SHARING

Sometimes you see something and you know you just have to share.  This is from a favorite blogger of mine, that I often check, because she always shares a little saying, quote, etc.  This is one of those quotes that spoke to me and I know you will see why I shared this:
A Whitewashed Cottage: Good Thoughts For You......: "'May today there be peace within.May you trust that you are exaxctlywhere you are meant to be. May you use the gifts that you havereceived,..."

Designer Highlight - January

Introducing a new feature on my blog!

DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT

This will be a regular feature-monthly.  Who knows, you might be next. Even though this month's feature is a professional interior designer (in every way), I know some not-so-professional (but could be) designers that I would like to recognize. YES,sisters,I am speaking to you!

A wonderful blogger posted this link on her blog about a designer.  Well the minute I went to the website, I fell in love with everything shown by this designer.  Talking about inspiration!  She will inspire you too, I'm sure.  Her name is Lisa Luby Ryan and has a shop in Dallas, Texas.  Her top priorities are faith and family.

Click on link and enjoy:  LISA LUBY RYAN

TAKE A STEP BACK - Eliminate, Add, Change and ELIMINATE AGAIN!




When redecorating a room, "take a step back" and evaluate what you have done.  Stand at every angle and take a really hard look.  Then you may see if you need eliminate, add or change something in the room.

Taking a photo of the room, will give you another prospective of the room.  Then you can use that photo to.....

Imagine your room being featured in a magazine.  I know this may require some imagination, but after all we can dream.

Take that step back! Why not? Do as the professionals do and give your room that decorator touch.  Most of the time we need to eliminate, add or change something...but that is what decorating is all about.  

Make it fun and then when you are all through, have a party and share it with your friends and family. 

(note to self: Super Bowl is coming up fast, time to redecorate and have a Super Bowl party to show my new room!)

~gwen~

Perfect As a Cottage Accent


This framed flower painting caught my eye at "Big Lots."  The colors used were just beautiful with the blue/green/white pallet.  Since I love the blue and green combination anyway, I could "picture this" in a room with a blue and green theme.  Just imagine this over a fireplace or a bed with a beautiful white spread. 


There is something so calming about blue and green - isn't it?  Maybe because the blue is reminiscent of the sky or ocean.  The green possibly reminds us of the pretty landscapes of trees and plantings.  The white flowers could also represent clouds against a blue sky.


As you know, this is not a real painting.  But for the money, this would make the perfect cottage accent in just the right room.  If you are not into the gold frame, you could paint it.  I didn't look at the price of this, but I'm sure it wasn't much. 


As a Big Lots fan, I love to browse around the store, just to see what they have, since they put out new stuff about once a week.  Just looking right now and not buying, which is a really good thing.  Need to sell some "stuff" before I buy anything.  There is a consignment store that would be great for that...Van Buren Consignments.

~gwen~

Cottage Room Makeover

Cottage Living Room

Had to share this room - since it is a "Cottage" Living Room - and it is so much fun to see how someone took an old space and made it so bright and inviting. I really love the slipcovers and the eclectic mix of furniture. Notice that there are no window treatments, except for the blinds. Most of the color in this room is in the rug, and then the other pieces were probably chosen to match. I'm sure they love their white walls, but I would probably want to have a lighter beige on the walls. I still like the white -- especially the fireplace. This room is a great example of a small space and  how it really doesn't take much to create a cottage look...with just a few pieces.

Out With the Old...In With the New!

IN WITH THE NEW!  Happy New Years to everyone!
Here are a few "New" resolutions for some of us -- to be added, of course, to your other resolutions:

• Time to Redecorate That Boring Bedroom (the one you sleep in!).
• After putting away Christmas decorations, put away some of that other "stuff" or get rid of it (for good!).  Less is more and what you don't want anymore, sell it in a consignment store, donate or sell it online.  The extra money can be spent on the first one above - i.e. a new bed cover, window treatments, lamps, etc.
• This one is for me:  Decorate a room, then leave it alone for a year and move on to another room.  We are allowed though to add a few Bits and Pieces, but it may require taking away some.
• Start something new in your life, you have never done before.  Maybe it is something you have always wanted to do.  (Note:  This one is not about decorating).
• Spend time with friends - going shopping and having lunch.  Just like you, there is someone that would also enjoy a day of just shopping and having lunch with a friend.

OUT WITH THE OLD!  If you have been doing something over and over again, and expecting a different outcome (definition of insanity - Just saying), then it's time to move on and start something "NEW".  The list above is really about me, but maybe some of you are like me and feel this is the year to make some changes AND more important -- Do What You Enjoy Doing!!!  Let's all make this a "HAPPY" new year and not forget about others and making them happy too. 

Decorate With Pieces You Enjoy Looking At

When decorating, be sure to use pieces you love and enjoy looking at. 

Sometimes we (as in me) get carried away with TOO many pieces.  What I try to do, is put away pieces in my special go-to-place, and then get them out when I need a new look or change.  If you enjoy decorating as much as I do, then you probably already do this.  It's so much fun to change a look of a room when the season's change.

The pictured cute little Staffordshire Dogs never go into the go-to-place.  Since I enjoy them so much, I move them around from room to room, depending on what I am doing for the "season change" decorating.  Right now they are in my kitchen/keeping room.  Where will they end up next?  I realize these dogs are not young and hip, but are referred to as "old lady" by some.  But let's face it - I'm not young and hip (nor an old lady to some maybe).  Life is short, so let's all plan to do what we love to do next year!  Bucket List?