Powder Room Update

I recently updated this powder room. The wallpaper was hung 25 years ago when the house was built so it was due for an update. It was very difficult to take photos of the room because it is only 3 feet by 5 feet.

Framed botanical prints provided interest on one wall.

The frameless mirror installed by the builder was replaced several years ago by a framed mirror.

The fixtures and the brass faucet and towel bar stayed. They are heavy duty solid brass and still in good condition. Never one to jump on to trends, I have not bought into the “anti-brass” trend in the blogosphere. I have stayed in some wonderful hotels in this country and abroad that had original brass fixtures and I loved them. In my opinion, the quality of the brass should dictate whether or not it needs to be changed.

The old wallpaper was removed and replaced by this Thibaut pattern. The name of the pattern is Royal and it is in the Artisan collection. The color is Metallic Pewter. I was very pleased with the quality of the Thibaut paper. It was an excellent weight and was reasonably easy to hang. A sunburst mirror was purchased and hung above the toilet to replace the bird cage.

Another vintage mirror was purchased and hung above the towel bar to replace the botanical prints. While there is still a lot of pattern on this paper, the large scale makes the room much less busy than the previous paper. This was not particularly a “budget” project. In spite of the tiny size of this room, the update cost was about $500.  However, if it lasts 25 more years, the cost will be a very affordable $20 per year! Now that is a budget update!

I will be linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

What Not To Buy!

 

The first item on my project list for 2012 is updating my kitchen and I have gotten started. I will be doing a full post when the job is more complete. As part of the update, I am switching from a countertop microwave oven to an over the range microwave. My current microwave/convection takes up a lot of counter space and the range hood was in dire need or replacement.

Because I keep things a looonnnggggg time, I wanted to make a good decision. I promptly paid for an online subscription to Consumer Reports to read the reviews. While I don’t need a lot of whistles and bangs I do need quiet operation because I use the microwave for much more that popcorn and reheating. I actually use it for cooking quite a bit. I purchased a GE over the range microwave for our summer cottage a couple of summers ago and was happy with that model. So, I looked up the number and checked Consumer Reports. The ratings were fine and the “noise of operation” was rated “very good!” I proceeded to purchase and install GE model JVM1540. Upon completion of installation I turned on the microwave to try it out. Much to my DISMAY, it was VERY LOUD!!!! It sounded like the vent fan was running on “high.”  Thinking that something was wrong, I sought help from the owner’s manual only to find out that the fan is on an automatic setting that operates whenever the microwave is in use! Excuse me, but I would like to be able to hear myself think while I am cooking. I was appalled at the noise and I am very disappointed in Consumer Reports.

Knowing that I could not live with this noise issue for the next 10 years, the hub and I proceeded to uninstall the microwave and box everything back up in its original packing material and drive back to HHGregg where we had purchased it. Customer service at HHGregg was great. They were very sorry that I was not happy with my purchase and promptly issued a refund, no questions asked. Next, I went to the telephone directory and started calling stores that sold appliances. I told each one that I was looking for a microwave but wanted to hear it run before I made a purchase. One of the other local big box stores was of absolutely NO help. The salesman told me that none of them were hooked up and that all of them made a lot of noise and that I would not be able to find a quiet model. Not to be deterred, I continued to call. I called a locally owned furniture/appliance store and explained my dilemma. The salesman quickly told me that his microwaves were not hooked up but that he would be happy to get an extension cord and plug one in so that I could hear it. Now that is customer service. We drove to the store and he had the extension cord waiting! It took me less than 30 seconds to make  a decision.

I chose Whirlpool model WMH1163XVS and I could not be more pleased. The Consumer Reports rating for this model is only “Good” but I beg to differ. The difference in this model and the GE model is night and day. In fact, this Whirlpool model runs more quietly than my expensive countertop model.

It does not have a rack or a probe but I have never used those features in my current model. Just in case you are wondering, that is a sweet potato for the test run.

I am so glad that we did not have to pay someone for installation then have to pay for uninstallation for a purchase that I was not happy with.

Now I am a happy camper cooker!

I was not paid to write this post LOL!! ALL opinions expressed here are mine alone!

I will be linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and to Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style.

Looking Back 2011

Today I’m doing a quick review of projects for the year of 2011 while I look forward to a looooonnnnnngggggg To-do list for 2012! As I went back to organize this post, I noticed that most of my projects were posted in November. Actually, those were done over several months but were not posted due to computer issues until I finally gave in and purchased a new laptop. Perhaps I can be more prompt in posting in the new year although most of my projects take a long time to complete. I do hope that you all will check back in from time to time to see if I have made any progress.

Perhaps the quickest and easiest project of 2011 was this faux mercury glass lamp.

You can read about it here.

Another pretty quick project was mounting a TV in my painted secretary.

You can read about it here.

I shared this bird tablescape too.

You can read about it here.

I love this vintage floor lamp that I rescued.

You can read about it here.

I love a bargain and this writing desk was quite a bargain!

You can read about it here.

A more involved project was the transformation of the settee. I am so pleased with the results.

You can read about it here.

I saved the best for last. My biggest project of the year involved reworking a vintage dining room set for my sweet friend. It was a lot of work but worth every minute because the transformation was quite dramatic.

I am looking forward to a very busy 2012. I got a new tool for Christmas and I can’t wait to use it!

I’m linking to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style and to the Top Projects of 2011 at Southern Hospitality.

Weekend in New York

I love to visit New York City at Christmastime. The city takes on a whole new attitude during the holidays. Everything is beautifully decorated and even though it is very crowded, people are unusually pleasant.

I especially liked these magnolia topiaries.

Even when not decked out in holiday bling, wonderful architecture is easily spotted.

Just look at those columns and window pediments.

Even the tops of buildings are very ornate.

I love the little green dome on top of the building above.

I love the figures in the pediment of the Stock Exchange. They are life size.

And I love the contrast of this church surrounded by more contemporary buildings.

The doorway above reminds me of the Gates of Paradise in Florence, Italy.
Because it was my nephew’s first trip to New York, we did some touristy things and visited the 911 Memorial.

The streets and shops were very crowded but quite tolerable.

Particularly around Time Square, it was very difficult to walk down the street.
I always enjoy seeing the Salvation Army bell ringers playing their instruments. I have always challenged my children not to pass a bucket without dropping in a donation.

We visited several pop-up shopping areas but my favorite thing to do is to look at the decorated store windows. I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed this year. With the exception of Lord and Taylor, all of the other windows were all white. My personal preference is for a little more variety. I don't have pictures from Saks and Bloomingdales but they were all white too.

This chandelier was in the window at Anthropologie. It is made of vintage ornaments surrounding a single decorative bulb.

The windows at Barneys were all on a Gaga theme. Very interesting.

The window above is from Macys. It was very hard to take photos due to the glare.

This one is also from Macys.

The windows at Lord and Taylor were my favorite. Perhaps it is because they were more traditional.


These windows were somewhat like a giant dollhouse.

We had a wonderful time. I am behind on my Christmas preparations but I decided to take time to enjoy the season.  Now I have to get on the phone with Peggy to cash in my Capital One points to pay for this trip!

I’ll be linking to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

Update on The Painted Secretary

I wanted to share a quick update on my painted secretary. You can read the original post here.

This is where we left off.

I have added the television.

I had to reinforce the back of the secretary with a piece of 1/2 inch thick plywood then I attached a wall mount TV stand. Now, the TV is out of sight when not in use. I also added a few accessories. I am not one to go “purchase” accessories just to have them. I usually wait until I discover something that I really love because I tend to keep things a very long time before changing them. Such was the case with this little Chinese trinket box.

The colors go with my color scheme and it is a reminder of our travels to China. As I told the clerk at the antique shop where I purchased this, it is very difficult to find quality souvenirs in China. There is a tremendous amount of very inexpensive knick knacks in the street markets but finding something of a little better quality is difficult.

This piece is actually a music box of the Imperial Palace or the Forbidden City as we know it. I use it for a ring box.

Another project checked off my list!

I’ll be linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and to Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style.

Christmas in the Dining Room

If you were reading my blog last Christmas, you will recognize that my dining room looks the same as last year. I rarely change things in this room as I display my cherished Bethlehem Christmas dinnerware. If you are new to this blog, welcome. If you have seen this before, please indulge me a little. I designed this dinnerware in 2003 and had it mass produced. It can be purchased at Bethlehem Christmas.com . (By the way, it is on sale now at the lowest prices ever!!!)

I purchased a nativity set that coordinates with the colors of the dinnerware that I use in the center of the table.


The nativity set is elevated on cake plates to give it more presence. Then it is surrounded by artificial greenery and a few angels that I have collected over time.



I use silver trays as placemats to add more sparkle.

I use red goblets and my sterling flatware. However, I have to place the flatware on the wrong side due to the size of the tray since the knife and the goblet will not fit on the same side of the tray. Everything fits, if I put the forks on the right side (which is also the incorrect side) and the knife and spoon on the left side of the plate.

The dinnerware tells the Biblical Christmas story in 8 verses. Each verse has an illustration.







Having the table set makes a big impact with very little effort. The dining room stays this way throughout the Christmas season. When we eat in here, we use the dinnerware, run it through the dishwasher, then return the plates to the table so that it is ready to go for the next meal.

This is by far the quickest and easiest of my decorating! I still have much to do! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

I’ll be linking to Tabletop Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch and to the Christmas Tablescape party at the Lettered Cottage.
I'm also linking to the Holiday Dining Party at No Minimalist Here.
I'm also linking to Holy Days at Imparting Grace .