Happy Friday. I hope everyone has gotten themselves shoveled out. I was amazed to hear that Florida was the only state that did not get snow this past week. I was lucky in that I had a doctors appointment about 50 minutes away on Monday and all the snow came after that. I love when it snows...but not if I have to drive in it. I hope all of you were safe and warm and maybe even had a little fun.
Christmas is packed up and the bins are ready to be stored. I am still fiddling around with my coffee and end tables and cabinets...shopping the house and trying to get a fresh look here and there. I am even dreaming about new paint colors and curtains. My living room has been this light mossy green for ages. It goes so well with my furniture, I'm not sure what else to do. Gray is the 'new' color and it has been warmed out with a bit of beige to make 'greige'. I do like the shades I have seen and I actually have a nail polish in that color that is really pretty. What are your thoughts on this?
Another question I have...does anyone have furniture from Ikea? I have been admiring their white couch that I have seen a little bit of in Blogland. I am wondering if it is comfortable. They also have a set of bookshelves that is supposed to be very nice, I think it is called 'The Billy'. Correct me if I am wrong. So...I am thinking of going to Ikea this weekend to check these out myself. I am looking for something with slipcovers so it stays clean. My kids are notorious for eating and snacking on the sofa. I don't dare put books on my coffee table or they become coasters. All of this furniture is for my family room, which I have been working on {or not working on} for almost a year.
Not much else going on in my world except...
I know I vowed not to buy an more dishes, but I happened to come across a tablescape done by Linda at Al a Carte and fell in love with this beautiful pattern, Winterberry by Pfaltzgraff. I thought they would be perfect for the holidays and all winter long. Linda was kind enough to tell me that they were on sale at the website, so I was just in heaven. She has managed to find some accessories at various thrift shops over the years so I can add to my collection. 
Since my holiday things are packed up, it was tough to do a tablescape. Maybe next year. Now I have to find a place to store them. This is the main reason I have promised myself to stop buying dishes. My little old house can only hold so much.I am joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday. I am going to go visiting today to see what everyone has. I hope all of you have a a good weekend planned. Wish me luck at Ikea!
76 comments:
Well, when your post came up & the flowers were right there... I had to stop & look... they tell me that spring will come...:)
They are beautiful! We had a foot of snow yesterday. Just across the lake from you... we get lake effect.
I have been so busy that I have visited you, but not commented in a while... (& my Christmas is still all up... maybe it will get put away today)
Have you been to your lake house?? Bet there is a LOT of snow there, I hear that they have gotten hammered in SW Michigan.
Stay Warm.....
Have fun at IKEA, wish we had one closer here. We are not snowed out and probably won't be until March or April! so much snow.
I did not know gray was an in color...guess I am way behind.
its freezing here Jane. Love seeing your pretty flowers and chicks.
They say spring is on the way and I sure am ready for it..
Artie has a great post about Gray, you might enjoy.. personally I love the grays..
I love the delicate look to that pattern on the dishes, Jane! Very pretty! I have the Ektorp chairs {and they have a sofa, too}. I love them! They have lasted us a good 15 years and while not every day chairs {I had one in each of my kids' bedrooms} they are very comfortable. I just bought two white slipcovers for them $29.00 each! Fitted! Now I love them even more.
Hi Janie... your table looks so pretty, love those chickens and your pitcher full of flowers... I have never bought anything from Ikea but hear good things about it...ooh, I saw on your sidebar you are reading "American Farmhouses"... I just got that several days ago and am loving it!... I also posted some country~farmhouse books on my latest post you may want to see... it looks like you are creating a farmhouse type look in your home, love that!... I have always loved farmhouses and one of my books from 1988 could very well have been written today... also, where did you find that gorgeous vase of wheat you have shown in other posts? Love that too!... you are always so fun to visit!... xoxo Julie Marie
Hi Blondie, thanks for stopping by my place. I have been a follower of yours for some time. I love, love, love your roosters. If ever they need a new home, you just give me a shout out lol. I would love for you to come back over and stay as long as you like.
Have fun nesting, Jane.
I have a couple of Billy bookcases and they are indestructible. They've moved many times with us and seem to fit in wherever I need them. If you look in my last week's post at the photo of all of us dancing in the TV room you'll see a set of Ikea bookcases made to look like built-ins. I can't remember the name of the line but I love them!
I also have great curiousity about Ikea and look forward to what you find out. We do not have a store close but heck I can drive to one in 2 hours or less...road trip! Love the dishes...I seem to rearrange and find room for more somehow. I have a thing for grey and wear grey{gray?} eye shadow and grey sweaters in the winter. I have not painted any walls grey...yet. Have a terrific weekend. ♥O
Jane, your dishes are adorable. There is something so satisfying about buying dishes! I bought a set this weekend too. NOW I have TWO sets of blue china! Like you, my little house is full..and somethings gotta give..and soon!
No snow here. Nope..none that I know of. I didn't even hear of any up North.
I've never had to dig out of snow in my lifetime. My parents have..but not I. So...is it fun?
I love snow.
p.s. I guess that was spoken like a ignorant Southern California woman!! :(
Hi Jane! Oh, love your post and what lovely snaps. You know how I love that Rooster. Good luck with your sofa search. Our Ikea is over an hour away so I don't get to go there very often.
When my daughter lived in England she bought a sofa and loveseat - they were white and she bought some floral slipcovers. They lived on these daily for a couple of years with their lab and they seemed to hold up well.
Hope that helps.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Jane...I love Winterberry and have a few thrify pieces...I should spring for a set but am abstaining from dish buying for the moment. Your tableclooth and roos are sure sweet looking :)
Blessings!
Gail
Jane I have never been to an Ikea but it seems so nice. I want to one day. Let us know if you get it.
The rooster are precious. I just adore all roos!
Warmly, ~Melissa :)
Hi Jane! I'm nesting too. We had rain yesterday, rain today and for the next 5 days in the forecast. A great time to work on all of the redecorating projects. Stay warm inside and have fun!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxo
I love the snow too Jane - as long as I don't have to go out in it. So peaceful and just a good excuse to stay inside and nest. I've never bought from Ikea before but their stuff looks very chic. Have a great weekend!
xoxo,
Kim
Hello, thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! It is hard to decorate right now isn't it? I feel that tug for "simplicity" after Christmas but then sometimes it's sort of sad and sparse because we've gotten used to extra "fluff" over the holidays! Yours looks great.
Good luck at Ikea...I'm heading to the one in Mpls. myself tomorrow :) Laurel@chippingwithcharm
Your house looks so lovely, Jane! LOVE your new dishes! I have a weakness for new dishes, too...always having to juggle them around in the cupboards...oh, well! There's worse things to be addicted to, right?!
Hope your day is wonderful and that you can just stay inside where it's warm & cozy!
Julie
Janie,
I love Winterberry, too. I bought a set for 4 last year after Christmas, so I need to get out there and look for another set. Have fun nesting!
Love and hugs,
Robin
This is really pretty, Janie. Looks so refreshingly fresh. Love the fresh flowers. They always make the table. Pretty dishes too! I have good news! I won April Cornell's tablescaping contest for the standard category which is what I entered for since I am not a pro and do not do this for a living. The Tablescaper won the pro category. We did not get any snow here....Christine
Like everyone else we've been in a deep freeze, today temps outside aren't too bad. The cloudy day makes it gray and sad, your lovely dishes put a bright spot in a dreary 'ole day. Stay in and stay warm. Good luck on any and ll new purchases. hugs ~lynne~
Love your pretty flowers and dishes, Jane! I think "greige" is a wonderful color for walls. Have fun at IKEA... hope you find the furniture you're looking for!
Have a wonderful weekend!
XO,
Jo :)
I love your dishes Jane! I can never do a tablescape decent, because I don't have all I need to do it right. I see so many beautiful ones on people's posts and sigh.
I loved your beautiful flowers today. Brightened me right up. Speaking of beautiful...your mantel is so pretty.
hugs to you....
Looks like Spring at your house with those lovely photos at top.
Pretty new plates too. I wish I dare buy more, I don't really have that many but too many for dh already, that's for sure!!
Have a lovely weekend Jane.
hugs
Denise
Yes, I so love those dishes, too, when I saw them in her presentation. Don't blame you one bit for buying them, considered it myself.
What a lovely bouquet of florals to brighten a snowy day. We had 3" but it is slowly fading away ... not the fun snow like the 3 blizzards we had last year. Durnnit!
Well, I see my blogger dumped you for some reason, & others, so I put myself back on 'following' you, Jane. Sorry ... no clue why it did this to me.
Have a beautiful day ~
TTFN ~
Hugs, Marydon
Good afternoon my Dear friend,
Girl you have been busy and I don't have a clue about Ikea or anything they have also never been to one of their stores..Did you makr the flower arrangement?? your just so great at that..I just dusted mine that you made me yesterday and put it in my bedroom on the coffee table...I pray all is well in your world Jane..I have my normal every January cold YUCK!! sneezing my old head off and of course the huge red nose now matches my old Red robe ha ha!! Take care my friend..Hugs and smiles Gloria
Beautiful flowers, sure to brighten up any nest even in the depths of winter.
I would love to be able to shop at IKEA but the nearest one is out by the airport in Paris!
Have fun.
Your house is looking good. When I get out I am buying some flowers for some color in the house. I have had some Ikea furniture and my daughter has a couch and we love their stuff. For the price it's awesome and last a long time. I am thinking of one of their couches myself. Good Luck! hugs, Linda
Tomorrow and the next day, we will have a thaw....then comes Monday.:-)
We are trying to get some home things taken care of and need to make a run up north. Hope to next week. There is a chair I "need" to order.;-)
I always say I am not going to buy another dish, because I am running out of room...but then, I can't resist!
Happy Weekend!
Jane, we have the Ektorp sofa from Ikea & love it. We bought the white slip cover so you can wash it, but be warned - it shrinks ever so slightly. World Market has similar for the same price.
Enjoy your weekend.
-Rene
girl...you always have such pretty posts! I always walk away from here with a little inspiration! thanks!
Pretty dishes! I've been dreaming about that greige paint color myself. Although, I can't paint right now, I'm thinking it'd be pretty. Can't wait to see what you come up with!
I love Ikea and was happy when they finally opened one in Tampa. However, I don't think their sofas are comfortable, but I do love the Billy system of bookcases. Different colors, a wide variety of configurations and you can add doors. I was just about to buy a set with glass doors to use in my kitchen for added storage when I decided to move.
I needed the added storage for my Pfaltzgraff dishes! I have three different sets and would love to add Winterberry to my collection. I won one set in a CSN giveaway, bought another set and then found a another at a thrift store, new in the box for $5.00. I love them all!
Happy Nesting
Still no snow in Florida, still a happy beach gal.
Oh Jane, I have been nesting too:) I have been shopping my house and really having fun with re-decorating! I love your dishes! I don't know anything about IKEA, report back what you find out! Have a blessed day, HUGS!
Winterberry is beautiful. :) I've always loved it.
And I am liking some of the 'greige' I've seen, too. Funny but I didn't know it had a name. That explains all the times Phil and I have looked at paint chips and I've said "I can't decide if that's gray or beige"... ;)
Your roosters are calling to me, too. They just BELONG in my kitchen! (Actually, I have so many roosters now I don't know what I'd do with more!) :)
I have had the Billy bookcases for ages and they have stood up to two across the states moves in six years. I like them alot.
My daughters have their white couch which also has a red coudoroy slip cover. Super comfy.
I love IKEA.
Fondly,
Glenda
I love the Ikea experence. We don't have one here, but when I travl I try to visit. Never purchased any furniture, but love the accessories and the prices.
Lovin' your new dishes Jane! I don't have an Ikea close to me, but my son has bought several things there and likes it. Have a great weekend:@)
That is a pretty pattern of china and it will never go out of style like so many of them seem to do these days!
I love your mantel post too!! I am always looking for creative ways to fix up that area of my home.
Have a great weekend!
Hi, Janie!
I love your china pattern. I can see why you had to have it. I really like the floral motif and the colors, too!
And I like the color of your LR, but I also like grey and greige. That's a tough call. But whatever you do, I know I will like it. Love your flowers and chickens, too.
I'm still battling this respiratory thing. It's up and down. I am still in the house, and I'm starting to wonder if I stay here long enough, will I become agoraphobic??? Help!
Glad you got safely to the doctor and hope all went well there. It is actually warmed up today, and I have the air on... don't laugh! It was getting a bit warm, and I thought maybe it would help my breathing. I'm also headed back to St. A. soon and hoping the ocean air will help as well. I'm ready for spring! Are you guys coming to FL this year? Is your son going to be at Naples? If you do come, please call me, and I will drive to meet you. Or you can come here and see my mess. LOL!
Stay warm, my friend...
XO,
Sheila :-)
I'm afraid paint colors are not in my repertoire of knowledge, Jane! But there are a lot of bloggers who will have some wonderful suggestions.
Brenda
I can't help you out with IKEA. We don't have one remotely close to us. I only get to one when I visit my sister's in Dallas, and then I don't get to bring anything big home. Have fun shopping there!
Have a great weekend!
Jane
It looks like spring is coming to your house and Christmas is being put away....except for those darling dishes! You can't go wrong with Pfaltzgraff...always in style! You can never have too many dishes Jayne...although I am running out of space too.
Love the grey color with a little brown to make it warmer, OR the grey with a touch of green...pretty too!!
Happy organizing...hope spring comes soon!!
Pfaltzgraff has such pretty dishes and I adore this pattern! I too am looking at paint colors as I hope to start the bedroom redo soon. I am looking for a taupe color to match my new quilt ~ pictures to come! We got about a foot of snow and it was really icy but it is all cleaned up now. Have a great week-end Janie. xo
I have the EKTORP sofa from IKEA and I can tell you that the white slipcovers was up wonderfully. I throw them in with tide and an oxyclean tablet and viola! beautiful.
It is also comfy.
I live minutes from IKEA and have been itching to get over there soon too.
I'm not a fan of gray, but I do know it is the new thing and the warmer shades of it have been appealing to me.
Us women and shopping..that is all we have to do is see it and it get's stuck in our brains. Love the dishes too Jane...I love your roos. And yes we are finally all out of the snow.
oooh, IKEA can be a dangerous place. Hate their famous meatballs though. Ick.
Jane, I hope YOU are doing well. I know it's been a difficult month for you. You asked about my thoughts on the gray/beige paint color and I have to tell you that I LOVE it. I recently painted my entire main floor that color and it goes with everything, and I means everything...sage green, brown, white, red, black, yellow. I've been extremely pleased. I painted my front room and that had previously been the sage color that you mention. I still have that color curtains in the front room with the now "greige" walls, and it is a very classic look. It is the type of paint color that makes everything sitting in front of it look a bit richer.
Have fun!
Love the china Jane, it is so pretty! I'm sure you will find a place to store it! lol We are supposed to begin our thaw tomorrow with temps to get into the 50's and I am SO ready! Nothing has melted all week and eveything is still white with snow piled up everywhere!
I am SO ready for spring!
Lou Cinda
Hi Jane, Your flowers made me wish that it was Spring already. We have been lucky up until this time. We had over 10" of snow. I made it to work on Monday, but got sent home at 1P.M. It was yucking as my grandson says, but I did make it home o.k. I have worked everyday this week. It has been very cold and the furnace hasn't worked right at work. It has been a little miserable. I love your dishes and table arrangement. Have a great weekend. Your Missouri friend.
I think gray can be beautiful and a perfect backdrop for white slipcovered furnishings...think Gustavian gray! I know people who have Ikea furniture and swear by it, including my daughter. And with their reasonable prices it's not like you can't replace it in a few years if it's not everything you hoped for. I love that you have a plate addiction too, I'm right there with you, but I think Mr. Tide is now my sponsor and makes sure I don't relapse!
Have a great weekend!
Kat :)
I hope you are staying warm. We sure have our share of snow and I am very grateful for the 'bum warmers' in my leather seats when I go out! We got down to 7 degrees this week.
Nate Berkus says his new favorite color is the gray tones. Today he showed one room transformed into a warm gray, which would look pefect with a new white couch!
Good luck and enjoy the design process;)
Hi Jane
I'm may be a little late and you;ve probably already got your answers.. but I had a few of the Billy bookshelves and loved them.. the quality was quite good and you can also purchase doors for them.. I gave them away at some point and do sort of regret it.. as for the white lounge.. the slip covered one? l love that too but the seating depth didn't seem generous enough for me.. i like a deep lounge to curl up on... If we are talking about the same lounge.. Ektorp I think.. [well that is the name here .. and sad I know this from the top of my head. ahhaha].. but it also has feather seating.. which I think i would change for foam.. as it does pack down and become hard.... mostly I love the slipcovers.. and probably will end up buying it one day.
ok.. that was a ramble... thanks for your lovely comment... you know Aus has been hit hard by the floods this week.. thankfully I am nowhere near it.. but so sad.. hard to think of much else. I feel so for everyone struggling with the aftermath..
Have a great weekend.. ciao xxx Julie
Hi Jane,
I have never been to an IKEA store but I know a lot of bloggers shop there. Maybe you will get some good feedback.
I love the pattern on those dishes too. Linda has got the scoop on tablescape stuff for sure!
We will be waiting anxiously to see what color you decide to use if you paint!
hugs
Sissie
Your Christmas is packed up! Ours is still hanging around a bit. Well, mostly gone but... I'm *begging off* with the excuse of the colds-from-hell. ,-0
-chuckle- You asked... "Greige" Ughhhhhhhhh... -shiver- I highly dislike that, but that's me.
Hugs & ♥'s...
'Cause Valentine Day is coming!
Happy weekend. The flowers are stunning.. they make me dream of summer.
I love ikea but don't own any large furniture from them. I have looked at the sofa's though, i love that you can change the covers.
Have agreat weekend
Love your roosters and the Winterberry dishes. The flowers make me think of spring.
We had quite a bit of snow, too. The snow banks are so high, it's hard to see the road at the end of the driveway.
Jane
frugalfineliving.com
Hi Jane
Nice to see some colourful flowers in the midst of all this grey!
We have had Billy bookshelves for years, first a few, then we expanded, then when we wanted a carpenter to fit out a room with proper bookshelves that were to be painted, well the old Billy shelves just got incorporated into the fitted elements and saved me a bit on the carpenter's bill!
Have a good weekend
Sharon
I think gray would be great...I'm thinking about painting something gray too. I bought a dinette set at IKEA for my beach condo...it's still in the box...hope to get it put up next week (been way too busy with all the wedding plans). My daughter has that sof at her condo off at college...all I can say is that it's okay. We still have some snow here in North Alabama...Mary Claire and some of her friends went to her boyfriends lake house for the long weekend and had to remove snow before they could get in...it has been really COLD here.
Blessings,
Linda
IKEA is sooo much fun and yes, a good friend of mine does have that white sofa (Ektorp I think its called) and has loved it for years. Good solid frame (at least it was 7 years ago) and the covers are completely wash/bleachable. I also have that same Winterberry Holiday dish set ~ and love it.
Hey! I saw your comment over at Debbie's blog and thought I would pop over and take a look. I adore your rooster's they are so pretty! I am loving your new dishes as well. I hope you found some new stuff at IKEA that store is so huge and they have alot of nice stuff. I am your newest follower. Come check me out if you get a chance. Have a great weekend!
http://noplacelikehomecraftsdecorbyallyson.blogspot.com/
~Allyson~
Hi Jane! First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Happy SNOWY New Year, too!
LOVE your dishes! I have seen them around here and there and really like the pattern. You'll have fun with these.
Ahh yes, tis the time of year when we start looking around at the house and wondering what we can do to freshen it up a bit. I am doing the same thing. Thinking new furniture, then thinking not such a good idear being as Fiona likes to smoosh down the backs of the sofas.....
IKEA furniture is good - some pieces better than others. I have seen the sofas in person and they are pretty low to the ground, which isn't a big thing unless you are really tall, like me. Have fun there....I always enjoy myself when shopping at IKEA.
xoxo
Becky
No snow here, thank goodness. But it has been much colder than normal and now it's raining to boot! I have quite a few things from Ikea, and have been pretty happy with the value. But I've never had an upholstered piece from there, so I can't comment on the sofa. But the Billy bookcases are quite sturdy and a good price (if they can hold up to my library, they have to be tough!) And I love all the the different ways you can arrange them - different heights, and I love the glass doors they have for them. Have fun, can't wait to see what you choose. Oh, and I love gray walls. Very soothing, and they can look either very sophisticated or very warm based on the tone you choose. Kat
I have the tan coloured version of that sofa as my dogs would destroy the white one. But Chrissy at theapothacaryshop has the white sofa and it looks fab and is comfy. Have fun at Ikea,
Trish xo
I don't have anything from Ikea...Yet ! I love it there !
I love grey a lot !
I don't have my Noel deco down....Lazy :)
Could you do me a favor ?
Talking about it on my blog.
I am a finalist to the Winter Wonderland on Chictopia and it is SO a surprise !
Could you vote for me on Facebook and tell your friends to vote too.
It would mean so much to me!
Hugs
here is the link !
http://apps.facebook.com/stylesip_chictopia/
This must be the nesting month. Love your new dishes. I still get teased about my set of dishes for every season, but hey. I don't do drugs so I feel I can spend the money on plates! Right?!
greige.....lol....not sure if I like that word. Jane, I am like you, in that I am itching to change my family room without it costing me beaucoups of money. I, too, want a white sofa maybe in denim or duck in slip covers. I asked a friend who had them and she said don't do it unless no one every sits on them...boohoo....that was not what I wanted to hear. So maybe I won't do the white or cream sofa but work it in somewhere maybe on side chairs.
Hi Janie! Oh how I loved seeing those springy flowers on your table! Let's hope that they help in chasing away all this snow, huh?
I love soft gray walls. Check out Maria's at Dreamy Whites. She has a really pretty gray with white trim. It's just beautiful. It really goes with any colors that you bring in to your house. It's wonderfully neutral.
As for IKEA, I was there (4 hr drive for me....ugh!) in September and sat in that sofa you're talking about. LOVED IT! It's sooo soft and cushy. I would love to buy one for my house someday.
Have a fun trip - Wish I was going with you!!!!!!
xoxo laurie
I've never been to IKEA but I've always wanted to go. I love your new dishes. I know you will create a beautiful table scape next year with those!
I love your pretty new dishes. You'll enjoy them all winter and right into summer.
I love a mossy green..bet your living room is beautiful.:)
Hi there~ Love your pretty plates and your chickies!! Darling! I don't have any furniture from Ikea- but we have had a set of bunkbeds and a futon for the boys from them before. The bunkbeds lasted okay, but the futon not so much. I love their long linens and fantastic prices though! Thanks so much for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! Hope all is well with you and yours! :)
Hi Jane,
Thanks for the visit.
I too love those dishes but... I
am on a dish diet :o)
Hugs,
Kammy
Jane it is so frigid I don't want to leave the house must though!!
I wish we had an IKEA in Kansas City!
Be sure to come and enter my Giveaway from Blydesign......
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I hope you have a wonderful time at IKEA! I'm super envious! I've purchased several things from there over the years. The Billy bookcases are very popular! And, the panels, too ... you can't beat the price! I look forward to seeing what you found. Happy day, Becca
Blondie...I don't know anything about Ikea funiture...but I totally understand about having furniture to LIVE with!
We did have so much fun and I wish you could have come...maybe next time!!
Beautiful plates, love this pattern:o)to the next post:o)Magda
Jane, If you want quality, buy your furniture at a reputable store! Can you tell that I sell this product?! LOL
There are brands out there that are reasonably priced and much better quality than IKEA's. Their upholstered pieces sit very low to the ground, are poorly constructed, and for the most part, not very comfortable! Their case goods are made out of pressed wood. :-(
I like their accessories though! Lots of fun colors.
Hope you're staying warm. We had a heatwave today. It hit 30 degrees! What a change from those single digits we have been having. Off to read some more of your posts so I can catch up. hugs, Sue
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