Thrift Store Scrolls
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scroll-y work of art.
It was one of those thrift finds thatone picks up,
looks at with curiosity,
tries to figure out whatever could be done with said item,
puts it back,
and then repeats the process
several times
until
inspiration finally hits,
curiosity is resolved
and the item is purchased.
Next I found a font on the computer that I liked and printed the word "Welcome." I rubbed the backside of the paper with chalk so that I could transfer the image onto the MDF by tracing over the text.
I painted the letters---three coats were needed in order to cover the deep red base coat.
A couple of wood rosettes were added to each end of the board. 
Then two small holes were drilled to thread wire through in order to attach the board to the scroll. 
Sometimes it pays to pick up a curious thrift store item several times until inspiration hits!
Address This
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My client shares a long driveway with her neighbors. She wanted a way to let people know which home was theirs. I thought about making something like this
to show off her address, but she also asked for items that were low maintenance.
I walked the aisles of the home improvement store until I discovered the electrical section. I purchased a long conduit pipe, two bent sections,
and a bag of joiners. 
I also picked up address numbers and a small piece of galvanized sheet metal.
Mr. JofH cut the pipe and assembled the frame. He backed the sheet metal with cedar boards so the numbers could be screwed in, then hung the address from the frame with a few links of chain.
I was thrilled with the no maintenance, simple industrial look and so was my client.
You're So Vane
>I found these vanity benches at different times years ago at thrift stores.
I bought the second thinking that it was an exact match to the first. It wasn't. The legs are different but fortunately the size is the same. They sat in my storage room until I found this darling fabric. 
It's too light weight for upholstery fabric so I knew that if I were going to use it on a piece of furniture it would have to something that wouldn't be used every day. That's when I remembered the benches. I knew that with a little makeover they would finally find a home.
With a little Mediterranean Blue spray paint to unite them, and cushy new tops for comfort, those worn out benches now look fresh and new.
They now reside at the foot of the bed in the guest room.
(And I might have just enough fabric left to cover that small pillow!)
Everybody Loves a Monogram
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A great way to indicate where you live (along with your address) is to hang a huge monogram just outside your door.
I purchased an big wooden letter at my local craft store for just a few dollars.
To make it a more significant statement I cut a piece of beadboard and framed it with MDF strips.
I spray painted the beadboard frame black and the letter got a couple of coats of heirlloom white for a nice contrast.
It's the perfect piece in the perfect spot! No wonder everybody loves a monogram.
An Artist's Window
>Over the last few months I shared with you a few projects we built for our friends cabin. We built a hall tree out of an old door,
and changed the look of their fireplace from this...
to this...
Across from the fireplace is an open staircase, a perfect little spot to tuck in tables an chairs for their grandchildren. To make it even more fun we created
an art center made from an old wooden window frame. 
One side of the window we made a chalkboard and the other side we cut a piece of metal to fit for a magnet board.
We built and attached a little window box out of cedar to hold plastic flower pots filled with oodles of art supplies.
Tres Chic
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I hope you don't mind that I share a little re-post.
I bought a very large tray at the thrift store. It was rather plain and was stained an orangish color. This is how it looked after I sanded it and primed it.
I spray painted it Heirloom White
I added some retro hardware that I sprayedblack with a bronze metallic dusting.
I spray painted four finials.
And ABRACADABRA!Those pretty finials are now fancy legs.
Then just to make it "tres chic",I added some fleur de lis rub on decals.
An Idea Worth Stealing
>A few weeks ago I found the perfect bouquet at the thrift store for $1. What makes it so perfect? 
with the heads of faux flowers glued abundantly on top.
It's stunning because it can be plopped atop almost anything andit looks gorgeous.
A white pedestal vase.
An old copper pot.
On top of moss rocks inside a huge hurricane.
Spicy Makeover
>When I discovered this spicy orange floral fabric in the clearance pile I knew that it would look great in my family room.
I pulled the perfect chair from another room in the house to give it it's inexpensive update.
I removed the seat and covered the existing foam with a fresh layer of batting for a little extra cushiness.
Then it was just a matter of cutting, pulling and stapling.
Now I have a gorgeous addition to my family room that took me only a few minutes and around two dollars to create.
I am so happy to announce that Joys of Home has officially been declared the winner of the JDR Blogger Awards in the category of interior design!!!!!
I am indebted to those of you who took the time to vote.
thank you so very much!!!
No More Big and Boring
>My adorable client had a wall in her home that was her nemesis. Her home is filled with beautiful architectural details, but this wall was big and boring. She loved the look of board and batten and wondered if it would be appropriate for this wall.
Directly across from the wall is a beautiful wall of windows.
I wanted to repeat the details of the window wall onto the opposite wall. 
I sketched out a drawing and her talented husband used it as inspiration.
He framed out the sides and top.
Added the vertical boards to the lower portion.
Topped with a horizontal band. 
Then finished off the top portion with vertical boards.
Big and Boring is now Bold and Beautiful!
