Saturday, March 6, 2010

progressive decorating


i don't mean progressive as in, "favoring or promoting change or innovation."
i mean, "happening or developing gradually or in stages; proceeding step by step."

or as the mommy dictionary defines it:
"do what you can in 20 & 30 minute chunks during naps &
Veggie Tales videos."

so that's how i'm proceeding!

5 days later, i have a light fixture that is no longer shiny gold!
it's supposed to be 'oil rubbed bronze,' but it appears black unless you look closely.

oh well! good enough for me!

i don't really love the fixture, but i can't justify the big bucks for the kind of fixture i'd really love!
$6 for a can of spray paint is enough love for me!
there are 2 problems...
one is this:
the spray paint rubbed right off the moving parts! makes sense, of course- but i did not anticipate that. it gives it a bit of a 'shabby' look, i've decided.
the other problems is this:
i'm trying to be energy conscious, so i put in the CFL bulbs. yup- they stick right up out of the top of the fixture! they have a really ugly light, too.
would it be horribly un-green of me to use
incandescent bulbs just in this fixture?
i promise i'll be green in the rest of my house! i'd just like pretty light over my table!

so once i had the light fixture prettied-up, i turned to the rest of the room.

the time has come.
i am making holes in the walls!

before:

after:

yes, i'm a Nester follower (if you're not, you should check out her blog! she has great ideas for simple ways to get your home to feel warm & welcoming). that's where i learned about decorating with cheap plates.
don't like it?
that's fine- just don't tell me because i love it! ha!
and i love these flowers:

they were a super inexpensive purchase at an antique mall a few years ago, and i've never stopped loving their faded colors. i may switch them out seasonally- i have some other thoughts about what could go there in the Fall & Winter!

and yes, i went nuts with bunnies & Easter eggs already. i know it's not Spring officially, but i'm DYING for some color.
plus, caroline's 4th birthday party is around the corner and i plan to use the bunnies in her party decor.
don't call the cheesy police- i'm not going to begin decorating with dolls & stuffed animals year round. just a few bunnies for Spring!

this is how they looked when i took them out of the box yesterday:

wanna see that knot up close?

see? it took real dedication to get those bunnies untangled!!
but i promise this: the bunnies won't stay year round.
the plates will stay.

i also did a little work on the buffet table.
i'm considering painting it, but i'm not sure what color... any suggestions?
i didn't realize until i uploaded this picture how cluttered that feels... hmm.
that will probably change very quickly!
but i got a fun idea from Joys of Home to store my silver out where i can see it!
makes perfect sense- i have it, might as well display it. plus, i'll be more likely to use it when it's out rather than stored in my basement!

i think it's fun & sparkly... but apparently i'm a sucker for cute things (hence the bunnies).

so this is the dining room for now:
notice how i'm not showing you the other side of the room?
there's a reason for that!
work in progress... i'll update you soon.
well, probably not soon.
just being honest.

i also did a little 'spring-ifying' to the foyer:


yes, those are more bunnies.
don't un-friend me!

i have a fabric in mind for recovering the hall bench & doing some window mistreatments as well... so hopefully i'll get to that soon!
well, again... probably not so soon.
naptime is only so long, you know.


8 comments:

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I don't mind the bunnies. I think they're cute!! :) You should post this to the "Show Me the Progress" party on Wednesday. :) I love the plates over the mantel...I'm on the lookout for some plates and platters for my Kitchen wall.

marielamar said...

Love it! Have you heard of this lady? She talks about making your house your sanctuary..http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/

Thought you may enjoy. I love the plates as well... I don't have pretty plates - yet! Hoping to grab some at some garage sales this spring.

Anna said...

i think the bunnies are cute too! love your definition of "progressive"! i think we do progressive cleaning and planning and decorating and everything...it makes me concentrate harder on getting things done though :) love and hugs!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Love love love the wall plate display!

WhisperWood Cottage said...

You've done a lot in the few minutes during naps and videos! You've added lots of great touches to the dining room. And I am completely in love with your foyer! Wish I had one!!

Richella Parham said...

I like the kind of progressive spirit you're showing!

I think your light fixture looks great in ORB. Here's an idea for you to try: If you still have some ORB spray paint, spray some into a disposable cup and then quickly (before it dries) dab it on the scuffed parts of your light fixture. Or, if that doesn't work, you could probably touch up those parts just with some black craft paint or a black Sharpie. Even if it's not exactly the same color, the black will show up less than light colored scuffs. And if you do this while the fixture is hanging in place, it shouldn't scuff off.

As for being green, I think you can be forgiven for using incandescent bulbs there. Or you could look for fluorescent bulbs in different shapes--have you seen those? I think you're right to want pretty bulbs in this fixture.

Your home is looking really pretty. And bunnies are certainly allowable in the springtime! No cheesy police!

LaurieAnna's Vintage Home said...

Cute post! Aren't plates wonderful to decorate with...such an inexpensive way to jazz things up! Love to meet a fellow redecorating blogger! Come see me!

LaurieAnna

Tracy Watier said...

Pretty rooms. Love the plate display. Nester is a terrific source for do-able, affordable ideas.
I second Richella's ideas for your chandelier. Sharpies can work miracles. And don't feel guilty for switching out your energy-saver bulbs for conventional incandescents. Light that flatters-the people as well as the fixture-is important at your dining table.
thanks for stopping by my blog! Glad you enjoyed the post - hope you'll visit agian!