thank you and kandinsky art

First, a big thank you to Jenna over at

Daily Do It Yourself

for featuring my Ikea Lantern + Monogrammed Towel = Unique Gift. 

Stop by and check out the awesome diy projects she finds in

the blogosphere or send her your latest creation!

This artistic transformation was a recent feature.
My sweet lifelong friends, and mother - daughter team behind the blog
Your Day Simplified,
amazed me with their rendition of Kandinsky abstract art on this headboard.



and footboard, I think they did an incredible job!

Here are other Kandinsky pieces,
 if you're inclined to try it on something and need a little inspiration...


google.com

I think any of his artwork would be a stunning statement in an all neutral room.

art.com

I'd love to design a nursery around this one!


abstractartpaintings.co.uk

Not in the budget?
 You could always try painting a cabinet, nightstand, desk, table
or bed!



I tried my hand at abstract art here, albeit unsuccessfully,
 but these are certainly inspiring me to try again!

signature style gift wrap

Do you have a signature style gift wrap?

I have a style for gifts I send to out-of-town family,

since there are kiddos and we don't do adult gifts,

my goal is a 'WOW' factor when the box is opened!

I start with a color scheme and use coordinating papers and ribbon to keep everything cohesive. This year the trendy red and aqua looked fun & festive! 

Costco has great ribbon ~ 50 yd. spools for around $7.

I look for gifts that coordinate, too.

I found this fudge brownie mix in a pot holder,

perfect for little chefs in training.

Even though we don't exchange gifts, I like to include something

fun for the stylish mom!

A Christmas frame (with personalized message)

and monogrammed ornament.

In the first photo were treats for Dad,

Mrs. Field's Snickerdoodles and Junior Mints in Peppermint Crunch,

to get him through the day!

I always tie an ornament onto the kids packages,

both of these coordinated nicely with the wrap.

I love to send a HUGE box, is there anything more fun than the UPS

truck pulling up to your door with a BIG package? 

I print labels on my computer and add a hand drawn touch.

(They can be very festive if you remember to get ink!)  

     

Here's another example of 'signature style' wrap...

My friend always creates a gorgeous presentation using clear cellophane wrap, and beautifully coordinates the ribbon/embellishment with the color of her gifts!

Candle, note cards and fur -trimmed oven mitt!

   

Do you have a signature style?

Want one?

After Christmas sales are a great time to pick up wrap & ribbon,

 and you're on your way! 

christmas decor around our home

         Decked out for the holidays...here are a few areas you haven't seen.

living room ~ coffee table

I fill this large decorative bowl with gold and silver bells.

  I love fresh flowers, a nearby florist, (Veldkamps) has a daily happy hour

 from 3-6, single stems are half price!

 Last week before my Christmas party I spent a whopping $5 for this and a small one for the bathroom.  I added the berries from my yard.  

~  nativity scene  ~

~  bench with Santa  ~

~  dining room  ~

~  corner of dining room  ~

A pair of urns on pedastals flank our french doors, they're decorated 

with branches from our yard, painted white and berries wired onto them.

~  our tree  ~

some favorite ornaments

a saxaphone for mr. simple,  joy to the world

ornaments from special friends, and

an ice skate, a favorite winter activity on Evergreen Lake

memories of a trip to paris

~  before  ~

mr. simple had to replace all of the lights on the 'pre-lit' tree

~  after  ~

all decorated and guess what...

Hope your season is Merry & Bright!!!



2012 to do list ~ dining room

Until now, I've never shown you my dining room, it's very...

BROWN!!

I love it, I just don't love it, BROWN!

So, it's on the list for early 2012...like January!

Hardwood Floor -  Brown

Farm Table - Brown

Buffet - Craigslist - Brown

Lamp - Brownish/Gold

Mirror - Brownish/Gold

Chairs - Craigslist - Brownish

These chairs were a steal, 6 for $125!

They SO incredibly comfortable, the plan was to reupholster them,

but I'm intimidated by the channel back and the curve at the top. 

Maybe I'll try one and see how it goes, or get an estimate and see how that goes.  

My French Doors, Windows, Southern Exposure, Chandelier

I Love!

I'm thinking some color, pattern, rug, art & modern touches!

The other day I made the first change, I removed the little shades from my

 chandelier!

I owe it all to my sweet friend Jennifer at Dimples & Tangles,

 when she posted about her chandelier and started me thinking!

If you've never visited Jennifer,

 you must see what she did to her laundry room,

and her daughter's room - amazing!

It's a small change for now, but it's one of those little things that makes me

 happy!

 

I'm joining Lisa, to keep me focused and accountable!

outdoor planters ~ fast & furious

When we first moved into our home this rustic, old work bench was in the garage.

I loved it!

A corner on our deck became it's home, I use it as a potting bench,

or it makes a perfect drink station for parties.

Since we see it from our kitchen, I like to decorate it for the seasons.

For Christmas I added blue spruce branches from our yard,

dried asters, that escaped the fall clean-up, and faux red berries

 to the wrought iron planter.

It took me about 15 minutes to cut a few branches and dried plants and plop

 them in the planter, and the best part,

 it will look nice until spring.

Do you have a sad, lonely looking pot that you see everyday?

Take 15 minutes and perk it up!

Have a wonderful weekend sweet friends and thanks for visiting!