Heart and Home: Halloween Greetings

Happy Halloween!

I'll be back next week,

hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Until then,

XO

Heidi

Hauntings at Heart and Home

(for the before of my mantel, posted as a Fall Transformation, go here)


And now, just for you my lovely visitors, an original  *ahem* " poem". 
 (Beware!!)

Today's the day, don't go away, it's time for Halloween!

I've changed the mood, from room to room, to give us each a scream!

Come see the sights, they're quite the frights, each place a scary scene,

We'll have some fun, until it's done, this night of Halloween.

Little and Big Boo...

the Raven...

scaredy cat...

and Ghosts aplenty.....

...are wishing you a very Happy Halloween!

And now, a much better poem, to get you in the mood:

A gentle breeze rustling the dry cornstalks.

A sound is heard, a goblin walks.

A harvest moon suffers a black cat's cry.

Oh' do the witches fly!

Bonfire catches a pumpkins gleem.

Rejoice, it's Halloween!

                                                                             -Richard Anderson © Copyright 1998

BOO!

Posted for Transformation Thursday, at The Shabby Chic Cottage.  and  Show and Tell Friday, at My Romantic Home. Thanks Gina and Cindy!  Just a reminder that you can check out the "before" fall mantel which I posted awhile ago here.

Happy Halloween everyone! Have a wonderful weekend, thanks for stopping by. Don't be ghostly, leave a comment!

Until next time,

XO

Heidi

Master Bath Remodel at Heart and Home

Hi everyone!  Thanks so much for stopping by. Today I'm a double threat, joining in at Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,  and DIY Day at A Soft Place To Land.  Each one a wonderful, fun and inspiring place to visit! Thank you Susan and Kimba for hosting us on Monday and Tuesday!


In August when I was just starting out blogging Heart and Home, I posted a few pictures of our master bathroom remodel. I decided to post them again, since no one saw them the first time around! This is a brand new, improved post where I've added additional pictures, new descriptions, and pictures of the BEFORE (scary!) which I rediscovered carefully filed away in our home-remodel photo album. They"ll give you a good idea of why I'm so pleased with the AFTER!!

BEFORE:  This is the bathroom with the 2 1/2' square shower stall, and the 5' tub and shaky toilet:

BEFORE:  This was a weird wall that had openings on both sides but no doors, sinks on one side, bedroom wall on the other. This was a common design feature in homes built during the 70's. I never liked it, but I think the idea was to create a sort of " master suite" area: ( one of the faucets didn't work, and the drawers stuck all the time.)

BEFORE:  Below on the left is the bathroom area, on the right is what passed for the walk-in closet. Fine for someone about 90 lbs, and very tall to reach those upper shelves (that's so not me!!). There was very little storage and no room to turn around:

We worked very hard on the design to incorporate all the things on our wish list, and to make best use of the space.

AFTER:  Here's how the bathroom turned out. (You can see that I'm not done yet. Still have trim painting to do. That darned project has totally intimidated me. I've just got to get started and do it!)

 We created  this room by knocking out the existing walls and turning three little rooms into one big space. We were able to get additional space by digging under the house to make a room for our closet (which is not shown, but it's a room all by itself off of the bedroom- I love it!!), and by adding the pop-out bay window area, which is where the tub sits. (The bay continues upstairs in the kitchen, where the table and chairs are, which you can see more of here.)  I love the color of the walls in here:  "Atlantic" by Martha Stewart, it's very soothing. The floor is limestone, and most of it is heated by the NuHeat system which is a very thin electrical mat laid under the tile before installation. It's so cozy to step onto a warm floor, especially in the winter.

Mr. H&H insisted on a large "man-sized" shower space.  It wound up being a bit larger than 8' x 5' - (big enough for the whole family at one time, plus our pets, friends and neighbors! ; )

 To trim the beadboard wainscoting, I chose these iridescent mosaic tiles  (Bizazza tile, Italy)because they reminded me of sea glass, which is one of my favorite things in the world. (You can see more of that here.) I wanted to finish the entire shower with those tiles, until I saw the price.  I'm very happy to have them as trim....

I picked the wall paint color to compliment the glass tiles.  I did manage to get some of the window trim painted! I wanted the windows and mirrors to flow together, so you couldn't tell where one ended and the other started. We have such a beautiful, private view of our back yard and the redwood trees (go see!) out these windows.

Sinks are "Happy D" by Duravit,  faucets "Tara" by Dornbracht.  Their clean, contemporary lines compliment the more traditional elements in the room. I wanted to mix it up a little, and still maintain the ranch style of this house. I'm more comfortable with an eclectic look, rather that having everything match exactly.




This is my giant-sized space: the tub. It's big enough for two!! It's the one big splurge in this room and I thought I'd be lounging in it every night, treating myself to beauty baths and luxuriating in bubbles. It takes awhile to fill up, and uses a lot of hot water.  Once it's full it's quite lovely to sit in there and poach a little. It took 4 burly guys  to carry the tub into the house - very heavy cast iron. So, when the hot water goes in it stays hot for a long time. The view from these windows is mostly private, and pretty spectacular, too.

I'm still figuring out exactly what to do with the window treatment. I want something soft, and I don't want to block very much of the light or the view, though at night we need something for privacy. The big window is 8' wide, for now I'm using a strong bamboo pole as a curtain rod, because it doesn't need to be supported in the middle.  If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them. I've considered shutters (too severe), blinds (cover too much of the window), bottom up, top down cellular shades (not much character, and lots of cords everywhere) - at this point I'm sort of stuck!! Ideas, anyone? Help!!

Tub is by Kohler, faucet "Tara" by Dornbracht.

I've discovered something very important.  Do you know what keeps peace in a marriage? His and her sinks and bathroom cabinets!! I'm not kidding about that. (There is a cabinet on each side of the sinks. This one is his. Mine is on the other side, and much bigger, naturally!)

I found these cute little lamps at Target, of all places. They fit in perfectly!

Well, there you have it, my little piece of heaven at home - our master bathroom. I love the space, the fixtures, the colors, the finishes  - everything about it, actually. And I know I'm a lucky girl to have such a luxurious bathroom! It really is a calming and restorative space that I never take for granted.  I  truly appreciate it , especially after a hectic day as a space where I can relax and recharge before bedtime, and early in the morning as I prepare for my days activities.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Remember to leave a comment, I read them all and appreciate each one so much. If you have any ideas about those darn curtains, let me hear them!! That project can become a future post!

Until next time,

XO

Heidi

Heart(s) and Home!

It's Pink Saturday. It seems like they've been flying by faster and faster this month. Why does it always feel like Fall goes by so quickly? Is it because I'm already anticipating the whirlwind of the holidays approaching? Or is it because school started awhile ago, and we are deep into our routines - each day effortlessly flowing into the next, errands and chores competing for my attention everyday?
Whatever the reason, October is almost over!

Anyway, I'm glad you came by for a visit! I thought I'd share these pink and purple sachet hearts with you.

One year I stitched up a bunch to give away on Valentine's Day. I stuffed them with cotton batting and dried lavender from my garden. I kept a few for myself, too. Nothing is as soothing to me as the scent of lavender. I just love how refreshing and clean it smells, without overpowering. I always spray a little on my pillow before bedtime, to help me sleep.

The buttons, pearls and rosettes are from my button bag and my trims box in my sewing/craft/messy jack-of-all-trades room. I never get rid of anything after I finish sewing or working on a project, as a result I have a lot of things stashed in bags and boxes that I can use whenever the creative mood strikes me. Over the years I've sewn a lot of really "girly" dresses and Halloween costumes for my two very feminine daughters!  They could never get enough lace, pearls, or ribbons. I can't tell you how many fairy princess costumes I've made, and we still have them all! I can't bring myself to get rid of them, and you never know - maybe someday I'll have little granddaughters...

I'm very sentimental about my two babies! They're both grown up now, one 20, the other 13...but the pearls and the little roses on these sachets remind me of birthday parties, holidays, christenings and other special moments with them when they were both so little.

Hanging from the door knobs in my bathroom and closet they add just the right amount of femininity to the spaces, without overwhelming them and looking too "cute".

I savor the memories of my daughters, twirling in their new party dresses, putting on "ballets" in the living room, and Mr. H&H and I trick-or-treating with our two little angels, and fairies, and princesses. October has gone by quickly, but nothing can compare with how fast the years have passed, as we've watched our little girls grow up into beautiful young women. These sachets are a daily, gentle reminder for me to slow down and enjoy the moments, as time flies by.

I really appreciate that you chose to spend some of your precious time here at Heart and Home. Thank you Beverly, for Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound.

Thank you so much for visiting, I hope you'll come back soon! Please let me know you were here, I love reading each and every one of your comments.

Until next time,

XO

Heidi

Harvest Tablescape at Heart and Home

On a crisp fall evening it's nice to have dinner for two in front of the fireplace in the living room.

I'll use different textures to conjure up images of the fall fields and woods surrounding our home.

Silk, leaf-patterned place mats in brown and gold cushion our plates, and an assortment of broken-glass mosaic votives line the antique trunk we use for a coffee table's edge. (See more here , here, and here)

I'm using flatware by Towle that I've had for 30 years. Nothing fancy, but I love the subtle hint of gold on their edges that add a little extra something to the tablescape. I've never grown tired of this classic pattern!

The botanical print dessert plates will stand in for salad plates tonight.  These little plates were purchased at Ross: $3.99 for four! They compliment all of my other dishware with their varied colors.

Bunches of faux grapes encircle brown silk napkins, and add to the "harvest" theme.

The candlelight adds a lovely, soft, warm glow to the table.

It's still bright outside. But soon the sun will set behind the mountain, and it will be time to pour the wine.

Then I'll  relax and enjoy a casual meal in the living room by the fire. That's the way I like to serve dinner for two on a crisp fall evening, here on the redwood coast!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Your visits mean so much to me, and I hope that you'll be back soon. Leave me a comment and say hello. A big thank you to Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch, for another fun Tablescape Thursday!

Until next time

XO

Heidi

Heart and Home and Handkerchiefs

 I'm so glad you've stopped by. I've recovered from my blue funk of the last week just in time!  I've got some pretty pink handkerchiefs to show you for Pink Saturday, at How Sweet the Sound. I'm also joining the fun at Tam's The Gypsy's Corner, for 3 or More Tuesday. Thanks Beverly and Tam!

I hope you'll enjoy them!

I found these hankies in one of my Mom's drawers after she passed away. I had given most of them to her for Mother's day or for her birthday when I was a little girl.

Does anyone remember those flat boxes of three or four hankies that you could buy at Thrifty or Woolworth drug stores? I remember thinking they were so beautiful, all tied up with their little ribbons, and the pretty paper on the boxes. There was always a crinkly cellophane window in the box top, which allowed the contents to show. I loved that!

.

With my limited income of a quarter a week allowance, I didn't have many options when it came time to buy a gift for my mom! We didn't have a lot of fancy stores in our town, and  I knew I couldn't afford her favorite perfume (Chanel No. 5, or Ma Griffe).   Jewelry was my Dad's domain - and he loved to spoil her with beautiful pieces. She really wasn't the type of Mom to actually wear a macaroni necklace, so to me the hankies were a way of giving her something that reflected her beauty. I didn't realize she had kept them all!

My daughters didn't even know what hankies were, until I explained to them.

I told them how my mother would put one in each of my sisters' and my own little patent leather purses, and how she would tie a quarter or a few dimes in the corner for our church offerings on Sunday.

I explained that women always carried hankies in their purses back when I was a girl, (sheesh, it wasn't that long ago!) and I tried to express the rush of feelings that came over me when I saw these again after such a long time. I don't think my daughters really understood, but they were sweet about it!

I've been reminiscing about my Mother a lot lately. She was pretty and fair, with light blond hair.  Pink was one of her colors! It's bittersweet reliving moments from my past, and the memories of someone who meant so much to me. It's painful realizing she isn't here with me anymore.

I'm very sentimental about little things that used to be hers, like these hankies.

I'm going to tuck one of them into my purse, and I'll have a sweet reminder of my mother with me every day.  It will be so nice to have something tangible, something I can touch, which, like my memories, will keep her close to me wherever I go.

Thanks for taking another trip down memory lane with me! Thanks to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound,  for Pink Saturday. Thanks also to Tam at The Gypsy's Corner, for 3 or More Tuesday. When you get a chance go check out those sites, I promise you, you'll be glad you did!

I also want to mention a blog I recently discovered ( late to the game, again!). It's Mimi Charmante- go see it -it's beautiful! Mimi's having a drawing for a really lovely wrap that I think anyone would love and use often in the cooler weather. You need to enter by this Thursday, so hurry on over there, and let her know I sent you! (But please, don't win, because I want to!!)

Come back for another visit real soon.

Until next time

XO

Heidi