My Nemesis... The Mantel.

I used to dream of having a mantel to decorate people! Dream I tell you!! But I have been in this house for about 5 years now and it is the center of all decorating dillemas for me- so much so that I have taken pictures and texted them to my friend in Kansas to try to obtain advice and help!

And of course as Christmas looms.... it is always giving me the stink eye.... just laughing at me, knowing I will stand there staring at it for hours on hours pondering why I don't like that candle or that vase in a certain place.

Ok, maybe I am being a bit dramatic... but seriously... it's a problem for me.

I have been a little tired in the holiday decorating department this year though- so I kind of just threw everything up there and then just kept moving things around.   I know, very scientific and helpful for those of you fellow mantel sufferers;) 

But I did try to follow my standard rules of groupings of three's and hight matching on the ends- and I am pretty pleased with the outcome.

So, without further ado... the second reveal in this season's Holiday Decorating series....

The vases are filled with just simple goldy/silvery balls and silver jingle bells- but they really sparkle!

Love my mercury glass things- they were really the inspiration for the silver/gold theme I ended up going with this year-

Yes, I am going to keep framing these- happy or not!;)

I made the NOEL last year- just bought the letters at Hobby Lobby and painted them red- and a little bit of double sided tape and there you have it... my lovely Pottery Barn inspired sign for $3!

Love my little Manger scene that my Mom gave us- it is pewter and always my favorite thing to put out!

And my boys love this Santa- he is made of felt and they love dragging the poor guy all around the house with them- once again I try to make sure there are certain things that are totally just for them to mess with so they don't feel like the house is untouchable at the holidays;)

And there you have it! Hope your houses are being filled with good cheer!
xoxo
B

Linking up to:
Ten June
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
Southern Hospitality
Simple Home Life

A Christmas Table

As a start to the holiday season I have decided to give a tour of my house- room by room- and decorated for both Christmas and my two boys (i.e. their toys everywhere;)
First- my dining room- which is under construction still (waiting for molding) but I decided it shouldn't be left out! And really consists of a fun Christmas table-scape.  I love the idea of layering fabrics- but it's not always easy.  But sometimes the only way to find out is the just give it a try! I love polka dots, stripes, patterns- and this room being fairly simple seemed like the right place to just pile it all on.
I love my striped runner- but wanted to tone it down a bit so I layered it with a pretty shimmery silver one that also played off of my mercury glass candle sticks- then I layered my polka dot plates with simple white- and threw in some greenery to break up the red.  As a last minute addition, I threw in some throw pillows- not really meant for Christmas- but that's why I like them- I like it to look festive but not too much like a holiday store threw up all over the place!;)

So here you have it- the first taste of Christmas when you walk into my house and I think it is nicely festive-

can't wait to get that molding up and share that!
Next will be the Christmas Mantel!

xoxo B

Linking up to:
One Centsational Girl
Simple Home Life

An Eclectic Gallery Wall

Well, I never want to be one of those people who covers every inch of wall space in her home but this little unused nook in the corner of our family room has always been a decoration challenge for me.
When we first moved in, that is where we had our Tv- but as the house and furniture has evolved that became the sad empty corner.  And if you ask my husband, an excuse for me to redecorate something and probably take a few trips to HomeGoods.... and he may be right... but hey- some wives would be shopping high end stores! I am just pouring over Craigslist and TJMaxx for goodness sake!
You will see a bit of an upcoming post in here so cover the bottom of your screen;) but I decided to make this my eclectic furniture/ gallery wall corner.
And with all gallery walls, it took some laying out and staring at all of the frames for Waaaayyy too long- but I finally left it like this! I had some of the frames- and you may recognize the two Ikea frames from This Post- and then just a couple new ones from HomeGoods.
So here you go- and before you ask... yes, I am going to put pictures in them- I just wanted to wait and make sure I like them all up there before I print off new pics to frame;)
And if you want to know my honest to God method for hanging these frames? I hang them all first with tacks- they hold for long enough to look at it all and then give you placement for screws later! there are tons of methods for hanging and I am in no way suggesting mine is the best- but it works for me;)

Hope you are having a great day!
B:)

Linking up:
Tuesdays Treasures
Thrifty Decor Chic
Wow Us Wednesdays
Thrifty Decorating

Painted Ikea Frames

Let's just pretend that I have done my regular weekly posts for the last three weeks, shall we, hmmm...?
Excuses, excuses... but we did loose our AC again and finally had to break down and buy a whole new unit... donations are appreciated;) But being the true DIY'er, I did ask if they had any fun patterned units- and spoke with the hubs about a possible color change or something... but I was shot down.
I mean come on- you pay that much for something, you would think it would be diamond encrusted or something!!
Anyhoo... lots of posts to follow! I have about five projects I want to follow up on- including the two play room redo's that are officially done and also a few fun things I have been working on around the house!  Is anyone else itching to start decoration for the holidays- crazy, right? But I am ready! Maybe because I am hoping that will mean it will cool down here finally- God Bless Texas.... and let it cool down!;)

So if you remember I had a fun little jaunt to Ikea awhile back and it has produced lots of fun goodies in the house- two of which are those pretty, white, plastic frames that I painted a couple of fun colors.  I have some plans for an eclectic gallery wall in a boring corner of my family room.  I have the standard black frame gallery on the stairs but I have been leaning toward the collected over time look- and away from my clean lines- I know... gasp!! But it's fun and God knows I will change it up again.

So- small picture post- but here are the fun frames (the colors will make more sense in context of the whole wall:) and I have every intention of showing y'all the new gallery wall tomorrow... and we all know how the best laid plans turn out.... but I really do want to get it done!!;)

Before....

After....

Hope you are all enjoying your three day weekend-
B:)

Linking to:
Thrifty Decor Chic
Wow Us Wednesday
Thrifty Decorating

A Feature and a Friend's Faith in me...

I am super excited today! First off this new job was so much fun- and second, Windgate Lane is being featured on Remodelaholic.com today! What an honor! So go there and check it out... well, go after you read this post;)

This playroom redo is a special one to me- This amazing family has recently come into our lives and they are just the best! They asked me to help them organize and rearrange the room for their baby boy (3) and baby girl (almost 2).  Both sweethearts- who love them some toys! 

Mom had bought some great organizational tubs and containers- the room just needed some tweaking.  And people... this was just a dream job because as if the sun broke through the clouds.... she handed me her credit card and said the words... do what you need to do... did everyone else just hear angels sing? cause I did!!:) 

So after I did a happy dance maturely took the card- I headed to Ikea... yes, the budget organizers dream, but the haven for distraction and never a quick trip.  But I had taken measurements and done some online browsing and had formulated a plan.  Stick to the plan, stick to the plan, stick to the plan... head mantra.

I also did some craigslist stalking to try to keep to a reasonable budget- you know me- I love me a good deal;)

So- for now I am going to show you some before pictures and the almost completed project.  There are some small details left to do- and excuse the poor lighting pics- I was trying to snap them quick since the little ones were asleep and I didn't want to make noise! I will take more detailed pics once the whole project is done

 Of course we all know how many small toys and books, and blocks, etc., etc... we have- it just becomes never ending sometimes- so I tried to pick those types of toys and start grouping them together.

And I also wanted to divide the room into some separate zones- art, reading, blocks, kitchen, and tool bench-


So- without further ado here are the After pics! So much fun- I hope they love it- just need to finish hanging their pencil/ crayon cups and the curtains- and do the labels for the different bins.
I have to say my favorite part is the reading nook, with the big, green leaf hanging overhead:)

 Those little bags on the wall above the tool bench were from Ikea and they are so durable and hang so easily from just some command hooks- I have found with my little guys that sometimes just being able to throw some toys in a bag seems easier:)

And that whimsical leaf just had to come home with me:)
Like I said, I will post more detailed pics and a cost breakdown in another post- but I have to say thank you to the S Family- they really put their trust in me and I had a great time doing it!

Hope you are having a great weekend!
B:)

Ikea Sidetracked!!

Ok- so lots of projects in the works... and yet there I stood in front of that beautiful (some call it gaudy) ginormous blue building, with it's glowing gold (some call it an ugly shade of yellow) IKEA sign!
I couldn't stop myself... I knew I was just looking for some new containers... but you know how that goes... I would however like to take this moment to say that I did not venture upstairs- that should count for something!!
Anyhoo.... since I was child free, which was the most amazing, incredible, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops a nice feeling, I decided to mosey around a bit.  And then all of the little red NEW tags started popping out at me and I did my little happy dance in my head and knocked all of the senior citizens who had just gotten off their bus out of my way!!!
So this post is going to be less about DIY and more about some yummy ikea newness:) These new containers were a must for me- not even totally sure where they will go or what they will hold but they practically jumped into my cart- so cute- and $12.99 to boot-

and after some easy assembly (did you just hear the laughing in my head?) I got them put together and am so in love with them.  I can't decide if I should leave them as is or give them a little sumpthin... we shall see... but gotta love the directions and the exact replica of me in them- see, that's me- calling for help...

No- thankfully this isn't my first rodeo with Ikea directions- so I got er done and they are awesome!

The next major cuteness I spotted was in the picture frame section where I was stocking up for a project you will see soon- I know, I am such a tease! these little beauties aren't what they seem- when I first spotted them I thought they were wood and was still excited- but then I picked it up and let out a little squeal of delight- they are plastic!! so light I almost accidentally through it behind me when I grabbed it:)  those senior citizens better watch out.  So I grabbed one of each design and have every intention of spray painting them a couple of fun colors... thinking a pretty yellow and maybe red... to be decided I guess.

So- can't wait to show ya'll where all of this ends up- but trust me- with blocks, matchbox cars, trains, dinosaurs, etc, etc... I will put something in those boxes- but obviously it will end up back on the floor... but I'm not bitter...

Have any big weekend plans? well I hope it's a good one!
B:)

Room Inspiration and a Sneak Peak!

OK... let's just get this out of the way... our AC went out (we live in TX)... my back went out (I have small children) and my energy went out (see first two issues).  So, I hope you will forgive me for my absence!
I feel like I need to give a little reminder about where we left off- kind of like a soap opera- hopefully they can't cancel blogs like they are All My Children!! but let's not go there. deep breath.
I was hired to do a small redo and design in a playroom for two cutie little boys- and Mom and Dad love them some animal print and wanted it to still flow well with the rest of the house but be kid friendly and a little whimsical.  This transitioned to a maroon/brown color scheme with some furniture redo's and then throwing in some animal print and airplanes for the boys- I know- sounds a little all over the place but just stick with me... it's a big room!:)
So last post you saw the former primary color book stand they had that I transformed from this:

To this (and you can read all about it here)

That was a first major step in bringing in the Maroon and Brown and animal print!
Today I am going to show you some of the smaller touches that I brought into the room to add a personal touch and also the inspiration that I found prior to starting the Room to help give the homeowner an idea of where my crazy mind was going:)

Got most of these accessories at HomeGoods... gottta love it... isn't the inside of this lampshade to die for!?! and at $40... Shut the Front Door!!

 Assorted boxes to let little fingers put little treasures in with paints and fabrics to customize them!

a little whimsy with this oversized alarm clock... and fabric inspirations with our room colors- for recovering existing couch pillows

to be honest I would have bought this no matter what I was doing in this room! So awesome- and what you can't totally see is that it is hanging with a chain- so my plan is to hang it from the ceiling with a plant hook over the reading nook:)

And an affordable rug (8x10) in either a zebra or giraffe print like this one...

So- that was the long version of my mood board:)
and today's sneak peak will be the cute boxes and Read sign that I coordinated and made to place in the reading nook area- basically I just painted them and stenciled either numbers or letters on them- and the two zebra print ones were mod podged with fabric before the stencil.  The Read sign with stars on it was painted and then wood glued to a scrap piece of wood and then I mod podged over the whole thing to give it a nice shine-

Can't Wait to show them to you all set up in the room!
Hope you are all having a great week!
B:)

Linking up to:
Savvy Southern Style
Thrifty Decorating
Simple Home Life
Remodelaholic
Social Salutations
Beneath My Heart