October 6

Lots going on, lots to tell. I know I usually try and pack too much into a post, so for today I'll just share a quick project I did yesterday and a coupon (just in case you missed it).

So standing in the kitchen, looking into the family room, has looked liked this for a couple three years now.

Historically, where that arched doorway is, there was a regular door leading into a dark little substandard one car garage. We knocked it down and built the family room in it's place 7 years ago, which was one of the smartest things we've ever done. Anyhoo, the wallpaper I applied to the backs of the two cabinets was one of the first rolls I ever bought and I was an idiot when it came to working with it and very wet glue--you see for yourself it just wasn't too attractive. I finally got sick of looking at it and started shopping for 'vintage wallpaper' on ebay. First I didn't read a description well enough and bought a *sheet* of paper as opposed to a roll. Then I bought a roll of juvenile/nursery paper because I'm so fond of them but of course that still didn't help with these cabinets. Then I bought a roll which I wasn't too sure at all about but the colors were just so perfect for the kitchen and the red Hall china I had to at least give it a try.

The roll was just shy of two inches too short to cover the entire back without piecing, so I thought "scrapbook paper"! The wallpaper itself is kinda scrapbooky, don't you think? 

I took a snippet to the local SB store and picked this green because in real life it's a pretty good match and because of the scalloped border. The above pic is a tip for how I hid the cuts (the paper was a 12" square); I cut each strip (about 10 inches) to to begin and end hidden behind a shelf.

 I also got to use that adorable scalloped wood trim I found at Michael's a couple years ago. Don't know if they still carry it...I would think they do, but I'm glad I bought it when I did.

I know it looks pretty busy in the photo, with that wall quilt in the middle, but when you're in the kitchen and not looking beyond it's a pretty good fix. Much better than the old look anyway!

Speaking of Michaels, Martha Stewart was on Oprah yesterday. Here's a coupon for 50% off any one of her item's at Michael's. The way I understand it, the coupon will disappear from Oprah's website tonite, but is good (one per day) between now and the 16th. So print a few! 

Be back soon.

Comments

[Fran.]

That is so awesome! What a great look behind your red dishes!! Your home is so bright and cheery!! Great fix with the scrapbook paper. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to step back and think doesn't it? But I think you rocked it! You have a beautiful studio too, which is what brought me over to look at your blog. Take care, XO Fran.

[nanette]

Holy Cow I'm in love with it. I have a little bit of vintage fabric close to that print. I wonder what scrap book company makes that paper. I absolutely LOVE your redo. So so so cute. It would look great at my house!

[pam]

I'm weepy looking at those, the wallpaper is wonderful. I'm so tempted to just try and copy the whole thing but finding vintage wall paper like that would take too much time. I have plenty of trim though, in two sizes so I'm set there.

You always are an inspiration JenDuncan. xo

[Mary Ann]

Way to cute for words...I think i had that wallpaper in my kitchen in the 70's...oh wait, it was yellow, orange and green with BIG flowers!

[jackie sue]

What a homey, cozy feel! LOVE the red,and love you too!

[georgiapeachez]

That is a perfect fix, love that vintage paper, the scallops and everything about it :->

[tracy nuskey dodson]

love, love, love the paper! and that scrapbook paper fits it perfectly. you know how i love red so i'm swooning over that cabinet:)

in our parts, if you use an AC Moore coupon (which are 40%) at Michaels, they give you 50% off. i don't know if it's a nation wide thing but give it a try! maybe you don't have an AC Moore near you...in that case you're S.O.L.

Tracy