Fall Tour Complete, I Promise!

This will be the last post on Fall Decorating
as we move on from the living room, into the dining and family rooms!

 This is where I start to add a little color with pumpkins and gourds,

but I still keep a lot of white.

 

 More of my music sheet leaf garland works well with all my white dishes.

 

 I started with a banner as well, but decided it was too busy,

so it was moved into the family room.

 

 I love to use chalkboards, so I added one to the top

of the Welsh Dresser,

 

 and I always keep this one on the door.

 

 This year's basket of gourds, corn and pumpkins.

 The family room is already full of fall colors,

so not much needed in here!

 I like the banner much better over the window.

 Lots of pillows!

And some more random shots:

Happy Fall!

Joining a new party this week:

Repurposed: Fun Chalkboards from a Vintage Dresser Top

This was once the top of a dresser, circa 1980. You know, a big mirror in the center with frosted flowers decorating it, sconces on the two side pieces.

 The dresser got a nice white paint job and went on to a better place, but this sat in my garage for 2 years, totally in my way, because I just didn't know what to do with it.

I finally removed the sconces and had Husband cut it in three pieces. The mirror broke, but everything else stayed in good shape. He then added luan to the backs and I set to work:

a large chalkboard with shelf

turquoise chalkboard with cubby

navy chalkboard with cubby.

This is why I never throw anything away!

Repurposed: Old Phone Booth into Pantry Door

These are my old pantry doors, at the end of the counter on the right.

They're okay, they match the cupboards and blend in very nicely,
 but they're nothing to write home about.

So when Husband brought home three doors from an old phone booth,
I thought, why not try one of those to add some interest?

The width was perfect, like it was meant to be.
The height was a little short, so we added a board to the bottom and voila!

I chose a door that didn't have glass in it and we added some very thin plywood to make chalkboards

I painted it to match my "new" kitchen island, which I love!

A basket underneath holds trays.

After living with it a few weeks,

I decided to lighten it up with some dry-brushed white paint.
I like the lighter look!

Oregon Street Antique Mall Redo

Last week I expanded my booth at the Oregon Street Antique Mall. I was just too cramped, so when the girl next to me moved to a different location, I immediately snatched it up!

 This is the old side. The door makes a nice focal point, front and center.

New side. Those cute slipcovered chairs are still here.

There are some great new pieces, like this big clock and beautiful old pictures in gorgeous frames.

Here's that really big coffee table!

Cool antique lamp.

Small end table and new cabinet-door sign behind it.

Two benches/tables, one aqua, one grey.

Still lots of chalkboards and pictures and accessories!

Come visit us if you are in the neighborhood!

Redding, California

A Christmas Fair

A couple weeks ago I agreed to participate in a local Christmas Fair. It is fairly low-key, so I thought I could come up with a few things. Then I realized it was the same week I was taking care of 2 of my grandkids while their parents are in Portland, Oregon.

The fair is on Saturday, the kids are here Wednesday through Saturday night. This could be interesting. And possibly stressful, which I was trying to avoid.

I really only had 2 days to put some things together, because last week I was busy with Thanksgiving.

So, here's what I have come up with:

Christmas Stockings

 This burlap stocking was decorated with lace and snowflake buttons.

These two are made from drop cloth. The red stripe was painted and the crown was stamped.

Santas, Banners & Table Runners

Chalkboards

Pictures

DIY: Turning a Door into Something Beautiful and Functional

Everyone loves old doors and windows these days. But sometimes you come across a door that's not old, but it has good lines and it's solid. 

This one has been sitting in my garage over a year, bought from a neighbor's yard sale,
 but it finally has a purpose.

Not sure what to call it, but it has chalkboards and a shelf, so it would make

 a good message center or entry piece. 

I found an old door knocker that adds character and the saying is an

 Emily Dickenson quote, "Dwell in Possibilities", that I really like.

The color is a very pale aqua, though it is hard to tell in the photographs.

I'm really pleased with the outcome and am now looking for it's new home: 

kitchen, family room or entry?