It's down to the books!

We had such a great spot in our last 2 places for books -

The last place was in a very large foyer - facing the front door actually - I kind of loved that it was the first thing you saw when you walked in to that old Victorian flat -

But no such luck with this place - and truth be known there's no place really for them in this house - but I can't live without them - I really can't.  They're like my security blanket - I feel good just knowing my favorite words are tucked inside - safe and sound.  ( and I DO reread books )

Anyway - they were not going to work as brown units - ( they're just IKEA billy cabinets - so only wood veneer for you wood lovers :)
And so they were quickly white washed - very very quickly.  Too quickly.  They'll have to be redone when I have the time - but I needed to get the book boxes out of the front porch - it's getting embarrassing now - 2 months later - that we still have boxes to unpack!!!

Here's a sneak peak - and only a sneak peak because I'm not finished yet - I still have more to do
in the living room - but I'll let you see the bookcases lol
you get to see how the colors of the books bring a bit of vibrancy into the white walled - white ceilinged living room :)

Don't they look cottage-y ?

Books are like the Tofu of Interior Design lol -
They blend in seamlessly with any type of decor - I've never seen a room filled with books that I thought to myself
" hmmm, no - those books don't belong "

I'm really liking the 2 leaded glass windows on either side of the fireplace ♥♥♥

It's the easiest painting technique there is - bar none - seriously

And just like that - 2 months later - tonight it felt a little more like " home "

In case you're wondering - I removed the backs completely - since the walls are panelled it wasn't necessary to keep them on ( and they're very very flimsy to paint ) we secure them to the walls anyway so we didn't need the extra support that the back panels give :)

and the view of that little red house goes with the colorful books, don't you think ?

 Think I'll read a little today - just got in our order of 4 more Maisie Dobbs books :)
 And I have Goldfinch sitting on my end table ready to devour!

 Have a wonderful Sunday everyone
 It's the day of rest - try to remember that ♥
 Much love,

Going to the following parties - come see!
Common Ground                            The Charm of Home               French Country Cottage
My Turn for Us                              Miss Mustard Seed                 The Shabby Nest
Remodelaholic                                I Heart Naptime                      Funky Junk Interiors
My 1929 Charmer                          Uncommon Design
Under the table & dreaming

Another Door - where ARE you, Annie Sloan?

Hi Everyone !!!

Some of you may remember when I redid this door  ( you can see the technique I used HERE )

and how I gave it to Caroline from Piorra Maison as a " second store opening " gift

some of you may even remember that I got Annie Sloan herself to sign it !!! ( HERE )

Well - when I bought that door - and 2 others - for almost nothing I might add -  I didn't notice until a week later that he had a few more outside in the garbage  ( he was renovating his house and getting rid of them - lucky me ) they're from a 120 year old Victoria flat - and I decided last night it was time to make one for myself.
This one is identical to the one I made before - 2 others are huge doors with windows on the upper half ( outside in the garden this summer? ) and the last one - well you'll see it at the end of the post :)

I haven't put in any of the stencilling yet - but I will - I need that little chandelier on it :)
And I didn't use the same technique as I did on Caroline's - I simply did a white wash with ASCP Pure White - white washing allows the darkness underneath to show through - very faintly - ( I wanted to write subtle ( y ) subtly - doesn't that spelling look wrong to you ?

and then I decided to add a little shelf to this one

I also had a scrolled metal piece of art

The shelf holds 2 hearts that my daughter Ashley made me a few years ago - I just love them
My ode to Valentine's day

 my rusty old keys

and a small tea light are just enough for this small shelf

The only thing that's missing is..................can you spot it - isn't it glaringly obvious?

Where is the Ambassa-DOOR when you need her?

Annie if you don't get back here - I'm afraid I may have to take matters in my own hands

hmmm - maybe I can transfer her signature on there LMHO

I have a beast of one that I'm working on for the kitchen

John says - Oh c'mon now - this is ridiculous now
Suzan says - Ya think?
John says - How many old doors do you need in one house?
Suzan says - You can never have too many old doors John - never
Suzan says - Ask Annie
John says - Annie who?
Suzan says - ANNIE SLOAN - I'M GOING TO TELL HER YOU DON'T REMEMBER HER
John says - I can guarantee you Annie does not have a house filled with old doors
Suzan says - Well if she doesn't - she'll want to when she sees the kitchen one

We're old buddies after all
Well maybe not OLD buddies - but my eyes a-door-ed her ........................

but she's a million miles away from me ....................
( or I'd get her damn signature )

ARE YOU FED UP OF ME BRAGGING YET?
( ok - I won't tell you that we had dinner with her and her husband also ) 

Have a great one all !!!
Much love,

Sharing with !
Remodelaholic                                  Under the Table & Dreaming
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia       Homework
Adorned from Above                        Savvy Southern Style
Ivy & Elephants                        Common Ground
The Charm of Home                         French Country Cottage
Shabby Art Boutique                         My Turn for Us
My Romantic Home                         Miss Mustard Seed
The Shabby Nest                             Remodelaholic
I Heart Nap Time                             Funky Junk Interiors
Uncommon Design                          CraftOManiac
Not Just a Housewife