Decorating

I was standing in the family room thinking… I’m pretty pleased with my mantel this year. I heard that familiar clacking, grinding noise and turned around to find Mr B standing behind me. His eyes were rolled to the back of his head, and he was muttering. I could hear him plainly though, and after years of deciphering his mutterings, his words were very plain. He said quite clearly, “Boy! There’s a lot of crap on the mantel this year!” And that, my friends, is how we enjoy Fall in the sanctuary.

Here’s a look at Fall 2018 around the house. Or as I like to call it, Faux Fall.  Because central Florida doesn’t really do FALL… it’s like it kinda wants to do fall, but doesn’t know how. And it’s hard to do real fall when it’s 85 freakin degrees. We get the occasional colored leaf from the red maples… which aren’t really red in these parts. And the grass gets crunchy cause this is the dry season…Where was I? Oh yeah, Fall. here.  Beginning with the mantel, starring Oscar, of course. His photo on canvas has been the one constant the last couple of years and I’m not in any hurry to take him down. Is it weird to have a giant dog head hanging over the mantel??  I added my brown bottles and some real leaves gathered on a trip up north a few years ago. I pressed them in a heavy book for a couple of weeks months (truth…I forgot about them til I needed that book for something. Those leaves were truly pressed!) They’ve lasted for several years, stored flat in sandwich bags and I drag them out each autumn to help add a bit of my home State to all the fake.

Most other bloggers have been posting Christmas for a couple of weeks now, but I waited to post this “late” on purpose, so that we could all remember there’s one more holiday to celebrate before Christmas. It’s called Thanksgiving.  You know… that day set aside as a National Holiday to give thanks for all the blessings we have in our lives, to remember those who are no longer with us, to share time together, break bread and tell whopping lies about the past, then after eating like there’s no tomorrow, gather round the ol’ TV to watch football. And then eat some more. Or go shopping. Break out the Christmas. Whatever makes your day.

This year will be quiet for us. No kiddos around, no family visiting, no friends invited over….just me and Mr B. He ruptured his Achilles Tendon and after his recent surgery must stay quiet for a couple of weeks, no weight bearing, no activity, no projects. While I hate his defective tendon, he hates being forced to do nothing. But he’s making the best of it by hurling affectionate (I hope) barbs at me at every opportunity. The worst part? The very worst part?? I HAVE TO COOK!!! If you’ve followed me for awhile you know that I loathe Betty Crocker. I despise cooking. And Mr B is earning his best-husband-ever award by pretending he’s not  very hungry, and asking for things like Panini sandwiches. I can panini. Oh yeah, I can rock a panini with the best of them. Like a boss. So we won’t go hungry. And my neighbor will deep fry a turkey for us, so there will be food a plenty on Thanksgiving. Bonus. Bob Evans has been kind enough to make some pretty good mashed potatoes that can be microwaved. Me and Bob get along just fine.

Back to the mantel…Mr B’s dislike of clutter and my need to feather my nest collide in a major way during the holidays. He’s my own personal Grinch… Mr Cranky Pants til after January 1st and the house returns to normal. But I adore him so I just give him my best stink eye and continue to beautify. After all, this blog is all about Living Beauty. Full…. Operative word? Full! And I intend to live up to my advertising.

So while faux fall is still busting out all over, Mr Cranky Pants is ensconced in his favorite chair giving a running commentary. I ignore him. You can too. I give you permission.

I hope you are still enjoying fall wherever you live and are preparing to give thanks next week. On another note;  My heart goes out to those affected by the wild fires in California. I can’t imagine. We get hurricanes here and while they can, and do devastate an area, and are scary as crap, at least we have time to prepare, to pack up what’s precious to us and leave for a safer place to ride out the storm, But fire? Fire scares me to the bone. Let’s be thankful this year for the love of friends and family. I know it sounds trite, but there is always, always something to be thankful for. Blessings my friends.

And remember, you can create your sanctuary no matter where you live. Love the home you’re in and create the home you see in your heart.

Hey y’all! I have a new project  to talk about today. A Flag. But not just any flag, a rustic, neutral flag……because I’m a neutral lovin woman at this stage of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as patriotic as anyone. Mr B is retired Air Force, I love our military, I still get misty at a good rendition of the anthem. We fly our flag on a flagpole attached to the house. But I’m not a red, white and blue decor fan per se. I know, I know, it’s standard, but when do I do anything standard? I’ve had this project percolating in the back of my mind since last summer. A few bloggers got together for a challenge to use neutrals in time for July 4th last year. A neutral flag was one blogger’s answer. I don’t remember who  it was, but bless her! It isn’t quite finished but I couldn’t wait to show you!

I didn’t have old fence pickets to use so just asked Mr B to use 1×2’s. I made a little drawing of what I wanted and as usual, he did his he-man garage construction thing and I got my neutral flag! I still have to do a little sanding but I’m really pleased with how it turned out. I mean REALLY pleased. As in, I may have squealed a bit, under my breath of course, so I didn’t disturb the neighbors…. but still a little squeal. Know how you visualize something and it never turns out the way you envisioned???? That’s me. Usually. But not this time! NOPE! My mind’s eye was absolutely in sync with my regular ol’ see everything eyes. Happy dance!

I can’ tell you exactly how it was constructed. It involves math. But I took a few pictures so that you, my friends could figure it out, or have your version of Mr B figure it out if you are similarly math challenged. I told him vaguely how  big I wanted it by demonstrating with my hands…..you know, very technical. The finished size of my flag is 19 X 35 inches. The star field is 11 X 15 inches. Materials needed: 13 1×2’s, 1 length of 1×12. Wood glue and clamps, Stainless screws. Wire for hanging.

Cut your pieces to length but leave the stripe boards  a bit longer than needed. (Those will be trimmed at the end.) Glue and clamp those together making sure the stripes are in order. Let dry overnight. Cut your stained piece of 1×12 to size then join to the striped section. Mr B used a Kreg jig and screws to attach everything together. Trim the ends of the 1×2’s.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Stain your pieces first, before any trimming, gluing and construction, otherwise you’ll end up with bleeding into your stripes. So stain first and let dry overnight. Use stain  in colors of your choice; I stained every other board with Minwax, Golden Oak, for what would be the red stripes. Ipswich Pine diluted with 50/50 mineral spirits to make it lighter for the white stripes and Provincial for the star field.  We ended up with one of the 1×2’s not being straight, but some glue and clamping and it was fine.

I have tons of rusty stars in various sizes, but just wanted a couple to complete my stylized flag.  And I found already rusted screws that just happened to fit because I never throw anything away. (Insert a Mr B sigh and giant eye roll here.) And there ya have it. Easy peasy. While I wanted this to be rustic and wasn’t concerned with a smooth as glass finish, I still want to knock off some of the splintery ends and clean it up with sandpaper before I give it its final coat of matte poly. And we did end up screwing some luan strips to the back in order to minimize warping from the Florida humidity. Last, we (by “we” I mean Mr B, but you probably already know that) added  the wire for hanging. Pretty simple as far as my normal projects go. As soon as I get this baby final sanded and coated with matte poly it will hang on our porch for the rest of the summer. I’ll let you know how it holds up.

There are other options for making a neutral flag. 1. Buy a pre-cut 2×3 piece of pine at one of your big box stores. Or ask the nice man to cut it to size for you. They will do that. Draw your stripes and the field for the stars with a pencil and level. Tape off the stripes and section for the stars and paint. 2. Paint a flag using acrylics on canvas. 3. If you sew, you can make your own flag using neutral fabric.  And….If you sew you know all about cutting your pieces larger to allow for seams and hemming. If you don’t, I can’t help you. It involves math. Need I say more?

I hope you have a wonderful summer and decorate in the way that means the most to you. Salute to our Flag, long may it wave. Happy birthday America! And happy summer to each of you. And finally, Thank you for following along with me and all my crazy projects, failures and successes. I read every comment you leave. I respond to every comment.  I’m not sure why my responses don’t get to you. I have a tech at Word Press working on it. And for some reason my Instagram photos are no longer showing up. I have to find someone to fix that as well. But you can still follow me on Instagram and I would love that.

No matter what style you love, create your sanctuary, one room at a time. Create the home you see in your heart, no matter where you live.

Here we are in May already and I haven’t posted my 2018 Trends alert! I just want you to know that I spent countless hours scouring Pinterest, Houzz, browsing magazines,  and searching through other blogs to see what’s HOT and what’s NOT. While this is a huge under taking I feel it’s my duty to keep you up to speed on everything that’s new and trendy….in case you’re in to that sort of thing. It’s also something that can make even the most confident feel as wilted as last week’s lettuce. I now know that I.am.not.trendy.

Before I start listing the hots and nots, please understand that just because I say something is trending doesn’t mean it is in your neck of the woods, some trends are regional, and when I list the things that I think are dead or dying, don’t send the Trend Police or send me hate mail, these are my personal opinions. You may agree or not as you see fit.  As always, design is a personal choice, you might still love mauve and blue with ducks and geese wallpaper border, and that’s fine. It’s your home! Your rules! So always use what you love, no matter what the trendy people say. Fair warning. This is a long post, there’s a lot of info here.

For the those who want to be on the cutting edge of design, you don’t have to embark on a whole house renovation to update your look.  Want to try a new color? Use it in throw pillows, bedding and maybe art. Trends come and go. It can be an expensive proposition to keep up, plus you’ll never be really happy if all you do is chase the next big thing.  I say stick with the classics, adding a couple of well thought out fun accessories will give you a whole new look and you’ll be happier in the long run.

Some 2018 Trends are carry overs from 2017, we’ll see how long they last.

Let’s begin with what’s HOT for 2018:

CONCRETE. Anything made of concrete, we’re talking tiles, hello and thank you for this trend, Joanna Gaines, the matte concrete tile look is hot. If you can’t afford to rip out your floors to add new tile, try a stencil and paint to cover old linoleum to get the look. A couple of bloggers have even painted old porcelain tile. Google painting and stenciling porcelain tile and you’ll see several tutorials. Lamps of concrete, tables, planters, even chairs (um, not happening at my house), and mortar applications for walls are getting a lot of buzz. Still hot: Concrete counter tops.

PLANTS. Did they ever really go away? 2017 showed plants, both real and faux exploding. It’s like the 70’s all over again. Except Faux has really stepped up its game. And the stigma of using fake is gone. Don’t have a green thumb? Faux it! Live in a cave? Faux to the rescue. If you are using live plants, at least take a little time to research its light and water needs before bringing a new one home.

NATURAL WOOD. Natural, scrubbed or bleached wood is back….not that it was ever completely gone, but thankfully we are seeing more natural wood furniture. Mixed with painted pieces in a room, it gives warmth and contrast.

BLACK cabinets in kitchens. Black in general. I’m OK with this. I actually love black cabinets. I know, right?? Surprised? Me too.

GREEN is still big in the color trends, it also started in 2017 but has continued its popularity into 2018. Every shade of green. Use it on your walls, in pillows and throws, botanicals as art, on wallpaper. You can’t go wrong using green, there is a shade of green for every area in the home.

WALLPAPER. Wallpaper has been trending for a few years but in the last two it’s become a thing. Rent? No worries, there are peel and stick varieties in many colors and patterns. Want a more permanent installation? Traditional paste papers are easily found online and in some paint stores. One of the biggest trends this year is over-sized florals. Huge, ginormous flowers. Used in the right setting, say a bedroom for a teen, or in a master with bold color, a large scale floral can be stunning. Use in a dining room to add drama.

BRASS. Yep, brass has continued its rise and is one of the biggest trends in bathrooms and kitchens. I love brass, I’ve always loved genuine old brass.  I’ve never been a fan of the cheap, shiny stuff but give me an old brass fixture that’s been allowed to patina and my heart beats a bit faster. Want to add brass to your home?  Choose unlaquered brass fixtures. Search Thrift stores for candlesticks and small containers.

POLISHED CHROME. Polished chrome, another classic finish that deserves more use.  I used polished chrome in my master when we replaced our old satin nickel faucets. It reminds me of my childhood home.

MINIMALISM. WHAT???  Yes, after decades of over the top décor and lots of stuff, many designers and homeowners are now craving a simpler, streamlined look. This does not bode well for the sanctuary. I mean I HAVE been purging and decluttering, but come on, I like my stuff. I also like the look of modern, minimal loft apartments but I don’t think I’d be comfortable in the long term….. after 5 minutes I’d be measuring those bare walls for art.  I’m a collector, therefore I hoard. All kidding aside, I am enjoying my “simplified” look, although if you ask Mr B, he’d say I haven’t simplified all that much, if at all. I just bought different stuff.  That’s a post for another day.

BOLD COLORS. I talked about the colors of the year in this post.  Not ready to commit to Ultra Violet (Pantone’s color of 2018) on your walls? Use it in small doses, say a pillow or two, or  lamp shades or a big, soft cozy throw.

ACCENT COLORS. Tired of all neutral rooms? (that isn’t possible…..is it???) Add some “Millennial pink,” that dusty pale pink that is so pretty and soft, add this wherever you want a wisp of color. Lavender is still around as well, find it pillows, throws, tablecloths and paint. If you have a piece of furniture you want to make a focal point, consider painting it pink, or lavender.  Blue is still having a moment. But when is it not? Blue is one of those colors that never really goes away, I mean come on, Hello Miss Mustard Seed with her classic blue and white home and let’s say Hi! to Thistlewood Farms new blue and white living room.  Blue in every shade is still a winner.

VELVET AND LINEN: velvet throw pillows and bedding. Anything Linen.

BAR CARTS. Yep, those wheeled darlings of the 50’s and 60’s are making a comeback. You can use them as plant stands, juice or coffee bars, for cosmetics in a bathroom, as a nightstand, in the nursery or geez…here’s a thought, use it as a bar cart. Look in vintage shops, and on-line. New or vintage, these are proving to be hardworking and stylish additions to any room. Go retro or find new made from brass for the retro look, or wood for cottage and country styles.

BLACK STAINLESS APPLIANCES. With darker colors trending,  this finish works well in modern style kitchens. Not my thing, but then again we’ve already established I’m not trendy.

ON THE CUSP. Fading a bit: Some say all white rooms are going away. GASP! NOOOOO. Let the wailing and beating of the chest begin. I don’t believe this myself, I don’t think this is in any danger…..yet.  A few designers predicted the death of gallery walls last year but they refuse to go away. Whether they should or not is up to you. Milk Glass has hit its peak again and seems to be fading. I think it’s charming but a little goes a long way. Personally I’m over it. All white kitchens. Designers are predicting the death of white kitchens. I don’t know how I feel about that prediction. I’ve always wanted a white kitchen….. since the 70’s. I’m not sure white is going away any time soon, but I could be wrong!!

SIGNS. Are still hanging on (no pun intended) although I have no clue why. I don’t need a sign that reads “Bathroom” when I’m in the…..bathroom. Pretty sure I know what room I’m in. And the Farmhouse sign won’t be in my home, I don’t live in one, and if I did live in one, I wouldn’t need a sign announcing to my guests that they are in a farmhouse. Some signs are clever and cute. But over done. So let them go. Authentic vintage signs are hotter than ever. Those are a definite DO!  Can’t afford authentic? There are some reproductions that look genuine. Look on Etsy and for those made in the U.S. from salvaged materials. The trend of framing music lyrics, Bible verses, and poetry is hot and that’s another DO for me.

Finally the NOTs. Here are the things I think are worn out and just over used.  Cotton stems, dollar store cow art, knock off galvanized anything, (genuine, crusty galvanized gets a yes!), burlap. Although burlap in an industrial setting, say for hanging light shades is still trendy. Cow art in general, unless it’s an original photograph, or painting, I’m also not into tiny statues of livestock, except sheep, or maybe goats. OK!!! I give! I still like some livestock and dog statues. The a fore mentioned farmhouse signs, NOT. Lambs ears…. DEAD. After I saw lambs ears in about the 10th blog last year I was already sick of it. Use seeded eucalyptus instead, it never seems to go out of style. Or just use clippings from your yard.

Every one should live in a home that suits their individual style, has collections that speak to the heart, feels safe and provides security from life’s general ups and downs. Use what you love. No matter what “they” say or predict. “They” also predicted the death of Shabby Chic in the 90’s. Rachel Ashwell smiled, thanked them and then marched to the bank. She’s still smiling and has published more books and expanded her line of fabrics and furniture, even wallpaper. Just sayin.

Whether you are “on trend” in your home or stick to the classics, create your sanctuary, one room at a time. Create the home you see in your heart.

All photos unless otherwise captioned are from Google.