The "not-so" Great Room

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome, friends !!  Ah, the flowers are blooming ... the grass is turning green ... and Spring is in the air !!  Yay !!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, it's time to throw open the pollen-laden windows and spruce the place up a bit.  Come on in and take a peek at our great room !!  Unfortunately, I had to replace my computer, and I lost a lot of my pics.  So, let's just pretend you saw this room when it had matching green recliners, green sofa and animal print rug (it was just too matchy-matchy).  *Yawn*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>NOW</strong>, here we are with a racy red sofa ... updated fireplace ... comfy, striped accent chairs and a traditional, larger rug with all the colors I love.  (Feel free to click on pics to make them larger.)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpLVzfPXeFhqrYFANlNPmhJ6LgWHH_QVjQAAoe6GCAJjCX8f9bNDVmIawB-731fJn0EvUlajuS18BztJVO1mrRUnzPIoXu4nklw7lXOtrHEL_zR3LeMxBpDPf1SkvCPmW_3RVWDGwSg/s1600/DSC04267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpLVzfPXeFhqrYFANlNPmhJ6LgWHH_QVjQAAoe6GCAJjCX8f9bNDVmIawB-731fJn0EvUlajuS18BztJVO1mrRUnzPIoXu4nklw7lXOtrHEL_zR3LeMxBpDPf1SkvCPmW_3RVWDGwSg/s400/DSC04267.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGM8Io6mu1gFInUEEXxnafrfMmQ04KYBBVjca9eCadA119iRlCNh3IerhJltfyyr1D4g0Kt_iFSGMyoL4_0u0lb43TDwg9l9J7_3zPAd9JP1vArkrI19QybctkicDB1ImT0xeYn430HA/s1600/DSC04324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGM8Io6mu1gFInUEEXxnafrfMmQ04KYBBVjca9eCadA119iRlCNh3IerhJltfyyr1D4g0Kt_iFSGMyoL4_0u0lb43TDwg9l9J7_3zPAd9JP1vArkrI19QybctkicDB1ImT0xeYn430HA/s400/DSC04324.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b7miVpfY0Fd81ALIEiJDEfFh-oKnGNFct8JaVkKQaS3yiWw3V2Opx29tHwkk7v9GjoesrXUVRk34RDtReSkeFCV5RFzgMBXUN9yMISTrstu8-61j8nD6Ld_135bJbilvWNmluOTGpQ/s1600/DSC04274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-b7miVpfY0Fd81ALIEiJDEfFh-oKnGNFct8JaVkKQaS3yiWw3V2Opx29tHwkk7v9GjoesrXUVRk34RDtReSkeFCV5RFzgMBXUN9yMISTrstu8-61j8nD6Ld_135bJbilvWNmluOTGpQ/s400/DSC04274.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having my husband's permission to "retire" the recliners, I promised him I'd choose super comfy chairs and add an ottoman to "his" chair so he can rest his hoofs.  The chairs I selected literally *suck you in* ... great for "Lifetime" movie days !!  They are *dressed* in a really pretty striped *satin-y* fabric.  I chose a coordinating paisley fabric for the ottoman, oversized pillows and toppers to the panels framing the french doors.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">                           </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukbvoIhxF8SdUo__jutpfl_sGNAZJi9FiJE9qcKhFk4TnL006xFQk8ctMXQM-vwakBYdr0YL41Y5yvAx3zB-phL-nQOYlLMAEXWpzHWIpELAcRT70WxABdpe8NWuRyN_7e3iB0XKLZg/s400/DSC04311.JPG" width="300" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On to the fireplace ... updated the mantle by adding matching floral arrangements on each side (the "before" shot is in my header) ... not the greatest (need to add some gold flowers in there), but they'll do for now !!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8mMMM7ha-jl_Qf1BfE9QfcfYEo4LBFZguAn_MtZDTz_2I8oBNCWgLz8j1JUjgRgn94Zzle-GM04_o_Hdbq85b19XUJ0d-43OtFRukq9Gs03cFBq0yKsBJfG2fasohWcZC0iyVHe65A/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8mMMM7ha-jl_Qf1BfE9QfcfYEo4LBFZguAn_MtZDTz_2I8oBNCWgLz8j1JUjgRgn94Zzle-GM04_o_Hdbq85b19XUJ0d-43OtFRukq9Gs03cFBq0yKsBJfG2fasohWcZC0iyVHe65A/s400/012.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoplHQDd2NZWnxZkk6M5XHXLC543dIPwLcI9vXd98FUkrfz8q9vybJHJyGHsCYNpjrm3uL1mj4N2cpyyIyIiwdnhE5UNjXz2DFX8oV5soBaOVDRiqOj8FI_PVK9mf1-Ju7pYQd9mNdQ/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoplHQDd2NZWnxZkk6M5XHXLC543dIPwLcI9vXd98FUkrfz8q9vybJHJyGHsCYNpjrm3uL1mj4N2cpyyIyIiwdnhE5UNjXz2DFX8oV5soBaOVDRiqOj8FI_PVK9mf1-Ju7pYQd9mNdQ/s320/019.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I *just* found this beautiful, petite chair at a local antique store. The fabric is gorgeous in person ... it's a *satin-y* gold (which ties in nicely with my accent chairs), and the uphostery tacks are such a great accent !! I really do like antiques ... but, may I just say that I'm always a bit spooked by the stories that *could* be behind them ... I know that sounds weird. I asked the gentleman I bought it from to please do the voodoo/ghost removal ceremony before I left. He laughed and waved his hands in a silly fashion over the chair ... I'm sure he thought I was ker-azy !!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJc6JmmacMe2sirlzNl1uypD-_pD7fPBZl0Dbmdumli4qin-uuzCDAj1_Z3aIM98NiFvFqrIty-pNq-IB3s8JogE3VOYspnLLeo8IffrhVDjbP924HQppbAHtE1RNqrRfPmTz_p6oqg/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJc6JmmacMe2sirlzNl1uypD-_pD7fPBZl0Dbmdumli4qin-uuzCDAj1_Z3aIM98NiFvFqrIty-pNq-IB3s8JogE3VOYspnLLeo8IffrhVDjbP924HQppbAHtE1RNqrRfPmTz_p6oqg/s400/004.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxNHO8mFcl24xWdcUN8tznWbQj_hn7Qz8xFtZWsk1r4uXqPkwQM_gPlE27S2Sa-AWzwUPFpq3YRDREDcJPLbuAlke50ak8SMM0H_gregNUOVFCgeM_s-Bzz_A9Ak-wnlRViVr6YGv9Q/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxNHO8mFcl24xWdcUN8tznWbQj_hn7Qz8xFtZWsk1r4uXqPkwQM_gPlE27S2Sa-AWzwUPFpq3YRDREDcJPLbuAlke50ak8SMM0H_gregNUOVFCgeM_s-Bzz_A9Ak-wnlRViVr6YGv9Q/s400/013.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My parents have this same accent chest in their home.  I loved it so much, I just *had* to have one for our home, too.  It's the perfect size and height for the niche that is right beside our fireplace.  Too, the drawers are nice and deep, serving as great storage, too !! </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOZwYoJPOlgR0r7jBGvgb0ezXUrQ7FLTyAFRTLJP3OWOGlw659N8w0TlbYCgawL-CwLwnVKgvIJtz7pvkb7NeGXg9o5HHV1KyWLW-nlipcfxvWA8bbM29yjKfROZiUYiF-Tq1tCYA_Q/s1600/DSC04334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOZwYoJPOlgR0r7jBGvgb0ezXUrQ7FLTyAFRTLJP3OWOGlw659N8w0TlbYCgawL-CwLwnVKgvIJtz7pvkb7NeGXg9o5HHV1KyWLW-nlipcfxvWA8bbM29yjKfROZiUYiF-Tq1tCYA_Q/s400/DSC04334.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A closer look (even though it makes the background color look more beige vs. gold-ish):</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP1IAHeVcEb1gVKscMjK4y_g2N6RFKD5Nsq_ThNigFpQcpKqdduBN9l2bndH_8sUIc5pOVVnSqThn7yjxOAgju0w5ss8jxONd4-5A8yMcRMTFiu8DlnQYR9GWzFcjg3jikT7vDfFjqA/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP1IAHeVcEb1gVKscMjK4y_g2N6RFKD5Nsq_ThNigFpQcpKqdduBN9l2bndH_8sUIc5pOVVnSqThn7yjxOAgju0w5ss8jxONd4-5A8yMcRMTFiu8DlnQYR9GWzFcjg3jikT7vDfFjqA/s320/007.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a little side table:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cVehBqq8U9alqV75T5c1h_2W-qq4a3bhGan5ouH63XOsNF3WQt4EXIIlLcBsWjLU33_fVGzxZIFzo3NGfzlq-vdIV8wJO-7n_nYY3umPylhLaqE9o__h2StBL32a2AZvK20B6Azy1Q/s1600/DSC04300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cVehBqq8U9alqV75T5c1h_2W-qq4a3bhGan5ouH63XOsNF3WQt4EXIIlLcBsWjLU33_fVGzxZIFzo3NGfzlq-vdIV8wJO-7n_nYY3umPylhLaqE9o__h2StBL32a2AZvK20B6Azy1Q/s400/DSC04300.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This brown/black accent table also serves as great storage for more of my knick-knacks.  I'm just never satisfied with it, nor the accessories on it, as it seems a bit "blah" ... so, I just ordered gold mirrored lamps to replace the monkey ones ... I'm hoping they do the trick !!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_30mix7AY0V0oLgayZT-ARhYG-4kVPX9_0fojHDBbDo4gon51h1QXTR8ogjnUWkufhkdR8zdIpkyOTVTjuinUTIxU3T2Mk_4IUAK5_bZlP3W5U6CbK3MIHgiLAmq2IzWbIkazPCY6g/s1600/DSC04312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_30mix7AY0V0oLgayZT-ARhYG-4kVPX9_0fojHDBbDo4gon51h1QXTR8ogjnUWkufhkdR8zdIpkyOTVTjuinUTIxU3T2Mk_4IUAK5_bZlP3W5U6CbK3MIHgiLAmq2IzWbIkazPCY6g/s320/DSC04312.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Easter bunnies, which used to be in my kitchen, found a new home here, too:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kfreITCPUGlfkBLBrUUW15Zj1SkRqkz6StDloGSqQTXwsVGPcYM2Vho4b-p5zPFl3MOiuFYfKSEFgnGO3be1APihphH-7F0wgFJ31nzD3attU-mgSFg3FX0y0wLJifVLgl6M6FPLSQ/s1600/DSC04263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kfreITCPUGlfkBLBrUUW15Zj1SkRqkz6StDloGSqQTXwsVGPcYM2Vho4b-p5zPFl3MOiuFYfKSEFgnGO3be1APihphH-7F0wgFJ31nzD3attU-mgSFg3FX0y0wLJifVLgl6M6FPLSQ/s400/DSC04263.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We just recently added the chair molding and shadowboxes to this wrap around half wall.  I love how it ties in with the same molding/shadowboxes that in the neighboring dining room (not pictured):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2E2ws8dlYQcXh71HHFlkrB3UygorhJInYPQ6qiFCH2W8m1T9aFc1iQHkEtoT2v0Z4GURA0IjcmvQloNzqit1WsWDYpp9vGfHLfzEL-RiwYBwuekXbwG5gWjqmhycBrNt4NFl__CdSg/s1600/DSC04295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2E2ws8dlYQcXh71HHFlkrB3UygorhJInYPQ6qiFCH2W8m1T9aFc1iQHkEtoT2v0Z4GURA0IjcmvQloNzqit1WsWDYpp9vGfHLfzEL-RiwYBwuekXbwG5gWjqmhycBrNt4NFl__CdSg/s400/DSC04295.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This inexpensive, fun table runner came from HomeGoods. I thought it would lighten up the otherwise dark coffee table a bit.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34V5jFJ_mmo1LCT4s53mKt8jUdRv09XW2PuuM-TVUycnGgnWhkEULKpOyZjsc5QIoxE2-LZQZZYeWsLfyOfzndClqy4guqmpYCLS7ImCGDCMAWwGLTaJZHRJZfckV0qCZMPg3UEQMJg/s1600/DSC04344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34V5jFJ_mmo1LCT4s53mKt8jUdRv09XW2PuuM-TVUycnGgnWhkEULKpOyZjsc5QIoxE2-LZQZZYeWsLfyOfzndClqy4guqmpYCLS7ImCGDCMAWwGLTaJZHRJZfckV0qCZMPg3UEQMJg/s400/DSC04344.JPG" width="372" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, of course, seeing as I'm on a shell kick lately, I filled this glass bowl on the coffee table with gifts from the sea:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j6VpFb1sbepV_9PvLYqKyrG0o4Dgv04gInyVZtF0F34WBfUQyB2ho3QQbrnjR-iOZyufzB5dy941aZYYbnQCYQotd-lr00P6lcgtpwzbzrXFIVNyWPNj7ncvxw_NV5c-mhW5M9flNQ/s1600/DSC04253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j6VpFb1sbepV_9PvLYqKyrG0o4Dgv04gInyVZtF0F34WBfUQyB2ho3QQbrnjR-iOZyufzB5dy941aZYYbnQCYQotd-lr00P6lcgtpwzbzrXFIVNyWPNj7ncvxw_NV5c-mhW5M9flNQ/s400/DSC04253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, folks, that's all I got.  I'm open to any and all suggestions to improve my space !!  And, too, I give you my solemn promise to learn better photography skills !!  I'm very envious of all you talented peeps who know how to shoot in the right light, at the right angle and make your pics look as though they're jumping out of the computer.  Your talents are inspiring me !!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thanks again for stopping by,</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/376/0E491C7006B710EF338F39A43573A7FD.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with:</span></div><br /><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/03/welcome-to-63rd-metamorphosis-monday.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Metamorphosis Monday at BNOTP</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/03/make-your-monday-week-18-add-your.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/2010/03/made-it-monday-32810.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made it Monday at Persimmon Perch</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/03/make-it-for-monday-18.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/2010/03/toot-your-horn-tuesday-beauty-braggart.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://asoftplace.net/2010/04/the-spring-mantel-a-linky/comment-page-1/#comment-30230"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Spring Mantel Party at A Soft Place to Land</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/04/before-and-after-party-diy-cloche.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick</span></a>

The "not-so" Great Room

Welcome, friends !!  Ah, the flowers are blooming ... the grass is turning green ... and Spring is in the air !!  Yay !! Yes, it's time ...

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Serenity in the Master Bath !!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy March, everyone (gosh, wasn't it just Christmas) ?!  For the one and a half people who read my blog, I'm sorry I haven't posted recently ... between my son turning four (bittersweet, indeed!), myself turning 41 (eee gads!), where we had a big ol' adult birthday bash at our house last night, complete with DJ and disco lights (what FUN), and adding new touches to our master bedroom and bath, time has gotten away from me !!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of the bathrooms ... okay, admittedly, I LOVE seeing baths that say "calming," "relaxing," and a "touch" of coastal.  These rooms tend to be done in soft blues, creams, taupes, etc.  I've imagined waking up and walking into such a serene space to start my day, face my wrinkles and apply gobs of makeup.  </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I finally bit the bullet and made a few changes to our master bath to attempt this look.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>BEFORE:</strong> Once again, it was done in my "go to" colors ... red/gold/green.  (As always, feel free to click on the pic to enlarge it.)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0yfuRIHBp8fIgJs-3s1esi954ucwZgweASCzbb5ITQVSF4zsVBGGy28P6hUgrZZCxwqIMDQiDzPyZefydQJWXsHxD3DoBaYr6bx3KrVG_HhsEq4J2_kfbB9PtJ-WcYz_5CkU6oLkOQ/s1600-h/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0yfuRIHBp8fIgJs-3s1esi954ucwZgweASCzbb5ITQVSF4zsVBGGy28P6hUgrZZCxwqIMDQiDzPyZefydQJWXsHxD3DoBaYr6bx3KrVG_HhsEq4J2_kfbB9PtJ-WcYz_5CkU6oLkOQ/s400/052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKzhkygmBJ3G_-xb4Wdx1aT6aVwnya3JuukK5GkfQHZT5HoaHQOLIcgBUU3q_cYmSqHgRtKvdzr6rPgeHyiRABiywt4G_izO4o9sijKrM2z-Q2LL0xUwDTtPO0qIBuQi8NgCD7gQ8cg/s1600-h/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKzhkygmBJ3G_-xb4Wdx1aT6aVwnya3JuukK5GkfQHZT5HoaHQOLIcgBUU3q_cYmSqHgRtKvdzr6rPgeHyiRABiywt4G_izO4o9sijKrM2z-Q2LL0xUwDTtPO0qIBuQi8NgCD7gQ8cg/s400/054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>AND, AFTER: </strong> We painted the walls Duron Millet.  The whimsical animal print rug use to live in another room ... it was a bit too big for the main part of our bath, so I cut it down a bit, which gave me a bonus runner ... yippee !!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMv3Bz3bcfkQLvgST-0xABf2XzEHuQikZM3me2Xl5EHQlmieE4CuJwH_0UweWcA_JxOkL9jg6_fa1sVNFbm_N6kp4GFq68MD6WFiDNU4kR5JbuR2TilPsYdG_meSY-cFDsVuH5kMdHA/s1600-h/159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMv3Bz3bcfkQLvgST-0xABf2XzEHuQikZM3me2Xl5EHQlmieE4CuJwH_0UweWcA_JxOkL9jg6_fa1sVNFbm_N6kp4GFq68MD6WFiDNU4kR5JbuR2TilPsYdG_meSY-cFDsVuH5kMdHA/s400/159.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also added new lighting, took down the builder's basic huge mirror and opted for two matching ones instead.  I'm enjoying being greeted by the whimsical wall words that took me forEVER to put up on the wall (LOVE wall words, but 9 times out of 10, they end up crooked ... ugh)!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOXfDmEGEPat2Z1RtiSKhPaQLO7FBU_b6rHaKkSGJBTlqEleZv5UF26dnN31zjSd7-OsHorJ0GGVpm4LHCCJmuMIt3B8u7_PXsrytPPS4PBtXda_qihhVgTGsS7GPMiZ3PcJO4jsPrw/s1600-h/138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOXfDmEGEPat2Z1RtiSKhPaQLO7FBU_b6rHaKkSGJBTlqEleZv5UF26dnN31zjSd7-OsHorJ0GGVpm4LHCCJmuMIt3B8u7_PXsrytPPS4PBtXda_qihhVgTGsS7GPMiZ3PcJO4jsPrw/s400/138.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally found a fabric that I liked !!  And, yes, I know my mis-treatment is in need of serious help, as it's pinned together ... still need to sew the poor things and add a tassle trim on the bottom:</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-isIv7eMrN7Dr4KJ-6tJzjELv6mbbhJNXM4fWt6dB2oPbCQ0kbgCEBfMwHH4eyo8_B1aC0WdriRfsGJPrkClZ1kOMNzgILq1iV9-js4fjg3C_up7k3vd5s_dXJu8n1TNorxtNl_sOXQ/s1600-h/148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-isIv7eMrN7Dr4KJ-6tJzjELv6mbbhJNXM4fWt6dB2oPbCQ0kbgCEBfMwHH4eyo8_B1aC0WdriRfsGJPrkClZ1kOMNzgILq1iV9-js4fjg3C_up7k3vd5s_dXJu8n1TNorxtNl_sOXQ/s400/148.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7XzklG5gL-NuLeYZVZ5cHa6gUqycglFCiT3X-JKYVFwi80cB44uh5dcMJM9LAy1lOuIXmMJ_VAtpGF9p_bCxvtlpI96PD4sug-HH-Q2-HBhmJ3qAKBfm8G_sJScj3geNr4ZKljhYkA/s1600-h/149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7XzklG5gL-NuLeYZVZ5cHa6gUqycglFCiT3X-JKYVFwi80cB44uh5dcMJM9LAy1lOuIXmMJ_VAtpGF9p_bCxvtlpI96PD4sug-HH-Q2-HBhmJ3qAKBfm8G_sJScj3geNr4ZKljhYkA/s400/149.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6cFbJT9GcDRJ5GBdieFhj_3OKGS4UTWgRrMnbUthNTt8gLj9FogNOWYNk_5932tHsHQFMdifWrCtU1g-MHyVpVb6_zT1MJ6lwk-9Hzv6rOuwKb7sfoZSZ-Cx_LpG5YilZZKKzpJN4g/s1600-h/151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6cFbJT9GcDRJ5GBdieFhj_3OKGS4UTWgRrMnbUthNTt8gLj9FogNOWYNk_5932tHsHQFMdifWrCtU1g-MHyVpVb6_zT1MJ6lwk-9Hzv6rOuwKb7sfoZSZ-Cx_LpG5YilZZKKzpJN4g/s400/151.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Same with the shower curtain ... in need of sewing (and addition of a tassle trim) as well (oops):</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_XMN4iWobcqxGaAjFr9YnzhlI7J5HqaA6h9sdDhCnqxU-sVIVOblOj0_kGoiO_rzKn02WPCVhn9vR0QmSM4gLXle-CUeQ74tAOoYvO83jbCrXcOuetgdKgvip6ZAeTuvLBoRvLE6ww/s1600-h/152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_XMN4iWobcqxGaAjFr9YnzhlI7J5HqaA6h9sdDhCnqxU-sVIVOblOj0_kGoiO_rzKn02WPCVhn9vR0QmSM4gLXle-CUeQ74tAOoYvO83jbCrXcOuetgdKgvip6ZAeTuvLBoRvLE6ww/s400/152.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted "something" with color to go in between the mirrors to fill the gap.  So, I bought three 8x10 canvases on sale at Michaels and covered them with the same fabric as my window mis-treatments and shower curtain (adding a starfish to the middle canvas just for fun).  I like how it ties all the fabric pieces together.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6eFO9yTkQgX0ByRmymk1R80P9nNAF6XCsT7I88-rHFGKWlOat_PM2NWuTY8mtDu1WbdBk5wLrp6W3ZmFZcQcF6L8SijKyTRxs3NFp8AeqbCsOZei23pLqeBnR-9IHeOqJWt8DBBFfg/s1600-h/143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6eFO9yTkQgX0ByRmymk1R80P9nNAF6XCsT7I88-rHFGKWlOat_PM2NWuTY8mtDu1WbdBk5wLrp6W3ZmFZcQcF6L8SijKyTRxs3NFp8AeqbCsOZei23pLqeBnR-9IHeOqJWt8DBBFfg/s400/143.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love having the bowl of shells on the vanity ... they serve as a fun reminder that we live by the ocean.</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7oca64ldv6c9X-JDFkbj-_QHmixbh7BVB-Fmj1yRz-AtVTmGoQxuYh4uOQA-jT5_yrkM9TfmdITn2f9YeUQSZ5FNMpH8xC1NRe1qYHMJLjG_wsZ6fyUv93nqfK1uEpaPHNQ8ZsDsBQ/s1600-h/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7oca64ldv6c9X-JDFkbj-_QHmixbh7BVB-Fmj1yRz-AtVTmGoQxuYh4uOQA-jT5_yrkM9TfmdITn2f9YeUQSZ5FNMpH8xC1NRe1qYHMJLjG_wsZ6fyUv93nqfK1uEpaPHNQ8ZsDsBQ/s400/121.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, of course, I was SOOO excited to find this accent chest at Kirkland's ... it matches the blue in my fabric to a "T" !!  I want to add a different piece of art above the chest, eventually, but this one will do for now:</span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKXYotwNPB4Sp9osXwTuRKigCtcMMzBPy41FuwUrGoIIgpIbQHDKMGE_6HyIz4YPBmS1m6NB-RIUPgQD79tAj5Fcbnmym8vzlghFJEY_81Ipwz_DkhQcQqJQaNr9xPfIOZsAItBRKbQ/s1600-h/146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKXYotwNPB4Sp9osXwTuRKigCtcMMzBPy41FuwUrGoIIgpIbQHDKMGE_6HyIz4YPBmS1m6NB-RIUPgQD79tAj5Fcbnmym8vzlghFJEY_81Ipwz_DkhQcQqJQaNr9xPfIOZsAItBRKbQ/s400/146.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, that's what I've done so far.  Still need finishing touches and to complete my "toilet" room.  I'm going for beadboard wallpaper and chair molding.  I'm also painting the upper portion SW Stratton Blue.  I'll post that (and my bedroom revamp) soon !!  I'm off to catch up on everyone else's projects !!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/376/0E491C7006B710EF338F39A43573A7FD.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/03/welcome-to-60th-metamorphosis-monday.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Metamorphosis Monday at BNOTP</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/03/make-your-monday-week-16-add-your-link.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/2010/02/made-it-monday-21410.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made it Monday at the Persimmon Perch</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/03/make-it-for-monday-15.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/03/show-and-tell_11.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Show and Tell at My Romantic Home</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2010/03/make-it-yours-day_17.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make It Yours Day at My Backyard Eden</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/03/transformation-thursday-paint-reveal.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2010/04/alphabe-thursday-m.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alphabet Thursday at Jenny Matlock's</span></a></div>

Serenity in the Master Bath !!

Happy March, everyone (gosh, wasn't it just Christmas) ?!  For the one and a half people who read my blog, I'm sorry I haven't p...

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The Heart of our Home ...

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend !!  And, while I'm sure most of you are tired of hearing the word "snow," we were *snow* excited (har har) to have a tease of it here in Myrtle Beach this past Saturday.  Jax loved </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">playing in it ... building his first snowman and making his first snow angel.  </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, come on inside for a cup o' hot chocolate or hot tottie while you take a peek in our kitchen.  It's truly my favorite room in the house ... where I wish I was constantly whipping up award-winning meals.  Sadly, the only thing I tend to *whip up* in here is chaos ... constantly changing things around !!  Decorated in a french/wine/bistro theme, we really do enjoy the open flow of this room:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGydtbUpvfnllKiLfFUpMxcuLnCoXQtYVDzPH4dtEqKwCmXZbRoNWbN-ZJrAqQVaG0XK2vGYxRV37hlb1TNp_cV7P0ucBlAP66nYTElLXCnQwB8Q7cSylHtToeFwLxYB0Xrjiv-QmPEg/s1600-h/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGydtbUpvfnllKiLfFUpMxcuLnCoXQtYVDzPH4dtEqKwCmXZbRoNWbN-ZJrAqQVaG0XK2vGYxRV37hlb1TNp_cV7P0ucBlAP66nYTElLXCnQwB8Q7cSylHtToeFwLxYB0Xrjiv-QmPEg/s400/003.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fAhKbM_3BPZVGQMAycsmkJXyvBjZpAUX8yCjmPImpERPQBAjsLhkfjcN_6I25K80meD0ZV_7oib-TX1QZ2IjRT2Vk5gCnEfCs6pN3N-AjMR1afyqmzNI_DOcrNqfakQev8FJ0_5KUQ/s1600-h/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fAhKbM_3BPZVGQMAycsmkJXyvBjZpAUX8yCjmPImpERPQBAjsLhkfjcN_6I25K80meD0ZV_7oib-TX1QZ2IjRT2Vk5gCnEfCs6pN3N-AjMR1afyqmzNI_DOcrNqfakQev8FJ0_5KUQ/s400/044.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWRpVZm2oM9xxmxhjWUa2qEhI0gt1qwxwVD_ito8f5pDksp9AjSsiQMJgGVzhtLTGykYujZyWowexUeLawxSbYlsMYhyphenhyphen8ggSDSPDh22kuoeTOJDyqq0saFbyGg4p4s1uc_bKFBm-nXQ/s1600-h/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWRpVZm2oM9xxmxhjWUa2qEhI0gt1qwxwVD_ito8f5pDksp9AjSsiQMJgGVzhtLTGykYujZyWowexUeLawxSbYlsMYhyphenhyphen8ggSDSPDh22kuoeTOJDyqq0saFbyGg4p4s1uc_bKFBm-nXQ/s400/045.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTYbiwX9HPcJKl8dxG-QRN2GGoaNJxd7M7ut9WUOIR8U34GGPBjUWJ81pTpsj5qtsuiv9mSnmhVZLSxpmNR6A4QiUHsvlW4H9eP14EC1-XEvDsLDHQYBsoNhfqk3lm81iZKwwzVEwPw/s1600-h/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTYbiwX9HPcJKl8dxG-QRN2GGoaNJxd7M7ut9WUOIR8U34GGPBjUWJ81pTpsj5qtsuiv9mSnmhVZLSxpmNR6A4QiUHsvlW4H9eP14EC1-XEvDsLDHQYBsoNhfqk3lm81iZKwwzVEwPw/s400/035.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1hKqsB-8xvgAdVmh2ntRQ7qjiNJSCkP5DSjIWTEfmeVA9PcaBa9FBr4sbR63SRU4O39NJykg6vfI6j73iMWq54j8xeT1cLfMwQga-q8yjiHBMu4Z-gVg7B0ah7ovyGBpbKxxlL6eZg/s1600-h/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1hKqsB-8xvgAdVmh2ntRQ7qjiNJSCkP5DSjIWTEfmeVA9PcaBa9FBr4sbR63SRU4O39NJykg6vfI6j73iMWq54j8xeT1cLfMwQga-q8yjiHBMu4Z-gVg7B0ah7ovyGBpbKxxlL6eZg/s400/033.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3-bSMgesQkt0iP_0DODfFLdFvQtEfQRL4isBb4Wgt5Jrfm7MPMVKU-tH-6lE73enWbTACMIGKR3XBgjPktd5y723ufukMaJQML3gi0vo62B1A8xD8lESNbKlmKo8G_UeIeafTRE7BA/s1600-h/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3-bSMgesQkt0iP_0DODfFLdFvQtEfQRL4isBb4Wgt5Jrfm7MPMVKU-tH-6lE73enWbTACMIGKR3XBgjPktd5y723ufukMaJQML3gi0vo62B1A8xD8lESNbKlmKo8G_UeIeafTRE7BA/s400/031.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've also enjoyed adding a few custom touches.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>BEFORE</strong>: laminate countertops covered every surface (including the island, which I don't have a before pic of).  First, we added Black Galaxy granite to the island:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvhiEWeCxrCcXhy3p6v5se7pb8FMvlDVPp1ioUjGDO_ysWjiGKs1e22GJX41A3oMKsNX5qSv_bWY4gGyWEF0LyNqw2_Umiri7e6_uscpg7gd02wT5h2aKC0yKpaGu7NLuQeYW1AOkqw/s1600-h/Countertop+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvhiEWeCxrCcXhy3p6v5se7pb8FMvlDVPp1ioUjGDO_ysWjiGKs1e22GJX41A3oMKsNX5qSv_bWY4gGyWEF0LyNqw2_Umiri7e6_uscpg7gd02wT5h2aKC0yKpaGu7NLuQeYW1AOkqw/s400/Countertop+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>THEN:  </strong>Here's the island with added face panels and a coupla coats of SW Antique White ... eventually I'm going to *attempt* to add a brown glaze, and I'd love to add some sort of stencil or embelishment on the side panels.  Also, the parameter countertops are now fancied up with Golden Beach granite.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CzBhyphenhyphenU0eeP3ncaL-UVmUSWHS1Vx0wHx8_SABcmgSUZM5XgwhyZEupCWLlBBLfKZ4fFdi3bAn6se-IEPMW4QujJKsdijxQOSzvvwu_OgO-422CEaj90USdwGBhS1HQfchwGP7_tMyig/s1600-h/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CzBhyphenhyphenU0eeP3ncaL-UVmUSWHS1Vx0wHx8_SABcmgSUZM5XgwhyZEupCWLlBBLfKZ4fFdi3bAn6se-IEPMW4QujJKsdijxQOSzvvwu_OgO-422CEaj90USdwGBhS1HQfchwGP7_tMyig/s400/028.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>BEFORE:</strong> plain ol' backsplash:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YOlJcgeFEDJ-hYLp6Rhe_yDTtimdnK6nwCxm_3EY1E7dxyt5phPSvhl0qKtf3RNoShE_Oul8dhva9NljohsMNsJRK6Si9KZ9Z0X2uLPu01TYOI-FFFXLBkKjm7V2N-ijkUSKQ2iAMw/s1600-h/House1+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YOlJcgeFEDJ-hYLp6Rhe_yDTtimdnK6nwCxm_3EY1E7dxyt5phPSvhl0qKtf3RNoShE_Oul8dhva9NljohsMNsJRK6Si9KZ9Z0X2uLPu01TYOI-FFFXLBkKjm7V2N-ijkUSKQ2iAMw/s400/House1+016.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>AFTER:</strong>  Neutral tiles and a decorative border now fill the space:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeBk0CkKBAtnWDBY_Vfx-SpFrVImLwcC5U7-Wljatv2BD6m0KS_rruCJD3IoPbODUazp8k-u2dxGAwLy2FFTQbJ2SdAXhGX70ugclChJ5yPd5bFKlts33Wq5V6DwEyU7xI0ZASmsguA/s1600-h/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeBk0CkKBAtnWDBY_Vfx-SpFrVImLwcC5U7-Wljatv2BD6m0KS_rruCJD3IoPbODUazp8k-u2dxGAwLy2FFTQbJ2SdAXhGX70ugclChJ5yPd5bFKlts33Wq5V6DwEyU7xI0ZASmsguA/s400/037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for the pantry door ... I attempted to give it a little personality by adding a chalkboard to the upper half (had the burch wood cut at Lowe's ... rolled on some black chalkboard paint and added molding). (And, oops, clearly it's time to wipe away the snowflake wishes!)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhrzyz5GlQ0AftFv-noREVafrxDWjWPz7RNLJn_MRMxrBdHq4V7a08ObbtnfGoVKaABx39NCqKAEt1iCFDm1EaI0Mxr6Y2tJKi6q-m8wx1keVMyC7nH5mrXtljs3H8w0gMSN-RDy5Zw/s1600-h/054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhrzyz5GlQ0AftFv-noREVafrxDWjWPz7RNLJn_MRMxrBdHq4V7a08ObbtnfGoVKaABx39NCqKAEt1iCFDm1EaI0Mxr6Y2tJKi6q-m8wx1keVMyC7nH5mrXtljs3H8w0gMSN-RDy5Zw/s400/054.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Annnnnd, of course, I've *futzed* around with the accent table in the breakfast area ... can you spot the little fellas I picked up the other day?</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPujR3W3-nnzJPfIIiFsg2H-q7q9qLnt113Xp4Vgsuoi0H6Db8kasK7lhyphenhyphenZ60QqxIsVATwE7hXAxnHJbrLTmiGvAioiv1iTAsoHFAHIxwQ8AQNBjWnkZrNLi-ksRSmqnHnT74_gKAGSQ/s1600-h/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPujR3W3-nnzJPfIIiFsg2H-q7q9qLnt113Xp4Vgsuoi0H6Db8kasK7lhyphenhyphenZ60QqxIsVATwE7hXAxnHJbrLTmiGvAioiv1iTAsoHFAHIxwQ8AQNBjWnkZrNLi-ksRSmqnHnT74_gKAGSQ/s400/021.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a closer look at them.  Ahhhhh ... bunnies ... aren't they cute ?!  And, now that we got to enjoy a little bit of snow, these ceramic furries have been instructed to hear of no more winter; see no more winter; and speak of no more winter !!  Bring.on.Spring !!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Tq2osZk49JNEFNqEcXZtCtznDlftztJsoAMa6Q8nkTTEnYfU3wGHQcUEzpneS3fSSbAdv4niIRKnP4tudJJwnAejAiCNIe4gDco4BPztAUTZD4Q5z-QyO88hMvw1q8o0FxS3IvFyPg/s1600-h/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Tq2osZk49JNEFNqEcXZtCtznDlftztJsoAMa6Q8nkTTEnYfU3wGHQcUEzpneS3fSSbAdv4niIRKnP4tudJJwnAejAiCNIe4gDco4BPztAUTZD4Q5z-QyO88hMvw1q8o0FxS3IvFyPg/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for stopping by !!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/376/0E491C7006B710EF338F39A43573A7FD.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/02/welcome-to-57th-metamorphosis-monday.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Metamorphosis Monday at BNOTP</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-your-monday-week-13-and-giveaway.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/2010/02/made-it-monday-21410.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made it Monday at The Persimmon Perch</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-for-monday-12.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/2010/02/making-world-cuter-monday-feb-15.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making the World Cuter Monday</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/2010/02/toot-your-horn-tuesday-for-your.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-yours-day_24.html?"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make it Yours Day at My Backyard Eden</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/02/sys-thursday-with-purple-trail.html?"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SYS Thursday at Somewhat Simple</span></a>

The Heart of our Home ...

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend !!  And, while I'm sure most of you are tired of hearing the word "snow," we were *sno...

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Monkeys, palm trees and dirty laundry ... oh my !!

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to our mudroom, where you'll find yourselves surrounded by a bunch of monkeys !!  Nooo, not John, Jax and me, silly, but our walls !!  Okay, so YES, I do have one other room decked out in wallpaper.  When I first spotted the fun paper in my hairstylist's studio, I LOVED it ... had to have it ... didn't know where I was going to put it, mind you, but I HAD to have it !!  We decided on the mudroom because I thought this was someplace unexpected for a fun paper such as this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>BEFORE</strong>: I took this picture of our mudroom the day after we moved in ... basic white ... wire shelf ... no storage, etc.  It was politely screaming for us to give it a little personality.  So, that's what we did (or attempted to do, anyway).  As always, feel free to click on pics to enlarge them.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5t5jEpChlx1nQ9ePsZJybIi-PPePLgLoQP1TjXkI_OIkzxoKXkZ9h93aIlEOGKxJu_D_AqfeJuyUymOO-tFXfc_0Ot3MSnue6YC9P2RSNQXZKbDsM98M8yfIIm75krglP9D_hhy5VLg/s1600-h/House+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5t5jEpChlx1nQ9ePsZJybIi-PPePLgLoQP1TjXkI_OIkzxoKXkZ9h93aIlEOGKxJu_D_AqfeJuyUymOO-tFXfc_0Ot3MSnue6YC9P2RSNQXZKbDsM98M8yfIIm75krglP9D_hhy5VLg/s400/House+018.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>AFTER</strong>:  Welcome to the jungle !!  Are your eyes going crazy from all of the monkeys and palms?  Well, not only did we add the paper, but we added crown molding, maple upper cabinets and a double base cabinet.  I painted the ceiling SW Blonde, and we replaced the light fixture (oops, sorry you can't see it).  I can't tell you how much I love having the extra storage !!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0g37suzVEuHm1jWsPav7ShaoCr02z-3k9JIjXzD-DmsfafE-aHcibwnoLEstZ895jdU3NYcwEjgQMkVgN0Z75bZiwFD-824yXjcr6TifcpvpiQ0OBINg00a2RDkTk5olPuPuW0z1jA/s1600-h/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0g37suzVEuHm1jWsPav7ShaoCr02z-3k9JIjXzD-DmsfafE-aHcibwnoLEstZ895jdU3NYcwEjgQMkVgN0Z75bZiwFD-824yXjcr6TifcpvpiQ0OBINg00a2RDkTk5olPuPuW0z1jA/s400/050.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently scored this fun wall clock from Kirkland's:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglj4XWrMoBop_8ihDxKlWEQ8xUf9Nzr_byqO65c5r1ZSJD1QBQWEKaGewDhosPB0gZkuZFEHbRHRNKY1WrFlhxDxgsx6SL4ehGCA79gZgUtw_uHGVDAZkoaWNyLdjUWyfW-qJYVY9feA/s1600-h/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglj4XWrMoBop_8ihDxKlWEQ8xUf9Nzr_byqO65c5r1ZSJD1QBQWEKaGewDhosPB0gZkuZFEHbRHRNKY1WrFlhxDxgsx6SL4ehGCA79gZgUtw_uHGVDAZkoaWNyLdjUWyfW-qJYVY9feA/s400/068.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We found this great mirror w/ hooks at Lowe's.  And, the storage bench's former home was, once again, Kirkland's.  I'm sure it appreciates us throwing our stinky "go to" shoes in there !!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pktsrw2HkwyzfoFOKLWdWcu_hHuC1BCgJWKDJ7uc6D_-FWQ1ptMCyOzT78nv22SANflqEX5qlpFQSP-IAVhhrB7mIP2KRakBhyphenhyphenSBknZi0xnqMymmOAytTeOPMFtOE9yNwQhpI0EofQ/s1600-h/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pktsrw2HkwyzfoFOKLWdWcu_hHuC1BCgJWKDJ7uc6D_-FWQ1ptMCyOzT78nv22SANflqEX5qlpFQSP-IAVhhrB7mIP2KRakBhyphenhyphenSBknZi0xnqMymmOAytTeOPMFtOE9yNwQhpI0EofQ/s400/080.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Finally, I recently turned this little area into our "command center." (I'll give you one guess where the precious monkey lamp came from!).  Thankfully, we saved the countertop that used to be on our kitchen island ... our contractors were able to cut it down and use it here !!  I love that the wide drawer below (seen in other picture) serves as our "neat" junk drawer, filled with pads, pens, small "fix it" items, etc.  And, Jax loves calling one of the base cabinets "his," by storing his coloring books, crayons, stickers, etc. there.  Um, did I already mention how much I LOVE the extra storage !!  </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrpXOFRXjtlVQ0v-The4uZSNaTUE-AcOWkAVmWVStJ_kKFtl26YS6Jmoc_NUPIjAIlMRGeURkv7743ZoFjbog1bMrNqlO_xLysf1ZmyvJYqJlHO9xBg9H49nZpednpQR-7RJgJfx_zg/s1600-h/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrpXOFRXjtlVQ0v-The4uZSNaTUE-AcOWkAVmWVStJ_kKFtl26YS6Jmoc_NUPIjAIlMRGeURkv7743ZoFjbog1bMrNqlO_xLysf1ZmyvJYqJlHO9xBg9H49nZpednpQR-7RJgJfx_zg/s400/060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, there ya' have it.  Now, I'd love your honest opinions here ... it's been 3 years since we added this wallpaper.  And, well, you can imagine that I'm getting the itch to redo the walls.  When I look back at the "before" pic, I somewhat miss the light color ... how the washer and dryer blend into the wall, instead of popping out and screaming at you against the red walls.  So ... my wonderful blogging friends ... what do you think?  Paint it back to a lighter color or keep it as is?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thanks for stopping by,</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/376/0E491C7006B710EF338F39A43573A7FD.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm joining: </span><br /><br /><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/02/welcome-to-56th-metamorphosis-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Metamorphosis Monday at BTOTP</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-your-monday-week-12-add-your-link_07.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make Your Monday @ Twice Remembered</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/2010/02/made-it-monday-2810.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made it Monday at Persimmon Perch</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-for-monday-11.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make it for Monday @ Cottage Instincts</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/2010/02/making-world-cuter-monday-feb-8.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making the World Cuter</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/2010/02/toot-your-horn-tuesday-love.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-yours-day_09.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make It Yours Day at My Backyard Eden</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/02/transformation-thursday-yet-another-pb.html?"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Transformation Thursday at the Shabby Chic Cottage</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/02/sys-thursday-with-sweet-tea-clothier.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/02/sns-17-brings-you-happy-valentines-day.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special</span></a>

Monkeys, palm trees and dirty laundry ... oh my !!

Welcome to our mudroom, where you'll find yourselves surrounded by a bunch of monkeys !!  Nooo, not John, Jax and me, silly, but our wal...

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Please pass the potatoes ....

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May I just say you guys are the best!  You really know how to make a new gal feel welcome here in blogland.  I've loved reading all of your thoughtful comments, of which I do not deserve!  Thank you!  And, I have to give a special "shout out" to Cindy at <a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/01/mi4m-highlights.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CottageInstincts+%28cottage+instincts%29">Cottage Instincts</a> (for highlighting my humble guest "loo" redo), Beth at <a href="http://bethcrabtreehunter.blogspot.com/2010/01/mantel-party-3-review.html">The Stories of A to Z</a> (for sharing my fireplace/mantle tranformation) and Kim at <a href="http://kimsdomesticbliss.blogspot.com/2010/01/do-you-suffer-from-this.html">My Domestic Bliss </a>(for mentioning, and relating to, my admission of my ADD (Attention <strong>Decorating</strong> Disorder)! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you feel like staying for a bit, I'd love to show you our breakfast area, highlighting a few changes we made to it.  As always, feel free to enlarge the pics by clicking on them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>BEFORE</strong>: Imagine a big ol' red wall (RL Stadium Red) ... try (AND try) as we did, nothing seemed to work.  ANYthing we put there seemed to get swallowed by the tall wall with vaulted ceiling.  And, as the kitchen cabinets share the same wall (I'll take you there soon), symmetry and balance went by the wayside, which drove me ker-azy!  Sorry this isn't a better pic:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmPvYrvvs21ukUcMCewKyf_MO-Ygt5t7GRs5SCr8Sxl2aHCyqbsolbsyjwV8qMwNCeNCuaw8RtvdZwyFb0wz8Eu290KIMlrh7eV63NRzNyvDwZgcn7MiO_y8ez-UVZTfDFzhee20QUA/s1600-h/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmPvYrvvs21ukUcMCewKyf_MO-Ygt5t7GRs5SCr8Sxl2aHCyqbsolbsyjwV8qMwNCeNCuaw8RtvdZwyFb0wz8Eu290KIMlrh7eV63NRzNyvDwZgcn7MiO_y8ez-UVZTfDFzhee20QUA/s400/076.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>AFTER:</strong>  Welcome dry bar (magically built by our friend, Paul)!  We're super pleased with how it turned out ... love how it fills the space.  We wanted it to have a few different features than the kitchen cabs, so we chose rope-accented molding, legs and feet ... a metallic backsplash ... black countertop and glass accent doors.  I love that the center cab is shorter and bumps out (Paul's idea). </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASfAUf7YH9e5G4CRFz9mHpqJP75SZD6N3CFELuJBjfJUomj4xYz3zQQF661bC0WzEIO9iT1ycdIZuFPUWiqTN1siJ_9yqtjNc-MK0anBIR8GtzSwIz0mBUn0tzSq5ZFFwwZ-cD0I4nw/s1600-h/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASfAUf7YH9e5G4CRFz9mHpqJP75SZD6N3CFELuJBjfJUomj4xYz3zQQF661bC0WzEIO9iT1ycdIZuFPUWiqTN1siJ_9yqtjNc-MK0anBIR8GtzSwIz0mBUn0tzSq5ZFFwwZ-cD0I4nw/s400/071.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We really enjoy the convenience of the wine cooler ... Chardonnay? Shiraz? Champagne? Sparkling Cider? What can I get ya'?</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpWpCEqjDpeXVXauh4OzE4jrb3bGSsP_FuKSnwKNx5XK9xreCZSpudATc68hH-5Duiy5dofp_Yp_9RvMwXnri6NKSmzE7oXweG8MNUMhgUz-_Pf_1gmFUNeIS6uBBmUlwa3Zglu-JUg/s1600-h/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpWpCEqjDpeXVXauh4OzE4jrb3bGSsP_FuKSnwKNx5XK9xreCZSpudATc68hH-5Duiy5dofp_Yp_9RvMwXnri6NKSmzE7oXweG8MNUMhgUz-_Pf_1gmFUNeIS6uBBmUlwa3Zglu-JUg/s400/061.JPG" width="278" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did a not-so-great job of adding the metallic backsplash (from Lowe's), hoping for a bit of pizazz.  And, when the budget allows, we plan on changing out the counter to Golden Beach granite, which would then match our kitchen countertops:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUBxXWVHokLBMJOtha4sfIf6K4mwHoI6eWYMPJHu3aHn53m6rpBZ4j9Q8KlWz3CRgLXPkTVfkwRq_49uCttrp2u5Nzs4vpPFLPPeFAbzDjVyacBUBtUMHbfJuTuoY-qy7osdNBYD0kQ/s1600-h/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUBxXWVHokLBMJOtha4sfIf6K4mwHoI6eWYMPJHu3aHn53m6rpBZ4j9Q8KlWz3CRgLXPkTVfkwRq_49uCttrp2u5Nzs4vpPFLPPeFAbzDjVyacBUBtUMHbfJuTuoY-qy7osdNBYD0kQ/s400/057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I cannot tell you how much I've loved having the extra storage, too !!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aside from the dry bar, we traded the blinds and panels for roman shades (done in a whimsical polk dot fabric) to add a bit of fun coordination to the cornice (both treatments were done by my great friend and neighbor, Christy). </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejcKoLQ6ZgWqNMEW_yR6nQLfGoYXFd-Wm2i8XgdBxqLh5Jc2R9gPEjwYCccJs2apAGIDf4sHJh_Mo6Hj7memZAdVlMZLk1YHKijvS1AM1lPQDX7Q4PQZec_ZgWchTrytNS_pRKUc3vQ/s1600-h/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejcKoLQ6ZgWqNMEW_yR6nQLfGoYXFd-Wm2i8XgdBxqLh5Jc2R9gPEjwYCccJs2apAGIDf4sHJh_Mo6Hj7memZAdVlMZLk1YHKijvS1AM1lPQDX7Q4PQZec_ZgWchTrytNS_pRKUc3vQ/s400/086.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently grabbed this accent table at Kirklands, which I'm still "futzing" with:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bjauLXwbHjO07lNeeiS2QJ2c1BA_1q5eN8-OPZH_1pThqLfH8caZLVja4Fl23GirhHUG1lqM1BpU_lXRowL4YAm7nUEcPFkel2TX1kskhbNMrBrxkoj9wsOO5ruXm2DgItFyVZB6Gw/s1600-h/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bjauLXwbHjO07lNeeiS2QJ2c1BA_1q5eN8-OPZH_1pThqLfH8caZLVja4Fl23GirhHUG1lqM1BpU_lXRowL4YAm7nUEcPFkel2TX1kskhbNMrBrxkoj9wsOO5ruXm2DgItFyVZB6Gw/s400/065.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, lastly, I'm lovin' the oversized lazy susan I recently scored at Tuesday Morning ... really like how it resembles the top of a wine barrel and is the perfect fit for our kitchen table. I'm testing out my Southern Living tray on there (which I filled with faux grapes, wine corks and wine glasses, one of which is filled with a small votive *melted* candle).</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Yk-RBm67gimPuBhCCf-U6ECsd0j-hTOTJYPEkdP0FCF2cpb2QCWqkYG60-3IbKko7HnJAbpjypOCTRsxdDZfOVG6KCEKTfi9HRPbUNn38jSlQYL60qCzLST_h1cNqYYohC2-G6m4A/s1600-h/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Yk-RBm67gimPuBhCCf-U6ECsd0j-hTOTJYPEkdP0FCF2cpb2QCWqkYG60-3IbKko7HnJAbpjypOCTRsxdDZfOVG6KCEKTfi9HRPbUNn38jSlQYL60qCzLST_h1cNqYYohC2-G6m4A/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well, that's all for now ... it's almost time for football and a hot bowl of white chicken chili, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and Scoops ... yummy !!  </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjscSgBdCAtL6sI3bZN8PoOiYCWDU0wHZtpL_ar232DfL-mmwy8jDJ7e1WhGwufy1aspMr_m3zg-j8iBp4-sjGQI9i_eLzuETHNl2ev96WNOJvQ4SABJbw3jeoRbFbqoNgBFQQlj3mA/s1600-h/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjscSgBdCAtL6sI3bZN8PoOiYCWDU0wHZtpL_ar232DfL-mmwy8jDJ7e1WhGwufy1aspMr_m3zg-j8iBp4-sjGQI9i_eLzuETHNl2ev96WNOJvQ4SABJbw3jeoRbFbqoNgBFQQlj3mA/s400/140.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stay warm and be safe if you are one of the many surrounded by snow and icy roads !!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/376/0E491C7006B710EF338F39A43573A7FD.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with:</span></div><br /><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/01/before-and-after-party-tv-cabinet-redo.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Susan at Between Naps on the Porch</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://twiceremembered.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-your-monday-week-11-add-your-link.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make Your Monday at Twice Remembered</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://thepersimmonperch.blogspot.com/2010/01/made-it-monday-13110.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made It Monday @ Persimmon Porch</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.sillylittlesparrow.com/2010/02/toot-your-horn-tuesday-paint-snow.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toot your Horn Tuesday @ A Silly Little Sparrow</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://asoftplace.net/2010/02/diy-day-with-the-rusted-chain/?"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do It Yourself Day at A Soft Place to Land</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-yours-day.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make it Yours Day at My Backyard Eden</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/02/sns-16-brings-you-rusted-chain-glamour.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special</span></a>

Please pass the potatoes ....

May I just say you guys are the best!  You really know how to make a new gal feel welcome here in blogland.  I've loved reading all of y...

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