this room... :)

(from fsbo site)

click on picture to see the whole thing

My kind of lovliness...

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I found this picture on Katy Elliot's blog. Sooooooooo pretty...right up my alley. :)

A designer's house

2010-01-10T00:09:00.003-06:00

I came across an awesome post tonight from one of my favorite blogs...Things That Inspire that was done back in May 2009. I oooooh'd and ahhhhh'd all over again. I love this style of decorating...it never grows old on me.

all pictures credit: Things That Inspire

Tons more pictures and all the scoop right here if you haven't already read it. Even if you have...me thinks you should go back for a second round. :)

feels like a celebration

2010-01-08T00:56:00.007-06:00

credit: the purl bee

I have 2 kid birthdays coming up this month.

How cute would these be to use for decorations?

I do believe...pretty cute!

Oh how I LOVE them!

For directions on how to make one...go here.

My Mother got all crafty with my kids here on New Years Eve

and hung this in our kitchen window.

Another thing I'm loving today!

a bathtub of a beauty

2010-01-05T23:40:00.002-06:00

I'm off to take a bath and go to bed. So sad my tub doesn't look like this.

picture via Rustic Rooster Interiors, source unknown

Garden Shed Love

2009-12-29T19:14:00.002-06:00

Photo via Laura Casey Interiors (not sure who gets the credit though)

Christmas Drive-Bys

2009-12-22T18:15:00.006-06:00

I've been carrying my camera with me everywhere lately...

the Christmas decorations have been so pretty.

While driving through Homewood, Alabama the other day,

I snapped a couple of pictures.

This door was lovely.

This house is one of my all-time favorites.

It sits on a corner and just looks oh-so-cozy tucked in among the shrubs.

Sorry I didn't get a full shot.

The wreath was the icing on the cake.

This house has been mentioned around blogland recently...look at all that china! :)

I had to keep driving as the yard-man was watching me and I felt like a total stalker. To check out the blog...go here.

Happy Holidays Sweet Blogland Friends!

I'll take one of these...

2009-12-05T18:58:00.003-06:00

from: here

and 5 of these...

from: 3 fine grains

Southern Real Estate #2

2009-12-02T20:23:00.004-06:00

For Sale

Birmingham, AL

Mountain Brook

$1,449,000

To see the entire listing...click here.

Holiday Wreath

2009-12-02T15:00:00.003-06:00

Love this wreath...

and check out that door color! :)

via Sarah's Fab Day here.

Slipcover Love

2009-11-23T10:07:00.004-06:00

How pretty is this?

from here: http: //slipcoverdiva.blogspot.com/2008/09/wing-chair-beauty.html

Oh how I love a good slipcover! Happy Monday. :)

Seriously Pretty

2009-11-19T21:19:00.001-06:00

via Garden Web, member lesmis

If I had only one word

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to describe this, I'd pick...

quiet.

Little Boy Room

2009-11-15T18:44:00.003-06:00

A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.

{credit: Southern Living}

A kitchen with a view

2009-11-13T22:47:00.002-06:00

One day...

I'm going to tear down my cabinets,

bust out the brick wall and have a view like this.

Yes...one day.

Yeah, right.

to see more of this house, go here

for future reference

2009-11-12T23:03:00.004-06:00

I'm still trying to figure out what to do for chairs in my kitchen. I've got a farmhouse table, 2 chairs to be covered like in the picture, a bench and several chairs from my basement and dining room. And all that fabric I want to use somehow.

I never thought about chairs with covered seats to bring in the fabric. I never really considered a miss-match of white painted chairs either. But now I have. So, I'm just going to tuck this away for future reference (hopefully sooner than later) and I'll let you know what happens with this.

P.S. Joan...I did wash the fabric and it did shrink. I'm happy though...it washed up really well. I have rigged it up over my windows...just to be sure I don't get tired of it. So far so good. Although, my sweet husband did say it reminded him of something used in a bathroom. I have no idea where that came from...why or how...but I'm not even going to question it. I love the fabric and that is that. :)

{credit: Coastal Living via House of Turquoise}

Oh Ginger Barber...how I love thee work ye do.

2009-11-05T09:37:00.005-06:00

I never tire of images from Ginger Barber decorated homes...

{images via: house beautiful}

{images via: cote de texas}

{images: House Beautiful}

Holiday Recipe

2009-11-03T10:43:00.002-06:00

{credit 101 Cookbooks}

I'm going to dream about this recipe until I get to taste it.

drool....

Southern Real Estate #1

2009-11-01T21:43:00.005-06:00

For Sale

Birmingham, AL

$1,599,000

More information here.

sharing inspiration

2009-10-31T09:43:00.005-05:00

I was browsing through a Swedish Blog this morning and came upon this picture.

Translated:

Good morning.
A while ago me and Jenny was and photographed a totally fabulous home ... The family lived in the old smithy in the castle ... really nice! She has so very inspiring ideas and things , for instace she had different kinds of onions mixed in old glass jars .. so beautiful! So now our onions are in glass jars at home too =)) Its nice to inspired each other!
Have a really good day! Hug

OK...so now I'm inspired.

Thank you Johanna!

In case you've been in the dark about this blog...

2009-10-25T22:46:00.004-05:00

I'm probably the last one to know about this blog.

It takes place in Norway and has english captions through-out.

What a beautiful life Mia has.

One of these days I will learn how to make a real live link. But for now...

http://miaslandliv.blogspot.com/

A new idea re: pillows

2009-10-24T23:28:00.002-05:00

I stared at this picture for a long time tonight.

What a great room.

I am intrigued with the idea of only using 1 or 2 pillows...right in the center of the sofa. I have gobs of pillows and they are always in the way.

This is new thinking for me.

And I want that coffee table so bad I could just yell...

"I want that coffee table so bad!!"

via desire to inspire {interior design Kara Mann}

Shop Goodwill

2009-10-19T23:29:00.005-05:00

Do you do http://www.shopgoodwill.com/?

I go through spells...lately I've been looking for ocean scenes with rocks. And they must have blues and browns. I'm hanging those in my den. This one's colors arrived a bit more pinky. No problem though...I love it in my living room. I think this one totalled $32 including shipping and it came from the pacific northwest.

I usually buy dried bittersweet to use during the fall. I spotted this faux stuff at a yardsale this weekend. The 4 dollar price tag works for me!

Those chairs...in front of the window

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credit: Southern Accents

I love them. And even more so...love how they are placed off-center. :)

yard sale MOST EXCELLENT score

2009-10-15T11:34:00.008-05:00

Yes...it was a most excellent score a couple of weeks ago.

Last sale of the day...a house that looked like Tara and a precious quirky little old lady.
She had on her best black outfit and HUGE black rimmed ROUND glasses.

Her hair was up in rollers and she had a feathered roller-cap (if that's what you call them) on her head. The black feathers stuck out a good 8-10 inches and when she walked...they floated and swayed.
She was adorable and fascinating at the same time.
Her garage looked like an antique store and most everything was priced out of my range.
And then I saw it...the fabric.
Heavy linen...gorgeous colors...and she had just reduced it to $20.
There is somewhere between 20-30 yards. Um, yeah...I'll take it!
I think I want to use it in the kitchen.

This is a huge color commitment for me...I'm honestly, kind of skeeeeeeered.

I am thinking about cafe type curtains so that I can keep them open.
I really don't want anything to block my light as I don't get alot of it.
Can you see my tee-tiny little clay witches hanging over the table?
They are riding little straw brooms.
I also have 2 chairs I'd like to slipcover for the ends of the table.

The bench was another yard sale find last year...$30.

Don't know if it will stay,
but my kids love sitting on it and I figure when we have company...

I can pack at least 6 little kids on it.

The mirror is propped up...would you want to watch yourself eat at every meal? :)

Sorry for the overload of pictures, but it is a rainy day today and it was hard to get anything decent.

I would love to hear any other ideas for window treatments.

I don't plan on using it as a tablecloth...I just spread it out that way to take a picture.

Now I'm off to wash and dry a yard of it to see how much it shrinks. I'd like to be able to wash it if I use it on the chairs.

my daughter the decorator

2009-10-12T23:20:00.005-05:00

I have a most precious little girl.

She is midway through her 9th year.

She loves to decorate.

Today I was downloading some pictures off my camera

and came across these...

taken by my daughter without my knowledge.

We are working up some ideas

for a little bit of a bedroom make-over.

Nothing huge...just some fresh paint for the walls

and for her new/old desk we brought up from the garage.

I keep trying to steer her away from the pinks...

(because I'm tired of it and want a change)

but that's not really her style.

She loves pink.

And I love that she shops the house

till she finds things that she likes

to go with her pink

(not really...I don't love that she steals from other rooms...

but I tolerate it because she is so good at it!) :)

She's got a Pottery Barn Kids canopy bed, dresser and night stand

that I bought at a yard sale for $250.

Her bedding is a mix of linens from different stores:

pale pink quilt...Linens N Things

pink & white duvet...PBKids

brown & white pillows...TJMaxx

pink & white buffalo check shams...Pine Cone Hill (Homegoods)

plaid throw...Homegoods

The painting was $3 at a yard sale...

The cat was a stray that showed up on my birthday 13 years ago.

Her name is Cricket.

My daughter keeps her room neat as a pin most days...

and her bed is almost always made.

She likes to change things up...usually there is a stuffed animal of the day.

Today it is her standard poodle...

many days it is her patchwork hippo...and he is mostly green & yellow.

But it always looks so cute.

Not sure about a paint color yet...

we've been tossing around Clinton Brown by Ben Moore and possibly a hot pink.

The goal is to get it done before the holidays.
and if we do...get it done...I'll be sure to share! :)

John Derian

2009-10-01T09:37:00.007-05:00

John Derian site (double click to see the whole picture)

How fun and easy

would it be to do something like this?
Give the family some black ink pens...

some heavy scrapbook paper

and let them go to town.

My kids are always drawing or doodling something.
I would frame them up in a bunch of thrift store frames painted the same color.
I can picture this down a hallway.
I love John Derian.

A Birds of Prey Dome...sweeeeeeeeeet. I want.

painted closet idea

2009-09-29T12:56:00.006-05:00

My 9 year old daughter

has been asking for a fresh coat of

paint

in her bedroom.

She wants to do a deep brown and has been showing me ideas in the
Ben Moore paint deck.

This picture gives me an idea for her closet too...

what a lovely burst of color.

So, pardon me
while I just tuck this idea away

here on my blog.

My very own blog. :)

Meet Little Bill.

I saw him at our local humane society last week...he had the cutest face. He's only 6 months old...I could have sworn that he smiled at me through the glass. I'm "sort of" looking for another dog. Sort of. This could take months...even longer.

They had several, no, many dogs from a local puppy mill raid back in August. It was so heartbreaking...one precious long haired dachshund had no hair on her back, only on her underside and legs. The sweetest most soulful eyes...she just kept staring at me. I asked one of the volunteers if she had mange and would her hair grow back eventually? She told me they believed it was "urine burn". That happens when puppy mill owners stack the dog cages one on top of another and the dogs pee right down through the cages. The girl said most times the hair doesn't come back. She looked scarred. Can you even imagine? I really want that sweet girl, but fear I don't have the time a dog like that needs. I think my household would be too chaotic for her. So many sweet animals needing homes...I can't get my mind off of it.

Linda...while I was there a HUGE beautiful great dane went strolling by me...black and white...I thought of you! I could probably arrange to get him to you if interested. You KNOW you want another one. :)

And I did see Coco...mentioned below. She looked perfectly happy running around that place and one of the workers told me he didn't think they really wanted to get rid of her. As a matter of fact, she looked like a well-taken care of and loved little pork chop.

Lovely Bookshelves

2009-09-27T00:53:00.003-05:00

This has got to be the best looking set of

bookshelves

I have seen in a while.

I love everything about it.

Especially the blue and brown

and

and touches of pink...

My bookshelves so need a makeover.

photo: Melanie Acevedo (via A Life More Fabulous Blog)

I wonder why her name is Coco?

2009-09-20T17:54:00.003-05:00

Has it been that long since I have posted?

Yikes, I think it has!
My-oh-my...time just flies.
I'm recommitting myself to this house...time to get some stuff done.

Maybe I'll be here more to post.

But then again...maybe I'll be too busy finishing projects. :)

I was Petfinder surfing for a few minutes today and came across this little dog. Would you look at the face on her...she almost looks human!

I love you without even knowing you sweet Coco.

"Oh good gravy..."

2009-08-06T23:25:00.005-05:00

via just image design.blogspot,....... picture credit realestate

Double click to fully open the picture...

This room is right up my alley.

I recently bought 2 rattan chairs and a loveseat at a church sale for $75. The chairs are oversized and so comfortable and while the fabric is in perfect shape...it's not my idea of "yipee!".

I want to use the loveseat in my boy's room. More on that later.

Oooooh. I'm just noticing the pillows on the back

of the chairs...very nice.

It's funny, these chairs.

They are nothing I would have ever pictured having...but they just kind of jumped out at me. That and the fact that the sale was winding down and everything was 1/2 price. I could so picture them with a fresh new fabric and my kids lounging in them.

This picture feels like reassurance that I can make this work.

And that shelf of pictures...oh good gravy!

I use "oh good gravy" all the time...but I must give credit to my lovely friend Amber for that line...she uses it oh so well.

Wow...

2009-08-04T00:21:00.004-05:00

I'm in love with these colors together.

Oh, yes, I am. :)

from here: http://janetwilkins.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/old-doors-old-flowers/

dining in grey

2009-07-17T17:52:00.005-05:00

photo via delight by design blog

Sorry for not being a better blogger...

I know I have a long way to get there.

Busy summer days for me and my children and to be honest...I enjoy reading more than I do posting. School is right around the corner...maybe I can catch up then.

P.S. Joan...I keep trying to post on your blog but I keep getting that operation aborted thing. Very frustrating as I've been so excited by how your house is coming together. Maybe it will just go away soon...it has happened to me before and finally worked itself out. Just wanted you to know. :)

1969

2009-07-05T23:07:00.004-05:00

My Mom just emailed me this picture that an old friend sent her. I have never seen my mom with long hair...I think she was stunning. She still is. I love you Mom. :)

I want, I want, I want.

2009-07-01T12:13:00.004-05:00

photo via Design Sponge

This room belongs to Lindsay Bierman, editor at Cottage Living and now at Coastal Living Magazine. Those posters...I love them. He sourced them at allposters.com and they are $79.99 each. What to do, what to do, what to do?

To see more of his home go here: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/12/sneak-peek-night-owl.html

Painting today...

2009-05-25T18:47:00.003-05:00

My husband is grilling and the second we finish eating our Memorial Day dinner...the kitchen is getting a fresh coat of paint. We have been working on our kitchen for a year and a half... Other things like (KIDS) always seem to get in the way. The new appliances started rolling in several years ago...then the granite and most recently the cabinets got new paint and knobs. Still left to do is lighting and new pantry doors. The ceiling is a pale blue that I don't really like because it doesn't really show up...so that will probably change to a cream.

The old paint color is BM Woodlawn Blue and the new is Aqua Mist or something like that from Lowes. Not a big difference, but hopefully will look nice and fresh. I hope I have some pics to share soon.

In the meantime...I'm loving this from here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17429319 .

container gardens

2009-05-24T19:59:00.003-05:00

I'm looking for some planting inspiration...

country road greenhouse

army of mom
farm fresh living . com

ilonas garden

sublime garden design

fancyflowerbeds.com last 2 images

bakers village garden center (last 3 images)

stone canyon studios

birds

2009-05-23T19:46:00.000-05:00

via design sponge

Barstools done right

2009-05-14T11:58:00.003-05:00

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Freshening up

2009-05-05T19:02:00.003-05:00

I've had this picture for awhile and never tire of it. I feel some bedroom freshening ideas stirring around in my head. :)

via midwest living

Happy Friday

2009-05-01T13:10:00.001-05:00

imagine via Country Living

sweet perfection

2009-04-26T23:24:00.003-05:00

I can't even begin to describe how fast my heart beats when I see pictures like this. :)

credit to Coastal Living Magazine

Pups

2009-04-13T23:22:00.003-05:00

I find it funny that these pictures are from 2 different houses...aren't those labs and beagles in both pictures? I think I would smile everytime I walked into one of these rooms. I can only imagine my husband's thoughts on this idea (and that is because he thinks I make over our pets way too much...and of course I do!) :)

realtysouth.com

plastic egg cuteness

2009-04-08T20:05:00.003-05:00

This weekend I made one of these:

I totally copied it from some I've seen hanging on doors around town. Three bags of eggs from WalMart and a grapevine wreath from Michaels...total investment $8. Usually I have eggs and old wreaths laying around...this time I didn't. I simply hot glued them down and in about 30 minutes I had it hanging on the door.

The census lady came by yesterday and told me she "loved" it. That made me happy. :)

Then I was flipping through a new PBKids catalog this morning and saw this. Oh my. Big, fat, brown buffalo checks...my favorite. Reminds me of a chair in my previous post. Oh the places I could go with this yumminess.

This is the view out my window from where my computer sits...it's so beautiful this time of year.

I think most of the bluebirds in Alabama have taken up residence in my yard...I don't remember seeing so many before.

And here is a little (very old and crazed looking) vase I picked up for a dollar this weekend...sitting on one of a pair of dropleaf tables I bought several weeks ago at another yardsale. I'm having a hard time with these. The girl I bought them from said they had intended to paint and then use them in their beach house. Must be nice to have a beach house at the age of 23, 24, 25? Anyway...I asked her what color she would paint them and she said "perhaps a robins egg blue?" Oooooh. So that got me thinking. Don't know what I'm going to do yet...but I've got my thinking cap on. I saw a similar set on Ebay for $700...I paid $25 each. I'm not sure if these are worth anything, but it makes me nervous to think about painting them.

And that's it for today. My thoughts are done. :)

There's just something about a linen sofa...

2009-04-03T23:41:00.004-05:00

Ginger Barber

Ellen Kennen site

house to home

city chateau blog

gracious southernliving blogspot

neiman marcus

country living magazine

picture via stylecourt

g-3 interiors

Domino

This last picture inspired me to bring up my linen sofa from the basement where it had been taking a break from dirty kids. It has inspired a mini-make-over of my living room. Bringing this sofa in...bumped my old one to the den...where it joined it's twin. Now...I'm thinking more slipcovers...in linen, of course. Something like this...

I checked them out in person today at Pottery Barn...just the 2 slipcovers are $1900...I already have the sofas. DH will be MOST PLEASED, I tell you...not! I could have them made...but the fabric alone for each sofa runs about $450 and the labor is another $300. Maybe I'll have a big ole fat yardsale? Yeah...that's the ticket.

Happy weekend to those who read. :)

Spring 09

2009-04-02T09:32:00.007-05:00

Last week I went to a church sale and on my way home drove through a favorite neighborhood. Today, I'm going to pretend this is my house... :)

Another pretty one...

and this one has had a total make-over...the front is wowsa! (sorry, no pics of that) I snapped this because I liked the colors they used.

At my "real" house...we've been working on a little kitchen freshening-up. My husband has scraped the popcorn off the ceiling and painted it 1/4 strength, BM Woodlawn Blue. I think we are going to try something else...it's just not that exciting. You can see where it meets the full strength Woodlawn Blue on the walls. Not sure what we're going to do with the wall color...continue with it or do another shade of white. We've had this up several years and I'm very happy with it...but DH might be looking for a change.

The cabinets got a fresh coat of BM White Dove and now we are working on knobs. My original plan was to stain some wooden knobs a dark color, but I prefer the top lighter one...my husband's idea (because it is closer to the floor color).

I bought these cute framed recipes at the above mentioned church sale...4 for $1 each.

Can't decide whether or not I'm going to keep the plates up...

I bought these kalanchoe plants last week for $1.50 each at Brunos...my daughter added the artwork on my favorite $3 chalkboard from a FreeWill Baptist Church sale. The plant stand was $5 from an estate sale years and years ago. Funny how I can remember what I paid for things and where they came from. Most days I can't remember my own name. ;)

Thrift store I'm not sure what...need to paint the frame. I think it is in french and almost looks like a contents page for recipes.

Emma Bridgewater tins...25 cents each...thrift store.

I'm not exactly sure what the end result will be...but playing with all the elements I like helps me figure it all out. I have never been able to see the end result...it all depends on what I come across that inspires me.

The dogwoods are in full bloom around here...the view out my front door is gorgeous. Thank you sweet neighbors!

Birmingham Real Estate

2009-03-19T23:28:00.002-05:00

New listing on the market in Birmingham for $310,000. :)

In the bedroom

2009-03-10T18:03:00.002-05:00

I was looking through some local real estate and thought this shuttered headboard was so pretty. I think the rug is the same one I have in my basement playroom. Never thought about using it in a bedroom...

Re-thinking Southern Living Magazine

2009-03-10T11:56:00.002-05:00

I may have to re-think letting my Southern Living subscription expire. Eleanor Griffin, who used to be Editor in Chief at Cottage Living...is now EIC at Southern Living. With pictures like this...I'm starting to get a little bit excited about what the possibilities might be.

oh my

2009-03-08T12:17:00.002-05:00

(first seen on Desire to Inspire...source unknown)

My House

2009-03-04T12:03:00.004-06:00

I was playing around with my camera this morning and took a few shots inside my house. I'm working on painting a cabinet I have (color is a mix of BM Kingsport Grey, LA Taupe and BM Antique White) and love the way it looks with these blue pieces I picked up at the the thrift store a couple of weeks ago. The paint was all leftovers I found in my garage...I'm liking this mix-my-own color thing.

My Mom gave me the plate and the starfish came from the thrift store.

One of my favorite yard sale pictures.

My kitchen.

Junior League Giant Yard Sale pillow...something like $2.

Yard sale painting of Birmingham Botanical Gardens (where I was married)

Yard sale cowhide...

Salvation Army painting...$1.99

Curtains and rod...free from my sweet friend Jesse...previous owners left behind in his new condo and he didn't want them.

Go to your room!

2009-02-22T22:32:00.002-06:00

All these pictures came from a Flickr group with lots of kid rooms. Only about half my pictures would load. So many more cute ones here .

Beach Houses

2009-02-09T19:47:00.007-06:00

I am crazy-in-love with this beach house.

I'm just going to pretend this is mine

and then maybe

Donna will let me be. ;)

From here on down are pictures from different houses.

I recognize this room from Southern Living or Coastal Living Magazine.

{all pictures from Rosemary Beach site}

Hello...

2009-02-08T12:10:00.003-06:00

I am not so good at this blogging thing. I apologize. I would much rather read about what others are doing. As soon as I get a bit behind...I really let things slide. Thanks for all your sweet comments...I will respond soon. But for now...I am enjoying our beautiful winter day with no pressures of doing anything I don't have to do.

I found this picture on-line and can only wish we might have these views.

Blue & Grey...who knew?

2009-01-22T17:09:00.003-06:00

Country Homes & Interiors, February 2008

click to open fully :)

really good REAL ESTATE #2

2009-01-22T10:11:00.006-06:00

I would SO live here for the curb appeal...

this lovely pool...

and this crazy-charming fireplace area!!

It's a shame I don't have $995,000 for the purchase price and another $12,243 in yearly taxes. To see the inside, go here.

Edited: My link won't work (go figure)...so here is the link... http://www.realtysouth.com/Listing/ListingDetail.aspx?Search=6dff42a0-bb7d-4ffb-a83e-c3ec312196e8&Listing=36801064&IRPAgentID=9424738&Image=1&First=11&Last=20&pagesize=10&SearchType=&ListingDistrictTypeID=&FirstLetter=&Sort=&Cookies=&UseColorBar=false

curtains

2009-01-21T23:04:00.003-06:00

I have saved all my Cottage Living Magazines.

I even buy 2nd copies from the Thrift Store so I can cut out pictures I like.

Recently I was re-arranging my stash (of magazines)...

they have moved from the den cabinets

down to the old china cabinet in our playroom.

I rather like it.

They look much more organized and I can see them through the glass.

(but more on that later)

I came across this issue and fell in love all over again with this house.

It's from November 06.

This room is just.so.pretty.

...the curtains I thought were just.so.pretty.

Sorry for the bad picture quality...

My den kind of has a ceiling like this. Kind of.

Same wall color too.

And then I was in Pottery Barn recently and saw a bed set up with this pattern. Oooooh. So pretty in person...much prettier than it shows here. The colors are so crisp and the fabric is almost a cotton duck. I couldn't place my finger on it...but it was so familiar to me. Then I found that magazine and it all made sense. I must have those curtains for my den. My den which currently has nothing over the one window and french doors.

I must have those curtains.

I must, I must, I must.

I'll update if it ever happens. :)

love, the unreliable blogger :)

Busy making cookies

2009-01-15T00:53:00.002-06:00

My youngest is about to turn 6. I can't believe it...the years have flown by and I'm a little bit sad to not have a preschooler anymore. We are having a simple birthday party at home and I've been trying to figure out a cute cookie to send home with the kids. These are just my sample mess-around-with models...I don't think I've ever iced cookies like this before. It's fun, I just wish I had more than green food coloring. And more talent.

Be back after I get through this weekend.

real estate I LIKE

2009-01-11T22:10:00.003-06:00

I have tried and tried to post this house.

My pictures keep getting cut off.

So.

I made them smaller and I guess you just need to click on them to open fully.

This TOTALLY annoys me.

Has really slowed me down...all I can think about is what's not working.

Done ranting for now. :)

This is the cutest house.

For half a million, it could be yours.

They say it has a copper roof.

The door color is perfect for our sweltering climate most of the year.

The windowboxes...nice.

Oh...and that curving walkway.

Love how they hung the art around the tv.

sigh.

The guesthouse.

Looks like creeping fig on the wall...I could live back here very happily.

Perfection...sweet perfection.

Real Estate I really like

2009-01-11T21:46:00.002-06:00

I'm going to try this again.

Hopefully the pictures will show in full.

This kitchen, I love.

Those glass cabinets...perfection.

Everything about it reads, warm and cozy...and happy.

And fresh.

And light.

And...oh I could go on all day about this.

But, I won't.

I'll stop and see if this picture worked for me.

And if it does...I'll post the rest of the house later.

winter flowers

2009-01-10T00:27:00.003-06:00

This is my mailbox garden last year.

I ran out of time and steam this year

and only planted 2 out of 4 of my window boxes.

Not much to look at for now...

but that's ok.

Come spring, I can't wait to see

how well my lilacs do.

I replanted them

in the mailbox garden this summer.

So, for now...

I'll just enjoy my pictures from last year.

paint COLOR

2009-01-09T21:26:00.003-06:00

a warm BLUE GRAY

Benjamin Moore

Riviera Azure #822

Photo: Max Kim-Bee and Domino Magazine

Painting Furniture

2009-01-09T20:25:00.004-06:00

After painting a piece of furniture

with semi-gloss latex paint,

follow it with a clear, protective coat

of Benjamin Moore

Studio Finishes

Latex Glaze #405.

Thanks for the information Domino Magazine!

**Edited to add...here we go with the picture problem again!

REAL LIFE is just more interesting than perfection

2009-01-08T23:49:00.005-06:00

I didn't realize Pottery Barn

had a Video Library on their site.

I've only viewed the

Where I Live

for some fun House Tours.

http://www.potterybarn.com/stylehouse/video_library_2/index.cfm

I loved Amanda & Jeff Marcus's house...

and liked her thoughts on eclectic.

Also enjoyed Deborah Needleman from Domino Magazine

and her home. Her words...

I think real life is just more interesting than perfection.

This is my real life.

Two new pillows with the tags still on,

squished up to one of my favorite yard sale pillows.

The back has some tears

where the previous owner's brittany spaniel

took a taste drive on it.

I'm sure she had a small fortune invested in this pillow...

I would have died

if MY dog or MY kids

had done that to a pillow I had custom made.

I guess I give myself permission

to really use stuff when I know I didn't invest alot of money in it...

because seriously...in my house...you are taking a big chance with 3 kids and a big black dog.

I have no idea what that brown thing is sticking out behind the pillow either. A leaf maybe?

galvanized buckets

2009-01-02T01:02:00.002-06:00

I am loving galvanized buckets lately.

So many ways to use them.

(Country Living)

(Kerry Michaels)

(Chocolate Star Bakery)

(Kerry Michaels)

What I really want to do,

is ditch all my outside pots

and use some buckets by my

front door.

And my back door.

And maybe some scattered around my yard.

Here and there.

Then I'd like to use rub-on letters

to say something like...

"Welcome"

or my house numbers

or "Grow"

or "Hydrangea"

or "Winter"

or "Hello"

or whatever.

Maybe something witty.

I like the way this looks.

(Ocean Interiors)

More testing...so sorry!

2008-12-28T21:07:00.001-06:00

OK...I give up.

Some will work.

Some won't.

Moving on.

Williams Sonoma Pillows...nice.

side yard

2008-12-28T20:53:00.002-06:00

Still trying to fix my problems... :)

Problems with format

2008-12-28T16:38:00.001-06:00

I'm having problems with my pictures being cut off. I've loaded these off the web and the right side is cut off. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Merci.

A quiet day

2008-12-26T13:38:00.002-06:00

My hopes for a little after-Christmas shopping are gone.

My littlest one is sick.

He woke up with a stomach bug...I hope it is short lived.

He is so cute, I hate to see him down for long.

Soooo.

I think,

quite possibly,

I could sit and stare

at this kitchen all day.

(photo: Home Beautiful Magazine and Brown Button: Close to Home blog)

Paperwhite Envy

2008-12-25T22:33:00.002-06:00

photo: walter chandoha

Most every year...

I plant paperwhites.

This year,

I blew them off.

Said I didn't have

the time or money.

I had other priorities.

But seeing these pictures..

gives me regret.

Because I love this part...

the just getting started.

Oh. So. Pretty.

photo: robbie caponetto

photo: robbie caponetto

reified.typepad

These are amazing.

This reminds me

of the

2nd Bridget Jones movie...

where she runs down the street

in her underwear while it is snowing.

(Stephanie Rogers.typepad)

I think

I'll check out

the paperwhites

at Smith & Hawken tomorrow.

They are usually 1/2 price

the day after Christmas.

But you have to get there early.

Maybe,

I will have

paperwhites

after all.

Mental note to self...

2008-12-23T01:18:00.004-06:00

(Country Homes & Interiors Nov 08)

Mental note to self:

Clean up coat rack area to resemble this.

Remove

15 pieces of outerwear,

3 backpacks,

2 dogleashes,

baseball caps,

pile of books

and

pile-o-shoes.

Add in

cool chair,

accessories.

fresh flowers

Wal-la. Done.

Lucky me.

2008-12-21T21:23:00.007-06:00

I love to yard sale and I love thrift stores.

LOVE THEM!

I love finding something really cool.

I found these Portieux Vallerysthal blue opaline goblets recently. They were tucked way back on a shelf close to the floor. The tag indicated they had been there over a month.

A set of 18.

I went home and thought about them.

I did some research.

I watched a set of 8 sell on Ebay for $350.

I went back the next day with my fingers crossed.

They were waiting for me.

The sweet little old lady wrapped them up and put them in a box for me.

I handed her $18 and brought them home.

Not sure where I would use them...

I decided they looked perfect with my transferware.

I love the idea of using them on a tray like this.

I bet my friend Linda (aka Tropical Home)

could suggest a good drink to serve in them.

Photo: Peter Christiansen Valli

Shrimp on Grit Toast

2008-12-21T20:49:00.004-06:00

This year for Thanksgiving

my sister-in-law

Amanda

made

Shrimp on Grits Toast.

Oh my.

So good.

Here she is...

"shaking things up".

She likes to put

her own spin on things.

Amanda...

you can spin these to me

any day of the week!

Check out the Paula Deen recipe here:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/cheesy-shrimp-on-grits-toast-recipe/index.html

Oooooooooh. My.

2008-12-21T12:42:00.002-06:00

I have not been able to load pictures for several days...

operator error I'm sure!

(Photo: Architectural Digest)

This is Diane Keaton's kitchen...sigh.

Gorgeous.

I can only dream.

WoW

Running on busy...

2008-12-18T11:04:00.000-06:00

Country Living Magazine

Please...let me go to sleep and wake up tomorrow with this bedroom!

2008-12-17T09:10:00.002-06:00

I love this bedroom.

Love, love, LOVE this bedroom.

I've already got the bedskirt,

the bedding

and the headboard without the black trim.

I think I'm 1/2 way there.

I wonder what color those walls are?

Hmmmmm.

Just what I need...more paint colors to think about.

After the holidays settle down...I'm going to focus on making this mine. :)

a lamp idea...

2008-12-16T22:51:00.000-06:00

I've been watching the piece on the right.

At Pier 1.

It's on sale...$25 from $50.

It's big like these...

and this is what I'd like to do with them.

My store has 2 left.

It doesn't really "read" like the typical blue & white to me...

maybe it's more creamy

or maybe there just isn't as much blue.

Anyway :)

I like them.

Alot.

I'd like to have a table skirt made

out of some brown and white Lauri Smith fabric I have.

To cover an old cafe table I bought

at a yard sale recently for $5.

I think the blue pot on top would look perfect.

I've got them on hold until tomorrow.

hello blog world...

2008-12-07T23:16:00.001-06:00

A Ginger Barber Design

My F I R S T post.

Welcome Me!