Sharing Shadymont, My Mountain Cottage

I love Pinterest.  I know most of you do too.  I found this simple-to-make bench and knew we had some concrete blocks left from a retaining wall we had built to keep the pole barn from flooding. We had 9 blocks left, and this project requires 8. All I had to purchase were 3 4x4's ($10.97 each) at Lowe's. I also bought 2 seat cushions at around $22.00 each, but I had a $10.00 off coupon, so that was a good savings.    Materials needed: 8 concrete blocks     (already had) 3 4x4's @ 8' each     $32.91 2 seat cushions         $44.00                                           $76.91 Minus coupon            -10.00                                $66.91 The photos are self-explanatory of how to make this si...

For the past 4 weeks, we have been in the process of getting our home exterior painted.  I will share more in a later post, but I wanted to show you the screened porch (in progress).  We painted the exterior in a darker gray (Benjamin Moore, Stormy Sky).  I chose solid color stain in BM Brick Red for the porch floor and railings.  I am delighted with the way it looks so far.  We removed the screen, and it will be replaced next week.  We had a variety of furniture on the porch, which we had the painter spray in the color of the house foundation, which is BM Metropolitan (a light gray). Now all the seating is one color which is much better. I bought the two red plant stands from Lowe's.  I have a bench cushion ordered for the swing.  My husband had this swing from years ago.  It was so chippy, so we pressure washed it, then sanded, and had it painted so we could use it on the screened porch. I'm using these pillows until my...

My Grandson's wedding was this past Saturday, and my daughter asked if I would decorate for the rehearsal dinner on Friday night.  Since the wedding was casual, we decided to use mason jars as vases for the centerpieces.  I took a trip to Michaels, and bought clear pint and quart jars to use. On Wednesday, I took all my goodies to my craft area in the basement, and got busy shabbying the jars.  I used both chalk paint, and acrylic. After putting one to two coats on the jars, I distressed them using a sanding block/sponge.  Then out came the tidbits to dress them up. I have pastels, and warm colors. Quart jars (above) No two are exactly the same. Pint jars (above) I kept the silver band on some of them. These were very economical to make by using paints, and embellishments I had on hand in addition to the few new ones I purchased.  Some of the jars got 2 coats of paint, but most got only one.  I wanted the light from flameless c...

I've had this small crackled lamp for several years, and the shade had gotten so dirty. See how dirty it is?? I carried this to my craft area in the basement for a makeover.  I wasn't sure what I would find to give it an update, but I had plenty of things in my "bag of stuff". In fact, this burlap ribbon was the exact width I needed. All I had to do was use the glue gun and glue it around the shade. I had to gather it at the top of the shade in a couple of places. The base of the lamp was a beige crackle finish, so I painted it a light aqua with acrylic craft paint. I think it makes a cute addition to this tabletop vignette.  It repeats the aqua of these vintage jars. I've had these sweet cupids for a very long time, and still love them. We all love old canning jars, don't we?? I like the lamp so much better with its new color base, and spiffy chevron shade. This project took just a few mi...

I've been seeing lots of wreaths with initials on them.  Some are really large, covered with fabric, and all kinds of ways.  I bought the letter "M" at HL, to add to my Fall wreath on the front door.  I bought a smaller letter because my wreath isn't that big.  I painted the letter orange with white polka dots. BEFORE I used putty to hold the letter to the grapevine wreath.  I think the initial gives the wreath some personality!  Doesn't it??? Love how this looks, and how simple it was to do.   Sharing here: Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style What's It Wednesday @  Ivy and Elephants Centerpiece Wednesday @  The Style Sisters  Whimsy Wednesday @ Simply Designing

A short time ago, I bought this old Home Interior picture at a consignment shop. I liked the picture itself, and the arched frame.  I did not especially like the color of the frame. After a few weeks, I painted the frame in ASCP, Louis Blue.  I thought this would bring out the blue on the flower pots in the print, but it didn't as much as I wanted. I shabbied it up some, and lived with that for a few days.  Still, not right! Last night, I decided to change it, yet again!  I taped off the glass, and painted the entire frame white.  Then I used gold Rub 'n Buff to highlight the rope-like trim on the frame.   Now, the frame is too white for the mat!  Ok, I'll take the back off the picture and flip the mat over.  I've done that on several pictures where the mat wasn't the color I wanted. I took the picture apart, only to find that the mat and picture were made together. There is an actual mat, but the picture was somehow ...

I am constantly changing something!  This little stool, for example, I've changed its color so many times!! It started out white and distressed.   Nothing on top.  It is a favorite of mine, bought at consignment shop.  It's very roughly made.  I painted the top Louis Blue and left the legs white. Then I added a graphic to it....FAIL!!  I could not get the graphic to look like I wanted it to. Later, I took off the graphic, and painted on a fleur de lis.  The photo below shows that version. Nothing is safe around here. The other day I decided to paint it again, pale pink allover with gray accents. It's just so much fun to change it up.   Do you have items that you constantly change? Sharing here: Metamorphosis Monday @  Between Naps On The Porch Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @  Coastal Charm   Inspire Me Tuesday @  A Stroll Thru Life