The Delightful Eclectic Abode

Time for a few adjustments

 

Last year we updated our galley kitchen.  (You can see the old kitchen here)

We wanted to mix vintage with cottage.  Mr. Delightful found this beautiful replica of an old clock at J.C. Penney's for $37.00. He quickly snatched it up.  I was so proud of him.  He's caught the decorating bug!

 

As soon as we brought it home, out came the power tools.  He had it up in no time! 

 

Unfortunately, it's a little bit crooked.  I'm really obsessive when it comes to hanging things straight.  He, on the other hand, is obsessive about using a level.  The trouble with this approach is that walls and floors aren't always level.

 

It's going to have to be hung correctly or it will drive me crazy!

 

 

The next adjustment, taking better care of my health.

 

After early retirement in December, due to health issues, I began taking accelerated online classes. This was my first experience with self-directed online learning. I had no idea how much work and how fast the pace would be.  Without thinking things through, I jumped right in and took 2 classes trading one stressful experience for another.

 

It was time to make the decision to go at a slower pace. I dropped both classes for next sememster to focus on my health, diet and exercise.  When I go back in the fall, it will be one class at a time. 

 

It's important for me to ask my body what feels right, rather than strictly listening to what my mind tells me I can do. 

 

On a lighter note....here are the most recent photos of the kitchen and dining area.

 

 

 

This is the view from the dining table to the living room. The coffee station also serves as a trash can.

 

 

 

 

 

The mirror is new and the shelf has been repainted white (last year it was black)

 

 

My new favorite thing is the clock!  It's big and reminds me to savor each moment. 

 

Now if Mr. Delightful can make a minor adjustment and hang the clock just a little bit to the right, it will be simply delightful!  But then again, a crooked clock reminds me that life isn't perfect!

 

Are you obsessive about having things hung perfectly straight? 

 

Do you ever overestimate how much you can take on and then end up overcommitted, stressed, and overwhelmed?

 

I'm not engaging in self flagellation.  I've moving on and giving Mr. Delightful permission to say, "honey, you might want to think about that before you take on too much." 

 

I'm linking this post to:

Courtney's French Country Cottage

Claudia's Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

 

I'd love to hear from you so I hope you'll leave a comment.

 

You can follow my gardening and vintage inspired boards on Pinterest.

Please visit my Facebook page.  Check out the link on the left sidebar at the top of the page.  I hang out there quite a bit and would love to have some visitors! 

In Need of Some Time Management Skills

 

Feeling a little edgy today.  The day started with really good intentions. Here's my list for the day.

 

• Get showered and dressed
• Eat some breakfast
• Do some CMU college homework.
• Throw a load of laundry in the washing machine
• Buy a few groceries
• Make an appetizer for tonight's gathering

 

Have I gotten anything done?  Yes, I've taken and edited tons of photos for a blog posting that I'm putting together as a Tribute for my mom.

 

 

 

No wonder I'm feeling edgy.....It's after 1:00 PM and I'm still in my pajamas and all I've eaten are some sunflower seeds and a hard boiled egg!  What is wrong with me?

 

 

It's one of my dear friends 75th birthday today and I'm having a few ladies over to celebrate.  Nothing extravagant just cake, coffee and tea.  I was going to serve homemade veggie pizza, but instead I'm typing a blog posting.

 

Do you ever procrastinate?  Do you wake up with a list for the day and get nothing accomplished?  There is plenty of time to put together a blog posting about my mom and our family history so why did I get absorbed in it today?

 

This is what my backyard looks like this afternoon.

 

 

 

Something tells me that I'm getting adjusted to not working full-time outside the home, and I'm a 57 year old college student embarking on a new adventure. 

 

 

Could it be that a little sadness is emerging since she passed away on January 28, 2010?  Do you get sad when the anniversay date of their passing approaches? 

 

 

Do you intend to do one thing and get absorbed in something else?  Hey, it is what it is!  Do you have the tendency to want to psychoanalyze why you do the things you do?  Today I'm letting all of that go!

 

As soon as I'm finished typing, I'll tackle some of those items on my list. The first priority get in the shower and get dressed for the day!

 

I thought I'd throw a few photos in.  Of course, they have nothing to do with what i just talked about!

 

The French got it right!

 

 

 

 

 

How is that for being all over the place!  If you could follow any of this, let me know.

 

Talk about procrastination, I never finished my mom's scrapbook.  The pages were started in March, 2010 and 4 are complete.

 

The key holder box is new and the French Apron has been in my kitchen for a few months.

 

 

You can follow my gardening and vintage inspired boards on Pinterest.

I also created a Facebook page.  Check out the link on the left sidebar at the top of the page.  I hang out there quite a bit and would love to have some visitors!

It all Started with a Pottery Barn Duvet Cover

 

Hi folks!

Thanks for stopping by!  Since I retired in December of 2012, I've been on a spending rampage!  I figured since I'll be home more often, and won't have a regular paycheck coming in, that I better tweak and update my house.

 

Sort of a last hurrah before I begin my next career! I started with the basement (that will be another blog post) and then moved on to the master bedroom.

 

Here's my pile of receipts.

Actually, I've been moving away from a more formal decorating style to something a bit more relaxed.  I'm still trying to figure out what my style is?

 

As we evolve, we are attracted to different styles and color palettes.....

 

I haven't been satisfied with my bedroom for quite awhile. So the transformation started with the thought, "I need a new duvet cover."

 

Well, we all know that a duvet cover can easily lead to pillows, throws, etc. etc.

 

Here is an image from Pottery Barn that shows the Paisley pattern a little bit better.

 

 

This is my old duvet cover and pillow combo.  I had curtains from Laura Ashley Lifestyle collection from 2009.  I was never really happy with it but I settled.  This bed isn't very inspiring is it?

 

 

So off to Pottery Barn!  I wanted some of their pillows but whoa, I had to stop at 2 because they are pricey!  I loved the duvet and bought a couple of Euro pillows and inserts from them. 

 

I really, really wanted the quilt coverlet that coordinated with the duvet cover but I wasn't about to spend $300.00 for a coverlet so I settled on spending $200.00 and it included the matching standard pillows and covers. 

 

 

It's difficult to get good pictures because I have a tiny master bedroom (10 by 14 ft)  It's not massive like some of the gorgeous blogs that I visit but it's mine and it's cozy!

 

Here's an image I found of my bedroom set that was purchased in 2009. It's a Cindy Crawford design called Savannah. 

 

 

 

The quilt coverlet is nice!  I found it at Nordstroms.  It's 100% cotton.  Part of the experience of a bedroom is the tactile feel of soft luxurious natural fabrics.  No more polyester for my bedroom!

 

The duvet cover is made of a linen and cotton blend.  Even Mr. Delightful said he loves the bedroom now.  He said, "You sure get what you pay for.  "I love the way all the fabric feels and the down pillows are wonderful!"

 

Now that's something coming from Mr. frugal!

 

Most of the accessories are things I already had.  I bought burlap lamp shades from Target and plopped them on my old lamp.

Old lampshade

 

 New lampshade

I'm thinking about painting this little side table, your thoughts?

 

We really got lucky with the drapes.  We stopped at J.C. Penney and found a cotton/linen blend for only $12.00 per panel. Even the drapery rods were on clearance!

 

Hubby and I are loving the organic look and feel of the fabrics! 

 

 

Isn't the jewelry holder cute?

 

The shutter is another great place to hang jewelry.

Above the shutter sits one of my favorite prayers since childhood.

 

 

 

What bedroom wouldn't be complete without a little side chair?  As you can see our bed takes up most of the room.  We had to get a king sized bed to fit our little shih tzu pups!  Kayla is a bigger Shih Tzu (22 pounds) and she likes to spread out when she sleeps!

 

 

Love the Pier One throw!  The chair used to be dark brown.  It's painted with Annie Sloan White chalk paint.

 

 

 

Phones sure have changed since I was born!  I just got a new Droid Razr smart phone that makes me feel dumb!

This morning I was awakened to the very loud sound of roosters crowing.

I wondered what the heck is that?  It was my phone!

 

I hope you like our delightful bedroom makeover.

I'm linking this post to Wow us Wednesday's at Savvy Southern Style

I'm also linking to Brenda's Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday

 

You can follow my gardening, decorating and vintage inspired boards on Pinterest.

I also created a Facebook page.  Check out the link on the left sidebar at the top of the page.  I hang out there quite a bit and would love to have some visitors!

Vintage Inspired Valentine Mantel

 

Ever since taking the holiday decorations down, I've been tweaking my mantel decor.  I knew that I wanted something different this year for Valentine's day and it had to have a little vintage flair.  Besides, my house needs a little color and sparkle to help get through these long gray days of winter.

 

 

 

The cute little bucket was purchased from Home Goods. It's the perfect container for a topiary.  Do you like the burlap ribbon?  I got a whole roll at Hobby Lobby for just a couple of bucks.  The ribbon needed some hearts so I drew them on with a black sharpie. This was one easy/peasy way to add some valentine love.

 

 

I love the look of leaning windows and shadow boxes on a mantel.  The shadow box needed some images so a quick google search for free vintage clipart yielded some nice results. 

 

 

Isn't the little girl with the flower wreath adorable? 

The rustic wood shadow box used to hang in my kitchen.  I covered the back with some leftover toile material to make it stand out against the red wall.

 

 

 

 

This handsome guy was found at a shop near my home.  It's made out of wood with a vintage image stamped on it.

 

 

The bow was made with some toille ribbon and I attached a couple of little hearts to give it some sparkle. 

 

 

Adding a few skeleton keys for some more vintage charm.  I used some of my jewelry for this project.

 

 

Mr. Delightful and I were married on September 12, 1986.  We had a very small intimate wedding. This is the little bride and groom from our wedding cake........

 

I fell in love with the image of this couple.  So, tell me....what do you think of my vintage inspired valentine mantle?

I'm joining Brenda's Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday Party.  Head on over for some tweaking inspiration!

 

I'm also linking to these parties:

Wow us Wednesday's at Savvy Southern Style

An Original Belle Make it Yourself link party.

Sumo's Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday. 

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

 

I'd love to see your valentine decorating so leave a comment along with your link so I can pop over and be inspired. 

 

You can follow my gardening and vintage inspired boards on Pinterest.

I also created a Facebook page.  Check out the link on the left sidebar at the top of the page.  I hang out there quite a bit and would love to have some visitors!

Fastest Recycle Project on the Planet!

 

Did the title grab your attention? 

 

I'm all for saving time and money and getting a great result! 

 

So....you can imagine my surprise when I saw this old Christmas ornament on the side of the road. 

 

I pulled the truck up closer to the curb, got out and realized it was an old plastic Christmas bulb!  Quickly snatching it up, it went into the back of the truck along with all the loot that I gathered at the annual Plymouth Spring clean-up.  You can read about this adventure here.

 

 

As I look out across the lawn, there she sits....... a 59 second Recycle/repurpose project!!!  Just picked it up and plopped it into the little hole on top of the statue!  Of course the drive through Plymouth took a little longer.  

 

Never underestimate the power of thinking outside the box when it comes to Celebrating Everyday Life!

 

 

 

 

I'm linking to Celebrating Everyday Life with Jennifer Carroll.

If you like what you see, pin away!

 

 

 

Potting Table Makeover - It's January will Spring be here Soon?

 

It's January and I'm already thinking about spring.  So much for staying in the now moment right?

 

 

In Michigan, it's 42 degrees in January so why not?  Really, I'm thinking about spring because today I'm linking to the beautiful blog "Celebrating Everday Life" with Jennifer Carroll.  She's looking for DIY Recyled and Repurposed projects to feature in the May/June issue of her magazine.

 

Oh, a girl can dream!  To get featured in a magazine would absolutely make my day, week, month and year!!  Heck, I was featured once on a blog and my heart was singing for weeks.

 

So.....today I'm featuring my enamel baking table turned potting table project.

 

I've long dreamed of having a pretty potting table on my back porch. So you can imagine the wheels of my brain spinning with delight when I found this old enamel baking table at a barn sale.  Cost $40.00. 

 

Mr. Delightful and I transformed her into this.

 

and this.

 

See the original handle on the drawer and the huge gap (hole) above the drawer?

 

Mr. Delightful took care of the issue. 

 

 

He measured the opening and went to Lowe's and purchased a piece of wood.  He then measured twice, cut then sanded the board to fit into the opening. 

• He created a longer piece of wood for the front of the board and attached a new knob.
• He also attached new hardward to the actual drawer.

It now operates as a little pull-out shelf. 

 

 

An afternoon of painting, a little bit of measuring and cutting, installing new drawer handles, and this table was transformed!  Total cost was about $50.00 including paint, wood and new hardware.

• First I wiped the table down.
• I primed so the paint would go on easily and smoothly.
• Then I painted with a soft canary yellow satin finish.

Now, what about storage?

 

No worries, I found this old bookshelf at a garage sale.  She matched almost perfectly with the light canary color of the table.

 

Cost, I think it was about $10.00?

 

 

She was given as a gift from someone special.  I promised I would take good care of her.

 

 

Now I have a great place to cut fresh flowers from the garden!

 

 

 

Soon....we'll be spending time outdoors enjoying our gardens and back porches!

 

In the meantime.......enjoy today!

 

 

I love having visitors so please leave a comment or two and come back to see the next DIY project.  We love change so we're always tweaking and creating something new around here.

If you like what you see, you can follow me on Pinterest.  I'm a veteran pinner and you can be too!