Tag Archives: Home Decor

What I’m Diggin’

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One thing I’ve often said is music is so much a part of my life and I love sharing it.. Which is why sometimes I’ll do a post with a song to reflect what or how I’m feeling.  Not sure if you listen to any of them, if so, that’s great to hear, if not, it’s cool.. Not everyone digs music.. (Yea, I still use the old school lingo “Dig” chuckles.. Ooops, I just gave away my age.. (I’m a ’60’s baby).  Not sure if you know the music of Cassandra Wilson.  She’s a jazz singer and I truly adore her style and cultural bohemian vibe.   When I listen to her my mind wonders to some exotic places where I can admire different textures and styles pulled together to create that Afro-centric flair..  Here are some images I captured to share with you…

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Which brings me to feature the home of someone who is dear to me… My aunt – we lovingly refer to as “Pookie”.  Her home is filled with such cultural vibes and exotic touches..and she is a die-hard DIYer and thrifter.  On my trip home last week I visited her and when I walked in I immediately said.. I wanted to welcome you into her home so… Welcome to Pookie’s Paradise…

When you enter, your eyes are greeted by the African mask displayed inside a wooden textured oval frame.  I remember when she got the frame.. We were all at a flea market and a man had a truck load of huge frames he was needing to get rid of.. what luck we had that day..the only unlucky part was our truck wasn’t big enough to take all of them..lol.. but we all managed to score at least two each  🙂 .

She’s not one to fuss with long drapery, and loves to expose her bay windows and let all the sunshine in, so she opted to Go-Green to cover her windows.. I’m totally envious of her green thumb.. (but thankfully it’s starting to rub off on me).  These are all her babies she meticulously takes care of.  Some of which she’s had for over 20 years..

To your right you’ll spot this cozy corner which has a few collectibles she’s had for decades, like the hand carved wooden statue.. A snazzy, cool find she picked up in St. Marteen

And if you eyes caught the painting – like mine- guess what — she’s the artist.. She painted that approximately 40 years ago..It’s called Crying Heart and totally LOVE IT!!

Resting on her coffee table is another hand carved wooden sculpture that she picked up in the Caribbean.

Every little corner is influenced with cultural accents..

Step to her outdoor living space and this is the showpiece in her garden.  The outdoor faux “fireplace”.  This is a curbside find and her creative juices flowed and this is what she did with it.

 

And at night.. look how it’s lit up.. and no it’s not a real fire, it’s red lights inside to create the fire effect.  Isn’t it fab..

This space is called the Hobbit Hole.. chuckles.. (how cute)…

The stained glass has an image that looks sort of  like a bug…  and the fox and midget chair are perfect accents for a hobbit..

She’s got little pockets of garden candy all around her yard and you can see more here.  But before you go, I’d like to introduce you to the lovely lady behind the home of Pookie’s Paradise..

That’s my aunt and I love her and the home she and her husband, Clay made.  It’s one you just kick your shoes off, sit back, relax and enjoy all the good food, music and cultural vibes they share.  I can’t wait to go back to visit again.  If you enjoyed this post and missed my other “Inspired by Music” posts you can see more here.   Until next time – Smooches!!

 

 

 

 

Friday Feature

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I get excited when I find another blogger who I just love what they do.  Are you that way too?  That’s why I decided to do Friday Features on the blog once or twice a month.  I’m not one to constantly change decor, but I love when I see what others do, so I live vicariously watching their site.  My first feature is with Nicole over at DesignItVintage.  Nicole, like me, love vintage items and seeing them restored or refinished. What caught my eye on her site was her foyer makeover.  My mouth dropped when I saw and read what she did .  She took her foyer from this;

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To this!   She started with paint and a stencil and the rest is history.  I absolutely give her a round of  applause

 

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She did this with gold paint and a large stencil..remarkable.. I give major props to her on creating this stunning grand foyer.

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Gorgeous isn’t it… Nicole has so many other projects that are equally beautiful.. Hop over to her blog, sit back and enjoy the ooo and ahhh moments like I did…  Tell her Jamala sent you  🙂

Have a great weekend and remember – Go ahead, decorate and Get Inspired!

 

 

 

Thrifty Thursday

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Hello,hello,hello… I know – it’s not thursday.. (but that’s the day I found my project) .. It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything.. I had to take to hiatus from blogging.  Even though time changed and our days got longer, it stills seems like they’re going too quick – Feels like I’m running out of time..  Work, home,cook, projects, exercise…etc..etc..etc..next thing I know it’s after midnight and time to go to bed to start all over again.. (where does the day go????) …  My cyber-friend Miss K over at Pure&Complex already gave me my frowny face.. Where have I been scolding… chuckles.. thanks “K” for missing me.. My brother came for a surprise visit and it was wonderful time spent with my little darlings.. Ava and Laylah.. I even played hooky from work to escape to the zoo with them.. A trip well worth my time off

Karriem met a new friend.. who he was hoping wouldn’t lick him in the face..lol..

Needless to say I miss them already….   after that.. I had yard work to do.. uggghhhh… I truly regret not getting the leaves up sooner.. but – oh well.. no need in crying over spilled milk..  That alone took a few hours after work to get done.    My chair project is almost done.. Yipppeeeee…I’m the one holding up the last part.. I have to refinish the wood frame.. so that’s my next step. I can’t wait to show you the finished product.  In the meantime.. I did come across this cute vintage lamp while thrifting at Goodwill.

      

Not bad for $8.75.. I think it’ll be great for a new spring look.   My only dilemna was the shade.. I’m not big on the shape or pleats…   I found another one in my storage area.. and decided to to use it instead.   It had seen better days, but I figured – it’s worth a try..  I didn’t do too bad on my kitchen lamp shade (if you missed it you can see it here) so I decided to give this one a whirl..

I’ve been leaning towards toile fabric- so I decided to give it a try.  First I laid the fabric out and placed the shade on top and rolled it across the fabric, marking as I roll it..

I used a hot glue gun to adhere the fabric to the shade.. Be very careful with that glue gun, because it’s easy to wind up with this…  Yeeeouuuuuchh!!!!!!

Luckily I leave a bottle of AloeVera gel in the fridge to help with burns. If you haven’t tried it..trust me, it works great on burns.  It took me all of an hour to complete the new shade  and I must say.. Not bad!

I think the toile fabric did better justice with this lamp..(I just hope toile is not out of style – lol)

The painting was a another Goodwill find for $4.00.  A quick coat of white paint gives the boring frame a fresher look (as you see the wood frame did nothing for this painting)

 

For under $15.00 I created a quick inexpensive new look for the console table.  Next up – I’m also doing a 30-day makeover challenge with other bloggers..which will be another quick update of a chair that sorely needs some attention.  I’m late in the game to start but I’ll have it finished (fingers crossed) ..lol… well that’s what your thrifty girl has been up to.. and what about you..?  What are your upcoming projects.. Do share..I’d love to hear about them..

Tah-tah..As always… Your thrifty Gal

 

Inspired by “LindaG”

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In this blogging world we all come across others who inspire us to try a project.  Such is that with Linda over at LindaGLovingHome.  Linda is so talented with creating beautiful things for the home and she has really blown me away with her many table runner designs.  When I saw her Fall Harvest runner, I became instantly inspired to try to make one.  She was kind to send me a pattern so I gave it a whirl.  This is the inspiration design I absolutely adored.

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Simply gorgeous, and I love how she mixes pattern designs while adding a few detailed touches.  You can see all her other beautiful designs here.  It’s worth taking a visit to her blog.  After I finished my dining room makeover, I realized this table could use a new runner.  I’ve had this runner for years and think it’s time to give it a rest.

Now -I’m by far- no means a seamstress,just at the beginner stages when I made this table runner

I finally had the opportunity to go fabric shopping – (I was a kid in the candy store – wanting everything)

This is my new runner:

I made it a bit longer just in case I want to use it for the dining table.  I really love the color and pattern which brightened up this area

 

I goofed big time on the scalloped end.. (don’t ask how mine came out in this totally different shape..lol)

But all in all – I’m pretty happy about the outcome.

Instead of using regular lining, I used the back of the fabric so I have the option for another look when I flip it over.

Ok guys.. I’ve tried my luck at this, next up is a bed runner..- she makes fabulous ones.. so I have to give that a try..   Thanks Linda for the inspiration!   Fingers crossed.

 

 

Where “Satchmo” Lives

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I have to admit I’ve been in a slump these days – well not a real slump – but just pretty much taking my time, not being rushed or putting myself on time frames.  I’ve been watching The Ken Burns Jazz Series. It’s featured on Netflix and if you get the chance to watch it – I highly recommend it.  As I watched, I reflected back when I had the opportunity to tour the home of Louis Armstrong.  The excitement mixed with anticipation made me feel like “gitty-little” girl waiting to open a present.  I was just completely overwhelmed with joy as we rode to Corona,Queens, NY.  Louis Armstrong was my first introduction to Jazz and I love his music and here I am.. en route to his home.  We pulled up to the two story brick frame and I felt a tingling sensation all the while thinking – “WOW” – (hindsight is 20/20 – I wish I had started my blog back then.. I’d have pictures galore to show you..)  But since I didn’t,  I’m sharing some pictures I pulled from various websites to give you a glimpse of what I saw.

This is Louis Armstrong’s humble abode;

The living room was so finely decorated with embossed wallpaper and trinkets purchased from all over the world where he traveled (I love the artwork!!)

The kitchen equally beautiful, was state of the art for that time period.  I fell in love with the blue enamel kitchen

Take a look at this stunning bathroom.  The ceiling and walls were all mirrored and graced with solid brass fixtures and marble tiles.  This bath was befitting for the king of jazz and one of Louis’s favorite rooms.

The office is where Louis comes alive.  As you enter you’ll hear a recording of his voice in the air.. having conversations.  It was almost as if he was there.  The door you see here leads to the balcony where Louis would go out and serenade the neighborhood… (could you  imagine how awesome that must have been!!) 

The master bedroom, simply exquisite and tastefully decorated with embossed wallpaper and matching blinds

The master bedroom closet was very spacious and uniquely designed.

And this is the adjoining master bath

The garage was converted into a museum and gift shop where you’ll find all his clippings, albums, writings, and Louis’s collectibles.

The King’s prized trumpet rests in it’s case.

Now they offer summer jazz concerts inside his Japenese inspired garden

I never had the opportunity to see him play live in concert, but after taking this tour, I felt that I had connected with the man who revolutionized the beautiful music of “Jazz”.  Leaving the home with eyes moist of joy, my soul had been satisfied.

I hope you enjoyed the quick tour of the lovely home Lucille created for her and Louis.  With the joys, laughter and wonderful music, this is the place where they lived until death did they part.

If you ever have the chance to visit New York, by all means, head over to Corona and take the tour because there’s so much more to see.   You can read more about the house on the museum’s website here and booking a tour here.  Louis Armstrong may be gone, but he’ll never be forgotten.  His legacy of wonderful music was an inspiration to many and will always live.

“He inspired thousands of trumpets, inspired countless vocations, enchanted millions of friends, who quite simply, listend.  For me, he’s the epitome of the kind of American who goes beyond the rules, a truly good and original man”  – Duke Ellington