I Spy

As I was chatting with my mom last night [hi, mom!] I realized I never shared a pic of my citrus trees. Shame on me. Here they be:

I guess they look more like twigs, eh? But... look at this picture below.

I cannot believe it. When I was out watering and digging and scaping the land yesterday, I didn't even see these little buggers. It wasn't until one of my son's friends came over and I was showing off the greenery that he pointed them out. [I think he was secretly hoping I'd offer to make him a mini-margarita. I don't sever alcohol to 15 year olds, good sir. You have to be at least 16 and a half. I kid, I kid.]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So... I've been working a little bit on this room... Don't judge my metal diamond placements. Eventually there will be a very large mirror back there. And eventually I may realize the diamonds just don't work - and will have to move them. But for now - they show effort. And progress. And that makes me happy. I love them because they are supposed to be square - but I made an executive decision to make them diamonds. Because of the diamond shapes in my chairs. [deja vu - but at least I got a better picture this time!]

Goodwill shopping a few weeks back allowed me to score something pretty COOL!

It is, I believe, an old radio cabinet. I think. That's what I am calling it.

It's a lighter color than my table & chairs. But when I really look at the two, side by side, they do share some of the same tone. I just wasn't going for an all dark, all wood room. Remember, the other half of this room is the formal living room. Which we hope to make-over into a little library. And totally copy her design, here.

I plan on take some dark wood tones into the "library" in picture frames and books. And then I need to somehow bring some light, cream colors into the dining room to try and make this all work.

The cabinet does need some help. The insides were torn out and it has no back. Mr. is going to help me fix those problem areas and then we have to decide on if we are going to leave it alone, or paint it or stain it.

I originally thought I could paint it the color green that is in the curtains. I saw a REALLY cool example that I loved. And now I can't find it on the net, anywhere. Then I wondered if I should play with the indent, and paint that cream - and the rest green?!

Then I wondered if I should sand and stain the top, the beveled part of the doors and the bottom trim piece a nice mix of ebony and dark walnut.

Now I am wondering if I am out of my ever loving mind.

Do YOU have any thoughts on the subject?! [on the cabinet, not about me being out of my mind.]

I have plans to put a large framed picture above the cabinet... and maybe add a lamp... Give it a bit of height. The room will also, eventually be getting crown molding. So, weigh in. Let me know your ideas [so I can steal them, too].

Alex and Isa both had a friend spend the night - so I am off to get breakfast started. The line at Dunkin Donuts is sometimes long - need to get there early. =)

Have a fab Sunday, people!

P.S. WAIT - don't leave. I just thought of something. Do you think I should bring that light fixture [above the dining room table] down a bit? Is it too high?! Thanks! ;) I owe you one! Anytime you want some design advice... Well. Nevermind.

Drapes Update

My formal dining room has a table and chairs in it.
And now some drapes.

My formal living room has a sofa sleeper [in a lovely southwestern motif that I cannot wait to slipcover] and a dog crate.
And now some drapes.

And that's about it.

Oh how I love these drapes. You may remember that they started out as clearanced tablecloths from Target.  Now they have a home on my windows, not on my table.

Before I start posting pictures, PLEASE remember that I am a LONG WAY from done. But I wanted to get them up so that I will be motivated to keep working on the space.

Front living room window.

Dining Room

I cannot decide if I am going to add a trim piece to the top or the bottom of the drapes, or if I am going to just lower the rod. We plan on putting in crown molding and definitely some built in book cases [on the living room side of the room].  Heck, we have a whole lotta plans for the space..



Maybe by the time the room is finished, I will have learned to take better in-door pictures.

Let us hope.

Does this make me a thief?

It's Sunday - Super Bowl Sunday, to be precise.
I've spent the morning cleaning my office, looking for tax documents, and filing a mountain of paperwork.

After a few hours, I decided I needed a break, so I started going through my favorite blogs. I have my normal blog roll, which I read every.single.day, without fail. And then way dooowwwwwnnnn there, bottom left, I have a few special sites that give me goosebumps, every.single.time.i.visit.

Have you ever been to Maillardville Manor?

If not, check it out (after you are done reading this post, though).

I came across her post from the other day where she revealed her new library. And I gasped.
Out loud.
Look at this beautiful, beautiful, beautiful space:

(via)

(via)

I seriously couldn't stop drooling. I have library envy. Big time.

Do you see those curtains off to the left? She made them from two tablecloths. That she bought from Target. On clearance. I read that, and like Speedy Gonzalez (with Isabel in tow), I was out the door and on my way.
I had to have them, and if there was ANY chance that all of the housewives of Queen Creek hadn't taken them, I was going to get them for myself.

I got the LAST four tablecloths.

I've decided to use these "curtains" (along with MM's library) as my inspiration for my formal living and dining rooms. 

Remember these:

Ignore the "It seats eight" wording. I went back to try and find pictures of the two rooms from before we moved and evidently, I never took any shots. So, I used the next best thing - or the only pics I could find. To help set the scene though, the formal living room is at the front of the house, off of the main hallway - and the formal dining room is towards the back of the house. It's one large room, two spaces.

I feel like I'm confusing even myself. lol...I will take a good "before" picture soon enough. 

Anyhow, all this rubbish is to help explain why I bought the last FOUR tablecloths. Each window will need two panels. Each panel is 84" long. Depending on how I hang them, I may need to copy MM and add a bottom border piece in order to reach the floor. We will see.

That's my EXCITING news for the day. I so hope MM feels honored - and not in the mood to file a restraining order for decor. I just love her style... I cannot wait for my own room to take shape!

P.S. I hope my mister likes them. ;)