Thriifty Decor Chick

Perfect.

I've been toying around with this post for quite some time now. I have held off because it shows a side of me I'm not so proud of. I decided to write it today because especially lately, more than usual, I've seen comments and posts here and there from bloggers about their home not measuring up...not being as beautiful as the next...not as <em>perfect</em>.<br /><br />This big bloggy world is one that has brought much joy to my life. <strong>Much</strong> creativity. I have loved "meeting" all of you because of blogging.<br /><br />But there are times when I click through some blogs and am not proud of my reaction. First, it's awe and glee from a great reveal or project.<br /><br />Then, maybe a bit of wishing.<br /><br />Then, do I dare say it...<br /><br />Resentment? Jealousy?<br /><br />I'm not proud of that. Not one bit, but it's the truth.<br /><br />Let me be clear here -- I <strong>big fat LOVE</strong> our home. I would not trade it for any other. Because it is <strong>truly</strong> where our heart is. I have put my blood, sweat and tears into this house. We have raised out kids here and have created so many wonderful traditions and memories.<br /><br /><em>I cannot stress enough how much I adore it.</em><br /><br />So maybe it's not the homes I see that give me the tinges of jealousy. Maybe it's the time some have to dedicate to their homes. Maybe it's the money some can spend on their homes. Maybe it's the way they describe their lives that seem so...<em>perfect</em>?<br /><br />Maybe you have felt that way about this blog at times? I know it's possible and probably true, but I hope it's a fleeting feeling.<br /><br />Our home is not perfect. Our life is not perfect. And a couple weeks ago, I got a big (soft) slap upside the head from God when I found out something about a blogger I visit every so often. It's a little known fact about this person, and let's just say I felt like a big fat ARSE after finding out the information. ;)<br /><br />It was a message in flashing red lights that no one's life is "perfect." It may appear to be, but it never is.<br /><br />And really, who wants perfect? Seriously, perfect is <strong>BOR-</strong><em><strong>RING</strong>. </em>Just like a house, it's so much more interesting with imperfections...the squeak on the floor that drives you crazy every time you step on that spot. The crack in the wall no one sees but you (but it still drives you mad). The dings in the drywall and baseboards from kids <em>living</em> in a home. All of us have squeaks and cracks and dings in our lives that make them not perfect.<br /><br />I will spare you the details of my life, but because of my experiences, HOME means so much more to me than a building or a place for stuff. Most of my childhood was filled with wonderful memories and traditions. I never noticed the dings in the drywall, the creaks in the floors. (And your kids won't either.)<br /><br />Then in high school, a series of events occurred that changed my outlook on life. I didn't have a home for quite some time. I lived with my best friend and her family for a summer. When it was time to go back to college, my dorm room was my only home. And that Thanksgiving was spent in an old, gross motel room, just my Mom and me.<br /><br />It was one of the lowest days of my life.<br /><br />At that time, Sarah McLachlan's song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqU7fH8iQI0">Elsewhere</a>" brought me comfort. I listened to it <em>constantly</em>. Part of the chorus from that song that still sticks with me:<br /><br />I believe this is heaven to no one else but me.<br />And I'll defend it as long as I can be...<br /><br />That song still makes me cry. ;) I am thankful for every moment of my life, because it's brought me where I am today.<br /><br />It's not about the stuff or the house being perfect. It's about it being a home, in the emotional sense. Because of my past, a place to put down roots and to create memories for our kids means <em>so much to me</em>. So if you ever take anything away from this blog, it's that your home should be YOUR haven. I don't care what it looks like. I don't care if it's your dream home. <em>Make it your dream home with what you have.</em><br /><br />Even if that is just baking cookies, carving a pumpkin and playing with your kids on this Halloween weekend. Remember even those that feel they have very little are envied by someone. Be proud and love what you have and make it what you love and are proud of, in whatever way you can.<br /><br />I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend with your family. Thanks for listening to my deep thoughts today. :)

Perfect.

I've been toying around with this post for quite some time now. I have held off because it shows a side of me I'm not so proud of. I...

1:59 PM

SURPRISE!!

<p align="center"><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" border="0"><img src="http://www.eightcrazyimages.com/TDCbutton.gif" /></a></p><p align="center">Well hellooooo there!! </p><p align="center">Isn't it FAB?? (If you are reading this in Google Reader you may want to click over.) I've been thinking about my redesign for AGES and am so totally, completely giddy with how it turned out!! Shannon at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.eightcrazydesign.com">Eightcrazy Design</a> is fan-freaking-tastic!<br /><br /></p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.eightcrazydesign.com"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397767448688690274" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/Sui45V9BhGI/AAAAAAAAFLw/4vom0rZxMrY/s400/ecdLinkimage.gif" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <p align="center"></a><br />She took my inspiration -- my business card I had made up about six months ago -- and ran with it. It is so absolutely cool I can't stand it. (Squeal!) It's a perfect mix of sophisticated and fun and I'm thrilled. If you need any design services, I encourage you to check out Shannon's site.<br /><br />Let me take you on a tour!<br /><br />All the old stuff is still here, it's just organized better. (OH goodness, you know how I love organization!) Many of the items that were along the side are now up in the tabs along the top of the site.<br /><br />I added specific tabs about advertising and consults -- check them out if you are interested! I highlighted some of the rooms in our house under the Our Home tab.I made the FAQ post a tab, so if you are new to TDC, many of your questions on projects I have completed are answered there.<br /><br />Get Connected has links to my e-mail, Twitter and Facebook accounts and my Etsy site. Because you can't click the header to get "home" -- you can click the house button or go to the "Home" on the tab on the header to get to the front page of my site.<br /><br />You can get my new blingy button (seen above) along the side as well. Isn't it awesome? (If you grabbed it early, the link is corrected now! I have a dot com address I haven't switched over yet.)<br /><br />Some of my labels I had highlighted on my old site. Shannon has organized them so nicely all together along the side under Popular Catagories. These are some of my favorite labels, things like holiday posts, window treatments, beadboard, etc. I may add to these in the future, but you can still search my blog under What You Missed or check out past posts and my labels way down on the bottom left.<br /><br />You can still see fellow bloggers in my blogroll down on the left as well. :)<br /><br />I'm still tweaking some things but for now, it's done! And I'm in luuuuurve!! I hope you love it too! Thanks so much for the sweet comments! </p><p align="center">P.S. And thanks to Beckie from <a href="http://infarrantlycreative.blogspot.com/">Infarrantly Creative</a> for introducing me to her BFF! :) (That would be Shannon.)</p>

SURPRISE!!

Well hellooooo there!! Isn't it FAB?? (If you are reading this in Google Reader you may want to click over.) I've been thinking abou...

2:33 PM

Temporarily Under Construction

Temporarily Under Construction

*UPDATE* construction is now complete!

10:43 AM

A dining room reveal!

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397087342899065122" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOV-dBcSI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/9yq2jxeRwBY/s400/044.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />Well, its not completely done, but I thought I would stop the torture and <strong>just show you already!! </strong>:)<br /><br /><br />I have long said there are three rooms I think you can do totally dramatic and fun. Your laundry room, powder room and your dining room. The first two because they are usually small and can take pretty much whatever color you want. The last, because I think dining rooms should have a little bling and drama, just because they <em>can</em>.<br /><br /><br />Drama it is:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZSIsd-N8I/AAAAAAAAFLQ/2wjaDEuaKl8/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397091512779421634" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZSIsd-N8I/AAAAAAAAFLQ/2wjaDEuaKl8/s400/003.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> The bench I will show you more of soon. It's drivin' me batty! Argh!! It's going to be gorgeous when I get it just right. (Dad is to the rescue this week -- I'll explain more later.)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZSHlts4JI/AAAAAAAAFK4/8TZH_9NvUe0/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397091493786476690" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZSHlts4JI/AAAAAAAAFK4/8TZH_9NvUe0/s400/011.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>The hutch redo I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/dining-hutch-redo-and-fall-fillers.html">here</a>, and now I love that I can <em>see</em> what's inside:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397107630821457746" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZgy42pv1I/AAAAAAAAFLY/_b50ECG0KYU/s400/015.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397090985675995042" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZRqA2uN6I/AAAAAAAAFKw/0UX-kdarXy8/s400/012.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />The window redo I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/09/molding-bamboo-and-fabric-oh-my.html">here</a>. I added molding, bamboo roman shades and made my new drapes:<br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZRplEt_NI/AAAAAAAAFKg/XnYgDDAi9N8/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397090978218507474" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZRplEt_NI/AAAAAAAAFKg/XnYgDDAi9N8/s400/019.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 270px;" /></a>Joann Etc. is STILL out of my trim to finish off the two head chairs. (Pout.) I was thisclose to driving 45 minutes today to get it from another store, but I held back. Have I mentioned I'm insanely impatient?</div><div><br />BUT I did have a couple lumbar pillows made for them, and those make me feel soooo much better about the unfinished chairs:<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZRpMK99YI/AAAAAAAAFKY/fI6CriTs_F4/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397090971533833602" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZRpMK99YI/AAAAAAAAFKY/fI6CriTs_F4/s400/021.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> Aren't they adorable?!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZRozmlAMI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/M5O-OSrg654/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397090964938752194" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZRozmlAMI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/M5O-OSrg654/s400/024.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> I used scrap fabrics from the chairs and I <em>adore</em> them.</div><br /><div>The table setting I showed <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/table-is-set.html">here</a>. I pieced together dishes from HomeGoods, Target and Pier 1:<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZQgK4WLLI/AAAAAAAAFKI/XRVYETgax3E/s1600-h/027.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397089717056842930" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZQgK4WLLI/AAAAAAAAFKI/XRVYETgax3E/s400/027.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397089704480133090" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZQfcB0z-I/AAAAAAAAFJ4/meYw3wJC_lU/s400/031.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397087346842365250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOWNJLbUI/AAAAAAAAFJY/LLOqjdji3dc/s400/042.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />The centerpiece is one of my favorite parts of the room, and it all started with a $4 mirror. You can see the how-to <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-dining-room-centerpiece.html">here</a>.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZQf-rBPnI/AAAAAAAAFKA/8Mn4kdO8CT4/s1600-h/030.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397089713779719794" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZQf-rBPnI/AAAAAAAAFKA/8Mn4kdO8CT4/s400/030.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZQfPKiF6I/AAAAAAAAFJw/lcFu0TQEd_c/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397089701026994082" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZQfPKiF6I/AAAAAAAAFJw/lcFu0TQEd_c/s400/033.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOVlRsPbI/AAAAAAAAFJI/30NHXE4Iq-4/s1600-h/046.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397087336140651954" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOVlRsPbI/AAAAAAAAFJI/30NHXE4Iq-4/s400/046.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOVEE0_dI/AAAAAAAAFJA/eDAtBIiBR98/s1600-h/048.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397087327228329426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOVEE0_dI/AAAAAAAAFJA/eDAtBIiBR98/s400/048.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Everything works so great with my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/08/cedar-chest-redo.html">cedar chest</a> I redid months ago:<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOA5WmrcI/AAAAAAAAFI4/UUAK4CJJ0_8/s1600-h/052.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397086980752715202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOA5WmrcI/AAAAAAAAFI4/UUAK4CJJ0_8/s400/052.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>I showed you how <strike>incredibly annoying</strike> easy it was to reupholster dining chairs <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-reupholster-dining-room-chairs.html">here</a>. I used a brown faux silk on the backs, a creamy linen on the seats, and a pattern with all of the colors on the fronts:<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOATveX-I/AAAAAAAAFIw/IGATzDwXGHE/s1600-h/053.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397086970656481250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZOATveX-I/AAAAAAAAFIw/IGATzDwXGHE/s400/053.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397086307089524834" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZNZrwyKGI/AAAAAAAAFIA/s_Xo9bhaZEk/s400/063.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />Reason #7,839 I love my husband -- when I put the fabric on the chairs to show him what it would look like, I asked, do you think it's too much? His response -- "Maybe for some people, but not for us." <strong>LURVE</strong> that man.</div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZN_pqFnHI/AAAAAAAAFIY/qY5v6KvvIjY/s1600-h/058.JPG"></a></div><div><br />I love to paint our ceilings, and I showed you how I did this one <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/09/fifth-wall-and-another-dining-room.html">here</a>.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZNaeEGO4I/AAAAAAAAFIQ/dD1rNo-DjUs/s1600-h/059.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397086320592305026" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZNaeEGO4I/AAAAAAAAFIQ/dD1rNo-DjUs/s400/059.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a></div>It makes the molding POP!<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397086959359597682" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZN_pqFnHI/AAAAAAAAFIY/qY5v6KvvIjY/s400/058.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />The light. THE LIGHT I LOVE!! It was a knock of a Pottery Barn light I showed you <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/most-beautiful-light-and-winner_20.html">here</a>.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397086300051314962" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZNZRivmRI/AAAAAAAAFH4/zCO2Oah4PmM/s400/064.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" />My version is from Home Depot and cost about $100 less (plus free shipping!).<br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMx4RLfvI/AAAAAAAAFHo/UOU34zl6FAk/s1600-h/069.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397085623251861234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMx4RLfvI/AAAAAAAAFHo/UOU34zl6FAk/s400/069.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> I need to lower it just a couple inches, but for now, <em>it's just fine</em>. :) </div><div></div><div><br />My favorite time to enjoy this room is at night:<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMxnQQgsI/AAAAAAAAFHg/HhcIb9Yj6zw/s1600-h/070.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397085618684592834" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMxnQQgsI/AAAAAAAAFHg/HhcIb9Yj6zw/s400/070.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>I'm not lyin' when I tell you I've had the chandy turned on every. single. evening, whether or not we're downstairs. I don't turn it off till we go to bed. It's so lovely to look at when we come down the stairs throughout the evening:<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397086293336787618" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZNY4h4CqI/AAAAAAAAFHw/w8BD4tHrEAc/s400/067.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMxbxIuNI/AAAAAAAAFHY/_WpK2dwONCM/s1600-h/073.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397085615601268946" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMxbxIuNI/AAAAAAAAFHY/_WpK2dwONCM/s400/073.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMxF8XsXI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/mDdbcCtXBzs/s1600-h/078.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397085609742807410" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMxF8XsXI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/mDdbcCtXBzs/s400/078.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMwlx004I/AAAAAAAAFHI/jhE9LeI9SEo/s1600-h/080.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397085601108644738" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMwlx004I/AAAAAAAAFHI/jhE9LeI9SEo/s400/080.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMdrrgJmI/AAAAAAAAFHA/-b1wMILAZWI/s1600-h/083.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397085276275222114" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMdrrgJmI/AAAAAAAAFHA/-b1wMILAZWI/s400/083.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>And because I'm a sucker for a good before and after, here's how the room looked years ago:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397084766505820130" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMAApAX-I/AAAAAAAAFGo/cNWHDsrFN40/s400/before+early.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></div><br /><div>Then, a couple years later:</div><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397084755690261458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZL_YWYC9I/AAAAAAAAFGI/Mzwfo2XXf9Q/s400/dining_before2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />And last year...<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397084761295338786" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZL_tOuvSI/AAAAAAAAFGY/71ZFwDJEoP4/s400/before+yr" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /> </div><div>Now:<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397086293336787618" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZNY4h4CqI/AAAAAAAAFHw/w8BD4tHrEAc/s400/067.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /> Last year:<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZL_hr5RzI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/ApDHtr0qu8c/s1600-h/before+hutch.jpg"></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397085270652787538" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZMdWvAm1I/AAAAAAAAFG4/PsJLmWuI3TQ/s400/before" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> Today:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397091506030792146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZSITU-TdI/AAAAAAAAFLI/H-UNbhgTBa4/s400/005.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuZN_pqFnHI/AAAAAAAAFIY/qY5v6KvvIjY/s1600-h/058.JPG"></a></div><div>DRAMA!! I love it!! It is a dining room after all...so it's allowed. ;)</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

A dining room reveal!

Well, its not completely done, but I thought I would stop the torture and just show you already!! :) I have long said there are three rooms ...

6:22 PM

Metallic pumpkins!

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717709154661170" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-Kdc5MzI/AAAAAAAAFAY/Oyiqc5ZgilY/s400/094.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> This time of year, pumpkins have puked all over our house. <em>In a really nice way.</em> I have wood pumpkins:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-cBcY_lI/AAAAAAAAFBY/nra0tWGSnI8/s1600-h/114.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396718010874003026" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-cBcY_lI/AAAAAAAAFBY/nra0tWGSnI8/s400/114.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Hee. Aren't they precious?<br /><br />I have glittered pumpkins:<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-b6-1aiI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/h_71Ged6wkQ/s1600-h/110.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396718009139423778" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-b6-1aiI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/h_71Ged6wkQ/s400/110.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>(Take some glue, brush it on, and put on the glitter.)</div><div>I have real pumpkins all over the place <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-decor-for-outdoors.html">outside</a>:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396718689666546770" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT_DiJJPFI/AAAAAAAAFBg/GD_McmfEDLM/s400/DSC02285.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I have metal pumpkins:<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-boZhEfI/AAAAAAAAFBI/E1HS9X4hIlw/s1600-h/108.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396718004151063026" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-boZhEfI/AAAAAAAAFBI/E1HS9X4hIlw/s400/108.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-bNiPmmI/AAAAAAAAFBA/fh1CCM7FJsY/s1600-h/104.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717996939909730" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-bNiPmmI/AAAAAAAAFBA/fh1CCM7FJsY/s400/104.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>And last year I used black paint and made some cauuute tags to make a set of "Welcome" pumpkins:<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-Lg_Od_I/AAAAAAAAFA4/W8zJRJ7ik_Q/s1600-h/089.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717727283836914" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-Lg_Od_I/AAAAAAAAFA4/W8zJRJ7ik_Q/s400/089.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-LeXHXlI/AAAAAAAAFAw/ctFxlr8Wbzs/s1600-h/090.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717726578728530" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-LeXHXlI/AAAAAAAAFAw/ctFxlr8Wbzs/s400/090.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>But this year my favorite pumpkins are my metallic ones:<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-K3ZlF2I/AAAAAAAAFAo/bklNFZZleA8/s1600-h/091.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717716120082274" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-K3ZlF2I/AAAAAAAAFAo/bklNFZZleA8/s400/091.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>For these, I took cheapy plastic pumpkins and sprayed them with my beloved oil rubbed bronze spray paint, then took just a bit of my loverly glaze and brushed a bit on over the top:<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-Km2BGRI/AAAAAAAAFAg/J84eJsZOxBg/s1600-h/093.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717711675955474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT-Km2BGRI/AAAAAAAAFAg/J84eJsZOxBg/s400/093.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>It gives them just a little bit of shimmer. Sigh. <strong>I love my glaze!!</strong> (By the way, my pumpkins were all about a buck, from Hobby Lobby on sale and WalMart.)</div><div></div><div><br />I also did some with a copper spray paint, with a bit of the ORB spray over it:</div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT91baIgHI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/8MC_ueJ5aIQ/s1600-h/095.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717347828957298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT91baIgHI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/8MC_ueJ5aIQ/s400/095.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Some I did the bronze first, and then just a bit of the copper, but it's a lot more subtle:<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT91M8EDLI/AAAAAAAAFAI/GryyaEQyob0/s1600-h/097.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717343944740018" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT91M8EDLI/AAAAAAAAFAI/GryyaEQyob0/s400/097.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>At our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/table-is-set.html">dining table settings</a>, I used the copper by itself on some:<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT90xRIo9I/AAAAAAAAFAA/JugTDEfq_A4/s1600-h/099.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717336516928466" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT90xRIo9I/AAAAAAAAFAA/JugTDEfq_A4/s400/099.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> And added a bit of ORB spray on others:<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT90rbHkcI/AAAAAAAAE_4/ObK57ibHdeA/s1600-h/100.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717334948188610" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT90rbHkcI/AAAAAAAAE_4/ObK57ibHdeA/s400/100.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Here's the good stuff -- my faux glaze I use on just about everything (from Lowe's), the Rustoleum ORB spray paint it's getting harder and harder to find, (boo hiss) and my "burnished copper" spray paint from the craft store:<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT90WOxXbI/AAAAAAAAE_w/A1a7PPV-J-g/s1600-h/119.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396717329259257266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/SuT90WOxXbI/AAAAAAAAE_w/A1a7PPV-J-g/s400/119.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> </div><div>Check out the metallic pumpkins at <a href="http://thewhisperingcreekhouse.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-made-hammered-pumpkins.html">Whispering Creek House</a> and at <a href="http://granvillehouse.blogspot.com/2009/10/diy-metallic-pumpkins.html">320 Sycamore</a>. And the gilded gold leaf (what a good idea!) pumpkins at <a href="http://themagicbrushinc.blogspot.com/2009/10/gilded-pumpkins.html">The Magic Brush</a>! </div><div><br />Remember you can enter the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/another-great-giveaway.html">ABCD Images giveaway</a> till Monday the 26th at noon Eastern time!</div><div></div><div><br />And YES, the dining room is coming tomorrow. I'm finishing up the bench and it's proving a bit more difficult then I expected. (Why would I expect any <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-reupholster-dining-room-chairs.html">seating</a> in this room to be <em>EASY</em> ??)</div><div></div><div><br />P.S. I believe I said "pumpkins" 78 times in this post.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Metallic pumpkins!

This time of year, pumpkins have puked all over our house. In a really nice way. I have wood pumpkins: Hee. Aren't they precious? I h...

6:35 PM

Perfect.

SURPRISE!!

Temporarily Under Construction

A dining room reveal!

Metallic pumpkins!

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