Painted Wood Floors

I have been threatening to “rip out” all of the carpet in my house since the day we moved in…8 years ago! I love hardwood floors! I would be most happy in a house with no carpet at all…just some lovely area rugs over beautiful hardwood floors.

Recently, I have seen some painted wood floors that are so lovely you may not want to cover them with anything at all…

design sponge

décorpad

Lonny Mag

Mark Cutler Design

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From stripes to solids to patterns, the possibilities are endless, and the look is fabulous!

No need to stop at the floors…why not continue up the stairs too!

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So tell me…is this a look you like?

Is it something you would attempt to do yourself?

My Stenciled Entry

Today I want to share a project I completed before Christmas. Due to the busy season I am just now getting it posted.

There are so many beautiful stencil projects in blog land to inspire, here are a few of my favorites…

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Shabby Nest

The Lovely Cupboard

Isabella & Max Rooms

4 men 1 lady

You can see why adding a stenciled wall (or ceiling) to your home is a great way to add interest and style. I had been wanting to re-paint my entry way and decided a stencil would be the perfect touch. Once again, Janell over at Isabella & Max Rooms, was my favorite inspiration. After seeing her “how to” post on stenciling a wall, I was motivated, and ready to begin! I purchased the Mirium stencil from Whitewall & Co. Check out her step by step tutorial here.

I decided to use the same colors of paint I used in my hallway on the horizontal stripes project seen here. The base color is Sherwin Williams Universal Khaki - SW 6150 and the stencil color is Sherwin Williams Shoji White – SW 7042.

I am really happy with the results…

Since my entry does not get a lot of natural light, I opened the door in the above shot. Adding the stencil has amazingly “opened up” the space and actually makes it feel larger. I love it when that happens!

I like the way the shadows move around the space during the day and cast different light on the newly stenciled walls…

These are the very first pictures I have taken with my new camera! Still learning how to use all the features – but so far I love it!

Hello Kitty!

Have you tried your hand at stencils? I would love to see your projects!

Linking up to The Shabby Nest, Serenity Now, Simply Designing, tatertots and jello, Remodelaholic, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Classy Clutter, Addicted to Decorating, Common Ground, Meg and Mums, Freckled Laundry, Redoux, Home Stories A to Z, Positively Splendid, Saved by Suzy

My Favorite e-zine…

If you love to read design blogs as much as I do…then there is no doubt you have heard of, and have probably read the new House of Fifty issue.

This fantastic online magazine is put out by Janell Beals founder of my favorite design blog Isabella & Max Rooms. This was one of the very first design blogs I discovered and was immediately inspired by EVERTHING Janell could do. I was always so excited to read her daily posts. When she announced the news of her upcoming e-zine I knew it would become a favorite…and as to be expected, she does not disappoint!

Every issue is full of fabulous pictures, articles, recipes, artists, design inspiration, fashion and more…

These are just a few of the colorful photos from the current issue #4 recently released for winter/spring 2012. You can see it here.

If you don’t have time to sit in front of your computer…there is even an i-phone/i-pad app you can download from your i-tunes account, and browse while you are on the go.

So very convenient...thanks Janell!

Do yourself a favor…read it today!!