Peeking thru the Sunflowers

I'll never forget how the pictures made me feel the day I found it, while "Peeking Thru the Sunflowers."  Just like the one I had seen before, there it stood, so big and tall and beautiful.  Out of my reach or so I thought.   It was 8 feet tall and fabulous and mine for the taking if I truly wanted it.  My heart beat faster as I walked around it studying all the details of my beautiful find. Two birds where even perched up top.  Surely that was a heavenly sign.  

Now that you have seen this picture you know that I am not talking about sunflowers but rather a beautiful armoire that has been pinned all over Pinterest or perhaps you too have followed the delightful blog, Peeking Thru the Sunflowers and read about the wonderful transformation that Des achieved on her fabulous piece of furniture.  Living in an 1870 beautifully renovated school house in Kansas Des's posts are filled with one amazing room after another and so many lovely ideas for the home that if you have now yet visited her blog you too will be inspired.  

This is her beautiful armoire and my source of inspiration and what led me to jump at the purchase of the massive armoire that I found while thrifting.   Those poor Goodwill workers were shuttering and begging for mercy at the thought of loading it in my truck. They were thrilled when we came back with a trailer and strong movers.

 And this is the beautiful room in her home that her fabulous armoire sits in and a taste of what you will see on her blog.

It will take me a while to paint mine and another visit from the movers to place it so while you are waiting to see the end result I hope that you too will enjoy some glorious time,

Peeking Thru the Sunflowers.

Robyn Story Designs

 I needed Annie Sloan Chalk Paint the other day and the most certain good dose of inspiration that always comes with it so I popped in to Robyn Story's beautiful shop in Tampa, FL.  Just as it  always does time slowed down as I wandered each glorious room.  I hadn't planned on spending any time. My day had a list full of things to do but I couldn't pull myself away.  It's the wonderful thing that happens with each visit to the shop as Robyn and her talented staff have created such beauty that you are held captivated by each vignette the eye captures .  

 What a lucky little dog he is to linger here all day! 

 Just look at this beautiful vignette.

 The floral creations are just beautiful!

 And these beautiful painted creations were the inspiration I needed to go to work on my own painting projects.  What I love about Robyn and everyone in her shop is their willingness to help and the friendships that have developed. 

And I would have to say that right next to all the bright sparkling chandeliers that shine in her store Robyn's care for her customers that have become her friends

is the light that makes her shop out shine the rest.

Mother and Child

 There are so many beautiful paintings of Mother and Child.   These were some of my favorites that I found on Pinterest.

Wishing all the Mother's out there a very 

Happy Mothers Day!

The Comfortable Chair

 Beneath all the lace and linens there is the most comfortable chair in our bedroom.  For years it was in our family room and the kids use to call "Save," whenever they got up from it while watching the tv to make sure nobody took their comfortable seat.  It's burgandy and large and no longer works in the family room but I have kept it for it truly is the most comfortable chair in the house.

 I spotted this chair at the Fancy Flea a few years ago and the vendor had it all adorned like the famous Magnolia Pearl's work .  It too was very comfortable and made me wish I knew how to do upholstery.  I have no lack of chairs in the house to upholster but only have single chairs and what I have been looking for is two comfortable, affordable chairs.  Key word "affordable."

 I started the search only to find that the chairs I wanted were going to cost me close to $1800.  That is quite an investment so when I found these chairs at Tuesday Mornings I decided they were a much better deal at $399.00 each.   That is until I got them home and we attempted to sit in them and they were hard as a rock.  I thought that time would soften them but no luck.  They are just not comfortable chairs!  I had plans to paint the shiny wood gray and do a stripe on the seat and frenchy them up a bit but it was back to the drawing board for chairs until yesterday....

There they sat, at one of my favorite thrift shops.  These vintage, wonderfully comfortable chairs were just waiting for me.  I quickly told the man I wanted them for the whopping $29.00 each.   I later found out he was "Jesus."

Feeling very blessed I got in line only to have that sweet deal get even better.  A couple behind me gave me a coupon for 50% off my purchase and so as you can see I got both chairs for $32.08!

Off to Anthony Upholstering I went to find that each chair would cost me $335.00 to have done.  Being a bit of a fabric hoarder I already have the fabric too!  I can't wait to get these comfortable beauties back and hear the kids call, "Save" upon their visits as they truly are very comfortable chairs worth Saving!  Thank you Jesus!

Dreaming of new landscape

When I search for Victorian gardens on pinterest this picture always pops up.  Isn't this a lovely outdoor space?  I am not sure of the source but I would guess springtime has them enjoying sweet tea on that lovely porch. This certainly is a pin on my wish list board for the Shabby Old House.    What are you dreaming about these days?