Inspiration gone astray, or, I've lost my mojo

A few months ago I realized I was tired of the autumn colors in my living and dining rooms and wanted to be able to bring in cool blues, greens and pale taupes. Figuring that in the fall I would want the orange back again, I planned to neutralize the walls and then use some pretty patterned drapes to bring the color into both rooms. I even bought some lovely blue fabric.

source: pottery barn

source: unknown

But somewhere in between finding the dining room table and the rug, I went astray. And I love what has happened so far but I could not for the life of me figure out how I was going to treat the windows.

I think I've got it back now, but as I still have to paint before I get to the drapes, only time will tell.

I can't be the only one this happens to, am I?

Procrastination pays off

For the past few months, I've been dreaming and collecting for a big dining room makeover. I had grand plans that it would all be done in a flash, and forgot about the work involved. So when Melissa at the Inspired Room decided to throw a procrastination party, I was all over it. But I procrastinated and didn't sign up. But, my project was done in time to link to her finish, so here it is!
This is where I started. A nice dining room in a color that I love each fall but hate in the spring time and a too-small table that I've had since my first apartment after college. Not horrible, but not good. Certainly not the elegant formal dining room I had in mind.




So I've been scouring Craigslist for new furniture and managed to piece together some items with good bones. Let's focus on the pieces that I have finished and pay no attention to the china cabinet.





But then I got out the black spray paint...


And some cream fabric...


And help from a cute little dog...


And before you know it, I had a new dining room set!

Oh Craigslist!

You big tease. All the pieces with good bones are too expensive. Take this chair for example.

They want $400 for 2. I can't pay that much for something I want to rip apart, spray paint white and reupholster with zebra print fabric.

In which it begins

Let me start off by saying I used to blog. I blogged about my knitting. A lot. And then spring would come and I would start on house projects and my blog would languish. And then Christmas knitting comes around and I cannot post pictures of secret projects. So the blog languishes some more. And spring rolls around again and my home decor efforts are in full swing.

So since I now spend all my time obsessing about house blogs, I thought I would start sharing some of the updates I am making here. Let's see how long this lasts