Met Monday!

I think the beginning of a week in Blogland is much like the beginning of a week in elementary school. The school bell rings and boisterous children rush in all from all directions. They are rested and refreshed after the weekend and have missed their friends.

It's like that for me, too, in Blogland. I have missed you guys over the weekend and I am anxious to get started on another new week full of shared projects and events. My week will be sporadic to say the least. I do not even know if I will be able to post anything else. But I will enjoy visiting with you and seeing what you have to share.

I think that Metamorphosis Monday is the perfect way to start off a busy week. Full of wonderful "Before and After" pics, this event is hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

Not only is she a great hostess, but she shares some wonderful and creative "before and after" pics of her own.

Stop by Susan's blog to see a full list of all Met Monday participants.

I am going to share a project of my Foyer in my former Colorado home. Neither of us fell in love with this home when we purchased it. We had 2 days to find a home, and the pickings were slim. But, when we walked out back, and saw a $40,000 stone patio that backed up to the Rocky Mountains - we both said "we'll take it." :-)

It was a standard builder's home...you know the kind. Contractor grade white paint, contractor grade white tile, contractor grade light fixtures, contractor this and contractor that. ugh! :-/

Have you ever heard the saying about the cobbler whose children never had shoes? Well, my life was similar. I was so busy with my design business that I had no time to decorate my own home. But at some point - I just couldn't take it anymore. It was time to "shoe my children."

This is one of the projects I completed over a weekend.

FOYER BEFORE...

I had some nice pieces in this space - but there was just too much. I needed to scale down a bit. (Gasp! Moi? Scale down?) I also needed to paint. Desperately! Just prior to moving in, I had the public spaces painted a medium taupe called Mushroom. As soon as it was up, I realized my "medium taupe" looked more like Medium Rotten Mushroom. HATED it!

I came home armed with paint samples a look of complete resolution. Mr. Grits knew I meant business when I walked in loaded to the gills with brushes, paints and sheer determination.


Did I mention I had paint samples? How many can you count above? LOL

I also removed the ugly mini blind from the sidelight. I tackled this project while deciding on a paint color. A few hours later... with some glaze, some white paint and some faux leading...

...I created a faux leaded glass window.

FOYER AFTER...

I chose a wallpaper that resembled faux stone. The funny thing about the wallpaper...part of my design business was working as a faux artist. I could easily recreate this look with paint. But, the paper was quick and easy.

The color I chose was Benjamin Moore's Springfield Tan. It's one of the colors from the historical collection which I love.

I also switched out the antique drop-leaf desk and exchanged it for an antique dresser I purchased in Belgium. It is part of a 5 pc bedroom suite I purchased at the Salvation Army downtown Brussels...for $500. The marble top you see is from a Belgian quarry which no longer produces stone.

I switched rugs...something more subdued. I added a vintage clock. The clock you see by the front door was purchased in England at Stoke-on-Trent, from a dealer who had purchased all of the vintage clocks from Parliament after they were replaced with newer ones.

I changed the standard $2.00 contractor light fixture and replaced it with something in a rusted bronze.

Altogether, I think I spent only a few hundred dollars - most went towards the rug. While it still was not my ideal foyer or house...I slowly made it a place that felt like Home.

May Your House Always Feel Like Home....Barb