Thursday, August 29, 2013

A Whole Lotta "Tweakin" Goin' On


Buying new dishes made my life crazy - and I haven't even used them yet!

After finishing the dining room, I thought the living room would be a quick job, but it took me 3 days!

I took photos yesterday and thought I was done, but sitting on the sofa last night, I looked around and wasn't satisfied - so it was back to the drawing board this morning.


This table was one of the few arrangements I didn't change today.

The lamp and the painting make it difficult for just any display - I don't want anything too tall in front of the painting and we need a lamp on the table.


All the containers started out on the mantel, but moving them to the cabinet was a vast improvement.


There was a short green cabinet in this nook, but I wanted something taller so I stole the sewing machine base from the guest room.


One of my prized possessions is the vintage sewing notions box from my grandmother - I like how it is showcased on the glass base.


I found the George Washington tin, a relic from my Americana days, hiding in the garage.

The striped box, a Home Goods purchase, is now storing Lulu's toys - who knew a puppy needed so many toys!

The croquet balls in my favorite colors are from my childhood croquet game.


The little green chair was the easiest "tweak" - a metal basket is filled with Trader Joe's mums.


Another 'steal' was the chalkboard caddy from the dining room - it was a pain to move at every meal.


The mantel was the biggest challenge.

I am not ready for a fall mantel so I went with books, but then I had no idea what to put in the center.

I stole the red box from the dining room (so much for that room being finished) and a few bits and pieces from the guest room.


The new dishes I wrote about here caused a chain reaction.

These are just a few of the items that were moved around and still need new homes.

We have company this weekend, so I know what I will be doing tomorrow.

. . . . . . . . . . .


My Giveaway ends on Sunday - check it out here.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I am joining these great parties

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson - Share Your Cup Thursday

Common Ground - Be Inspired

The Thrifty Groove - Thrifty Things Friday

Rooted in Thyme - Simple and Sweet Fridays

Redoux - Link Party

The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home

No Minimalist Here - Open House Blog Party


37 comments:

  1. I really like all of the primary colors that you use in decorating your... it is so bright and vivid. Hope you can get your house together and have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's so FUN to come here Carol - you have the most amazing style ( and items ) I wanted to list my favorite things but my comment would go on forever - so suffice it to say I'm in awe of your treasures - and how you place them all over your gorgeous home!
    Have a wonderful weekend
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Carol,
    I love when you change things up. Your vignettes just get better and better. I am a white and neutral girl as you know but I am so drawn always to your vivid world of color!! I vicariously live in full color when I visit your beautiful blog. I love little LuLu's toy box. How sweet is that!! Everything is so pretty.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  4. You have such a cute place / I always enjoy visiting. That sewing machine notions box is a sweet heirloom-treasure! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good morning CAROL!

    I love to tweak. It has to be my favorite thing to do around the house. AND I love your cottage door in white! Well, off to school I go for any final preparations before Tuesday's "rentrée" (back to school).

    I love to come visit you to get away from stress. Keep being the beautiful light that you are....

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are so creative!!! I had to laugh when you said you sat down on the sofa when you were done and after looking around you weren't happy with things. Oh my, we're all alike, which is so comforting!
    Love the green sewing cabinet!
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
  7. Everything is just so adorable...you did a fabulous job! I love all the color...my fav.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Carol,
    Visiting you through Suzan's blog post today.
    You have a wonderful blog and I enjoyed the photos so much, so colorful and fun! I need to get tweaking on my living room area, maybe sometime this weekend.
    I'm now your newest follower, stop by to visit me when you get a chance.
    Have a fabulous weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You just keep making it cuter and cuter!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Carol, It's funny how some people put things in their home and NEVER move them. I am a tweaker too. You have some wonderful accessories and everything looks beautiful. Thanks for linking to the Open House party.
    xx,
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  11. Carol, you are just so amazing to me! I'm in awe of the way you "shop" your beautiful home and rearrange it regularly. It's constantly changing and full of colorful and fun surprises. I simply love visiting to see what you've been up too. (And also, you're the only one I know who would have those cool croquet balls from their childhood!)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh - That is just crazy. Does it ever fail that when some we find some FUN new purchase it causes TONS of work- Kind of like a whole house shift to accomodate the newbie--lol Love it- so far-so good- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  13. you were recommended by Suzan at simply vintageous, and I'm so glad! I love, love, love your use of color...I am an color addict too. :-) and I'll be a new follower.
    Debbi
    -yankeeburrow

    ReplyDelete
  14. Would you please come 'tweak' my house, too?!?! You do it so beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tweaking is such an art and you do it beautifully... I love your use of color everywhere... So bright and cheerful. Makes me smile to visit your blog - thank you....

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nice to meet you Carol! I'm over from Suzan's blog and she is right, you have wonderful style, I just had to follow along. I look forward to hanging out here.

    ReplyDelete
  17. How can one person do so much! Wow! I bet your husband wants to blindfold you some days. Enjoy your company. I am sure they will feel like they are in a magazine.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful changes Carol!Oh it always seems like one thing does lead to another doesn't it!
    xx
    Anen

    ReplyDelete
  19. yes, the never ending moving around, rearranging and all that is involved. You really have created a lovely space

    ReplyDelete
  20. Glad to know I'm not the only restless one who tweaks all the time...and had to laugh where you said you sat down and looked around and still weren't satisfied. I do that all the time! In fact, I'm taking a break right now from tweaking...and yep, sitting down and looking around, I see some things I gotta go change, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I absolutely love your use of colour Carol. Sooo gorgeous!! You have a real talent for placing your fabulous things together. I love colour too, and am now following you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tweaking is part of the fun, Carol. I feel as if I'm always tweaking things around here. My husband just rolls his eyes. It's fun to see your different vignettes. How special to have your grandmother's sewing notions cabinet. I have a similar one that was my grandmother's. Also love that Americana tin. Thanks for sharing these. ~ Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  23. I really admire your tenacity.
    Not to mention your knack for lovely vignettes.
    I'm reminded that once, a long, long time ago, I used to create such vignettes around my home. You may be inspiring me to revisit that.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love how you shop your own house and come up with new looks. Some of my stuff has been sitting in the same spot for 20 years. Back in "the day" when I was a stay home Mom I cleaned the house top to bottom every Monday and switched things around. When those days ended, so did the re-arranging. Last winter I did a huge purge and got rid of a lot of stuff. Maybe this will be the Winter for switching things up so I'm not so bored with how things look! You are inspiring me.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey you!!! Happy Saturday!!!! I am liking all of your tweaking! Tweaking is so good for the soul and regenerating energy in your space!!! You are the best at it! Loving the mums on the chair and I agree the containers look fantastic up high!!! And that sewing box from your grandmother...oh it is so very awesome!! I am with you....I'm not quite ready for the fall mantel yet! I hope you have a lovely weekend with your guests!

    ReplyDelete
  26. The beautiful colours are spirit-lifting! I love the chalk-board caddy - a good September project!

    ReplyDelete
  27. My goodness you have so many great things going on here! I love the bright, sunny colors and all of the interesting repurposed items you have chosen. Great idea to 'shop' the rest of the house to find what you needed!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I know what it's like. I've recently got a new piece of furniture, which meant changing every vignette in my lounge/dining room. It took hours and hours, and I'm still not completely happy. I sit here at night obsessing over everything.
    Every corner of your house looks lovely, I especially love and am a little envious of, all the wire baskets.

    ReplyDelete
  29. You have so many vintage treasures! Just love your chair and metal basket...charming!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love how all your things look like they have always been there and fit so perfectly where you place them. Everything you have goes so nicely together and you have the perfect decorator's touch in knowing how and where to place items and what to group together. You do have some amazing treasures!That metal basket in the chair is lovely and the sewing box on the glass table top! Love it ALL! Have a blessed Sunday my friend!

    Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Carol: I am always stealing something from another room, just when you thought you had it done. Love the croquet balls and the big red C with the yellow and blue of the tobacco container. Have fun with your company..Happy Labor Day Weekend..Judy

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your place is darling! Isn't it wonderful when you are able to shop your own home for decorating?
    I have that same tobacco tin! LOVE it! It's been in our family for years.
    You've done a great job of rearranging things.
    Enjoy the holiday weekend!!!
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  33. Your place is darling! Isn't it wonderful when you are able to shop your own home for decorating?
    I have that same tobacco tin! LOVE it! It's been in our family for years.
    You've done a great job of rearranging things.
    Enjoy the holiday weekend!!!
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love the caddy you moved from the dining room table and all the different ideas for decorating. I clicked over to see and read about the dishes you found at TJ Max that is one of my favorites places along with Home Goods.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love the little Washington tin and I think Little Lulu has excellent taste and chose the perfect place to store her toys!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Carol, I'm still laughing at how this all started with s few new plates. Your grandmothers sewing chest is fabulous and oh that tin! Would love to run across either one of those pieces! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete