Daydreaming...

Painting: George Schmidt

I should be cleaning, but I'm daydreaming... 

about the beach ...

letting the sun soak into my skin...

smelling the salt water in the air...

Photo: "First Flight" Albert Giraldi via Coastal Living

finally getting the real beach hair I try to imitate..

Jerome Tisne/Getty Images

snuggling with my kiddos on the blanket....

Photo: chicfaced

finding those special treasures....

Photo: Coastal Living

admiring the sweet cottages...

Photo: Coastal Living

having those quite moments with my dear husband....

Photo: Coastal Living

Ahhh, a girl can dream...

Repurposed Cigar Box

About a year ago, I purchased a handful of unwanted cigar boxes.  I actually found these at an independent $1 store, but they are also available from Cigar shops.  Sometimes they'll even give them to you.  For a buck each, I figured I'd find a use for them at some point.  Maybe decoupage.  Hmmm...

Well, the other day I found a home for one of my cigar boxes.  The need: storage.  The item: guitar picks.  My husband is a musician and I find guitar picks everywhere.  However, when he needs a guitar pick they're never to be found.  How is it that things always work that way???


So when there's a need, I shop...my own home.  When I saw the colors of this Cigar box. I thought it would be perfect...

... to sit on my husband's night stand because I recently picked up this gorgeous bedspread (minus the pillows / skirt) on clearance at Anthropologie.  To make this bedspread my own, I paired it with a white skirt with green eyelet trim and layers of pillows ( & textures) of brown, white, green & orange.

Sorry, again I digress.  Back to the cigar box....

 I went shopping around my studio and came up with these materials.

 

Add a little glaze & stain and your done!  It really did not take much effort.

First I spray painted the wood knobs white.  I wasn't very meticulous because I knew I would be working them over.  Once dried, I sanded them lightly.  I wiped on a walnut stain & quickly wiped them off to tone down the white.   They still needed more so I whipped up some homemade glaze with acrylic paint & water and they looked great.  Add a little gorilla glue & let them dry.

Next I simply drilled a hole in the top of the cigar box and inserted this fabulously worn piece of hardware.  I unintentionally made it a snug fit so I didn't have to add any glue.  Sweet.

I then attached this metal label holder with screws and inserted my handmade guitar picks label.

Sometimes it's the small projects that are so pleasing...

Now, what to do with those other cigar boxes...any ideas?  If you've re-purposed a cigar box, I'd love to see it!

Repurposed Cigar Box

I'm working on a new project...

repurposing a cigar box.

How do you define your style?

  That's a tough question.


  I agreed to participate in a supply swap and had to answer this question.  It makes me think of a job interview when they ask you to describe yourself in three words. Now really, how is that possible?  Well, in answering the questions provided by the swap organizer and also taking into consideration the questions I generally ask myself during a decorating process I put together a Q&A session.

If you've ever been in a design rut or feel like your home just isn't so, than this interview'esque post will make you think about who you are and how that is (or isn't) reflected in your home.

Okay, is it sad that I want to play along with my own quiz?  Don't answer :)  

Q. What are your favorite colors?

A. Neutrals (Brown, Cream), Warm Colors (Red, Orange) and Green

Q. What colors do you find in your closet?

A. Hint: Most of the time, the colors in your closet are the colors that look good on you & therefore make you feel comfortable.  Surround yourself with these colors.

Now, before I go further, please...please...find the right balance.  Yes, I love green and orange, but that doesn't mean my living room should look like a flashback to the 60's.  

Photo: Retro Renovation

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE retro, vintage and antique decor!  In fact, there are many things that I love about this room.  But vintage isn't all that I love...I also love modern beauties like granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.  Mix, Mix and yes, mix again your decor to incorporate all that you love. Not just one style or in this case decade.

Here's a fresh way to incorporate these gorgeous colors.

Photo: Better Homes

Okay, back to the quiz...

Q. What clothing stores do you frequent?  And why?

A.

•  Anthropologie (ahhh) because I'd like to live there.  I love the aesthetics of the shop and that can also be found in the clothes.
•  Forever 21 (yes, I admit it) because sometimes my budget doesn't always allow for Anthropologie and I can find unique items at cheap prices.
• Banana Republic because I like the quality and the classic look.
• TJ Maxx / Marshalls because I'm a girl who loves a bargain and again I want something that I won't see on the next girl walking down the street. 

Photo: Anthropologie via Publishers Weekly

Q. What Magazines / Blogs do you enjoy? And Why?

A. 

• Cottage Living (RIP) because I love that you don't have to define your style.  LOL.  I love that anything goes.  I love the relaxed environment that Cottage Living encompasses.
• Real Simple because I love how it includes style, practical tips, recipes, etc...  It isn't boxed in to just one thing.  
• Blogs...check out the blogs I follow...love ladies who can get creative and share their inspirations & beliefs.

Photos: Cottage Living via MyHomeIdeas

I'm going to break for a moment...do you see a pattern yet in the answers?  I like a variety, I like to be my own person, I'm more than just 3 words.

Q. What are your hobbies?  What do you enjoy?

A. Not in any particular order: being encouraged by God's word, art, antique shopping, garage sales, family, a good book and a glass of wine.

Okay, let's finish...

Photo: Elle Decor

Q. When you visit a friends home, what do you remember?  Is it that they made you feel at home or made you feel special?  Was it the way they decorated the table?

A.  There's no wrong answer.  Maybe it's all of the above.  Now think about the person.  Take a moment.  Sometimes a person can make you feel special by going the extra mile and decorating the table to create a special occasion, sometimes they show their love by cooking an amazing dinner, sometimes it just takes a few comfy chairs, a glass of wine & great conversation.

Take a look at your answers.  Do these answers give a glimpse of who you are and what is important to you?  Now look around your home.  Does your home tell your story?

I don't want to tell you how to define your style, I want to help you incorporate yourself into your style. Surround yourself with the things you love (even if they don't follow the design rules).  Don't worry about whether the head chair at your dining table has arms. If you feel warm when you see linen that reminds you of your grandma, then incorporate that in your home. 

 Let your home be an outward example of you.  

Photo: Elle Decor via  elementsofstyleblog

Checkout my quiz on the side bar.  Do you fit into a certain style?  Are you all over the board?

A new addition to the Joy Frameworks product line...

I'm so excited to finally add the "Enormous" Ceiling Tin Memo Boards to my Etsy shop! Yahoo! I've had many requests, but just hadn't gotten around to it. Well, after a recent custom order and my own personal memo board dilemma I couldn't wait any longer.  

The board in my pantry, aka home school central, just didn't fit the space. I needed something wider than my normal 2ft x 2ft boards.  

This "dilemma" was plaquing me right around the same time that I began working on a custom over-sized memo board for a client. 

Well, the rest is history. I just fell in love with these Enormous boards and can't wait to make more (for myself & others)! I have one "made to order" Enormous board currently listed in my Etsy shop & will definitely be adding more down the road.

But it also got me thinking...yes, my mind never stops...it's a blessing and a curse. Anyhow, this new 4' x 2' size would just look adorable above a couch or as a headboard.



I LOVE things that can be re-purposed because life is constantly changing and our "things", ahem "darlings" should too.

So, I'll leave you with a few ideas of ways to repurpose my Enormous Ceiling Tin Memo Boards

Photo: Apartment Thereapy

Photo: BHG, via Silk Felt Soil

Photo: Kyle Schuneman's Website


Now, take it a step further:


Photo Kyle Schuneman's Website

LOVE it!

Hope you enjoyed these bits of eye candy. Have a wonderful & blessed day!

What to do with that area above the couch?!?

I'm doing some rearranging and want to change the wall decor above my couch.  I'm hemming and hawing on whether to keep with a symmetrical layout...you know, a large picture with side tables & lamps on either end, OR hang a large picture off centered with a gathering of other goodies  (pictures, plates, etc...) on the wall.  Hmmm

While on my search for inspiration, I came across a variety of ideas for above the couch and thought I'd share my research while I continue to hem & haw.

  photo Country Living

Photo Country Living

Photo Country Living

Photo Country Living

Photo Southern Living

New items on Etsy!

I've added several new Ceiling Tin Signs to my Etsy Store....