One Nutty Girl » New Look

Spring Mantle

mj — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:57:59 +0000

I finally whipped out a little change on the mantle. It is not entirely spring, but it is not screaming winter either. I’m still in love with my old blue window frame around my family picture over the mantle. As not to overshadow this I just wanted something simple.

Vintage Books

I decided to go with a book theme because I have a ton of vintage books in fabulous blues and browns.

It's a book!

I used some paperback books I had folded the edges back on and used them in glass containers.

Simple. Simple.

So, here it is Simple. Simple. Just books with a few simple other elements added. I like the way the typeset letter of the word “family” go with the theme of words in the books.

I tweaked the top of this table as well.

Table Display

I had a fabulous 8 pane window here, but moved it into my bedroom as part of the redo in there. I had this double pair of shutters hanging around from Goodwill in the garage. I freshened them up with a coat of white paint and set them on the table. I then hung my blue barn star and my two framed L. Herbert egg prints.

Spring Table Display

The table runner is new too! I got this at my favorite hometown store Total Bliss! I love the blue bird on the side!

Token Dog Shot

Asher and Lanie are very pleased with the new tweaks in the house. They are not so pleased with their super short summer hair cuts however. Asher has been very self conscious and can’t wait to be fluffy and cute again!

Inspiration into Reality

mj — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:44:04 +0000

Here is the photo that has been my driving force behind my Master Bedroom inspiration….

from Just Beachy Blog

I flipped for this bedroom on Just Beachy. I book marked it forever ago and just kept staring at it dreaming of my very own coastal bedroom one day. I loved the look of the board and batten and totally wanted to tackle a job like that. It seemed such a huge room to do and I was a little bit scared. So, to ease my fears I sought out a place to “practice”.

The After

I picked my back hallway entry in from the garage and was pleasantly surprised by the ease of it. You can read about it here.

There was only one thing hindering my room remodel…..my almost 9 year old carpet. The training of 2 puppies had officially finished it off in the last since months. I could not even contemplate a pretty bedroom until I knew the carpet could be replaced.

Flooring becomes a Reality

old carpet

I did a really big project on that furniture that I’m not ready to reveal yet. I did it in the bedroom since it did not matter if I ruined the carpet. After that was completed I was left with a some very dirty celery green walls, and some serious dusty and dirty baseboards and crown molding. I embarrassed by the amount of filth was in my room!

subfloor

The carpet was ripped out and even the subfloor was a refreshing change in the room! I had to get a little advertising in for my Seek the Triad website! I then started testing paint colors. Oh what a process. All in all I went through 5 paint samples! I finally settled on Benjamin Moore Silver Gray. Can’t wait to show you that!!

wood

Next up….a whole lot of this was delivered and Stephen Price from Stephen’s Flooring Company began to work his magic. I’m so glad I hired someone to do this part of the job. We had actually considered trying this job ourselves. So glad we did not!!!

yeah floors!

The floor were installed! Before the sanding and ploy was put on I got the green light to paint away and not worry about any spills, they would all be buffed out! Yeah, let the messy painting begin! I then had about 5 days to get busy painting and putting up the board and batten. I painted the top with flat Benjamin Moore Silver Gray and hit the bottom with plain old Behr White in Satin (chose not to do semi gloss) on the bottom. Here is my little helper carrying in wood for the board and batten.

bedding

Here is a look at the bedding I am using. I bought a white quilt at Target to go with a silver gray comforter that I already had that was new but had been sitting in my closet for a few years. I knew I’d use it one day!

I’m documenting this project as well on Seek The Triad as well….so I can’t get ahead of the reveal that is going on over there…so hang with me!

Bookshelves

mj — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:57:27 +0000

BHG.com

I totally struggle with accessorizing the bookshelves on either side of my fireplace.

book·shelf [book-shelf]
–noun, plural -shelves.
a shelf for holding books, esp. one of several shelves in a bookcase.

sounds simple huh?

: My bookshelves

I thought the bulk of the struggle was over when I had the mirrored backs and glass shelves removed and replaced with bead board backs and wood shelves. Sigh, I still can’t get the “look” right. They just seem to end up cluttered looking with no theme. This is an older picture, I’ve changed everything several times since this picture!

: Martha Stewart

I love the simplicity and balance in this photo from Martha Stewart. I’m even digging the little pictures hanging in the backs. I really struggle with the photo’s looking very cluttered.

: Martha Stewart

Of course I am often tempted to paint the back of the cabinets! How bold and wonderful are these???

: Fall Mantle Complete!

I could pick up the color in the frame I have currently hanging over the fireplace. Maybe a pale version of this???

In the grand scheme of life my bookshelf predicament is really quite trivial. I just really felt like talking about bookshelves today. Books are wonderful treasures and often forgotten in the techo world we live in. I’m embarrassed to say that when I take my kids to the library I really don’t know how to find books! It has been a long time since this chick worked a Dewey Decimal System. Do they even still teach that?

Anyone else out there struggle with decorating a bookshelf? Any words of bookshelf decorating would be much appreciated!

Rugs ~ Help Me Pick One!

mj — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:14:51 +0000

The current living room carpet

I’ve had this beautiful wool rug from Capel for 8 years now. When I first decorated my new house 8 years ago I was really into sage green {I still really like sage, I’ve just moved on to some other colors too!} . This is a great carpet and we paid dearly for it. It is high quality and still looks almost brand new. It has seen quite a lot of action over the years with 2 babies and now the Fuggles. So, what is my beef? I’m over the dark color and the green and the heaviness of this carpet in this room. I feel ungrateful saying that. Every magazine and catalog is showing the natural fiber rugs and I LOVE THIS LOOK!!!! I WANT THIS LOOK! I am however wondering about the durability and washability of the natural fibers. I think I’m going for it since I’ve got a little birthday money burning a hole in my pocket.

I’ve narrowed it down to 3 and I’d love your opinions.

Choice #1

Pottery Barn

show in a room

This is the Flat-Braided Jute Rug from Pottery Barn and the 8 X 10 is on sale for $249. I can drive about 30 miles to the closest Pottery Barn if I want to save on shipping. There is an extra $20 charge for shipping. Pottery Barn claims it to be fully reversible for twice the wear (true?). I would also need to purchase a rug pad.

Choice #2

Home Decorators

Another view

This is the Annandale Jute Area Rug from Home Decorators. Home Decorators is currently having free shipping for Labor Day. An 8 x 11 is $279. Downside, it is not in stock until 11/1. I would also need to purchase a rug pad.

Choice #3

Ballard Designs Rug

Ballard Designs Jute Rug

The Ballard Designs Braided Jute Rug. It looks like it would be softer to me and looks so great in almost every room in the new catalog. Downside, I’m worried about the fringe on the ends. I envision them getting dirty and having little puppies chew on them. Anyone have an experience with fringe on a carpet? I guess I could cut them off if they got to be a problem.

from the Ballard website:

“A bit dressier than traditional jutes, our Braided Jute Rug is extra thick and feels surprisingly soft, even on bare feet. Handwoven of golden 100% jute and finished with thick, hand knotted 3″ fringe. Slip resistant latex; no rug pad needed. Allow for 3/4″ door clearance. Braided Jute Rug sizes are approximate and do not include fringe. Imported. Use of a Rug Pad is recommended. $339″

Do I need a rug pad or not???

I did consider consigning my beautiful and expensive rug. I showed a picture one of my contacts and he said he would sell it for $599, which means I would not get that amount. But, since my best bud Life to the T has the most amazing attic you have ever seen {many of you have attended her famous attic sale!} she has graciously agreed that I can roll up my rug and store it there just in case i would ever want it back. Tempting.

Do you get my confusion? Can you help a girl out? What is your pick – 1, 2 or 3?

Tweaked.

mj — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:47:02 +0000

I’m short on time for projects lately. I seem to accomplish next to nothing. I know, I know….don’t wish your play time with kids away. Deal with the moment.

I settled with a smallish project of tweaking the board and batten entry wall. Of course you can see the hooks are already jam packed with all our stuff!

A hook for everyone!

I added the metal letters from Micahel’s. The “d” is for “dogs”! I use their hook for their leashes and will use it for their jackets in the fall. {yes, I just talked about dressing my dogs!} The “e” and “g” is for the boys. Of course the “mj” is me. I had to paint mine blue! I also framed the big starfish with the same blue.

Lettered

It is working out great at keeping all the clutter off the floor. Of course the true test will be when the boys are wearing jackets and using backpacks!

********************************************

It seems from the comments on my last post {Does Your Husband Read Your Blog} that our husbands do not read our blogs. I did e-mail him the link and he left me a funny and beautiful comment:

“Let’s see, I have to admit that this is the first time I’ve read your blog…or anyone else’s blog for that matter. I appreciate the post (but could have done without the beach photo) and while things are not always paradise (though it frequently is), you are a wonderful and loving wife and it is an honor to be your husband. I love you and will forever!!”

Weekend challenge: Write a post/love letter to your man, send him the link. I’ll be having my Be Still Linky Party on Monday so you can link up your love letter posts if you want!

Inspired by ChalkBoard Ink!

mj — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:16:01 +0000

I have a quirky confession to make. I have hated chalk all my life. Hated the way it felt in my hands as a child and still do. Hate the dust. Hate the sound it makes when you write with it. Just plain hate it! So, I was Over The Moon when a reader told me about Chalk Ink after my post on Organizing With Cracker Jars.

Slate Tags With Chalk

Here are my Cracker Jars {I bought them at Wally World} when I used plain white chalk.

The After

Here they are after I re wrote the tags with the incredible Chalk Ink! Gone was the horrid feeling I had just holding the chalk in my hand! Plus, my handwriting is so much better!

The most important jar in the house!

Are you loving the slate tags? I got them in Melissa’s Open Sky Shop at The Inspired Room!

black board

Be Thankful!

The Chalk Ink Markers are not just for chalk boards. You can write on glass, mirrors {I use my bathroom mirror and my ah ha moment place} and plastic. They wipe right off with water too! I got mine at Michaels.

Have you heard about these or are they new to you too?

Organizing with Glass Cracker Jars

mj — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:00:58 +0000

I was over at My First Kitchen’s house the other day, yah know just hanging out eating her to die for Lemon Blueberry Scones, and I fell in love with her jars of ingredients! Well I am the first to admit that I can be the biggest copy cat out there, but I always give the rightful owner credit! Anyway, I’ve got ingredients galore so I immediately knew I could fill a few of these stylish and reasonably priced cracker jars from Walmart with out a problem.

I purchased all 12 cracker jars my Walmart had in stock in 3 different sizes. I tackled my organic section first, the ones that everything in plastic bags from the bulk bin spilling out everywhere. Goodbye bags!

Coffee Corner

Then I organized the K-cups for the “I can’t live without” Keurig! I have my tea in the bottom jar and the coffee on top! I’m running low on K-cups, just ordered more today!

organized with style

Just as I was finishing up the big jars, I wondered to myself how would I label everything. I do not have a label maker {gasp!}. But, then the man in the Big Brown Truck came today. He brought me my Slate Tags I ordered from Melissa’s {The Inspired Room} Open Sky Shop! I almost hugged him! You know seconds later I was making these cute little tags for the jars!

love these slate tags!

read the chalkboard!

So now my kitchen is adorned with pretty jars of all my precious baking and cooking ingredients! My pictures are not so good because the room is very sunny, but trust me, it is much better than it looks!

My Thoughts on Organization & Clutter

mj — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:56:55 +0000

I can easily say that I have been a “stacker” {someone who just stacks papers everywhere, and then just re-stacks them over and over} for as long as I can remember. I’ve never been organized ever, not once in my entire life. Is there any hope for me? My college dorm room was a complete mess, my college apartment even worse! After college I had a total of 6 different offices before my “retirement” into motherhood. Every time I moved to a new one I said to myself…”This time I will be organized!”. It had never happened. {My mother is probably reading this right now shaking her head in agreement!}

One of the best ways to feel better about my stacks of papers is to watch Hoarders on A&E. Have you seen this one? Whew, my 2 weeks of school papers on the kitchen counter is feeling really healthy after an hour of that show. However, I still do strive to be organized and function more efficiently than I do right now.

Do you think if I bought some of these folders I could just “stuff my stuff” in them and feel a little better about my stacks? I’ thinking these would just end up in the stack too!

I am seeking the serenity a clean and organized office can bring. I’ve decided that I need a large space on the first floor that I can be accountable for keeping clean and a new system for organizing the daily influx of life. I’ve been searching for some inspiration rooms for my new goal.

simple and clutter free...photo from bhg.com

I love the large work space here on the table top. Is this realistic? Do people really have clean desk tops? I really want to know!

bhg.com photo

I’m totally in love with these really large bulletin board and dry erase board to organize projects and thoughts. I’m a visual person and I need to see the big picture. This would really work for me! I’m not so sure about the file cabinets. Those are screaming “Stuff me full and forget about what is inside?” I’ve had filing cabinets before and they just don’t work for me! I just end making a stack to file, and then never file it!

Have a great day! I will attack a few stacks today….I am making progress!

Can You Spy the Theme?

mj — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Photo from House Beautiful

My dining room

OK, any one know what is going on here? Are you feeling my next project? Let me know what you are thinking!!! I’ll check back with you and fill you in tomorrow!

It is jut a Leopard kind of week!

mj — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:00:17 +0000

I’ve been tired of these little black lampshades on my kitchen chandelier for quite some time. They did not quite sit right on the bulbs because they were a tad too small. They have been there for about 2-3 years now and I don’t think they have ever been dusted to be quite honest. I’m not a very good duster. I’ve thought about adding some decorative trim for quite sometime, but just never found anything I really likes. I’ve also been eyeballing the leopard print ones in the Ballard Designs catalog too, because every room could use a little leopard in my opinion.

bedazzled or not?

I was super excited yesterday when I was trolling one of my new spots that just opened in Summerfield called Golden Antique’s when I spied this…

I don't think so!

The original price on this shade was $20.99. Guess no wanted to pay that b/c there were 5 brand new shades grouped together with a price of $30. Guess what? I have 5 lights in my kitchen. Knowing that they were $20 each in the Ballard Design catalog, I figured $30 for 5 was going to be about the best deal I was gonna find. So, I scooped them up.

much better!

I snipped those “jewels” off the bottom and hurried to get those guys in place. I had to fight my way through some serious dust and cobwebs. Kinda gross since it is hanging over the table that we eat all our food off of. Note to self: Dust more!

another view!

Ignore the clutter on the wine bar…I’m reworking some post holiday decor over there! Speaking of post holiday decor….Check out some great stuff at The Inspired Room today. Melissa is having a Linky Love party with post holiday transition decor.