Sparkle. Fur. Autumn.

The sun came out for 3 minutes during a morning rainstorm.

The LIGHT!  The BEAUTY!  grabbed the camera.

... Fall through Winter wreaths on the bedroom double doors ...

Sweater pumpkins I made last year, so snuggly warm!

... Lace, Jewels, Texture ...

Fur rug from a thrift store becomes a cozy table runner

My husband got me this darling doggy for my birthday one year

sweet baby ceramic punkin

Found this stool at same thrift store for $4.99

and I had the furry fabric to drape over it.

Isn't it so FABULOUS?!?!?!

~ and you know how inspired I get by light and shadows ~

s  i  g  h

~ violet ~

The Dog, The House, Projects, Summer

He has been my sweet buddy for ten years.

This dog loves to pose.

(our other Afghan Hound was wandering at the time of photo)

{ Wish those hollyhocks were in my backyard! }

I promised a photo of our concrete floors.

I think they turned out great!

They are covered with paper now, not to be seen again

until all the finish work is done.

Since I took this photo, the doors are in,

millwork, cabinets and tile too.

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Below is a cabinet we found at a flea market shop

that will become the powder room vanity

I am going to apply gold 'rub-n-buff 'in all of the brown glazed areas.

This is actually a stereo cabinet from the 50's.

We ordered a white vessel sink to sit upon it.

Here's the chandelier I found at an antique shop for the powder room.

I also found a wood framed mirror from the 30's.

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And below, no, this is not our fireplace mantle.

But isn't it gorgeous?!?  From an antique shop I visited, and a mere

$12,000

Quite Grand!

... I'd love to see the home where this goes to live ...

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On  a personal note, I had two wisdom teeth out this past Friday,

I am a scaredy cat about surgeries and Dr. visits, but it went well.

And yesterday I was out in the backyard spray painting a couple of chandeliers

and removing tarnish from the brass on an antique French bakers rack

that will go in the dining room.

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Summer has finally come to the Pacific Northwest

~ I just start to get into it and then all the Fall stuff appears in stores ~

Totally confuses my sense of seasons!

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I am thinking only

S U M M E R

while it surrounds me!

His & Hers

My Style

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His Style

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~ Melding Two Styles ~

and two opinions

two interests

two hearts

into

one

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is going to take a miracle

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{ either that, or a lot of c o m p r o m i s e }

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We are planning to build a home this year

(our 5th time at this so it should work out)

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If you are married,

Do your styles and love of architecture and design

M A T C H   or   C L A S H ?

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{ they say opposites attract }

New Bouquets

I love all the flowers that are available

~ even though it is February ~

...I've replaced my bouquets shown a couple posts back...

This one is in the dining room

on the buffet in front of the window

Oh how I love all the

C O L O R

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This bouquet adorns the kitchen island

{after being photographed outside}

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And upstairs in the hallway

more sunflowers to go with my painting

And these flowers won't wilt

... like my previous bouquets did ...

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I created them with silk flowers and greenery

trying to replicate the look of the fresh flower

B O U Q U E T S

from a couple of weeks ago!

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Although I prefer fresh flowers,

this time of year I have none growing in my yard

and needed some lasting beauty

to brighten winters longing to become spring

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{ ... and I see buds appearing, so it won't be long ...}

Winged Headboard

A Little Girl Will Feel

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL

sleeping in a bed with wings as a headboard

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{we will see how those feathers hold up when a little one sleeps here tonight!}

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I had a few other photos I was working on for this post

but the power flickered off twice this morning and my computer restarted

and I lost what I was working on, so this is it for today!

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~ At least we have not lost power like so many have in this snow stormy week ~

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(Hows your weather?)

Reflections

~ Procrastinating in the organizing this morning ~

walking around the house taking photos of the decor that

R E F L E C T S    L I G H T   and   S P A R K L E S

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{now back to work!}

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I'm realizing I have a thing for glass, mirrors, crystals,

and silver that shines!

What makes your heart skip a beat?

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The Chandy and the Cloche

The Dining Room Chandelier

has some Autumn Bling going on now

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Twinkle Lights in the Center

are so pretty at night.

(Battery operated ~ I just wish I didn't have to climb on a chair to turn them off and on)

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The dining room cloche with a sparkly pumpkin

~ Delightfully Welcoming Fall ~

A Desk, and Computer Disguise...

I'm so thrilled with my 'new to me' desk.

It's large, has beautiful details,

~ D R A W E R S ~

(unlike the shabby chic table I was using previously)

and I love the warm wood tones.

Here it is with the computer monitor hiding behind one of my paintings,

and the tower hidden on the floor with the Eiffel Tower boxes.

The cords on my desk are covered with a black

ostrich feather boa.

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I love the computer but don't want it to show!

(My monitor stands 18" tall and is 22" wide, that takes up a lot of desk space!)

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Like me, do you detest the look of cords?

Do you try to hide the computer and all the 'stuff' that goes with it?

(I know with a laptop this is not an issue, but how can I give up this big screen?!?)

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~ I'd love some more hiding ideas! ~

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My large printer is currently hiding behind a full, tulle-skirted gown,

which has become a table skirt.

~ A bit of whimsy always helps ~

:  )

I've Always Loved ....

W h i t e -S h e l l s

P e a r l s

Nests ~ Eggs ~ Vintagy Jewels

The shapes, the sizes, the textures

I love to decorate with them.
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Looking at shells stirs up my joy.
Holding their smoothness, feeling the ridges,
Inspires me.

These are just a few of my favorite things!
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What inspires you?
I'd love to hear!
~ Violet~

Master Bath

In my previous homes I wasn't all that into baths.

But I wanted a comfy tub this time

and I have sooooo enjoyed

my bubble baths!

A claw foot tub,

how strange to me that they are shaped like actual claws.

I wonder how that came to be a design?

Does anyone know how this got started?!?

I found the chandelier at one of my favorite shops,

bought the sheer white curtains at a thrift shop for $4.

A girl can really lounge around in here : )

Chandelier

One more photo from my friends dining room, her beautiful chandelier!

I changed my blog banner this morning to another of my paintings. It is so summery, but later this week I plan on having a Christmas painting up there for the season.

A Beautful Dining Room

Nothing sparkles quite like a silver tea service!

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... I took these photos at my friend Lydia's house the other day ...

Oh look ... a self-portrait!

( ... that's a hat - not a helmet ... )

The large dining room with a water view.

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She made those drapes! I totally am in love with the chandelier.

When I grow up I want to be like Lydia. Or at least have that view.

I mean, if I was a covetous person that is.

And so what if we're the same age.

Oh what a lovely room!

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As I write this, it is dinner time here,

my dear husband has come home from work...

Last night I had a candle-light dinner with home-made delicious chicken-noodle soup and warm whole grain bread. Tonight, thus far I have not made anything at all. My afghan hounds are staring at me (it's their dinner time too.....)

Hmmmm - I wonder what Lydia is serving tonight?