Beauty, function or both....either which way let there be light.

I've never been a fan of the aesthetics of a ceiling fan but those that live in a very hot climate know that without question we would forgo beauty before function. When I saw the below image it got my wheels turning. Would it be possible to somewhat give the ceiling fan a more custom look? I think so & I am going to attempt it by golly.  We'll have to test this project out first in my girls room.

Of course I had to post some inspiration photos on what direction I may take on making my custom shade.  The following four shades are found here.

 

Exposed wire is a little too shabby for my liking but what about stripping a shade down to the wire & then adding something crocheted or lacy. 

this one here.

I really like this embellished lamp shade found here. 

This one found here is not really a lampshade but is beautiful nonetheless.

this one here

These drum shades are covered in vintage wallpaper found here.

Now that I covered lighting for the girl's room, I just remembered that I need to tackle finding a floor lamp for the family room which is a bit more of a clean & refined space (or at least that is the vision).  Steven Gambrel is the designer on the below room.  I love him and right @ this moment if I could hire anybody it would be him.  Anyway I fell in love with the light fixture hanging in the below dining room.  To see more of Mr. Gambrel's work go here.

This is another green lamp with great lines that happens to only be a table lamp but...

when I explored the same site the above lamp was found at, I found some more beauties.....

The bottom two found @ Anthropologie, in which one of those babies is only a mere $3,500.00.

but alas they were all out of my price range so I went here & look what I found. One of the two below will be in my home as soon as I make up my mind.  Thank goodness for Overstock.



Does anybody else love Overstock or have any tips on crafting a lamp shade?

Getting away country stlye.

This last little trip to the farm was fantastic. I noticed that the dominant colors seem to be green & gold (or yellow).  Thanks to John Deere.

Noticed that everybody loved Grandma, Papa, cousins, motor vehicles (some had 4 wheels & some had 2 wheels) & Popsicles.

Noticed lots of messy hands & faces.  Noticed how much the kids adored dogs.  Dogs loved my kids too....probably because my kids were so good at sharing their snacks with good 'ol Nookie & Ellie.  Noticed dog hair on Popsicles...had to rinse off. 

Left almost wishing we lived in small town, USA...way out in the country....almost.

Here's a picture of one of the many reasons why I find southern UT or the four corners area for that matter some of the most fascinating terrain.  It speaks to my soul.

So good to be with family! Thank you to Andrew, Mary, Dan & Courtney for making the 2 hour drive down to see us. Sorry to Dan & Courtney that JR Munchies was closed & yes we were not joking the hamburger joint was really in the back of ACE Hardware.

As always thank you to Grandma & Papa for being such great hosts. Love you!

H*O*O*R*A*Y

Hooray for the the red, white & blue. 

 

This is my one last hoorah before we load all 5 midgets all snugly in their car seats. We drive the car seat car....literally.  If you want to ride with us you have to fit on a 5 point safety harness. It's just so much fun (a barrel of monkeys kind of fun if you know what I mean)!!!!

Well I had a great time creating this seasons banner. I don't know why I find do much pleasure in making them. I used to boycott all crafts. I like this one because I can use it for the next little boy party as well.  I think I really like the toilet paper roles I used in this banner...it may have been the only time I didn't get annoyed with husband for throwing them on the floor when he was done with the paper.  Once again he is our HERO (like how I turned that one around?)   Seriously I found 5 on the floor of my bathroom that I've been ignoring so that I don't get all bitter.  Doesn't the rule say that if you are the last one to use the paper and it is all gone that you must throw it away?  Well how can I get mad when he brought us a whole freezer full  of salmon & halibut home from Alaska.

On another note my favorite chair has finally been painted.  Now I just need to have it reupholstered and I have another check mark to make.  Slowly but surely the list shrinketh.  Also I didn't think I like burlap as much as I do.  Didn't seem refined enough but I am obviously liking it @ the moment.  It is cheap and gives lots of texture.  Also, usually I am more of a succulent kind of girl but look @ this cute live topiary.  It's a gift and I found it @ Wal-Mart (busted) for a bargain.  The burlap makes the whole thing though.

Call me whatever you will but I really want one of the above, wouldn't it be dreamy for a long trip to visit Grandma.  No, it's not a full size van it's a Dodge Sprinter.  Mercedes makes their own version as well which reminds me that my real dream car is this:

Good thing I am just happy with what I have though. If you want to read article on happiness: 3 amazing tips fron the world's oldest case study then go here.

How can I be anything but happy with all of my in-house trims and notions:

Hope everyone has a fabulous 4th of July!

I love red, white & blue with hints of stripes.

Love, love 4th of July. It is a pretty close tie for 1st place in the holiday book. I don't know if it is that I love family gatherings with picnics, parades, barbeque, fireworks, stripes, patriotism or just red white & blue. Whatever it is I love it when people can feel united. I also associate people of the last generation really having a love & respect for their country. Another reason I love that era. I have been working on a red, white & blue banner and the images below were just the ticket to get some creative juices flowing.....

{first image found here, all other images via My Vintage Vogue}

Stripes, stars, red, white & blue so classic....hopefully just like FREEDOM!