To Repaint or Not--That is the Question

Peaking out the front door
are one of my latest junk
store finds.

When I spied these sitting at the front door
of one of my favorite local flea markets
(for 10 bucks I might add).  I knew they were meant
to be.  Hauled them home with grand illusions of painting
them in Polished Mahagony with Fleur De Lis Stencils on
the back of them.  Then I plunked them on the front lawn
for my husband to see (there IS a story there!)
and love them just as they are. 

So my question is, or rather I am wondering out load,
How long will it take me to tire of the peeling paint
and start over? 
Hopefully never but my mind does change! 

Sneak Peek



The door to nowhere.  I think every old house has a couple of these.  My 1925 Bungalow is no exception!  Actually this is a second door to my son's room from the back hall.   Seems a litle silly to us.  Easy way to escape when you are a teenager!  We disabled the door and had plans to close it off permantely but soon discovered it housed our desk just perfectly.  The recess the door creates is just enough to allow the desk to sit next to the panty.  It really was unsightly.  The wall paint was not enhancing the back hall either.  It had to go! 



This is the view from the kitchen now.  Tennis Court White Paint by Ralph Lauren in a Semi-Gloss finish are washed all over the walls.  Gasp all you Flat Paint lovers!  The semi-gloss finish accomplishes two things, it reflects light in this windowless space and is easy to clean!  The Ceilings are Crystal Blue by Benjamin Moore also in Semi Gloss.  For the finishing touches, white drapes with white tassles hanging over a black and white picture that fits behind the antique green writing desk.  It is now this cozy office space while the space is actually enlarged.  The rest of the space isn't completed yet.  The floor at the landing needs attention.  I just couldn't resist sharing.  It is currently my favorite spot in the house!

All in a Day's Play



Spent my Sunday in my favorite Discount Store and Junk Store.  Yielded this Fluer De Lis, tassles, and some odds and ends.  Earmarked for my latest project. 





I am redoing my back entry to the house.  Will share pictures later!  Spent the weekend prepping, painting, and more painting.  Then decided that I needed some stuff to go in it!  Have alot of ideas swimming in my head right now.  Suffered 2 days of migraines but managed to get the painting of the ceiling and walls completed.  Next the landing. . .

Will share, I promise! 



What's Old is New Again

I really wanted an old, reconditioned range to add to my kitchen but after many "Blow Up the House" arguments I had with my husband we settled on a 48" Monogram Range as shown in a earlier post.  To satisfy my desire for the old one, I spotted this at one of my favorite haunts.  The door wasn't staying closed and I think, besides all the rust, that is why it has been there at a basement bargain price for quite a long time.  I fell in love and it now graces my kitchen with a strong magnet to keep the door closed.  No interest was paid to this until I drug out the camera and poof, presto, magic the curiosity came pouring out of my son.  He was so curious that he didn't care that I was taking pictures and, after all, this range is built for the curious, tiny hands of children.  Couldn't make me happier that he has played with this for most of the evening!  Forget modern, what is old is new again in my house if even for a moment and yes, I know a reconditioned stove wouldn't blow my house up but the Monogram is "bloody" awesome and really fun! 

Re-Purposing the "Good Stuff"

These crystal candy dishes made 

their way to my house in the form

of wedding presents and inheritance

items from dear family members.

I don't keep candy around the house

and detest not using the things I own.

I have re-purposed these to hold the

spare grinds from my favorite coffee

and keeping those odd amounts of peas and beans in my cabinet.  

I am a firm believer that you should use everything you own, even the "good stuff" everyday even if it isn't for its original intent!  This allows my creativity to soar and re-purposing things is alot of fun!  Much better than storing wonderful items in boxes in the attic! 

Notice the exposed plaster and lathe--another post for another day!





Improvasational Tackle Boxes

I have a handful of green tool boxes.  There is something about that Olive Green Color that I can't resist.  They no longer hold tools.  I use one in the kitchen to contain my bar, one on my desk to stow office items, and one for my sewing kit.  They can be easily whisked away for cleaning or closed up on those days when clutter is bothersome. 

This is my desktop toolbox.  The golden hue to this photograph is not a crazy

setting on my camera but the rays filtering in from a particularly beautiful

sunset.   

The Green Men--A Child's Touch

I deposited a green work bench and window frame, both earmarked for the bathroom remodel, along the living room wall one particularly successful Saturday afternoon, along with a doorknob.  My son immediately placed his little green men on the bench for a battle.  The effect is nothing short of charming.  There they stayed until they won the battle and were marched on. 

Remembering Marriette

I like "junk".  Chipped Paint, hand-made, and almost forgotten.  Kitchen Utensils, linens, dishes, oddities, and books.  They connect me, inspire me, and help me look to the future.  They soothe me.  They echo the past while connecting me to the present and future. 

This collection of red and yellow painted kitchen utensils started with my grandmother, Marriette.  When I hold them I can connect with her.  It has started an ongoing hunt for more.  In order to let my son know which came from his family and which ones just showed up, I have been cataloging them with a picture of her.