Before and.....Tada!

I have been (almost) done with this living room for a few months now..and let me tell you it is hard to do a before and after picture or a room. First of all, I am NEVER really done with a room. I need a rug, I really need a mirror over my mantle instead of a painting, the lights quite not right, and I need that robo cat in the corner out! (Can you find him?)

But here it is for all to see...my almost done except for a few details, living room.

BEFORE

AFTER

Robo cat picture....

The face I get....

I know this isnt inspirational design...but I just wanted to share the sad pathetic face I get when I get ready to leave for work in the mornings. Does anybody else get these? And not just from animals, husbands can be just as bad!

A Furlough Day-Before & After

So...we had a furlough day last Friday. I decided to take on a painting project on my day off. I got this table for our wedding last year, and I felt it needed a little sprucing, what doesnt right? Enjoy!

Tada!

Oh great...spring fever

Yeah its January and I have a serious case of Spring fever...that makes for a super long winter. This extra cold weather is really starting to bug me, so I have been digging for spring weather inspiration to tide me over and warm me up!

Let me also give you an update on our house renovations/updates.

1.) We are anxiously waiting on our first time home buyers money so we can do a beautiful kitchen renovation, finish Will's study, and freshen up our front yard...oh, and save some (; (Is that a wink?)

2.) We are also so excited about tax season, so that will bring in extra money for RUGS and CURTAINS and a DINING TABLE!!!! (Celadon and Stroeblers here we come!)

3.) Sweet santa did give me a camera for Christmas, so I will have before & afters of the living room, master bedroom, master bath, and guest bath. Coming soon..maybe this Thursday, fingers crossed.
In the meantime, here are some things that I feel will be great for this 2010 spring. Enjoy!

P.S.-If youre getting ready to freshen up your walls with a new color..Pottery Barn has partnered with Benjamin Moore and they have some great spring colors. A few that I think are great...

Azores

Webster Green

Winter Wood (we actually used this color on a small book shelf and it looks great-a subtle hint of grey but with a fresh look!)

I would love to have this in my backyard-but Will wants something he can actually get in. He could dip in that couldnt he?!

Okay one pleasant thing about winter is that you get to bring all your lovely plants indoors. This makes for a cozier environment and helps with decorating dilemmas after you take the Christmas decorations down and your house seems so empty and bare.

Pendant lights are so great-you also can create your own by using an old rounded basket.

Layers, Lights, and Good Food

Im having a Christmas dinner party tonight, so I have been searching for some inspiration. I wanted to share with ya'll some of the great things I found. Along the way I stumbled upon Victoria Amory's beautiful work, she's an amazing event planner and entertainer.

Always a good classic are fruit with a misting of gold or silver spray paint. If you have a magnolia tree or any tree that provides large flat leafs, look beautiful in gold on the table.

Layering pattern and texture and new with old in your setting will guarantee a striking look. I think fresh flowers (prepared the day before), and a luminous candle lit room will set the perfect mood and create a cozy holiday environment.

I found these products that I wish I had because I would use all of them for my Christmas party table setting.

I loved this claw foot serving platter from Anthropologie (of course).

West Elm dessert plates; these have a festive motif, but could be used year round.

Ikat bowl from Anthropologie.

I think every dinner party should have several stations set around the home offering a variety of drinks and cocktails. (Cb2 decanters)

I love this candlescape idea from Martha Stewart. Stack two hurricanes and pour colored water of your choice (preferably red for Christmas) on the outside of the smaller glass and simply place the candle inside and light! Love it! (not like Paris Hilton 'love it')

Hopefully these few items will inspire you as well!

Christmas Tour of Homes: On a teacher's budget

My first attempt at a magnolia wreath-it's harder than you may think!

Okay friends... Here are some pictures of my house all dressed up for Christmas. Is it just me or is a house decorated for Christmas just so much cozier than any other time of the year. I LOVE working hard all day and then coming home, making some coffee, and curling up on that couch (I like to stick my head in between the cushions on the couch so I can just barely see out-it makes me feel one with the environment for some reason!) I can enjoy this for oh, maybe 5 minutes before our cat Dip starts drinking the Christmas tree water and Minnie my dog plops her head in my lap for a scratch on the head. But oh how I enjoy my house for the Christmas season!!!

My mom made this sweet little penguin couple for me and my husband. The one on the left is the girl, that for some reason Will enjoys hugging in attempt to make me jealous. I will tell you, it kind of works!

Now, this blog is titled around decorating on a teacher's budget. This is why I don't have the fancy Christmas china and lovely flowing dupioni silk curtains. Just to clear things up for you...I will have them one day! I will say though, it is fun using everything you can find in your house to decorate with, it makes for a more unique and creative outcome.

I hope you have enjoyed getting a small peek into my home... Merry Christmas!