Fixer Upper!

Fixer Upper

Have you seen it?

Do you love it?

Do you have a little crush on Chip and Joanna like I do?

And half of America, apparently?

All Photos from HGTV Website

Chip and Joanna are the "stars" of Fixer Upper", 

a great home remodeling show on HGTV. 

It's in it's second season now and it's become my favorite show. 

They're so talented and charming and energetic and funny

and still somehow, so nice and normal.

There's nothing fake or Hollywood about them, 

and I love everything they do.

I love that they are renovating in several towns in Texas, 

one house at a time.

I love that they are saving some worthy homes, not demolishing them.

They used salvaged pieces in unexpected yet practical ways

like this island counter top made from the flooring of a truck.

I love their design style 

and their realistic, family friendly, budget friendly ideas.

I love how Chip gives all the credit to Joanna, 

calling her the new "Martha Stewart" 

even though he obviously has some serious talents of his own.

They have four ridiculously cute children  

and a fabulous farmhouse that they've renovated themselves.

They seem so genuine and family oriented.

What's not to love?

Each show starts with a family that's looking for a home in their area.  

Chip and Joanna show them three different homes in their price range, 

usually in different states of repair, with different renovation needs. 

The family chooses a home to renovate, and the fun begins.

Chip manages the construction 

and Joanna works on the design.

Here are some finished rooms...

Gorgeous, aren't they?

Something always comes up, and things are always handled gracefully.

Nobody is snarky or unpleasant. 

I really dislike the fake drama on so many of the home renovation home shows.  

None of that here. Things get done. People are happy. 

Old houses are happy-

Like this one!

You should watch it! 

Thursdays at 8:00/7C on HGTV

(All photos are from the HGTV Website!
Check it out here)

And no, I only wish I was getting paid for this post!

Fixer Upper.

It's Just Grand!

Linking to:
The Scoop at Stone Gable

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Willow Basket Makeover

A-Tisket, A-Tasket, 

A giant Willow Basket

In honor of May Day and Spring, 

today's post is a simple Spring Basket mini-makeover...

It started with an irresistible willow basket 

that I found at the Kane County Flea Market last month.

Darling Daughter had come home from college for a "Reverse" Mom's Weekend. 

There's just so much more to do around here than on campus 

(especially if one of you is still under-age....)

We went to see "Cinderella" on Friday night and loved it.

Then we hit the flea market on Saturday afternoon 

and had fun hunting for treasures together.

I spotted this basket and snagged it for a pretty good price.

Willow baskets can be spendy and this one is huge.

It's over three feet long.

It had been half painted an antique gold.  

It must have been on a shelf someplace where the back side didn't show.

I wanted it for my new island and I needed something big-

Sort of a "Statement" basket.

I like that it has a handle and will be easy to move 

when I actually need to use this end of the island.

I bought some trusty Rustoleum spray paint, in Flat Brown.

I knew I didn't want the finish to be glossy 

and I wanted it to coordinate with the domed basket above the refrigerator.

Ten minutes later, 

Voila!

I sprayed it really lightly so some of the old lighter color could show through.

I think it works well with the other basket.

(And I'm still in love with my star mullions...

You can read about the kitchen re-do here.)

I love it when a plan comes together...

I bought some big beautiful ivy plants from my friend Heather

(you can read about Heather here)

and a fuchsia plant for some color.

I think the fuchsia might do well in this spot, 

getting some nice light from our skylights.

Then again, it might make a constant mess....

The sheer brilliance of my plan 

is how easy it will be to change the plants around 

in different seasons or just in different moods.

Here's the view from what I like to call my "Throne"...

I like how the basket helps screen the sink from the rest of the room.

Here's the view from my sink.

Don't judge the wall art.  

I'm still searching for the right thing(s) to put on that back wall...

Suggestions, anyone?

Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style