Here a Tweak, There a Tweak ...

Many of you are familiar with the transformation of our fireplace/surround that took place a couple of years ago.  It went from this:

to THIS:

Well, a few days ago, I decided to add a couple of coats of Old White chalk paint to it for a subtle change:

I also lightly distressed it:

And then added a few swipes of Gold Leaf Rub 'n Buff to the center scrollie:

Annnnnnd, I decided to paint the slate surround a soft caramel:

Just a little fun tweaking!

While we're here, I have to give a little shout out to the cute PB pillow I added to the parsons chair:

Off in the background, you might notice that I tweaked another piece, as well:



This was once the bird piece that I painted AS Chateaux Grey:

I thought it was missing "something," so I taped a stencil I had to the center, painted it Old White and then added Gold Leaf Rub 'n Buff:

There, that's better:

Your turn to "tweak" something! 

Oh, and just lookie what I found today ... isn't it bee-you-teee-fulllll ?!  Fall is about to explode in blogland:

Thanks for stopping by,

Come play at:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday

Savvy Southern Style/WUW

Common Ground/Vintage Inspiration Friday



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Repurposing My Wine Labels ...

Just a little non-descript project I thought I'd share.  When I opened our wine cooler the other day, I found that two identical wine labels had fallen off of their bottles due to being in there for so long (admittedly, we're not *big* wine drinkers).  As I was about to throw them away, I glanced over at a plain glass hurricane that I have on the kitchen island ... that's when the lightbulb went off ....

I grabbed my glue stick and applied the matching wine labels to the front and back of the hurricane. 

Realizing I needed a couple more labels, I pulled out two more matching bottles of wine that still had their labels attached.  I soaked the bottles in hot water and the labels floated right off!  I then applied them to the hurricane while they were still wet ... they stuck right to the glass, without the need for the glue stick.

I also tucked mini bunches of colored faux grapes around the base of my battery operated candle.

Now, it helps to complete the wine theme vignette I created (which sits on top of an oversized placemat from Pottery Barn), consisting of a glass apothecary jar filled with wine corks (with faux grapes nestled beside it), along with the scattered wine corks on the other side.

This will probably be my last *summer-y* vignette, as it's time to start thinking about Fall decor!

*   *   *

Moral of the story ... if you have a wine theme anywhere in your home, why not save your wine labels and add a little pizazz to your plain glass hurricanes!  I'm going to try this on a lamp shade, too!

Have a great day.

Come join the fun:

Chic on a Shoestring Budget/Flaunt it Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday

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More Splashes of IKEA ...

Just thought I'd share another one of my IKEA finds!  As I've mentioned before, they have such great textiles at incredibly reasonable prices.  When I spied these stainless plant pots, I knew I had to have one ... okay, maybe three(!):

And, of course, I had to have something to put in them ... that's when three of these little cuties jumped on in my cart, too:

I added them to the bookcase in our sitting room. Here they are ... all lined up like little soldiers:

Enjoying the element it adds:

Annnnd, in other news, a large box finally arrived today ... let me just say that my jaw started hurting the minute I opened it, as I've clearly bitten off more than I can chew !!  I hope I get to show it to you within the next YEAR  ... O.M.G. !!

Have a great day,

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I've Been Bit by the Graphics Fairy ...

and now I'm hooked !!  I know many of you are familiar with the Graphics Fairy blog, but I just recently started following along.  I couldn't resist the temptation after seeing so many amazing projects that have resulted from such cool images !!

I spotted this graphic and knew it was the one:

My stools have gone from this:

to THIS!

Whaddaya think?

Here's how I did it ... First, I painted my stools Old White (chalk paint).  I then lightly distressed them and added wax to both (except for the tops).

I then printed my selected image, got my pencil out and performed the ever-so-technical pencil transfer (turn the paper over, go over the back of the paper with pencil, turn the paper back over and tape to surface where you want to transfer ... then, with a pencil, trace over the letters/image carefully.  When you're done, lift the paper and you will see a penciled image for you to then trace/color over with your paint pen or brush).  Then, I used one of my paint markers to fill them in.  After the paint was dry, I lightly sanded over the tops to "age" the images just a tad.  I finished up by adding a coat of wax to the tops.  Easy peasy!

Love them popping against the chateaux grey island.



Thank you, Graphics Fairy ... you rock!  And, I'm afraid that my love affair has just begun!

And, as an aside, thank you all so very much for your endearing and comforting comments about Mrs. Farleigh.  She truly was an amazing woman, and I know her family appreciates having read your thoughtful notes, as well ... thank you so, so much.

Be sure and visit these fun parties:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday
Graphics Fairy/Brag Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Southern Savvy Style/WUW
Delightful Order/Delightfully Inspiring
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday

As always, thanks for stopping by,



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When Creative Juices Flow- Splash of Color

Colors, colors  and colors that's what keeping me busy all these days and bit tied up with household chores and naughty kiddy.

Friends I've added few colors to my garden...actually this was in my mind for quite long time now and finally did it. 

I painted planters in different colours and added floral motif to break the monotony. I am thinking to paint some more pots (or may be all of them) with different shades and motifs. Lot more to do but for now what I've done ...I just want to show u all my dear friends.

Thats not all I also painted few plastic containers ......and I have few ideas how I gonna use them and sure I'll let u know.....till then have a look. I used enamel paintas a base coat and for details and motifs acrylic paint and varnish as a top coat.

This orange one is a terracota pot .....work on progress.......

The blue one is completed and this is how it looks it will going to serve as a planter.

All these from my side what you are upto friends..... let me know !!

Happy weekend and stay creative my friends!!

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Goodbye to a Phenomenal Woman

Yesterday, my family lost a woman who was like a Mom to me for many years.  She fought a brave battle against cancer and is now finally at peace.  Her daughter, Ashley, and I were best buds for years (in fact, Ashley and I set up my sister and her brother, who eventually married and have three beautiful children).

She passed away much too young.

She was one of the classiest, kindest, most loving and well-respected women.

She had the most sincere and infectious laugh.

She loved unconditionally.

She had the most genuine smile.

She was there for so many pivotal moments in my life.

She was a true Matriarch of a wonderful family, which includes four awesome children, two beautiful daughters-in-law and nine dynamic grandkids.

She was a fabulous cook who loved to entertain ... her 7-layer dip becoming my favorite appetizer to serve.

She loved to hear Ashley and I recall our crazy high school and college adventures.

She loved the holidays and would decorate their stunning home to the nines!

She was always dressed beautfully.  In fact, in the 25+ years I've known her, I don't think I ever saw her in a t-shirt or without makeup! 

She wore her gorgeous "baubles" all the time, even when sitting on the beach, covered in sand.

She and her husband were married over 40 years and did almost EVERYthing together.

She loved their trips to Pigeon Forge in the Fall.

She loved to have movie nights at home with her husband and whoever wanted to join them.

She always offered sound and comforting advice when listening to my "young love" drama.

She made their kitchen table a favorite spot for anyone to sit and chat for hours.

She nurtured an incredible mother/daughter bond with Ashley ... they were best friends.

She should still be here.

*   *   *

Please, if you don't mind, say a prayer for the Farleigh family, who is going to need support starting this next chapter in their lives without their wife, mother, grandmom, mentor and best friend. 

I love you, Mrs. Farleigh ... you will be sorely missed, but forever in our hearts.

Becca

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When Doves Cry ...

Yes, after overdosing on chalk paint around my home, my other fave (BM White Dove) was longing to be used again.  So, I finally did something that I've wanted to do for a LONG, long time! 

Our kitchen sits in the middle of our home, not getting direct sunlight.  And, while I love our maple cabinets, it just seemed a bit dull in there.  Weeel, not anymore!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I lightly sanded (220 grit), primed with Zinsser BIN and applied two coats of White Dove (Satin Impervo).

I'm leaving the base cabs in their original state, so that we still have the warmth of the maple.

And, because you all know by now that I love odd numbers, I'm pleased that I now have three different cabinet colors going on in the kitchen ... the white uppers, maple lowers and Annie Sloan chateaux grey island!

If you've ever thought about painting your cabs (whether they're in great condition or in need of a facelift), go for it!  I know it can be considered a daunting project, but you'll love the results!

One more time ... BEFORE:

Annnnd, AFTER:

And, admittedly, while I love how the white cabinets now tie in with the molding, I am *thinking* about lightly distressing (just along the lines of the panels) and possibly glazing them just a smidge ... giving them more of a custom look.

We'll see ...

Come play at these fun linky parties:

Dittle Dattle/Amaze Me Monday

BNOTP/Metamorphosis Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia/Tuesday's Treasures
Savvy Southern Style/WUW
No Minimalist Here/Open House Thursday
French Country Cottage/Feathered Nest Friday
At the Picket Fence/Inspiration Friday
Miss Mustard Seed/Furniture Feature Friday

 

Thanks for visiting!

Becca

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