Camp Contentment- Dining Room!

Welcome back to Camp Contentment! As I mentioned earlier, Coach and I are loving

life in our small 2/2 house in the quaint, historic district.  I can honestly

say that, not even once, have we missed the Magnolia House. I know it’s hard to

believe but we simply love the freedom this little house is bringing us.

I’m so glad you could join me on this tour of our home. Together, we’ve walked

up the sidewalk, stepped onto the porch, opened the yellow door and walked into the

living room. It’s a cheerful house. Small in size, yet big in style! The same could be said

for the dining room. Though only 11 x 12 feet, every square inch has been put to good

use.  From the very start, I knew I was going to like this room.  However, I struggled

with how to get a large welsh cupboard, a corner cabinet and table & chairs to seat 6.

So, after searching Pinterest, I found the room below. If I made a big chalkboard for

the back wall  I might have room for the table and chairs. After measuring, I realized

there was room for the welsh cupboard. Though tall and wide it wasn’t very deep.

 

 

 

 

 

Like in the Pinterest pic above, I considered using an old pine farmhouse (which

could have worked) but thought using a 54” glass top might visually create space

while comfortably seating 4. After considering my options for a suitable table base,

I chose a large six sided end table. Which I painted black to coordinate with the bold

Ikea rug in the nearby living room. It worked and left me wanting more black and

white. I loved the not so budget friendly striped chair below, but decided on these

slipcovered Henriksdal chairs from Ikea $79, with slipcover .

 

 

 

Still needing a punch of black and white, I bought 2 yds. of black and white stripe material from Ikea,

with the hope of making a roman shade. I wound up giving my sewing machine

away on the last day of my moving sale, but with a little internet research I found a ‘no sew’ adhesive,

called Fabri Tac by Beacon. That in combination with iron on hem tape, made the roman shade

possible. If you are a good seamstress, you’ll probably want to skip over this part. It wont make any

sense to you because you know how to sew but if you’re like me and like to make pillows, window

coverings, dust ruffles, etc. but don’t or can’t sew, your going to love Fabri Tac! It’s great for attaching

fringe

 

 

 

 

 

If you are a good seamstress, you’ll probably want to skip over this part. It wont make any

sense to you because you know how to sew but if you’re like me and like to make pillows, window

coverings, dust ruffles, etc. but don’t or can’t sew, your going to love Fabri Tac! It’s great for attaching

fringe….and as you are about to see, I went a little fringe crazy. I’m certain it’s because my Mother

made our family, matching terry cloth ponchos one summer, to wear over our swimsuits. I can only

imagine how we looked when we walked into the Oak Cliff Country Club. Nevertheless, pom pom

fringe it makes me smile and I was smiling a lot in this dining room.

 

 

 

 

 

I love every bit of it!

Now it was time to address the one and only light fixture. Hanging right in the center of the room, hanging

from three gold chains were the sweetest 1960 early American reproduction lights…. they took me way back

to the days of maple furniture, braided rugs and wingback rockers. At first, I wasn’t a fan but as the house

began to lighten up they bothered me less because they felt cute and quirky but when Kim removed this

beautiful 1930’s chandelier from the home she and Bryan were renovating, I quickly snatched it up for

Camp Contentment. Because it was working until the day it was disconnected, I never considered re-

wiring it but the night before the electrician was coming, Coach took one look at the old clothe wiring and

said, “No! I’d couldn’t sleep at night, knowing that was there…” So bright and early the next morning we

were off to Lowes to find a cool light. Though skeptical, we found one!

 

 

 

I love the difference it made in the room!

 

 

 

 

 

 

With  the pretty new light in I loaded up the shelves with lots of white, black, aqua and green.

 

 

 

carefully trying not to over do it!

 

 

 

Which isn’t easy when you like clutter! So, here is my carefully edited display of goodies!

 

 

 

 

Bon appetite! Oh! I forgot to mention….. that after living with 4 chairs for awhile we knew we had

room to add 2 more. I’m still surprised that this small room can hold well, so much furniture.

 

 

Next up: The Kitchen!

 

 

Camp Contentment–Come on in!

Now that the door is painted, floor tiles repaired and everything in place, the front porch looks very warm! I realize that some

people will think it’s all a bit much. I know my Mother has always questioned this practice, concerned that someone will come

and cart it all away. Nevertheless, I can’t seem to get worried about it! Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t want anyone to steal

the stuff off our porch. I like it! But there is something far more important going on here. The truth is, I want each and every person

that steps onto our porch to feel special before they pass through front door. With that being said, won’t you please come in!

 

Welcome to our new place!

We call it Camp Contentment! That’s not entirely true because Coach raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes the first time I

mentioned it. So, it’s actually me that decided this was the perfect name for our cute little house. Because after years and years

of working hard to have bigger, better and more, we are happy to have less. Less to clean, wash, water, mow, repair, paint, etc.

I’m sure you can identify. Deep down, I think most of us want to take a deep breath and simplify their lives. It’s not easy and

often not possible but not once have we regretted our decision to drastically reduce our household. In fact, it’s been quite freeing.

 

 

As you can see, I’ve kept plenty of stuff! I’m certainly not a minimalist. However, I did put some thought into all that I kept which

means that our home is furnished and decorated with only, our favorite things. Creating a cozy yet quirky setting for us to live

and love. Sharing our story by displaying photos of the family and friends, mementos and oddities (Ok! Coach doesn’t

do oddities…he is very logical. I am not :) we treasure. Not in a bad way….they just mean something or in my case, I like the way

they look.

 

 

 

A new favorite, is this painting Carter gave me last Christmas. The moment I tore off the paper and laid eyes on it, I knew it would

go in this room. She used an Instagram picture as a reference. Didn’t she do a great job? I was truly impressed. I simply love it!

 

 

( Carter, someday when you are older and perhaps read this, please know that your gift was my very favorite! Though your

thoughtful mother, was most likely the instigator, you both made me feel very special! Also, I think you are a very good painter

….and so does my friend Jan, who wants you to paint one of her :)

 

 

 

 

This collection of old prints, mirrors in chippy-paint frames and mine and Carter’s art, makes me smile every time I walk in the door.

 

 

 

 

Favorite photos, random antique dishes and odds & ends sit on this old looking, new table and recycled plate rack which I painted

with Annie Sloan’s chalk paint.

 

 

 

I usually prefer old over new but this piece is an exception. It probably should be by the dining table but there wasn’t room.

So, I sat it on this wall so it is visually connected to the dining room. It works for me!

 

 

 

 

Well, what do you think?

I’m always amazed how different my old stuff looks in a different house. In fact, friends frequently ask, “is this new”?

It’s so fun. For example this rattan sofa, was in our last two houses but once it was sitting in this room the brown color

wasn’t quite right. I thought about it for awhile and even asked friends their opinion. Recently, I decided to go for it!

I’m not sure it’s finished. I had planned to paint the whole thing black but in mid-stream I thought the contrasting woodwork

was kind of cool. Just not sure yet. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Also notice the new upholstery? Will, you think poorly of me if I tell that I wanted to change the color of the sofa cushions so bad that decided to paint them too?

I painted all the piping on both cushions black and was going to paint the whole thing. Then I saw some fabric, a polished chintz, I had admired at Hancock Fabric,

now 80% off ( $3.62 a yd.) and hatched a new plan to glue it on over the existing fabric. I can hear you moaning, ‘ Oh, no’!!!…

but it’s too late! I’ve already done it! I know it’s a temporary fix but I’m glad I did it. Please, don’t judge me.

Or tell my mother (she taught me better) or sister ( an excellent seamstress). They will both need therapy if they know how half-@$$ed

I did this. Oh, who am I fooling! Everyone that knows me well, will not be shocked to hear of my last out of the box, rule breaking

shenanigans. What can I say? Except sometimes I get these ideas in my head and can’t be stopped. I don’t know how it will wear or

how long it will last but let me tell you this. Right now, it looks pretty darn good! #ifihadnttoldyou,youwouldntknow

Just in case you want to try this.

You’ll need:

. Good scissors

. Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive

. Patience and perhaps a couple of episodes of Downtown Abby to watch.  Cut carefully and follow instructions on the glue.

You will have sticky fingers when you’re finished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next: The Dining Room!

Camp Contentment–the front porch!

 

 

 

Once the moving sale was over and the Magnolia House was empty and clean, it was time

to focus on Camp Contentment, whose exterior now has a fresh coat of white paint and

the dark green shutters, are now black. Isn’t it amazing what a big difference a coat of paint

can make! Things were beginning to come together. I was loving the black and white on the

outside and then walking through the front door to more black and white. Isn’t this a great rug?

From the moment I saw it at Ikea, I’ve been a fan. It’s big and bold and only, $100. But it

was hard to ignore the missing red Quarry tiles and I was certain I wanted to paint the door a

bright color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had seen the door above on Pinterest and absolutely loved it. Typically not a yellow

person I hesitated until I saw this wrapping paper at Marshalls, and was sold! Like with

all colors there are many shades of yellow but it was really helpful to take a roll of

paper with me to the paint store. There was not a perfect match but I decided on a

Sherwin Williams color called, Eye Catching. I could hardly contain my excitement as

our painter began to brushed it on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once it was dry, I trimmed out the door with white paint and a 1” artist brush. I must admit it wasn’t

easy but definitely worth the time and trouble. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next issue was  to replace the missing floor tiles. Adding furniture, wall accessories, a rug and

plants completed this small but important space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all, the front porch and door is the first thing that greets your guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why not let it be bright and cheerful?