A Tale of Two Lamps...and a sweet surprise!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...


She had been loved early in life, but too soon, she ended up somewhere she never thought she'd be - cast off by polite society and sold for a few coins. 

She had lied to herself,telling herself she was content pretending to be something she was not. 


Life had been different for the other lamp. In the beginning, it was good. She lived in a nice home. Later, she was sent to live among young followers of The Way. But even there, in this life, change is inevitable. She tried to hang on to the old ways, but it didn't work. Before long, she was unwanted and destined for the curb.

She tried in vain to reinvent herself. First, she tried a cheerful color. She looked ok on the outside, but deep inside, she was not happy. 

The colorful life she thought she wanted seemed dreary after only a short while. It had not been a good fit. She knew there was an answer out there somewhere. She had seen others who seemed to have it all. She kept looking.


One day after much searching, both lamps ended up at the same place. It was a divine appointment that had only seemed like chance.


They lived together separately, neither experiencing much change for a while. Then suddenly, it happened.


First, one felt the call to a new life. It surprised her how much she wanted it. She never thought she'd like this kind of life - she'd always imagined it would be very boring. She was wrong. 

The new life was a process - complete change did not happen all at once. She knew she was on the right path, but there was still work to be done.

In the beginning, she tried on a variety of hats. Some reminded her too much of her old life. Others seemed like a good fit, if a bit too dramatic. Still, she had a plan she thought might work...

After seeing the positive change in her new friend, the other lamp soon felt the call to let herself be remade from top to bottom as well. 

Though each had taken very different paths, they had both been brought to the same place. It was a place full of joy and contentment. It was a happy place.

After a bit of tweaking*, both found their new lives more fulfilling than they had ever imagined!

Neither had guessed their lives could change so dramatically! They agreed it was a sweet surprise that two lamps with nothing in common now lived happily together. They were both excited about the changes going on all around them - and the parts they would play in their new environment.


* A sweet surprise - I found the blue floral lamp shade at Walmart for under $7. It was the perfect size for my lamp, but the color was wrong - way too bold. I decided to spray paint it with gray Rustoleum primer. I planned to cover it in burlap. As I sprayed it, it began to look like damask! I decided it looked good enough without doing another thing to it! One coat of spray paint on a LAMP SHADE! I like it - what do you think?


The pretty gray embroidered shade is also a Walmart find for under $10. 


I used Krylon satin nickel spray on the brass/green lamp. It covered beautifully! I like the warm silver tone of it. I still have quite a bit left in the can, so you'll be seeing it again!


Word for the Day:


2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!


May you experience abundant grace with each new day!
-Revi

Linking with:

Saturdayhttp://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

Sunday

http://my1929charmerblog.com/ Sunday’s Best

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Bloggers Party Hop

Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Blogger's Party
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/ Before and After Party

Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/ Primp Your Stuff Wed

http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/ Restored It Wednesday

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty ThursdayFriday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.remodelaholic.com/ Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/ - Flaunt it Friday

What Goes with White?

Hmmm...is this some new minimalist modern art piece?

What about this? Would it work in your all-white or neutral environment?

Do you recognize it yet? You've seen it before. Here's a little hint:

Remember now? This was a little freebie trunk/crate I got last summer. It had been faux painted years ago. 

I considered painting it white, or gray, since I wanted to use it in my house. Then it came to me: Antiqued Silver! It would work with my neutral palette and bring a little of the industrial vibe I find so appealing.


So, I got several shades of metallic silver paint - all different brands. I sprayed it all - including the painted hardware. I should have probably taken it all off and stripped it, but sometimes I can be a very impatient woman.

I just jumped in and started spraying. I wanted a worn-looking finish with the various paints - even using some gold here and there.

I just kept spraying and layering until I got something that was textural, but not splotchy. (Is that a word?)

To achieve an antique finish, I got out my walnut gel stain and started applying it with an old rag. 

While it was looking more antiqued, the gel stain didn't give quite as dramatic a look as I wanted. I got some oil based black paint and thinned it with some ebony stain. It was just the ticket!

It was looking sort of vintage-industrial. Just what I was going for! 

I thought it might make an interesting little table. It was too short as it was, and desperately needed some legs! I purchased some turned feet at the home improvement store, but they seemed a little small and delicate for the trunk. My son helped me out - he cut some 2x4 legs for it. I don't know if they will stay, but for now, it's more table-like. They're attached with wood screws, so they can be easily removed if I find better furniture legs for it later. So far, the cost to revise this trunk was about $2. I had the paint and stain already. The 2x4 cost less than $3, and I used about half of it. The screws cost under $2, and I only used 8 of them. 

So now, just as I'm finishing this silver trunk, I find out silver is out and gold is back in. - especially brass.

No worry. I'm not concerned with being "in style." I know what I like. I plan to use this in my white space, incorporating a variety of metallic finishes - silver, gold, rust, bronze and copper. 


I like being surrounded by sentimental things and natural materials.  I like eclectic and cozy. I like "real" art - even if it's bought in a thrift store. I prefer simple, clean lines and solid fabrics. I prefer painted furniture to wood, though a little wood is nice. I like "trendy items" that are easily changeable - like pillows and lamps. I like things that make you wonder where they've been...


Word for the Day:


Acts 3:6

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”


May your trunk contain all the silver and gold you require, and may the things you treasure more than silver be with you always!


-Revi

Linking with:

Monday
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/ Just something I whipped up

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Blogger's Party

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ White Wednesday

http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/ Primp Your Stuff Wed

http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/ Fall In Love Wednesday

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/ Piece of Work Wednesday
http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/ Restored It Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://www.the36thavenue.com// Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty Thursday
http://katherinescorner.com/ - Thursday Favorite Things

Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/ Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/ Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/ - Flaunt it Friday

Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

Change of Plans! And lovely Inspiration Photos...

Before you begin...know that this is a long, wordy post. There are lots of pretty pictures to go with it, though!

Not so very long ago, I posted a little info about my plan for redoing my home COMPLETELY.

I was and still am very much in the mood to make major changes to my current look. It was a very frugal and practical approach - using things I already have and love.

What I have:  I have variety of richly colored items - reds, greens, golds and blacks mostly. Most rooms had variations of these colors. I have medium colored original oak flooring - it's not pristine. It has "character."

What I desire: I really admire a neutral, mostly white, eclectic/industrial, textural environment. I love old and new, primitive and polished all together in a traditional but creatively quirky space.

I love Scandinavian design like these spaces at Vita Verandan:

Here's the BEFORE in a nutshell:

Living Room - light beige/yellow walls, red sofa, black side tables, green chest and book case, black/red/green/gold floral fabric side chairs and cornice boards.

Dining Room - light beige/yellow walls, white hutch and table, red chairs with the same black floral fabric covered cushions. Black, Red & Green mix & match dishes in the hutch. Red books & decorative items.

Kitchen - chartreuse walls, distressed white cabinetry, green floor, red backsplash (paint), red door to garage. Off white counters and appliances.

Bathroom - light beige/yellow walls, white and off white tile and floor tile. White cabinet. Chartreuse graphic floral shower curtain with coordinating towels.

Daughter's Room - dark tan walls with gold metallilc wash, black iron bed, black and wicker corner shelf, black iron side table with green trim, white chest of drawers.

Son's Room - tobacco brown/green walls, camel, red, green cafe curtain and comforter, wood chest of drawers, dark green primitive cabinet, red primitive armchair

My Room - medium neutral green walls, white painted furniture.

My bathroom - totally original old wallpaper & fixtures that need to be replaced.

Den - wood knotty pine paneling - natural unpainted. Ceiling is also wood. Windows have wood shutters. It's dark and works ok as a media room for now. Some people love it, but I'd love to paint it. Greenish-gray sofa and love seat, computer desk, primitive wood coffee table and trunk used as a side table. Book shelves with all kinds and colors of books.

Just how does one make a long-desired switch from a richly colored home to a light neutral home? 
My plan was to sort of phase it in.

Overall Goals: 

Simplify - pare down a bit, keeping only things I love and that have sentimental value.

Refresh - Change it up - move furnishings and accessories to new places to creat a whole new look.

Lighten Up - paint all walls lighter neutral colors. Keep the shiny white trim. Move toward a mostly white and neutral palette. Use colored accessories - keeping all one color per room.

Here are a few examples of my inspiration from For the Love of a House:

Phase #1 plan: Use existing furnishings and refresh as needed with paint.

Living Room - (green room) Use den sofa and love seat to replace the red sofa the dog ate.  Use green things - artwork, pottery, books, etc. I have a lovely patchwork velvet throw with a variety of greens. Use existing black furniture pieces along with some existing green pieces in the mix. I'd paint my shiny red, dog-scratched front door shiny black - inside and out.

Dining Room - (white with green accents) Change chairs and dishes in hutch to all whites. (Done and done.)

Kitchen - (white with black) Change chartreuse walls to neutral. Put new neutral flooring down.  

Bathroom - (whites) paint walls off white, get new white shower curtain, window curtain, rug and towels. 

Daughter's Room - (off white with black and brown) paint off white walls, keep black iron bed, black and wicker corner shelf, use new white chest of drawers, use some black small tables.

Son's Room - paint off white and turn it into a studio when he moves. Keep a twin bed as a daybed. Bring in work tables and shelving. Use lots of color in artwork and accessories. Keep it fun!

My Room - paint walls taupe, use white painted furniture, along with some dark woods. (It has been painted, and just needs a few things done.)

My bathroom - go all white here. do cosmetic updates until it can be redone. 

Den - (red room) Paint knotty pine paneling light taupe. Keep ceiling wood. Paint trim and shutters. Use twin bed as day bed. Use a variety of patterns with all shades of red. Keep primitive wood coffee table and trunk used as a side table. Book shelves with all red books and accessories.

Change of Plans!

At Thanksgiving, I got a little taste of what my multi-green living room could look like. I brought out fabric - long green tablecloths (I'd bought them on sale thinking I'd make a duvet for my bedroom.) I draped the red sofa in them. I moved some of my green furniture into the room, and put out some of the green objets d'art and books.

I hated it. Even though the room was nowhere near the finished version of the space I envisioned, it was enough to let me know I didn't want that much green in my room! It felt oppressive and dark - not at all the look I was hoping for.

Remember the chair I painted John Deere Green? As much as I like the color, I think it's going to go neutral. Or I might sell it and get something else.

I will also paint a primitive cabinet with original dark green paint. It's going white - like this one from Villa Barnes:

I will still use my decorative items, all shades of green, but  they will be used with very light neutral furnishings instead of blacks and greens.

In the scheme of things, I'm going on a much straighter path to what I want. Except for the sofa, I still have pretty much everything I need. What's a little more white paint to get the look you like? (It's a good thing I enjoy painting!)

The other room plans are still pretty much the same - it's just the amounts of green in the living room I plan to change. So, I may keep the sofas in the den, find a new one and make a canvas slip cover for it. I'll keep you posted!

Word for the Day:

Romans 13:12

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Here's to light in all its forms! May you live in the light and all that is in it.

-Revi

Linking with:

Wednesday

http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ White Wednesday

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty Thursday
Friday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://redoux.blogspot.com/ Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

Saturday

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

Sunday

http://my1929charmerblog.com/ Sunday’s Best

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Bloggers Party Hop

Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday

http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Tuesday

http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/ Knick of Time Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Sweet little Award and Some Inspiring Blog Links!

Liebster Blog Awards

Revisionary Life was recently awarded the Liebster Blog Award!

DOLLY at Hibiscus House graciously gave this sweet award, and I am honored and humbled. Thank you, Dolly!

Liebster is German for dearest, beloved or favorite. This award is bestowed on blogs with less than 200 followers who deserve more attention.

If you are selected for this blog award, it's your responsibility to pay it forward to 5 blogs and share the love! This part is VERY tough, narrowing down your list to just five blogs.

Here are the rules:

1- Choose FIVE up and coming blogs to award the Liebster to. Blogs must have less than 200 followers.

2- Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

3- Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites.

Here are my nominations for the Liebster Blog Awards, in reverse alphabetical  order:

1.  Lynn at Shabby Story

2.  Tina at What We Keep

3.  Jennifer at Dimples and Tangles

4.  Sandra at De Oude Huize Yard

5.  Jenn at A Place 2 Call Home

Word for the Day:

Proverbs 31:31

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Many, many blessings to all you Proverbs 31 Women!

-Revi

Linking with:

Wednesday

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday 
http://www.the36thavenue.com// Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://katherinescorner.com/ - Thursday Favorite Things

Friday

http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/ Potpourri Party

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

Sunday

http://my1929charmerblog.com/ Sunday’s Best

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Bloggers Party Hop