Seaside Inspiration

It's this time of year when our family truly appreciates how close we live to the ocean.  It's just a mile down the road, and we take full advantage of its' proximity.  I'm a fair weather runner, and my morning run takes me to this vista - a light house & residence occupied by a Coast Guard commander.  It's my white contribution for Kathleen's White Wednesday party this week.

Here's the view.  I love to take in the beauty surrounding me on those morning runs, and say a grateful prayer for the day.  I've also said some prayers here for some of you. 

Hope you can see this white house on the peninsula far off.  Wonder what it would be like to live there, on the cusp of the ocean...

This time of year is also when I get out my seashells and bring summer into the home.  Some are from the craft store, but many are from beaches nearby. 

I made this seashell wreath last year after seeing this one on Heather Bullard's blog.  Couldn't help myself!

I'll post more of the summer transformation as it continues...enjoy this lovely time of year!

Our Daughter's Room and the Versatililty of a Shower Curtain

Hello friends!  I do hope you enjoyed your weekends and took time to honor Memorial Day.  We had lots of sunshine here - finally!  As White Wednesday is upon us, I thought I'd finally post about our daughter's room.  It's been long overdue after giving you sneak peaks here and here.
Last year I went to town decorating her room.  Lots of pillows were made, as well as other embellishments.  I loved personalizing it for our sweet girl.  This year I've added ballet accents. 
So here's a tour...Let me start by saying this room is TINY.  Some people's closets are bigger than our girl's room.  But that's okay, because she's little, too.

As you enter the room, you see one wall has a window and two built-in closets made by the original homeowner.  They're great for storage.  However when we upgraded our girl's crib to a vintage iron twin bed (scored on craigslist!), we realized the 2nd closet's door must be removed.  We wouldn't be able to open it with the bed there, so I replaced the door with lace curtains.



tight squeeze at foot of bed!

 Above the window hangs a banner I made for her birthday last summer.

Ballet-inspired trophy...

I found 3 lovely old ballet prints at a local flea market this weekend, and propped them on her shelf along with some vintage ballet slippers:

They coordinate with the ballet art I made on the opposite wall:

Her princess bed, with Simply Shabby Chic duvet cover...

Several years ago, I purchased a shower curtain from HomeGoods (or TJ Maxx) because I loved the pattern on the cotton fabric.  I held onto it until I had a perfect room to showcase this fabric.  I was able to use the entire shower curtain to make this pillow with pom-pom trim...

(Memeire Rose's vintage doll)

...and the background for this framed inspiration board...

...this quilted throw at the foot of her bed...

...heart pillow...

...and the fabric behind this chicken-wired cabinet door.

One shower curtain goes a long way!!!

This vintage doll crib was a Brimfield find from two years ago.  I made cushions to keep her dolls comfy:

 
Over our little girl's door hangs fancy dresses for play, and her handmade tote for ballet class:

I had fun making these pillows to cozy up on.  They lie atop her basket of dress-up fun...

Our little girl loves the room, and I know she loves her quilt!

Hope you enjoyed the tour.  Come back again to visit!

I'll be linking this post with Beverly's Pink Saturday, too.

We have a winner!

Thank you to so many of you for entering my very first giveaway ... 'French Farmhouse Style'.  I appreciated your comments and adding the button to your sidebar or posting about it.  I'm also so glad some of you became followers while you were visiting.  This experience has been a great way to meet more of you.   
I had such fun making these gifts (except the sugar bowl!) and anxiously awaiting the big reveal tonight!

So without further adieu...the winner is Anne from Fiona and Twig!
I used random.org to choose a random number, and hers was comment #5:

I am a big fan of Anne's blog, and couldn't take my eyes off her first contributing article in 'Romantic Country'.  She captured gorgeous photos of Linda and Ludmil Marcov's home, one of my favorite homes to see in magazines. 
I hope you enjoy these gifts, Anne.  Send me your address to EvelynAndRose@hotmail.com when you get a chance.  Congratulations, and thanks to all!  I'll have another giveaway sooner than later, because this one was such fun!
- Susan

Bedroom Chair and Sneak Peek

Now that our bedroom chair has been featured in my giveaway button, I thought I'd tell you about its' transformation.  Also, this post will give you a sneak peek into our master bedroom makeover.  I know sneak peeks are a tease, but there's still more to be done.  A little at a time...

I did end up recovering the chair seat with a white cotton/linen blend fabric and finishing the edges with nailhead trim.  Did you know you can get this great trim at JoAnn's Fabrics?  It comes in a strand, and every 5th nailhead has a tiny hole where you hammer in a nail (with head) over it.  It's easier than hammering in many individual nails. 

The frames on the floor will end up in the room somewhere.  Still debating a place...
The gold frame holds a heavy old vintage mirror which is very distressed.  My husband wondered about it, but I explained that there was an article in a recent Jeanne D'Arc magazine instructing us on how to transform a new mirror to look that way.  He just shook his head.

   
I had fun making this 'Bonne Nuit' sign, based on a similar one I've seen in Ludmil and Linda Marcov's home (I save all magazine articles about their style!).  This glittered star was from a local florist, and bids sweet dreams...

Here's a 'before' pic of the $15 thrift store chair, as I was taking it apart:

Blessed Mother...

These curtains had already been made for this window, so I decided to stencil a '1939' design on them.  It's the year our house was built.

Here's a peek through my bureau mirror, looking at the white wardrobe. 

On the back of the bedroom door...

Hope you enjoyed this initial peek.  I've still got a sidetable to paint and lampshades to cover, then hopefully I'll reveal the room sooner than later.
Linking this post with Vintage Inspiration Friday (Debra's got some great scandinavian style pics this week) and Feathered Nest Friday.

White Mantel and Spring Finds

Looking at so many beautiful whites at the 100th White Wednesday last week inspired me to really zone in on whites in my own home.  Here's a spring mantel makeover I did recently. 

After missing out on the Brimfield Flea Market this month, I took a trip to the White Elephant Shop outlet to make up for it.  I've written about the great bargains to be had there in this post.  The visit didn't disappoint! 
I found this salvaged white spindle (next to the candlestick) for just $1, as well as this HEAVY iron scrollwork piece:

I was excited to also find two ironstone pieces, one of which is this jug holding lilacs from our bushes:

This neat chippy drawer was only $5.  I plan to use it as an 'inspiration box', holding bits & pieces that I find compelling.  You'll see I've included my pretty French script gift box and star ornament from the giveaway I won from Karen. 

Lastly, here's a white wicker chair I rescued from my neighbor's curbside.  I captured a photo on one of our rare sunny days.  May hasn't felt much like spring, but here's hoping June is sunny and bright!

I'm sharing these with the 101st White Wednesday over at Faded Charm.  

Don't forget to enter my French Farmhouse Style giveaway, which ends May 29th!

GIVEAWAY - French Farmhouse Style!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  THANK YOU!



I'm having my first giveaway here at the Evelyn and Rose blog.  It's time to celebrate 50 posts and spring!  I also want to thank you all for taking the time to read this blog.  I enjoy sharing my home decor, projects and ideas with you.  You have been so supportive and are amazing sources of inspiration for me!

So...I thought I'd offer a French Farmhouse Style giveaway comprised of mostly handmade gifts:

The winner will receive:

1. Handmade pillow in floral cotton fabric (approx. 18 inches square).  Includes 14 in. square pillow form and removable (washable) cover.
2. Runner made from burlap and white cotton (approx. 11 inches wide by 53 inches long).
3. Miniature hand-stamped lavender sachet ornament, with blue/white ticking fabric on back.
4. 3 hand-stamped coffee-dyed tags.
5. Charming vintage sugar bowl (missing its' lid).
6. And a few more surprises thrown in.  (sorry - chair and fresh flower not included, hee hee)

Here's a closer look at the smaller items:

For one chance to win, you simply need to leave a comment on this giveaway post. 
For a second chance to win, feel free to post about this giveaway or add my giveaway button (see my sidebar) to your blog with a link back here.  Then leave me an additional comment on this post letting me know you did.

That's it!  I hope one of you will enjoy receiving these gifts as much as I enjoyed selecting & making them.  The winner will be drawn next Sunday evening, May 29th.
Thank you, Susan

Happy 100th White Wednesday!

Congratulations to Kathleen of Faded Charm for hosting her 100th White Wednesday this week!  When I first started blogging last fall, this was the place I started connecting with fellow white enthusiasts.  Each week I've enjoyed ogling white ironstone, lace, chippy furniture, holiday decor and garden delights. 
Thank you for providing a wealth of inspiration Kathleen, both through your lovely blog and this incredible weekly link party.
I've gathered some of my blog photos over the past 6 months and made some collages to celebrate WHITE!
Hope you enjoy.  I can't wait to take a look at all of your celebratory blog posts this week as well...

Cheers to white!