My Copycat Restoration Hardware Shelf...and My Dining Room

The day when I open my mailbox and see a new Restoration Hardware catalog sitting there, just waiting for me, is a happy one.

I open it's pages, ready to take in all the inspiration and marvel at the prettiness that the store seems to meld together so easily. With nearly every turn of the page, I find something new that I like...a rustic table, a crusty iron sconce, or an interesting display. There's always something to show the Mister, since he likes their style too.

For awhile now, I've been seriously coveting one of their shelves...a well-worn, beauty of a thing, crafted of iron and reclaimed lumber. While I love, love, love this shelf, I didn't love the price so much, so I decided that we should try making our own...and I knew just the perfect spot for it once we were done.

While we tried to hold as closely to the style of the original shelf as possible, we did change a few things design-wise, such as the type of wood and the finish.  As for the wheels and the metal tubing, that came together just the way I had hoped and really lend themselves to the look that I love.

The feeling of tranquility that flows from a white, light-filled, sunny space is something that I crave. I've been trying bring this feeling into my house more and more, removing as much pattern and color as possible and just letting texture take hold.

Recently I painted this room Creamy White by Benjamin Moore...it feels so much better now that I want to keep going and repaint the whole house. The Mister pretends he doesn't hear me when I say that though :)

While I do like the light, white look, it seems like little pops of color here and there keep things feeling fresh...a vase holding a bundle of brightly-colored blooms or a bowl of fresh fruit, such as lemons or grapefruit, look so wonderful to my eye and smell so good too!

Well, there you go, my friends...my refreshed dining room. I might want to add a few things to the space, but I don't know, we'll see. I'm already thinking about what room I should move on to next.

I hope you all have a happy, sunny weekend!

xo Tricia

••addendum••  Since I've had a few people wonder about the specifics, here they are:  The shelf is made of cedar that I sanded and then white-washed to even out any variations in the wood.  The wheels are 6" casters from Northern Tool.  The metal tubing and other hardware came from Home Depot.

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Funky Junk Interiors

Hello, My Pretty...

Hello everyone. Well, if you've had a yearning to see some pretty pastel cups and rosy pink flowers, then today is your day, since that what I have cookin'. 

Last week I made a stop at one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie, where I spied these turquoise beauties. They have a stamped pattern and a crazed, crackly finish and, let's just say, they called out my name.  Can't you just see yourself sipping a tasty drink from one of these?  Me too...along with something delicious to nibble on, of course.

Since my mind spends a lot of time focusing on photography, props and the like, I knew these cups would be perfect for some photos. I paired them with some ranunculus, which is one of my favorite springtime flowers.

As I started styling everything, the petals began to fall from some of the blooms.  I often find that when I just let things evolve naturally with my photos things seem to turn out better than when I give it too much thought. Do you find that to be the case for you too?

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who left their condolences on the passing of my grandpa.  Your kind and thoughtful words mean so much to me. I've gotten a little behind in my visiting, but I hope to be around soon.

I hope you're all having a good week thus far.

xo  Tricia

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Texture Tuesday: The Pink Edition (using Kim's subtly yours texture)
Wow Us Wednesday

Good-bye Grandpa ♥

As hours turn into days and days turn into years, time fades away and the season of life comes to a close. In a moment, the world is changed. There are days filled with sorrow, tears of pain, and the word...good-bye.

One day, a little over a week ago, I had awakened to see soft rays of light gently flickering through the window and birds singing their joyous good-morning songs. The beauty of the morning seemed to hold the promise of a wonderful day ahead...thoughts that were replaced by tears of sadness once I heard the words that grandpa was gone.

I saw myself as a little girl wearing the cowboy boots my grandparents had given me, gathering freshly-laid chicken eggs, picking strawberries, eating handfuls of M & M's and playing with kitties.  

I imagined my life without grandpa.  How I'd never again see him sitting in his chair watching the news, smell the smoky scent of his cigarettes, or eat the hodgepodge of items that he would make for lunch.  How there would be no more little bits of teasing, hugs good-bye...or even hello.

Last week, I went out West to say a tearful farewell and see him one last time.  I gazed at his face...I thought about him and grandma and the farm that held so many memories...and then I said good-bye.

I like to imagine that grandpa is like the little seed of a well-loved plant that was whisked away in the wind. Gently carried along in the breeze, he lands softly and begins to grow in beautiful place unseen by my eyes, heaven...the home of his new everlasting life.

Sending you my love, grandpa ♥

xoxo

Going Bananas

One fruit we always have on hand at our house is bananas...monkeys love 'em and so do we. With every trip to the grocery store, I hear the words, "Don't forget the bananas, Mama!" coming from my little girl's lips.  She can eat them one right after the other.

I decided to make some banana muffins last week after I went to see my favorite hair-do girl, Sarah. While she was cutting my hair, we chatted about our usual things...little tidbits of our lives, what was happening on the Bachelor (hmmm, who will he pick?!) and of course, the topic of food. She said that she had just made a loaf of banana bread the day before and that it had turned out quite tasty.

Well, after I got home from getting all beautified, all I could think about was making a banana something or other. Eventually, I decided muffins sounded good, so I went to work putting together a recipe and my little banana-loving girl was right there, eager to help with the baking.

We were a good team, her and I, since the muffins turned out pretty yummy. I did a mix and match sort of thing...some were filled with delicious chocolaty bits and topped with walnuts, while others were plain with a dollop of some sweet cream cheese frosting.

Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Muffins

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• walnuts, chopped

Mix together flour, baking soda and baking powder. In a separate bowl, cream together the sugars and butter and then add the eggs, vanilla, sour cream and bananas. Beat on low speed until everything is combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips.

Line muffin pan with paper muffin cups and fill each section 3/4 full with batter. Sprinkle tops with chopped walnuts. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 18 to 20 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Well, I hope you all have a good week. I've been feeling a little out of sorts lately which is why I haven't been around much, but I'm hoping that everything will be better next week. So until then...

xo