Sunday, October 3, 2010

A Garden Room Theme

Hello everyone,
I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and are ready for a whole new week! I think I mentioned last week that I was working on a project. I have to confess that I am a person who likes change. I think our home has a split personality as I never have time to get the same style throughout before I change direction and I'm of on a new look. Maybe,if I didn't get so inspired by all your lovely blogs I wouldn't be so fickle! However, I have been wanting to do a garden room theme in our porch entry for awhile now- I think that is appropriate for someone who loves to garden, don't you?
I bought a can of mistint slate grey paint and an old can of ivory and went to town! The best part of this makeover is how cheap it was. I had an old pair of bi-fold doors in the barn so I got my husband to cut them down to fit the window and I painted them ivory9one was already ivory) and them dabbed them with grey and quickly rubbed it off with a rag. I love how they look with the white lace curtains that I have had for years.
Then I painted the garden bench that has been in the garden for several years slate grey and dabbed it with ivory and quickly rubbed it off. The old yard sale table got the same treatment.



Remember the 70 mile yard sale I went to a few weeks ago- this is the only "bigger item" I bought-it was $45. I like the "cottagy" look of it.
It was actually the piece that inspired me to do this project. I saw a dresser on a Swedish style blog9sorry I forget which one) but it clicked that this would work in the porch. The mirror I had already bought in the spring at Cool Breeze a Garden Center in Summerside. I think it is the perfect match for the cupboard. It was already the right color. I should have showed a close up of the $5 a pair candlesticks that are heavy iron in the faded grey color that matched the theme so well. I know the lone picture on the wall is too small but I plan to enlarge a few pics of our garden to go above and below it.
The pitcher and basin(white with grey) I bought at the estate sale last weekend for $5. I should have showed you a close up of it too.
I will have to pick a fresh bouquet so please ignore this one!
I slapped some grey paint on the birdhouse lamp too-to age it a little. I plan to recover the lampshade.

The pictures don't really do the room justice-I am not good at indoor shots especially shooting to a window.
A garden statue continues the theme.
Mirror reflection
I am not sure who he is but he looks very wise.
My old watering cans came in.
This is what the room looked like before and if I get tired of the garden theme I can easily go back to this but for now I am loving the garden theme.
I think I will have to edit a few things out and do a little tweaking =this is why I love taking pictures - I see things more clearly in a photo often times.
Well, that was my project so what do you think-do you like it or think I should leave well enough alone?
Today, I am joining in with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday where there is bound to be lots of inspiration and Cielo at The House in the Roses for Show off your Cottage Monday and again more inspiration-I don't know if it is even safe for me to look!!!


I hope you have a great day!


Carolyn

58 comments:

podso said...

Great thrifting and painting. It looks really pretty. I'm like you; even a few small changes around the house make me smile!

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Hello Carolyn :) I like how your room looked before, but I really love what you have done to it now!! This garden look works so much better with your home; especially with your beautiful gardens that surround your lovely home. I think you did a wonderful job with the makeovers you gave the furniture pieces and all the lovely accents too. It's perfect!

Wishing you a lovely week!!

Warmest hugs, Brenda

A Garden of Threads said...

I like the new garden look. Your new thrify finds look wonderful after sprucing them up with a coat of paint. I hope you have a great week.

Linda said...

I love your garden themed room, and how lovely it will be it relax in there now that gardening time is almost finished for this year and still feel like you are sitting in the garden.

Natasha in Oz said...

The paint colour you chose is gorgeous! The room looks so pretty. These small little touches really do make a BIG impact!

Best wishes for a lovely week,
Natasha.

Anonymous said...

Hi Carolyn! I love your garden room! You've done a beautiful job. Love your new buffet and the way you've painted it. The mirror hanging over it is gorgeous!
Be a sweetie,
shelia;)

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Carolyn,

Loved all of the pictures, the before and present. It will be hard to judge a taste of the owner of a home, by only looking at one room... But each individual decides what he/she wants to be surrounded with! You obviously live with the 'garden' theme while you're awake and probably while you're dreaming too! So that comes so natural and please GO for it all the way. The garden theme has one advantage; you have many seasons so you ought to change often too.
Look how WE started our garden off in my blog of yesterday. Not an easy task but we've come a long way.

Have a blessed week with lots of ideas and inspiration!

Sunny greetings from Georgia,

MariettesBacktoBasics

Victorian1885 said...

Good evening Carolyn
As usual your rooms leave me wanting more..your taste is exquisite! Have a great week ahead my PEI friend!
Hugs,
Wanda

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Well I just love garden style rooms, and yours has so many romantic elements too! I love every little bit of it!

René said...

Your room looks lovely and I'm so glad to hear that I am not the only one who "changes course" midway. I tell my husband that it keep me out of trouble ;)

-Rene

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

very quaint! Love how you painted the thrifty find!

Sharlotte said...

What a wonderful room! I love gardening too and would love to have a room that looks just like this! It's like indoor gardening! The colors you've chosen are so soft and calm and all your pieces are perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Sharlotte

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Oh Carolyn...I Love what you did with it! It looks terrific! Much more visual interest than before!~Hugs, Patti

Susan said...

Awesome transformation, Carolyn. I especially love the girl garden statue, mirror, little cabinet, well, everything I guess! Great job from top to finish. Susan

Barbara Jean said...

It's so beautiful.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

blessings

barbara jean

Scribbler said...

Pretty!

Lindy said...

Too much to list all I like cuz I truly like it all!

Lindy

Unknown said...

Simply gorgeous! Your painting techniques are perfect!
Blessings,
Becky C

evcilik said...

Hello,Dear Carolyn,
They are all is very very beatifull,lıke your flowers..
thanks for the lovly and wonderfull pitchures..
greetings from Turkey,
Ä°jlal.
p.c: I dont buy the magazine anymore,like your blog better...

Flutterby Patch said...

It looks wonderful Carolyn. I never cease to be amazed at your ideas and boundless energy to create the 'look'. A real inspiration to us all....thank you from across the pond in grey old England.

It's me said...

Is that your room???? it looks like a fairytale......o my........amazing..i really like what i see darling....,you do great things......your blog is one of my heart !!!...i give you my personal award....bigg kisses for a happy new week.......love Ria....

Hélène Flont , french illustrator said...

Oh! Carolyn It is a true success! I love the idea of a winter garden,"un jardin d'hiver" as we say in france, a place where you can take tea and dream of next spring. A cosy little garden in a so elegant room. Bravo!!!! It's a lovely surprise for us all.

Unknown said...

what a gorgeous transformation,
your room looks just beautiful!

Decor To Adore said...

What a lovely room!

I hope you have stopped by and entered my Fab Fall French Giveaway.

Kamila said...

Alez u ciebie pięknie !!!
Molabym patrzec w nieskończoność na te fotografie.

Pozdrawiam serdecznie

daniela said...

Un saluto da Torino (Italia) grazie per le tue splendide fotografie, sembrano quelle di un libro di favole!
Complimenti per la tua bella casa.
Volevo iscrivermi tra le tue sostenitrici, ma oggi il servizio non funziona, riproverò.
Io adoro dipingere sulla porcellana, specialmente copiando dal vero.
A presto

Suzann said...

This is absolutely LOVELY. You have inspired me!!!

Betty Jo said...

I love the before and the after! I especially love the shutters made from the door. And the larger piece you brought in. That looks very old and incredible in your room. ♥

nanniepannie said...

It is a great time to create a garden space with the cooler weather happening, we'll spend less and less time there. Now you have the things you love from your garden close by.

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

I think your pictures look great! I adore gardening antiques....have a cottage in my back yard for them. Thanks for sharing!

xinex said...

I love seeing all your beautiful stuff. Great redo on the furniture and good buys. Everything looks s pretty!...Christine

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

so so so pretty!!!!!

ღ M@ddy ღ said...

Ma che splendida idea, Carolyn !!!
La approvo al 100%, mi piace da impazzire, e prenderò spunto anche per la mia casa ! Grazie !
(Io la terrei così per sempre!!! )

Come sempre, anche il tuo post di oggi è pura poesia...

Un bacio!

Maddy

g.suzie said...

You are an inspiration, and certainly have a creative gift! I love what you've done, it looks stunning!

Elzie said...

This looks just gorgeous. I'm amazed by the way you can decorate a simple place and make it into something so beautiful!!
Hope you have a nice day.
Love Elzie

~Sues Treasures on the Porch~ said...

Hello A friend sent me the link to your lovely room this am I love it! So Romantic and inviting I decorated my new Sun Porch in the garden theme also it makes me feel so cozy and warm on a cool brisk fall day and I can't wait to watch the birds in the feeders and the snow this winter from my room. You have done a great job finding some great deals I would not change a thing!

Pétales de fée said...

Marvelous and so nice !
Kiss

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

oh Carolyn, you really have another beautiful room! I smell Spring and Summer in here! love how you display everything in this room! love it!

Sanna - My Blueberry House said...

Your garden room is gorgeous Carolyn!

-Sanna

Betty said...

The room is so lovely. I also love the painting on the wall with the Woman sitting in the chair.

Willow

Bernideen said...

I am trying again...all I said was "I am always amazed!"

Connie said...

It's all so pretty. I especially like the yard-sale furniture that you redid. You truly have an eye for beauty.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Carolyn, this is so charming, and done with such creative use of objects and makeovers! Lovely.
Cass

Designing Lady Jane said...

That room is gorgeous. You did a great job of finding and refinishing those new pieces, and working it all together into an enchanting set.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Just awesome girl...I love it both way...but the shutters at the window and watering cans are just so great...loved seeing this speical place you made...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

~CC Catherine said...

Carolyn, I "LOVE" your garden theme in this room! Your shutters brought indoors are one that I often think of doing...I love it! And the gray/ivory distressed look is really attractive! It's really relaxing, and being a Garden lover myself, it strikes my fancy! :) I've missed coming to visit you... You "always" have enjoyable posts to read! Hugs friend~ ~CC Catherine

Georgianna said...

Well, this is just beyond words, Carolyn. So creative and well put together. Love the gray so much. I have a collection of gothic mirrors, too, and they are my favorite. I wish I could have them in every room. Better yet, some gothic windows! Beautiful job and thank you for sharing more of your amazing home. – g

Amy Chalmers said...

Carolyn the room is just my style! I love most everything about it. Starting with the shutters you added in that grey distressed finish. It made me wonder what the wall color is? It looks greyish green. Can you tell me what it is? I am ready to embark on a huge redecorating scheme and am considering many inspiring rooms. I have always wondered if grey would be a depressing color over time.And you are in BC and I am in New England where the winters seem to drag... your room is truely pretty with the lace and the garden elements mixed with distressed furniture. LOVE this space.

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Think it looks just lovely....as always!! Hope you are keeping well my friend!

Heaven's Walk said...

As usual, you've created a space that is warm, airy, and very welcoming, Carolyn! Just beautiful!! The way you place everything in a room just reflects grace and beauty. :)

xoxo laurie

Anonymous said...

Love it! Don't worry about the house not matching up. I did that in my house about 12 years ago. The good part was you could switch stuff from one to another to change the look. But trust me it is a HUGE pain when you get bored with the same colors and styles.

I bet you'll keep this look for a while just because you think it's different. New stuff gives the eye and mind something new to look at and focus on, you know.

Denise C said...

You know the bit where you talked about changing decorating directions? Well, thanks to this post, you may have sent me off in a new direction! This room made me absolutely swoon! It - is - FABULOUS!!!

I hope you don't mind. I linked your post to my PORCH AND GARDEN PARTY at firstadream.blogspot.com.

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady. Your home is so Beautiful all your pics. make me smile !! I love the Vintage look also. I'am doing a Tablescapes with the Vintage look for my Blog. for this week end. I love your Blog.

Erin said...

Very pretty. I would love to have that room.

Yeojin sunim said...

so lovely!!

Unknown said...

Hello Carolyn, I join you as followers ....
I write the translator ....
You did a great job ....
I, too, a few days ago I made ​​a post, to bring a bit of garden into the house .....
The work you have done very much, congratulations!
Also I like to constantly change decor:)
See you soon
kisses
Sabry!

bluegenemom said...

Beautiful and peaceful. I especially love the lace curtain. I would love a retreat like this!

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