Chaotic Color

While I love a beautiful white, restful room/outfit/style, either in modern, urban farmhouse or shabby glory... the chaotic color vibe pulls me in, at least for a little while. Just long enough to get my toes wet in something eclectic, before I retreat back into sterile, predictable comfort. I think I get whip lash changing back and forth, so while my slipcovers went back on today, I felt drawn to these photos. Just like this lovely home above of jeanhclee. For some reason, I'm sensing a familiar color pattern of pinks, oranges and greens. Bright colors have a jolt of energy to them, you know? Perhaps my body is clinging to these sprightly images as a subconscious way to burst me out of this crazy,stressful fog I've been subjected to lately.

Awake is the New Sleep cover art, Ben Lee

Before the Voyage photograph by elle moss

hobby holly tutu inspired prairie girl portrait by Oh So Posh Photography

award ribbon canopy bed, Chrissie Rucker

Colorful ribbon woodland chandalier mobile tutorial by A Fanciful Twist

Connecting the Dots via decor8

Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Trash the Dress Wedding Photography by Lynn Michelle

 via

Sew in Love thread on wood spools photo by Iris Inspired

Personal Style: Retro Secretary

This outfit is mostly thrifted. I was planning on cutting this top up to refashion with a dress, but I just love it too much to cut. The fabric has a lovely raised texture, yet it's so silky too. I am usually against pairing silky blouses with cotton type skirts, but I felt that with the addition of the silky sash from my last dress that it would somehow work. Perhaps the bow and mega ascot ruffle is too much, but I sort of like semi-ugly fashion, and I don't have any belts that fit with this skirt.

For my hair, I'm trying to make a teeny 2 inch ponytail look styled, b/c there is no way I'm flat-ironing every time I go out. I let sections air dry in a slight fingerwave style and used maybe 4 pr 5 bobby pins on my ponytail in the back to muss up into a messy micro bun. I pulled out random sections on the sides and back as well for a soft effect.

I'm a tad lucky that my hair has a natural wave pattern. To get a similar look, Blythe Hopes Vintage has an incredibly easy youtube tutorial on a simple finger wave. Hers is a very subtle and modern wearable finger wave style that would even translate nicely into a updo for longer hair. The finger waves we had to perfect in cosmetology school had very distinct ridges and wrapped all around the head, a style that is more appropriate for formal events and period styling.

Autumn Rose Earrings: made by me, Jeweled Ambrosia
Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft, thrifted
Skirt: H&M, thrifted
Sash: from a Forever 21 dress, thrifted
Shoes: faux snake print, Target

*Linked to Clothed  Much's, Rule Breaking Monday post.

Inspired Room: Cozy Elegance

I adore Maria's dining room from johns journal. Her design mix is everything from an Okinawa dumpster find in a contact paper covered tv stand turned wine rack, an owl picture from Goodwill, chairs form Ballard Designs and a table from Thailand.Such a beautiful mix. The mix of rich warm colors, mirrored details and the white and espresso, the lovely gray walls... works together perfectly. Really though, her entire home is well done, check it out here.

love fresh white hydrangeas in a simple vase

I always love a good bust.

Spray painted overstock chandelier.

The contact paper dumpster tv find, with a wine rack added inside.
Love the various candles and their glass and metallic holders. I'm sure it puts off a lovely glow.

Homefront: Colorful Vintage Master Bedroom

This was our master bedroom. Yes, this is the 70's french provincial dresser we had before I was born. We had the works, dressing bench, canopy bed, nightstands, dressers, chest... it's a very popular set and I see it online, in 70's themed movies, blogs, antique malls....  this is the only piece that is left over the years.

My painted striped cake stand tutorial is here. I love how I can add depth and height with it. 

I love my mom's vintage "Merry Mushroom" cookie jar from Sears Roebuck . Too bad the lid cap broke.

I see this mushroom kitchen set all the time at antique malls, Ebay, Ruby Lane and Etsy.

Some fun vintage jewels... the heart and wheat brooch was my grandmother's

I love this mermaid mommy and son aceo by Wendy Gaffaney.

Our only printed family photo... 2 years ago. I dry brushed orange on the raised frame and matted the photo area with a fabric swatch. I used the same fabric on our tv stand windows,  pillows, lamp and other elements.

It wouldn't be our bedroom without a line up of some of our boys cars. They really love organizing them.

I used a vintage sheet to hide the storage drawers of my jewelry making and craft supplies. One day, the jewelry holders and shelving will be painted and organized better, but this is the best I could do for the time.

Many of these haven't even been added to my shop yet, but lots more goodies are at Jeweled Ambrosia.

Some of my favorite prints, from The Dreamy Girraffe and The Black Apple.

Our bedroom plate wall post can be seen here. Basically, I got tons of pretty plates from Goodwill.

Love this Misty book and my little brass owl family. I painted this letter holder a soft pink, and love it.

I painted this popular Ashley furniture headboard I got at a garage sale.

I love changing up vintage lines with our white down comforter. It's very cheerful and springy right now, 

but it can change anytime by simply switching out the linens and a few accessories around the room.

Homefront: Adding a Plate Wall to our White Vinage Linen Bedroom

 
I just blogged last week about a little redo in our bedroom, by haphazardly hanging curtains over an odd window. (Details about my daisy chandelier is in the above link.)

 

But, I decided I really wanted something more with the space over the headboard, so I moved the bed, added a quick fresh coat of white paint to the headboard, and went ahead with my plate hanging wall. Plate hanging post is here for lots of tips on creating your own design.

I hope you like how it turned out. I know we do, and since we will only be in our home for 2 more weeks, I figured, I may as well give it a shot before everything is packed up and stuck in storage, just to see what it would be like. I'm glad I went with my instinct to experiment. Though, it could possibly be denial.

I love these little brass owls I found at a garage sale and this oriental lantern from my in-laws. I painted this vintage letter holder a soft pink. It's so pretty with a crystal base.

I am very blessed to have a husband who supports my decorating whims, and doesn't  mind my creative chaos (so long as it's not too crazy). He prefers minimalism and clutter free spaces, so we strike a balance as I constantly putter around. His mother trained him well to appreciate (and compliment) woman's special touches in the home.

I found this vintage framed embroidery of a Bible scene the other day. I love it's simple charm. It's perfect by the bedside to help keep it fresh in our minds to read the scriptures every night.

Of all my vintage linens, this by far is my favorite set of pillow cases together. So cheerful and sweet.

If you are hesitating on moving a piece of furniture, or rearranging a picture wall or spray painting an old piece of furniture, just try it and see what happens. If you hate it, it's an easy fix... but you just may love it.

Linked to:
The Vintage Farmhouse

Homefront: Our Vintage Linen Interchangable Bedroom

 

A while back I talked about some vintage linens I have been collecting and promised a bedroom update with them. (I don't usually have this many pillows on the bed, it's just for the pictures. I think losing the blue one in the back would look so much better.)

So, while the room isn't done, I pulled out the pillowcases out to show you. I have a few sheets, but I mostly collect pillowcases since they bring the maximum change. By having neutral curtains, a white down comforter and a white bed skirt and headboard, I can change the pillow styles however I wish, swap out a few accessories to match and have a new bedroom feel in minutes.

Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns. Geometric, florals, polka dots, paisley, plaid, ethnic, lace prints... so long as you have a similar color scheme or mood you are trying to achieve, and  simple non pattern thrown in (like the plain comforter) pattern groupings don't matter. That is the appeal of a shabby chic room. I made a few grouping as example of how they can look together.

 The top pillow case is the same as a set I had as a little girl that is long gone. I was thrilled when I found this at the thrift shop, but sad because it has stains all over it. Maybe I will turn it into a garland or something.

Our room is usually in more modern blues as seen here at our old place when I painted the headboard, so this orange/yellow mash up is cheerful for now.

Because our bed is positioned in front of half a very large window, it created some challenges. I nailed up some old curtains to cover that wall for a little bit of balance. They weren't long enough, nor lined enough to make it seem like a seamless wall, but being unemployed means making do, so I just pinned a pillow sham on the bottom corner. It's not very noticeable once the table is put there anyways.

And by the way, isn't this vintage metal enameled daisy chandelier adorable? I found it at an antique mall for an incredible price ($11.50). I would rather not have in in the bedroom, but it was the best place for it, and the main reason our pillows are orange/yellow today. I've thought about painting it white, because it would make redecorating so much better, but am conflicted on keeping the vintage charm. What would you do?

I found a white one for sale here at Retro Daisy Girl so you can take a gander. If you are looking for a similar lamp to purchase, I see them fairly often at antique malls and online. Just search for "vintage daisy chandelier" or "vintage enamel chandelier". Here's some on Etsy and some on Ebay using those search terms.

*included in these link ups: Kimba's DIY Day linky, Room to Inspire, A Silly Little Sparrow, My Backyard Eden, not at Bewteen Naps on the Porch, or Keeping it Simple, but lots of other great projects are.