He Said I Should

I spotted this huge tray at the thrift store for $1. When my husband questioned my choice I told him that I wanted a big tray for our coffee table and we could either build one or I could invest in this one for a dollar. He said I should spend the dollar (I'm sure he just didn't want to have to build anything in this summer heat.)
The tray is over two feet wide---it's an ugly old restaurant tray that it's previous owner gave makeover using contact paper.

That's one way to improve it's appearance.
But as any good DIYer knows,
spray paint is really the ultimate fix!Now that dollar tray looks at least ten times the price!

While You're Up

"While you're up..." ---a term used by a seated individual at the beginning of a sentence addressed to a standing individual, generally followed by a request or favor to do something a little more than what the standing individual had originally planned.

EXAMPLE:

"While you're up on a chair dusting shelves . . .would you straighten and rearrange a few things too?"(Disclaimer: In this example I was both the seated and standing individual.
But you get the point, right?)

Hot Books

THE QUESTION:

What do you do when you have
a few too many stacks of old books
and a burning desire to change
the look of your fireplace?THE ANSWER:

A Thrifted Nook

I have an unusual little nook in my family room. It's a small spot in between the fireplace and the hall. One of my first furniture thrift store purchases for this home was this bookcase. I fell in love with it's shape and size the moment I saw it.

It was the perfect piece for this nook. I filled it and topped it with more thrifted items. Yes, everything you see here (with the exception of the large finial)
were thrift store bargains costing no more than a dollar or two. Even the beautiful framed photograph of doorways
was a thrift treasure. It just proves that
it doesn't have to cost a lot to decorate
even the most unusual spaces in your home!

Backyard Bargains

With the heat of the summer upon us, I was feeling the need for a gorgeous summer centerpiece. Not wanting to spend any money, I walked through my backyard to find what was in bloom. I grabbed my clippers and nipped off a few blooms from my butterfly bushes, then added some grasses for filler. Now I have a wild, bountiful, beautiful, and free bouquet.Since seashells evoke the feeling of summer, I thought I'd add one into my seasonal vignette. Of course, I couldn't resist giving the backside a glitzy little makeover

so that it would be as pretty on the outside as it is inside. Then I finished the setting with a little ceramic bird candle holder,
adorned with an old key tied on with rope.It gives me a thrill to add beauty to my home
without spending any money!

Lilac Love

My lilac bushes are abundant in blossoms. I thought I'd bring some of that beauty and aroma indoors.

I found that the blossoms last longer if you hammer the ends
of the branches so that there is more surface to drink up the water.

I pulled out this old thing to help weight the vase down and camouflage the stems.

You just can't beat a homegrown bouquet!

Blossoming Inspiration

Inspired by Susan's surprise and a trip to the dollar store,
where I spied these poppy bouquets,
I decided to create a new door display of my own. I began by rummaging through my
thrift store orphanage/storage room and discovered this
charming metal hanging pocket. I was naturally drawn to it about a year ago because
it replicates old ceiling tins.
I was thrilled to be finally giving it a purpose in my home.
I think it's the perfect poppy container! They both conjure up feelings of years gone by,
so what would be more appropriate than to finish them off with
a little burlap and vintage lace.

Bowl-d Over

One of

my favorite thrift store treasures

is my huge, wooden, bread dough bowl.

I just happened to be at the right place at the right time when they brought out this little beauty. It was one of those finds that everyone in the store commented on when they spied it in my cart. That's when you know you have a real treasure!
I love every inch of the wear on this bowl. Even the large crack down the center makes it unique.I adore the way it was repaired with nails and strips of metal.This bowl is in constant use at our house. It usually sits on the kitchen island or table. In the fall it's loaded with pumpkins and gourds. The rest of the year it's usually laden with fresh fruits.

I thought I'd give it a little vacation from it's usual kitchen duties.
I brought it into the living room and filled it full of glass floats and Christmas ornaments that I've gathered over the years on clearance and at thrift stores.

I think it's enjoying it's little vacation and so am I.

Spicy Makeover

When I discovered this spicy orange floral fabric in the clearance pile I knew that it would look great in my family room.I pulled the perfect chair from another room in the house to give it it's inexpensive update.I removed the seat and covered the existing foam with a fresh layer of batting for a little extra cushiness.Then it was just a matter of cutting, pulling and stapling.Now I have a gorgeous addition to my family room that took me only a few minutes and around two dollars to create.

How's that for a little spice of life?

I am so happy to announce that Joys of Home has officially been declared the winner of the JDR Blogger Awards in the category of interior design!!!!!
I am indebted to those of you who took the time to vote.

Thank you,
thank you so very much!!!

Light Delight

My love affair with lighting
can be found throughout my home.

There is my newest in the bookcase.One candle-type light in a little vignette
atop a suitcase stack (another love).Lights are
tucked inside the crown moulding
above the front doorand living room windows.A small strand of Christmas lights is
nestled behind the frames
on the mantle creating a pretty glow.The firebox is lit with Christmas twinkle lights
snuggled amongst faux candlelight.The main bathroom is always illuminated
with a small silicone candle bulb.The kitchen windowsill now hosts a small lamp,
perfect for radiating just enough light for small tasks.
Are you
delighted by lights too?

This Little Light of Mine

I have a soft spot for lamps---especially small, unique ones. So when I found this vintage glass beauty a while back at the thrift store I felt the need to adopt it. Sure it needed a pretty shade and to be rewired, but that didn't stop me. Lamp kits are available at hardware stores for not much money and rewiring a lamp only takes a few minutes. As for the shade I just kept my eye out at the thrift store until I found the style and size I needed.

Now my adopted little sweetheart has a new home
in the bookcase in the living room. I think it looks right at home there.

I would be thrilled if you would take a minute to
click here to Jackson Design and Remodeling.com
to vote for Joys of Home.
Voting ends Thursday the 15th
Thank you!!!

Hydrangea Love

I think that one of my favorite flowers has to be

the hydrangea.Unfortunately I have a brown thumb
when it comes to growing them.
I've tried three times.
Three times I have failed. I am working up the courage to try again this summer.
But I haven't let my failure of growing the real thing
stop me from surrounding myself
with the much easier variety to care for. . .
the faux hydrangea---easy to care for, widely available.I've even bought them from the dollar store. Dollar store hydrangea's displayed en mass on my front door.

What flower draws your attention, be it real or faux?

If you haven't had a chance to vote for Joys of Home at
JDR 2010 Industry Blogger Awards
I would really appreciate it if you would
please take a moment to click on this link and vote.
Voting ends Thursday and JofH has slipped in the polls.
Thank you so much for your support!!!