Book Wreath How To (in pictures)

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Book wreaths started popping up all over Etsy and the blogs last fall.

They looked like a fun and simple project and I thought my friends might like to receive them as gifts since so many are avid readers. Five wreaths later, I finally decided to keep one for myself.

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Master Bedroom Makeovers on Remodelaholic!

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Happy Saturday!

If you haven't seen it already, check out Remodelaholic's "Home Sweet Home on a Budget" series for some inspirational ideas!

Today's feature is my Master Bedroom makeover with stencil tutorial.

Huge thanks to Remodelaholic's Cassity for including me again!



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Backed into a corner - Bathroom Blues

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I WISH I had a photo of this bathroom from when we bought the house. I wouldn't go into the room without the aid of a full sanitation suit. The tub was resting on notched out floor joists and the toilet was dirty enough to make the interstate Exxon station look like the loo at the Trump Towers. I still down know how the previous owner didn't end up bathing on the kitchen floor a flight below. Thank God he was skinny!







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RED

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Sometimes you just need a little more color in your world. I was in need of a pick me up recently so when I spotted these chairs on Overstock I decided to try them out.

I have the silver stools by the same maker so I know that while they are inexpensive, they are well made and sturdy. (Not to mention red, shiny, and stackable!!)  

My former chairs were basic black and bland. 

These little red numbers were just what I was looking for.

 

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Shades of Gray

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Charcoal, steel, stone, driftwood, fog, storm clouds, ...

Gray, taking the lead over brown just a few years ago, is continuing it's upward rise as one of the year's hottest design trends. It is a true neutral, pairing beautifully with white woodwork and rich brown wood floors. Gray complements any color. You can dress it up or down.


If you're looking to cozy up your home for fall, try adding some gray. Maybe a gray couch or a chair. They will work with your favorite accent colors and will last forever, as gray will hide even the toughest stains.

Try painting a table, or a collection of frames, add an accent wall. A charcoal accent wall in a light gray room creates a dramatic yet cozy effect.

One of my favorite yard sale finds with wearing a warm gray

Word to the wise, when considering paint colors, selecting a cool gray with blue undertones will cool a room, and grays with brown undertones (very close to taupe) will really warm up a room. Think about the effect you want when you are choosing your color. Cool, modern, elegant, or warm, and cozy.

COLOR COMBINATIONS

Try pairing gray with aqua, magenta, citrus or orange for a fresh, modern look.

Teaming gray with a classic red or green and adding some textural, natural elements will lend more to a more sophisticated and traditional feel.

Check out some of these beautifully modern color combinations I spotted on Pinterest!
I can't wait to spice up my home for the change of season!

Source: designsponge.com via Dani on Pinterest

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Source: alifesdesign.blogspot.com via Dani on Pinterest

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Source: design-crisis.com via Dani on Pinterest

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One Man's Trash...

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Thank you to Beckie for featuring my Chippy Door Headboard this week on her fabulous site www.roadkillrescue.com!

When I picked up an old upholstered headboard off the side of the road less than 24 hours after delivering my first child, my husband thought I was NUTS.  Clearly I am in fine company! 

Check out Beckie's site to view some great projects made from roadside castoffs. And I couldn't agree with her more. One man's trash is definitely this woman's treasure!

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Fireplace Facelift

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With the first day of school tomorrow and the leaves here in New England starting to turn, I'm thinking about how much I'm looking forward to sitting by the fire with my family.

Our fireplace, it turned out, was unlined, making it possible for carbon monoxide to seep into the house, rendering it unusable for almost four years.

After much deliberation we decided to purchase a pellet stove to add supplemental, lower cost heat.
(Big old houses have big oil bills!) I have hay fever so burning trees and the mold that comes with them wasn't an option for me. With no gas in the house and a centrally located chimney, propane was ruled out as well. 

 
I have been asked often for suggestions on what to do to revamp an ugly old fireplace. Outdated brick, brass doors, you know the ones. 

In my case, I wanted a more contemporary look so I scrapped the mantle all together and added floor to ceiling tile glass tiles, covering the brick. I like the clean look and since this is our tv room having the big box on the wall as a focal point is fine with me.

I came across some great photos on Pinterest tonight that I want to share...


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Rope Remake

Pin It I haven't had much time for projects these past few weeks, but I wanted to squeeze a little one in tonight before we head off on family vacation tomorrow.
I bought this light and painted it a cobalt blue to go in my new blue and green "preppy" bedroom.
It's a bit large for the dresser, but it's what I've got for now so I'm making due.
The blue, while it matches, was a bit too dark for my taste.
Then I thought of this bundle of rope.
I spotted it in someone's garage and wanted it so much that I was skeptical that the owner would sell it to me. It had endless possibilities...
While he was tallying my purchases, I asked how much he wanted for it. He said, "you want that? it's yours." I loved him instantly.
And off I went with my rope and a head full of ideas of what I will wrap with it...





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Lackluster Lighting gets a Facelift

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Wall Sconce Before

My MIL had purchased a black, contemporary, iron chandelier and matching sconces at HD a few years back. Her decision was based on price vs. style and she's hated them ever since. The heavy dark metal was far from the french country "cottage" look she was trying to achieve. We've talked of replacing them, but trying to watch the budget, buying new lighting is low on the list.

Last weekend, after seeing the antique silvered chandelier I picked up for her hung in place, I offered to see if I could remake her other lights to match. It was worth a shot and they were getting replaced anyway, so what harm could I do?

Chandelier before (minus the HEAVY glass shades)

Using silver "Rub N' Buff," a tooth brush and a little water I was able to create an antique silver finish to mimic the finish of the other chandelier. New shades are on order to replace these super heavy orange glass shades (Restoration is having a great sale right now) and I think the finished look resembles the antique silver/pewter finish she desired so closely that she just may keep them!

(Tip- one mini tube of Rub N' Buff did ALL three lights with a half a tube to spare! It does spatter using the toothbrush so we used Goof Off to get rid of the silver over spray from brushing)


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Thrifting in Maine!

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 Remember this great cast iron chandelier I found earlier this spring? I purchased it from a neighbor at a local yard sale with a special place in mind for it- my mother in laws' mountain top home in Maine.

I gave my MIL the chandelier over the 4th of July, hoping that she would be able to use it in her "French country meets Maine" dining room.  I was happy to see that she liked it enough to hang it in such a prominent spot!

Maine has some great antique shops and one of my favorites that I visit each year is "Flowerbed Farms" in Bridgton. I stopped in for a quick visit and spotted this table that I thought would be a perfect companion to the chandelier.

I think the curves of the light and the shape table work well in this location and are an ideal compliment to the linear staircase and the angles of the wainscoting.
What do you think?
 We're still chair-less for the moment, but she's got until Christmas to find just the right pieces!

Check out some more photos from our trip to the "Farm!"



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Subway Signs for some local flavor

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Mothering your father

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Source: hannahgirl.com via Dani on Pinterest

I have been debating whether or not to combine these two topics- the House and the Home.
For me they are one and the same. I love to decorate, design, create, paint, craft. Any time I'm working with my hands, I am happy.  I've shared with you that my father built custom homes and that my mom designed and sold them. Even as children, our opinions and our efforts, were welcome. (I've been cutting a mean edge since I was 8). My sister and I were encouraged to sit down with graph paper and pencils to sketch our own bedrooms. We created our dream homes. It's what happened at the table after dinner and it clearly made a mark on both of us as we both still love home decor and design.

I use Seaside Shelter as a place to share the things that I make to decorate our house. And often my friend's homes. But this house is more than that. It is our home. It shelters me, my husband, my son, my daughter, a 10 year old pit-lab named Sam, two domestic rats named Michael and Pepper, and a giant cat named "AJ" and my 78 year old father who we call Papa.

I shared this story on Blogher.com the other day and my husband suggested that I share it with you too. Not because I want a pat on the back for taking care of my father. But because I know there are so many others that find themselves in a similar position, or who will find themselves in the same position in the future. So here's my story...

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My Biggest Inspiration: Newport, RI

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Source: google.com via Loraine on Pinterest

As a child growing up in New England, I defined myself by my heritage. The first question you would ask a new acquaintance was always, "What nationality are you?" I thought this was how everyone greeted new friends.

My standard answer was always "French Canadian and Lithuanian." I had no idea this question wasn't being answered everywhere. It was as common to us as "How are you?"

My father was born and raised in Quebec and my mother was the descendant of two Lithuanian parents.  They were "purebred" so to speak, so I had two parts. One makes me tall and blond, one makes me strong with a penchant for working with my hands. Or so I was taught.

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Not So Pretty in Pink

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Before

So here she is. I've been hesitant to show a "before" on our cottage en suite bath, because, well, there is still no finished "after." Only a phase I.

A fair amount of work has gone into this room, but the work that's been done was more behind the scenes (or walls) rather than cosmetic.

When we bought the cottage we replaced the plumbing, updated the wiring, added a new pedestal sink, replaced the light (it's not any prettier than this one, but all I could find to fit the space, so be kind!), replaced the mirrored doors on the world's largest medicine cabinet... and scrubbed. And scrubbed..

The pink tile is intact and is in good shape so opening up THAT can of worms has just been too daunting. Til now.

BUT I HAVE A PLAN...






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The Birth of a Birth Announcement

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