Week One: Living Room Refresh

Once upon a time, we bought a farm with a small ranch-style house. It needed cleaning and paint and some updating - which we've been steadily doing for the past 6 years, getting it ready for the some day move there full-time day. In the meantime, we enjoy getting away on weekends and occasionally a week at a time.

 One space I've struggled with is the living room - it's tiny...11x14' tiny... with a huge angled fireplace that eats up lots of space.

I call it cozy and I've done my best using second hand finds to make it comfortable BUT the decor has never felt quite right. I rearranged the furniture several times and finally hit upon what I feel was the best layout.

And yet it still felt off. So I enlisted the help of my friend KariAnne of Thistlewood Farms. She's brilliant. We talked and discussed my likes and all and she came up with a wonderful plan.

Use red. Lots of it. With wood accents. And a bigger rug. With a touch of blue. Here's the mood board she put together for me.

I ran with it. The rug is ordered and on it's way. (I found one I think will be perfect).

I made new pillows. All of them with red.

I have material to turn the miniblinds into a roman shade - And it has red too. My color- loving heart is very happy!

And we're taking the beast from the art room and turning it into an entertainment center for the tv. Bruce will have to do some modification on it then I'm going to paint it to refresh it. (Right now it's pretty ugly but the size is perfect for the space).

Sorry about the poor quality picture. It. seems this is the only photo I have of the beast.

I'm excited. It's going to finally looked pulled together using furniture we already have.

And that fireplace that takes up one whole wall? It's possibly getting a makeover too. I can't wait.

*If you need help with your spaces, you can find KariAnne over at her wonderful blog Thistlewood Farms. But if you want to jump right into decorating, may I recommend her super cute, super helpful DIY Home Planner book?

It's like having KariAnne with you each step of your decorating journey plus it helps you keep track of all your decisions as you go. (I have one and I've been busy putting samples and fabric swatches in it, sketching floor plans out, and so on. I wasn't asked to mention her book, but I really do find it extremely useful when planning your home decorating. And did I mention cute?).

Next week, I'll be talking about the rug and pillows. Be sure to hop back over to see what I ended up with.

When Dreams Need Help

Our farmhouse is not where I want it to be...yet.

But it's come a long way from where it started.

However, I still struggle with where it is and the dreams I have for it.

I look at rooms and know amazing is just waiting to happen.

I know that day is coming.

There's a long list of things we want to get done before we move there.

We're far from done but getting closer with each and every project we do.

I know some day it will all come together.

I'm trying to wait well. Make things look the best they can.

I have lots of dreams and reality doesn't quite match them yet.

But truthfully? I'm happy. Happy with our progress.

Happy with our journey.

This place tugs at my heart. It's our happy place. Our lifelong dream.

So here's to dreams and seeing what can be; and to reality and knowing the journey is just as wonderful.

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To help me on my journey of making dreams come true is this wonderful little home planner from KariAnne Wood of Thistlewood Farms.

 It's just the cutest thing ever and you know what? It is full of lessons and how to's for planning your space; all with wonderful, easy to follow worksheets, practical advice and great projects.

There's pockets to keep samples in, graph paper to sketch your floor plans on, places to put paint swatches, and so much more!

She reminds us our homes are one of a kind (like us!). Loved. A reflection of who we are. And it's ok there's imperfection.

So if you're like me, and you're trying to make your dreams become a reality but need a little help, why don't you grab one of these planners? It's like having your BFF along, who is there to give you good advice and help, while cheering you on.

*(While I received a DIY Home Planner, all opinions are my own.)

Flower Making, Other Stuff and A Winner!

We had a flower making party yesterday. I only snapped a few pictures with my phone because, you know, I was supposed to be working on flowers. Lol!

Megan is in the purple shirt...I seem to have caught her looking away each time. :)

We made a pretty good dent. A big thank you to all who helped!

Last week was kind of crazy...I finally went to see about my shoulder a couple of weeks ago and not only did I get a cortisone shot but he sent me to physical therapy so Monday and Friday I did that, Tuesday and Wednesday was spent in San Antonio for my aunt's funeral, and Thursday was my son's 30th birthday. On top of that, I've been finishing up a painting commission.

Happy Birthday, Jay! 

Bruce has also started painting the city house exterior. Seeing the fresh paint really made me realize how much we've needed to tackle this. (Can you say faded?) It looks great and I'm loving the neutral color scheme. I also realized I've had the perfect color all along for the kitchen - the living room color works perfectly in there. I have almost a whole gallon so I shouldn't have to buy any. Not sure when I will tackle that - after the wedding probably.

We are now less than two months from the wedding. I have a few things I still need to make -arrow signs, bean bags for the corn hole game- I know the last couple of weeks will be intense.

bits and pieces of our handiwork in progress

We also got the wildflower seed bags filled during the flower making party - it's what people will be tossing at them as they walk down the aisle as man and wife! 😊

Everything is coming together!
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Now for the giveaway of KariAnne's book "So Close To Amazing" -  everyone who commented on the blog or on my fb page was assigned a number then I had Bruce pull a number out of the bowl. The winner is...drumroll please...Denise!

Congratulations! I've contacted you and you have until Thursday to respond. I know you will love KariAnne as much as I do.

Have a wonderful week, my friends.

Patio Pallet Table and An Awesome Giveaway!

 Hello, sweet friends. Today I am sharing a project that was done in April. It is way overdue but with wedding stuff, I totally forgot to post about it. (#soclosetoamazing) Be sure to read to the end where I have a fantastic giveaway to share with you! Let's get going then, shall we?

Last year when we replanted the backyard from the puppy destruction years, we were left with two wooden pallets. I told Bruce we had to save them. Although he grumbled a little, they finally made their way to the farm where they...sat.

Then I saw this and instantly had visions of a similar one on my patio!

http://placeofmytaste.com/diy-pallet-furniture-patio-makeover/

I mean, how cool is that? I didn't need it to hold an umbrella but that color...love!

I was going to make it a lot sooner but my patio isn't big and a full pallet took up way too much room so I needed it cut in half. But at that time, I didn't have the right tools. So again, they sat.

Finally, I ask Bruce if he would make it for me. And he did while I was teaching the Paint and Sip class back in April. (I know, I know. Better late than never, right?)

He cut it in half, added some skinny boards to fill in the gaps and added nice chunky legs. I absolutely love it!

Rustic and lettering! Perfect for a farmhouse.

 And it's so sturdy...it definitely isn't going to blow away or get pushed over by the dogs!

I think I'm going to leave the legs and sides natural and paint the top. I'd really love to add some lime green to my patio and that would look pretty on the top. What do you think? Paint the top or leave it?

I did find a green metal patio chair in Canton. I want at least one 

more of those chairs. I absolutely love them!

Isn't it great? Bruce did such a good job. Perfect for holding your beverage of choice.

And now for the giveaway! If you've been reading along for the past couple of months, you know I'm on KariAnne Wood's (aka Thistlewood Farms) book launch team. She has graciously given me a copy of her book "So Close To Amazing" to give to one of you.

Not only that, but she signed it!!

Let me tell you, if you've ever struggled with perfection but falling sometimes flat on your face, you will absolutely love this book! KariAnne lets you know it's ok not to be perfect! As she puts it,
"Because when you embrace the imperfect you God created you to be, you'll discover the amazing that was there all along."

All you have to do is leave me a comment about a time you tried and came close to amazing -just like me forgetting to post about my awesome pallet coffee table! Then on Monday, I will draw a name from all the comments.

Good luck!

PS
If you want to pre-order your own Amazing copy of her book, you can go to here.

disclaimer: I was given a book to give away but all opinions are my own

Sharing at these parties:
Talk of the Town
Vintage Charm Party
Show and Share
Homemade and Handcrafted

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