Butterflies & ballet slipper pink...

Subtle pink and beautiful...

I woke up Saturday morning of this last weekend with a very clear and vivid idea.  This idea was of my front room, or the parlor I am calling it.  I am still playing around with furniture arrangement and have yet to hang all my decor on the walls.  I believe some of the best design comes from really listening to a room.  Living in the space and getting a feel for how that area is used.  Anyways... back to my idea.

I have been so busy with my summer collection, that my poor house has been put on the back burner and neglected.  As I have sat sewing, I try to pretend not to see all the unfinished projects around me...calling my name.  Well last Friday my name became so loud, I had to do something about it.  I started moving furniture.  Before I knew it, I had a bigger mess of chaos than when I started.  Pieces went to different rooms, decor was coming out of storage spots and I now was lost in rearranging rooms.

It's a little more pink than the pictures are showing due to all the light...

So, there I am lying in bed Saturday morning...eyes suddenly wide open after having such clarity on an idea of what I needed to do in the parlor.  This idea motivated me.  The next thing I knew I was up, dressed and ready in hand with paint and a paintbrush.

The "before" with a taupe/beige paint and chippy goodness!

I found a antique buffet when I lived in New Mexico that I bought off of Craigslist.  I fell in love with this piece the moment I saw it on the ad.  I knew at some point I wanted to change the color of paint, but it just had not come to me what that color should be.  The color on the buffet was a taupe/beige color and I had never really loved this color on it. 

It seems more light than the color shown here...

 I recently had bought some paint called "ballet slipper pink" from Martha Stewart's paint line.  I love this pink! It's not overly "girly" or too "little" girl pink.  Remember, I live with 4 boys and my husband here.  Even though they all are supportive in whatever I do in our home, I know they don't want to see pink everywhere. ;)

Another reason why I have waited so long in re-doing this piece was the aged patina of chipped paint that she so beautifully wears.  I wanted to still keep the character of the chipped paint, so I had to figure out a way to do that without losing this detail.

I decided if I did a few light coats I would still be able to show a lot of the chipping when I sanded. Now that my paint color had been decided, I was excited to get painting.  An hour later...a pretty new shade of "ballet slipper pink" was now on my buffet.  I love it! It is subtle enough, but still add's a romantic touch to this piece.

My idea was becoming more clear and I moved on to the next project so I could put it together.

Butterflies have always been one of my favorite things.  They are the epitome of "whimsy"! I had this vision of a "butterfly tree".  In a post I shared last spring, I displayed some branches and glued on some cherry blossoms.  Those same branches I now re-used for my "butterfly tree".  Adding some crystals and cutting butterflies from mulberry paper I printed adjectives that described what butterflies are to me.  I love how it turned out as well.  It definitely has added some whimsy to our home!

Using an antique mirror I bought off of Craigslist back in New Mexico, my arrangement was coming together.  I like how the gold adds a little elegance with the distressed paint on the buffet.  There is still lot's more for me to do in this room before I can show you the whole picture, but I am happy with the direction it is going in.  

I have a very busy week ahead of me and this is the last week for my kiddos at school. Can you believe summer is already here?!! This last school year went by incredibly fast!

On another note, I have the winner of the Ramsign enamel house number giveaway!! The random generator picked lucky number 15!  That would be Allison!! So happy for you! What a great way to add charm and character to the outside of your home!  Thank you to all that entered!  I of course will have lot's more goodies here to giveaway in the future. :)

Wishing you all a great week ahead! I know I am looking forward to "not" having to wake up early come next Monday! Yay for summer!! ;)

  Be back soon friends!