Hitting the Mark, at Target!

I have been admiring this outdoor vignette for quite a while, and after learning about the talented Jeannette Whitson of Garden Variety Design (great name!!!), I wanted nothing more than to recreate it in my own backyard. I'm immediately drawn to how the trees flank the space, and I have to assume that they provide ample shade for the people who are lucky enough to relax here. Can't you just picture yourself drinking a glass of wine at the end of the day, and lounging here for a bit? I know I can.

I gathered some inspiration back in March that would prove helpful, at the Boston Flower and Garden Show.  I think blues have it this year, how about you?

I have also admired MANY of the outdoor pieces at Restoration Hardware, but they will only serve as inspiration at this point in time :(. As the warm weather continues to move in, my thoughts begin to move out, to consider all the possibilities for outdoor decorating.

During a recent visit to my local Target, I stumbled upon the Threshold Heatherstone Conversation Collection. At first, I assumed that it would probably not even be comfortable, but I thought it couldn't hurt to check it out, right? It's safe to say that the folks at Target are hard at work creating some of the best up-to-date looks around that prove to be comfortable and affordable, which makes shopping there a rather risky venture. With that said, I can tell you that I'm the proud owner of a few wicker pieces from the Threshold Heatherstone Collection, and will attempt to create my own version of the gorgeous Jeanette Whitson vignette that I so love. I will call this my Jeannette Whitson Vintage Provence meets Restoration Hardware Contemporary Simplicity.

A sweet spot for lounging and enjoying the beautiful views of my backyard, with a new little family of birds as my patio neighbors.

Realize, Repurpose and Redesign...

My Mom and Dad were do-it-yourselfers, before the term "DIY" even existed. Growing up with parents who enjoyed the renovation process (many times over) would later translate into my own love of design and design projects. Not unlike them, I too, find the aspects of "doing-it-yourself" very rewarding.

When I first moved into my second home sixteen years ago, the first DIY project my husband and I tackled was our living room. The walls were papered in a beautiful wheat-colored grasscloth that had faded significantly over 30 years. It would have been easier (in some respects) to remove the grasscloth and start afresh. In realizing the room's potential, I knew that, with a little elbow grease, the results gained by maintaining the grasscloth appearance would be fabulous. I devised a plan to repurpose the grasscloth by painting over it and restoring its textured appeal. In doing so, the natural elements of the grasscloth would remain in tact, and its beauty would not be compromised in the process. The ability to reuse the grasscloth by thinking outside the box afforded me the opportunity to redesign the space, keeping cost to a minimum and style to a maximum.

A beautiful shade of cherry-red called Sizzling Haute by California Paints was selected to warm the space. It would not be an exaggeration to tell you that it took five coats of paint to cover these walls. The grasscloth drank in the paint like a plant in the desert, and the paint I chose was a low-hide paint. Although the project was a bit labor intensive, the results were well worth the effort.

button-tufted bench in french yellow from Target

I can't describe the satisfaction and gratification I feel from projects such as this. I am thankful for the ability to see beyond faded walls, tired furniture, and over-grown shrubs, to realize the visual potential in something. I am also thankful for being the type of person who isn't afraid to roll up her sleeves and get a little dirty.

not sure about the black hutch i just moved into the room? what do you think?

I love having red walls and accents in my home as they provide visual warmth. However, I am contemplating making a change to the walls in this room. As I embark on the dinning room project (which is a big one), it appears that the other rooms in my home are calling for attention. Mostly because its time for a change and I happen to enjoy the process. I have officially crossed over to "woman on a mission" status, and my thoughts are obsessive. Just be glad you don't have to live with me.