dining room updates

I've been meaning to tell you, my mom is a genius. Of course I knew this already, but let me just share with you her latest example of genius-ness.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVV8ZNS2XpDpx20a-iKEwlUQdTYraxctlOm2OJ8BgcLUwuRDBQIWxgqmmY9X1FQsaIZWmJLx5bnsaDcIDR5RkLY8cplXNOGaCDFRI6jPRHXi_zS9taJEnzMtVze2PRifjjePysQ8GqdTD/s1600/DiningRoomLBDBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVV8ZNS2XpDpx20a-iKEwlUQdTYraxctlOm2OJ8BgcLUwuRDBQIWxgqmmY9X1FQsaIZWmJLx5bnsaDcIDR5RkLY8cplXNOGaCDFRI6jPRHXi_zS9taJEnzMtVze2PRifjjePysQ8GqdTD/s1600/DiningRoomLBDBefore.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I am generally happy with my dining room and <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/08/refinishing-bench-part-2.html" target="_blank">the church pew</a> works like a charm to corral the girls during dinner but there was one small problem with the layout. When anyone over the age of 16 sat at the pew, they had a good chance of knocking their head against the mirror before dessert was served.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyORAsF1JKlyvk4IPKu31rM-JI3MrLM5kYICbXfvjK8NKbKo3I3tI8G6sybuVu4_-_GOPffOHQsGITS5NtyHuHYfEWdYYvxNtQ3s_kGjGK2qLtCijYu8_BUnWjhS_A7S0P7LL6ZJCGXJkT/s1600/LBDDiningRoomWayBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyORAsF1JKlyvk4IPKu31rM-JI3MrLM5kYICbXfvjK8NKbKo3I3tI8G6sybuVu4_-_GOPffOHQsGITS5NtyHuHYfEWdYYvxNtQ3s_kGjGK2qLtCijYu8_BUnWjhS_A7S0P7LL6ZJCGXJkT/s1600/LBDDiningRoomWayBefore.jpg" width="353" /></a></div><br />So often I would blather to my mom on the phone about wanting to put something behind the bench to create a bit of breathing room between guests and the big O (that would be the mirror, not Oprah). A console would be perfect, but I can't find a console that is as long as the bench and isn't thousands of dollars. Blah blah blah. It was probably around this point in the conversation that my mom would tell me she had to go so she didn't have to listen to this conversation...yet again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin8JG89c9BlCIDKijmKVE1vDUGpB85xR58HTJcYaTzVSRc6NvLHa3q_oQGzTLFI2WXgsGKQqK4ZTCRp_6jdXAUozs6elcGZ6KvKC3nQSPSkkNOuIIIaf_rueAN9OiKO0kOMXMRAA1rBri/s1600/PA239782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin8JG89c9BlCIDKijmKVE1vDUGpB85xR58HTJcYaTzVSRc6NvLHa3q_oQGzTLFI2WXgsGKQqK4ZTCRp_6jdXAUozs6elcGZ6KvKC3nQSPSkkNOuIIIaf_rueAN9OiKO0kOMXMRAA1rBri/s1600/PA239782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then we were downstairs (pre-family room makeover) and she said, "What about this console for behind the pew?" Uh, that's not long enough mom, duh. And it's too deep. To which the smarty pants said, "not if you cut it in half."<br /><br />Mind blown.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOmPlnTwSYmIdF8TH8lk-BSUppyDf22B5dRlilbOviH8fARsju6dilbAhWPrXCTwI451L9kfrPcEKkNps2jAA_1Q-sOpIyfoyrA9LjBcvzG_ZYR6aEzUcLZbPRiUt9ma2gaVTwZthZTyy/s1600/consoletablebefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOmPlnTwSYmIdF8TH8lk-BSUppyDf22B5dRlilbOviH8fARsju6dilbAhWPrXCTwI451L9kfrPcEKkNps2jAA_1Q-sOpIyfoyrA9LjBcvzG_ZYR6aEzUcLZbPRiUt9ma2gaVTwZthZTyy/s320/consoletablebefore.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br />I should clarify that this woman is a furniture lover of the first degree and doesn't normally condone furniture mutilation. But this particular piece was a random HomeGoods buy (we all have a few of those around the house) and is by no means precious.<br /><br />So of course I took that sucker outside as quickly as I could, measured to find the exact middle of the table and asked the hubs to buzz that sucker in half. We kept the tape down as he cut to prevent any splitting and in no time flat I had myself one. long. console.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBwMi3nviAVimb8rmAEntpcLjudli2opYJzHiHPFWQR4N9DiRSSUlNQhkn4KkNNyx1YC9uSbo6AgZ0Y4YHku4vEf4g07eqL9wsaNcGAL0Ja2rNhiEqmk3zbc7lzJr5oNBm5T4hxtls_Vw/s1600/IMG_1513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBwMi3nviAVimb8rmAEntpcLjudli2opYJzHiHPFWQR4N9DiRSSUlNQhkn4KkNNyx1YC9uSbo6AgZ0Y4YHku4vEf4g07eqL9wsaNcGAL0Ja2rNhiEqmk3zbc7lzJr5oNBm5T4hxtls_Vw/s1600/IMG_1513.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><br />Although each side of the now super long console still had two legs to hold it up, it was a bit wobbly. To remedy this we just screwed each side of the console into the wall to hold it in place and we were done.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrPIrtH85TxAlvPz3k_ZNjzhh7gBYan_uw6nrBlHDninFKv4YePMAzWPDpNwO21LJuD78sK6BAXl5-jx3GacTaRQyEo70lYNEeRfzm7DTb-QDBdB_hzKweCRQtbFD0js3OTbkVpSxvNYs/s1600/bluediningroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrPIrtH85TxAlvPz3k_ZNjzhh7gBYan_uw6nrBlHDninFKv4YePMAzWPDpNwO21LJuD78sK6BAXl5-jx3GacTaRQyEo70lYNEeRfzm7DTb-QDBdB_hzKweCRQtbFD0js3OTbkVpSxvNYs/s1600/bluediningroom.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><br />So nothing earth shattering but now all of my dinner guests can enjoy themselves without bonking their head in the middle of an animated story. (we host a lot of animated storytellers at our house). And really I'm a fan of little updates to a room. It feeds my constant appetite for change without chucking a room and starting over again every few months ($$$$$$)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlFDnFHFLa6vX3zbO3ouVY8kCaOwrd_YOAm3eL92ExeOLueayInHBpIgP8iQnWNWAmtg9zwcfJJc_oZ6fQxJHATBBsDYYA6JIwSi2UMbiHQCVEsEzHTJDZ-Gvt6k3lG2JpxBJuZhsyoJA/s1600/LBDDiningRoomWIDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlFDnFHFLa6vX3zbO3ouVY8kCaOwrd_YOAm3eL92ExeOLueayInHBpIgP8iQnWNWAmtg9zwcfJJc_oZ6fQxJHATBBsDYYA6JIwSi2UMbiHQCVEsEzHTJDZ-Gvt6k3lG2JpxBJuZhsyoJA/s1600/LBDDiningRoomWIDE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk304dAjtJt266bp4z56SkW9P7g8Vg-Eq_hVuKPYN-lKeqRBbeh2SkOu92jO4KO_QD2xqmPrIyrcJXdVG3S62HrgciR0BGyRQ7ZuswwotNXJ-zCJaJ3NscOeUBUqSNI8Xn5RDi-vR7A1z/s1600/diningroombenchcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk304dAjtJt266bp4z56SkW9P7g8Vg-Eq_hVuKPYN-lKeqRBbeh2SkOu92jO4KO_QD2xqmPrIyrcJXdVG3S62HrgciR0BGyRQ7ZuswwotNXJ-zCJaJ3NscOeUBUqSNI8Xn5RDi-vR7A1z/s1600/diningroombenchcloseup.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><br />The runner is a temporary one I made from fabric leftovers and extra ribbon. It will hang out until I find a more permanent replacement one day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOFp8sV0B4jX_e4NkuQtfuU6WYt-AZ6KOdWB28HHdbjwfVqN4R70E_EZ3zRHu04hYsTzMyWYVdeHHsD-d0RzLkK7_UKp_jGo69aAVWLwbEBwlc29kDPKfgEInLqM7tQVgZF8RXhLkHiUQ/s1600/LBDDiningRoomTIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOFp8sV0B4jX_e4NkuQtfuU6WYt-AZ6KOdWB28HHdbjwfVqN4R70E_EZ3zRHu04hYsTzMyWYVdeHHsD-d0RzLkK7_UKp_jGo69aAVWLwbEBwlc29kDPKfgEInLqM7tQVgZF8RXhLkHiUQ/s1600/LBDDiningRoomTIGHT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ3_lX1E51dbNs4r0ZeGrghswZ4CvAu_9yNQsiwSvMqktMJ5o1eGmoT04EsO25cWCCFTLHTEeTTFV5mRRjqDDBeeamBPB7954aYfpQM9wstND9rz6PlBYUFATgCsfcUqLIP3e1SUCA5xE/s1600/LBDDiningRoomOtherSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZ3_lX1E51dbNs4r0ZeGrghswZ4CvAu_9yNQsiwSvMqktMJ5o1eGmoT04EsO25cWCCFTLHTEeTTFV5mRRjqDDBeeamBPB7954aYfpQM9wstND9rz6PlBYUFATgCsfcUqLIP3e1SUCA5xE/s1600/LBDDiningRoomOtherSide.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_94ulhYNuzhmiizn2uZ-YWX80atDwoGIKXZZvDaGCgGAUG90R1Dc3rOerTbxsEu5nSiNCdN29xNMC5ITEKvDOGyc4ZEAcdsIwVfKBoxONu3O9o7MW9F6WeCPBqNZ_njRFlwMVzoMShb1w/s1600/LBDDiningRoomDetails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_94ulhYNuzhmiizn2uZ-YWX80atDwoGIKXZZvDaGCgGAUG90R1Dc3rOerTbxsEu5nSiNCdN29xNMC5ITEKvDOGyc4ZEAcdsIwVfKBoxONu3O9o7MW9F6WeCPBqNZ_njRFlwMVzoMShb1w/s1600/LBDDiningRoomDetails.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy8L2vc57XyneYmgF6mHqQKzjlzM6mc7ScyqCOq8A4cpxmt5N4bYb7KOGY9UgKkZCv6PSsvLoMjOycWXX5p3xyyatjsBHlW0Vd5VvOS62TVBpyOnoG2flvCSrRQTx5KCzYInmOJkVSKOL/s1600/LBDDiningRoomWIDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNy8L2vc57XyneYmgF6mHqQKzjlzM6mc7ScyqCOq8A4cpxmt5N4bYb7KOGY9UgKkZCv6PSsvLoMjOycWXX5p3xyyatjsBHlW0Vd5VvOS62TVBpyOnoG2flvCSrRQTx5KCzYInmOJkVSKOL/s1600/LBDDiningRoomWIDE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />What about you? Do you make a lot of little changes around the house to pacify the 'itch'? Ever cut a piece of furniture in half? I'm willing to rent my mom out to anyone who needs her, although maybe I should ask her first.

dining room updates

I've been meaning to tell you, my mom is a genius. Of course I knew this already, but let me just share with you her latest example of g...

Read more »

Continuing the Tour, The Front of the House Decorated for Fall

I have shown you the foyer so I better show you the front of the house before we proceed to other spots!  I know this may change some but right now ths is how the front of the house looks, decorated for FALL!!! Fall is my favorite time of year. Yes, I LOVE summer and now that we live here, I LOVE having the pool to go to. But Fall brings so many things I love: hot cider, football, cozy throws, pumpkin anything, comfort food, I could go on and on!!!! So here are a few shots of the front of my house. When I look back to last years pictures, I am kinda amazed! It has changed ALOT in just one short year! We will be in this house one year on Oct. 1st!!!! I can hardly believe it!!!! I got this pillow at Christmas Tree Shops 2 years ago. I love it still.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kLhxwgs4fk4TzwP2_zG9CwoHaAMRG05I2WGLDIcL0uL3ro5wnprYKemxYwDOhjjYSWovWjxaeXJxGLLHX8K5WtB-Wdpw2TanMjf4nMOI2jL3xWGyxa9KeQLJNpcIrdsxou5Deb5e3j2O/s1600/IMG_1620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kLhxwgs4fk4TzwP2_zG9CwoHaAMRG05I2WGLDIcL0uL3ro5wnprYKemxYwDOhjjYSWovWjxaeXJxGLLHX8K5WtB-Wdpw2TanMjf4nMOI2jL3xWGyxa9KeQLJNpcIrdsxou5Deb5e3j2O/s640/IMG_1620.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> This came from the same shop.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTgryMHnsDFD6yYQSBOYUNG0wQJClBwihg1gOPSq1k2vM6mrcl1huiLbZ6D5IBwNf3x56bO161RL2jAUZG9ZUYuOrxtpuJ321k3aXVfJl8phM6qTUIxwu-zUPWDkaRoxfryjp7oHsBQXP/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTgryMHnsDFD6yYQSBOYUNG0wQJClBwihg1gOPSq1k2vM6mrcl1huiLbZ6D5IBwNf3x56bO161RL2jAUZG9ZUYuOrxtpuJ321k3aXVfJl8phM6qTUIxwu-zUPWDkaRoxfryjp7oHsBQXP/s640/IMG_1621.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Last year we didn't have any bushes on the front side of the walkway and only 6 things in the space where the bench is now:)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMVYoWXHHxV1eLJ25WS7CNi8tfv4rTP5rAmhN3fYKWAZEE3O51TbD7Jet_Eu-7mOsJH00ZDOA0HlpoChg3GJ7W-cXudXr6mj0DyOGtVEhcI3LoCAkn52G_UtFzhSZkrpnpRRudsaXGOmB/s1600/IMG_1623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMVYoWXHHxV1eLJ25WS7CNi8tfv4rTP5rAmhN3fYKWAZEE3O51TbD7Jet_Eu-7mOsJH00ZDOA0HlpoChg3GJ7W-cXudXr6mj0DyOGtVEhcI3LoCAkn52G_UtFzhSZkrpnpRRudsaXGOmB/s640/IMG_1623.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> I got this little fence many years ago at a craft fair.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxWj_5pRlTYZ9Z3e-AjEZQvKm5jRgkOAvbraXq9SclrDDOEE56Q8VOyY8sjdq0NFsWP1_Bdmu5zLbXd7xDyBLK4A37XSG9haCnzA8fzFb5OWr6HQiWnoPdTRiSZW8h4vOQ1HbLOxPnRri/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxWj_5pRlTYZ9Z3e-AjEZQvKm5jRgkOAvbraXq9SclrDDOEE56Q8VOyY8sjdq0NFsWP1_Bdmu5zLbXd7xDyBLK4A37XSG9haCnzA8fzFb5OWr6HQiWnoPdTRiSZW8h4vOQ1HbLOxPnRri/s640/IMG_1624.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HwgIfQMwVk8PgMQcFIcdQfwEJgJOakgB6u58iReWcTeKKFrDLZo_cCme8RceHS6cvs45RWZPohOMezv14OBusJxxY2MOlMvM9B0Tjhv7vypFgzCUmPcwiGXhgAub2GTX9IZmOdfBxjNM/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HwgIfQMwVk8PgMQcFIcdQfwEJgJOakgB6u58iReWcTeKKFrDLZo_cCme8RceHS6cvs45RWZPohOMezv14OBusJxxY2MOlMvM9B0Tjhv7vypFgzCUmPcwiGXhgAub2GTX9IZmOdfBxjNM/s640/IMG_1625.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Joe and I have sat out here on this bench MANY evenings this summer having a glass of wine and visiting with neighbors. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyO_UACuunqD_t3lssKFAcJP1g70kLLv7IdeSuKH-_Ratei3p-LKAtMJrexDGti-nieVL98nhePOvm6QOS74DkLI9HCpfJ_4q4X-yqiW0yRS4eW7cnH-pRktIYAYqpyUHDpzAMv9dIR0Y/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyO_UACuunqD_t3lssKFAcJP1g70kLLv7IdeSuKH-_Ratei3p-LKAtMJrexDGti-nieVL98nhePOvm6QOS74DkLI9HCpfJ_4q4X-yqiW0yRS4eW7cnH-pRktIYAYqpyUHDpzAMv9dIR0Y/s640/IMG_1626.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScYIXCYVJOwxxzXyAt9FAvDHwkQxfLyeffz7aSzFGuwD17VOBxNCjwnOKBpd8qbzlN8rLMhQPntjRLouPH1mGU5KqriJ77LK7D92dg69Y5lzcriiF6K-ViN_oWiUZyJHIKtvzhcIY3k-z/s1600/IMG_1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScYIXCYVJOwxxzXyAt9FAvDHwkQxfLyeffz7aSzFGuwD17VOBxNCjwnOKBpd8qbzlN8rLMhQPntjRLouPH1mGU5KqriJ77LK7D92dg69Y5lzcriiF6K-ViN_oWiUZyJHIKtvzhcIY3k-z/s640/IMG_1638.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> I took the summer flowers out of the hanging basket and replaced them with fall flowers. The plant stand will go inside when it gets too cool outside. I embellished it with some pumpkins, leaves etc. The coleus in the copper pot are still looking very good but I want to do a Fall arrangement of some plants in there SOON.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFByd1ujJZIKs0lfsebnFh6rssqxOgQiGFe9gcBklLvvBrec1AVZF5HDQuKvKBBBmKFqrvvXcwWKaYQGcZqBRsb1-qsFeqg_Jse8vC9B8CP0GDhtNejET-4HEKd3fFumTbSWVuPj_WpI_/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFByd1ujJZIKs0lfsebnFh6rssqxOgQiGFe9gcBklLvvBrec1AVZF5HDQuKvKBBBmKFqrvvXcwWKaYQGcZqBRsb1-qsFeqg_Jse8vC9B8CP0GDhtNejET-4HEKd3fFumTbSWVuPj_WpI_/s640/IMG_1631.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> We brought the stepping stones over from the other house. They used to be around the pond.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhny5uPis55i6A7QTqo5KWM-PVB6Ki9nQHEScpnwwrFjo0LAJkNOH5nuPPDwpvllhjT92zm8JEAigzgy8Uj_UftD52DzbFHEShycfUuu_YTLSttf0H4jOURW8aE_i7LxMrkyVg93xU4FDxy/s1600/IMG_1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhny5uPis55i6A7QTqo5KWM-PVB6Ki9nQHEScpnwwrFjo0LAJkNOH5nuPPDwpvllhjT92zm8JEAigzgy8Uj_UftD52DzbFHEShycfUuu_YTLSttf0H4jOURW8aE_i7LxMrkyVg93xU4FDxy/s640/IMG_1632.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> I got my first pumpkin yesterday at the grocery store. I chose the biggest one they had:) <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYDHFiFpNuGwK-nlJ5UFTcxGmb4kc7VlDiDxhWi4as_YcBWtOrWhAR4fZ9QTp782tafZ2bdGofLaOn7pRly2yKS8-dEXHfZF171-MXae56o_f2lLaQFN8Bl7LXKvzkwjHODL1dhku-hG3/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYDHFiFpNuGwK-nlJ5UFTcxGmb4kc7VlDiDxhWi4as_YcBWtOrWhAR4fZ9QTp782tafZ2bdGofLaOn7pRly2yKS8-dEXHfZF171-MXae56o_f2lLaQFN8Bl7LXKvzkwjHODL1dhku-hG3/s640/IMG_1633.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Vcn4EbZZ5Q9SBb4Jm-vB1wLYG7HTILopY-wo39kxKABv7Y3YmXH3op4KGASCinJgTMsHK7Jn2-CPQS8faz9FeLEaY0U1QxicYxXrUORUhcfGYcoYopvqeOiPRXH4XrtqTnLW2uPs2Jrw/s1600/IMG_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Vcn4EbZZ5Q9SBb4Jm-vB1wLYG7HTILopY-wo39kxKABv7Y3YmXH3op4KGASCinJgTMsHK7Jn2-CPQS8faz9FeLEaY0U1QxicYxXrUORUhcfGYcoYopvqeOiPRXH4XrtqTnLW2uPs2Jrw/s640/IMG_1634.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> My fall welcome mat. It is a little "tired" but I may replace it NEXT year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIqOc_K_2Xn-2416GPhJ5-Y6TM3mKX-XzjeDkVM3hQnggQxTSViG5xqEONqhjFWDI1tqyoi4bDH5vEIsWMQBM8aJbvobjLDXgTfILZVhbpUBx-YvVMlIT4iq0FixlDILcRd8jcHwWVAEj/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIqOc_K_2Xn-2416GPhJ5-Y6TM3mKX-XzjeDkVM3hQnggQxTSViG5xqEONqhjFWDI1tqyoi4bDH5vEIsWMQBM8aJbvobjLDXgTfILZVhbpUBx-YvVMlIT4iq0FixlDILcRd8jcHwWVAEj/s640/IMG_1636.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> I put the pumpkin on 2 hay bales that I stacked together.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HlZNTB6WAIKbpALsqlNenwySNLTHk2n_22CkJXNrlWlAtV10Nv01OU-uFhefiytdfdJG2qkUqYY-FzsjXl5OfXuDjPiKH7HQ1bGeohfkZU3-8EU5j_kpIIw_krALBWQ1j9ghTlLxjQPI/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HlZNTB6WAIKbpALsqlNenwySNLTHk2n_22CkJXNrlWlAtV10Nv01OU-uFhefiytdfdJG2qkUqYY-FzsjXl5OfXuDjPiKH7HQ1bGeohfkZU3-8EU5j_kpIIw_krALBWQ1j9ghTlLxjQPI/s640/IMG_1639.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> And surrounded them with FAUX mums!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeq6QhYrqs36Nr2Gyn6vQ-I6gXkF0stZzq7QNBw5MoiO19TlhyQbZtaT5NJRS8ctEU1OvTw5j3MX49YLHZ_ifRx6mSVgUqbLRiKmJ5UKyJAByVi5AMr6WXi6CGdAqWJW-qlW3N-lvB5wMU/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeq6QhYrqs36Nr2Gyn6vQ-I6gXkF0stZzq7QNBw5MoiO19TlhyQbZtaT5NJRS8ctEU1OvTw5j3MX49YLHZ_ifRx6mSVgUqbLRiKmJ5UKyJAByVi5AMr6WXi6CGdAqWJW-qlW3N-lvB5wMU/s640/IMG_1640.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> At the old house we didn't have enough sun for real mums and these never die!!!! However, when I find some pretty real ones, I will replace them.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVL2wqZsjdJAvIOiVGm-a4rkkbz8VHHT9r_B7ONkRHZr6mA44rDrv243hXC23q5nMrgXZtmlJSd1ccR2hpkahJK3PxSpn_Yc9zu8Dn4ZzUD77dT-NYblGP_Y8iBdnqYrHkrP5cP7pj9s9/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVL2wqZsjdJAvIOiVGm-a4rkkbz8VHHT9r_B7ONkRHZr6mA44rDrv243hXC23q5nMrgXZtmlJSd1ccR2hpkahJK3PxSpn_Yc9zu8Dn4ZzUD77dT-NYblGP_Y8iBdnqYrHkrP5cP7pj9s9/s640/IMG_1641.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq13ThJKiFSJ-JeqOs9ef1o6p1_EXjXpV0GNEmNKIPcmI4_ZvG-nJLBjFAuJjigprM46fZT58RhzxsuKZ5nzIGip9HfK2_VfWeNspAwEWuNpoyrVVuIiwL6MTs_AGOzUOT5YzxTqImxxgR/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq13ThJKiFSJ-JeqOs9ef1o6p1_EXjXpV0GNEmNKIPcmI4_ZvG-nJLBjFAuJjigprM46fZT58RhzxsuKZ5nzIGip9HfK2_VfWeNspAwEWuNpoyrVVuIiwL6MTs_AGOzUOT5YzxTqImxxgR/s640/IMG_1642.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> My Fall wreath on the front door. So there you have it. I will continue the tour back inside. I LOVE decorating for Fall, these are MY colors! I can't wait till we can start painting the inside of the house. But right now we have LOTS of projects going: a deck, patio and pond. Plus Joe is working on a bar downstairs. One of these days we will be bored and have nothing to do....................HA!!!!!!!! Thanks for your visit. XO, Pinky<br /><br />I am linking to:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Between Naps on the Porch for <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/" title="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Metamorphosis Monday</a></div><br /><div>Judy @<a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/" title="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> DIY by Design</span></a> for Sizzle Into Summer Wednesday</div><br /><div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">The Dedicated House – </span><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheDedicatedHouse+%28The+Dedicated+House%29" target="_blank" title="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheDedicatedHouse+(The+Dedicated+House)"><span style="color: #45818e;">Make it Pretty Monday</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Confessions of a Plate Addict - </span><a href="http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2013/07/please-join-me-for-scoop-77.html" target="_blank" title="http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2013/07/please-join-me-for-scoop-77.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">The Scoop</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"> A Stroll Thru Life – </span><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/175th-inspire-me-tuesday.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank" title="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/175th-inspire-me-tuesday.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">Inspire Me Tuesday</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME</span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: #0066cc;">Happy List Tuesdays</span></u>~</span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Worthing Court - </span><a href="http://worthingcourt.blogspot.com/2013/07/homework-wednesday-11.html" target="_blank" title="http://worthingcourt.blogspot.com/2013/07/homework-wednesday-11.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">Home(work) Wednesday</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Savvy Southern Style - </span><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/07/wow-us-wednesdays-129.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SavvySouthernStyle+%28Savvy+Southern+Style%29" target="_blank" title="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/07/wow-us-wednesdays-129.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SavvySouthernStyle+(Savvy+Southern+Style)"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Wow Us Wednesdays</span></a><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"><div style="text-align: left;">Ivy @<a href="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/" title="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> Ivy and Elephants</span></a> for What's It Wednesday</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #33aaff;"><a href="http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/">Let’s Dish!</a>,  <div><a href="http://www.flusterbuster.com/search/label/Fluster%20Muster%20Party" rel="nofollow" title="http://www.flusterbuster.com/search/label/Fluster Muster Party"><span style="color: #5c4e49;">Fluster Creative Muster Party</span></a>, Wed.</div><div>Katherine @<a href="http://katherinescorner.com/" title="http://katherinescorner.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> Katherines Corner</span></a> for Favorite Things Thursday Hop</div></span></div></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><div><span style="font-family: andalus; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/02/thursdays-inspiration-white.html" title="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/02/thursdays-inspiration-white.html"><strong>THURSDAY’S INSPIRATION</strong></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><a href="http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/" title="http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage for A Favorite Thing.</span></a><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;">Between Naps on the Porch – Tablescape Thursday</span> </div><div><div><a href="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/" title="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #7f001f;">Treasure Hunt Thursdays</span></a></div><div><div><a href="http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-6-plus-features.html#more" target="_blank" title="http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-6-plus-features.html#more"><span style="color: #b81212;">Create It Thursday</span></a></div><div><a href="http://stonegable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://stonegable.blogspot.com/">Tutorials Tips and Tidbits</a>, <a href="http://www.adelightsomelife.com/" title="http://www.adelightsomelife.com/">Home and Garden Thursday</a>, <a href="http://www.commonground-do.com/" title="http://www.commonground-do.com/">Be Inspired Friday</a>, <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">Feathered Nest Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/01/be-inspired-friday-121-whats-new-in-new.html" title="http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/01/be-inspired-friday-121-whats-new-in-new.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Be Inspired Friday</span></a></div><div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://dakotacreekchic.com/" target="_blank" title="http://dakotacreekchic.com/"><span style="color: #60502a;">Dakota Creek Chic</span></a> for Weekend Beautiful Blog Party</span></div><br /><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party.html" title="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Fabulously Creative Friday</span></a> <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday.html" title="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Feathered Nest Friday</span></a><br />Show and Tell Friday, <a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/">Seasonal Sundays</a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcUL1lFLD_TRkHqEUNFH10RDujrV7yvhOF6gwNAEDUFtYyDNsx_QaCDt_a1UFXVa0oN8WMkrygDikZmNKP3ssbqw1X4SikfeZz1NEKBmGIYlSxUVn0e2rsZX6mY_Lzofnp0t9mByBrKih/s1600/IMG_1580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcUL1lFLD_TRkHqEUNFH10RDujrV7yvhOF6gwNAEDUFtYyDNsx_QaCDt_a1UFXVa0oN8WMkrygDikZmNKP3ssbqw1X4SikfeZz1NEKBmGIYlSxUVn0e2rsZX6mY_Lzofnp0t9mByBrKih/s640/IMG_1580.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>

Continuing the Tour, The Front of the House Decorated for Fall

I have shown you the foyer so I better show you the front of the house before we proceed to other spots!  I know this may change some but ri...

Read more »

refinishing the bench - part 2

So the bench.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsHx3ROw00VVI6zljKUBILtOPm8kcre-UAcZ1SScm5207bbRScPKXLWEH2PQJV_UJ61QSTv6AJNqvWzIJEpGSO0h4ids-Nf3jq7zQ5DqcRwR1uoah3-Mypd568YrPTl8efVIdRZFsoKmS/s1600/sandingbench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsHx3ROw00VVI6zljKUBILtOPm8kcre-UAcZ1SScm5207bbRScPKXLWEH2PQJV_UJ61QSTv6AJNqvWzIJEpGSO0h4ids-Nf3jq7zQ5DqcRwR1uoah3-Mypd568YrPTl8efVIdRZFsoKmS/s640/sandingbench.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />When last we left our story (<a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/08/refinishing-bench.html" target="_blank">read part 1 here</a>), it looked something like this.<br /><br />After all the sanding was complete, and my tears were dried, I called over my mom and dad to take a look at what I was working with. After decades of refinishing furniture and selling it, they are like the experts on Antique Roadshow. I bring them things, they tell me the good/bad news and then I jump for joy or kick them out of the house, depending on their answer.<br /><div><br /></div><div>The verdict - it was determined I was looking at a piece made of at least two different types of wood. Damn you furniture!<br /><br />But after a cool down period I realized/remembered that this is <i>not</i> a fancy piece. This is backwoods furniture y'all. The people sitting in these pews were most likely in their farmer overalls rather than suits so it was never meant to be a fine antique.<br /><br />So I gave in and decided I couldn't fight an old church pew. (its probably sacrilegious or something) It will be whatever it is. After all, I have it (and love it) because of its history, not its beauty.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bwpyc0V3taRltojEx-mfyUBMaT-O6v287iD3xEG3L6iyUEB8HcSr4pkggkdUCS9WK2a4qwXmJvxlebbYLGsgVkVLbpx6x9MHhvhgSVp76IIHOc00tFCCYBDemmVP51k1ECjVkKcSNTgg/s1600/RefinishingBench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bwpyc0V3taRltojEx-mfyUBMaT-O6v287iD3xEG3L6iyUEB8HcSr4pkggkdUCS9WK2a4qwXmJvxlebbYLGsgVkVLbpx6x9MHhvhgSVp76IIHOc00tFCCYBDemmVP51k1ECjVkKcSNTgg/s400/RefinishingBench.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />So all though some spots never came out, no matter how much I sanded, I decided it was time to move on and stain. Embrace the character. Embrace the character. (this is my staining the bench mantra)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tf_oH7BHlG6Ur-epaY93ZdhBCx91eLdmpynBzqqCa6_A3Y8TQINevMhzMQBIFhUOtD5u2yjXKGz9qoguLsTvHbNgpgJquEbF6iVri2lcdqSoct6zn1aCvvzhmxZbYC4aXvxyOv0Iuf4L/s1600/RefinshedBenchcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tf_oH7BHlG6Ur-epaY93ZdhBCx91eLdmpynBzqqCa6_A3Y8TQINevMhzMQBIFhUOtD5u2yjXKGz9qoguLsTvHbNgpgJquEbF6iVri2lcdqSoct6zn1aCvvzhmxZbYC4aXvxyOv0Iuf4L/s640/RefinshedBenchcloseup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And after three coats of stain and two coats of clear polyurethane here she is. Some of her red paint still shows thru (some wood 'released' the paint better than others) and I like that. It is a reminder of how it looked as I grew up and my little nod to all the years my parents had it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNafzJZKp0G-6sUiiavtxpnnX1yWDZGlL1kynQflciANKvZWXpFJKiE4b281lpf7f74kwj1x_lWe5R63BnKmbb7aIHA-gyDNEgZgRZU_CoO513WLHVXV6PKpxBD_kzhK8DV_PpHBnUI0T/s1600/RefinshedBenchlong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNafzJZKp0G-6sUiiavtxpnnX1yWDZGlL1kynQflciANKvZWXpFJKiE4b281lpf7f74kwj1x_lWe5R63BnKmbb7aIHA-gyDNEgZgRZU_CoO513WLHVXV6PKpxBD_kzhK8DV_PpHBnUI0T/s640/RefinshedBenchlong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYbhMTEhwg-f4LMjE3Yp2oiVviiGHwP-yplgZiStPTLqPMWSS8DJ5GuCiVgH2foh_W0PtIFulQWDSaImKKaUBrCNlBzjWjDgw62RXeEAxTzk4-mBAJ6QM83hwCxLZrIERpqcoyLcDj8dk/s1600/RefinshedBenchend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYbhMTEhwg-f4LMjE3Yp2oiVviiGHwP-yplgZiStPTLqPMWSS8DJ5GuCiVgH2foh_W0PtIFulQWDSaImKKaUBrCNlBzjWjDgw62RXeEAxTzk4-mBAJ6QM83hwCxLZrIERpqcoyLcDj8dk/s400/RefinshedBenchend.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq8V6lwqZx-a4sBnQTnSKJSXM_RuEZ1ldTWM_9KQteFuoZVIVvVZBHE3iUeLxDsmklzFfcUUGAmb8Lukx6LckrdeuwmnMdQySC3zsmMbFqePG5V55Phxtiy-nJrp-Zvs6a9cQFTg06KZT/s1600/RefinishedBench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq8V6lwqZx-a4sBnQTnSKJSXM_RuEZ1ldTWM_9KQteFuoZVIVvVZBHE3iUeLxDsmklzFfcUUGAmb8Lukx6LckrdeuwmnMdQySC3zsmMbFqePG5V55Phxtiy-nJrp-Zvs6a9cQFTg06KZT/s640/RefinishedBench.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcquM4f6fMcAnrvYLDnnmoPs4fuCfNdziRzDIJddMWTxhlgbn1IUkxEjm5pk_KHUgNKYoMG501-VPbDiw5sigJG-yrom7EmnbA0LmYqYQ8DZFoKsxwTWHCJtl3EN1Q4bkCUP5qhMMc2sQ/s1600/RefinishedChurchPew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcquM4f6fMcAnrvYLDnnmoPs4fuCfNdziRzDIJddMWTxhlgbn1IUkxEjm5pk_KHUgNKYoMG501-VPbDiw5sigJG-yrom7EmnbA0LmYqYQ8DZFoKsxwTWHCJtl3EN1Q4bkCUP5qhMMc2sQ/s640/RefinishedChurchPew.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ignore that table behind the bench and those lamps, that's a whole other post.<br /><br />This isn't a tutorial on refinishing (obviously) but rather just a tale to remember that not all furniture will cooperate with your plan. And sometimes that's for the best. Love what you have and it will work for you.<br /><br />Have you ever had a bossy piece of furniture that wouldn't cooperate? </div>

refinishing the bench - part 2

So the bench. When last we left our story ( read part 1 here ), it looked something like this. After all the sanding was complete, and my te...

Read more »

freshening the foyer - part 1

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Thanks everyone for your great <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/06/potty-time.html" target="_blank">potty training tips and ideas</a>. Today the fun begins, so I'll keep y'all posted.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few years into our marriage, I gave my husband a valuable little nugget of truth that has helped him to <strike>accept</strike> deal with my never ending project list - "by the time I mention something to you, know that I've already been debating the idea in my head for quite some time." I know, poetry right?</div><br />So when I told him a few weeks back that I had plans to overhall the foyer, his response was music to my ears -"Cool". He's a good egg.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21YzukK5OhHubKR2dWtnUinsVFVyq8e9lPn7_MQigswy9ZEfo3SaiT-iO93floBwyld_7Y2Ivc9KrGAZ4oD9IenirwMVvyYtXAvMy_Z6Ee3iaYQor3e7ufAxw77ZyeSxx6w7FYlMPhIXT/s1600/P2194481.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21YzukK5OhHubKR2dWtnUinsVFVyq8e9lPn7_MQigswy9ZEfo3SaiT-iO93floBwyld_7Y2Ivc9KrGAZ4oD9IenirwMVvyYtXAvMy_Z6Ee3iaYQor3e7ufAxw77ZyeSxx6w7FYlMPhIXT/s400/P2194481.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div><br />Now I may get some slack for this because this little image is <a href="http://pinterest.com/ladybaum/the-little-black-door-projects/" target="_blank">pinned</a> quite a bit, but I'm tired of it. That wallpaper was one of the first projects we (aka the hubs and my dad) tackled in the house. Seven years ago. It is faded, scratched and is starting to come off on the corners.<br /><br />Also, as much as I like the yellow table on its own, I was never in love with it with the wallpaper. It was all a bit too ketchup and mustard for me.<br /><br />And the third strike, as great as this layout is in theory it isn't real life. We don't come in the door and put our mail and keys down. We come inside and take off our shoes. And 50% of the residents of this little cottage need to sit down and take several minutes to get those little shoes on and off. So its time to pull a Dr. Phil and 'get real' - we need a spot for all of this action.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsq6CRo30aSe8oGj5Mvz9utUgLTJHvDu9e352pgmFD4eLAtz5AzGpoSS40-OXu92Z8mmUklBCHUug52Kt4WNwIMTU0Er-FYdZ2dLZBPSnNfTD5tzu-W7WMjSPVgh5ZALZ-kKIqR-voHPhk/s1600/foyerbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsq6CRo30aSe8oGj5Mvz9utUgLTJHvDu9e352pgmFD4eLAtz5AzGpoSS40-OXu92Z8mmUklBCHUug52Kt4WNwIMTU0Er-FYdZ2dLZBPSnNfTD5tzu-W7WMjSPVgh5ZALZ-kKIqR-voHPhk/s400/foyerbefore.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br />Enter my new favorite. You may remember I was fortunate to <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/03/change-up-your-welcome.html" target="_blank">snag my beauty of a bench</a> a while back and it fits perfectly in the foyer. But the wallpaper isn't doing it any favors. This bench deserves a snazzy space.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoa4Iw2eBcqEgbTmrIXkIEmr5lGTm9mvIi42C5Uzvp6yLQUOPwMhDeqLZDL4l0kRa_Gf6chNrrgU5EkzE_STVPSs6gZ9SBzoWCkgVgtn-My4AxfCXQUYpeTJeny2SZRqIKGJWwhIH8FCz/s1600/wallpaperremoval.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoa4Iw2eBcqEgbTmrIXkIEmr5lGTm9mvIi42C5Uzvp6yLQUOPwMhDeqLZDL4l0kRa_Gf6chNrrgU5EkzE_STVPSs6gZ9SBzoWCkgVgtn-My4AxfCXQUYpeTJeny2SZRqIKGJWwhIH8FCz/s320/wallpaperremoval.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />So the wallpaper came down.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQhIDeO8Pc1KMKjnJYfE95D_nZCXRhyphenhyphen0Viea1Ul6c_0cEKYX_EoePxOQ5zHXu1C6LhDxCrwZmZQ56Ca25qRl2PdEoQbJfboL8h9NvBuBsqhX85533_SnnTZAVy6vlRXknAzquupvWLeTo/s1600/evehelps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQhIDeO8Pc1KMKjnJYfE95D_nZCXRhyphenhyphen0Viea1Ul6c_0cEKYX_EoePxOQ5zHXu1C6LhDxCrwZmZQ56Ca25qRl2PdEoQbJfboL8h9NvBuBsqhX85533_SnnTZAVy6vlRXknAzquupvWLeTo/s320/evehelps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />No one in this house is exempt from a good DIY.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUPe89UaXQONm65pueMixwRezksSzyzLMXBhA4xQZgQ8TwZw08Z6F2eWfKDlig-2V7fO6oBR2lQECV_RCnUykNhTruazdA_4W9hs1UiaXMI5G1_2q_XN8dLT8fqt9v4chIYzeaVfVBWfw/s1600/wallpaperremoved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUPe89UaXQONm65pueMixwRezksSzyzLMXBhA4xQZgQ8TwZw08Z6F2eWfKDlig-2V7fO6oBR2lQECV_RCnUykNhTruazdA_4W9hs1UiaXMI5G1_2q_XN8dLT8fqt9v4chIYzeaVfVBWfw/s640/wallpaperremoved.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Thanks to plaster walls, I was able to remove all of that wallpaper, all of it, with just my hands. No tools needed. See, I told you it was ready to come down. An important tip in removing wallpaper though, once the paper is off the wall, don't think you are finished. You still need to give the wall a good scrub with a wet sponge to get off all of the glue that remains on the wall. That sponge also helped to loosen up those pesky little pieces that hung on.<br /><br />After about an hour before bed and then an hour or so the next morning I had a blank palette. I'm already in love with how much brighter and bigger the space feels. And let's face it, anything I can do to make this tiny space feel bigger is a thumbs up. So I painted the entry the same color as the <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/p/living-room.html" target="_blank">living room</a> (<a href="http://www.myperfectcolor.com/en/color/20123_Pratt--Lambert-2249-Arrowroot" target="_blank">Arrowroot by Pratt & Lambert</a>) to help with that bigger space feeling trick.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dzYfSEKix-nVQCfyJ0YJ5UiTVpx8Sby6NZ-v5VIvjoFMoIZzF5RhMNfxZGIeOdo8_U7RyLkF9kMKTVIjD6M-DUXJLxNOGvjLFHLymVsFqvtXLnsaIMlJqrtwm_5uUFPEoWApWJ-ys1Og/s1600/IMG_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dzYfSEKix-nVQCfyJ0YJ5UiTVpx8Sby6NZ-v5VIvjoFMoIZzF5RhMNfxZGIeOdo8_U7RyLkF9kMKTVIjD6M-DUXJLxNOGvjLFHLymVsFqvtXLnsaIMlJqrtwm_5uUFPEoWApWJ-ys1Og/s400/IMG_1493.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />But fear not, I didn't just leave it that way. You know I can't go without a good dose of color. Next week we'll see where that color went and what to do when DIY goes wrong. (how's that for a tease?)<br /><br />What are your plans for the weekend? Any DIY projects planned? Any plans to <i>fix</i> a DIY project?

freshening the foyer - part 1

Thanks everyone for your great potty training tips and ideas . Today the fun begins, so I'll keep y'all posted. A few years into our...

Read more »

a girl walks into a bar

OK, so it wasn't a bar, but it is still a good story. Two good stories.<br /><br />First, remember this little gem I found a few weeks back?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02Afx02wm9DNrFW1P6kRG9cjkyaqPdfUwQOTEv85Lt1BvYrLhFxiT_-xB0X90YRQ7fKAUWdM2qiqHMZBkmHznRyb0FbNgeMdYqMi89tHYW3EC9SYlXpqLABvHHvZ-_AbdYwRAp1tHqLW0/s1600/chipendalebench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02Afx02wm9DNrFW1P6kRG9cjkyaqPdfUwQOTEv85Lt1BvYrLhFxiT_-xB0X90YRQ7fKAUWdM2qiqHMZBkmHznRyb0FbNgeMdYqMi89tHYW3EC9SYlXpqLABvHHvZ-_AbdYwRAp1tHqLW0/s400/chipendalebench.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Well after several trips back to the store to measure, stare and contemplate<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FTUqIdA8IG6geWfGs5UkmD8uQhF1WACQyEUYz2j7DyeeokCrnm0cvstY6dKumpM-ijZGCTB3HzDDK_8735hddkLj2hIQQcj-Z9MaYILF941GIB1by9B4nmFeRCXsutJKccqc7KzV_vD_/s1600/Chippendalebench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FTUqIdA8IG6geWfGs5UkmD8uQhF1WACQyEUYz2j7DyeeokCrnm0cvstY6dKumpM-ijZGCTB3HzDDK_8735hddkLj2hIQQcj-Z9MaYILF941GIB1by9B4nmFeRCXsutJKccqc7KzV_vD_/s400/Chippendalebench.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><br />the old girl is at home where she belongs. Our messy home. Sorry for the picture, but that's life.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqHhvKjXxI_lLHDZySfy_e-oUB8NxWOgaN0E1Rq3CBqlvsZEX36xG_2jMe2x_5qR904Jyc_D8hK3g1s0ELM0QugMrflLEQTJfSd_2MHZDJPZAFxUQBX3aoPaKligI2PLdM7icPXucVTX_/s1600/Benchcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqHhvKjXxI_lLHDZySfy_e-oUB8NxWOgaN0E1Rq3CBqlvsZEX36xG_2jMe2x_5qR904Jyc_D8hK3g1s0ELM0QugMrflLEQTJfSd_2MHZDJPZAFxUQBX3aoPaKligI2PLdM7icPXucVTX_/s320/Benchcloseup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />She fits like a glove and I love her color, finish and pretty much everything about her. Now I just need to rip down that wallpaper. And paint. And get a new mirror. And pillows. And rug. Don't tell the hubs, but we've got another project ahead people.<br /><br />Story #2 is a story of surprise, drama and intrigue. Or, if you follow me on instagram (<a href="http://instagram.com/littleblackdoor/" target="_blank">follow me here</a>) then it's a story you've already 'heard'.<br /><br />Last Saturday I was on my way to a little store I love to source a table for a client. But I was early and they weren't open yet so I went next door to the Goodwill to <strike>waste time</strike> search for good finds.<br /><br />And as I turned the corner I saw this.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZn2YFJHJ2KksQubheGmxupmhVxxKSTSdH8MkgSWBNPb1jC_YqAZmXv0hk-x3iBwe4JZDhm8vMY-W3fewCTdsnW2fm29SagPPpAnCarjD3_YpFIoQvMHseQpciVWJmq81zhXbevfUqfBR/s1600/Goodwillcouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZn2YFJHJ2KksQubheGmxupmhVxxKSTSdH8MkgSWBNPb1jC_YqAZmXv0hk-x3iBwe4JZDhm8vMY-W3fewCTdsnW2fm29SagPPpAnCarjD3_YpFIoQvMHseQpciVWJmq81zhXbevfUqfBR/s400/Goodwillcouch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Allow me to read the tag for you. $30 people. (ok, I added the 'people')<br /><br />I took a picture immediately and then took a seat. Comfy. I lifted the cushions. Clean. I looked for stains. Negative (with the exception of one small crayon mark).<br /><br />So with all of these good check marks I of course...walked away. I went on my way next store and went about my regularly scheduled errands. But I kept thinking about it. And thinking about it. We need a new couch for our family room. We'd been planning on just getting a <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/05/feet-up-or-laying-down.html" target="_blank">slipcovered couch or sectional</a>.<br /><br />Plans change.<br /><br />That night I googled to find out what time Goodwill opened and made a plan to go and get my little honey. Even the biggest snow storm we've had in 30 years wouldn't stop me. I piled my girls in the car, drove 10 miles an hour thru some heavy falling snow and slapped down my $30.<br /><br />Whoop Whoop.<br /><br />She is now <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/04/take-seat-part-4.html" target="_blank">were I put all my best couches, the garage</a>. And my head is spinning about what to do with her. What colors would you use with her? What patterns? I think I feel an inspiration board coming on. Prepare to hear a lot more about this girl over the next few weeks.<br /><br />Happy Weekend!!

a girl walks into a bar

OK, so it wasn't a bar, but it is still a good story. Two good stories. First, remember this little gem I found a few weeks back? Well a...

Read more »