LAYERS OF DESIGN...

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.111112594604492px;">TACKLE A BIG JOB BY CUTTING IT UP INTO BITE SIZED PIECES....</span><br><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.111112594604492px;"><br></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.111112594604492px;">I often write about choosing wall color.  It's one of the steps to creating a beautiful room, but not usually the first.  I start below that.... at my feet.</span><br><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LGYpRKMJWVGpU_b2xzUizjJylbAf27ok4znFRQ_7okh9eyDDJEL9VVxz4udGwx3y7cTB_2HlkRBjl-0bt4QuGoVghgHl9aKEMicINpadW1WbIOrRO6X524nI8bI27imYGBGKEoC343EK/s1600/a13c7a754fabd87040110b84036a3c11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LGYpRKMJWVGpU_b2xzUizjJylbAf27ok4znFRQ_7okh9eyDDJEL9VVxz4udGwx3y7cTB_2HlkRBjl-0bt4QuGoVghgHl9aKEMicINpadW1WbIOrRO6X524nI8bI27imYGBGKEoC343EK/s640/a13c7a754fabd87040110b84036a3c11.jpg" width="426"></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.111112594604492px;"><br></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 21.111112594604492px;">Starting at the bare bones of the room simply makes sense to me.  Start with the floor and the architectural details, like molding and trim, built-ins, paneling, wainscoting and bead board, you wish to add.  </span><br><br /><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-to-eat-elephant.html#more">Read more »</a>

LAYERS OF DESIGN...

TACKLE A BIG JOB BY CUTTING IT UP INTO BITE SIZED PIECES.... I often write about choosing wall color.  It's one of the steps to creating...

Read more »

EVERYBODY'S CRAZY ABOUT A SHARP DRESSED MAN

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />AMEN, SISTER</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9SRT071FKXB-L8hdoXw_ldIqnSE3DluI2rjrYRVEXAhn5eSTZfO7QT0_U3yXAxvN0xNcIlCV0NTyqGA_LxFJ0o_WDuhyphenhyphenLh0O8YEdm2J6EbpJEk7-uvpJJXuHa4Mqk61bQWjpB8GTxQdX/s1600/cgrant.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9SRT071FKXB-L8hdoXw_ldIqnSE3DluI2rjrYRVEXAhn5eSTZfO7QT0_U3yXAxvN0xNcIlCV0NTyqGA_LxFJ0o_WDuhyphenhyphenLh0O8YEdm2J6EbpJEk7-uvpJJXuHa4Mqk61bQWjpB8GTxQdX/s640/cgrant.bmp" width="640"></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cary Grant</td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">"what lingerie is to men, suits are to women"</span></div><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />admit it, girls...</div><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />there is class to dark gray flannel with slip of white cuff showing</div><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />there is power in a navy blue pinstripe with a deep red tie</div><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />there is elegance in an impeccably tailored suit</div><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />there is nothing more masculine than herringbone, houndstooth and harris tweed</div><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />why not add a little sex appeal to your home decor?<br><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/everybodys-crazy-about-sharp-dressed.html#more">Read more »</a>

EVERYBODY'S CRAZY ABOUT A SHARP DRESSED MAN

AMEN, SISTER Cary Grant "what lingerie is to men, suits are to women" admit it, girls... there is class to dark gray flannel with ...

Read more »

Front and Side Porch Redo

I happen to love decorating based on the season and our favorite seasons around here are, without a doubt, spring and summer. So, it was definitely time to give the front and side porches a makeover because of all the outdoor living we enjoy in the summer months. And after uncooperative weather, jumping off the porch, missing and ending up on crutches, it's finally finished! Let's take a look.....<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4feo4bWiv6ppe-LAT2bqsEAcT_qrX8LS36Ndd0QOnhEILN4ArlQPq1UDdwGSPn9jWoOBC1G2Q5Ntyr506SOTDG0QxT2686N5aN5fqKLfaePLboYs7i9fMsXIfFLrzeD5X5NDJD5xEMFI/s1600/100_3171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4feo4bWiv6ppe-LAT2bqsEAcT_qrX8LS36Ndd0QOnhEILN4ArlQPq1UDdwGSPn9jWoOBC1G2Q5Ntyr506SOTDG0QxT2686N5aN5fqKLfaePLboYs7i9fMsXIfFLrzeD5X5NDJD5xEMFI/s400/100_3171.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />Ahhhh, color! I love it when the earth starts waking up again.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CFuIRk8fJaGcbcFoNOjV1s4wQ5ROiFjHO6_z2ZcxGazaro2zIqGNDdu3-2RkzeiiyGXc0_tkbJkFD-5m_Sxh1OKXxQKRutQoUJLRoEZNYx_U0h57gNeLd7x3pEmqpyZSFeLkbWq5798/s1600/100_3173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CFuIRk8fJaGcbcFoNOjV1s4wQ5ROiFjHO6_z2ZcxGazaro2zIqGNDdu3-2RkzeiiyGXc0_tkbJkFD-5m_Sxh1OKXxQKRutQoUJLRoEZNYx_U0h57gNeLd7x3pEmqpyZSFeLkbWq5798/s400/100_3173.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />Here is our favorite corner of the porch. There is nothing like relaxing on the porch swing with the people I love. I ordered all the fabrics for the pillows <a href="http://www.fabric.com/">here</a> and made them myself. Notice my fun <a href="http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2011/04/thrift-store-table-gets-some-love.html">thift store table</a> here in front of the porch swing. Love it!<br /><br /><br />Another view...lots of shadows here, it was very sunny! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GQ_amezyjtwBwNk1-q7alw1wcie8QS0nmaSMkoYs5ftm7KPRQj1jxBCZNgiomuz3hOe_IDKEnpvBMILiOCzVqWqe12uVbIJAiGTuWEi31PeiPd0KYVy_nh9dm24OiPNyT8KIpfGSUsw/s1600/100_3176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GQ_amezyjtwBwNk1-q7alw1wcie8QS0nmaSMkoYs5ftm7KPRQj1jxBCZNgiomuz3hOe_IDKEnpvBMILiOCzVqWqe12uVbIJAiGTuWEi31PeiPd0KYVy_nh9dm24OiPNyT8KIpfGSUsw/s400/100_3176.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />I scraped the old paint off the porch and repainted with an oil based porch paint called Brownstone, purchased at Lowe's. It looked like a can of melted chocolate and was very distracting, yum! I love the glossy shine it gives the porch. I also thought it would contrast nicely with the lighter colors of the house and shutters, which I also repainted a creamy white. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh522EyHib2NoLG27tmHCaP2jFcbo-frPCVUfBtGVbnA_C49NFkzPxnO04aDlqUSXSp_cbKJ73FcyuXHbEow0geWadYJb0iXPFM6VwG8-PK5Qn1QsDS50Lc7mrCvCjZeWLomQZCBOi0Hwo/s1600/100_3174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh522EyHib2NoLG27tmHCaP2jFcbo-frPCVUfBtGVbnA_C49NFkzPxnO04aDlqUSXSp_cbKJ73FcyuXHbEow0geWadYJb0iXPFM6VwG8-PK5Qn1QsDS50Lc7mrCvCjZeWLomQZCBOi0Hwo/s400/100_3174.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMZAt9QMi4_G-0sflwom6GJS5ODeAzx3ikRO6FyK_xq7oTWreNLI3E3j2Wttyim8zScymHGy5p4XoefL-t7NLfCYCBM-FhP0RuRrCAKH8Xmih_rNuLWVpMaRS97bqMpcDy_1pI9ZswWA/s1600/100_3190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMZAt9QMi4_G-0sflwom6GJS5ODeAzx3ikRO6FyK_xq7oTWreNLI3E3j2Wttyim8zScymHGy5p4XoefL-t7NLfCYCBM-FhP0RuRrCAKH8Xmih_rNuLWVpMaRS97bqMpcDy_1pI9ZswWA/s400/100_3190.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><br />I made the "beach" sign with weathered wood my hubby found in an old barn and light aqua paint I already had. The old oars were also found by hubby in the same barn and the hanging mason jar candle holders were purchased at Pottery Barn last summer. I love the beachy, comfy feel it all gives the front porch.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_pKm1FDWz7tGL86xnCc7hRKO0y21gDFeXZ1FBGnTh2dMl2qbtSmq-makSx1EwINAPIsJYWw8Z9u_hmmEYyl18DMlHtJdu3he8JWVVl3VYxnHtGMuCO7lvX497sb4y-kvOo87QgrUOaQ/s1600/100_3175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_pKm1FDWz7tGL86xnCc7hRKO0y21gDFeXZ1FBGnTh2dMl2qbtSmq-makSx1EwINAPIsJYWw8Z9u_hmmEYyl18DMlHtJdu3he8JWVVl3VYxnHtGMuCO7lvX497sb4y-kvOo87QgrUOaQ/s400/100_3175.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />Moving on to other side of the porch....After seeing these numbered pillows in a Pottery Barn catalog, I decided to make them myself by printing the numbers off the computer, creating a stencil with freezer paper and painting the numbers on the fabric. Fun and free! I adore these pillows! You just can't have too many of them when cuddling up with your hubby or kiddos on a relaxing spring or summer evening.<br /><br />Next up, the side porch.....looking at this porch makes me so happy!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmhS6IcKuB_3f-Ohz4TPs7wvvm-dgAU5BA-nJ7ElX64k_LWrYcOsIJyR4NtHPXRwKndzK2QEaEqJgMfT4vMYSFR4amdLbDYHUV9MzewBiuSC6GBwmD7r0crSmnHEezF8oK_pSezKdyTQ/s1600/100_3188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmhS6IcKuB_3f-Ohz4TPs7wvvm-dgAU5BA-nJ7ElX64k_LWrYcOsIJyR4NtHPXRwKndzK2QEaEqJgMfT4vMYSFR4amdLbDYHUV9MzewBiuSC6GBwmD7r0crSmnHEezF8oK_pSezKdyTQ/s400/100_3188.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M7-sRdTgKn8MjbEXceMiHvtLOn4vMb8lqYMd5HF_3H5NSgqFoEhwvcAQkFxu5FvwYnfPEITpVpwu-PCMH-n-T7DAULhymiNZg4cpeH0qIgoH4NPeFkV1Nm4z3BlUjn6QgI9W6l9KPSw/s1600/100_3189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M7-sRdTgKn8MjbEXceMiHvtLOn4vMb8lqYMd5HF_3H5NSgqFoEhwvcAQkFxu5FvwYnfPEITpVpwu-PCMH-n-T7DAULhymiNZg4cpeH0qIgoH4NPeFkV1Nm4z3BlUjn6QgI9W6l9KPSw/s400/100_3189.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><br />The floor was the same boring color as the front porch so I scraped, sanded and removed most of the paint. I wanted to do something fun here so I decided on stripes. What is more fun than that?! First, I painted the entire porch with plain white porch paint purchased at Lowes. Then, after it completely dried, marked off three planks at a time with painter's tape and painted each alternating group of planks with Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan that I already had. To protect it, I put several coats of non-yellowing floor polyurethane. We love it! Something fun and unexpected for a porch! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunkzUNZC_5zXCkOgCty2qfG7jnGDdZp1X_OqDiAmbsVeSG1qNGiqA3NdlPJZoqegtsAqF2D7BMljddKniPEnRzLA2cFbXFVVbjPd9fIFn-bUzov2FofxRkc-LH8dHjj2incB19HMihmU/s1600/100_3186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunkzUNZC_5zXCkOgCty2qfG7jnGDdZp1X_OqDiAmbsVeSG1qNGiqA3NdlPJZoqegtsAqF2D7BMljddKniPEnRzLA2cFbXFVVbjPd9fIFn-bUzov2FofxRkc-LH8dHjj2incB19HMihmU/s400/100_3186.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><br />I've always wanted porch curtains, to add a touch of romance and breeziness to a porch, so, I finally decided to go for it and make a pair. I purchased my usual inexpensive fabric, painter's canvas drop cloth at Lowe's, and sewed a couple of panels, inserted jute rope through the rod pocket and hung on the inside of the porch and tied back with more jute rope. Just a little something special for the corner of the porch. The glider was another found object by my hubby that looked like this when he brought it home<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAtrGU4il93N7qgA_vYrIj24PegSGm0rwZen10HmKTRg8PA1WEaMg4Pf-p9BANyH1IRJ76wpZcxO_zm_dTgsF3H24-fA88yxdsC6c-Y4toYTTEiXMx7oFSktL7Dov1S2oePP484veaXA/s1600/100_3166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAtrGU4il93N7qgA_vYrIj24PegSGm0rwZen10HmKTRg8PA1WEaMg4Pf-p9BANyH1IRJ76wpZcxO_zm_dTgsF3H24-fA88yxdsC6c-Y4toYTTEiXMx7oFSktL7Dov1S2oePP484veaXA/s400/100_3166.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br /><br />And after some heavy duty sanding with steel wool and a few coats of this...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZWJfSt2tt2YIjk8nkTYkrRxdzA7vXEYhml4p-yvjkwEAXhajqysC7sLs0JCuXX7VrPz_nbmRmzn-F8SmiuC-avBbtokbFn0iojcijUerK8WW69WIYngPlvhDutZAaLfQdvD3kos23OE/s1600/100_3168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZWJfSt2tt2YIjk8nkTYkrRxdzA7vXEYhml4p-yvjkwEAXhajqysC7sLs0JCuXX7VrPz_nbmRmzn-F8SmiuC-avBbtokbFn0iojcijUerK8WW69WIYngPlvhDutZAaLfQdvD3kos23OE/s400/100_3168.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />...it was as good as new, maybe even better. :)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmAlzkKDKtvAbsNTClvHg_JtcJOHie7s6_kiwruTCaO2xC6ErDHhPT59eEXTKK5wUQWf-ccJVXw6YsVZ2rqnVuD_NiEe2WNNrfG63W3cr0SIZn66vbt7n0trWeijwCPdGzsr9_p7UqXw/s1600/100_3188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmAlzkKDKtvAbsNTClvHg_JtcJOHie7s6_kiwruTCaO2xC6ErDHhPT59eEXTKK5wUQWf-ccJVXw6YsVZ2rqnVuD_NiEe2WNNrfG63W3cr0SIZn66vbt7n0trWeijwCPdGzsr9_p7UqXw/s400/100_3188.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />Working on both of these porches has been a lot of fun and the best part was that I hardly spent any money doing it! I think they both turned out lovely and all the hard work has made spending time on the porch with my family much more cozy and comfortable. I hope you enjoy looking at the photos as much I enjoyed making over the space! Thanks for looking, have a wonderful day!

Front and Side Porch Redo

I happen to love decorating based on the season and our favorite seasons around here are, without a doubt, spring and summer. So, it was def...

Read more »

FALL DECOR: THE HUMBLE PUMPKIN GOES GLAM

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">fall</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfx5YCXql8SnW3tczJMI2oJTJxdwBAUzZqIvBsWfLTu0KDwbIhV0zAnBOJUzfsTeAUbDXh0IoLylK8jL23N56jPSmqYcpOQXZVYcy40JjgJk7g_kQ3zfIkX7FMYPLKeXdrwCpG4ciOFq4/s1600/OurHouseHalloweenDisplay_h460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfx5YCXql8SnW3tczJMI2oJTJxdwBAUzZqIvBsWfLTu0KDwbIhV0zAnBOJUzfsTeAUbDXh0IoLylK8jL23N56jPSmqYcpOQXZVYcy40JjgJk7g_kQ3zfIkX7FMYPLKeXdrwCpG4ciOFq4/s1600/OurHouseHalloweenDisplay_h460.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just when you start to feel a little nip in the air</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">nature heats up her colors</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq4XxLnAT5FskEShyVuBRws_8lMjSSvNeoM2uDG05XE7Cj5aw-yd9fuYnldYvnYXfnMZ8d-3oLL45fj4DZ3jaj_y2uwFhGC6KZsYGwNPoT7Os7pMwS64WlhSAzS4Bn-jU_u0lXFs_npOM/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNq4XxLnAT5FskEShyVuBRws_8lMjSSvNeoM2uDG05XE7Cj5aw-yd9fuYnldYvnYXfnMZ8d-3oLL45fj4DZ3jaj_y2uwFhGC6KZsYGwNPoT7Os7pMwS64WlhSAzS4Bn-jU_u0lXFs_npOM/s1600/012.JPG"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the true star of the season is the lowly pumpkin</div></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcoming-fall.html#more">Read more »</a>

FALL DECOR: THE HUMBLE PUMPKIN GOES GLAM

fall Just when you start to feel a little nip in the air nature heats up her colors But the true star of the season is the lowly pumpkin Rea...

Read more »