New Look in the Nook

Hi everyone!

Last week I shared my vintage roller rink baskets with you all and today I want to show you where they ended up in our house!

We converted a cluttered and under-utilized cabinet at the top of stairs into a cute little nook a few years back,  I told you about that here.  Besides looking cute and cozy in our small hallway, it has tons of storage space and is used far more effectively than when everything was behind closed doors.

I originally used old soda crates for storage, but when I found the baskets at the flea market, I thought they would make a fun change.  It's actually a much softer look than the crates and I really like it.

The little antique school desk was used by Baby Bluebird for many years while she was growing up.  It has been painted a million (yes, a million!) times and I even refinished it down to the bare wood at one time.  It fits nicely in this little space, don't you think?

We have two tiers of shelves and then three wire baskets from Pottery Barn with hooks.  They are from their Kellan line and it looks like these particular baskets are no longer available, but there are other items similar on their website.

 The open shelves are perfect for storing and displaying my overflow of throws and pillow shams.

I recently found the "Butterscotch Waffles" tin on ebay and had to have it!  One of our sweet kitties was named Butterscotch and I thought the little tin was a cute remembrance.

There are zero windows in this hallway and even when I open the doors to the nearby bedrooms, the lighting for picture taking is dreadful - as these pictures attest!  This is a night time shot with the lamp  on and a very special photo bomber, our buddy Palmer.

Well, that's my tour of the new and improved nook area - this tiny space always makes me smile when I pass by.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Partying over at these fun blogs:
Amaze Me Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Let's Talk Vintage
Coastal Charm Show & Share
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow us Wednesday
Party in Your PJ's

Love in the Master

Hi Everyone!

Don't raise your eyebrows at my post title - I am talking about a little Valentine decor in our master bedroom today, lol.

I don't do much Valentine decor. It is a pretty fast passing holiday and I do a little bit on the main level of our house (see my kitchen chandelier here).  That's about it.  But this year, I thought the red color scheme I have going for the winter would be a perfect backdrop for a touch of February love.

The curtain panels are made from Pottery Barn tablecloths which I told you about in this post.  Love them.  I am still going back and forth on what fabric to cover my burgandy wing chair with, so a white sherpa throw is a current stand in.

The old bench made from a vintage sign was something I scored last summer at one my favorite antique malls.  It still makes me smile, and I love how my little fireplace looks on it.

The rocking chair is one my mom refinished years ago when I was just a kid. It always sat in our kitchen.

The "You Are My Sunshine" word art is also a winner for us and is a daily reminder of our honeymoon in Nashville back in 1982.

Such a cozy spot to read by "the fire."

I picked up this "love" pillow a month or so ago at Kohl's.  I had some "Kohl's Cash" and was able to pick it up for next to nothing.  Whenever I get the "cash" I usually spend it on something fun.  This pillow is a fun, crewel-look pillow and looks far more expensive than the asking price.

 I found some old book boxes that had the word "love" on them and set them on the bench, along with a pretty tile my daughter made when she was in school.

And speaking of love....I think today is a perfect day to cozy up to the fire with one of my favorite books, "To Kill A Mockingbird"  by Harper Lee.  My daughter gave me a leather bound copy a few years ago, and it is definitely one my treasures.  

So that's my love story for today!  Now it's time to settle in with my book and brace myself for the blizzard (yes, we are experiencing a blizzard today). Plus there is a little football game on tonight!

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane

Linking with:

Amaze Me Monday

DIY SundayShowcase

Monday Funday
Boogieboard Cottage
Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm Show & Share
Inspire Me Tuesday
The Scoop
Party in Your PJ's
Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party
Make it Pretty Monday
Wow Us Wednesday

Market Cart - Art!

Hi everyone!

Just like last week, I am writing this post while watching the Green Bay Packers game. One more win and they will be headed for the Super Bowl! Of course, they have four quarters to play....So I am doing a little blogging to r-e-l-a-x! 

Last year I found an old, wheeled market cart at an antique mall. It spoke to me, but at the same time I just couldn't find a place in our house where it looked good. It sat in a corner, lonely and collecting dust.

One day I thought, "why not hang it on the wall?" And so I did just that (actually, Mr. Bluebird did just that, lol)!

You can see a glimpse of my coffee table. I am keeping it simple right now, enjoying the "after Christmas clean." The runner is a $5.00 scarf from Wal-Mart and the iron & glass cylinder candle holder is from Pottery Barn. Cheap & pricy: a beautiful combination.

This is a very grainy picture, but here is a closer view of the cart. (I may have a fancy schmancy camera now, but I am still learning how to use it!)

On the side table vignette, I put a potted plant in the Blue Willow creamer I first told you about here. I also mixed in a very sweet copper mold I picked up for $2.50 on New Year's Day.

I just think the little horse is adorable and adds a jolt of metal to the display.

The green lamp with burlap shade was a Home Goods find several years ago.


I really like how this part of the room is looking right now, and more than happy that I found a spot for my market cart...finally!

Now, about those Packers! Hoping for a win today. Any Packers fans out there?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Linking with:
DIY Sunday Showcase
Boogieboard Cottage
Amaze Me Monday
Monday Funday
Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm Show and Share
Make it Pretty Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
The Scoop
You're Gonna Love it Party
Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party
Wow Us Wednesday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Grace at Home

Sweet Christmas Dreams

 Hi Everyone!

I added a bit of Christmas to our master bedroom today.  I usually don't go too crazy decorating the space, but I do like to add a few touches.  Today I am showing you the bedding.

I keep the white, cotton matelesse on the bed most of the year.  I added my Pottery Barn,  black toile shams and matching comforter at the foot of the bed. The pattern is called Matine, and although it is still available in other colors, the black is no longer available.  I also bought the red and white quilted king shams from Pottery Barn at a deep discount (they are also no longer available).  Love the pop of red this time of year. I could not get the white background to photograph correctly, but they are definitely a white, not a khaki...they are very crisp looking in person.  While we are talking Pottery Barn, the burlap "jingle" pillow is also from there and was a gift from a dear friend last year.  (Good news! It is still in their holiday lineup this year!)

The large print is from Kirkland's and used to hang in our living room for several years.  It had been in the garage for year or so, waiting to be taken to Goodwill.  I decided to bring it back in for the winter - the colors are perfect for a cozy, Christmas look   The plates are from T J Maxx and add some interest.  They are just simple cocktail plates, and each pattern came in a set of four for 3.99 - can't beat that! I have had them in my stash since last spring and finally found a place for them...for now!

I will have more master holiday decor to share in the coming weeks.  How about you? Do you only decorate the public areas of your home or do you add some holiday bling to the private spaces too?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Linking with:
Imparting Grace
Amaze Me Monday
Wow Us Wednesdays

It All Started With a Little Soap

Not too long ago, Mr. Bluebird and I were shopping at Marshalls and I came across this gem.

 

 

Isn't it cute? I just love the old fashioned label and the amber glass looks so vintage.  It is also a     h-u-g-e bottle and on top of that, it is filled with a heavenly scented hand soap.  I especially liked that it was truly a glass bottle and not plastic.  For $7.99, it came home with me!

 

I knew I wanted to put it in our first floor powder room.

 

 

I have had this picture for several years now.  It was not expensive - a Kirkland's find, but it speaks to me for some reason.

 

 

 

So, after I placed the new soap, I moved and tweaked and tweaked some more.  Down came my red pin striped Pottery Barn ticking stripe towels, and out came my much more springy blue ones.

I added a sweet little bird and a "nest" plate to the back of the commode.

Here it is, all freshened up for spring.....a "faux" demijohn I picked up at Marshalls last year and a little potted plant to add some life to this windowless room.  Here you can see my stenciled ceiling I did in 2013.   Still love it!

So, changes to the powder room all started with just a little bit of soap......

 

 

I will be back later this week with a project Mr. Bluebird did for me over the weekend.  Hope you will come back to check it out!  Also, I would love it if you would "like" my Facebook page - just click on my Facebook button and it will take you there!

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane

 

Partying with:

 

The DIYers

Metamorphosis Monday

Amaze Me Monday

Make it Pretty Monday

Minette's Maze Sunday Showcase

Monday Funday

The Scoop

Inspire Me Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesday

 

 

Another Wal-Mart Find: PB Knockoff

 



Last week, I shared with you my cute Wal-Mart steal - this $2.97 vintage looking Easter picture:

 



 

 

(You can read the entire post here.)

 

 

I also came across a very Pottery Barn-esque egg cup, also for $2.97.  Simple, but detailed at the same time.  

 



 

 

Isn't he cute? I love that he is a solid color.  After I got home, I decided one wasn't enough, but when I went back to my local Wal-Mart a few days later they were long gone! I have been to five other area Wal-Marts and their bunnies have hopped off also.  Drat!

Here he is in a little breakfast table setting, looking all  kinds of cute! They had these bunnies in the yellow see here, plus  pink, blue, and white. 

Pottery Barn has cute Easter egg cups in their catalog right now and they actually are very inexpensive too.  At $8.50 each, they are still a great bargain! I think they are quite similar to my Wal-Mart knock off, although the egg cup is in the back rather than the front.

I can't say enough about this cute little bunny - for about $3.00 I just couldn't pass him up!

How about you? Any great finds in surprising places lately?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Partying with:

The Scoop
Tablescape Thursday