Our "Entry"

As much as I love our open floor plan, sometimes I have entry envy.  Sometimes I really wish we had a distinct entry or mudroom.  I blame Pinterest.  :)  Regardless of who (or what) I peg as my scapegoat, I seriously have drooled over entries for a while, and shed a few hypothetical tears over the traditional entry we do not have.  I did not give up on my dream, however, and that dream recently came to fruition.  This is our new "entry". 

I LOVE it!  The pillar is so classic and yet so fun, and  I love how it looks with the architectural salvage piece.  I am obsessed with the gray urn as well.  I think it looks amazing.  (I have a thing for urns.)  I love that the pussy willows echo the gray color of the urn in such a simplistically beautiful way!  The canvas is from TJ Maxx, and it displays one of our wedding programs, so it is SO special to me.  It's one of my favorite pieces in our entire house.  And...I think the fleur de lis mirror just rounds out the space.  I LOVE it.  LOVE... all caps. This tiny little project pales in comparison to some of the other projects we have worked on over the last few years, but it reminded me that, as cliche as it is, when life hands you lemons, you have to make lemonade, or stop crying about it.  :)

When we first moved in, our house was nice... but very vanilla.  Over the past four years, I have been really strategic and methodical about the pieces I have brought into our house and the changes that have been made.   We changed flooring, paint colors, fixtures, and slowly but surely, our house is starting to feel like a cozy little farmhouse... minus the farm...and if you ask me... that's about as close to perfect as it gets.

Guest Bath Color Splash

Although I tend to gravitate toward metallic goodies and all things neutral, I have recently started to play with color.  It all started when we finished our basement, and I needed to pick out paint.  I decided to go with a taupe for our entertainment room, a pretty green for our bonus room, and a sunny yellow for our bathroom!   Since our basement is a less serious space, I wanted a fun color, and I wanted to play with a fun contrast as well.   I decided to keep the shower curtain and rug pretty monochromatic, but the shower curtain is ombre, so I love how the lighter shades brush up against the yellow walls, and as it gets darker, it flows against the white wainscoting.  There are pops of teal throughout the room, and I love it. LOVE... in all caps.  That's how much!   Those colors show up throughout the basement for a little color splash and continuity too.  

This weekend, I added this precious chippy stool.  I love how it adds visual interest to the space without competing, and I love how it looks with a vintage silver tray, a teal wire basket, and a white wire planter with pretty white blooms.  Be still my heart!  It's a match made in vintage Heaven!

This the centerpiece though.  It's my favorite piece of furniture...hands-down!  I love the colors and the texture of the doors!  This is what anchors the rest of the teal touches and grounds it.  I love how it even pulls in the dark stain from our floors.  I mean, really.  I don't think I will ever part with this piece.  Like, ever.  :)  One day, I plan on doing a full bathroom reveal, but for today, this is progress, and I am a very happy camper.  I keep reminding myself that beautiful rooms take time.  :) 

Dining Room Vignette

Well,  I have been a woman on a mission.  I have been shopping our house, moving everything from room to room, from place to place, and I've been spending a lot of time thrifting.  I suppose you could say I have been on a major decorating binge. Nevertheless, I love when rooms start to really take shape and feel the way I want them to feel.  Don't you? I want our house to feel classy, youthful, and a little whimsical, and I feel like I am finally getting to a happy place.  How cute is this little space?!  I've been messing with it non-stop for about a month, and I am in LOVE with how it looks right now with the shuttered mirror, the cute little bird planters and ferns, my pretty blue bowls, the little Victorian-esque bust, and my candlesticks.  I just purchased the toolbox (and the birds) from my sweet friend Susan from Must Love Junk.  Her shop is my weakness.  (Of course, I am sure you can see why.  She finds the BEST stuff!)   I love the French stenciling... and I love the translation too.  "Bookkeeper".  It could not be a better fit for me.  I definitely identify with a bookkeeper because I have quite the extensive home and school libraries... so that little connection makes me LOVE it even more.  Plus, this little vignette gives our Craigs List dining set from the 1970's a little more character and spunk.  You can see it peeking through in the mirror!  LOVE! LOVE!  LOVE!  I can't wait to see how the room continues to transform as I refine and tweak the design over time.  It's hard to imagine that it will be any better than this, but somehow I know that it will.  :) 

If an Apothecary Jar Married a Botanical Print...

I decided to browse eBay one evening a few weeks ago on a whim.  I rarely shop on eBay, but when I do, I lurk.  I only bid on inexpensive items that have one bid or no bids.  I wait until they are almost ready to close before I go in for the kill.  It's just what I do.  Anyway, I decided to browse botanical prints because I am still in the process of decorating our office walls.  Well, as I was scrolling along, I stumbled upon these precious little gems for next to nothing.  Seriously, if an apothecary jar married a botanical print, this is what their offspring would look like.  Just beautiful!  They are old antique apothecary jars... and they are just a little flawed.  I kind of love the imperfections though...the gaps between the lids and the bottles.  I think it adds just a little more character!  I love the botanicals, the gold details, the shape, and the tiny little compact size of the jars.  Be. Still.  My.  Heart. 

 

Because Why Not?

I bought this cute frame a few weeks ago, and I loved everything about it.  In fact, I snapped it up before there was even a price tag on it.  {I have cat-like reflexes when it comes to thrifting!}  Anyway, I loved the texture of the jute up against the pretty music notes.  The skeleton key was taped to the frame with Scotch tape, and I thought, "Hmmm...I kind of like that eclectic display.  Would it be tacky if I kept it like that?"  That same day, I made a run to Target for a storage tub.  Lo and behold, I found pretty silver tape in the Dollar Spot!  It was serendipity!  It was meant to be, and so I removed the clear tape and replaced it with this metallic strip.  Is it unconventional?  Yes!  Do I love it anyway?!  You betcha!  I have it displayed on my desk, and I am enjoying looking at it as I type this very post.  Sometimes I think it's important to try something  new and break a few design "rules".  Rules were meant to be broken anyway {says the ultimate rule follower}.  

 

Shabby Chic on the Cheap!

I just picked up a thirfted Shabby Chic chair yesterday, and I tucked it into a corner of our dinette.  I was completely enamored by the worn white paint,  the almost architectural styling, the neutral palette, the french burlap cushion, and the pretty taupe wicker too. I was a little worried about how it would fit with everything else... but I think it works there after all!  While I was shopping, I also found this vintage scoop and faux apples.  I thought it would make an adorable and simple display, and it did not disappoint once I transplanted everything!

Here's the scoop!  I love the patina and the contrast between the chair, the scoop, and apples!  I even love the chair's imperfections...like the slight bleeding of the white paint onto the wicker!  I think it just adds character and makes the chair look well-loved.

This is how the chair looks in the dinette.  After adding the chair, I felt that I needed to pull the blinds because it did look a little cluttered with our indoor furniture and outdoor furniture in plain sight.  This seemed to simplify things a bit... and I am kind of digging how it turned out.

 I also snagged this white tureen and the faux herbs yesterday.  If you ask me, it's a match made in Heaven!  :)  I love how this looks on our kitchen table.  I just added a little antique biscuit press for good measure.  Simple, classic, and beautiful.

Lavender LOVE!

I have been revamping our kitchen decor pretty much non-stop for three years, and it is slowly starting to fall into place.  I bought an old vintage cutting board a while ago, and I had it propped up against the backsplash with some pretty pieces in front.  It was so simple... and I liked it.  I just felt like I wanted something more.  During one of my Target trips, I found this cute corkboard in the shape of a cutting board, and I knew right away that it had to come live at my home.  I also bought the thumbtacks to embellish it, and I decided to create a cross as a subtle reminder of our faith.  I love the way it looks with the mixed metal finishes!  Ultimately, I went shopping in my own house, and I decided to move my milk jug measuring cups next to this measuring vase.  I think the lavender gives it a shabby chic feel... and it makes me want to spend more time in my kitchen.  Some updates are simple... but they can make a huge impact on a space!

 

I am trying to decide whether I like the lavender all by itself or if I like it with this beautiful hammered spoon.  Right now, the spoon is on display.  We'll see how long it stays like that.  I can be a very fickle creature when it comes to decorating, but usually that allows me to move things all over my house and do a lot of "redecorating" with things we already have.  That's half of the fun, right?

Dinette Updates!

It's amazing to think about how much our home has evolved since we moved in a few years ago.  Admittedly, I am still trying to find my style.  I really love the farmhouse look...but I also like a little European flair...a little rustic glam.  I want to maintain a quiet simplicity, but I am on a mission to add a little bit of drama a little bit at a time.  It's amazing how dramatically the feeling of our home changed when we started to switch out the builder grade lighting.  We hung this chandelier dramatically low... and now I am completely in love with this space.  It set the tone, so now I am in the refining stage of decorating, and enjoying every single moment of it.

 

I love the simplicity of this little wooden box with the white linens and zinc lids.  :) So presh.

I decided to display this little beauty next to a lovely vintage urn and greenery. I am loving it!

I am currently on a tarnished silver kick, and I have been picking up little pieces left and right.  I decided to layer a few different trays on our table, then I placed this bundle of white linens in the top dish with a pretty little burlap bow. 

 This is probably my favorite vignette. Like ever. I bought the pretty silver tray, the cow creamer, and the mini measuring cup at a local vintage shop.  I picked up the vase and the green sprigs at a hardware store, of all places! It was love at first sight. :)  The scalloped prep dishes are from World Market.  I LOVE to mix metals, and I love the way the white pieces look against the silver backdrop.

I just added this grain gorgeous red bin to the area above our little command center.  It is the perfect filler for that space because of the way the greenery expands and stretches out towards the walls.  It was a little more than I wanted to spend, but after trying several different pieces in that spot and rearranging things umpteen times, I knew it was worth the splurge to complete that area of our home.

 

This area houses electronics, notepads, pens, and other items that we like to stow away in a convenient area...yet out of sight.  I bought two books from the Dollar Tree and nabbed two cardboard storage containers that look like books.  I displayed the real and faux books in our little cubbies.  The bronze box in the square cubby on the left is actually a toothbrush holder...but I think it looks really fun in that spot... and the other cubby holds a container my hubby made in a pottery class many years ago.  The counter top displays one of my favorite antique pieces ever.  It's an old apothecary drawer that my husband and I bought a few years ago.  The two drawers contain mini cubbies that used to hold herbal remedies.  The top flips up for ample storage.  It even has an old document attached listing all of the medicines available and the prices.  It is such a sweet and beloved piece.  I just know we'll have it forever.  It is so perfect for that spot... and it has fab vintage charm.

This isn't a new picture... but I still LOVE the way this wreath looks with the red monogram, the black primitive sifter, and the pretty little pie pan.  I haven't changed this in a long time either!

We replaced our builder grade pendant lights this year too, and we decided to go with a more industrial look. We lurked...and lurked...and lurked... and then we pounced.  We were able to buy these fixtures from Restoration  Hardware for less than we would have spent at Lowes on other lights.  It was worth the wait.  They have the cutest black cord covers... and the "rust" finish looks beautiful with our bronze faucet.  I am a sucker for Edison bulbs too... they are so nostalgic!

 I am still playing around with what I want to do with this wall. Right now I am displaying a burlap sack I bought on Ebay for 99 cents.  :)  I used to blacksmith nails to hang it up, and it looks so cute.  I like the way it looks next to our pantry door.  I'm just not sure how long I will keep it there. I am walking a fine line right now as I try to figure out how much I want to lean in the rustic or glam directions.  :) Right now, I am thinking I want to add more glam, so this could change.  Just as soon as inspiration strikes.

Sometimes, the little things make all of the difference. This wire basket is one of my new favorite things because it is so simple, but curvy and lovely at the same time.  I hung it on our door handle, and it's currently displaying faux pears that look good enough to eat.  It has made our dinette look even cozier.  Sometimes, the smallest changes can really make an impact.   I am in LOVE.

Thanks for stopping by to see how things are progressing.  Our house is starting to feel more like home... every single day.  The more we fill it with things that we love, the more it starts to feel like an expression of us.  There's no place like home!

Something to Chirp About!

Although I am not completely against shopping for holiday decorations at department stores, and although I have snagged lots of cute goodies at Target over the past few years, I prefer picking up pretties at local vintage shops.  I am a tad addicted.  For real.  I think I need a twelve-step program. At any rate, I couldn't be happier about how my spring things look!  I had been eye-balling this wicker cloche for months... and months... and months.  I finally snapped it up last weekend because I loved how it looked with the mossy bird's nest.  Be still my heart.

Another thing that makes my heart go pitter-pat is silver.  I LOVE old tarnished silver.  I fell head over heels for this cute collection of trophy-esque urns.  Seriously.  I am smitten.

I also couldn't resist this cute little tray.  I love the curvy carved handles, the charming little birds, and the subtle green and tan tones of the grass and eggs.  Simplistic beauty.  I just love it!  :)

I stuck this little mint green chick next to framed music... and some twine.  :)  I think it's pretty precious.  It adds a little quirkiness and sweetness to my home office and makes me smile.

I also love how quirky and cute this little vintage flashcard is... and I love the contrast between the green flower frog. It has also found a temporary home in my office for this spring!

 This cute little bird and basket is prominently displayed in our kitchen.  I am kind of obsessed with wire baskets... and apparently birds at the moment.  :) 

I love that my spring decor can stay out for a while... and I won't have to take everything down immediately after Easter.  That makes me happy, happy, happy!  :)  It's the simple things... 

A Bookshelf Makeover

My old bookshelf was like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree of bookshelves.  It was functional, but it was jam-packed with books, and it didn't leave much room for pretties.  I am so thankful to have a much larger bookshelf in my office now.  I have plenty of cabinet space to stow folders and books out of sight.  I also have plenty of shelves for the remainder of books.  This leaves plenty of room for displaying fun pieces that make me smile while I work.  I've already tweaked this about umpteen times, BUT I love how it looks at the moment.  I just added an old auction paddle today, and it makes my heart skip a beat.  :)  It's the simple things in life.

 

Goodness Gracious!

Well, I took an unintentional blogging hiatus.  Life has just been CRAZY. Between teaching, presenting and grad school, there just haven't been that many hours left in the day.  I always TRY to keep my teaching blog running during the school year, so that's where I've been doing most of my blogging lately.  As you can see, in the meantime, I've had a pretty full plate.  Here's a mini-Instagram recap of some of the events that have transpired over the last three months.

Christmas came and went.  I was borderline depressed about putting all of the pretty decorations away.

I snuggled with my fur babies.  Isn't Loralei the cutest lapdog ever?

I've been TRYING to keep up with housework.  It's thrilling, of course.

I've been trying to find recipes for healthy meals, and I've made some keepers!

I've been working on my fitness.  Except for the past two crazy weeks.

I have graded mountains and mountains of papers....like a boss.

I have endured a really pretty and  bitter cold winter.

I presented for SDE at the Ohio Second and Third Grade Teacher's Conference.

I facilitated lots of lessons and projects with my kiddos.

I finished one class at UC.  Five more to go!

I have also created a few resources to enrich my little smarties.

I also Instagrammed a little bit as I started to piece our office together.  I love it!  I feel like I still need to add a few extra touches to really make it feel complete, but it makes my heart go pitter-pat!

I just took the time to take a few snapshots of how the room has been coming along, and I'm excited to share the work-in-progress. I wish I would have taken a before picture because this was QUITE the transformation.  I just LOVE it, and I actually enjoy working in my office now.  It is so cozy!

Well, I suppose "Goodness Gracious" turned out to be a great title after all.  That was a whirlwind of a recap!  I'll TRY to be more diligent from this point forward!  Stay warm. friends!