Multiple versions of one home's decor.

I was blessed with the opportunity to meet a wonderful lady this week.  She and her family moved to the area recently and she called me to assist her in decorating her new home.  I researched the home online and found some interesting photos taken at varying points in time.  It appears some were made while the former owners were in residence.  Another set appears to be while the home was staged for sale.

This is the formal dining room.  I would assume this to be the former owners  items.

Here's the same dining room staged in a minimalistic style. 

The living room vacant.  Two story living rooms are always a challenge to decorate so I was eager to see what had been done in the past. 

   

Here's the living room with the former owners furniture and accessories.

The same living room staged.  Note the floors have been switched to hardwood.  The upper level  was  not decorated.

The Sun Room off the kitchen with the former owner's items.

Another version of the sun room.  Chocolate brown walls and very modern graphic draperies.   AND new wood floors.

The Master Bedroom

The master bedroom staged.

I love home design!  I love seeing spaces transformed into warm and welcoming spaces.  Perhaps we'll be able to post an update of these rooms one day with the new homeowners style represented.

A Mid-Century Modern Discovery

Long, long ago in a not so far away land I started college as an interior design student.  One assignment was to study designers  that made an impact on a particular period of architectural and design  history.  I picked Mies Van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright, leaders in the Mid-Century modern movement.  Mid-century modernism is defined by organic form, clean lines, simplicity and an integration with nature.  Beautiful woods like teak and rosewood were used in designer pieces and well crafted pieces are now collector items.


I have an appreciation for all periods of design to some extent but my home choices tend to be more traditional. When I found four Mid-Century Modern dining chairs in a local thrift shop, Samaritan Center Thrift Shop.  I didn't buy them but couldn't get them off my mind!  I went back to my office and tried to look them up but couldn't find the exact chairs.  Nonetheless... retro is in and these are classic! My sweet husband offered to run back to pick them up.  Here's what they looked like when I got them home...

I can't begin to describe how much nasty I wiped off these!  The wood is beautiful!  

Here's the finished product....

I started to cover them in fur for a funky look but couldn't find a high quality faux fur. Just as well... This is a fun look too.

I'm not sure where these will end up but they've been fun to work on.  Depending on how much they go for... I may start liking this style a little more!! :-)

Have a great weekend friends!

Lori

New Treasures and Creations!

 OK friends... I have not been under a rock.  Just busy with my latest adventures, projects, treasure finds and more.  Ready for to an update? 

A while back I found 5 crystal bobeches in an antique shop in Watertown, TN for $2 each.  I bought a light fixture recently that I thought I might dress up for my dining room.  Unfortunately, I dropped one of the bobeches when I was adding the crystals so I can't use them for the light fixture!  (sad face...)

I decided to use them on crystal candleholders.  Beautiful!

A linen table runner

Do you know what this is?

I found it in a thrift store in the mountains.

It's got little snaps that you pull together to make it stand up.

Mom told me that it would be used for serving pastries.  Very cool.  Of course, I'd assume that with the first use, it would be stained.  Right?  Unless you are serving fat free pastry?  And WHY would we want that?    

I found this basket in Blowing Rock, NC and fell in love with it.  

I found this welcome embroidery piece in a thrift shop.    I think it is probably something mass produced because I've seen several of these.  I like it anyway!

This is one of my recent paintings.  Something a bit different but fun.

Not an idealistic setting for  a photo but I had to show you my find today!    I spotted four of these chairs at a thrift shop for $3.99 a piece.  I knew they were Mid Century Modern but had no idea what they may be worth until I got back to my office and looked them up.  Four that are very similar are selling for over $2400.  My sweet husband ran back to the store and picked them up for me.  I'm not sure what they are worth but I'm betting it's more the $16.  We'll see!

I think they are teak.  The finish is in fair condition.  The seats have been recovered.

I love vintage linens and linens with handwork.  I found this sheet today.  It will look great turned down on a bed.

I couldn't resist this Chaps comforter.  I found two silk pillows with trim that match perfectly.

I found this stained (but not stained?) glass piece at a thrift store for half price - a whopping $14 - about 6 months ago.    I wasn't sure what I'd do with it but couldn't pass it up.  It's engraved with the artist's name and dated 1983.  

So... what do you think?  My dear friend, Lydia, shared some quilting fabric with me and I decided that it was perfect for my stained glass scene!

I love the batik fabric and the vibrant colors.

Snow on the mountain top.  With the temperatures in the 100's it was a nice thought!

I found this little (2-3" tall) crystal bud vase for  $1 at Goodwill.

Wilton cream and sugar... $2

My latest painting.  I can't decide if it needs more or not.  I have a tendency to keep going until I ruin a good painting.  It's  a peaceful scene I think so I guess I'm leaving it as is.  It's similar to my favorite painting I've done, Autumn Fire.

Autumn Fire

And finally... a photo I shot of a butterfly that was enjoying the flowers in the backyard while I was painting.  God... the master artist!

There's even more I haven't shown you.  I'll catch you up with more later!  If anyone knows an expert in Mid Century Modern furniture, I'd love to find out more about the chairs!

OH... My youngest heads to college this Friday.  I'm going to try not to embarrass him by having a total meltdown.  Prayers are appreciated!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Lori

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