Girls' Room....DONE!

This has been a long time coming so needless to say I'm excited to finally be at the finish line!  I wanted this space to grow with my girls over time and be flexible and neutral enough for them to change things in and out as they age.

Here is where we started...

And here is the after....

 The antique highboy dresser, small china cabinet, and small dresser in the closet were all from a gal here in my town.  She finds old vintage pieces and refinishes them.  We were so excited to find her as I feel good about reusing what is already out there and her work is amazing!  

Visit her here at SOMETHING FOUND

This china cabinet is perfect for the girls to display all of their special treasures and we even found a note inside dating back to 1955 as this was once someone's wedding gift!

I'm very passionate about putting spaces together and this one was extra special for me!  Thanks for letting me share it with you!   

Happy Creating Friends!  

Repurposed, Thrifted, Vintage, Made

blue rug...repurposed from family room
lamps...repurposed from other rooms
tray on nightstand...thrifted
gold frames above beds ...thrifted
star catching art above beds....gift from aunt
flower art on dresser...thrifted
beds....belonged to my grandparents
chair....vintage piece from great-aunt

art in closet...made

be you art....made
flower art...made (photo taken from the garden)
art in china cabinet...made

Bought
duvet covers....West Elm
quilts,shams, baskets....Home Goods
drapes....Pottery Barn Kids
mirror...Bellacor
removable wallpaper...Amazon
book ledges...Ikea
chandelier....Restoration Hardware Baby and Child

Linking up with.....Cozy Little House...Tweak It Tuesday

phones and old things

One of these will be making its way into our living room.  Do you remember phones like this?  My folks always had one phone in the kitchen where the six of us received all of our calls.  In this day and age it brings me peace of mind to have a phone that stays in one place.   In the past I have thought about quitting my blog as I'm not a huge believer in too much technology.  A contradiction I know, but the old ways just seem to sit better with me.  I want my beans to feel the turn of a pencil sharpener, engage in imaginary play without screens, and learn about traditions and customs of the past.  Ironically, it is through blogging that I've met so many wonderful people that feel the same way.  Maybe it's a shift in what we value and a slight movement to slow down.  But after reading an article recently published in the Chicago Tribune about the "making movement," I have to believe that people are looking to keep the past alive.  

There is a shop by my house that has the most fantastic and affordable antiques.  It is one of those places that can completely transport you as it has everything and anything you can imagine.  With the weather shifting in Chicago and snow in the forecast my energy has been redirected inside.  Cozy spaces and vintage holiday warmth is what I seek!   

I came home with a framed oil painting for my girls' room.  It was only 17 dollars.  A steal if you ask me and it looks so pretty in their space.  A fun folk art tray and 5 glass vintage ornaments to add to my collection.  The last piece I purchased was a little winter print for 10 dollars.  It is by Grandma Moses and is too sweet for words.  I look forward to finding the perfect spot for it this season.

So old things are good and new things are good.  I suppose it's finding the right balance with it all.

Thank you for inspiring and sharing the magic friends!

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing!  

breathing in fall....

It has been a slow moving fall around here.  My main focus has been to take it easy.  I've been working on making my health my main priority besides my family.   Eating good food, getting extra rest, and running.  

We have had a lovely time visiting one of my favorite fall places to take in the scenery.  I must say that this year has been one of the most spectacular years for fall color in these parts!  The grounds are full of history and charm at the old equestrian farm.   Our family celebrations have been endless but oh so wonderful just to have everyone together.  My new favorite tablecloth for parties is brown craft paper.  Just throw it down with some fun notes about the birthday bean and presto!  You have yourself a table!  The garden is getting cleaned up as bulbs are going into beds and containers.  Always being covered with chicken wire of course, to keep my outdoor friends away!    I have done some thrifting.  I found that tray up there for 10 dollars at an antique shop.  Covered with birds and a pretty gold finish it is perfect for a little fall display.

All and all life is good!  I'm glad I took the break but I'm happy to be back here in my little space to catch up with all of you!

Happy Making, Baking, and Growing Friends!

movement....

Most of the time I enjoy the movement of things.  New experiences and growth always lead to unexplored places.  Movement in the home and garden also have their place.

 last year...

Now....

last year...

Now...

It was always the plan to have the 2 bean girls share a room.  The nursery was to become the work room for creating and quiet study time.  Though as the transition neared, I found that this movement stopped me dead in my tracks.  There will no longer be a nursery in our home.  Funny, I have been excited for some time to have a space to create in again.  But now I find that I'm moving through the space clearing it similarly to how you would peel off a band-aid.  Quick and fast.  

The work room is going to be simple.  Found objects and using what we have to create this new place for our family.

Inspiration paper and thrift store chair is the start...

closet cleared and supplies starting to get organized...

The movement of this space is bittersweet. 

But then again I suppose that's life... 

galvanized steel wash tub

I have admired steel wash tubs in the garden for a while but have never come across the right one. 

via~Williams-Sonoma

 Today as I was heading to the park with the beans, I passed by a garage sale and there it was!  A beauty waiting to be swept up!  The family selling this tub even had a typed up history about our tub....

Vintage No. 3 Rust, Leak, Fire and Rodent Resistant (will not crack in the cold) Domestic Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel Wash Tub.

F.H. Lawson Co. Cincinnati OH produced metal trash cans and garbage pails.  The company was founded in 1816 and had a successful run for several decades.  However, it became burdened by financial difficulties that were precipitated by a leveraged buyout in the 1970's, and F. H. Lawson Co. finally ceased operations in early 1988.  When plastic receptacles were first introduced by Rubbermaid and Continental, it made business very tough for the F. H. Lawson Company.

The tub is 24 and a half inches in diameter.  I will be lining it and popping some holes in the bottom for drainage.  And then in goes some seeds for salad greens this weekend!

Crocuses are popping up while the daffs and tulips are showing their faces!  Peas are planted in the front yard and more are going in out back this weekend.


Now, I can't say that we have as much going on as you Northwestern gardeners...but hey, it's a start!!!

Some of my crocuses being eaten by our unruly squirrels!

Happy planting folks!