Craft Shelves - Project Complete!

Tonight, I finished organizing the crafts.  I'll tell you what I didn't anticipate when starting this project - just how much I'd be throwing away/donating!  While I'm not normally a pack rat, I couldn't believe all of the old odds and ends that had been held onto over the years.  It felt good to get my supplies in good order.  Here's a step-by-step of organizing these shelves:

I'm very excited to be sharing a special gift from my sisters with you all soon.  Here's a sneak preview.. For the Makers!

Lately, my sweet little kitty has really been acting up.  I got some good advice from my sister tonight, to shake something that rattles when he's naughty.  Wow!  This is working people!!  Camden is already behaving much better (and that is a good thing).  I thought this picture of him was cute. 

Earlier this week, I hinted at an #IPromise update.  Well, here it is. :)  When Lebron James was in his final days of free agency, I said I would get a tattoo if he came back to Cleveland.  Well, instead of doing that, I purchased an "I Promise" bracelet in support of the Lebron James Family Foundation.  I love that these bracelets show a promise.  My promise is to live a healthier lifestyle.  So far, so good!  What would you promise?

We're so close to the weekend I can taste it.... So close!! Hope you all are having a wonderful week. 

Best love, xoxo Madeleine

Southern Cross + Mason Jars

I hope everyone is having a great week! Last night, my parents took me with them to see Crosby, Stills & Nash. What a great show! We enjoyed listening to lots of their big hits including: "Southern Cross", "Helplessly Hoping", "Our House", and "Teach Your Children".  The show also included some Buffalo Springfield tunes like "For What it's Worth" and solo songs such as "Love the One Your With". Such a great time, thank you M & D!!

 

Tonight, I have been working on organizing my craft supplies. Do you ever have time to complete just 30% of a project? That is what happened to me this evening. The rest will get done this weekend, but here is a sneak peek. When I finish, I'll share the full before and after pictures!

 

Lots of mason jars! What can't you do with mason jars? I love them because they are so affordable and easy to repurpose at a later time.  

 

Wishing everyone a great Thursday tomorrow.  So close to the weekend, make every secnod count!!

 

Xoxo Love, Madeleine

Office Makeover + Some DIYs

Greetings from Charleston, SC.  We've had our share of rain lately, but the best part about southern storms is that it'll rain like crazy for a bit and then the sun comes out again. 

 

Over the Fourth of July weekend, I did a major overhaul of my 2nd bedroom/office.  I have to say, I had some reservations about this "makeover".  Mainly because of the good memories I have from painting this with one of my sisters.



But the lighter color on the wall (China White by Pottery Barn) really lightens up the joint!
And then there's this big wooden desk that I found on Craigslist.  I've gotta say, it was almost impossible for this to fit in the room.  So it might have to be sold some day with the house.

My vision for the desk came from Pinterest and I was really happy with the result.  I painted the bottom white and kept the top the wood color.  The top of the desk is actually laminated particle board.  This was fine by me as it's easy to clean and looks a lot like the "real thing".

Decorations on the wall are courtesy of Anthropologie, Love & Print on Etsy, and my Goodwill hauls.  The bulletin board over my desk was a Goodwill find that I cleaned, recovered in chevron burlap, and then I re-painted the frame white.

The other DIY I completed was sanding down this clock featured in my prior post and painting it a Tiffany blue.  I thought this came out really cute. 

Finally, a little washi tape, and an important reminder from one of my sisters.  I wonder if little sisters know how much they teach their big sisters??  So excited to see them + my family for some celebrations this weekend.

Best love - Madeleine

P.S. I'm working on the format of this blog to make it easier to comment!

P.P.S. Expect a future post on Love & Print - they are amazing!! Can't wait to share the products with you.

Mason Jars & 1st Reupholstering Project

It's been so long since I've last posted!  But this little space sure has been on my mind -

First, these beauties from  Southern Tradition Crafts.  These mason jar wall hangings were custom made-- manu patterns, finishes, and color options are available.  At $10 a piece, they were a steal! They extend the kitchen in a beautiful way.  Check out this company, just love them. 

On Pinterest there are some really great ideas on how these mason jars can be filled.  I loved the idea of putting them in a bathroom and filling with cotton balls, soaps, and Q-Tips.  Another thought, potted herbs for the kitchen.  But for me, some pretty straws, paper and pens/pencils for jotting down quick notes, and flowers fit my need.  Each time I see these, I smile :-)

In other home news, just finished my first reupholstering project.  Pics below... 

 

Like everything else in life - the first time upholstering was a learning experience.  First, my project cost (originally $5.69 for the chair, purchased at Goodwill) escalated quickly.  When all was said and done, the project cost came in around $100.  Biggest mistake I made was not sanding before the first round of paint. 

Best purchase that came from this would have to be the staple gun - that will definitely come in handy for future projects. 

The fabric for the chair was an old pillow case from Pottery Barn that I had been saving. 

My advice to anyone that's recovering a chair like this one, is to strip down to the wooden frame.  The new foam pad I bought for this chair was about $6 but it was money WELL SPENT.  The previous pad was just disgusting and I'm very happy with my finished product, pictured below...

I like to think that for the most part, I did this project right (and didn't cut corners).  I'm excited to see if I can shrink the refurb budget in the future and have project ideas for my office.

More updates soon!  I have big plans for this blog, and they start with some more frequent updates:)

XO XO Love, Madeleine

what dreams may come

What dreams may come... For the last several months, I've had the same recurring dream.  In this dream - there are 3 secret rooms in my house that I have not yet "decorated" or really used.  For anyone that knows me, you know how impossible that seems.

 

 

Maybe it's the 2,000 airplane rides.  Maybe it's the nights in the hotels.  Or maybe it's that crazy childhood fascination (that bridged it's way into adult fascination) with doll houses. But EVERY corner of my home is decorated.

 

 

My Barbie Dream House.  2 Bedrooms/2 Bathrooms of Madeleine-perfection.  Brick exterior, black shutters, one floor, wheel chair ramps and extra big doors so that every guest is comfortable.  I designed and planned every inch of my home.  I snuck-in as it was being built.  I'm blessed to have 2 housekeepers who love the house like I do making it so it's always company ready.

 

 

While I'm not home often, my home is my sanctuary.  How can you not smile when you walk into this? 



 

 



 Or snuggle up on the couch at night and enjoy lighting and a warm foot warmer, like this?

 

And that moment.  The one when you look at the shared water color that your Granny painted for you and your sister, and wonder if she ever thought it would someday hang in one of your kitchens? 

And then there's that stubborn tear, the one from 2004, the one you have learned to wipe away and smile at.  Because a good tear can be the price we pay for great love. 

But oh the smile that quickly follows... Thinking of the family and friends/family (my friends - they are my family) - that I am so very blessed with. 

Bright yellow kitchen?  I'll take it.

Or when you take in a sunset with this one, who is pretty sure this house is for him.

 

 

And now my dream - what do these empty rooms mean? My home is perfect for me already! 

 

But I know in my heart what it means..  For so long I've looked to other blogs for inspiration, have half-heartedly tried my own, but now I'm ready to jump-in with both feet. 

 

This is the forgotten space, my space, where I can share my life.  Decorating and maintaining it how I please-  I'm so happy to launch my little corner of the Internet.

 

 

Thanks for visiting my "extension of home".  I'm excited to share what I'm up to in Charleston, SC and to learn from you.  Best love - Madeleine

 

Happy 2012

2012 has been surprising... in every way! These last four weeks have found me in different parts of the country and in multiple time zones. Spending quite a bit of time up in the air...

Meanwhile, the big guy has been taking care of things back at the house.