My Blog List

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A Spot of One's Own


By now, you must have figured out that my home is my haven.
I'm a firm believer that every mother needs a spot within her home where
she can create, be peaceful,
and enjoy being alone with her thoughts
(if you're a mom, you know how few moments we have
for such pursuits!)







This is my spot ... a salvaged armoir, which I painted white
and converted into a computer nook.
It sits in my dining room, thus making a room which would see
relatively little use very useful!
On top are two antique finials, a print my brother brought me home from PARIS,
and my great grandmother's crystal.
The doily was hand made by my great aunt.





I love this topiary, and of course the rose mache mirror from - where else-
WINNERS. I heart Winners.
The lovely nesting baskets on the floor were a steel - $3.00 each!
Needless to say, I grabbed a car-full.

Here's another shot of the top of my armoir ... this time
complete with a parking ticket :)
Have a wonderful day!
Sarah



Monday, June 28, 2010




If you're like me, you have
a Rubbermaid Tote filled to the brim
with flowers, ribbons,
berry springs, and anything else you've
found on sale at Michael's
craft store.


The above wreath is a result of finding a few
Christmas baubles left out after
the holidays. I tossed in a few
antique looking roses and berry sprigs, and voila!
A wreath that looks good enough to eat!
The mini lamp to the right is a combination
of a Big Box Building supply lamp,
a small tin from Winners, a bit of fringe, and
a few icy-rose flowers.
So pretty!
This wreath is close to my heart!
There are many shells gathered from our
native shores, plus a few
picked up from stores :)
Why not dig into your own tote and create
something wonderful today?
Sarah

My Cozy Corner



This has got to be one of my
favorite places.
I love to curl up on the sofa with a good book,
and I make sure there are plenty within
arm's length.






My decorating inspiration is
Carolyn Westbrook.
I simply adore her book,
Carolyn Westbrook Home.
I feel like I could crawl right into it!
This hand painted screen is one of my all-time
favorite pieces!





I love little placig little details all over the place.
This rooster was one I made!
I love the little word art, too.
"It's nice to be important, but it's important
to be nice."
Home truly is where the heart is.
Sarah

Sunday, June 27, 2010

The Next Best Thing To Pink





There are few people who love pink
as much as I do.
In fact, I'd love to surround myself with nothing BUT pink ...
but the men in my life would have
quite a bit to say about THAT!
This little lady, in my opinion, is the next best thing.










She provided the jumping off point for
my second favorite color scheme:
Blue and gold. If it was
good enough for the Sun King, I suppose
it will do for me.















The kitchen was once a startlingly garish red.
It is now fresh with a French twist!



The island was made by my husband - it was
originally an antique table I
found at a yard sale. He did a great job!











I wish I could capture the feeling of this inviting little nook. It is so charming.














This table is filled with some lovely finds, mostly from
my favorite store, Winners!




The chairs are from my grandmother's camp, and are
well over one hundred years old.












I also love baskets. Their natural texture adds
so much to a space.




Thanks for the visit!
Sarah

Fine Vintage Dining

Today I thought I wold share with you one of my favorite vintage pieces: A china cabinet that I salvaged from the side of the road.



I wish I had thought to take a BEFORE photo - but it was too ugly to even consider doing so!
Suffice it to say, it was dark and dingy, with wooden appliques, brassy knobs, and, as my then seven year old said, looked straight out of a haunted house.
I primed and painted the cabinet, chipped off the appliques,
added simple pewter knobs, and painted the interior a stunning blue to match my dining room and compliment my inherited china collection, which ranges from Billingsly Rose to Delft.


The effect is so charming and the process so rewarding, I wonder why anyone would ever buy new!

Have a wonderful day
Sarah


































Friday, June 11, 2010

Flea Market Friday!


As promised, I'm back with a sampling of my latest day dream creation. And since it's Friday (and a beautiful one, at that,) I'm also honoring one of my favorite weekend pass-times ... flea marketing!
Recreating, reinventing, and repurposing seemingly useless and unattractive objects brings me so much joy. This bucket, for instance, was originally galvanized steel. Sure, it was useful, but not so pretty. I coughed up the lofty sum of two dollars, primed it, painted it the best color on earth (PINK!) and then decoupaged a cutout from an old calendar around the rim. I then painted the words "Roses ... five cents" beneath the new trim. I use it for holding magazines, but it could have ao many other uses. Everyone who sees it comments on it. Never has two dollars bought so much pleasure! Try it yourself!
Have a happy day, and do something that makes you smile.
Sarah

Wednesday, June 9, 2010




In Praise of Daydreams



The other day, my husband gave me an affectionate poke and said, "Wake up!" Startled, I looked up at him, realizing that to the untrained observer, I likely did look like I was asleep - albeit with my eyes open. I was, after all, propped against a bank of puffy pillows, staring into space, and uttering the occasional sigh. What he didn't know was that I was participating in one of life's most underrated activities. I was daydreaming.


This blog, as with many things in my life, began as a daydream. Some of my best ideas have come to me when I was alone with my thoughts, mentally lending an ear to the quiet whispers that drift through my mind, as fleetingly as dandelion puffs.


You see, these precious little pieces of myself are just too unobtrusive to compete with the ruckus of everyday living. The only way I can hear them - and indeed, honor them - is to be still; to turn inward and let my thoughts light on the pinpoint of an idea. Only then does the idea begin to grow in dimension - inward and outward all at once - until I can turn it over in my hands like an expertly cut gem. More and more of its potential is revealed as each facet catches the light of my attention, and suddenly, a once unformed thought becomes something beautiful, useful, and uplifting.


For some people, it may take the form of music or art. For others, it may find its full measure in the garden, or even the boardroom. But for me, it is always the same. My daydreams bring me home.



I'm not talking about the messy-kitchened, dusty-cornered house that too often asserts itself around here, I'm talking about the home that lives in my heart; the one I'm creating through ingenuity and elbow grease; imagination and reclaimed treasures; white paint and a gentle eye. The home that I'm creating day by day. And did I mention that the children in this home are always kind and loving? (Yes, I'm a dreamer.)



Very soon, I'll share some pictures of things I've created while wandering with my daydreams. I hope you will enjoy them, and maybe even gain some inspiration for your own dreams.


Sarah