Patriotic Decorating Using American Flags and Red White and Blue Bunting

Okay, I'll admit it....I'm decorating for the 4th of July even though it's only the middle of June. I found two bins of American Flags and Buntings in the attic and I'm screwing cup hooks into the siding! I'm in full-on, "I LOVE AMERICA and I'm proud to show it!" mode.  What can I say? It has been two years since I've had a home to decorate for the 4th and I've missed it more than I realized.

Simple DIY Valentines Day Door Decor

The Valentine's day decor on my front door this year may look familiar.

Do you recognize it?                                    

..No?

Finding My Personal Style

Hi Everyone!
As I've been planning the color scheme and decor for the French Farm House Project, I realized that it is probably a good time to discuss finding my personal style.  I shared this information a few weeks ago over at my friend Pamela's blog but wanted to make sure that I also shared it here as well because I hope that I can inspire you and help you to find your style...the one that's uniquely YOU!

My style is continually evolving and,  for me, it has a lot to do with where I'm at in my life and the people with whom I share my home than it does any one style.  Just after college, my style was certainly much more feminine than it is today.

My current decorating pallet involves several shades of grey, beige and ivory.  This might have something to do with the fact that I live in a home where I'm the only female (unless you happen to count Martha Stewart who has lived with us for the last fourteen years. No, not that Martha...the one who lives in our home has four legs and is a yellow lab.)

It also may have something to do with the fact that I wear those colors as the basic parts of my wardrobe much of the time. One of the things that I've learned over the years is to take color cues from the clothes that I love the most. I found that the colors that I wear most often are those that are easy for me to use when I decorate.

I think that my style is best described as evolving and eclectic. It has strong traditional elements but the pieces in our home range from my great grand parents sofa and chair to a brand new dining room table. I also want you to know that that the evolution of my style hasn't been much about me finding my style as it has been about my style finding me.

Over the years, I've continued to be drawn to the same sorts of things.  Most of them are warm...and comfortable.  They've usually got an interesting shape or a fascinating detail.  Many of them have a story to tell.  I've collected, inherited and roadside rescued much of the furniture that resides in our home.  Very little of it has been purchased new.

I tend to decorate with mainly solid, neutral colored pieces and then allow just a few areas like cushions, draperies, rugs, and pillows have pattern. I studied Art and Design in college and I'm a weaver so, I find that I'm drawn to fabric with interesting textures or soft fibers like chenille.

Details (like a collection of vintage ironstone and a few wooden spoons in painted holder or the hand painted tile back splash) help to make our home feel not so "new".  One or two special details can define an entire room and make it feel like "home".

I like to mix things up. I combine natural wood with painted pieces, different types of counter tops in our kitchen,  hardware on cabinets that doesn't "match".   I found that doing this helps our home feel as if it has been "put together over time" rather than the nine year old "new-ish" home that it actually is.

I like down-wrapped cushions and plenty of throw pillows. I like cozy spaces (like window seats) but I find that I also like rooms with loads of natural light and which are open to each other.  This makes it really easy to entertain everyone from just a couple of people to large groups.



I've discovered that my style has become much more casual now that my sons are nearly grown.  I'm also mixing things up a little more than I used to (like combining my very traditional, formal dining room table and side board with a painted cabinet, the park bench from my yard and a hutch that I built from reclaimed barn wood).



The most important thing that I've discovered  is to allow you style to tell your story...and the story of the people who live in your home.  Surround yourself with things that make you feel comfortable...things that make you smile... and don't worry if they "match".

I'll admit that I'm  a compulsive re-decorator and I'm constantly changing things around. I regularly move pieces from one room to another to keep things interesting (and keep my sons guessing).  Having much of my furniture upholstered in neutral colored fabrics allows me the freedom to do this fairly easily.  

Family pieces will always remain in our home decor but, other items are sold (or donated) to make room for "new" things.  This keeps our home fresh but still allows it to have a sense of "history.

More than anything, I believe that  home should be a place where you feel comfortable. Whether it's a sleek, modern, minimalist apartment in a high rise in the city or a charming country cottage, your home should feel like YOU!

Have fun with decorating. Try different things and, if the result doesn't feel right, change it...try something different! You never know where or when you'll find your style...these days, I'm finding mine at thrift stores and flea markets...and often at the curb! 

As the decor at the French Farm House takes shape, I think that you'll find it slightly different than what you've seen at my current home but the overall feel will still be same: warm and eclectic....with just the right mix of vintage cast offs, pieces that I've restored, and a few new things. 

EASY DIY: Patriotic "No Sew" Stenciled Burlap Table Runner With Grain Sack Stripes

I'm so glad that you stopped by today! Happy "almost" July 4th! First, let me say that I can't believe that it's JULY already, can you!?  Today, I'm sharing a quick and easy DIY project: A Patriotic, no sew, stenciled burlap table runner with grain sack stripes.  It's my favorite kind of project...the one that's free...and can be done in under an hour!

Valentine's Day Decor and A Free Printable

E.E. Cummings has long been one of my favorite artists. He was a prolific writer, painter and poet. His body of work encompasses approximately 2,900 poems, two autobiographical novels, four plays, several essays and numerous paintings and drawings. But today, I wanted to share one of his poems....

                                                                                                                            ....you may recognize it.

Valentines Day Mantel (Easy Decorating}

There's nothing I like more than free decorating. Yes, you read that correctly...free...zero dollars. Made from supplies that I already had on hand.  (Let me apologize in advance for the bad humor...keep reading....you'll know why in a minute.)

Vintage Valentine's Day Dining Room Decor...and a Love Story

I'm a hopeful  romantic.                
                                            I have been, for as long as I can recall....

Yep, all the way back to the first time that John Fowler arrived at the bus stop on my very first day of first grade.

Valentines Day Heart Paintings and One of Life's Lessons

Did you grow up with the Beatles? I did....well, sort of...

You see, I don't actually remember the Beatles, although I'm guessing that I probably saw them on television.

Pumpkins, Ironstone and Copper - Fall Hutch

I'm happy to say that I'm finally getting a little fall decorating done around my house but,  you know,

decorating with Martha Stewart just isn't what it used to be

                               You've got to remember that while I do live with Martha Stewart, she's 14 now. In

yellow lab years, I think that's ninety-two. Unlike her namesake, she doesn't really have an opinion when it

comes to decorating. 

                                         Heck, she's only awake for about four hours a day.
                     

Getting Ready for the 4th - Scenes from my Home and Gardens

We're getting ready to Celebrate America's Birthday in our home. My vintage milk bottle carrier is at the ready. The empty spots in the holder will be filled with condiments on the big day and daisies from my garden will be added to the flags.

The ledge on the hood above the cook top gets treated to a little "Americana" with an old porch newel that has been drilled and filled with American flags.  And who can forget my crazy American Flag Party Pick Wreath?  I know that I'll be shaking my head about that one for a long time!

When I made the patio cushion covers in May, I purposefully made one side solid white. This enables me to change the look for special occasions like this.

The 4th of July has always been cause for celebration in our family. The tradition was established by my parents and their life-long friends before I was born. I grew up having a party to celebrate the 4th and it's a tradition that became one of my own when I had my sons.

On some July 4th's, the party has been an all day event that starts with Red, White and Blue breakfast and a trip to the parade and ends at 11 p.m. with fireworks. Other years, it's been a simple cook out with family and friends. One thing that's always consistent, however, is that we always celebrate!

There's not a doubt in any one's mind that I love the 4th of July. At least I don't think there is...you can tell, right?

Here's the vignette that I created in our foyer using one of my favorite ironstone pitchers and some vintage books about flags.  Of course, my beachy starfish are also a part of the display. I think that they fit right in!

I found this cute pillow cover at Pottery Barn and added it to a "not too red, white, and blue" vintage quilt.

My favorite vignette is on the yardstick-covered chicken carrier that acts as a coffee table in our family room. It's a simple nod to the Great American Past time ...

                                                                                      ...and to the fact that I live in a house full of men! 

Of course, then  there's the outside decor....

The gardens are putting on a show of their own this year!  Daisies and larkspur are waiting to be picked!

Hydrangea, day lilies, monarda...the whole garden is ready for the party!

The decorating will be wrapped up today. Then it's on to menu planning, shopping, cooking and baking. Just as soon as July 1 rolls around and end of quarter/end of half at work is behind me because by then, I'll be more than ready for some celebratory time with family and friends!

How do you celebrate?

xo,


Linking to:
Common Ground 
Home Stories A to Z 
Not Just A Housewife 

"Behind The Scenes" info on the Living Room Makeover

I thought that I'd share a little behind the scenes "scoop" on the elements that make up the living room that I shared in Saturday/Sunday's post. For the "untrained" eye *wink*, the following may not be obvious:

Items in living room that were purchased at Goodwill, Salvation Army and Garage Sales:
All small, green, Christmas trees, silver coffee pot, green and white porcelain lamp (and the table that it's sitting on), sweaters and lace for pillows in the window seat, vintage silver Christmas tree, chenille "tree skirt", oval mirror, milk glass vase, white Christmas tree candles, small silver candles, lace doilies, white and silver ornaments, fireplace screen, tall blue/gray basket and the vintage lantern on the hearth) (I happened to have the silver candlesticks and the ice bucket but I've seen scads of both at both GW and SA).

Items that I made myself (or that Ann and I made): Pillow covers from book bags (no sew), pillow covers for the pillows on the sofa, yarn and jute wrapped balls on coffee table, burlap wreath on coffee table, family tree on the side table, "snow balls" on the mantle, embellished grape vine balls on the mantle, large "artwork" behind the sofa, knit throw on the sofa, burlap ball ornament and embellished angel cutout on the side table, white wreath from coffee filters and glittered pine cones in the opening to the fireplace, white painted branches for the "artwork" and the basket near the fireplace, ice skate cutout on the side table, jingle bell pillow on the window seat (don't look too closely, it's not finished).

Items that were "free": Small side chair,  basket near fireplace with logs in it (curbside finds two years ago); Great Grandma's sofa (from my parents' basement); coffee table, magazine rack and floor lamp (inherited);  lace "throw" (tablecloth) from my Grandmother, Birch logs, Pine cones, White Xmas sign (a gift from my friend, Laura, at B & B's Nest).

Items that came from Hobby Lobby or Michaels: Angel on side table, clear glass balls, grapevine balls.

So, as you can see, most of what makes up the room was either free, homemade or purchased at a "thrift type" location;  proving, once again, that you can make rooms beautiful on a budget. 

I'm working on Thanksgiving tablescaping today. Here's a hint: so far, it involves a painter's drop cloth, an old wooden shipping crate and borrowed dishes.....details soon.

xo,

S

When is a half hour not 30 minutes?

NOTE: see Monday's post for details and a "behind the scenes" update.


Let's see....when last we spoke, I had been painting the living room for 5 days, right?  I thought that it was going to take ONE weekend. Apparently, I have no sense of time.

For example, my friend, Ann, came to visit this weekend. Sometime around 9 a.m. today, we were looking for something that we couldn't find because we couldn't walk into my studio to get to the table to see if it might be there but I should probably back up a little. 

Our intent,this weekend, was to crawl (literally, through a 2 foot tall door) into the storage room and get out the tubs of Christmas decorations which are hidden behind the guest room closet, safe from anyone who might try to throw something way (given that I live in a house full of men, I don't feel that I probably need to mention names). 

However, I was still painting when Ann arrived at noon on Friday so, after finishing the painting, rehanging the drapes, moving the two ladders and rearranging the furniture for probably an hour in four or five configurations that involved moving of chairs from other rooms and taking furniture up the flight of stairs to my bedroom, we finally settled on a furniture arrangement at around 9 p.m. and started looking around for ANYTHING holiday-ish that we could use to decorate because, candidly, my back was sore and my feet hurt (probably from painting on the ladder in bare feet, but I digress) and I couldn't really even think about crawling into the cold, unheated, room and pushing the 30 or so tubs and boxes of stuff out to Ann because when we got them out, we would probably spend the rest of the evening trying to get out of the guest room.

Instead, we used the silver things that I bought at the flea market and a bunch of stuff that was hanging around in the dining room, leftover from the barn sale and we put THIS together:

Believe it or not, this decorating was done without unpacking a single box from the storage room. But more on this fact in a moment.  Today (Saturday),  around 10 a.m., we thought that we were going to finally get out some boxes and start decorating the family room but after I tried to get to the container in the studio where I keep the burlap with Ann watching (with a horrified look on her face) from the doorway of the studio, I tripped over a basket full of yarn and almost impaled myself on the loom. Ann said to me, "Hey, how about if we just take a half hour and clear a path so that you'll feel better about decorating?"  So, I thought "What the heck, it's just a half hour, I've got someone who knows the difference between fabric glue and hot glue who's willing to help me sort through some of the "clutter" (and I use that term VERY loosely), so sure, why not?"  We realized, after the first hour of cleaning that we hadn't taken any "before photos" so, I ask that you imagine what this looked like before two women spent 60 minutes "organizing" (yep, that IS a 33 gallon trash bag that is about 1/2 way full after the first hour).

As I write this, it is now 11:45 p.m., yes, that's P.M....approximately TWENTY-SIX actual half hours (or ONE "Ann" half hour) later, however, I've gotta say, we got one heck of alot accomplished in that half hour. This is how my studio looks tonight (yes, it's dark outside in the "after shots").

Tonight, I actually walked all the way to the windows on the far side of the room in the dark and I didn't even hurt myself!

Meanwhile, we still haven't gotten any of the tubs out of the storage room but we DID manage to make a really cool piece of "art" for the wall behind the sofa using a huge canvas that has spent a year "waiting for inspiration", some branches that I had painted white last year, some fishing line and a couple of plastic snowflakes. After I spent an hour describing various ideas ranging from burlap bows to pinning my wedding dress on the frame (yeah...not at all as lovely as I thought it would look), we searched Pinterest and Google Image, we looked at lace, tablecloths and even considered stretching fabric over the darned thing when Ann said to me, "Why don't we just put those sticks on it somehow?" and I said, "Ya think?"...so we found fishing line and some thumb tacks and some wire for the back of the canvas...and about a half an hour (an ACTUAL half hour...thirty minutes) we high-fived ourselves as we hung this behind my sofa:

Branches are held on the canvas using fishing line woven through them so that I can use the canvas for something else after the holidays.

Total cost the entire living room "remodel" $38 worth of paint and a $6 birds nest.  We haven't unpacked a single box of Christmas decorations and it's the end of another day. Just imagine what we'd have gotten accomplished if we had worked for an hour! ....Ah well, maybe I can talk her into staying for lunch tomorrow.

Felted Sweaters and Lace Doilies covering pillows.

Linen shopping bag stuffed with  pillow form. Handles cut and tied into bows.