continual improvement?

christmas is over and put away, a new year has begun...
time to get back to home improvement and break out the painting mess again:
after months of waiting & planning, we finally continued the blue paint from the living room into the formal dining room that serves as our T.V. room, and then painted the far wall of the T.V. room red. then we did a big furniture switcheroo, and this is the result: (still needs pictures hung on the wall, etc)

we're still working on the formal living room space....more photos to come.

thanksgiving weekend in quincy, we found the hutch we had been hoping for, and at a price we liked (i even got them to come down from the special sale price) for our dining area at the antiques mall. and yesterday, between (hundreds of) coats of red paint, i filled it up. some of the dishes are new, some are antique, most are from japan. the red & white nine-patch snowball baby quilt is from the late 1800s.

we plan on replacing the knobs (we plan on a lot of things).
the quincy antique mall also had the most adorable nile green hutch from the 1940s that would look just perfect in mia & gracie's room stacked with antique baby quilts and books....but i can't figure out where it could go, unless i got rid of their bookshelf. plus, we really don't need to spend any more money...but it's such a great price, and so adorable!
also in november, i finally had this april 1935 volume of "farmer's wife" framed at "hobby lobby". i found this treasure at "mrs. clemen's" antiques in hannibal, mo. the summer before last. i was antiquing with gloria (just like when i found the hutch). it hangs next to the hutch in our dining area.

and here is a back splash idea i had. the plates & cannisters are also from hannibal - the "hickory stick" quilt shop.

the blue paint is actually the same in all three of the above photos. the hutch photo is probably the most accurate.

when i bought these fun things in hannibal in summer "07, i had no idea i would be using them to decorate my home so nearby. life is funny & unexpected.

Comments

[Jill Mulder]

It looks amazing! I should have gotten some tips from you when you were here- we haven't changed anything in the 7 years we have lived here. I'm in a decorating rut.

[This Girl Loves to Talk]

oh I have been to Hannibal missouri!! went we there on the last day of our church tour!! on the way back to st louis airport!! Fun!! I think I had a yummy icecream there.. no time for antique thrifting though :(

[Emily House]

Looks great! You know, I think you should get the hutch, I mean, kids don't really need to read, do they? What is more important? Cute hutches for sure. I am sure it is nice to have the space to decorate and knowing that you don't have to give everything away before you move. You get to keep stuff now. How fun!

[David Limburg]

I am so impressed with your antiques and decorating--what a talent you have. I can't wait to see your home when we finally get out there. Your family room is darling. How do you keep the white furniture clean with little ones? More than anything, I enjoy your ability to express yourself with such meaning--not my talent for sure.

Love ya, Mom