Met Monday: $75 Bedroom Makeover

This week, I am participating in Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. It's been a while since I have joined in, but I thought I would share my

$75 Master Bedroom Makeover.

You see, we will be starting a master bathroom renovation in a few months, which will include removing and changing a wall in the bedroom. Before, we only had one wall that the bed would fit on because, as much as I love our bedroom - it is all windows and doors. With our huge king four-poster, there was barely enough room for two very, small end tables. You see, Mr Grits and I do not live on a Hollywood set, as much as I would have you think we do.

In real life, I have to have a clock, my reading glasses, my current book or magazine of choice, the tv remote, a beverage and my moisturizer close at hand. (Yea...I'm spoiled that way.) The old bed placement just wasn't working.

The "Before"...

So, as you see....nothing fancy here. Basic bedding, leftover rugs, blah, blah, blah.

The only other placement which would allow two decent sized end tables was between two single windows.

Let me pre-face this blog posting by saying "I am NOT a fan of blocking windows with a bed."

But, with no other choice until the remodel - we made the decision to move the bed. My parents had purchased a quilt set for me in the Blue Ridge Mountains on one of our recent trips. It had been tucked away in my closet until the remodel. But, I decided I wanted to get it out and use it. So, I flipped over the comforter (seen above) to the solid side, added the new quilt, bedskirt and shams....and this is what I came up with...

The "After"

Where did the $75 cost come into play? I already had four plaid panels purchased at Lowe's ($25 ea) - so I ran out and after three stops at three different Lowe's, found two more.

The other $25? I found the most beautiful silk, embroidered pillow at Marshall's that could not have been a better match with the new quilt. It's by Rodeo Home (as in Beverly Hills, not cowboys ) for $24.95.

Yes, I agree....it is simply deee-vine dahlings! (I feel so Zsa Zsa!)

...here's a better view...

(don't hate me because I have a beautiful pillow!)

The lamps were used in the Family Room before we bought new furniture and made changes to that room.

They were perfect in every way.

I added sheers that had been used in a bedroom two houses ago. Its a good way to allow light to filter in but disguise those ugly mini blinds which will be one of the first things ripped down when we remodel.

Yuck!

My leopard bench still works at the end of the bed...

The Chinese green lamp and damask covered chair were already there. I just switched the round shade to a square one to give it a more updated look.

I found the square shade at Goodwill this Spring, when Kathysue and Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict, and I met in Asheville. I paid $3 for it.

I think I will have it monogrammed a la Southern Whimsy style.

Here's a close-up of the quilt my parents bought me. Isn't it just lovely in chocolate, rose, golds and greens?

So I hope you have enjoyed seeing my $75 Master Bedroom Makeover. It may not be the best room layout, but for now....its not bad.

Please make sure you stop over at Susan's on Between Naps on the Porch to see all the other "Before and After" Met Monday posts.

Blessings, Barb

Sunday Favorites...

It's been a while since I have participated in Sunday Favorites over at

Happy to Design

but I thought I would hop in today and share this oldie from last Christmas.

I know that your Christmas decorating process is over, and in fact many of you may already be taking them down - but I thought I would share this "oldie but goodie" to show you some basic floral design ideas which can be used for any holiday.

For example, substitute some Valentine hearts and florals for the Christmas ones...or use Easter themed picks for a Springy design. Instead of pine and cedar, look in your yard for other types of greenery - and don't forget your herb garden. I love using rosemary and thyme and even parsley in my arrangements.

I hope you enjoy this "mini" tutorial. Mr Grits and I are working on some assorted videos showcasing floral design. Look for them in the upcoming weeks. :)

Blessings, Barb

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As part of our shopping trip, we stepped into Michael's for a few minutes. I could not believe that the Christmas shelves were almost empty and the employees were busy putting out Valentine decor. Is it really such a sin to allow us to enjoy one Holiday before we are forced to think about another? (one of my top 10 pet peeves!)

Anyway, the floral picks had been marked down to almost nothing - at least the ones that were left. I was drawn to these mostly silver, glittery ones with a beautiful mini green apple. Not sure why. Not my style usually, but I love pairing silver with glass. I wanted to make a small arrangement to sit on my English hutch, which would be paired with some antique silver candle holders and my collection of Victorian English glass creamers.

I also think these floral picks are the ultimate in ease and simplicity when creating an arrangement. I mean, half the work is done for you. Even if you feel you are floral challenged, you can do this!

I started out with the same floral oasis base and added the pure white taper.

Next, I added a basic layer of greenery, keeping it simple. I used the leftover Christmas tree cuttings (from my mom's tree) and some cedar clippings.

Okay - now for the really hard part, so pay close attention to this next step....

Stick those picks right in! I used four single picks, creating a box placement.

Next, I added some bling by tucking in some silver berries.

I love these silver leaves. I cut them apart to use the individual leaves and then just tucked them in here and there.

Instead of a bow, I tucked in a whole cluster of silver grapes at the base, letting them spill over. I love the mini green apples. This room's color consists of cherry red walls, and my fabric is a French Country Rooster pattern with yellow, red, blue and green.(you can see the fabric on the pillows in the background)

Later tonight, I will post some picks after I set this arrangement on my English hutch.

Since I had some leftover cuttings, I wanted to show you how easy it was to use your everyday containers and some clippings to create one-of-a-kind touches for Christmas. Best part - they didn't cost me a single dime to create!

Each one took me about five minutes to complete!

The first one I created was with this pink depressionware cigarette holder. I just got this on eBay to hold my collection of silver tea spoons. I thought it would make a darling container to go along with my Dining Room's red transferware vignette.

Who knew!? I would never have known this was a cigarette holder if I had not been told. This is a much better use!

I tucked clippings of rosemary right into the container...

Next, I simply tucked in some holly, a few mini Christmas balls and a candy cane. I tied a ribbon bow around the container.

How pretty is this when paired with a pink glass creamer filled with my silver butter spreaders.

The next container I used was a silver and cobalt candy dish. (see below) Just one of the many items I pick up here and there. I loved how the cobalt blue reflects the blue in my transferware collection. I have used this container for many purposes - from holding sugar cubes to serving a fig compote. But for now, it will hold greenery and some left-over silver bling.

A little oasis and some basic greenery was the start. This size container allowed me to use the leftover pieces of greenery that had been trimmed off.

Silver leaves, silver berries and some silver fern just tucked in with no real rhyme or reason...

The perfect touch to my table vignette with a blue transferware plate, and a small silver stand filled with some of my collection of faux (fat free!) desserts. On the top there are three small fruit tartlets with sprigs of cedar tucked in. On the bottom is a larger fruit tartlet. It's hard to believe these sweet surprises are not real.

Next - a small pink and white transferware pitcher that usually sits on my kitchen hutch.

Again, its a sample of a container I use on an everyday basis.

All I added was some holly and a few springs of cedar and rosemary, and finally a candy cane. Here it is sitting within my pink and white transferware vignette...

... and nestled next to one of my collectible vintage kitchen scales on my kitchen hutch .

(I will do a post on my treasured scales after the holidays!)

I hope you have enjoyed these simple ideas. Including the picks and ribbon, I have about $5 invested in all of these arrangements...thanks to my midnight run into the garden for my clippings.

Blessings, Barb

The Grits' Christmas Open House: Part (and final) Five

 Hello Dear Bloggy Friends...welcome to the end of our 
Christmas Open House. 

I have saved our kitchen for last, that being the heart of our home.
This kitchen has been in a constant state of upheaval since we moved in 5 yrs ago.  One of these days we will totally remodel this room...one day.

We recently expanded the island and made it longer, and added the granite top. We also added the hand-hammered copper farmhouse sink, which I absolutely love. 

When we moved in, the original owner had "crackled" the cabinets. They were sooooo bad. (hint: if you do not know how to use crackle medium, please do not cover every cabinet and every square inch of the trim, windows and doors)

So, about a year ago we had the cabinets painted a pretty green, and then we installed beadboard on the backsplashes and around the island, which I then glazed.  It turned out...well ...okay.   I was never completely happy with it.  So about 2 weeks ago - I had my cabinets painted red!!!!

Can I say I LOVE them. Next on the list....carrera marble on each outer countertop where you see the oak tops.

I know, I know - enough talk already right? Please follow me into our kitchen....

We almost doubled the length of the island, and was able to add two more lower cabinets, as well as, a baking pan cabinet.

We had oak countertops made for the two counters on each side of the island.

I had the trim added on the soffits several months ago...the perfect place to display my collection of green Bordallo Pineiro plates and platters, depicting farm animals.

We removed the middle cabinets in order to create a display nook. I love the oil painting hanging inside, an eBay find.

Decorative bottles and a treasured set of rooster salt and pepper shakers. You might remember these from my Rustic Frenchy Tablescape (you can see it here). These were given to me by my good friend, Kathysue, when she and I and another dear friend, Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict , met in Asheville and stayed in a beautiful, old B&B.

On one counter, I have a lovely cardinal platter I bought last year at Cracker Barrel, after the holidays. (70% off -oh yea!) Also, there is a small green, metal lamp I found for $5. A pitcher filled with cut greens and holly from my yard seem to offer shelter for my little set of Target birds.

The salad plate is from the same pattern as I used on my formal dining room tablescape.

Apples and pears and greenery....and favorite cookbooks.

The other side of the kitchen...

We bought the hand-hammered copper farmhouse sink from Mexico. I love this sink. Can you just imagine how pretty it will be once the carerra marble is installed?

My red rooster keeps watch over the kitchen. Fresh holly and cedar tucked inside a glass gravy boat.

I love my Frenchy metal container. I use it to hold my sink stoppers. You can also see the glazed beadboard. I think I will paint this back to white. We have also talked about white subway tiles. Not sure yet...

Now, let's take a look at the island...

Paperwhites, a white rooster pitcher and my glass cannisters on one end....

...and on the other end I have a rosemary tree, and two vintage scales from part of my collection.

A copper gingerbread man cookie cutter tops the tree, with bits of ribbon tied all around.

A small toy wagon holds my oil and vinegar during Christmas.

.... looking into my breakfast nook.

... an Amish rake gets a touch of Christmas, too.

Even my back door gets a special touch with a fruit wreath which features a gingerbread man plate wired in the center with a plate holder.



...and finally....my favorite piece of artwork which hangs on my fridge. My grandson, Cole (almost 4yrs), made this for his Grammy.



Thank you for joining Mr Grits and I for our Christmas Open House. 
I have enjoyed having you into our home as our special guests. I would like to thank each of you who have followed me through the past year...through my kidney stone surgery, my husband's surgery, sharing my joy when my beloved son and my dear daughter-in-law returned from Iraq, and then saying good-bye to my little grandson, Cole, when he went back to Colorado...and most recently for my 2d grandson Devin's birth.

I know I have been a sporadic blogger over the past few months due to a hectic work schedule, but my bloggy life has always been and will always be in my heart. 

Thank you so much for your support, and for also giving me so many hours of enjoyment through your own blogs.

Mr Grits and I would like to wish you and yours a blessed and joyous Merry Christmas.