Spring/Easter Tablescapes

Although we are in the middle of our major backyard project, I couldn't let Easter come and go without adding some spring decorations to the inside of the house.  Today I am sharing with you my Dining room and Kitchen tables.

Sooooo, where do I even begin?

I’d love to say that I’ve been away this time doing something like this:

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Or this…

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Preparing for Thanksgiving Day Dinner

One week away before its Turkey Day (corny, I know)…

Is the panic starting to set in yet?

Are you freaking out trying to get it all together?

Or maybe you haven't even given it a thought yet…

until now that I've brought it up!

A Renovated Cabinet

Way back in August, when I was taking a road trip to Atlanta with my daughter, Kelly...

while she was busy working...

I was busy shopping (with one of my sisters)...

who knows all of my favorite shops near her house.

And that's where I found this little guy....that I knew right away... was coming home with me.

Other than a little broken tip on the bottom.....he was in pretty good shape (on the outside).  

 It had this contact paper that I ripped out and was left with lots of old glue to sand away.

After sanding and painting and sanding and painting....I decided it was just too plain solid white so, using painters tape, I added some color to the doors and top.   I used the same "Zen" color that matches my desk and wall.

For the top, I placed a piece of tape at the edge and then a second piece right next to the first piece.  Then I removed the first piece which left me with the areas that I wanted to paint "Zen".  When I was painting the stripes on my office wall, I learned a great tip from Melissa @ The Inspired Room that keeps your lines crisp looking.  Simply paint over the edges of the tape with the base color that you are painting before you paint your accent color.  It seals the edges!!!

I also added a few Command Hooks on the inside of the doors to hold my "go to" umbrella and a couple of other items that I always seem to be looking for.

I moved the white organizer from my desk which frees up much needed space for me but is still easily accessible on the new cabinet.

The handles were replaced with coral ones that match my credenza.   This time they were on sale at Anthropology for $2.95 each.

Love when I feel like I got a deal!

I just love the way adding a little cabinet...

all the way from Atlanta....

completes me....well, my office.

Supplies Purchased to complete this project:

Second hand cabinet $30

2 door handles $6.43

Total cost = $36.43 

Supplies already on hand:

White Paint
 "Zen" Paint
 Painters Tape
Sander
Hooks

P.S. I was not compensated in any way by Command Hooks or Anthropology.

October Challenge Reveal

Does anyone remember....

            way back in late September....

                     I announced that October's makeover challenge was Guestrooms?

If you feel like that was light years ago...you aren't alone.

It doesn't matter how super organized you are, sometimes life is going to throw you curve balls and you have to stay calm and know that everything will be right where you left it...

no apologies necessary....

just waiting for you to come back and share some love.

Even Mr. Bumble Bee is welcoming me back with open arms...or wings...

I was having so much fun filling the room with things that make me smile...like this photo of a heart shadow reflecting on an old tree that my daughter, Katie was inspired to shoot.

And then...

here's where I left off...

The lovely shots of the umbrellas on the beach (courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens) are actually suppose to look like the DIY chevron patterned one in the middle.

well...and maybe a few personal photos instead.

For now...I will enjoy it just the way it is...open wings and all!

A Heavy Heart

First, I want to say thank you to my loyal readers who are still out there reading this and have been wondering where the heck I have been.

I'm back, but with a very heavy heart. 

Unfortunately, we lost a true angel since the last time I was here.  My husband's, mother passed away on October 16th after an illness that required surgery.

She was recovering well and all indications were that she was going to be fine.  However, much to our surprise (and the doctors), in the early morning hours on the 16th, her heart gave out and she was taken from us.

It has been a difficult time for all of us, especially for my husband, Calvin, as this was his last living immediate family member.  He lost his sister and his best friend (his dad) about six years ago within months of each other.

His mom taught us a lot about many things, but mainly about love.  She would often say "love is about putting others needs before your own."

So please bear with me as I will be spending a lot of time taking care of her affairs but also supporting my husband, Calvin.  I will try to post as often as I can, but can't make any promises in the immediate future.

Having now lost both sets of our parents, we find ourselves in somewhat unchartered waters.  As I venture through this next stage of our lives, I hope to share little bits of her with you just as I have done of my own mother.

I was blessed to have known such an angel and so thankful for all of her love and wisdom.

Kim

Fall Home Tour

Grab a cup of coffee and a slice of pumpkin bread and join me as I take you through part of my Fall-filled home.

Many holiday traditions are made in this dining room.  I usually pull in another table and chairs so that we can all dine together in the same room.  One of my many traditions is party crackers.  They are usually filled with paper crowns and small trinkets that entice lots of smiles and laughter.

The glittered leaf napkin rings were a gift from my daughters.  They add just the right amount of sparkle to the table.

I filled my white pedestal bowl with faux gords and pomegranates that I purchased from Hobby Lobby several years ago.

 Placing a fall floral stem on my DIY burlap wreath added color I was looking for to pull the table together.  The little red cardinals on the small pumpkin won my heart and had to come home with me.

Last year I decided to let go of my decorations that I had for the fireplace mantel and I opted to go simple this year!  

Mrs. Squirrel is all dressed up and waiting patiently for some yummy fall acorns to drop at the harvest. 

This year I found a Gathering Squirrel Scented Wax Warmer along with some fall scented wax melts like "Crisp Fall Leaves" and "Warm Baking Spices" (from Wal Mart) to fill the room with fall scents.  Isn't it funny how a certain aroma can remind you of holidays spent with family and friends?

Thanks so much for taking my Fall Home Tour with me.  I hope you enjoyed it and maybe got a jolt of inspiration to decorate your home.

Kim

linking up to Katherine's Corner