Sheer Goodness

For those of you that were following my dining room redo and gave me suggestions on the curtains/drapes, thank you! As always, your suggestions were wonderful. 

I shopped, and shopped, and shopped because I refused to sew these window treatments, and time was running out until my mother's birthday party.  My problem is that I usually get frustrated with what's out there and end up spending way more money on fabric then I should, (nice fabric can be really expensive and I don't live by a good discount store, so sewing items actually costs more....but you get what you want, so there's a trade off).

Not. Sewing. This. Time.

The first choice (in my head) for window treatments was to find a silk or faux silk in exactly the same color blue as athe walls. Obviously this wasn't going to happen. Then I moved to white silk and I couldn't find any that I thought was 

1. the right size
2. worth the money (in my opinion, cause sometimes I'm cheap like that)

I was on the hunt. You might have seen me looking at the sale end caps or strolling for hours down the curtain aisles. I actually ran into a store once without makeup. Oh the shame. Desperation. I checked out the fabric store, but MADE myself leave, (I bought a diet coke and a candy bar and sat in my car until my heart quit racing- you fabric lovers KNOW what I mean). Must. Not. Sew. Not. Enough. Time. Think. Thrifty. Of course, I also searched online. 

Finally, Score

Crisp, snow white, crinkled, sheer, fresh, economical, flowing sheers are in my opinion a good choice. 

The formal dining room looks into the sunroom. I like that the view is not obstructed.  

 

I decided to use white wooden rods. The rods did not come in the size I needed, so I had Mr. Pink Heaven cut them to size. Since he's busy farming, I used my cordless screwdirver and slapped them up all by myself, (patience to wait for help when decorating is not my strong suit), and then, to these sleek white glossy drapery rods, I added some sheer goodness.

without sheers

with (notice the poofs are still up)

You like?

Look for those blessings today. Hope you have many.

Ele

CSN Stores Rug Review

Honestly, I didn't mean to leave you in blog-space. I meant to post sooner, but it has been a busy and wonderful summer. Where have I been?

Yale Commencement in CT

Shady Hollow Flea Market, MN

Patina White,MN

Patina White Blog

Fort Abraham Lincoln,ND

On the Slant Indian Village, ND

Raging Rivers Water Park, ND

Detroit Lakes, MN

Boulder, CO

Cherry Creek Marina and Yacht Club, Denver CO

Mt. Rushmore, SD

Mt. Rushmore Cave, SD

tons of tennis

Taylor Swift Concert,ND State Fair

Thanks for all the great suggestions on the rug. I ended up going with a rug that I hadn't pictured for all of you. The main reason I went with this particular rug is that it is an indoor/outdoor rug and can be washed by hosing it down. With two dogs, (and will be getting another one in two weeks!), being able to easily clean the rug is a must. Another reason is that the rug is black and cream and can be easily used in the new sun room, (stay tuned).

I was THRILLED when I received the rug. It came wrapped in plastic, and safely packaged. The texture, feel, weaving- all perfect. I think it works well in the kitchen dining room and adds to the eclectic feel of my home. If you need a rug, I suggest you visit CSNRugs.com.

Update: I've chosen white textured sheers for the formal dining room. I'll have pics up soon!
I hope all of you have had a great summer.

Blessings,
Ele

Drapes and Spray Paint!

I knew what type of fabric I wanted to frame the window in the sitting room. I looked for drapes to purchase ready made off the shelf, or to order online/catalog. I wanted something with a little texture, and just the right color.

I couldn't find what I wanted, so it became necessary to special order the fabric. Really, I have a lot of patience, but when it comes to decorating, I don't. I WANT IT DONE NOW! A few weeks after ordering the fabric arrived and I was thrilled!

It was an easy peasey sewing project with straight seams all the way. I double folded the side and bottom seams to hide all the raw edges.

I let the hem puddle on the floor, (which is great because precise measuring is not needed).

Even though some may think this room is a little fussy looking, it is calm and relaxing to me. My pink girl and I hang out in here snuggled on the couch, with book in hand.

I bought rods that were stark white. The white was a little too drastic for this room, so out came the can of spray paint.

Heirloom White by American Accents is a great color. The paint doesn't dry as fast as I like, so I had to be patient. When using spray paint, spray thin coats of paint and repeat the layers.

While I had the spray paint out, I changed the color of the four rose pots. For those of you who are actually reading, you can see my next project through the window-the sunroom. It's not quite finished yet. Soon. I. Hope.

I LOVE this paint color. Look at how the color blends with with the white roses, but doesn't match exactly, (which I like).

 Come back on Saturday and I'll show you the new drapes in the kitchen dining room, (black and taupe with damask trim).

My pictures are actually enlarging, so CLICK away!

Blessings to all of you!

Ele

Baby Silverware

I have shown you treasures in my dining room that bring heart into my home, now I'd like to show you some more!

Baby silverware- 3 generations of forks and spoons that were lovingly used to feed strained squash, carrots, applesauce, peaches (the favorite) and green beans, (NOT a favorite!).


I am a saver, but I TRY not to keep items that are not used or displayed.

Display sweet baby silverware in a shadow box. This shadow box came with a photo mat on which I copied a vintage poem, "a child should always say what's true and speak when he is spoken to; and behave mannerly at table. At least when he is able". Hmmmm?


Craft Tip:
This shadow box is about an inch deep. I used a solid colored mat board, (available at your local framing department), for the back. I attached the silverware to the mat board by using the self stick velcro. Stick one side of the sticky velcro to the mat and the other side of the sticky velcro to the spoon/fork. Secure each utensil to the mat board by lining up the velcro. You could also glue pieces of ribbon to the mat board to secure the utensils.

My shadow box treasure hangs on my wall.

Blessings, Ele

Dining Room Update

Dining room makeover (almost) complete.

If you want to see what the formal dining room looked like before go here. I really did like the room before. I just felt a change was needed, and wanted it to coordinate with my sitting room here, (scroll down).

The items in my home are my treasures. My treasures are vintage, antique, almost new, and may only be beautiful to me, but they each have their own story.

When I redecorate, I incorporate my "treasures" into the design. Do you do this? Do you have things you LOVE and just have to make them part of the design, or do you start totally new? I can't start new. It's not me. Read on, and I'll share.

My seashells...

...fill the base of a very large glass vase. A reminder of wonderful vacations with Mr. Pink Heaven, and my children. Laughter, relaxation, love, and warmth are inside this vase.

The walls have been painted a soothing pale shade of blue and new white flowers top off the seashells. I reupholstered the chair backs in the same fabric as the sitting room couch. I actually haven't recovered the seat cushions yet. Because I like to mix and match, I am looking for a darker blue in the same hue as the walls. What to you think?

The antique chandelier (70 years old) from my husband's grandmother's living room. The stories of his childhood, hang from our dining room's ceiling.

A new mirrored dresser graces the corner, (yes, I said new), and a vintage picture gets a new coat of white paint.

On top of the dresser, I have displayed a Swedish Art Glass heart vase from someone I "heart", my favorite teapot, (picked out by my pink girl), and faux cuppies made by Shannon of Paint Mine Pink. Don't you love the reflection? Isn't the mirror with silver trim a great look against the blue?

More of my treasures include...

...vintage china plates from three grandmothers, a plate from the church where Mr. Pink Heaven and I were married (27 years ago), a few plates from friends, and a plate from the church I attended as a child, with my grandmother.

Remember the inspiration picture?

It received a fresh coat of white paint, (the original pic I took is a little washed out....geez!).

A new table runner with white embroidery brings in a little texture.

Vintage teacups.....

...that once belonged to two of my great aunts. They were Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded on the Midwestern prairie. I'm sure the teacups can tell many stories. Another treasure, a coffee pot painted by my husband's great aunt.

Three generations of vintage plates on my wall. A plate from my mother's first set of plates, a plate from my grandmother's dishes, and another from my great grandmother. Can you hear the families gathering around the table? Children laughing? Families praying? My great grandmother had 13 children. It's a miracle the bottom plate, which is hers, survived.

Now, I said my formal dining room was almost done. Besides the bottom chair cushions, I also need to sew drapes, curtains, and/or valances. I'm not sure what I want. Any suggestions? Take a look at the windows.

I really don't need to cover the windows, as I live out in the country. It doesn't matter to me if the cows look in, ha! The window on the left side of the room looks into the sun room. I'm sure there are many great ideas out there. Help me out!

Happy Mothers Day!

Blessings to all of you,

Ele

Spring Redecor

A little Spring

in my kitchen. A yellow potted plant from my son's girlfriend brings in the sunshine. Finally, I can see out my kitchen window, unlike a couple of weeks ago, here.

I took the plunge and started redecorating the formal dining room. Because of the dark raspberry, painting primer is the first step.

What is the final paint plan, you ask? I wasn't sure when I started painting.

Here's the scoop-

I want the dining room to coordinate with the sitting room below.

I do not "shop" for inspiration in a store.

I happen upon inspiration. I stumble into inspiration at flea markets, auctions, or (my favorite) gifts, (like the silver tea set in the picture above).

I'd like the dining room to coordinate with this picture that I found at an auction a few years ago.

I'd also like to bring in textures and shades of shells I found in the Caribbean.

Along with the shells and silver, I have added the soft blue from the sitting room. I also decided upon a taupe color. Which walls, what color? Fabric? Recovering chairs? Drapes? Any ideas ladies? Those decisions will come later. For now....

back to painting primer.

Blessings, Ele