Fun Thrift finds for a Tea Party and Decorating Projects

Cruising my favorite thrift stores and I found these great treasures perfect for my dd's 3rd birthday tea party.  Vintage lamp from Germany... $10

Czechoslovakia tea pot (purchased specifically for the pink and purple) $10

pink tea cup and saucer $4

and cute little mini tea cup $2.

Post tea party... what will I do with all the tea cups and pots? I plan on creating a floor lamp... I've seen so many cute ones on Pinterest for inspiration, like the one below, or even the curtain tie back from Better Homes and Gardens.

These cute ideas are from a cute blog called the silly old suitcase! Check it out, what a cheery place to visit for ideas and DIY's!

Master Bedroom Transformations... Time for a Change... Again

In all its splendor... this is our home when we purchased it in July of 2009!  A 70's fixer upper, right down to the multi colored shag carpeting... the decor hadn't changed since the home was built, and we loved the opportunities it presented us... most of all square footage! Lots of room for a future family.  We're maxing it out with the 4th baby on the way, and I am itching to redecorate... we can call it "nesting".

A major bummer is that our digital camera was running out of battery power when taking all the BEFORE shots, so we just jumped into working and don't have many original photos.   A MAJOR regret.  This was before picture cell phones... otherwise we would have been in the clear and you would have seen this room in it's glory with wallpaper  and bright royal blue shag carpeting.

Decked with my husband's bachelor pad furniture, we painted the room a tan color with a dark brown accent wall... my husband hated the brown wall... I didn't mind it, but we ended up just painting the room a Ben Moore Manchester Tan. My hubby busted his butt putting wood flooring throughout the entire home.

This is the current state the bedroom is in.  2 Christmas' ago, I painted over that boring tan... and it is this caramel color.  I like it, but am not in LOVE with the color... so off to the hardware store to get paint swatches... I want a GRAY.

How to get this look...

Ethan Allen Armoire: craigslist... $250

Pottery Barn King Pine Bed: craigslist... $100

8x10 Pottery Barn rug: clearance + discount... $180

Home Depot ceiling fan... $40

left dresser/nightstand: craigslist... $10

right dresser/nightstand: goodwill... $20

long navy Thomasville dresser (as seen in son's bedroom): craigslist... $FREE

pair of chairs: goodwill...$20 for set

Pottery Barn Bedding: king cream velvet comforter $60, Bettina duvet and shams $120

lamps from GW: $20

shades are from Target donations at GW: $10

TOTAL is less than $1000, not bad.

today I changed out the rug... got GRAY paint swatches, and bought an antique desk that might go under the left window for $20 at GW!  Good-bye caramel brown. I don't know what I was thinking... So this is the BEFORE... stay tuned for the AFTER!

Decking the dining room Chandelier... a before and after!

I enjoy thrift shopping... and saw this light, but I passed it up the first time I saw it.  Thank goodness it was still there when I went back to get it.  

$13 total! no tax... perfect for our dining room.  I painted it with some metallic paint that I bought at Michaels.  

I used an antique bronze from Tricoat's sophisticated finishes line.  At Michaels, a small bottle of this is around $7 or $8 and goes a long way.  It is cheaper if you use a 40% off coupon.  Use your smartphone because Michaels honors online coupons from their competitors!  It goes on with the consistency of nail polish remover and looks great.

Finished product...

I enjoy using this light as a centerpiece for the room and every year is different. For Christmas, I wrapped 2 garlands around it and then hung ornaments from it.  Pretty and festive.

Don't disgard those dated brass lights... you never know what you might have with a new finish.  With some patience and a paint brush... you can save yourself some money.

For the Boys... A bedroom perfect for adventures!

The boys did come first... before all the pink princess stuff.  Joe's nursery was in primary colors and transportation themed. We were very happy with how it turned out with all our thrifty finds and generous gifts from Grandma. Matthew's nursery was softer and farm-themed with the sweetest rug!  When it was time for Brooke to arrive, the two boys moved in together.  And they share this space.  With another boy on the way, and my "Nesting" bug... I am determined to get their mural done... It has been a work in progress a little too long.  The mural was inspired by artist, Jessie Hartland. 

The pirate ship is the newest addition and a special surprise for the boys.

I have been working on the farm... we added a pond and some more homes and docks...

Just recently added the log and puppy in the reeds...

One of the original boat docks...

How can you get this LOOK?

Thomasville dresser- free from Craigslist, we painted it navy

table and chairs- from Grandma, w/new spray paint on chairs (WalMart's generic spray paint are perfect for PBK look-alikes)

tab top curtains- Pottery Barn Kids

Pottery Barn rug- on clearance and was $175

airplanes on ceiling- from HomeGoods

Hot air balloon- made by Authentic Models

Camp dresser- $180 each from Pottery Barn Kids outlet in Memphis (totally worth the trip)

we painted the ceiling, just like we originally did in Joe's nursery, but without the details... I would really like to put fiber optic lighting into the ceiling and it might be on my to do list still.

Please don't forget to vote for Dawn's "Princess Pallette" on Apartment Therapy's Room for Color 2012 Contest... so I can "nest" some more!

http://dawnlynn.blogspot.com/search/label/nesting

Nesting! Decorating a Nursery and Master Bedroom

My daughter's nursery is a finalist in the Light Division in the Color Contest. If you have a moment, register on Apartment Therapy for great Decor ideas and "Favorite" the room.  The room with the most votes by October 29th wins!  When I had some "Nesting" ideas for our home... my husband said, "Good luck with that!" Well, I called his bluff, and now I am honored with being a finalist!  We have a 3 bedroom ranch... our 2 boys share a room, and our dd has her own little palace, so with Baby #4 on the way... looks like he will be sharing with us for a while until he hangs with his big brothers in their big space!

My "Nesting" ideas entails tackling the Master Bedroom and Family Room, which would then re-shuffling the finished basement.  In my mind it's simple!  Repaint the master with a shade of gray, stencil a focal wall with a damask pattern or even birch trees. There's a great post on stenciling here.

 Get new lighting fixtures, or make them.

I love this Seychelles chandelier from Serena and Lily... 

I really like the idea of some yellow accents... Look at this dresser and the redo here.

And the baby might be with us in the Master for a while... our babies tend to be on the small side and fit the bassinet for a good few months... it's fun looking at fabrics and I completely fell in love with this fabric due in December from designer Sarah Watts for Blend fabrics.

Last, but not least, I would make a mobile from these sweet ornaments found at Pottery Barn.

My Creative Space, The Craft Room where I create!

This was my "Craft Room" a few years ago, decked out in green and yellow.  I have always wanted a room to create in since I was a little girl.  I spotted these built ins on Craigslist for $150!  My dad and hubby went and picked them up from the seller and they have become the creative corner of my  little creative world.  It was when I found out I was expecting a sweet little girl that my creative world exploded with color, lots of it, and FABRIC!  OH, the wonderful world of fabric.  WARNING: fabric shopping can be addicting.  OK, I warned you.  My favorites are Hancock's of Paducah, Quilt Home, Fat Quarter Shop, and if you want to find deals... Fabric Donkey lists sales and coupons.  Check Twitter too. Amy Butler's Lark was 50% off from a Fat Quarter shop Tweet! If you are looking for something specific.  Try ETSY.  I try not to spend more than $6.00 a yard, which is do-able if you shop right!  If you have a favorite place to find fabric... please leave a comment and share with us!

Jennifer Paganelli is an amazing fabric designer and author who is having a Photo Challenge. This week's challenge is your favorite use of color in your home. First of all, those who know me, know I love a photo challenge!  I was inspired to clean up my creative space to share with you were I create... it is full of all colors, and of course, GW, HomeGoods and Craigslist!

I found this white hutch and dresser at a garage sale for $40, and it came with these gorgeous hand painted ceramic knobs... which were worth more than the furniture... so all in all, great find! 

I am a fabric junkie... so many talented artists and designers...  I have to have at least a yard of each.

Other than the fabric... I found the plates and peacock at GW.  They spoke to me and for  a couple of dollars,  I have some colorful items that make the space pretty.

She holds extra needles or little odds and ends that I don't want little fingers to find.

About 10 years ago, HomeGoods had these gals with big bare feet designed by Laura Kelly for Blue Sky and I just love them.  I have a few smaller ones in my kitchen with vegetables and the garden sweeties are watching me create.  I have one hugging gladiolas, see if you can spot her!

I love this kitty, bright green, 70's looking planter... either way, she's mine and she cost $1.00!

That lantern was in my $2.00 grab bag from Michaels! Plate from HomeGoods, and little lamb from GW!

I love having containers to organize.

Here it is... I am working on a few things to hang on the walls, and might paint down the road, but I love the color, color, color... it inspires me.  I hope something here, inspires you!