A LITTLE BIT OF CHRISTMAS...

On the way home from school today we saw the first Christmas tree lot of the season.  I took this as my official sign that it is NOT TOO EARLY to decorate for Christmas.  Yes, I have put out a couple trinkets here and there but as of today it looks like Christmas chaos...trees stacked in corners, tissue paper strewn about, and glitter seems to be coating every surface.

First up the wreath on my pantry door. 

Happy decorating!

Best wishes,

Tammy

I am joining MY ROMANTIC HOMES SHOW & TELL PARTY.  Great ideas and inspriration week after week!

ANTHRO & BALLARD INSPIRED BATH

Last week I gave a little sneak peek at my guest bath.  It is still very much a work in progress but a few of you asked to see more so here goes...

This is the view from the family room, it is tiny.

The color scheme is simple, pale gray wall, black and white, I recently added the pop of yellow.  I am still not sure about the yellow...

It all started when I saw this in the BALLARD DESIGNS catalog last winter.  A little bulky for the small space and the price was not in the budget but I LOVE the look.

A gift from Mom & Dad last Christmas, $19.99 at Lowes, LOVE THEM!I can't seem to get that top shelf right...still looking for the perfect pieces.  The other's are starting to come together, I borrowed the yellow frames from my SHOP, I may have to make a purchase from myself! (Today I am liking the yellow...)

My chandelier (from Lowes) was a birthday gift from Hubby. 
I really wanted to take the tall mirror down but since I didn't want to mess with patching and painting drywall I settled on replacing the can light with a chandelier and I really love the reflection, the mirror almost disappears.

 A birthday gift from me to me...  Inspired by one at Anthropologie this version from Urban Outfitters was better on the budget and is beautiful, LOVE IT!

Bronze curtain rod from HomeGoods and my very favorite shower curtain rings from the Simply Shabby Chic line at Target.  I wasn't sure about mixing the metals but I just loved the rings and I think it works.

A print from HomeGoods given to me by my Mom for my Birthday.  I dream of crossing that bridge...

Another gift from my mom, toile bath towels from Target.

There is still lots to be done.... (from top left) Black & White Check Chandelier Cord Cover from Ballard Designs,  Oil Rubbed Bronze fixtures from Price Pfister, Rose rug from Urban Outfitters (from bottom left) mercury glass knob for medicine cabinet from Anthropology, waste basket from Urban Outfitters, Door Pulls from Anthropologie

The sink and floor desperately need to be re-done but they will have to wait a while.  I have been thinking of skirting the vanity or paint it black, we will see...  I do LOVE this vanity.

By the way, this is the before, truely a blank canvas...

There it is my work in progress...

Best wishes,

Tammy

I am linking up to the amazing THRIFTY DECOR CHICK -  OCTOBER BEFORE & AFTER PARTY be sure to stop by for LOTS of great inspiration!

MRS. SEDGWICK BUILDS HER DREAM HOUSE (sort of...)

Yesterday hubby gave me the news that I could finally hire a painter to paint our front hall and guest bath.  At first I was thrilled then the reality set in that I have to pick out the colors. ARGHHH!  We have been in the house for a year now and the peach that came with the house just has to go!!!  The ceilings are at the lowest 12ft and the staircase is open to the bonus room and there is NO WAY that I could tackle that on my own and after the kitchen, family room, dining room and the kids rooms my husband will NEVER PAINT AGAIN!

While explaining to him my paint color dilema he began to give me a hardtime and call me Mrs. Blandings.  Have you seen MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE? If you haven't run to your video store now! If you LOVE old movies, Cary Grant, or dream of renovating or building your own home this is a must, I promise you will not be disappointed.

My favorite scene in the movie and maybe favorite movie quote.

And now I share with all of you my painting dilema, bear with me.  I had to walk away from my entry filled with swatches, books, magazines, and everything I own that might be the right shade of "white"...

Seriously, how many shades of white and gray can there really be?

This is the entry looking in from my dining room that is now a gorgeous aqua.  Currently the entrance is peach (it looks like I have a MIAMI VICE thing going on...)

Looks yellow in the pick, trust me it is peach... To the right is the hall to the master and to the left is the "not sure what it will be room"

Hall to the master, that cut-out will get something special, time will tell...

The "not sure what it will be room" I am thinking a light gray on top and medium gray on the bottom.  The light has to go!

View from front door. Dining Room to the left "whatever" room to the right.

I chose white for the entry walls and up the stairs. Since so many rooms "touch the entry" choosing the right shade has been enough to make me pull my hair out! The aqua dining room is the problem.  Because white is such a reflective color the first I tried was a bit too gray and in the shaded areas looked lavendar, not good!  I am looking for a color that is not to cream and not to gray but with a slight contrast so it doesn't disappear into the molding and ceiling... I think I finally found it, we will see!

Our main floor guest bath is not much too look at...tomorrow a little facelift is in order.  Pale gray paint on the walls, black shelves filled with white and glass accessories, and a white ruffle shower curtain.  Sadly the ugly white tile, builder cabinets complete with blue marble vanity and gold hardware must stay - for now.

So our house is not my exact dream house but is in my "dream neighborhood"  When we started looking at houses I had my list of "DON'T WANTS" and this house covers almost all of them...but we couldn't resist the chance to move into this community.  I firmly believe that you have to live in a space and let it tell you what it wants.  (And this space told me that it really does not want to be peach - please don't take offense if you are a peach lover, it's just not working for me.)  My style is evolving along with this house and little by little is truly becoming "our home".

The painter will be by shortly to pick up my swatches, back to work I go.

Best wishes,

Tammy