Quiet on the Homefront

We haven't been doing too much around here lately.

Everything has been rather quiet at home.

I was feeling a little under the weather last week, so there are no new projects to reveal.

I've just been straightening up and re-organizing things a bit. I finally sorted my barely used cook books and cleared our catch-all counter spot.

It's amazing what a basket can do do capture the clutter. I love the TJ Maxx mirror on the counter that I scored for 8.00...

I just had to include the next picture-Take note of our little pig-I mean pug-Norma walking to her water dish! A rare in-motion shot!

I'm itching to find something to line the windows of our kitchen pantry door. See it in the background below? Believe it or not it was discarded at Lowe's and we got it for 5.00! Seriously-my mom found it and called us to see if it would fit. It was too big but we told her to take it anyway. We just sliced it down to size and voila! I love it! I just hate seeing our messy food stash inside.

It has to be lined with something that looks nice from the living room too. I haven't fallen in love with anything yet, so for now, we're looking at canned goods.

The mirrors behind Noa-also from TJ's-12.99 each. I love a bargain!

I'll be working on a few small things this week and I will soon have pictures of my sister in law's new house-drool! Stay tuned!

Have a great day!

Vanessa

High on 9 by Design

I have been completely obsessed with Robert and Cortney Novogratz, the couple who is Sixx Design, since I first spotted pictures of their Great Barrington house in O at Home magazine. I then eagerly awaited the publication of their book Downtown Chic and have read every word and drooled over every picture countless times.

I have been waiting and waiting for their new Bravo show 9 by Design. Luckily, I caught a preview episode on Sunday and it does not disappoint!!!

Their story is amazing. First of all-they now have 7 kids! They began purchasing/renovating/and selling houses in NYC just over 10 years ago and have since made millions doing what they love. But, the road to their success wasn't always perfectly paved. That seems to me so alluring about this family-they welcome the challenges and the mistakes and don't mind admitting to them.

They decorate with what they like and make it all work together. Though they have 7 children, they don't sacrifice style. Their kids rooms are so beautifully put together. High end pieces, secondhand furniture, flea market finds and mainstream store purchases all reside together creating the perfect balance.

Just by glancing at these photos you can see that their home is full of personality.

They seem to be fans of the West Elm parson's desk! I spy one in the girls' room and the above master. Love all the artwork...

9 by Design airs Tuesday, April 13 on Bravo. Whether or not decorating is your thing, it should make for an interesting show! Check it out for some inspiration. If you want to see more/read more go here.

Happy St. Patty's!

Vanessa

Carnation Nation

Wishing for spring, I picked up some pink carnations at the grocery store yesterday.

Carnations are a great way to keep fresh flowers in the house without spending a fortune, plus, they last longer than most blooms and come in a wide range of colors.

I finally settled on the light pink ones...

I was trying to decide how to display my bargain flowers...I knew I wanted to bunch them tightly together rather than putting them in a bucket or vase.

So, I simply cut the stems very short-to about two inches. I then sliced the bottom off of a styrofoam ball so that it would stand straight by itself. Next, I tightly stuck each bloom into the ball creating a pink dome. I then put the arrangement in a white bowl with some water...

Many of us are in a time that we have to forego such luxuries as fresh flowers, so it's nice to know that there are inexpensive options that are still pretty!

This arrangement is abundant enough to remind me of hydrangeas or peonies...my favorites!

...Yet practical and accessible enough to have on display around the house.

Now that I have the flowers, I can't wait to spruce up the porch for spring...

Have a great weekend!

Treat yourself to a bargain!

Vanessa

I Love Lamp

I've been practicing some deconstructive behavior lately...

This lamp shade was formerly covered in a shiny, satiny, cream colored fabric with lots of fringe. I once loved that shade. Until recently, when I began to notice just how gaudy it really was! Funny how your style evolves over time.

So, as my husband looked on in shock, I and a pair of scissors attacked the fringe and ripped all the fabric off. What's left are the bare bones and I quite like the looks of it now! It fits in so much better with the rest of the house. Imperfect and understated.

Have a good day-Don't be afraid to tear something up!

Vanessa

Nice and Toasty

After six years, we finally started using our fireplace to keep us warm. I love the coziness a crackling fire adds to these snowy days.

When we first moved in, the multi-colored brick on the fireplace was covered with panelling. To expose the stone, we pulled the panels down and I painted the entire surface white.

Our mantle is constantly rotating but I like to keep it very simple. The distressed patina on the antique coat rack livens it up a bit. As does my absolute favorite scented candle of all time...

Capri Blue's Volcano candle in the turquoise jar from Anthropologie. It smells so light and fresh and it really fills the whole house with its scent. The jar itself is so beautiful too. Even after the candle has gone, the glass jar can be put to many uses. In addition to the Volcano candles, I love having a bunch of unscented ones on hand and I often keep some of my stock in the glass hurricanes on the mantle.

They look pretty even when not lit.

For a little hint of light pink, I keep this discarded piece of rusted tin that I found in a thrift shop in nearby Beacon, NY...

It looks like someone spray painted over a branch of leaves to create the pattern. I love the simplicity and worn beauty of this piece. It's actually much lighter in person, but you get the idea. In case you haven't noticed, I'm quite drawn to turquoise and pink accents!

Much of what I put on display are usually pieces I really love. I don't like to have too much clutter around, so I have to really like something for it to remain. The small turquoise pillar holder is one of my favorite things...

I love the tiny red heart on it-probably the only red in my whole house! The distressed metal floral pillar holder is another one of my true favorites...

This was a TJ Maxx clearance find for just 6.99! The etched glass jar on the right and the small votive holder in front are also from TJ's...

The stone birdie is another permanent fixture here...

I found it at a thrift store in Hudson, NY. It sits on a piece of turquoise patterned paper-part of an invitation that I simply cut in half and kept because I loved the decorative leaf print! The small but very heavy toile stool on the floor is also from TJ Maxx and is where Noa sits to "play markers". She loves using the fireplace as her desk to color and be creative-it's just her height!

Now that I think about it, I guess the fireplace adds warmth to our home even when it's "off"!

Have a good day!

Vanessa

Local Bargains and City Scores

As you know, this past weekend I had planned on doing some bargain hunting. I only managed to hit one store - a fairly new local thrift shop - but it was definitely worth it!

This chippy white oval mirror is now mine!

At a mere 5.00, it was a great bargain! I think it will make a charming addition to almost any room and I've yet to decide where to put it. Possibly Noa's Big Girl Room?

As you can see from the pictures, the mirror is resting on a weathered wood surface...

This drop leaf table caught my eye right away.

It was piled with old milk crates (which, unfortunatley, weren't for sale) and very hard to spot, but I knew this would make for a great before and after project! I'm thinking a quick sanding, some milky white paint and a bit of distressing and this neglected little table will be transformed into a beautiful, classic piece of furniture. Here's a side view...

But what is all that stuff on top of the table, you ask? Some more bargains from... Anthropologie! Yes! I made my way into NYC on Tuesday and found some pretty sweet deals at Anthropologie. But first, a look at the 15.00 price tag on the table. I still can't get over it!

Whenever I go to Anthropologie I fall in love with all the colorful decor. My house is quite pale and I lean towards a lot of white in my decor. But, I always leave Anthropologie with a few colorful items I can disperse throughout the house. So, I bought some monogram card sets with our last initial on them. They are beautiful in person and the board they are made from is heavy duty stuff. The original price was 16.00 a box and they are now on clearance for 3.95! I'll probably frame one and hang it in the kitchen.

Speaking of the kitchen, I think Anthropologie oven mitts are so pretty and have had the same two for the last five years. Needless to say, they are very durable, but they were looking pretty used and abused. So, I invested in two more and plan on using these for another five years. At the original price of 12.00 each I consider them a useful investment. Plus, they add a pop of color to the kitchen.

If you're looking for drawer pulls, act fast! People were swarming the sale bins. I found these great milk glass pulls for 2.95 each. I think I'll use them on my dining room cabinet.

Nugget wanted to get in on the action...I also got a magenta hair bow for her which was also on clearance. You might be able to spy it in some of the earlier table shots.

My absolute favorite Anthropologie purchase was this turquoise clay urn...

I love the color, shape, material and 8.00 price tag...

If you like it, I suggest you zoom to your nearest Anthro to scoop some up. I regret not getting a few more. They come in three shapes and an earthy yellow color too if blue is not your thing.

Hmm..I think I might order some more from their website.

If you decide to do the same, Happy Shopping! If not, I envy your restraint!

Have a good day!

Vanessa

Presenting my Present

I always like wrapping gifts in white paper.

Simply change the ribbon depending on the occasion.

It never fails to look simple yet eye-catching.

Yesterday, these gifts were supposed to come with me to a baby shower. But, my little Nugget had a fever, so I had to cancel.

Inside one of these boxes is my first attempt at decoupage work...

What do you think?

It was actually quite fun to make!

The distressed frame is from TJMaxx and all

the other materials are from Hobby Lobby.

I bought scrapbook paper, wooden letters, felt stickers

and sticky pearls-I had the doilies already and added them on

at the last minute-but I'm glad I did.

I think they add a little extra something.

This was my first experience using Mod Podge-messy!

But, after a while I got the hang of it.

I simply used an x-acto knife to outline each letter on different patterned paper leaving about an extra 1/2 inch all around the edges. Next, I quite sloppily brushed the front and back of the cut paper with the glue then brushed each piece onto a wooden letter. I was brushing continuously so the paper would adhere to the edges properly. Once the letters were drying, I lined the frame backing with paper and doilies and smeared the heck out of that with the glue. After it all dried and was into the frame, I lined it with the sticky pearls and glued the letters on. I added two tiny flower stickers in the corners and that's it. Done!

I hope she likes it!

Have a good day!

Vanessa