A Modern Vintage 1700's Farm House, Part 2 :: NOT the Kitchen

So, hopefully, you've seen my friend Becky's lovely old kitchen in my last post!

If not, you must scoot over HERE and see it!

Becky didn't know we were taking pictures (hi, Becky!) of other parts of her lovely farm home.

But, we did. Couldn't help it.

And like I told you already:

They bought this home (originally built in the late 1700's) with remodeling in mind, 

so here and there, 

you can see finished and unfinished projects and places that are waiting to be completed,

just like all of our homes.

(Becky, who, like most of us when there are areas in our home that are undone, 

kept apologizing for the project areas. I don't even see them! I only see hope and love, 

and the beautiful things that she and her hubby Rob have already done!)

Here are some other spaces we found charming, too.

I'll be going to Becky's again, next week, for her daughter's wedding.

Held on the lawn, next to the pond next to their property!

White tents, pink impatiens, lanterns, ironstone, and silver.

Can't wait!

Maybe we can sneak some more pictures!

I pray that you have a beautiful day, rejoicing, that you are alive and oh, so blessed!

HUGS!

.

I Took a Risk (Let's Hope the HOA doesn't Notice)

I painted into the night, so I wouldn't be discovered.
Sneaky is my middle name.
Stealth makeovers are my game.

I made a decorating decision that I hope we don't get fined for...
if investigated, there would be enough evidence to convict me.

Exhibit A
As it has been for 10 years.

Exhibit B 

A washed out Chinese Food Carry Out container paint tray, primer and a roller.

Exhibit C

Painter's Tape on Exhibit A

Exhibit A once again.

Being altered.

Exhibit A now becomes Exhibit D.
"D" for Dull.
Gray Primer can do that sort of thing.

After this phase, I impatiently moped around until the primer dried
waited until the cover of nightfall, and committed the act of lawlessness.

I took my can of paint, snubbed my nose at red-door-lover naysayers
(hey, I've done my time!) and covered it with blue.

By the time the paint had dried in the morning,
it was too late to turn back.
My depravity had reached it's zenith.
The light of day exposed my sin.

Exhibit D had become Exhibit E.
Elegant Entrance.

Exhibit A and Exhibit E.

Now, let me allay your fears.
I am a law-abiding-HOA dues-paying gal.
As of 3 years ago, we are the living-longest-in-the-neighborhood family.
And in fact, the only original residing humans in the subdivision after it was finished.
This gives us grandfather clause rights.
One of them is changing the door color.

Feel better?
Now you can sleep tonight.

Whew!

Got away with that.

Perhaps, now I can change the doorbell, plant some flowers in the tiered planter, 

and remove the glass storm door, ALL in broad daylight.

I will be putting our house's numbers back

on the column by the door, so the HOA police can find me if they need to.

If you want to read what prompted such a blatant act of defiance, read my post HERE.

The color I chose is Wythe Blue HC-143 by Benjamin Moore.

See it HERE.

For roomfuls of this color, go HERE.

Now, you!

Go paint something.

Break the rules!

Legally.

Take a Risk Day is today at The Nester's.

Go see:

The Nesting Place
Also partying at Kim's Wow Us Wednesdays

Link up to my current Purge Party HERE.

.

MY Pedestal Bowl :: As Featured On...

See this pedestal bowl?

Isn't it lovely?
Maybe you have seen it already.

It was made by my friend, Kristi, at The Speckled Dog.

She lives here in Greenville, SC, too, and she and her also-talented husband,
came to our home for our Happy Holiday Hunting and Fondue Festivities Christmas Party.

Kristi shared a link on her Face Book wall when she listed this bowl in her shop
a few weeks ago.

I immediately bought it from her.
Because of snow and our schedules, we finally saw each other
(and went to an auction together) and I met my bowl!
It is ever-so-beautiful in person!


In my foyer.

Meanwhile, her post about this bowl was picked up all over blogland:

House of Hepworths featured it.

It was presented by Someday Crafts.

Tip Junkie spotlighted the bowl.

ohdeedoh loved it.

It was shown off at The Nesting Place.
It made the Fab Friday Feature at Frugal Fabulous Design.

Singing with Birds sang about it.

Maybe you have seen it out and about?
Well, I saw it everywhere,too, and now it's in my house!
I feel so blessed!

Kristi designs and re-purposes upcycled pretties for her etsy shop.

Here are some other adorable, lovely, unique things she's created.

She has just finished up some handmade pedestal birdhouses.

Stop by her place and say hi!
She always has some fun and pretty project in the works!

Thanksgiving Decor Inspiration :: My Friend Ann's Home

It is one of the severest tests of friendship 

to tell your friend his faults. 

So to love a man that you cannot bear 

to see a stain upon him, 

and to speak painful truth through loving words, 

that is friendship.

~Henry Ward Beecher

Today we are going on a road trip to a home of a friend of mine.

She is the friend in the quote above that loves me so much

that she tells me the truth about myself.

It is the best and truest friend who honestly tells us the truth about ourselves.

Even though we may not like it.

She lives here in Greenville, SC, too.

We met 7 years ago while waiting in the lobby for our daughters to finish their piano lessons.

Oddly enough, she was reading a decorating magazine, and we chatted about decor for awhile.

We became friends through yard saling and bartering.

We became sisters because we both love the Lord!!

We refer to each other as my "Sista from Anutha Mista".

She fills her home with loving reminders of God's goodness and hope.

And her home reflects her passion for each season and for each person who enters in.

She does nothing without a purpose behind it.

I know you will agree that her home is warm, cozy, eclectic and full of inspiration,

as it always is for me.

Her Autumn decor charmed me so, and I wanted to share it with you!

I am proud to introduce you to my friend, Ann:

say "Hi", y'all!

Lady says "ruff"!

(Which in adorable, fluffy, doggy language means "Welcome"!)

Come on into her foyer.

Watch for subtle touches that say "Autumn"!

On the right:

Her Dining Room, my favorite room!

A view into the Living Room, from the Dining Room.

After Thanksgiving I am going to be helping her do a redesign of this space.

(Although it's pretty as is, she wants a change).

Should be fun!

Her Coffee Area.

Another of my favorite spots.

(I know I need to bring you those baskets, Ann, for the bottom shelves!)

So concludes our tour.

Does anyone else think that Ann should have her own decorating blog?

I have asked her.

She doesn't want to do that.

But, thankfully, she will let me come through with my Canon!

Thank you, Ann!

Ponder this today:

Let those be thy choicest companions 

who have made Christ their chief companion.

~Thomas Brooks