Tuesday, July 14, 2009

2nd TIME AROUND TUESDAY AND THREE OR MORE TUESDAY: PRESERVING THE PAST


Today I am joining everyone in Three Or More Tuesday, as well as 2nd Time around Tuesday, hosted respectively by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner and Diane at A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words. After you leave a comment, please visit these two ladies to see what they have to offer today. Then visit all the participants who have something to share for these events. Have fun!!


First off, for 2nd Time Around Tuesday, I am showing the before and after pictures of the God awful shutters on my house. Yes, God awful. I have had to live with these G.A. shutters for 23 years!! 23 God awful years!! Okay, you get the idea. Our house is a cream colored brick with brown trim. I have wondered and pondered and considered and prayed for ways to change the color without actually selling the house and getting as far away from it as possible. I mean brown!!! And the reason said shutters can't be changed is because all of the gutters and soffit are brown as well. And The Husband has declared that he is not going to have perfectly good material ripped off the house to change perfectly good brown shutters. So...

One day Future Interior Designer Daughter (FIDD) came to me and said, "Mom, I saw the most cool house the other day. It was the same color as ours and it had chocolate brown and blue trim." So I thought, you know, brown and blue look marvelous together. I mean, look at my blog!! Well, we knew we had to do it without The Husband knowing. Generally speaking, we had to "sneak around". So the plan was hatched. I'd whisk The Husband up to the lake while Emily did the deed. Well actually, we were going to the lake anyway, so there was no real whisking involved, but The Husband was out of the way and Emily set to work!

The G.A. brown before:




And the pretty blue after!!


Isn't it great?? Emily also put up flower boxes (as best she could), trimmed the shrubs and spread new shredded bark around them. She had to trim back some of the ivy but that's okay, it was starting to need it's own driveway. The house looks colorful and fresh and the blue goes well with the brown. And does The Husband like it? Nope. Now on to Three Or More Tuesday...


Back during the winter I went to one of my favorite antique stores, the one where The Husband scored the set of china in the auction for $40.00. Remember? I found the three items shown below and bought them on the spot. I knew they would look great together on the sofa table in my den.



Now, Florida Sue at Lux Lanai has the naughty habit of leaving price tags on everything and I am the opposite. So I can't tell you if I got a deal or not.




The lamps are heavy glass and silver with etched glass hurricanes. The only problem I have is that the faux candle is cracked at the top and I am wondering if anyone knows where I can get replacements. Otherwise they are in great shape.






The candelabra is heavy silver that is just starting to tarnish. There are no markings on the bottom.






So this is where I have the trio, in the den, behind the settee I won't let anyone sit on. I didn't notice that the settee is a little crooked in front of the sofa table, but oh well.
Lastly, I wanted to give a big thanks to Fifi of Fifi Flowers Designs for posting a picture of the painting she did of my Summerhouse up at the lake. If you didn't get to see it, go to her Outdoor Wednesday post of last week. She did a fabulous job and I can't wait to get the painting. She will also be doing a painting of the actual Cottage (the Summerhouse is actually a guesthouse) and I am really excited to see that.
Please visit everyone participating in Tam and Diane's events, as I am off to do. Thanks for stopping!!
xoxo
Jane







46 comments:

Unknown said...

I think those blue shutters are STUNNING!!! The color blue is perfect. It gives the house a serene, calm feel and enhances the off white of the house. Two thumbs up!

Chris said...

The shutter transformation is wonderful! That's a great blue...

I love your lamps & candelabra are very pretty. You have the "eye".

Have a great Tuesday! Chris

xinex said...

Wow! Janie, your future decorator is already becoming a present one. Love what she did to the shutters, the blue looks good with the house color and tell Allen I said so:-)And you know what else I like? I love the hurricane lamps, so pretty. I am always in love with lamps that have crystals hanging on them. I have a few here in the house....Christine

Brenda Pruitt said...

I love the shutters blue! I can't believe your husband doesn't like it. What man doesn't like blue? Oh well. What do they know? I love your pretty finds. Looks so pretty there!
Brenda

Lori E said...

They (whoever they are?) say that the shutters are the eyebrows on a house. Imagine how we look when our eyebrows are not tidied up.
As for your husband not liking the blue tell him most men are colour blind anyways.

April said...

Your blue shutters definitely brightened up everything...nice choice!

Anonymous said...

What are we going to do with that man of yours? It looks terrific. My sister-in-law has the same blue shutters on her home and my brother-in-law built a big white flower box that is mounted below the window What do you think are your chances? It would look pretty nestled in your greenery with some purple and blue posies. There I go, giving unsolicited decorating advice. You would think I would mind my business and spend my time removing price tags. I love it Janie! You made me smile. Now I have to go look at your summerhouse. XO Sue

GranthamLynn said...

Oh how pretty. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great evening.
Sherry

Barb said...

Hi Jane, your shutters surely look wonderful....the color is great.

I love your lamps and the candleabra....so elegant and pretty.

All your pictures are wonderful.

Hugs, Barb

Kat said...

Janie, I think we need to have a blog intervention for your husband. The shutters look fantastic! Your daughter did a beautiful job, this looks so fresh. And I love your antique store finds. Have no idea where to find a replacement "candle" but surely there's something out there on the internet. And last, but not least, I love the painting of your guest house. I bet you were doing the happy dance for a week after you saw it. Hugs, Kathy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, Janie, I think they look grand! I can't believe that hubs doesn't like them! I love that shade of blue.

And I like your neat pieces you got at the auction. Try a lighting store to see if they might have a replacement part. Go to one that has a lot of ligthing for sale, and I bet you can find something. Or do what I do, go through the Yellow Pages and call!

I loved the drawing of your cottage, and I can't wait to see the one of your house, too.

Love to you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Tootsie said...

I like the shutters too!! but I am drooling over those vines on the outside of your house!!!

Designs on 47th Street said...

You know what they say about color and "pop"! Oh yes, the blue really makes your shutters pop. LOVE IT. I'm so jealous that you have a ledge big enough to put a window box on with flowers. Very cool.

Oh do I love your antique finds. Right up my alley. Yah!

Unknown said...

Hi Jane,
The change in the shutters is dramatic~reminds me of a show of HGTV I used to love to watch called Curb Appeal!

Thanks for being a part of 2nd Time Around!

Neabear said...

I really like the blue shutters. Your daughter did a great job! Now we need to get your hubby to change his mind and decide they are very pretty after all. Your three finds are awesome too.

Happy Tuesday!

~Linnea

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie! Oh, love the blue shutters! They're just so pretty and the little window box is darling! Love your finds! Those lamps are so nice and I hope you'll find a replacement for the candle!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :0

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Jane,
Your shutters look amazing in blue!
Like a french country chateu style. It's all so fresh and pretty! I know you are thrilled!
I'm sure your hubby will like the changes very soon. Mine does the same thing.

Your candleabras are very elegant. ~Great finds. Love the etched glass.

Have a blessed evening.
~Melissa :)

Anonymous said...

But those blue shutters look perfect! I love me some blue LOL.Again with the ivy . .. those climbing plants really adds some whimsy to any house :-)

xinex said...

Hi Jane, thanks for stopping by and for all your compliments. I am a little disappointed that the pool did not get completed while AJ is here. I am taking her home tomorrow. They are pouring the cement on the deck tomorrow morning so we get to see that at least, but I won't see the completion cause I won't be back until Aug. 1st....Christine

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

the shutters look good with brown colour.. and flower box add more charm to the big window.. great idea FIDD!

Domestic Designer said...

I love the blue shutters! What a change. I also love the sofa "collection". It looks just perfect. I have an area like that in my home where no one (except me) is allowed to sit. Everything looks just lovely. Have a wonderful day!
DD

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

I LOVE that blue!

Anonymous said...

Hey Janie!

The mint has been dispatched to a sandy place way back on our property. The only place it has to go is through the fence and on to the road. I am hoping it will make a nice groundcover, or at least slow down the motorcycles like a speed bump!

XOSue

Sharing with Sherri said...

Hi Jane,
Wow, what a difference painting the shutters blue made, and what a great shade of blue you and your decorator chose!

Your glass lamps with the crystals are so gorgeous! I love them!!

Thanks for stopping by to visit earlier! (I haven't made any changes for awhile to my blog accept my picture.)

Have a nice day!!
Sherri:)

Stacey said...

I can't believe your hubby doesn't love the blue shutters! FIDD did such a great job picking out the right color! Looks great with the little window boxes too. Maybe hubby is a creature of habit? :)

Barbara Jean said...

The shutters look great!!
How nice that you finally got them how yow wanted.

blessings and thanks for coming by
Barbara Jean

PS signed up to follow. Not sure how i missed that before.

Anonymous said...

Jane,
Love the blue shurtter...Just stunning,and beatuiful...you have a beatuiful place...Love your flowers box...Cute! Thanks for stopping by the other day...Smiles and Hugs Katherinellen

SmilingSally said...

I love blue with brown and white, and this shade of blue is terrific. Husband will adjust, and one day, you'll overhear him telling someone about how much better they look now.

Rhonda said...

The blue shutters really do look great. And I love the silver candelabra and lamps. So pretty.
Rhonda

Sue said...

I think shutters SHOULD be an accent color! That's what I've done for several clients, anyway... Your blue is just what it took to take your house to the next level, Janie. Tell the hubs the color is staying, he'll eventually learn to like it, you watch... Great job on the candelabra- are you gonna leave it shabby chic tarnished or are you going to polish? Try the big box stores. You probably need a 4 in. plastic lamp socket cover- Angelo-Westinghouse makes one-
part # 7037100- under $2.50.
Hugs, Sue

Kathleen said...

Hi Blondie,
Glad you finally got your pretty blue shutters!
You can still do the garden party..it's on till Sunday..
You know Irish gals never say no to a party!

xinex said...

Thanks for coming by, Janie. I got the net from Big Lots. It already had different shells hanging on it. AJ really enjoyed the tablescape. She wouldn't let me take it apart to play Scrabble, LOL. Anyway, we are back in Florida now...Christine

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

He didn't like it? I love the shutters! They are a perfect touch and your daughter has the knack for sure! I love the other items you scored, what a neat story! I am so glad you came by I always love hearing from you and I am going to check out that painting of your cottage. Hugs, Cindy

Deanna said...

I'm loving the shutters and it'a a wonderful blue color. I'm totally mystified by your DH's response to it...I'm with mbktatc 230...lol!

Deanna :D

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I adore the blue shutters!

The etched glass hurricanes are truly lovely.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

The blue shutters are stunning.. what a change..more of a cottage feel. Oh how I love, love, love your treasures on your sofa table.. what wonderful eye candy... hugs ~lynne~

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane, Like you, I hate brown...anything brown and never wear anything brown or beige. I LOVE what you did to the shutters and how perfectly wonderful that your daughter did all that work. Wonders off as she mumbles to herself how to get her sons to spiff up her house for her. Enjoy your lake house this summer. xo Lynn

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Girl...now I think the blue looks wonderful on those shutters and what do husbands know ha ha!! You did great on all those candle lamps just beautiful my friend...Hey and fly out here I'll take you to Second Sunday swap meet any old day...I found my best bargains at the end of the day...because dealers don't want to pack it up and take it home...That gal wanted $95.00 for those dishes when I got her down to $40.00 but it was already 4pm and hot and she wanted to leave ha ha!! Did the same thing with that old painted window I just got...gal wanted $65.00 at noon and by 3pm she still had it...I offered her $25.00 and walked away with it...After dealing for 30 years with dealers I never give them full price ha ha!!May you have a great weekend my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Kathy said...

Hi Jane, Your daughter has a brilliant career ahead of her, those shutters are gorgeous, that shade of blue is so pretty. Hubby is outnumbered on this one lol. Your new lamps and candelabra are beautiful, I want them! :-).

happy Thursday, Kathy.

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love the shutters blue!!! Tell hubby he is out voted.

And I love your candle lamps & candelabra. I love stuff like that.

Thanks for visiting my blog & leaving me a comment.

Deb said...

Love the blue shutters Janie!

Dawn said...

I love that shade of blue. It looks so pretty on your home. I think it gives it a little more french feel.Your daughter did a great job. I'm sure hubby will come around!
Dawn

Dixie said...

Jane... I love the blue shutter transformation... just the perfect color blue...

and no matter what you paid... you obviously love them... and the candle and lamps look beautiful on your table.

thanks for stopping by French Lique earlier... yes it's hot in Texas every year... but this year... it's even hot for Texas Summer weather! send us some of those cool windy Chicago breezes will ya!

2 Dogs said...

I think the blue looks wonderful. What's wrong with our men. It's like pulling teeth to get them to change anything. LOL

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I may...just may...chop a hand off to get the remaining one on those lamps! LOVE!!

Fifi Flowers said...

That looks FAB... will I be painting this NEW look? Lake cottage painting is shipping TOMORROW!!!
Anddddddddd... I got you photos back from that crazy lady... ugh!