A Vintage Glider Makeover

BEFORE You might remember when I posted about this awesome 1940's glider that I found last month. I took a poll asking for color votes and red won. I love how she looks in red!

AFTER
First I pressure washed it to get any loose paint off, then I primed it with two coats of Rustoleum automobile primer which was tinted to go under red. Then I sprayed it with 2 coats of Rustoleum Regal Red. Red spray paint can be tricky and sometimes come out too bright, but this color is a very pretty red I think.

I added some pillows, a quilt and some pumpkins for a night around the fire.

This is a cozy little sitting area out back and we have already used it a lot with the beautiful fall weather. Now there is lots of seating for roasting some yummy smores on a chilly night.

So, what do you think about her new color?

Happy Halloween!

Country Living Fair

I went to the Country Living Fair again this year and this time I brought my favorite little shopping partner with me. It was a beautiful day and once again, the vendors did not dissapoint. So much eye candy...enjoy the pics.

these numbers are on my wish list.

I have to make this sign!

I met the owner of French Laundry, Debbie Jones. I just LOVE her fabrics and her products. I would have a whole housefull of it if I could. I bought the bag I am wearing with the horse on it. It's hard to see here, but so cute!

So inspiring!

Saw this a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e vintage camper. I must have one someday!

Check out how cozy the inside is.

and the sweet little kitchen. What a perfect way to camp!

I'll share more of my finds from the Country Living Fair soon. One of them is going to be another light fixture that hubby needs to hang. That is 2 on his "to do" list now...He loves having a list :)

Let there be Stripes!

If you read my little ole blog semi-regularly, you might remember me doing a post on stripes a little while back. I have been envisioning some stripes in my hallway for sometime, then I finally got around to making it happen.

4 men 1 lady

I love the way the stripes added such depth to this entryway.

before

Now my hall is much smaller than her entryway, so I decided to do more muted, wider stripes. First I painted the whole hall one color. I chose Panda White by SW. I already had the color because I had painted my kitchen that color and decided against it. Don't ya love when that happens?


I then measured the wall from top to bottom and I decided on 13 inch stripes so that gave me 8 stripes. The top and bottom stripes came out a little bigger because the measurement was not exact. I measured and taped it off. This was the longest part of the process! It made it longer when my little angel would tear off the tape when he went by on it on the way to his room. That did not make for a happy momma!

After it was taped, I used this foam roller to paint the contrasting color every other stripe. I used a shade darker than the base color, Wool Skein by SW. I had this color from the Living Room. I wished I had bought the wider foam roller for faster painting. So, if you decide to do this, then get the bigger one.

After two coats of paint and cutting in on the edges, ta-da! Here is the finished product and a very excited girl! I took the tape off while it was still wet because I couldn't wait to see it. At least I have one in the house who appreciates my crazy decorating whims.

The stripes are just what this hallway needed. It had been calling out for some character since we moved in. I am going to do a gallery wall here using old windows in different colors. Stay tuned for that upcoming project.

After
I feel like the hall became twice as long. Love it!

Next up, a DIY light fixture to replace the old brass ceiling light up there. I did not get a picture of it. More to come...

Decorating with Antlers

Cooler weather has put me in the mood to do some fall decorating. I love using natural elements that could take me all the way to Christmas and maybe even through winter. I would like to include some antlers this year for something different, but problem is, I don't have any yet. I am on the hunt and finding some inspriration while I wait...
I love the birch candles with the antlers here.

Even pretty in the bedroom. The antlers can be bleached or spray painted for this look.

Simple and pretty with the pumpkins. I never thought I would call antlers pretty!

This antler chandelier is so cool and I love the way it is mixed into this cottage style porch.

Great collection of antlers hanging on the wall.

I just adore this idea for a towel rack outside.

All pictures found on pinterest

Now, I'm off to look for some antlers...

Will you be using any antlers in your fall decorating? I would love to hear your ideas.

A Granny Glider and the First Day of School

I was having a great day yesterday and this weather has just put me in the best mood! I saw this old granny glider outside of a store I like to visit, so I quickly turned the van around to go see how much it was. I was getting back in the van after looking at the great price, when my little man begged to go in (they have dogs in there he likes to pet). So after chatting with the owner and sitting on it awhile enjoying the breeze, the "old gal" ended up in my van.

I have wanted one for years, so I am just giddy seeing her on my back patio. She is in need of a little makeover though, but she is in great shape structurally and glides really smoothly. She has been with the same owner all of her life. It is cool to think of all the chats over glasses of tea and coffee while sitting here. That adds so much character in my opinion!

I searched for inspiration trying to decide what color to paint it and came up with some great options...


via
I fell in LOVE with this idea! I have never thought of having a glider inside, but I think it looks so cool and out of the ordinary.





pinterest

If it stays outside, then I think this green would look good. I really like this coffee table too with the plants.

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This red is so pretty too and my back door is red, so it would tie in nicely. I adore these pillows and the quilt on it too. The pillows are a must and I can't wait to add some.

pinterest

This aqua color is so pretty and I love the two-toned look, but think I might tire of this look.

I would love to hear your opinions on the color, and do you think put it INSIDE or OUT???

Can't you just picture it with two big pots of mums on either side?

On another note, I am so behind on blogging. My big kids started school last month and they are doing great! Bryce is now in 4th grade, and everyone is telling me how much older he looks in this picture. I'll have to agree!

Makenna started 1st grade and is now going to all day school. I sure miss her, but she is loving it, making friends, and really excelling in her reading and schoolwork. You go girl!

Here is how "Little Man" dressed for the first day. He wore his p.j's and rainboots to walk the kids in and Bryce said that he was SO embarrased. I figure let him wear his pjs while he can, right?


We celebrated surviving the first day with Root Beer floats, or maybe this was the second day... I think this will be a good year!

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A Beach Vacation, Some New Finds and a Step Ladder Makeover

We enjoyed a week at the beach last month to getaway from the "everyday life". It always does wonders for my soul. Bryce and his dad did some fishing off the pier. They caught some and threw them back. They enjoyed it, but it sounds pretty cruel to me. I guess it is a guy thang...

I love to get pictures on the beach just before sunset. I think this is my favorite time of day there.

With the help of our friends and their kids, my kids helped to create this life size sand octupus. They were pretty proud of it. It took a lot of time and a few do overs but they kept building. It was so good just to get to hang out with my peeps without all the distractions of home and regular life. I can't wait to go back! The sand and surf is calling my name already...

I wanted to share a few finds from this summer too. I found this canvas subway style sign at T.J. Max and I just love this saying.
It is hanging in my foyer right when you come in the front door. I still haven't changed that wall color though. I'll get to that eventually...
I found this old fan on the way back from the beach. I love the patina and color. It is just perfect in my sunroom. It doesn't work, but hubby said the cord just needed to be changed because it has a cut in it. Hopefully that will work, but it still is pretty anyway.
I also found this Pepsi crate for a bargain. I love the color on this one too!
I spray painted this old step ladder a color called "Bright Idea" and it is so much more fun now than it was white. I also painted and distressed that shutter behind it. My sunroom seems to be taking a blue and yellow turn and I am loving it. This is the last day of summer for us, so we are headed to the pool for one last day of fun in the sun!