5/24/2009

It's Metamorphosis Monday!

Hello my friends! I hope that all of you are having a blessed and safe Memorial Day weekend!!!

Today is Metamorphosis Monday...hosted by our very own Susan over at Between Naps On The Porch! If you haven't ever been over to Susan's place...you really must go! Let's go over and see what kind of metamorphosis that Susan has to show us this week! While we're there...we can check out all of the other Met Monday participants!

But first...let me show and tell you about the metamorphosis that has been taking place at my house!

My Frenchy Studio/Office
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Many of my blogging friends know that I've been working on my new Frenchy studio/office for a couple of months now. I am really enjoying my new studio/office and have had a blast designing and decorating it!!!
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Today for Met Monday, I thought I would show you a few "before", "during", and "after" photos!

"Before"


Before my Frenchy studio/office...
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This room was my step-son's bedroom and of course there is a long story to go with this transition but I'll give you the short version today...hehe!
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My 15 yr. old step-son moved to his "hip" new pad (previously known as the bedroom) into our basement. Hmmm...what to do with an empty room??? No problem...I didn't waste much time claiming this new space as my own...for my new Frenchy studio/office!
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"During"
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The New China Hutch
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I have recently acquired my mother-in-law's china hutch. I just love this hutch and really treasure it!!! There was only one slight problem...I had no where to put it! This beautiful china hutch was the start of the entire transition of what was previously a bedroom into what was to become my studio/office! You know...the "domino effect"!
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We moved the bed out...and the china hutch in!
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You can see that the antique garden gate that I was using for the headboard is still on the wall. I took all the wall art down...just stacked it on the floor...would I use it in my new studio/office?
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Hmmm...so many design decisions! Hehe!



The first step...filling my new china hutch! Oooh...that was an easy decision! Hehe!
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As you can see, I started to play with what I would put on top of the hutch.
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I also brought in all kinds of wall art...some of which were old family photos that were in some really beautiful antique frames. I just brought it all in...to get a feel for what I wanted to do in this room!
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"After"


This is the "after" photo!
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After many fun hours of planning and playing!!! I won't guarantee that these changes will be final...you know how we are! Hehe! My home is ever evolving!!!



This area of the wall is just to the left of the china hutch.

I found this pretty frenchy mirror on ebay...it was $9...and I just love it! I took a frenchy looking silver ornament and hung it over the top of the mirror with a black organza ribbon! It just added a little more interest to the mirror. I found this ornament at Hobby Lobby's after Christmas sale. It was marked down 90%...only cost .39 cents...I bought several of them! Isn't it pretty?

This is one of the old family photos that we just received from my father-in-law's estate! The little boy in the center is my husband's grandfather. I just adore this photo and look at the beautiful antique frame!



A vignette is born...

Well...as you can see...I changed what I had previously started with for the top of the china hutch.


I wanted to do a pretty vignette on top. I found the black (frenchy) birdhouse at an Antique shop...it was only $2! I placed an autumn colored vine at the foot of the bird house and nestled a sweet little violin into the vine. This violin was one of my honey's toys when he was only 4 yrs. old! Isn't it sweet? A couple of old hat boxes found their way to the center of this vignette...I'm not sure that I like them here or not...but for the meantime, they'll stay! I placed a stack of old books on the end of the hutch...a decorative iron crown with a little bird in the center sits atop the books!



Now you can see the black bird house a little better. This cute little bird house stands upon a 10" pole. See...even the bird house has a frenchy design on it...it was perfect for my frenchy studio/office! I love how the autumn colored vine, with its little berries, looks with the black bird house! The little violin makes the reddish browns of the vine pop!


Ohhh...I do love my decorative iron crown! It has fleur de lis all over it! My little ceramic bird seems to have found a happy place to nest right in the center of the crown!




Well my friends...this is just one stage of the metamorphosis taking place in my frenchy studio/office! Next Met Monday...I hope to show you what I did with that antique garden gate...so stay tuned!!! Hehe!
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Thank you so much for coming by...I really enjoy your visits...please leave me a comment and let me know you were here! I'd love to pay you a little visit too!!!
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Happy Met Monday!
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Love ya'll,
Chari

32 comments:

Barbara Jean said...

Chari,
That is absolutely, no words can say, beautiful and wonderful.
I so love it. The hutch, the black birdhouse,( a fave) the leaves/berries with violin, the crown and little bird (my other faves). can't believe those two did not come together when you got them. They are perfect together.

You have wonderful eye for decorating. I'll hang around and maybe it will rub off.

Blessings, and look forward to seeing the rest.
barbara jean

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Chari,
I hope your week-end is going well my dear. This is just a fabulous Met Monday post! I love the beautiful hutch and the mirror and that family pic is just the neatest. Everything you have done on top, from the violin to the cute little birdie is so pretty and frenchy. I love how you put things together, what a talent you have my dear, I can't wait for the rest. Hugs and all, Cindy

Keetha Broyles said...

Is it a real violin??? Looks like one. I played violin in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade - - - when I got to high school I REFUSED to play any longer. Told my parents I was tooooo busy with other things there. Which of course I was busy, but also I just didn't enjoy playing. The violin is a rather difficult instrument.

I DO admire others who play beautifully - - - they must have had more grit and violin determination than I had.

One more totally unrelated thing - - - I PLAN to be involved in your Reruns for a LONG time to come!!! Having started my blog in June of 06, I have A LOT of old posts to peruse and repost. I started at the very first ones and so far I'm only up to October 06 in my reposting - - - so I have a WAY to go.

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Chari, I love the way you thought outside the box - you put the hutch in a bedroom. What a gorgeous anchor piece for your office! And I love all the touches you added with meaningful items. Beautiful! Linda

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Happy Memorial day to you my Dear friend...girl I love what you did with the mirror...and of course that photo of Russell's family is to die for..Where did you find the crown...I have been looking for one and can't find one..Love yoyr Lynne bird my friend...every time I look at mine I think of her and miss her even more sighs...Its all looking great my friend...May you have a wonderful day...Love ya sis...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

KBeau said...

Looks like you have a good thing going. Can't wait to see more.

Stacey said...

I have enjoyed watching that transformation over time. In fact, I think the very first time I came to your blog you were working on that room. I love it!!

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

Good morning my sweet friend! We're expecting more rain Memorial day! I've still got plants to get in the ground! I loved seeing your frenchy study! You are the queen of vignettes dahling!! I like the hatboxes! And you know you have to listen to my decorating advice! (LOL) I hope your day is grand! God Bless you Chari! Lauralu :)

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I love the garden gate for a headboard. Where did you find that crown? You've done a wonderful job of putting everything together and making it all look so charming.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fabulous idea to have a room full of all your favorite things. I love the vignette you created on the top of the hutch, and the mirror and pictures are just lovely. I look forward to seeing the finished room. Hugs, Marty

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

WOW!!! SENSATIONAL! What a lovely transformation.......although it was fabulous BEFORE too! :-)

Hugs,
Spencer

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Chari,
Wow!!! What a wonderful frenchy room!!! You have done wonders mmaking this such a lovely office!!! I love the hutch you inherited and you truely have made it your own with all of your special touches.

It is always such a pleasure to drop by and see what you have been up to!!! I can't wait to return!!!

Have a wonderful Memorail Day!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Melissa Miller said...

I just LOVE it all Chari!
What a perfect MM!

I hope you are having a fabulous holiday weekend.
Love ya, ~Melissa :)

Sharing with Sherri said...

Hi Chari!
Looks like you've been having some FUN girlfriend! Your makeover is "LOOKING GOOD"!!

You said something about wanting to learn how to do a mosaic.
Now I don't know how the others are doing there's but I did mine by using Microsoft's Digital Image Standard 2006 Editor Program that came with my computer package. It's real easy, the program has several collage creators all set up, you just transfer pics from your pics folders. If you don't have that program I'm sure there are similiar programs that have a collage feature too. Maybe you can find a free download if you need one! Hope this helps!

Hugs, Sherri:)

Anonymous said...

HI Chari! Oh, this is just marvelous! What a wonderful piece of furniture to have to store and display so many pretties! I just love everything!
be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Chari...you are soooo creative! I love how you put everything together...it's so beutiful! I love that you hung the ornament over the mirror...great idea! I did that with a wreath in my dining room and just love this idea! You had asked about the height of the chair rail in my dining room. I just measured it and it's 31 inches from the floor to the top of the chair rail. I think that may be pretty standard but I'm not sure...I do like that height. Thanks for an awesome Met Monday post! I love seeing what you are up to in this Frenchy studio...it is so much fun seeing the changes! You alway have such wonderful, inspirational ideas and you are a sweetheart to share them with us!
Hugs!
Susan

Charity said...

I love the vignette on the top of the hutch! That is one thing that I really need to work on here. Mine is an empty space asking to be made beautiful! :) Thanks for sharing!

Chandy said...

Love the new studio, Chari! I love that new hutch. If you ever change your mind about it, I'm more than willing to give you my home address. LOL

Oh, I don't know what happened to my name yesterday for Mr. Linky. I linked up but then my system slowed down so maybe it didn't take it?

You know I'll be joining in every Sunday cause it's so neat to have new readers for past post. Like I said, genius! ;-)

Deanna said...

Hi Chair!
My goodness, you really put a lot of work into that room but wow! It looks so beautiful and I have to say that the before picture is just as sweet. I'm totally loving that oval frame.

Deanna :D

Nancy Rosalina said...

Chari, It all looks so beautiful! What fun you must have had! Hope you are having a wonderful week! Nancy

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Beautiful makeover, Chari!!

Anonymous said...

Great job!! Love the hutch!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Chari,
I just had hubby take a tour of your Switzerland trip and I kept hearing ooh and wow's. I love the cute note you left, I need to keep from posting when I'm tired. I also think the my hormones are messing up my brain. LOL, How do you get your pics so big? Is there a setting I'm not aware of? Hugs and all, Cindy

Karen said...

Hello! I am here from sweet Miss CIndy's at Applestone Cottage. I just love her. Saw your blog as a favorite and had to come visit!
Very fun re-do! I just did the same thing myself with my youngest son's bedroom - now Mom's "office/guest room".
Hutches can you into trouble! Read my last two posts and you'll see why!
I am in LOVE with the crown and bird on the top of the hutch!
Am so happy to be following along with you now!
Have a great day! Karen

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Chari, this looks fabulous! I knew it would. I adore that violin. How wonderful that you were able to use so many treasures from your husband's family. Loveyour bird inside the pretty crown! You have so many pretties to view while you're in your office, I'm not sure you'll get much office stuff done! LOL! laurie

Sonia said...

Chari,

I love love the garden gate as a headboard...so pretty and original! Your vignette with the black birdhouse and violin is gorgeous!! I really love your style girl...your office/studio is so pretty! Hope you have a good week-I'm just now getting to look at some posts from the other day..Take care and hugs to you my friend! Miss Bloomers/Sonia

Joyce said...

You have such an interesting home and I love all the things I spy in your china cabinet.
Joyce

xinex said...

Awww, I saw Lynne's birdie and I am just missing her again. I wish we could hear from her. I LOVE your new office, Chari! You did such a great job on it, love all the elements and all the Frenchy stuff....Christine

janet said...

Chari, im so glad you found a spot for this lovely cabinet and what fun to have a whole room to yourself to decorate. So far, it looks absolutely beautiful, i can hardly wait to see the whole room done, i just know its going to be gorgeous.
hugs
janet

Dixie said...

Chari... I love your new space... and that last photo is an absolute work of art...

playing a little catch up today!

blessings. Dixie

vickie said...

Fantastic! I love the crown with the little birdie inside! Beautiful job!

Linda Q said...

Chari, fun room, coming along nicely. I know it is always hard to figure out spaces for those odd pieces of furniture that we are given and don't want to part with.
I like how you used the wall piece in the window like a grill, cleaver.
Ok now I have to go and look at other photos from your home.
Hugs, Linda