A Peak Inside

I always think it's fun while driving through different neighborhoods at night to see glimpses of the outside decorations, colors on the walls, the curtains, plants, pictures in people's houses. It's always fun to see a party going on inside too. 

Sound a little creepy? Ibet I'm not the only one who does this! I just like to see how people decorate to get ideas for my own place.

So, if you're nosey  creepy just a little curious like me, I will be adding little peaks inside the rooms of my home as they get finished (we just moved in this January 2011).

 Now, I'm just an interior design wannabe-I am no expert, but I think my decorating style would be considered eclectic-a mixture of global, vintage and modern and a little bit coastal. 

I don't like things to match all the time and I don't like or follow any rules.

I love antiques, but I like to mix vintage with new, adding lots of plants and modern lamps. 

I think it's funny when people come in my house and think I made everything in it and that it's so expensive. Try mostly cheap, a few favorite saved up for things, and a lot painted! (And, I do actually buy decorations, --but they have to be really unique). 

I'd usually rather make something like a chalkboard, or hang unique handmade art, or frame the pictures my husband takes. 

I make it my goal to be thrifty as much as possible. I like to search through thrift shops, garage sales  and antique stores for furniture I can revamp. Paint can do wonders! I also watch and save up for sales at some of my favorite places like Pier 1 and World Market, but I can usually find a good deal too at TJ Maxx, Target and IKEA.

My favorite colors to decorate with are all shades of turquoise, gray, white, creams and tans,  with bright green, yellow and tangerine accents.  I love buying the cheap $3 sample paint colors to experiment with. And, I can't wait until we can get the exterior of my house painted! I'm dreaming of a deep midnight blue with white trim and a yellow door...

our 1927 Dutch Colonial. Hoping to paint it a deep blue with a yellow door and cream trim.

our backyard view-I made sure my crafting room over looks this!

a cabinet I repainted and distressed, and handmade recycled art by my friend Danielle

I love my "vintage industrial" mango wood table from World Market! 

Here is my wall before the gallery wall, above.

and...

Here is my wall after!

I am in the process of repainting all my painted furniture different colors. Below,
is the old color of my pie safe:

and...

Here is my new updated color along with chicken wire installed because

I like the look (and it helps keep my kids' fingers out!)

Antique chest (can you believe a friend gave us this cool piece of furniture?) and above it rainclouds painting done in watercolor by me and my husband.

Katie Brown wire birds and a frame I painted and distressed

living room wall gallery

bay window area painted a deep turquoise

The green side table was before, below is my after (read my "how to" under tutorials)

Boys' Bedroom

Thanks for taking a peek inside! Stay tuned for more updates and projects soon to come...