A Cultivated Nest

Fireplace Makeover or The Wonders of Paint!

I think I mentioned a while back that I've wanted to paint my fireplace mantel in my living room. I've had this "bee in my bonnet" for months now and I finally finished it yesterday and I so love it! Here are some before's. This is a faux fireplace. We built a shallow box to attach the mantel and I've always had a mirror proped up inside Old picture from 2006 when ... Read More about Fireplace Makeover or The Wonders of Paint!

Depression Era Wisdom

I thought some of you might find the following links interesting and/or helpful: "My object in writing this little book is to show you how you may prepare and cook your daily food, so as to obtain from it the greatest amount of nourishment at the least possible expense; and thus, by skill and economy, add, at the same time, to your comfort and to your comparatively slender means. The ... Read More about Depression Era Wisdom

Kitchen Cleaning & Fluffing Part 2

Boy it was a good motivation to let you all know I would be posting part 2 today. I may just do that with other things! A few people asked to see the tureens put back so there they are. I realized that I have room for one or two more if I put them closer together. Which made me very happy! I love searching for these kinds of things. I decided that I wanted to change out the paper I ... Read More about Kitchen Cleaning & Fluffing Part 2

Cleaning & Fluffing My Kitchen

Since I'm feeling a bit better I thought I should actually start cleaning my house again! So I decided to tackle the kitchen in two parts - today and tomorrow. There was a time when I would have worked like a dervish and cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom in a day. But I've realized I don't really need to do that! Today I cleaned my upper cabinets with white vinegar, a squirt of ... Read More about Cleaning & Fluffing My Kitchen

Fun With ChalkBoard Paint

I'm sure we all know you can make your own message board with some chalkboard paint. But did you know you can use chalkboard paint on all kinds of things? It works really well on all types of surfaces from metal to wood. I painted a little rectangle on this galvanized tin and wrote "Bloom!" and then potted some hyacinths. Here's how - Step 1 - tape off the area you want to cover with chalk ... Read More about Fun With ChalkBoard Paint

Be Sweet – How to Make Your Own Valentine Sign

Thanks so much for the all the well wishes! I'm feeling a bit better. Not quite up to my normal energy levels but at least I'm able to do a few things. I started working on a few Valentine things this week. One of them is a sign that says "Be Sweet". I painted over the sign I made for Thanksgiving (didn't I say you'd be seeing that sign again and again!). It turned out much better than the ... Read More about Be Sweet – How to Make Your Own Valentine Sign