A Spring Update in the Hearthroom

Hey everyone!  I hope you're having a wonderful weekend and a great new week to come.  I know many of you have "Spring Fever," even though you may still be buried in snow and cold temps.  We have definitely been having Spring-like weather here with flowers in bloom and birds busy building their nests.  I've been working on my nest, too, and The Man did a diy that he's been mulling over for quite awhile.  Would you like to see?  Silly me, of course you would; we are "Blog-People and it's what we do!"

The before:

I just chose this older pic because it gives a good idea of the depth of this cavern.

These built-in entertainment centers were very popular in the late 90's & early 2000, and they were built to accommodate those giant big box televisions.  Not too great for today's flatscreen.  We don't truly like this type of built-in, but it's here and would be a major job to change the entire thing.  So what The Man decided to do was to bring this cavern into the 21st century by framing in the wall and adding sheetrock to the same depth as the niche above the mantel.

Ta-da!  It really does look like it has always been this way (and should have been).  Now someone sitting on the loveseat can actually see the tv without getting a stiff neck!

The tv is attached to the wall with a special bracket that will allow it to be pulled forward and rotated, and that means I might just be changing the layout of the furniture in this room!  The Man is so doggone thrilled with that prospect......NOT!  I wasn't sure what I wanted above the tv but happened upon this iron piece at Kirklands, on sale, and was the perfect size!  

I love it when a plan comes together so well.

Well, as long as we are here in the hearthroom (or family room if you will), I thought I'd share some touches of Spring that I've added here and there.  I'm still not ready to give my cotton stems a rest and really like how they look with the bird nest and apothecary jar filled with tiny baskets.

I'm keeping my mantel very simple for awhile.

I found the pretty turquoise planter in the sale aisle of JoAnn's one day, and it just jumped right into my cart!  I added some metal ribbon (have you seen that stuff at Michael's?) to my candles for some extra texture.

I made this simple burlap wreath a couple of years ago.  I had fun making book page flowers

to add some extra interest.

One little bunny,

and another little bunny from Hob Lob.  I like keeping them separated, because you know how bunnies can multiply......shhh, don't give them any ideas!

I just love this planter.  It's the perfect pop of turquoise that I seem to have an obsession for

these days.

Here is how the mantel looks after 5 p.m. when the candles turn on.

I added some new pillows to the loveseat.  I happened upon one of Hob Lob's great sales on pillow covers, and bought some for here and for the living room.  Most were less than $4, with zippers......I know how to make pillows and pillows with zippers, but not for $4!

Again, my obsession with adding turquoise here, there and everywhere!

Are these just gorgeous or what!  The Man has been on quite a little roll with fresh flowers lately, and I'm the lucky recipient.....well, I'd better be the only recipient!  He popped in Trader Joe's a few days ago and came home with these beauties.  The first pic was right after I got them in water, and the second pic was taken 4 days later.  I don't think I've ever seen cut gladiolas in the store, so these have been such a treat.  It's been fun to watch the blooms pop open and give us more loveliness each day!

Well, that's a wrap for this post.  I have a couple of other posts that are almost set up for later dates.  We are just about to embark on a big DIY project, so I don't know how much time I'll have for blogging.  I'll do my best!

I sometimes like to party with these lovely bloggers:

Sunday
Dee at Meatloaf and Melodrama for Snickerdoodle Sunday

Monday

Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays

Tuesday

Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow

Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired

Wednesday

Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday

Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday

Thursday

Kelly at Live Laugh Rowe for Live Laugh Linky Party

Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home

Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

Friday

Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday

Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays 

Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading