The Beauty of Wood

You all know how much I love a good painted furniture makeover, but sometimes it's easy to overlook the original beauty in a piece.

I have been dying to get my hands on a piece of furniture in which I can simply focus on bringing out the furniture's inner beauty.

Until then, here are some of my favorites out there from some talented ladies who scored some great pieces to work on!

Julie @ 551 East never ceases to amaze me!  One of my favorite makeovers she has done is this beautiful Ombre dresser! 

Then there's Mandi @ Vintage Revivals, who created this beautiful desk with just the simple use of stain! 




Last, but most certainly not least is this stunning Indian Inlay Stencil Table from Domestic Imperfection.  The work that Ashley put into this table really paid off.







Wood isn't so boring now, is it?

Summer Color Decor!

Since it's 100 degrees out and I have no motivation to go in out garage and start painting any of my projects, I thought I would share some inspiration photos...

I am in love with color!  I definitely adore the all white rooms, but color just really makes me happy!

If you have followed my blog for any length of time you would probably realize this pretty quickly from my orange & blue table, side table, hutch, and other paint color choices.

So here are some of my favorite Pinterest inspirations...

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I am absolutely in love with everything about this! Mustard yellow has always been a favorite of mine, and when you mix it with the blue and dark stain, it is just Heaven!!

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I have to admit, if I saw those curtains at the store I would run in the other direction!  That just shows you how much a truly know about decorating ;-) 

But the combination of fabrics and colors in this room just bring a smile to my face.  This is a room that i would love to come home to everyday.

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How could you ever be in a bad mood if this was your entrance!  It is just stunning!   I think I may be able to convince my husband that we have to paint our house in these colors..."a happy wife equals a happy life" right, and I would be forever happy to have that door!

Ta ta for now.  Soon I will be showing you some colorful projects of my own...

How to Find your Personal Style

Today I am going to share one of my biggest blogging and DIY struggles...

BEING UNIQUE.

I don't necessarily mean me personally, although that can often times come into play, but my projects. 

Before I was blogging I just went with my gut and painted things and decorated our home the way I liked and I didn't care what anyone else thought.  The down side to this is that sometimes, okay a lot of the time, I created some down right hideous things.  But you know what?  I loved them and that was all that mattered. 

I feel I have grown a lot in my tastes and talents from blogging and truly researching all the great ideas out there. 

However, I have realized that I often question my gut when it comes to making a color or design choice because it may not be the trend or my readers may hate it.

The thing is...someone will most likely always hate something I create, but hopefully there will be someone out there that will like it.  Either way, if I love it, that is all that matters.

I often find myself conflicted with what to create, especially now that I have started selling items.  I really start to second guess things when I compare myself to others and especially when something that I love sits for a while.  

For example, this hutch has sat for quite a while in my booth and makes me question my judgement...but it is a unique piece that will not work in every home.  I wish it went with all my decor because I would switch it out with my other Hutch in a second and that one would probably sell much more quickly. 

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There are some things that I have transformed, like our dining room table that I am sure gets very mixed reviews...

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But I have to tell you that this piece makes me so happy because I didn't listen to what logic was telling me, I just went with my gut. 

I have been trying to pin down my style this past year and I honestly cannot.  I love so many different things and I change my mind everyday from what my ideal home would look like.

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I mean, really, who wouldn't want an entryway like Mandi's?!  The modern and cool vibe is just amazing!

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Or what I would give to have Donna's stairs!  Everything in her home is so unique and amazing it makes me green with jealousy...yes I admit it 100%.



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But then again, I love the tranquility and little pops of color at The Nester's Place, it gets me every time!

See why it is so hard for me to make a decision about my decorating style? 

I have always been one to love drastic changes.  I might just pick a style and then sell all our furniture and start over...well maybe in my dreams ;-)

For now, I will enjoy all the different styles in creating and let each piece of furniture speak to me and try to find my own creative vision for our home.

Styles and trends will come and go...I am choosing to decorate one day and piece of furniture or accessory at a time and only pick what I truly love, no matter what anyone else may think.

Springtime Furniture Favorites!

I am dying for Spring to get here and have been gravitating towards some springtime looks when it comes to my favorite furniture finds right now.  Please click on the links below each picture to be taken to the source.

How cute is this pallet table!?  The colors make me so happy!

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These crate seats would be perfect in an outdoor patio for some extra seating.


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Last, but definitely not least...I love this mint dresser that Liz did!  It is such a fresh, perfect color!

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How about you all?  Are you ready for Spring yet?  Any colors or trends that you are loving for the upcoming season?



Picking Colors Made Easy

Have you all used My Colortopia yet?

If you haven't, you definitely have to try it out! 

I am so excited because I finally found a local store that carries ASCP!  I got myself some beautiful Olive Chalk Paint to paint my office desk. 

This entire room is going to get a complete makeover, which is desperately needed {if you remember this post}

This is where My Colortopia comes in...

You can upload an image of your choice and then it will assist you in picking a color palette from there, or you can use one of their images as I did.

There are so many options - it is fabulous!

Can't wait to show you my progress soon :)

Pinterest Love

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!  I just wanted to start off the week by showing some of my recent Pinterest favorites.  

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I absolutely LOVE these stools! 

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I just love the color combinations in this room...it makes me feel so happy!

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The colors in this room are to die for!  I love the overlapping colors on the wall and that light is fabulous! 

I Think I Can...I Think I Can...

So you always know that when I have been MIA for a few days that I am working on a big project.  Well, it is no exception this week!  I am exhausted and completely understand why this is called the Impossibilities Challenge!

I knew my horrible black table would take some work, but I am really starting to wonder what I have gotten myself into...

I have one chair complete and 5 in progress, taking up our entire garage. I love the results so far, but I am really praying it all turns out how I have envisioned because I really don't want to have to start this project over again!  I can handle painting, but I am not a fan of stripping - I'm talking about paint people, however I would probably go pole dance instead of stripping paint at this point ok not really...
P.S. If you want a funny stripping story you have to read this story at 551 East Furniture Design it is down right funny!

I am really stressing because my dear husband is not a fan of the chairs :-(
Then when I mentioned my plans for the table our conversation went something like this...

Me: "Really, you don't like the chairs!?  Just wait until you see the table, I think you will love it!" 

Brian: "What color are you painting the table?"

Me: "mentions secret color ;-)"

Brian:  "REALLY?????  HMMMM...."

Me: "I promise it will look great once the kitchen cabinets are painted!"

Brian: "Ok" and there wasn't even an eye roll here! 

I gotta love him!  He listens to me whine and complain about how much I have to do, while knowing I create my own chaos. 

So now my goal is to prove to that this table is going to look fabulous!  I am really going out of my comfort zone on this one and I am not sure if it is going to pay off.

My goal today is to completely finish the chairs and hopefully get started on the darn table.  I will show you the reveal soon! If you don't see a reveal on this post in the next week, you can just assume that it went horribly wrong and my husband was right.  We will just pretend it never happened and my family may be sitting on the floor to eat for the next 6 months.

Pinterest Inspired Bathroom

Finally my mini bathroom makeover is complete!  I swear it has been completely done except for the last thing for 2 weeks and it has been making me crazy! 

Due to the joys of renting I did not paint, but just might do that anyway in the near future because it would really change the feel of this room...anyway...this room came together from some of my favorite Pinterest inspirations. Click on the link below each photo to be taken to the original source :-)

Here is the before...it seriously hurts my eyes to look at these photos!

you gotta love the kid's medicine cup on the counter and all ;-)

 

 Now to the after...

Much better right? The dark counters and horrible wood still make me cringe, but working within the limitations I feel it has come a long way.

Now on to the details...

Anthropology Inspired Q-tip Flowers

Vases in Frames

These frames are my favorite part and they are so cheap and easy to make!

Baskets

free printable

Towel Hangers

I was doing really well up to this point and I had a goal in my head that I wanted to do everything in this bathroom by myself {yes I am working on my pride issues ;-)} unfortunately by this point I needed my patient husband's help.  I think he pretty much waits in the other room waiting for me to call his name.

Even though he won't admit it, I know he actually likes when he has to come rescue me...at least that is what I tell myself so that I don't feel so guilty dragging him in to all my projects!

I was so excited because I hung this shelf with 4 anchors and all and it was even perfectly centered - yes, I realize I am a little pathetic that hanging a shelf its a major accomplishment for me.  But, I am not kidding you something always goes wrong!  I can paint a hutch without a care in the world, but when it comes to being handy I have real issues! And it was no exception in this case :(

While admiring my skills I placed my jars on top of the shelf and low and behold it leaned like crazy!  It was super weak :(  Unfortunately there were no studs where this shelf was placed and just couldn't support the weight of these jars. 

My husband had to come to the rescue again and amazingly he had a super cute idea!  Don't worry I didn't tell him it was "super cute."  He had the idea to use eye bolts with strong metal anchors behind them and tie to the additional eye bolts connected to the shelf.  I had some twine left over from my frames with vases and figured this would be the perfect thing to use!  I absolutely love the character that it brings to the shelf!

I apologize for the poor lighting and pictures.  Do you know how hard it is to get a good photo using a crummy camera in a bathroom with only a tiny window and horrible lighting!? 

I will be linking up to these fabulous parties...

http://www.thriftydecorchick.com; http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/ ; http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com/ http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/ ; http://goodbyecityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.lilluna.com/ ; http://polkadotsonparade.blogspot.com/ ; http://sewmuchado.blogspot.com/ ; http://733blog.blogspot.com/ ; http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/; http://www.somewhatsimple.com/ ; http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.houseofhepworths.com/ ; http://rhinestonebeagle.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/ ; http://alliemakes.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.fingerprintsonthefridge.com/

; http://whipperberry.com/ ; http://www.missmustardseed.com/ ; http://www.mysimplehomelife.com/ ; http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ ; http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/ ; http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/ ; http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/; http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ ; http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/ ; http://morrowsunshine.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.bystephanielynn.com/ ; http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ ; http://www.flamingotoes.com/ ; http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/
; http://sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.laughloveandcraft.com/ ; http://www.thestuffofsuccess.com/ ; http://www.remodelaholic.com/ ; http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/; http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/ ; http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com; http://vanessascraftynest.blogspot.com ; http://kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.happyhourprojects.com/ ; http://www.homemakerinheels.com/ ; http://rocaandcompany.blogspot.com/; http://littlebighouseontheprairie1.blogspot.com/; http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/; http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com; http://todayscreativeblog.net/;http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/; http://www.thegunnysack.com; http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com; http://athomewithk.blogspot.com/; http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com; http://space46.blogspot.com; http://www.itsoverflowing.com/; http://5minutesjustforme.blogspot.com/ ; http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com ; http://www.herecomesthesun-kelly.blogspot.com; http://www.tipjunkie.com; http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/; http://junkintheirtrunk.blogspot.com; http://findingmywayintexas.blogspot.com/; http://howtonestforless.com; http://www.mom4realky.blogspot.com

Craving Some Tangerine

I have had zero inspiration for one of my projects for the past 4 or 5 months and it has been making me crazy.  I have felt like I am trying to force an idea, which never works.
Well, all of that has changed!  Thanks to my favorite addiction, Pinterest!! 


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I have always loved orange and already have small bits of it infused around the house and I love the orange with brown...so I think Tangerine is going to be the perfect choice for my next project.

What about you...do you love or hate the Tangerine?

Home Goals for 2012

The Nester is hosting her annual Home Goals party starting the 11th.  The good Lord knows I have a million goals for our home in 2012!  This is a super humbling post because our house needs some serious TLC.  I am not going to be too rough on myself though since we have only been in this house for about 6 months and I was working a full time job.  Now that I have more time at home, I am going to go to town on these projects! 

I am really happy to see how far our home has come in 2011 and the many projects I have completed.  Click here to check out my favorites from last year.

I have too many goals to list, so I am going to name my top 5...

1. Make over our girls bedroom.  It makes me nuts!  There is not enough storage space and the bed is just not working out.  I have been Pinning ideas like crazy for this one!!

2. Finish the bathroom makeover.  Hopefully I'll be revealing this next week!  Trust me, it is a far cry from this.

3. Finish our master bedroom.  I would love to have this room complete and a lot still needs to be done...paint 2 dressers, finish the bay window and start and finish the bathroom :-)

4.  Re-do the dining table.  This table makes me crazy every single day!  I just need to get decisive on a plan and do it!

5.  Completely transform our office!  It is another area of the house that drives me crazy...it is one hot mess!

If you didn't just divorce my blog after that last photo I hope you stick around to see what I have planned for 2012!  It can only go up from here right?!

CONTENTMENT ~ My Word for 2012

Can you believe it is really 2012!  I can't believe how fast this year flew by! 

I am not going to go down a big long list of resolutions for you...sure I plan to eat better, work out more, read my Bible more, be a better wife and mother (ok, so there is my list ;-)) but above all else this year I am going to work on my biggest struggle - being content!

Proverbs 19:23 ~ The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. 

2011 was an extremely trying year for us with some really big struggles and changes. I am so pleased to say that looking back, we have come such a long way and God has truly blessed our hard work and perseverance.  However so many times I catch myself only looking forward and seeing what a long journey we still have in front of us, instead of focusing on how far we have come.

It is amazing to me how each day of my life I catch myself wishing I had something else.  I know how good I have it and how God has truly blessed us, but yet I still continue to envy others.  I have always done this, but I feel that it is even worse now that I have started blogging because I continually compare my home, my writing and my life to others. 

So instead of making my list of resolutions to try to stick to, I am going to remind myself each and every day to be content and my journey towards my goals. 

There will always be someone smarter than me, prettier than me, a home nicer than mine, better behaved children then mine, better clothes than mine...okay I better stop before I get depressed ha ha! 

I look forward to this year of sharing my success's and failures with you all.  I hope each one of you has a truly blessed year!

Joining Layla's Word of the Year Party!

Christmas Favorites

Since Christmas is less than a week away I thought I would share my final Pinterest favorites of the season!

Drum roll please...........

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I am just drooling over everything in this bedroom!  I just want to crawl up in that bed with a cup of coffee and a good book!  I don't even have our bedroom decorated :-(

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I adore these little Elves!  Aren't they just the cutest things ever?!

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I love the simplicity and rustic nature of this birch wreath.  It is by far my favorite of the season!  Every detail is perfect to me, right down to the burlap ribbon.

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Last, but not least, this advent calender is perfection!!  You know how much I love me some branches ;-)

This has been such a fun Christmas season for me now that I am aware of the blog world...I can't believe what I have been missing.

If you want to check out some of my other favorite Christmas inspirations, or any other inspirations for that matter, follow me on Pinterest.