Party

More cleaning and ridding myself of a paper trail -

Mad Hat Party from Hallmark Magazine May/June 2007

love the beads on this hat -

love the chairs and whole look of this "partyscape" -

Painting Leather

Did you know you can paint leather?  It really clever huh!  Redoux has a post about it and shows a lovely chair she painted silver.  The silver surprised me, but it's a good look.

Here is her before and after looks ...

Family Room Beauty

Nice chair at the ends of the table - great chairs for my game/puzzle table, and comfy for when we need more seating in the family room.  

This look was found on Sarah Richardson Designs

--

Been wondering how to stack my blankets in the family room instead of hanging them on a quilt rack.  This large bench / shelf / drawer / tray is a good look. 
It reminds me of Princess and a Pea.  

Found this look on pinterest.

--

 This bench is from Indulgy - I really like the look of it, but I can't help but think that the legs would eventually break off if used as a bench.  It would be a lovely blanket bench though - stack my blankets on that!

Thrifting ...

You might have picked up on this before if you follow this blog - I have had a thing for assorted china plates for a while now ever ..., and when I go to town I often stop at a few thrift stores to check to see what they might have that I might want.

 

We have had many opportunities lately with my shopping schedule and doctor appointments that have kept me on the road a lot this last week or two.

 

I have found some awesome purchases - let me share some of them with you.

 

One very exciting purchase was this little saucer that was just like a set of plates my mother had when we were growing up.  Someone had given them a few plates when they got married.  My whole soul was filled with joy and excitement as I saw this little plate - I just had to buy it for memories sake.

 

Now remember - I went into the store looking for china plates to add to my collection, and to my great surprise I found several - and they were all a less feminine / more masculine look, so they were perfect for fathers day.  I failed at taking photos of the table and the plates, but my daughter did have her phone handy and took a few she shared with me.

Each plate had a gold or bronze or silver or other colored rim / design around them - only one had a flower in the center.  

 

 

Paired with some assorted stemware and glasses, they (and a couple more plates I already had) created a great Father's Day tablescape.  We kept it really simple (because our guys aren't into fancy and floral, etc.) - just added some slices of wood for hot pads down the center of the table.



 

I wondered if these plates used to be part of a display at a store somewhere.  It was so interesting to me that they were all single plates, all a masculine style, and each had a list of prices on the back - prices for sets of plates, for cream and sugar and saucers and cups and other pieces in a set, but there were no other pieces like them.  It was perfect timing for me, and I was a happy shopper!

 

 

 

In a different shop, but during the same trip to town, I found another awesome addition to the tablescape above.  It's not quite as noticeable, but it is perfect - just what I needed ... and wanted.

 

It's the little chair at the left of the table - metal frame with vinyl back and seat. (5 dollars.) I plan on re-covering it someday, but for now it has been cleaned up and is staying like it is.  It's a high (or tall) chair with a step in front of it, making it perfect for the grandkids. 

 

 

 

It frees up our highchair for the babies that need a front tray.

 

---

 

Only a few days after the above purchases I found a different store that I hadn't been to before, and my first visit proved successful.

 

I have admired some plates I've seen before and wished I could find such a beautiful plate.  Well, I found a design similar to I was looking for - not the size of plate I was hoping for, but it was so exciting that I purchased them anyway - seven large bowls, four small bowls, six small plates, two cups and saucers.  There is one more small bowl visible there too - another find from that store, but not part of this set. I am such a happy shopper!

 

 

This find was perfect timing too, because just as we set the box in the cart a lady came from behind me wanting to see them and promised she wasn't trying to take them away, but wanted to pick one up and look at it.  She was wishing she had been down that isle before we got there.  Do I feel guilty?  Um, not enough to let her have them, but I do feel sorry for her because I know how I would feel if it were the other way around. 

 

 

I am feeling so addicted ... to thrifting for china plates and glassware ... and anything else I might find! 

If I lived closer to town I might find myself checking in daily to see if they have any special finds.  It's probably a good thing I don't live close enough to do that ..., even weekly.  ;)

 

 

Colorful Looks

Spring can be quite colorful with the flowers blooming and Spring springing up everywhere.

Sometimes the spring colors inspire us to add more color to the areas we are living in or decorating.  Here are some lovely ways to add color and cheer.

The Design Files has a post with these great looks - using an assortment of color in tassels and chairs.

---

I love the look of this kitchen - I found this lovely look, and a few other colorful looks, from a post titled Pottery Display - Some Of My Favorites, at
Gold Country Girls

---


Wouldn't this be a cheerful place to visit - from House of Turquoise

 ---

Similar colors as above, but not so bold - a bit calmer to my soul.
from HERE

---

This collection of magazine holders, from here, is colorfully fun to look at. This whole corner is full of color.
I love my little drawers covered in paper, here. The colors are cheerful to be around.
I have used these types of magazine holders before and still have a few waiting to be used again if needed.  I might have to pull them out and find a place to use them so I can cover them in cute paper or fabric.

---

I still love bunting, and using bunting is an easy and fun way to add color to things and places. These three ideas come from Tatertots and Jello

Cute and colorful fabric bunting and adorable bunting cookies.

bunting on a bag will cheer up a loved one

bunting on a wall, over top of  some colorful pinwheels - imagine the colors you could use.

---

Here is some bunting made of colorful paper circles and white paper doilies, from Landee see Landee do.  She made this rainbow of colors for St. Patricks Day, but it would work equally nice for Easter or for birthdays, or any celebration of color.



---
 Color seem to add cheer and delight to any day.
Color can be so inspiring!

So ..., Spring ..., bring on the Color! 

SaveSave

Lovin' Outdoor Dining

Stuff I'm lovin'
 

notice the lovely assortment of chairs ..., the lighting ..., it's all lovely!

... found at She Walks In Beauty

---

We have a tree stump similar to this, still in the ground though, at the homestead.  I've wondered many times about putting a table top on it.  This is how it could look.  Right now it has lawn around it, but we could poor gravel, sand, or cement around it.  The chandelier (I do love chandeliers) adds to the look, as do the trees and shrubs in the background.   This photo is from This Old House



---

Here is a great covering for outdoor dining.  Seen at Home Sweet Home (on p16) or HERE (on it's own)  It's so cheery!



---



 

Just look at this chair from Jolly Goode Gal

This chair is unique and colorful and kinda fun to look at. I'm sure it would be perfect for just the right place.  I think if I owned a yarn store it would be my dream chair.

 

Outdoor Seating

Fun look - assorted chairs and tables from Green Wedding Shoes

-----

I like this look of assorted benches and chairs too. From Green Wedding Shoes

A Bloomin' Chair Embellishment

Look at this Lovely Blossom from HERE

Wall Chair

This is a great idea!  I'm lovin' the look of this chair on a wall.  It comes from Dishfunctional Designs
That post shares several other great ideas and ways to upcycle a chair. Check it out!

Chair Wraps

I think I have always thought if one chair was decorated every chair needed something, but this photo proves that not so.  From The Idea Room

LOOKS from Style Me Pretty

I found some looks that are similar to some earlier looks that I saved, and wanted to save these too. The photos in this post come from one of my favorite wedding sites - Style Me Pretty

I have seen bales for seating and have saved the look of some (see bales in SEARCH MY STUFF ROOM), but this is a little bit different in that it isn't for seating, it's the back drop. I really like this look for some occasions.
Bales Backdrop HERE





I've saved the look of ribbon on chairs before - here, but found this one that I like too. It is so creamy and pastel ... kinda dreamy don't you think?
These chairs come from HERE, as do the table scapes.





The table runner is similar to the look I saved here. I do love the soft colors and wonderful texture these looks have.

Seating

Wrapped Chairs...every other row. Ruffled


I like this chair decor. It adds character, charm, and color. Green Wedding Shoes


Chairs in Color at Green Wedding Shoes.


Flowers arranged on the chairs from Green Wedding Shoes


Brabourne Farm


Easy to make benches and perfect for some occasion. Green Wedding Shoes


Wrap the bench in burlap and ribbon. Celebrations at Home

Wonderful Wedding Decor

Green Wedding Shoes

Wonderful Windows

I was originally looking for the single window standing in the garden, but found a window wedding with it. Black|White

 

--

 

 great idea from Flickr

 

--

 

Great Creation from RoboJunker

 

--

 

These two come from CALFINDER

 

--

 

Lace on the window...display it. The Wright's House

 

--

 

Such a great look. Hang old windows. I love the chairs, the tables, the yard, ...the Look found at this wedding on Green Wedding Shoes

 

--

 

Beautiful Wedding at Style Me Pretty

 

--

 

This is a very nice look. Window (or door) at the fence, the chairs at the table...ahhhh! Green Wedding Shoes

 

--

 

Great look for an outdoor window room, using a few old windows. Pinterest

 

--

 

Pinterest

 

--

 

Green Wedding Shoes has this great looking Window house or shed or gazebo or .... A great garden room.