Design Tip

Has anyone noticed that I have a new rug in my Living Room? Notice anything odd about it? Yes, it has a lot of blue, but that is not it . . .

This is a "FREE" hand me down from a friend, not what I would have chosen, but I think it works. On the "back" side! Yes, I wanted it to be more muted so I am using it on the back side.

Here is a close up of the "front " side . . .

And here is the more muted, worn, almost needle point looking "back" side. Which do you like better? Don't be afraid to think outside the box. When you see something at a good price, or in this case a GREAT price . . . think before you pass it by, could it work used in a different way?

Things That Make You Go

"ahhhhhhhhh", This is my daughter's friend , Amanda's dog. Is she not the cutest thing?

Can anyone help me?

For some reason I am having trouble uploading my pictures . . . these always seem to be my personal photos that I take with my canon rebel. Any ideals why? Sometimes it works fine and other times just refuses to upload. I don't know much about this computer stuff, can anyone help me?

Something to Talk About

Oct. Cover of House Beautiful . . . Let's hear it!

"My" Top Ten Elements of Design # 3

#3 Avoid "Trends" * I stole these images from Jenny at "My Favorite and My Best http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/ . So get upset with her, not me . . . But I warn you , she has a potty mouth. Love her!

"My" Top Ten Elements of Design # 2

#2 : Element of Surprise * When a space has a "Element of Surprise", there will always be something of interest in the room . . . something to talk about! For my very simple 80's house to have a copper vessel sink, on a concrete top, is always surprising to everyone that enters. They always come out of the bathroom with something to say about it.

But your element of surprise does not have to be a "show stopper", an antique high chair used as a night stand can work as well.

In my family room, it's the art . . . to have a self Portrait on the wall is always a surprise. I also get alot of comments on the painting that my husband did for me on my 16th birthday. Yes, all "Elements of Surprise".

In my guest room, it's the stairs used as a nightstand with the photo of my grandparents, that's her wedding ring and watch too. Something to talk about, people want it, so give it to them.

I know this will come as a surprise to all of my loyal followers . . . I am always so careful not to show the line of deer heads that tower over my living room. There's 5 of them, and I fought hard NOT have this little surprise in my home, but lost that fight . I am so glad that they are not as taboo as they once were. I admit I have gotten used to them and they don't even bother me anymore. Always a topic of conversation, and to see the big smile on my honey's face . . . priceless ! So tell me, what are you surprising your guest with?

Pet Peeve ~ Fake Flowers

I have already fought this fight on RMS , so I am just going to hang my head and move on . . .

"My" Top Ten Design Elements

If you have not been to "Cote de' Texas" http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/ in the last day or so, go by soon and check out her newest post, " Top Ten Design Elements", it is fabulous ! I know to copy Joni's post is blogger's suicide, but I am doing it anyway and hoping others will join me . . . how much fun would it be to see every one's personal list of top ten design elements. How many of us would compile the same list? I would be interested in finding out.

#1 on my list would have to be the "Bones of a Space". I think , though not impossible, it's hard to have a great space without "good bones". How much interest can a white box have, really? I know that these things really make ones budget go way up, but remember you can add things slowly. You don't have to start with everything the day you move into a house. Layer as you can afford, change is always exciting, at least to me.

Without the wood and the painted brick, what would this space be? Just would not have the same charm, would it?

Elements like built-in bookshelves add so much to a room. Think about you own castle, look around, what could you add?

I think I will continue with my own list. And I hope to read yours as well. If you want to play with me , please link to this post and be sure to let me know. I can't wait to see what everyone has on their "own" list.

Make Your Own

Rarely do I just go buy a accessory for my home. I much more prefer to make my own. I am not crafty, I just simply put a few things together. Here I added pine cones from the yard to a glass container, then tied a ribbon around it.

I put this basket together for my coffee table in the living room . . .

and this for my den.

I placed a few thing on my Italian Florentine tray for the dining room table. I think it is much more interesting to "Make Your Own".

So get started . . . Fall is coming, I promise.

Adding to my Art Collection

I believe "Art" should be very personal. It should make your heart sing , grab you as soon as you see it and haunt you if you pass by and don't bring it home. That was just the case with this painting. I first saw it months ago, kept it on my mind, continue to go back to see if it had been marked down . . .

Last week I finally brought it home ! It is 70 years old, from Belgium. I love the style and the subject suits my home here on the farm. I could not wait to get it hung, and did so without any help from my sweetie . . . who by the way has yet to notice it! I don't know why I am surprised by that. I once asked him how he liked the new chair? He looked at a chair that had been there for 15 years and said, " it looks great" . . .