God's Beauty

Sundays are such wonderful days, especially in the Spring. Our weather has been very spring-like over the past several days which has given me the chance to photograph some of God's beauty growing right in my own yard. Just had to share. Enjoy!!

Thanks for visiting,

Inspiration = Consideration

As most of you know by now we bought or 1951 Cape in June of 2010. I wanted a new townhouse and my husband wanted an older home so we compromised. He got the older single family home and I got an agreement that we could remodel within the next five years to bring it up to my standards. The thing is that since I have lived in this wonderful home my standards have changed.  I am no longer obsessed with everything new but more in keeping the past alive. We have not really done any modifications yet (financial downsize, furlough, job loss, sick dog, new starter, and on and on…you get the picture; life happens) but I continue to keep my eye out for photographs that attract me. I have many. For this post I will share what I have decided so far (maybe). Creating a home is a challenge that I wouldn’t want to miss out one. Enjoy!

The Current Layout:

So you see it is a small home and making the most of the space is at the top of the list. One of my favorite things about this house is all the wood work. I kinda wish the stain was a little darker but that is not a priority at this time. Just something to keep in the back of my mind. I have so many items on my wish list but will save that for another post. 

My inspirations photos (so far) and what they have made me consider...


 considering: painting the fireplace
UPDATE Click HERE (I did it)

 considering: making the unfinished attic space MY own personal walk-in closet

considering: opening up the wall between the dining room and kitchen 

 

 considering: making the front porch (it's enclosed) an extended living space

UPDATE  Click HERE (getting started)

 considering: making one of the bedrooms an office

considering: updating the finished attic space into another living space OR...

...a guest bedroom, hmmmmm??

 

 considering: finishing off the basement and adding more living and storage space

 

 

So, you can see my brain has it's hands full (LOL). 

Any suggestions would be most appreciated. 

Thanks for visiting,

To Paint or Not to Paint (our Fireplace)

I have loved and hated our fireplace since day one. I love wood burning fireplaces and I love everything about brick. I actually think this fireplace is really beautiful...BUT...I think it looks overpowering in our small living/family room. I also think (actually I wonder) if painting it would make it less overwhelming (and more crisp).

The decision to paint (or fear of painting) is based on the permanence of painting and the fact that the window sills and woodwork throughout the home are all stained (brown). It is actually one of the things about the house that we love. 
 

 I have searched the internet looking for pictures of fireplaces that are painted white in rooms with brown stained window casings. I only found a few...

this is probably the closest photo I could find (sorry, have know idea where I found it)

Then I decided to just search for photos of white painted fireplaces that are similar to mine. 

from minhus.blogspot.com

 from HGTV's Rate My Space

 from simplyklassichome.com

from fireplacedecorating.blogspot.com

So, after this search I think I am more inclined to consider white washing my fireplace. 
I know, a compromise but I'm still a little scared. 

This is what it will look like:

whiter with some color on the walls

So...what do you think?

 

Lucy's Nursery

Today I am going to share something that I did NOT do. Well I did paint the letters and drawer pulls but my son-in-law and daughter did the rest. I see so many posts showing pics of nurseries I felt it would be a crime not to share their work. I think it turned out great and of course Lucy loves her room. Enjoy!

(Thanks M&M for allowing me to share your pics)

Want to know more about this nursery? Check out M&M's Blog A Baby and a Bulldog.

Thanks for visiting!