{My Weekend} Estate Sale Fail and Vintage Desk Find

I had the opportunity this weekend to hit the estate sale and yard sale scene.  Some weekends are a big win.  Some are big fail.  Unfortunately my shopping excursions fell into the major fail category this time.

I actually attended an estate sale (run by an outside company) that was so poorly run...I left.  Imagine that.  Goes to show you how important it is to plan and organize prior to your sale and to hire the right company if you choose to do so. 

Oh well, it's the thrill of the hunt.  :)

I did however score these adorable vintage mid century school desks.  They were originally from the local catholic school that has since purchased new ones.  My neighbor had obtained them and was going to throw them away.  I'll be giving them a makeover for my two sweet little nieces.  Have I mentioned my two little nieces yet?  I love them so!  They are just over a year apart so my older niece is just slightly bigger than my younger niece.  Just like the desks!  Too perfect.

{photos via Flower Hill Design}

I have plans for these that I'll will be posting.  But, I'm interested to get your creative opinions first!

What would you do with these vintage desks?  Give them a good clean and leave them with their "vintage charm?"  Spray paint them?  Maybe add some modern touches?  Or anything else you can dream up.  Would love to hear!

{Life} Talking TV

There are some new design and real estate related shows that I've been watching lately (in between my own design projects).

Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis... Jeff Lewis has long been one of my favorite designers.  I loved him in Flipping Out, but Jeff Lewis as a therapist?  Pretty comical.  Although I love the concept of how one's environment is a reflection of their life.

Lara Spencer's I Break for Yard Sales...  Bargain shopping and decorating tips?  This show is just my style.  Love Lara's ability to transform thrifty second hand finds into high end looks. 

Million Dollar Listing New York... Being a New Yorker it's fun to get an inside look at some of the most beautiful real estate in the city.

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Have any new great design or real estate shows you've been watching?

{Life} Husbands Say the Darndest Things

Over at Bird and Branch Redesign today is a link party that I thought was way too much fun to pass up.  Jessamie is hosting a party of the "things he says" where bloggers are showing their favorite design photos to their plus one's to see how they will comment.

Disclaimer:  I will start this by saying that my husband is a wonderful man.  Wonderful.  The most wonderful husband and father ever.  (insert Aaaawwwwws here.)

My husband also happens to be the type of person that doesn't always notice...let's call them "the details."  This works for me and against me in many ways.  For example, when I haphazardly painted a million paint samples on my bathroom wall and it stayed that way for what seemed like forever to me, he barely noticed.  Not even so much as a "Hey, I see you're testing paint samples."  Nothing.  Big plus.  But, if I get my hair cut and colored, get a manicure, clean the entire house, repaint the living room, reorganize the closets, and rearrange the furniture all before he gets home from work, he won't notice either.  Big minus. 

So, here it goes.  An unedited interview with the main squeeze in my life...

I like the wallpaper here.  What's with the gold bananas?  Next.

It bothers me that the chair is not centered in the doorway.  Other than that it's nice.  I don't really dislike any one thing about this room.  Move on.

What's with the fiber optic light?  I see the tree table base there.  It's not my taste, but I'm sure it works for somebody.  Next.

This I don't like.  The pillows look like giant cotton balls.  The blue lamps seem out of place.  They seem south western.  I don't like the art.  I can see though that it has some of the blue from the lamps in it.  What's that thing up there?  Seems like an odd place for a chandelier.  Shouldn't it be in the middle of the room?  That's it.  Next.

Too dizzy.  O.K. Move on.

Nice.  Very nice.  Like that sink.  What do they call those sinks again?  Country sinks?  I like the windows.  A lot of light.

Too uncomfortable.  What do you do with all the pillows when you sit?  Throw them on the floor?  Not practical for a six year old and ketchup and cookie crumbs.  Next.

Where's the window dressing?  No privacy, no style.  I don't need people walking up to my window and looking in.  What is that a giant pom pom?  I got nothing else.

The wallpaper on the ceiling and the shades don't match.  Wallpaper on the ceiling?  Get rid of those chairs.  They look like I'm going to sit on them and they're going to collapse.

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Way too dark for me. The stripes are too bold. You need a flood light to light it up. Can I get my coffee now?

Linking to...

Bird and Branch Redesign

Serenity Now

{Blogging} Some Changes Around Here

Flower Hill Design is going through a small transformation!  You may have already noticed some changes around here.

Flower Hill Design received a new logo and header.

Over in my side bar you'll find a new blog button.  Feel free to grab one.

<center><a href="http://www.flowerhilldesigncompany.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Flower Hill Design" src="http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x364/FlowerHillDesignCo/FlowerHillDesignButton1.png"/></a></center>

And there's more to come.

Stay tuned for new Flower Hill Design Series, Portfolio Pages, Projects, Link Parties and Giveaways!

New look, same place!

{Link Party} Outdoor Extravaganza

It's that time of year again!  My F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E!  Warm weather, mojitos, the beach, mojitos, open toe sandals, mojitos, and dining al fresco...yeah and ummm, mojitos.  :)  It's really a wonder that I don't live in a warm climate.

My friends Shauna, Amanda, Tiffany and I are all planning some fabulous outdoor projects and a round of link parties to prepare for outdoor living!  We have some fun projects lined up that we don't want you to miss!

And we encourage you to join the party too!  Let's see all of your inspiring outdoor ideas!  Be sure to mark your calendars- dates and themes are below.

Remember it's outdoor projects, so starting working on them now!

 

 

Join us...

Can't wait to see what you have in store!

XOXO,

{Color File} Turqouise and Navy

Loving the color combination of turquoise and navy.

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XOXO,



{Inspiration} Bright Outdoor Spaces

Today is day three of dreary rainy weather here.  Since there isn't a clear day in the forecast for the next several days, I thought it would make me feel better to share some of my favorite bright and sunny outdoor spaces.

And a little something floating around Pinterest that gave me a good laugh...

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Hope you're enjoying bright beautiful weather wherever you are!

XOXO,

{Deals and Steals} Clam Shell Bowl

Lamps Plus Clam Shell Bowl

$242.91

Save on Crafts Clam Shell Bowl

$49.00!

Have a great weekend!

XOXO,

{DIY} Spring into Action Bathroom Reveal

Well, I made it to the end.  Barely.  With the peer pressure support of the Undaunted Dozen, I was able to complete my Spring into Action Challenge.

Let me tell you,  this.  project.  was.  not.  easy.

Not because painting is that difficult, but everything that could have gone wrong this week absolutely did.  From illness, to babysitting my two little (but oh so cute) nieces who are both under the age of three, to unexpected school projects.  This project was placed on the back burner until yesterday.  Yup, yesterday.  Took the pictures 7 am this morning and edited the photos about 4 seconds ago.  But, I got through it!  And I'm happy to show you where we are now.

You can catch up on my bathroom paint project from the initial paint sample mess to the before photos and the painting prep progress made last week.


And here is my simple bath now...

 It's hard to tell the paint color difference from the photos, but the original wall color had yellow undertones.  The Benjamin Moore Ballet White OC-9 looks beautiful in the space.  It's a pretty neutral that works with the tile and fortunately with the other paint colors in my home.

A close up of a few new accessories I found at TJ Maxx.  Love the classic basketweave pattern!








Remember my DIY paint sample art?  Here you can catch a glimpse of it in the mirror.  It will be the inspiration for the color palette used in this room.













Under the painting on this wall I'll be adding hooks for towels.












I have a simple ivory shower curtain for the time being.  Hoping to add some color with a new one.







And this huge wall space just above the doorway may need some attention.  Any suggestions?  You had to see me trying to get up there with a paint brush to cut into the corners.  It was a site to behold.

{photos via Flower Hill Design}


I feel so much better now that I can allow guests to use this bathroom.  :)



Still to do....

Shower curtain
Towel hooks
Art above toilet
Storage solutions
Accessories
Address wall space above doorway




Thanks for following me on this journey!  And thank you to all of the ladies who also participated in the Spring into Action Challenge!  I can honestly say that I would not have been motivated to complete this project without you!  I'm heading now to check out the reveals of the other Undaunted Dozen members.  Please visit them to see how their projects turned out!

Suzy – Saved by Suzy
Tiffany – Living Savvy

Kerry – Design du Monde

Laurie – Traditional & Modern

Cathy – Room Rx

Carrie – Hazardous Design

Lisa – A Room with A View

Sam – The Junk House

Becca – from Gardners 2 Bergers

Nancy – Powell & Brower Home

Linda – My Crafty Home Life

 

XOXO,





Linking to...
Sassy Sites
Shine Your Light