Punk, Jason's portrait always makes me smile and feel good, so hope he approves all my decorating ;o> I put together the heart wreath by front door, but I bought the sign on sale (80% off) last summer at Michaels. Gosh, I'd be honored if anyone wanted to use an idea I did, LOL. I sure copy enough of others. Kathleen, since its weeks yet to July 4th, maybe I can figure out a table setting. LOL. Jeanne and Susan, the ONLY reason my rooster collecting is under control is I have a very small kitchen and they are confined to it. I have a couple of rooster statues but must resist buying more as I'm not willing to part with any of the ones I have. But its a good thing something is under control around here. Since Punk brought up Jason's name, I have to brag a bit. I'm attaching a link of the motivational speech he did to a Police group in Colorado. He inspires me daily. If you want to hear/see him, maybe you will enjoy what he says about "Life" also. hugs, Karen Here is a link that might be useful: Jason

Hi Sandi, I ran across these while looking for something else. Thought they might get us in the mood to start creating things for Patriotic tables. I don't have a Dillards here, but I should go look for a cute outfit for my GD in red, white and blue. That sounds so cute. Thanks for the idea. Luvs

I live in California, in a house not a department store. I also have more of a winter house with dark wood, brown leather furniture and fall colors. I do change things seasonally. For starters I kept my wall color and rug color and window treatments a neutral, that would go with all seasons colors. Great suggestions here so far. I second the Mantel for decorating seasonally. I change the mantel for holidays and seasons. Now I have two rabbits on it and a white wreath and scattered eggs for Spring and Easter. Put away the throws on the couch. Or change the color of the throw and throw pillows, and accessories in the room. Wow Gracie01, I have to say picking art out is tough enough, I don't think I could do it for every season. That is amazing. Plus I don't have the storage if I did. I too, change the bedding for the seasons and use lighter colors in the spring/summer months. I change the front porch to reflect the season or the holiday. I second the spring cleaning and window washing idea. The removing of the drapes idea and leaving the sheers was a great idea. Better Homes and Gardens.com is a good sourse for seasonal decorating, you might go look there for some ideas. Have fun with it!

Thank you all for your kind words. It's always fun to show our Before & After project pics here. You get inspired and work so hard creating something new. It's nice to be able to share it . . . even if the end results don't end up in your home (LOL)! Oakley: Haha!! I don't think DD is going to want to give up all of her new (old) furniture and decs to move back into a shared, already-furnished bedroom at her sorority house next year when it's finally redone. She'll be a senior then and is already loving her home only a couple of blocks from campus. Although she definitely IS missing having someone else plan, shop for and cook all the meals (LOL)! The wall's of DD's room were already painted that color by the previous tenant and I don't have a clue what the brand name or color of it is. Sorry. Is your son going to OU? I agree, decorating a son's place is (usually) a lot less fun than decorating a daughter's. My own son's place made me cringe during his six years at OU! Arcy: I LOVE your DD's headboard. How beautiful!!! The fabric is wonderful and looks beautiful with that dark wood. This is a fun age for our daughters, isn't it? Jake: that sounds a lot like my son's rooms when he was in college. Yaya: yes, it drove me to distraction not to be able to do much of anything while my hands were healing. Although I've developed significant arthritis in both hands as a result of the surgery, the fracture and the subsequent long immobilization periods, I love being able to work with them again! Patty: DD was seven? My goodness, it HAS been a long time, hasn't it? Her desk color? Yes, It wouldn't have been my choice, but she does love it and, yes, she can paint it again someday if the mood strikes her. (Shudder) That desk (and all of it's drawers and cubbies) was very tedious and hard to paint. I wouldn't want to do that one again ever! What fun to be able to do your GD's bedroom! You'll have to share that with us when you finish it. Well, thank you all again for allowing me to share my Summer's decorating projects. DH & I have just started redoing his study yesterday. More grunt work and a lot less fun than DD's but the results will be good . . . once we ever finish! Lynn This post was edited by lynninnewmexico on Mon, Aug 4, 14 at 23:27