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February 29, 2012

A Leap (Year) of Faith

February 29th - Leap Year Day - should get much more attention and praise than any other day. If I only came around once every 4 years, I'd expect someone to "put on the hog" (i.e., a big bar-b-que and ho-down.)

We need to seize this opportunity to think outside our decorating boxes, step away from the ordinary, and leap at the chance to consider alternative designs and schemes. 

It's easy to get caught up in a decorating rut and plod along, year after year, in the same style, with the same colors and a tired old theme.   


Today is Leap Year Day - so, just go for it!











 































Come on.  Take a chance.  Be a Leaper.

February 28, 2012

Reflections on an illusion of space


Archeologists have traced the earliest manufactured mirrors,  pieces of polished stone such as obsidian, to Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) and have dated them to around 6000 BC.

The invention of the silvered-glass mirror is credited to German chemist Justus von Liebig in 1835. His process of 'silvering' was adapted for mass manufacturing, led to the greater availability of affordable mirrors, and is the forefather of today's mirror.

A mirror adds an extra window to any room as well as a dimension that no other accessory can provide.












































 
















Mirrors not only expand any area in which they are placed,
they reflect natural and interior light.  If you feel that a room
in your home needs 'a little something' -
it just might be a beautiful mirror.

February 27, 2012

It's raining, it's pouring, this blogger is boring . . .




Today is one of those Mondays when you want to pull the covers over your head and yell at the world, "GO AWAY!"

Alas, it's not to be.  So, we might as well get started with
a little inspiration.





The transformation of this ordinary ho-hum dresser will have us
all taking a closer look around at the next yard sale we attend:


So versatile, this dresser would be great in a nursery,
tween's room, a teenager's cave, or even in a dorm. 


The next B&A is unique in that it involves a paint treatment
in an area of the house that most of us simply overlook.
 
BEFORE - bare mudroom ceiling:


During - taping the ceiling:

 (Makes my neck hurt just looking at this picture.)
 
AFTER - what a charming optical illusion:
As much as I tremendously admire the homeowner's efforts,
the rest of my entire house would have to be perfection before
I took the time to paint the mud room ceiling.  Just sayin'.

So many of us can relate to this next Before & After.  
(My computer chair doesn't look as good as this 'before'):


Snazzie!!  Love that it now matches the decor.
 
A pitiful coffee table in sore
need of a little maintenance:


Stellar!  I've never thought about working with leather
or vinyl but this re-do has me considering the option.


Reproduction French Provencial was The Rage
in the 60's and offers so many possibilities now:

Classy.  Love the fabric and mesh panels.

And, now, (drum roll, please ) the
Transformation of the Day:

What happens when you combine an old table you
already have with a dresser you find at a thrift shop?


Charming happens!  Seriously, how cool is this
kitchen island?   And, so much new storage, too.

What started out as a boring, rainy Monday just got 
interesting.  I might get something done today, afterall.