My favorite art~sentiment and memories

I LOVE to decorate my home with unique one of a kind furniture and art. The majority is found at the thrift store and turned into treasures. But, my most favorite items are those that have a memory or sentimental value.

Unfortunately my grandparents both passed away with in the last 2 1/2 years. I could go on and on about them, but will save that for another day...It's to late for me to have an emotional night.

Robert and Barbara Ruggles...the most amazing grandparents ever. My grandmother a knock out and my grandfather as handsome as can be.

Shortly after my grandfathers passing, my grandmother gave me the best gift I have ever received. It was a plate that hung in my Grandfather's office. He was a builder and a very happey client had this made for him in 1960. It is a new house with a very happy family. Notice the detail in the photo. In addition, a personal note was written on the back.

My second favorite piece of sentimental art I own was sketched by my Aunt in 1978. It is a picture of the camp originally owned by my Great Grandparents and my grandparents after that. We spent many summers there and the memories are unforgettable. Actually the picture of my grandmother standing on the dock above was taken at this very camp on Copeland Pond. This picture hung at camp up until about 8 years back. After that it hung in my Grandmother's bedroom until the day she died. My aunt knew how much I loved this, therefore gave it to me.

Then, there was an awesome sign that hung in my grandparents finished basement. It was a sign painted for the apple orchards that my great parents owned. In the 70's or 80's my great uncle restored it and hung it in a museum he had created at Copeland Pond. He added a hanging sign to the bottom telling the story of the orchards. This hung in the museum up until his passing....

"About 1915 Archie and Mabel Tupper planted an apple orchard of 500 young trees on this land which he had purchased from his mother. In the 1930's a very sever winter killed 80% of the just maturing trees and the orchard was abandoned. A handful of surviving trees can still be seen on the property. Following this, they concentrated on building and renting camps, boats, and picnic tables on Copeland Pond."

And lastly, this final piece of art has no sentimental value but I wanted to throw it in the mix because I just simply love it. I bought it at a thrift store years ago for $6. The detail is exquisite.

Thanks for taking the time to read about two very special people who will always be in my heart and memories....

Tomorrow is the last day to enter my Etsy seller giveaway....Click HERE to enter. Join me again next Tuesday when I introduce you to another Etsy seller with a giveaway you will love!

Take care,
Lisa

Girl's funky chic bedroom

About 2 1/2 years ago we re-did our daughter's bedroom from ceiling to floor. The entire room was gutted. A bead board ceiling was put up, new sheet rock, baseboard, trim, closet doors, window, and flooring. She was 7 years old at the time and we decorated it with a Paris chic theme. This WAS the room.

Even though she is only 10, she has been become acquainted with the very funky and colorful teen rooms seen on TV. She wanted a bit of a change, so I went with the flow and gave it to her. It was going to be a no cost change because I sold the old bedding and furniture which payed for the new bedding and furniture.

The new bedding is from Cynthia Rowley. You will see that I had a very vibrant color palette to work with.

The mirror was something I had purchased from TJ Maxx years ago. I gave it a coat of white paint and distressed it. The green umbrella was purchased at the flea market for $2. Both lamps came from Goodwill and were given new paint jobs. Total cost for both was $6. I embellished both lampshades with fabric I had. The side table was $2 and was painted aqua and given a chalkboard top. The orange chair was a Christmas present purchased at TJ Maxx. Tulle bed skirt was purchased on Etsy. The sign was made by me.


I am so proud to say that the vanity belonged to my great grandmother and my grandmother after that. I remember her sitting at this every morning to do her hair and makeup. Then she would sit at it every night to prepare for bed. For Christmas I surprised Samantha with it. I gave it a new paint job and added a vibrant skirt with bright trim. Sami is so proud and appreciative that this belongs to her.

A vintage tole pin embellishes the gauze curtains I purchased from Ikea.

A bulletin board I made for her holds her pictures and other fun objects. A blue chair sits in the corner and an armourer I painted gray holds her TV and crap all of her little girly stuff. The knobs were purchase from Bombay Kids years ago when they were still in business. I miss that store so much.

The photo frame was a $1 thrift store find. I sprayed it silver then used my glue gun to embellish all of my mother in laws vintage clip on earrings to it.

Lastly, the bead board ceiling and crown molding add character and charm to her room.

You can take your sunglasses off now :)

Take care,
Lisas

Shabby chic table centerpiece.....

Have you ever gone to bed at night and not been able to fall asleep because you have decorating on the mind? Please tell me I am not the only wacko out there who does that! Last night I go down to bed and out of no where a project pops into my head....

Unfortunately, both of my Grandparent's passed away with in the past 2 1/2 years. It was about exactly a year ago that I went with my mother to their house to clean out the estate. So sad, but also so memorable. Of course I kept quite a few items and knew I'd eventually utilize every last one. My Grandmother had these 9 gorgeous mismatched china tea cups and saucers. Now to be honest, I am not the type to display something like this permanently in a hutch, so they have sat in storage until I could come up with the perfect plan...Well, that "perfect plan" popped into my head last night when I should have been sleeping.

This morning I cut a vintage cedar board to the size I needed...

I painted it a slate gray, distressed it, and added 4 wooden knobs to the bottom of each corner with gorilla glue....I also painted and distressed the knobs the same color as the board.

I got my good ol' very strong Loctite epoxy glue....

I glued each saucer along the length of the board staggering each one. I added some tea lights. Not only do I have a unique tablescape, but I have a VERY memorable one....

Honestly, the pictures do not begin to give this justice. My camera wouldn't pick up on the effect with the candles lit and the lights out. The feeling I had when I lit these was overwhelming. It was so serene.

This summer, I will add some water and beautiful flowers from the garden....

Thanks for stopping by....

Take care,
Lisa

Linking here:

Bella Before and After
Restore Interiors