Sharing Shadymont, My Mountain Cottage

I found a beautiful fall scarf in the clothing department at Wal Mart for $5.00.   When I saw it, I knew what I would do with it.  It is now a runner on the dining room table.  I love the colors, and the paisley design picks up on those in my drapes and rug.   It fits the table perfectly and gives it a different feel. The best part is that it cost less than buying a typical runner this size, so I'm happy about that.   Here's a close up of the pattern.  The reverse side has more green and could easily be reversed for a totally different dominant color.  Or, if the notion strikes, it can be worn.  Now that's versatility at its best! I rumpled up the scarf for a softer look. The base cloth is a drop cloth, another versatile item.   I originally had layered it with the cloth below that I found on consignment.  Since I'm now using the scarf in the dining room,  I moved the previous tablecloth to the...

I've changed the Fall decor on my mantel.  It was alright before, but I had an idea to decorate a piece I bought at Grand Harbor Imports probably ten years ago. It looks like a gate for a picket fence and is all white and chippy.  I have always had spring items on it and had never thought about changing it, until today.  So here is what I did! This is how the mantel looked before: Here it is now: Now this speaks to me!  I'm thinking I might decorate the gate for Christmas.  We have a cathedral ceiling in the family room, and the shape of this piece plays off it.   So much for keeping things plain and simple.  Just wasn't working for me! What do you think?  Better? What have you changed recently? Please visit the following parties where I will link: Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style Share Your Cup at   Have a Daily Cup With Ms. O Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage Thrifty Thin...

You may remember the bi-fold door (below) that I painted and waxed and placed in the corner of the dining room.  I had another smaller bi-fold door in the basement that needed a makeover too.   I mixed some gray paint with plaster of paris and water to make some chalk paint.  It has just a hint of gray. I painted the smaller with it, rubbed on some dark wax, stenciled a tree design (using the same stencil I've used on numerous projects), and our street address number on the door, and stood it on the front porch.  I placed it behind this turquoise table and added faux mums to the clay jack-o-lantern. Just an additional bit of fall decor for the porch. I already had all the items, so no money was spent.   ~~~ This arrangement was a gift from my sister-in-law.  It stands between the front door, and the french door entrance to the dining room. I'd love to run up on some new cushions (clearance) for the rockers,...

Do you ever just want a really simple little project to do?  Just something to let your creative juices get a little workout, without having to do a lot of work?  I do!  Even though you might think so, this wasn't it! See this old bread board? I bet the paint on this side of the board is lead paint, don't you?  That could explain a few things.  Just sayin'! This thing has see better days and has the battle scars to prove it!  My husband had this when we married.  I don't know if it was originally his Mom's or what.  Even though I do love the patina, I decided a little makeover would just give me the quick project I was wanting......WRONG! I knew I would paint it.  I used some left over paints and some Plaster of Paris and mixed up a white paint, with just a hint of gray. At first I wanted to decorate it using a stencil I made from a graphic taken from the Graphics Fairy Blog.   Beautiful graphic.  I sat her...

I want to join in the fun at Funky Junk Interiors' themed party this week, so I'm gathering some photos of various runners I have made, to share with you. Last November, I made the runner below by cutting  a strip from a drop cloth to the width and length I wanted for my dining room table.  I simply sewed a hem all the way around the strip of fabric, then cut burlap garland from a roll I bought at Michael's, and sewed it on each end, gathering it so it would ruffle. This is last year's Fall table. Here the runner is being used on the dresser in the master bedroom which it fits perfectly. The runner below was made by simply cutting a piece of burlap fabric, and fringing the edges.   Here is another one made the same way. Join in the party at Funky Junk and show off your runners.

I just have to share my no sew pillow project.  I had some burlap fabric in my fabric stash, and decided I would use it to cover a pillow.  First, I found an old pillow I no longer use.  I spread the burlap out on the floor and laid my pillow on it so I could cut the fabric big enough to cover it.  I was so intent on the project, I didn't make any pictures of the process. Once the burlap was cut, I folded in the sides about an inch, and glued it down with Tacky Glue, pressing it down several times with my fingers.  I did this all the way around the fabric, and laid it aside to dry over night.  The Tacky Glue dries clear. My next step was to determine how I could lap the fabric over the cushion in an envelope fashion.  I had tried to get my computer to print out a graphic that would show up on the burlap, but printer problems interfered with that plan, so I found the center, and stenciled it with the tree stencil I bought at Michael's. ...

This year I've tried not to overdo the Fall decor.  My home is not one where everything is white, although I love looking at those.  With the focus on decorating more subtlety, here are a few photos where the color white is featured.  Here is the fireplace with the sun streaming in through the sky light. I kept the mantel decor very simple. I love the white pumpkins.  The one in front of the basket is a candle. Here I used a white wicker basket. Here the box I painted with ASCP Olde White is part of my fall decor. I later replaced the white flowers with a Fall candle ring. This is my favorite little nook! I believe by allowing these white objects to be the focal point of the vignettes, etc., my Fall decor has a more elegant, and subdued look.  I'm really happy with the results. Please join  me at Faded Charm for White Wednesday.