Subscribe to Pleasure in Simple Things via RSS ReaderFollow Pleasure in Simple Things on InstagramFollow @InSimpleThings on TwitterLike Pleasure In Simple Things on FacebookFollow Pleasure In Simple Things on PinterestEmail Jackie

Tag: decor


antique swan planter diy

22
January

finished antique swan planter diy

I love Annie Sloan and Annie Sloan products and the proof is in my passion to paint everything with Annie Sloan paint!  Those of you who follow me have seen previous blog projects that have included furniture, painted planters and pots as well as vases from plastic bottles using paint and dark wax.  One thing I have not done is incorporate Plaster of Paris into a paint project.

That is exactly what one of my favorite Instagrammers, Kathy (@r.house_)  did on a project she posted to her Instagram stories.  She incorporated Plaster of Paris while painting a plastic planter from Christmas Tree Shops and I knew I needed to try the technique with my Annie Sloan!  She was simulating an antique cement piece and it came out fabulous!  I had planned to try it on a plastic trophy shaped planter, but I couldn’t find the container I had in mind.

While I was on a Christmas Tree Shops stop, (I go there occasionally to pick up Rao’s sauce.) I noticed the same plastic swan planters Kathy used for her project.  I picked up a small one (they come in two sizes) to use for my experiment.  I planned on just following along with Kathy’s instructions.  You can do the same thing by looking at Kathy’s highlights on her Instagram feed or you can follow the instructions here where I show my results using Kathy’s method.

original plastic swan

Original small swan planter.

The only difference with my process was that I used all Annie Sloan paints.  I used leftover paint colors I had from other projects so my colors aren’t the same as the one’s Kathy used, but I did use a gray and a white.

When I purchased the small swan, it did not have a drainage hole and since I planned on using it for a planter, I made a hole by driving a nail into the bottom.  A layer of small pebbles on the bottom of the container can be used as an alternative method for drainage.

gray base coat

Planter painted with gray base coat.

For this project, you will need flat gray paint, flat white paint, Plaster of Paris, (if you don’t have it, borrow it from a crafter – you won’t need much) and the plastic container you plan on painting – in this case, a plastic swan planter from Christmas Tree Shops.  I used a paper bowl for paint mixing, a wide paint brush, and a pair of plastic gloves.  For those of you who didn’t take any art classes, Plaster of Paris is a white powder that hardens when moistened and allowed to dry.  It can be used to make homemade chalk paint, but in this case, we are using it to add texture to our project.

mixing white coat

Mixing white paint and Plaster of Paris.

Here are the steps to create a simulated aged cement swan planter:

  1. Paint the swan with a gray chalk paint base coat (or any flat gray paint) and let dry
  2. Mix Plaster of Paris liberally into white chalk paint (or any flat white paint) in a disposable bowl – it should be thick and lumpy
  3. Paint the white paint mixture onto the swan – it was more like rubbing it on for me
  4. Let dry completely
  5. Dab dark wax (I used Annie Sloan dark wax) on some of the raised areas
plaster on swan

White paint and plaster coat on the planter.

Doesn’t the Plaster of Paris add a great realism to the piece?  I love that it is a nice light weight plastic piece since I am using it as an indoor planter, but looks like cement.

finished antique swan planter diy

Final planter with dark wax added.

Thanks Kathy!

If you don’t already, be sure to follow Kathy on Instagram.  She has a fabulous home and wonderful taste and she is sure to inspire some creativity!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on antique swan planter diy | diy, garden, inspiration

pretty in pink at terrain

22
November

ornament with pink at Terrain

I promised to share some pink holiday accents from Terrain in Westport today…I am a gal of my word!

pink bottle brush at Terrain

Check out this ‘pretty in pink’ holiday décor inspiration!  Enjoy!

pretty in pink

shreds of pink

 

pinkpoinsettas

metallic candles

Terrain collage of pink xmas

Terrain in pink

pink candles

I hope these photos have inspired you to incorporate an unexpected color into your holiday décor!

baskets with pink

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend!

tree with pink at Terrain

And, remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on pretty in pink at terrain | field trips, holiday, inspiration, style

summer tablescaping

4
June

summer tablescape

It is crazy how few photos I’ve taken recently.  I must have set a personal record for the fewest number of photos taken in the last few months.  So uncharacteristic of me!

I really noticed it when I got home from the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck this past weekend.  I had a wonderful day with fabulous friends.  Normally I come home with tons of photos to put up for you to see.  Not this year!  In fact, I took only a few photos the entire day!  I guess hanging out with the fabulous friends got in the way!

lobster tablesetting

When I looked through the few photos I had, they were all related to table settings.  I always say everything runs in themes with me and it certainly is true.  My takeaway from the fair this year is to ‘summerize’ my tablescapes!

I love all the cool arrangements created by Cutlery Couture.  They put flatware in little burlap pouches with pretty coordinated designs and ribbons…aren’t they super!  The green herbs are my favorite motif!

tablesettings at Country Living

burlap holders for cutlery

I am also inspired to think about adding some embellishments to existing napkins.  Look at these black and white napkins with an embroidered bee…it inspires me to do something similar.  I would like to do some with ladybugs!

bee tablesetting

I hope the few photos I am sharing from the Country Living Fair this year are inspiring you to come up with some cute summer tablescapes like it did for me!

summer napkin

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S.  I won’t forget to share ‘after’ photos of the dresser in an upcoming post!

Comments Off on summer tablescaping | food & festivities, inspiration

lights beyond the holidays

22
February

lights and glass

Twinkle lights and candles are not just for the holidays!

ornate lantern at Terrain

Doesn’t special lighting make everyone feel special?  So, why save it just for the holidays?

candle with flicker

A great way to brighten up any décor is with a string of lights or a few well-placed, beautiful candles.  And, now that there are realistic looking simulated lit versions, candles can be enjoyed without a fire risk or suffering any soot/paint damage.

lights in a box

For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing some photos from a recent trip to Terrain in Westport as a way to inspire you to use special lighting at every time of year!

candles with dripping light

There is no better way to beat the winter doldrums!

lantern candle at Terrain

Thanks for stopping by!

candle with rocks

Have a fabulous weekend!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on lights beyond the holidays | inspiration, style

it started with sea glass sinks

15
February

Before bathroom photos

My friend Phyllis is finishing up a remodel of the bathroom off her bedroom.  I am so enamored with the results!

view of double sinks

So, even though the bathroom wasn’t yet styled and the window coverings weren’t yet complete, I snapped a few photos when I was last over her house.  This bathroom just made me so happy to look at, I had to share.

cabinet with floor detail

The level of detail on the trim work is beautiful.  A mutual friend from back in our high school days is a master craftsman and was responsible for the designing/creating of these details.

shower and tub in the sunlight

The combination of a master craftsman and my friend’s great taste made the bathroom come together in a fabulous way!

floor detail

The entire project was spearheaded by the selection of two beautiful sea glass looking sinks!  They were the first item chosen for the bathroom and provide a fabulous little pop of color to the finished project!

closeup of seaglass sink

toilet and wall detail

The ‘cherry on the top’ is the view from the tub!  But then, this is the yard I call a park…the landscaping is fabulous and the property adjoins a golf course.  In the middle of winter it may be hard to imagine the gorgeous view during the rest of the year, but you can see it by clicking here.

detail of view

Thanks for joining me today on Friday field trip.  I hope you enjoyed seeing some little glimpses of my friend’s new bathroom!

Sadie Sue

My buddy, Sadie!

Have a marvelous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on it started with sea glass sinks | field trips, inspiration, style, Uncategorized

sea glass green and white pumpkins

23
October

white pumpkins and hydrangea

One of my favorite color pairings with white pumpkins is the color of green sea glass.  I am talking about the color green that is also the color of Jadeite.  And, also the color you can find in hydrangea when they  turn color in the fall.

A far cry from the traditional orange and black colors of the season!

pleasure in simple things blog white pumpkins

My love for the green/white combo is how I originally got started planting inside white pumpkins.  These images are from something I posted on planting succulents in a white pumpkin back in 2012.  To see the original post, click here.

hydrangea and white mini boos

I hope you are inspired to try a new color combination with white pumpkins this Halloween season!

succulents and Jadeite

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on sea glass green and white pumpkins | diy, inspiration, style

more 2017 country living fair

3
October

fall at country living fair

As promised, today I am sharing a few more glimpses of the 2017 Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio! (Part 2 from September 26th!)

placesetting at country living fairEnjoy!

succulents at country living fair

neutral vignette country living fair

xmas stockings at country living

white pumpkin still life

treasures at country living fair

plant pockets country living fair

quilting supplies at country living fair

quilt close up

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on more 2017 country living fair | inspiration, style, travel

diy home office on a budget

14
July

office drawer

Change can be sad.  As much as I enjoy a good redo, I was hesitant to change my daughter’s childhood bedroom.  When she was young, I had put together a Polynesian themed bedroom for her that was filled with mahogany furniture and burgundy and gold bedding colors – all reminiscent of her favorite family trip to Florida.

When the room became empty, I decided to make it my home office.  I started with an empty room, a soiled wall-to-wall carpet and some old dusty paper lantern light fixtures.

diy home office from a bedroom

For Friday field trip today, a peek at the beginning of this new home office!

I painted the two-toned gold walls with a greige color neutral.  I used a Behr custom mix from Home Depot – very close to their color Aged Beige. The ceiling was painted white as well as all the trim.  What a great fresh start…except for the soiled rug, of course.

memo board in office

From there, I chose a desk first.  I found a nice, simple writing desk at Target and purchased it during one of their huge sales when they offered free shipping.  The desk has nice lines and would fit my computer comfortably.  After assembling it, the only change I made was to the knobs – I replaced the ones provided with a pair in brushed gold.  The desk chair was a previous diy…click here to see the before and after.

new office desk chair

home office lightingDuring the same Target sale when I acquired the desk, I also ordered a simple, gold toned floor lamp.  The room already has a trio of paper lanterns (that required a heavy cleaning – I just couldn’t bear to get rid of them!).

 

home office desk detail HomeGoods accessories

I also added a second piece of renovated furniture I refinished years ago – a standing piece I use to store my photograph albums – the nondigital variety.

home office diy

I covered the one window in the room with a $17. Roman shade that I ordered from JC Penney.  How do they even sell them that cheap!?

Since the carpet in that room was SO trashed – my daughter did a number on it – and ignoring it didn’t seem to help, I opted to cover it.  My budget did not allow for a complete floor renovation and since the room is so small, it wasn’t hard to find an area rug to cover most of it.  I chose a circle shaped, natural fiber rug in a driftwood color from Ballard Designs.  They were having a 25% off sale with free shipping – perfect!

bedroom to office redo

Now the fun part of adding the accessories!  I purchased all the decorative items at HomeGoods, including a gorgeous canvas that is a world map in greiges and metallic gold!  I love this piece!

HomeGoods canvas detail

I still have work to do in the room – in scraps of free time I have a gallery wall to complete – I am in the midst of framing some favorite old photographs as well as hanging a white board calendar and an old doily made by my grandmother.

HomeGoods mail holder

It does give me satisfaction to know there is still some of the old bedroom when you look hard enough – like the telltale signs of an old pet hamster gnawing on the carpet or pieces of memorabilia that haven’t been removed from the walk-in closet!  In an odd way, this helps make the room that much more comforting…a perfect new office!

HomeGoods waste can

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope I may have inspired you to think about redoing or updating a room!

HomeGoods desk plate home office

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on diy home office on a budget | diy, furniture redo, inspiration, style

mugs for days

7
July

All Dolled Up

Recently, I found myself in a salon in a part of Connecticut I never frequent.  I visited the most gorgeous spot, called All Dolled Up, in Southington, Connecticut.  The owner certainly channeled her inner Kate Spade when she created the beautiful black and white with pops of green décor.

coffee station All Dolled Up

Just to check out the drool-worthy interior with its fabulous attention to detail is worth a visit, but the shop offers so much more…wonderful services offered by talented (as well as beautiful – Jen, the owner, actually looks like Kate Spade!) women.

cups for days

Today’s Friday field trip is a very specific piece of the décor in this fabulous spot – the coffee station!

coffee station 3

After this post, you will definitely want to revamp the beverage area in your own place!

hot mama mug

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope today’s post will inspire you to create your own beautiful coffee station, doll up the one you have…or, maybe just inspire you to replace those old coffee mugs!  Have a wonderful weekend!

all dolled up southington, ct

Remember to take pleasure in simple things…like drinking from a coffee mug with a sassy saying!  Jackie xo

4 comments » | inspiration, style

rooms with a view in ct

21
November

neutral room from rooms with a view pleasure in simple things blog

rooms with a view banner pleasure in simple things blog

 

Today we are taking a peek at a weekend in design featuring an Opening Night Gala; vignettes of interior design; a marketplace; a holiday fashion show and luncheon; and dinner with event chairman, Thom Filicia. (You know I love Thom…click here for our first meeting!)

Now in its 20th year, Rooms With a View has helped Southport Congregational Church help others by raising well over a million dollars for charitable causes.

 

The room vignettes are always inspiring…

Rooms With A View designer inspiration pleasure in simple things blog

My favorite room this year was designed by Forehand + Lake – a bright and styling cabin…

ski house rooms with a view pleasure in simple things blog

Every year I find different takeaways from the event.  A couple of the lighting choices were really interesting this year…How cool is the lighting in this “Starry Night” themed room designed by NYSID students and alumni?

starry night rooms with a view pleasure in simple things

And, I found this light fixture, used by Jenny Wolf Interiors, as a unique choice…

light fixture rooms with a view pleasure in simple things blog

Rooms With a View provides a great opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping by offering a marketplace of vendors.  You can see these items fit right in with my holiday theme!

wares from Rooms with a View pleasure in simple things blog

Much like Susan Leggitt’s artwork inspired by the Maine Coast, I found these hand painted stars really awesome!

Artist Susan Leggitt at Rooms with a View pleasure in simple things blog

The meal and fashion show is always the most fun for me.  The clothes from Millie Rae’s in Westport were my favorites and it is great the way the event people mix some thrift store finds in with the new fashions from local stores.  This year, I loved that Borrowed (a rental company that specializes in bringing unique, mismatched, and whimsical touches to an event) provided an eclectic mix of plates to the luncheon service.

eclectic mix of vintage plates pleasure in simple things blog

The meal provided by Festivities was delicious…

luncheon served at Rooms with a View in Southport,CT pleasure in simple things blog

But, for me, the plates stole the show!  How many more plate photos can I add?  I just loved them!

vintage place setting pleasure in simple things

vintage plate from Borrowed plesure in simple things blog

The other wonderful design touch to the tables were the wallpaper runners provided by Farrow & Ball (no, those wallpaper scraps aren’t just for book covers)…

wallcovering as tablerunner pleasure in simple things blog

Rooms With a View is a great way for friends in Fairfield County, Connecticut to get together and be inspired. I hope some of the photos of the event on today’s Friday field trip have inspired you!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

Sharing with Liz Marie Blog, Crafts a la Mode, and Shabby Nest.

4 comments » | field trips, food & festivities, inspiration, style

Back to top