Curtain Source Books- Window Wednesday

It has been awhile since I have had an entry for Window Wednesday.  Shame on me.

Window Wednesday was my attempt to get back to my love of window coverings, and it has worked.  I am again excited to see new draperies and think of new treatments.  However, my skills on making these treatments are still pretty weak.  To help me with this I thought I would get a book. A book that would both give me some new ideas and maybe some tips on how to create them.  I quickly browsed Amazon and decided on this...

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Fun & Fabulous Curtains to Sew by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader.

Look at that cute little cafe curtain on the cover, looks like it would have been right up my alley.  Boy, was I wrong.  I was very disappointed in this book.  Maybe I was just expecting too much, but I wasn't excited with the ideas.  And when they say 15 easy designs for the complete beginner they mean "complete beginner".

I wasn't ready to give up on getting myself a window covering book.  I did a bit more research and decided to try...

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Curtains A Design Source Book by Caroline Clifton-Mogg.

This book is a winner.  Not only is there a great collection of window coverings, they are photographed in beautiful rooms.  At the back if the book she has included some tip on creating some of these yourself. 

Do you have a favorite window treatment book?  If so I would love to hear which ones you like.

Where oh where have I been?

I have been a busy little girl, but busy in a very scattered sense.  Taking such an extended vacation has proven to be more chaotic than I expected.  Not only that, my parents house is a bit more remote than I am use to, so running to the store takes out a bigger chunk out of the day.  The nearest hardware store is an hour drive to get to, and that takes it toll on DIY projects.

I planned re-doing my parents guest bathroom this summer.  It is a small bathroom, and we are doing everything, including the floor and fixtures.  Which is, yay, fun.  But, before I am able to get to the fun stuff, my dad needed to fix a plumbing issue. 

So now, the plumbing is done.  And I have started on the bathroom, getting some of the painting done.  The wall treatment and the floor are the next items on the list.  Here is a taste of where I have progressed to.

Sorry for the blurry picture, but it is just to give you a glimpse of what is up.  Here is where I was last week.

Yep that is a plunger on the counter- I told yo there was a plumbing issue.


But before I am able to push up my sleeves and get it done, I have to take my daughter school shopping and also take a much needed day for myself.  I am going to get my hair done and indulge in another hobby of mine, just to keep my sanity.

-Laurie

Went shopping

In my head I thought I would be be a painting fiend on my visit to my parents.  That really has not happened, but I was able to get some shopping in.

I think I managed some good finds.

First, my sister brought me to her favorite quilt store, where I was able to find 3 patterns I absolutely love!

The top 2 fabrics I will be using in the upstairs bathroom.  I've been having a hard time finding the fabric for that window.  I always said when I see it I would know it, and the top fabric is it.  I wanted something fun, but not too kiddish and not to girly,  and of course I love that it has such a vintage vibe.

The red fabric, I just love.  I have no idea what I will use it for, but that isn't the point, now is it?

Next we went to Savers-  I have never been to Savers, which is a thrift store, and I am now I am sorry I don't have one in my home area.  I was amazed at the selection of fabric I was able to find, and seriously low prices.

I found some great items for the guest bedroom, Bedspread, lamp and table cloths, all in the colors I was hoping for and all having that vintage feel I was striving for.

I also found some cute accessories and more fabric.  These items I am not sure exactly what I will do with, but fabrics are in my "colors" and the accessories were just too perfect to walk away from.

I spent under $40 at Savers.  I can't wait until I get home and see how everything works out.

-Laurie

Technique testing and paint

Feeling a bit discombobulated lately.  I am having a great time visiting with my family and the kids are having a blast, but my routine is broken.  I am coming to realize how important my routine is to me.  I guess I need to create a new routine for the next month or so.

With all the hub-bub going around here for the long holiday, I have not had a lot of time to tackle the barn wood.  We have let it dry and are coming up with a plan, but I am now needing to think of how to work with the wood.

Initially, I was hoping to use it as is, but I am coming to the conclusion that it is not going to happen.  The original color is there, but not to the level I was hoping for.

This picture shows the best of the batch.  Most of the wood is grayed and the red is very dull, almost too dull for the small windowless bathroom I want to use it in.

So, yesterday I was able to make it to Sherwin Williams to get some paint.  I wanted to just pick up some samples to see how things would work.  I had to drive an hour to get to the store, but it was a trip well worth it.

This particular location had a bunch of mistints.  I was able to pick up 3 gallons in colors that were similar enough to what I needed at a dollar a gallon.  I was also able to pick up a quart for a quarter (for a different project) and 2 sample pots.

Today I have been playing around with paint techniques and colors.

I am not sure I have hit on my technique, but the fun is in discovery.

To give you an idea of the room I am working on, here is a in progress photo.

Yep, that is a big hole in the ceiling.  There is a lot of progress that needs to happen before I will be sharing the final reveal.  But that is what I have been up to.

Hope you have been enjoying your summer.

-Laurie

Midnight in Paris

I went to a movie yesterday.

I have not been to a movie that hasn't involved animation for years, so I was thrilled to finally get to see a movie all for me.  I choose, Midnight in Paris.

I was very anxious to see this movie.  I even drove the 90 minutes to get to the nearest theater that was playing it.

My interest in the movie was based on my love of F Scott Fitzgerald.

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But the lush and inspiring set design and the back drop of the Paris shops made the little decorator in me squeal with delight.

If you haven't had a chance to see it I highly recommend it, not only is it a charming movie, but also just a jem to view.  Take a look...

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Inside Inez and Gil's hotel room in Paris.  The draperies in this room are amazing.  You have to trust me on this one and take a look for yourself.

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Gil and Inez debating over the purchase of some fabulously expense fabulous Parisian chairs.

And some more eye candy just to wet your whistle.

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Have you gone? Or are you going?

-Laurie