Happy Hour

This Happy Hour isn't exactly fun but I promise you'll smile the rest of the year.  That is, every time you open your linen closet.  Since it's the Out with the Old, In with the New time of year, let's make the most of wherever you store your linens.

I propose just taking 60 minutes to clear the shelves and then, toss everything you haven't used in a couple of years.  Donate sheet sets or towels that aren't "your" col...

This Happy Hour is all about getting some kind of skirt for our Christmas tree table.  In 2018, we gave away our 8' Christmas tree.  It took a village to get it out of the basement, up two flights of stairs and set up.  I love my new two-piece 4.5" tree, pre-lit with 450 lights and weighing just 18 lbs (Amazon).  I easily assembled it on a 24" high small table, making it a total of 6.5' in height.  As you can see, th...

This Happy Hour uses a glass cloche - perfect for small autumn vignette.  Little collectables fit under a glass dome and natural objects look even more special.  You might have a glass dome in your pantry - a cheese dome, a cake stand cover, a Mason jar, a glass canister turned upside down.  If you don't have a base, you can use a book, a plate, a piece of wood or just sit it on a surface.  Cloches / bell jars / glass domes ar...

Maybe you've come across the IKEA Fladis basket.  It wasn't until I saw Martha Stewart's silver-painted Fladis baskets that I thought - fun Happy Hour project!  Let's take a look at how I gave it a little flower power.

Price reduced to $9.99 at IKEA in Emeryville, CA.  Baskets can also be folded in half.

I used plain white old house paint for the background.

In honor of the Woodstock concert 50th anniversary this month...

For this Happy Hour, how about taking a look at the lampshades in your rooms?  Sometimes, the lamp speaks for itself and the lampshade is just along for the ride.  Other times, a $20 basic lamp is more than passable - what gives it away as generic is the lampshade.  This earthy shade is the perfect size for the lamp. The right lampshade is a little oversized and covers all the lamp hardware.  While an unconventional material,...

Summer is a great time to update our potted plants for a fresh look.  Terracotta, peat or plastic pots are just begging for a Happy Hour redo. Let's take a look at some easy one-hour ideas.

thecraftables.com

Graphic black and white - wrap white painted string around black painted pots.

valleyandbirch.com

Glue plastic string around pots and paint in chalk paint. 

thewhitepad.com

Paint terracotta pots and add blackboard stickers.

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Do these silvery baskets photographed by Martha Stewart take your breath away?  This shape seems to be in every store this spring but it's never looked this glorious.  Here's my Happy Hour suggestion - why not buy a can of metallic paint and work your magic?  I'm headed to the basement to see what baskets I've got around.  In the meantime, let's check out some basket painting inspiration....

Happy Mother's Day!  As flowers are given and received on this special day, how about some easy flower arranging?  In one Happy Hour, you can create a stunning arrangement.  Let's see what can be done with a simple grocery store bouquet or flowers from your garden.  

roomfortuesday.com

Blogger Sarah creates this bouquet with flowers and greenery from Trader Joe's.

southernstateofmind.com

postris.com

Use whole or...

For this Happy Hour, how about bringing back May Day?  I love the idea of May 1st being a day of celebration.  In the 1950's, my Mom would make little flower bouquets that my brother and I would deliver to our Portland neighbors.  We'd hang the flowers on the door, knock as loud as we could and then run fast. "Happy May Day" was meant to be a surprise.  This year, why not bring back this sweet tradition?  Here's some easy ways...

Have you noticed?  White vases are suddenly everywhere.  Springtime fresh, white vases bring a modern, crisp look to any room.  And, they're easy to find - you'll see in dollar stores and IKEA.  You can even make them yourself but more of that in a minute.  First, let's look at how great they can look in any room.

west elm.com

A collection of white vases.

ballarddesigns.com

White freshens a...