Using what you have
antiques/junking, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), Etsy Goodies, fairies, give away, magazine pictures or articles, redosur
Those two talented sisses are asking us to show our mantels. Well, that is right up my alley right now, and I am so happy with my bedroom do over that I’d love to show my mantel again.
I usually don’t keep anything on it, just the mirror above it, and sometimes a stack of books or magazines.
I promised to show some other corners of my room, here is the doorway. Well, I guess that is pretty self explanatory, sorry.
See the pretty alarm clock? A gift from Beth, that was so pretty, I just had to paint the room to match. Even though the clock is merely ornamental, isn’t a cute little ornament?
The table it is on is from a whole set I bought an auction, 2 twin beds, dresser, mirror,
and two tables. I repainted them all and sold them, but had to keep this one table for myself.
This recliner, which is a concession to my husband, is the inspiration for the bronze/sepia vines on the ceiling. I wanted a soft blue room, but had to tie in this chair that sits smack dab in front of the TV.
In the alcove above it, I have my screen from the Birds and Bonnets Swap. I’ve used little birdies around the room, I thought they went with the garden feel of the space.
Beyond the chair is my sink area. I painted it a slightly darker shade of the same blue, and used a warm carmel-ly brown on the ceili
ng.
The carmel brown color matches the Shabby Chic (from Target) shower curtain in the connecting bathroom. I always try to give my rooms a flow from one to another.
By redoing the bedroom, I ended up redoing the rest of the house too! Not repainted, but switched around and knick knacks traded back and forth.
These metal salvage pieces were in 3 different areas, but I really like the affect of having all four of them lined up together.
After an evening of "use what you have decorating", I had given three rooms a new look just by shuffling my junk around. The drawing of the goddess now in the living room, used to be in the bedroom, and it was replaced by a picture that was previously in the dining room.
All the things on top of the entertainment center (except the goddess statue I just repainted a couple of posts back) used to be in the bedroom. Now the little birdies are in their place there.
The large print on the wall in the dining room used to be in the guest room.
So, for simply repainting one room and getting a new (vintage) bedspread, one goddess statue and an alarm clock, I feel like I have a whole new look! 
But then today, I went to some garage sales, and look what I found to replace the too small, too old lady looking, too brown little chair that was there before!
A THRONE! A Leopard print covered throne!
In garage sailing dollars it was kind of pricey, but in antiquing money, it was a bargain. I paid $60 for it, and it is solid as a rock, and very old, with brand new fabric.
I do think it could use some paint. Something like the way I painted the banister, but not exactly, I don’t want it too matchy matchy. A little darker and with some glimmer, maybe?
yes, yes, yes, I know it is solid oak and the wood is in perfect condition!
It was a quick garage sailing morning, that one stop used up my cash supplies. I did get a couple of trinkets here and there, and added some treats to the June Garage Sailing Giveaway Prize Pack.
Can you spot the new additions? green lace ribbon, a bag of old buttons, and an old green plastic cup.
I’m going with a green and white theme for garden season, it looks like!
Remember, all comments are entered, every one, every month counts towards my drawings.
As usual, I have run on long enough, (too long, actually) but I wanted to mention that I listed a couple of my fairy dolls on Etsy and also have reduced some prices, so please check out the sales!
I did finish my article for the fall issue of Romantic Country, thank you to those who were asking how I was doing.
Here is the first paragraph if you’d like a sneak peak:
When the air starts to develop a slight nip and rich reds and golds begin to tint the leaves, it is a perfect time to savor the outdoors by dining al fresco. While summer is known for picnics, fall is much more suited to the venue. The heat has eased up, and most of the summertime bugs have flown away. In this Mid-Western town of Kansas City, artist and antique dealer, Carol Spinski took advantage of autumn’s agreeable afternoon weather and created a garden party under the trees to welcome the season.
Elphie was meant to be Sugarwing’s kitty, but I discovered that Sugarwings is not a cat person, at least so far. She has no interest at all in this little cutey. She did tell her some long meandering story that involved lots of mentions of "Yeenkle" (Twinkle), so she might have been telling the new cat that she already had a pet. 
Jen Rizzo.
Maria Elena sent in a cross stitch all the way from Chile.
I promised to show my paint color for the bedroom, it is a barely there blue/aqua. And what a perfect name, "Nurture". I’d paint all my walls that color just because I love the title of it so much!
Instead of sitting down around the table, we pulled up chairs to the patio table and took our plates outside to enjoy one of the loveliest days of the whole season. What luck, to have a garden party on such a pretty day.
A lot got accomplished here at my cottage today. All because I had to get up at 4am to get my husband to the airport. 
A big change from how she looked when I got her at the flea market.
!
