2.09.2010

SWITCH IT.........

when you think of a kitchen.........does your mind only think of maybe a really great island for food prep?

(above picture of our island + a yummy goat cheese pizza)

or when you see a dining room........do you only envision a dining table and chairs?

or are you the type, that steps out of the box, to create a space that is uniquely adapted to your needs, and/or wants?

If you are tired of that dining table in the dining room, and the couch in the living room....switch them!

We did temporarily when we were building some built in bookcases - and I have been known to move the dining room table into the living room and switch those two rooms, just because!

For heaven's sake.........think of it!!..........no money involved, just some guts to do so.

Being that I am the type of cleaner, to when I vacuum, every piece of furniture gets moved out of the way in order to really dust/clean behind it, that is precisely why my furniture doesn't stay in the same place more than a few weeks..........and I am not exaggerating.

Do you need some inspiration for this?

Well, a few of my favorite inspirational women/entrepreneurs have done just this......

like the lovely Tracey..........



who's purity of heart pours through her decorating like a unique snowflake.......

and even though I've been trying to put her style into my own home, it disappears into all the color!

but I sure am going to try my hardest to incorporate that look into the summer house this year, and at the sales here on the farm.....

Tracey had just recently switched her living room into her dining room - and you will be SO inspired to create your space like hers......(p.s. I want that statue Tracey)






and then there's the ever dear Jeanne..........

it's so funny when I introduce Jeanne's blog to someone, because to me, this girl's talent with style- blending subtle color, rusticity and chic romance into everyday living comes through her lens fantastically......and I can't believe that person I just told hadn't heard about her......

Jeanne didn't switch, but rather transformed her dining room into a TOTALLY AWESOME craft space - she could seriously put a sign on her front door saying "OPEN" and open up a shop there.......I don't know about you, but I could see myself sitting down opposite her table discussing my commissioned art piece showcasing what my heart feels......(p.s. Jeanne.....not a bad idea!......and hopefully you'll be serving me chocolate and coffee while I watch you create........no rush dear)




and even little ol' me, Anne Marie.......when I took my little nook in the living room and made it a bedroom for me and my new baby........or the time my carpenter husband was making custom bookshelves in the living room and painting the wainscoting white and I made the dining room the living room........


or the sunroom into a guest room for a special guest who stayed for a week.........

It costs Na-Da
to do this sort of thing..........why not eh?............give it a try!
(pun intended)
But if you would like some FAB stuff for your NEW SPACE, then.............

you can shop at Tracey's shop: French Larkspur

and Jeanne's shop: A Bushel and a Peck

17 comments:

  1. Aw, thanks Anne Marie...your words are so kind and loving...you're a generous spirit and a dear friend!!!

    It's only because of the inspiration of Jeanne that I even thought to switch my living room and dining room...she is so amazing!!! You both are!

    I love seeing glimpses of your home...it all looks so inviting and cozy and beautiful!!!

    Hugs to you ~

    :) T

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  2. no...I need that statue!!!!!

    bushel and a peck rocks my world - l lovet hat girl...and that art room...shoot me now...

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  3. Great post... love your why not go for it attitude!!!
    I just bought a 3 tiered stand from French Larkspur the other day when I discovered her blog!!
    Your daughter is adorable by the way:)
    Have fun at Na da Farm!!

    xo
    Terri

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  4. I agree with you...a little moving things around and everything feels brand new! Thanks for sharing my room and I love Tracey and her style also.

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  5. Whoa! You are braver than I ... when I put something in a room, it grows roots ... I have tried changing but always return it to its original spot. You go girl ... I'll enjoy your rooms as you move along.

    Happy Valentine's
    Have a beautiful week.
    Hugs, Marydon

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  6. these are such inspiring ideas. You have me dreaming of change! Thank you~ And that goat cheese pizza, you have me dreaming of it as well. Umm

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  7. Love your blog! glad i found it! off to browse! ~lulu

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  8. I did the switch-er-roo one COLD day last winter when bored out of my mind ... now my dining room is a brownstone looking, baywindowed sitting room ... when you come to dinner we can do the tour.

    ... posting on my gabled-hide-away- re-purposed-used to be-bedroom craft room SOON.

    thanks for a ton more inspiration
    hugs

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  9. Yes, indeed, change is good for the soul.
    I'm a firm believer that if your home is stagnant, your life is probably stagnant as well.
    It doesn't have to cost a dime, just a little time and a fresh perspective...AND if you're lucky maybe some extra time with a helpful friend!
    Thanks for stopping by. I am looking forward to meeting you!
    annie

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  10. Such great post!!!! I'm in love with the statue!!!!
    Tank you for your lovely comment!!!
    Have a nice week

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  11. i'm a switch-er! though i don't have any photos of it on my blog...such a great think out of the box idea. i'm sure your post will inspire several people to rearrange their spaces this week. everytime my husband travels for business he comes home to a rearranged house...i say it's cheaper than moving!
    have a creative day!
    kathi

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  12. That's funny you mention that--I just emptied and entire closet last week and re-apportioned many things inside of it.
    When we built our house, I made our formal dining room into a library. We never eat formally--and the kitchen we have is big enough for any number of people.

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  13. Thanks for stopping by my blog Ann Marie! I truly love your blog! My dream is to live on a farm...love what you are doing! Thanks for sharing the other gals blogs as well. There are so many lovely and creative moms out there! It is fun "meeting" you too. xoC

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  14. Thanks for this inspirational post1 I'm actually turning my dining room into my studio too! Change is good!
    Tracy

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  15. ...change is good! ~ Love how you've inspired us, now I'm off to look up a recipe for that goat cheese pizza!! xo

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  16. I love those girls ideas....always so inspiring. Just like you sweet one. xoxox

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  17. lol My poor husband is constantly coming home to a rearranged house. I am blessed that he just laughs and tells me it looks nice. I don't have a dining room, so @ Thanks giving I put an extra table and chairs in my living room and I loved it. But then a few weeks after Thanksgiving, we heard of a family that had 4 children and didn't even have a kitchen table set in their home, so we gave it to them. I would love to do it again, so I'll be shopping around for another table and chairs @ yardsales this summer ;)

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