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

As winter Sets in.

Now that the holidays are over, the sillouette of winter is upon us.

The sun is setting at 4:45

It will be a long time before I can pick these blooms again from the bush out front. It is merely a stick now.

The pool beyond the windowsill is closed with a sturdy cover, strong enough to hold an elephant.

The visiting ducks have flown to warmer places, 

as we settle in for our long winter's nap.

I'm dreaming of playing in the sand, of warmer days, of strolling along the beach not fighting the wind

Of summer sunsets

As I pass the winter painting and crafting, working, and hibernating.

I'll take the white caps of waves over snow any day.

I  prefer my winter  would come and go with hardly a nod

Cabin fever strikes me quickly, the minute the cold sets in, I want to run off to Florida.

Do you?

Yes.. I've never heard anyone say " Darn the winter just wasn't harsh enough for me!"

I often come in from the cold chill and say"This weather is for the aliens"and my kids laugh at that.

So I pass the time working, and keeping warm, and fixing things and updating. 

That's the upside, more time indoors, more things get done.

It gives me time to finish up the room I've been putting off. The guest room.

I normally get things done much quicker, this one is taking way too long. Started in September!

For me necessity is the mother of invention. 

This room... I haven't felt that necessary. But I'm on it now.

 I promised myself January is the month to complete it.

A peak at the chippy Urn I will be using in my new office/ guest room which I promise to post.

I love this urn. Nifty thrifty yard sale find.

I've been painting and primping lots of furniture and walls. Feathering the nest for winter.

When I cleaned up all the Christmas mess, I just couldn't put these away....

 I think i will leave my little bottle brush trees in the cream cheese crate for the duration of winter.

I like how they look.

As I wait for the summer sun once again. 

I do love the Seashore, and taking pictures of it.

Joining these parties

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @Coastal Charm

Knick of Time Tuesday #15 {Vintage Style Link Party}
Boogie Board Cottage
Feathered Nest Friday
Vintage Inspiration Fridays

Happy New Years 2012

Wishing everyone in blogland a very Happy New Year.

I went shopping yesterday at my favorite store, "Home Goods" and found a few great things, this clock being one of them. I have to decide if it's going in the Dining room or Family room.

We stayed home this year, just watching New year's Rockin' Eve.
 I made the candles from images downloaded at "The Graphics Fairy" I just mod podged them onto plain candles and tied on a bit of twine.

Relaxing, reflecting. Thinking how quickly time flies.

While we're burning the days.

Hunkering down for winter. Hopefully not as bad as last year, 

but it was so pretty

Last New Years eve we went to see Sarah McGlaughlin at Ceasars's Atlantic City casino..I adore her voice. That was a great night. We had super seats and they dropped a bunch of balloons at midnight.

Sarah was very gracious and came close to greet us in the front.

But I am enjoying my night at home, this year, just as much!

Onward we go, never knowing what's around the next corner.

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rain fall softly on your feilds. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Saturday Night Special
Brag Monday @ The Graphics Fairy
Motivate me Monday @ Keeping it Simple
Table Top Tuesday

2011 in review

Going backward over the past year, I realize it has been a very inspiring and very busy year. I really enjoyed blogland and visiting so many creative woman.
Even though my kids are mostly grown we still really enjoy our Christmas, and this year  Santa bought his big burlap bag of surprises.

Everyone came over to open presents.

The Duke was patient and good as gold while we opened our gifts

and he got his own little ornament from a neighborhood friend!

And grand baby had the best-est time.

December Merry Christmas... was a blast, I love to decorate, and even got help from the dog!

Duke help create this vignette below when I worked on the Dining room, here

 I decorated the mantle for a challenge here

November ...went to Denver for a girls weekend

 came home to prepare a great Thanksgiving

October...Early pumpkin picking

and gourd gathering, I found this awesome black gourd, that looked just like a ball and claw foot.

 In Oct I also opened a booth in Cape May NJ at North End garage

in Late October I went to New Orleans where I took a zillion pictures of houses, It is a pretty neat city.

and came home to pumpkin carving on Halloween!

September... my youngest went off to college, I missed her as I dressed the shore cottage for Fall

Painted some furniture with my sis

August... my son bought a house and moved out, so I began to re-decorate his room.
And 2 puppies came home with us, well one for us, one for my grown daughter.

July... was spent at the shore house, lazy days on the beach,

 also saw Ringo Starr at the Casino, and re-decorated one of my daughter's rooms, here
We beachified it.

June ..A wonderful prom and fun High School graduation party

and went back to Florida and visited hot springs

May... Opened the pool, lots of  gardening,

redid the patio

spruced up the shore cottage here

April...went on a trip to the Florida Keys with my sis.

March...Went to Florida and Beachified the dining room, posted about the table intervention here

This Florida dining room was my favorite transformation this past year... I had wanted to do something for a long time. the before was hideous!!

.....scratch that .....
THIS was my favorite.. the kitchen redo

February... finished renovation of my kitchen... complete tour here...

January ...started renovation of my kitchen

That's 2011 in a nutshell, backwards! All good stuff.
In between all this, lots of tables got painted, chairs got re-made, and crafty things got done.
I had a ton of fun, looking back, hope you enjoyed it too!
sharing at these linky parties
White Wednesday
Wow us Wednesdays
Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Show and Tell Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Saturday Night Special