Wednesday, September 28, 2011

White Washing



I've wanted a mostly-white home for years, never knowing if it would really be possible. It seems sort of self-indulgent, and really, I LOVE color - all colors. Anyway, for whatever reason, I seem to be gravitating toward white now, even though that's not part of my "plan." (At the beginning of the year, I made a list, room by room, of the changes I was ready to begin. None of them except my bedroom were imagined as an all-white space.) Still, here I am with an almost obsessive desire to paint things in various shades of white.




Case in point: the pumpkin above. Once upon a time, these little pumpkins were ultra-bright orange styro things. These were from Dollar Tree. I'd begun looking for real pumpkins in the grocery store last month, but hadn't seen any (Maybe because we're in a drought here?)






A few weekends ago I went to see my daughter and work on her house. We went to several home-improvement stores. At Lowe's, I noticed several mis-tint paints in a variety of grayed-down whites, and they were CHEAP. So, being a cheapskate, I bought them. I used some of the paint to paint some thrift store finds I posted a couple of weeks ago. And as I was painting those, I thought I might try painting the little orange pumpkins a nice deep white. So, I did. I thought they came out pretty well without requiring any kind of glaze or anything. They looked pretty natural.




I wanted more! So I visited a couple of Dollar trees near me, and found two. They must have been from last year's stock, though. There weren't any more to be found. (They do have some pretty cute ceramic ones - so I picked up a couple of those in different whites.)


The stems of the pumpkins were different colors, so I painted them all a deep metallic gold that looked sort of dried stem-like. 


These are Component #1 of a tablescape I'm planning for next week. (Now, my dining room table is decorated with a sewing machine and various thrift store finds.)


For this post, I've displayed them with a few dried gourds. For texture, they're sitting on a vintage lace tablecloth with crocheted edges. 


They're on a cane-back chair I purchased at a garage sale several years ago. I spray painted it and distressed it. I recovered the padded seat with a canvas drop cloth. The cane is broken in a couple of places, but it sort of goes with the distressed finish. It doesn't affect the functionality of the chair, so I left it. We all have our battle scars, don't we?




Word for the Day:


Ezekiel 13:10-11a


10 “‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, 11 therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall...


May all your walls be sturdy, and built on a solid foundation!


-Revi

Linking this to:

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/   (White Wednesday)
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/   (Frugal Friday)
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/  ( Frugalicious Friday)

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/   (Metamorphosis Monday)

12 comments:

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Your pumpkins are really cute. It's ok to change your plans when it comes to decor. Whatever feels comfortable to you. I like various shades of white. I think it adds more character than all stark white. I like your soft shades.

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Revi....the transformation is AMAZING!!! These are gorgeous to me! You inspire me to find some of these cheap pumpkins and paint my heart out ~ seems orange and black are not my colors but these colors would be beautiful in my home :) hugs and love, Dawn

Ethereal PLUS what I Love said...

Hi Revi, Thanks for stopping by my blog! If you read my posts on my living room and dinning room .You probably noticed I'm moving toward a mostly white decor. There is probably a handful of reasons why I'm attracted to the look and feel. I'm sure it is different for everyone,but I do know one thing ...boy do I appreciate all the color and beauty every time I step out the door.
Have a great night. your newest follower, Francine

Ricki Treleaven said...

I love white interiors, and I think your white pumpkins look great! You have a very good eye.

Elegant Economies said...

The pumpkins came out very nice! I tied my last post in with yours...hope that is ok...still learning! I love your word for the day segments.Audrey

Renee said...

I bought the same pumpkin!! And a couple other little ones from the dollar tree. They look so much better in white!

Jenny @ Simcoe Street said...

love this!!

Jenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

Sandi said...

Well I commented, but I don't see it so will try again.

Love your makeover of your pumpkins! I have looked everywhere for paper maches ones with no luck, so will now check at the dollar store! :)
Blessings~

claudia b said...

Love all the white!

Anonymous said...

love what you did with your pumpkins. My favorite charitable pumpkin patch opens tomorrow and I am hoping they have some non orange pumpkins. I want some green and gray ones and some real bumpy ones. :)

Michelle said...

Lovely Autumn display. I love color, but I love all white too...has such a calming feeling to it.

Revi said...

I hear you! I love intense color, and I love whites and neutrals. I think I'd really like about 7 houses to do different styles and color schemes! Thanks, for following, Michelle!
-Revi