Saturday, November 21, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Decorated House - Fall and Thanksgiving Entry Table with Velvet and Painted Pumpkins

One last hurrah for the pumpkins before they are put away for another year. It's easy to 
hang on to  Fall when the weather is so nice. If there were a couple of inches of snow, 
do you feel like Fall or  more like Winter? We are expecting a gentle cool down, so that 
will be really enjoyable for Thanksgiving day and I'm looking forward to it!

Since everything begins to move at warp speed from now until the new year, 
I am wishing you a very peaceful and beautiful Season of Thanksgiving. 

Happy ThanksGiving!

See Y'All Soon~

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Halloween! from The Decorated House

Halloween at The Decorated House. Elegant black and white decorating with mercury glass and silver.

Wishing You a Happy Halloween Weekend!
See Y'All Soon~

Monday, October 26, 2015

Halloween Entry Table ~ Black and White Decor

Elegant Black and White Halloween Decor ll The Decorated House Blog

The Snickers and other chocolate bars are ready for the big night,  and the crows are still in a party mood and ready as well.  I remember one year trying to chose some kind of healthier snack for trick or treat, and the kids look at me like I was from another planet. Probably boxed raisins or something like that. Not what the little monsters wanted on Halloween that was for sure. Of course I have really fond memories of the candy we used to haul home when we were kids. I seldom had candy at home during the rest of the year, so it was tough not to be selfish and hide your own stash from other siblings. Today, maybe one little snickers, and that will take care of it for me. But I can't keep them in the house or one might not settle the craving.

I use this nice size urn all year long. For now it supports 3 pumpkins in a topiary style. Since I have so little color in any of the decorations, I chose to use a more traditional color pumpkin for the center. The table will remain much the same for the rest of Fall except for the obvious Halloween decor. I wanted a little touch of traditional fall color and the pumpkin does that very well, and will be perfect for a Fall looking arrangement. 

See Y'All Soon~

Monday, October 12, 2015

Halloween Mantel ~ Elegant and Whimsical ~ Black and White Halloween Decor

Elegant Black and White Halloween Decorated Mantel :: The Decorated House

Even those who love mostly soft and neutral decorating, sometimes crave a bit of contrast or a splash of color. Especially this time of year. You can add a touch of elegance to your Halloween decor by simply playing with the time tested combination of black and white. Add some warm tones of gold and the sparkle of silver and you have a more grown up version of Halloween decorating.. 

The mantel this year is dressed in black and white again. Whatever your own favorite colors,  you can certainly decorate even for Fall and Halloween with the the colors you love. Even if that happens to be without the strong orange or red of the season. You might enjoy the stunning display of the turning of the leaves outside but still like a more neutral look inside. Give it some contrast like black and white, or keep it monochromatic. It can still be very festive and fun!

Elegant Black and White Halloween Decor :: The Decorated House Halloween Mantel

I'm fortunate to have a few pretty black and white artworks to display this time of year. On the mantel this time is a print of my own art, The Wizard. It was done many years ago, and although  I consider it to be simply fantasy art, it makes  a great addition for Halloween when everyone thinks of magic.

Decorating for Halloween : The Decorated House :: Decorating with Black and White, MacKenzie Child Star and Crows with Hats!

The MacKenzie-Childs star ornament is nice for Halloween, even though I usually bring it out for Christmas and New Year's decorating.  It adds another element of black and white and silver, and repeats the the harlequin design as well.

Elegant Halloween Decor Black and White :: The Decorated House : Mercury Glass Pumpkin Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Pumpkins : Crow with Hat

 The crows are merry and in a party mood with little witchy hats and decorative collars. This one is sitting on top of a faux (foam) pumpkin painted with Annie Sloan chalk paint. The mercury glass pumpkin and gourd sparkle and reflect light, with one perched atop a cute harlequin patterned urn. A few spiders complete the whimsical feeling. They are only invited inside this time of year, and only if they aren't real!


See Y'All Soon~

Friday, October 2, 2015

October ~ October, the Halloween Month!

The Decorated House ~ Halloween Decor with Mercury Glass, Ravens and Little Vintage Witch

It's October! A month that seems very special to a lot of people just because it means Fall is here for sure. The temperatures for us are actually going to be only in the 80's. Big Chill! I don't get in a big hurry for the really cold days, but the crisp Fall nights are a treat. 

So speaking of treats, it will soon be the big Trick or Treat day. You know how I love decorating for Halloween. It's time to find out what the crows and ravens did with their hats and collars, round up all the pumpkins and see which of the little witches and bunny goblins art prints will be a part of decorating this year. I think all the Halloween Art Prints are in the shop now. 

Hope you have a great weekend.
See Y'All Soon~

Sunday, August 30, 2015

~ Green Envy - Only the Pretty Kind


By the date on the calendar, it will be Fall soon enough. But here it is still in the nineties and only a few flowers make it through so many days of this heat. Even the zinnias are coming to the end of the their summer season. Each year I love zinnias more and more. 

And this is one of my all time favorites. Green Envy!

Friday, August 7, 2015

~ How-to Create an Antiqued Silver Paint Finish. Diy. Tutorial


The Decorated House - DIY an Antiqued Sliver Paint Finish

It's funny how you really never know how some little gift you give will be something the person will treasure for a long time. Nor do we ever know how quick something that was more costly to purchase ends up at the GoodWill or a charity like it.  But it's the thought behind the gift that counts, right? After that you just have to let it go even if you worked hard or spent generously, if it just wasn't something the receiver wanted, you did give from your heart.
CLICK ON CONTINUE READING FOR INSTRUCTIONS: 

Thursday, July 23, 2015

~ Is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Worth The Price? And A Few More Tips

The Decorated House ~ Is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Worth the Price?

As you check out blogs and see some fabulous makeovers using chalk paint you could be thinking that you might give this ol' chalk paint stuff a whirl. Then you see the price, especially if you have to pay shipping! It's expensive enough if you can find a local source, but by the time you add shipping it is really expensive. I've been using it for a few years now, and my thoughts on it haven't changed.

** Please note if you are not familiar with these paints, it is NOT "chalkboard" paint that you buy at the craft store. Although they now sell a folkart version of chalk paint which you might like to try if you use a 40% off coupon. But it is not the same "recipe" for chalk paint as the ASCP.

The Decorated House - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Worth the Price?Here are answers to some of your questions you have asked me:

Saturday, July 18, 2015

~ How to Create a Beautiful Antique Look with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ~ Blues - Wet Distressed & Waxed


The Decorated House ~ Create a Beautiful Blue Distressed Antiqued Finish with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
There's a lot more to these chalk paints then just painting a quick coat of paint and doing a little sanding! Sometime ago I read Annie Sloan discussing working with her chalk paints and waxes to get different looks. So this was an experiment to see how to make a beautiful more aged look.  The finished look is really worth the work. (Click on Continue Reading Link Below for more Information.)

Thursday, June 25, 2015

~ French Chair Makeover : Distressed French Blue : Wet Distressing with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

The Decorated House - Tutorial Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on French Chair
Oh no! I am longing for a nice, not too rustic, distressed chair. Oh well,
sometimes we just have a need for a little change. And since it is only paint, we can
certainlyrepaint a chair  ... once or twice or maybe 20 times!
Not this chair, but maybe a couple others are about to get a simple, new look.
.......................................

Looking for a really rustic, distressed French Blue look? Try this method.

Click on "Continue Reading" Link Below for the Instructions:

Sunday, May 10, 2015

~ Decorating with Succulents & Silver and How To Create a Succulent Dish Garden

Decorating with Succulents & Sliver at The Decorated House

It's a great time of the year to bring in a little touch of the garden. After cold weather or too much rain (or too little) in some parts of the country, wouldn't a little touch of living green add some warmth?!

You can grow succulents in any number of containers, and silver is a
really pretty choice. Complemented with white, the silver
adds a bit of reflective light and show offs the rich green. 

Click on "Continue Reading" Link Below>

Thursday, April 23, 2015

~ How to Print on Fabric Using an Inkjet Printer - Image Transfer - DIY - Tutorial


The Decorated House: ~ How to Print on Fabric - DIY - Tutorial - Inkjet Printer Image Transfer


So why are we using the shipping label?
Good question, and if I don't answer that first 
this could be confusing! 

You can't print on fabric from you printer because the fabric is 
so flimsy. It will jam in the printer for sure.
So you are using the label to make it possible 
to get the fabric through the printer. 

All backing and paper will be removed
after you are done printing and
you will have lovely piece of art
printed on fabric!!
 ____________________________________________


Forget the spay glue adhesive and freezer paper. This is much better.
It is very easy to do and requires no messy chemicals to transfer your image to fabric. 
This tutorial will show you how to use your inkjet printer at home.
(I have read that others used their laser printers for fabric,
but I have not tried it, so I cannot say how it works from my
own experience.)

** All art in this tutorial is the original, copyrighted
art of Donna, The Decorated House. **

Click on "Continue Reading" Link Below for the Instructions:

Friday, April 3, 2015

~ Happy Easter!

The Decorated House. 2014 Decorated Easter Mantel


Wishing You
a Very, Happy Easter!


See Y'All Soon~


Sunday, March 8, 2015

~ Spring and Easter Decorating : The Decorated House

The Decorated House - Decorating for Easter Vintage & New

It's Sunday and it's sunny! Makes your heart sing for Spring, doesn't it?
Although if you still have snow or cold, I'm sure your 
heart is really, really singing loudly for Spring to come find you ... now.
And I hope you have some spring flowers soon.

The Decorated House - Easter Cloches & Abigail Bunny Art

Have a Wonderful, Happy Sunday.
See Y'All Soon~


Wednesday, March 4, 2015

~ Decorating Peat Pots for Spring and Easter

The Decorated House : Decorating Peat Pots : Altered and Decorated Peat Pots for Spring and Easter!
Looking for some fun ideas for Easter decorating? 
How about making some pretty peat pots?!

Peat pots can be found in the garden section of the big box stores, nurseries and even ol' Big Lots and Target.  They can be dressed up or left more rustic, whichever way appeals to you. My choice was to

Click on "Continue Reading" Link Below for a List of Supplies and more ....

Saturday, February 7, 2015

~ French Linen Basket Makeover : How to with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint : Basket Makeover :: by The Decorated House

Basket Makeover Using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - French Linen

Another way to store things in the kitchen is by using baskets. 
This is a very old solution that still works in today's kitchens as well. 

When choosing storage options for the kitchen, baskets are always tops on the list for many people. And for good reason, they not only add a nice hidden storage solution, but they can also bring in a touch of warmth, color and/or texture.  Somewhere along the line, I had a "collection" of sorts of these very inexpensive baskets. There were mostly out of sight, but they were also exactly the right size for a shelf area where we needed quick access to things like keys and they are in easy sight so something needed to be done to them, just to pretty them up a bit. 

So out came the ASCP again!  I've had the French Linen Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for a while, but never found the right place to use it for any accessories or furniture. However, when I tried it with the new colors in the kitchen, it was a perfect complement.

The Decorated House : How to: French Linen Basket Makeover Tutorial
You can see from the before and after that a little bit of paint makes a big difference.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

~ A Little Pink for Valentine's Day

The Decorated House :: Pink Flowers Valentine's Day Decorating

The bougainvillea is blooming and the azaleas as well. Both of them are
just in time for a little dash of pink for Valentine's Day decorating. 
Neither one last for long inside, but they are still pretty for a short time.  
So simple and lovely in a vintage milk glass urn 
with a Mercury Glass Heart beside it. 

See Y'All Soon~

Monday, January 26, 2015

~ Heart Pillow for Valentine's Day or Anytime


The Decorated House :: DIY Valentine's Day Pillow
Valentine's Day (or any day) Pillow in Neutrals
with Felt Cut Out Heart and
Fabric, Lace and Felt Flowers
----------------------------------

It's just a few short weeks until Valentine's Day! A simple way to add a bit of heart to your decor is changing out your pillows and maybe trying out something like this pretty Heart Pillow.

You can find the complete directions by clicking HERE.

The Decorated House :: How to Make Fabric Flowers

Click HERE and HERE

See Y'All Soon~