My New Office Loft Space--Before and After

At the top of the stairs, we carved out a small home office/retreat area during 

our recent home renovation.  I LOVE IT!  It's light and a bit feminine.

Before, the upstairs was one big master bedroom (below). 

My friend, Debbie suggested we put up a wall and door 

where the half wall was (she's so brilliant). 

The pendant light was a bargain from Overstock.com.  To the right of this door is a cabinet 

with more office storage...a shambles right now.  Perhaps another post someday.

This is the space before.  

Here it is now...

Desk Accessories

On my desk is a Limoges plate that was my maternal grandmother's.
The personalized pencils also make nice gifts.
They come in lots of colors from Oriental Trading. 

The round box is from a Paris flea market and holds paper clips.
Splurge on interesting file folders (sometimes you can find them at TJ Maxx).
It makes getting organized more fun.

My friend, Claire made this custom clip board for me. 

I order notepads you design yourself

from American Stationery.

This is the corner where I am now.  "Feet up blogging mode."

Thanks for visiting my new office.  Guess I should get back to work 

(right after I finish my tea and check out some other blogs).

Best wishes,

Mary Ann

Please check out House Revival's Beautiful Kitchen Pantries 

for great tour of pantries (and a mention of ours).   

Participating in Friday Remodelaholic

Feathered Nest Friday,

Home Sweet Home,

Wow Us Wednesday, White Wednesday,

 BC Good Life Wednesday, 

Open House Thursday, 

Strut Your Stuff,

Voila-French Inspiration

Transformation Thursday

Under $100 Linky Party

Pink Saturday

Ready for a Party? Check Out These Table Linens

 La Tavola  is a California based fine linen rental company.
 Even if you don't live in California, their
Spring and Summer displays can be inspiring...

Coordinating napkins and seat cushions, also for rent, make a festive table.

Here's a cute underskirt...

You can rent one table cloth or a hundred.

This is a pretty cushion for chiavari party chairs (I have 12 chairs like this stored in our garage). 

We used them recently for a bridal shower here.  

Notice the organza topper over a pin striped floor length table cloth.

 There is an extensive selection of fun fabrics.

 

The sales representative said that glamorous wedding events are coming back and
these cloths below are often sold out.

A bit "over the top" for me.  What do you think? 

This is the table cloth fabric from La Tavola that my friend, Claire used for her
daughter's wedding HERE.

The fabric complements the gorgeous floral arrangements.

Back one of my favorites.  How easy to decorate with pots from the garden store?

Best wishes,

Mary Ann

PS.  Sea urchin vases give-away:
remember to become a follower and/or leave a comment HERE with your email address

Drawing on June 15 for US and Canadian Residents.

Our Beach Home Tour for Remodelaholic

To be honest,  I'm not crazy about my blog name.

When I asked my sister (who is a successful marketing exec)

 "what would be a good name for my blog?"

She said "well, your style is classic yet casual." 

Sister, Ginger, Gus, Mom

So, it's her fault.  True, I only gave her about five minutes of brainstorming time

before I decided to run with it.

Anyway, I always get inspiration from Remodelaholic.
Please pop on over

HERE for a little tour of our remodeled home.  

Yesterday, was my husband's birthday.

 In honor of his birthday, and to thank you for reading, 

I am giving away six sea urchin glass vases like these below.  

Please become a follower and leave a message with your email if it is 

not on your profile at the bottom of this post.

Drawing on June 15 for US and Canadian Residents.

Best Wishes, 

Mary Ann

Participating in Time Travel Thursday, Wow Us Wednesday,
Creative Bloggers Party and Tabletop Tuesday

PS.  Thanks so much Remodelaholic for featuring us.

What's Up at Your Flea Market?

The Long Beach, California flea market is every third Sunday of the month, rain or shine.  Usually, it is shining here...however, not on the day I decided to run up there at 7 am without an umbrella.

It was fun anyway.

1.  Vintage mason jars
For use as flower vases (like in the show house in my previous post.).  One woman was buying about twenty for her Fall wedding.  They are also good for storage and display.

2. Industrial Chic  (metal with patina)

I could use a sturdy step ladder in my pantry...will it look cool or like a beat up old stool?  

I am using a similar tool tray in our kitchen's beverage center here..

I could see these filled with branches...

One dealer bought ALL these industrial bread pans to sell as shelving.

3.  African Handiwork

 I like the sea colored glass beads for color and texture 

(my daughter bought me some in NY for Mother's Day).

I think these crosses from Nigeria are pretty.

4. Copper Kitchenware

I'd like to shine these up with some Bar Keeper's Friend cleanser.  

(See how wet everything was from the rain?).

5.  Letters

6. Antique Engravings (these came out after the rain stopped)

 Hand colored, good selection.  

7.  Vintage Stone Fruit

This bunch of jade grapes caught my eye.

8.  Vintage License plates

I thought of buying one of these California plates to decorate my son's dorm room at the 

University of Florida--until I turned one over and there was a $250 price tag.

Look what came home with me.

Uh oh.  The metal step ladder does look less chic at home... well,

at least I can reach the top self now.

 My new copper tray was $10 (I also bought the larger one, not shown for $20).

 The jade grapes ($15) are the right shade in our living room. 

And lastly, I bought this heavy brass bamboo tray 

(it was a mottled black before I cleaned it) for $10.  Brass is Back, Baby.

Have you gotten any good deals lately at a flea market or garage sale?  

Put the flea market in your area on your calendar.  Have fun.

Best wishes,

Mary Ann

Participating in Today's Thrifty Treasures