Kitchen Christmas

With Christmas almost here I added a little sparkle to my kitchen. Using a white utensil holder and the top half of a four foot tree, I created a tree for my island. 

I love the sparkle of "grinch green" and red.

I found the polka dotted bow at Michaels and grabbed it up. 

I wish I had purchased some extra of the ribbon and went back--but no more. Their shelves are practically bare!

I tried making some polka dot ornaments by putting green paint on some red ornaments I already had. Hanging them on the chandelier was an easy way to let them dry.

I'm loving the white in the kitchen this year!

Christmas memories

Every year when I get the decorations out it brings back a multitude of memories. Decorations. Years past. People. Family.

This year my mother is 89 years old. Many of her friends and family have passed. I guess it is on her mind tremendously because every time I go to see her she gives me things. She gave me two of her Lenox dishes this year. Many years ago was the angel and bell. 

The little white houses we got on trips to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. Precious Moments were another memory of times she belonged to the "club" and received yearly additions to her collection.

Snowmen I've received in gifts from students over the years. Kids that are in college now!

Memories. 

Swirly Curlies

I've been in a swirly kind of mood. The curls. The black. The powerful use of Hobby Lobby's 50% off sales.

I was probably motivated by this:     The House That Built Me

I think it made me re-think the way I decorated my walls. I already had this: 

I had moved this old one and Mr. Spouse painted it for me. You know the bright gold fixtures that were so in? It had been a Christmas gift from him and I just didn't want to part with it. I added the globes from Wal-Mart and I am pleased with it. It is now our foyer light. It actually looks lighter than it is. It is a very, very dark chocolate black. 

So two trips to Hobby Lobby:

50% off--$6.50

 40% off--$7.50

One is over the french doors. The other one is over the front door. 

It's a start!

Easy happenings

Sometimes it just happens. No planning. It's just meant to be.

I "won" these drapes for my bedroom through a blog contest. Ordered them from Target and love them!

They had enough pattern to be pretty and not busy. But I so needed new bedsets. I had looked and looked but nothing seemed to work with the pattern and colors. 

Then I happened to run across a clearance item at TJMaxx. I think it was clearance because someone had opened the package. It was the texture I wanted. I like the coverlet type. It is perfect for summer and winter. 

The pattern within the coverlet is very, very similar to the pattern in the drapes. The stripes add to the decor by adding some needed texture. And the price for the coverlet AND shams was $29. I like!

Versatile Gray

Versatile Gray. Looks gray. Looks beige. Looks taupe.

Versatile Gray is a SW color. Light and airy. Soothing!

I went with it in my open living area and foyer.

I like the way the dark drapes contrasts with the gray. (Sorry about the dog on the couch--he refused to get down). 

It also allowed me to use some gray chevron pillows. 

  The white wainscoting still provides enough contrasts to satisfy me.

And I also used it in the kitchen. I do want to add some tile to the backsplash but since the paint is an eggshell finish it is able to be washed.

I had used blue drapes that were solid but it just looked too washed out for me.

Before:

After:

I'm getting in the decorating for Christmas spirit! 

Autumn Inspirations

It's here! Summer is a distant memory. 

Just a hint of fall colors. And saying goodbye to my beautiful ferns. 

I've tried to keep them through the winter months but never have succeeded. They always lose their leaves and look pitiful. Thanks to Lowes they are easily replaced each spring.

Love the spice of warm fall dinners. If you have tasted this creole sausage and beans dish--it will definitely warm you--maybe a little too much. You can find the recipe shared by Cara here.

The touch of autumn creeps into the living areas. Time to curl up with a good book and relax.

Color change

Paint is the cheapest and easiest way to make changes. HGTV told me so! And I must believe because I tend to redo my walls much more often than needed. 

Before:  

I liked it. The issue was that the dining room is on the north facing side of the house. Also, it is next to the screened in porch. Which made darkness even more so! It just seemed dreary.

After:

The two colors are on the same SW strip. The before: Portabello. The after: Practical Beige.

But...I'm not sure. It seems washed out now. 

I really, really wanted a shade of gray but since the "open concept" living, dining, kitchen, foyer all would be affected I couldn't see having a gray next to the beige. And I'm too tired right now to attempt to paint all. those. spaces.

But, since HGTV says paint is the easiest way...well...maybe...someday...soon!