Leaving Newark and coming to the quaint southern town has been a rewarding decision for Bernie. Ever since we finished her boudoir, we’ve been busying ourselves getting her warm humble abode ready before the holidays approach and I have to admit … Continue reading
Have you ever had an item you bought years ago and stuck it back somewhere for it to get lost in the pile so you don’t have to look at it? (somebody please say YES! So I know I’m not the only … Continue reading
When Bernadine retired and decide to move south, it was wonderful news to hear. When she commissioned me to help her decorate her home, I jumped at the opportunity. Not only was I excited about working with her, but also because it gave me another reason to shop. The room started with basically a clean slate. The home had been vacant for a couple of years and was left unattended. No color on the walls and there were some antique pieces left behind. This Duncan-Phyfe loveseat was purchased from the home’s estate sale and she wanted to have it reupholstered to use in her bedroom retreat. Lavender was her favorite color and it became the color of choice for the walls and the rest is history.
This was the room at the time of her purchasing the home
I can’t tell you how exciting this project was. I love working with fabrics and new designs so this provided the opportunity to be creative. Bernadine loves antiques but also wanted something new, so we scoured the antique shops, thrift stores and furniture outlets to find the right pieces to blend together. Hours were spent at the fabric outlet picking and choosing the right fabrics for her the loveseat, window treatments and bedspread. Her desire was to have an elegant, yet, functional bedroom – one fit for a “retired queen”. The loveseat has been transformed and the new look is fabulous
The cornice boards were perfect
All fears were put to rest when the installment was complete. Not only was the desired look accomplished, but she is completely happy and satisfied with her new bedroom. Step into Bernadine’s retired new suite!
New bedroom furniture was purchased from Merinos Home Furnishing Outlet. For fabrics, I chose a brocade paisley print along with a green & lavender stripe fabric to accent the wall color. The custom made bedspread and cornice boards were trimmed with the striped fabric that was used to reupholster the loveseat.
To give the loveseat a richer look, it was given a darker stain. The artwork above the sofa (originally hers) is a signed serigraph by artist Alonzo Adams. It is one of her most treasured pieces because it reminds her of her beloved mother who was a quilter.
The richness of these two fabrics together blended perfectly
She loves crystal, so some thrifted crystal dishes and lamps were used in the room
The antique crystal lamps flanking the mirror were scored at one of the Metrolina antique sale dealers.
They originally had a hunter green faux marble base (but a bit of silver spray paint gave them a new look)
After retiring from working in an office the last thing she didn’t want in her home was the word “office”..but wanted a computer station. To solve that dilemna and to keep with the elegance of the room, an antique Duncan-Phyfe drop leaf table (scored at the Metrolina) paired with a ghost chair gave her the perfect look.
Above the chest of drawers is her set of decorative art plates and her Daddy’s Long Legs Angel doll
One more close look at the gorgeous brocade fabric.
The room is a true example of how mixing old and new, blending different patterns (paisley and stripes) you can create a beautiful look without breaking the bank. The owner couldn’t be more pleased with her elegant new budoir – perfect fit for a retired “queen”
I hope you enjoy the new look and if you’re ready for a makeover, let me help you create it..and until next time – always remember – it’s not how much it costs but how you style it. Happy hunting and enjoy thrifting your house into a home!
Smooches!
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Cheers to a wonderful new week ahead of us. I’m excited for two reasons, one – I’m headed to my first bloggers’ conference and two- I’m looking forward to meeting many of my blog-buddies and enjoying all there is to offer and learn. Before I head off, I wanted to share one of the most fabulous make-overs by a FBF. Last week while I was in the midst of perusing my Facebook newsfeed I stumbled on a picture of her outdoor zen-spot. You know me – I’m always enthused to see beautiful Rest-Havens and when I spotted Keisha’s outdoor creation I had to share it with you.. Thank you Keisha for allowing me to share your haven. Grab you coffee, tea and vittles because you’re gonna want to see all what’s in store and see how she created it. Let’s look at where she began.
I know you’re probably excited, like me, to see how she did it all on a budget of $500.00 – Let’s begin where she started. Keisha cultivated a personal vision for her garden and began to think of ways to incorporate her style while maintaining natural elements for a zen-oasis. The space was no where near easy to work with, and having a tree in the center was even more challenging, so she decided to make that her focal point and build around it.
Her desire was to have a warm, welcoming area to enjoy entertaining her family and friends for outdoor festivities. We all know that pallets are free and there are many, many, many projects you can use them for. Keisha took full advantage of the freebies and that laid the ground work for her oasis to be created.
With some help from her father and a friend, they dis-assembled them and made the floor for her raised deck.
Lots of sawing, cutting, measuring and patience went into this project, but as you see, it was well worth it. Here you can get a visual of the framework and how the pallets became the wall around her space
More pallets are assembled and laid to encompass the tree
Bricks are lined to design a pattern
She added flagstone for another natural element in the space
Filled the area in with small stones and gravel
This bench was a roadside special. Luckily she found it and gave it a new life (keyword – BUDGET)
Old bowling balls spray painted silver are being used as garden art
She used red mulch around the tree for a pop of color
She stained the pallets to weatherproof and give them color
Next up was adding the plants. She found an old ladder to use as a plant stand and the boarder pallets were used as as planters
Nestled between these two sunshine yellow adirondack chairs is a table she made from a tree trunk
Isn’t it gorgeous!! I love the redwood color and blended with the jewel tone vase was pefect
What a warm, welcoming environment she created. By being creative, resourceful, diligent and patient, she was able to achieve her goal and accomplish a zenful retreat for her after work and weekend entertaining.
Using pallets as the gateway separated the haven area from the garden, while still balancing the artful flow into the haven.
Last but not least – it was time to add the cushions and pillows for the seating area. She covered foam and added an array of brightly colored pillow to finish the space.
A piece of driftwood is another artistic element added to the area.
I hope you all stand with me and give Keisha a round of applause for creating such a restful retreat – all on a budget of $500.00!!!
Meet the beauty behind the brains of this creative garden Zen Oasis..
And she did it her way…..
Do you have a project that you’re working on and would like to share with my other readers? If so, email me and you’ll be my next featured guest. Also be sure to follow me on the blog, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest
Until next time lovies!! Remember – it’s not what it costs but it’s how you style it.. Create your own style and design on a dime
Smooches!!
I’m on my minimizing kick and next up was the foyer. I’m taking my time going room by room and completing this task. I had hoped to have it completed by the time the i2i YardSale happened, but I couldn’t accomplish it. One thing for sure is I’m happy that I’ve at least began making every attempt to do this. Letting go is always the hardest part and I’m realizing that once I’ve gone through a space redecorate, starting with a clean slate was easier for me to weed out what I no longer wanted. Such is the case with the foyer, living room and dining room. I wanted the color of the foyer to flow into both those rooms so I chose Sherwin Williams “Morning Fog”. It’s a bit of a grayish/bluish/lavenderish color..
When I saw it in this picture, I thought it was a bit too gray,
Contrare to my thought, it was actually what I was looking for. I finished painting the rococco console table/mirror and it looks a thousand times better. If you recall it was shabby black which did nothing for it.
Initially I thought about metallic gold, but then I loved the Rose Gold I used for the living room mirror, and decided to go with that color again because the console table has a mauve marble top.
This mirror was a royal pain in the toosh to paint. All the swirly edges made the task of painting it was even harder. (as much as I papered and taped, I still got overspray on it, but nail polish remover took it right off.
This is a closer view of the details that were on the console legs. Here is how it looks inside with the new wall color
Major difference right! Looks a lot more elegant! I also changed the light fixture and decided on the Jamee chandelier at Joss & Main
I loved the chandelier, but I didn’t care for the crystals it came with because – 1) I had to assemble them and 2) they weren’t real crystal. I had a bag of antique crystal prisms I had been saving and decided to switch them. The longer crystals did a bit more justice to the beauty of the fixture.
This small space has 5 doorways, and i felt it’s best not to put a bunch of items in here. I’m satisfied (for now)
I haven’t decided on an area rug yet, and I’m not rushing it either.. I’ll take my time and enjoy looking at the openness of the space. By not having a lot of items the area actually feels bigger.
I’m so glad I chose to keep it because now I’m forced to not keep a bunch of “stuff” that was filled in the drawers of the table.
I styled it simple with a set of Ikea Blomster candleholders that I picked up at Goodwill for $3.00, another one of my favorite female busts (which was a yardsale find $1.00), a bit of greenery and my favorite pic of hubby and I.
When the chandelier is on at night, there’s a soft glow of the reflection
and the rose gold changes the hue
On the other side of the wall, I brought in the bench from the bedroom. I needed a space to drop my handbag and workbag and thought that would be great place for it. I finally hung the birthday painting.
Another vintage swan (which I use as a planter) is perched right next to it
I’m definitely sure I appreciate the new space.
Although the sale of the console didn’t go through, sometimes things happen for a reason, because I truly am happy I have it and I love the new look. The foyer has been freshened up and I’m patting myself on the back because I was able downsize a few items.
To take the look of the foyer from this …
to this look
It’s a winner for me. The total cost of my new look was $150.00 ( with the bulk of it being the cost of the chandelier).
As always, it’s not how much it costs, but its’s how you style it. Happy hunting while you thrift your house into a home.
Smooches!!