Newest Additions To Our Landscaping

Nathanael and I planted trumpet vines on our new arch today. They were already so long that I was able to weave them onto the arch for instant results. :-) They are supposed to have yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds in the Summer.

I think this will be a beautiful spot to relax with a good book. ;-)

We got some annuals on sale yesterday, too, that we planted in front of the mini roses this afternoon. It's a little late in the year, but the price is better now. Ha

We made this flower bed and planted the roses a few weeks ago. They are doing really well so far!

This isn't exactly landscaping, but I got a new Summer wreath to replace the 4th of July bow I had on the door.

Also, a mixed flower pot for the plant stand. Our old plant was looking very sad.

I love plants, trees and flowers! Ben does, too, so we are hoping to fill the yard up in the next few years. ;-) We already have a head start with the beautiful native trees, shrubs and vines that line our backyard.

Slipcover Make-Over In Our Family/Play Room

A few weeks ago, I found a sofa with a pull-out bed in it at a yard sale for only $50. It came with a drab grayish colored slipcover, which was ok. Certainly better than the somewhat worn, small scale red gingham fabric the sofa was originally covered in.
However, last night we went to the Penney's outlet to make a return, and I came across an ivory colored, two piece slipcover brand new in the package for only $19.95!
I think it looks and fits a lot better than the other one we had, and like the fact that the seat cushions have their own separate cover. It also has piping, which I don't think is visible in the pictures. It's easier to fit, with elastic at the corners, whereas the old one had 4 buckles in the back, etc.
I put the "after" pic first because it is prettier. ;-)
Before:

Closeup:

We use our lower level family room mostly as a play room and a sewing space for me. :-) The boys love having such a big room to play in, and since it is downstairs away from our main living areas, I don't worry as much about the mess they make. Haha I do try to get the family room all neat again at least once a day, though. I can't help myself. Ha

The boys love their tent from Grandpa and Grandma S. :-)

Our new little church also meets down here in the family room for now, until we grow big enough to need a rented facility.

So, as you can see, our family room is a very hardworking and multifaceted space. :-)

Hope you enjoyed the little tour!

I am joining in Sarah's "before and after" party: http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/07/before-and-after-goodwill-table.html

And also Twice Owned Tuesday at http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/2011/07/twice-owned-tuesday-party.html

Jessica

~Window Embellishments~

Since our living and dining area windows frame such a beautiful view, I didn't want to cover them at all. Still, they looked so bare that they needed something. I found exactly what I had in mind at Hobby Lobby (of course-ha).
These wrought iron fleur-de-lis scroll thingies were half price. :-)

I love how they look topping our 3 windows that face the back yard. They tie in well with the "ORB" light fittings and door hardware, too.

Garage Sale Chair and More Decorating Done

The boys and I and went garage sale-ing this morning and found this beautiful antique chair for our master bedroom. The lady was asking $40, but I got it for $30, which I think was pretty good deal. You can feel that the upholstery is original, though the wood has obviously been refinished.

Today I got a lot of things hung up on the walls, and our bedroom is pretty much finished. for now. ;-)

(I put this pic on twice, and can't figure out how to get it off-ha.)

I got this little curio wall shelf on eBay to replace one that the movers left attached to our wall in Australia. I always need more tea cup display space! :-)

Little by Little

I am starting to decorate our new home, one thing at a time, while still working at unpacking. So, I thought I'd share a few pics of some of the things we've done around the house lately. :-)

We bought a couple of bookshelves at Nebraska Furniture Mart, and the desk is from Craigslist. My first ever experience with Craiglist, by the way. Haha
The lovely painting by my sister was a gift. The master bedroom. Our dresser and nightstand came (very) flatpacked from Target, and Ben put them together last night and this morning.

Lamps are 1/2 price at Hobby Lobby. ;-)

This vintage lamp was my Valentine's gift this year.

I just hung my favorite quilt up on the wall today.

Another lamp from Hobby Lobby- I love the detail on the soft pink shade!

The other bookcase is down in the play/family room on our lower level.

The boys love playing down here, and I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time in the lower level this Summer, as it is always cool!

I am definitely not nearly done hanging things up and decorating down here, but it's a start. :-)

Little Details and 101 Posts!

Hello Friends! :-) We are finally in our new, although nearly empty new home. We love it and are so excited to live here, and get to know the neighborhood and area. We are really enjoying our new church and getting to know the special people who are part of it. We had a "Bring a Friend Sunday" last week, with around 35 visitors and 2 people accepted the Lord as their Savior! What a blessing! ---------------------------- We have been very busy around the house, starting to do little things to make it our own. :-) I wasn't overly fond of the plain white towel bars in the bathrooms, as they didn't seem to go with the oil rubbed bronze finish on the light fixtures and door hardware. So, here is a little before and after for you. ;-) Before: After:

Ben installed the new double rail, which wasn't easy because of a defect in the kit. I got the cheaper set from Walmart. Oops! Haha But with some extra drilling, he made it work.

Plant shelf and pretty light fixture:

Gorgeous ceilings:

There wasn't anywhere to hang hand towels, so Ben installed these towel rings in both of the upstairs bathrooms. We found them at Target.

Master bathroom spa tub! (and Teddy)

Shower and "toilet room"

Double vanities:

The boys' bathroom:

Obviously I am not done decorating their bathroom yet, but I think it looks pretty cute so far. :-)

I will post more pics of our new home once our furniture arrives from Australia- hopefully next week!

I just noticed that my previous post was my 100th! In honor of that, I would like to do something a little different (and hopefully fun) and ask anyone who ever reads this blog to leave a comment and let me know you are there. :-) I would love to hear from you!

Jessica

Sneak peek of our new house :-)

We expect to move into our new house within a couple weeks, but in the mean time, here are a few pics I took of the house when we were house hunting. :-) Great room, staircase/entry and glimpse of formal dining and kitchen.

View off the back deck- one of our favorite features of this house.

Kitchen and breakfast room.

Fireplace in the great room.

I look forward to sharing many more pics once we move in! :-)

Jessica