Sofa Makeover

Over the 4th of July weekend I recovered my living room sofa.  The sofa had seen better days and was a worn out and faded navy brushed corduroy (sorry ~ no before picture).  I like how it turned out, but must admit, I am not too fond of the new fabric.  I really never should have purchased it, but it matched all my seasonal sets of sofa pillows, would hide dirt, and was on sale.  All added up, it's still not a reason to purchase fabric you don't absolutely love ~ lesson learned.  So here it is in it's newness, until I can make a slipcover for it next summer.

It's a wee bit too bright for me, but I keep telling myself it will look nice during the fall season.  I fell in love with these Pottery Barn pillows that keep me distracted from the fabric.

They match perfectly and since I decorate my living room with sunflowers during the summer, it was a no-brainer.  It was a bit of a splurge, but I'm so glad I bought them.

There is a third pillow, equally as pretty, but it is on a club chair that is waiting to be reupholstered.  I normally make all my pillows, but the embroidery on this set was something I couldn't do.I keep a big bunch of sunflowers in a large crock which sets in the fireplace.  I love the bright splash of color it gives the living room.

And then another set of sunflowers that sit on the credenza along with other treasured summer items.

When I recovered the cushions of the sofa, I added an extra half inch of foam on each side and two layers of batting to make them more pouffe and comfortable.  I also changed out the two large flattened back cushions for four new down pillows.

It really does make it more comfortable.  Still not the best sofa for napping if you have a bad back, but as you can see, these guys like it.

That's my daughter who always seems to nap when she comes to visit and then Moby, the dog, and next to him is Charlie, our cat, who is on his back with legs in the air.  None of them even opened an eye when I took the pictures.My daughter has seen these pictures, and would kill me if she knew I posted them, but I think they are just so sweet and my favorite pictures of the new couch.

Linking with Mod Vintage Life  for Mod Mix Monday~Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday~Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
 

Summer Hutch

I wanted to share a few pics of my hutch all decked out for summer.  I change it seasonally or as the mood moves me and this summer it's mostly in shades of green.  

I am blessed to be able to work from home two days a week and after trying numerous places to sit with my work laptop, I have finally settled in at the dining room table.  This is my view from there.

I've filled the hutch with odds and ends found at flea markets, yard sales, and Goodwill.  Here is a little close up tour around the hutch.~ A stack of pretty green salad plates topped with a sweet doily and bird nest. 

 

Next to the plates is a set of vintage salt & pepper shakers that I bought purely for their beautiful color.  I've coupled them with a delicate vintage hankie and garden spade napkin holder.

Then there is my Goodwill green pitcher with yellow daisies and my vintage silverware, badly in need of cleaning.

On to the middle shelf where I have a few of my favorite bee items.

And this sweet set of very vintage salt and pepper shakers given to me by a friend who knew I loved bees.  They were her Grandmother's and she lovingly gave them to me when her Grandmother passed away.  They are a cherished treasure.

Most of these items you've seen before in previous posts, but they found their way into this collection.

And on to the smaller top shelf is a collection of miscellaneous small items.

On the top of the hutch, I have a small collection of metal containers, some vintage and one just from Hobby Lobby.  I like the look of metal up there, plus they allow the heat/air to still come through the furnace vent without impeding it's flow.

Off to the side wall, I hung a vintage green chippy window frame with a green stuffed heart in it.  Haven't really found exactly what I want for the center of this frame, but I'm sure it will change with the seasons too.

So, now you know one of the many reasons I enjoy working from home.  It is always nice to be surrounded by the pretty things you love when you're doing repetitive computer work.~Linking with~A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday~Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  

Porch Rules

Once again, I haven't been posting or reading blogs ~ not sure what's wrong with me ~ just busy I guess with my hands in too many pots.This post is for Dawn, my cousin, who I didn't realize not only faithfully reads my blog, but knows exactly when I posted last.  I promised her a post, so I thought I'd share my partially finished porch.  I say partially because these changes are cosmetic.  The structural changes will come when the weather cools ~ if ever.Anyways, this post is titled "Porch Rules" because of a sign I made this spring to hang on my porch.  

 I found the idea on Pinterest and you can buy this lady's version at her Etsy site.  

 I must admit I copied her sign word for word, just changed the layout, colors, and fonts to match my decor.  Her signs are on wood and I did mine in Photoshop, then had it printed on poster board and laminated.  I found the perfect chippy window for mine at a flea market this spring.  Because the outside of my sign is exposed to the weather, I put a layer of foam board and cut glass on the back side with caulking around the edges to keep any rain or moisture from getting in.  My sign obviously hangs on the porch where I can see it when relaxing out there.  I was going to hang it on a porch wall of the house for better protection from the elements, but it just didn't look as pretty as when it has the outside trees and sun as a backdrop.  I do bring it in when there is a threat of a nasty storm.

The Adirondack furniture is probably twenty years old by now, but a fresh coat of paint makes it look new again.  The pillows are new, but I haven't had time to make seat cushions yet. 

 On the table between the chairs is a beautiful planter I bought from a friend's sale this spring.  I haven't found anything to put in it yet.  With the intense heat this summer, it might just be wise to go with artificial flowers this year.

Next to it is a sweet tree-shaped candle holder that I found at a yard sale for $3.  All I had to do was paint it white.  As you can see, I haven't bought any candles for it yet.

How do you like this Christmas cactus?  I've had it for over 40 years and it is almost too heavy for me to carry, but it loves to come outside for the summer.My screened porch is very small, but I made room for a small wrought iron table I also purchased from my dear friend, Nancy, who was getting rid of lots of things this spring.  

The table came without glass, so I needed to replace that,  and it was originally intended for the deck, but the glass was so expensive, I was afraid a branch would fall on it, so I brought it inside to enjoy. 

 Some of these pictures look foggy, but it's just the sun coming through the leaves and screen.

Last summer I installed sheers on the corners of my porch, more for looks than anything else, and to soften the edges.  This summer I added a couple more panels and decided to actually close them on the west side of the porch to help filter out some of the hot afternoon sun.  I love how they soften everything, blow in the breeze, give a little privacy, and yet still let you feel like you're outdoors.And last, but not least is a new chandelier, also bought from Nancy.  She found it at a flea this spring and I traded it for one I found this spring too.  This one is so unique and I think my favorite of all that I have. 

It is wired for electricity, but I haven't had an electrician come and remove the ceiling fan and hang it over the table yet.  I love it's charming rusty petals and sweet flowers, and I can hardly wait to see it lit at night.

Unfortunately ~ like most of the country ~ it has been unbearably hot this summer, so I have hardly had a chance to sit or enjoy a meal on my porch.  I'm hoping that soon we'll get a reprieve from the heat so I can apply some of my porch rules and enjoy the sweet outdoors.
Linking with
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays~Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday~A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday