Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Inspiration and coming full circle

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know I have changed my interior decor a bunch of times in the ten years I have lived in my home. The years I spent building new homes, added fuel to my decorating frenzy. I've had everything from Shabby Chic, to Victorian, to all white. What was always a conflict for me was the way I drew and designed my patterns and the way I decorated.

In November, I finally came full circle with all my decorating and soul searching. I found a dining room set that truly felt like me and was a perfect match to my quilts, stitchery and Folk Art Fusion. In my normal fashion, I sold my other dining set, saved some more pennies and purchased my new table. I decided to ignore trends, styles, friends opinions, HGTV and just go with what felt like home to me.
Here is my prior dining room set. Nice, but still a little frou frou.

Here is my new dining room set. It has a more warm, welcome and country feel. The ends slide out and I can fit 12 people around it. I love how my Folk Art Fusion "Peter and Peter the Pumkin Eaters" piece looks with it. I'm also proud to say it was made in America, not China.
I also found this old pie safe in an antique mall. I just knew it would be perfect in the corner and it is.

While visiting a friend before Christmas, I went into a country shop and found a bench. I knew it would be perfect for my mudroom.
                    Mudroom before.

                          Mudroom now.

My home and my design style are now a perfect compliment to each other and to me, a simple blue jeans and cowgirl boot kinda gal. I've been truly inspired to create and will have new patterns coming soon.  I need a table runner, some pillows for the bench a new Folk Art Fusion piece, some stitcheries and mini quilts for the wall and a penny rug for the top of the pie safe. Of course, they will have bunnies. After all, I will always be the crazy bunny lady. hee,hee,hee.


So, I've come full circle with my decorating and returned to the warm, welcoming and relaxed style of Country decor. A perfect style for quilts, stitchery and wool projects to reside in. A perfect place for friends to feel at home. A perfect place for things made by hand.

I'm looking forward to sharing my new designs with you! Have a fun day!

xx, Michelle

51 comments:

Unknown said...

I Love your New Furniture Pieces they do Look More Modern and suit your rooms Perfectly..
cheers

Wendy @ Ravenwood Whimzies said...

Good morning Michelle - I LOVE LOVE LOVE your dining set! Where did you get it? It's a perfect fit for your room. That pie safe is gorgeous too..lucky find!
Enjoy your lovely home! Blessings

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Oh, Shell...
Everything looks just like your folk art fusion pieces, which I know come from a beautiful place deep inside you. It's easy to see that your heart and decor are no longer at odds. It's relaxing, stylish, and perfectly true to who you are inside...full of "home comforts".
Hope you have a wonderful week, my friend.
xoxo
Donna (and soon, Tag!)

Diane H said...

It is always a pleasure to ooooh and ahhhh at what you have done with your decorating skills, Shell.
Absolutely, love the changes.
Blessings to all.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Love the backs of those chairs! The pie safe is a terrific find. Just lovely - all of it.

JudyCinNC said...

I love it and so much more cozy and welcoming - makes you want to come in, sit down and chat for a spell... in the dining room or mud room. Just like Donna said, you are no longer at odds. Definitely will bring out the creative spirit. Where did you find the table - love Made in America. Judy C

Jean Barker said...

So warm and inviting Shell. Your new pieces are beautiful!
Blessings,
Jean

Cheryl @ Bingle Bears said...

I LOVE your new dining room and mud room. They are just perfect.

Warmly,
Cheryl

Diane Duda said...

yes. perfect. :)

Anonymous said...

JUST BEAUTIFUL!
COULDN'T STAND NOT LEAVING YOU A NOTE! ENJOY!

Chris said...

Yup....we grow and return to our roots. Just lovely!

Lavender Rabbit said...

Gorgeous pieces! I hope no bun finds any of them tasty (haha!). Love your decorating sense... Hugs!

Sheila said...

I absolutely love your new furniture , it is warm and welcoming and with your lovely wool designs it is perfect! hugs Sheila

Brenda said...

Love it all and you are right your designs do look at home with your new things.

Sherry said...

I love your furniture too and it does go so well with your wonderful designs. I was noticing your draperies and realized that fabric is very close to my new livingroom drapes that I just finished and hope to share soon. I completed my 12 of Hearts project and I love it, thanks so much for sharing your talents with us.

Jeanette said...

Love the new furniture Shell. Especially the dining table. Hugs,

Christine M said...

Your new dining furniture is just lovely Shell. You certainly have a way with decorating. I love the new bench too. Hugs, Christine

Michelle Ridgway said...

Beautiful dining setting and pie safe. Yum! I love it. Your rooms looks great.Enjoy your new spaces.

Cheryl said...

Just Beautiful! Enjoy your evening
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOy~!

Fiona said...

Both styles are lovely... what a great way to give a fresh look...
Hugz

Jade said...

LOVE the new look! Simple, classic, never out of style; dress it up or leave it be, it will always look good (just like some people I know :D )

Fee said...

It looks wonderful Michelle. Totally love the safe too.

Hugs - Fee X

Christina said...

Everything looks fantastic Michelle, warm and welcoming. Love your style!

Heart of a Cowgirl said...

I LOVE the new look! The old look was beautiful, too, but you are right, this look is a little warmer and welcoming. Nice!
I'm hosting a fundraiser on my blog (posted last week) if you or any of your bunny-loving followers are interested in helping a great cause, please check it out. Happy New Year to you!
Bridget

Rebecca P said...

I must say the new look is so you. Truly homey & country. That is one beautiful dinning set.
I'm happy you have come full circle.

Anonymous said...

Everything is looking beautiful. Love the prim style ;o)

Mosaic Magpie said...

Every change you have made in my opinion is perfect. I love the new dining room especially. The wall hanging looks so nice in there.
Deb

Victoria said...

I love the old...I love the new. I just wish I had been nearby to buy your cast-offs!! Smiles!

KaHolly said...

Just gorgeous!

Sherri said...

Shell, I love all the changes you made in your beautiful home! Everything looks so amazing!!

Just Ramblin' said...

Love the new look your changes have made to your home. It looks so warm and inviting. Nola

Kris said...

Oh, Shell!! Your new look is sooooooooo perfect!!! I really love your new table and chairs AND the new bench!! oxox Kris

Donna Nowicki French said...

I LOVE your new table and all your decor.

Crafty Green Poet said...

wonderful new furniture! It all suits your home perfectly!

Karen said...

The dining room table would make me very happy. So different from what I have seen of your past decorating style. It has such a warm and inviting look.

Carrie P. said...

Beautiful! I really like the new pieces of furniture.They would be perfect in my home too.

Natascha said...

I love your new table set. Looks beautiful!

Lisa said...

Can't tell you how much I enjoy these glimpses of your home :) I especially love that willow lantern. In some way, it strikes me.

Annette Tait said...

such a gorgeous table Shell! love it's legs - I had a table a little similar to that many years ago in Australia! it weighted a tonne!

Melody said...

I love the new look and agree it perfectly compliments your beautiful designs. Lucky bunnies living in such a beautiful home, so obviously created with love.

Allie said...

So, so beautiful - yes, very welcoming, very warm, very relaxing, Shell. I love your home!

StitchinByTheLake said...

I'm totally in love with your new look - perfection! blessings, marlene

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Shell,

Your new look to your room is fabulous, and as you say your Peter and the Pumpkin Eaters, really looks good alongside.
That is lovely that you have a USA made table and chairs. Most of the furniture and things you see now days are made in China.
Hope that you are enjoying your week and have a wonderful weekend

Hugs
Carolyn

Gloria J W said...

Love the new look Michelle...just beautiful!
Hugs Gloria

Peg said...

Michelle, Our tastes are very similar. I love antiques thrown in with some fairly modern pieces that I love and get them to blend.Oh, the rabbits. Yes we had rabbits for the 4H fair, and then the kids had an indoor rabbit that was litter box trained. It went great until it chewed the phone cords. He had to go out to the shed into the rabbit hutch. Loving the raspberry rabbit!

Sharon said...

Shell,

I love your new furniture! It is definitely you!

Looking forward to seeing you in late February, bunny loving friend!

kc said...

Perfectly charming, warm & inviting. Wish I was there to admire it in person! I think your designs will compliment the new-to-you furniture nicely.

Sherry said...

LOVE your new look. Everything looks wonderful!

RG said...

When's the dinner party? Let's see - 600 followers. 12 people at a time. That's like 50 dinners! One a week! I would like the week of May 16th. Oh what fun to sit around that table with a random other 11 of your followers and all the food and good karma and surroundings!!! Dibs on Hannah!

RG said...

Ooops - 990 and growing. You will be serving weekly bloggers dinners forever! I better send BL to help!

Clovie Boy said...

Love it, especially the dining room table and chairs. I bought my 1940's set at an estate sale in the '80's and it's really time for a new one. Very hard to find the perfect set though.

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