First project for 2012 The Basement

I needed to update the basement. And I went a little Frenchy.

I started with paint.  I know bad blogger I didn't take before shots. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and excited and just dive in!!
The bottom half of the wall was wood paneling similar to the floor, which is a medium to light wood laminate. (It had been carpeting but we changed that out about 5 years ago.)
The top half of those walls were wallpaper which  we had too much trouble getting off, so just painted over. I like how it turned out...The wallpaper had a texture so the paint looks neat.

The fresh coat of paint was nice but needed a bit more. ...I did get that before picture, after the paint was done..

After some organizing, hanging paintings, and cleaning up, time to get to the finishing touches.

I took an old cookie pan that was almost destined for the recycle bin,

 And mod podged it into a tray for cocktails

 With images from the Graphics Fairy

I gotta tell ya those sofas are slipcovered with a faux leather,that comes with separate seat covers I bought from Surefit 3 years ago and they have withstood the test of time and teenagers... boys no less! These slipcovers have held their ground on 2 totally different sofas, that are too old to comprehend.
Trust me you don't want to see them as a before!
One is a T cushion seat and one is a regular seat. These cover a hodgepodge of leftovers, they are the best slips I ever bought and have a soft suede like feel. I highly recommend them.

The seat with all the throw pillows, lift ups for storage and I just covered four kings size pillows

with dropcloth for seating

  I added a mix of pillows we had with a few new ones from Home Goods

The old trunk has been around forever and was painted pink when I purchased it.
 It got a fresh coat of a Behr color called "calming retreat", the same as on the walls.
It's a nice soft neutral beige with a tiny hint of pink, like soft sand, at sunset.

And a calming retreat is what the basement actually feels like now, when I want to get away from the noise above.
 It even reflects more light the minute I open the door to head down there...( which I avoided when it was dark paneling )
A Frenchy candle here and there adds to the effect. Also mod podged with images from the "Graphics Fairy"

hmmmnn... maybe I will just start working down here in this space. It turned out pretty cozy.
What'ya think?

Joining the parties below:
Making the World Cuter Monday {January 9}
Metamorphosis Monday
good life Wednesday's

The countdown to Turkey Day begins

I finally got my butt in gear and started getting the dining room buffet and table ready for Thanksgiving day.
I really just moved around things I had. Put bowls and pitchers I will use in an easy to reach spot on the buffet. streamlined my centerpiece so we can fit place settings.

I still have to add another table and many more chairs,  We are having 11 I think....so I will be moving more things around tomorrow!!
But I wanted to at least get started. I was going to get a folding table but I remembered I actually have a small drop leaf in the garage that needs some work, so I am hoping to use that.
Crazy me started last night at 12 when all went to bed!
Do you do that too?
Sometimes it's the only peaceful moments I can find.

These candles are the flameless ones I picked up at dollar tree and when I tried peeling the labels off the didn't completely come off so I wrapped them in leaves and twine!!

Moved a few things from the entry,

 and pulled some out of the China closet for the buffet decor.

I will use these things. the soup tureen will hold the stuffing, chicken holds the butter..

And how do you like my little white leaf plate? I just picked that up out junkin!! I love it and wish I'd have gotten the other. There were two.

I added a few more old Ball  and Atlas jars to my corner cabinet this week.

 I think I may need a whole shelf going across the ding room wall just under the molding,

 if I don't stop buying them!! It's an addiction.

I just couldn't resist adding a few sand dollars and starfish

Just a few more tweeks

Got all the food this morning, and making coleslaw tonight.
I got all the extra chairs up from the basement, and added a folding table so we can seat 10 or 11
Moved things around again.
 I guess I should really consider painting the wood chairs white!!
What do you think?

Oh gees... I still I have to get my Turkey platter up from the basement!!

My favorite tweek is the addition of my daughter, Mary's 24 pink roses,

 her honey bought them for their 2 yr anniversary of dating. One rose for each month. Isn't that so sweet?
and what a joy to put them in my Mom's old ironstone pitcher from the early 1900's that Mom found in my grandmom's attic, it came with the house.

I'm excited for Thanksgiving Dinner!! It's our first Thanksgiving in our new kitchen, we started the kitchen in January!!
If you stayed this long, I hope I havent' bored you with my rambling on!!

 Thank you for stopping by my blog. Happy Turkey Day!
It's time to set up those dishes...

Some fun linkies parties:
Metamorphisis Monday @ Susan's
Primp your stuff Wednesdays
White Wednesdays
Wow us Wednesday
Whatever Wednesdays
Good Life Wednesdays
Share the Love Wednesday @ Very Merry Vintage Style
Transformation Thursdays
Feathered Nest Fridays  
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Farmhouse Friday

It's Always Summer in Florida

I know soon the Fall decorating begins in blogland. Too soon for me.
I will be the very last to indulge in that.

I love summertime, and no matter how hot it gets, I always want the season to remain. I have to admit September is one of my favorite Summer months. Yes, summer doesn't end until September 21, so it is officially, mostly, a summer month. The water is warm and the beach is delightful in September. So, being my favorite summer month, I savor it. I celebrate the last stages of summer, like it was the final stages of a ceremony, and aren't those final stages always the best?
Now when I am down the shore in New Jersey I can literally tell when summer is coming to it's final 3 weeks by the blooms on the seagrass out back. .
As you can see from this picture taken today, the blooms are just beginning to sprout. August 14th, plenty of summer left. ( My neighbor got a nice new picket fence.... I might need to plant some roses! I love roses on a picket fence)

There is actually only one visible plume sprout, dead center in this photo just popping out

 By the end of summer there will be tons of plumes up and they get real plump and full like I showed you here in this tablescape post where I filled a fabric basket with the seagrass plumes.

So Jersey's summer will end in 5 weeks. But Florida, now that a different story.

What I truly appreciate about Southwest Florida is that it's pretty much always summer. And that's why I go there, in the dead of winter after Christmas when I start longing for sunshine again.
My mantel in Florida will forever reflect summer. The tropical painting was a Home Goods find.

 I suppose if i were to actually live there, well then I might actually make a Fall and Christmas mantel, ...for like.. a week....but in no way, no how, will I do it now. First off I won't be there till after Christmas.

I go there for the never ending summer. To get way, far away, from the cold.
To drool at the warm delights of the sea. The shells are all collected from beaches on the gulf coast, except the starfish. Both mason jars are old, an Atlas and a Ball, found at a little antique shop in Englewood. And the large shell my daughter found while snorkeling at Boca Grande

I love my Florida fireplace!  It is made entirely of fossilized coral.  My little nymph was found at a thrift store, isn't she sweet? A candle or seashell fits perfectly in the flower she holds. The picture below is only half of our gang. Hub, me and our 3 girls. We also have 3 boys.

And I love how tall this fireplace is, it goes all the way up to the ceiling, and they are high.

I am seriously considering painting that black and gold  to  beige. ( hummmnn another project reason for me to disappear to Florida for a month)

I cozied it up by with some throw pillows, It's another place to plop down when there's a crowd.

I made the pillows myself

One side is a novelty fabric, the other side is dropcloth with beachy words written on it.

Thanks for stopping by, Smooth Sailin to ya!
Eileen


posting at:
Show off your cottage
Metamorphosis Monday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Good Life Wednesday @ A Beach Cottage