Taditional Tropical Home

Working on KITCHENS!

2011-11-26T17:13:00.000-05:00

What we are UP TO!
We are working on my daughter's kitchen. She bought a house with NO kitchen literally. So, we set out to make one for her!

The posts are starting here:
Florida House Blog Amy's Kitchen 1

Florida House Blog Amy's Kitchen 2

Florida House Blog Amy's Kitchen 3

Florida House Blog Amy's Kitchen 4

I have the floor plans and elevations posted. I can't find my drawing program so I had to use Microsoft Paint! Those of you who have tried it know it is NO fun! I will update as we have photos to share.

When my daughter's kitchen is done, then we move onto my son's kitchen, then OUR kitchen remodel!

Christmas cone trees

2011-11-26T16:29:00.001-05:00

From Christmas past from Virginia house:
Cone tree on stand is styrofoam cone with silver garland wrapped around it. Others faux mercury glass look.

Below, Winter in a box, dollar store cone trees put inside wooden lantern and faux snow dropped in.

Below: Faux Mercury Glass cone trees (TJMaxx) and bead tree and styrofoam cone tree with red bead garland glued on. Shell tree with lights made by my friend Liz from Naples Fl.

Below: Oyster shell cone tree, mussel shell cone tree added to rest of collection (tassels hung on a couple)

Dollar store small cone brush trees with battery spot light (silver pearl beads around tray)

Below: silver faux mercury glass cone tree (TJMaxx)

Below: Imported German paper houses with Dollar store cone trees, faux snow and battery spot lights. These are in a Mahogany china cabinet used as a bookcase.

Christmas past, remembering my Oyster cone tree

2011-11-26T16:13:00.001-05:00

This was the sketch I made while viewing the Oyster tree a friend of mine made for Christmas when I lived in Virginia. Below are the photos of one I made

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-21T20:27:00.001-05:00

http://ourflhouse.blogspot.com/

I have a few new posts on this Florida Blog that I started. You won't find the same type house I used to have in Virginia but I did a different type house. This is a ranch style slab one story house. This is our retirement house. And we are redoing it on a budget and enjoying the journey while we make our little nest here in Florida.
The sweat equity we put in this house is all for us, we are doing the things we want to do. I wanted to do as much as we could when we moved in so that we can get on with the adventures of the land around us and get my DH to go fishing! I want more time for Hobbies, photography, crafts and spoiling my grand kids!
Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving weekend!

I have started another Blog

2010-08-12T21:15:00.007-04:00

We bought a house in Florida. We have moved to the Space Coast area of Florida (mid FL) on the East Coast.

We bought our smaller, more humble and soon to be more intimate retirement home. I started a blog to record that house transformation.

http://ourflhouse.blogspot.com/
if you want to reach me personally there is a spot on this blog that says 'EMAIL ME'. I am getting the Our Florida House one set up so there will be a link to email me on that one too. The blog is brand new and will take some time to get content on there.

I will be posting all my before pictures! They will be awful because they are of a forclosure house. I looked around and found one! We were very lucky because our Realtor, Randy Brown with Century 21 in Palm Bay was so helpful and he rooted for us for the paperwork to go through fast! It was pretty well set up before we found the house, the bank had been on target for selling it. Closing should be within a month from now. I wanted to get this Blog set up so there would be a place to document and show progressive photographs.

I have some inspirational photos that are taken from magazines and the internet to show how I arrived at the way I want the house to feel and look. We are on a tight budget (who isn't) so I will be price shopping and making the most of the materials I find.

My goal is to have a house that ends up feeling like I got a piece of Paradise on my postage stamp lot. I want a tropical feel with a Caribbean flair. COLOR, yes color is going to come into my life more than before! My Virginia house was all about Black, Brown, and Whites. Now I am looking at turquoise, yellows, blues and corals.

My first decision was to pick the flooring. We are tearing out all the old carpet so I wanted the flooring to be tile. I think light color tiles will not be where I want to take this 'old world' kind of look. I want the house to feel like it has been around for a while, some sense of history. I like a house to have 'roots'!

Thanks for coming on the journey with me.

I had an accident, a bad fall about 3 years ago now in July. Blogging has been a great way to keep my creativity going and keep in touch with other souls out there with like-minds. I have had a few surgeries to fix my issues with that fall and am expecting a couple more in the near future, this Blog will (again) help to keep my mind occupied and thinking about something I love to do instead of on my physical self. Thanks for listening! Looking forward to Blogging again!

I am checking in August 2010

2010-08-09T00:28:00.002-04:00

I have spent a lot of time on Facebook these days. Getting around and finding a lot of family and friends. The games have been fun too, getting my fill and loved being on 'vacation'.
I will have more to post soon.

I did get a new printer today because the one I bought last Fall was not handy to use and I thought printed awful copies. I went back to HP and can't wait to install it! That means back to scanning, downloading from my camera and having fun with pictures again.

For those of you who still follow my Blog, great to see you back here. I will be starting a new one when we get our next house. I will document my projects and post pictures. There will be a link to that Blog from this one, so it will be easy to find.

Hope you are all having a great summer!

Hello, Spring is here!

2010-05-24T12:05:00.003-04:00

I just love the Spring here in Melbourne, FL! We are so happy we moved from Virginia to here! It is like we are on vacation here in our apartment. We have been house hunting, but taking our time. The 'one' just has not come along. We need a certain type of yard, house and area. I am sure when we see it, we will jump on it! We have a few that come close that we have seen!

We are taking care of ourselves and learning the lay of the land around us. We have seen more family than ever that is such a plus!
We visit our kids who live North and South of us. Our days are filled with wonderful times spent. We walk on the beach in the morning a few times a week and get all that freash ocean breeze. The pace here is slower so we don't feel like we are dragging behind, lol we are keeping up just fine.

Time off from this Blog and decorating has been refreshing. I had to erace the Virginia home from my head, and have been researching and looking forward to a new lifestyle and decor once I find the right house. I have purchased a few books and done some research on Island living. I do not like the very earthy tropical with lots of textured materials, tends to get musty over time. I wanted to develop something just for us whether it is trendy or not is of no concern this time around.

Thanks for checking in with me and I hope to get things going again with a new blog that will be referenced to this one to cover my next home. It is always a challenge and adventure to take the 'box' out of the house. So many one level houses that are cement block squares here. The nooks and crannies of an older well-established home already done are cost prohibitive for us, we must create it! What a challenge on a budget! Wish us luck!

Antique Purveyor site

2010-02-25T23:44:00.003-05:00

I had posted a subject here on my blog called:
My style and how I would describe it
I received a wonderful comment from the Antique Purveyor and thought it was worth seperating it from the original thread. This way it can found easily. What talent is shown on this website in the furniture they create and sell. The craftmanship is amazing!
You should really check it out!

Here is the comment I received for posting a photo of their chairs in reference to representing my style. I have a lot to learn about Blogging, and try not to step on anyone's toes as far as photos go. It is so hard to grab photos for inspiration and then when you choose which ones you want to use, you do not have all the sources. What a wonderful message I got today, and I am so appreciative of the message that I decided to make it have its own space.

AntiquePurveyor.com said...
Hi everyone. Those Duncan Phyfe pinwheel chairs were not made by Drexel. I made them! LOL.You can see my watermark in the picture as well (AntiquePurveyor.com). We actually sold the originals about 8 years ago and maybe those were Drexel. Anyways, they sold for good money back in the day. Having left the chair ad on my site as "sold", the chair consistently brought me inquiries and leads and eveyone wanted the chair. So, we copied it. They have been available on my website for a long time now, and sometimes you can find pairs of arms on sale. Right now, for example, you can take a pair for $300! You can't call that rich. Lol.Anyways, I love your blog here and thanks for sharing our pictures and not taking credit for them! That is kind of you. For those who want this style Duncan Phyfe dining chair, here is our website.http://www.antiquepurveyor.com/ Maybe the admin can link us up!I can share your blog link as well.

The kind and talented gentleman's name is Donald Timpanaro and here is his profile page and his Blogs are under construction. His website is listed above and his phone numbers are listed on the website.

All I can say is WOW to the furniture shown on that website!

2 YEARS!

2010-02-16T09:19:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I started this blog 2 years ago this month! It has been a great way to mark the time passing and to record some things that I might not have remembered. I have met a lot of nice Bloggers out there in Blog-land and have learned a lot.
I think this coming year will have more changes than just my making the move to another state. Moving from Virginia to Florida was a big move, one I will never regret. I have already seen more of my family (they live close by now) than I did in the last 10 years.
Thanks for stopping by my Blog and for posting comments, it has been a great journey!

Bombay Blue & White dishes

2010-01-14T21:32:00.002-05:00

My latest thrift store find. There is a Salvation Army near me and I checked it out the other day, I found these dishes at $20 for all the 12 pieces (8 plates, only 4 showing).

I left the dishes there, wanting to think it over. I am not a blue lover

so I was not anxious to have these. I went back a couple of days later

and decided because they were still there I would get them this time.

When I brought them up to the counter, the lady said '50

50% off today on dish sets! So, I got all that is in the photo for $10!

Bombay cobalt blue dishes.

Pantone color for 2010

2010-01-05T17:53:00.002-05:00

Yes I can do this! Turqoise! Colors of the beach!
full press release here:

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=20706&ca=10

my COLOR story!

2010-01-05T11:41:00.002-05:00

Since I have been a color consultant and a designer, artist/crafter for years, I used to keep color out of my home to make going out everday and dealing with a lot of colors all day not be overdone. I liked coming home to a clean palette, a fresh clensing of all had been around all day, too much stimulation.

Do you know your color proportions?
In my house in Yorktown, Virginia I used a Black, brown and white palette. I thought that with each season I would change the accent colors. I had added yellow (in very small amounts), then red (which I stuck with).

The thing is I was not sure at what quantity or amount I would be able to live with a color! I love yellow, but found it too loud in that house to have too much of. Once I added a bit more than a small amount (as in flower arrangements, candles, etc) it was too much. I tried purple, orange, and blue this way.

With the white walls, I could go any color I wanted. This left quite an opening for experiment.

Red, turned out to be my favorite accessory (since browns are actually a deep orange, I was staying in the red color family.

I put a small amount of red, then more then more untiil it got too much, then pulled back.

Why did I do this? To find my comfort zone for each color. Now I am sure that a red wall is too much for me, but a large painting with a lot of red or all red is OK.

With each color you have different other color additions to change the 'temperature' of the color to cool (on the blue side), dark (grayed down by adding black), light (adding yellow), tints (adding white) and value (how true to crayon color/primary colors) is it?

I had to find the correct red as well. For me it is red with light (yellow added). Once I found this out, I know which red to add or to change to.

What does this mean? It means I am on my way to having my own customized color palette that won't change! I know what greens I love because I have loved that color all my life, and have noticed different variations and how to cool it down and warm it up.

It is fun to see how each color affects you too. I want to experiment more in my next house.

Do you have a COLOR story?

Looking forward to what 2010 brings! Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T03:41:00.005-05:00

Looking back, 2009 was a busy year for us!

Survived losing my business, and DH losing his construction job due to the economy. Not to mention the money lost due to the recession. Lost some loved ones, and moved away from our friends. We spent 11 years in Virginia, so it was a bit sad to leave, but we had wanted to get back to Florida for quite a while and circumstances finally led to us being able to pull it off!
We listed our house in Yorktown, Virginia, and sold it. So much work to keep up with the clutter and cleaning for showings that most of the time had an hour notice!
Decluttered the house and the garage, storage unit time!
Spruced up the house, repainted in some cases and worked on landscaping which needed much attention after the two years we had with challenges and surgeries for both of us.
Moved to a temporary apartment for 4 months while waiting for DH to get a transfer for us to more (WITH a job, in this economy, there was no room for gambling)
Moved to Florida (where we wanted to be). And transferred to another temporary apartment. And we did all this with DH and I both NOT being able to lift anyting heavy! What a trial!
House hunting in Florida is something we are doing cautiously, what's the rush?

We are STILL here! And that is what matters! We are settling down again, and moved closer to family. We were not broken, just shaken a bit with all we did. Now, we plan on enriching our lives with the people we love this year and many years ahead! Our goal is to put our nose to the grindstone less and slow down to enjoy the blessings we have in our lives. We are close to retirement, and are starting to plan ahead for our lifestyle and simpler way to live, less hectic and more healthy we are trying to incorporate that philosophy into our next home. Sounds like a New Years resolution to me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

COLOR STUDY

2010-01-01T02:59:00.008-05:00

Since Green is my favorite color, I am starting with that color.
I do love the photo above with the green walls and blue/gray chairs in front of it. Cooler colors, but the idea could be that the colors be warmed or adjusted. Since my goal is to accomplish my own palette of custom tropical colors, I am studying the possibility of the combinations.

This is a color study.
Looking to make a story board of my color palette for my next house. Of course getting it first would be a good idea, I couln't wait to start thinking of the colors and the intensity can be adjusted to sun exposure and how the house relates to its surroundings.
I have put together a collection of photos I saved off the internet and saved files. I found some color choices I keep going back to, and who can argue with Matisse as far as color choices!

I do love the lime green, and it happens to be 'hot' this coming year. But that is not why I chose it, it is GREEN that is my favorite color anyway. Then If I want to update it, I think I will add glazes over it with a slight tint to wake up or tone it down if I change my mind or pick another green. Wouldn't that be fun to add layers and have it end up over time with this patina? That is worth a try!

It depends on how deep and rich I want to get with color. Matisse and Kandinsky have some deeper colors to study as well as another choice for more value in the colors.

Check out another color study on my projects blog

I saw SANTA today (Christmas Eve 09) at the beach!

2009-12-24T17:34:00.008-05:00

I saw santa at the Melbourne Beach today, trying to avoid being seen by the children there. When our eyes met, he winked at me. I am sure he will be back tomorrow to relax after having such a long night!

Merry Christmas! 09

CHRISTMAS 09 in Florida!

2009-12-23T12:47:00.005-05:00

I bought this off white bisque Santa at TJMaxx just before leaving VA. He got packed quickly and got opened again here in Florida. I put him on a table, then on the back patio with the 'jungle' as his backdrop. I am hoping to take him to the beach for his rest after Christmas Eve! Other 2009 Chirstmas decor in our temporary apartment:

It's a Jungle out there!

2009-12-14T07:18:00.002-05:00

We are all moved in! This is a view from our patio! It shows the jungle in the back of the apartment complex! The view is breathtaking. I LOVE the Florida vegetation. Will be in the mid 80's this rest of the week here.

I will be OFF LINE until the 18th when the dish gets installed. See you then!

MOVING TIME!

2009-12-06T22:13:00.003-05:00

We are almost all packed up and ready to move. Hard to believe that we will be in FLORIDA for good in a short time! We will have Christmas with family and ON THE BEACH! Yes, the beach in those photos I just posted! It will be MY BEACH! I intend to spend a lot of time with my feet in the sand this winter! Gotta rekindle my connection with the ocean and the shore. My soul will soar!

Finally a post from my friend Judith!

2009-11-28T18:18:00.002-05:00

Her BLOG link.
She has posted a curent photo on her blog and is getting back into posting some more photographs! I just love what she does!
Hooray Judith, I am waiting to see more pictures!

The beach and blue skies, Melbourne Beach, FL

2009-11-22T09:40:00.003-05:00

I miss the blue-blue (photo not retouched, just as it came out of my point and shoot pocket camera) skies especially while standing under a palm!

Links to photos from same trip on this Blog: (use your shift key + press link to open new window)

Hello from Satellite beach

Melbourne Beach, Florida

Doubletree hotel, Satellite Beach Florida

Melbourne Beach Fl, historic shopping district

Satellite Beach continued photos

Melbourne, Florida and Palm Bay area

Satellite Beach continued

2009-11-22T09:01:00.003-05:00

Great place to walk after breakfast near the beach. This is the area just over the Melbourne Bridge The beach is such a huge part of the life here... Ahhhhhh!

Love the sea grape all around, the knarly trunks are rarely viewed, but here by the boardwalk they could be observed closely.

When I saw this sign, it reminded us of the Sinfeld episode about the Bizzarro world where it was an alternate universe. We didn't eat here because we had just had breakfast nearby and headed out of town.

Melbourne, Florida has a historic shopping district

2009-11-22T08:48:00.004-05:00

I took these photos quickly just stepping out of the car. Was hard to take photos as we walked around because I was so busy just looking at everything! I had seen some of the antiques online on Craigslist (antique section for Space Coast, FL) and saw the New Haven area listed. I was surprised to see that I recognized some of the items I had seen on CL in some of the shops. I talked to some of the shop owners and had such fun because it felt like I had been there before! The streets were already filled with cars parked early in the morning!

This is such a quaint area. Just beyond the shops is the main road where we caught the bridge back to Satellite Beach. There were a lot of antique and consignment shops and little bakeries and places to eat.

Melbourne & Satellite Beach Florida more photos...

2009-11-22T08:17:00.007-05:00

Doubletree Hotel
This is where we stayed. I took a room on the first floor, missing some of the view, BUT we were only in the room to sleep in the dark anyway! This was the view I had on the first floor, but we could walk only the distance of a few rooms to the pool and deck walk to the beach access. The room was very private when we opened the curtains and we got lots of light! All the rooms face the ocean (East exposure) so the sunrise was wonderful!

The inground hot tub was great for warming up after walking the beach and in the water. We had GREAT weather, nice temperate temperatures and great ocean breezes! Missing it already (got home last night).
Most of the beach here have environmental protection sand dunes along the beach, the sea grape and grasses protect erosion. It provides a shield from the wind and sand/sea spray as well. When we sat outside for dinner at night around the pool, the wind was a bit tamer at the table area, then we went up on the boardwalk, the wind picked up. Was such a nice breeze!
I took this photo from the car as we drove up to the hotel after having breakfast at the Blue Berry Muffin house. Yummy with homemade muffins and pies. The blueberry muffins were fresh, moist and tasted like blueberry pie! The food was so good we ate breakfast every morning on our way out of town.
This was one of the few planters that the hotel had in the front by the entrance. I was taken by the texture and colors. These were huge, like 4' across.

I just loved the flooring! It was a type of vinyl and highly polished, but the dark mahogany color and the pale bamboo strip was just stunning! I loved walking on it and took this way to the pool instead of outside just to see the floor!

I can't believe our week went by so fast! It seemed longer when we were there because we fit in so much in a day. But, now I am home sitting at the computer and thinking it went by so fast! If I could just move there NOW I would!

Melbourne Beach, Florida

2009-11-19T06:26:00.002-05:00

No words necessary!

pictures from our trip to Florida

Hello from Satellite & Melbourne Beach, Fl

2009-11-19T06:21:00.005-05:00

We are staying in Satellite Beach Florida this week. Here are some of the sights I have been seeing! Even the Publix supermarket has PALMS! The beach is across the street.

I WON A PILLOW!

2009-10-27T17:11:00.004-04:00

I got the news I won a pillow from Ellen's Blog Pillow plight contest!

I have posted a photo here that I took quickly to show the wonderful pillow I WON! I realize I didn't place the pillow straight, but I wanted to take a quick shot to show you all and I was so excited to receive it! Thank you so much Ellen! The craftsmanship is incredible, this gal can sew professionally, she has great taste too!Ellen let me know when she saw the photo of my CL finds of two chairs and that I was using my new 'prize' pillow, and let me know that she had another! I ordered it from her and now I have the set!

Teak 2 Chairs I found!

2009-10-22T16:21:00.007-04:00

I found these two chairs on Craigslist. I love this type of chair and had wanted an oriental mix in with my things. I was happy to find these two, no damage other than scratches. I didn't know what wood they were, but we solid and only scratches and some flecked paint off the cane on the seat. I was surprised that when I turned them over while inspecting them closer there was some writing under the chair seats. TEAK! $80 for both. The sit low, so they will not block view nor impose too much 'chair' in the room. The lady I got them from said they were about 20 years old and she is the first owner.

With the type of Empire style that I like, chairs without a bulkiness to them just don't hold up to that heavy look of my Empire chest and pedistal tables. They are nice and wide and have a deep seat. I will make pillows for the seat and lumbar pillows for the back. I love the X legs (horizontal cross framed with X stretchers taken from the Curule original design), I have seen many chairs like this but I don't like the chow legs (feet turned inward) look. And some Empire pieces have this same style legs, and curves.

I like that the finish is not a thick lacquer, so I can sand these a bit and will put some tung oil on them and perhaps wax. The finish that is on them now is a dull thin layered black paint.

Another view of the two chairs.This shows my Empire styled bureau that is bulky.

2009-10-14T21:30:00.003-04:00

YOU LIKE PILLOWS?

Click on the photo below to enter to win a custom made pillow!

Ellen's NOUVEAU STITCH Blog is having a 'Pillow Plight'! Join in the FUN!

and GOOD LUCK!

My NEW old chairs! CL find!

2009-10-14T13:46:00.003-04:00

I met another nice person (Monte) on Criagslist as the seller of these beauties! There are 6 of them and they are lightweight, so I can move them around easily. I love the cut out shape! Can you picture them when I redo the seat with gray men's suit material. The Ralph Lauren look! I thought it was amazing that Monte already had the seats in a gray frabric!
I sent Monte the link to this blog, so he could see my other finds. Hi Monte!

Halloween Inspiration pictures!

2009-10-09T15:55:00.002-04:00

Photos off the internet (& eBay) for HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION!
Music from Blog will be running while music from slide show will run, so when pop up window comes up, delete Blog tab.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Corona portable typewriter, antique

2009-09-27T09:15:00.006-04:00

I love old typewriters, my friend Judith and I stopped at a flea market that we passed on the way to Smithfield and she spotted this cute small portable Carona typewriter! I had done some research since seeing the one on Craigslist (that one was full size and $50 that I didn't get).

This typewriter is a portable one made between 1900 and possibly 1912. Seems in 1914 Corona changed their model to include two shift keys, one on each side (mine does not have that). The price for the typewriter was $25! I got it. I only had to wipe dust off it, and plan on cleaning it a bit better when I have time to devote to it.
Here it is next to a few recognizable items so you can get the scale of the small typewriter. The book the typewriter is on is 9" X 12".

It works (few keys stick), has all parts, and the rubber on the cylinder and feet are in great shape! Notice the numbers are on the same keys as the letters (you have to hit the figure key). I took a few photos this morning with my point and shoot camera to show you. f The typewriter size is 8 1/2" wide, 10" total depth, and 5 1/2" height at carriage.

First sign of the holidays for me!

2009-09-23T18:10:00.004-04:00

Another Craigslist find! I thought this was kind of large, 42" across from end to end (mirror part 18") , BUT, isn't Christmas large? So, I decided this would be my ($20) Christmas wreath! I can always sell it after Christmas if I do not want to pack it to move it (might not handle the move OK).

It was all gold and I got some rub'nbuff and rubbed it on all the high spots so that the gold is the shadow. Since the gold part was antiqued, and there is a 2" depth to the piece, this makes quite a lot of texture! It has a tag from High Point NC, (not wood, a light weight material) I love silver things for Xmas, now I have my first decoration up already! I am not doing a lot this year for decor since we are moving soon and are in a temporary place, so this is exciting for me to put up.

Craigslist FIND today, just a hint of what is yet to come.

2009-09-21T21:36:00.004-04:00

Can you guess what it is? Make in the 1800's and appears to be solid cherry. I bought it today on Craigslist and plan to use it for something other than what it's original purpose was. I just loved the texture so much. It is large, bulky and heavy!
I can see the potential for a lot of photos in the future!

I have added this photo of the 3/4 bed put together. This is the Craigslist photo.

It doesn't show it on the monitor by these photos, but the bed, I think it is solid cherry, is the same color as the two canopy headboards I just got. So, I am thinking that a bench in that guest room might be nice. We'll see what my next guest room will hold.

2 twin headboards Another Craigslist find!

2009-09-15T21:56:00.003-04:00

YES, I was on Craigslist again and found these headboards! They are solid Cherry from the Suter Co in Richmond VA which is still in business. This set was made in the 50's and I bought it from the daughter of the woman who had purchased them new. The headboards have two posts and a removeable canopy at the top. I could use the headboards with or without the canopy. It simply lifts off the post once the finial is removed. I am not sure about that curtain part behind the headboard. Might look good with a picture or mirror hanging there. Of course this is not the fabric with will be on the beds once I set them up.

Here is a close up of the brackets that attach to the canopy part and slip into the post.We removed the fabric from the canopy part (dusty and dirty) and I saved it for the pattern in case I want the same type of style on the frame. I won't know how I want them to look until we get into our next house and decorate the guest room. I could clean up those frames and restain them to use plain too. I will have to wait and see.

No pain no gain!

2009-08-31T20:34:00.000-04:00

My resolution for the Fall and upcoming Holiday season is:No pain,meaning working on getting pain free! Living with less pain in my life.

No Gain,Meaning trying very hard NOT to gain weight during the fall season and holidays coming up!
How's that for a different meaning for no pain no gain!

Empire Bureau from Craigslist!

2009-08-26T18:34:00.003-04:00

I found this bureau on Craigslist last week. I put it in our apartment instead of storage so that I could view it everyday and 'bond' with it! It is 42" tall and a good size for just about any use! We put our TV on top of it and fillied the drawers!
This bureau was made around the same era (mid 1800's) as the table I posted here earlier and I can't wait to be able to use both of them in our next house!

French Restoration Period... or Empire style

2009-08-20T06:03:00.005-04:00

I have been calling the style I love Empire, which is the origin of the style that got refined into the French Restoration period in New York, USA. It is much more streamlined and has a definite mix of English and French. I love the simplicity of the lines and the bulkiness of the pieces. It is like the masculine held up by the feminine, much like the human pairing in a marriage.

I am researching and looking for pieces to start my next decorating project, our next house! I would like to develop the plan with some pieces to suggest this style and support it with surrounding modern interior. Depends on the house we pick, that will dictate how I go about achieving my ultimate interiors that lets me live with this style I have loved for years.

Craigslist find!

2009-08-18T21:37:00.002-04:00

My Craigslist find! Even though I am in an apartment (temporarily) until we can move and buy our next house, I still could not resist this mahogany table! I do already have an oak one that I got a couple of years ago, but will put that on Craigslist to sell and replace with this one. This new one will be refinished when we are settled and tung oil will take care of the finish. This table is larger and came with a leaf, so I can seat more people and will serve as a dining room table (the other Oak one was only used as a breakfast table because it was smaller). I can't wait to work on it and make it suit our home!

Living room goodbyes!

2009-07-15T13:23:00.003-04:00

Looks rather bare, just before furniture is being taken out. We took the area rug up and the floors really shine through. I want some photos of the house when it's empty, and I will take those next week sometime. Time is short here (with house being sold) and it is strange to see it this bare.

Next house, a new look, some similar things, but we are ready for a new begining.

Dining Room, saying my goodbyes!

2009-07-15T13:17:00.003-04:00

Saying goodbye to my dining room! We have about 15 days or so left in the house, and this dining room set will not be here as of this weekend. The dining room set is sold.

The chandelier is changed out because it did not convey with the house. We put a standard generic one as a place holder for the new owners.

I will miss this room. Those built-in cabinets sure held a lot of dishes! It took quite a few boxes to empty them.

TAKING A BREAK

2009-07-11T22:17:00.001-04:00

I miss all of you, but have to take a break. I will be back to post soon with updates!
We sold our house and are in the process of moving out the rest of our stuff. We are working on the next place to stay.
Hope all of you are doing well.
I'll be in touch soon!

Great idea for a summer look!

2009-06-22T11:24:00.003-04:00

My friend Lisa makes great jewelry and I thought these were an awesome look for summer! The photo has a link to her website! She really has an eye for making classy jewelry for any season!

2009-06-13T04:01:00.002-04:00

I have been MIA because I was busy with open houses and viewings for my house. We signed a contract today and all ducks in a row for closing on July 31st.
I will post here when I can, but now we are clearing out the rest of our furniture and stuff in the garage.
We are excited to be moving South to Florida. We lived there before moving to Va 10 years ago and are happy to be moving near family and grand kids!

2009-05-10T13:49:00.002-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother's Day flowers! They were sent to me by my children. Of course I would rather see them in person, but we couldn't do that for this day. I am seeing them soon and am so excited! The are grown with their own lives, I still miss having them around when they were little.

More yard work!

2009-05-08T19:57:00.004-04:00

Been busy in the yard! This is the view in the back of our detached garage. The constant rain has made everything green!

View in other direction, showing my herb bed on the left in the background. A few Maple trees near the pergola

A corner of the yard with new Leyland Cypress planted. The left side shows an Oak Willow, on the ground my Hostas coming back up. And to the right are my Magnolia bush and tree.

Our Dwarf Fig tree (about 5 years old) is full of figs already! (needs mulch!)

My herb bed

My River Birch tree, view to the back of the yard

View of back of garage. My butterfly bush and Rosemary plant

View from my dining room window looking over the lower deck into yard in front of detached garage, you can see my banana plants starting to come up. The back yard that used to be used for our vegetable garden, (gate is open) is now growing grass. You can see the pergola too. It had just rained a lot outside and I love the look of the dark greens that a wet yard has.

Metamorphosis Monday!

2009-04-27T09:18:00.007-04:00

Pat from Back Porch Musings did a wonderful article on her Blog about my home Taken from my blog photos here with photos for what is called Metamorphosis Monday! The photos recall some of my remodeling projects in our home. Thank you so much Pat for such a nice feature on my home!

Please visit her Blog to see her article on my home and others that she and other Bloggers do on Mondays. Her list of followers have wonderful Blogs of their own, and by following their links you will be in Blog heaven for some time!

I show how I did some of my home projects
on my other Blog 'My Home Projects'.
Check it out.

Because of Pat's posting my photos and links to my Blog...on her blog... I hit over 20,000 hits on my counter! I got over 730 hits (as of tonight) from Pat's cyber blogger friends who visited me! Thanks!

***

Wisteria blooms!

2009-04-25T10:53:00.002-04:00

Our Wisteria plant blossomed! We had two plants in that planter on the corner of the Pergola that never flowered. We got a 2' branch from a friend's plant and just stuck it into the ground last Spring. The Pergola is 10' tall, so the vine climbed the post all last Summer and Fall. This Spring it is just taking off and gave us these beautiful blooms!

OK it was only a matter of time before I discovered Eddie Ross!

2009-04-19T14:34:00.003-04:00

I have been reading some Blogs and this guy pops up all over! Thing is that this is a great Blog for projects where you repurpose things, hunt for treasures, or just want to dress up something in your home for a bargain price! The ideas are very creative!

http://eddieross.typepad.com/

I was going to post some ideas from his site, but decided it was a better journey for you to go there and discover for yourself the ideas you might want to copy or use. I love everything about his blog, except the tippy top part of his hair volcano look! Reminds me of the hair do I gave my babies after a bath! That could be what I admire about his looks too, brings out the mother in me!

INSPIRATIONAL picture of fabric!

2009-04-04T10:40:00.003-04:00

Ralph Lauren fabrics! I just love this stripe! This really strikes me as 'beach' for sure! Love the crisp feeling! The one thing about my style is that I do not like all items, fabrics, furniture and accessories to blend together. I have learned through trial and error and living with furnishings that I do like the drama of high or medium-high contrast.

So, the dilema is, I love off whites, and just love creamy off whites. So, if I do some fabrics like this crisp white in that RL stripe, then mixing in the off whites might take away from the crisp look. I could do this in a room with all naturals using it as an accent. Will be fun to explore this look! I love RL so I am motivated!

2009-03-07T10:56:00.003-05:00

ONE YEAR!
It has been one year since I started this blog!
I can't believe that much time has gone by!
Thanks for staying with me during the incredible year

and for all the new friends I met and wonderful things I have learned from all of you!

Since our house is on the market, and we will be relocating, that means Another house!

Another house to turn into a HOME! That means all new projects, photos and ideas to gather!

I am so happy I have a wealth of inspiration out there with my Blogger friends!
This next year of Blogging will be interesting!

New little CLOCK!

2009-03-04T16:38:00.002-05:00

Today we passed by the thrift store I frequent (to donate and check out). DH and I walked around and then I saw this little silver colored clock, it was all taken apart for $6. I thought that was a little high, but the Church needs the donatations. I brought it home and put it next to the only clock I have not packed yet. It went back together nicely and works well (I didn't care if it worked or not).
It has an arrow and bell on the side, the ornaments are held with a screw you can undo inside the clock shell. When I get settled I can change it out (seems to be a Southwestern ornament). Not sure where the clock came from, but it could have been Target. It is brass (heavy) that is silver colored. I think it will be a good friend to the rest of my clocks!

Craigslist mirror FIND!

2009-03-01T10:15:00.003-05:00

This mirror was on Craigslist for $35! I called, met a nice lady (who has a nice Shabby Chic home) and got it home.I placed it in front of my mantel Acorn-shaped mirror already hung there.

I put it on the mantel since there was no other place to put it right now... and it looked so good I am leaving it there till time to pack it! Turned out to be Empire style...(my style!) It is smaller than the one I already had, but well made and in almost perfect condition! Not bad for $35! AND I met a nice gal who does Shabby Chic and collects some interesting things. We talked for a 1/2 hr while she gave me a tour of her creative home! I am introducing her to Blogging!

What you are seeing in these two mirrors is Duncan Phyfe and Empire mix, they play off each other since they are both in the same style and era. They both are made of mahogany and have a mahogany wood backing.

Foyer new paint freshened

2009-02-27T11:10:00.007-05:00

We repainted the front hall/foyer. It had been painted some time ago, so we refreshed it. I picked SW's Pacer White. It has a cooler tone than cream (no yellow) or tan (no orange), I think it goes better with sand. The ceiling is pure white. Thought I would show the molding details.

I had to search for the rest of the photos I wanted to add that show the rest of the foyer!

This photo shows the 'before' picture. The baseboards were smaller, we moved electrical, added columns and crown. There also was no french doors leading into the living room, was just an opening. We also changed out trim to a larger size. This was the only room with hardwood flooring, we added to this for the whole first floor.

Bubblin' over Award

2009-02-19T09:46:00.002-05:00

Today Tammy surprised me with a really sweet award called "If the Shoe Fits - Wear It!"
I was surprised and honored to receive this! What a motivator Tam is and a great friend!
I will gather a few words and come back with 3 people to post this award to, that are so special to me. There are lots of great friends I have met Blogging, and it will be a nice award to pass on to 3 of them! I displayed this honor award in the left column to view when post moves down.

2009-02-14T09:55:00.002-05:00

Hope you all have a wonderfully warm day!

Taking a few days off posting!

2009-01-31T17:42:00.002-05:00

AS some of you already know, we are packing the house, and sprucing it up for sale. We bring boxes to storage to clear clutter, but clutter keeps finding us! ha ha.
I keep thinking we are near the end... but more shows up!
Sold some things that do not match, things I do not use, and things I do not like.

The END RESULT should be that the next time around in our newer house should be a begining with things that I like and go well together. I am hoping!

We have a few houses in mind, but cannot DO anything until we have a commitment on this one. The house just went on the market last week. We are just taking it one day at a time. As my friend Chris says on her Blog... Refining Life we are Refining our lives.

Our Goal: To downsize, live simpler, easier and in a warmer climate, with the great reward of being closer to grand children!

Blogs becoming ads

2009-01-20T18:28:00.002-05:00

I loved reading blogs, but now when I surf some, they are like the ad pages of magazines! Some of the magazines I get have more ad pages than content. Is this the fate of Blogs?

I wanted to add that a few ads are not that noticable, but when the Blogs are full of and mostly ads, they become like excessive noise. For me, I visit, and recommend a few blogs here that the bloggers do a great job with interesting comments and photos! There is a lot to see out there that is GREAT and we can learn so much from!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-27T12:54:00.005-05:00

I took down some of the silver to leave more wintery setting. I left the heavier over mantel shelf. Happy New Year Everyone! Project of mantel shelf is here on my Projects Blog.

Table setting for Christmas!

2008-12-21T07:56:00.004-05:00

Playing with my tablesetting for Christmas dinner. Silver, shells, birds, paper roses (I made from coffee filters) crystal and dishes! I used a few carnations to fill out arrangement until I can make more roses!

Plates (white with silver stripes are from Target.

"Happy Christmas" by John Lennon

2008-12-20T11:01:00.005-05:00

I LOVE the song Happy Christmas, and also Imagine, I thought John Lennon's words fit the times for wishing for peace for the whole world.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all!

Christmas Mantel decor

2008-12-14T12:50:00.005-05:00

I did a symmetrical setting this time, but you will see some asymmetry as that is my favorite style of vignette. This is the center of the fireplace mantel with the mirror behind it. This part shows the right side and then the left side of the mantel decorations.

This last picture shows the whole mantel. The mantel has a shelf cover over the original shelf so that I could attach nails, staples to it for the greenery without damaging the wood underneath. In reality I could lift that dark mahogany stained over shelf off with all the decor and restore the mantel underneath to its original non-holiday status.

Link to post where I showed how this top mantel shelf was made and applied click here. And on my Home Projects Blog (where I post my projects in more detail) are more instruction and pictures click here. Thanks.

Shell decor even at Christmas time!

2008-12-14T12:44:00.003-05:00

I love my shells and have decor showing them off around my home. They fit right in with mercury glass and Christmas decor too.

The starfish below are from Lillian August and are silvered.

Christmas tree 2008

2008-12-12T15:25:00.004-05:00

AS you walk into my Living room and then to the left you will see my tree up.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Happy Holidays!

View into the dining room

back into living room

Winter feeling and Christmas decor 1

2008-12-08T13:06:00.002-05:00

Here are a couple of starfish I picked up at Lillian August in CT at Thanksgiving with silver on them. I could have bought them all they were so pretty! I have the smaller one in the dish with my other shells (Target for the table) and some silvered beads. The two white dishes are milk glass with a silver plate bowl in between. I got two paper houses this year (my hope is to expand the collection and make some). I had the trees in my collection (always pick some up and add snow). The one on the left is from a local gift shop and the one on the right is a $9 find at Cracker Barrel. They are approx 8" in ht. I like that scale. They are placed in my bookshelf.

In my china closet/used as bookshelf, I also placed a recently found cone silvered tree from the dollar store!

I picked up these two items recently for the deeper pewter color. The small tree is from Cracker Barrel ($3).

This is a collection of a few trees. I like to see them like this, reminds me of looking out my aunt's window in Nova Scotia as snow was falling, there was woods across the street from her home and I would just sit and watch the trees fill up with snow. So, now I love to make containers with trees placed around my home for Christmas.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2008-12-05T14:04:00.002-05:00

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas around here! This is a faux palm in front foyer.

Christmas is not that far away!

2008-11-19T17:22:00.004-05:00

Here is a close up of my mantel shelf. I had some white poinsettias, but they were too white and no realtionship to the mantel shelf with glittering silver, so I added a few silver pieces and some light green (love that color with silver, I plan on getting more of that color for next year!) I am NOT finished with the mantel area YET! Lots of tweeking to do!

A small paper house I bought, I had my eye on it for a year in a German gift shop. This year I decided it would come home with me! The little bottle brush tree with silver balls is from the same shop. There is a set of Christmas lights in the cabinet. I want to add rope lighting for a more permanent installation later on. I plan on making more paper houses (for next year, this year is too full of projects already!) and this will be a model. My china cabinet is being used as a bookcase in my living room and that is where I decided to put some Christmas lights and the house. LOVING IT!

Mantel shelf for CHRISTMAS!

2008-11-12T14:40:00.006-05:00

Worked on our Mantel shelf for Chirstmas! (That is a link to my Home Projects Blog).

Yes, already working on Christmas decor because some things have to be worked on early to prepare for decorations. Here is a picture as a teaser.

I love the atmosphere at night with mood lighting!

Our guest room gets new closets

2008-09-29T20:03:00.004-04:00

DH finally is finishing up our guest closet.
Click here
for that link to see the PICTURES!

Going green! green color that is

2008-09-28T16:11:00.005-04:00

My guest bath is a clean slate. All off white. I put some of my silk plants in there (no windows for real plants) and was thinking about how wonderful it feels in there with color, I was thinking pale turquoise (beachy, watery)! I want to paint the walls, but not sure what color. The plants sit on a tall bureau that I am using for the linen closet since there is no other storage in this bath.
I am loving this green called 'pear'. (this is a picture of linen)

Cloche for my shells!

2008-09-28T15:59:00.004-04:00

I got a wonderful gift from my friend Judith yesterday! What a special week for me! I had this wooden stand made from a candle holder and a cheese board. I had the short cheese/cloche on top, and I tried the new etched glass one that Judith gave me. Great fit! This one is taller, so I will be able to display something taller in it now and with the etching on the glass it makes whatever I put in there more special! She has been teaching me how to take better pictures. She is such a wonderful gal! Thanks Judith, I just love it!
(Also in the picture is a small jar with lavender from my yard, and dried leeks in the tall jar from our vegetable garden)

I moved the cloche to the guest room and added a bird on a stand from Pier One and will add more shells.

Pumkins! Mercury Glass

2008-09-28T15:05:00.010-04:00

The mailman brought me a package this week. I didn't order it! It was a wonderful gift from my friend Chris! It was such a wonderful surprise I had to call her right away to tell her how excited I was! It was 3 beautiful mercury glass-style pumpkins from Wisteria! I thought it would be a great opportunity to photograph them this morning as I was preparing to have some tea and a scone (baked date & pecan yesterday) Thank you so much Chris, I love them!

I introduced these treasures to my tea set. I also ran out into the yard to pick some dusty miller and magnolia branches to have greenery on the tray. I do not do much for fall decoration, but Chris really got me excited about those pumpkins!I just had to have them pose in a few ways for me!Here is the picture including my strawberries and scones. They sure were good! But somehow the setting made them taste even better!Thanks again to Chris who made me feel extra special this week for no reason! And she always is such a great friend!

My RL Polo knockoff linen part 2!

2008-09-14T13:35:00.010-04:00

Ralph Lauren Linen Part I link for reference

Master Bedroom. Trying out the other pieces I have gathered to pull this room together.
This morning I was playing with the faux books I got at TJMaxx yesterday. I wanted to 'age' them a bit and put a layer of wax on them so they would have a dull sheen and be protected. I wanted to use them as a lift for my lamp. This shot shows the side of the book that would be the pages. There was only solid gold color on this part, so I dry brushed some steaks and made lots of pencil lines! I also put black paint on the deeper parts of the texture (has light texturing on the cover part) and then lighter sepia brown on the raised parts and in the corners to show wear type markings.
This picture shows the cover and how the black and lighter browns made the book seem like it ahd deeper texturing. ($9 each at TJM).
This picture shows the lamp and some items I gathered to make a vignette on the night stand. This is a buffet table I had and it just slid in this spot (44" wide). I had this mahogany candle holder for years and just waited for the right moment to use it. DH drilled a hole in the metal piece that holds a taper candle and inserted a thick copper wire for me. I wanted to mount a real shell on it.
This morning I picked up a real starfish that I wanted to put on the table and decided it would fit on that wire! This picture shows a standing a bit further back to show that night stand with a bit of the new bedding I am making (RL knockoff) to see how they looked together. The bed is not made, I just put everything on the bed quickly to take a picture and a feel for how all the parts go together.
The bedding is not complete (the bedskirt is the old turquoise one) will be replacing it. This gives me a view of what prospective homebuyers will see as they approach this 'staged' Master bedroom.

MY thoughts on decorating my home

2008-09-08T22:08:00.004-04:00

I wrote this in March 16, 05. I wanted to post it here.

Because your home remodeling project is so personal to you and you have invested so much energy, thought, research into your project, the stakes are high when the dollar amounts are revealed to you. This is where you ‘sink or swim’. You must learn how to stay afloat amidst the rubble of samples, swatches and price quotes! Keep a level head and don’t let on that you don’t know what you are doing. Why? Because that is what the other side is doing as well! Ah, you see there is no mystery!

There is NO grand mystery to getting a project done, no matter what size it is! If you have ever organized your closet, pantry, kid’s school lunch box, or family picture album, you can master a project. To me the best way I think of the description of what to do is to describe what you do every day that is similar. Divide and conquer! Break down the larger jobs into small tasks like steps. Then go through them as if it were one step at a time with the ultimate goal of having the project cross the finish line.

Today’s laundry equipment makes doing the wash more complicated than driving your car! You gather the laundry out of the dryer and then put like objects with like. All of your husband’s things together, socks of same color together, then you have all the wash cycle choices, the temperatures, the amounts of rinse cycles, the speed of spin, well you get the idea. If you can accomplish daily tasks without stress, then you can organize anything!

Decorating is basically organizing with flair! There is no mystery. Coordinate all your functional items to harmonize and only add decorative items to fill in the empty spots, it is really that simple!

When I have a project that I really ‘get into’ I find myself lost in a different world! I really enjoy the time I spend doing it. Time just seems to stand still and the clock moves so quickly through the numbers as if they don’t have a meaning to me anymore. I love to ‘get lost’ in what I am doing (it is called ‘engaging’). And I guess that is the same approach I take to decorating. I especially like to feel something different after I change something in my home. If I add a new color for instance, I immediately feel like there is a visitor (or intrusion) in the room. When trying new colors or accessories in my home, I like to leave it alone in the room for a while and visit it once in a while to see if my mood changes towards the new object. I like to check out groupings of items with one another. I feel that the one that does not fit will stick out like a sore thumb. I won’t have to guess what fits or doesn’t fit because it will be obvious and functional items create harmony in my home.

There are times I don’t’ know what to think when it comes to my environment. After all, all we need is 4 walls, a door, a window, and a light for a room, mattress to sleep on, and a TV, phone and computer! But when the environment around me is pretty, it does something to my soul, my mood, my heart, and suits and fits me with a more complete experience. It gives me reason to smile when all else is down in my life. I feel I will be accepted and understood in this space, protected. Now that IS HOME! And HOME is what we all really want to achieve isn't it?

My RL Polo kockoff linen!

2008-09-05T13:05:00.011-04:00

Ralph Lauren, linen: Here is the REAL thing! Beautiful, crisp, and very layered and interesting. Notice that my attempt (picture below lower on the page after this one) does not look as crisp (nor professional!, but mine didn't cost over $1,200!)
I could not afford that amount so I set out to do my own... a copy!
This is Hawiian Barkcloth that I love. I got this one from eBay and it has orchids instead of roses (more to my style). Can't believe how close they are in mood and color! This fabric has a nice texture ($100% cotton) that us upholstery weight. Below is MY attempt at making this bedding! The bedding is NOT FINISHED yet! I am in progress but thought I would post this picture now.
I got (shopping with Judith!) the quilted blankets at Home Goods (a king for the king sized bed and a queen to cut up for the Euro shams).
I made my own cording (so don't look to closely at the seams!) This shows the bedding on my guest bed which is a queen. I am sewing in that room, so I wanted all the pieces there to assemble first. The white pillow has a black cording sewn on around the flange (made that by sewing on the pillow case that came with the white bedding I bought. Those pillows will have velcro closing.

The black and white striped fabric (couldn't find that exact scale online or at fabric stores in the area) so I bought black and white fabrics and cut out stripes at 3" wide and sewed them together, then added white cording.

The small pillow is just pinned closed because I was looking for leather luggage tag straps for that similar closing as the inspiration picture. I have found some on eBay, they may not be real leather, so I am waiting to find something, I might just make ties to close it till I get the right look.

In the picture the barkcloth is just folded and there is no pillow in it yet. The checked fabric is just loose (will hem that) and the black band is just a 'cumberbun' (has interfacing underneath to stiffen it) that is put on and then tucked in. They can be removed quickly to use the bed.

This bottom picture shows a pillow I made for my painted wingback chairs for the breakfast room. I made 3 of these from a bureau scarf (thick upholstery type fabric) I got a thrift store for $1.45! I used my current pillow stuffings for the interior and made the cording from cutting the sewn edge of the scarf. I think this pillow can be a good mix and match with above bedding.

Here is a lamp I picked up on sale at Kirklands that I thought would dress up this room.And here is a picture that is a (peek) preview of what is to come in the Master Bedroom. I just had this sepia photo (allposters.com) matted and added it to one of my old frames (refinished).

Birdcage find!

2008-08-09T03:20:00.004-04:00

My new birdcage, actually it is a birdcage I found on craigslist. It is made of metal and quite heavy. I want to use it to house Canaries someday. Picture below shows (picture from craigslist listing) the doors open, one in the back for access to inside for cleaning. Top comes off and twists back on. I will adjust the finish to match my things when I find its permanent home.

My style and how I would describe it.

2008-07-12T16:00:00.009-04:00

or my interpretation...

How I would describe my style or 'look' for my home:

I look for anything that is Empire style or has the lines of that style in it. Then I simplify it a bit (due to not wanting the 'museum' room complete with dust and cobwebs, I want to be able to use my stuff) and then add some relaxed beach feeling to it, like I am on vacation, so I don't want to fuss. That is how I describe my look. And I feel like a guest in my own home! This keeps it FUN for me! Duncan Phyfe is a great look with mahogany woods that add a drama with their clean lines. It is best when not cluttered all in one room, but showcase each piece separately. I love white or light colored walls as a back drop and this makes the mahogany pop. I also love moldings and texture added to walls, this creates interest and shadows in late day lighting. I think the Duncan Phyfe lends itself well mixed with the more relaxed wicker and island feel that I learned to love in South Florida. I will add LoriB's comment that it is New England with tropical.

Above: I love the clean lines of the architecture in a room, this inspirational picture shows the simple dressy look of clean lines. This is a wonderful backdrop to the informal relaxed furniture in this Miami house taken from Better Homes and Garden magazine 'before and after' summer issue of 2008.
The pictures below are NOT my furniture, they are pictures I have taken off the internet as examples of what I am writing about.

Below: the Empire chest of drawers (an antique) shows the wonderful simple lines and the curve on the legs with the small lyre curve at the top of the side rails.
I also love the curves on the mullions of the glass doors. This has that splayed line that carries the Empire style.
This shows an Oak buffet unit that is an American piece with less value, but the lines are still there on the legs. I like that you can stain this piece mahogany and still see Oak grain. Some of the earlier pieces are of such larger scale and really meant for 10-plus ceilings. That is why I love the 40's Duncan Phyfe knock offs that have a smaller scale for today's 8' ceiling smaller homes and cottages. Unfortunately they are also veneered mahogany, but at least I get the feel of the dark woods and the lines.
And this lyre table was on Craig's list! (priced too high or I would own it now!)From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, search Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854) was one of 19th century America’s leading furniture makers.Born Duncan Fife near Loch Fannich in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, he immigrated to Albany, New York at age 16 and served as a cabinetmaker’s apprentice. In 1792, he changed the spelling of his name, moved to New York City, and opened his own business, which eventually employed over a hundred workers. He became known as one of America's leading cabinetmakers by selling furniture for relatively low prices. He is most famous for his simple style, a reaction to the imported French designs popular at the time. Duncan Phyfe's furniture can be seen in the White House Green Room.American Federal Period also has some great furniture lines, more straight with some curves.

Below is an example of an Empire styled sofa or settee. It has the splayed legs you will recognize.

This is a new furniture manufacturer (Craftique) that makes this style new today.Here is an antique shown from an online auction house of a Duncan Phyfe china cabinet. For example, I love these antique DF chairs, but on my budget could not afford.

I found the DF set made by Drexel and the lines are not pure, but similar to this inspirational set. I love the curve in the arms that reminds me of tropical and island furniture that goes with my 'island' mix.

My set from Drexel made in the 40's with mahogany veneer (shown when I brought it home from an antique shop before the finish was renewed.My dining room shown with the bottom of my Quoizel chandelier

A view of my living room in my home with the DF china cabinet used as a book case and the buffet unit to the right in the picture.This is another DF table with 3 legs that I have in my guest room. Makes a great second DR table for a large dinner!Here is an antique that I found online, I just love the lines!And here is a picture from my house when we redid our master bedroom. The table is solid mahogany (painted black) and I found it an an antique shop. The lines are similar to above but the scale is smaller and I use it as a night stand. I intend to strip off the paint to show off the mahogany wood (when you turn the table upside down, which happened on loading it after I bought it, and the mahogany is not covered there, I was so excited!).

This is a picture I found of an online auction that shows a buffet piece. I have the same one, but mine has a better finish on it. This came from Sears in the 40's. I found the receit in the back of one of the drawers! I altered that 'factory finish' with Howard brand refinisher and then waxed my buffet and all my mahogany furniture. It gives it a nice patina that refracts light nicer and softer. The picture (opening picture) at the top of my blog is taken on top of my buffet unit.

Here is a Sherton style piece. The lines are simpler.

These are Sheraton style chairs, I just love that shield-shaped back!So, that shield shape came in my home as the mirror over my mantel. I just loved the acorn or shield shape, thought I would get the chairs, but found the other set first.

Finds! SP candle holders!

2008-07-12T00:02:00.003-04:00

The tall SP (silver plate) candle holders were a gift from a friend (lucky me!) and the smaller set was found at a thrift store.

Empire table

2008-06-27T22:32:00.002-04:00

These two first pictures were the ones with the Craig's List listing.

I brought the table home, and introduced it to my things! These are my pictures with my stuff with the table. I may not use it this way, but wanted to see if all blended and went together well. I love the Empire style! I had decided to keep all my mahogany stuff when the house sells and this table will add to that look very well. I particularly like the way the bottom shelf will hold my antique English leather luggage.

I know that in my next house I probably won't have hardwood flooring, I will miss these floors! they really go well with the furniture I have and the look I love!

New mulch in front yard

2008-06-25T08:13:00.003-04:00

We added some new pine bark nuggets to the front yard. I like the texture of this mulch. You are looking at 4 yards of mulch! We are preparing the house for sale so there is a lot of primping going on around the inside and outside of the house! In the front where the mulch is, there is a mound and a pile of extra mulch that was later moved, that is where we had it dumped when it was delivered.

Comments, (how to leave a comment)

2008-06-04T13:10:00.002-04:00

Look under the post, you will see the word comment, just click on that and the comment boxes will open up where you can read other comments and leave one. You will have to fill out a comment and then type in the letters it asks you to type. The comment will not show up right away because I have it on 'monitored' to avoid spam. Thanks!

Tea Time again!

2008-06-04T09:39:00.007-04:00

Above: I baked some whoopie pies (these are RICH) and decided to take one up to my office to try it out.
Below, a new tea set I got at a yard sale ($20) this past weekend! I had the tray from a previous find. Raspberries are from my garden, roses are silk (from DH) purple flowers and lavender from my butterfly bush, the scones are pistachio-fig I baked a while back and keep some in the freezer.

Link to another Tea Time post here, Enjoy!

Taking pictures!

2008-05-11T18:27:00.003-04:00

I have been having a lot of fun taking pictures of our onion & leek scapes we got out of our garden! And then my orchid arrived for Mother's Day, so I had more picture taking fun!
The pictures are on my Home Projects Blog.

Bird Hatchlings in our front yard!

2008-04-26T22:14:00.017-04:00

Thursday, April 24th, we found a bird's nest in our front yard in a bush. The mother (so far we think they are Mockingbirds or blue birds) flew off and we went to investigate and saw brown spotted blue eggs. The next morning this is what we saw in the nest.
The next day we saw this...

And today (Saturday) we saw this! They have grown a lot in 2 days!

I checked on them this morning... shhhhh! (whispering) they are asleep! They are covered in fuzz today and move as one unit together! So cute! Sunday, April 27th, they are 3 days old. This was taken on Monday 4 days old. Below: This was taken this morning (Tuesday, April 29th) See the difference in their eyes! (5 days old) And now we are seeing feathers!

We got a quick picture of the mother. She was watching me and the nest so I went back inside.Friday, May 2nd. I got this shot of them late this afternoon when all was quiet. They are covered with soft down and feathers. They didn't budge when I came up for a picture!

Saturday, they are fluffier and have more feathers! Still sleeping a lot! One week old!

On Sunday, May 4th... look at all the feathers!

And today's picture (Tuesday, May 6th) the nest is getting smaller and smaller!

My Home Projects Blog

2008-04-11T10:07:00.003-04:00

Visit my Home Projects Blog where I put the pictures of projects I do for my home decor. I am a thrifty decorator and do a lot of repurposing myself.
The link is permanently put on my front page to the left under the title picture!

Tea Time!

2008-03-29T20:18:00.010-04:00

It was cold out today! But I was warm by my fireplace with a homemade scone (mocha with cocolate chips) and Tazo's Calm tea.
Recipe for above on Scones n More (my recipe Blog)
Below: Raspberry-Almond and coconut scones.

Below is a morning (Pero) grain drink I enjoy with my whole grain muffin (from Trader Joe's) and it was Easter time.

Master Closet

2008-03-27T21:09:00.006-04:00

Our master closet. We made all the parts, machined them and installed the closet. My husband installed the hardwood flooring first. We had torn out the old wire closet, and then I patched and painted the walls. The material is white melamine.
The top picture is of the right side, then below the picture of the left side.
This shows pictures of the valets we installed. One for me on one side and one for his side.

My husband routed the backs of the panels to fit around the new baseboard he installed (we changed out from the smaller ones when the floor was done).This picture shows the rods are adjustable and the shelf above was extended over the corners to make a shelf at the top go all the way around the closet.
Link to guest closet pictures here.

Tassels

2008-03-27T21:01:00.004-04:00

I just love tassels. I got these napkin rings at Pier 1 a long time ago and use them as tassels on my door knobs. I just love my shell and raffia tassel.

UP Lights

2008-03-22T00:18:00.005-04:00

I have put uplights behind my palms in my living room and dining rooms. I love the effect of the shadows on the walls and ceiling at night.There is a feather finial on my lamp which gives this great shadow!

Sepia pictures

2008-03-21T22:30:00.005-04:00

I love my Sepia prints! I got them as photographs from allposters.com. The picture above is framed in an antique frame refurbished and the set below is new frames done at a local frame shop. They are both tripple matted.

BEACH at home!

2008-03-20T16:56:00.004-04:00

I have the sand, shells and dreams of the beach nearby!

Pearls & silver

2008-03-20T16:23:00.005-04:00

I do love pearls and silver together. The beaded bag is French. (double click for larger view)

BEFORE and AFTER! Living room

2008-03-02T18:34:00.003-05:00

Double click on the picture to see it full screen!

BEFORE and AFTER! Kitchen

2008-03-02T18:32:00.004-05:00

Double click on picture to see it full screen!

Birthday flowers!

2008-03-01T13:08:00.002-05:00

What a great surprise to get these beautiful orchids for my birthday! My kids sent them to me! And hearing their voices on the phone was priceless!

Vegetable Garden

2008-02-24T10:59:00.009-05:00

Our vegetable garden last year
Grape tomatoes,
Small red watermelon,
English cucumber,
Squash, butternut squash,
speghetti squash (small variety),
Eggplant

Backyard gardening 2

2008-02-24T10:46:00.010-05:00

When we planted our River Birch last year I set up an area for Hostas. They are gone now, Grizz Bear (Husky) and small animals ate them ALL!

Fig tree

We had a small area that got very wet from the A/C that is behind this fence area. I got some swamp grass from someone local on FreeCycle and dug out the area. Plant is right at home and no more puddle!

You can see a portion of the Pergola that my husband built in the back yard, gate to garden in the distance. I put some stones for a pathway to the gate.

Backyard gardening

2008-02-24T10:28:00.012-05:00

We have had these banana palms for few years now. We cut them back every fall and cover them with mulch. They come back in the Spring. This picture was taken in June. We got a bud and baby bananas from it a couple of years ago when we had an especially warm long Spring and late Fall.

Our adopted Huskies love the shade from the Palm tree, they also eat the tender tips of the fronds! When we are not looking, some of the baby banana palms dissapear!

We have a gate in our back yard that goes into our secluded vegetable garden. I put a hayrack planter on the fence, one on each side of the gate.

Magnolia that was planted last year

Plum tree

Back of detached garage showing our River Birch Butterfly bush, wax myrtle bushes and my raised herb bed that my husband made for me.

Shell bracket shelf

2008-02-23T18:14:00.011-05:00

This is how I found the shelf bracket at Marshalls. It had gold and was painted different colors.

I painted the shell bracket shelf with my wall color (SW Pacer White) with some burnt umber mixed in with the paint to create the shadowed areas.

Then I pained all the high spots with the straight Pacer White color.

I attached it to the wall in my Guest room.

The shelf seems to grow out of the wall and has just enough definition to make out all the shell shapes. Great shadows with low lighting.

Clock collection

2008-02-23T17:21:00.004-05:00

I have a few clocks on my buffet unit that I use in my living room.
You will also see a lit shell tree near the picture, that is a creation made by Liz, who's site Tropic Designs is listed on this Blog.

Clock wall #1 in my dining room

Clock wall #2 in my dining room

Just a few more clocks around my house

Kitchen plate stand

2008-02-23T12:45:00.003-05:00

I found these plates to tie into my kichen floor cloth. I just love the negative and positive on these dishes. The two tier stand was formerly a 3-tiered one but didn't fit under my cabinets, so I had DH cut off the top one. I found the two plates at Marshalls (they showed the stripes on the sides so the black and white could be seen from across the room).

Kitchen

I added plates and stand to counter