old house. true love.

{ WHITEWASHED BRICK AND BARN BOARD MANTEL }

2012-01-22T08:27:00.000-05:00

i have never been happy with this area of our home

this is the den which houses the wood stove which heats our home

reasons #1, 2, and 3 why i do not like...

the ugly piping is beyond my control

but spending no money and a few simple projects

this space has new life

first step was to white wash the brick

to give it a bit more character

i simply took some latex paint i had on hand,

watered it down,

and as i would paint it on

i would wipe away with a rag

we had found this old barn board

(... in the barn!)

these corbels i have been using as bookends

a few shots with the nail gun
and here ya' have it...

the change is subtle...

but i like it so much better!

p.s. sorry i have been so absent lately,

going back to work part time has thrown me

for a loop! i am going to visit you all

and soak up your inspiration!

and hopefully get back on track.

; )

{ BRING BACK MY BIKE CREEP }

2012-01-01T18:52:00.000-05:00

some creep stole my vintage bicycle...

right off our front porch...

and they took the basket and stocking too!!!

what the heck!

bahumbug.

{ UPCYCLE FURNITURE CO.'S 2011 FAVORITES }

2011-12-28T10:31:00.002-05:00

introducing
upcycle furniture co.'s
2011 furniture favorites and why...
click on each pic for more detail

vintage wallpaper desk... why?... it is the sweetest wallpaper ever!

vintage chest... why?... those beachy stripes!

painted piano... why?... just because!

classy black dresser... why?... those big sparkly knobs!

frenchy end tables... why?... those legs!

vintage green dresser... why?... it is so happy!


pretty in pink dresser... why?... those cute birdy knobs!

cottage hutch... why?... the english cottage feel

i can't wait for 2012
and more inspiration from the blog world!

{ BARN WINDOW }

2011-12-20T10:58:00.000-05:00

greens in the barn window box...

i hope you all are taking in

the simple beauty of Christmas

{ CHRISTMAS PORCH }

2011-11-29T12:37:00.002-05:00

i don't like to spend a lot on christmas decor...

living in new england we have so many pretty greens right in our own back yards

or a little sneak into the woods!

my favorite porch bargains:

my boys old rain boots sprayed red - $0
old bike - free side of the road - $0
antique wheel barrel was a gift from a sweet neighbor - $0
old skates from the flea this summer - $2
greens from the woods - $0
30 ft of roping from home depot - $12

total spent for the porch $14...

not to shabby ; )

can't wait to see all of your holiday decorating!

click here for parties i link to

{ BIRCH TREE DOOR ORNAMENT REVISITED }

2011-11-27T18:23:00.003-05:00

here is a little project from last winter

so if you missed it i thought i would share again...

i love birch trees

and love to use them around the house

during the holidays

here is a simple and "free"

way to decorate your door with birch

1. go on a hunt for a

piece of birch tree in the woods

( if there isn't birch where you live

you could use any kind of tree

and spray it white)

2. saw in half
3. drill holes in the top
4. drill hole in the back
for hanging
5. sneak into neighbors yard
and clip greens because
you don't have any
6. put the greens in the holes
on the top and hang

easy peasy!

linking with

Today's Creative Blog

{ THANK YOU }

2011-11-25T07:52:00.001-05:00

i am...

thankful...

thank you.

{ I HEART THIS OLD DOOR }

2011-11-14T09:15:00.005-05:00

i found this old door in the barn

used some remnants of graphite chalk paint i had

and gave it a little love...

distressed him a bit

and found him a new home in the den...

cost: $0.00

time: 20 minutes

easy peasy love.

parties i link to

{ GREY AND BEAT UP - NEW IN THE FURNITURE SHOP }

2011-10-25T14:32:00.009-04:00

finally... i finished a furniture piece!
painted in paris grey chalk paint
then beat up to perfection

some of the wear and tear is original
and some inflicted by yours truly

i really wanted this piece to look like
it was just pulled from the back of a barn

i think it looks as if
it could have been
a work table at one time

it's for sale in the shop

click for parties i link to

{ A COLLECTION OF FLEA PAINTINGS }

2011-10-22T06:56:00.008-04:00

i have never thought of myself
as a "collector" of anything...
but one day it just sort of happened
i had a collection...

of vintage paintings
these are not fancy
just fun

they add so much life
to our home

some were given to me...

but mostly i have found them
at flea markets
and little antique shops

most cost less than $10
and often times
have no need for frames
they speak for themselves

hung outside...

or on a door
when wall space is limited

they make me happy

and i wish the painters knew

how smitten i am

i hope you are inspired to
find yourself a "flea painting"
or grab that one hiding in your closet
and hang it!

click for parties i link to

{ OLD LADDER }

2011-10-17T13:40:00.015-04:00

i picked up this old ladder

at the flea this summer

for $5 beansand hung it from the sun porch ceiling

from eye hooks and twine
i laid some old croquet mallots
and vintage hankies on it
for some fun

i hope your flea finds have been many!

parties i link to

and linking with 2805 potpourri friday

{ MY GIRLS ROOM }

2011-10-11T14:32:00.008-04:00

a few months ago (if you call 7 months a few)
the mr. and i set out on a board and batten project
which you can see here
it has taken me this long to show the results because
on a daily basis the room looks like this...

after a little pick up here she is...

it was seriously a simple project
that only took a day
and gave the room a classic fresh look

some of my favorite bargains in this room:
little pink end table- $5 at the flea
vintage patterned quilt- $19 marshalls clearance
cute bunting- $4 paper doilies from walmart
folded onto twine
tulle curtains- $9.99 csn stores
shabby oil painting- $1 at the flea

now if only i can get my girl...

to clean it.
sweet dreams

btw... its still me
with a new look and name!

click for parties i link to

{ MERIDIAN ROAD }

2011-10-05T12:12:00.006-04:00

hi friends! i am guest posting today over at:

stop over and see me...

i am smitten to be there

because i am
smitten by meridian road!

oh...and...

stay tuned...

a few little changes are in the works around here

{ YELLOW DOOR }

2011-10-03T09:33:00.010-04:00

i have been into yellow lately...

it is the color of sunshine
and sunshine is pretty
so... whats a girl to do?
take a paint brush to the front door...
right?

i did not hate my blue door...

but i think
~ i heart ~
my yellow door

i hope the sun shines for you today

{ SEPTEMBER HYDRANGEAS }

2011-09-28T15:12:00.008-04:00

how do they go from this prettiness...

to this prettiness...

nature... amazing

{ CUBBIES }

2011-09-20T13:55:00.011-04:00

before...during...
after...
an old window
some family pics
and
a few book bundles

and this transformation is complete.

click for parties i link to

{ VINTAGE DRAFTING TABLE }

2011-09-16T15:00:00.005-04:00

i scored this vintage drafting table

awhile ago...

it has been waiting in the barn

and i finally gave it some love...

it is painted a soft gray

i put a layer of aqua blue underneath

so bits would come through

as i distressed

i picture it with a totally cool

chippy industrial stool

in a totally cool artists studio

awesomeness

parties i link to

{ MOON SHUTTERS }

2011-09-15T11:25:00.007-04:00

these shutters were my inspiration

i had gotten them years ago

and have them hanging on our sun porchsean made us a pair for the barn

they are made out of pine boards

and he used a jigsaw for the moons

it is hard to get a good view

with the tree in the way

(but you get the picture)

there will be more of these in our future

; )

{ VINTAGE PATIO UMBRELLA }

2011-09-07T16:03:00.005-04:00

found this vintage

patio umbrella

at the flea...for

$1 bean!
just like my gramma's
; )

{ KIDS FARMHOUSE TABLE }

2011-09-04T08:28:00.007-04:00

i have had this kids trestle table and chairs forever...

~ you want before pics? seriously...

what is my problem with that lately...

duh... i keep spacing ~

heres the after... the color is a mix of a few i had on hand

i think it gave the set

an old famhouse feel

found the vintage metal "40" tags

at the flea and thought they would give the chairs

a cute school-house look...

(i nailed them to the chairs

with brad nails)

what ya think?

~ i am promising before pics for my next project ~

; )

click for parties i link to

{ VINTAGE HAIR-PIN TABLE }

2011-09-02T15:23:00.002-04:00

i found this 50's table at the flea

and thought it was too cool...i then found out they are called

hair pin legs

(makes sense right?! )

painting the top aqua and the legs red

gave it a fun look

oopps no before pics...

i have been so spacey
with that

i think i'll keep this one for a bit!
; )

{ COTTAGE HUTCH }

2011-08-22T07:00:00.006-04:00

i picked up a french provincial hutch
at the flea a few weeks ago
and gave it a sweet cottage look

here she is before

it is painted in chalk paint
louis blue
and details in old white

i added a few birdie knobs
and some vintage shelf paper
(shelf paper is not permanent)
removed the glass
replacing it with chicken wire

smitten!

click for parties i link to

{ SHABBY COTTAGE CHAIRS }

2011-08-14T20:16:00.007-04:00

a friend of mine
picked 4 of these chairs up for me
they are out of a college dining hall
u-g-l-y

a little elbow grease...
annie sloan old white...
pretty floral fabric seats...
and here they are:

they sold before i could even get a
price tag on em'!

SMITTEN!

click for parties i link to

{ PORCH PICTURES... AGAIN }

2011-08-13T07:27:00.009-04:00

hmmm...

when you buy a home

for the porches...you can't help

yourself

from taking pictures

all the time...

parties i link to

{ COUNTRY YARD }

2011-08-01T10:05:00.006-04:00

my mom says we have a

" country yard "

i was so used to the perfect lawns
and fence lined properties of the city
because that is where i grew up

but she helped me
open my eyes

to the imperfect beauty

of our

" country yard "

click for parties i link to

{ A BREAK }

2011-07-23T10:03:00.004-04:00

taking a little blogging break this week
to have family time
:)
i will be catching up next week...
lots of projects in the works...
and i can't wait for all your
inspiration

{ OARS }

2011-07-17T10:21:00.007-04:00

spaced on the before pics...

i found a pair of

vintage boat oars

i painted them a beach blue

then stenciled the 88

and distressed them

they are totally nautical chic now

perfect for the beach house of my dreams
; )

click for parties i link to

{ PRETTY IN PINK }

2011-07-11T11:19:00.008-04:00

hi!!!!

i hope all my virtual friends

are having a happy summer!

having the three kids home has

left me little time for projects

or visits...

but i did have some fun with pink...

beforeafter
painted in annie sloan henriettaclear waxed and distressed
i sprayed the vintage hardware

and sweet little bird knobs

krylon / jade green

pretty in pink...

; )

click for inspiration i link to

{ SERPENTINE DRESSER }

2011-06-25T15:25:00.007-04:00

this piece was in great condition...

it just needed a little style

beforeand after
awesome top drawer pulls
from vintage skye
i distressed her with lots
of nicks and dings

added some little key knobs

watchya think...

do you like her new style?
; )

click for fiestas i link to

{ ANTIQUE SLATE BUREAU }

2011-06-14T11:29:00.008-04:00

i picked this up at the flea market
a few weeks ago
before...

after...

i painted him is annie sloan graphite
which is an amazing slate color
when waxed

the details are in annie sloan old white
and the whole piece waxed
one coat of dark and one of clear

i found the vintage hardware
on etsy they were brass
and i painted them with old white
it adhered so well
i waxed the hardware too

it is definitely a he and i think he is handsome

; )
click for parties i link to

{ FLEA MARKET PAINTING }

2011-06-13T10:01:00.004-04:00

i have a thing for oil paintings...

this is my recent find
i love the colors and the
innocent feel the painting has...

it was $5 beans at the flea last week
smitten!

{ VINTAGE WASH STAND }

2011-06-08T05:56:00.003-04:00

before...and after...
lightly primed with annie sloan duck egg
and painted in pratt & lambert
"briny deep"

waxed with fiddes & sons light wax
and a perty pink sparkly knob!

click for inspiration i link too

{ VINTAGE TOLE CHANDELIER }

2011-06-07T13:41:00.006-04:00

flea market find

of the week...

this amazing tole chandelierand to be honest...

this is my friend jess's find

not mine...

damn her!!!

; )

{ CANDY SHOPPE VANITY }

2011-05-27T06:19:00.005-04:00

i knew just what i wanted
to do with this vanity
when i saw my friend
elyse's sweet desk in
fresh cottage magazine...

the before...

the after...

painted in annie sloan paris grey
with duck egg stripes
matching bistro chair in duck egg...

it so reminds me of a candy shoppe!

thanks Elyse for inspiration...
i love your cottage style
; )

click for parties i link to

{ COTTAGE PORCH ROCKERS }

2011-05-22T20:37:00.011-04:00

flea market find

of the week...

two chippy porch rockers...for $10 beans

woo hoo!

click for parties i link to

{ DISTRESSED GREEN DRESSER }

2011-05-21T20:21:00.006-04:00

oopps no before pics...

but here is pure vintage happiness...painted in annie sloan antibes green...

waxed with fiddes clear wax...
i added two little birdy knobs
to make me smile
and randomly distressed her

it's spring time in a dresser...
smitten!

click for parties i link to

{ FRENCH END TABLES }

2011-05-17T13:34:00.005-04:00

i picked these up at the auction

a few weeks agothe legs are amazing...

they go on and on ...

forever

i painted them in a favorite...

annie sloan duck egg

waxed with johnsons paste wax

and distressed here and there

isn't the side detail so sweet?
these girls are ready for a party!

; )

click for parties i link to

{ RETRO KITCHEN CART }

2011-05-15T16:11:00.002-04:00

flea market find

of the week...this retro kitchen cart...
for $5 beans...
smitten!

{ GREEN FLEA MARKET CHAIRS }

2011-05-10T14:57:00.009-04:00

i picked up a bunch

of these folding chairs

at the flea market last week

green has always been

my favorite color

but now it is a particular green

that has me smitten...

annie sloan antibes green

this is an amazing green

the pictures do not do it justice

i waxed these babies with

fiddes rugger brown wax

to give them that ' old

hangin' around in the barn

for years' look

smitten!

click for parties i link to

{ BLACK DRESSER }

2011-05-04T08:50:00.007-04:00

sorry... no before pics

i wiped out

dropped my camera

and it broke!

but...

it ended up being a good excuse

to get a new camera!

so with new camera in hand
and lack of a better post title

i introduce you to
the black dresser...

painted in annie sloans graphite...

the drawer details in a creamy white...

then waxed with fiddes rugger brown

( thanks miss mustard seed )

i added big sparkly knobs

for a feminine touch...

smitten!

click for parties i link to

{ EAT }

2011-05-01T06:34:00.006-04:00

the whole time i am ruining...

i mean painting our farm table...

i am thinking

"what the _ _ _ _ is wrong with me

you are making a BIG mistake...

the husbands gonna kill me..." but i think it worked out...

now go...

EAT!!!

click for parties i link to

{ THE PIANO HAS BEEN PAINTED }

2011-04-28T15:48:00.011-04:00

i have been wanting to do this fo-eva'...

the before...

the after...

i used annie sloan chalk paint in duck egg
the parts i was planning to distress i put a little

creamy white so that it would show through in spots

it is so happy now...

makes me want to sit down

and play a little diddy...

; )

click here for parties i link to

{ LOCKER BASKET PENDANT }

2011-04-19T15:40:00.012-04:00

i have been smitten with these lights

from anthropologie...

so i made one...

well... sorta made one

what i needed was a pendant light

from the hardware store,

an old locker basket,

and a husband who doesn't mind

changing light fixtures on a weekly basis

hehehe

what do you think?

is it fun?

should i keep it?

click here for parties i link to

{ GREAT PAIR OF LEGS }

2011-04-18T06:53:00.006-04:00

look past the stickers to those legs...

i used annie sloan chalk paint again...

painted the parts i was planning to distress in old white

then two coats of paris gray over the whole dresser

where i distressed

bits of creamy white peeked through

i gave her a little bling

with these fab knobs

soft and pretty

with a great pair of legs

click here for parties i link to

{ THINKIN' INDUSTRIAL }

2011-04-15T12:59:00.006-04:00

so... i have been digging the

industrial cottage look i have

been seeing around...

like my friend

polly from sassafrass stuff...

aren't her chairs neat?

well

i was thinkin'...

wouldn't these ikea chairs

two

in red

and two in blue

look really fun here...

at our farm table...

just thinkin'

{ SMITTEN }

2011-04-13T08:28:00.014-04:00

so... i did it... i broke down and ordered the

annie sloan chalk paint

that the fabulous miss mustard seed

raved about...

~ the during ~

~ the afters ~

and yes... i am smitten

this is in duck egg...

the most amazing blue (or green) ever

it is dreamy

smitten!

(oh... and i am smitten

by the word smitten...

and plan on using it a lot!)

click here for parties i link to

{ BARN STUDIO REVEAL }

2011-04-06T18:17:00.006-04:00

we have been working on turning

part of the barn into a "working studio"

and also a space to show my furniture

before...

after... simple drop cloths divide the barn in half now... i need to find space in there to work! and this kid... has to pee!!!

click here for parties i link to

{ FRENCH BUFFET }

2011-04-06T10:41:00.007-04:00

before...

after...

click HERE for parties i link to

{ IN SEARCH OF }

2011-04-05T10:00:00.002-04:00

i am in in search of ...

the perfect piece to use these...

they are BIG and SPARKLY and i am GIDDY about them

{ MY SISTER IN-LAW'S CHEST }

2011-03-31T13:41:00.006-04:00

no people it's not that kind of blog

i am talking about this chest...

i painted it for her and now

it looks like this...

and i don't want to give it back...

because now i am in love...

click here for parties i link to

{ BOARD AND BATTEN PROJECT }

2011-03-29T16:51:00.003-04:00

the husband and i are trying our hand at

board and batten wainscoting in our girls room

here it is before

we are using a 1"x 4" pine board for the top

and 1"x 3" boards for the slats going down

about $35 in materials

painting the wall and the wood pieces

semi-gloss white like the rest of the woodwork

give the illusion of a wood-work backing

here is where we are today...

stay tuned!

; )

{ MY PLEA FOR SPRING }

2011-03-28T16:26:00.009-04:00

{ A SHOUT OUT }

2011-03-28T09:28:00.002-04:00

thank you to lauren from west furniture revival

for the feature today if you haven't met Lauren

hop over and see her

revival mondays are GREAT!!!

{ CHANGES }

2011-03-22T09:25:00.003-04:00

for my faithful blog friends...

you have probably noticed some changes around here

my blogging outlet has led me down another road

of trying to turn my passion into profit.
i am going to run my blog to promote my business

as well as a creative outlet...

please hang in there with me!

i am still the same hilary from sweet as june...

my posts will be a mix of home projects and

furniture makeovers

you just may see me as hilary from

the upcycle furniture co.

and stay tuned as this...

becomes my three season studio

~ thank you all for your inspiration ~

{ VINTAGE ANTIQUE GREEN DRESSER }

2011-03-21T12:36:00.004-04:00

i found this dresser at the flea market

here she is before

here she is now

it is painted a martha stewart color

called lambs ear and then rubbed

with cabot oak stain

i switched out the top knobs for these

cutie birds and chose to spray

and "chip up" the drawer pulls

i love her soft vintage sweetness!

{did i mention that it is impossible

in a 200yr old house to take a straight picture

the whole house is crocked (is that a word)!

and i am dreaming of a new camera...

my pics stink! }

go here for parties i link to

{ BURLAP CHAIR }

2011-03-16T16:47:00.005-04:00

i just have a little project to share

i found this chair sad on the side of the road

she isn't sad anymore

i love the burlap and aqua together

click HERE for parties i link to

{ HELLO GORGEOUS }

2011-03-08T17:58:00.012-05:00

i picked up this buffet

at the salvation army

it was in bad shape

the veneer on top was a mess

i ripped off the veneer

(not an easy job)

and replaced it with a thin piece

of wood from the lumber store

(i used gorilla glue and my

husbands nail gun)

i painted her a blue/gray

dry brushed with a brown

and finished

with RL tea stain glaze

it was tough to get a good picture

and these really don't do her justice...

but...

she is quite beautiful

go here for parties i link to

{ BOTANICAL END TABLES }

2011-03-04T08:40:00.013-05:00

i found this antique pair of end tables

at our local thrift shop

(and forgot to take before pics...

but i assure you they weren't like this!)

and picked up this pretty paper

i used this to adhere the paper to the tables

(which i find so easy to work with)

and i used this to seal it the paper is also under glass i painted the tables a beautiful shade of brown from sherwin williams called black fox i love their clean crisp lines

and traditional style

go here for parties i link to

{ VINTAGE MAP MEETS FRENCHY END TABLE }

2011-02-22T19:23:00.009-05:00

i picked up this vintage map

and found this pretty

french provincial end table

at the goodwill

and the two met...

i love how the map
adds a masculine
feel to this tables curvy
legs and pretty
vintage hardware.

go here for inspiration i link to

{ VINTAGE WALLPAPER DESK }

2011-02-18T19:12:00.008-05:00

she was ugly

not anymore...

antique white
with glaze

vintage wallpaper drawers
sweet little bird pulls

she is so cute!

linking with Miss Mustard Seed

my posts and visits
may be a little less frequent
in the weeks ahead
things have been
so busy around here
and somethings got to give
thank you
all
for your visits
and
your inspiration

{ 3 BEFORE AND AFTERS }

2011-02-18T18:39:00.007-05:00

i meant to post this the other day...

this is going to be quick...

before

after

before

after

before

after

i miss visiting with all of you...

i have been busy

{ FARMHOUSE HUTCH }

2011-01-31T06:39:00.005-05:00

i got this baby off craigs list

for the $30 dollar song

that is awful frosted paint

on the glass doors...

(not real etching!)

and the reveal...

oil rubbed bronze bin pulls
on clearance for $1.16!
i sprayed the rest of the
existing hardware with
oil rubbed bronze spray

the backing was gross
fiber board so i replaced
it with beadboard
and replaced the glass
with chicken wire

i loved her scalloped detailing
and new she would be beautiful
with a little elbow grease!

linking with

Primitive and Proper

Restore Interiors

thanks for the partys girls
;)

{ TORN }

2011-01-25T16:21:00.003-05:00

i started blogging as a

creative outlet to inspire

and more importantly

be inspired... but it has led

me in a direction i had not

expected... i have set goals,

and found what truly makes

me tick...

and now this

has turned into this

it is way too cold
to work in the barn
and this is our least
used room...
but it was once my most
favorite to look at
:(

and i am torn...
when i have that extra hour
do i blog and ooo and ahhh
over all your amazing projects
or do i get my own projects done?

food for thought

{ I MISSED YOU & A FRENCH PROVINCIAL DRESSER }

2011-01-22T07:10:00.011-05:00

i have been out of touch for a few weeks...

first some computer problems and then honestly,

a step back so i can figure out where i want to go...

i am in need of inspiration so i am hoping to squeeze in

some much needed visits today.

i do have a finished project to share...

i picked this high boy up a few weeks ago

it was missing some hardware

but it had so much potential

here she is after

antique white, a little distressing,

and ralph lauren tea stained glaze

i had some vintage french provincial pulls

and she looks beautiful

oh... and meet my new 5 am painting buddy...

elvis!

linking with

Kelli at Restore Interiors

{ VANITY }

2010-12-15T14:19:00.013-05:00

i found this little

vintage vanity / desk

for $20

i love the shape of the top

a little aqua paint

a little distressing

a little glaze

new knobs

and here she is

i lined the drawers with

vintage wallpaper

isn't she perty?

linking with

Primitive and Proper

Restore Interiors

Miss Mustard Seed

Cottage Instincts

Funky Junk Interiors

thanks for the partys!

{ A WINNER }

2010-12-12T07:32:00.004-05:00

the winner

of the Ramsign give away is

Suzanne from Meridian Road

!!!!!

so happy you won...

you are a sweet heart

;)

Merry Christmas!

i did the random number.org thing

i had it on my originl post

it said comment # 30...

i hit publish and it went back to blank

what the heck?

i could not figure it out...

but it was #30

for sure!!!!

{ ONE MORE DAY TILL GIVE AWAY }

2010-12-11T07:39:00.002-05:00

still time to enter... click the pic!

{ SIMPLE LITTLE TREE }

2010-12-09T13:05:00.010-05:00

just wanted to share our little tree it is simple
it is happy

linking with

the thrifty decor chick tree party

my french country home

thanks for hosting!

{ THE MAMA AND PAPA MAKE OVER }

2010-12-08T16:15:00.010-05:00

i painted these bureaus for a client

(aka my mom)

this is the mama before

very pretty simple lines

i forgot to take before pictures of papa

but they are a matching set

my mom... uh... i mean client... wanted a green

so i used a martha color called hooked rug green

after i was done it looked a little too soft and feminine

so I rubbed it with minwax oak stain

to tone it down and

this is mama after

i chose to leave the knobs wood

and not paint or change them

they really added warmth to the pieces

a little light distressing

(before I put the stain on)

and the papa...

I think they look perfect

in "my clients" home

; )

linking with
Primitive and Proper

Miss Mustard Seed

Restore Interiors

thanks for hosting

{ GIVE AWAY... SO COOL }

2010-12-06T14:46:00.008-05:00

i have been given the opportunity

to gift a follower of mine one of

these unique enamel house signs from

Ramsign Classic Enamel Signs

i think they are so cool...

(wish i could win!)

head on over to Ramsign

and check them out

the winner will get to choose

a name or house number of

their choice! How neat is that?!

to enter

just be a follower and leave a comment

for a second chance

blog about this or post on your side bar

and let me know you have

give away will end

December 12th

good luck!

{ BARN BOARD TO CHALK BOARD }

2010-12-04T15:02:00.003-05:00

i had an old frame and barn board

hangin' around ...

so i made this...

it was so easy to do
i am sure all you super talented
gals can figure it out!
no tutorial necessary!
;)

here is the not so cute back...
and the cute front again...

linking with

ARE YOU SICK OF MY PORCH?

2010-12-02T20:59:00.012-05:00

it was love at first sight

for me and our porch

i never tire of it

i have fun with it

dressing her up

with the changing seasons

parties i link with

POTTERY BARN OR AUTHENTIC

2010-11-29T19:08:00.018-05:00

I saw this in Pottery Barn

and I found this 1930's antique

school house swivel chair

on the side of the road...

(yes! another piece on the side of the road!)

and turned it into this...

the swivel works perfect

and so does the height adjustment

I painted it a dove white

did a little light distressing

and put an antique glaze over it

sure beats the Pottery Barn

$399.00 price tag!

I will be linking with

Cottage Instincts

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Metamorphis Monday

Primitive & Proper

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Miss Mustard Seed

thanks for hosting!

(if you are interested in
giving this piece a home
and live in the MA, NH
area send me an email)

EASY BIRCH TREE DOOR ORNAMENT

2010-11-23T13:31:00.007-05:00

I love birch in the winter

this is so easy to make

1. go on a hunt for a

piece of birch tree in the woods

( if there isn't birch where you live

you could use any kind of tree

and spray it white)

2. saw in half

3. drill holes in the top

4. drill hole in the back
for hanging

5. sneak into neighbors yard
and clip greens because
you don't have any

6. put the greens in the holes
on the top and hang

easy peasy!

<>

WHITE MORNING

2010-11-20T21:30:00.013-05:00

last winter...

the morning after a snow fall

linking with

SUN PORCH

2010-11-16T18:36:00.020-05:00

I switched up the sun porch

this weekend

i got all these locker baskets for
a steal
$20 for 24 baskets!

and does anyone know what

these hooks may have been for?

they are original to the house

and are on both sides of the porch

i was told possibly antique meat hooks
(our neighbors house was the town butcher in the 1800's)

on sunny winter days

we can still sit out here
for a few afternoon hours

click for parties i link to

MY CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT DECORATING BOOK AND BABY STEPS

2010-11-13T09:04:00.006-05:00

Your House, Your Home Randy Florke's Decorating Essentials

this is the one decorating book I have read cover to cover...

numerous times

normally I scan them for photos and inspiration

but this book and his style just hits home with me

I have had this book for maybe five years

and not a week has gone by where I am not

drawn to the book shelf

to take it out and give it a good scan

his style is so

relaxed,

comfortable,

economical,

and NOT a

drop of pretension

it has helped me adopt the philosophy

"why fix what isn't broke"

if you don't have this book

go get it!

and on a random other note... with all of this amazing

inspiration in blog land

(thank you all for sharing your ideas, your words,

and your spaces you light up my world )

and Funky Junk Donna's Stop Making Excuses post

ringing in my head...

I have set a goal for myself... it is the tiniest of goals

some may laugh if they heard it

but it is not an overwhelming goal

and IT FELT GOOD

to write it down

and I am off to start it

TODAY

have you set your goal?

if not...

JUST DO IT!

MY LITTLE OL' KITCHEN ON A BUDGET

2010-11-11T20:22:00.026-05:00

If you haven't read Funky Junk Donna's

post yesterday... then do!

It is inspirational and

has pictures of my little ol' kitchen!

My kitchen is by no means my dream kitchen

but it is home and here is its' story...

When we moved here 3 years ago it looked much like this

it was dark and formica was everywhere

this is a transformation that cost no more than $400

that's new counter tops, sink, hardware, paint, supplies,

some lighting, curtains, and this and that

I can't recall exact numbers but $400

may be a bit high

we were blessed with original bead board

it was painted brown... but that was an easy fix!

It is a dark place to begin with and

recessed lighting was not in the budget

so we painted the cabinets and bead board white

to brighted the room

I had gotten the old dog and cat food sign

for $10 years ago on a trip to Maine

the walls are painted a retired

Martha Stewart color called seedling

I would love to someday put windows where

the cabinets are but for now I removed the doors

and painted the inside, it really opened the space up

I had gotten the farm table long before I had

a house to put it in, it waited for me in my Mom's

basement for years!

our apron sink is from Ikea

for those who doubt Ikea

we have had it for over 3 years

and it looks like the day we got it.

I simply removed the cabinet doors

under the sink and skirted it

with cafe curtains

the old built in had solid doors and was also

painted brown... Sean took the doors off
cut out the inner panels and
replaced with chicken wire
again... it really opened the room up
(Sean is a runner... hence the runners sign)
there was marble formica behind the stove
we had never tiled before so we wanted to keep
things as simple as possible with basic white

the counters were marbled formica as well
Sean built these with sheets of oak
from the local lumber store
they cost no more than $100 dollars total
for the whole kitchen
(I wish I could give you a tutorial
but that is Sean's job,
mind you... he is no master carpenter
just your average diy guy with a crazy wife
full of ideas!)
I was back and forth on leaving the natural oak
or staining them. I eventually went
with a black opaque stain.
I think I like them but occasionally ask Sean
if we can sand them back to natural.
(I never get a happy reaction when I ask that!)
the knobs and pulls were Potterybarn clearance

I have also thought about painting the floors...
having an old house you realize that there is
dirt you will never get cleaned
dirt with history...
that is how I think of my floors!

We have dreams...
dreams of taking down walls
putting in windows
beautiful lighting

so on and so on

but for now...
this is...

OURS

:)
and we are happy

linking with

MY ROMANTIC HOME

thanks for hosting

GRAPEVINE

2010-11-06T16:16:00.009-04:00

this old grapevine graces our front porch

when we first moved here I had visioned

an old wisteria... but I can't be waitin' years

for that to grow

so I pulled this vine from the woods

it is just tied to the porch with twine
there are times I am sick of it

and want to tear it down
but then I fall in love again

in the summer a clematis creeps up it

and at Christmas vine lights twinkle through

oh... and I just think this

milk crate is great

linking with

HOME SWEET HOME

2010-11-03T12:35:00.013-04:00

Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave,

and grow old wanting to go back to. -John Ed Pearce

our home is comfortable

not pretentious

it has messes

and cat hair

some dog slobber too

It has leaky pipes

and cracked ceilings

and at night I go to bed to things

like a tooth brush

jammed into a bar of soap

my son has papers taped on his walls

and I won't even show you whats in the closet

my daughters room features a

stinky hampster cage

and toys are

here and there

our home is real...

it is evolving

always changing

and yes

I have to let things go sometimes

so that it can be just that...

HOME

VINTAGE PORCH SWING

2010-11-02T09:35:00.009-04:00

introducing my $10 dollar porch swing

I fell in love with her

old chippy spindles

here she is showing off

in the summer

and for $10...
now thats nifty

;)

linking with...

I LOVE SHUTTERS

2010-10-23T14:18:00.014-04:00

in the garden

on the sun porch

on the barn

on the tree house

and piled up in the barn...

waiting for inspiration.

linking with

THE TWO GALLONS OF PAINT TRANSFORMATION

2010-10-17T11:42:00.010-04:00

here is most of the family room re-do

click here for the before

this cost us two gallons of paint

it should have been one but...

mistakes happen ;)

click here for mistake 1

and here for mistake 2!

(our tv hides in this armoire

made from an old door)

I finally settled on a retired Martha Stewart color

called drop of blue, we used the Home Depot

paint and primer in one and two coats did the job

we dug this old barn door out of our friends barn

isn't the color amazing?

(thanks guys we are smitten by it!)

I think some old paintings have no need for frames

(this was another friends cast off)

my father in law used this old metal crate
as a step stool I think this is a
way better purpose for it!

the coffee table was my parents
when they first got married
it was a taller drop leaf
they cut the legs down 30 years ago
(the little rug my mom was sick of
yet another cast off!)

I had gotten this old wooden street sign
years ago at the flea market for a dollar
(it is a reminder for the kids to SLOW DOWN!)
an old box serves as a lamps home

these are just goodies I pulled from
here and there around the house

I really wanted a happy feel
done on a shoe string budget
so... two gallons of paint...
and a few mistakes...
watchya' think?
:)

linking with

cottage and vine

SOME THINGS ARE MEANT TO BE WHITE

2010-10-15T12:20:00.010-04:00

remember this?

if not click here

well...

now it is this...

I think some things...
are meant to be white
I am a colour challenge failure!

I am linking with

JUST A GIRL SHOW AND SHARE

FUNKY JUNK SATURDAY NITE SPECIAL

AROUND THE YARD

2010-10-13T19:54:00.011-04:00

favorite door

the barn

potting shed

old bike

SOME THANK YOUS AND A WINNER

2010-10-10T16:32:00.014-04:00

I have received some very SWEET

surprises in my mail box lately...

first from Debby at Cozy Blanket

she sent me this pretty little pin...

just for being her #75!

I pinned it on a pillow!

Thank you Debby!

and Sue from Sullivan and Murphy

sent me this bundle of vintage letters

Sue had used them in one of her beautiful vignettes

(she is fabulous with vignettes!)

I commented on how much I

adored them...

and she sent me some!

They are dated 1919

from a soldier in France

to his parents...

they are amazing!

Thank you Sue!

I treasure them.

You girls made my days!

AND THE WINNER OF
THE OLD POST ROAD PAINTING IS

LUCKY #13

SUZANNE FROM PRIVET AND HOLLY

thank you everyone for playing along!

and thank you Trish

your paintings bring smiles

HAVE YOU EVER?

2010-10-10T07:59:00.002-04:00

finished painting an entire room...

and hated it?!!

I know... it doesn't look bad...

but I am just not feelin' it

I had an original vision

and I got side tracked

tried something new

and it didn't work

so... YES...

we are repainting!

oh... and...

did I mention...

time to get on with it!

I hope your weekend projects

are going better than mine!

;)

EAT IN KITCHEN

2010-10-03T10:55:00.018-04:00

six months out of the year

we eat out here

on the sun porch

come October 1st the

mornings and evenings get colder

it is time for the old farm table to come in

there is something about

an old fashioned eat in kitchen

just like my grammas

it is simple...

it is home.

still time to enter

Old Post Road Giveaway

I am linking with

The House in the Roses

show off your cottage Monday

and My Romantic Home

show and tell Friday

and Just a Girl

Thank you for hosting ;)

COLOR CHALLENGE

2010-09-28T11:04:00.018-04:00

we are in the midst of painting the family room

I felt our tv cabinet needed some help

and was inspired by funky junk Donna

to try a COLOR...

I chose this green...

well honestly...

because it was sitting in the basement

the room will be a neutral soft gray

so some COLOR might be nice

I did a little light distressing

I loved the old hardware

and didn't want to switch it

I had this old barkcloth in the closet

I may change it...

or not.

this is it!

??????????????

sometimes I like it... sometimes I don't!!

I am linkng with Funky Junk Donna's colour challenge

and Primitive and Proper piece of work Wednesday and

THE FALL PORCH

2010-09-26T14:46:00.014-04:00

there is nothing wrong with hanging

a painting outside...

a rusty rake

I wrapped these pots in burlap
I love the fall...

partying this week with

Debra at COMMON GROUND

"FALLING UP" at COTTAGE AND VINE

MY ROMANTIC HOME SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY

MY UNCOMMON SLICE OF SUBURBIA

JUST A GIRL

FREE!!!

2010-09-20T09:38:00.011-04:00

I spent Sunday rearranging the living room...

being an inexperienced blogger

I forgot to take before pictures...

duh?

as I started taking photos for this post

I began to notice how many things

in this room were

free!!!

We moved our awesomely free cabinet in here

it is hiding a little tv and lots of other _ _ _ _.

cabinet was FREE

it was in the basement of our first house

it was used to store tools...

I have never altered the color

it is just how we found it.

piano was craigslist FREE
(there are lots of pianos free on CL)

still thinking of painting it...

what ya' think?

sweet little chair was FREE

my fantastic yet finicky friend was junking it!

thank you!

couch was FREE!

another fantastic yet finicky friend was junking it!

thank you!

This post took on a whole new meaning

and will now be titled FREE!

I will be linking with

Faded Charm WHITE WEDNESDAY

click here for my give away!

GIVE AWAY!!!!!!

2010-09-19T06:42:00.004-04:00

my very first give away!!!!!

One evening in blog land

I came across a DARLING blog and artist...

Trish from The Old Post Road

when I visited her etsy shop

my heart went PITTER - PAT...

"Simple Autumn Bouquet"

on acrylic paper

will fit nicely in 8" x 10" mat with frame!

her paintings made me HAPPY...

isn't that what we all want to be?...

HAPPY

"Tree Line"

8" x 10" on acrylic canvas board

Well... Trish has agreed to team up

with me and gift one of my followers

one of the above paintings!!!

and make you HAPPY!!!

YIPPEE!!!

you have three chances to win:

1. be a follower of SWEET AS JUNE

and let me know which painting you would choose.

2. Pop over and visit The Old Post Road
come back and tell me watch ya' think!

3. either grab my give away button

or blog about this and come back

and let me know you have!

give away ends October 10th