New Door and Stall Handles

Ever since we installed these handles in the barn..I have hated them. Yes - they were functional, but they rusted and well, they totally lacked the character that the rest of the barn possessed!

When I was in Oklahoma City covering a horse show a few months ago, I found these. I still need to touch up some stain and paint where needed, but ...

..Wow - what a difference! They are heavy and made of forged steel. They feel good in my hand when I have to pull the heavy stall doors.

I LOVE these! Now for the best part...I found them at a Home decor outlet for $4.00 each!

The Newest Building Project..

Do you remember this gazebo? I built it last spring. I love the way the ceiling of it mimics the rays of the sun...

..but it felt too open. I also wanted it to do more than just stand there and look pretty...so I went out and bought several of these..

...and this...

..and went to work. I love to build things...and the bigger the better!

One thing I wanted was an eating bar. This was tricky too. You see, we get a lot of rain and many products - even those made for outdoors can warp ..like a very beautiful and expensive mosaic table top I made :0( This is a standard Formica counter top. Not too expensive and easy to work with. I only had to seal the back and sides to make it water tight...and it has already gone through the weather test with Hurricane Edouard.

Sunday night was the first time we were able to use it. The stools were given to me by my Father. I have 5 of them. They used to reside in my parents home, but since Dad does not entertain, he gave them to me. Thanks Daddy!

Also needed was some counter space. We Bar-B-Que out here at least once a week and we had no place to put utensils and supplies. This 2x12 painted black with the fancy shelf holders worked out just fine.

I purchased this plastic cabnet for a bit of extra storage..for now. I have a feeling that it will be replaced with something a bit more permanent later.

Still looking too open - I know I am not done, but it certainly it more functional! If you have any ideas about what else would look and function well in this gazebo - please chime in.As for the cost:
Formica Counter Top - $96.00 at Lowes..Home Depot had the exact same one for $149!
Shelf Holders - $9.00 each
Table Legs - $13.95 each
Spray sealant for counter top edges - $5.50
Other items I already had - scrap wood for support and black oil based paint that we use for the horse fencing.

Gazebo Bones & Details!

Adding a "roof" to my gazebo took an inspirational turn. As I was starting to work, it was early evening and ...well - lets just say that the sunset inspired me!


I decided to use wire rope to hang a candleabra. Knowing that I would have to raise and lower it to light and change out the candles, I needed to create a system easier than standing on a chair. Now I can just use the wire, which is run accross the top and down one of the 6x6 posts, to raise and lower it as needed




DETAILS!! - We can never forget the details!

Before and After Shower Curtain

Before - You can see how I lowered the curtian and tried to use ribbon to fill in the empty space.


After photos show the add on black silk panel(no more machine washing!)and coordinating ribbon

As some of you know, I had a problem with a decorative shower curtian that I made for our home. After I washed it, it shrunk no less than 8 inches!

My inspiration for this project came from Rhoda's blog. Her Mother made her beautiful curtains that happened to be in the same toile fabric as my shower curtain and looked so elegant with a top panel that I could not wait to redo mine. Thank you again Rhoda!

Before and After Cabana

Before

After!
Just trying to organize a few things together and just because I love seeing the before and afters of every project!

Auction!

This Saturday, my Father accompanied me to an auction in a small town called Rosenburg, TX. I had never been to this auction before but had heard about it through a friend. This is what I came home with! For all of $70.00, I got this 3 piece wicker set. As you can see, I am already in the process of painting it black. Plans are to make cushions and to use this outside when company comes to the farm.

Inspiration Friday

Today's inspiration comes from my blogging friend Rhoda. Please visit her wonderful blog http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ She is an amazing decorator!!

I had a dilemma and she posted this picture, which is the answer to my problem. The entire living area of our farm is decorated in French Country with lots of toile and mattress ticking fabrics in black, cream and deep red accents. ( promise to post pictures later.) I made and built several things so they would match, which included a decorative shower curtain. Several months after we had settled in, I noticed that the bottom of my shower curtain was getting dirty. I took it down and washed it...and it shrunk. Not just a bit - but I swear the thing lost 4 inches off of the length. I have never liked it as much since then.

Well - getting back to Rhoda's beautiful dining room curtains...by adding on a black and cream gingham trim on the top with decorative fringe will not only solve my problem, but it will also look like it was designed that way originally!

Thank you Rhoda!!! ((((((Hugs))))))

New Paint Finished.

Here is the new color in our Family Room, Kitchen and Hallway. I love the contrast between it and the white trim. I also love the warmth it brings into these rooms. The framed metal picture is something I found at Garden Ridge Pottery years ago and repainted. I made the curtains and the cornice boards. Can you see the horse bits added for decoration to each cornice board?