Dining Room Chair Swap

 While there was certainly nothing wrong with our previous dining chairs, I felt a strong impulse to replace them with something that better suited my current look.

 

Here are my “old” dining room chairs:

 

 

And here are my new dining room chairs, purchased from my friend Cheryl earlier this week:

 

 

Six chairs, yes SIX! I never would have dreamt I could do 3 by 3 at our farm table, but these chairs are clearly meant to do just that. And lucky me, they were already painted black, giving off that country modern farmhouse look that I’m seriously craving right now..

 

 

I also love the rush seats. Soft to the touch and comfortable to sit on..

 

 

New chairs require new tablescapes, and the inspiration for this one came from my longing for the long n’ lazy days of summer.

 

 

I found this old European bread bowl at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, in Pasadena, CA. I fell in love with it’s long, skinny shape.

 

 

I simply filled it with with candles and seashells. Just wait until dusk, light the candles, and you have instant mood lighting…

 

 

On a personal note, I want to thank you. I’m overwhelmed by all your support from my last post. Your generous comments made me smile, big time.

 

…Stay tuned for my next post…

 

I’m going to show you what I’ve been up to my living room. And here’s a little clue: It has something to do with Sullivan and his twin brother, and I have a mad crush on them both. Confused? Guess you’ll just have to read my next post to find out : )

 

Mama said there’d be days like this - GIVEAWAY

Interestingly enough, my day started out pretty good. I was up by 5:30am, dressed and ready to head out the door for a little shopping at the flea market with my friend Laurie. The two of us, fumbling around in the dark without a flashlight, dressed like two little Eskimo's must have been quite a site.

 

I was thrilled to find my friend Cheryl there, selling a set of 6 dining chairs that had my name written all over them like nobody’s business. I measured them and called Adam at home. He measured our chairs at home and called me back. It was all good. We loaded all 6 chairs in the back of my pick-up and  headed on our way home.

 

I brought the new chairs into our dining room, swapped them out with the old ones, started preparing to photograph what I’ve been working on in our living room, along with the new dining room chairs I just scored…and then it happened…

 

My camera froze up on me.

 

My beloved Canon Rebel XT decided to fold up its arms, look at me square in the face and say “nah, I don’t feel much like having my buttons pressed today” and it even gave me the finger. Okay, maybe not.

 

So my camera is now at the camera medic (a.k.a. local camera shop) not to be ready until tomorrow, which means I’m going to have to ask you to wait, just a bit longer. Is it just me, or is this sounding a little familiar, minus all the anxiety.

 

Since I couldn’t bear to let you down, especially if you’ve read down this far, I came up with a super lovely consolation prize, with a little help from my friend Laurie at Bella Inspirations. She was kind enough to give us one of her ruffled burlap table runners to give away to one of you lucky readers, here on my Blog!

 

 

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends at Midnight, March 31st. Winner will be announced April 1st. Don’t want to wait for the giveaway to end? You can buy them here and here. The runner being offered in this Giveaway measures 96 1/2” x 16 1/2”.

 

…Want to Double your chances of winning?…

Do one or more of the following:

1. Leave a comment on Laurie’s blog. She likes getting comments.

2. Post about this giveaway on your blog, and link back to this post.

 

Want to earn extra credit?

While this won’t increase your chances of winning, it is certain to put a smile on my face. Along with your comment, tell me what’s your favorite part of our home, Cottage8.

 

 

PS – Tomorrow we will return to our regularly scheduled broadcast.

Springing Back

With a great loud knock, Spring came knocking at my door yesterday. If I hadn’t been so consumed with traveling and decorating this week, I might of actually heard it.

 

 

I love with the feeling of awakening that only Spring can bring. The air feels fresher, and everything around you starts to bloom and unveil itself. It makes you want to throw open all the windows, pull out your flip-flops and straw hat, and wander around the garden for fresh clippings.

 

 

 

For me, more than anything, it’s like being bitten by the Decorating Bug. I’ve know I’ve been absent from you all, but for good reason. I’ve been a busy little bee, up to all sorts of “trouble” {as my husband might say}. I have lots to show you.

 

 

I hope you’ll come join me in a couple days, so I can share what I’ve been up to. I can’t wait!

 

… Cottage8: Our little home, where progress is made every day …

 

Unexpected and Grateful

Yesterday, totally out of the blue, my inbox became suddenly inundated with a flood of emails and comments, and I wasn’t sure where it all was coming from at first. Handfuls of the nicest folks were introducing themselves and discovering my blog for the very first time. Where in the world was all this traffic coming from?

 

Well as it turns out, I was featured on Today’s Creative Blog! {click here to read the post}.

 

 

TCB is not new to me at all, in fact, I’ve been a fan of Kim’s blog for a very long time, and secretly harbored the tiny hope that maybe someday I might make it on there and earn a blinkie. Have you seen some of the blog’s she’s featured? An outstanding blog roll if I’ve ever seen one. You may want to set aside an hour or two, or maybe an entire week to take them all in. Delish!

 

So welcome to my blog, loyal TCB’ers. I’m so glad you’re here!

March Cottage of the Month, and a Winner!

Incase you haven’t already, although I suspect many of you already have, please take a moment to check out this month’s new Cottage of the Month. I’ve featured the most charming seaside home, in Ventura, CA.

   

 

I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had shooting this home. Christian, the homeowner, was an absolute pleasure to work with, and very patient during our 3+ hour photo shoot.

 

 

Okay, last spoiler shot.  

You can check out the feature in its entirety here.

 

 

  And now, the winner of the Flea Market Style Magazine giveaway is

 

….drum roll….

 

 

  Stacey at Maison de Merriman!

 

Congratulations Stacey! Please contact me at jennifer@theoldpaintedcottage.com to claim your prize!