A five minute make-over...

As I've professed before, seasonal decorating is one of my favourite things! Because it is not officially winter -  yet I am done with the fall colours (inside, of course!) - I decided to give my master bedroom a teensy refreshing, finally accomplishing what I vowed to do recently. I chose a creamy palette for the bedding because, of course, bedding is the easiest change to a bedroom you can make! I call this my five-minute/twenty dollar make-over:

I owned the white matelasse coverlet and toile shams (I'd like simple, cream shams...but that would put me over budget!) and I picked up this beautiful blanket (at Walmart!) which reminds me of tiny snowballs.

 I was inspired by this beauty - over at Anthroplogie:

And while mine isn't as decadently beautiful (or expensive!), it makes me happy all the same!

New Chair, or New Slipcover?!

Remember my latest quest for a new slipcover to transform this tired, late 90's-but otherwise-perfectly-fine-chair?

Well, the same seamstress friend who was the mastermind behind my camper's new seat covers and Sophie's bench seat cushion created this latest, beautiful slipcover.

Although I couldn't find the pale, pale blue fabric I was hoping for, a quick grab-and-go from my linen closet yielded some fun trims and details from a floral Pier One table runner and some left-over pom pom fringe. I love the whimsy both little extras add, and with Tabitha's superior talent and workmanship, I think it looks more like a great re-upholstery job than a slipcover.

Isn't that the true test of a great slipcover artist?

The runner came in handy for the arms and cushion accents:

See the pom poms peeking out from the bottom?

As for our latest bundle of joy: here he is, nestled in Sophie's little doll sling - another Tabitha Coleman creation!!

A New Facade...

As I prepare for Matthew and Jenny Mead's upcoming visit, I scurry around my house, noting imperfections and wishing things could be perfect for such professionals, used to being in the most spectacular of homes. I take deep breaths, reminding myself they are down-to-earth people, and will be gracious and lovely, and I have nothing to fear. Then I remind myself of just how wonderful the homes they are accustomed to shooting are and my nerves start firing again! While most would rush out and buy new furniture, accessories and bring in a professional cleaning service, I have restricted myself to a few visits to some thrift shops and a new slipcover for my tired living room armchair.

Oh, and a top-to-bottom cleaning, of course!

Luckily for me, my talented friend/seamstress (the same friend who made Sophie's bench seat cushion and made slipcovers for my camper cushions) came to my rescue and took on the accelerated task of sewing me a new slipcover before they arrive.

Here is a pretty version of what my chair looks like (mine is/was a floral pattern):

If mine actually looked that pretty I'd have kicked up my heels and put on a scarf! (I also cannot remember where I plucked this photo from me, so if anyone knows or minds my using it, please let me know!)

I also took inspiration from this photo (again, I misplaced the source, I'm usually not so disorganized) when planning my new slipcover. I love that the backs of the chairs are a different fabric and I added a similar detail to my chair. I also added some fun trim, and I cannot wait to see the finished result. As for the colour, this is the colour I wanted (if you can get past just how stunningly beautiful this settee and the room it's in is!):

(source: pompominteriors.com)

Now for a completely different take on transforming the ordinary (if you consider a clawfoot tub ordinary), draw in a deep breath and feast your eyes on this stunning tub, with an inside wash of my favourite, robin's egg blue shade:

(source: Country Home.com)


You'd never get me out!!


(By the way, my slipcover reveal is coming soon!)

Flippin' Out!

Well, you may or may not be wondering where I've been and what I've been up to. This poor, little blog has been a tad neglected lately, as other things in my life have required more of my attention and concentration. A while ago, I alluded to you that I was working on a special project involving a client of a very personal nature: me. Well, after spending a hectic weekend finishing up the project, I will share a few photos. This project involved renovating and refreshing a little, humble house that had been long neglected and violated by some very unworthy owners. Our hope is that new, caring owners will come along and settle in and respect it, as every older house deserves. Each and every corner was scrubbed of its filth, repaired, painted, refinished and restyled (of course!) by the splintered, weathered hands of my hard-working handyman and his loyal wife...me!!

Here are some before and afters of the downstairs living area:

My hard-working husband built an entirely new kitchen himself which included new custom cabinets, countertop, flooring, lighting, and backsplash, and more.

Kitchen sink area before:

during:

After:

Stove area, during:

After:

From Kitchen into foyer, before: After:

Kitchen into laundry area, before:

During:

After:

Mudroom before:

Mudroom, after:

Laundry area before (which wasn't actually a laundry area at all):


During:

After:



Stairway, before:

After:

What do you think?

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More to come later!

This post is linked to  this great round-up:

http://bethcrabtreehunter.blogspot.com/2009/11/wahoo-its-finally-here-and-i-happen-to.html

No Ordinary Door...

Not all doors can be so genetically blessed...

(source: Flickr.com/maluni)

I have long professed to being a bargain hunter/do-it yourselfer, and will cross my heart that the satisfaction I feel because of it beats instant gratification and spending big bucks hands down. Well, for most things anyway...

One of those things is refurbishing what you have and making it just as pretty as its pricier counter-parts. Case in point: interior doors. A good friend of mine asked me if I could point her in the direction of some creative makeovers for slab doors, and it got me thinking that if she's looking, then some of you might be also. Slab doors are the no-man's land of interior finishes. They are also in a good majority of North American homes built in the sixties and seventies. Replacing them with new doors is always an option in theory; but for those of us not willing or able to fork over the hundreds of dollars it would cost to replace them all, then a creative solution is to pretty them up! Decorative mouldings and trims - even wallpaper, chalkboard paint and mirrors - offer a much cheaper and easier alternative...and will leave both your wallet and sense of achievement more plentiful.

Check out this wallpaper option to tricking out your door. A few mouldings, a little adhesive and pretty, pretty doors!

photo source: Country Home.com

Here are more examples of trimmed-out doors using cost-effective mouldings (and a little paint)purchased at your local building supplies store:

photo source: BHG.com

And a link with instructions to do both!

I think this one is my favourite:

How clever is that? A faux French door using a simple mirror, some mullions, and double-sided adhesive. You can get the instructions here.

Need some hand-holding? No problem! Here is a link to a video detailing the steps involved in adding mouldings to your slab doors.

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Want more ideas?

• This is a great example of how a little moulding, paint and great taste combined to make a perfectly inviting front door.


• And from the same creative gal, here are the directions for making a chalkboard feature out of a slab door. I would add that a nice picture frame moulding around the chalkboard would look even nicer! Oh, and if you find the black too jarring, or wish you could have a chalkboard in your favourite colour, your wish is Martha's command. Check out this tutorial on making your own custom-coloured chalkboard paint.

Now, get to work...and don't forget to share photos of your door makeovers with me. I'll pass them on to the rest of you and we will ooh and aah over your creativity and craftsmanship!