Whenever I pass the knitting section in the craft or specialty fabric stores and spy all of the beautiful yarns,  I wish that I had the skill to knit so I could put those gorgeous threads to good use.  Unfortunately, I don’t knit at all. 

Then I had an idea to use yarn in a decorative way, by wrapping it around some homemade frames and creating some original wall mirrors for a blank wall space.  With this project, I started out with every intention of making two wall mirrors, but in the end, I left one frame as is, just because I like it better that way. 

We had a very blank wall between two windows for the longest time and I finally decided to add some decor.  I already had the shelf, the pitcher, and the vintage Audubon print. 

These days, I’m very focused on adding more texture to my home in creative ways.  These yarn wrapped frames seemed the perfect way to do it, and a great project for a rainy weekend. 

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It’s been raining for days and days and days around here.   I really needed something fresh and green to contrast against these wet days and drab skies.  So I planted a little garden in my kitchen window.    

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Did you ever wonder why the saying “Home Sweet Home” isn’t “House Sweet House” ?  I think the answer is quite obvious.  The word “home” has a much deeper meaning that is far more intangible.    

Like many of you, I spend hours looking through the pages of design magazines, loving the images I see.  I save thousands of those images in my files.  I get ideas from hundreds of sources and store them all away for inspiration.  When I eventually get around to it, I incorporate little upgrades here and there.

One thing strikes me quite often whenever I swoon over fabulous designer spaces.  Yes, they’re gorgeous.  Yes, they’re mesmerizing.   Yes, they make me long for a cleaner, more pulled together design in my own home. 

Yet one thing is absent from all of those images, regardless of how perfect they are on the pages of a glossy magazine.  Those images, those spaces, and those houses are just not home.   A house is just four walls and a roof, but a home is made up of everything else inside. 

A house may be decorated from floor to ceiling with the finest furnishings money can buy.  But that will never ever make it a home.  A home is a sanctuary.  Home is comfort.  Home is inviting.  Home is a refuge from the world. 

Home is cozy.  Home is lived In.  Home is a pair of shoes in the corner, a blanket on the sofa, books and magazines strewn about, and jackets and scarves on the hooks. 

Home is coffee cups left on the table and beds left unmade.  

Home is where you wear your coziest clothing with only comfort and never fashion in mind. 

Source

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Congratulations to the following participants who each won a $50 dollar gift certificate to Sara Norris Fine Art Photography:

• #274 Roeshel from The DIY Showoff

• #40 Jan at Future Domestic Goddess

A very big thanks to Sara Norris Fine Art Photography for hosting this giveaway.  There are so many wonderful gifts available in this Etsy shop, including some new prints just introduced and made available, so stop by to view all of her photography. 

Congratulations ladies !

Winners, send me an email and I’ll put you in contact with Sara right away. 

Isn’t it funny how certain animals find their way into design trends ?  Is it just me, or are zebra rugs and deer heads all the rage right now ?   Don’t get me wrong, I’m a lover of the animal print and the faux fur as you know, when used in moderation.

One nocturnal creature I’ve always been fond of is Mr. Owl.  Perhaps it comes from childhood and that fantastic poem with the Pussycat.   Like most other feathered friends, I’m loving seeing these birds popping up again in modern décor.

 Dishtowel and Switchplate, Anthropologie

Candlesticks and Snowy White Owl, Z Gallerie

 Owl Clock, Decoylab

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