We have a small mudroom connecting our garage and kitchen. This room has been a challenge for me in terms of decor (okay, most rooms are a challenge - I need an interior designer to interpret what is in my head!). It houses the usual mudroom staples of a bench and boot tray as well as our wine refrigerator and our coffee area (a bar table holding our espresso machine and Keurig). Jeff recently laid down new flooring and I updated the white ruffle valances with some pumpkin colored velvet rick rack bought here. Those of you that know me, know I do not sew! I used a hot glue gun to secure the trim and thus far it is holding up rather well, close to a year later.
Jeff caught the fish on the wall. It was a prize fish and he was even awarded a certificate for it. Much to my dismay, he had it hanging in the mudroom, I wanted to move it down to our basement craft/man cave area. Over time, I came to realize that he was very proud of this fish and I was very proud of him for catching it, it symbolized something and meant something to him and isn't that what the decor of your home should invoke? So I decided to make peace with the fish and just go with it, especially since it is not in the most prominent room in the house. Still, the space was empty and needed a little injection of Karla, enter these adorable vintage state trays. I found four of them at an estate sale for next to nothing and sought out the Florida tray on ebay (Jeff lived in FL for four years). I glued a wire loop on the back of each and viola! I'm really liking the way they look on the wall, now I just have to get around to painting the beadboard!
On a somewhat related note, I had to share this adorable photo. Jeff went out to the garden to pick some lettuce. It seemed he was gone for quite a while and when I went to see what was going on, he was playing with Margot and they were relaxing in the grass. So cute! As many of you know, Margot hates the camera so I had to snap this from a distance.
21 comments:
You have definitely spoken the truth about decorating!!! The trays seem the perfect compliment to the fish!
Please tell Jeff that I was scrolling slowly down as i read and when I read the part that HE had Caught the fish I went into a quick reverse! I had thought this was a "nice" mounted fish you two (ahum, he found) found along the way. But Jeff caught it!!
congratulations and best of all~
He "caught" YOU :)
Hugs,
Mary
That is a great fish Jeff caught but I understand you not wanting it anywhere else in the house.
Cute photo of Jeff and Margot.
Alison
sometimes you just have to compromise...to keep the peace...and Jeff's prize fish actually looks great there, it is a nice compliment to your state trays...the picture of Jeff with Margot is very cute:)
Hi Karla,
My home is always a work in progress, too. I think the trays work great with the fish. I try to remember that my husband lives in the house with me, too when it comes to decorating. We have very different ideas.
Enjoy your new decor!
Tammy
For a girl who does not sew, it sure looks perfect, you did a wonderful job and what a great find, those trays look perfect there with the fish. I think the photo of Jeff and Margot is so funny, I can just imagine how going out for the lettuce concluded in both parties rolling around the garden! We too often have those moments (we call them funny episodes). The cup cakes in the last post are so cute and I think your 4th July basket was fantastic. Hugs, Margie.
What a lovely idea, surrounding the fish by state plates! =) We've had the occasional stuffed "catch" on display, and I know how hard it can be to incorporate them into the decor!
Hope you're enjoying your little Miss Munchkin's first summer! This time next year you'll be doing LOTS of running around after her! =) (Then again, if you and Jeff make it to the Cape, I could help you!!!)
Sugar Bear!
I love the state trays...especially the one from California! :-)
Love Ya,
Shelley
I remember the room you're talking about and I really liked it Karla! I think those trays go really well there.
LOL that pic of Jeff and Margot is so cute!!!
Jeff's fish looks very nice among the state trays - you did good. I don't think I would have thought of combining those particular items - but it was a good thing you did - they look great
Hugs,
Penny
How funny I would be the same way A fish really hanging inside the house? But in the end would give in, but hey as long as he doesn't ADD to that collection of prize fish ..lol!
The trays are a great fit :)
Love the pic of he and your cute Margot:)
You're so right about the home expressing the energy, loves and accomplishments of the people who live there, and I think the fish looks perfect in that space. The trays were a great find (they work great with the fish, it has a nice feel), and I love the rick rack/hot glue technique. I don't sew either. Glue and that red tape -- they are my lifesavers!
Hi Karla - Yes, there is a website, but it is not finished just yet (lol, that's my job for this fall once the kids are back to school). What is the hot sauce Jeff is looking for and I can find out for you when I'm up at the shop next. =)
Hi Karla,
Martha Stewart Magazine came today~ the Good Things section had some cushions in a room that reminded me of your room here! Very Nautical!
I like how rooms evolve in a home :)
like this room! :)
Hugs,
Mary
Hi Karla,
Well I have to agree with most of the ladies here we do need to compromise with our hubbys/partners from time to time, I guess it's part of loving and share things and idea's with each other, I feel this room there is balance, harmony, light and airy normaly mud rooms are quite small so if painting in a dark colourway could close it in and make it feel very small, you and your hubby have made a beautiful room. Great fish caught, great state trays, beautiful job on the valance curtains, lovely image of the 2 pal's playing.
Hugs Kirstie
Those trays are terrific...my daughter would love them...she is collecting vintage State items(when she has a home one day)
I sure have missed a lot on your blog.....I have not redone my blog roll and I forget where everybody is!!
The baby is growing sooo fast.....what a little doll :)
Going to catch up on your blog now~Sheri
Cute pic of Margot and Pop. BTW, what do Margot and Chelsea think of each other?
Aww, your Margo is so sweet! They look like they are having a great time together! Thanks for visiting me today and commenting on my red blog entry. I appreciate you stopping by!
And congrats to you for making peace with the fish! {Hehe, that cracked me up!} I've been trying for years to make peace with hubs big old giant black speaker he has hung in four corners of our living room, argh!
Those vintage trays are a really nice touch - a nice collection and what a great place to display them!
Those trays are fabulous! Cute photo of Jeff and your dog!
Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Sandy
love this pic...in the grass..they all have their likes and dislikes.
Karla, it is so sweet of you to embrace the fish... and you are SO right, sometimes we just need to give in a little to the feelings of our sweet ones.
I Love how you added the ricrac to the valance... so cute!
LOVE that picture of Jeff and Margot... hehe. xoxo Heather
Love the state trays and the fish placement! My Mom and Dad fought over the special location of my Dad's prized Rainbow Trout for years! My Dad won for several years and one day it just disappeared! Hugs to you! Amy :)
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