Decorating Archives - Page 8 of 24

Little Girls’ Room Done!

April 26, 2011 jennifer Decorating

My little decorating project is complete. The yellow chevron pillow I made for one bed a couple of months ago turned out to be the inspiration for adding a bright yellow throughout the room as an accent color. DIY projects pulled the room together with only a few dollars spent on paint. Among them was the above canvas with a quote from a favorite children’s picture book, Miss Rumphius. I painted some frames I already had a bright yellow and my six year old chose some vintage butterfly prints to hang in them. A zebra stripe pillow and her side of the room was taken care of.

The dresser is now the focal point of the room. I found this huge metal piece on clearance at a local shop and brought it home. A few coats of black paint and it was ready. I originally intended to cover the lamp shade in a yellow and white fabric, but at the last minute I chose to tie a length of ribbon around it. I added a vintage millinery flower and pinned a vintage broach in the center of it. (Hooray for me! Too often I save these vintage pieces of jewelry for “something special” which really means they sit in a drawer. This one was used immediately.) I also added a turquoise flower and a bird. Once more I painted an old frame yellow, then shopped my house for the bird tray and some accessories. We’ll see how they do at keeping it clean. Most of the accessories will go if it turns into meaningless clutter.

Above the crib I hung letters that spell “bloom.” I’ve had them for a few years and I’m happy they’ve found a permanent home. I’m still in love with that chevron crib skirt as well. It’s a happy little corner.

I love the collection of vintage pieces I’ve used in this room: the mirrors over the beds, my vintage metal wreath above the crib, the miniature pink roll-top desk, vintage grandmother’s garden quilts, butterfly prints and the rose prints in gold frames. I also love the modern pattern and colors that come with the fabrics: yellow chevron in the crib skirt and pillow, black zebra on a pillow, pink and white lattice print on the curtains. It’s got that mix of old and new that I’m drawn to. The art canvas adds a deeply personal touch to the space with a quote that’s very special to one daughter. This room is a labor of love. I love my girls, and we all love the room. Let’s hope they keep it clean!

Hopeful Homemaker

One comment Decorating

A Touch of Color

April 18, 2011 jennifer Color, Decorating

My number one non-essential wish right now would be to discover a few thousand dollars in my pocket, then whiz through my home updating furniture and adding graphic color and pattern all over the place using paint, wallpaper and, most of all, fabric.

My number one mental/emotional health challenge right now is gray skies. They’re really getting to me in spite of all my efforts to pretend that it’s sunny. On a gray day last week I said to my husband, “I want to paint something a bright color.” (I actually wanted to paint three or four things, but I didn’t say that. It might have worried him.) He argued that it wouldn’t change anything, that happiness is something we choose no matter what the weather is outside.

And while I agree with him wholeheartedly, I must also argue that color and paint can start us down the road of cheerfulness on ugly days. So I fed the family dinner, watched my husband leave for some meetings, let the children play (what is spring break for, after all?) and got out my paint brush.

The formerly all-white cabinet in my dining room got a little makeover.

Not only does the blue look spectacular, the white now pops and the entire piece suddenly has nicer lines and more character.

I’ve always loved the look of shelves painted a contrasting color on the inside. I’m not sure why I’ve never done it before, but now I’m eying all the shelves in our house.

The dining room is north facing and in the center of our house, so it really gets very little natural light. I love the butter yellow on the walls for that reason. It’s the perfect color for the room, and helps to lighten it up. Now, however, I’ve got a gorgeous splash of paradise in the middle of the room.

I pared down the silver pieces on the shelves. I’ve got an idea brewing for them, but for now this is great.

Even the view from the kitchen is improved by this reflection in the mirror.

And when I come downstairs this is the first thing I see:

My favorite little gravy boat now enjoys a place on the shelf. I like how it looks against the blue.

Yes, happiness is a choice. But paint sure helps.

Jennifer

2 comments Color, Decorating

Beach Porch

April 2, 2011 jennifer Decorating

Remember the over-sized sand dollar I mentioned earlier this week? And the beach house I dream of decorating?

Well, in that house I would most definitely include a porch that looks like this:

That blue packing crate is absolutely amazing! And the pillows, well, I’d like to spend an afternoon there. The pink stripe and blue and white zebra prints are my favorites. I’m sure the sand dollar could be incorporated easily.