Guest Bedroom to Nursery Makover (and my debut as a grandmother :)

I’ve been telling you how busy things are around here, but the little one is finally here!!!!! Both he and the nursery are finally ready to make their debut!

You might remember when our daughter got married I helped her redo two guest rooms in their 1940’s bungalow. You can see that full post here. But two years later this room needed another makeover….it needed to become a nursery!!!

Same wall-different bed and art :). She knew she wanted a room that truly said “baby”and nothing but pastels would do! She chose complementary fabrics in blue, green, and yellow. The walls were painted Gold Buttercup by Behr.

The bed is antique white in the Venetian series by Bratt. It actually can be a four-poster, but she elected not to use them this time (maybe for a girl someday :). She was extremely lucky and found it on sale! The bumpers are paisley trimmed in the stripe of the bed skirt. The rug is from the Pottery Barn Outlet.

The next major hurdle was finding just the right chair. This is a swivel rocker in the pale green of the crib fabric. It is truly comfortable---I’ve always wanted a chair with something similar to an odometer. I know I have already put some “miles” on this one! We found the little side table at a thrift shop. I “shabby chicced” it and spray painted the lamp.

We also found an old oak dresser to serve as a changing table and to use for storage. The kind people in the paint department at Lowe’s walked me through the painting and glazing process.

There is room on top for diaper changing necessities in the basket and lots of drawers to hold all those adorable sacks and onsies!

The final necessity was a window treatment. She had box pleat balloon shades made in a complementary polka dot. The knotted trim is in the bed skirt fabric. She left the room darkening shades behind for nap time!

Now the fun begins…accessorizing! Dad made the shelf. The picture on the easel is a thread count piece my mother made over thirty years ago. I rematted it and painted the frame to match the furniture. It makes me happy to have a little reminder of his great grandmother in his room….I know she’d like it too.

I had this little bench done as a surprise! The bench belonged to my daughter when she was a child. I antiqued it and a local artist painted the name and animals to mimic the canvases over the bed. We LOVE the animals. We both spent days online searching for just the right art.

This is our little guy….well, our guy anyway. He weighed eight pounds and thirteen ounces! One of my daughter’s co-workers from school took this on the day he was one week old. The photographer is a kindergarten teacher and had never photographed a baby before. I think she missed her calling!

It’s official….I’m in love with this wonderful blessing from God!

I’m linking to Susan’s Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. You can click on her button on the sidebar for immediate transportation. Thanks for sharing this joy with me!! You’ve been with me through the whole thing! I’d love to hear from you!

Him or Her Party!

This is a post about a wreath that is really so much more than a wreath. It’s a wreath that represents a whole new chapter in our lives!

By definition a metamorphosis is a “change in appearance, character, or condition”. I believe this counts! You may remember I told you that 2011 is going to be a big one for this family---both sons are getting married---big changes, BUT I alluded to another change and some of you guessed. The happy bride (our daughter) and groom

will be parents in June…hopefully about two weeks after the first wedding :). WE ARE FINALLY GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS!!!!!

The baby bump is small, but it’s there! This past Friday I was grateful to attend the first photo session….I mean sonogram :)…the one that reveals the gender of the baby! The technician sealed the answer in an envelope and gave….it….to….me!!!! I could hardly stand the temptation! BUT we had been planning a party for a month. Some people call it a gender reveal party. That sounds a little cold to me. I called it the Him or Her party!

This wreath greeted the parents-to-be, family, and friends for the party.

Will we be decorating in pink or blue?

Him or Her???

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this joy with me!!!! I hope you’ll come back. I’ll be sharing all this week….the table, the decorations, the menu and recipes….and of course if it’s a HIM or Her!!!!~~Susan

I am linking to Susan @Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Click here to join the party. Thanks Susan!

Mantel Metamorphosis

I am definitely not a person who believes in waiting for the “perfect” time to entertain. I find that most people are willing to overlook imperfection when it is accompanied by sincere hospitality. But as our good friend Laurie @Bargain Hunting and Chatting says, “howevah” :)….. sometimes I need an event to nudge me. A recent baby shower was my impetus.

This is a rather blurry picture of my mantel as it was about three weeks ago. I’ve been dabbling with the mantel for months now. I just never was satisfied. Something just wasn’t right.

And then it hit me. It was the picture over the mantel that was all wrong. I love and cherish this picture taken at Seaside, but that little guy on the end is 6’ 1” now! Our daughter’s wedding portrait is newly hung and firstborn has changed too! Time to update!

Although I love the library paneling in our family room, it does tend to make it a little dark. I thought a round mirror might help offset the squares of the paneling and bounce a little more light around. Hmmmm…..now that old brass fan shows up too. Isn’t that the way it always is? You start out rearranging the top of the mantel and you end up at Home Depot buying a fan? :)

Next I rattled around in the closet and found this urn leftover from last year’s wedding reception. I am the proud owner of several of these….I thought I was just renting them. :) They needed to be put to use so out came the black spray paint to the rescue.

Then I remembered my stash of pheasant feathers from one of Beloved’s hunting trips and thought they might work. This was a completely no-cost arrangement if you don’t count the cost of the florist for the reception or a trip to Wyoming to hunt pheasants :)

I think I like it! The colors in the feathers play off the colors in the mirror (from Hobby Lobby 1/2 off, of course).

I changed the candles to black and added a couple of baby pumpkins. I think this will work…at least until time to decorate for Christmas!

Also, we just returned from a road trip! We made the long trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the Ole Miss/Arkansas game. And while they beat us and we were evacuated from the stadium twice due to lightening, we had a wonderful time! As I said earlier, conditions need not be perfect for your guests to enjoy themselves! The Razorbacks were gracious hosts!

Thanks for visiting! Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch has inspiring makeovers at Metamorphosis Monday!~~Susan

The Little Engine That Could…A Metamorphosis

Recently I called a friend who sews over to ask her for a little help. I had recently purchased a very inexpensive ( and with a coupon too!) Sew E Z mini sewing machine from Jo-Ann Fabrics. I had decided to try my hand at pillow making and I couldn’t get the bobbin to work.

And when she saw my mini sewing machine she laughed….

Big…loud…robust…guffaws. But I haven’t made a thing since my eighth grade home ec apron and I couldn’t see investing in a sewing machine until I had tested the waters. But, I am a determined soul…sometimes for better; sometimes for worse…and I needed pillows.

You may remember that I posted here about having chairs in the family room reupholstered. I had looked around for complementary pillows for the sofa. But that seemed a waste when I had fabric left.

So I persevered in spite of my friend’s lukewarm encouragement. I think I can….I think I can :)

First, I tried my hand at a small pillow. Okay….

Then a larger one.

Slipcovers here I come! :)

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Visit her here…you are sure to be inspired!

Thanks for stopping by to see my little makeover! I am so glad you came. Don’t forget to say hello!~~Susan

DIY Napkin Rings and Chargers

I haven’t joined Metamorphosis Monday in a while for several reasons. First, as you know, I was born without the craft gene :). Secondly, decorating projects at my house are on summer hiatus. However, I couldn’t resist a little spray painting project. Spray paint seems to calm me the way classical music does other people.

Back in the fall, I let a friend bring some items to my house during a neighborhood garage sale. She didn’t sell these old brass chargers even at $1 each. Being the gracious hostess that I am, I offered to give them a new home. HOWEVER, I am over brass for now. Like many of you, I suspect, I have a closet full of Baldwin brass candlesticks (don’t worry, I’m keeping those. They’ll be the hot “new” accessory again one day :) . These chargers, however, had seen better days. They had redeeming qualities however. I loved the shell design on the edges. They deserve a little white spray paint!

Bar Keepers Friend has been my friend for many years. It works wonders on brass and stainless steel without a lot of elbow grease. After a quick cleaning the chargers looked good enough to deserve a home in the dish closet….almost.

While I was mulling over the charger situation, I ran across the these napkin rings in a drawer. They came with a set of inexpensive stainless I bought for one the kid’s college apartments. They lack personality and had been forgotten.

Key lime paint to the rescue! Now these little napkin rings have lots of personality! They need another coat of paint. As soon as the temperature dips below 100, I’ll go back outside and paint them :)

I think these napkin rings and chargers have a whole new life expectancy now! Come back on Thursday for a tablescape debut! I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday. You can join the fun and find wonderful ideas here. And since I finally can boast of a garage sale treasure I am linking to Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. You can find her here!

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to say hello. I’d love to hear from you!~~Susan

Blindsided by The Blindside….A Metamorphosis?

I suppose, by now, if you are unaware of the runaway hit The Blindside, you must have been living under a rock. I saw the movie when it first came out and loved it. But, I thought I noticed a big “boo boo” when I saw it at the theater. I recently Netflixed the movie to check it out. Surely not….nobody could or would make a mistake this big!

I have no idea how Julia at Hooked on Houses provides clear movie scenes each Monday. I never miss it! Please, forgive my feeble effort. The movie is, of course, about the life of Michael Oher and the family in Memphis TN who took him under their wing and radically changed his life. TheTuohy family became aware of Michael when he was given a scholarship to attend the same school their children attended….the same one my children attended. The actual filming of the movie took place in Atlanta GA. The school scenes were filmed partly at the Atlanta International School and partly at the Westminster Schools. I suspect this particular scene is from a set built specifically for the movie….

This is the actual school in Memphis that Michael attended and where he played football. It’s not quite as glamorous as the movie set. I ’ve spent a lot of time at this school….a lot of time looking at this building in carpool lines…..a lot of time with this particular verse of the Bible. It is one of my favorites. So I wonder….how does a mistake like this happen? I’ve heard of artistic license…..but with the Bible?

I hope Susan at Between Naps on the Porch forgives my “artistic license” with her theme for Metamorphosis Monday :) Please join her and a host of others for some inspiring ideas!

A Flower for Two Seasons

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers. They come in a variety of colors. The Nikko Blue is my favorite and stands up well to our sometimes very cold winters.

This hydrangea is in the lacecap family. They are more delicate and less showy than their mophead cousins, but just as beautiful.

It’s not unusual to find different color blooms on the same plant. This plant in my back yard has white tinged with lavender, lavender and green blooms on it. And although hydrangeas are synonymous with summer, they have me thinking about the fall…..when they make beautiful dried arrangements.

There are several methods for drying hydrangeas. Perhaps the simplest is to let Mother Nature take its course. Wait until late in the blooming season (August to October depending on where you live) and allow the blooms simply to dry on the plant. They will change in color going to pale green, tan, pink, or burgundy. The petals will feel papery. You can now cut them and bring them inside. No need to put them in water or hang them upside down. Just protect them and let them continue to dry out.

Another method, and one I am trying for the first time, is called the water drying method. This method promises to help the bloom hold its color and shape a little better. First cut the flower with a stem length that will be easy to work with. Strip all the green leaves from the stem.

Put the flowers in fresh water covering at least half the stem. Make sure the vase is in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Do not replace the water as it is used or evaporates. This allows the blossom to dry naturally. When the water is gone, the flower will feel papery and will be ready to use.

I made this arrangement last fall using the late harvest method. The pale greens and tans are perfect for a fall table.

I think I would like to try making a wreath like this one for my door this fall. It would be a nice way to thank the hydrangea for being so accommodating by blooming all summer and then changing colors just in time for fall.

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

On Wednesday I am linking to a new party, Centerpiece Wednesday over at the Style Sisters. This is a relatively new party and I am excited to join it. Hope you’ll visit both parties. Thanks for stopping by…leave me a note :)