Vanilla... or Butter Pecan?

Who knew that picking out a simple white paint color could be so stinkin' hard! I have a shelving unit that I've been wanting to paint off-white, so I took a trip to the hardware store to pick up a quart of paint. I sure didn't anticipate spending a good half hour shuffling through paint samples, trying to find my perfect shade of white. I just stood and stared at the sea of white for awhile, not knowing where to begin. But, after thumbing through what seemed like millions of shades (most of which had names that made my mouth water... Butter Pecan, Lemon Chiffon, Milkyway and Vanilla Ice Cream), I found what will hopefully be my perfect white.

Benjamin Moore's Mannequin Cream. Not the tastiest of paint names, but a perfect creamy off-white. I haven't painted with it yet. Actually, I have yet to even open the can. But I'll tackle the task sometime this week. I've been under the weather for the past 3 or 4 days, so I haven't been able to get much done.

Happy Monday! (If that's possible?) :)

Shabby White Desk

I have my sister Ellie to thank for this next purchase! She called me on the way home from a dentist appointment to tell me about this cute little store she found called Home Sweet Home. It's a mother-daughter shop, run out of their home in Middlebranch for the last four years. Ellie sent me a few pictures from her phone, including this adorable little table:



It was love at first sight! And at $65, it didn't take me long to decide that I had to have it. So we hopped in the car the next morning, and I took the shabby white desk home with me. :)

It will be perfect for our home office. I've been wanting to finish that room but didn't really have anything to go off of. Now that I have this desk, I'm determined to decorate and finish it!

Grain Sack Chic

I'm having a little obsession with grain sacks right now. No wait, let me correct myself... I'm having a big obsession with grain sacks right now! Pillows, furniture, or just a simple framed sack gives the rustic look that I just can't get enough of.


photo courtesy of Country Home magazine


I came across a website today called 3 Fine Grains. They have lots of great things made from antique feed sacks. Their pillows are especially cute.


I made this pillow with a neglected toss pillow and a dish towel.


How cool is this? A grain sack rug. I want one! $59 at VivaTerra.


photo courtesy of Country Living


I have this striped pillow from Pottery Barn and absolutely adore it!

A New Old Table

Meet my new bedside ensemble!



I found the antique wood stand at a local antique mall this week for $60. I've admired it on several different occasions and always thought about buying it, but until now, never knew what I would do with it.

I found the chair at TJMaxx a few months ago. I bought it to use in our home office, but because we don't even have a home computer yet, the office never gets used (and really, isn't even furnished or decorated yet).



I really love the antique stand. The tone of the wood is so dark and rich, and while it looks really old, it's still in great shape.



The copper brackets on the sides give it a lot of character. Perfect!

I think this little table was made for me. :)

Spring!

There is the most beautiful magnolia tree across the street from our house right now, full of big, fluffy pink blossoms. I have a perfect view of it every morning from our bedroom window. It's so pretty!


photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Oh, and the weeping cherry trees; I think they could be my favorite part of spring. Someday, I will have a yard full of weeping cherry trees.

I said to my mom the other day how I wish trees had blossoms like this all year-round. But she pointed out to me that if they were like this all the time, they wouldn't be as special every spring. What a wise mother I have. :) And what an amazing creation God has made!

Remember how I went shopping for a bedside table yesterday? I found one! Not the little desk that I had in mind, but I love this one just the same. Pictures will be coming... I let my brother borrow my camera for a couple days, but I'll post some as soon as I get it back.

Happy Thursday!