Making over the living room, one piece at a time.

Mr Tightwad Frugal is not a happy man these days. One piece by one piece his beloved sectional is leaving. First let me explain that this was never intended to go into the living room. Ever. It came home from the cabin and was put to use after our house fire a decade ago. This year, I've reached the limit of my patience. First the recliner went out the front door. Of course Mr. Tightwad Frugal was not home at the time. And when he came in was astounded to be greeted by his beloved lying topsy turvy in the front courtyard. (To digress, we left for dinner and the our yard crew came. We noticed the fresh cut grass. When I saw Jesse a few weeks later I asked him what he thought. And being kind and not wanting to admit he had noticed, he shyly said that he had looked for Mr. Tightwad Frugal's clothes.)

Then, on our anniversary he came home to find the corner piece of the sectional had been heaved out the patio door. He just looked at me quite pitiful and said "I have no place to sit". I said "Then go shopping." Of course Mr. Tightwad Frugal did not. In the mean time, we've had a party and still he hasn't been motivated. So this week I took matters in my own hands. I went shopping. Sunday I even took Mr. Tightwad Frugal with me. As I was looking for a chair, he was wandering. When I finally found him, he was enveloped in a recliner the size of a sofa that had to be plugged in!! No joke, it was electric. Nope, not going to happen.

 We went to one store, then stopped at another and I narrowed his choice to two chairs. Both recliners, neither looks the part.

Do you like this one? Do you like that one? Yes they both recline. Try it out. Is it comfortable? Why did I take him along. So we settled on these two chairs. Buying neither one and thanks to my cell phone, I was able to come home with digital photos.

So I came home and crudely photoshopped the one chair into the picture of the room. Granted it's not quite to size and not the same angle.. It does however give you an idea of what the chair will look like. We both loved this chair in the store. But it's a bit too formal for our lifestyle. (If you don't have photoshop, print your pictures out and then just cut out the chair and place it "into" the toom).

Chair two was much more to our liking. More casual and more in the direction for which we are striving - Santa Fe goes to Europe. So back to the store I went on Wednesday of this week. I wanted one more look at both chairs. This time I armed myself with pillows, throws and pictures. Chair two had one more piece of fabric around the sides and back that read a bit too yellow for my liking.

I called Mr. Tightwad Frugal and said I'd bought a chair. He asked which one.. well not one you've seen was the answer. I could hear his eyes rolling and the gears spinning. The chair will be delivered on Saturday. Will he like it? And yes, it is a recliner. (the pillows on the chair are some from some couches at the store, to help figure out if the taupe couch I desire will go nicely - it will)

Next a 100" couch - which seems to be elusive at the moment. But I'm making headway.

I cherish old....

My grandmother's "Paradekissenbezug"... for decoration only pillow cases. Seriously. This way in case you were bedridden and people came to visit, you would show off your wonderful pillowcases. Actually, my grandmother had two sets of down pillows on her bed. One to sleep on, which was behind the one with the beautiful covers. The work on this set of pillow cases (which I've altered to fit a regular bed pillow from the Euro-square format) is done painstakingly by hand. 

Beautiful padded monograms, decorative floral embroideries and "entredeux" stitched directly onto the pillow case. Oma did most of this work herself. 

In turn, I spend most of my sewing time on my machine. Drawnthread work, decorative stitches, linen fabric. 

Satin-stitched edges, corded for additional stability. Gathered up with a tasseled cord.

Decorative pillows. Those are my Paradekissen.  Made my hand. Delicate stitches. Classic fabrics. French lace.

Bobbin-play on the sewing machine with cording and silk ribbon. Embroidery by machine. Click on the link to learn more about machine sewn bobbin play.

Simple stitches laid down to create floral accents.

Rose embroidery with rayon threads.

Now to figure out what to do with that window!!!!

I think the roosters have exploded!

 I've revisited some of my posts to see just how many of the roosters in the house have made their public debut. I'm surprised that they are not all here.. I do have a few more than this, but I'll save them for another time...
A tree top - a silver napkin ring.

The kitchen christmas tree.  Enlarge the picture and you'll see another rooster towards the top beneath the wine cork ornamament.

 Embroidered roosters on placemats.

 

 Perfect for a Breakfast table.

 Monsier Le Coq to bid you good morning...

 Fitz and Floyd roosters under a chicken wire cloche.

 Rooster plates, centerpiece and napkin rings combine with black and white buffalo check and red for a very graphic table setting.

 A rooster plate on display in the kitchen. A treasured gift from my daughter in law.

 I think you've seen this one before. But not the embroidered rooster on the tea cozy!

 And a rooster lamp in front of the fowl painting. There is a rooster on the hay pile on the right in the picture too!

 A rooster bedecked antique egg warmer.

 My dear nephew drilled the hole in the back of the wine bottle so that I could electrify this gorgeous bottle.

 Covered a craft lampshade with a gingham, embellished with a blue trim and then added an embroidered band with what else??? another rooster.

Glad you came by for a visit. And although there are a lot of roosters in this post.. they aren't out all the time at home.. I think. Maybe that isn't totally true. :-)...

I'm connecting with the rooster party at Bella Vista.. be sure to check out the rooster party happening there on Friday. There are so many great decorating ideas!!

Welcome to brunch on our patio!

I'm so glad you dropped in today! The weather is perfect and we can sit outside in the shade of the fruitless mulberry.

You'd like to help out? Sure, let's set the table together. I've already layered a blue linen table cloth from Williams Sonoma under a yellow and white cotton on. And the tray is on the table with all the things we'll need.

Looks like a tray full of sunshine and fun.

The fresh Gerbera daisies mixed in with the fresh greenery are just perfect for today. The touch of orange just picks up the color of the plates we'll be using today.

 The white carnations are still fresh from last week and add just the right amount of color, don't you think?

I love this flatware too! I was able to pick up settings for 12 recently at Tuesday Morning. The pearlized handles are so much fun.

The napkins are a memento from Cancun a couple of years ago. Simply rolled up into a sausage and inserted into silver banded in brass napkin rings.

This is really old. It belonged to my grandmother in law. I don't think anyone wanted it and so I've been enjoying it for the last 30 or so years. It's Mexican silver with etched and cut glass inserts. The inside holds a votive candle holder and candle.

Dishes are from Le Cadeaux in the Lisbon pattern. Oh you didn't know melamine could be this much fun? Well when the little ones join us we will nothing over which to fuss. It's all very child friendly. I love this for large groups also when you can't really keep an eye on every body!

I don't polish my silver much. I use it. And with use, it keeps the polishing to a minimum!

 This pitcher came from a garage sale. Although I can't remember which one, I remember the lovely time with my sister-in-law! We had a blast!

Looks like we are almost finished. The glass hurricane on the silver candle stick was also used in last week's tablescape! Just a different candle holder. No that candle isn't a special size...I just purchase one closest to the correct height and then cut off the bottom until the candle is below the hurricane. Having a candle sharpener helps - it works like a pencil sharpener and rounds the cut edges for easy insertion.

I've mixed all heights of candles. It makes it more fun. And yes, I'll burn them even if it is the middle of the day! You'll see, it just sets the mood.

Large cushy pillows make for nice chatting!

Good idea you had plucking some variegated vinca from the yard. I like how it drapes down the side of the silver pitcher. It seems to double itself due to the reflection.

I think they meant these plates to mimic authentic Talavera.

So as you see, no need to worry, the kids will be fine. Nothing breakable that they will be using.

These silver goblets? A family heirloom? Not ours but I'm sure somebody's. I found them on ebay!

I love the intricate scroll work on the stems. Such nice detail.

See, even in the sunshine, the candles add a bit of luxury.

Thanks for helping with the table.. now let's go get some food from the kitchen and enjoy the afternoon!

Thanks for dropping in. I'm glad that you can share the day with me. I'll be linking this post to Susan's wonderful Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps on the Porch.. just click the picture below!