As promised, I have finished my fall decorating and want to share the before and after photos. Here we go.
So after I cleared off all my surfaces that I wanted to decorate, I pulled out my fall decor totes. All the containers, vases, baskets, candle holders, etc. went on the table. This way I can see what I'm working with. Then the creating begins. I usually start with the hutch.
I like to use a mixed bag of items put together to add interest and color. I decided this year to keep all my ceramic pumpkins in the dining and entry for a softer look.
The table centerpiece and my teacart arrangement finish off the decor for the dining room. I love this old tool box I found for the table. I remember my grand father having one very similar. I use lots of silk flowers because my kitty loves to eat and dump over the real one's. I can usually get more color selection and if I'm searching for a specific type of flower, I don't have to special order it.
On to the Great Room:
I'm a very symetrical person... so many of my mantel displays are done this way.
I can't live without my tunes so I just work around my stereo in top of the piano. I love to start bringing out candels this time of year when the evenings are longer and a bit cooler. They add warmth and glimmer to your decor.
I really try not to do the same designs each year. I always start out the same way so I can see everything I have to work with and wing it from there. Many of my clients put the same decor in the same place year after year and they find themselves bored with the look. Mix it up, move stuff around and you will never get tired of it. OK manybe not never...even I have to pick up a few new items and send stuff out every year. Especially at Christmas..I can't help myself. Here are some photos of years past and how I mixed stuff up a bit.
Teresa
Posted at 11:41 AM in Decorating Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Fall is my favorite season of the year. I have been eagerly awaiting the first week in October to break out the pumpkins and fall flowers to get the house ready to relax and enjoy the changing colors out side. I have always been a bit over the top for all seasons so it's no surprise that my family has come to expect an all out house transformation. Furniture is turned to address the fireplace. Cocoa mugs set out for easy access. Pumpkins, candles, decor, and flowers everywhere.
So yesterday I started the chore of taking all the beachy decor down and packing it up until after Christmas. All the surfaces were cleaned off and dusted. The hutch is bare along with everything else. When the family got home they were is confusion mode wondering where everything was. I got down the four (I know it's crazy) totes of fall decor (mostly flowers and pumpkins) and fished out all my fall vases, candle holders, copper pots, and baskets. Now I consider any thing that is green, tan, brown, red, orange, purple, or black, fair game for fall decor. I pretty much just go through my inventory of goodies and pull anything that will go. Including art work and linens. I don't usually use these colors too much in my day to day decorating cause...well I'm beachy...more blues, white, aqua. So fall is extra special cause we are surrounded with all these warm earthy colors until Christmas.
Tomorrow I'll post all my before and after photos. Hope something inspires you in your fall decorating this season.
Teresa
Posted at 01:53 PM in Holiday Decorating | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Their Married!!!! My little sister got married this past weekend. It was so beautiful. Life has dealt my sister some real challenges over the years and she has overcome them all. She has found the love of her life and married him. I don't think I have ever seen her so happy. I wish them the best of luck with fair winds and following seas as they prepare for a new duty station down south.
As promised, there are some pictures of the flowers from the wedding:
We used a ring bear for our ring bearer since he was only three. The teddy was much easier to carry and cuddle.
And now pictures from the wedding!!!
Congrats you two...Love Ya
Teresa
Posted at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Friday Night Lights!!!!
Friday was our first home game of the season and even though our guys put forth some great effort we lost the game in the last few minutes 25-21. Only moments before, we were down 0-19. With several wonderful drives we lead the game 21-19 with only two minutes remaining. Through a series of "oopsies" we let the game slip away. On the up side, Mookie and the team were wonderful and kept the crowd going thoughout the up and down game. Way to go wildcat Cheer!
SEAHAWKS OPENER!!!! SEAHAWKS 28--RAMS 0.
What a beautiful day in Seattle. One of the best opening days we've had in the six years we've had tickets. The game was absolutely awesome after a few bumps in the beginning. After we settled down, there was no stopping us. Our new favorite player is Carlsen (not just cause he's from ND). He was all over the place and really helped make the plays happen. Can't wait to see how the season plays out.
Here we are in our fabulous seats. Of course the first touchdown of the game was down in front of us. All the good stuff always seams to happen at our end of the field. Even the Romo slip up! Here's to great year!!!! GO HAWKS!!!!
KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL
For the first time in many years, the kids are at different schools. Mookie is off to the high school and littleman is off to middle school(different locations, of course). This has been quite an adjustment for me as I try to adjust to the schedule differences. They start at different time, end at different times, have early days on opposite ends of the week..I hope I don't forget someone. Plus practice schedules and church classes add to my dizziness. Ok, another cup of coffee and I'll be fine. I have to say, I'm so proud of them. Both have taken a new energy and excitement with them this year that I think will be wonderful. Nothing sparks great results like a great attitude.
The house is quiet and the dust bunnies are starting to settle from the first week shuffle...so now I can focus on my sister's wedding that is just a few weeks away. She asked my to do all the flowers for the girls, the tables and her bouquet. I'm so excited. I have poenies, orchids, roses, and hydrangas for her bouquet. Magnolias for the table centerpieces. Roses and hydrangas for the girls and roses for the moms, dads, and grandma's. I also have several larger arrangements to work on for the alter area and the bridal arch to beautify. I'll share all the photos after the wedding...she should probably see them before you. I know you understand..
till next time-
Teresa
Posted at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
As summer comes to an end, it is time for me to recap all my completed projects!
LUCY SWAP!! I completed Shawnee's Lucy swap and sent my secret partner this beautiful lucy inspired apron...along with a box full of goodies. Haven't gotten my apron yet but I'll share when it arrives.
Made from a wonderful vintage dress...oh so Lucy!
BATHROOM REDESIGNS: I took an extra week vacation to work on house projects for myself. The bathrooms were due for some new paint and decor. First I tackled the master bath that was painted tan with palm tree borders. The new paint is a beautiful soft white with aqua accents. Now it matches the rest of our beach house.
Even white can be beautiful when you pay close attention to the details.
I filled the egg basket with beach treasures to add some color to the white tile counters. I filled the glass vases with white sand and bamboo sticks. The glass vessel is filled with shells. I stiched small shells from Mexico Beach onto the curtin tabs for added texture.
KIDS BATH
Several years ago, I did this crazy garbage bag glaze technique in the kids bath in purple! It was time for that to go. Again I used a soft white but this time added accents of black.
We already had the iron shelf it was just repainted. The canisters I found over spring break. The shower curtin and rug are new. The prints are black and white sketches of London my brother got me years ago. The kids love it.
BEDROOM REDESIGN
Before: Dark navy blue and orange with hot rod flames painted on the walls.
After: PB Tan with skate board theme.
WOW! I'm so happy with all my new rooms. Next on the list is the master bedroom and upstairs hallway. With school starting next week I'll be back on schedule for Tuesday tips and Friday finds. Y'all come back now!
Teresa
Posted at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Oh yes, and I have been enjoying it. We have had the most incredible weather since school got out and who can help be out and about. Clients continue to repaint and redesign as the summer moves along. On the family front all has been a blurrrr.
Mookie finished second in the division for Discus. Way to go!
Little Man completed fifth grade and moves on to Middle School. WOOHOO!
Mookie Graduated from 8th grade and is off to the high school. YAY!
Mookie made the Varsity Cheer squad for the fall and was nominated All American at Cheer Camp. GO CATS!
Fourth of July was celebratedwith a huge parade downtown, carnival, and firework over the water. No Rain, YAY!
Yes, I am swapping again. This one is all about Lucy...can't wait to get all the goodies done for my partner. Apron is coming along and should be out soon.
On the crafty side of life I made these cute chocolate grad cap candies for graduation. Made totes and aprons for all the teachers(which I forgot to take pics of :(). Made a birthday bow for mookie to wear at camp. Mookie and I put together some cheer goodies for camp.
And there's more summer fun ahead! Take care for now.
Teresa
Posted at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Our town puts on a whopper of a Memorial Day Parade. Starting with a flyover by one of the NAS Whidbey helecopters, followed by flags, military heroes, and half the town. Marching bands, church groups, scouts, preschoolers, firefighters, and the praire tractors from the Sherman and Engle farms. Good old fashion meeting and greeting is had by all. Hot dogs and ice cream at the town park along with a presentation from the Mayor conclude this grand event.
When I was a kid, a holiday weekend meant a project was about to begin. One year we enclosed our porch, another we built a new deck and still another we poured a new cement slab for our bbq area. We got busy with some projects around the house this weekend because the weather was just perfect. I have been stock piling paint projects, weeding needed to be done, bark needed to get down, and planting finished. Here are a few of the paint projects I got completed from my Friday Finds Stash.
Mookie's new light...we search all over IKEA for the black chandelier and was finally told they painted the display light, so we did too!
I found this very cute shaped lamp (2.99) but it need some help. After a coat of lacquer black and a new shade, it's perfect!
I love my little beach chairs but they were looking a little ragged. Found this beautiful apple green paint at Home Depot. Just saw the same chairs on the cover of Sunset Magazine in hot pink. Very cute!
This is to hold all my fabric scissors in the studio.
Found this urn for just $2.00, looks awesome black.
Lesson of the Week: Never walk away from something great just because it's the wrong color. Always look at the shape, style and possible function of an item to determine if it's a good buy. Mookie gave me that, "what are you thinking, that's not going in my room" look when I first showed her the lamp. Now that it's painted, she loves it. Had I not shown it to her first she would have thought it was from Target.
Have a great week!
Teresa
Posted at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Ok...so Friday Finds actually turned into weekend finds this week due to the small turnout of venues. I found some beautiful 70's pillow cases (I almost have enough to make my quilt), a pair of wooden candle holders, some Irish coffee mugs for my Mom's bar, two cool tuperware containers...in AQUA, a mug holder that I'm going to use to hold my sewing scissors, a totally ugly urn that will be painted and used for graduation, and an anniversary mug and best wishes mug. Woo Hoo!
Also picked up awesome Apple Green Rustoleum spray paint at Home Depot this weekend and I can't wait to open it. I have two beach chairs in the yard that need a fresh coat. Plus, I think my little mug holder would look cute apple green too. I'll take photos to share when I get them done.
Teresa
Posted at 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. Just in time for Mother's Day, my vintage apron package arrived on my door step.
Very nicely done withvintage trim and hand embroidery on bodice. All my favorite beach glass colors...blue, green, pink!
My package included three milk glass pieces, a vase, a small bowl and a salt shaker(which I filled with Paula Deens house seasoning). A table scarf, a cook book, tons of little trims and laces, buttoms, a hanky, another aqua bowl, and a beachy tray. I've been totally spoiled. Thanks a million Maudina!!! One of the cutest parts, she wrapped the trims and lace around sea shells..Love it!
Been busy in the studio working on aprons, coffee cozies and teacher gifts for the end of the year. Here is a cute Mom and Daughter set I put together for one of my DH's clients.
Can't wait to see a picture of them wearing them.
Celebrated LittleMan's birthday with all his buddies. They spent the entire time skateboarding and reluctantly stopped to eat and have cake. Happy Birthday, dude!
Just finished a new Staging. The home is vacant and for sale. A few accessories is all it needed to give the buyers a little lived in feel. I usually work with furnished homes but these are fun too.
Clean and simple is the key in a Staging like this. Just give the clients an idea of how it's going to look. They are buying the house, not the accessories.
Mookie is finishing up Track Season. One last meet, then she(we) are off to prelims and finals. She has done very well this year and throwing further each week. Go Mook!
Finally, I got a glimpse of this lovely creature out my office window, grabbed the camera and headed down the street. He perched there about 15 minutes or so before he took off. He was beautiful.
Have a great week! Check in tomorrow for Friday Finds.
Teresa
Posted at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)