GARDEN BATHROOM MAKEOVER!

Relaxing days of Summer, find me in a creative and redecorating mood. Last week I finished several areas that I have wanted to do for so long. Here is just one room to share, my second floor garden bath!

The long double sink was, in it's past life, a golden oak and very pretty in it's own right, it just needed a lighter fresher look. I hand painted these and the commode area cabinet, in a soft off white and then stenciled a soft antique gold french design to finish the style. So after lots of paint and time, I love how they turned out and really gave the room a fresh new look with only the cost of paint!
Here are a few accents from around the bathroom.














Next time I will share the rest of my redo's from another bathroom, bedroom update, and kitchen painting completed. But for now, I will share some of the new treasures from the studio this week!

Sweet pink treasures that include a pretty accent table, Christmas ornaments, and another cupcake canister.







Lastly, I finished this sweet window bench. It is a great treasure from my friend Ann, from Ann's Finds. Made by a highschool girl in wood shop. She decided to sell it and Ann was lucky to find this great piece. I hand painted rusty, dark pink antigue roses on the seat. The bottom shelf holds an ivy plant, some books and a sweet mouse my mother made over 30 years ago. She looks so cozy taking a nap on top the books. The cut out section on the seat was designed for easy lifting and moving when needed. I hope the student got an A for making this sweet bench because she made it very sturdy and unique! I enjoyed painting it and I think it makes the perfect little seat by the window.




Thank you for stopping by and I invite you to return soon as I will be having a surprise GIVEAWAY to celebrate my 35th wedding anniversary and one year blogging anniversary. Till then, hope you are enjoying the Summer and as always, Many Blessings!~~~Celestina

WINNING GORGEOUS VINTAGE TRAYS!

Well, summer is a darling and the kind and generous Pat from Summersdarling had a giveaway last week! Hooray!! to my surprise, I won!! The gift was these two gorgeous vintage black and floral trays. I love them! Oh they are stunning and I have many areas to display and enjoy them. I found the perfect spot, for now, in my kitchen in two plate racks making them easy to reach, use and display.
Also Pat so lovingly wrapped the trays in black, green and pink vintage barkcloth. I will for sure do something special with this delicate fabric. The fun is always in the packaging and Pat used pretty paper to wrap the shipping box, plus added a sweet best friends graphic on the front!

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH PAT! I will truly treasure these beauties! Make sure and stop by to visit Pat at Summersdarling, Just Between Us Girls! She is highlighting a featured artist and her shop pictures are so inviting.




While I have you in my kitchen, I will share a new decorating addition this week above the stove top area. Shelf's above the stove have become very popular in an old world style look. I had no room for a shelf, but decided if I took off the doors from the hood style cabinet, I could achieve the look I was going for. I painted the stove vent pipe, added the vintage lace made by my grandma, accented with old accessories, and added a small accent light. I do plan to paint the inside of the cabinet in a soft sage.


As you can see, I love to remove cabinet doors to display what is inside or like the small shelf below, I took off the doors and added the two baskets making it more of a drawer area to hold hand towels etc. I have also removed doors on the shelf's where I keep dinner plates and other serving pieces. Doing this really opens up the room and expands the space, giving a larger appearance.

This has been a very busy week and I have been on a roll with the paint brush! I redesigned a garden bathroom, bedroom and master bath by painting vanities and desk area. I will share those pictures soon. But for now, I will leave you with a faux sweet treat of french vanilla ice cream. Thank you for stopping by and till next time, Blessings and Blue Skies be yours. Celestina

BOOKS IN REVIEW

What a beautiful blessing books hold in our lives. To pick up a book and escape to a place or idea, is a real thrill. Books can take us anywhere we want to go. Giving us valuable information and inspiring us on any topic we choose. For me, books have always been a joy ever since I was a small child listening to stories my Mother would read and visiting the Book Mobile in the parking lot of my elementary school. I was hooked from that moment. I love so many types of books, from a good story, learning books, spirit building volumes and of course, decorating books. I thought it might be fun to try and have a book review at least once a month, sharing a title or more with inside pages of books I enjoy and turn to for inspiration and reference.

The first I'd like to share is titled, "Putting the Heart in Your Home" by Jean LemMon~
This book is warm with gorgeous indoor and outdoor pictures and inspirations for the comforts and ideas to enhance our homes. With categories for moods to relax and create.
Just look at these gorgeous inside pages. It was hard to choose just a few for now. This book graces my coffee table and wonderful to pick up at anytime and learn something new.



Another favorite is Nell Hill's " Feather Your Nest" It's All in the Details, by Mary Carol Garrity

Filled with comfort yet elegant, soothing and tasteful. Each page is chock full of ideas and reads like a story. Brings you in and relates through style and details. Like the cover says, It's All in the Details!
Here are a few inside pages.



I have barely scratched the surface to the wonderful pages in these 2 books. If you have them, you already know what I mean. If not, I know you would enjoy these two titles.

Award Time "Brillante Weblog Award"

Today I had the kind surprise of receiving this award from Amy at Bunny Rose Cottage, and Cathy at Treasured Heirlooms. Congrats to both lovely ladies for receiving this honor and Thank you so much for passing it on to me.

Now it's time to pass this award on to 7 more Brillante Weblogs. This is always so hard because I love so many and would rather pass this on to everyone in blogland. I did go over the limit just like Cathy did. Here are the rules for the award.

1.Display logo and link to who gave it.
2.Nominate at least 7 blogs.
3.Add links to those 7 blogs
4.Leave the nominees a message that they received the award.

Passing this award on to:
Time Enough
Thinkin of Home
Edie Marie's Attic
Hummingbird Chats
Joan's Journey's
Just Between Us Girls
A Hint of Home
The House in the Roses
Thank you for stopping by and till next time, Blessing and Blue Skies!
Celestina

HAPPY "INDEPENDENCE DAY" 2009

When I was growing up, I was raised in a very patriotic family. We raised our flag for each and everyone of our nations celebrations. My father actually installed a beautiful flag pole in our yard that we were all very proud of. In our yard today, we always fly our flag each and everyday. Since 911 we have not taken it down. Our flag is a permanent part of our home. And, if you fly a flag 24/7 it is proper etiquette to have it lit with a spotlight during the night time hours.


The First Flag!

Our Flag is a symbol of service and on June 14th 1777 the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act which resolved that the flag of the United States be made of 13 stripes in red and white, the union should be 13 stars with a blue background. In 1818 the Act provided that the 13 stripes represented the 13 colonies and one star for each state to be added on the 4th of July following admission of each new state and signed by President Monroe. Thus we have the flag we know today.

Whatever you plan for this 4th of July, I hope you have happy and safe times with family and friends and look towards our flag with honor and pride in America.
Thank you for stopping by and till next time, Blessings and Blue Skies,
Celestina