Sunday, November 15, 2009

Home Tour-Hallway

I was chatting over the phone with blogger Laura Beth a few weeks ago and she said, "I'd love to se you house. Your always finding cool thrifty treasures.I'd love to see what you do with all of them and how your home is decorated." Well Laura, I am almost to embarrased to show you my home. Almost.
It's no accident that my thrifty post are close ups rather than with big views of my home. I have a house full of children and dogs, so you can understand that my home is well lived in. Very well lived in. But, I am also trying to live my the Erma Bomeck poem more these days and understand the real important things in life. Like inviting friends over more often. Real Important things do not include laundry, though try to explain that to an eleven year old girl who has to wear "These" jeans tomorrow. But I digress.
You're all friends to me! So, I welcome you in.....koolaid stains and all. Come on in.....
(Click photos to enlarge)


















Lets begin at the entryway of my home.





















I shared that I painted much this past summer. That included the entry and hallway. My hallway is filled with much loved mementos and treasures, pictures and mirrors. Many of my wall treasures have been passed down, while others are thrifty treasures picked up at yard sales and the thrift store. In this photo I added in text what was on my wall and its significance. You can click on the photo to see it.






















I love to mix mirrors in with my photographs. This is a steep and narrow hallway so I incorporated the mirrors to help reflect some additional light in here. I cannot stand a dark house. I like light!
I failed to show you in main entry my chandelier. See it there at the far left top of the photo? It's all glass crystals. It was a house warming gift to Big Daddy and I when we moved into this home 10 years ago. It was from Big Daddy's paternal grandparents and was a twenty fifth anniversary gift to them. They have now been married over seventy years and are still very much in love. I gotta hand it to them. Love aint always shiny like glass chandeliers. But like glass chandeliers, if you are certain to give time and polish to it, it will sparkle just much as it did so long ago.

Here is the view looking up the hallway...

This is the same view with text of some more mementos on that wall (again if you care to read you can click to enlarge).

This letter "B" was a Hobby Lobby find, very cheap. It was gold, but I added some white paint to age it a bit. I like things that are or appear to have some history to it. To me, it is those things that have a story behind it.

This framed needlepoint came from the thrift store. It was actually in a different frame, but I took it out and put it in this one, which was gold. I spray painted it back and while it was still wet took a paper towel and lightly wiped off the relief areas. I love that needlepoint print. It was $1.98 find but it reminds me of how priceless good friendships are. And when I look at it, I think of my special friendships. I am richly blessed and I honestly thank God each and everyday for my special people-and this includes you too!

This is my fathers cradle roll certificate that he received when he, I assumed, moved into an older aged  Sunday school class. I blurred out his name. I just love this certificate! I think it's so sweet!

I found this family tree poster many, many years ago, I dont even remember where, its been that long. It's been in a closet and needed some new family members names added. I recently found it and added the new baby names. The frame used to have a Kirklands print inside, but I took it out and added the family tree. I like it much better. I do think I will treat the frame as I did in the last photo, with some black paint.

Remember that Sheet Music book from my Thrifty Thursday post a few weeks back?

Here we are at the landing at the top of the stairs. My mother purchased the mirror for my daughter when Sister Sledge was much younger. My mom thought it looked like a "Mirror Mirror on the wall" mirror. It is now, obviously in the hallway and I like it in this spot.
The "B", was a thrift store find last week for 79 cents, it still needs some painted love and attention...in due time. The lamp came from Kirklands several years ago. I have been wanting to change out the shades and actually paint the base white, but haven't gotten to it yet. My cousin Beckie gave me this gate legged drop leaf table. I just adore it!!! I think it's just precious. It's very special to me because she gave it to me and seems happy in it's current spot. Thank you, Beckie, I love you!

On the table is a framed 50th anniversary celebration invitation of my late great grandparents, Its dated 1953.

And finally on the table, yet some more family photographs and a small globe inheirited from my late Aunt Merle. (J Smooth collects globes and LOVES geography and world history. He likes to play with this globe)

And there you have it, a tour of my hallway. I will continue to show you more of my home, if you promise to step over the piles of laundry and overlook the love notes and grocery list written in dust atop the furniture.
Thanks for dropping by Bloggeritaville today. I genuinely appreciate you taking time from your busy day to stop by Bloggeritaville. It's always a treat when you do! Come back soon! Won't you?

If I Had My Life To Live Over by Erma Bombeck
The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck after she found out she had a fatal disease.


If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.
Erma Bombeck

23 comments:

Bama Belle said...

adore it THANK YOU for sharing! Hope we can get together soon!

Anonymous said...

Your entry way is adorable. And your so right, we do get caught up on things that don't matter. Our kids grow up to fast and all that other stuff will always be there. Thanks for sharing your home with us!

Jane said...

Your home looks loved... That's the crowning glory of a home. I especially like the Erma Bombeck poem you shared...

Many years ago, I was given a cross-stitch sign by a friend...
Dull Women Have Immaculate Homes". That has been my mantra for more than 20 years. Although I often get caught up in having the perfect home, that's impossible. With 3-4 dogs at any given time, but a son who seems to keep coming back...with his band and all the equipment! (and I love it!!!)...it's difficult to keep the floors swept and vacuumed, etc
We just LIVE!

Jane (artfully graced)

My Vintage Treasures said...

How generous of you to share your home with us...THANK YOU :)

Kristin - The Goat said...

I use very close up photos of my place too, but I don't have any excuses. I just have a husband and a cat :)

I am always inspired by your vignettes but this time I'm in awe of your family history as well. What a gorgeous way to honor your family.

Thanks so much for adding in the text :)

Kristin - The Goat

Mari said...

I just loved this tour! You have a real knack for decorating. I love all the old things, and mirrors mixed in with your pictures. Now I have to think about how I could work something like that out here!

Old Time Cindy said...

Thank you for opening up your home to us. Looking forward to seeing more! :)
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy

Jane said...

Thanks for the tour! I love everything you have hanging in your hallway. It is such a wonderful mix of photos and family memorabilia....a fabulous art gallery right in your own home!! You have inspired me to do something with my very blank stairway (I've got the family photos and frames, I just didn't have the inspiration)
Have a great week.
Jane

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I love your wall of memories. I have a wall of speia photos going up my stairwell... Now I need to add a couple of mirrors and maybe a Mc.
Love it!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Pretty!! I like that you have decorated with so many things that have memories and meaning attached. My home definitely needs some attention today.:)
Have a great week.

Hansonpatch said...

I needed to read Erma Bombeck right now so thanks, and I love the many treasures you have! I almost bought the same lamp, but hesitated. Regreting that choice now.

Doc said...

I love stairways that have photographs and momentos tiled up them like yours are... I wish the wall by my stairs were able to set up like that.

Swampgirl said...

I'm so glad I returned to Blogland in time for your tour! I wasn't getting a lot done anyway and I missed my friends here! Please think about visiting Opelika the 2nd week of December. The drive thru tour starts Wednesday the 9th and the streets close at 5:30 on Saturday for walking! I blogged a lot about it December-many pictures!

Anonymous said...

I like your hallway! And that Erma Bombeck poem. I really need to remember to live that way!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I love the staircase wall and all the wonderful family pictures and mementoes. It looks so welcoming and shows your love for all of your family. I have a gate-legged table like yours and I love mine too. They are so versatile and fit in so many places. Thanks for the tour. Such a warm and welcoming place. Hugs, Marty

Anonymous said...

Oh, Leigh, I've so enjoying coming into your lovely home! I really like the wall going up your staircase with all your photos and mirrors! So pretty.
Be a sweetie,
shelia :)

Hewy Nosleep said...

I would love to have a family tree made like that. What a beautiful house!

nancygrayce said...

I love everything! On your grandparent's 50th, I was 1.....and that was some time ago!

xinex said...

Your home projects warmth and is filled with love...Christine

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I think that 79 cent "B" deserves a Thrifty Thursday turn! :-) As does that amazingly cute little needlepoint.

I've never even heard of a Cradle Roll Certificate but that is like the sweetest thing EVER!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Leigh, it looks GREAT! I love what you've done, and I really like your stairwell and that gorgeous chandelier. I like the fact that you are so sentimental (like I am) and have things that mean something to you. What color is your stairwell painted? It's hard to tell from computer images, but I like it a lot! I would love to do something similar in my upstairs hall. I'm not thrilled with the color it is at present, and I like yours a lot more. :-)

As to the rest, I think that dogs and kids and laundry = keepin' it real. We won't tell.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Jeanne said...

I loved the tour.

Anonymous said...

looks great! I do love that B...I was worried that the "political" invite was missing but I saw it! ...clearly way to long since I've been over...the smaller table is different...it ties everything together! LOVE! ~HM