Happy Monday, guys! Hope you all have recovered from pounds of stuffing, cranberry sauce and turkey and had time to relax this weekend with family and friends. What? Was that just me who ate pounds of food that day? Oh, well!

Our family picked up our Christmas tree the other night and I've finally gotten around to the beginning of turning our home from drab to fab with holiday décor! Of course, I'll be sharing that with you all as the weeks pass on. It's always such a process for me as I change my mind about what I like and don't like. What needs to go where, etc.

I'd also like to take a moment to say thanks to you all for your kind feedback and comments on my last post. Makes me so happy and fulfilled to know that what God places on my heart to share, is such a blessing to so many of you. Really is amazing. Thank you.

Now, on to the dining room. If you'll remember this post, I was in quite a dilemma trying to figure out how to begin decorating the dining area in our home. I really had decorator's block, if you will, and could not think of which way to go in the space so I sent out an SOS to you all!

I decided to begin with what will be the "centerpiece" of the space-the dining table.

I follow Kelli over at Restore Interiors and have gotten to know her a bit {she's a Bama Girl BTW} and absolutely love her personality, her talent, style and her love and passion for design. She posted a tutorial a few weeks back about how to achieve a faux zinc look. I had to try it. At the time, I wasn't really sure what I would paint.

I remember a few years back I was literally salivating over a table in the Ballard Designs catalog. I think it was over $1,000 and I knew there was no way I was going to spend that much on a table for a home that wasn't our permanent home. And, if you're like me, I always take it as a challenge to duplicate the look and style of expensive pieces. {Not a bit competitive, not at all...}

So, once I'd decided that my next project would be our dining area, I remembered the tutorial from Kelli and set out to get it done! Or, at least start it! Here's a pic of how it turned out. I really like it and it was even kid approved by my daughter. She walked in as I was waxing it and said, "Wow, mom, it actually looks like metal!" Yes. Yes, it does. Thank you very much! Always feels good to get the thumbs up from your kiddos!



I love how the finish makes it look like real metal.

 

 

Now, do you remember what the table looked like before? I really should have taken some close-up before photos. It was pretty bad. Chipped. Original wood beginning to show through. We've had it for over 6 years. It was time for a change.

 

Looks way better in this pic than it did in real life.
 

 

And another pic of the after...

 

 

I call it my galvanized metal look. Mine didn't turn out much link zinc but I am still absolutely in love with it!

 

Thanks to some major computer issues, no watermark on this one or full images of the entire space or table today. So sorry but I promise that as I continue to pull the room together you'll get to see everything!

 

 

Moving right along...

 

Now, what about this amazing holiday party? Well, you can read more about it here.

 

 

I am hosting the Home for the Holidays Linky Party with some pretty awesome women. The party is will be a series for the rest of this month through December and the first day is today! Our first host is Lorraine from Miss Flibbertigibbet! Do any of you follow her? Heard of her? She is one talented woman and is sharing holiday recipes over at her place today. If you've got something to share...hop on over and link up! And don't forget to leave a comment or even follow to show Miss Flibb some love! You seriously won't regret it!

 

And, here's a button for you if you'd like to share it over on your blog, FB page, Instagram, Pinterest...did I miss anything? Ha!

 

 

Can't wait to see all the yummy goodness everyone links up!

 

 

 

Party on!

 

I am so excited to share this with you all!   

 I will be hosting a Christmas themed link party along with 7 other bloggers!  We are so excited to see inside your home and life this holiday season. 

Each party theme will be hosted by the corresponding blogger on the date you see above on the graphic.

All you have to do is click on the host's blog name above on the correct date (up to a few days after), check out all the inspiration they are providing for that topic, then link your project up with the host so everyone can see! 

It’s simple to link up - just put in the link to your project.  It can be on a blog, on Facebook or even an image hosting site. 

I can't wait to share Christmas Trees here at RHI on Decmeber 13th! SO fun! 

We'd love to have your help spreading the word if you have a blog by grabbing the smaller button below 

Feel free to put it on your sidebar, in your posts, or whatever you'd like.

See you for our first party on November 27th with Miss Flibbertigibbet. Who's planning to join in? I seriously can't wait to see what you all have to share! 

This weekend I was afforded the opportunity to set up shop at a venue hosted by a Realtor friend of ours at a local farm called 21 Acres. 

Aside from the fact that I would get to share what I love about what I do with those attending, I was ecstatic about finally being able to tour this property. I'd passed by it a couple of times here and there and always wondered what it was and when I received the invitation from our friend, I knew that I would carve time out in our schedule to be there.

Their market sign had been hand painted by one of the employees. Isn't is great?

And the color on these was stunning. 

And these ornamental cabbages would be great in a garden bouquet. I just love the way these add so much texture, depth and style to arrangements.

After visiting the market downstairs I headed to the upper level of the building to setup my area. 

For the vignette, I decided to keep it simple and, quite honestly, I really didn't have enough space in my truck nor enough time to bring any of my larger furniture pieces. 

So, I decided to bring "Lovely" (that's what I am calling my new find) and center her as my focal point. 

I really love how it turned out. I lgrabbed a few small things as I walked out the door including my handy dandy dried hydrangeas from last season that were picked at just the right time and dried perfectly. I thought they were the perfect touch for the space. 

She really was the star of this setup. Don't you think?

During the tour, I was able to speak to attendees about Restoration House and what I do and even met a few new clients to boot! 

Through this experience I also realized that my business is evolving. (I've actually known that for a while)While there are many things that I CAN do...I CANNOT do it all. Restoration House really should reflect and encompass my strengths in creativity and design. 

There are many different avenues through which  I can share my talents, gifts and expertise...this blog is one of them. 

Over the next few months, RHI will be going through some changes. All good. Cleaning house, if you will, and really putting a "stamp" on this blog, my work and the business as a whole. 

I am so excited to have you join me on this journey.

That, however, is NOT the announcement as exciting as it is. 

Are you ready? 

Here goes...

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You see that? Yes! RHI will be hosting a party for the month of November through the first week of December so for you and all of your friends to show off all of your milk paint projects. Haven't tried milk paint? That's okay! You can link up any paint, DIY, craft or home decor project you'd like! Food posts won't be allowed this time around. 

We'll start the party next Monday, November 12 and end on the first Monday in December since we're striking this one up so late. So, go ahead and grab the button and start spreading the word, friends! 

Are you ready to post those projects? I'm ready to see them! 

More details about the party guidelines this week.

Happy Milk Paint and More Monday!