Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Frustrated Decorator... That's me!

Come on in.. take a seat...I will make you a cup of tea or maybe some fresh pressed coffee? I really would if you were here. This is what I love about blogging.. sharing my thoughts, pictures & venting whatever I want to share with you all. This post is about being a Frustrated Decorator.. I started a new group on FB that I think will be fun & will be starting a new blog as well. My mission is too creatively connect those who share the same passion but need help, have questions & love to look at pictures & post ideas...we will have interesting & talented designers who Will participate in this Group. Have a decorating dilemma you will be able to come over to The Frustrated Decorator FB page post a before picture & turn your decorating frustrations into decorating sensations. And much more. I find there is so much craftiness out there maybe a little too much for me at this time... I do love it all but my first & favorite passion is decorating. Don't you just love more then anything looking at home decorating magazine pictures, beautiful blogs & just shopping for great pieces. When ever I see a beautiful room on a blog or in a magazine I just feel so indescribable.. do you know what I mean? That feeling of excitement that makes you want to get up stand back in your romm & say mmmm I can make this room look better or mmmm again now where are those cardboard pieces so I can start moving stuff around. (No man here just cardboard) I really do get very inspired by it all. I think most of us have the same passion. I know you do. I love all the fresh new designs being shown... the Swedish rooms , farm houses, modernness, French Elegance... I love it all.. I don't know how to describe my style my dear friend Dore who I adore calls it Gypsy Brocante villa chic... yea that's me with a touch of the monastery look? Is there such a thing? The Frustrated Decorator will be a fun group to share & creatively connect with others . It's great on FB you can post a picture of a room ,comment & you never know who will stop by & give you great tips. So relax & take a peek at some of the things I have done to my home...I have a long way to go.. but that's all the fun... it never ends for us Frustrated Decorators.

A great find for the week. I picked this up at a local thrift shop for $20.00 it's painted distressed & has a washed burlap coffee sack bag as a seat.
a peek into our music/reading room my design dilemma with such high ceilings is what to do over my book case so I layered old picture frames on the side of a big old picture I have had for years. This is where The Frustrated Decorator Group will come in handy.
morning sunlight.. this beautiful mantel needs help above.. this is where The Frustrated Decorator Group will come in handy again. Any thoughts? Lovey urns & bigger mirror...
Just a random shot of my dining area not together this was the day before Thanksgiving this is behind the cozy sitting area you will see below. The gold curtains were here so I am working with them. I think I might have a chair addiction... do you.. way too many, different kinds I would get rids of some of them maybe just keep & paint my old Windsors... Paint Them?
just a small gathering of some bottles & placed on my vintage wooden cake stand. Yes that is a pumpkin top I placed on top of the old milk bottle. My sweet & beautiful friend Tracie makes beautiful things just like her. Her shell top bottle filled with stones & sand from France is nestled with some of my bottles that I collect. They are all over my home.
this is the after the bottom picture was the before sorry my dyslexia is kicking in. added a larger rug, the table is the bottom of an old stove. Placed a tray on top ( for now) & cover it with an old piece of linen...moved the chairs together added some pillows & oh the wine.. I think a glass is good for your creative juices.
I posted the above Before picture on FB last night needing a decorating fix. So after I pulled in some of my porch furniture wanting to create a cozy sitting area in my kitchen asking for some advise on fb one cool lady Deb Kennedy (do you know her you should she is amazing) commented & gave me some great tips, I started moving furniture around retaking pictures & posting the afters.
My mom is the creative genius behind designing the bones to this beautiful house. I will be featuring her fabulous home as my first post on the new blog The Frustrated Decorator. The Mexican octagon shaped pavers are my favorite... except when I am standing on them for hours cooing or cleaning.
As you enter the main room to your left I placed my old bench that was given to me as a gift from a customer as a thank you...it's got that perfect patina shade of greys.
My decorating dilemma was what to put above the bench. I wanted something different maybe architectural... a giant clock....didn't have any of that here so working with what I have & looking around my stash this is what I came up with.

The frustrated decorator at work late at night....... my favorite old French Shutters that's it! I also added my carved putti above I placed one of my birds nests on top. Do they look crooked? Should l I add some of my signature clay big rosaries on the shutters maybe too much this is where i get frustrated. I think I like it. What do you think? Well it's me.. That Gypsy Village chick oh I mean The Frustrated Decorator!

so for now please take a seat... relax come visit again soon to see how I am trying to get it all together.... xoxoxo The Frustrated Decorator.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Sorry Wrong Number...


One ringie dingie...due to my move & the computer geek who literately pulled the plug on all my computer info..boy did he pull the plug on ALL my contacts access & info to my website etc...gone. I had no back up as I am not a techie girl.. who knew After wanting to plant him in my rose beds ( ala Practical magic) all he has to say is sorry I am ending this conversation!!!!!
O.K. so I am here to tell you if you need me for now my new email is lvdellaporta@gmail.com. Sorry if you have been trying to get me with no reply. It's like a fresh new start...maybe it's time to plant some new seeds! oxoxo Laura

Thursday, November 11, 2010

What time is it?

Verbena bird here... do you know what time it is? I think it is the time of the year when we start to get in the spirit.. I am starting to get that sparklie feeling inside. Or maybe it's the dust from the glitter ornaments I am working on for the store?

This is a short post as I am working nights around here getting orders out & getting ready for this weekends Art festival & Bridal show. Sooo I am just sending out a quick shout out to say get in the spirit, feel sparklie & think about planning on doing something nice this holiday season for those struggling & doing without. It's really hitting home to me as I see so many of my neighbors loosing their homes. so many without jobs too many struggling with families to feed here in THIS country. My sparklie little birdie has a message from the heart...

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss

Lets all think of giving something to those in need this Holiday season.. a meal.. a smile & hug...anything to help. Really do it in some small way I say for it will bring you a sparklie day!!!
xooxoLaura

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Don't be bored!





Always with you in mind.. made from the finest antique frames we have collected in all shapes, sizes & colors.. these are great in any room.. great gift.. also comes with a sweet little handmade eraser. Avail at the shoppe now.

Oh & don't forget Tomorrow Friday is artwalk 6-8. Downtown Ocala.. see you on the square!
xoxox Verbena Girl