This is the year....the year to be inspired, finish projects started last year, learn something new, reacquaint with old Friends, meet new friends, and to accomplish goals unrealized.
If the Japonica, azalea, and the daffodils aren't afraid of this amazingly warm weather at the Jersey Shore...maybe we should take advantage too! Every where we have been the last few weeks has been packed with people enjoying themselves.
We even found a yard sale yesterday! Late in the day as yard sales go, there wasn't much left, but I did find two tablecloths in this blue and white check cotton and a vintage copy of Martha Stewart's Pies and Tarts. Inspiration on a budget...one of the checked tablecloths will be cut and sewn to be a curtain in the recently finished upstairs bathroom.
Working from blue inspiration, the color is popping up in more and more places in our house.
As I sit at my desk and write I am wondering just how many rooms in a house can be painted the same color? Serene ...a pale gray blue by Behr at the Home Depot is the favorite color for me this year...and that is a carry over from last year.
Inspired by a finished office/lounge area upstairs in our house, with lots and lots of clever little storage areas, I am looking forward to finishing off the bedroom across the hall.
The wall has been rebuilt and customized to accommodate four sets of doors. These are the doors that I was unbelievably lucky to find on Craigs List last year. One town over, someone was redoing their house and wanted to sell 10 sets of doors...I couldn't have bought one set of doors for the price he quoted for the 5 sets that we bought. Picture this...one long wall, four sets of white doors, the walls painted Serene blue, and the trim and ceiling painted white. Are you getting the feeling for how this bedroom is going to look? I have to be honest...the idea for the wall of closets came from two places. The first was a show house in the area, and the second was a house that Sarah Richardson did on one of her shows. It makes me giddy just thinking about how this is going to look!!
So, this is the year...the year that I change things up a little ...for instance...I put away the aluminum trays that have been on this hutch for such a long time now and filled it with vintage Bennington pottery dishware...made in America! The fabulous sunflower platter on top was a gift from my daughters boyfriend...it was inspiring!
It is also the year that I start framing more of my photos. I don't know if you were as taken by the bee's nest of 2011 as I was, but I thought the pictures were pretty amazing. I will also try to write more about the vintage aluminum that I have collected over the years. The long narrow tray in the picture above was made by Arthur Armour more than 60 years ago. He called it "Snake in the Garden" , and the handles have bakelite inserts. I consider this hammered aluminum tray a work of art!
Another interesting and fairly new publication is the magazine/cookbook from Stampington and Company...Where Women Cook...It is a real treat for those who appreciate an interesting kitchen and a home chef who thinks "out of the box".
Anyone who has been reading this blog knows that I collect cookbooks so this new publication is pretty interesting to me. Last night I finished reading The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman. A national best seller, it is definitely worth the read!!
Like most of you reading this, I am hoping that this will be the year I blog more regularly, lose some weight, do good things and be a better person over all...and like those of you reading this, we can keep up with the annual progress on the "internets"...I promise to read your blog posts and leave comments...and keep in touch via facebook. This is the year!
This post is being linked to Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, and Smiling Sally for Blue Monday.
♥, Susan
I have Bennington Pottery dishes also and use them everyday. They are lovely--so homey and like you said made in America! Good luck with all your projects you have in store for the new year.
Martha Ellen
Posted by: Martha Ellen | January 08, 2012 at 04:20 PM
I love the idea of a wall of closets! The wall color sounds fabulous trimmed out in white. My entire house is a creamy yellow with white trim, except for the den and powder room. Oh, I do have two bedrooms a linen white. I love that you changed out your trays for your pottery, looks fab too. You've inspired me Susan, I need to make a few changes too……..
~Emily
The French Hutch
Posted by: Emily | January 08, 2012 at 05:05 PM
The book you just finished sounds like one I would like! And I'm excited about the new year, too! It feels like anything is possible! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | January 08, 2012 at 05:14 PM
Well you're off to a roaring start!
I love blue and don't think a room is complete without it. Your wall of doors - well, it sounds marvelous and I look forward to seeing the finished room.
Good luck!
Posted by: Pondside | January 08, 2012 at 05:29 PM
Amazing how it seems like spring in the US now, I'm not complaining! I think your yard sale finds were great - I love that Martha Stewart book.
Love all your plans for this year.
shirley from www.shirleybehindthelens.com
Posted by: Shirley LeMay | January 08, 2012 at 05:30 PM
Sarah Richardson has inspired a lot of my decorating. And blue is everywhere in my home - I'm really loving a pale grey with blue undertones these days. Your wall of closets will be gorgeous!
You're starting the year out with a bang!
Posted by: Lorrie | January 08, 2012 at 05:36 PM
I thought I left a comment, but it has gone missing. Great finds and I love the color you have chosen. Blue is my favorite color. I'm sure you will be busy with all the changes. Great post, have a wonderful week!
Posted by: Eileen | January 08, 2012 at 05:54 PM
Looks like you have as many projects as we do! You really have had some unseasonable weather. Garage sale in January? Enjoy getting things done and re done!
Posted by: ellen b | January 08, 2012 at 05:56 PM
Some nice days for yard sales, it's been warm. You got some terrific things! Love your cookbook collection, I have a lot of those same books. The book looks like a good read!
Posted by: Carol @There's Always Thyme to Cook | January 08, 2012 at 06:54 PM
Wow how industrious. Things are looking great there. I love the look of the food especially since I have not had breakfast yet. Blessings
QMM
Posted by: QMM | January 09, 2012 at 06:45 AM
I know it's kind of interesting in the middle o winter we are experiencing good sunny weather. Some of my friends found flower and vegetable popping in their backyard. I can't wait for garage sales or yard sales pop out this spring too hehe. ^_^
MYM
Posted by: Kim,USA | January 09, 2012 at 06:58 AM
Hi Susan I am back from my other blog. I notice your pottery and also the cook books,I was cleaning the other day I can't imagine I have many cookbooks ^_^ Start to get swinging in the kitchen ^_^
MM
Posted by: Mary, MI | January 09, 2012 at 07:44 AM
I have a wall of closets in a room that I call "My Holiday Room." I store all of my decorating goodies there. Thanks for sharing your blues.
Happy Blue Monday, Susan.
Posted by: Sally | January 09, 2012 at 07:44 AM
I am such a big fan of Sarah Richardson. She cannot put a foot wrong in home decoration. I think your new blue room will be lovely. Hope you will show us when it is done. V
Posted by: Valerie | January 09, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Looking great! Neat collection you have there. :)
Posted by: Joy | January 09, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Beautiful blues:)
Visiting for Blue Monday!
Here's my share- hope you can stop by:)
http://www.heavenly-dreams.com/7366-blog-photo-challenge-enfamil-infant-formula/
Posted by: Leah H. | January 09, 2012 at 10:25 PM
Good Morning Susan, Hope you are able to accomplish everything you hope to this New Year! Being able to already enjoy a yard sale is definitely a happy thought, is that where you acquired those wonderful jars on the sideboard? There are so many wonderful shades of blue out there... perhaps you should add painting a wall blue to your to do list ;)! Have a wonderful day!
Posted by: Julie | January 10, 2012 at 06:25 AM
Your wall closets are such a divine solution, Black eyed Susan!
I did read the Cookbook collector. It was a good book. And now I realize you collect cookbooks. Do you have a certain criteria?
I'm glad it has been worm, yet it concerns me at the same time for our planet.
Hugs!!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | January 10, 2012 at 10:35 AM
I'm with you all the way Susan -- on settling the house, switching up the vignettes, we also have doors I love (similar story of salvage bargain -- go for it!) and the weight loss too, Uh huh.
As for cookbooks, I'm down to basics on those and take recipes I need off the 'net -- easier and less to store though I still cling to my faves.
Re Antiques Roadshow, all I can say is 'show me the $$' -- they don't buy things, alas.
Thanks for stopping by! Jane
Posted by: Jane F @ Atticmag | January 10, 2012 at 02:30 PM
You have a lot going on at your house. I'm interested to see that wall of doors. Storage space is always good. Keeps the house neater!
Nancy
Posted by: Porch Days | January 11, 2012 at 10:11 PM
It's going to get done this year!! It's going to look fabulous, too.
Love Jenna
Posted by: Jenna Ericson | January 12, 2012 at 09:49 AM
Hi Susan!! Happy New Year!! WOW! You definitely have the redecorating bug! I have always asked the same question!! HMMMMM!! How many rooms can I paint/decorate the same color!!! I am red person and find that it keeps popping up everywhere!! I can not wait to see your vision come to life in the bedroom!! It's gonna look beautiful!!
Have a wonderful relaxing Sunday!!
xoxoxoxo
Cheryl;-)
oh! That cookbook looks like trouble! hheheehee!!!
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