I'm still working on things:-) Here is the painted window so far: I also have started working on this window. I nailed the picket planter to the window and hope to find some small shutters. It needs another coat of paint. I think I will just use fake flowers in this planter: I can't finish the metal bed until it's ready to place in the garden, have to wait for winter to end:-) I have been painting the bed spindles with the same color I painted spindles to make garden tools to hang from the side of the bed. Got that idea from a poster here who made the tools hanging from a old rake:-) Thanks for that idea!! Also in the picture are 2 insulators that I'm making into hanging candle holders. I need to find something to put on the wire to jazz them up:-) The other white spindle holds a sign that says 'This Way To Mom's Garden". It needs to be painted with another color.

AHHHHHHHHHH....memories! And what a journey it has been! I remember all the things mentioned here. Each time I thought I had another one...someone came up with it. I'm more "hippy" than hippie...LOL! Scarlett, I know the feeling! Those hipster jeans just don't fit right anymore! One thing I did learn to do back in the 60's and didn't see mentioned here were "Christmas Spiders". From the small glass Christmas balls and pipe cleaners, with sequin eyes. They looked like this...of course you've got to remember this one has been around for a good number of years now! LOL..ugly thing, isn't it? With new products and vintage jewerly, they now look more like this example. I made dozens of these every year..and sell most of them these days. We still use the Christmas ornaments like this. I'll never forget the year we decided to make this the family Christmas project! Neither will our 2 daughters! We all had such sore fingers. But, they treasure these ornaments now, and like myself use them every year. Let's not forget Santa and Mrs. Claus made from dish detergent bottles. With the dime store (then Ben Franklin) faces and hands, etc. They are still part of my Santa collection but I don't seem to have a picture of them anywhere in my on line albums. I still make a few of the old things...most often with a bit of a modern twist...using some of the easier to use products. The pasta angel is a good example of evolving pasta art. I do have problems finding the metal thumb tacks used for the candle in these. Someone mentioned the crochet covered clothes hangers. I'm just old fashioned I guess...I still do them. Along with little sachet bags to go with them. I love collecting the old crochet patterns and making stuff from them. These are the vintage pattern projects that I have recently finished. The shaded pansy thread colors are almost impossible to find these days. You can see some of my spiders in this basket...they are not Christmas Spiders. I call them my illusive, almost extinct pansy spiders! I wanted some really pretty silk pansy to put in this basket and couldn't find any...so I used the next best thing. LOL I think I should stop now! I don't think the "old" crafts will be completely lost...they will just evolve. Be Safe, Rach Here is a link that might be useful:

we had a kitchen aide double fridge, and a ss fridaire dishwasher that broke after only one year. we also replaced the old tile with travatine, which was a royal pita to clean. i was constantly mopping the floor, it was a light beige color with a lot of "pits" that required a lot of upkeep. so glad we went with hardwood floor again! LOVED our old tumbled stone backsplash. It wasn't that hard to keep clean at all. It had "flecks" of gold in it, and we had a few random gold accent pieces that looked so nice with our amber lights and light wood cabinets.

Several things..the island will feel less contrived if you were to replace the table with a round. The current square brings too much attention to the angle of the island. Either replace the foyer wallpaper or re-do the wainscoting to match the two—tones in the d.r. If you decide to replace the foyer paper be aware of background white/off-white/creme, etc. when choosing your paint color. I agree new fans without lights is in order. I think once you have all elements in place then would be a good time to reselect your lighting. Lighting has a huge influence on the overall look you are trying to achieve. Your home is lovely and has a very nice lived-in look. Good job!