Hello...I do hope everyone had a fabulous Valentine's Day. I know we did!! I feel bad though for my oldest - the school nurse called me because the poor dear got sick at school and I had to go and pick him up. He was sick on Valentine's Day!! He wasn't feeling well the next day either so I kept him at home and he missed his Valentine party at school (they had the classroom parties on Friday) I felt so bad for him. Saturday, he was finally feeling much better so we all went out to breakfast. And what do you think happened after we ate?? Yep...you guessed it, he got sick again! We just can't seem to get rid of this virus that is going around!! They have all had it. As the day went on though yesterday, he got much better and finally today, he's back to his old self again - YEAH!!!
Anyway...blogging went on hold while everyone was getting better so I didn't get to post any of my recent projects that I had been working on. I thought I'd catch up this morning!
So here's the first project
It's an old bench that I have had for awhile now but I didn't care for the color very much. I had been debating whether to paint it white or black - I just couldn't decide. I love two styles of decorating and I kind of have them both incorporated into our home. One is, of course, Shabby Chic/cottagey and the other is more of a French Country look. Color wise, polar opposites but I do love both styles. Anyway, I decided to go with the black since it's in my foyer and front hallway. Shabby Chic doesn't hit you until you step into the family room off the kitchen. I made a little heart shaped pillow of sorts out of some red checked fabric I had and then attached a red ribbon for hanging as well as a vintage chandelier crystal that my mom gave me. I also made a pillow for the bench out of some red and white toile fabric.
Here is the after picture of the completed bench
Then, I have this adorable garden statue out in my flower garden that my dad gave me several years ago. It's been outside since he gave it to me but I recently noticed that he has a little crack in his shoulder. I just love this statue though so I decided to bring him indoors out of the cold, fix him up, and give him a makeover!
I put him on this pretty little pedestal that I had and I'm quite happy with his new look - I think he is too! He looks right at home atop his perch standing guard over the newly painted bench!
I must admit though, I say a little prayer each day that one of my boys doesn't knock him over as they go running by!
So, as decorating goes, it's never really finished is it? I couldn't stop there so I changed the little vignette on the foyer entry table! I made a little topiary in an old cement urn that I had and placed it on the table with a couple of mirrors (one of them I painted black...hmmm...is black my new pink??? I think not - LOL) Anyway, then I added a black and white checked ribbon around a GIANT glass candle holder and tied it up in a pretty bow with an old key. As a final touch, I added a couple of paper roses that I made. So there you go - a new look for the entry foyer!
Here is a close up of my paper rose.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
Okay, so I am beyond excited this evening!! We went out this afternoon and ordered our new kitchen countertops, sink and faucet. I can't wait for everything to be installed. The countertop is called Blackstar Granite and we got a beautiful sink and faucet to go with it. The sink is a lovely shade of creamy white called "biscuit" and the faucet is the prettiest oil rubbed bronze. Very European looking. We currently have a stainless steel sink with a double bowl which is nice but neither bowl is really big enough for my big pots and pans. The new one has a HUGE single bowl with TONS of room. It reminds me of a big farmhouse sink only without the apron. Oh I love it!! We also got all new door handles for the bathroom, laundry room, front hall closet, pantry and basement steps. The finish on those is the same as the new faucet. Did I say I can't wait??!! LOL - I'm just a little excited! 
