Christmas Time is Here

Monday was a day filled with cyber shopping for me and the hubby. We actually decided to plant ourselves in a quaint local coffee shop so we could focus on getting a huge chunk of our Christmas shopping completed.  I was so happy Redefined offers up yummy gluten free options like this pumpkin bread with cream cheese frosting!  

Afterwards, we decided to run by and pick out a tree.  Nate was very pleased when we walked away with the first one we looked at.  It was nice to get both things marked off our "To Do" list. Even though the tree isn't decorated yet, it still looks pretty and smells so amazing sitting in the corner of our living room. 

In between family and work and and meals and laundry (whenever I can catch a minute) I'll pull something else out from the Christmas storage boxes. I'm actually down to three now and am quite pleased I've been able to whittle down the decor.  Little by little Christmas is starting to spill out all over the house.  It's feeling pretty magical. 

It doesn't take much to make a room feel festive.  It's small details like these that helps to put us all in the holiday spirit. Thankfully, I have a number of holly bushes in the backyard. Tucking in a few sprigs here and there really adds a nice touch. 

Sentimental things passed down to our family, like this sweet poinsettia plate that used to belong to Nana, sure bring back good memories of times spent together. I hope to be creating little visual images that my family will remember for years to come. Happy Holidays y'all.  P.S. See more Christmasy ideas on my Instagram feed ~ you can follow me here.  

XO ~ Dana

Thanksgiving

Reagan, Corbin and Gavin are home.  The food is prepared and we are excited to soon be joining our extended family for a day full of festivities.  We remind ourselves to care less about a perfect table setting and more about those sitting at our table.  We are counting our blessings this Thanksgiving day because there's so much to be thankful for.

Wishing you a day filled with moments making good memories, spent with those you love. Happy Thanksgiving.
XO ~ Dana

Chesterfield Makeover ~ Revealed

There's a new/old addition to our home.  The vintage chesterfield sofa (found here) I searched for forever and told you about here has been recovered and now has found its place in the sitting room.

This is the spot where  everyone wants to plop down after waking up in the morning or winding down after a full day.  Lots of great conversations take place in this spot.

 

This is one of my favorite pics of Gavin ~ he looks so dapper.  Meanwhile, Penny is posing like she's the most obedient, well behaved dog ever (don't let her fool you).  None of the guys like for me to take their picture, but when I end up with a good one like this, I think they're happy I do.

In case you were wondering, I decided to splurge on leather for the reupholstery job.  I sourced leather cowhides from a local supplier and changed out the original bun feet with casters I found here.  In the end, I paid a fraction of the cost of a new chesterfield and love its new look.

P.S.  Check out the "before and after" below!  Happy Friday ~ enjoy your Halloween weekend!

Read more about the practice target poster here.  

Royal Belize ~ Our Island Experience

A short while ago, I was asked to give a design consult on a project that’s in the works for the island of Royal Belize.  It's hard to believe it's been three weeks since we were at this amazing destination. There really aren't words adequate enough to describe how beautiful, peaceful and special a place this is.

Along with my husband and a few close friends, we embarked on a fabulous four day excursion to this private luxury island.  We were loved up on and pampered by the Royal Belize team who all excelled in the area of hospitality.    

Not surprisingly, it was usually more than enough to just to slow down and be still.

Time to think, or nap or read or simply take in the beauty that surrounded us. 

Lingering around the dining table in the main palapa was an especially sweet time.

Cheryl, Kelley, me, Nate and Leighton

Besides enjoying the exquisitely prepared meals by Chef Manuel, there was uninterrupted time to just sit, hang out and catch up on life with each other.

At sunset one day, I had a turn at paddle boarding and think it might be my new favorite pastime. 

There were times we went jet skiing, scouring the ocean floor for starfish and stingrays.  One afternoon some of us went snorkeling at the second largest barrier reef in the world and were blown away by our underwater adventure.

And then there was the sunset cruise on the Weak Moment that topped the charts for all of us.

It was a lovely evening filled with lots of laughter ~ shared with old friends and new ones alike.

It was moments like this that happened continually on the island that simply took our breath away.

The week was indeed magical and was only enhanced by our island family ~ the Royal Belize team.  We're so thankful for the time we got to share with our new friends.

Thank you for letting me share our island experience with you.  I hope you can enjoy this paradise adventure too.  For more info on Royal Belize go here.  See you soon ~ have a lovely week!

Photos # 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 15, 17 courtesy of Leighton Eaves
Photos # 10, 11 courtesy of Aurélien Gandon

Thankful ~ In Spite of Curve Balls

Life threw us a curve ball this past weekend when my mom (who is 80) fell and broke her leg.  Witnessing her in pain at the ER was almost more than I could bear ~ I wanted to wave a magic wand and wish us out of there.  

Nonetheless, the events of the past few days reminded me all over again how I should be thankful for the most simplest things.  So I awoke this morning recognizing how my comfy bed cradled me in its squishiness and I made an extra effort to notice the crispness of the sheets and how they felt cool on my skin. 

I indulged myself with an extra long shower and was grateful for the hot stream of water that splashed on my face.  Nothing helps me wake up quicker.

Even a kitchen sink full of dirty dishes was a welcomed sight.  I'm glad my family's tummies are always full.

Later, the menial task of folding a load of laundry was especially therapeutic as I acknowledged the warmth of clean clothes straight from the dryer.

Ordinarily, the yucky mess the swallows make on our back porch would annoy me to some degree, but not today.  Instead, I'm happy to see the swallow family has returned ~ a sign of new life and new beginnings.

And last but certainly not least, I'm grateful to share Mom is on the mend.  She made it through surgery successfully and is getting better everyday!

Hoping curve balls aren't being hurled your way today ~ so thankful for you too!

**Check out more of Tattered Style's pics here on Instagram.

An Infatuation for Chesterfields

True confession time ~ I've been drooling over a classic chesterfield for a very long time.  In my quest, I've been searching high and low for the perfect sofa.  It should come as no surprise that I ended up buying a vintage chesterfield.  But before I formally introduce you to my newest addition, I wanted to share a few of the lovelies that inspired me along my journey. 

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Absolutely dreamy ~ that's my opinion of this beautiful grey, velvet chesterfield sofa.

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This coppery brown chesterfield had me at the get-go but the English bulldog sealed the deal!

  

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This beauty from Restoration Hardware has definitely impacted my decision to go black leather on my sofa.  

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And here's my baby ~ I finally found the chesterfield sofa I've been searching for.  It's sits well and has beautiful lines and tufting.  It's showing some wear and tear but nothing so desperate that a new upholstery job can't handle.  Soon, this well worn sofa will be sitting as regally as the ones that have inspired me.  I can't wait to share the "after" photos!  Have a wonderful Wednesday ~ and if you like, follow Tattered Style on Instagram ~ here. :)

*First image ~ via

A Gentleman in Corduroy

I feel the strongest nudging to give things a second chance.  I know this may seem the weirdest compulsion but I can't stand for things like this chair to be thrown to the curb especially when he still has so much life left in him. 

He did look somewhat like he was on his last leg ~ indeed, he was even minus a cushion.  Yikes, actually my friend Gloria's dog ate a good portion of it.  Despite the missing seat, I fell for the amazing lines of this fab mid-century modern chair and was so anxious for him to have a makeover.  

After scouring options for fabrics to reupholster the piece, I decided to dress him in this rich brown corduroy.  

And look how handsome he turned out ~ doesn't a little love and a chocolaty corduroy go a long way to enhance his frame?  I'm so happy he won't be taking up residence in a nearby landfill anytime soon.  

Thanks for stopping by Tattered Style ~ be sure to follow us on Instagram here. 

A Console Table / DIY

Today I'm posting about a console table I fashioned from a piece of salvaged wood.  I couldn't believe when I discovered, of all things, a remnant piece of boxcar flooring.  I found it months ago for $10 at an architectural salvage yard and thought someday I would figure out what to do with it.  After taking up valuable real estate in my shed, I finally tackled this simple DIY.  I know the family is thankful not to be tripping over it any longer ~ let's just say it was a topic of discussion more than once. :)

When I needed a furniture piece to hold the flat panel in my studio, I searched for something unusual but wasn't very excited about buying retail.  My choices were too pricey and then I remembered the boxcar flooring.  I know the likelihood of finding something random as this is slim, but I think the idea is worthy of sharing and is something you could adapt with other pieces of lumber you might locate or purchase.

Making the console was pretty simple.  After cleaning and sanding the piece of wood, I gave it a coat of water-based polyurethane.   

 

For the legs, I bought plumber's pipe at Home Depot and had them cut to the desired lengths.  Then I had the ends threaded so they could easily be screwed to the flanges.

Don't let this step frighten you away, the salespeople at Home Depot are always happy to help out.

I spaced out and measured where I wanted to position each flange.  I marked and pre-drilled the holes for the screws, then attached the flanges with the wood screws.  

 

Finally, I screwed the legs to the flanges on the bottom of the wood piece.  I also added additional flanges to the bottom of the poles to serve as feet.  

I love the texture of the boxcar flooring combined with the shiny metal legs.  I think the console would look awesome in any number of places ~ as an entry or hall table, or even a bench (if the legs were shortened).    

I also love it in my studio.  I may in time add cross supports between the legs, just because I think it would add some more interesting detail.  What do you think?  I would be happy to know your opinion.  I hope your Tuesday is wonderful!

P.S.  Follow Tattered Style here on Instagram!