Home decorating and design

Hey, I took the time and really looked through all the photos of everyone's projects and homes posted at our site, NICE!!!! Glad I finally got to look, I didn't even realize there were so many things posted. That is awesome! Keep adding on! Missy

Barbara, I have done so many of these I couldn't begin to count them. To tell you how to do yours I would need more information. What is on the existing shade now. Does the shade have vertical staves? If it does not have a vertical support you will not have anything to cover if you remove ALL of the existing material. Rather than try to give you instruction to cover any situation, let me know what you are working with and we'll go from there. Later, Jayne

Can you use crackle medium over enamel based paints or do they have to be latex? Can you use acrylic paints over enameled painted furniture?? Please somebody respond fast! LOL..I need to know! Thanks Vicci

Thinking up themes for Christmas trees is so much fun for me. In another post I mentioned using the daguerrotypes as ornaments on a tree, so there's another one for me to work on. <G eight trees every year. I have a huge picture window in the living room facing the street. Last year, I put tiny white lights around the inside of the window, and placed four trees in front of it (also with tiny white lights). From the street, it looked like my house had an enchanted forest. (People probably thought I was a nut, too! LOL) My tallest tree is the eclectic tree that has four generations of family ornaments on it (many of them homemade--we're a crafty lot). I have two 5' trees that are my "bird trees." I'm always on the lookout for the most realistic bird figures I can find to use as ornaments for them. The tree toppers are peacocks and peacock feathers. Throughout both trees are sprays of red winterberries, bird nests (including a real hummingbird nest), and sprays of a white flower (can't think of the name) that looks a lot like snow. Then all the bird ornaments. Many of my friends love these bird trees the best and have even been known to buy new bird ornaments for them. I also have my angel bear tree, a Phoenix Suns tree (complete with purple and orange lights), a "critter tree" that has all sorts of wild animals as ornaments, my beach tree that has ornaments made from sea shells I've picked up on my travels, and a kitchen themed tree that has bright ric-rac as garland and kitchen utensils as ornaments. I also bought two of the new fiber optic trees to put on either side of the archway leading into the dining room. I think the way the colors change on them is so neat! --Cathy.

I love decorating Christmas trees, and often think I'd love to do it yearround. (I usually put up a minimum of eight trees in varying sizes.) One of the best things I ever stumbled across was a fabric store's going out of business sale. I went nuts buying laces and braids and fringes---and they make wonderful garlands for my 2-3' theme trees. One of my trees that's gotten the most compliments is my "angel bear" tree. The ornaments are plush cream-colored bears with angel wings (of course) and pink silk roses. The tree topper is a larger angel bear named Gabriel who holds a burgundy-colored velvet heart. I used two different garlands for this tree: a pinkish mauve braid and a soft ecru lace. --Cathy.

Phew! The second coat looked better when it was dry but I will do another coat tomorrow.....did the camel on the upper walls and closet, looks awesome! Even though Ive used ton of color through the house, seeing something other than beige on the walls can be scary for the first while! LOL..... Mike and his dad built all the trim this week (yes built, we priced out all the wide baseboards and at $5 a foot, they decided that it would be cheaper to use standard boards and his dads router to make the trim, and it all matches!, we saved about half the cost of premade trim) so he and Becky are priming and painting that right now in the living room...... Also discovered the best CD to paint to is Blue Rodeo's Greatest Hits.....just the right blend.......LOL Mike and the kids are a tad tired of it though......LOL Brenda

I finally finished my master bedroom redo, and it looks great. I decided to clean out my grandmother's antique trunk to provide Denis some more storage when his things arrive from England. In the trunk were two dozen daguerrotypes of family members in leather cases lined in velvet. I'm going to make a theme tree this year using those as ornaments. --Cathy.

Hi there, Ran into a problem painting Stephens room......Ive done the red color, primed with colored primer underneath and 2 coats of red and you can see every roller stroke!! It looks like heck! I even watered down the last coat and they still show.......I guess Im used to painting pitted walls and faux finished stuff where the texture is part of the look but this looks bad......Im thinking of using a paint pad instead of a roller for another coat , will this help?? Brenda

Howdy all! Sorry to be missing in action, health concerns and a fender bender have kept me away from the computer. However, I have had plenty of time to read decorating books and have plans fill my head (and not all of them drug induced!) Anyway, I thought I recalled talk of how to paint wood laminate furniture??? If so, can I have the particulars? Money is tight and I hate the present entertainment center but have to live with it for a while, at least. Thought if I jazzed it up with color it wouldn't seem so bad. thanks for any info! Blessings, Paula

Missy, Love seeing all the great work you've done in your home. I am crazy about the giraffe book storage. My granddaughter's room is Noah's ark. I want to make one of these for her. Did you attach the neck/head to base with screws or glue? Need to know all the little details. Once again, your home is beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us. Casey in GA P.S. I am going to try your tissue paper wall technique too. Love that.

You found any Christmas decorating sites yet? If you've already posted them could you send them to me privately? I've had to delete lots of email lately. Diana

Jackie -- I was just browsing through all the photo albums, and came across the photos of your kitchen. I love your table and chairs! Do you know who made them? We are building a home (hope to be in it by Christmas!!), and I need a new smaller table and chairs for the breakfast room. There are four of us in the family, and I am looking for a table that is big enough to eat on, but small enough that you HAVE to clean it off before each meal! LOL -- can you tell I battle a clutter problem? Our family consists of my DH and me, plus our two boys....so sturdy is a big factor. Anyway -- your table caught my eye, and I wondered if you knew who the manufacturer was. Thanks, Cricket

Did you all realize that big drawer underneath your stoves comes completely off so you can sweep under there? I just figured this out after 2 1/2 years...............gag........Missy

Just your basic decorating. I got all the furniture moved out of the master bedroom, the walls are prepped. Now I'm trying to talk myself into actually picking up the paint brush! <G --Cathy.

Where is Sensible Chic to be found on TV. Am very interested. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

Your dining room Deirdre is beautiful. Love the color. Lorretta

I finished it, wrapped it and sent via UPS yesterday! Aren't you all proud of me?! I usually manage to be late on most everything! Later, Jayne

Here are some of our Christmas Traditions and some are the same as yours. We go early and tag our tree at a tree farm. We all go, but the ultimate decision is always left for "Mom". We usually decorate our Tree on a weekend evening. Dinner is very simple. I make a "snack basket". I put cocktail weenies, cheese cubes, various chips, black olives in a basket and then make a veggie tray and cookie tray. We eat this as we go about decorating our tree with Christmas music playing in the background. This year since the kids are older (6 and 10) I want to make popcorn and cranberry strings. I know that I need to make the popcorn a few days ahead of time so that it gets stale, but do I need to do anything particular for the fresh cranberries? The kids usually have hot chocolate and my husband and I have "grown up drinks". Each year, a group of our neighbors get together and go caroling. We walk around the neighborhood and carol door to door. It's gotten so big that now everyone is caroling and there is no one to sing to!!! We have started going to the adjacent neighborhood to sing. Afterwards, everyone comes back to our house for cookies and cocoa. I supply the drinks and everyone brings something to eat. I, too, give the kids a new ornament each year. I wrap it and they open it the night we decorate the tree and it's the last decorations on the tree. I try to give them something that signifies an important event for the past year. We just got a new Bichon Frise puppy and I will get a special ornament to signify getting him. We also have a tradition that we get an ornament from wherever we vacation. I always put the dates and location on them with permanent marker. We always go to Church on Christmas Eve. We go to the early service. We then ride around and look at Christmas lights and then watch Christmas Movies or play board games. The kids open one gift on Christmas eve and it's always..........PJ's....... My mom started this tradition with us when we were children and I've continued it. We put out cookies and carrots for our "visitors" and it takes the kids eons to go to sleep. Then Santa and Mrs. Santa do their best to be quiet as we deliver the goods. We set up the video camera before we go to bed and make sure there is plenty of film in the camera. On Christmas morning, I keep the kids upstairs until my husband can make it down to turn the camera on. We have a puppy this year so it should be fun to see how he reacts to all of the hoopla!! One more to buy for! :) We take turns hosting Christmas Dinner with my husbands parents and sister and her family. We generally go to visit my family in NC during Thanksgiving. This year it's my turn to host so I'll be looking for ideas! We are going to have something different this year. I live in Southern Maryland and they have a local "Stuffed Ham". We are having that this year. I'm not making it because it is a very long and involved procedure, so I am ordering it. I've had people to offer to teach me how to make it, and maybe one day I will, but for now...... That's all I can think of for now, but I love reading about other's traditions and how they celebrate the season! I can't believe that it's almost Thanksgiving!!!! Lori in Maryland

Whoo Hoo! I finished my project and on time too! I even have it packaged and ready to mail today, I'll be going by the post office after work to get it sent off. I can't wait to see what everyone else came up with. Thanks Liz, this was fun and a great idea. I also think an ornament exchange would be alot of fun. My in-laws do wood working projects and they make ornaments for all of the people they know every year. My MIL used to be a teachers aide at an elementary school (she retired last year) and she made an ornament for every kid in her class. She also teaches Sunday School and gives one to each of them. My tree is mainly decorated with ornaments they have made over the years. I have started this same tradition with my kids and I give them an ornament every year so by the time they leave home, they will have a full box of ornaments and can decorate their tree. I will never forget my first tree after leaving home, picture a really scrawny tree, a bunch of red ornaments and some tinsel...not very attractive. Also, for those of you that have small children or any children for that matter I started another tradition for Christmas at my house that alot of people have copied for their kids. We open all gifts on Christmas day, but on Christmas Eve my children get to open one present. That present is always chosen by me and it is always new pj's. That way they have new PJ's on for the following morning for pictures. The kids know they are getting PJ's but they don't know what they look like or what style they are. It is so much fun because we always go look at lights and then go home so they can open their one gift. They didn't catch on until they were about 8 or 9 that it was always pj's. How about the rest of you, are there any really neat Christmas traditions at your house that you would like to share? Terri Who is sooooo ready to decorate for Christmas, do I really have to wait until after Thanksgiving?

**BEEP** You have reached the Breast Cancer Self-Examination Hotline. Press one to continue. (pause) Now, press the other one.

Yesterday I scrubbed and cleaned every inch of the house because I couldn't start my Christmas decor projects feeling guilty now, could I? After I make the beds and quick clean the bathrooms I am OFF to the fabric by the pound store to see about getting some fantastic fringes and trims for pennies a yard. I have decided to add on to my trees skirt idea and make matching placemats and a table runner as well. Then, I may stop by ho-de and Michael's to get what I need to do my sled and reindeers for the front yard. Since I am doing red, white and blue lights on the house I was thinking of maybe "Trying" to paint the side of the sleigh that faces the street to look somewhat like our flag. Ta Ta for now........................Missy

Blonde Cook Book GOOD NIGHT DEAR DIARY. This has been a very exciting week. I am eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe on Bob. If we could just get a bigger oven, I would like to surprise him with Chocolate Moose. Off To Grandma's house :) With my pies.öS

Renee Zellweger: 'I just love Home Depot' Associated Press Nov. 14, 2001 08:42:00 NEW YORK - These days, you're more likely to spot Renee Zellweger at the 24-hour Home Depot than at a trendy night spot. "I just love Home Depot," the 32-year-old actress told W magazine for its December issue. "I'm a junkie for that place. Believe me, when I'm not working, I'm not afraid to pick up a paintbrush. I'm always redoing my places. "During 'Jerry Maguire,' I lived in this tiny little apartment ... which I referred to as 'the crack apartment.' It was so gross the carpet pad had turned to dust. So I got in there with a shovel and a mask and redid the whole place while we were making the movie. When I told Tom Cruise about it, he went out and bought me a stereo!" The star of "Bridget Jones's Diary" also has been spending a lot of time in recent months with George Clooney, whom she describes as "a very good friend of mine." "I talk about him all the time. He's a wonderful man, the nicest person, you have no idea. He's so kind, so kind," she said. "And you'd be shocked at how smart he is. Or maybe not. I think it comes across. He's a wonderful person, and he's one of my best friends. And as good-looking as he is, he's 50 times nicer than that."

Hi everyone! I recently joined this list and have really been enjoying reading the messages and especially the great links and photos everyone shares! Thanks! My name is Jackie and I'm from Louisiana. Married 32 years and have 3 adult kids, the last having moved out this year. Yea! Now it's time to redecorate and I've already started but after reading here and checking out the links, I've discovered I totally went about it the wrong way. Now I need some help! One of my biggest problems is determining what "style" of decorating I'm trying to achieve. LOL I've put some furniture and patterns together with a wall paint color I liked and now I don't know if it's a decorating style or just totally wrong! I love the look of cottage style, English country and old world. Can this decorating be salvaged? I'm attaching a picture of the room. The furniture is leather, the walls are paneling I painted and the floor is tiled. Haven't finished painting the trim (which I now know I should have done first) and the shutters are just propped up for now. On the other side of the room is a fireplace and French doors leading to a sunroom. Don't know what all the spots are in the picture but I guess I'll have to get a new digital camera. Been seeing them a lot lately. Thanks for any help. Jackie

Thank you Suzi for all of the details of getting started. Problem is I keep chickening out based on the investment involved (actually I don't really have a real figure to be scared of--just the idea) Can you give me an idea on price if I get some measurements together? I'm in Kansas City--HoDe and Lowe's are both in the area. Liz, Don't worry--a new list member certainly can't cut in front of you but may sit beside you : ) I may have to get some measurements together to figure out the $$ involved : )!!!!!!!!! Thanks, Valerie (I am without a creative bone)

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck/experience with making your own stencils? If so, what did you make them out of? I've been looking for a beehive stencil without much luck, but the new Winnie The Pooh guest bath needs something on the walls :) Thought a beehive stencil scattered around might be kinda cute? Walls are honey colored paint, accessories are a darker honey shade on a light beige background. You'd think Disney would have beehive stencils, wouldn't ya? :) Jen stumped@...

I have a new dilemma. My living room is a cabin style with a lot of pine distressed furniture and moose. I rearranged for the holidays (Room for the tree). Both sofas are now "freestyle" leaving my wall barren. Originally, I put my two distressed CD towers there with a wall lamp in the center. It looked OK, but the lamp was really needed elsewhere. So, yesterday, I moved the lamp and set up a pine board across the top of the 2 CD towers. On the top I added a dried eucalyptus arrangement (for height), a basket with cinnamon scented pinecones, a few hand carved loons I had stashed since my toddler began to toddle, and some candles. Then I hung some Mexican ceramic fish between the towers. SO! I love the idea of having the "mantel" there but I knew it is missing some form of structure. When My husband got home he said it looked "bachelor padish". How can I make this mantel look more deliberate, less bachelorish...? Angie

We are getting ready for our B-day party this Saturday and I want to do a few last minute finishing touches to my bathroom. We only have 1 bathroom in our house so at a party it gets lots of use. Also, I have been reading that the bathroom in your house is the one room that guests will sit and REALLY look around. What else can they do but look around? Anyway, I have a glass brick shower wall that has a graduated top to it meeting the ceiling. The bottom brick has always been so low to hang a shower curtain on it. DH and I had this great idea of hanging the shower curtain from the ceiling. I went to Lowes yesterday and bought galvanized pipe, a long piece for the main shower curtain part, 2 short pieces, angles and brackets to attach to the ceiling. Now the hard part comes in. I have a very strange shaped tub and it is 4' long, so I bought the long portion exactly 4 foot figuring with the angles and the short pieces it would add another 4" to the total length. Where they attach to the ceiling I'm afraid won't be studs. Whoever framed my house was either drunk or stupid or a little of both. There isn't 2 studs that are equal distance apart in the house. How can I attach those brackets to the ceiling and have them hold? They have to be able to hold the weight of the rods along with the shower curtain and impatient people tugging on it trying to take a shower in record time after getting up an hour after we were supposed to. I also bought some hinges to hang up the linen closet doors! Whoo Hoo, they have been sitting around waiting for me to do it for years now. I am cheap at heart and I couldn't see buying silver hinges for over a dollar more than the gold ones, so now I have to paint the gold ones silver to match the rest of the room. I have old shutter type bi-fold doors, but I am hoping they are small enough that I won't have to have them in a track (the track is long gone because I bought these at a garage sale for 1$) Am I setting myself up for failure? I am very happy because we designed the closet to fit these doors and even after adding the trim, the doors fit perfectly! Terri

I just got back from Michaels Craft store. They had fall items at 70% off. I found a lovely flower arrangement (reg. 49.99) for 14.00! It has yellows green, tans, and a little blue. I think it will look good in my "to-be-finished-someday" dining room. I hope it doesn't look too "fallie"! It has a gold vase and the picture of Magnolias I have to put in the dining room has a gold frame the same color. I also bought some other fall flower baskets. One has the colors of my bedspread in it. The other one may go in the living room or basement (family room). Now to my catastrope (sp?) ... I also bought two ceramic wall hangings that are off white with just a small boarder of colored glaze. One is burgandy the other a gold. I thought they'd look good in the house somewhere since I'm having Thanksgiving Dinner at my new home this year. Well, wouldn't you know it, I accidently dropped them while putting them in the car (serves me right for shopping so late!) They both broke. Both are a pretty clean break and I feel they can be glued with out any cracks showing. BUT, I'm not sure what type of glue to use. The gold framed one should be fine once it is glued. The burgandy one has some chips on the colored part that will need to be touch up. BUT again, I'm not sure what to use. I do have a friend at work that does pottery, so I'm hoping she will have something that will work to touch it up. If any of you have any suggestions, I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks, ¸..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Kathy -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

Jo-Ann is having a 99 cent Simplicity sale, all patterns including the new American Flag pattern (benefits the victims, two sizes and some appliques are included), the large flag is 3ft by 5 ft, a serious flag! I got one yesterday. Don't know when I'll sew it, but it looks awesome and easy. One made from washed silk (more $$ but worth it) would be gorgeous for indoors, for the Americana decor. They also have baroque silk for $1.99 yd. on sale which is brighter for a crisp fresh look. I think I will make mine for outdoors, out of outdoor canvas, LIGHTBULB! maybe make a few for Christmas gifts!!! What would be better? Everyone can use a new quality flag! :-) I'll have to try one and see how hard it is first before I get any big ideas, I just started a tree skirt, which appears that it will turn out fabulous, purple silk and gold tissue lame alternating triangles w/ heavy fringe and trims on the seams....Missy (who now wants to wear the tree's skirt, lol)

Thurs, Dec. the 7th or Fri. the 8th would be great for me too, maybe we could have them at the same time and email each other. C'mon Az. don't let those big hairdo'd Texas women out-do us with some big Ol' Texas sized smorgasboard, roflol. <BEG

I am so excited, after all these years on the lists, that there are FINALLY people in my area (sort of) , that I am inviting you Interior Motives members and any one else on the list (who cares to drive or fly in, roflol) to come to my house in Peoria for a weekday lunch...any takers?....Missy P.S. I live about 35 minutes NW of downtown Phoenix, Angie, it would be close to an hour for you. If you don't mind the drive, the directions are simple, almost all freeway, so don't be nervous about venturing out of your hoods and I'll make the lunch worth your drive :-).

Hi all! I think I posted once, but I've mostly been lurking! I love reading the posts, but I am lost most of the time!! A little about myself: My name is Lori and I live in Southern Maryland and have two children ages 6 and 10. I also have a new Bichon Frise, Kirby, who is 17 weeks old today (he was neutered yesterday :0). I am currently a stay at home mom, but I'm a nurse, by profession. My husband is an Engineer and Avid Volleyball player. I love "fixing" up the house. We have lived in our house for 7 years. It's the first house that we've ever built, so there's lots of things that I wish that I had done differently. If we ever build again, I will be much wiser the next time around. The outside of my house is what I would describe Country Victorian. It is light grey with burgundy shutters, a peak and a white porch all the way across the front. The inside was decorated Southwestern (I know, strange combo). We couldn't agree on a style and my husband hated country and we both lived in Texas and liked that style. Well now after having Southwestern Decor for many years (about 15). I can't stand it anymore. I have changed so much. I don't know what you would call what I like or if there is even a name for it, but I call it "old world". I love the faux painting, grapes and grape leaves, wrought iron, stacked trunks and those types of things. I am in the process of shifting over to these things, but I am on a very tight budget. I've been working on different areas and I'm getting ready to paint our bedroom walls. I think I am going to color wash them, but I've never done it before!! My comforter has different colors of lavender, gold, taupe, and sage in it. I was going to do the walls a lavender color. I wanted to do a taupe color, but that is the color of my drapes and I can't afford to replace them any time soon and I'm afraid that it will blend and be too blah! I really look forward to chatting with you talented folks! I just hope I can catch up enough so that I know what you guys are talking about! LOL Lori in Maryland

Aussie Jingle Bells Dash-ing through the bush in a rus-ty hol-den ute Kick-ing up the dust Es-ky in the boot Kel-pie by my side Sing-ing Christ-mas songs sum-mer-time and I am in my sing-let shorts and thongs Jin-gle bells jin-gle bells jingle all the way Christ-mas in Aus-tra-lia on a scor-ching sum-mer's day Oh! Jin-gle bells jin-gle bells Christ-mas time is beaut Oh what fun it is to ride in a rus-ty hol-den ute Engine's getting hot we dodge the Kangaroos The swaggie climbs aboard he is welcome too All the family is there sitting by the pool Christmas day in the Aussie way by the Bar-b-que Oh! Jin-gle bells jin-gle bells jingle all the way Christ-mas in Aus-tra-lia on a scor-ching sum-mer's day Oh! Jin-gle bells jin-gle bells Christ-mas time is beaut Oh what fun it is to ride in a rus-ty hol-den ute Come the afternoon grandpa has a doze The kids and Uncle Bruce are swimming in their clothes The time comes round to go we take a family snap And pack the car and all shoot-through Before the washing up Oh! Jin-gle bells jin-gle bells jingle all the way Christ-mas in Aus-tra-lia on a scor-ching sum-mer's day Oh! Jin-gle bells jin-gle bells Christ-mas time is beaut Oh what fun it is to ride in a rus-ty hol-den ute Shirley

Liz, That what really great what you did. It made my day. Marianne

Hi, I'm Valerie living in a house with a kitchen from mid 60s that we're about to decide to totally renovate it. But how do you begin to create/design a new kitchen in an existing home? I want to do it right. I've thought about calling up a full service kitchen design group. Any ideas? Thanks, Valerie

OK, everyone.... I have a question for all you intelligent people out there! I have this black dining table and I want to paint it. I think the top is a formica type. What do I do to prep the table? Do I just paint the primer on it than paint it off white? Will the paint stay on the table?? Thank you!! Mimi

A Barbara, The bedroom....why do you think you need another swag in there? If it is because you don't think the mirror is filling the space enough, hang it as opposed to propping it. It will take up more space that way. In most cases I don't care for mirrors being propped as all you get is a view of the ceiling. The living room...on the drapes, is that Wavery's Garden rose pattern? If so, that has a sage green, tobacco, and gold in it as well. There are several companion pattens as well. In any case, you can use other florals in there to get the look you want. Just make sure they have the same colors and value of color. For example, don't use a faded red and put it with a bright red. Also you can add a small all over floral and a large cluster floral. Just use then in different amounts. If the pattern on the windows and chair/sofa? are the main pattern use less of the next one and even less or the third. Then mix in a texture or check and/or plaid and/or stripe keeping within you color palate. I think painting the walls would give it all a more cohesive look. It could be faded red or sage or whatever colors are in your main pattern. A faded half worn out old oriental rug on the floor would add to the English look you're wanting. Later, Jayne Hi to all,

to me - Liz, I took a picture, but it is the first picture on the roll and I didn't really want to waste pictures. When do you plan on getting this together? Do I have time to use up this roll this weekend at our 40th B-Day party? Both my hubby's and my birthday are this month and we are both turning 40, so it is party time... Terri

Hi Deirdre, Thanks so much for answering me. That is great advice. I looked at the living room with new eyes and you are so right. I can go with pinks and reds and green leaves etc.I even found some fabric that works, that I had. The stencil idea is great also. I actually have the stencil in my stash. I think I may do it over the windows. I love the idea of washing over it with the wall paint to fade it and antique it. Great. Thanks again. Just what I need. Perhaps I will turn the cabinet doors around and put the "scenes" on the inside and stencil leaves in a grey green on the outside. Any ideas for that also will be welcome. BarbaraD

Terri, I have a great idea! Let's all take pictures of the gift we have made and send the picture to the originally intended recipient and then we can just keep the gift for ourselves! No??? Oh well, at least the recipient will know how much it took for us to give these things up! Mine is ready to be mailed, I'll do that this week. Later, Jayne Oh, and yes I did take before photos, I did it while I took the final picture of my cyber gift...I want to keep mine now! Do I really have to send it away? Terri

I went Flea Market shopping with my sister and daughter yesterday and I got some really cool things. My first "find" was an end table. It was the ugliest color of brown you had ever seen and both my sister and daughter thought I had lost my mind when I asked how much it was. However, they haven't watched nearly enough HGTV as I have so I saw potential. It has really great architectural detail to it. Solid wood, with 4 small drawers about the size of a CD. The legs are horrible, so they are coming off and getting replaced and I was going to paint it burgundy to match the living room, but when I got it home the other daughter (grounded for getting home late and unable to go with me...don't feel sorry for her!) really liked it and wants me to paint it to match her room (lavenders and white). We'll see. I also got a twin size headboard with footboard and rails. I am going to make a bench for the front porch out of it. My question...my house is light gray stucco with burgundy(almost purple) trim. How should I paint the bench to coordinate with the house? The design of the headboard really screams for 2 colors. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I got both the table and headboard for $20. DH said "oh looky another trash to trash thing" I'll make him eat those words! Oh, and yes I did take before photos, I did it while I took the final picture of my cyber gift...I want to keep mine now! Do I really have to send it away? Terri

That sounds like a great idea. I have the same problem all my switch covers are rocker type and white. Eventually I want to change that. Lorretta Look forward to the ideas that keep coming in.

A romance in the baking area You don't EVEN want to know what was going through my mind until about the third time I read this part... Denise

I just woke up a few minutes ago and my dh turned on tv. I am in total shock. They say it wasnt terrorist but you never know. More people dead. This makes me sad and have tears for these people. Lorretta

Just wanted you all to know I've enjoyed the pictures that have been shared lately. I'm trying desparately to decorate my new house. I haven't had much luck yet. I've been looking through the pictures and trying to get ideas from HGTV, CL, etc... I just don't feel I have a creative bone in my body! I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what to do - and to keep the cost down. I went to a furniture store here in town today - and was shocked how expensive furniture actually is. I'm looking for a small dining room set right now. I don't have much room in my dining room. It is 9'9 1/2" x 9'. My current table (old kitchen table) is 39 1/2 x 29 1/2. I should probably stay about that size (but would like one with a leaf). That would leave me room for a narrow buffet or smaller corner hutch. I have a nice magnolia picture (large) in a gold frame I'd like to use in the dining room. I haven't had time to hit flea markets. Garage sales don't go over big in the winter in Iowa ... so doubt I'll find many before spring/summer. I'm so amazed at what some of you have been doing with "treasures" you have found. My other dilema right now is in my living room. I have a small corner entertainment center. It holds my 27" TV and a VCR. I also have small stereo set (CD/TAPE/RADIO) that I have NO idea what to do with. Currently I have a board across my old LARGE stereo speaker - making it "sofa table size". (That's the extent of my creative ... SAD isn't it!!!!) My living room is pretty large - but LACKS any STYLE!!!! Keep the pictures and ideas coming .... something will click for me!!! PS - I'm also on a list called Interiors. Are many of you on both lists? I'm getting confused at who's who! :) ¸..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Kathy -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

TLC has a Trading Spaces marathon on today. 2 designers have noe said they were going to "pickle" a wooden item. They said this while painting them white. But they never showed the end product. What is pickeling? Angie

He's already complained of cleaning snow off his car before he could go to work. I told him not to bring that weather with him, or I'd kick his butt! Oh, common. Isn't it terribly exciting to you when we have a photo opportunity to take a picture of a catus with a dusting of snow on it?! Heck, I like the rare storm clouds too! I'm very excited for you. Will he be bringing a lot of items that you will have to find a way to work into your decor? Classical English and Southwest dessert? Angie

My thoughts exactly, Missy! ;-) When I lived in Illinois, I used to suffer from SAD, but not here in Arizona. My fiance is in England packing up all the things he's bringing with him. (Hurry up, December 5th!) He's already complained of cleaning snow off his car before he could go to work. I told him not to bring that weather with him, or I'd kick his butt! LOL --Cathy.

Id love to move our furniture around.....right out the front door to the curb! LOL We will be in the market for a new couch next year for the family room. I am really drooling over a couch Ive seen in mags that has a tapestry cushions (box style) but leather arms with nail studs.....*sigh*....but around here all the stores feature "grandma" style couches.....with big huge pink flowers on them..... Brenda

As you guys know, I have been waiting on a drywaller for 6 months now!!! He has most of it done, but it isn't completed. I believe it needs one more coat and then texturing. Last week my husband looked into having a guy off his job site do the work, but he no showed on us! I gave my husband one week to come up with a drywaller or I am doing it myself!!! Anyone have any helpful hints or web sites? It can't be that hard to do! I'm on a dead line. I will give birth to a baby on the 4th of January! I still have to have the guy come in to set up the shelving and closet organizer! That is a weekend in it's self! Then the primer before I can even start painting.... and don't even start me on the toy box lids, window coverings, and painting the audience!!! I don't want to be spackling the ceiling one week from my due date! Angie

I wish my office was that neat LOL . . . and the sheetrock was finished LOL Me too! DH and I went and toured some new homes that his company is building. We love looking in model homes! DH loves the structure, and I love the decorating ideas. Funny, we usually end up appriciating the same house for entirely diferent reasons.... back to my point! The newest designs in the Fulton homes is an airy open office right as you walk in the door. You still walk into the living area, but there are pony walls, or arched windows to display your entire office! This office happens to be directly in front of you or just off to the side. This may be great for those with home offices that want to keep the rest of the home private. But my office is well used and hardly neat and tidy! It is the LAST room I want my guests to see. If first impression is everything, and a cluttered desk is a sign of a creative mind! I am in trouble!!!! They were beautiful homes! But I can not, or will not, display my office as a focal point of my home :o)! Angie

lmao

Sniffle, sniffle....tried and tried be couldn't get access to your picutres. Kept getting error message. Dear, oh dear what am I doing wrong? You are so talented and I WANT TO SEE everything you have done to your home. Help, what is wrong? Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

Ok, back to my non "beach" mudroom...so I have brightish blue walls, brilliant white woodwork. The walls, one particularly is very large and BLUE...lol...my original idea was to "sponge" a row of large white tiles onto it, and "decoupage" some small seashells to the tiles. It would break up the blue...if I am changing this room from beach (as I want to) to French country, how can I break up the blue, could I still use the "tile" effect and put decoupage roses on them, or should I do a border or..............................also I bought some white voile for the windows, I have one large window, one glass back door and two other small windows. I was just putting the voile on, but do I need something more frilly for the French country look, could I just add a nice ribbon to the voile? or do I need drapes in a rose pattern as well???? Vicki from Oz

I must have gotten a stray hair, but the next thing I new I was down buying paint and redoing my entire bathroom! I went from that Ralph Lauren dark military green (stone look) with African masks and such, to a beach! My poor husband never knows what he is going to come home too! I have one wall that must have had wallpaper on it as it is perfectly smooth, the rest textured. So I painted a mural. Fairly well if I do say so myself. It is as if you are looking at the dunes, and grasses, and sandpipers. You can see the ocean behind the dunes. I have gray clouds in the sky. It leans towards the whimsical side, but all my paintings do! Below the cabinets I painted a sandy beige color, above is a dusty blue. I painted the dunes a flat white first. Then I used a plastic bag to wipe a diluted beige paint on the dunes. Then I added some craft paint and skipped across with a darker color. Then I worked it until it dried. I am very proud of how it turned out. In fact, the best part is that it now ties in my white tub and toilet with my beige tile and marble!! Something that has been bugging me since we bought the house. I did not paint clouds or dunes on the textured walls. Those walls are now missing something? I have a very large round mirror ordered, so until I receive that, I'm going to hold out for any changes. I have a long skinny bathroom. The mural wall has nothing on it. The tub/shower is on the back wall with a window above it. The "busy wall" has a long counter top... 3 full cupboards long. Then the marble curves around the back side of the toilet... not a lot of merchandising space. I grabbed the scroll saw out and cut out a pelican and painted him real nice. (Again, I surprised myself, I paint so well when I am pregnant!). I still have to paint a post for him to be sitting on. He is currently hanging behind the toilet. I truly surprised myself with the towels... I thought I had lost all my creativity while pregnant. There really isn't any space to hang a towel rack. They used to be on the wall with the mural. I didn't want metal bars over the scene. For that matter, the toddler and the new baby are the only ones that will use this bathroom. I decided to hang low towel hooks on the back of the door. I'll get them the cute duck headed towels at Target or something. Any ideas for cute kids hooded towels? This is my guest bathroom though, so I should have something to dry hands on. I went to Wal-Mart. They had ONE towel left in my colors. It is a very large thick striped towel. The colors are dusty blue, beige and a hunter green! Perfect, but no hand towels either... must have been popular. I had dark green towels from the African bathroom and Beige towels from a previous design in my master bath, so I bought this one lonely towel! I also bought some Christmas Ornaments. They are wooden carved fish, hanging from hooks on bobbers (is that the right term?) Rustic & wooden, perfect for me. I bought 3 thinking I was going to hang them from the shower curtain. 97 cents each :o) And I got a fish net for $3. I have yards of old rope. So I went into my freshly painted bathroom and sat on the floor.... Then, it came to me, I grabbed my rope and did a fisherman's looped knot at the top. Then I tied the ends together and made a lope. I hung this from the ceiling in the corner right near the shower curtain. I ran the towel through this lope and through some rope over the top of the towel and hung one of the lures with fish on it!! Perfect! I have 2 shower curtains in an earthy off white linen look. I placed one on each side. I tied them back with strips of fish netting. It looks like one of those old changing rooms on the beach with a beach towel hanging right there for you! I balanced the shower by hanging more fish netting on the oppisite side. I will find some more fishing Christmas decorations to hang in the netting... (great time of year to be inspired!) I put a huge ceramic fish on the window ledge and a few candles. I have some very huge pieces of coral I would like to use, too. Haven't thought of how yet.. As for the small wall next to the door (right by the sink) I took this old rope again, this time making two loops, one lower than the other. I hung a green towel through the top loop. I hung it upside down and tied the top of the towel off with some more rope. It has lots of ruffed up ends hanging down, and another fish on a bobber. Behind the decorated towel I hung a simple beige hand towel in the normal manor. I hope I made sense with that one.... But that wall is still missing something. It looks like a vast blue area with these towels stuck in mid air... I might paint some seagulls in the distance and see if that helps, I can always repaint if I don't like them. Any other ideas?! I used my son's metal bucket that he used to collect Halloween candy in as a base and put a sculpture that I have of pelicans sitting on a boiy. Then I added one of those oriental plants that are so popular right now? My husband bought it for me. I think it is Bamboo, and it requires lots of water but very little light. In this room, it looks like the grasses that grow in the dunes! On the other side of the sink I added a lighthouse fountain that I have. But there was no good way of plugging it in, so I filled it with potpourri instead!!! I also have an old corked bottle. I dropped in a little note of the date I did all this and what I was feeling for the day. Tied it with a little string, and dropped it inside the bottle. Message inside a bottle. (one of my favorite sappy movies) I still need a rug. I'm pretty picky so this may take me awhile. If it were my bath I think I'd get one of those grass rugs, but won't that be to harsh on baby feet? I do have one more question. I need something for some height. I thought about flowers, but what kind of flowers are at the beach? All the local dried grasses are wheat, and that isn't right. What about cat tails? Any ideas here?! Thanks for listening to my ramblings.. I'll try to get a picture when I get some film! Angie

Am unable to use scanner right now....it is disconnected while I move things around in this room. BUT...it is the Winter issue of Do It Yourself that just came on the news stands.You will find it on page 86. Certainly won't be finishing it in such a dark color but will do same color as walls only in a satin finish. Meanwhile....grocery shopping is done for the week....so back to the walls. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA www.gettingtiredbutmustgetthesewallsdone.com

Well now we know we have the house! We are fixing all the piddly stuff inside...and they are doing $2200 in replacement, repair and waterproofing of the slate roof. Good to go for another 20 plus years on the roof! YEAH! Excuse the cross post, I want to hit up both groups for ideas. I know that there are several of us on the same decorating groups. :-) So I have now been allowing myself to decide how I want to *do* the kitchen and breakfast room . Right now my mental plans are that in a about 5 years at most, we will have my contractor come in and enlarge the kitchen and put new cabinets in...the whole 9 yards. But for right now, I have to do my own remodel on a 40s style kitchen. Not horrid, but needing of TLC and my own *touch*. What I would *like* to do is take off the door fronts on the top part of the cabinets, and leave some off..and others I would like to perhaps cut out the door centers and put in chicken wire or glass. I am leaning towards the wire as I want a more *open* and old world country look. Everything now is white with the doors pale yellow * YUUUUCCCKKK not me*. I want RICH color but with a country feel * ok I need to take a decorating course to get the terms correct*. The breakfast room is directly opposite and the walls have tongue and groove paneling going all the way to the ceiling, and it too is painted white. Wood floors in here...and in the kitchen the floor is a newly laid lino...white diamonds with small white diamonds in the corner. Fewf...neutral..I can deal with that....tho I would PREFER slate ! Hmmm...I just thought of that...might be a project in the making there. The basement door and a pantry are on one wall, along with the door to the dining room..which has a wood floor. The wall opposite that goes to the family room which has a teal carpet. Tis cool...I like teal. Living room, which the breakfast room opens onto, also has teal carpet. Makes sense so far? The wall between the kitchen and the breakfast room has cut outs * for air flow and light* as does the wall between the breakfast room and family room. I will post pictures to the shared photos area to give a better idea. unfortunately I forgot to take pics of the kitchen last time we were there! I really would like to make the walls in both the kitchen and the breakfast room in a bright shade of blue..with a white wash over it. Make it look *antiqued*. Does that make sense? What is the best way to go about doing that? They don't have to both be the same shade...perhaps the breakfast room a bit lighter? What should I do about the ceiling? I don't know that I want it stark white....and there is a ceiling fan in each room, tho I cannot remember what color the fans are, but I guess I can always change the blade color and such. What kind of a contrast can I do to the cabinets. I think a darker color with the wash would work. But what about trim...should I do a contrast on the trim? Stripping anything is out of the question as the kitchen part of the house is 100 years old and would contain a LOT of lead paint. I have a 6 year old whom I homeschool so I am not willing to risk exposing her to any lead paint at all. I think the door painted a darker..or lighter? shade of the same color would be cool. The cellar door is sort of a plank door. The pantry door is a panel door and they are right next to one another. Oh I have to get in there and take pics so y'all can picture it. :-/ I want the old world rich yet faded color scheme in blues and greens. I want to go for the garden/outdoors theme here as I am an avid gardener and love herbs and plants...so they will be in abundance. I see lots of dried herbs hanging up...I will print some of my favorite photos and put them up. I like some bits of antiques...and I want to put a shelf up about a foot or so from the ceiling using old barn wood which the owners are so graciously leaving for me. is there a standard size to hang these type shelves? The ceilings are not *high*..just standard height. I don't think I will do a thing to the bard wood except treat it to keep out the termites. I want to put teapots on that and dried herbs and my spongeware and a pretty plate or antique. Like the feel of a Cracker Barrel store but without quite so much stuff. lol The brackets for the shelves I will make myself to match the scroll work that is in the dining room. I will trace the pattern out and get out my trusty lil scroll saw, or have a friend cut them for me and antique them to match the barn wood as closely as possible. The window in the room is circa 1900 and has a really cool mechanism to it..so I will probably make an iron rod with some sort of garden finial and hang a topper as to not block the window. Or perhaps just hang cool stuff from the rod and forget a curtain in there. Maybe a shelf over the window for more doodads and whatnots? I believe there is plenty of room there. Also, I need an idea for the dining room should I do the kitchen this way. I want a rich color in there to contrast with the light wood. The dining room window trim will eventually be popped off and I will have it professionally stripped. That part of the house is 200 years old and the woodwork is gorgeous, if not having about 30 coats of paint on it. I want it down the wood and the same color as the rest of the oak wood in the room that frames out the bay window. See the picture for what I mean. Anywho....suggestions would be great. I won't have money for expensive experiments * can you say HOUSE POOR for a year?*, I am going to get my contractor friend to save me pieces of wallboard to experiment on. As I said, the walls in the breakfast room are the tongue and groove board that is painted white :-( about 6 inches wide or so. The kitchen walls are plaster...horse hair plaster to be precise..so I might have a bit of patching to do *ugh..anyone wanna teach me how to patch plaster?*...tho most of it is in REALLY good condition. The counters * shudder*. I think it is melamine? The icky stuff with the metal trim on the edge. I am seriously considering tiling that stuff. Or mosaic-ing it. Painting would probably not be *sturdy* enough. I want a resilient surface...and I will be living with it for probably 5 years or so. There is no back splash..so that area will be painted too. The idea of texturing the walls in the kitchen to make them look like fresco REALLY appeals to me. Frescoed walls in a blue that is made to look faded...oh I love that idea! I need some feedback...what y'all think? I am praying there will be the perfect OOPS paint for me at Home Depot! lol A site with pictures and instructions would be a major help also if anyone can suggest one. Kathie

You can raise the wainscot to get it out of your way. Leave the desk at 30", but you could cut that wainscot so it coincides with one of the shelves. If you are using moulding, you may want to consider trimming out the face of the shelves with the same moulding so the chairrail spins around the rooms and follows the shelf as well. Happy Decorating, Kurt www.kurtcyr.com

Liz, My hubby is going to kill you! After reading your post about Big Lots, I was just dying to go...so I spent my lunch hour "going broke saving money!" I got all kinds of neat stuff. I also got the cutesy snowman stocking, along with the Santa, reindeer and angel one. I got 5 mini trees for the bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen (4.99 and 5.99 each). I got a flower shop for my Christmas village (which will overtake my house soon!) for only 5.99. I bought all they had of some Faberware silverware (3 boxes of service for 4 for $8.88)..by the way they were right next to the dishes you bought and I was oh so tempted! They had a sign where the gold charger plates were supposed to be, but alas no charger plates. :( I also just love that place. I really went looking for paper plates for Thanksgiving, which is when I figured out I needed to buy some additional silverware. I don't mind eating off paper plates, but I really like using real forks! One thing led to another and I leave there spending over $100! Yikes, time to get to work and make some of that back. Terri

Yeah, Liz, You go right a head and do that! You are forgetting that I am computer challenged! Everyone but me will have their gift on there and the poor person that got my name will feel bad because I didn't put mine on there. I can take a Polaroid shot and mail it to someone who knows how to do this and maybe they would take pity on me and put it up for me. Can you belive it, I have a scanner and a camera and don't know how to use them! My gift is nearly finished and I am so proud of it, it is turning out so good. Later, Jayne

Hi, I am trying to find a way to paint clear glass balls so that they look like soap bubbles--still clear but with that iridescent (is that the right term?) look. Can this be done? Is there a paint I can spray on them? Thanks for any help. Stephanie Sewin_Mom@...

Mike is doing the last layer of mud on the seams in Stephens room today!!! That means I can prime and paint this weekend!!!! Woo Hoo!!! So this is the scoop, Stephen wants red walls, I dont....but I think we can reach a compromise, I was thinking of putting up a chair rail and painting a rusty red on the lower half and a rich tan on the upper? What do you guys think?? On one wall, between his closet and the wall, there is a space of about 6 feet, here we are building a set of shelves, the lowest one will be wider so he can use this as an area to build Lego or whatever.....now the chair rails are usually at 3 feet right? But desk height is 30"....sooooooo on this wall, is it going to look totally whacked out to have a chair rail cutting through 6 inches above the first shelf? Can you visualize this?? Im saying that we should put the first shelf up at the 36 " mark and get him a bar stool to use there(that way the shelf is the dividing point)...Mike says that will not work, the "desk" shelf should be at 30"..... Help!!! Brenda BTW, I am not a "theme" person so his room will be decorated with things he likes and things that we collect, we have an old paddle Mike rescued from the dump, and someone just gave Stephen an old globe....so its going to be a country/city room.....eclectic at its best! LOL

Kitty, The chicken trough is too cool on that tour. Enjoyed looking at the house. Lorretta

Oh, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And since I am STILL waiting on the dry waller, I have not started painting yet. So I can easily incorperate this into his room! I love Baseball.... Tobad I have to do a race car room... Angie

Liz writes: I know I mentioned that I am now the proud owner of over 300 frames, plus the ones I already owned, so I have a request. If anyone comes across any ideas for making plain picture frames look better, or neat things to do with frames, please post them ;o) Especially Christmas gifts LOL . . .

Liz, I have a simple project for picture frames that I used quite a few times. You take any kind of decorative paper napkin or tissue paper and rip it in little pieces than with some elmers glue or I think it is called modge podge glue pieces on. I made some with christmas paper and for my kids christmas pictures and they turned out great. It is cheap and easy my kind of project. Marianne

The group is gone

Hi, I've rented a basement apartment and I have a zillion decoration problems and potentials that I'd like to get at eventually. I was really interested in your discussion on panelling, I copied it into my WP so I can read it again. My panelling is all dark. But what I want to ask you about today is floors. My flooring, all of it, since the apartment is really one very long narrow room, is indoor-outdoor carpeting (green) glued to cement. What I'd like to know is whether I can put self-stick tiles on top of that. I love tile on the floor and it would open up endless possibilities re color and mood etc. I wonder if you want to know what kind of indoor-outdoor carpeting. All I can tell you is: "cheap". I'm going to be working at a snail's pace, I think, what with everything else going on and the holidays coming up. But it would be really nice to begin something. Oh - I have a puppy. So all my rugs and scatter mats have to stay rolled up for at least another year. That's why I'm thinking of tiles. I'd be really glad for any help you can give me. :) Chris

My fil called us up to check them out too.....they were neat, first time Ive ever seen them in my life. We got the kids up and took them outside too to see them.... Im in Southwestern Ontario..... Brenda

You're close...it's definitely a deep purple..."Black Tulip" ...by Glidden. Everyone thought I was nuts, it was awfully dark when we were painting, but once I put up the shower curtain (Laura Ashley - dark green with lavender & white flowers) and towels (lavender), etc... it all worked. The sink I did white marble with blond? cabinets and silver fixtures. I want to put white molding around the mirror still and a white crown molding around the ceiling. I haven't really decided, I don't really care for borders much, so will probably do molding. I do have two bags full of 6 ft vines/flowers (ivy, w/lavender, white and purple flowers) that I bought on sale about 3 yrs ago (with no idea what I was going to do with them at the time)... I'm still trying to figure out how to incorporate those. Maybe I can drape them around the closet doors? Or make a massive swag above the tub? tell me .... what colour are the walls in the newly-painted master bath?!?!? They look eggplant - and, I simply LOVE the look!!! Wishing You Successful Decorating! ~ Kitty

Yes, my first "new" house, all the others were old.... :) Teresa, It looks like your off to a great start. Everything looks so new. Did you have the house built? Deirdre

Missy, I bet your husband is in heaven right now. It was too awesome. Get back D'backs! Lorretta

Here are the directions for the CD ornament...*warning*....stamping is highly addictive and I take no responsibility for anyone who gets hooked on it and ends up stamping on unorthodox items like children and pets........ First heat up the CD with a heat gun, yes the paint stripping guns will work, be careful it gets hot! Cut with utility scissors, I can get 3 from a CD.....drill holes or use awl on hot CD....paint with reg acrylic craft paint, 3 layers of base color, sponge with contrasting color or gold, let dry (I use my heat gun to dry each layer). Using an art stamp, ink with black permanent ink and stamp onto last paint layer....let dry and then coat with embossing ink (its a clear ink that stays sticky) and then coat with embossing powder 2x and heat to get the glossy coating.....Im thinking if you dont have embossing powder and ink you could use 2 coats of a shiny water based varathane.....you have to "feel" the CD it has a thickish feeling.....run a gold marker along the edge....Add the embellishments like beads and wires.....thats it! This is not an original idea, I buy the magazine Somerset Studio which features stamping and other paper arts and this was one of the projects.... And if you dont feel like doing this, send me all your old CD's!!! LOL....Ive been scavenging them everywhere!

I just uploaded in the photo section 2 pics, one of my card I made last week and one of an ornament made from an old CD..... :-) Brenda

we were recently discussing pantry renovations ... and, more recently, I was reminding of my vision for the perfect pantry (as well as the perfect closet, the perfect storage space, etc.) ... if anyone has seen the old Goldie Hawn movie "Overboard" you know exactly what I'm talking about -- the shoe organizer that she had built at the beginning of the movie was a vision of inspiration and envy ... Now, I wonder how I could get Kurt Russell to build those units throughout my whole entire house?!?!?!? Wishing You Successful Decorating! ~ Kitty ~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~ Susan Reno-Gilliland Interiors susan@... Visit us at: www.susanrenogilliland.com - where we're always dedicated to "helping clients develop their own personal style!" ... or join our decorating & design discussions at Interiors ~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~

From: Liz Armon [mailto:ArtsyLiz@...] Plan for Christmas Early! - I liked these ideas

I LOVE MY DIAMONDBACKS!!!!!! :-)

GO RANDY!!!!!! GO D-BACKS!!!!! BOO YANKEES!!!! ;-) Missy

I went to the site to see if I could start a photo ablum, but some how my pictures did not end up in my photo ablum, but as extras.... I messed up!!! Help :o) Angie

Back a couple of months ago, I went to Lowes and found a full shopping cart stacked with oops paint. Right on top was the most perfect shade of lavender...just what I was looking for. When I started to pick it up, a guy from the paint department rushed over and said "You can't buy that." When I asked why not, he explained that the manager decided they were losing too much money from customers buying oops paint rather than buying full-price paint, so he decided to make it available only to local charities. Of course, there is much more paint than demand, so they sometimes have as much as 2-3 carts full at any given time... At least Home Depot still sells theirs. Terri Houchin "Women and cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." -- Robert A. Heinlein

It is amazing how a simple garage sale find can end up with you painting all weekend! I went to a garage sale yesterday AM and there was a 16 x 20 shabby chic style frame. Very cute! It is not, however, something that would fit into my rustic house. I did remember a print that I had stashed away that could be quite cute in my friends house, so what the heck... I bought several frames from this lady. You can never had too many frames <BWG I brought the frame home and washed it up. Then went to "the hall closet". The scariest place in my house, packed with all sorts of "future projects" and "can't throw aways". I found my roll of prints, but to my disappointment, the print just wasn't right for the frame. Too many shades of whites... didn't look good. BUT! One of my favorite prints fell out. It is a simple painting (similar to a Warren Kimball style) of a draft horse in harness in front of a red barn. I LOVED IT! Put it all together and began thinking of what I can do with it.... I know I have mentioned my bedroom before but let me refresh the look for you. Below the chair railing I have faux garden bricks in grays. The chair railing a mint. Above the chair rail is a semi gloss paint in a avocado flesh color. Around the chair railing are whimsical shore birds. They are all hand painted in rustic colors. My headboard is a picket fence, white washed. My sister made me the most beautiful quilt for my wedding. It is white with every color of green leaves you could think of. This makes any color of green "match" my room, and ties into the garden theme. I have Ivy and Philodendrons interlaced in the picket fence. On one wall I have a cloths line held up by two paper birds holding my favorite infant overalls of my son's. Above my headboard are a collage of Baby pictures in mismatched frames. I have an antique sewing machine set up, and an antique table my grandfather made, covered in plants. The rest of the artwork has just been pieces that I love that I had no other place to hang. I have 2 small antique Hackney horse prints in extravagant wooden frames above one another on one side of my huge window. On the opposite side, I have a collectors plate hung that looks much like my personal Hackney horse being driven. Between our closet door is a dragonfly birdhouse (back to the garden theme) and my wedding bouquet. Imagine my surprise when I hung up this "harnessed horse" picture and noticed the driven horse theme coming out! The garden stones even remind me of a carriage house! Today has been spent painting the chair rail an antique white wash, and all my mismatched frames into an antique white. I pulled out a few horse items that I have with a farm theme. I have a metal wall art with a horse running in front of a windmill.... How fun this has turned out! I have an antique driving bridle that I am trying to think of something clever to do with as I am out of wall space. This is the first time my bedroom actually has a plan in my mind. Until know, it was to match my quilt, and what ever HD oops paints available <G have any comments on what I have done? Any ideas how to tie in the shore birds a little better. There are always flocks of birds cleaning up the left over grain from horses... What do you think? Am I crazy? I just love it! Sorry about the length of my letter... Angie

I was just looking for another option to that metal strip. That room is more of a formal, relaxed room. I'm going with beige/cream and greens in there. I like the bold color idea, just not in that room... What about putting up bead board in front for the strips, like a faux backing? I have to admit it is not very "formal". You could look at some of those vainer plywood's they have out now. You could cut out the pieces to fit the back of the shelving. You could stain the wood to match your furniture, or stain them in a nice green wash? That would be very pretty on the bead board as well. Angie

Thank you so much for that "living with your TV" idea! I wish I could think of a way to incorperate that into my living room, but I'm not thinking of a way to hide our HUGE TV as It is thick, too. But in my bedroom!!! I really like that!!! Angie

Angie, I love the look of a stone fireplace with a rock like mantle (sorry, don't know the right terms for this stuff). The decorated tiles take up about 4 feet of the wall, the rest are plain so I don't think the beam would work. I love that idea though. I took a picture of the bookcase and will send it in as soon as I get them developed. I'm not too quick at getting pictures developed though... I don't mind painting behind the shelves, I was just looking for another option to that metal strip. That room is more of a formal, relaxed room. I'm going with beige/cream and greens in there. I like the bold color idea, just not in that room... Thanks for the feedback. This seems like a great group! Jenny M. ```````````````````````````````` What kind of mantle are you wanting to put up? Can you use a thick beam or log that might cover the decorated tiles? That would be beautifully rustic... As far as the shelve, you do not need to fill the entire shelf with books. You can put a few here with a decorative book end (or something heavy). You can lay some of the bigger ones on their sides. Large art will make the shelves look less cluttered. Can you send a picture of what it looks like now? Also, why don't you want to paint behind the shelves? Are you worried about matching colors? What about using a bold accent color? I always like the look of shelves that are painted a bold red, or rust. That really helps to make your pieces stand out... Angie ``````````````````````````````````````````````

Thanks for the welcome Liz! I never thought about painting the tiles for the fireplace. I love that idea. I'm going to do some research on that. No, the metal strip sticks out from the wall. I-I I-I I-I It looks something like this, lol-like that helps, and just bugs me. I could try painting it but I was hoping to find another way to cover it up. Do you have a picture of your shelves??? Jenny M. ```````````````````` How about painting the tiles on your fireplace? They make tile paints now, and you could even do a faux finish on them if you wanted. If you don't want to paint the metal strip on the shelves, is it flat against the wall? You could put an interesting wallpaper over it. That adds depth to the shelves, too. Why don't you want to paint it? Liz the clueless moderator ````````````````````

Thank you, Liz, for taking care of the attachment issue. I appreciate the fact that attachments can't be put on this list. I do realize the importance to share photos to get suggestions from others. I'm not that "far" with my technology. I have lots of pictures of my new house (that needs decorating) but I'm not ever sure how to get the pictures as attachments - and now into the files. :) I was on the digest version a while back (because it wouldn't send the attachments) but found it hard to keep up. I like the individual emails much better. ¸..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- ¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) ((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:- Kathy -:¦:- -:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

Liz, This arrived in my inbox--not my groups which caused me to be suspcious. I immediately deleted it. Kurt

Just received this from my ISP

GO YANKEES GO YANKEES! THEIR GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY.

Is that Wham! ????????? LOL Brenda

I Love the North Woods look and most of my house is "dedicated" to the Northwest despite it's Arizona location! I would love to see your room when you have your pictures! I also really like the look of Americana, but have yet to do anything about it. I guess the northwest is in America, so I have an excuse to at least do a bathroom... I redecorate my bathrooms at least every year! What kind of mantle are you wanting to put up? Can you use a thick beam or log that might cover the decorated tiles? That would be beautifully rustic... As far as the shelve, you do not need to fill the entire shelf with books. You can put a few here with a decorative book end (or something heavy). You can lay some of the bigger ones on their sides. Large art will make the shelves look less cluttered. Can you send a picture of what it looks like now? Also, why don't you want to paint behind the shelves? Are you worried about matching colors? What about using a bold accent color? I always like the look of shelves that are painted a bold red, or rust. That really helps to make your pieces stand out... Your house sounds wonderful! I love the rustic cabin feel... goes great with toddlers too! Angie

Here at Margaret's Manor....the stenciling of picket fence in mud room is complete and will begin freehanding the vines and flowers to wind around the fencing. THEN....must start washing the dungeon walls with TSP...get the primer coat on the walls...still have to select the paint color for the walls. MUST have all this done by end of next week as the dungeon carpeting and mud room tille will be installed on November 12th. That is not far away. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA www.uptomyearsinprojects.com

Liz....you find the most interesting web sites. Do you cruise the internet 24 hours a day? Just love that you are such a curious soul. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA

I have been given a lovely 'po', a potty, a chamber pot (gottit?) from the 20's. It is off white ceramic with gold trim and gold 'lace' work on it, original and used (heh) by a wealthy family. I don't know the best place to 'show it off'!! Ideas? Shirley

That test thought I was 80% a guy too. So I guess Liz, Diedre and I are in good company. :) I wonder if it ever guesses incorrectly for men? Come on guys.....fess up!! LOL!! Ann

I am on a desperate search for a recipe for "Holiday Trail Mix" -- somewhere in the midst of the move, a whole box of loose entertaining recipes were lost ... I remember the basics of the mix -- * mixed nuts * peanut M&Ms * peanut butter chips * chocolate chips * yogurt-covered raisins But, I know I'm missing something, actually, several somethings ... Has anyone ever made this recipe and, if so, would you please share all of the ingredients with me???? I always make a huge batch of this during the holidays -- it lasts all season if stored in a tightly-sealed container -- and, during parties and impromptu get-togethers, I sit small baskets of the mix all around the common areas so folks can 'graze' throughout the evening ... it is always a BIG hit ... and, now, I can't find my recipe and my swiss-cheese brain won't let me remember everything I need!!! Thanks, in advance, for your assistance!!! Wishing You Successful Decorating (and Entertaining)! ~ Kitty *who is trying to plan her December parties' menus well in advance this year (for once)* ~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~ Susan Reno-Gilliland Interiors susan@... Visit us at: www.susanrenogilliland.com - where we're always dedicated to "helping clients develop their own personal style!" ... or join our decorating & design discussions at Interiors ~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~.~~

Will the Yanks pull it off again? Will Rivera shut us out??? I think so!!!!!!! How could they put Kim in again???? ahhhhhhh. Well, this is good new for me, if there is a game 7, I've got suite tix arranged, my dh's bd is Mon. so I am secretly hoping it drags out so he can go to a World Series game for his BD on Sun., could not touch game six!!! I haven't said anything to him in case there is no game, guess I need to have a back-up bd gift waiting in the wings, lol....Missy

Home Depot? Is that what HD is? lol lol lol - all this time I thought you were all married to the same guy! the same very helpful guy - you really had me going. :) chris

Well, isnt that just like a man......"Pat" forgot the test addy......LOL Brenda

From: Liz Armon [mailto:ArtsyLiz@...] One of my favorite ideas for a bridal shower is to have each guest bring a tea cup and saucer for a "bridal tea". Little tags are attached with ribbon to each cup with a note for the bride with some wisdom about marriage, or a happy thought for the couple with the guests name signed at the bottom. Each guest drinks tea from the cup and saucer they brought to the shower, but leaves the cup and saucer behind as a gift to the bride. Instant tea cup collection, and with sentimental notes that can be left attached to the cups and saucers, or added to a scrapbook about the event.

Yes, for a short time they offered the latex-enhanced mud here, and I bought a bucket thinking that it would be better for doing the walls - boy was it a PAIN . Oh, I think we are talking about two different things. I am talking about what they are using currently in new homes. There is a type of compound that you put on over all your taping, metal, corners, and anything else that is not perfectly smooth. That has the glue in it. That is what I used to buy at home depot. Then there is a second style that would never work for what I mentioned above as it has no glue. It is used for decoration. It is used for the texturing like the skip troll, or sprayed through the guns for normal texturing (not the popcorn stuff) This is the product I had so much success with. I recieved the box from my dry wall friend, I don't know if Home depot has it or not. It's not a gimic, just what the common laborers use. Angie

Liz...buy a big container of Bay Leaves...and put a Bay Leaf in each grain and cereal container. It keeps the moths AWAY! I put them in EVERYTHING..and I buy big bags of flour and save them in 5 gallon buckets. I haven't had a moth problem since I started using the Bay Leaves. Kathie Don't try to save your indian corn - I saved mine the year before last and opened the box last fall and MILLIONS OF MOTHS flew out - kind of like pandora's box - well, I am STILL infested with those damned (and I mean exactly that) things - they will not go away!! Does anyone know of a remedy for pantry moths? They have destroyed so much food! They can get into plastic containers - I bought a whole bunch and put all my cereals in them, and they STILL got in . . . help! I am going to clean out the food closet and spray with poison but I bet that won't get rid of them. I heard of using a bowl of vinegar in there, but I keep forgetting to do it. I guess I should try that before the poison. Liz

Well, for the first time since I have been married (20 years!) we are having Thanksgiving at my house this year. We will have both my family and my hubby's family there this year at one sitting. Usually I have to eat 2 meals within an hour or so of each other as we go from my moms to his moms house. I am definitely looking forward to it being at my house all together. I am looking for some really good ideas on how to make it special, elegant, and with paper plates! LOL I appreciate the Thanksgiving ideas you have been posting Liz, keep up the good work. Terri

Ive started MAKING them, no garantees they will be sent by Christmas (good reason not to date them so if Im really late I can use them next year!) Neat card, I will try that out, my handwriting is disgusting though, I blame it on being lefthanded..... Brenda

op 31-10-2001 18:46 schreef Liz Armon op ArtsyLiz@...: Whooooeeeeeehahahaha.... very nice Liz!!! :))))) Helene The Netherlands

Someone asked if there was a web site for arranging rooms. Well, just got this from Better Homes & Gardens. Look toward bottom and you will see the web site for arranging. Margaret of Margaret's Manor in PA www.greenacresladywithoutthepigs.com

Hi everyone I am just preparing the treats for my sons class party and thought I would share the recipe it is so gross the kids love it! They are called monster toes or Mummy toes You take cocktail weiners and cut out the shape of a toe nail from one end then take a flour tortilla and cut it in to thin strips wrap one end of the toe (aka cocktail wiener) in the flour tortilla so it looks like a bandaged toe secure with a toothpick bake them in the oven at 325 for about 12 minutes or till they are warmed up then fill the toenail hole with ketchup. These are always a big hit at a kids party they are so realistic but they taste good too you could even serve with a side of mustard (aka mummy boogers) Hope it was okay to post this here I know I love grossing the kidso ut at halloween must be cause I am the mom of two boys:) Happy Halloween Heather www.mainlybears.com

I have heard this bemoaned of many professions, not just designers or decorators. As a member of that group I have a point of view on the subject. The murphy bed issue is a point well taken. Chances are who ever designed it was never given a chance to actually try out the prototype before it was put in production to discover the error of his/her/their design. Chances are if it was from a large manufacturer there wasn't really a designer involved--but a committee who said, "We need to add a murphy bed into the line. Make it traditional looking. Put those Frenchy doors on this carcass, oh and we need night tables as well, put them here. Next." As a designer I probably view things very differently from the general public. What is important for me is how it looks. I will