spring inspired

There are so many different styles that I love but when it comes to decorating my home I tend to keep it simple. I have a very neutral palette of natural dark wood antiques, white slipcovers and loads of ironstone. But there is one place in my home that takes me back to my inner childhood. The entire top floor of my home is my studio space. It is a sitting room, a work space, sewing room, drafting area and so much more. This space lives in a perpetual season of spring and is filled with things that make my inner little girl smile. I think we all deserve a place that makes us feel happy, safe and inspired. I would like to share mine with you...

 

My favorite rescue chair pulled from a dumpster many moons ago.

I never settled on the perfect fabric so I decided to recover it using an old quilt...

 

It may be a simple beginner sewing machine

but I really love it...

 

A work room wouldn't be complete without aprons...

 

I was very fortunate to have my little space featured

in an issue of Where Women Create magazine...

 

 

And I do have a swing...

 

...and a drafting area with a lovely view atop the palm trees...

 

 

...and when it's time for an afternoon siesta

this is the perfect place to daydream...

 

...of course I fill every nook and cranny with my collections...

 

You might remember I shared some of my spring

inspiration in Romantic Homes...

 

 

(I really don't look anything like this when I'm working!)

 

 

One of my favorite projects in this space

was the sink re-do...

 

 

I shared the instructions in an issue

of Romantic Homes last year...

 

I do feel so fortunate to have my own little getaway

even if it is right under my own roof.

I don't need to go far to be inspired.

I can work for hours on end and it never really feels like work!

Thanks for joining me on a tour of my work space.

I hope you enjoyed it!

festive and green...

Since St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow I thought it would be fun

to share a quick and easy idea

for decorating a table with a lovely green theme...

 

 

Whether it's warm enough outside for a dinner party

or you just want to create the feel of a garden party indoors...

Set a table for St. Patrick's Day

inspired by the rolling green hills of Ireland. 

 

 

Dress your table in shades of green

from linens to dishes to décor.

 

 

Then create a quick and easy one of a kind candle centerpiece

using 2 glass containers, moss and a votive...

 

I used recycled glass candle containers.

Simply remove old wax and wick,

then place a smaller vessel inside the lager

and fill the space between the two with beautiful green moss.

 

They look lovely stacked atop vintage green transferware...

 

Even Peanut looks impressed

with this simple yet elegant tablescape!

 

You can also place pillar candles into terra cotta pots

embellished with extra moss.

 

 

I leave you with an Irish Blessing...

 

May you always walk in sunshine.

May you never want for more.

May Irish angels rest their wings

right beside your door.

breakfast in bed...

I am so overwhelmed every time one of my articles comes out and I'm flooded with questions. Sometimes I forget that more of you read these articles than just my small inner circle of family and friends! I was asked so many times about the breakfast tray form the February issue of Romantic Homes that I finally realized it would be best to just share the instructions here!

 

So simple...

Here are the easy steps to follow to make a tray

perfect for serving someone you love

a special breakfast in bed.

 

 

Materials:

Old picture frame

Shatterproof glass

Wood backing

2 handles with appropriate front face hardware

Mat board and foam core

Lace, linen or doilie

Small nails and hammer

Screws and screwdriver

Drill

Paint, paint brushes and sand paper

Felt

Craft glue

Scissors

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Take apart the frame by carefully removing the backing and glass.

2.  Paint frame and allow it to dry completely.

3.  Sand the frame to give an aged appearance and wipe clean.

4.  Carefully mark the center of the two short ends of the frame to place the handles.

5.  Use a drill to start the holes in the frame so the wood does not split.

6.  Screw the handles into place.

7.  Cut a piece of mat board and foam core to fit inside the frame.

8.  Select a doilie or piece of lace to feature on the tray. Glue the linen in place with fabric glue.

TIP: To protect the integrity of a linen with sentimental value, sew it to a piece of archival quality mat board instead of using glue.

 

9.  Clean the glass and place it into the tray then gently add the mat and foam core.

10.  Secure the foam core into the frame by nailing small brads along the perimeter. Do not nail too closely to the corners or the glass may break.

 

11. Attach a wood backing to the tray with small wood screws.

12. Glue a piece of felt the size of the tray onto the back. Allow to dry.

 

The entire article including many additional romantic decorating ideas were featured in the February issue of

Romantic Homes magazine...

 

 

 

Thanks so much for visiting! I appreciate each and every one of you. Keep the questions coming...I'm more than happy to share!