A Versatile Guest Room

By using neutral colors on the walls and furniture, I can have a totally different color scheme for my new guest room any time I feel like it!

 This was the first look I went with. It will probably be the look I use most
 because I love these two quilts so much.

But with the holidays around the corner, I thought it might be fun to dress the be
to reflect those holidays!

 I have a house-full coming for Thanksgiving, and the bed is ready for next week with a green matelasse cover and 1930s Double Wedding Ring quilt.

 I added some "Thanksgiving" pillows and pretty white Battenburg lace sheets.

This will be the look for Christmas.

Or this one.

I think I like this look best!

Furniture Projects: A Couple of Cute End Tables

I loved both of these projects!

Really cute nesting tables,

done in a gray wash.

This one is navy and white,

such a classic color combination!

Decorating a Rental

My daughter is now living in Ashland, Oregon, pursuing her graduate degree. She has a cozy, 1 bedroom apartment which she has decorated all on her own, and done a beautiful job!


She has a real knack for putting things together and making even
very different items work well together.

Case in point: she got this couch free on Craigslist, and we all thought it was hideous. But when she put it together with the art and other items, it somehow works.

 
It works with the $3 yard sale rocker she had me cover
in yellow checks a couple years ago,
 

 

and the tall screen she found somewhere.

It works with the mid-century dresser we found at an estate sale,


as well as with her great-aunt's bookcase.

She also likes to surround herself with things she loves:


lots and lots of books;

 
 anything Shakespeare,

especially Henry V;

and reminders of her travels,

especially anything British!

One great tip: the large photo in the center was one she took on a trip to Scotland. She just had it blown up and framed for a very special piece of art.

Next time I'll show you the kitchen and bedroom!

Furniture Project: Beautiful Vintage Round End Table

This cute little table was given to me because its owner didn't want it any more.

It had a beautiful shape and storage is always a plus!

Grey paint and white for the top and to highlight the details.

This was the original look; it had seen better days.

A beautiful robin's egg blue for the inside.

New fleur-de-lis knobs from Hobby Lobby.

Love it!

Fall Decorating From September to November

When I am decorating for Fall in September, I don't like to overdo it. The weather is still warm here and it seems a long time 'till Thanksgiving, so I just do a little, a base, if you will, for what will come later.

(See Early Fall Mantel)

The mantel was pretty well set, I just added a banner.

"Bountiful"

That is how I think about God's provision for us: more than we need or can even imagine!

I also added a blue bowl full of small pumpkins, dried artichokes and pomegranates.

( Really, it's full of newspaper, topped with moss and then filled with the "pretties"!)

Behind is a grain scoop and dried corn.

Here you can see the room in full, with candles and berries added to the coffee table.

Moving into the dining room, I punched up the centerpiece.

I left the burlap table runner, but added the tall pear candlesticks.

I used an old toolbox I picked up this summer, and filled it with the usual suspects: small pumpkins, dried artichokes, dried pomegranates, acorns and berries.

It looks beautiful!

And don't forget the little details:

Rustic touches: candle holder made from wooden sap holder, berries and

 linen embroidered with "Count your blessings".

Stories about our Pilgrim founders.

 Speaking of Pilgrims: these little silver ones came from Plymouth Plantation.

This angel's sign says to "Give Thanks".

And, of course, lots of pillows

 that remind us to give thanks in all things

 with a grateful heart!

Happy Thanksgiving!

And always, lots of pillows!

Furniture Project: Turquoise Dresser

Everyone LOVES the color on this dresser!

I mixed 3 or 4 different blues and greens to get just the right shade!

I actually bought a turquoise paint that I thought would be the right color,

but it was just too bright once I got it on the dresser.

So I began mixing paints I had until I hit on what I had in mind.

Perfect!