Before and After

Before and After pics... because I love before and after pics.

 

Before---- One very ugly, old, 1960's bathroom.

And then presto magico!

 Well, not exactly magic. More like tons of plaster dust later...

This is an old medicine cabinet that we re-purposed. It's huuuuuge and recesses way into the wall.

I bought this wonderful shower curtain from West Elm.

It served as the inspiration for these cool wall decals that I had made. They're from very old engravings. I had them printed here.  

I especially love this beetle. He's even got a needle and thread. 
This is the kids' bathroom. Next we need to recover and start on ours. Ughhghgh... wonder what wall decals I can make for in there?

---ation

In order to have creation we need inspiration.

Motivation.

Imagination.

Observation.

Determination.

Not procrastination.

Shhhhhhhhh...

Shhhhhhhhhhh...

Can you hear that?

Listen.

 Carefully.

 

It's quiet...

 Back to work.

Back to work.

The Bell Jar

I have wanted a bell jar for a long time.

But not just any bell jar. 

An old bell jar.

A big bell jar.

I found it last week at Decorum in Iowa City. A chemist had it and kept a very old, very gorgeous microscope under it. 

I gathered some pods and rosehips from my garden and tucked them into an old metal flower frog. Then I added some moss. The curved, engraved, fabulous tray that it's on is from Artifacts.

 This amazing antique elf climbing a ladder was a Christmas present years ago from my Mom and Dad. I say Mom and Dad, but really more from Mom--- because I know she loved it and gave it to me instead of keeping it for herself.

Treasures... under my bell jar.

House of Beauty

One of my favorite treasures is this old, wooden, "House of Beauty" sign from a beauty parlor. 

This morning, as I walked through the family room, tripping over dog toys and dirty socks, I was struck by the irony of that title atop the dishelved and untidy sofa. 

So I took a pic, and posted it. 

Just a little glimpse of where... and how... I live.