Re Purposed Items in my Home - Part 2

Hello everyone!

Here are a few more items that I've re purposed in my home.  

I've had this old porch post for years.  I actually have a pair of them.  I used one in my sitting room as a planter.  The top of the post is open so I can stick plants down in it.  They are not real though.

I love using interesting things as planters.  Here is another one.  This is a soup tureen.  I just took off the lid and plopped this plant in it.  I like the contrast of the white against the greenery.

I love old grain sacks, especially ones with monograms.  I actually cut this one in order to use some of the fabric to cover a chair seat.  By cutting it, it made it longer so I decided to use the rest of it as a table runner.  It is unfinished on the side, but that doesn't bother me.  

I'm using this wicker covered bucket as a trash can in our powder room.  I like that it is both functional and pretty.  

I love using dishes to decorate with, not just to serve food.  These white platters are grouped on a wall to form a pleasing arrangement.  Now they make an interesting wall display.  

I don't know how to read music but I love the look of aged sheet music.  You can find old sheets at antique stores and even Etsy.  I have been enjoying wrapping them around candles and tying with string.  It's a fun way to add interest to plain candles.  (Note:  If you're going to burn the candles, then I would recommend wrapping the sheets around a glass container that holds your candles.)

And last but not least, I found a checked shower curtain at Ballard Designs Outlet several years ago.  I decided to cut it down the center to make two panels.  Then I added some burlap fabric and trim to the bottom to lengthen them.  I hung them in my bedroom as draperies.  

So, have I inspired you to use things in new ways around your own house?  I hope so.  It's a great way to make your home unique and  even save money.  

Hope you all are staying warm during this cold chill that's blanketing much of the country.  

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

Re Purposed Items in my Home

Hello everyone!

Since my last post about re purposing an old gate, I decided to find more items in my home that I've found new uses for. I thought you might like seeing them and maybe even give you some ideas of your own.  Many of these have been done by other people as well, so I don't take credit for inventing these ideas!  I just wanted to show you what I've done and enjoyed.

First up, are these clamp lights that you can find in any hardware store.  They are made for working on things where you need better light.  I used them throughout my kitchen as task lighting above my cabinets.  I love the industrial look and their low price!

Here is a close up of one.

Something else found in a basic hardware store are drop cloths.  They are used to protect your flooring while painting, but I'm using them as draperies.  I have these throughout my house too.  I like the weight, color, no sew quality and low price.

These grey wooden doors  are actually TV armoire doors that we took off.  I painted them and hung them on the wall.  Then I hung a preserved boxwood wreath over it.  I love using these doors as a backdrop for something else.  

I love using "found" objects throughout my home.  One of those is this old milk crate.  I'm using it as a planter behind my sofa.

I needed a small table to place beside my chair.  So, I decided to use this wicker hamper that I had on hand.  I love the texture it brings to the room. The size is perfect and I can even fill it with throws to use in the family room.  

This olive bucket is made for holding olives after they're picked from the trees.  I'm using mine to hold firewood next to the fireplace.  Well, in this case, decorative birch logs.  But you get the idea!

I will stop here, but I have several more ideas to share with you.  So, check back and I'll have part 2 of  my re purposed items!

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Kelly ~

Adding Farmhouse Style in the Bedroom

Hello everyone!

Since moving things around after Christmas, certain things ended up in different places.  One of them was the extra large old gate that used to hang above my fireplace.  When I took it down, I wanted to be able to use it some place else.  I've only had it a few months anyway!  So, I decided to give it a try in my bedroom above my bed.

The only way it would fit was on its side though.  But laying it on its side caused it to not be level.  So, I had to temporarily add something to one side to level it up.

I asked my husband to make me something with a piece of wood to place under one side.  One he does that, it will look a lot better.  (I hope!)

But, for now, this will have to do.  I really like the large scale of it and the rustic style which gives my bedroom more of that farmhouse feel I love.

The best thing about it is that it is something unexpected and repurposed.  That is something I strive to do throughout my home.  

I should do a post about all of the things that I've repurposed in my house.  I think you would be surprised how many there are!  

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

New Year New Look

Hello everyone!

Have you been enjoying 2015 so far?  It has been a rainy one here in GA and we woke up to a flood in our basement this morning.  OMG!  Apparently, a critter  of some sort (probably a chipmunk) built a nest or something in our drainage pipe that allows water to drain off the foundation of our house. So it became clogged. As a result, all the water from the rain we've been having seeped into our basement and garage.  What a mess!  My husband had to use a shop vac to get it up and then mop the area with some bleach and water.  We have a dehumidifier running and some fans and plan on getting some Damp X to absorb any more moisture there is.  What a mess!  Not a very good start to the new year, huh?

However, on the flip side, I have been busy taking down Christmas decorations and making new arrangements around the house.  That's always fun!

Here are just a few pics of some of the changes I've made.

Some paper whites now sit in the center of the dining room table.

White hydrangeas in the foyer.

Topiaries on the coffee table.

My wooden horse statue is now on top of the mantel.

Found this cute crochet sweater pillow and added it to this chair.  

New arrangement on the chest of drawers.

These are just a few changes I've made.  Don't you always change things up a bit after you take holiday decorations down?  

I guess the only silver lining to a flooded basement/garage is that it's getting a good cleaning now!   Luckily, nothing was damaged either.

I'm trying to stay positive in 2015!  Guess I'm getting my first test.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Kelly ~

New Lamps in the Dining Room

Hello everyone!

I know

I know

I know

Here is my dining room...............again!  

And it still has Christmas decor in it.

I've decided I will take my decor down on New Years Day.  That's what I used to do and it just feels right doing it that way this year.  It's sort of a great day to start anew.  So, that means you'll just have to look past the Christmas decorations in this room for now.

I had some Christmas money to spend, so I decided to buy a pair of matching lamps for the sideboard in my dining room.  Ever since I hung the narrow trumeau mirror in here, I felt it needed some tall lamps to anchor each side.  

I wanted a chunky wooden lamp with a muted color shade.  I think these fit the bill.

These lamps came from Home Goods.  However, they originally came with very plain white shades.  I wasn't fond of them, so I replaced  them with these burlap shades from Target. 

Here is a close up of the distressed wood base.

These were just what I was looking for!

Here is how they look when turned on.

When I remove the greenery from Christmas, I will probably set my distressed pedestal in between the lamps and add some candles.  

It will be fun to set up the house again with a new arrangement.

Hope you all have a great New Years Eve tomorrow night!

See you in 2015!

~ Kelly ~

What's New!

Hello everyone!

We are still in holiday mode over here.  With there being no school and rainy weather, it is easy to become a bit lazy.  I wanted to share a few pics of my newest treasures received for Christmas.  My favorite gift was this beautiful wooden horse.

When I saw it for sale from Antique Farmhouse, I told my husband I REALLY wanted it! So, he obliged.  I have a smaller horse statue, but this one is much bigger and makes a statement all by itself.  For now, it is in front of the fireplace, but when I take the tree down, it might move behind my sofa.  I will decide later.

For the holiday, he is dressed in some greenery too.  

Horses are a big part of Swedish decor, so I'm thrilled to have this one! And since I didn't have any books on the subject, I received this book too.

I have really enjoyed it so far.

My love for blue and white grainsacks has not subsided either.  So, I received this vintage one and made it into a pillow for my sofa.

My collection of these is really growing.

I will probably take down my Christmas decor in the next day or so since we are almost into January now.  Since I didn't do so much this year, it hasn't beckoned me to take it down so soon.  Hopefully, it won't be such a dreaded task either. 

Do you have plans for New Year's Eve?  The countdown is on!

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Kelly ~

Christmas Morning

Hello everyone!

Whew!  Can you believe Christmas is over?  It seemed to come and go in a flash this year.  This year was nice since my oldest son was home for Christmas.  It finally felt "normal" again to have all of us together Christmas morning.  I didn't want to bore you with too many pics of opening presents, but here are just a few.

The sun was shining in very strong so, unfortunately, my pics aren't the best.

Our dog, Max, had a blast helping to shred the paper all over the floor.

Santa brought him some toys too.

After opening presents, I cooked a big breakfast, but forgot to take pictures.  I was head high in waffle batter!

I can't wait to share some things I got.  Come back later and I'll show you my favorite gift!

I hope all of you had a great Christmas too and are still enjoying some R&R with your family.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Kelly ~