Pottery Barn Inspiration

Years ago I started noticing in Pottery Barn catalogues how they would have entire book cases full of backwards books.  So that the side with the pages was facing forwards.

I always liked how it looked, but I also like seeing which books I have on my shelf.  So I never knew how to incorporate this.

Here's a bedroom from the current Pottery Barn catalogue, notice the books in the background-

backwards, and the look is so soothing

 Here's another one... all of the books piled to the side of the couch and under the table are angled so that we see the pages.  again- much more calm looking that all of the different colors.

 This picture is not pottery barn (well not that I'm aware of), but it is REALLY similar to the original Pottery Barn picture that I noticed all of the backwards books in.  Don't you love all of the creams and whites?

I recently heard Genevieve Gorder on "Dear Genevieve" explain that when you are styling bookcases that seem too crazy and loud, take it down to just one color.  That becomes super calm. So then add in one more color for interest, but not too chaotic.  Or go full color for a big statement.  But basically she was saying (in much more eloquent words), that the number of different colors affects the feel of the bookcases.  Less colors = soothing and calm, more colors = expression and big statement (but maybe chaotic if I am the one laying things out)

And here... I love how the old books make a statement with their yellowed pages.

 So when I was trying to find things in the house to style and fill our bookcases... I found a bag of books that we intended to take to Half Price books and sell to them.  We clearly did not care about the books, so I thought, "Books we don't like or want?? GREAT! I can put them BACKWARDS on the shelf!" And so I did.

I also have a stack of newer books in a different spot on the shelf, but I forgot to take a picture of it. and I like this stack better.  But the idea is the coloring.  I love it.  Thanks Pottery Barn for a fun idea!

Organization Obsession

One of my favorite boards to post to on pinterest is my Organization Obsession board. 

Because I'm obsessed with being organized.

Sometimes I over-organize things so much that it becomes a burden to keep up with and thus leads to many piles around the house.

I realize this defeats the purpose.

But I love the thrill of coming up with a good "system."

Even when that system becomes hard to maintain.

And eventually I may revamp the system into a workable system.

This is success.

So enough talk... on to my current favorite organized spot in my house...

my children's books "library."

You see, as a teacher you buy a lot of books for your classroom.  And over the years, I've collected a lot of books.

But, my new classroom is shared with a 7th grade class on Monday, Wed, Friday.

So there is not room for all of my books.

Instead I take in a stack of books that are seasonally appropriate and put them on my 2 shelves.

the rest stay at home.

So last August, I organized my books by season or topic and put up dividers, now I can quickly reach in and grab the books I need.

I love this system. And seeing it every time I open the closet makes my heart happy! 
Oh to be organized!

Canton Find

We spent Saturday in Canton, TX shopping at the First Mondays Trade Show.  First Mondays is a HUGE flea market that happens the weekend of the first Monday of the month. It runs Thursday- Sunday. Nope, not open on Monday at all. Very confusing.

But anyway, we love going. You can find literally everything under the sun there. Literally.

And it's spread out over many acres, so you get a lot of walking in. Which makes you feel good about the fact that you ate fries for lunch and sampled a million different sweets along the way.

Okay, so onto my Canton find.  I was on the hunt to dress up this window above the tub in our master bathroom. (Sorry for the dark picture, the sun was streaming in and I just couldn't fix it with my point and shoot camera).

Before...

 After...

 I found these awesome iron and wood decoration things (no clue what to call them).

I loved the idea of bringing some wood onto this wall since the mirrors on the opposite wall are dark wood as well.  Feels more balanced now. Plus dresses up the window.

 The distressed paint even has some blues in it... LOVE!

A successful Canton trip.

Finally

Welcome to my new blog address! I'm hoping my old blog posts still show up. But I have no clue if they will.  I also said I would change blog spots on February 1st, but today is February 4th and the only reason I'm changing is because a dear friend emailed and said "Are you changing? I can't find your new blog." 

Yup- I set a reminder on my phone. I added it to my daily calendar. I got both reminders.  And I did nothing on February 1st. And then I just forgot.  Hadn't even crossed my mind since I ignored the reminders.  Awesome.

So thank you dear faithful friend! I need someone like you in my life!

Around the House: Scraps from the Past

Prominently displayed on our hallway bookcases...

Some items we found during our home addition project...

The framed wall paper pieces were on the original plywood- 1938 wall paper... so pretty!!

This whiskey bottle was found in the walls of our home when we tore the siding off.

Looks like some of the original workmen in 1938 were drinking on the job!  Explains why the house tilts and slants :)

These tiles are all that's left of our original blue and pink bathroom.  I did NOT like the bathroom, but I will gladly hold on to the memory.

January Tablescapes

The weather may not actually be cold here in Texas yet.. (well we get random days of cold here and there). But I chose an "icy, snowy" color palette for my tablescape anyway.

I've used most of these pieces in the past... but I still love how it feels brand new each January.

Toille tablecloth from Williams Sonoma, blue placemats NEW from Homegoods, silver chargers from Michaels, white dishes from TJ Maxx, teal napkins from Crate and barrel, and clear square napkin rings (lucite maybe?) NEW gift from mom (don't know where they were purchased)

In the sun room... I tried something new... I like parts of it... not sure I'm sold on the whole thing, but I'll live with it until I can think of how to improve it.

Brass platter from my tea set, with a hand painted wooden dish (from my times in Ecuador) and my new/old black candle holder with green tapers (since I couldn't find 5 white or blue).

Placemat from Williams Sonoma, blue dinner plate from Marshalls, peacock salad plate from World Market (chose not to use a napkin because there were so many patterns going on)

So those are my January tables.  Not really feeling up to Valentine's tables... so think I'll skip that this year and head into spring next.

Southport Sailmakers Pillows and Totes

I mentioned last week that I'd get back to the big square pillow, so here I am.

This pillow is awesome!  It is made from old sails from a sail boat!  So it could totally be outside or actually on a boat! But I love it in my window seat!  Apparently sails get old and need to be replaced.  So this talented lady uses the old sails (which would normally get thrown away) and makes pillows, tote bags, wine bottle holders, shower curtains, etc. 

Each pillow comes with the little rope to tie it to the side of the boat. I think it's cute and wanted to keep it on to make me feel like a real sailor :)

Even the back is cool looking.

I also got a tote bag for Christmas...

Here's the other side of it.

Each side has a meaning- she uses the flags they use at sea to add meaning to the totes. These mean "Whiskey" or "Needs Medical Assistance."  Whiskey actually just means the letter W - but you know how transportation people are, they add words to letters.  I just know I like the stars.

She includes a tag with the meaning of the flags AND info about the boat that this sail came from.  My tote was from a colgate 26' which raced the Cape Fear up to Baltimore!  I have a racing tote! Awesome!!

You can check out her other products on her facebook page (here).  Or call the number above in the photo to order (910-880-4307).

I promise you will NOT be disappointed!