Day 956's new project

I bought this chair at the Salvation Army (my lucky one) last week for $17. I really enjoyed having another chair in the living when this one was displaced by the Christmas tree and though I wasn't actively looking to replace it, I couldn't resist.


It's clearly in need of a makeover. The fabric -- while not totally offensive -- is dingy and the stain is peeling off the caning on the back. Off the top of my head I thought I would sand and stain it a bit darker and reupholster the seat, adding either nailhead or a fabric trim to the bottom of the seat on the sides. But I just saw Brooke's similar chairs made over on Pure Style Home and I'm reminded of the ease of a little paint. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions. What would you do?

Day 955's fantasy shopping spree: Wisteria

I always look forward to the Wisteria catalog, but the most recent one is especially pretty. If I had an extra couple hundred dollars around, here's what I would consider bringing home.

The Spindle Leg Table: love this for a bedside table/writing desk. Seriously, so cute. Also love the Swedish Folk Art painting above it.


I have a thing for mirrors. And lamps. Well, and chairs. But back to the mirrors. Isn't the Scallop Edge Mirror pretty?


Even more so above the Green Four-Drawer Chest?


Love these Oak X-back Chairs.


I made a skirted table recently, but if you like the look and don't want to deal with hassle of DIY, Wisteria has some great options. There are table bases, skirts and glass tops to choose from. You could buy a base and make your own skirt, or make a base to these dimensions and buy a skirt. You get the idea. The rectangles will look especially pretty bed-side.


I know I've said I love everything, but I do love the Swedish Oak Stool.


And the Celadon Tea Jar Lamp. I have a couple of Celadon plates (found at a flea market) and they are the prettiest shade of green.


These draftsman stools are the perfect antidote to all the pretty.

Look for Less: Chandelier

I randomly stumbled across this 6-light chandelier on Bellacor last week, and loved it's sleek, but dainty, lines. It seemed slightly familiar but I couldn't quite place it.


This morning I randomly found this at Circa, for twice the price. I always love Circa, but in this case, I think I like the knock-off better!

Day 954's week in pictures

My trip to NYC last week wasn't short, but it was last-minute. I did manage to visit two shops on my list (Aero and John Derian) before catching my flight out on Saturday. This knarled tree root outside JD looked kind of pretty covered in what little snow the city got from the forcasted "snowpocalypse." I always get a kick out of the doomsday predictions by weathermen in the South, but nothing can top what they were saying on the east coast last week: "punished by snow," "epic," and "snowmagedden" were some of my favorites.


Peeps the cat kept an eye on things at home while I was gone.


I don't think I've shown you the little black Jasperware tray that Wes gave me for Christmas. I love it!

Day 951's pretty

Didn't mean to fall of the face of the earth this week. I'm actually in New York on a last-minute work trip and didn't quite get it all together before I left. Thanks for sticking with me; I'll be back next week.

Happy Weekend!

(photo from Traditional Home)

By the way, our front-of-the-house update was featured on the very fun before-and-after blog Better After this week. Thanks for having us, Lindsey!

Day 949: thinking of an upgrade

This blue chest is in our dining room. It was free and so was the blue paint on it (Benjamin Moore Stratton Blue). I spent a tiny bit of money on these white ceramic knobs the day before we had houseguests for the weekend. (Am I the only one who makes those kinds of purchases?) I didn't love them, but I didn't mind them either until ...


... My friend Zoe sent me this photo (from the Circa Interiors -- a great shop in Birmingham and Charlotte -- blog) saying "I know you'll love this!" And darn it she was right and now I want to put a glaze on my blue chest and upgrade the hardware. Don't you hate when that happens? Here are a few I'm thinking about ...


Here.


Here.


Here.


Here.


Here.

Day 947: week in pictures

Four weeks below 35 degrees (rare for central Alabama) followed by one week above 60 and a few days of rain and the early spring flowers are already starting to come out. This Forsythia is just getting started in the parking deck at work. I really enjoy checking its progress each morning.


The weekend started out cold and dreary, so what's a girl to do but stay inside and bake something? I've been craving bread pudding (I don't know what's with my obsession with lowcountry fare these days) and had a stack of recipes to try. I went with this one because I thought I could improvise it a tad and use the Challah bread with raisins that I already had. Totally hit the spot. At Wes' request I'll try a chocolate version next.


Based on my pictures you probably think that Maddie is calm and serene. While she can be, she definitely has a wild streak, too. Like this morning when she nipped at my ankles all the way to the back door to let her out. It's just that she's so much easier to photograph when she's calm and serene! Or sleeping.


The purple tulips opened up nicely. And of course grew about two inches in the process. Tulips are crazy like that.


I was just messing around one morning and rather liked the way this bowl looked on top of our entertainment center. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy a simple still life?

Day 944's pretty

I swiped this photo from a blog I don't usually frequent (and now cannot remember the name of) and I keep coming back to it. I do remember that it is from a book called Decorating With China and Glass, which I might just have to put on my birthday list.

Happy Weekend!

Photo is by Simon Upton

Last Chance to Vote!

I'm sure you've been following the Big Window Challenge on Apartment Therapy, I just wanted to remind you that today is the last day to vote for your favorite (and you can do it twice!). Congratulations to all three designers on great windows, but my hat is firmly in the ring for Team Eddie!

Day 943: horizontal paneling

I know the thought of wood paneling on the walls make some of us cringe a little, thinking of the faux wood that was so popular in the sixties and seventies. Heck, we have some in our breakfast room (though thankfully it was painted by the previous owner).


It doesn't stop me from wanting horizontal paneling and from wondering if I could really just slap some 1 x 4s on the wall to get the look (by the way, check out the rest of this Rosemary Beach house here).


This oldie-but-goodie from Southern Accents is what did it for me. It adds just the right touch of farmhouse style.


I see it a lot in bathrooms, so maybe that's a good place to start if you're going the DIY route.


Here's another one from Southern Accents. So what do you think? Yes please! Or do you think it will be the seventies paneling of the next generation?