Adding Touches of Spring to the Living Room

Hopefully, we've finally put winter behind us!  Even if it makes another appearance, I've brought spring into the house anyway! Spring has always been my favorite season, even as a child.  I couldn't wait for green grass, birds chirping, baby animals, and sunshine after a long, harsh winter on the farm.  Maybe that's why I tend to decorate with spring-like home decor all year round?

Country Living Fair & Shopping in Atlanta

Whew!  I'm finally back home after a long weekend away in Atlanta attending the Country Living Fair and doing some shopping around the area.  I'm glad that I finally made the trip down to check it out!  I started out this little business selling at fairs and shows like this so I always enjoy attending them.

A Christmas Cabinet and a Story...

Out of all the furniture that I currently own, as well as all the furniture that I've bought and sold over the last six years, this rustic antique cabinet is my favorite...

White-Glazed Chateau Grey Cabinet and Recent Finds

I love finding these tall graceful cabinets with all their incredible details when I'm out and about.  I picked up this gem from Craig's List after seeing several unpainted (and pricier) versions in some antique shops.  The wood was dried and tired and had a bit of veneer damage so I didn't feel bad about  giving it a second life with a little paint (sorry no before pic on this one).  

Craft Room - Office Reveal

I feel like a very lucky girl... You see, I haven't always had an entire room, filled with my favorite things, to escape to and create.  It's been quite the opposite for the last 5-6 years of my creative journey!  I used to dream of a space like this...

...A place to store all my jewelry-makings, paint and paper supplies, decorating books and publications, favorite vintage finds, but I honestly never thought I'd ever have "my own room".

I started off long ago with a can of paint, paintbrush, and a piece of furniture and a desire to decorate my first  small home for as thrifty as I could.  It slowly grew into a small business to keep me busy after leaving my career to stay home with my little ones.  I would sell out of shops and set up booths at local vintage/antique shows, all the while I was working late nights and a few nap times from my tiny dining table and the three-foot section between my bed and the wall!  A family of five in a 1,900 sq ft. home with a creative, inventory-based business wasn't always easy.  There were many times before big shows that my house looked like a store itself!

Organized Craft Cabinet

I've been a busy little bee lately!  With the heat of summertime, I've turned my attention to working on several rooms in my home these last couple months.  I literally have a dozen projects going at once right now, but I like it that way...I like to feel busy :) One project that I recently completed was long overdue!  Introducing the craft cabinet before...

Desk Chair Makeover and the Beginnings of My New Creative Space

I fell in love with this chair last winter at a small antique show up in Sandpoint, ID and had to bring it home with me after feeling how heavy, sturdy, and comfortable it was.  I'd been on the lookout for just the right chair to go with my new half-round desk and this fit the bill....

I Heart Baskets

I love, love baskets!  What's not to love about them when they're pretty, versatile, functional, often inexpensive, and they help keep me organized, so when this came in the mail a couple weeks ago.
..

my heart did a little pitter-patter.  I couldn't wait to get my kids in bed that evening so I could pour over the pages!  When I thought how much I've used baskets over the years, I felt compelled to do my own little "ode to baskets"...

I use baskets for virtually everywhere in my home.  From storing toys, shoes, laundry, and office papers, and even toilet paper in the powder room, baskets are great for making things that aren't-so-pretty look so much better... 

But I use baskets to store those pretty things too... like extra throws, blankets, and pillows by the couch and clean towels in the bathroom.

They're also perfect for keeping extra candles, fresh fruit, pantry goods, and other pretty items that need corralling. 

You won't find a seating area or bedroom in my home without a basket of books or magazines.  Although I don't knit, I love being in homes that have baskets with a current knitting project tucked in...so cozy!

Since I do quite a bit of crafting, painting, and jewelry-making, I rely so much on baskets with labels to hold all of my materials, while looking cute at the same time...

They are also perfect for holding pretty ferns, potted plants for the porch, and my "branch arrangements" that I like to use....

Unique shapes and sizes of baskets seem to be everywhere - from old locker baskets at the flea market, to new woven ones at a discount store. I've had most of my baskets (which I've never paid more than $10 for any of them) for several years, rotating them around. I'd say that's some serious bang-for-your-buck...no wonder I love them!

Kristen

Linking up to:

Savvy Southern Style

Primp

No Minimalist Here

2805 Potpourri Friday

Common Ground

At The Picket Fence

My Romantic Home

A Cozy Rustic Fireplace

Remember that evolving great room that we have in our new house?  I've been slowly adding elements to the room as inspiration comes and I find just the right pieces.  I really concentrated on the fireplace wall this last weekend, filling in some of the large wall space around the stone.  Since this is our main family room and where our television is placed, I want it to feel cozy and homey.

An Antique Media Center and an Evolving Great Room

Almost all of my furniture is a mix of antiques, reproductions, and various pieces that have been found and re-habbed.  Not only do I love the uniqueness this provides for my home as well as it's cost-effectiveness, but there are always those items for the modern household where it is a bit more difficult to achieve. For example, it is a challenge finding an antique queen bed.  They just didn't have beds that big back then...  Media centers are another example.  You wouldn't find anyone sitting around fifty years ago watching big flat-screen TV's with DVR's, Blu-Rays, Wii consoles, or satelitte boxes attached to them.  This poses a challenge for all of us out there who desire a unique, stylish way to house our televisions and all their trappings without paying an arm and a leg. 

One Chandelier at a Time

As much as I am enjoying our new house, I vowed from the first day that I would change out a majority of the builder-grade light fixtures that most new construction houses come with.  I may not have an adorable farmhouse cottage or stately home with rich old character, but my intent is to slowly infuse as much vintage charm as I can into our suburbian home.  The first change out was in the dining room last month...