Room Makeovers in 2012

 

Earlier this week I did a post entitled “A look back at 2012.”  I should have titled it, Most Viewed Posts of 2012.  After it was up and running, I realized that there were not one but two major changes inside our home that were not even listed.

 

 

The first being the new china closet!  This room has been well used this year and a whole lot more dishes have been added!  Before it was more of a utility room, then old cabinets were re-cycled to what you see above.  To see more, click here.

 

 

I just love having all this room just for my dishes and other table top items!

 

 

The ironing board comes in handy, too!

 

 

Next up, is our home office and craft area. Once again, the cabinets were re-used from a remodeling job that my husband did.  I was able to not only display but use all the old locker bins for storage!  To read more about the bins, click here.

 

The organization wall helps me keep track of everything, somewhat at least…..when I stop long enough to look at it!  The vintage printer tray that I found in the trash is up stop followed by the dry erase calendar that I made.  At the bottom is the Pottery Barn knock off wall organizer that I made.  Click here to read more about that.

 

 

In Part 2, I shared the balustrade table which is on the other side of the office.  It was rescued from a house that was being bulldozed after a fire.  To read more, click here.

 

 

Did you get a lot of projects completed in 2012?  I was actually surprised once I looked back!  I wonder what’s in store for 2013?

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a safe and Happy New Year!

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday's Treasures @ Myuncommon slice of suburbia

Share Your Creations Party @ Kristen's Creations

Tuesday  Your Cozy Home Party @ Cozy Home Scenes     

Cowgirl Up Party @ The Farmhouse Porch

Winter Party @ DIY by Design

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

A Look Back at 2012

 

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!  I haven't been blogging too much the last couple of weeks and am running behind.  I saw the party going on over at Southern Hospitality and wanted to join in. 

 

 Even though we installed the pool in 2011, this year saw plenty more changes to the back yard!  The tiki hut was added and is a favorite among visitors!

 

 

The smaller water feature was taken out to make room for this larger waterfall.  I love the sound of the water!

 

 

 

 

After years of trying to do something with the back porch, I am very satisfied with our back porch paradise!

 

 

This is one of my favorite spots, the hammock!  I see Savvy is taking advantage of this comfortable space and doing a little reading!

 

 

 

 

The front porch also got a make over! The vintage glider was FINALLY redone after years of being draped with a quilt!

 

 

 

No more rockers lined up in a row here!

 

 

Back inside, the Ballard Designs inspired seagrass lamp turned out great and was so simple to make!  It's one of my most favorite pieces!

 

 

In May, a little town about 15 miles from our home, opened a Goodwill store.  Every time I happen to be in town, I stop in.  I picked up these two chairs during one trip.  They were the perfect size for the breakfast area and after a little chalk paint and wax, they looked perfect, too! 

 

I've already started planning on some projects for 2013.  Since the front and back porches received their makeover in 2012, it's only right that the side porch gets one too!  Weather permitting, I hope to get it finished by the end of January.  The screened porch is also getting a makeover which has already started!  Windows have been installed and it's being made into a sun room!  I can't wait to share that one with you once it's done!

 

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sharing with:

 

Top DIY Projects of 2012 @ Southern Hospitality

Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

 

Christmas Leopard Tablescape

 

Santa’s liking him a little leopard print this year!  Last month I purchased wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby and chose the Santa print with leopard trim hat.  I coordinated with a solid red on red zebra and a solid leopard which is not shown here.  I started at that time thinking about a leopard print Christmas table and things kind of fell into place from there.

 

 

I used some wrapped gifts as the centerpiece, alternating both the zebra stripe and Santa print.

 

 

During another trip to Hobby Lobby, I saw the matching napkin rings!  So my mind starts going crazy with possibilities!  I found the matching plates but didn’t purchase them.  I still had too many gifts to buy!  While standing in line in the checkout line, it came to me!

 

 

I’ll make my own!  I had some clear salad plates that I picked up at Goodwill for just this purpose!  I knew sooner or later that I wanted to make some custom plates!  Since I already had Mod Podge and the wrapping paper, I didn’t have to spend any money!!  I used this tutorial from Brittany at Pretty Handy Girl.  I will say this…Hobby Lobby’s wrapping paper is good and thick so it was a little harder to work with than I expected.  I’m sure a thinner paper or even tissue paper would have been easier to work with.

 

 

I’m so excited with how they turned out!  The red square plates are from JCP, the red glasses are from an auction and the small wine glasses are from the Dollar Tree.

 

 

Since I only had four Santa plates, I used 2 leopard print plates for the other two place settings.

 

 

 

 

I scattered a few ornaments to give the centerpiece a few pots of color.

 

 

Instead of buying bows, I purchase rolls of wired ribbon.  It’s not that much more expensive and really dresses up the gift.

 

 

The Santa was an after Christmas purchase last year!

 

 

I’m wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sharing with:

All Star Block Party @ New House, New Home, New Life

Winter Blues Wednesday @ DIY by Design

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Tips, Tutorials, & Tidbits @ StoneGable
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Mesh Christmas Mantel

I know everyone has probably already decorated their mantels for Christmas but I wanted to share my sister-in-laws mantel with  everyone.  I haven’t seen it in person but she sent me pictures.  She found her inspiration on Pinterest but was concerned on how to hold it up.

Her solution? Use chicken wire!  How clever is that?!

She used lots of mesh, ornaments and sprays.  It looks like there is a little greenery in there as well!

Love the little acorns!

Didn’t she do a fabulous job?!?

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sharing with:

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Home for the Holidays Part 2

Welcome back for Part 2 of our Christmas Home Tour! If you missed Part 1, click here.  Let’s start in the dining room, shall we?  This year I added a little bling to the chandelier!

The little cherubs are flying around playing a little Christmas cheer!

A small tree adorns the corner of the room decorated with varying shades of gold to coordinate with the room.  I used this urn that was in the master bath to dress it up a little.

Crystal decanters are displayed on the sideboard.

In the kitchen, lighted garland tops the cabinets.

I added a little lime green to this year’s décor.

In Part I, I told you the Santa bust was my favorite piece.  Well, this is my second favorite!

He also came from Hobby Lobby several years ago.

Garland was wrapped around the chandelier in the breakfast area.  I put in a little lime green here as well.

The vintage Tom & Jerry bowl sits in the corner.  I usually fill the bowl with ornaments but this year I purchased a few fresh poinsettias to sit around.

The corner cabinet is a great area to display Christmas glassware.

Shhh, Santa is watching you!

The china cabinet has a few holidays as well.

Even the corner bench has different pillows to celebrate the season.  The green pillow covers were a recent GW find.

The fur pillows were used in my daughter’s room before she decided to go camouflage!  Can you guess what this is made from?  I bet you guessed it!  It’s one of the $ Tree chair covers slipped over a pillow!  I looked everywhere for red velvet fabric to make one but couldn’t find any and when I was setting the Santa table, I had one of those light bulb moments!

 

I hope you enjoyed the tour of our Holiday Home!  I hope everyone is having a happy Holiday season!

 

Thanks for stopping by:

 

Sharing with:

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Thrifty Things Thursday @ The Thrifty Grove

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours

Inspiration Friday at the picket fence

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Christmas Home Tour @ Kelly's Korner
Countdown to Christmas @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
 

Christmas Open House 2012

This past week was our annual Christmas Open House party.  There was plenty of food and beverages to be had by all!  I was kind of busy so I handed my daughter the camera and told her to get pictures of everything!  Well, she didn’t!  She got side tracked so I don’t have as many pictures as I had hoped.  The one that I really wished she would have taken was of the table with the punchbowl!  Oh, well!  On the other goodies!

This is the second year that I have served spiced champagne punch.  I got the fabulous recipe from Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.  For this delicious recipe, click here.  I used a relish dish to hold the liquor and the red/green sugar crystals that were used to prepare the glasses.  It worked perfectly!

The dispenser is currently holding 3 batches of the punch.

For the buffet, I chose a white tablecloth with a couple of yards of sparkly red tulle in the middle.  Topping that is a faux sugared fruit arrangement surrounded by various candleholders.

The menu consisted of sliced ham with buns, vegetable tray, lil smokies appetizers and deviled eggs.

Shrimp dip and spinach dip with chips and crackers were a big hit. Desserts included peanut butter fudge, sugar cookies, mini cheesecakes, and red velvet cupcakes.

Now that the party is over, I’m going to sit back and enjoy the rest of the Holiday season….at least until I host Christmas Dinner!!!  That won’t be quite as bad since all I have to cook is the turkey and dressing.  The other family members contribute by bringing side dishes and desserts!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sharing with:

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

On the Menu Monday @ StoneGable
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper