My Cheap Spring Fix!!!!

I am like the rest of you when it comes to Spring I come up with all kinds of projects in my busy little mind. Some projects are big and some are just small weekend projects.

The only problem with projects is there never seems to be enough time and money at the same time.

There are other ways we can bring Spring into our homes with every day items we can pick up at the grocery store. Let’s face it if you have a family you area always at the grocery store.

There is nothing prettier than a bowl of produce on the counter. Look for your prettiest bowl in a pretty color or even in a cream or white and add produce and it will brighten your kitchen. Stylist do it all the time.

I took a trip to Trader Joe’s today and I bought some fresh produce and some flowers and I am one happy camper.

 

 

 

Have you ever purchased daffodils from Trader Joe’s? They are sold in rubber band bundles. The flowers are not even open, and they are not in water, they are just laying there actually looking quite limp. You snip off the ends and put them in water when you get home and Voila! tomorrow morning they will be all opened up just smiling at me!!! I love that!!

The smell of stock is heavenly and it makes my whole kitchen smell like Spring! Be sure to change the water daily the water tends to sour pretty quickly.

I just wanted to make you smile on Monday!!! I hope this did the trick~!!

Happy Monday!!

Kathysue

Inside Out, why Not?

I know that our weather has been a bit odd this year to say the least. Even with the odd weather we are all getting little glimpses of the promise of Spring.

I am looking forward to spending time outside working in my flower beds and sitting outside with candlelight and the sound of water splashing in my fountains.

Outside areas are looking more and more like inside areas of our homes thanks to so many beautiful weather resistant materials that are now on the market.
I  have a few images that are inspiring me to bring more inside elements outside these days……..

Mark Lohman Photography

Every time I see this image I want to find a console table to put in my backyard. I have a large lattice wall on the side of my pool area that I think this idea would look amazing.

This is last year right after it was built. It has weathered and the vines are a bit larger. I think a console table would look great right in the middle with a wonderful zinc mirror hanging on the post  don’t you?

Something else I would like to work on is our gate. It is not worth showing right now since it is just a plain redwood 6ft gate. I think something more interesting would be fun. Here is an image that caught my attention…..

I love this gate I think it would be fun to have a mirror in the panels to reflect our pool. I use mirrors outside, in fact I have three in my backyard. One on the great wall that I want to replace for a zinc framed mirror, and two round mirrors on my back fence as pictured below.

This one is the most fun to watch because the birds take a bath in the bird bath and then they think they are seeing another bird in the mirror and they just peck away.

 All our beautiful ivy had to be removed because it was literally over 3ft deep and pulling on the fence. It is pretty barren right now but I see growth already and I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will come back quickly.

I have another image that is very  intriguing to me and I am trying to figure out a place to use it.

This is just a small little terrace and they have made it look larger and also cozy by the use of mirrors. I love the addition of the shutters. I have these mirrored doors in my dining room inside my home.

Here they are at Christmas this year.

I love the idea of using them outside also. I just have to figure out where?!

Do any of you have mirrors on the outside of your home?

Just a few ideas that I am thinking about for this years projects. Do you all have any fun ideas planned for your yards this year?

“Enjoy  the Process” Of:

Bringing ideas that look like they are for the inside to your outside areas.

Kathysue

Does Spring Make You Smile?

Easter is just a few weeks away and Spring is officially here. I love this time of year. I especially love Easter/Spring colors. They make me smile.



I am sure you all have certain color combinations that remind you of Easter. The color combination that always reminds me of Easter is pink and yellow. Whenever I see that combination I am instantly  thrown into memories of Easter baskets, new dresses and white patent leather shoes.

I thought it would be fun to look at rooms and  some accessories that can go in rooms that look like Easter!!! Obviously none of us will be doing a room completely over for Easter day, but I think we can look at each of these rooms for some fun ideas to add to our own rooms.


Shall we do a little Easter/Spring exploring?………….

via Pinterest

In the above image I can see a couple of items that  could possibly go into other rooms. Why not cover some of your books with spring colored papers for your book shelves. A couple of spring colored boxes on your coffee table to hold your remote controllers would be an easy thing to add to your room.

 

via decorpad

Purchase small artist canvas’s and paint them with Easter egg colors.You can use them in a grouping as they did here. Brightly colored lamp shades are another easy idea. Purchase inexpensive smooth white shades and use a high gloss paint in the color of your choice.

Decorpad

I think the addition of some Spring colored pillows is a quick and easy way to give your room a pop of Spring. Maybe lighten up your coffee table with a white table or wicker. Even an acrylic table would lighten the room up.

Sarah Richardson

I am not sure what the prints are above the sofa, but you could buy some great scrap book papers and inexpensive chrome or white frames from Ikea  and you will have some Spring art. Fabric is also a good option or vintage scarves.

The addition of clear or white objects will also lighten and brighten a room.

Don’t worry I am not suggesting that you paint your appliances pink!! I do like the colorful ceramic bowls on the shelves and also in the little hutch in the background. Even the spatula is bright pink. How about taking inexpensive wooden spoons and painting them Easter egg colors.

Etsy

This seller on Esty has made a wonderful collage of varied sizes and shapes of frames and candlesticks. I think this could be so fun on a mantel. The frames would not have to be new they could be from Thrift stores or garage sales.

 

Notice the brightly colored lamp base and shade (spay paint!!) can be our friend. It also looks as if they took some brightly colored ribbon and added it to their ottoman. Look around this room and see what ideas you can use for your own home.

House Beautiful

House beautiful

Tobi Fairley

House beautiful

An inexpensive wooden chair in a bright color really adds an extra smile to this room. Notice all the pretty sherbet dishes. Even the spines of the books work in the color scheme. I have purchased books from Goodwill for years based on the color of the spine when I am doing a display of books or using them to elevate an object. I call these color spots.

Porterhouse designs

Willey Designs

Did you see any of your favorite Easter color combinations? I hope you were able to get a few ideas from this post!!!  I know I did!!! I am thinking about where can I add a small bright chair, a stack of boxes and maybe make some book covers!!!

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Finding inspiration for your Spring/Easter decor.

Kathysue

BTW: Hop on over to Karen's blog Strictly Simple Style for more Spring/Easter ideas.