A Slight Change of Color

I have never loved the shade of yellow - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Arles - on my bench.

I love the shade of yellow, but not against our Benjamin Moore Provence walls.

The bench has been in several rooms and sported several colors, but when I moved it to the foot of our now pastel bedroom - yuck!

I went to the local unfinished furniture store to look for milk paint yesterday, but they are no longer selling the powder you mix yourself.

All they had left were mustard ( similar to the Arles) and pumpkin, but I have read enough fearless bloggers that I knew I could add white to lighten the mustard color and I couldn't beat the price of $2 for milk paint.

It is just a slight change of color and when JP comes by this week I am sure he won't even notice the difference.

But, a slight change of color makes a huge difference to me.

I saw this cute little wagon at DIY Beautify and thought it would make a cute container for fall decor.

I had plenty of yellow paint left over so I updated an old "Americana" wagon.

For now, it is just holding colorful pool balls I found at TJ Maxx, but soon it will hold fall leaves and if I can find the time, a cute graphic on the side.

And now, I need to do some reading up on dog training after watching Lulu take the phone off the hook and then grab Steve's iPhone and prance through the house.

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You can find me at these fun parties

Be Different Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturday

Boogieboard Cottage - Masterpiece Monday

By jove, I think I've got it . . .

Two weeks ago, I finally bought a vintage window.

You might wonder why I am behind the times, but living in an art gallery means NO wall space for anything except paintings (I'm not complaining).

I realized that outdoors was the only place for my window and created a sweet little vignette.

Only to have this happen.

I wrote here about my solution, but I was not satisfied with the result and have been doing a lot of thinking about what I should do.

This red table was my final solution.

Our red enamel topped table has made the rounds in all of our homes for nearly 40 years after Steve found it in my parents' garage.

The last use of the table was in Steve's studio in an attempt to find a creative space for me.

Things did not work out - Steve earns his living as an artist and needs all the space he can get without bumping into me and my amateur efforts.

The table has been sitting outside by the fire pit since April and it has moved weekly in my attempt to find the right home.

Yesterday, I moved things around and 

by jove, I think I've got it.

Steve hung the window on some heavy hooks and white chain (to blend into the walls) above the table.

The pot of flowers, little red ladder and old screen are still part of the vignette.

I added some new elements -

a little red wagon languishing in the attic will hopefully age gracefully in the sun and wind,

a burlap banner with the letters just colored in with marker, 

a bucket of flowers gathered on our morning walk.

I am pleased with the results looking into the house.

I like the view as I sit on my garden bench and look across the yard.

But, my favorite view is sitting here on the window seat looking out the door.

I wish I could include sound in my post - the wind gently blows the window making the red metal heart knock against the window in a subtle little, clink, clink, clink.

Simple elements . . . simple changes . . . simple pleasures.

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I am joining these parties

Jennifer Rizzo - Fabulously Creative Friday Linky Party

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

Elizabeth and Co. - Be Inspired

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays 

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday

Our Home Away From Home - Tuesdays At Our Home

That's The Way I Like It

Since I began blogging, I take all of my decorating decisions much more seriously.

I was ready to remove New Years from the mantel, but I couldn't decide on a new vignette. 

Lots of different ideas have been bouncing around my brain and today I finally felt like I had it.

First, I had to change the painting over the mantel.

I wanted to use a painting Steve did of a red tulip, but he told me it is going to a show this weekend so I found this painting in the garage.

Fifteen years ago when we moved into our little cottage, we each surprised the other with a little red wagon for Christmas.

This is the wagon Steve bought me - rusted and well used.

 It sat in the front yard planted with flowers until one day, while planting flowers, my trowel went right through the bottom.

Thankfully, Steve painted me a reminder of the little red wagon.

With the painting hung, I just walked around the house looking for anything with hearts.

There is a whole drawer in the attic full of Valentine decorations, but I wanted to use what was already out.

I just made this little framed heart and it was definitely going on the mantel.

I gathered up books with a heart theme.

A favorite Mary Emmerling book,

a little photo album covered with hearts,

and another photo album became the anchor pieces.

The red card with the quilted heart was hiding in my Expedit.

Some hands from my hand collection

were brought into the mix

along with a  bottle opener in the Valentine theme.

A few little hearts

sitting in a basket were chosen for the mantel.

Voila!

Keeping it simple.

Using what I have.

That's the way I like it.

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I'm linked up at

Rooted in Thyme

The Charm of Home

Chic on a Shoestring

French Country Cottage

Jennifer Rizzo

Common Ground

My Romantic Home

No Minimalist Here

Creative Cain Cabin

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Shabby Creek Cottage

The Busy Bees