What Was the Best Ever Shabby Tole Hamper

I found this amazing shabby, tole hamper at a neighbor downtown shop, The Thrifty Patriot, and was so excited about incorporating it into my bedroom. Look at that sweet rose bouquet painted on the front. 

I only have this picture from their Facebook page, because while I was gone for a girl's weekend at the beach,  my husband wanted to surprise me by freshly painting it. And he did. Have I mentioned, I don't like surprises. 

Laugh or cry and never let them see you cry, is what I often say. 

You'll see it soon for sale in my space at The Shops at 123 Hay Street, freshly painted and sans the rose.

I Love Our Artist Painted Bedroom Mural Wall

Since reading the magnificent book by Magnolia Pearl, I have been wanting a mural in my home. After a couple years of agonizing over the decision, I sold some things to pay to have one of my favorite local artists, Sandra Dee Nicholson, go for it. I think we were both a little hesitant starting out. I am known for not easily conceding control and I was so enamored of the peacock in the book. I hesitated asking an artist to so closing recreate another's work.

We started with a bedroom that was painted a glossy harvest gold, like an 80's appliance, when we moved in and we'd been living with for 3 years as we've worked on other projects and rooms in the house. BA painted 3 bedroom walls in Pencil Point and the low ceiling in Apricot Ice (Valspar paint from Lowes). 

Sandra and I met a few times and discussed some sketches for the concept. She came and went while we weren't home and I really wish I had taken some pictures along the way. She included some this I had asked for, like this sweet blue bird.



And she came up with some things on her own, this is a replica of the concrete planter by our front door.

I wanted lots of roses, which she gave me. She even ran them up onto the ceiling. At the sides of the wall she painted sheer drapes and more roses.






I'm not a great photographer and after several tries and deleting them all, decided 
I'd share these. I took them with and without the flash, and haven't been able to truly capture the color, depth of painting, and magnificence of it. If you'd like to see more, the pictures are here.

Have I said how much I love it. Now to get things hung and the rest finished.