the farmers daughter

It's a white out....

2012-02-24T09:19:00.001-08:00

We are in the middle of a snow "event". Since we haven't had snow this winter really, it's quite a shock to the system to have the only color you see when you look out the windows is white.
What do I do when I'm trapped in the house during a snowstorm? Windows shopping of course..... I'm looking at color and patterns today....and boy did I find some!

DENY designs. They have duvet covers, sheet sets, shower curtains, art, bling boxes....all colorful, lively and beautiful!

These two are my favorites...I think the twins would look fantastic in my bathroom...

Pretty huh? Well, I'm off to do more looking!

Stay safe and warm today!

Because I just don't have enough projects......

2012-02-22T06:49:00.000-08:00

I am considering painting the brick wall in my living room.

Pros-

1. it's fake. The wall AND the brick.
2. There is a non working fireplace behind that sofa.
3. We are going to remove that wall and redo all the walls, the ceiling and the flooring. Just not this year. Or maybe not even next.
4. I have hated it since we moved here......almost 9 years ago.

Cons.
1. It really is fine the way it is.
2. It's a lot of work to paint brick...even if it is just brick facing.
3. I would have to paint that door the same color I think.
4. I am lazy.

Ideas? And yes, that mantle is too high. BUT, to lower it, or remove it would muck up the wall and again, that wall is not being removed and/or fixed this year. It must stay. But, I could paint it the color of the bricks (if I painted) to try to make it blend into the wall more....

The meme that won't die.....

2012-02-21T20:56:00.000-08:00

Where I think about how lucky I am....

2012-02-20T09:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend we were thinking about what we "needed" to do- finish the retaining wall, re do the stone stairs... buy a new vacuum cleaner because ours crapped out this weekend. We "need" to get a new washer and dryer- the washer is dying and uses too much water and the dryer is an energy hog. We "need" new carpet in the living room because it's old and stained. We "need" a new ceiling in there also- it's ugly and we've been talking about moving a wall and replacing the floor and ceiling at the same time.

Really though, we don't "need" to do any of that. We "want" to. We have all that we need and more. We are very lucky. I don't have to work because my Mr. has a good career...not just a job..... I get to volunteer because of that AND I got to raise my son and not put him in any day care....We live in a small community where nothing too awful happens on a daily basis. We have plenty (far too much actually) to eat. We are warm and dry. Although I have had cancer- we had great medical care AND insurance. The boy is smart, happy and healthy. We have too much debt...but we are working on that. We have two working cars. Our parents are great. Mine just came back from a 2 month vacation. His Mom is healthy and happy. We not only have everything we need...but just about everything we want.

We are lucky. I know we are lucky. That is why sometimes I can focus on things that are silly or unnecessary. Why I can think about the pretty instead of the useful.

I am feeling pretty blessed today, and everyday.

Think about that today.

Drip, Drip, Drip.....

2012-02-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

I was sick. So sick that I slept for 42 out of 48 straight hours. Now, I just have a leaky nose . On top of that I had to go see the eye doctor today because I'm nearly blind and he dilated my eyes. 4 hours later and I can sort of see again.
Even though I was going through all that- I still managed to get something done today!

The Mr. brought these home for me last night-

What are they? Two matching bookcases that originally came from the University of Michigan. Made in Holland Michigan. Rough, as you can tell. But they were cheap- 15 bucks each. We can ALWAYS use bookshelves. They are rough, but sturdy little buggers. Plus, the Mr. knows that I have skills.

Today they look like this....

How? Well, I washed them. That helped a lot. And then I used Howard Restor-A- Finish in neutral. Works like a champ. I tested a sample spot last night before going to bed....and when I saw the results this morning I finished them before my appointment.

I can't wait for the Mr. to see them tonight!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Happy Valentines Day

2012-02-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

Although I knew my husband in middle and high school....it wasn't until 18 years later on a vacation back home that I really MET him. I fell for him almost instantly. 6 weeks later I left to go home....and to pack up my stuff to hurry right back to him.

I have NEVER regretted that decision. I was happy before I re-met him, but I didn't know what my life could really be like until I had him in it....

Domino!

2012-02-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Domino is sort of kind of coming back....

Well, one edition. A remix if you will. A compilation of all the good things Domino magazine was. I miss it so....it was the one thing that got me to go get my mail.

I will buy it though...just so I have SOMETHING of the gold age of decor magazines....and to remind me what a sad state decor magazines are in today.

The next big project I know nothing about.....

2012-02-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

I have to re wire a chandelier. Or I need to find someone to pay to rewire this chandelier....

I am totally aware this is an awful picture. Unworthy of being on the Internet even...but I can't go and get the thing right now, and if I don't write about it now, I might not do it for a while. Live with the picture.

The Mr. bought me this lamp at a garage sale this past fall. It was in a box, in pieces. I didn't think it was all there at first...

I was wrong. It's got exposed exterior wiring. Not that I was EVER considering using it's vintage wiring mind you, but this wiring just looks like a fire waiting to happen.

It's bronze colored, but it has spots of white on it- probably from ceiling paint. I have to decide what to do with it's finish, how to re wire it and then get our electrician to run electric into the dining room (no, we don't have it already) and then hang this thing.

I plan on hanging it where the large drum shade is in the dining room

I would really like it to look as good as this

when I get done with it...

I hope it's in my skill set.

The office project

2012-02-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

It's coming along nicely. I'm actually almost done, and I can't believe it myself. Gone is this...

and this....

and I now have this....

I still need art above the sofa...but I'm not sure what I want yet...

I organized the wall of shelves... and although it's hard to believe looking at the sheer amount of stuff here- I purged two Rubbermaid tubs full of stuff...

This is the corner with the craft closet ( I organized that..but I still need to purge some of those supplies)

and, although this isn't cute, it's organized and functional. The tv is huge. It's for my son to watch his movies on and for us to play Wii...but I'm considering buying a flat screen for in here now since I spent almost nothing on this make over.

I spent......5 dollars making over this room. One gallon of mis tint paint that I had actually purchased for my sons bedroom but ended up not needing. I had everything else....the sofa was the old one from the living room, the denim cover has been living under my bed for a year..the curtains are the old ones from my blue bedroom that ended up being stored away when I painted that room green.

There is some changed I'd like to make. I would like a different sofa or chairs in here. Maybe this summer. The sofa works fine though. As I said before, I would like a new tv that takes up far less space. I would like a second chair in here...and maybe some floor pillows. I think I will wait though and see what I want in a week or two.

It's enough now that this room is clean, organized and useful. We have been in this room more in the past two days than in the entire year prior.

Pretty good for a gallon of paint and around 10 hours of work!

More by Candice Olson

2012-01-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

I've gotten to a point now that when I see pictures of rooms I can pick out the ones done by Candice Olson in a flash. Her point of view always comes shining through in the work that she does. It's not that they all look the same, because there is quite a depth to her work. You can tell these rooms are designed for different people and families. But her style is clean and crisp and very much her own.

Here are some more of my favorites...

I love the very natural look of this bedroom. I do love the flowered shade over the bed..

This is one of my favorite living rooms. The sofa and chair are perfect, and that white fireplace wall is to die for. Bonus, the tv (which is not hidden) is in a great location AND height for viewing.

This family room would fit in perfectly in my own home. It looks warm and inviting. It's not formal or stuffy and it looks comfortable. Also, I just love that island/desk/counter area that separates the living room from the kitchen area.

SWOON

Things I must have....

2012-01-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

My birthday is this coming week....and although I really don't want a lot...I do want something. Here's what I've been looking at recently.....

This is a fantastic cubby. I love the thought of putting all my tiny tchotkes in little cubbies.

I want this book. It's not my normal vampire/serial killer/zombie book- but it's odd. And odd is good. For me.

Really. I just want the CHANCE to prove to everyone I can still be me with 105 million dollars. Just a better dressed version. With a nicer car.

I'm thinking of getting a new light over the dining room table. I have a very modern white drum shade lamp now....I'd love something with more character.

I love this sign. I can't have it up around my kid or parents...but I LOVE this sign. I know I could DIY it....but it's a bit racy for me.

Really.

I don't want much huh? Just some simple stuff. BUT, I'll be happy if I just get the book and some time with my husband.

Have a great weekend.

Here at La Casa Verde...

2012-01-27T14:44:00.000-08:00

We had an ice day here...no school. Lots of googling things, Lego and watching old movies.... and that started me thinking.
I have a spare room that has been nothing but a crap collector since we moved here....it's never really been an office or a studio. It's 8ft x 10 ft and too small to be a guest room. I don't need an office anymore since I no longer work. I stopped doing my dolls and even if I start up...I have a studio in the basement. SO- what to do with this space? In a house this small an unused room is just wasteful. Then it came to me....

A tv room. For the boy. I can set up the machines in here...with a sturdier non flat screen tv. He can read, draw, watch a dvd when he doesn't want to be with us. Then, at night it can be used as a place to read so I don't disturb my Mr. when he wants to sleep.
I'm feeling good. I have a function for this room now. Now, paint.

I'm leaning towards the blue on the bottom right. It's grey-er- in person. I like the browns, but they seem rather dark. The bottom left is lavender. No. Just no.

The room has one wall of built in bookshelves that are staying of course. I am hoping to cull the herd a bit though. The artwork propped up is my brothers....I think it will end up staying in here even though it is ginormous.

So, here is a full before picture of the crap....

The craft closet...

the tv cart...

and the light fixture I love that is going to stay....

There are my befores.... I am going to try to empty the room this weekend and prime a wall or two....then I can start painting. I need seating, lighting, and a clear organizational plan before this is even close to completion. But first, let me start on the paint job.

I have a tiny.....kitchen.

2012-01-20T14:09:00.000-08:00

Really, it's gotta be the smallest non- apartment kitchen I have ever seen. The kitchen space itself is 9 ft long and 8 ft wide...so when you take out the space for the cabinets the kitchen is 9 ft long and 4 ft wide. We have a large walk in pantry that is another 4 ft by 6 -but it's in the hallway to the basement and so not really IN the kitchen, although that pantry makes it possible for us to use the kitchen space.
When we decided on the house, it was due to its location and view. Certainly not the 1970's tri colored (sticky) shag carpet, the fake wood cabinets, the smokey mirrored shelves in the dining room or the fake brick fake fireplace in the living room. It also wasn't the bathrooms that are both smaller than 4x6 ft, the bedrooms that are 8x10 ft or the hobbit sized kitchen. No, it was because this....

is my backyard.

In order to get that though...we got this....

and something like this...

now, these are not MY kitchen. I wasn't into blogging when we moved here and I was pregnant, had just survived a horrible roll over crash AND was fighting cancer. I didn't take many "before" pictures. These are to show what my kitchen looked like-although my appliances were avocado and biscuit- not mustard colored- the similarity is frightening!

Now, this bad boy IS my kitchen...after I painted the cabinets white. Look at the beautiful carpet. The fantastic white PAISLEY counter tops. The whole 4 FEET of counter space available! I mean, how could you pass up a kitchen like this? The microwave large enough to cook a Turkey and the fluorescent light fixture just takes my breath away to this day...

The first thing we did after I painted was to rip up the sticky carpet. We laid down vinyl tiles. I know, vinyl. BUT that was 7 years ago and they are still fantastic. I love them. We bought Armstrong tiles and they are one of the changes we made that I have NEVER second guessed.

We pulled up the 2 ft counter by the stove and installed a butcher block top on that, then installed a small 12 inch cabinet we got off craigslist with a butcher block top on the other side of the stove. With a small child having a kitchen that ended with a hot stove didn't make a lot of sense.

Then we decided to use what used to be an eat in kitchen area ( and we used as a walkway) as an extension of the kitchen. We built a bar height table with a butcher block top we got out of a home remodel a friend did. My husband also built the header that now seperates the area from the dining room.

We bought new appliances. A smaller white microwave, a new stove and dishwasher. All white to go with the cabinets and counter tops.

And we put bead board on the back splash area and the soffit.

The bar area became the computer area. We found an old maple cubby in a barn sale and after cleaning it (many many times) it's perfect for our day to day stuff .

It's not done by any means. I need to do a back splash on the stove side of the kitchen. One day I want to blow out a door and make the room bigger. I want new cabinets.... BUT, instead of being a tiny eyesore, it's just tiny. And, I do want to say it works. I cook in this kitchen every day- 3 meals from scratch. I have cooked every holiday dinner for the entire family every year we've been here. I've had many dinner parties. It might be small, but it works.

And the carpet is gone.

Resolution reminder.....

2012-01-19T14:13:00.001-08:00

Just like I promised....art

2012-01-18T12:14:00.000-08:00

My art, like my writing and decor, has evolved over time. What I do has changed. How I do it has changed. Mainly I suppose, because my life has changed. Here is one of the latest projects I did. It was for my Mother for her birthday. She loves old cutting board pigs. I like skulls. I married the two...here is the progression of the painting....

It's sitting in front of a painting my brother did years ago... that's his "the wages of sin is death" painting. It goes well with the pig though.

And yes, she loved it.

So, the re do.

2012-01-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

This blog has always been sort of the red head step child of my blogs. I have honestly never known what to do with it. When I spun off of my original blog Just one more chair I thought I would use this location to park my inspiration photos, and then I started another blog for my vintage/thrift finds and then another for my art, and still another for my son. That was too much work...and I am literally lazy. And not that focused. Then came facebook and then twitter (which I have given up) and I was too far gone to know what to do next. Too much social media made me shut down. I even stopped posting on my original blog for weeks at a time.

I stopped watching tv, reading online mags- I had a total online and media shut down. I even stopped putting merchandise on my Etsy site. But I have thought about things, and now I've come to some decisions- plus a HUGE backlog of saleable items....
First. I am going to keep up my main blog and use that for my day to day life- and to keep my with my blogging friends that I have known for many years now.... and I am keeping my sons blog for him and the family. I am going to fold my art and my resale/vintage/thrift finds blogs into this site- as those define my style and this blog is going to be about my style. My style. Things I like- what I want in my house and what I covet. Maybe even sometimes about stuff I hate. Doing this will allow me to focus on 3 sites and I'm sure I can handle that without spreading myself too thin.

I might not post everyday...but I will post often. I troll these internets way too often to sit on stuff I've found too long.

I want to redesign the page but that will come in time. For now, I'll be importing some pics from the other sites here and there....along with new thoughts and feelings about them.

This site is being redone

2012-01-04T10:39:00.001-08:00

more to come soon!

Sexual Assault Prevention tips....

2011-06-11T08:53:00.001-07:00

Front yard work-landscaping by the skin of your teeth...

2011-05-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

Befores
This porch thing was on the house when we bought it...the sides have been taken down by the time this pic was taken- there was lattice work on all the sides. It was horrible.

A few years ago I built the path to the second door (there wasn't one when we bought the place) and put in some dogwoods and a big rock.

NOW

The dogwoods got too big so we replaced them with grasses. I pulled the mulch up and replaced that with river rocks...The porch was cut down and made to look like a normal persons porch

The pavers you see by the door are to fix the walkway. The last 3 ft or so dropped in the past few years and the water pools there during rains. It needs to be fixed.

This still has mulch in it- it will be changed over to river rock too....

closeup of my porch......I'm going for a boho old southern look...

Real life interferes yet again....

2011-05-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Jase blew up our second car- my old car. My meth head cousin and her low life husband are running from the law. I had an appointment with my oncologist. Jase has to go in for exploratory stomach surgery. I got called up for jury duty.

BUT- we got a new truck- 1800 bucks in all it's glory-

the cops will eventually get my scofflaw relatives and besides, we have already got their kids out of that hell hole, my Dr. visit went ok (just waiting on my test results now) and maybe they can find what's wrong with my husbands stomach and fix it...and the trial I was supposed to be a jury on had a last minute plea deal- no courtroom time for me!!!!

bonus- I leave for vacation in less than two weeks!!!!

Life is ok. It's just busy sometimes....

have a happy holiday weekend.

where asparagus comes from

2011-05-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

by my house!

The lamp I want- if only I had 395 bucks...

2011-05-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Adler Naughty Lamp in New

Tony Gemignani - How to Make Pizza Dough Fundamentals

2011-04-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

GLEE - "Do You Wanna Touch Me" Full Performance feat. Gwyneth Paltrow! (...

2011-03-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

Bowling For Soup - Girl All The Bad Guys Want

2011-03-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

Music for the weekend......

snow plow vs. Reporter

2011-02-26T15:22:00.000-08:00

this was over 4 years ago and about 80 miles to the north, but with what we're dealing with right now- it seems applicable...

watch a snowplow driver plow a highway

2011-02-03T08:45:00.000-08:00

yes, this is after snow-meggedon, or snowpocolypse, or deathstorm 2011 or whatever it's being called right now. We got over 12 inches of snow with 30mph winds causing 5 ft drifts. We are now on our second day off of school as they are trying to dig out the back roads for the busses. Yippe. Oh, did I mention it was -13F last night here? Bonus.

Living room ideas- and my own space!

2011-01-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

Over the Christmas break I had a lot of time to be on the computer widows shopping for decor ideas-my son got that horrid flu over break. I came up with few ideas and ended up getting more and more frustrated as the days went by. I don't know if that was because I was trying to do that while cleaning up little boy puke, or if that room is just my decor black hole.

This first picture is from desire to inspire... I love the large horse art, the olive green wall color and the off white sofa. It looks comfortable to me, and somehow boy proof at the same time....

This picture below is uncredited on my computer... I'm guessing it's English too- maybe I got it off of Living etc....? I would credit it if I could. I love that furniture. I love the art on the wall. I am less enthralled with the cow udder like light fixture, but overall, that space is fantastic.

This mess is my living room. The fireplace is fake. It used to be real, but it set the house on fire, so it was removed and the roof covered over. The firebox is still there though, and so I have electric logs in there right now. The brick is real brick, but just a facing so it's thin. I hate this wall. It's the bane of my existence. The wall is at an angle, by the unused pass through and on the right is the door to the back deck. It's useless. I hate it.

The table is a family piece, it's the top of my MIL's real parents dining room table. It's HUGE but it's needed as this is where the boys have snacks, do homework, read and draw and do legos etc.... The sofas are on their last legs. The plycraft chair is uncomfortable- but I love how it looks. The only thing I really like is the curtains.

I need a change.

I have lost my Mojo

2011-01-17T10:27:00.000-08:00

and that's why I have taken a week off..... I'll be back soon when I stop acting like an
(_._)

Plus, I have updates and style photos to share!

Los Pistoles - I'm Going To Build Me A Bar

2011-01-10T09:30:00.000-08:00

That's my brother Grego singing....

A new wall in the basement.....

2011-01-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

The sliding door in the basement is a piece of crap. No mincing words here. It was installed backwards. Yes, backwards. It's so very old that it just LEAKS everywhere. It's not secure. It's not safe. BUT, we haven't fixed it yet. I don't like sliders at all anyway- even good ones, so the Mr. offered to up a fake wall for me. That way we can still access the crappy door and get stuff in and out, but I won't be terrified of the sliding door anymore.

This is only about 1/4 done so far. The right side is a new fake wall with an actual vintage door in the center of it. That door cost me 2 bucks. Behind the door will be a large, sliding wooden door on a metal bar- like a barn door. It's built and needs to be hung. I'm planning on painting the entire thing the color of the wall, and when the top is finished and the ceiling brought back it will look like a sliding wall. I hope.

Bonus, it's going to have a huge lock so I won't worry about a break in as much.

YEA!

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.....

2011-01-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

If I knew where I could buy this I would. If I knew a link to it I would post it. I LOVE this piece and would frame it and put it up in my kitchen.

Do YOU know where it's sold?

My Christmas Present....

2010-12-28T18:12:00.001-08:00

The Mr. got me a face jug....

A gift....

2010-12-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

When some husbands go out for the day to go shopping they bring their wives home some flowers or candy. Mine brings me furniture for me to refinish.

I love it.

It obviously needs work and it's not marked, but it's cute.

thanks honey

Pure Michigan: Winter Virgins

2010-12-16T16:47:00.000-08:00

YEA! School is open!!!!

2010-12-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

From bluntcard.com

Snow day number 2

2010-12-14T04:29:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you take and ice storm, cover it with 5 to 7 inches of snow, drop the temp to 7 degrees and then shake it up with 30MPH winds?

Snow day number 2. Arg.

Not so naked tree!

2010-12-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

This is the tree (s) as they stand right now.... I will continue to tweek them and move some ornaments as I notice errors- like right now I see I need to fix the tree skirt cause it's all bunched up at the base..... I think I did ok, considering I'm VERY allergic to this tree and can't even spend much time in this room with these in there

The boy likes nutcrackers... so I bought a ton to put around the living room.

The hanging dolly thing was a toy of my Mothers when she was a baby. I can't image giving such a obvious choking hazzard to a baby, but it was 60+ years ago....

I'm sure there will be more Christmas pics... but the boy has PINKEYE for Gods sake, and I need to focus on that right now!

Have a fabulous weekend.

It's a naked tree!

2010-12-07T18:14:00.000-08:00

Here is the Frasier fir before it gets all tarted up for the holidays. Actually, there is a smaller tree next to it now- my son got himself a 4 ft Frasier that sits just to it's right.

Tonight we put the lights on it, tomorrow the decorations.

Ikea Bedroom Makeover before and after

2010-12-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

it's a little TOO Ikea for me.... but it sure is an improvement!

PLASTIC STATE OF MIND - Parody with Purpose

2010-11-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

Mondays are such a....

2010-11-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

First off.. I feel like this....

So I went Windows shopping and found these and felt better...

Mark Jacob elf booties... then I keep surfing and saw

(and read) this.

And things were a bit better.

snow is coming.

Christmas wish lists... part one..

2010-11-21T10:53:00.000-08:00

These are all from At West End. I don't work for them, I'm not getting anything for free- I just got the catalog in the mail and saw some items I really liked that I thought I would share. That's it.

ceramic heads.. 59 bucks. In a few colors! There are stools too

vine monkeys. I love these since I saw them at our local zoo. 69.00 bucks...

three dimensional barracuda crafted in Haiti of old tomato paste drums and comes with chain. 198.00 I love this one the best I think....

paper mache woman \ small 22.00
they have other sized of the heads.... I think that three, male and female in different sizes would look fantastic!

Christmas is coming....

2010-11-20T14:04:00.001-08:00

and I want to do some outside decorating this year.....

have a nice weekend....

Airstreams as offices and other prototypes....

2010-11-15T06:37:00.000-08:00

I usually hate prototypes. It's like the entire flying car fiasco of the 50's and 60's. I think they just get your hopes up and when they don't come to fruition (and let's face it- they rarely ever do) you end up frustrated and upset. That said... if this baby EVER comes to market I will be first in line for it.

I would go camping in this for sure.

Since I know this won't happen in my lifetime (or my sons for that matter) I am forced to think about the other options- and that is a vintage airstream trailer. I so want one-just to park in my rock garden and use as an art studio. The view would be fantastic and I would have a project to work on for YEARS I'm sure....

from here

I could really use one of these....

crazy week.....

2010-11-13T06:23:00.000-08:00

sorry, it's been an awful, horrid, sick crazy week. My worst week in a long, long time. So, I've been looking at shoes. Shoes and purses make me feel better.... but right now I'm in the market for shoes. here's what I'm looking at now....

campus

These two are Frye shoes. I love Frye's- since I had my first pair of boots in the 1970's and I wore them into the ground. I'm a bit afraid of that 4 1/2 inch heel though...

harlow

is this the worst picture in the world or not? Geez... but it's the docile by Steve Madden and it is the show that I want, oxford styling, lace up with a reasonable heel...

although this aerosole shoe would be perfect with my skirts this fall...

They didn't make me feel better, but at least I got one thing done this week. Monday it's off to the shops!

This week I'll have a few posts regarding Thanksgiving- it's creeping up on me and since I have to cook for the entire extended family (again) I need to have a plan.

have a wonderful weekend!

weekend links....

2010-11-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

what I'm reading.....

My boy is not the only person in this family who loves to read. I'm planning on getting this new book on Cleopatra "Cleopatra: a life" by Stacy Schiff

I'm looking for a new vampire series to keep me reading until Sookie comes back - I need vampire romance novels people... ideas? And don't say twilight.... I like vampires who drink blood, can't see the sun and have sex.... and don't "twinkle" or "sparkle" or whatever it is those teenagers do...

Much has already been blogged and written about this article about bathing and the lack of it.. my 2 cents? I have dyed hair- red- and I've been doing it for almost 30 years. I can't wash it daily- the color runs out and it gets dry and brittle. I wash my hair 2 times a week- three if I do something sweaty or it's hot outside. Is that TMI? probably...

Cousin Eddie "the shitters full" is full on bat shit nuts.....

I do have to get Anthropologies holiday catalog this week... it looks interesting...

there's more, but I'm going to play lego with my boy

have a good weekend... stay warm and enjoy that extra hour of sleep

Red Velvet Fried Chicken....

2010-11-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm intrigued by this red velvet fried chicken. Intrigued and kind of disgusted. It is fried chicken (one of my most favorite foods) but it is covered in cake batter (another one of my favorite foods) and I don't think they belong together...... I might be wrong though...... it's still on their menu and it's been 3 months.

The mashed potatoes sound really good though.....

Not casual, not simple- The Devils Chair...

2010-11-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

here.

I actually like this chair... just not for my house.

The 1960s chair above, by Anthony Redmile, is made from malachite, bone, horn, and wood.

Modern, organic, rustic living rooms...

2010-11-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

The style and location of your house should really decided how you decorate. I don't care how much you love Arizona and the desert, if you live in Ohio, southwestern design is probably not the best choice for you. I live in a rural area in the woods. I do love modern, clean lines so I think that rustic modern is the way to go for us.... here are some inspiration pics...

I love the ceiling and the lines in this pictures...

This is a bit rustic for me, but I love it....

I love that wall art, that ceiling and those chairs.... COVET!

currently coveting....

2010-11-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

Things I want....
a house in the desert....

My house would look fantastic re built as this...plus, I want a black house

a wonderful hanging fireplace.... overlooking my river....

making driftwood sculptures....

a view like this....

a vintage airstream to use as a studio...

wish upon a star....

After Halloween is......Christmas?

2010-11-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

At least to the stores I went to today..... They just skipped right over Thanksgiving, and all the displays are jingle, jingle, jingle.

I'm working on my Thanksgiving menu, but culled some holiday pics today to start me thinking and designing....

From Chez Larsson I want to make my own wreaths this year I think...

I want to build upon my Scandinavian Christmas theme, and ditch the more formal stuff I've been using for years...

I want to continue to do my antler tree....

and I want to get the boy a gift that will out do last years!

small stuff, right?

The Fridge couch

2010-10-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

remaking something junky into something useful...

Navy blue 1984 BMW 735i back seat w/ central arm rest in Electric Orange and a 1983 Admiral Dual-Temp refrigerator trimmed w/ pecan oak shelving, integral padded arm-rests adjustable side racks, lower door shelf with fridge handle legs.

I know, but I love this thing!

blue boys bedroom

2010-10-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

I love this rom, the loft bed is one of my favorites, but the curtains are a close runner up....

We lost power for a few days, so now that we are back up I'm just catching up on everything that we missed.... I'll try to do a links post tomorrow and be back on Monday.

Have a good weekend..

Urban Outfitters Atlas tapestry

2010-10-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about getting this for the boys room and hanging it up on the wall (the entire wall)....

Scandinavian design....

2010-10-25T08:12:00.000-07:00

From a Realtors website-Bolaget. I wish I knew what it said, I wish I could read Swedish (as I am partially Swedish that's not even an odd wish) but I can't. I'm forced to just look at the pictures. And what pictures they are....

there's just so many fantastic pictures of fantastic apartments that it makes me want to pack up my clothes and move right now.

Take a peek at the outdoor spaces while you are there-the parks and streets are spectacular.

area rugs.....

2010-10-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

We need a new area rug under our dining room table. We actually enter the house via this room, so the floor gets dirty, and we live in the north, so the floor gets cold. Oh, and I want it to be cheap. We still have that bad dog and it's under a table that a 6 yr. old eats at daily. It won't have a long life either way....The room is white now, with brown and orange accents... the rooms around it are green....

Some options- these are Mohawks.... the first one has good colors, the second is neutral...

Then these are Ikea.. I don't usually like Ikea rugs...the first one I think is very cool, but the colors aren't right... the second one I think would look fantastic...

I've always wanted a hide... but I think that under the table probably isn't a good call....

have a great weekend. I'm going rug shopping and maybe I'll have some live shots next week

The lamp I want from Lowes....

2010-10-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

I want it over my dining room table (yes, this is an old picture- the ceiling fan is gone and there is a wall over there by the computer-which now has a flat screen monitor- wow...just how old IS this picture?Well, the table and chairs are the same....)

in place of that white drum shade... bonus... it's only 159.00 and they have it at my local Lowes!

a bit of yellow....

2010-10-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

and a very nifty home office.....

sorry, just home from volunteering and need to cook dinner for the family... I'll be better tomorrow....

My favorite art-runner up edition....Lichtenstein and Culver and more...

2010-10-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

my fake Lichtenstein.... it's a copy of some sort of "we Rose up Slowly" without the words...

It's huge and I do love it.

a Charles Culver watercolor from the 50's....

This came from an art professor at the university....

this is a print that my Mr. gave me for my new office......

My favorite 3 pieces of art

2010-10-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

If you are lucky enough to have art in your own home, then you probably have your favorite piece. I have three, and they are all my favorites but for different reasons...

This one is a piece that was painted by my brother Grego. This is actually a personal piece of his about his divorce. I do not love it because of that reason. I love it because it helped him work out and get through a rough patch in his life. When he "didn't need it anymore" he gave it to me. (sorry about the monitor corner.. this is above my computer desk)

This next piece I love simply because someone must have spent a long time on this. It's a chalk of a very dead pheasant. It is VERY, VERY old. When we bought it (for less than 2 bucks) it was just loose in a cruddy frame. We had it re matted and framed in an antique frame that I already owned and loved. I think it came out wonderfully and I have it up in our living room now...

This last piece is something I picked up in an antique store in Austin about 10 years ago. It's a fishing village, maybe Haitian. It's signed Louisius. I had it by my bedside for about 8 years, now it's in the entry way. I love to be able to see it when going out the door- especially in the winter. It gives me hope that summer is coming soon....

Tomorrow I'll post my runner ups....

Fall leaves start me thinking about next spring....

2010-10-13T06:02:00.000-07:00

because those thoughts keep me going through the Michigan winters....

I have to start planning the outside plantings and deck sometime in January.. so it's time to get some inspiration pics now.

The Mr. won a custom fire ring last week- you know the large metal rings that stand a few inches tall that you can build a fire pit in the middle. That means another seating area.... I happen to like this one a lot....

I have a green Coolaroo that is like the white one above....

I love how this seating area looks..very fresh and clean and comfortable. I wonder how it holds up to daily use and being outside in the elements?

just a corner of my living room.....

2010-10-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

the mr. and I have a bet on how long I can keep the ferns alive....

Tiny, itty bitty little bathrooms

2010-10-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

I happen to have two tiny bathrooms in my house. No big bathrooms at all. The main bath is approx 6x8 (including the shower) the 1/2 bath is approx 6x4. A wall separates them from each other so maybe one day I will have one smallish bathroom instead of two tiny ones.

Last winter the Mr. and I re did the larger of the two bathrooms....took out the toilet and put a new wax ring in, re did the floor and put in a new euro sink and vanity. I figured that even saving a foot of floor space would be useful in a space this small. Next we have to replace the shower enclosure. I have the room painted the same color as the shower to try to open it up- and my accessories are white and dark brown. The floor is brown too..... it looks ok (WAY better than it used to....) but oh, is it dull. So, I went windows shopping today....

This is my entire main bathroom right now.... this is the right side when entering the door..

This is the left side when entering the door.....

Yes, tiny.

Here are some inspiration pictures I found....

This is from Jessica Helgerson. I love it, but don't feel I can do wallpaper in the bathroom due to the moisture....

This is fantastic, but he metal sink base gives me NO storage and I'm not crazy about seeing pipes...but with a euro cabinet I think I would love this look.

This one and the one below are my favorites. Yes, the examples are too large, but I could find smaller, single cabinets that are similar..I love the walk in shower above....

and I love the mirror and floor in this this room....

I love this room, but the wainscoting wouldn't work with my family of boys (and neither would that rug!) and we have a septic...so baths aren't a common thing in my house. A shower is what we need.

so I came away with...not much. I find I like my bathrooms more traditional. I like tile more than wood. I prefer a single sink than a double. Even if we did have a bigger bathroom, I would never use it with anyone else. ICK.....I love my husband, but I don't want to brush my teeth with him! mostly, though, most pictures of bathrooms show huge mega mcmansion bathrooms or ugly before pictures of bathrooms. Looks like I'm on my own.

have a happy weekend....

My favorite flower of all time-

2010-10-05T11:46:00.000-07:00

spider mums! Yes, they are common. In every grocers flower bin probably.... but they are fantastic.

First, look at that fantastic green color. Second, those petals. So interesting.

Even better, you they last for so long- you can really do some interesting arrangements with them...

and they look fantastic in every room you put them in....

These are fantastic last minute flowers and will perk up any home interior.

Orange is the color of fall....

2010-10-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

maple trees where I live....

mums for homecoming...

and football where I'm from!

have a happy fall....

Mid century or danish modern desks....

2010-10-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

I love desks. I've always owned at least one (now I have three that I can think of right away) and I am always on the lookout for desks with great bones... here are a few I'm coveting right now- plus my own!

Mid century desk

look at all those great built in drawers!

Wormley desk

My desk in my dining room

Edward Wormley

desk, model 5735

Guilty Pleasures-tv edition....

2010-09-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

These past 10 days or so I have read all 10 of the Southern Vampire mystery books- the Sookie Stackhouse books. You know, the books that True Blood is based on. All 10. I didn't mean to get hooked, but I did.

When I first started watching True Blood, I hadn't read the books. Now that I have I find myself looking at the show in a different light. Next season is going to have a story line about a witch that was in my favorite of the books (Dead to the World). I hope Alan Ball keeps the storyline centered around Eric (like in the books) and NOT Bill. First, Eric is a Viking. Vikings trumps civil war vets any day in book. Plus, the actor playing Eric, Alexander , is beautiful, so that's a huge bonus (he was voted the sexiest man in Sweden 5 times.) To top is off, True Blood is NOT Twilight. There is blood, gore, sex and violence. Everything I need to have in my guilty pleasure- tv Edition....

Thom Filicia Is my style hero.....

2010-09-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

I can't remember anything that I have seen of his that I haven't fallen for hook line and sinker. Add into that that he really seems to design FOR his clients instead of AROUND them. Plus, his designs for the most part, seem quite livable.

I especially love his own lake house. These pictures are from Domino (RIP) I believe..... since I have a love of Taxidermy, this spoke to me...

This, I don't believe is from the Lake House, but I do love his art gallery above this credenza...

The arrangement is fantastic... and I love the natural touches here and there...

well, I'm off to do more Windows shopping!

my new little corner of the world....

2010-09-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

in my living room, that is. The picture is a very old chalk that we got for about 2 bucks at a garage sale. We had it professionally framed- the frame though is another very old piece I've had with me for years. Together I think they look spectacular. Less modern that my usual taste, but in keeping with the rustic look our house is acquiring.

The curtains are also new, 3.51 on super clearance from Lowes. Yes, that's 3.51 per panel. They are Waverly and very heavy. I love them, and think the orange color goes well with the green/tan paint. I always put up different curtains in the winter (and then again in the summer). It's a family tradition- and the heavier weight curtains help with the cold windy winters we get up in the great white north.

my favorite picture in the world

2010-09-16T10:06:00.000-07:00

right now, of course....

I want to live here.

But, I really want that ceiling.

Home offices and studios

2010-09-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

I am starting the process of re-doing my office. The Mr. built me a wall of shelves for my books and items and now I have to decided what design the room will take. The only thing that I really want to keep is the light fixture, so it's sort of a clean slate-oh, except for the forest green carpet. That has to stay. Did I mention it's a tiny office? It's only 8x10, with two windows a small closet with shelves and a door to the hallway. The layout makes things difficult to say the least....

Here are some of my idea photos...

I like the idea of a day bed or a sitting area.....

the light fixture in this room is very similar to the one I am keeping in mine. That is where the similarities end I am afraid....

well, back to planning...

due to circumstances beyond my control

2010-09-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

No blog yesterday or today. We had a huge windstorm-gusts of 45mph- and no power. Things are just getting back to normal now, and tomorrow will be a better- bloggier day!

Stay warm and dry!

It's another kids bedroom....

2010-09-04T13:14:00.000-07:00

This one by Kenneth Brown. I love it. It's not a theme, it doesn't look like an adult lives there. It's age appropriate-for all ages- and not a sticker in sight!

Projects I am thinking about...

2010-09-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

plywood covered hallway walls....

staining my danish modern chairs a darker walnut color....

painting an old tool box I own to make it something special...

bedroom inspiration

2010-08-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

modern bedroom design by new york interior designer Susan Kennedy Design

it's perfect... and close to what I might even be able to do in my own space..

Basement inspiration

2010-08-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

we are re doing our basement. It's a walkout, and big- we have a bar area, a tv area and a 9 ft long pool table down there. It's paneled in all its 1970's glory- and the paneling isn't going anywhere. I don't even plan to paint it. Here are some inspiration pictures so you have an idea of where I'm going....

a rustic living room. ( I don't know where this pic came from- probably southern living)

Billy Reid stores- Nashville.

SO, you can see, I am going for a rustic, masculine look- semi traditional because that's the style of the gigantic pool table. Lots of wood, taxidermy, etc... it's going to be a fine line between cool old dude stuff and country crap. I hope I don't cross it...

one last hurrah....

2010-08-26T16:17:00.001-07:00

the boy at the Mackinac bridge , originally uploaded by thefarmersdaughter.

The boy and I did a late summer road trip..... here he is, trying to find the "edge of Michigan"

Outdoor stairs

2010-08-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

I have a hill behind my house, going down it is the only way to get from the upper yard to the lower yard. It needs to be safe, but it also needs to be attractive- as you can see it-clearly-from the living room. Also, when it rains, it becomes a raging waterfall.

I am considering putting in stone flagstone steps- like the idea pics above. With a slight curve (pulling the stairs away from the house) they should direct the ragine torrents of rain water away from the basement. Larger stones should be safe to walk down- for both the boy and the old dog.

This just might be a fall project.

I just got a new car ....

2010-08-20T18:15:00.001-07:00

so I'm going on a week long road trip.

have a happy end of summer!

more kids room ideas

2010-08-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

If I seem to focus on kids rooms, it's because I have one. And, like almost every mother, it seems to be the bain of my existence. He doesn't have enough space. He doesn't have enough storage. He likes so many things, so many DIFFERENT things, that nothing seems to go together. Add that up and throw in a dash of hand me down furniture and you have me windows shopping for new kids room ideas daily......

I don't know where this came from- probably a kids furniture sight. I like the light wood and the color combo.

what a great reading nook....

building up might be the only choice for us in his room...

ok, so not a kids room, this is from Ikea 2011 catalog. But, it's great and could be a kids room...

Living room inspiration

2010-08-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

James Braund

I love the wood in this room, the pop of green and that sofa!

I love the leather sofa and the white brick fireplace and all the windows...

again, I love the white fireplace and the wood floors...

oh, look. Another white fireplace. wood. Green. I think that I have a style showing up here.

See, fall and winter is coming soon and I have to do something with the living room. I like the greenish tan on the walls, and the sofa I can't do much about... but I can change the fireplace wall if I wanted to. It's brick- but not good brick. It's tan and brown and kinda nasty. Plus, in a year or two it's going to be gone. SO- now is the time to experiment and I believe it's going to be with white paint!

Let's all have a more responsible home!

2010-08-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

At what point did the house become more about the future tenant than the current resident? It's hard to trace the moment, but let's hope it’s passed. Because for too long, home design has been hijacked by the allure of resale value. Maybe now we can begin again to think of our houses not as investments but as homes." — Allison Arieff

New york times

With 1.6 million properties in forclosure in the first part of 2010, I hope that the trend of upgrading just for upgradings sake is over.

I can't tell you how much I hate granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in every single house. Not to burst your housing boom bubble- not every kitchen needs those upgrades. Not everyone likes those upgrades. I happen to love my white appliances and butcherblock countertops-they look fantastic in my kitchen AND work well for me.

The more people start to listen to themselves- what THEY want and need- and less to HGTV and real estate agents they'll be happier AND have less debt.

Personal style...

2010-08-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

I've been going on and on about houses for so long, I forgot all about myself... but with fall closing on us fast (hard to think about that though when it's 90 outside) I have started thinking about new clothes and personal style for the fall/winter season..... first though, transitional items for fall..... all these items are from the Sundance Catalog

light and airy, but with a darker color and a longer length. Perfect for fall.

I love silver jewelry that isn't pretentious or dainty.

darker wash jeans. Straight or bootcut-no slim for me! It's also not popular in the area I live in so no social pressure at all to change my mind.

shoes and boots from Timberland Boot Company. I love these laceups and these boots have been dancing through my thoughts since I first saw them.

Larger, crossbody tote bag for daytime...

This is the style of dressing that I feel more comfortable in, that works for me. It's taken me a LONG time to figure this out-not go chasing after every trend.

Knowing your own style and being confident enough to wear it means that you won't be buying every last trend that comes (and goes) in the stores. That you can actually afford to buy nicer pieces-better leathers-because you aren't buying a ton of clothes that might never make it out of your closet again. You will be making clothing choices that work for you-not the retail stores. And, better yet, you won't be hauling bag after bag of your poor choices to the thrift store after each season.

For those of you who don't want a deer head on the wall...

2010-08-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

From Z gallerie.... 199.95 plus a 20 dollar handling fee...... but it's cool.....

Jeffery Gordon Smith

2010-08-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

If I could hire any landscape architect, it would be Jeffery Gordon Smith

hands down. If you can't see from these pics go to his site. It's beautiful.

The grasses, the raised beds, the pavers. They are all perfect. And that clapboard house...... I covet it all.

Ferris State University Dog Days

2010-07-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

are tomorrow at 5th 3rd ball park in Grand Rapids. The whitecaps are playing the Dayton Dragons! Bring your own dog and watch Jake the Diamond Dog!

The first 1,000 kids eat free! After the game all kids can run the bases! Clifford the big red dog will be there roaming the stands! Tickets range from 5 to 13 bucks....

The boy, the Mr. and myself will be there along with tons of Ferris people enjoying a great day at the ball field.... I won't be bringing Chuy though, at 13, almost 14, that would be too much excitement for the little guy.....

Maybe not my style, but we all need to stretch a little...

2010-07-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

these are all from country living not a normal place for me to find style ideas, but as I said, we all need to stretch and re think our spaces and what our style really is.

This is just a fantastic eclectic living room space.. I love that art propped on the wall...

Although I would never choose this for myself, I think that the rustic skin and the gold framed denim sofa look fantastic together...

I so want this chair....

I can see myself in this space- even with the trippy turquoise chairs!

Slipcovers for life...

2010-07-29T08:59:00.001-07:00

This winter I am going to teach myself how to sew a slipcover..... I swear I am.....

casual modern outdoors....

2010-07-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

no idea where this came from, probably Apartment therapy. Love the butterfly chairs, even if my dear husband does not.

this is a DIY planter made w/cement blocks and succulents.

oh....to have a roof garden.

It's too hot to spent much time outside today- so these pics will have to do for now...

stay cool

Boys room

2010-07-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

The boy really wanted one of my fabric pieces for his room.... fabric that I stretch on a large frame and hang like artwork. His room is so small I didn't think I could do one, so a while ago I did a tiny King Tut for him. That just "wasn't enough" for him, so I started looking for fabric....
I found some fantastic fabric at Ikea (of course) and we had plenty of scrap wood in the garage. It was maple though, and I wouldn't normally recommend using such a hard wood because it's nearly impossible to staple the fabric into the wood. Use pine if you diy this yourself...

This is the frame up against my very dirty dining room table (we just had come back from vacation) It's a simple butt jointed square with a single support in the center. Screw it together. Use some glue in the joints. You can make this whatever size you need for the fabric.

Then stretch your fabric on the frame. I do the center first. One staple on the top and one on the bottom to stablize the fabric and make it easier to deal with. Then I staple the top, then flip it, pull taut, and staple the bottom. Pick a side, pull and staple, and then the other. Don't pull so tight that the frame shifts or the fabric pulls, put it should be tight.

I attached two d rings to the frame at the top corners and hung with picture hooks that each can handle 40 lbs. A little overkill I'm sure, but it won't be falling down. Also, this way it can swing up and away from what is behind this dog, which is a window. It's never really opened due to it's location so It's okay being covered for now. I think it's too big for the space, but the boy loves it and so it stays.

The whole thing cost me 3.99. The wood was free and the staples were free. When the boy tires of it and wants it gone- I have no issues since it was just so darn cheap!

Two small changes.....

2010-07-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

One of my on line friends Jennifer sent me some window cling "wallpaper" for my new back door..... I have always had curtains over that door- I don't like open windows for one thing, but the biggest reason was the draft from the old door. In the winter the frost around the door sweep was 1/2 inch thick at times! Now that the door is new and tight- and the window is covered- I can remove the curtains. I love the look of this- and with the trim painted white and the screws covered up with the white buttons, this will be very nice.....

This past spring I removed another set of curtains behind the tv and replaced them with a fabric screen over the window, so now, my living room only needs 4 curtain panels. My current summer curtains were over 10 years old. White cotton tab tops, washed and bleached for that many years and now all different lengths. I went to Lowes and found these on sale....

7.49 a panel down from 29 bucks a panel! I'll post a proper picture of the living room with it's new curtains when I get them all up this weekend!

This below is what it used to look like....

It was fine, but very plain and not in very good condition.....

So now, I have to finish the living room trim, remove the old curtain brackets, and refinish the coffee table..... it's always a work in progress.....

a living room mood board

2010-07-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

a living room mood board by lojo43 on Polyvore.com

I just love that sofa from room and board... and I don't think I can ever do a room that doesn't include just a touch of vintage taxidermy.

Welcome home!

2010-07-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

I've been on vacation for the past week- went out to Pennslyvania. Antique shopping, history, trains- I've done it all.....more later once I unpack and relax!

Grass blowing in the breeze

2010-07-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

What I would love to have for my back yard. Wood decks, pavers, grass, drooping trees and those lovely droopy grasses that wave and blow in the wind....

happy anniversary to me....

2010-07-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Happy 7th anniversary to me

the neighbors fixed up a golf cart for us....

since we got married out at the farm - the reception was a pig roast out there too...

we didn't have a wedding cake, we had wedding watermelons....

container gardens...

2010-07-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about having more container gardens in the front and back yards... just look at how lovely these are...

lounging on my patio...

2010-07-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

mood board... but I'm working on mine, really I am.....

patio daze by lojo43 featuring Columbia

what I'm thinking about now....

2010-07-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

Fall rooms! I know, it's sweltering hot outside, but where I live, fall is just a moment away....

black and white and ... by lojo43 featuring Paige Denim jeans

some idea boards for the boys room

2010-07-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

boys room ideas... by lojo43 on Polyvore.com

I'm thinking about re doing the boys room (again). No big changes, the floor and walls are staying the same, but the art and textiles might change, along with some furniture that might change color....