Pick a Pair (pear) of Prints

Time for an update, can't believe I haven't posted in over a week...

We were in St. Louis last week for my followup cardiologist appointment, which went well. We had a great visit with the kiddos and had time for a little shopping one afternoon. They are in the middle of a major kitchen renovation to their 1906 home, which had last been redone in the 70's. It was really the perfect timing, since upon inspection, their electrical system was bordering on dangerous. They have a makeshift kitchen in the basement, so we stayed at a hotel to keep out of the way, and stress to a minimum.

There are a couple of side-by-side antique malls that we love to stop at if we have time that are about an hour south of St. Louis, in Cuba, Missouri. They always have a turnover of interesting things, as they are right off the highway and have quite a bit of traffic. Last month we stopped by, but I wasn't in the shopping mode. Hard to believe I could not be interested in shopping. A lot has happened this last month, one thing being that we bought the new house and now have a more solid plan for the future. Yay...

I saw these two vintage fruit prints last month and debated on buying them, but I have so many prints, that I just put them back. I loved the colors and the old frames, but Hubbs had been the one to pack away all the seemingly hundreds of my prints, so I spared myself the scrutiny and criticism of buying more...

But last week when we stopped back by, they were still there, and this time I didn't hesitate to make the purchase. They have some nicks and scratches on the wood, but nothing a little "Old English" didn't take care of. They are in my new color palette I'm going to be using at the new house. Grays, taupes, golds, browns, with a little chartreuse...maybe, if I can find the right color and not chicken out. A lot depends on finding the "right" rug, which will determine several color and fabric choices.

I have another set of vintage fruit botanicals that I may try to incorporate in a grouping. These will make wonderful companions, as the other ones include "pears" too. You can't see it, but the prints have some interesting foxing; no identifying marks, though.

I'm still gathering ideas on wall paint. The more I've looked, the more I think I'll go a lighter shade of gray/greige. Maybe this might be a little closer, Coastal Fog by Benjamin Moore. I don't want to get into anything that's too dark. Just a little contrast with the white woodwork and moldings. I'm going to be mixing some darker wood pieces with my chippy whites and soon-to-be-taupes at this new place. 

Gosh, can you tell I'm excited?...

now, to figure out what to do with the tv niche above the fireplace...yuk.

I'm not a tv above the fireplace kinda gal.

OK, just wanted to say Hi, and let you all know what I've been up to. 

more to come...

Joining in at these great parties:

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Show and Share at Coastal Charm

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Junkin' Joe at The Cottage Market

xoxo,

Sunroom Ideas for the New House

We've been busy packing and cleaning and updating this last six months at our old house, but I've needed to allow myself some "dream" time to think and gather some inspiration for what I'd like in our next home. I loved my little sunporch; it was a place I expressed myself and had fun. It was a place I could play and decorate and change up for whatever holiday and when the mood would strike. Color and pattern and lots of vintage goodies made it my own special play room.

May 2013

(Following images can be found on my Pinterest boards,

Planked Walls and Potting Benches.)

I know that I'd love to have a bigger space in this next house, but it needs to be a sunroom. Not just a porch. It was often too cold in the winter months to fully enjoy it, so I really want this new space to be part of the house, and hopefully right off the kitchen like before.

These are inspiration pics of what I'd like to do with the shape of the room and the planked walls. I love the look of an old home, maybe added on to over time, and think that the "cathedral" or arched ceiling with planks and beams would be perfect for that vintage vibe. My first love has always been vintage garden goods, so I thought it would be fun to have the sunroom also have the look of a potting or garden shed. 

LOVE those beams! These pics are just to get an idea of the ceiling and walls. I want a white or neutral backdrop for all the vintage pieces and elements to show.

This sunroom space would serve as a sitting room,

 and a place to relax and watch tv or read.

But I want it to be rustic and garden-y, too.

And of course a chandelier or two would be perfect.

with a set of French Doors.

A cupboard for pots and vintage garden goodies...

I always love Kathleen's wonderful inspiration!

A place to display old garden tools...

  I'm the biggest fan of Mary's wonderful Potting Shed.

http://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2011/03/28/gardening-rules/

I love all the light in this wonderful greenhouse,

but wouldn't want glass roofing...

not with the hail we get in this part of the country.

and I'm hoping there's a way to include a brick or stone floor...

or maybe just a "look alike".

This may be where my big armoire in the kitchen ends up,

if so, I'd love to paint it a weathered gray.

My favorite wicker pieces from the old sunporch would be there, 

and I want to find a white slipcovered loveseat for more seating.

and make room for my potting table...

then put my little window conservatory on top.

OK, just sharing a few ideas that are rattling around in my head.

We haven't made any solid plans as yet, but it's not too soon to start dreaming.

Hope you all are having a great week...

We're making real progress at the home front.

We worked on the two decks last weekend, painting and repairs...

I only have one word for that...

YUCK!

I'll be joining in on these parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Show and Share at Coastal Charm

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

From My Front Porch to Yours

Mrs. Olson's

French Country Cottage

Jennifer Rizzo

xoxo,

The Gray Day

Each day for the last four years when I have walked into the house from the garage, I have passed these amazing gray shutters leaning against a stack of plastic bins.  I'd glance at them and think, "what will I do with you?" and each day they would say to me, "don't sell us, we can be something you'd love".

So the day finally came when I decided to act on that conversation.

I have been having that want-to-do-something-different 

feeling since New Years,

and I thought I'd try them in the Entry above my white console.

You see, I've had this issue with gray and tan.

I wasn't sure that they would work together,

 but I thought I'd give it a shot.

I think I like them together...

The white helps balance them out.

I moved my round white mirror to the other wall.

I'll see how long this stays like this,

but for now...it's satisfied my urge to make a change.

What kind of changes have you made since New Years?

joining in on these great parties! 

Coastal Charm

A Stroll Thru Life

Savvy Southern Style

Very Merry Vintage Style

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Primp

Knick of Time Interiors

Faded Charm

Ivy and Elephants

No Minimalist Here

LaurieAnnas

Miss Mustard Seed

Funky Junk Interiors

Refresh your Room at Jennifer Rizzo

Funky Junk Interiors

xoxo,