A Toast!

After my longest break ever from blogging, I'm rested and full of anticipation for a fantastic summer.  So, let's all raise our glasses to Summer.  Here's to . . .

Hosting More Parties

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Whether it's pre-dinner cocktails, a casual cookout in the back yard with neighbors, or dessert at our place after a dinner out.

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The more parties you host, the more comfortable you become having spur of the moment get togethers.  And these are always the most interesting of parties.

Trying Something New

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Oh the possibilities are endless . . . food, fashion, interior designer, outings, activities - you name it!

I adore this amazing maxi dress with a halter top - that would be new for me.

Should be fun to come up with something totally different!  Like maybe painting a room black?!  Who's in?

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Doing Something Thoughtful For Someone

You don't have to make it elaborate, just thoughtful.  I promise the person will be more appreciative than you will ever know.

Even if it's a small as taking the time to tell someone that you think about them - do it!!

 

Getting Outside More

Whether it's a glass of wine in the late afternoon when you get home from work, a leisurely walk, even watching the sun set on a summer evening, make an effort to take it in.

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Thinking Red, White and Blue
Summer is the perfect time of year, to consider a patriotic nod to our country.  Do it in style!

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So glad to be back online.

 Let's see what we can get into this summer, shall we?! M.

Little Break

Happy end of the week!  It has been one crazy (good) week for me with design plans and consults as well as all of the end of the year activities for my kiddos.  I'm having trouble getting to all the posts that are swirling around in my head.   So, I've decided to take a wee break from blogging just to get through the end of school with a smidge of sanity left.  (smile here)

Of course, I can't leave you without something to peruse, right?

There are lots of current issues of on line magazines going live just in time for your summer plans.  These are so cutting edge in the interior design world.  If your are the least bit curious as to current trends, they are a must read.

First up - House of Fifty 

It's their anniversary issue.  It's a really fun one - even includes the sweetest editorial note from Janell's husband!

Also just out . . . Lonny Magazine

Soak it in!  It's good!

And last but certainly not least 

Ivy and Piper - for the other side of the world.

Now.  That should keep you busy for a bit.  I'll see you back here in a couple of weeks! M.

PS: I know I don't say it enough, but thank you for continuing to support me by reading this blog.  I am humbled every time I look at my stats and see just how many people read all my crazy thoughts!  I thank each and every one of you from my heart.  Blogging is one of my favorite things in the world to do, and I am so blessed to get to share it with all of you! 

A Kitchen Freshen Up

I've been working with a client on a quick kitchen freshen up.  We have selected a lighter wall color to go with their fabulous glazed cabinets.  Then we decided to tweak it a bit more with new lighting in the breakfast area and over the island as well as new hardware for the cabinets.  Here are the options I sent them . . . 

I love to give my clients options for their space.  The best part is they really can't go wrong with any of the picks!  It takes the pressure off and allows the client to truly be part of the process. 

This couple already pulled the trigger on one of the options.  When they are completely finished implementing the plan, I'll show you the results!! 

Any guesses on which option they chose? M.

Summer Garden Party

The weather has been absolutely wonderful here in Birmingham.  I've got parties on the brain - from small casual dinner gatherings to afternoon cocktails with friends all the way to more formal affairs for larger groups.  Here are some tables capes to mull over for your next entertaining opportunity. 

Love this picnic table dressed so casually among the flowers in the garden (notice the pea gravel underneath).

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My kind of dessert.

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Simple Paper Lanterns - also love those cafe style folding chairs.

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A picnic party!! Never seen anything like this.  What a fun invite!  Honestly, it looks like a wedding will take place beneath the altar.  But this would be an easy transition to an afternoon picnic.

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Menu cards - why not?  Such an easy, yet thoughtful, addition to any party.

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Thinking I need to plan a party.  Who's with me?! M.  

Happy Weekend

Here's hoping you have a marvelous weekend.  In case you need some help deciding what to spend your precious, coveted, very limited weekend time doing, here are a few clever projects I uncovered this past week.

Tissue Paper Party Pom Poms

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Fabulous Loose Braid

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Guacamole Bruscetta

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Parson's Chair Slipcover

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Succulent Wreath

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Strawberry Margarita

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Hope you can squeeze in some time doing something you enjoy.  M.

The Lamp Experiment

Back in November, I was making a quick pass through Goodwill and saw this brass lamp.  There is a Goodwill store right down the street from one of my favorite fabric stores.  When I have a minute, I like make a quick run through.  Notice I didn't clean up in the garage for this shot (gotta keep it real).  I think I paid $15.00 for it.

I had been looking for a brass lamp to try out this product - Rub N Buff on to give it that antiqued brass look for less. 

I saw a couple of great posts, one by Andea of Oak Ridge Revival and the other by Centsational Girl using this product with amazing results.  One post used Grecian Gold and the other used Antique Gold, so I grabbed both.  

My first step was to get rid of the less than attractive color of the base. 

I taped off the brass and used the primer and paint I had left over from my shutter project.  

I did this back in January and got busy with other projects and totally forgot about it.  My very neat husband (smile here) put the lamp in the attic - so out of sight out of mind.  Then last weekend I was up there rummaging through to find our beach bag and saw it.  I brought it back down and got busy on the "antiquing" phase of the project. 

I first tried the Antique Gold - did not work.  It made it look like copper.  Then I tried the Grecian gold - not the look I was going for.  It made it even more brassy than the original.  Lastly, I tried a combination of the two.  All three attempts were a total bust.  They looked like a bad faux finish.  The reason I'm telling you all this is so you will know that DIY projects don't always work out like you plan.  It's trial and error, and least you think I've got it all figured out!  After re-reading every post I could get my hands on about rub n buff, I finally came to the conclusion that it really works best on smaller areas that are more ornate and include details for a patina to form or in the hands of someone who is better at applying it than me!  My lamp is super smooth - so it was impossible for me to get the finish I wanted - thus the bad faux finish effect.  

So, I went back to the drawing board on how to "antique" the brass.  After a bit of blogland research, I discovered my lamp was solid brass.  You can figure this out using a magnet.  If the magnet sticks to the lamp, it is brass plated.  If not, it's solid brass.  

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Why is this important you ask?  Well, if your lamp is plated, you have to be very careful which technique you use to age or tarnish the brass, as you could totally strip away the brass finish.  Now, this may sound like a bummer, but you can still get some pretty cool results by completely striping the brass.  Like this mercury glass finish . . .  - click here for details on this DIY.

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My lamp is solid brass, so I did not have to worry about this.  So, I used paint thinner to remove all the rub n buff from the surface.  Then I used acetone (finger nail polish remover) to remove the lacquer finish.  Lacquer was widely use to preserve the shiny finish of brass - it prevents the brass from tarnishing which is exactly what I want on my lamp.  

Then I read about several quick ways to speed up the tarnishing process on brass.  You can wipe it down with a salt water solution or even vinegar (if it's solid brass) or you can use a spray bottle for a more even application.  After reading up on the options,  I decided I would be patient and wait for my lamp to tarnish naturally.  I really don't want a contrived pattern.  I just want that antiqued look. 

 I purchased a new shade (which I will be discussing in a different post - how to select the right shade), and found a home for the lamp in our breakfast room.  

Now, we wait.  I tried to research how long it would take and could not find any details - so we are going to do a little experiment. 

 I am going to periodically photograph the lamp to see if we are there yet (notice Lottie guarding her toy basket - little dogs have the strangest quirks).

 Should be interesting to see how long it takes.  Any predictions? M.

Power of Paint - An Update

If you recall, I recently completed a total transformation of my kitchen using paint and new hardware.  Here is the "After" of my kitchen.  If you want to see the "Befores" and the entire post about it, click here.

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Following my post on the power of paint, I exchanged emails with Deborah, a blog follower in Madison, Mississippi.  She saw the post and was inspired to paint her own kitchen.  She was so gracious to share the before and after images of her space with us!  Here is the Before of Deborah's kitchen . . . 

She already had a great cabinetry color and decided to paint her walls the same color.  Look how much larger the entire space looks with the new wall color.  Wow - love a great before and after!

The previous color was P&L Arabesque which is a lovely rich color (I can totally see it as an accent color), and the new color is P&L Light Coffee.  This space opens into her keeping room, so she continued the color into that space as well.  Another "Before."

And the "After" (notice how the artwork really stands out now on the neutral wall).  It looks fantastic!

  Thank you, Deborah, for sharing these with us.  I hope they inspire other followers to think about freshening up with paint in their spaces.  It's one of the least expensive ways to get major impact! M.