After & Before, with still more to do...

After pictures are so much better to start with!  Don't you think?  Here is my dining room in the "after" with more work to do....  Dining room chairs from ebay have to be reupholstered for one thing.  My dog Maggie is watching me as I fret over my chairs!  {The things in the background are from Halloween...not my other creepy pets!}

 

 Windows are bare, but kind of like it that way.  We may need a bigger table but it is hard to give up this antique Belgian oak table.  Two leaves open it up to seat many.  I am not even sure if I want to keep this color.  When we first moved in {and we hardly had any furniture} we need to paint and I had to pick something.  Oh my, it was so hard to do!  There are WAY to many color choices out there.  Paint color:  Desert Tan by Benjamin Moore.

I love collecting silver and I enjoy making my little arrangements here and there.  My new favorite finds are hotel silver.  I am definitely a collector now!

I have a little built in corner hutch that I painted the interior La Paloma Gray by Benjamin Moore.  I just am crazy about gray and had to find a place for it in the dinning room.

This chandelier is antique inspired with hand cut crystal.  It was not that expensive and I am really happy with it.

This antique English sideboard we found up in Essex.  The painting is from Ireland by Knuttle.  This artist has actually become quite popular now.

I am looking for a mirror to go above the sideboard and hang the painting somewhere else.  Some mirrors that have caught my eye.... I have others and will do a post on all of them!  Which one of these do you think could work?

So here are the before pictures.  So much better to put them in the end.  Nothing that great to look at.  This room has good bones and probably more potential than I am able to pull off for it.  

I am tryin' though!

I was all mixed up about paint colors.  Someone actually recommended this dark red below.  It looked too much like blood to me!  It probably would have been very dramatic but too typical for me.  It seems red is a very popular color for dining rooms in New England.

Hope you enjoyed the tour and if anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would welcome them!

Have a great day~

xoxojamilyn

*Images property of Living It At Home*

What I Am Watching

This weekend, I am catching up on one of my favorite things to do.  That is to watch period piece (check out post) drama!  Currently it is all about Lark Rise To Candleford.  It is a BBC series that is now playing in England.  Here you can only see it on DVD.  I absolutely adore this series!  I highly recommend it.  I am up to season two now and looking forward already to season 3.  I have found them at Amazon.com.  Maybe this looks a little corny but trust me it is not.  You will get "happily" lost in these rich characters and the drama that ensues for each one of them.  I am truly enjoying it.  Nice to take a break at the end of a long day and get taken to another time period with great stories and talented acting. 

I hope you check it out.

Synopsis from Amazon (if you are interested).

The BBC's costume drama juggernaut struck gold once more when it decided to tackle the work of Flora Thompson. And in adapting her books in the form of the television production Lark Rise to Candleford, it has brought another compelling piece of drama to the screen.

Lark Rise to Candleford is set at the end of the 19th century, and it follows the story of two communities in the midst of a developing Oxfordshire. One is a fast-growing market town, the other a sleepier, quieter place that's holding more onto the past. Centered on Laura, the eldest daughter in the Timmins house, as she leaves the quieter life for work in the market town, the stage is then set for a quality drama series.

There's a lot to enjoy in the 10 episodes. The cast, for instance, is simply terrific, with Julia Sawalha, Dawn French, and Olivia Hallinan rightly taking plaudits. And the journey of their characters, along with those of the strong supporting cast, is simply wonderful television. Mixing in humor, drama and the production values we seem to take for granted from the BBC, Lark Rise to Candleford is really quite a treat. And what's more, it's proof positive that when it comes to television period drama, there really isn't anyone doing it better. Super stuff. --Jon Foster

Happy weekend and hope it is a restful one!

xoxojamilyn

*Images and info from amazon.com*

"Hunting" In Boston...have to buy something from here

My "hunting" trip lead me here...Hudson in Boston.  FANtastic store.  I have never been to this location.  I have shopped at the Hudson in Wellesley in the past.  I am desperate to buy something from here.  I am actually pretty crazed that I can't seem to find something.  I think I am trying to hard!  It is like writers block I guess...I have "decorating my home" block!!!!!

You have to look at all of these photo's (for those of you who can't make it to Boston!).  Amazing!

These are just the cutest pillows.  Again, if I had a "summer home" / if- when- HOW?  I would grab one of these for sure.  Wouldn't you?  

Would be cute in a youngster's room too or a family room for that matter!

The one thing that I absolutely love about this shop is how they mix and match styles, finishes, and periods.  I am actually going "cookoo" trying to figure out how to do it.  I am so in-love with this kind of decorating.  It obviously really takes talent and an eye for what works.  For me, it is hard work, not so easy.  Maybe, it is that I just don't trust what I like.  My husband always says, just buy what you like and you will always be happy when you see it at home.  Not so easy for me though.  Another realization I have come to learn about myself is that I LIKE too many things!  I really think I could go so many different ways when It comes to decorating.  I see one image in a magazine and I am like "wow", I am going to do exactly that.  Then I look through another magazine and see something totally different that catches my eye.  Also, all these fabulous blogs are not helping my cause either!  Believe me, I love all of them and the images that they present are amazing!  There is so much inspiration and talent out there but it can be overwhelming trying to sort it all out.  I seriously am thinking of studying design so I can just be comfortable decorating my home.  Maybe I am too afraid of costly mistakes.  I also think that I could easily change my mind in a few years and be ready to move on to something else.  I guess that is what most people love to do anyway.  Right?  A home should never truly be DONE.  Too boring!!!!!!

This arrangement caught my eye.  See how it is all mixed up but  put together at the same time!  

Stunning furniture.

These side tables are so great!

Wish I had a spot for this chandelier.  Or the guts to even hang it in my home!  

Tufted cuteness.

Coffee table attraction!

Getting worked up looking at these photo's again!  This chair below is so pretty.  Trying to think where I could put it.  Bedroom maybe?

So, enjoyed shopping here.  

A bit frustrated seeing all this great stuff and not being able to take it all home!

Have a great day!

xoxojamilyn

*Images property of Living It At Home*

Saw This Little Ottoman

And brought it home to try it out in front of the fireplace.  I liked the size and details...

After placing it there, not so crazy about it.  So, brought it back to Hudson.

Still on the look out for something to put in front of my fireplace.  I am just not lovin' anything!  The two chairs you see aren't really supposed to be where they are.  Either is my gorgeous round tufted ottoman.  Just there to fill space for now.  Doesn't look that bad. 

As I "hunt" around, I will post what I come across.  I was out all day today!  Ugh!

xoxojamilyn

*images from Living It At Home"

Bursting Out

Are we actually thawing out?  It is going to be in the 50's this weekend here in MA!  Sun is so bright and I can hear all the beautiful song birds outside.  I am so excited for Spring!  After a long winter {probably not over for us New Englander's} I can't contain myself...I want to burst outside and do something.  Plant, clean up my yard (downed branches everywhere).  I just want to be outside.  I think my dog will get a nice long walk today!  

I cannot wait for flowers!  All of these photo's were taken by my daughter...she is a budding photographer!  We were on Martha's Vineyard when she spotted this pretty rose.  

The flower up top was taken in Maine.

I never thought these dandelion "wishes" could look so pretty in a photo.  Gotta run...I have to get outside and get some Vitamin D from that gorgeous warm sunshine!

Have a wonderful "sunny" weekend!

xoxojamilyn

*photo's taken by Olivia and property of Living It At Home*

When You Can't Find Furniture...

...go shopping for yourself!  Here is my loot from my "mini" shopping spree.  Great stuff, huh?  I am much better at buying things like this than LARGE pieces for my home.  I have been out "hunting" for my home and decided to take a break. *Click on photo's to see larger details*

Had some Nordstrom dollars (from points) to use up and I have to say did pretty well.  Like?

~Love~

I found this Botkier bag half off at Nordstroms!   They usually have a table or two filled with discounted bags.  The saleswoman said that they usually don't carry this designer, but someone had just returned it (special order or something).  Lucky me!  I love big slouchy, soft leather (designer) bags!  Yeah for me!

I needed a wallet desperately and these ADORABLE patent leather Tori Burch wallets just came in.  This is apparently the new color for spring.  I just liked that it was cute, bright and I could find it at the bottom of my bag.

The other great thing about this wallet is that it zips all the way around to keep your belongings safe and secure.  Also, if your phone is skinny enough {mine is for now} you can slip it inside...zip it up and your are good to go with a cute summery clutch.  I should be a saleswoman...are you sold yet?

Here I am lounging on my fairly new couch {feet on the couch/oh no!}  These cute brown Tori Burch shoes (very comfy) I actually found in this adorable shop in Concord, MA called Viola (excuse my ugly jeans).  She is having a sale up to 75% off designer shoes, bags, ect...  I scored these and love them.  Last year I bought a Gryson bag for 75% off and use it all the time.

Lastly, this gorgeous feather light (really thin) cashmere scarf I picked up at Nordstroms also.  Great colors for spring and they are color blocked.  Really cute.

Hope you enjoyed my shopping spree.  Now onto the big things...chairs, rugs, lamps...eek! 

 I think I really need help.  My creative side has left the building!

xoxojamilyn

*photo's property of Living It At Home*

Weekend Look-Nesting On Main

Our weekend trip to a delightful antique store, Nesting On Maine, in Concord, MA.  On the "hunt" again for my home.  This shop is one of my most absolute fav's to visit!  My daughter tagged along reluctantly and fell in love.  We had a nice little chat with the store owner about her upcoming trip to France for a buying spree for her store.  Is she living the "dream" or what?  I asked her if she thought she was, and she replied "yes". 

 I would love to do what she does...travel, have a cute little shop in a historic town.  One day...

I snapped a bunch of pictures, worth scrolling through~ for all you scanners out there~ I know you don't have the time...very busy.  Just take a look, and if you live in MA, it is worth a visit!

Firstly~ Her store sign is adorable!

Nesting On Maine is chuck full of the most wonderful treasures.  It takes awhile to truly see everything.

I am crazy over mushrooms.  I really have to resist every time I go in here.  

She always has cute ones for sale!

I fell in love with this bird fountain {is that the name for it? Suddenly can't remember}

There are many vignettes that are done so beautifully.  She is so talented in how she arranges everything.

I love the owl painting.  

Can you believe this place?  So much fun!

Adorable gifts scattered here and there...

Tags for a present...

Love this twig table, but worry about how would you dust all those branches?

This map of Paris was tempting me.  Can't justify buying it because I have never been there.  I do have my eye on the little hotel silver sugar bowl (on dresser/didn't get a close up).  

I feel a collection coming on!

So cute! BYE!

P.S.  I now have a crazed antiquing/daughter on my hands!  She purchased some vintage quill pens and the shop owner graciously gave her a "gift".  It was an antique slide that she had fallen in love with.  How nice!  She is smitten now~

xoxojamilyn