Give your ceiling fan a vintage twist

I have been so busy on my shabby quest that I haven't posted too often. I have taken a lot of photos to help inspire you to do your own thing though. It's catching you know, ask my daughters! :)
Today I'm posting my ceiling fan makeover. In Houston it is difficult to live without ceiling fans although I've heard decorators despise them?
After seeing the filament bulbs online I had to use them in my made over kitchen. The milk glass shades were okay but I'm in love with the way it looks now.

Here is the fan as it came as purchased from Lowes Home Improvement.

There is a small collar inside the shade. After you remove the bulb you can unscrew it in order to remove the old shade. Sometimes turning the shade counterclockwise will help you loosen the collar to begin removing it.

You are now ready to add your filament bulbs and new shades.

First remove any price stickers and clean thoroughly. Then add the shade, then screw in the collar. You are then ready to replace your bulb.

Friends and family think I bought a new fan! I'm really happy with the vintage look. The bubbled glass of the shade adds to the overall look. I got both bulbs and new shades from Lowes. (Note: even though both my old ceiling fan bulbs and new filament bulbs are both 40 watt, The filament bulbs aren't as bright.) I like the subdued light because we have enough bright light in other areas. Be sure you do not replace your bulbs with a higher wattage than your ceiling fan manufacturer recommends.

 The REVEAL

That hood vent I wish I could delete

 I wish I could replace this old builders hood vent with something fancy and beautiful like you see in magazines, but this kitchen makeover does not include new appliances. Recently while browsing Home Goods store I found a cute wire rack. At the time I wasn't sure what I would use it for, but I knew I loved it.
I discovered that it just fits the space under my hood vent. My DH (darling hubby) doesn't want to replace the backsplash and he dosen't want to drill the tile or grout. So we came to an agreement and a way to mount it.

The mugs gave it a pop of color. The balsamic vinegar container and hot pepper oil we use pretty often. The antique toaster and match holder are just fun. The butterfly is a trivet I have had for years. I think I may need to do away with some of the hooks? What do you think?

Cheap makeovers at my house

I have lived and loved these beautiful draperies for the last 11 years. I saved a ton of money by sewing them myself.


This spring I finally decided I wanted a drastic change. Leaving the warm Tuscan colors and going shabby everywhere! I was able to sell my draperies giving me play money for my new vision.

As you can see things are beginning to take shape. The detail in these readymade panels are so cute. so light and airy.
Check below for up close details.
I used burlap fringed ribbon for tie backs. The panels came from Bed Bath and Beyond, the rod from Lowes and the knobs I'm using for tie backs are from Hobby Lobbby.

The sweet little corner cabinet was my find when my hubby took me to Canton! More on that later.

I will be posting more later about the updates here. Notice the new wall color too!

Kitchen cabinet makeover, before and after photos

This view is of the island prior to trimming it out.

As you can see the tower that houses the microwave and oven stand off the other cabinets, this gave me the idea that I could paint it to look as if it were built separately as a single unit. The lowers on the dishwasher side were also to be designated as dark.

The doors were removed and everything got a prime coat.

The island trim pieces I picked out at Lowes. My island does not have much of an overhang on the lip of the counter so I had to be mindful of that fact when choosing trim.

At the base of my cabinets all I had was shoe moulding. It was very scuffed and blotchy from years of mopping and very scuffed up. We trimmed all of the cabinets with moulding followed by shoe moulding on top. I remembered thinking how tiny the island looked when it was in this stage.

I ordered my knobs and pulls from Lowes. When we attached the knobs they were too big, so I exchanged them for these lovely ovals. Love them so much. As you can see the old white cabinets are slightly distressed. The knobs have a lovely beading detail on them. I am very pleased with how they look.

The pulls add such charm to the drawers. I had already installed an oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucet by Delta and these match perfectly. I also have the oiled bronze look on the ceiling fan, which in Texas you cannot live without. (I have a fun upgrade to the fan I will share soon).

I hoped to capture the dark cabinet look. I think my painter has the knack, don't you?



I am so very pleased with my two-tone design look. I think the dark makes the white appliances pop! The new color on the wall is Sherwin Williams Virtual Taupe. I usually stay away from Taupe because of its tendencies to lean pink, but I really love the rich tone this color has. It matches my Corian counters, grout and tile perfectly. The counters look amazing without going to the expense of granite.

Finished island close up.
For me, the contrast of the dark against the white appliances makes all the difference. I don't think I would have been near as happy with the cream next to them.

I love being in my new space. Now I have to begin on my windows and bringing back some accessories and adding in a few new I have picked up as the kitchen was underway.
I hope if there are those of you out there thinking about whether or not to paint your cabinets that mine will serve as inspiration to help you make up your mind! :)

Kitchen makeover, starting place

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am changing my decor to a more cottage, shabby look. My kitchen transformation took a little longer than anticipated but I am very pleased with the results.
I searched far and wide trying to decide what would work in my kitchen transformation.
My cabinets are standard builders grade maple which had yellowed.

Here is my starting point photo. After 12 years I was ready for new paint and a cabinet facelift. The result is "remarkable" in my humble opinion. It's all about our individual tastes though right?
I would love to know what you think. Stay tuned for progress photos.

Ikea storage drawers good for so many things

My Ikea storage bins were covered in varying scrapbook papers to match the French theme in my room. They just happen to fit perfectly under my roll out table and store my scrapbook goodies!

Work station set-up

What's inside you ask?

I purchase little square acrylic bins to sort embellishments in.

These little plastic containers with pinch lids are available at Hobby Lobby in the beading section.

Lots of Brads in there for creating memorable small ablums for loved ones.

Vintage Suitcase Decor

There was charm left in it, I just knew it. When I brought my mom to live with us I brought a few of her things along. Not much in the way of big things because of the distance.
This suitcase I believe belonged to one of my uncles that my mother cared for up until his passing. It's old and grungy. I wiped it down and applied leather conditioner to it and it had been sitting up in my game room until I saw a lovely display here: http://lavenderandash.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/home-ideas-trunks-and-suitcases.html I love all of Ashley's cool ideas!
Here is my version:

I had purchased this little table some time ago for my small hallway coming in from the garage, but wasn't quite as tall as I wanted. It is perfect placement for mom's old bag and to perch my cute little birdcage on top. I'm happy, what do you think?

Changing my decor to Shabby Chic, cottage, farmhouse

I'm shaking things up at my house!
Like so many others I had the country look in the 80's and into the 90's. Then we moved and I totally switched gears. I went with more of a Tuscan feel and felt very comfortable there with my greens, and earthy tones and some splashes of deep red. Must say looked really nice at Christmas!
After being in my house for more than 10 years, I have finally grown tired of my Tuscan (eclectic) look. I never got rid of my antiques so I have a good base of things as I collect and turn the corner to my new design.
I have been playing with Annie Sloan chalk paint and have numerous things on my list to attack! I have already posted my dads little table previously.
My next project was my sofa. Mine isn't that old and is still very pretty.

My hubby gave me a decorating budget for Mother's Day! Yippee! However, note the word budget...
I hired my paint man to give my kitchen cabinets a facelift. No new counters, floors or appliances. But you will see all of that soon as we progress.
So my plan was to incorporate the lovely soft blue greens by changing the pillows on my sofa. I ended up finding my perfect choice of fabric and used Jo-Ann's Store half off sale to buy my fabric. I used the stuffing out of my old pillows to keep from having to buy that and am keeping the two silk pillows that match the sofa.

I purchase the three small throw pillows on sale at Steinmart. I love the look and am on my way to my new look.
The den is keeping its current color and my silk draperies in there stay.
Stay tuned as I venture along shabby-ing up the place!

Lego Gift Book Tutorial

Welome to my first tutorial for a fun gift book I made for our grandson Braden who is turning 12 and loves Legos and books!

I began by cutting a backing for the money. Started out with cardboard but switched to black cardstock for a better look. The front cover was cut to the same size in red.

I asked the bank for new bills, but they were only able to provide the best they had. So I ironed them with great results.

I punched out red 1" circles for my Lego bumps

Used pop dots to make them stand proud.

I downloaded the Lego logo and glued it to the book to save time.

After carefully aligning the edges, I clamped them with binder clamps and painted the left edge with Elmer's Rubber Cement. I let it dry for a couple of hours.