Just a Thought...

Hi all,

Hope you're getting ready for a great 4th of July weekend. I was just thinking...

Which do you like best, 

White cabinets and butcher block counter tops ...

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 I really like this color butcher block from IKEA.


 A totally different look...

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Another butcher block from IKEA.   

OR

White cabinets and granite counter tops....

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Kinda like the black granite with white cabinets.

 
 

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Well, which do you like? Can't wait to here your comments. 

     

 




 

It All Started with The Great Bike Hunt !!

This weekend I ducked into a couple of Goodwill Stores on the hunt for a bike. I know you are thinking "wrong time of year", "a little late in the season don't you think"  Yeah, yeah, I know all the good deals were probably snapped up this spring for riding on this summer. I'll  just keep looking but in the mean time, after striking out during the Great Bike Hunt, I strayed back up front and started looking at the purses.  I know that's so off topic, but since I was there I thought I'd just wander a bit.  And there she was,  a brand new purse. The white trim and handles were just shouting summertime fun.

But wait,  I knew this was too good to be true ( really, I mean too good to be $4.95!!) she was missing the shoulder strap. But then I spied the belts and low and behold there was a brand new white belt in just the right width. This was really coming together.

I cut the loops off  this end.  After deciding how I would attach the belt to the purse, I then decided I didn't want a shoulder strap. Go figure. Wish I had decided this before I cut the belt!! Worry not, I'll find a way to use this eventually.   If you've been reading my blog long, you know I love monograms, sooo.

Yep you guessed it, I had to add a monogram to this cutey. In order to not sew through the inside pockets I opened the seam in the lining.

 I didn't have to hoop this item as I used a Fast Frame and it came out great.
Here she is after her Encore....

  

Well, I didn't find a bike that day but I didn't do too bad with this classic blue and white purse with a pop of color.  And what do you know, my good friend and future bike riding pal sent me this picture a couple of days later. Nothing like a good friend! And since it's pink, I think I'm ready to ride!!

                                                    

First Step : Ranch Renovation

Just so you know...

We've all seen these really great rooms with bookcases that look like custom  built
ins that began as simple bookcases and molding. DIYs that give you an expensive look for a lot less. Here are a couple of examples that I found online.

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                                           I do love the painted back of these bookcases.

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Well, as I have spent some time looking for bookcases to use in the living room at the ranch renovation . I have figured something out.  This isn't as easy as it seems. After taking measurements for the wall, we headed off to IKEA to look for bookcases to use.

We found a series that my friend liked, HEMNES,

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But of course it couldn't be that easy. The 3 components that we wanted, ended up being approximately 6 " too long. The only way to make it work would be to use a smaller TV table in the center but that is too small for the TV. Solution: downsize the TV. Not happening!! So, onward we looked. A quick look at the ever popular Billy Bookcase was a quick no!  The second choice was BESTA.

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This unit might actually work.  The issue here is the color of the unit. But right now this looks like the best candidate.  There is talk of looking at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore for bookcases and cabinets or even on Craigslist. Stay tuned for the final selection.

Just a Thought...

Hi all,

Here's  Just a Thought...

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What pop of color would you add to this beautiful all white bedroom?

Project Ranch Renovation

I am really excited about an upcoming project and who best to share it with than you all!!
A very good friend of mine has asked me to help renovate and update his home. What a great vote of confidence, and ego boost. Yeah, I got a litttle bit of ego, I try to keep it under control most of the time!!

Maybe it was the former projects that I've shared here on my blog or maybe it was my own since of style that is visible in my home, don't know what lead to his request. Don't care, I'm just supper excited to be asked!

As I complete this project, I will definitely share many before and after pics. I may even ask your opinion on some of my ideas. Of course, since it's his home, he'll have the final say.  The fun for a DIYer like myself will be the thrill of pulling this off in a budget friendly meets stylish encore. I am going to be challenged right off the bat because I'm going to have to move away from my eclectic love of colors ( turquoise and pink to name a few) and try more masculine colors.  He probably really won't go for this color pallette.

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                           Now me I like those colors, but him, probably not so much.

The basics:
This is a ranch style home in near by Marietta, GA. Approx. 2100  sq. feet with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, dining room  and a finished basement. The basement has  2 bedrooms, a bathroom and lounge area. I love the large basements you find in ranch houses!
 
Not sure how long this will take as there is no immediate hurry and it will probably be done a room at a time. There's plenty to do as this home was purchased over 28 years ago and has had very few upgrades due to the owner's life "on the road".  There is no theme, or specific style visible in this room.  Just an assortment of random stuff, some inherited. Well, I plan to make this a home anyone would enjoy,

           First things first : Living room -  remove clutter, relocate surround sound speakers. probably remove a sofa, eliminate plastic plants, paint , new flooring, and then the real  magic happens!! Stay tuned, this should be a blast

 

 

Just a Thought

 What have you been thinking about trying, but haven't?

 

 

Sweet Succulents

You've seen them all over the internet, Pinterest is loaded with them, they're even in lots of the home decor magazines. Seeing them reminds me of their popularity in the 70's. I know, I'm showing my age ( as if the grey hair wasn't a hint) but everybody had a terrarium of cacti and succulents.
   

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Please tell me you remember these! Mine was just like this.

 And now. they're back!  Succulents, not this terrarium! On a recent trip to Randy's Perennials and Water Gardens in Lawrenceville, GA, I was so impressed with their  selection of succulents, I thought , why not. So I bought a few and got busy. While I wanted to go on a nostalgic trip and create a succulent centerpiece, I also wanted a new updated look, not the 1970's look. Here are some of the ideas that caught my eye....

                                                                 

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This idea is so fun, but I think it would look best "hidden" in a larger garden or collection.

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Here's what I made, I'm not sure if I'm going to leave these as they are, but for now I'm kinda liking these..

                                               Basket was a thrift store find for $3.00.

                                            I really wanted a variety of color in this arrangement .

 

 Well, now I try to keep them alive. Don't laugh, I have been know to have cacti that didn't make it.

Here's hoping they do!

I linked this post to :

Domestic Superwoman

The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday

Just a Thought

Happy Monday! Hope the weekend was great in your part of the world. It started  out a little rainy but ended up just beautifully here. Here's Just a Thought...

I hope that each of you gives this a thought and  realizes what it truly means for you.