Sunday, March 7, 2010

We Now Return To Our Regularly Scheduled Reading Room Re-do

Howdy folks!
Did you miss me?
I haven't taken three days off since I don't know when!
It wasn't by choice though. My pupils made me do it.
Yep, I woke up on Thursday morning and they were huge. I looked like a cast member of "People Under the Stairs". (In case you missed that one, just imagine a bunch of people forced to live in a dark basement their entire life. Now think about what their pupils would look like. Yeah, that was me on Saturday.)
Needless to say, I was pretty freaked out. Normally, when you look at a bright light your pupils get smaller. But unfortunately, my pupils weren't in the mood to move, and after several unsuccessful attempts, I finally gave up and decided to wake up Mr. LC.

"Honey?" (me)

(grumble, grumble) "Yeah?" (Kevin)

"I think I have vertigo again." (me)

(wide awake now) "Really?" (Kevin)

"Yeah. The whole room was spinning when I woke up, and my pupils are huge." (me)

(sigh) "Well, just take it easy." (Kevin)

So I did.
I took it easy for three whole days, and I'm happy to report my pupils are no longer huge. :-)

While I was "taking it easy" I managed to sew a sweet little pair of curtains for the reading room. You remember the ol' reading room...

(Move your cursor back and forth over the photo below to see how the room looked when we moved in, and how it looked as of last week.)



Well, now that Kevin is finished working on the ceiling...



...it was time for me to dress the window.

Money's tight, and vintage napkins are super cheap, so that's what I decided to use as curtains.



I bought six of them about of year ago at a flea market. Kevin was with me at the time, and I remember him looking at me like I was crazy when I held them up for his approval. The look in his eyes said, "Why do you want to buy white, linen napkins? We eat on tray tables in the living room and I can't remember the last time you used a regular napkin, let alone a fancy-schmancy white, linen one."

But boy was he happy when I pulled them out the other day and introduced them to my friend Janome...



A) because he loves window treatments, and B) because he can now justify what once seemed like the weirdest impulse purchase ever.

That little basket sitting next to my sewing machine belonged to my Grandma Evelyn. I have her pin cushion too...



I haven't sewed since before my blog was born, so I had completely forgotten about her little name tag...



And I'm not sure I ever knew my Grandpa Richard's tag was hidden inside hers...



It was a really nice surprise, and seeing them reminded me of the day they wore them. It was their 50th wedding anniversary. They rented a great big building for the celebration because they loved, and were loved by, so many people.
My Grandpa is still alive (he's 92 now), but my Grandma has been gone for eleven years now. Finding their name tags folded together like that made me think about how much I miss seeing them together.
I also thought about the time my Grandma tried to teach me how to sew on her antique machine. I never got the hang of it, but I bet she'd be so happy I managed to make friends with Janome. :-)

I started by sewing a rod pocket across the top of one of the napkins...



Then I sewed another napkin to the bottom of it...



I love a simple, "farmhouse fresh" kinda look, so I hung them on a small branch I found in the woods behind our house...



I adore the way the sunlight filters through them, and the little embroidered bits make me smile every time I see them...



I did buy a new pillow cover from Pottery Barn to use on the smaller pillow in the middle of the bed...



There's something about blue and white stripes that just drives me wild!

And come to think of it, I've got quite a thing for Pottery Barn's pick-stitch bedding too...



...and their Medici pattern (which is now discontinued) is not only beautiful, but a whole lot of fun to say too. Kevin has worked it into conversation a number of times since we bought these pillow covers, and our dogs name (Max) has morphed into "Medici" on more than one occasion as well.



I'm totally diggin' the way the pillows coordinate with the sheets now...




(TJ Maxx)

Our design plan continues to evolve, so there are still lots of things to do before the room is ready for it's big reveal. Kevin spent part of today building some shelves for the wall on the right...





His feelings aren't the only thing he wears on his sleeve...



I'll be back soon with some more pics of his handsome, new handiwork.

'Til then, cheers!



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59 comments:

The Little Red Shop said...

What a sweet post, Layla! I really enjoyed it and can't wait to see the reveal of your lovely reading room!

: )

Julie M.

ps I'm happy that your are back and feeling better.

Mott said...

Wow! You guys are amazing! I love following your blog and watching the changes you make! You are both blessed to have one another and share such a common thread! Keep up the good work and I'll be waiting for the final reveal! Time for bed for all of us now!

Jeannine 520 said...

Very nice but that reading room really needs a cat.

DustyLu said...

Sorry to hear about your Vertigo. Thats no fun. My mom has it pretty bad some times. Be sure and rest. Great job on the curtains! Love the room and the ceiling turned out amazing..Thanks for the inspiration. ~lulu

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Layla, so glad the vertigo is gone again. That's so not fun. What IS fun is the napkin curtains! Love them. {added bonus was your sweet grandparent's name tags}Lidy

Rusty x said...

The room is looking amazing, I love your idea of using a tree branch instead of a curtain pole, genius!

Rusty -x-

Anonymous said...

Loving your blog and your room looks so welcoming and beautiful!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The room looks fabulous. I love the curtains. Can't wait to see the shelves. I really need some of those. Have a great day. Hugs,Marty

Unknown said...

Love the branch as a curtain rod : ) I am using vintage hotel hangers for my curtain rods in the new living room.

And vertigo sucks, my mom had it. Not fun. Glad you are feeling better now!

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

I'm glad you are doing better and enjoyed a little break. Your curtain looks so cute. I can't wait to see it all put together.
Take care!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Love linen...love those sweet curtains! Your before and after pictures are amazing. I am sure you know how lucky you are to have such a handy man to make your projects (and dreams) come true!
Your sweet sentiments regarding your grandparents are touching...I feel the same way about mine and treasure the things I have that were once theirs. Happy Sunday to you!
Laura :)

Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt said...

So glad to know you are feeling better. I can only imagine how scary that must have been, but my dear...you deserve a break. The room is redefining the word lovely. I can only imagine how more delicate and soul filling it will be upon its completion.

Cheers~
e

Alyssa said...

Layla, I think you need to go work for Pottery Barn and be head of their design team. They don't know what they are missing! You have theeee best ideas, Layla! Love the curtains and the stick for a curtain rod! Brilliant! Thanks for sharing those sweet name tags too ;)

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Layla, so glad you are feeling better. Loved hearing about about the progress you are making on your reading room re-do, especially all of your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Layla,

So happy you were able to get the needed rest and recover.
I love the napkins repurposed to curtains. Beautiful.
Check out my video. I thought of you when I saw the paint can! :)

Deborah

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

I can't wait to see all your updates. The little curtains add that vintage touch and I love Pottery Barns new striped pillow as well. It is a great addition to your room. Thanks for sharing all your hard work. It's so fun to follow your projects!

Unknown said...

Curtains are adorable, thanks for "sharing" your grandma with us.
Glad your feeling better :)

Sarah AKA The Thriftress said...

I love how you used a stick for the window treatments. Makes me want to rummage around in the woods for a stick of my own. The room is coming together- looks beautiful as is. I can't believe there's more!
Sarah

Unknown said...

The curtain napkins hanging on the branch are adorable!

C.J. said...

love the way the room turned out! I learn so much from you, thanks!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

The room is really coming together so well. It is beautiful. And I love your new curtains made out of the napkins. And especially the branch for a curtain rod. So clever! Can't wait to see the finished shelves. Isn't it sweet that you still have your Grandparent's nametags from their anniversary party. Such great memories! Glad to hear that you are feeling much better. Take care of yourself. Love & blessings from NC!

Mom in High Heels said...

I'm glad you're feeling better. I love your little reading room so much. I just want to stare at it. Or better yet come over and curl up with a book in it. I can't wait to see the big reveal.

My Cottage Charm said...

Oh how I have missed you! I just kept coming back and checking your blog....I was getting worried, you've never been gone that long before! LOL I'm SO glad you're feeling better!
Now to that room re-do.....absolutebeautimus! I'm allowed to make up words right? :) I love those little vintage napkins! Next time Kevin will trust your instinct about what you're buying and maybe won't give you "the" look. :) I get the "look" from my hubs on occasion, but not as much anymore, because he's begun to trust what I do with with those treasures. :)
Have a happy Sunday...I'm home from church with a headache, but I did get up long enough to check on you and see if were back among the living. :-) So glad you are!

julie said...

Layla,
thank you, thank you!!!!
I have a wonderful home built in 1890. I faised 8 kids and never seemed to find the time to really find the heart of my home. My kids are always saying when you die (thanks, I'm only 52) "I want this house it has so much potential." Well heck, why should they get to enjoy all that potential??? So you've inspired me. I've always been a thrifty shopper, but now I'm redoing and putting them into use. I'm having so much fun and slowly things are comming together. thanks again, you make my heart smile and I roll up my sleeve and get to it.

jen @ homeinthecountry said...

Oh my goodness! Glad to hear you're feeling better, and love your new little curtains! What a sweet idea! Thanks for sharing!

Screaming Meme said...

My beautiful, big pupiled girl...You are so cute...:) I did get a visual of you underneath stairs with your wide eyes and big pupils...As cute as you are...You scared me...:) I'm a visual girl...I see things very dramatic...You are probably the same...That is probably why we are Interior Designers...Because we are visual people...:) I loved your sweet curtains...and as for money being tight...Hmmm? I think you'll be rich someday with your talents...Meme

The Pennington Point said...

I love vintage linens. I can never pass them up. I always think about how someone stitched those by hand and I know how much time it took. I know I am the only person that will fully appreciate it, so I have to buy them. LOL! I'm looking forward to the seeing the finished room. I got the idea from you to put a striped wall in the little room we just built. Lisa~ www.livingmybestlifeii-lisa.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

That little room is going to be so fabulous. It already is, so I can't imagine what else you're going to do to make it even better.

I love those sweet little curtains. Can't wait to see the whole picture.

Anonymous said...

So glad you are feeling better! I had that once and it was scary. My neighbor would get it so often her ENT decided to place tubes in her ears. If you have this problem again you may want to see a ENT. ((hugs)) to you and Kevin. Miss you! Susie Bloop~

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Truly lovely! Love the sentimental sewing items for your grandmother. That makes them so special. Your sewing project is fabulous...I'm mentally scanning all the linens I have hidden away. Looking forward to see the new shelves! :)

Amy

P.S. So glad you are feeling well. Vertigo is not a fun experience.

Virginia said...

Hi Layla, Here are some things that help me fend off a vertigo attack. Mine are debilitating so I've learned as many tricks as I can to avoid one...
* Very low sodium diet...and I mean very low. Under 800 mg a day. This one trick has helped me the most.
* Watch the weather. I've noticed that when a front moves through the change in barometric pressure can set off an attack.
* When you feel an attack coming on, immediately stop what you are doing and stare at a straight horizontal line on the wall as you take deep breaths. Do this for several minutes.
* Looking down at a keyboard sometimes sets mine off so I have my keyboard propped up at a high angle.
* Listening to headphones and strobe light effects set mine off.

As you probably know, there is really nothing that can be done for the problem medically that is 100 percent effective so I hope these tricks help your symptoms a bit. Gin

Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs said...

I love your new curtains! I have some napkin curtains & placemat curtains in my kitchen. I love making ordinary things with unique pieces...and vintage napkins are so sweet looking when made into fluttery, light filtering curtains! Also, love the little stick that you hung the curtains on. It is so very sweet!

Blessings, Grace

Unknown said...

Well, while everyone else has commented either on the loveliness of the new window treatment (a given, something we've all come to expect)or on the agony of vertigo (makes me dizzy even contmeplating the sensation), I'd rather commend you for the remembrances of your grandparents brought on by the sewing box and the nametags. Our past clings to special things.

Lotusphx said...

Beautiful use of the linens! they are just lovely... glad you are feeling better!

Julie Johnson said...

What a beautiful room! Can't wait to see the final reveal. This is making me want to redo my reading room. Right now the walls are chocolate brown. I'm thinking I need to lighten it up a bit! Feel better!

Kathysue said...

Layla, sorry about the vertigo, but am glad to hear you are better and creating again. Love the linen napkin curtains. Nothing prettier than soft linen blowing in the breeze. So far it is all look wonderful. Looking forward to seeing the reveal, have a great rest of the weekend,Kathysue

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Glad you're feeling better and that you took a rest for a few days. Sometimes our bodies tell us when we need to slow down.

I love the vintage napkin curtains and I can't wait to see how the whole room looks.

Anonymous said...

Layla,
You are just such a natural at your decorating. Love that you do it so well but you do it on a budget. (a budget close to mine!) Thanks for the teaser on the room - I loved it already...can't imagine how beautiful it will be with those new curtains! Hurry with more pictures!

Rachelle said...

Glad you're feeling better. I was wondering what happened to you. :)

Can't wait to see the whole room!

Rachelle

Erin Southwell said...

Those linen curtains are to die for!!!! AWESOME!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Everything you touch seems to turn out beautifully. I can't wait to see the finished room!

Unknown said...

So glad you're back up to speed. Thanks for all that you do. You were missed during your (much deserved) rest. Looking forward to the new and improved reading room!

Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautiful said...

Hi Layla! I've been a stalker for quite a while now (over a year, I think?) but I haven't commented often (shame on me!) Anyway, I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. It's funny b/c my hubby was just diagnosed with virtigo. It looks like what we thought were frequent ear infections were actually boughts of vertigo. Have you experienced vertigo before? Have you found anything particularly helpful?

Loving all the beautiful changes in the reading room! I was also inspired to sew by my grandmother. How neat that you have her sewing basket!

Robyn said...

Glad your eyes are back to normal...that sounds crazy for you! I love when you come across a little momento that gives a tiny flashback. I was cleaning out my glass fronted cabinets in the kitchen tonight and came across one of our beloved doggies who has passed collar. The memories just flooded!

Your curtains are LOVELY! Can't wait for the final reveal of the reading room...my favorite room EVER!

Robyn said...

Okay, my post made it sound like I came across the dog who had passed away. CORRECTION: IT was has collar. I'm such an air head!

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

I'm so glad your eyes are dilating properly - did you google what could have been the problem (I google everything).

I love your sweet hankerchief drapes. What a cozy room you have created.

Jennifer@Pieces of Me said...

I love love your room redo! And my Daddy's name is Richard Morris! LOL

Anonymous said...

the curtains look beautiful, love the curtain rod idea too.
alicia

Anonymous said...

Nice idea on the curtains. I would have never thought to sew them together like that!

I started a new blog and am inviting you to come on over and have a look.

Melissa

Michelle Alexandra said...

I can't wait to see more. I love the curtains.

michelle @ blissful musings
http://www.blissfulmusings.com/blog/

Elizabeth said...

I love the stripes on the wall - I'm thinking of doing something just like that in our bathroom! Great curtains, too!

Carolyn {SweetTeaandLinen} said...

So glad you are feeling better. The ceiling looks fabulous. I love what you did with the light..and the curtains..so pretty! You two are creative geniuses!

angela | the painted house said...

Next time your eyes do that, call me and you can talk to Clayton. That sounds so scary!

I know what you mean about wanting to see your grandparents together again. I still can't get used to my grandfather being gone.

Ashley Schott said...

Your reading room is my favorite! Those curtains are so fantastic. What a great idea!! I love love love the curtain rod. Super cool.

Susan Dench said...

The curtains just look so summery! Glad you are feeling better!

Rachel said...

Love your blog! I left you a blog award over at my place! COme and get it!

Beach House 27 said...

Great post - Just picked up some linen napkins at an estate sale over the weekend - I am so going to stitch up a curtain for the back door!

Thanks for the inspiration -
Marsha

Bohemian chic said...

Oh my goodness. Those napkins and the twig. What a sweet and simple touch. You never cease to amaze.

Angie @ Flibbertigibberish said...

What darling curtains! So sweet and simple.

I giggled after I read this line: "There's something about blue and white stripes that just drives me wild!" and then scrolled down to see your handsome hubby wearing blue and white stripes! Too cute. (Was that planned?)