Den Redocorated

My style has definitely changed since we purchased this home.

I was into deep dark colors but with a home barely at 1400 sq. feet; I have learned white, cream, and natural light can give the illusion of a much larger space.

I am not entirely sure why i never took a "before" picture of this room and saved it, this is all i could find.
this is the picture from our 2 yr. anniversary, unmatched plaid curtains drove me nuts!!!!

Welcome into the new space!!

These lamps are one of my favorite touches in the room. 

adds a bit of elegance, yet stays true to the colors and style.

This is the rug in the entry area of the den.  

(one of my favorite purchase, Allen and Roth from Lowe's)

Nice subdued tone with a hint of brown to pick up on the hardwood floors. 

There is a halfwall here that my sweet FIL helped us add some molding to. 

This is my painting underneath our massive sectional sofa. 

I really like how it ties all the colors in together. 

Our ceiling fan has been a HUGE addition to the room. 

Again, my sweet FIL put his stellar electrician skills to use and installed this for us!!

I am OBSESSED with these crewel fabric pillows.

 I have wanted crewel fabric for as long as I can remember and upon a recent trip to my local 

Calico Corner Fabrics i found this for $19.00 a yard. (i know right its usually like $56 a yard, much too  rich for my blood)

Anyway, called hubby once i located this and he agreed I could get enough to "complete" our den, and I am so pleased with how well this fabric ties the other elements together. 

These pictures are so special to me. 

One of my very good friends, Hayley took these for me when Little Bit was 9 weeks old.

I am so glad we captured all the adorable features of my little baby!!

This cabinet has a really funny story. Not only is it my favorite thing in my home, but for quite a while this cabinet called my parent's attic home. That is, until a garage sale in fall 08 when my mom wanted to donate it and i offered it to my friend Hayley,(yeah, same girl that took the pics). 

She gladly accepted it and he went to live in her attic.... For a few months, until i had a dream about the cabinet and how great it would look in my kitchen, and she graciously brought it to me. 

This little lonely cabinet, who was used to being cast-out to the various storage facility of others, finally he found a safe home with me!!

 

not a great angle here, but the watercolor above the other corner of the couch is a portrait of our precious beagle, Luke. 

The way the artist painted his eyes looking up reminds me so much of his expression when you catch him doing something he isn't supposed to.

And last but not least, the dresser converted to tv stand.

Hope each of you had a wonderful tuesday!!

Thanks for letting me share this remodel, more or less redecor with each of you!

New Obsession... Typography

After watching a recent Dear Genevieve episode I started looking at how she used Typography and incorporated the print into a wood relief coffee table for a family room/playroom.

now i am seeing this stuff EVERYWHERE. and loving it might i add....

Funky...

Still cool...

And Can remain sophisticated!!

Before and After First Edition

Before

missing a piece of wood...

After

This dresser is a Pottery Barn Teen piece. One of my neighbors had placed it on the curb due to a banged corner and a missing piece of wood.

Well honey lemme tell ya.. wood filler and some paint can cover a multitude of sins.

This is also a little sneak peek of our new decor in the den. I was so inspired by Layla's reading room, I just had to stripe something.

closeup of the finish

After a little elbow grease and some paint I think the faux finish and stripes really ties in the look of the den.


**stay tuned to see the look of the whole room. 

Preparing a Place

John 13:1-17 NIV

 ¹It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.^[a] 2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

¹¹For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
 ¹²When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. ¹³"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

I know this was alot of a verse to read but last sunday our sweet new pastor preached on these words. 

Jesus went to Judas {knowing he would betray him only a few short hours later} knelt before him and graciously cleaned his feet. 

When was the last time you went to someone and even though they betrayed you, you knelt before them and continued to willing serve. Knowing they would still deny you. 

Many people in blogland have spoken about losing friends and the hurt it brings. 

Trust me, it has happened over and over and when i think its done it happens again. 

People I thought the world of, loved despite their faults, they just blatantly ignored my knocks at their door, my calls, and emails.

The lord says continue to wash their feet, continue to love, even if like Peter, they deny you three times. 

Wash their feet, and love them anyway.

You see no matter what the circumstance the Lord is Preparing a Place.

Whether it be a place in your heart, or your home, he is preparing.

What comforting words, to remind me when I want to be quick to anger.

That is not for me to do. The lord will handle that on judgement day, but continue to love and serve, and think kind thoughts, and pray for whatever place he is preparing. 

May it be a child.....

a rekindled friendship...

a job..

a loved one....

He has prepared that place for you, but it is our job to walk as he did and serve others.

Hope these words bring some encouragement to your day. 

So many times i want to throw my hands in the air and say " I am threw being the nice guy!!" The the soft whispers of the lord say, not yet, I am not done working on you, and through you. 

He is Preparing a Place.

Master Bath Sneak Peek

The walls got a fresh coat of Notre Dame Grey by Valspar, and the counter tops got a fresh bead of caulking.

Now to find the righ faucet, shower head, and lighting.

This may take me a while. haha

Painting Reveal

Inspiration courtesy of Ballard Designs

My interpretation for our den.

The time has come.

Today.......

 it hit me.............

 like a ton of bricks.......

as my little 20 month old looked me in the eyes and said, 

"mommy, ouside with daddy?"

It made me realize how fleeting our days our and the moments I should be cherishing with her. 

I love this blog and the friends I have made here.

{usually when daddy goes to mow the yard I would turn on nick jr. and seize the opportunity to blog}

But it seems i need to shift my focus to my family.

We have been spending so much time working on the house and so little time frolicking with my baby, splashing in the pool, and dressing up our baby dolls that I feel I need a little break.

We will continue a few of our projects and prepare for school to start next week.

Hopefully as my focus is shifted to my little one, my husband, and my ever growing business I will be able to squeeze in some pictures of our progress on the house.

Hope you all have a wonderful week, hope to be back sooner rather than later. 

And I will be back with great stories, and fabulous pictures nonetheless.

Red-eye to London

Who's with me?? 

We leave at 10:30pm, so quickly throw your toothbrush in your bag, don't worry about clothes

we will purchase them once we arrive.

Don't forget your camera!!

we are headed to the new  123 Sustainable Fashion Shop.

 I found an article on this store here. @dailycandy.com

Here is an excerpt from their article, I was so drawn in i just knew i needed to leave tonight to find the best deals.

"We know what you’re thinking: ethical clothing is better left to your granola-crunching,                                    hemp-wearing, greener-than-thou friends. But a trip to 123 — the sustainable fashion concept store that opened on Saturday — might change your mind.

                   Formerly a buckle shop rumoured to be a cover for selling illegal guns, the grand three-          floor space has done a moral U-turn and now houses exceedingly hip miniskirts, leather shorts and boyfriend blazers, all refashioned from discarded clothing and fabrics." (www.dailycandy.com)

Doesn't this store just sound delightful?? Not to mention we will stop by Harrod's

and whatever pretties we find we will surely have them wrapped. 

after all, those of us that are mommies rarely get the opportunity to escape like this and enjoy the frivolous things in life.

See you at the airport!! 

Don't you wish we could really go??

Is it bad

If I am wanting an excuse so I can make a set of these beautiful program fans??

Maybe inspiration for a little someone's 2 years bday party??