Home Inspiration

all photos source: Country Living
Do you ever find yourself dreaming about a home you've never stepped into, never driven by, never seen in real life? The kind of home that's so special that no matter how much love you put into your own home's decor, it just doesn't quite get to the level of that home? For me, Monique and Keith Keegan own "that" home in Granville, Ohio.

Found on the pages of Country Living magazine and immediately into my soul, their home transformed my decorating style completely. I guess you could say I had an "aha! moment", ala Oprah, when I saw the first photo. It has been my inspiration, my goal ever since, to create a home as unique and comfortable as the Keegans'.










Due to the positive response from guests entering Stonehill (the name given to the home by the Keegans), Monique started her own design practice, Enjoy Co.
And don't get the impression the Keegan home was move-in ready when they purchased it. It was actually a labor of love and took three years to complete their vision. Read more about their journey here and here in Country Living magazine.

JUNKMARKET Style - Art & Architecture

Who: JUNKMARKET Style - Art & Architecture

What: An event beyond compare!

Where: Art & Architecture, 3338 University Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN

When: Thursday, May 6th - Sunday, May 9th (Mother's Day weekend)
(Charitable event Wednesday evening, May 5th)

You've seen her on HGTV and the Today show. You've read her books and contributions in a variety of printed publications. And you regularly log on to her unprecedented junking website, JUNKMARKET Style.
Now is the time to meet her!

Junking and styling expert, Sue Whitney has partnered with Jim Schmitt of Art & Architecture in his historic loft space, for a one-of-a-kind event that will be pleasing to all.

Here is what Sue had to say about it -
"It is with great pleasure that I announce the collaboration of Art & Architecture and JUNKMARKET Style in a retail affair of unrivaled quality. The inaugural sale of the dynamic duo is scheduled for May 6th, 2010 through May 9th, 2010. A charitable kick-off gala will be held on the evening of May 5th, 2010. Our goal is to provide uncommonly good vintage furnishings, stylish art and re-designed accessories for your home, finery for your garden, and many other embellishments to suit your fancy….all under one roof. In addition, classes will be available for those of you who want to be in the know. The event will be housed in the historic Art & Architecture building located at 3338 University Avenue S.E,, Minneapolis, Minnesota. A full floor of architectural salvage, an outdoor garden annex, an artist’s loft filled to the brim, and classrooms with character all await your arrival. There will be something for everyone…. from stuff in the rough for the do-it yourselfers to turnkey designs and everything in between. Mark your calendars now and stay tuned to JMS for details as they unfold. This is an event you will not want to miss!"

So join me, along with fellow JMS contributors, select local and nationally known artists and many other talented folks as we make our way through this fabulous arena. More details to follow.
Hope to see you there!

The Man On The Spoon

"If you believed, they put a man on the spoon...man on the spoooon."
Well, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes! While loading the dishwasher last night I found this "man" looking back at me. (Make sure to click on each photo to enlarge.)
Sure, many folks will just see the remnants of my pot-of-coffee-a-day habit, but I see much more than that. Why on Monday, February 22nd, would my coffee stirring spoon reveal a face to me? "Why, oh, why??", she asks in a nervous, inquiring tone - looking up to the sky with arms stretched out above head.
Think it's possible Jerry Garcia is upset I was never one of his followers? Hmmmm.
R.I.P. Jerry.

$0.99 African Violets Never Looked So Good

"The flower that follows the sun does so even on cloudy days." - Robert Leighton
Who can resist a cheap little $.99 flower from the grocery store? As you can see, I cannot. After bringing home a fantastic jar from the thrift store recently, I thought it could be the perfect haven for the little white African violet.

I filled the jar with clearance polished stones from Home Depot, removed the white pretties from the ugly yellow plastic container from whence it came, and placed the floral configuration on top of the rock. Although I am uncertain how long my botanical beauty will survive, I will make darn sure my $0.99 investment lasts as long as it possibly can.
Check out the "C" jar, given to me by the lovely and talented Sue Whitney of JUNKMARKET Style. It is probably one of my favorite pieces.
Interested in time pieces? Kathy can direct you to where her clock stash is. I purchased this amazing face from her with a handful of other ticking treats last year. Trust me, her inventory does not disappoint!
Scrolly, creamy white metal thingies make anything look good, don't you think? These three stands were a thrift store find that I had plans to sell. Unfortunately I fell in love with them before they could get out the door.

So if you have an extra buck or two, I challenge you to make something pretty! And don't be surprised that something so simple and inexpensive can actually brighten your day!

Metal and Glass

I was actually able to get a little thrifting in today sans children. I love the little buggers but they can sure put a damper on my thrift store addiction. (Or maybe, they are really keeping it in check.)
Care for a puff ball on a platter? This fluffy thing is really an end piece from the strings attached to a fuzzy hat from the 60's or 70's.
Did anyone have a hat like this other than me? I remember wearing it but think it was after it was already out of style.
I purchased the crusty corbel you see here at a flea market last year but didn't feel like lugging the thing around just to get a few thrift shots in. Please pretend it isn't there.
I haven't figured out what do with the mini movie reels and cases, but thought something nifty could come of them. What do you think?
Isn't this baby galvanized bucket wonderful? I thought it had such a nice sweet simplicity to it. So much better looking than mass produced department store wares.
Care to share some of your thrift store finds with me? I'd love to hear about them.
As always, take care and keep on junking!

Not-so-Fat Tuesday

Well how about that, folks! It's Fat Tuesday today!
Any big plans?
Me? Not so much. These days I prefer to stay home on a Tuesday night...staying all comfy and warm, safe and sound.

How about we at least share a drink together? If you read my previous post where I mentioned my weight loss journey you know it has to be a healthy drink!
Here is what I've been making most days, and it's helped me move right along:
Strawberry Smoothie
Mix following in blender:
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1 cup sliced frozen strawberries
2 TBSP honey
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Handful or two of crushed ice

I hope you like it!

Cheers! And thanks for celebrating Not-so-Fat Tuesday with me!

She said. She said.

Overheard. An argument between two of my daughters over a beloved baby doll.

Six-year-old: "That's MY baby!"

Four-year-old: "No it's not! I pooped her out!"
Teehee.

Sugar Free Valentine Wishes

Since I have started the I-am-going-on-vacation-soon-weight-loss-plan, I thought I should send some sugar free junk love your way. Thank you all once again for visiting my blog and for leaving such wonderful comments. You do not realize how much your words fill my heart. :)

(And if you're interested...I am minus ten pounds on my journey! Woot! Woot!)

Sewing Cabinet Coat Rack

Looking for interesting and functional ways to add style to your home? This sewing cabinet top turned coat rack can help you with that. And it makes for a great personal style. Vintage. Rustic. Simple. Cool.

There she sews! Well, not anymore. When I found this old sewing cabinet at a local Goodwill last year, she was completely empty.

Materials required:

•Sewing cabinet top
•Corkboard
•Burlap Sack
•Coat hooks (I heart coat hooks)

Additional supplies such as a stapler, glue gun, ruler and dare I say...(gulp) a power drill, are also needed.
Once I removed the lid from the top of the cabinet, I immediately envisioned a frame of sorts. Simply add hooks to each side using your power drill.

Measure twice, cut once. Be sure to add an additional 1/4" on each side of your corkboard to allow for the added bulk of the wrapped burlap. (Psst. My pencil is trying to tell you something.)

There are ways to acquire coffee bean and general purpose burlap sacks very inexpensively. I found a box of sacks at a barn sale for about $.25 each, simply because they had been sliced open along the side seam. Therefore workers could easily "spill the beans". I'm so glad they did. ;)

Cut your burlap to fit the piece of corkboard, leaving an extra inch or so to wrap around and secure it to the back. I used a stapler as a temporary hold, then applied hot glue with my gun.

The indentations from the lid hinges give it a nice natural detail.
A sewing detail remains. Look closely and you can see a measuring ruler along the one edge of the frame. Love that!

I will NOT be like my mother. I will NOT be like my mother. Growing up, my mom could never find her keys. Argggh.

I love my mom. :)
Looks like my board is ready for grocery lists, notes, and to-do lists to be added! What do you think?

You can see the first couple of projects I created from this sewing cabinet here and here.

I have also included this project on the following sites and/or blogs.


As always, take care and keep on junking!