Bottle Blonde's Inspirations

Catching Up on Social Media

2019-09-26T16:05:00.001-05:00

In 2018, I stopped posting here as I was using Facebook to interact with my family and friends. Now I’ve added an account on Instagram so I can see and share home decor ideas. It’s wonderful to have so many people who love the same activity. Here is a link to my Instagram account:http://pinterest.com/debraconway

Spring 2018 Inspirations

2018-03-13T15:55:00.002-05:00

I’ve probably posted a few of these photos before, but they are so inspirational!

I keep forgetting to update here! 😆

2017-11-04T14:39:00.000-05:00

I’ve just been putting things on my family Facebook page so I’ll try to put some pictures here ASAP.

A Cover For The Patio!

2016-07-18T12:05:00.001-05:00

Darling husband got this for us. It's from Big Lots and we hired a great couple on Thumbtack to assemble it for us.

New covers for the patio furniture

2016-05-13T20:37:00.001-05:00

I'm just going to post the photos and add some notes for you to follow along.

Old patio cushions get a makeover.

This is the fabric for the back cushions. We have four of each, back and bottom. Two chairs and a settee. This is a batik type pattern that I really like. It's not outdoor fabric so I hope it doesn't fade.

I cut the front and back -- with a piece for the bottom -- as the store cut the fabric short and you work with what you got.

The photo above shows the dog-eared corners at the top -- made by folding the top ends together (fabric inside out) and sewing straight across. Keep the seams together. It makes a nice tailored look.

This photo shows the nice dog-eared ends on the tops of he cushions.

This is showing how I fit the long piece into the bottom. I placed the ends of the piece at the middle of each side seam and sewed then together, straight across. Then pulled each side piece up to meet the corner, pinned and sewed.

And here it is completed.

Above are two cushions done except to hand sew the bottoms closed.

This is the bottom seat fabric. It's outdoor fabric and has a nice weight to it.

This is a completed cover. I sewed the three sides, made the dog-eared ends - then turned under a short hem on the open bottom. I used trim to make the ties for the bottoms. Experience shows these will need washing occasionally so I didn't want to sew them closed.

Confession time. The bottom cushion fabric is upside down. Yes, and so it got ripped apart and resewed.. Grrrrr

And here they are! New cushion covers! You'll have to come see us and sit a spell.

👍👍

A little half bath, big idea! Frames!

2016-04-24T21:58:00.001-05:00

As anyone who follows my work knows, I love to decorate with empty frames. I've used the technique in offices and in homes. Below are pics from the girls bathroom.

I bought them all an antique mall in Grapevine, TX. Now I've used them in our downstairs half bath.

You might remember the horse drawing from Maia's old bathroom.

We found the box of four knobs at TJ Maxx. Steve drilled holes in the cabinet doors and they fit perfectly in the little Bombay table drawers.

Below are a couple of inspiration pics of empty frames layered -- a way I haven't tried yet...have fun!

Completed Chair!

2016-04-24T21:39:00.001-05:00

This chair has gone from a happy floral...

To this happy green and ivory look:

And now TaDa!!

(The tape is to stop the cats from pulling down the trim before the glue dries.) The top is a butterfly embroidery square and the bottom is a teal woven fabric, both from Joann's.

I used Tiffany blue "Provence" chalk paint on the wood, finally covering the green. It is a real pop of color in our family room.

A Quick Update to a Favorite Chair

2016-02-06T15:57:00.001-06:00

You might remember the makeover of the green chair a while back.

I've had my eye on a piece of fabric just perfect for an update at JoAnn's for since I bought the pieces to do over the new family room -- and then it was half off!! It's a butterfly woven onto a soft background. Last night I put it on with glue and tape, as usual. What do you think??

First I removed the trim and the cover to use as my pattern.

And here it is!! I haven't decided what to put on the seat yet. I have a teal and an off white. Laters!

New home, New year, Good times!

2016-02-01T23:33:00.001-06:00

Our downsized home is still a work in progress but we're all in, celebrated our first Christmas and loving the cozy! Here's to you all and Happy New Year... Here are some of my inspirations for you.

Christmas Eve 2015

The tree in the Entry Foyer

Welcome!

The Living Room

The Foyer Hallway

The Family room

~>~

Christmas morning 2015

More to come!!

Somedays are more inspiring than others

2015-09-02T22:52:00.000-05:00

Most days I get at least two projects around the house done and Steve gets things going on the weekends. Slowly but surely we are getting a house to a home in our style.

We are trying not to buy much and to use what we have and we've done pretty well except for the TV room upstairs because we sold most of those pieces and reused the TV cabinet downstairs.

Below are inspirations and new pictures of our sitting room.

Here is our living room from our former home:

And... here are some inspirations for the NEW Sitting Room although I'm using my same love seat and tables -- and -- the new china cabinet.

I hope to get a new light fixture but maybe not this fancy.

Love the peach and copper colors. LOVE this light fixture.

This is a picture of a double parlor home in Garden District of New Orleans that I found in a book!! This is so me!!

`-`-`-`-`-`-`-`-`-

Here is the room while the house was for sale.

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And here is our new space!

The curtains are Aqua green with coral birds.

The chair from the old house Game room is perfect.

New wood floors are so beautiful.

We're so happy here and so glad we've downsized!

Green Inspirations

2015-08-11T14:56:00.000-05:00

Let's start at the beginning where I found this lovely room with turquoise and green. Oooooo.

And then...

Green was a mainstay in my homes for quite a few years, whether decor or green plants. I'm getting back to green. :)

I'm going to find a way to sneak green into my new house. Stay tuned. 😀

Some inspirations to hold you all until I can show off Lexie's new room!

2015-06-21T18:45:00.001-05:00

DecRenew Interiors - Traditional - Kitchen - Images by DecRenew Interiors | Wayfair

2015-06-06T23:03:00.001-05:00

DecRenew Interiors - Traditional - Kitchen - Images by DecRenew Interiors | Wayfair

How to Build a Closet Into the Corner of a Room | how-tos | DIY

2015-06-06T22:43:00.001-05:00

How to Build a Closet Into the Corner of a Room | how-tos | DIY

materialgirlsblo � Outstanding Olympic Outfits

2015-04-09T22:22:00.001-05:00

Inspiration from 2012 Olympics!

materialgirlsblo � Outstanding Olympic Outfits

Outside Rooms for Spring and Summer.

2015-04-01T17:36:00.001-05:00

More inspirations.... A lovely garden. Let's have some lunch!

Thanks for joining me!

Spring Colors for Inspiration!!

2015-03-19T12:23:00.001-05:00

Imagine a new look with colorful energy to burn! -- no neutrals or earth tones in these rooms!!

Love light bright rooms! See more in Pinterest. http://pinterest.com/debraconway/home-decor-light-bright-rooms/

Inspirations All Around : French

2015-02-11T01:10:00.004-06:00

French is a decorating style that doesn't fit with many homes I see on blogs today but it remains my favorite. We are fortunate to have a French style home where we've lived for 14 years.

Our Living room.

Give me sleek curves, velvet and silk cushions every time.

A sitting area upstairs in our TV room.

Above is a traditional French Style room that looks so cozy.

A collection of antique French accessories.

A classic French country kitchen.

So warm and inviting!

Let me know if you are still in love with this home style also.

Visit my Pinterest board for more inspiration!! http://pinterest.com/debraconway/home-decor-french-style/

Decorating with Blue and White Pieces

2015-01-25T23:01:00.000-06:00

Look at all these great ideas from The Enchanted Home!!
BLUE AND WHITE COLLECTING 101 AND A GIVEAWAY

Entry Wow!

Lucious!

Close up of mantle.

Perfection on a foyer table or dining room/library table.

Stunning Bedroom Update at the Dureka's

2015-01-20T14:39:00.001-06:00

We spent the Christmas holidays with Steve's family at sister Donna's beautiful home. Here is the bedroom where we slept. Donna and her talented daughter Cari had redecorated just before our arrival.

The antique furniture was such a cozy touch, along with the nautical theme.

The blue stripes were so eye-catching as you came up the stairs and into the room. And notice the wooden floor, just perfect.

Cari hand-painted the shells and coral in the pictures. There were so many warm touches in the room, it made us feel very special.

Thank you Cari!

Model Home Inspirations

2015-01-15T23:32:00.001-06:00

Hubby and I took a day to look at model homes in a new subdivision nearby. I've seen lots before but enjoyed new features and design styles. It's easy to look at the decor and forget about room sizes and such. Here are some pics I took. Note how large the accessories are -- and of course -- no personal items.

Here is another.

Lots of good ideas for a cohesive look in your home. Space planning ideas too. The bedrooms are smaller, closets are not so bad. Lots to consider.

The Lowboy Redux

2015-01-14T12:19:00.001-06:00

Oh me, oh my! I loved the lowboy for about 10 minutes and then hated it again. (See here The Lowboy Is Complete!!)

So... Blue is my favorite color. Thinking blue will bring me peace and joy I painted it blue with Annie Sloan Chalk paint in Nepoleon Blue. Blue top and blue over the leather. So far so good. 😍

PS: I still might move it to another place but we need the drawer space.

Updating Maia's bathroom to a Spa-like room

2014-11-11T18:07:00.001-06:00

Here we are with the first coat of black paint.

This is about the third coat.

Below is the plaster product I used on the walls, over the wallpaper.

This is a light coat where you can see the striped wallpaper underneath.

This is a heavier coat. I put two thick coats to get the texture I wanted.

Back to the cabinets, I finished them with a satin varnish and simple silver knobs.

Getting the mirror frame was hard. I probably put 750 coats, maybe, but a lot.

Another plaster application in progress.

I rolled on a cool blue-gray paint color over the plaster then a satin glaze. The tile accent was beige, so I painted over it and put Annie Sloan wax over it to seal.

Now some decorative accents. I wanted a floating shelf and found one the comes with a hanging kit.

After hanging the shelf, I printed out the photos onto card stock. It creates a soft, almost waterpaint effect. The top is Maia's horse Rumy.

This photo shows the left and right walls.

This horse drawing was a steal at Kirklands.

We love it!!

Sneak Peak Maia's Bathroom

2014-09-23T11:45:00.001-05:00

Coming soon! Work in progress!!

Updating Maia's Bedroom with the Color Red

2014-09-22T11:34:00.001-05:00