Finishing up the Plate Rack wall and Entry Table...

You recently saw my new plate rack with the blue dishes I put together "here".  I took the pussy willows that I used for my Easter Egg Tree and popped them in the new big blue vase.  I was able to bring in some height to the design which I knew it needed.

 I took a woven tray and an oval platter from the kitchen area and mounted them on the wall next to the plate rack.  I was tickled to be able to use something I already owned.

 I also added to metal bowls to the top of the plate rack- they are also from Wendell August.

 I am pleased I found a way to display them!

One was a gift and one I bought on a trip to

Pennsylvania! 

Maybe a little French Country now? 

 The entry table...

I had to have something to set where the pussy willows had been on this table, so this earthenware vase with the greens has come back into play.  

 

 Do you remember my little treasure box?  I stuck a few more trinkets in it.  Some keys, a tassel, and a bit of lace.

Here's a link to the original posting "here" 

I propped the box top open by using the ring for the keys in the back which help anchor it.

 Now I'd like to see the door painted a different color. 

I've shifted a bit away from the Tuscan coloring so I will study this a while to decide.  I need to switch up to a neutral floor rug color for the season too. 

Our Grandfather clock used to set there where the table is and it may be getting back moved here again.  We're tweaking the living room and haven't been able to make our minds up about it yet.

 Only thing is I'd hate to loose this display area,

I have too much fun with it!

Stay tuned!!

Please join me at
Ivy and Elephants for
What's It Wednesday

   

 

Multifunctional Closet Renovation

I have had this closet targeted for a while for some storage improvement needs.

This is a 3 ft. square closet that abuts the stairwell

going down to the basement level on the other

side of the left wall.  It was the coat closet for the

home but after we remodeled and added another closet 

it turned it into a storage closet which held the leaves

for the dining table, mop, broom, vacuum, cleaning

supplies and even candles!

 I forgot to take a picture before I emptied it all out, 

but you will have to believe me it was packed.

   

It had the wire shelves meant for clothing in it

but it didn't work that well and there wasn't enough
effective use of space.

 

So I stacked it all on the dining table because it's very close by, and the leaves for the table ended up in a bedroom closet of spare bedroom.

Holes had to be patched, then a primer paint went up and eventually the paint.  I had 3/4's of a gallon left over from my office we painted a year ago, so I chose that to use. (White Chocolate by Benjamin Moore.)

The next day the brackets went up.  We decided we better build it strong since we aren't sure how heavy the loads may be.  He found a center stud (well actually it's off centered) so he used that for the center rail.

Hooray!  I chose the two top shelves to be 12" deep and the three bottoms to be 16" deep.  They are prefinished and just had to be cut to length.  

 There is an attic access above and I believe the ladder will clear the shelves.  Let's hope because neither 

of us bothered to find out!

Let the loading begin! I'm putting candle holders, vases and cloches in here so I don't have to go to

the basement to retrieve them.

 Now remember it's a multi purpose closet!   

My green crates hold household cleaning products.  I put lightweight things that I could grab easily on the top shelf.  We had some leftover shelving material so I had him cut one to fit the floor so I could easily slide these plastic containers in and out.  Isn't that rag mop gorgeous!  We couldn't find anything better to hold my mop, broom etc., so we re-used what we had.

 The two vacuums get used a lot and they had to stay in here too so they are the last to go in!   Of course now I could change up and use the shelves for other items anytime I want.  I like that the shelves are adjustable and there is plenty of strength to hold whatever I can challenge it with!

 We spent just under $65 in materials.  We saved on paint because we had our on stock pile.

I will be joining BNOTP for

Metamorphosis Monday

and

Our Home Away from Home for

Tuesdays at our Home

 

My new office collage......

In the recent past we purchased a picture that was installed above the fireplace and I blogged about it "here". 

 It was there briefly and then we happened along a clearance area and found a portrait that we replaced it with as shown "here".

So now I had this brand new picture and no

place for it.  In the back of my head I thought

it might work in my office, but it's pretty large and

I wasn't positive it would fit.

  Yesterday I was in the mood and I stripped the top of all my 

stuff and went to work hanging the picture.

I was able to incorporate my other pictures into my new wall collage and I think it worked out very well. 

  You may remember my "Nod To Romance" post

where I first showed my Paris book and the little 

green frame.  As you can see I adopted those pieces

and added them to my vignette and just behind it 

are the two prints I posted about "here"

  I adjusted a few things, edited out a few etc.

Who knew when I bought the big picture on

the top right 5 years ago and the two small

prints a couple of months back that they'd end up

together in a collage! 

  I really did not expect to be making these changes 

in the office so soon, but I'm content with the

new look and I'm glad I gave it a try!

  

Prayers for Linda

Today I'm asking for your prayers for my friend Linda.

 "Life and Linda"

She's my blog fairy (designer) and a very 

close internet friend.

Linda and Granddaughter Marissa

 Our friendship began in 2009 when we both were doing posts on the HGTV/Rate My Space internet page. 

In 2010 she encouraged me to start blogging and it was at that time I believe she started too.

She's so savvy with computers and she's held my hand 

throughout these past 3 years with my blogging needs and 

is a real blessing to know!

 About 13 years ago, just after she married her love Paul, 

she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.

Linda and Paul 2010

She braved through surgery and chemo therapy and has been a healthy active person ever since. 

Unfortunately she's recently been diagnosed with cancer again and will be undergoing surgery tomorrow Thursday the 9th. 

There will be chemo therapy again and I 

know that is hard to go through. 

Linda (denim skirt) getting down at a Hoedown party showing some dance moves to her friends! 

Please join me with some extra prayers 

and encouragement and let's help Linda get down 

on this cancer once again!

 Here is a link to her blog page

Life and Linda

Together we can beat these things!

Going blue and a plate rack!

Good Monday morning!

I've been on the hunt for a plate rack and while doing some searching I found this on sale for 1/2 off.

 I haven't decided if I'm keeping it black but I am good with it for now. 

It's only 9" deep so it fits in my small area nicely.

I've been wanting to try some blue in the kitchen area so I removed my tuscan colored picture.  

These are some dishes I've had stashed called

Devon Cottage by Johnson Brothers

The aluminum platter is something

I've had around for a bit made by

Wendell August

I popped in a couple of glass candlesticks

for some sparkle.

I really like this pattern and the coloring. 

To my surprise my husband was

actually paying attention when I saw this

vase and showed interest in it.  

He went back in on his own and got it for me!   

  I think that's a first!

 I was going to put the blue vase in the nautical family room but I thought I'd try it in the kitchen dinette area first.  

I hunted around the house for something strong to set it on but this is too short.  

I'd really like a corner metal bakers rack or etagere unit, but I may need to wait a while for that.

 

  I had Dan mount the plate rack off center to leave room for something else on the left but I can move it to be centered too.  What to do, what to do!!
So for now I'm looking at how how to finish the wall space.

 Any sugestions???

I'm joining 
Our Home Away From Home
for
Tuesdays at Our Home 

Anniversary and New Finds

We recently celebrated our 

35th Wedding Anniversary

April 15, 1978

April 15, 2013

Our kids had a lovely cake made up for us

and had it delivered by a local bakery.

We wined and dined at a great restaurant 

The evening came with a pretty sunset.

Overall it was a quiet day we spent by ourselves, but we both felt content and we still can't figure out how 35 years has already gone by!

 

A week later we spot a for sale/lease sign at our Ethan Allen store.  I knew immediately that it meant they were leaving.  Drat!  It's not that I frequent their store, but  when I do I usually find something to fall in love with.

So being the nosy type I am- I suggested to hubby that we 

should stop in and find out what's going on. They have a store wide sale of 40% off plus their clearance section so we combed it 

over real good.

I spotted this picture and was immediately smitten.  I have never purchased a portrait like this before- I always end up with pictures that are of things, like flowers, architecture, nature, etc.

I thought since this was a bit romantic it might be nice for the bedroom, but when we got home with it Dan suggested we try it above the fireplace.  I "recently posted about a new picture" we just put up there, so this was a jaw dropper idea for me.

I've been fussing with it and working on a good 

look to go with it.  I'm not sure that I've got it right just yet but for now this is how it looks.

 

The new lidded marble piece was another sale

item I found.

The frame has great detail and it's nearly 3" thick 

on the sides.

Upon reading the back of the picture I discovered it's called the "Painter's Honeymoon".  

Since it was near our anniversary I suggested we claim it an anniversary gift to ourselves!

  I've taken a step in a different direction with this

picture- and that's a good thing!

 Speaking of new directions. I've ordered a new sofa and accent pillows.  I won't be in for a while but I'm excited!  I managed to sell my big red sofa on Craigslist so I'm happy about that.  

I'll put something together about it soon.

I'm joining 
A Stroll Thru Life 
for
Inspire Me Tuesday
and
Our Home Away From Home 
for
Tuesdays at our Home