Mantel, Decor and More

LIVING ROOM CURTAINS

We hung our curtains really tall in the living room. We lucked out since we had these cream ones from the condo on North Street (aka: Land of Windows).

I found the bamboo shades at Home Depot in the right size. We have very non-standard sized windows so finding blinds or shades in the size we need that we also like is a challenge. These are almost the same color as the wood floors so they pull in the same tones nicely.

MANTEL

I am using the existing wood mantel above the fireplace right now. It was hung very lopsided and droops to the left a bit. I have not had a chance to really mess with that and eventually want to use my pewter brackets we got way back when we bought my condo at UT. We have been saving them for something special so I think after 11 years this would be a great use.



I used a variety of finds and old favorites on the mantel. I found this neat architectural gate print at HomeGoods with mom when I was in Houston a couple months back. It was a real steal! I had been wondering where to put it and I really like it here. I incorporated a bright vase from Anthropologie and a fabric letter, old clock and Gothic inspired candle holder.

You can't see it here but on the left I have an old wooden white star that we had in my condo from college as well. (It is barely visible in the photo up top.)

BUFFET

I really like how this is turning out. I found this cool rose window mirror at Hobby Lobby for just $35 and the neat butterfly framed prints at HomeGoods in Houston for just $25 each. The day after I got them I saw them on One Kings Lane for $135 each on sale... I don't think so!

I am really excited about our new cork collector! Its super tall so y'all better come help us fill it up... it could take years!

DINING ROOM CURTAINS AND CRAZY DEAL SHADE

I was not too thrilled with these curtains at first but once I put the butterfly prints and rose window mirror on the adjacent wall they really tied together. I found these at World Market and the shade only cost me $1 from Overstock.com! That's right... $1. I joined their O club a while back since I knew we would be getting deals for the house there and so I get 5% back on everything and you can use it immediately once the other purchases ship. So it was originally $17 and I had over $15 in club credits so it really only cost me $1!

And on the 60th day there was LIGHT!

Today marks two months since we closed on the house!

We have so much to show everyone. Justin has become so super handy, he is practically an electrician. He has told me how he can't imagine doing this all day for a job. I just want to know when my super muscles are coming from holding things over my head while he connects the wires.

Last weekend we changed out the terrible track light in the kitchen to one with a much lower profile. Not only did you almost hit your head on it, they were really hot fluorescent lights so they made you sweat before you even started cooking.

Here is what we have now... much more sleek.

Since the first light change out experiment went so well, this weekend we tackled two more as well as the master ceiling fan.

First came the breakfast area in the kitchen. We first ordered a lantern style pendant from Overstock and it ended up being way to large but we loved it so it is now in the downstairs bath (see below). So I went looking for something a little smaller and found this nice discreet shaded pendant. Since it does not hang as low, I wont be staring at the bulb in my eyes like the one that came with the house. Before

After

The lantern in the downstairs bathroom replaced a really awesome cheap spotlight. It reminded me of those old desk lamps from Ikea in the 80's. I totally had one on my Ikea desk I just "had to have" and I remember having it in my room while watching The Arsenio Hall Show... woot woot woot! (You have to do that with your arm in the air.)

Although we don't have a before photo, I am sure you can imagine a really ugly spotlight being used as bathroom lighting.

And now... sparkly fancy lighting!

Coming soon...

Sneak Preview

I have been a really bad blogger.  Justin and I have been doing some wonderful things around the house and I have not sent photos of anything.  Here is a sneak peak of a couple things I did yesterday.  I promise to take more photos and post more to the blog this weekend.

Clothespin Sunburst Mirror
I ACTUALLY MADE THIS MYSELF!
Inspired by a DIY blog post from Design*Sponge

Check out the fun butterfly prints and rose window mirror in the dining room.
Don't check out the mess... I told you this was a preview shot.
You can also catch a glimpse of the fun curtains in the mirror.

Can't wait to show you more!
Have a Fab Friday!
Lara

Tiny Prints Giveaway from Simplified Bee

Cristin over at Simplified Bee has a wonderful giveaway from Tiny Prints. 

We used their sister site for our wedding invitations and could not be more impressed.  We also used Tiny Prints for our New Years cards last year (sorry none went out this year with all the moving).  I would love to win some of the new home announcements so we can send out our new address to everyone. 

What would you want to win? 

Enter by leaving a comment on her blog or facebook page.