The Perfect Mix
I have been keeping a notebook of ideas for each room in the house. Lately, Pinterest has made list making for these ideas so much easier! Here are some rooms that are, to me, the perfect mix!
Here is a gorgeous dining room. I love the cow hide rug layered over a larger, more simple one. I also love that striped settee!
http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2011/03/28/secrets-from-a-stylist-southern-romance-meets-scottish-charm/
I loved this office. I have been known to fall for over the top glam one minute and then over the top rustic the next, but this is the perfect mix. Perfect.
Another dining room with the perfect mix of an awesome rustic table and beautiful pink wallpaper.
Here is a great living room with an amazing sofa!
I am smitten with this window seat. I could nap there.
Hope these rooms bring you some inspiration too!
Chair Love
These have been a very busy past few weeks. Work, work, work, wedding, wedding, wedding. Time for projects? Maybe a little. I came across this gorgeous blue velvet chair on Pinterest this morning during my coffee. This office looks gorgeous and I think I’d be much more productive in a space like this, just in case anyone wants to help me out!
Aaaah, peace. Even while working so hard! Have a great day everyone! 🙂
The Rug Hunt
Remember seeing the antique rug in the dining room?
Well, we thought this rug was a bit too bright and attention grabbing for this area. Plus, it was really taking a beating being in the center of our home. We were on the hunt for a rug. A very specific rug. Most importantly, we had to be able to afford it on our teeny tiny budget. We also wanted it to be big. It had to be at least 3 feet wide and at least 12 feet long. Wider and longer would be even better. This was the hardest part. Almost all runners were only about 2 feet wide. Not going to cut it with a large room and two dogs creating a lot of traffic. We were also hoping for either a print we could agree on, or something fairly neutral, but also not too light so that it would get dirty fast. Gravel roads and a farmer living in the house, oh and those two dogs again, means dust, dirt, and crud on a frequent basis. Do we sounds picky yet?
We hunted and hunted. Then we debated and debated. We found the one. Or at least what will be the one for a while! It was a “dark natural” colored banded jute rug. This one was 3 feet by 12 feet and was from the Home Decorator’s Collection, bought from Amazon.
We really like how the rug choice turned out. Its nothing fancy, but the neutral-ness of it allows for us to paint and change the room when we get the chance. This rug seems strong and durable, but is also soft and welcoming. Actually those bands you can see in the close up picture are super comfy on your feet, almost massaging! It does slip some, and in the future we may get a no-skid rug pad, but for now it has been perfect!
We couldn’t leave the dirty old door mat there with the pretty new runner! Here’s the old grungy mat:
It just so happened that I fell upon an awesome, and very inexpensive door mat right after getting the runner. You will never guess where I found the new mat! Dollar General! $12! And so adorable! It is also jute and looks so great with the runner!
So, what did we do with the antique rug? We put it upstairs in the hallway. We had some traffic issues with the light colored carpet in the hall, but not enough to continue to wear this rug out super fast, so we are trying it out up there. So far I think it is growing on me!
I think this little rug rearranging is going to work out just fine! 🙂
DIY Serving Tray
This has been on my to-do list since we moved it. Or maybe even before. But it became even more urgent when we bought the new couch with an ottoman. Now I have no room for a coffee table, but that means nowhere safe to put drinks and essentials. However, the previous owners left us lots of junk in the barns, so this one was a snap.
Gross old window uncovered in a heap in the barn:
Add some barn door hardware as handles:
The window was in surprisingly great shape once it was cleaned up, so I added a little paint and distressed the edges, added the hardware, and then used an Uppercase Living decal I had packed away on the glass. (I had minor trouble with the decal, so it may get a new one in the future. Talk about frustration!) And here you have our new serving tray:
Just finished this little guy and we already love it. We think it looks cute in that rustic way, but is also super handy!
Well, what do you think? We are happy with the way this quick and easy project came out! Have you ever tried anything like this?
Loving Right Now
I have to work on this lovely Saturday, so while I try to fill my time today I am scouring Pinterest. Here are some thing I am loving right now…
As always lately, wedding planning is on my mind, along with rustic home ideas, eclectic living rooms with gorgeous coffee tables, and some organization ideas. Speaking of organization, very soon I will have some projects to show you that deal in that area! 🙂
Small Dining Room Changes
I have been waiting months to bring home my grandma and grandpa’s antique ice chest. Its finally here! We planned to move the “buffet” I painted for a while in the dining room and next it will serve as a changing table/dresser in a nursery (someday). The ice chest is in gorgeous condition and I think it goes very well in the room (also to be painted someday!).
Also, notice Jeremy’s newest addition to the room? 🙂
I thought the “L” paperweight was super cute!
I love it! Also, a tid bit about this room. The walls are wall papered, but with small, randomly torn bits of this cream marbled wall paper. It really was a neat technique. Now, if we ever need to patch a spot, all we need is a small chunk to cover it. The previous owners left us plenty. But, this isn’t my first color choice. Yes, neutral, but to me its a bit blah. I was thinking about testing a spot to see if I could paint right over these wall paper chunks. I think in a navy or gray the chunks could still give a layered texture, but be more my color. Anyone ever try this? Suggestions?
Also, I finally found a table runner I love. Now I can show off my pretty table a bit more. Well, as soon as its pretty, that is. Here is a shot of the runner:
The table is a gorgeous antique table that has leaves for expanding for company. We bought it from the previous owners as well. But, the top has seen better days. There are scratches and white marks where something sat. I am hoping to use Restor-A-Finish on it and be done. Soon! Here is a shot of the ick:
Very soon I hope to be back with an update on that table! Maybe a nice Easter table setting to incorporate my new runner! 😉
Spring Chair Love, And A Break
Spring is here! I am so excited, and my yard proves it! I have been working every spare moment in the yard and rock gardens to start fixing some of the weed-y damage left by the previous owners. Not always fun, but it is rewarding.
I am taking this free moment to gaze longingly at some relaxing pictures, like this one of the gorgeous chair and peaceful bathroom! Let me tell you what all has been keeping me so busy! To start, we got chickens! Oh, and there is my new job, getting ready for some painting and other home and yard projects, and planning the WEDDING! Yes, we are finally in full planing mode! It has been keeping me BUSY!! We are so excited, but definitely get no breaks as of late!
Also, the onset of spring and this gorgeous weather has reminded me that there is no place I’d rather be! No matter what anyone else thinks my life should be, I accomplished my dream, and we are living it right here. That is what keeps me going each day when there is so much to be done. Just thought I’d share! Now enjoy this lovely room, and check back soon for more projects around our place! 🙂
Chair Love
I love love love metal dining chairs. Especially these roughed up Tolix chairs!
See many more gorgeous photos on this blog, even if you can’t read a word of it!
Also, stay tuned for a GUEST POST this week!! 🙂
Thinking Spring and Weddings
So, not only have I been super busy with the new job and projects around home, but I am also planning our wedding for September 8. I didn’t tell you? 🙂
The groundhog may say there’s more winter, but I think if I keep imagining beautiful flowers like this, spring will be here before I know it.
These are also some of the wedding colors and style, so stay tuned for more ideas in that area too! Anyone else ready for spring!? Stay tuned for more projects around here as well!
Chair Love
This week’s chair love is so fun! Enjoy!
I’d love to add some fun chairs to the new looking living room! 🙂
Make Mine Eclectic 