OK..I did it..not a large project, but my very first attempt at using the Annie Sloan Chalk paint.

I have a mirror that I have had since childhood. It was attached to an antique vanity that my dad found. He

painted it PINK..Yes, my sister and I were definitely in the pink phase back then..you know the days of the

Midnight in Paris perfume (dating myself again!)..The vanity is long gone, but I held on to that mirror. It

has been with me on 7 moves. Used it in just 2 of my homes (put a walnut stain over it) and it found it’s way to

the attic on the other moves. So, my hubby took it out of the attic and I proceeded to give it new life again!

The mirror…I stained it many, many years ago with a walnut stain (was pink)..Don’t you just love the reflection in the mirror?

Using ASCP “Old White”

Two coats later…

Taking a coffee break while I wait for the paint to dry…

In the meantime, I grabbed an old wooden pineapple and thought, hmmm, wonder how the paint will look on the pineapple and an old urn. Notice the golfers in the background? A nice day..

Looks better!

So here’s the pineapple/urn transformation..Really like it much better than the old version!

I used the fine sandpaper to distress the frame…

Another view…so that is my first try at the Annie Sloan Chalk paint..A very small project. But I did it!
I will show the total reveal when I do my first attempt at a larger piece of furniture. I am taking the
leap and painting a late 1800′s Wisconsin slider table…Hoping to combine the two pieces together and
placing it in another area…Stay tuned!..

I am joining:

Thistlewood Farm, “Imagine the Impossibilities 2012 Challenge”

Here we go again..another rendition of LOVE IT OR LOSE IT!!

I have these chandeliers that I purchased when building our home almost 7 years ago. I have a love for

pineapples, you know that southern hospitality thing…Anyway, when I walked into the lighting store

and saw the Hinkley Plantation lighting, I had to have it…I love them, but need a change. My OCD hubby,

yes, there are two of us in the house with OCD..anyway, he is always commenting on why the shades from

time to time manage to get a little crooked..so, I think I may have solved two dilemmas..another epiphany.

I shall take the shades off and get another look..fresher, cleaner, no crookedness…and do not have to dust the

shades constantly to boot!!..So here you go…Love it or lose it..

The dining room chandelier with shades..
Just noticed the swarovski crystal reflection on the left side on the wall..

The dining room chandelier WITHOUT shades…

The kitchen island chandy with shades..

The kitchen island chancy WITHOUT shades..

The bedroom chancy with shades…

The bedroom chancy WITHOUT shades…

So there you have it…WITH or WITHOUT SHADES? WHAT SAY YOU..LOVE IT OR LOSE IT???

Look forward to your comments!!!

I began to set the table in the usual area of my dining room, but it was such a beautiful day, I decided, why

not, I will set the table under the pergola. The beautiful day brought the golfers out early.

The pergola during this time of year is rather sparse with color. However, the beauty of the bare branches

against the Carolina Blue Sky is breathtaking. It is an intimate dining area with a table and 4 chairs that I

purchased 7 years ago from one of my favorite places, Summer Classics. It has been out there under the pergola

through rain and snow and has really stood the test of time. I hope you enjoy!

The view from the covered porch area..soon to be my future potting shed area..

The place setting..Dinner plate, my old standby Lenox Butlers Pantry; the salad plate and bowl are Artistic Accents, made in Portugal and purchased from that wonderful place, HomeGoods. The napkins are from Target (on clearance), silverware Gorham, and the stemware is Marquis by Waterford, Brookside.

I placed the stemware on a mirror that I purchased a while back from A.C. Moore. I love using them as coasters as I love the reflection..You can see the beautiful sky and branches from the trees.

Here you can also see the flowers from the centerpiece

The vase by Weller and I sprinkled beach glass from Maine on the tray

Close up of the dinnerware

Another beautiful reflection

At the last minute I added the faux boxwood topiary rounds for fun!

I hope you enjoyed my tablescape..Would love to have your feedback, so feel free to leave a comment!

I am joining:

The Tablescaper Seasonal Sundays
Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing Newbie Party
The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesdays
Mrs. Hines Show and Tell
No Minimalist Here Open House Thursday
Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday

<

“Back in the day” when you were purchasing a dresser for your bedroom, you pretty much opted to go with the

coordinating mirror. Here I go again, dating myself. So I did…Also, “back in the day”, Ethan Allen’s

selection of furniture finishes were pretty much, maple, cherry, mahogany, dark pine and a few painted pieces

that for the most part had stenciling. So, the coordinating mirror was always what you purchased with those

dressers. Now, I really want to replace that mirror, but at this point, I have a few more priorities set

before I invest in a new mirror.

This past summer I attended a garage sale in the neighborhood. When I got out of the car, there it was!..Waiting

for me, saying take me home!!..AND, the price was right…a whopping 15 dollars!!..Oh happy day!

The bird cage is about 4 feet tall…It comes apart in sections…I knew I wanted to paint it.

I had an epiphany..take the top 3 portions and place it on a table…Then another epiphany…To draw your eye

away from the “matchy, matchy, mirror over the dresser, instead of the flower arrangement I had there, I shall

place it on the dresser! And here it is:

I love the way it takes up the space and draws attention away from my matchy, matchy, mirror. I have always

admired the way Mary McDonald (of Million Dollar Decorators fame) utilizes beautiful bird cages in her decor.

I love her book…

So what say you?…Would love to hear your feedback…Have a wonderful day!!

Joining at the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday
2805 Potpourri Friday
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
Ivy and Elephants What’s It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday
From My Front Porch to Yours Treasure Hunt Thursday

After searching the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint website, I found the retailers in my area (or SOMEWHAT in my area). The closest one was approximately 40 miles away. So I set forth this morning on my journey to buy the chalk paint that I need to start my projects for this year.

I arrived in the quaint town of Mebane, N.C. and pulled up to the store and realized that it was also an ANTIQUE SHOP..Now that’s a trip worthwhile..a real bonus.

The Melville Trading Company..

I walked into the shop and much to my surprise……

An Annie Sloan trained and certified instructor on painting techniques of Annie Sloan products. There were a group of ladies there taking the class and the techniques they were using..oh so nice…

When I arrived the class was just finishing..so I was able to speak with the instructor…Turns out that she does ongoing classes there..Oh happy day…Sign me up!!! In the meantime, she gave me some tips on application, etc. Just can’t wait to take those classes.

Well, I was there anyway, so why not do a little shopping…Hmmm..this may work in my future potting area…

A bit of an unusual combination of horns, antlers and a mirror…well..maybe not..

Very nice hardware sign..took a pic of this for my friend whose son (Andrew) collects antiques…

Then as I turned a corner..there it was..it spoke to me…an iron piece I have been looking for. You cannot tell in the picture, but the original paint is green..Could definitely go in either of the guest rooms…But wait..I brought the wrong car..I just set out to buy paint..How much room does a paint can need?

So you know that saying..where there’s a will..there’s a way…Good thing it was a gorgeous day…The shopkeeper said to me, “I think you are going to have to come back with a larger vehicle”…Then right before his eyes, the top came down and the iron piece just dropped in…Where there’s a will….:)

So now I am set..I have my supplies to move forward to the next project.. all in all, what more could you ask for..a gorgeous Carolina Blue sky day, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint sold in an antique shop, and spending the afternoon with my precious granddaughter. Life is good!

Joining the following parties:

From My Front Porch to Yours Treasure Hunt Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday
Laurieanna’s Farmhouse Friday
The Charm of Home

On Tuesday, January 24th, 2012, Marty from A STROLL THRU LIFE will be celebrating her 100th Tabletop Tuesday Party. So I thought it befitting to set an elegant table for a kind and elegant lady. I placed some of my favorite items (topiaries) and placed a banner depicting the event. I set a table for two, for Marty and Marty’s Mister. Congratulations Marty on your 100th Tabletop Tuesday!

Placed a ribbon banner between the two topiaries to wish Marty a Happy 100th.

The Place Setting. I used Royal Albert Seasons of Colour. I just love the topiary. I went to Lowe’s Home Improvement and purchased 2 squares of octagonal tiles to use as my “placemat”..I really tried to find the penny tile, but they had none, so the octagonal tiles was my second choice.

The faux topiaries. Champagne mercury glass candle holders from Pottery Barn. I used faux boxwood rounds rather than candles.

These faux topiary boxwoods are made by Raz.

So what’s a celebration without champagne and chocolate. “Chocolate is Bliss” Sorry Marty, I opened the bottle and took a sip in your honor! Cheers!

I had these cute topiary place cards from my son’s wedding. It was a beautiful garden wedding.

Can’t leave out the Mister!

I added an arrangement that blended with the colors of the centerpiece area.

A full view of the table…

So again, Happy 100th Tabletop Tuesday Marty! I look forward to the 200th!!

Addendum: When setting the table that afternoon, I noticed my napkins were a bit off, so I repositioned them. In order to do that I had to move the forks. So I repositioned the napkins and NOT THE FORKS!..I hastily snapped the photos before I lost the little light I had left in the day, and it was a pretty dreary day. I posted quickly and published and then starting preparing dinner. My hubby came up from his office and sat down to see my post. He started laughing!..He said that my forks found legs!!..I saw my huge BLUNDER and was horrified!..But then I started laughing till I cried..I had to let my OCD go and just laugh at myself!..Someone made a comment that my forks were possessed (in a funny way)..Marty, I am so glad that you have a sense of humor!!!

Joining:

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life Tabletop Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays
Mrs. Hines Show and Tell
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday
My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday

Since we are still in the winter month of January, I decided to use my Pottery Barn Deer containers along with my Vietri snowflake bowls. During the winter months (and every month for that matter) I can see the deer meander through my backyard and I know what they are thinking..Hmmm, what shall I have for lunch? Being new to the wildlife here, I asked my builder what the deer DID NOT EAT, he replied “concrete”! They are certainly pesky, but beautiful. So here is my Deerscape.

I used the Pottery Barn containers that I got on sale after Christmas and filled them with winter berry greenery and pinecones. The centerpiece has pinecones, berries, and greenery. I had this centerpiece from a couple of years ago and took out all the “sparkly items”…

The footed bowl is Vietri Snowflake. The plate is my old standby Pfaltzgraff dinnerware that I have had for more years than I want to admit. Arranged the napkin on the plate to break up the white on white. Glassware is Gorham. The tablecloth is a twin quilted coverlet.

The Pottery Barn deer container. I used a twig garland and wrapped it around the containers..Added snow.

A cute little bird dish I purchased at HomeGoods.

The centerpiece

Hope you enjoyed my Deerscape for today. Please feel free to leave a comment as I would love your feedback!
Have a wonderful day!!

I am joining:
Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday At the Picket Fence
Vintage Inspiration Friday at the Common Ground
The Tablescaper Seasonal Sundays

One of my 12 Projects for 2012 is to finish redecorating the main guest room. One of the things I really need to do is place some type of window treatments on the bank of french doors and flanking windows. The doors and windows are heavily trimmed out and I love the way they came out thanks to one of my heroes, Brian the great carpenter. Anyway, I have toyed with the thought of just placing a decorative rod all the way across the top the of header with just enough panels to cover the windows. I cannot use many panels as the space at each end of the bank of windows and doors are not even. One side is wider than the other..

I really do not want to cover the trim…so what do I do? I thought about hanging woven blinds, but then it would cover most of the header trim. I thought about pleated shades, but really do not like the look of that. We live on a golf course and there are no homes that are in close range directly behind us. In all of the seasons except the winter and late fall, there is plenty of privacy from the trees. Well, with the exception of the nosey deer. In the winter, you can see faint lights from the houses beyond. So, I really want my guests to be comfortable with a real sense of privacy. So, that is my dilemma..What type of treatments do I place on those windows and doors?

So, today, I am joining Betsy Speert’s Tuesdays Design Questions post/link party..to ask, what the heck do I do with those windows? So, what say you? Cover them or leave them???

It is hard to get a picture when you are aiming directly at the windows/doors. I just received my new camera that has been on world wide backorder!..So hopefully it would help with that problem. Gotta take some lessons first! Oh, and ignore that fan!..It is going away soon! Sorry guests!

I thought that taking a picture via the mirror may cut down on the reflection.

The right side..does not have much space for panels to gather. However, if I use lightweight fabric, then I may be able to get them into that tight space.

The left side..has more width.

Crummy picture, but you get the idea (I hope)

Another dark view.

Another dark view of the left side.

More trim view.

So there it is. I have been making myself crazy to make a decision. Oh, and please ignore the Christmas decs. Have not gotten to that room to put things away!..Yes, I am still surrounded by the sparkles of Christmas. But I am slowly getting there.

Again, what say you? Cover them or leave them?

Please leave your much welcomed comment!

A little at a time I am putting away the Christmas decorations. The Christmas mantle was “dismantled” and up went the “Winter Mantle”..Over the weekend I ran across a few bargains at Pottery Barn. One of those bargains was a pair of candlesticks. Originally marked $99.00 each and marked down to $32.99, woo hoo!! So up they went on the mantle. Enjoy!

This is the before..The Christmas Woodland Mantle

This is the after..The Simply Stated Winter Mantle

I started out by placing white (previously used on mantle) and brown ice covered branches in a clear vase filled with faux snow.

I then added two mercury glass acorn finials and branches of pine cones with snow and a couple of winter birds that I have used in my Christmas scapes.

The beautiful candlestick I bought at Pottery Barn on clearance. Added more pine stems with a little bling.

Close up of the mercury glass acorn and a winter bird.

Just thought I would throw in a cute picture of my granddaughter standing in front of the huge and beautiful
Gingerbread House in the lobby of the Grand Floridian in Disney World.

Hope you enjoyed my Simply Stated Winter Mantle and would love to know what you think, so leave a comment if you so desire. Thank you!!

I am joining Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Ivy and Elephants
2805 Potpourri Friday
LaurieAnna’s Farmhouse Friday
Home Sweet Home Friday at the Charm of Home
Mrs Hines Show and Tell Party

I still had my “Winterscape” on the table until late last night and decided at the last minute to change out the table and join some “link parties”..So in a matter of 15 minutes, I transformed my table (not including the time to dismantle) Hopefully, it does not present itself as a 15 minute transformation!! I have lots of “pears” in my kitchen decor, so I thought that I would use these pears as my theme. Hope you enjoy!

The long view of the table..A silk floral arrangement in a vintage McCoy planter with cabbage roses and hydrangeas (my favorite)…I added faux pears around the arrangement and flanked them with candles.

The place setting. Charger: Franciscan; Dinner plate and salad plate: Dansk Fiance Fruits. The sherbet glass is vintage. Pear: Faux from Pottery Barn several years ago.

Plate detail..I love this dinnerware, but unfortunately it is discontinued.

I took a compote that I bought from HomeGoods several years ago and inverted it and placed the candle on it.

My Lenox pear which is a holds a tea light..so pretty when lit..

The footed plate is another find from HomeGoods a few years ago. Atop is a ceramic pear and surrounded by faux fruit tarts and candy. My granddaughter loves to play tea party with these faux goodies!

My pear cookie jar on the right…

So that is my very quickly put together “pearscape” Hope you enjoyed it and would love to hear from you and give me your feedback!!

Today I am joining:
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
No Minimalist Here
At the Picket Fence
The Charm of Home
French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday
Romantic Home Show and Tell Fridays
Common Ground
Laurie Annas Vintage Home
Debbie Doo’s Newbie Blogging Party
The Tablescaper Seasonal Sundays
A Stroll Thru Life Tabletop Tuesday

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

http://www.serendipityandspice.blogspot.com/2012/01/manic-monday-1-1st-linky-party.html