Be my Guest

When company comes it makes me happy to make my family and friends happy and comfy. I want to make my guest rooms a place of sanctuary and comfort. I mix in many elements of old from many of my thrift store sprees. I never like to scrimp on sheets and linens. I am a big believer in high thread counts for my sheets. I never used to give it any thought but when I discovered the difference it made to have higher thead counts I never looked back. Take the time to make your guest bedroom a place where guest can't wait to go to bed:) Spray your sheets with fresh lavender, the men will like this too although they may never admit it. Enjoy your family and friends this Christmas Season. Merry Christmas everyone:)

Two Birds with one Stone..My Entryway Tables

To accomplish two tasks with only one effort.
To use only one action to complete two tasks.
Unfortunately the picture I took showing both my tables on each side of my Dining room entrance is blurry:( I will take another and post it soon so you can see the whole amazing effect! I have a good size foyer and have been wanting to put a table of some sort on each side for quite awhile now. I have been very patient as I am not willing to spend a ridiculous amount of money to get the look I want. A few months ago while perusing through my favorite local Antique store I found a table in the old Railroad cart outside. Hmmm I thought, this has good bones, it's the right height, almost the right width but alas there is only one of them. What to do? Maybe I will cut the table in half horizontally? So I bought the table, told the store owner what I planned to do, he probably thinks I am a crazy lady haha! My friends husband cut it in half for me and also cut a little off the width of the table as it was a bit to wide for the space. He did an awesome job and it fit perfectly! My husband mounted it on the wall for me and I am a happy girl! I had plans to paint it but decide to go with the natural wood. I used clear wax on top and tung oil on the legs. It looks so great against the stenciled wall and gives me the balanced symmetry that I have been wanting for so long. Mission accomplished! Oh, I almost forgot to mention the old suitcases I have under each table, I stenciled them with an Italian stencil I had. Not sure what it says but I love the vintage style it adds.

Fall Decorating..Quick & Easy

Since Fall is such a quick season I usually only decorate a little here and there.  I pulled out my seasonal box of  Fall decorations but really ended up using only a few items. I usually do use most of the things in my box but this year I am a bit time challenged. Here are a few things that I ended up with that were quick, easy and cheap. I decoupaged  a small wood sign I had that I was tired of. I found a cute picture of a pumpkin in a magazine and used my handy dandy mog pog, glued it on and dry brushed some white paint and distressed some. I have it sitting on a pretty stand and really like the way it turned out. I love using Mercury anything so the cute owl and pumpkin went up on a table in my entryway. I bought the owl at Salvation Army a few years ago and sprayed it with looking glass spray paint. Looks like I could have bought it at Pottery Barn:) Stick a pumpkin in a lantern, I need to embellish this alot more! Chalkboards are great for every season. Here I attempted to draw a cute pumpkin. The chalkboard with the Pumpkin sign on it I made from a frame I bought at Habitat, actually I bought 3 of them for $1.50 each. I painted the insert, which was a cork material with black chalk board paint and then painted the frames with a Valispar paint, soft wool. I think my favorite is the chalkboard that I keep in my dining room. I bought this beautiful frame a few years ago at an a local antique shop, painted the frame and distressed, then AS dark wax. I took out the glass and added a chalk board that you can purchase at Home Depot, they will cut it to size for you. Add a pretty wreath and write something seasonal inside. My house feels very Fall and very cozy!s

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The Bar Tray

For all of you who love the Bar Cart but don't have one or don't have room for one, the solution is a Bar Tray. A pretty tray on a table with some bottles, a vase with a flower, some crystal glasses and Viola..Instant  Bar for a quick Cocktail or glass of wine for company. They will love how special it feels and so will you! If your not into alcohol you could make an Italian Soda Bar or Coffee Bar. I have a mix of items here and always love to use Pellegrino bottles. They are so pretty. Have fun!

Vintage Bakery Sign..on the cheap

Another store I really love is World Market. I like to go and walk around enjoying all the beautiful things I see here. If you go in the back where the food isle's are you can have a coffee too..for free:) I saw this bakery sign recently and was tempted to buy it until I decided that I can make it at home for no money at all. I had an old picture frame that I was going to get rid of. Instead I took the glass out and used some large vinyl letters that I had used for some other project. I used a round plate to get the curve for fresh and pies. For baked I had a smaller letter stencil that I traced with (yes) a black sharpie. I added some white highlights with a white paint market for added depth. That's it! It took maybe 20 mins from start to finish. Really easy project that was basically free, using stuff  I already had. Pretty cute:)

My Inspiration Room

Plumage by Martha Stewart

This is my guest room, I am giving it a makeover and decided to take a big color risk and go dark. This color is Plumage by Martha Stewart. Very dark but with a very warm feeling and looks beautiful when the light hits the wall. Ambient is what I think when I look at it. I have lots of light come in this room, it has a big window with white shutters which helps if your going to paint your room a dark color. Not a cave at all but very..very cozy. I am going to make an upholstered headboard in here with the help of my talented husband. I will post an inspiration picture to show how I want the finished room to look like. Missing some pieces like side tables and lamps, oval gold mirror. Guess it's time to go to GW:)