I think I am finally done with my kitchen.I hope you all are not sick of seeing photos of my ever changing kitchen.This should do it for now! There are few things that need to be completed as in the floor under the desk and the trim too.I still have not gotten to that yet.But that will come in time.Even with those few things I thought I would share with you my final kitchen reveal. Do you remember how it looked before I started any of the changes?Well HERE is a reminder of how it looked. I just added the hardware to the kitchen desk and you might also notice that the Island is no longer duck egg blue.You can see that before HERE I did  like duck egg blue.But I was thinking a color that was a bit more neutral would be better on my eyes for such a big piece.Funny thing Mr. cottage ... View Post

While visiting Galena we decided to tour a Mansion we had not visited on our past trips. The Ryan Mansion is also a bed and breakfast. The tour was very informative. Our tour guide gave us some information about the home before the tour began and then went into character as though we stepped back into time. Before I go on I have to share this. When we walked into the home on this particular day there was a bad odor of skunk! I guess a skunk had entered the cellar and fumigated the home. She tried burning a candle but it did not help. So for the first part of the tour it was quite disturbing to smell that odor! Here are some shots from the  of the home. So much to see but I am only sharing some of the the highlights. This home is much grander than Grants home. Look at he detail on the ... View Post

On Columbus day weekend my family took a trip to Galena Illinois.This time of the year can be quite beautiful with all the fall colors.Our first stop is always Grants home.One of  mine and my daughters favorite stops.President Ulysses Grant and his family did not live here long.For a mansion it seems so small in today's standards.Some photos of the inside.You cannot walk in the rooms and there is limited space for taking photos.But here is a glimpse inside this mansion.Above the fireplace is a painting of Grants.Those black chairs are original.They are upholstered with silk.The dining room and a painting of Julia Grant is above the fireplace.This is all original to the house even the china!The bedrooms are small.And space is limited to taking photos.Here is a glimpse of on of Grants ... View Post

I have been tackling several projects at a time around here while keeping up with my Space 417. I have been inspired by images on pinterest and other sources with kitchen sink skirts.Recently while I was at a yard sale I came across a pair of hand towels and I knew just what I wanted to do with them.I don't sew.Although if I had a machine I bet I could try and make pillows and things.But I don't.This was quite a project.I used a cafe curtain rod. When I attempted to hang it the screw broke :-( .I thought this would not work because it was stuck and I could not get it out! I thought maybe I should try a tension rod.The problem with the tension rod is even though you have it snug they slip.I did not want it falling all the time.So I decided to try hanging the rod again but with better ... View Post

I am no jewelry designer by any means.But my niece was turning sweet sixteen and I wanted a special gift for her.I wanted something from the heart.I found some vintage keys and I thought it would be fun to make her something special using some bits and pieces from her Great Grandmother and Great Great  Grandmother.I had an idea in my mind and I just went for it! I found some glass beads from a broken earring and another dangling earring missing it's partner.That flower is new but I thought it would be perfect for this piece!On the back I added a page from a vintage french book and added decoupage and a little glitter too! What girl does not like a little extra bling!I added the music notes because she plays the Viola,the number 16 for of course her 16th birthday and the letter G for her ... View Post

I have been collecting white ironstone for a year now.It  started out simple and is really blooming into a nice collection.In my living room cabinet I was displaying my rose dishes.Now that I am changing my home I did not like all the pink in that cabinet.I wanted a simpler and cleaner look.Here is a glimpse of the cabinet with my pink dishes  HEREAnd this is what it looks like now.I just found that latest pitcher at a yard sale I will share that in another post.I really do love this simple look.And the warmth of the wood too.Yes I am painting many things in my home.But not everything.I do want to keep a few wood pieces to add some warmth.This and my antique sewing cabinet are not going to be painted. Lighting is an issue in this room.Really the best time is in the early morning.But I am ... View Post