Collections From My Heart....

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Collections...I love collecting things that mean something to me...Some of my favorite collections are white dishes, books, clocks, keys, old photos, canes, umbrellas...

Decorate With Meaning...I decorate with things that have meaning to me and my family...For instance, I am a proud Texan...I try to bring things in that remind me to be grateful of that...I don't have cowboys and spurs everywhere...I like to bring in subtle things that interpret Texas...:) Stars and Rustic accents...A few good examples are my Old Saloon Bar in my game room and an old potting bench I found in Mr. Screaming Meme's home town...It is "concocted" out of old pieces of farm homes and furniture in the area...I loved it sooo much, I made him load it up on our old SUV and drive it a million miles back home, in a wind storm...lol BECAUSE it had meaning to me...and represented our past, present and future all in one! The old trunk was a piece I had found many moons ago in Amarillo, TX...I was surprised because it had my father's initials CLP on the side! I knew it was meant to be mine...I used it as a coffee table, end table, a bench and at the foot of my bed... Oddly that old, beat up trunk fit into the potting bench I drug home! It was a perfect fit! Like it was meant to be...I still get choked up, if I think about the symbolism of it...In life, we are all trying to match up and connect, as best as we can...and there are moments and connections in life that are magically right and perfect...Like it was always meant to be... White Touches...I try and bring a lot of it in to my design through pillows, slip covers, white quilt (on my bed), dishes, platters, frames and such...I think white calms the design down...So you may have outrageous decor and furnishings going on and the white balances it all out...so you can appreciate that wild, outrageous piece more... My plate wall reveal coming soon...:) XoXo, Screaming Meme

Creative Ways To Use Burlap & A How To Guide

I HEART Burlap...It brings texture and warmth to a room like no other material...I have made curtains, table cloths, covered walls, used it in all my Halloween, fall and Winter decorating... The creamy colored burlap is an excellent choice for those who want the texture...but don't want to darken the space...They have reds, blacks, greens, blues, neutrals, and creams...a color for every taste... I am drawn to the neutrals and creams...They calm the soul and have a restful feel to them...Here are some pictures of a neutral burlap on the walls... You can use glue, staples or nail heads or a combo of them to quickly get the job done...If you want to glue it to the wall...make sure to find a glue that will not discolor the burlap...

Screaming Meme's Burlap Wall Tips:

• Start at the top, pull tight and staple at the bottom...secure in the middle...

• Be careful with the staples, you don't want to see too many of them...For the most part they will not be seen...they should blend in...

• Don't use burlap near water or steam...It will discolor...A natural discoloring may occur...It is normal...It adds character...Don't if you don't like it...It is so easy to change out...

• Overlay the burlap as you go...about an inch or two over the other will work...

Have fun designing your wall...you can make a wainscoting, a full accent wall or go all the way...with a fully wallpapered burlap room...Walls are not your thing?...Use burlap in other ways...curtains, slip covered ottomans, pillows, bed skirts, table linens, piping for furniture, pillows, bedding and such...Use it to stage your home for parties, holidays and get togethers ! Use the burlap webbing to accent chairs (like the chair I made below), bulletin boards, pillows, accents rugs, and anything else you can wrap that stuff around!

The best part about burlap is it is cheap and easy to redo! So, have fun and get creative! XoXo, Meme

Mirror, Mirror On My Bathroom Wall...

We all have or have had the dreadfully massive sheet of mirror glass in our bathroom. There is a clever way to change that! Framing the mirror without glue or nails, You can use the good ole' VELCRO!

For around $40 and a couple of hours of your time, your mirror can be transformed and add to your beautifully decorated bathroom without having to hire someone to make an expensive custom frame for you!




It is so easy and simple that you will want to frame every mirror you have and your neighbors too boot! LOL! You could have a lot of friends before this is over! ;) You will want to buy the square rosettes (see photos below for reference), so you don't have to do a lot of angle cutting. You can also cut angles or have someone cut the angles for you, if you don't like the rosette idea. But, by using the rosettes you can make a straight cut. Your local Home Depot or Lowe's will cut the straight cuts for you for free! Just take your measurements with you and ask for someone to help you in the lumber area.







If you are wondering how well Velcro will stick on a bathroom mirror, you will be pleasantly surprised! It will hold up for a very long time, even with the steam...GUARANTEED! :D

Make sure to purchase the Velcro with the sticky backs.

Keep the two sides of Velcro together and stick one side to your trim. Then peel off the paper and press your trim to the mirror.

Working your way around the mirror, until all the sides are done...

And there you have it. Your very own custom framed mirror that little ole' you made yourself!

XoXo,

Screaming Meme

Open Your Eyes To Get Inspired!

Inspiration for decorating is all around us...If we stop and really look at the beauty that surrounds us...In magazines, online, store displays, on TV...whether it be a sitcom or HGTV...We can be inspired to break through and create a more beautiful space, if we just OPEN our eyes...

I am inspired by so many things...PB, Anthropologie, store displays...even the crazy and fun stores my sons' shop at...I love them all...because it widens my horizons and makes me want to break the mold and take it to the next level...

Here are some inspiring photos and my take on why they inspire me...I hope you get inspired and want to break your mold...Let's all take it to the next level and make our homes as beautiful and inviting as these lovely spaces...




I love to decorate with things I use...San Pellegrino bottles (we love this stuff...and the bottles are pretty enough to display), silverware, napkins...It makes a house feel warm and cozy...



Blow up something that makes you smile...A love letter, a piece of art your child made, anything that inspires you...I once cut out a vintage painting from a magazine and got it blown up and mounted on foam board...I framed it with a old frame...It was so beautiful and inexpensive to do!



I love the idea of using unlikely things to window treatments...You can use burlap and roll it up like a shade...The shutters here are so fun! Don't you think?




I love tall wainscoting...I think it adds character and charm to any space...I have a painted harlequin wainscoting in my entry that is tall...I think it breaks up my super tall entry and makes it more warm and welcoming...



I have always loved fun doors that surprise you...Whether it is a sliding door or a painted door with a pop of color...I think it is fun to incorporate into any space...




I love display walls...A place to hang treasures and old family photos...It is a fun way to show your favorite things off...



I love decorating with white plates...and adding real flowers makes it even more beautiful...



I love butcher block...It warms up a kitchen...Add it to an island or one side of the counters...



Did I say I loved white dishes...;) I love the idea of using a few old pitchers to house your favorite utensils!




I love the faux painted fireplace...it jumps out even more with white walls, huh? I love the striped woven rug and the old cabinet holding blankets...I love white quilts and that would be a fun way to display them!




Slip covers...I love them...I sew them and I can't get enough of them...:) I love the mirror collection on the stair wall...I love anything that you repeat over and over again...It makes an instant statement!



I love umbrellas, canes and anything that makes me feel la~tee~da...Again collecting and displaying in repetition makes an instant statement...(A FLEETING THOUGHT...I would love to wear old fashioned gloves and walk outside under a beautiful umbrella...I know...I think I was born in the wrong era...;)...Okay, on to the next photo)



Anything that is whimsical and makes me smile...I think this whale is so fun and makes you want to relax and enjoy yourself...Adding whimsy is so important in every home...



The old chalkboard...I love them...I think this is whimsical and easy to do! I am planning on making a huge leaning chalk board for my kitchen...I hope to have it done soon...Check back soon to see it!




I love the chandelier pendent in this entry...I think it makes the whole space...Think about adding one to your entry or dining space!




I am still am in love with this chair after all these years...And don't get me started on the ottoman slip cover! This chair was plain until she added a fabric bunched up behind the original buttons! Fun idea!




I love the idea of adding curtains in unexpected areas...Where can you add curtains in your home?




I love faux painted walls...It is a fun way to get the look of wallpaper without all the mess of changing it out when you are done! I am in love with padded or slip covered headboards...I am going to get rid of my beautiful cottage bed and do one of these as soon as I can...I HATE my foot board...It takes up too much space and I can't jump in and out of bed very easily...;) We went on vacation and stayed in a little cottage that had no foot board...I had soooo much fun running and jumping into bed...lol




Speaking of headboards...I love this mantle headboard! And the bedding is so beautiful and easy to recreate!



I love the simpleness of the entry...The wide framed mirror, which brings in more light...White walls, make it look so clean and refreshing...The cottage shade, so easy to do! The whimsical boots and flowers are the jewelry to this simple space!


I hope you enjoyed my inspiring photos...What inspired you to create a beautiful space? I would love to know!



XoXo, Screaming Meme

Screaming Meme's Weekend Decorating Ideas

Use books as furniture or as decor! We all have books, right? Why not use them to decorate your home!

Source: Apt Therapy Source: Blog.Litcentrel.com Source: Real Simple Invest in a sofa with a modern, informal design.... toss with an odd number of throw pillows...and you have a custom looking sofa...Change out pillows for a new, fresh look! For something more traditional, do an even number of pillows! Source: Your Cottage Decorating Hotline Source: Mimi Charmante Highlight your colored decor and furniture with a backdrop of white! White walls make color POP! Source: Luxury Furniture Design Source: Whitney Stewart Make a reading nook on one side of your sofa! Instant coziness! Source: Nabuzz (I believe a PB picture) Source: Anthropologie