8/5/12

Patiently Biding My Time -- Seriously?

Hey everyone!  Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, but we've got some big projects going on around here that have been keeping me very busy.  With none of those projects being ready for a "reveal," I decided to share some "tweaks" I did last week in the entry & sitting-dining rooms.  I know quite a few of you are like me & cannot wait to begin decorating for Fall, but I dare not venture there with all the current projects going on.  Sooooo......to ease me through this "transition period," I did some tweaking in some of the only areas of our home that haven't been hit by total chaos & messes, namely the entry and my sitting-dining room.  Would you like a little "look-see" tour?  Well, come on!


This entry table (aka "the old Singer which you can read about HERE) is always one of my favorite places to decorate.  The only newly purchased things here are the two little pots.  We had to make two trips to IKEA last week, so I scooped up a few things that I could used throughout our home in a number of different vignettes.  The pots are white ceramic, & I just covered them with some of the same fabric that the table cover is made of.  I think the look is fresh & inviting as you enter our front door.


Speaking of IKEA, that's where I found these two beauties.  I love lanterns & just couldn't pass these up.  They are 19" tall & 10" square & were only $14.99 a piece.  That wasn't a "sale" price!  I love the clean lines & can see lots of "dress-up" for these lovelies.  Oh, & the finish is for both indoor & outdoor use.  IKEA did have all their candles on sale, so I snagged a few vanillas & some cream-colored unscented ones as well.


I did some switching between the top of our mini-bar & the top of the china cabinet (you'll see that a bit further down in this post).  I have had the 3-section fireplace screen for years, but it used to look like.....

this.  I decided to give it a little makeover with some white spray paint & then shabbied it up a bit.
I'm really liking it & already visualizing how it will look dressed for Fall.....lol!  This lantern, which I love, used to be on top of the china cabinet.  I have a battery-operated, auto-timed candle inside -- lights up at 5pm & shuts off at 10pm -- love that kind of technology!

For the coffee table, I simply redressed it with some things I already had.  The large book is our "Travels" album.  I love having it here where anyone can browse through it.


I switched out the gold-colored candles & keys with these that I wrapped with scrapbook paper & returned the keys.

I love this cloche & always try to have it somewhere in my decor.  Here, I simply filled it with some chunky potpourri & a couple of deco spheres & topped it with a tassel.  I added a bit of Rub 'n Buff to an old silver charger & then draped some burlap around it for the cloche to sit on.  Can you see that I'm already pulling in some Fall colors?  I'm hopeless.....lol!

I reorganized these bookshelves, too, & tweaked a few things here & there.

The large glass piece was previously located on top of the china cabinet, but I like it much better here.  We bought it in Sedona several years ago & have enjoyed it in many different locations around our homes.

I've had this corner shelving unit since shortly after moving into this home, but have never been quite satisfied with the different vignettes I've tried.  That is, until now.  I decided to fill it with framed photos, mainly of our "Grands."  It's located in the corner of the hallway going to our master bedroom, so it is the last thing I see at night & the first thing I see in the morning.  Those sweet faces make me smile every single time!


The main thing I changed here in the dining room is the top of the china cabinet.  Oh, if you look close, you can see Abby sitting in the archway -- she was supervising!


Sorry, she just always feels the need to be "spying" on me.....lol!  Okay, enough distractions,
back to the tour!

This is a nighttime view of how the china cabinet looked before.  There were too many things on top & they were almost all the same height.  I do know better than that, but it just took awhile to figure out the right solution.  Do ya'll ever have that problem?

I like it much better now.  I would like to add something on the wall up there but haven't found the perfect thing yet.  I added a few book bundles in with my deco spheres & like how that looks.


One last look at my "peace & tranquility" room.  I truly love this area of our home!  Wish I had time to
sit in my comfy chair & read my book :(  Who am I kidding, I would find some other project
to work on!

Just one last vignette to share.  This is just to the right of the doorway going into my kitchen-keeping room.  Sometimes I display seasonal quilted wall hangings here under the shelf, but for now I'm displaying some art pieces.  I love creating vignettes on the shelf.  For some fun & color, I framed a really pretty piece of scrapbook paper.  Easy-peasy!


Just a peek at what's going on in the kitchen, but you will just have to wait on this one.  And.......

because we just love having several "balls in the air" at one time & truly enjoy working outside during the AZ summer heat, we have more chaos going on outside, too!  We are actually about two-thirds of the way finished on this project, but it has been put "on hold" until after our extreme heat lets up a bit.  Now we are concentrating on finishing the kitchen & laundry room -- oh, I forgot to mention there was yet another project going on, silly me!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the tour & the glimpse into "project chaos," & have enough courage to come again.  Maybe next time I can offer you some refreshments.
Hope you are all having a great weekend!
~CAS~

I'm happily linking to the following parties:

Cheri at  It's So Very Cheri for Party Time
Cindy at Skip to My Lou for Made by You Monday
Susan  at Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemons for One Project at a Time
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Table Top Tuesdays
Patti at Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Jenny at The NY Melrose Family for Whimsy Wednesdays
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Katie at Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Things
 Kristen at Kristen's Creations for Share Your Creations on Thursday
Heather & Vanessa  At The Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Find a Friend Friday
Traci at Beneath My Heart for Best DIY Projects of May



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24 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! I'm just like you, Carol! Who has time to read a book, and that is coming from someone who used to read 2-3 a week! Love all your pre-season tweaking that you've been doing. I still love what you did with your sewing machine, and those new pots and the green birds are so pretty on it.

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  2. Oh I love all of your tweaks and your vignettes. Everything looks so pretty. Can't wait to see all your new projects too. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  3. You sure have a lot of irons in the fire Cass:) Everything looks great and yes, sometimes it takes a while for me to see what is right before my eyes!

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  4. I love your "Project Chaos," CAS ... what fun! Your tweaks are fabulous ... love how you painted your fireplace screen and made it the perfect backdrop ... your wrapped candles are so pretty ... and, your restyling of your bookcases is amazing! Can't wait to see everything you do in the kitchen!

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  5. Hi,
    And thanks for all the cool ideas for decorating!

    ♥charlotte

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  6. Everything looks fantastic and I still love the ruffle skirted table and the green birds on top are the perfect color. Great color on the book case as well.

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  7. You are one busy lady. Loved what you were able to show us. Can't wait to see the other projects. With monsoon the outside project probably hasn't been going very well. Maybe that will change in the next few weeks. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.

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  8. CAS, LOL I am laughing because I am doing the same thing! Can NOT wait to start getting the Fall decor out, but it is still so early! Meanwhile, I am just changing things here and there to also ease my anxiety! LOL I love,love all your decorations! The pops of green in your living room look so very pretty! I just love green! I also love your vignette with the rooster picture that says Spain. I have those same pictures in my kitchen, one that says Spain and the other one Madrid. I am always trying to decorate around them because I do not want to put them away. Can NOT wait to see all your new projects!

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  9. Everything is looking wonderful! I love how you've spread the color green throughout. The cloche looks great too. Sure do hope the heat lets up for you soon so that you can get your outdoor project finished!

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  10. Green is one of my fave.

    Your dining area is absolutely pretty and your chandelier is what I needed in my kitchen. Gorgeous, indeed.

    Happy TS,
    /CC from a rainy Stockholm

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  11. Your tweaks look great. And little Abby is just adorable!

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  12. This is Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle. I love all of your "tweaks." The Ikea lanterns are beautiful and have so much fun potential!

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  13. Hi Cass,
    Yes, I really enjoyed the tour and seeing your great decorating!
    I love that shade of green, the great vignettes, the cloche, oh I want that one and all of your beautiful decorating!
    I am amazed that so many of my blogger friends that live in the desert can think fall so well!
    I am having a hard time here in the middle of the country!
    I loved your comment about your grand-baby Avery! Addison is 22 months and just exactly like that! She never, ever stops! I am exhausted from taking care of her but I am crazy about her too.
    Hugs friend,
    Cindy

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  14. I love all of your little "tweaks" Carol. I especially love those IKEA finds - I'm gonna have to get over there right quick! Your home is just lovely and I bet you cannot wait for all of those projects to be done. Sometimes it feels like they will never get done doesn't it? But it is always worth the wait in the end.
    Have a wonderful day in your Oasis!
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  15. Ahhh, you do have a cute house...love your greens in the living room.
    We've done a lot of projects around Sweet Nothings, too. Busy summer and one of the best we've ever had. :))
    xo bj

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  16. Your blog is wonderful. You have so many fresh ideas . . . and I love ideas. It is so much fun being able to look into the homes of other blogging sisters, and see things that just click with your own style. That's what I though when looking at your "peace & tranquility" room. I love the touches of green. Do you remember the brand and shade of the paint you used on your bookshelf? I have been going on for months trying to decide what I what to do with my living-room. Right now I have those paper paint color thingies from Home Depot tape to the wall and something is just not right. Your room with it's beige and green is just so charming. I am your newest follower. Come on over I adore company . . . if I could I would have a dish of warm cookies on the table when you arrive. Connie :)

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  17. Cas, you have everything looking beautiful, which is no surprise. I LOVE all of the green touches from the plants, potpourri, candles, book shelf, etc. What in the world is going on in that kitchen??? I guess we will just have to wait to know that. Be careful and stay out of that heat until it is safe to go back out. Our weather man has promised us fall weather for Saturday. OOOOOhhhh, I can't wait!

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  18. You have been feathering your nest, my friend! :D I truly adore your foyer. I LOVE the greens and neutrals....so pretty and welcoming in the desert! :D So...what's up in your kitchen???? ;P

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  19. Hi Cas, I am very happy to have you on my list of followers and I am looking so forward to getting to know you better through blogging and the exchanging of ideas. It is very funny that you said that the dresser was a good fit. I'm not sure if you meant is style or in size . . . but if you will notice the door is not completely open in the photos. I needed about one more inch of floor space (six would be great). So, I'll live with it . . . I can do a lot of re-dos on my own, but adding square footage to a room is way out of my ballpark, LOL.
    Here's wishing you a spectacular weekend, Connie :)

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  20. What a beautiful home. I love the look your watchful kitty is giving you.

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  21. I love all the details. So fresh and pretty! And, kitty is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Kristen's Creations. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-9.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  22. Such warm and lovely abode you have. Interesting details. Wonderful!

    Cheers ... visiting from Show & Tell Friday!

    Tito Eric
    http://turningboholano.blogspot.com/2012/08/zadig-by-voltaire.html

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  23. Wonderful decorating! I like how you painted the fireplace screen to soften it up. Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Carrie

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  24. Found you through Katherine's Corner and am your newest follower :)
    You have a lovely blog (I especially love the pic of Abby-adorable!)
    Susan
    www.mustlovejunk.blogspot.com

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol