Evolution, not Revoltution

After this last weekend with a house full of kiddos,

I should be mopping floors, changing sheets,

and cleaning bathrooms...

but no,

I'm snapping photos of the Living Room

trying to decide on lampshades

and ways to de-fussify my tooooo fussy space.

Vanessa from At the Picket Fence

has a great post on a close subject;

how to add elements of a new style into an existing decorated space.

I can identify...

We purchased a lot of our furniture nine years ago when we moved here,

and my tastes have evolved since then.

I still love it,

I just like to change things up every once in a while.

(The monster armoire was one of our first purchases

 when we were married.

It's been a fixture for all these years,

and I wouldn't change it for anything.)

But when you buy "break the bank" furniture,

I can't justify buying new just because I have an itch for a clean slate.

So I'm in an ongoing process to evolve my spaces into more of "who I am now",

verses who I was "then".

Can you relate?

I'm a big proponent on letting your house dictate the furniture "style" and mood.

Just like I wouldn't put modern furniture in an 1800's saltbox.

Some people might be more gutsy than me...

but that's just my opinion on interior design.

Our house just has a more formal feel to it.

Sorry these photos are washed out,

I was trying to show the little vintage rug

that I recently changed out for summer.

Last year I made chair slips for these chairs...

I was done with the red.

(and believe it or not,

 I actually have edited some of my stuff since this photo!)

So I'm continuing to move toward a lighter more neutral palette.

Like just adding a vintage linen table runner

to help cut the vast expanse of dark coffee table.

I'm thinking of painting and distressing it and the end tables white;

not sure if I want to take that huge plunge quite yet.

So now to the culprit lampshades at hand.

I want something more updated on these puppies.

I'm not ready to buy new lamps

 even though I'd like to do away with all the brass in here.

It's everywhere...

Yes, there are two of them;

one for each end table and each sofa...

I'm thinking these linen shades, sans the lamps,

 from Pottery Barn

may be just what I need.

Can you visualize them with me?

OK, stay tuned for more of what I've been doing in here.

I also have an itch to paint out my grandmother clock,

(scroll back a few photos on the left.

It's new, not an antique)

which I think will be a project soon.

I want that French/Scandinavian look for it.

My sister-in-law has threatened to beat me if I do...

guess I'll have to chance it.

I'm open for ideas on how to change things up.

any thoughts?

linking with these parties this week:

love you guys,

see ya Thursday for

Hope you'll join in!

Happy 4th

Big or small,

hope you're celebrating our country's heritage!

love,

Vintage Inspiration Friday #44: Patriotic Party

You all know how much I enjoy changing up the decor in my little sunroom, and one of my favorite times of the year is when I get to decorate for July 4th. I don't have a lot of vintage patriotic items, just a few old flags and a biscuit tin or two, but I love the bright colors and the patriotic feel.

This year is a little "low key" if you can imagine me doing that.

I just wanted to keep this space comfy and "user friendly",

so I didn't go all out like I have in the past.

July 2011

July 2009

(when I had just started blogging, and two cameras ago)

July 2010

(a big post I did on Carolyn Westbrook inspiration)

One of my favorite vintage quilts; a red and white one,

 that I use for Christmas, Valentine's, and the 4th.

If you look under the chair you can see how much we all enjoy being out here...

It's bird watching and "napping" central.

Almost forgot my little vintage child's watering can.

Canco candy tin from the 20's;

 don't you love her patriotic dress?

Child's lunchbox thermos with great patina.

And an octagonal Sunshine Biscuit Tin.

This year I just kept the baker's rack more "vintage summer",

with my grandmother's Hull Apple cookie jar and s&p,

and an old seed crate from Brian and Meloney.

I found this wonderful little faded 1919 calendar plate a few years ago;

I think it must be advertising from an insurance company in Alma, Michigan.

Joining in with these other great parties:

(find the button links on the sidebar)

http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

I'm also joining in with Pam from White Ironstone Cottage

for her new party,

Treasure Chest Friday

Hope you'll join in on the 

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Patriotic Party 

If you don't have a vintage Patriotic theme,

come on and join anyway,

we'll just pretend it has a flag sitting on it!

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

Please grab the button for your party post

and link back to Common Ground.

Have a safe and wonderful fun-filled weekend!

lot's of love,

Now let's see what you've got!!