When you’re in the middle of a house renovation like mine, you long for the pretty. Right now, it’s pretty all right. Pretty UGLY! 
But, I know all of that will change eventually and my mind can’t help but race on to when I can actually start the decorating process. I just can’t help it, I love all of that part so much and I know you do to, so let’s take a little break from the renovations and look at some pretty, shall we?
Last week, my sis and I headed over to the Ballard’s Outlet in Roswell, GA for a little lighting excursion.
I had seen this beautiful lantern last summer and they had TONS of them for $70. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve already seen these.
They still had a ton of them this time too, only now the price is $100. Still not a bad deal, considering full retail is around $250.
I bought it!
So, now you know why I can have restraint at the yardsales. I’ve got my eye on a bigger prize and pretty light fixtures tickle my fancy every time.
Sigh, my old dining room was pretty, wasn’t it? But, my new one will be just as nice or maybe even nicer.
Can’t you see that beautiful lantern over my pretty round table and chairs? I’m seriously thinking of painting that china cabinet in a gray or cream Annie Sloan shade. What do you think?
My new Robert Allen fabric for the drapes that I bought over a year ago and loved has me all giddy too.
I also bought one of these little beauties, the lime green one in the middle. This pretty pendant is going in my new office space or if it doesn’t work in there, I’d love it hanging over my kitchen sink. I looooooove it so! They had all their light fixtures 1/2 off (not sure how long that was going on ), plus and additional 20% off, so I got this for around $56. Not bad! Would love one in the aqua shade too, but don’t have room for it.
Those were some pretty reasonable lighting choices that I just couldn’t pass up. I’ll be on the hunt for more deals as we go along. Ballard’s Outlet does have some good ones if you check their sales.
More pretty fabric for the living room, this is Tilbury Lapis (Laura Ashley collection) from Calico Corners. I got enough for a pair of drapes for the living room and a couple of pillows. Fabric is such a great way to infuse freshness in a room.
You all remember my old living room (may it rest in peace). I had already brought in some aqua, but the new look is going to be even better. I will add more playful pillows and the new fabric really pulls in the deep gold in my traditional leather chairs.
I’m not sure if I’ll recreate the gallery wall or not. We will see, the new living room will be different than this one was.
I’m going much lighter on the walls this time too. As of right now, my new wall color will be Moderate White by Sherwin Williams. It’s going to be very light and airy and I’ll bring in more green in here too. I will most likely recover my chair of many colors (eventually). It’s so pretty, but has some mighty strong colors, so it might be best to go neutral on that one.
So, those are a few of my pretty plans that I couldn’t wait to share with you. Y’all have been such cheerleaders for me that I know you will savor all the decorating too, when I can finally get to that.
Unpacking my boxes that have been in storage will be like Christmas. Don’t be surprised if I schedule a BIG yardsale for things that I won’t have room for. I have a lot of stuff and I have a feeling I might go a little lighter this time around. I’m trying not to clutter up every single surface.
Wish me luck!
Giveaway Winners: The winners of the Signs by Andrea giveaway are here and the Lowes $100 giftcard giveaway is here! Winners have been emailed, congrats!
Thank you all for getting excited about the giveaways, I love doing them for you!
Rhoda, I am so excited about your new home and I am really enjoying taking this journey with you. You have & are inspiring me in more ways than you will ever know. Thank you, keep up the good work & enjoy those precious parents of yours.
Rhoda, I love the ASCP but not to cover up a gorgeous piece of funiture like that!! Please, please don’t paint it!!
Love the fabric you choses for the LR, I can’t wait to see that room come together.
Good Moning Rhoda! There s kind of a bittersweetness that comes when you go back and see what “used to be”, isn’t there? I so understand that. However, your new home is going to be GORGEOUS-just gorgeous! I love your new pendant light and I am partial to the greens, too. Now, if I would only EAT more greens I would be in much better shape!
Hope you have a great rest of the week- xo Diana
i love painted furniture but your china cabinet is so pretty as-is, i’d have a hard time painting it! great finds at the ballards outlet! i’ve been to their store (the one in Jacksonville, FL) quite a bit, but never an outlet. jealous!!
Love your ideas and know you are so excited to start icing the cake! I’m with Mary, please don’t paint the lovely china cabinet. There is nothing like wood to warm up a room. Maybe you already have or can look for a sideboard that needs a rescue and the love of your hands you can paint. ; )
I just cannot wait to see your house when it is completed…although with us “decorating” girls, a house is always a work in progress. I am especially looking forward to seeing your dining room. Love Love Love that fabric you chose for the drapes.
The lamps and other accents are just lovely. Keep the good stuff coming, Rhoda! 😀
Hi Rhoda,
I can feel your joy and am very happy for you!
Ditto other comments re: china cabinet–I think it is too beautiful to paint! Centsational Girl just tackled this Q…
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2012/05/reader-design-dilemma-paint-the-hutch/ with some great suggestions.
Thanks for once again revealing yet another great source (Ballards Outlet!) for cool stuff!
Rhoda, Loved seeing the pics of your Birmingham house and I still love the DR chandy that I bought from you for my LR. The new fixture from Ballard’s is fantastic and the new fabric will go perfectly with your DR furniture giving the room a totally updated and fresh look.
Can’t wait to see it all come together. I think we all are enjoying taking the journey with you as you start this new chapter. I also love seeing your parents help out. You are so lucky to have them – they are precious treasures for sure.
Mary
Hey, Mary, I’m so glad that fixture went to to a good home, since I had handpicked it myself. So happy you are enjoying it. I have loved lanterns for a long time too & I know I’ll love this one.
Rhoda, I am so excited for you. I’m following your process and enjoying watching you turn your new home into a diamond. You have amazing taste. And I will continue to be your cheerleader along the way.
So nice to hear that excitement “in your voice”…love the lantern and the fabrics that you chose…I have a very similar fabric to the Laura Ashley in my guest room..such a pretty print!…I am so glad that you have found “joy” again…such a fantastic time for you…
I log on each morning just waiting for another update on your home renovation. You are an inspiration!!!! I can’t wait to see how everything looks. What fun–even though you are having a lot of hours of hard, hard work the thoughts in your mind will get you there!
Rhoda, isn’t it so much fun (besides work) to see your vision come to life! You should feel a great sense of accomplishment! I’m sure sometimes it feels like a slow process, but you have come so far!!! God truly is so good!
I wouldn’t paint your china cabinet either. The craftsmanship and beauty of that piece would be super expensive to replicate nowadays. I love painted furniture, but mostly to bring pieces that are past their prime (I can relate) into a modern and fresh updated version. To me, your hutch is beautiful as is!
I agree with those who are BEGGING you NOT to paint the china cabinet! I truly think you’d regret it down the road. The wood is beautiful!!
I love the Robert Allen fabric you chose. It will be the base for a beautiful color pallet. It’s fun looking back at your old house but so exciting seeing the transformation of your new one!
Please don’t paint that China cabinet. It is so extraordinarily beautiful! I love the lamp and pendant light. My heart skipped a beat when I saw them. I love, love, love the direction that you are going in. I tend to love individual items that are the classic colors your last house was, but when I see photos I am more drawn to light and bright. I am excited to see how you use the best of both of those worlds.
Rhoda – I love seeing the pics of your progress on your new house! It will be beautiful when it’s finished. I agree with the others about not painting the China cabinet. It’s beautiful as is! 🙂 Also love your new lighting fixtures and fabrics.
A few weeks ago I bought a rabbit at a yard sale here in Kansas. It’s THE rabbit that is sitting on your old dr table! I love, love it! Mine has no markings underneath. Do you know anything about it?
I look for your posts every day! Love seeing your progress! 🙂
HI, Carolee! That is great that you found the rabbit. It is my fave rabbit I own and I don’t know much about mine, except I bought it at a local decor store. It’s a great decorative piece, enjoy!
OK, since y’all are having a fit about the possibility of painting that china cabinet, I will probably reconsider. Maybe I will add something to the back to give it some color inside. I don’t think it is a particularly priceless piece, but it does have good lines for sure.
Don’t tell me you are not going to use those wonderful black towle curtains that were in your dining room and bedroom. That was one of my favorite things in your house. If you get rid of them you have to sell them to me.
Should be black toile curtains
Thank you for taking us along on your journey. It continues to inspire, and is lots of fun besides!