Friday, September 28, 2012

Details

 So we all know by now that it's all in the details...
Perfect example...
My autumn porch felt a little blah...
There is a difference between simple and blah...
I wanted to keep simple and get rid of blah.
What to do, what to do...ahha moment!
Stenciling numbers on the baskets did the trick...
 After looking at the picture though, I noticed the white basket blends into the white molding on the house, so...
I switched the baskets, but now the numbers aren't in order...
ugh. 
 Details, details.
Baskets blending into the molding or numbers in order?
Which way would you choose?
Fall Party

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Gray and White

 During my 5 month hiatus from blogging, I was not sitting still.
 I changed my living room from this:
To this:
 Simply fell in love with white and gray and had. to. have. it.
I wanted to share the journey with you.
Looked everywhere for a white sofa set that I loved and it came down to Pottery Barn and IKEA.  
One guess as to which one I picked...
Although, IKEA couches, not as inexpensive as you might think... sorry to say.
There are three hand-painted boards in the room. I made each of them as they all mean something significant to me. Love the word grateful, I know it makes the difference between a good day and a bad day, a happy life and a sad life...
 Probably my favorite phrase and readers of my blog already know where it comes from...
I created it from reclaimed wood from my father's property.
And finally, our family travel subway art board...all the major cities in this wonderful country of ours that we have traveled to, either as individuals, a couple or as a family.
{Yes, I did stick it to the side of the piano}
Painting the piano gray was one of my better decisions.
and added the lettering reminiscent of a vintage office window, a fun play on our family as a 'company'. When you think about it...in a lot of ways...we are.
This piece I have had for years...it was handmade by a friend of ours.
It use to be green. 
I am beginning to be amazed at how much I painted gray with a single quart of paint.
The above subway sign was inspired by a request from a customer, had to have one for myself.
Candlesticks and birds from Tai Pan. 
Globe from Goodwill.
Tray on clearance from Fred Meyers.
Real bird nest I found in the rafter of my parent's cabin when I was three stories up on a cherry picker helping to install the huge picture windows.
Can't see it in the picture but there is a tiny robin egg in it.
 Made the chalkboard with chalkboard vinyl and a scrap piece of wood.
Old basket, I've had for years, spray painted white.
Amazingly soft, cuddly gray blanket 
{Fred Meyers, again, can you tell I have limited decor stores to choose from?}
Table was a TJ Maxx find. 
Metal sailboat I got for $6 on clearance at Pier 1, 
regularly $30.
And drum roll please...
my favorite piece of the whole room...
 
Screen door picture frame!
{of course it's my favorite, it has my children on it!}
I found this little treasure on the second floor of a fruit stand/antique mall.
It was just $16 and the best part, the screen is magnetic.
I just added self-adhesive magnets to the back of the pictures and stuck them to the metal screen.
When I want to change out the pictures it will take me 5 minutes.
But really, how soon will I want to trade them out?
Look at that picture of my sweet girl on her bike...very Audrey Hepburn chic, if you ask me.
And of course, a momma loves her boys.
I love having such a prominent spot to display my most favorite people.
 Not sure if you are still on my journey, you may have decided to get off the train...
if you decide to join me again, I'm excited to show you what that piano bench looked like before I redid it.
Also coming soon...close ups of the pillows and curtains...no I did not do all that without help!
And that coffee table?
Goodwill trash to my treasure.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MY FRIEND BECCA KIDD WHO TOOK THE PROFESSIONAL PICTURES IN THIS BLOG! 
And yeah, I'm pretty sure she designed her website too because she is awesome like that.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Amy and Amber Basement Boutique BLOW OUT SALE!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH
 11:00pm-2:00pm
 AMY AND AMBER BASEMENT BOUTIQUE BLOW OUT SALE!
 EVERYTHING REDUCED, SOME THINGS RIDICULOUSLY LOW!
28623 239th PL SE MAPLE VALLEY
{MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR OUR HOLIDAY SHOW ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17}

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I Think I'll Paint the Piano Today

Sorry I do not have before pictures.
But you can imagine it in your mind...
Ugly...brown...old...but not cool old...just old.
Costs more to tune than it did to buy...
You get the picture.
Oh wait...
you can see it right there.
I was not exaggerating as you can see.
I have been thinking about doing it for months.
Painting the piano gray.
It is one of those things that just hangs over your head.
You don't really want to tackle it.
I thought of having to move it to the garage...
{read as: convincing husband, son and possibly neighbor to move it to the garage}
And then letting it dry...
and then moving it back in...
{read as: convincing husband, son and possibly neighbor to move it back in}
Then it hit me.
I don't have to do all that!
I will just slide it off the carpet...
and onto a drop cloth...
paint it...
let it dry...
and move it back onto the carpet.
Yeah, I think I'll paint the piano.
Today.
Right now.
Done.

Linking up:


Mondays @ All Things Fee!

Monday, September 17, 2012

15 Minute Home Decor

I get asked one question a lot...
When does one find the time for decorating one's home?
Answer: Usually in 10-15 minute incredments.
Take kitchen towels found on previous shopping trip, and IKEA pillow inserts {which one should pick up every time they find themselves at IKEA, never know when one will need them}.
Throw sewing machine on first hard, level surface one can find...in this case, the bench in master bedroom.
Sew inserts into kitchen towels to create pillows.
Decor time: 15 minutes.
Moving on to...
make dinner.
homework helper.
email clients.
clean toilets.
fold laundry.

Linking to:

Skip To My Lou

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Birthday Books


For my birthday last week I asked for books.
Some very special books.
For the last couple of years I have enjoyed these videos:

The 5 Book

The 1 Book

It took me a bit to realize they were based on books.
Books by a wonderful company called Compendium Inc.
As I was preparing to turn 40 I was once again browsing their website and watching their videos to find inspiration for my next 40 years.
Their site is actually called Live Inspired.
I ran across a video that highlighted the company and realized they were right in my backyard. A Seattle company. I was so exited I wrote them an email thanking them for their inspiration by living what they preach and making a career out of doing what they love. And guess what...
This showed up at my door.
And this was inside...
With a sweet note...

From Compendium Inc employee Angeline Candido.
'It says Happy Birthday! Wishing you many more years of love, laughter, and inspiration!'
And it came. on. my. 40th. birthday.
Now, as I said I had asked for these books for my birthday.
And my sweet husband found them in a store, and bought me The 5 Book.
This is my favorite quote in it...
And it inspired this piece of art...
A reminder I created that hangs on my bedroom wall.
Thank you to Compendium Inc for helping make my 40th so special.
Live Inspired...