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! 🙂
Spring Changes
Spring feels like it is here! I am so ready. My house, not yet. One thing that needed a quick change up was the curtains in the upstairs hallway. If you recall from the tour, one side of the hall had a silky striped curtain, and the other side had sheers that matched in style and color, but they had leaves on them. I never liked that the windows didn’t look the same. Plus, with the warm weather and the windows being opened, this was happening:
So, after brainstorming a while I decided to layer the two different curtains and then tie them back. I used a tension rod for now, which is held up on the main rod. It worked like a charm!
What do you think? The tie backs now hold the curtains from whipping in the wind and I think the whole layered look is more cohesive for the hallway. Super easy and I love the results. I love a project like that!
I feel better about the little thing done! Now on to tackle the yard. Six acres of lawn that the previous owners never, ever weeded. We have high hopes, and little time. I have started on the rock gardens and things are looking up. I will give you all a peek when we get some thing planted. Here is a shot of our back door area. There is a rocky, weedy disaster going on back here that we plan to take care of asap!
It is looking pretty bad back there, so I can’t wait to show you all what it turns into!
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! 🙂
Guest Post! { Stark Contrasts: Light & Dark }
Here is the awesome guest post from Joanna at Arcadian Lighting!! 🙂
Hi y’all! I’m Joanna, a home décor writer from Texas. I write daily for Arcadian Lighting guest posting on blogs such as this one. Arcadian Lighting offers lots of information on light fixtures and lighting trends. I spend my days searching for and discovering some of the most beautiful interior design images and décor ideas on the web and then sharing them with blog readers like you. Thank you to Make Mine Eclectic who’s gracious enough to let me share with you today.
When you think of contrast in terms of light and dark do black and white immediately come to mind? Apparently it does for me since the majority of rooms I’m sharing with you today are variations of light and dark, black and white. I love seeing images of these rooms, I just don’t know if I could live with it every day. What about you?
The dark wood flooring might be too much in this room were it not balanced with medium shade furnishings and white walls. The clear acrylic table is a nice touch allowing light to filter and brighten the floor.
Ink black walls contrast heavily with pristine white floors, furnishings and fireplace surround. A small touch of black on the twisted chair legs and modern black table legs offers some balance to the space.
Boastful black lacquer walls are not for the decorating faint at heart, so try a small bit of black before going all the way. Interestingly the designer kept the molding around the door and around the floor white. I love the bright little wall sconces.
Purple at the stair rail and red on the steps contrast nicely with oyster walls and concrete floors.
Lately, I keep running into black and white claw foot tubs—I’ve haven’t found one I didn’t like. The contrast between white porcelain inside a black surround is bold and beautiful. I was going to suggest more lighting fixtures for this large space, but I do believe those are clever wall sconces flanking the mirror.
A black egg chair and striped sofa pop against a fuchsia rug, a pendant light, and white walls. Contrast can also be found between the modern furnishings and traditional architecture of the room.
This room offers an eclectic mix of light and dark, old and new, part shabby chic and part men’s club.
A built in china cabinet gets a boost of personality from a simple addition of black paint in its interior. The black chair makes a nice silhouette against the pristine white paint. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
What do you think of these contrasting rooms? Visit Arcadian Lighting for more inspirations and a gorgeous selection of lighting fixtures!
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!
Kitchen Curtains
I don’t sew. I wish I could, but I am just not good at it. I hope to start practicing and at least be able to make a basic straight line someday, but for now, I don’t sew. So, when I am on the hunt for new curtains and all of the pretty options are out of my price range, what do I do? I get out the iron and the hem tape and I “fake glue” myself a pair.
Remember these kitchen curtains?
The valances above the windows were here when we moved in. They were fine. Actually, they were god quality and in good shape. Just not our favorite color choices. The curtain on the door was brought from my old house. I used it to cover the window temporarily, until we could figure out what we wanted in here. Now the floral curtain is on the door window just beyond that, which leads outside. After all these months of looking at these mismatched curtains, I finally wanted to get busy. I knew I wanted something more neutral, as we plan to paint in the near future. I liked the shape of the valances, and I didn’t mind the deep red roller shade (for now?). Then I happened upon the perfect twist of fun stripes and neutral colors…
Ticking fabric. A little rustic and old school, yet funky and fresh as curtains. The cream/tan combo will go well with the new colors to come. And I tied the faux roller shade with twine.
And I did all of it with iron on hem tape, even the tab tops! What do you think??
More projects to come 🙂
Evolving Living Room
We finally have some progress! No, the walls are not painted. Still peach. But, the little love seat has been replaced with a large L shaped sectional couch!! This makes the room so much more cozy and functional for us. Now I just can’t wait to entertain. And paint!
Here is the view into the living room from the doorway. The sectional is a perfect suede in a neutral cream color. The button tufting at least makes the more modern shape a bit more traditional. We all know I love button tufting, right?
What do you think? Better, no? When the walls are a nice gray I think things will come together even more. I am also working on making a tray for the ottoman, because we are now not using the old coffee table. I will update when I get that brainstorm finished!
One More Office
Things have been busy. Extremely busy. But, I have been productive, and coming up in the next week or so I do actually have some updates and projects to share! I finally started a new job in Iowa and have settled in living in our new home all the time now. This has kept me on my toes, and also been stressful, but at the same time I have been able to spend more time in our home and accomplish A LOT!
So, to tide you all over I wanted to share another adorable office I came across on VT Interiors blog. And, stay tuned for some peaks and projects around our house! 🙂
Make Mine Eclectic 