So, remember last week when I took my kitchen cabinet doors off? They’re BAAAACK, all repurposed! Yep, my former kitchen cabinet doors are now hiding that big ugly hole above the fireplace (we don’t like to look up so high to watch TV so we put ours on a different wall). I needed a quick fix and those cupboard doors did the trick.
Why is one a different color, you ask? I didn’t plan to do it like that but, well it is a long story that involves a lack of primer, being too impatient to go buy new primer, and running out of time to finish painting all three cabinet doors before a party at my house. Eh hem. Perhaps a happy accident as I think it gave it more character than if they all matched? Yeah, that is it. I meant to do that.
And yes, I’m going ahead with hanging things on the walls even though my walls are still SWINE colored. Eek. Swine colored walls just throw my whole scheme off. I’m still trying to decide what color I will go with (probably a neutral creamy white tone of some sort) and whether I want to paint walls before the holidays or put it off until January. I might have to put off painting walls in favor of Christmas decorating! But can I stand these swine colored walls until January? I’m not sure.
Can you believe it is NOVEMBER already? I’m already catching myself humming Christmas carols. I don’t like to rush the seasons, I like to give each one its fair attention. Seasons are to be savored!
But since I start Fall at the very end of August, the beginning of November is when I start thinking about holiday decorating. If I wait until after Thanksgiving, the Christmas season flies by too quickly! I don’t do my tree or anything too overtly Christmas yet (I don’t want to rush over Thanksgiving!), just a few small holiday touches at a time over the next few weeks.
More on that later! For now, happy November!
Hi, I'm Melissa. This is where I share inspiration for creating a simple, authentic and beautiful home.
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I love the fireplace detail – the mismatched panels work very well.
I’m afraid that I am very opposed to wishing the year away by discussing Christmas until December! And even then, while I might *think* about getting a tree and of course sending my cards and presents out good and early, there won’t be a glimmer of decoration in my house until about the 17th or so of December. I hate the way that the shops here in Oxford ALREADY have their Christmas sections up and running.
It seems so cynical and inappropriate of the big retailers to start telling people (who are living in particularly grim economic times just now in England) that they need to start buying overpriced sparkly, Christmassy imports from China in October. I know that Christmas is the most important period for retailers, and they’ve been suffering badly this year and HAVE to start their Christmas strategy early, but when you consider that the people who spend the most on Christmas are always the people who can least afford it (at least in England), it seems a little off to see a great big Christmas section in Marks and Spencer in the last week of October.
That having been said, even if I will be holding off until the last minute here, I will be closely watching The Inspired Room for ideas and inspiration as December rushes upon us!
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The cabinet doors look great & I’m so glad I found a name for my hidious paint color……swine. Perfect. I’m debating on painting mine as well but don’t think I’m gonna make it before the end of the month. Oh well.
duchess´s last blog ..Why is this all I have?
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Lol at ‘swine colored walls’. I did a taupe once that ended up looking exactly like the color of a band-aid. My family laughed at my need to paint *again*…but I just could not stand the pink!
I’ll hold off on wintry/Christmas decor until Thanksgiving, but I’m planning to extend the festive nature thru January to keep my spirits up. Using lots of whites and touches of red to carry thru Valentine’s day. ‘Course the tree will come down and obvious ‘santa’ stuff…but I want to celebrate the purity and peacefulness of the winter this year in my decor.
cindy´s last blog ..Ladderbacks all lookin’ awesome and stuff.
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I’m in Christmas mode now and there is no turning back! I am giving myself Thanksgiving as the day to actually start decorating, but I am picking up little things I see here and there. I like the way the cabinet doors look!
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As I work in retail, it’s been Christmas for about a month now….the behind the scenes planning, ordering and staffing required takes months. It really takes that magic out of the season. But the upside is that it’s fresh in my mind as I travel around my day.
So the answer to your question is – yes, I’m ready to start thinking about Christmas. In fact, my husband and I sat down and did some planning including that day we’ll get the tree (December 5th this year).
Love your blog – congratulations on the house.
Heather @ what’s happening this week´s last blog ..All Hallowed Leaves
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I love the cabinet doors and actually like that one is a different color- good mishap
With thanksgiving so late this year I am thinking of Christmas too.
I am not going overboard this year as hubby leaves for Afghanistan mid December and I can’t get it all put back up in January without him so I am looking forward to it as I want to do just a white and mercury glass look in the dining room. Something I could never do before.
I say bring it on
tammy´s last blog ..my Heather Chadduck light
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I’ve been trying not to start listening to my Christmas Pandora station yet! But while I agree that all the retailers start with Christmas things too early, only a month or so to concentrate on Christmas – Christ’s birth – is not enough! So I’ll probably start decorating bit by bit later this month. And finish up near to Christmas, but then leave everything up until the end of January so the kids (and adults) can enjoy and remember!
Abbie´s last blog ..Sunshine
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That’s a great idea for the space above the fireplace, Melissa!! I’ll keep that in mind, for the lake fireplace.
I bought a salvaged door, from our friends at All About Home. Greg has others, I might use for something. These doors are from antique furniture that was beyond restoration. Instead of getting rid of them, Greg cleaned them up and brought them to the shop. I rummaged through them in the back room and found the one I wanted. Not sure what I will do with it. It’s either going to frame a chalk board or plates. The center panel was so damaged it had to be removed. Greg cleaned the door, so I don’t have to do anything to it. That’s a project, for late fall early winter.
Pat@Back Porch Musings´s last blog ..~Hello November~
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I had to laugh. I’m looking through your pictures and I thought- those walls are pink? Then you said that they are swine colored. I got a little chuckle out of that. LOVE your inst-fix idea. Worked out well.
I’m starting to think about Christmas – hard not to.
I want all the shopping done so that I can focus on the enjoying the season. So, this week I begin working on it all. – Talk away!!!!
Suzann From The Olive Cottage´s last blog ..THE LETTER U…
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That’s definitely a happy accident!
living with lindsay´s last blog ..Librarians, Please Avert Your Eyes
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Hmm… I took some cabinet doors off last week too! Now I wonder what I could repurpose them for! They are very tall, nearly 100 year old cabinets, much to tall to go on a mantle… but now you’ve got me thinking! As you always do!
As a musician and music teacher, we begin practicing our Christmas songs in October, so I am listening to music in November for sure. I usually do most of the decorating on the day after Thanksgiving… keeps the celebratory feeling to launch it the next day! We usually get our tree within a week of T-day, too. BUT, I have already been picking up things here and there for gifts, for the last month, so I have more free time to just enjoy the season. I am also making gifts by hand, and that has to start early as well.
Spring´s last blog ..Curtain Call
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I am sooo ready to talk about Christmas. I’m even more excited about Christmas this year than last year (how is that possible?).
I’ve done about 75% of my shopping and am just finishing up some knit gifts. I read “Unplugging the Christmas Machine” which should be required reading.
Just have to get through November. Hopefully it will go by quickly.
Jen´s last blog ..Old Fort William
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I had the family over for dinner yesterday and wanted to have the conversation about gratitude since it was the first day of November. My son came in and put on Christmas carols! It was hard to concentrate will all the joyful bell ringing and mistletoe and holly singing in the background! I like to decorate after Thanksgiving but really start to plan for Christmas before then. I hate that Thanksgiving gets shoved out of the way by retailers too.
Jean´s last blog ..And the Winners Are…
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Here in Colorado, we got our first major snow last week. It took everything I had to not put on some Christmas music. I’m starting to think about what I’d like to do but always wait until the day after Thanksgiving to put anything up. So for now, I’m making gift lists, planning our advent calendar activities, thinking about menus and cookie exchanges. Hopefully, I’ll be good to go come November 27 to roll out Christmas and celebrate!
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What a great idea! Your cabinet door looks wonderful up there! I love seeing photos of your pretty home. Now since I’m a dishaholic, I love that plate!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Shelia´s last blog ..Monday Memes – My Incredible Hutch!
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I think the doors look great that way! It’s a lovely shade of blue.
I too am contemplating repainting a room before the holidays , I think there’s probably just a small window of time though … like the next 2 weeks or not until the new year.
I have been thinking about Christmas as well but still trying to enjoy all that fall has. I’ve left Christmas too late the past couple of years and this time I want to be better prepared!
Amber T.´s last blog ..Procrastinator’s Party- After!
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Absolutely, it is not too early for Christmas!
I have been bouncing ideas around in my head and plan to start gift shopping this week. I always like to have my gifts wrapped when we put up the tree, because a tree without gifts is sad, IMO. I always decorate the week of Thanksgiving, but this year, my husband will be out of town the week before so I thought that would be the perfect time to get everything out. December is so busy, I like to already have the cards and decor out so I won’t stress!
Katie@Yoga Gal´s last blog ..Halloween Fun!
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Does “swine colored” mean a flesh tone? If so…. ug. I hate flesh tones. If you need any help with selecting a color… I’d love to give you my thoughts. I’m sure you will select something wonderful. I’d paint before the holidays. Call a girlfriend over to help. That’s always way more fun!
The Magic Brush´s last blog ..Paint the brass hardware on your fireplace
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 am
Yes, picture a pig. Those are my walls.
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I love the cabinet doors!
I can’t wait for Christmas
Stephaine @ Geezees´s last blog ..What ONE WORD would you use? Simple custom word and color canvas art
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the cabinet doors look great!! I really like to celebrate Thanksgiving, too, but Christmas music comes out early; decorations right after Thanksgiving.
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I love it!!! And the “mistake” works perfectly! I am usually not so lucky! lol
Yes, I am so looking forward to Christmas!
Lou Cinda
Lou Cinda´s last blog ..MET MONDAY
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I was JUST thinking about this. I’m so ready for Christmas. This should be a particularly exciting year for us, since we should have a little one by then. Exciting!
songbirdtiff´s last blog ..Adoption Update and Back to Blogging
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Paint those “swine colored” walls NOW! It will make you feel so much better to have a fresh new color on your walls! I can’t wait for Thanksgiving! My family is coming over to visit, and I haven’t seen them in a while, and then I will start my Christmas decorating! I am so excited. I just love decorating for the Christmas season, but I don’t like to start too early, cause I want to keep enjoying my harvest decor for a little longer. Have a great day! Beth.
beth´s last blog ..Halloween Fun!
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Love the 2 different colored cabinets – and I totally would have done the same thing – run out of primer and made do with what I have. Looks great!
Linda Merrill´s last blog ..Topiaries
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That blue cabinet door looks great up on the mantle!! (I think I will take one off from under my kitchen cupboards and replace it with fabric this week).
I have to admit, I have snuck on Charlie Brown’s Christmas cd when I am home alone. Even though money is tight this year, I am getting really excited about decorating for Christmas…we have already had two days of snow so maybe that’s why. I just put away all my halloween decorations yesterday so I am trying to enjoy the time before all the winter ones start to come out.
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I love the reuse of your cabinet doors. I actually like that one is a different color! And it’s never to early to talk about Christmas. Though I probably wouldn’t mention it in April for fear of being publicly shamed.
So glad it’s almost time to pull out the decorations!
Kristen @ Beautifully Imperfect´s last blog ..That Time of Year
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I am right there with you wanting to pull out that Christmas decor. I found a really nice neutral color for walls- its a Pottery Barn color called Berber. Its not in the new catalog but I think you can go online and see it-I picked up a swatch of it at a local Benjamin Moore store and will probably go to Home Depot to get the to mix it for me. Its not too tan, not too white.
Amanda-TheEckLife´s last blog ..Its not even Halloween yet….
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Melissa @ The Inspired Room Reply:
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 am
Oh thanks for the tip! Berber sounds lovely!!
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YES!!!! I’ve already been planning meals and menus, and trying to get last minute home projects DONE so I can enjoy them during the holidays (painting a room, finish sewing some curtains, and cleaning a few closets!).
Katie´s last blog ..I Should Be Doing Laundry
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I’m laughing at your description of your walls!!! And I’m soooo ready to start talking Christmas!!!
L.Duncan´s last blog ..IT’S GIVEAWAY TIME AGAIN!!!
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I too think you should break out the paint. I have plain jane white walls now, it’s driving me nuts. I can finally get to work decorating our house since having the baby. Funny thing is my hubby just left for deployment last night and he asked me before kissing me goodbye, “what are you going to do to the house while I am gone? Be careful on the ladder when you paint.” Time to break out the paint and get started…
Jacquelin´s last blog ..The Old Schoolhouse FREE digital Holiday supplement
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Great idea with the cabinet doors!
This year I am totally ready to start talking Christmas!!!
Jess´s last blog ..Happy Halloween
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What a fabulous idea- I have a few door sitting out in the garage that I may have to use =)
teresa´s last blog ..Hanging Vase-
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Yes! I love Christmas! I am getting the decor out this weekend!
Amanda´s last blog ..Fetch It Freddy {Freddie}
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Hee hee “Swine colored”. Ahh, that cracked me up. I love your fireplace, and your redone secretary looks great in it’s little nook. And…is that a ticking stripe chair?! Beautiful!
AnNicole@OurSuburbanCottage´s last blog ..6 Easy Ways to Like Your Home More Today
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Melissa, I love the the cupboard doors and the creativity and the colors. A+ to you! Swine…love that. I do paint consults and the tans and beige with the pink undertones are tricky. You are doing a wonderful job of distracting the eye from the swine though!
I say Christmas decorating should trump the painting for now. Oddly enough, I was thinking of doing a post about savoring the season we are in also. Sometimes I jump the gun too soon and I am sick of the decor before the holiday arrive. Not good. Thanks for sharing this. And, I am always ready to discuss Christmas!
Bonnie Mattson´s last blog ..Home Safe Home!
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I love that idea with the doors! I’ve got a few doors in the garage I’ve been wondering what to do with….I’m thinking chalkboards!
And I sure don’t think it’s too early for Christmas, I’ll probably slowly start pulling out the boxes this week. It’s way to much work to wait! And way to much fun!
Gina´s last blog ..Making Time
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First of all I love the cabinet doors above the fireplace and the 2 colors WORK! I had a very similiar color (deeper) in my dining room, didn’t realize it had SUCH a pink base til it was on the walls….OY! It took me about 6 months to convince my hubby I could NOT live with that color!!!! Finally got it right:):) As for Christmas: I love everything about it, especially the decorating so would start the week before Thanksgiving if I could. However I am having everyone here so the next day, all the pumpkins will be stashed away and out will come CHRISTMAS! I wish the season lasted LONGER…..I know, it is a sickness! But I do ALOT of decorating and like to enjoy it as long as I can. Can’t wait to see what you do! XO, Pinky
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I can’t start thinking about Christmas yet. I am still basking in the glow of my successful Halloween craft. Next I need to work up the enthusiasm to put my Halloween stuff away.
I need a nap. (I seem to say that a lot lately)
Jill: The Welcome Home´s last blog ..Farewell Halloween…Until Next Year
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I’m making my own Christmas cards, so I need to start thinking about that, but I do not want to burn out on Christmas (Xmas, really) before December 25.
The thing that I miss about going to a liturgical church is saving some Christmas celebration for after Christmas Day.
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gosh I love your swine walls, they must look better in the
Do I confess I have been working on my Christmas theme since last Christmas. When I get it done, you sould come for tea. Clarice
picture
clarice´s last blog ..So Remember The Book That Changed My Life
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You are just so clever! Love it…and ah-hem….the swine color…gosh….I’d have to start painting…right now….:-)
lylah ledner´s last blog ..Gone Painting and Gardening Today
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LOVE the cabinet doors!… and I think it’s great that the color was an accident – love THOSE kinds of accidents
And… YES – I have been thinking about Christmas… not so much about the gifts… but, just thinking about getting my home ready, my mind and heart ready for my favorite time of year. I don’t want it to fly by this year… so I’m starting to savor the days as we lead up to Thanksgiving and Christmas…
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I’m ready to talk Christmas but I’m going to resist the urge, at least until I get those soggy pumpkins off my front porch-lol.
Enjoy your day!
Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY´s last blog ..A Bushel of Apples
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Hi Melissa,
First off love your blog!! I had to laugh at your “swine coloured wall” comment, maybe because I relate sooo well. I too have been revamping, but time and money has not allowed that I repaint our bright golden yellow walls (soooo dated!?!?!) – when I look at them, heck, I want to pull out the brushes and start painting myself. I too have the quandry of painting now or after xmas!! Good luck with whatever you decide.
Love your Beautiful Life concept, I’m so sorry I only “discovered” you now … I’m considering doing a monthly “theme” based on words for one of my blogs next year, so thanks so much for the great inspiration.
Gena
PS. agree with you – each ‘season’ deserves our attention and our being in “that” moment – time just escapes soo fast if we don’t ….
Gena´s last blog ..8 easy steps to Growing Herbs in Pots
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I’m so glad you’re starting to have fun decorating your “new” home! Makes my heart sing!
Brenda
Brenda Kula´s last blog ..Inspiration Or Lack Thereof
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I really love the three white plates hanging on the wall. I love how they don’t scream “look at me!”, yet they add the perfect touch.
~Camberley
The Bella Girls´s last blog ..Today I am Thankful For~
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I have never understood the trend to put TV’s above a fireplace. It is a perfect height for viewing….if you are standing. I always enjoy your blog.
Amber´s last blog ..Cream Cheese Filled Gingerbread Muffins
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Dear Melissa,
We featured you on our blog today!
http://www.networx.com/member/Networx/blog/eco-tuesday-something-from-nothing–
I was really inspired by your repurposing project. You did such an amazing job – awesome idea!
Marcy
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