Signs of Spring in the Yard

Spring has arrived in my yard.  I have a feeling though that we are going to go straight to the heat of summer before we know it.  My knock roses are in full bloom!  They are so fresh and pretty right now.  I lost one right in the middle of the bed last year.  So what to do with that empty spot?  I had a little pedestal with an angel on it but then a couple of weeks ago I bought this pretty little statue at a yard sale for $3!  Who cares if she is missing a little piece in her arm?  That just gives it character!

The rose bed in on the side of my house by the driveway.  So why don't we stroll though the gate into the back yard to see what's blooming?

The first bloom on the "Nearly Wild" roses that are planted at the gate.

The "Stella d'Oro" are blooming.  These are smaller day lilies that bloom all summer.  My regular lilies have not started blooming yet.

The mandevilla hanging baskets spent the winter in the greenhouse.  They fared well and are just now starting to bloom.

Down the sidewalk to the pond, Mr. Crawfish rules supreme against a back drop of cast iron plants.  The elephant ears are going crazy this spring.  I have lost count of how many I have actually already pulled up.  I'm not going to show you the pond just yet.  It hasn't been cleaned out since all the pollen stuff started coming off the trees and the pump has been acting a little crazy lately.

I have two of these baskets on the fence behind the pool.  The little green thingy made it though the winter but I recently added the white trailing flowers.  Once they fill out, it will be spectacular against the fence.  I REALLY want to hang one on my house but the house is white and every time it gets watered it's going to leave a brown trail underneath it to the floor.

My banana trees are really growing!  They are going to really fill out this space once summer gets here. You can see the totem pole that watches over the pool.   

Since we had a mild winter here, I didn't lose too many of my shrubs.  Most did die down but are already showing signs of rebirth.  Such an appropriate word for this time of year, don't you think?



Office Partitions - Revised

I wanted to share some work my husband recently completed.  It is in a historic building that was being renovated into office space.

The left side of the building are closed in offices and the right side, that I am featuring, are partitioned office spaces.

I love the beadboard ceiling!

And now for the completed renovation.  This is the front office as you enter the building.  I love the mixture of the brick with the old wood.  

He installed these heavy massive beams and light fixtures. Trimming them out in matching wood helped to blend the modern look of the fixture with the weathered look of the beams

and beadboard partitions

Here is a close up of the beadboard.  Don't you just love the old green paint in the grooves?  This is how the beadboard looked in our home after stripping but instead of leaving it this this, we stripped more and painted it white.  After seeing how gorgeous this looked, I wished we had left ours alone.

I must also give credit to the company that hired him, J A Wheeler & Associates.  Thank you!

Sharing with:

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Metamorphisis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Tuesdays Treasures @ Myuncommon Slice of Suburbia
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Bunny Hop @ Bunny Jeans Decor and More
Newbie Party at Debbie Doo’s Blogging & Blabbing 

Easter Tablescape

Easter is almost upon us!  This will be my last Easter themed tablescape. 

I'm using my basic white dinner plate and salad plate with my custom pink chargers.  I used my yellow shiny threaded placemats again.  The napkins are a new thrifty find for a $1, still in the original pack.

A close up....

Rogers Daffodil flatware

Pretty pink wine glasses and clear candlewick tea glasses

Thrifty ceramic bunny and basket

Egg holders from Hobby Lobby.  They were unfinished but I couldn't decide on all the pretty Easter colors so I just painted them white!

I used my flower in an egg on a candlestick again!

Hope you enjoyed viewing this week's tablescape!

Sharing with:

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

   Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

I am a Master Designer

I am a Master Designer.  No, not a Master "Interior" Designer.  I am just a housewife who is a designer that was made by the Master.  Well, not really a "designer" but you get the idea.

Grace Episcopal Church - St. Francisville, LA

KathySue at the Good Life of Design had a post yesterday about this same subject.  She recommended her readers check out this series that was just starting up.  So, I did.  Thanks, KathySue!

Sweet Darlene over at Fieldstone Hill Design has started a series entitled,  "How to Overcome Decorating Paralysis."  As soon as I read her mission statement, it hit home for me. This is her mission statement.... 

"I am a Master Designer.

I love Beauty;
 I see potential and I want to fill it with beauty.
 I aim to create something beautiful that is worthy of joy.

Design is a high calling, one that can improve the lives of others, be a means to foster relationships, and add much joy to my family.

I appreciate fine and lovely things, but they are not my treasures.
 I know what is truly important, and
 I do not aim to “store up my treasures here on earth.”*

I live to bring glory to God, the Ultimate Master Designer.
 He created Beauty.
 He created all beautiful things.
 And, He created my passion for design, and set that joy in my heart.

Everything that I create,
 and have created,
 is because I myself was created by a Master.

I am a Master Designer.”

*{verse reference, Matthew 6:19}

I have only been blogging for a little over 2 months and struggle with talking about my home and myself.  I don't want anyone to think that I am boastful or "storing treasures here on earth." I am proud of the accomplishments that my family has made in the building of our home but I also know that we were only able to do it through God's love and grace. I know what's important and it's HIM.  

Even though my thoughts were slightly different from Darlene's, I am glad to realize that I am not the only one who has these feelings.  After reading all of her posts of the subject, I signed up for her emails and the "Master Designer Blog Roll."  She responded very quickly with an acceptance email and encouraged me to spread the word so to speak.  She wants to "share this manifesto with others who long for a graceful way to share their faith on their creative blog and/or design blog."  (her words)

I eagerly anticipate each of the upcoming posts and recommend that others head over to her blog to sign up as well.

Inspiration for the China Closet

Shamefully messy!

My utility room is a mess!  It's a catch all for just about everything! I'm also ashamed to even show it.  I was planning on re-working the shelves this spring to utilize the space.  I wanted it to be more of a storage area for my dishes and serve ware.  Then, we were given some cabinets!  Oh, yeah! but the sad part is that the owner's home had burned down, not 100%, but enough to be considered a total loss.  The cabinets were from the laundry area that had only received water damage.

Tall cabinet with shelves

The base cabinet is behind this bench that I kept to use for a pattern.

So now I'm in the planning stage.  Once we got them home, I starting measuring and measuring and measuring. I wanted to get as much storage space as possible.  We started by tearing everything out of the room, from the popcorn ceiling to the peel and stick floor.  We also removed the peg board from the side wall.  Of course, the water heater, electrical panel and freezer had to stay in. 

I do have some storage for my china besides in my kitchen cabinets.  I have this antique cabinet in my dining room where I store my good china and crystal along with some silver.

There is also the cabinet in the breakfast area.  My husband had it made for Mother's Day a couple of years ago.  The top holds my white dishes and the bottoms drawers holds glassware.

For inspiration, I went to one of my favorite sites, PINTEREST! I love this first one from bp.blogspot.com. I can really store some stuff in here, unfortunately my space is not this big.

The wall color is so pretty with all the white dishes. This picture was from spicerandbank.blogspot.com

The diamond pattern on this floor is awesome! This was pinned from ebeautifulshelter.blogspot.com   I considered using this on my floor but decided to go with tongue and groove pine to match the rest of

my home.

And, of course, Bunny Williams' has a spectacular layout for her storage area. Yes, I'm dreaming again! I have to keep reminding myself that I don't have the much space but a girl can dream, can't she?

Cote de Texas has that pretty black and white flooring as well but I really like the white marble counter tops!

My space is 6 feet wide and 8 feet long with a freezer and a hot water heater so my space is minimal.  Oh, and did I mention that this makeover is being done on a budget?  Yep, this is a budget makeover where I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck.  Hopefully next week I'll show you the finished room and you can see how I did.

Sharing with:

Wow Us Wednesday @  Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

   Bunny Hop @ Bunny Jeans Decor and More

Inspiration Friday @ The Picket Fence  
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Home Sweet Home Friday @ The Charm of Home 
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Grove
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tater Tots and Jello
Show Your Stuff @ Just Winging It

Welcome, Spring!

Welcome Spring!  SOoo happy to see you!  Springtime is my favorite time of the year.  The clear blue skies and shiny new green leaves glowing in the bright sunshine can't help but make a person feel good!  I have been busy with other projects and really haven't had time to make anything so I used my metal green pocket.  It's filled with bright white flowers!

My son finally brought my Boston ferns out of the green house for me.

A close up of one of the flowers....

Here's a sneak peek at my front porch. I was going to paint my wicker but decided against it. This past weekend we took advantage of our gorgeous weather and washed the porch and wicker.  Now I'm rearranging the furniture and accessorizing.  Once it's completed, I'll show it to everyone!

Happy Spring!

SHARING WITH:

Door Decor Spring Linky Party @ Southern Hospitality

Woodland Plantation Part 2

Today we are touring the inside of Woodland.  As mentioned in the first post, the first floor was previously a carriage drive through with a stairway outside that led to the second floor.  In the mid 1800's when it was built, the second floor was the main living area.  After the home was moved and reassembled, the staircase was reinstalled on the first floor interior.  I don't have any pictures of the first floor but it is the family's main living area today.  It has a modern kitchen and living area on one side of the great hall and two bedrooms and a bath on the other.

As you climb the staircase to the second floor, you are greeted by this amazing sitting area. The door way that you see at the head of the stairs lead to the back gallery or porch.  There is a matching door at the other end that leads to the front porch.  The wide hallway/sitting area is also features a gallery of artwork, some of which was painted by the homeowner.

The feature is a beautiful buttery yellow.  It really catches your eye as you top the landing.

At the top of the stairs to the left is the original dining room.  All the doors, molding, fireplace, etc. is original to the house.  There is a set of french doors leading to the rear porch.  Yellow and blue are prominent colors on the second floor. 

Though the double pocket doors, you will find the parlor.  Bright and airy, it almost seemed to reach around and give a welcoming hug to all those who enter.

Out the parlor door and across the hall is the master bedroom. 

With its antique bed and settee, it is decorated in a simple yet elegant style that is befitting such a home.

I love how the artwork was placed above the mirror.  It draws the eye upward where you can't help but notice the headers over the windows.  The side of the fireplace appears to have a little storage area like Rosedown Plantation had.  According to Rosedown, the was a unique feature to have.  Since the original owner of this house had lived in the Rosedown area before moving away and building this one, it's possible he had visited Rosedown and "borrowed" the idea.

This is the master bath with the massive antique mirror over the vanity. 

Another fireplace that faces the tub.  This was probably a bedroom that was remodeled into the master bath.  Now, let's return to the hall and out to the back gallery....

There is a doorway off the back gallery leading up to the third floor.  The stairs here remain in the original condition with the exception of the diamond emblem.  When the owners obtained the house, there was a hole in each step.  They assumed it was for ventilation since there the only closet in the house was under the stairs.  The third floor was designed for visiting grandchildren.

At the top of the stairs to the left is the boys' room.  So simple, so innocent.  On the other end is the girls' bedroom.

Between the two rooms, at the top of the stairs, is a little sitting area with a futon and color television.  I can't show you this area since I accidentally deleted it! 

And this brings us to the end of our tour. I hope you have enjoyed seeing the pictures and hearing the story behind the home. 

LINKING TO:

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tuesdays Treasures @ Myuncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style   
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

    - Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Bunny Hop @ Bunny Jeans Decor and More