Minding My Ps & Qs

Last project of my break

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Boogie Board Cottage

Embracing Change

If You're Happy and You Know It...

This morning, I read an article in the Parade Magazine section of my local newspaper about Nate Berkus.

I have to admit, although I am a decorating addict, I did not know anything about him.

I have heard his name, but I don't own a television so I have never seen his show.

I like his suggestion that we should look at how we live instead of subscribing to what he calls outdated notions of how rooms should be used.

My entry is now a sitting room - a great use of the space.

He shared that in a Home Goods survey, only 20 percent of the respondents felt happy with their home decor.

I was surprised that the percentage was so low.

I guess that is because I read so many decorating blogs I think everyone is into their homes.

He talked about how homes have become much more casual than they were 50 years ago.  

My childhood home had a dining room that was only used on special occasions.

In my tiny cottage, I don't have that luxury, but I wouldn't want a room that sat idle.

He advocates mixing both old and new pieces which is definitely my style.

His suggestion is to use 

"a judicious blend of vintage pieces, found objects and personal treasures that have been passed down through family members or acquired during travels, along with new stuff we buy because it's useful and we love or need it."

I definitely subscribe to this type of decorating.

vintage pieces

found objects

personal treasure from my family

shells Steve found on a surf trip to the Maldives

not useful, or needed, but I love primary colors & beach pails

He says, 

"everywhere your eye travels in your home, it should land on something that resonates with you.

I smile each time my eye catches my green & yellow table

I love my collection of hands holding my jewelry

looking into my dining room and entryway is one of my favorite views

He adds,

"I always want objects in my home that have a connection to me or something I've loved.  It's still stuff, but it's stuff that has meaning."

the blue vases were my mother's

the black box from Anthropologie is something I didn't need, but I love

yellow cabinet & checkerboard from my Americana days

It might not be perfect or stylish, but it is filled with "stuff" meaningful to us.

I am glad I fall into the 20% category of people who are happy with their homes.

What about you?
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Boogie Board Cottage - Masterpiece Monday

My Romantic Home

Just when I think I'm done...

We have a full house.

KC and JP are in town for a "family" wedding.

The couple aren't really family, but close enough.

KC met the groom in pre-school and the bride in kindergarten.

She is in the wedding and we're all looking forward to the special event.

We rarely have all four of us in our little cottage together.

Thanksgiving we are often away.

Christmas we always go on a family ski trip and make sure we rent a big house.

KC arrived on Thursday night in her typical fashion.

JP always refers to her as Hurricane KC.

She brings clothes -

 for hanging out

for going out

for working out

and 

for washing.

The trail begins in the entryway spreads through the house and seems worst in the bathroom.

One bathroom, 4 people, and KC's bag full of beauty is definitely a crowd.

With every room full of people and paraphernalia, I was wishing I had a space to tuck myself in for a little peace and quiet.

As I was straightening up before bed, I walked through the entryway and stopped to think about what a wasted space it is.

I like the look of the cabinet full of linens and little shelf, but what if I put a chair in the entry?

If I swapped the red bookcase from the kitchen and the red cabinet from the entry, I could put in a chair.

I have to make changes on the sly.

As soon as Steve left for his tennis game, I got busy.

In the kitchen, the bookcase held bowls and pitchers.

In the entry, it can hold more than kitchen items.

I moved a wicker chair from my workroom to the entry.

I love how it looks from the dining room and

I love how it looks from the kitchen.

I put in books for 'looking' while I sit and watch Steve cook.

I added some of my favorite pitchers,

and Steve added sand dollars we found on the beach yesterday morning.

The cabinet is in the kitchen awaiting a butcher block top,

some touch up painting, and some new shelves.

Steve got home from tennis and didn't even notice the change immediately.

Other than being upset that I moved some dishes in "his" kitchen, he likes that I will be able to visit while he cooks.

Last night, I sat in my new little reading nook watching Steve make dinner, writing this post and looking for ideas for kitchen shelves.

When I put the chipped cabinet in the hallway last Sunday I thought I was done, but if I'm honest,  I know that will never happen.

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Jennifer Rizzo

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Enjoy It

When I got home from school yesterday I told Steve that I just wanted to spend time at home this weekend.

The hardest part of being back at school and coaching volleyball is that my house is not 'perfect' during the week.

At breakfast, I flipped through a digital copy of Homebound Magazine from Post Road Vintage. 

Oh, my!

What lovely photos and inspirational ideas.

I decided I would move a few things around and 'spiff up' the living room.

First I moved my sewing machine base from its home next to the sofa to the other side of the room by the chair.

I moved my antique record cabinet from one side of the sofa to the other.

My little red ladder and red pole lamp ended up on the other end of the sofa.

I can't believe the difference in the room by just moving 3 pieces of furniture.

Decorating the glass top sewing machine base proved to be a bit of a challenge.

With the glass top, the tips of the 4 legs always look funny when viewed through the glass.

I always try to cover them up by whatever is on top of the table.

I tried several different vignettes and finally ended up with a look I like.

The red, yellow and blue cabinet was useless to the right of the sofa because I couldn't open the door.

Now, on the left of the sofa, I will be able to use it for storage.

By moving it, I realized I need a new lampshade.

That will have to wait for next weekend.

I'm not totally sure about the height of the little red ladder to the right of the sofa, but I like having the pole lamp for reading.

I guess I will live with it for a few weeks before making any changes.

When JP got home, I asked him what he thought of the changes.

He looked around the room and said, "I don't see anything different."

Steve walked back and forth through the living room multiple times while I was cleaning and moving.

He didn't notice any changes either!

I notice even the tiniest change, but they are clueless.

My last touch before I sat down to read and look around my room was to change my little scrabble tiles.

Steve is now cooking dinner and I am doing just what I said I should do -

enjoying my house.

I hope the neatness will last through the week!

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Common Ground

French Country Cottage