How often do you update?

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My favorite time of year is after New Years and right into the start of Spring. Yeah, I know that seems like a weird season that is not really a season at all but I call it the 5th season. For me, it is the season of 'refresh' in my house. 

I believe that, to keep a house feeling fresh and new, that you should update a room every 2-3 years. Now, I'm not talking major bucks here. My design philosophy is to keep the hard surfaces...a.k.a. the expensive finishes...neutral and change out the inexpensive. 

How do I update a room? Sometimes I give it a fresh coat of paint and change the whole colour scheme. However if I still love the color of the room but I just want to give it a new look I will often change out the accessories. My first step is to swap furniture and accessories from room to room. It is amazing what that can do to make your rooms look brand new!

"After" picture of major renovation.
Read more here.

I recently finished updating my bathroom. You might remember the major update that was done three years ago (above).

Notice the ceiling color. That is for another post however!

Shower curtain found at Target.
Wrought iron artwork found in my living room

I was ready for a little more of a neutral look and had enough left over paint from my hallway update that I decided to use in the bathroom.

Bathroom sink area.
Still looking for a mirror solution.
Wanting one big mirror across the whole area.

So how much did I spend on this update?
1. Wall color, used from another project
2. Stencil. Pulled from my craft area as was the silver metallic paint used in the stencil. To read more about the stencil project.
3. Ceiling color was leftover from my office room
4. Artwork was taken from other rooms or reused from previous update.

That leaves the shower curtain, purchased at Target for $19.99. Not bad for a brand new look!

     
   

That season called Sprinter

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You maybe have never heard of our fifth season called Sprinter. You know it is that window in late February/early March when the days are noticably longer, the temps not quite so cold, and alas, you even hear bird chirping. That my friends is called Sprinter. Somewhere between the "I'm sick of winter and ready for Spring" season. How do you decorate for this?

Greening up the fireplace mantel

Adding pops of green brightens
up a winter dreary space

Well, by now we are all sick of the cute little snowmen and the pine cones and other wintery type home decor but it is a bit early to bring out the flowers and spring stuff. And if we see one more "Let it snow" yard sign....ugh!

The birds are back inside and out!

Using grains and berries
 are provide a natural touch

This is the perfect time to bring out natural elements and pops of Spring color without hitting too hard with the flowers and plants yet.

Great Aunt's tea set

Adding touches of greenery
indicate the arrival of Spring

Natural elements that are
season indifferent work well.

Adding hints of color, especially the greens, yellows, and blues will give a nod to Spring and be good transitional elements.

So pack away those snowmen and pine cones and bring out your Sprinter stuff! Spring is on its way!

Partying this week with:
Redoux Interiors
Grace at Home
Show and Tell Friday at Romantic Home
Flaunt it Friday
   

Breakin' the Rules Guide to Stencilling

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Dare I say it, I am a rebel and I rarely follow the rules. When it comes to stencilling, for sure I do my own thing.

For instance, these stencilling tips from About.com:



Grey base coat with silver craft paint stencilled on.

About.com Stenciling Tip 1: Use a Professional Tool -- Stencilling brushes are round with short, stiff bristles. Use it in a quick up-and-down movement to dab paint onto your stencil. This helps prevent paint getting under the edges. A sponge or small roller works well too.

Seriously? I use sponges, rags, stencil brushes, plastic bags. Really any thing that I have on hand and can grab real quick.


About.com Stenciling Tip 2: Work from The Outside

Start panting on the edges of the stencil, working into the centre, rather than from the centre outwards. Again this helps prevent paint getting under the edges as you're less likely to accidentally bump the brush against an edge.

Facelift in upstairs bathroom includes this
stencilled feature wall.

Wow, I never even knew this and yet all the years I have done stencils, I don't think I've ever had a problem with paint getting under the edges. Okay, maybe I have a few times but that's what you keep the base color handy for!



About.com Stenciling Tip 3: Less is More

Don't overload a brush with paint as it'll seep under the edges of the stencil. Load the brush lightly, so that the ends of the bristles are covered evenly; wipe off any excess on a piece of paper or cloth.

Okay, this is true but I am definitely not this careful. I slap some paint on and stencil away. Remember the words, 'touch up'. Always keep a little of the base coat handy for quick touch ups.

About.com Stenciling Tip 4: Think Thin

You'll get better results by applying two thin coats rather than one thick one. Wait for the first to dry before applying the second.

NEVER have I done this. I don't have time to go back for a second coat!

About.com Stenciling Tip 5: Get Sticky

Keep a stencil in place by taping it at the top and bottom with a piece of tape. Low-tack tape is best as it's very easy to remove and shouldn't pull off any paint from the surface.

Yes, tape does help and in hard to reach or tricky places I use it. Most of the time, I hold it in place with one hand and apply the paint with the other.

Okay, tips 6 - 8 I don't even do so I did not include them.

This shelf once belonged downstairs.
Repurposing to the bathroom updo!

About.com Stenciling Tip 9: Wash Regularly

Not you, your stencil! If you're doing a repeat design, wash your stencil regularly in warm water to keep the edges free of paint. If there's some paint on an edge, you won't get a crisp edge to your painted stencil. As paper stencils don't lend themselves to washing, acetate stencils are better for repeat designs. With a paper or card stencil, wipe off the excess paint, then leave the stencil for a bit so the paint on it dries, before using it again.

That is a huge amount of work. I do let the paint dry in between each application but that's about it.

About.com Stenciling Tip 10: Store stencils Flat

A stencil, obviously, needs to be flat to be usable. To stop it from buckling, put it between two pieces of card and store it somewhere flat, such as in a book or telephone directory.

Yeah, I see the point in this but seriously I throw it up on my craft shelf and lay it flat. Never have stacked them between a book or anything and they work perfect every time.

The Decorating Chica's Stenciling Tips:

• Yes you can stencil on a textured wall.
• No you don't have to use official 'stencil' brushes and paints. Use what you have!
• Remember, base coat is your friend! Always keep a little handy.
• Don't feel like you have to use the same pattern that is on the stencil. You can create your own.
• Use a level it will make this so much easier.
• Never despair if you mess up and remember, base coat is your friend!
• If you are not precise with measuring and straight lines, use a stencil that is forgiving. 

  

  Scroll stencil used in bathroom is a very forgiving
  type of stencil! Read more here.

Hooking up this week to:
Trash to Treasure Linky Party at Kammy's Corner
Make it Pretty Monday 
The Power of Paint Party
 
 

Habitat Rehab

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Do you ever have a project that takes forever to complete?

Jail cell posts. No, they did not come with the funny
looking faces of our friends!

Such is the case with most projects in my house. In fact, the ideas are mulling in my head long before they ever come to fruition. Honestly, some never happen. Why? Many  of my projects are dependent on money, availability of the right materials, and skill level.

My 1/2 walls without the jail cell posts!

Oh if money were no object and time was limitless, I would have an amazing house. But the reality? Most of my days I spend working, and cleaning the house, and doing laundry, and paying bills, and working, and cleaning the house. You get the picture I'm sure.

For the projects we do complete, sometimes the end result is far different than what I envisioned. Sometimes  I make updates that are temporary and while they may not be what I really am looking for, it is much better than what I started with and costs me little money and a little more time. Sometimes, I am able to make the updates and have the end result that is my dream.

The project we finally finished today is one of those projects. When we first moved into our house in 2004, they looked like this (except the walls were beige).

For many years I hated those walls! So I started brainstorming about what I would love them to be and this is what I found.

This was my dream!

I wanted to hang old leaded glass windows
to help define the space but leave light showing through.

Well, they certainly didn't turn out like the pictures above due to time constraints, money, and the inability to find some of the items needed to make this happened. But you know what, I love how they turned out! The cost was very reasonable, some of the trim I found at Habitat Restore for a couple of bucks and some I already had from other projects. In fact, the only thing I had to buy were the posts and a piece of trim for the top.

Finished rehab of ugly walls!

Now who can't beat that!

Linking up at:
Link Party at Redoux
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Get Schooled Saturday   

Spring Cleaning, say what?

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Yes, of course I know that it is still January. But seriously, January and February have got to be the loooongest months of the year. No kidding! They are also my most productive months with house projects. Cupboard cleaning and rearranging. Closet cleaning and purging. Yup, you guessed, Spring Cleaning. January and February are the best months for Spring Cleaning. When the weather man declares it to be spring, you can guess where I am going to be? Outside. 

New life with a fresh coat of paint, a decorative
trim at top, and some updated pictures.

So, why not Spring clean in the winter when you are stuck inside?

Inevitably along with the Spring Cleaning comes a bunch of updates and projects that I haven't finished since who knows when. It is a time to get things done!

My most recent 'refresh' is with my picture collage wall. It just needed a little freshening up to give it some spice. 

You may remember it in it's
 original state. Read more here.

Thanks for stopping by.

Linking up this week to:
Serenity Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday
Weekend Wrapup at Tater Tots and Jello   

Only the best...DIY that is!

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Something about the end of a year that gets me reflecting.

It's fun to be a copycat, especially a Pottery Barn copycat!

Oh, it is not all good. But it's not all bad either.

Life is full of that. Full of good and full of bad.

Remember the Impossibilities Challenge? Well, I failed the first
 round but a few months late I did it!

But somehow, as I get older, I seem to dwell on the good and let go of the bad.

This didn't happen overnight though. It took years of quoting Phillipians 4: "...look on that which is good..."

Call me a thief cause I steal! Yup, I really do. Read more here.

Yup, it's a practiced thing okay. But, as always with the Word of God, it will transform your thinking and, before you know it, that which you seek is what you have. 

Houston, we have a problem...seriously cause I'm having a love affair.
 Click here to find out with whom.

So as I reflect on 'that which was good' of 2012, I am reminded of some of the fun projects that I did.

Many that were inspired by reading all of your blogs and cruising around on Pinterest.

Happy reflecting!

Partying around the planet with:

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors 
Happy Friday Linky Party at Redoux
Top DIY Projects of 2012 at Southern Hospitality

2012 A year in review part one

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So hard to believe that 2012 is almost in the history books. As our family is getting ready for Christmas I am thinking back on all the year has brought. Some good, some sad, but all in all, we are truly blessed.

Summers got a hold on me

Looking back on all that was accomplished this past year does not shrink the list I have for 2013. 
But it sure feels good to reflect!

What would you do if you were
given an old bowling ball?

However even as I pat myself on the back I realize that this stuff is not where the important things reside.

Call me a thief

Houston, we have a problem

Grateful is how I feel. Grateful for my kids and my husband.
Grateful for a job that I truly enjoy.

How to refresh a tired table.

Grateful for a home that I love and a husband who lets me do what I want with it!

So here are just a few of the projects from 2012. 
Wishing you all a blessed Christmas!

The Colors of Christmas

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The other day I was trying to think exactly what it was that I loved about Christmas.

Kitchen Buffet reflecting the red.

Red glittery candles.

It didn't take long for me to realize it was the colors. The colors of Christmas.

Mr. Snowman watches over our home.

For me, the color of Christmas is RED. Red just makes my heart happy. But I love the glittery golds and silvers and the white lights. Oh and the colored lights.

Stars, a beautiful Christmas symbol.

Red brings joy!

Don't you think red is a happy color? I mean, who could not like a little red in their lives.

And of course, Candles!

Well, unless the red is in your checkbook. That might not be so good.

Red looks good with most any color.

Even darker reds command attention.

Ornaments are a simple decorative element.

But red for Christmas? That is perfect.


Partying this week at:
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Primp Your Stuff
Wow Us Wednesdays
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Vignette Party at Southern Hospitality

Pinterest Inspired

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I'm sure that I am not the only one. Am I?

Doesn't everyone spend hours browsing on Pinterest?

Well, okay maybe not hours. Maybe it's really just a few minutes here and a few minutes there.

But I bet it adds up to hours.

Rustic Christmas

Seriously Pinterest is some kind of serious eye candy. 

And it can be very inspirational to get the creative juices flowing.


Rustic tin Christmas trees,
inspired by Pinterest

And it cost be less than $20. I found the trees at Hobby Lobby at 50% off which came just around $8.oo. Bought styrofoam to fit in the bottom and hold the tree and filled with small pine cones. Reused the tins from Fall and done.

This week at:


Treasure Hunt Thursday
Trash to Treasure Tuesday
Time to Shine 
Show and Tell Friday

Christmas Dreaming

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I don't know why but I dreaming of Christmas already. 

I believe this is originally from goodhousekeeping.com
I had someone 'annomously' upset with me for not giving proper credit.
Very sorry. Was not intentional and I thought I
was giving proper credit.Photos came off of Pinterest.

Maybe it's because I am hearing Christmas music in the stores and the decorations were put out at Hobby Lobby in July. 

I believe this is originally from goodhousekeeping.com
I had someone 'annomously' upset with me for not giving proper credit.
Very sorry. Was not intentional and I thought I
was giving proper credit.Photos came off of Pinterest.

Isn't that why they call it Christmas in July?

I usually resist until the last minute. Not this year.

I believe this is originally from goodhousekeeping.com
I had someone 'annomously' upset with me for not giving proper credit.
Very sorry. Was not intentional and I thought I
was giving proper credit.Photos came off of Pinterest.

This year, I have great, big plans.

I believe this is originally from goodhousekeeping.com
I had someone 'annomously' upset with me for not giving proper credit.
Very sorry. Was not intentional and I thought I
was giving proper credit.Photos came off of Pinterest.

My house will be beautiful with all sorts of nifty crafty little Christmas decorations that I'm going to make.

It will also be beautiful because of all the vignettes that I create.

Beautiful mantel inspiration from Pinterest

Well, and as long as I am dreaming...

I want my house to look like this.

Love the simpleness of this! Thanks Pinterest

Partying this week with:

Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello 

Show and Tell Saturday at Be Different, Act Normal