.this and that.

This is what I call a low-fat post.
 

I promise it to be ~ not too long, not too heavy, or not too informational. 

It will be .light. 

I kept myself busy last weekend with a couple easy, little projects.

 

For starters, our front door needed a "pick me up".  It is just your basic door with three diagonal windows.  Our door is not fancy, just simple.  Yet, there is nothing wrong with it either.  I can't justify replacing it.  Here is the before picture of our door.     

The door was originally painted Pita Bread (same color as all of our trim).  I decided to paint just the interior side of the door.  I still want the Pita Bread color to show in the dining room when the door is closed.  I primed, then painted the interior side of the door Knight's Armor, a nice dark gray.  The brushed Nickel door knob and knocker finished it off. 

The next thing on my agenda was to sew an outdoor flag.  For the life of me, I can't remember where I got this idea???  I saw it done somewhere and loved it.  I always like to post the original inspiration pics for my projects.  It is neat to compare and see the differences.  The fun part is, no two are ever alike. 

The inspirational flag that I saw had a monogrammed initial stenciled on it rather than house numbers.  A little sewing is needed, but not much.  I am going to try to give an overview without getting too detailed or wordy.  Please ask any questions or leave comments in the Post a Comment section at the bottom of the page and I will answer any questions you may have there.  Sew your basic flag.  Cut 3 strips of fabric about 3" wide for ruffles.  Using the largest stitch on your sewing machine, sew down the middle of each strip.  Do not back stitch.  Pull the back thread (bobbin thread) to gather fabric.  You can use your machine to sew on the ruffles, but I used my hot glue gun.  Next, I ironed on numbers, and hot glued on a flower.  

I decided to add curtains to my existing valance in the kitchen.  I found some extra fabric I had tucked away.  It has given my window a coffee shop look.  Hmmm...maybe I made that up, but it looks much more cozy now.  Isn't it interesting how something so minor can make such a difference?

I have saved the best for last.  My friend, Leigh took the circle/hoop idea from a previous post of mine, and made it her own.  It couldn't have turned out better!  Thank you, Leigh for emailing me your pictures. 

 

Leigh's Circles



I would LOVE to see your projects also.  Don't hesitate to send me your pics/ideas.  I would be thrilled to see all of them, and if allowed, share them too.  Please email me at hthrmosley@yahoo.com 

Have a hApPy weekend!  heather

  



.rustic. cottage charm

I have been wanting to show you our fireplace for a while.  It has been my decorating challenge.  I enjoy coming up with different ideas, but for the longest time I have been stumped.

 

I wish I had a "before" photograph of our fireplace to show you, but I wouldn't have dreamt then that I would be having so much fun writing a blog and sharing our home with others.   



Our fireplace takes up about 3/4 of a wall in our family room.  The room has a vaulted ceiling so the fireplace is large, floor to beams.  When we purchased our home, the top 3/4 of the family room walls were painted a rust red and the bottom was covered in wainscoting, painted Pita Bread (creamy white).  All of our trim, cabinets, and wainscoting are all painted the same.  We left them alone, other than necessary touch-ups.  Even with the light colored trim and wainscoting the room looked dark.  I chose to paint it a neutral, taupe color (same as the kitchen, and still has no name).  The taupe looks nice with the wainscoting and trim.  The room has dark, wood, ceiling beams to play off of.  The wood beams and Slate stone were my inspiration for all the natural, rustic texture.

I like the look of things that suggest age and give you that feeling of simple, cottage charm.  I spray-painted a couple branches from the back yard white, and arranged them with pussy willows, into a creamer can.  My lanterns too, are a collection that fulfills the rustic, cottage charm I was looking for. 

Natural Slate Stone

  As neutral as my palette of textures are, I still needed a "pop" of color to be satisfied. The Aqua accents and my green door do just that for me.



Coffee Beans

Hopefully, I was able to capture our rustic aesthetic in the photographs I am sharing with you.  All of these textural elements combined, create our look.   

   

Distressed Pine

Through trial and error, our fireplace wall has finally taken on the character I was hoping it to have. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend... See you next week.  heather