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Thursday, February 9, 2012

I heart ivy…


How about a 5 minute Valentine craft?

While we have been enjoying spring like weather here in California…I have been spending a lot of time in the yard primping and pruning. My flowers and plants are ready to explode in this unseasonably warm weather…and my outdoor ivy is taking over!

Inspired by a post I saw here…I decided to make a cute ivy heart for Valentines Day.


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This project literally took minutes to make, all with items I already had around the house.

Here is all you need;
a glass vase – or re-purposed sparkling water bottle like I used
some floral wire – preferable in a natural color to blend with the ivy stems
2 sprigs of ivy from your yard or indoor topiary
5 minutes – seriously, who doesn’t have 5 minutes to spare?!

Now, just wind your ivy around the floral wire – be sure to leave both cut ends at the end of the wire so they will go into the water. Also, strip ivy leaves from stem that will be submerged in the water.


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Next, bend your wire into a heart shape…and put into your vase. That’s it!
Seriously easy…and oh so cute!


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My ivy heart and a few red carnations look so sweet sitting on the window sill above my kitchen sink. So simple and festive.


How do you decorate for Valentines Day?


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Monday, February 6, 2012

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…


dens/libraries/offices - oatmeal linen slipper chair caster legs linen pillow white antique desk vanity wicker chair silver candle buffet lamps mirror painted white wood floor pink throw attic office



diamonds Painted Floors. It Can Be Done.

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!





So tell me…is this a look you like?
Is it something you would attempt to do yourself?


Friday, February 3, 2012

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…


hbx-entry-brown-wainscoting-0212-harper06-lgn



eclectic entry by Janell Beals - Isabella & Max


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…

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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…

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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!

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Hello Kitty!



 
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