New Year~New Sitting Room!

I have a confession to make...While I had the Christmas decorations up, I was already fretting about how I would re-decorate in January. Like most of you decorating bloggers out there, I had the urge for something new and fresh, but didn't want to spend any money. I also was so accustomed to looking at my things that I lacked creativity and inspiration to think of anything new.

Enter my dear friend, Sandy, from The Olive and Rose. She was literally an answer to prayer when she offered to come and breathe a fresh look into my sitting room and dining room. (Pics of the dining room will come later!) We had spent some time earlier discussing what kind of 'feel' I wanted, which was pretty and romantic. I had also thought of pulling the rug from under the dining table and setting it in the sitting room. One of the first things she did was arrange the furniture, then suggested we put all the paintings of my all-time favorite artist (and Sandy's friend!) Christie Repasy together in the room. (I had had them scattered about in different rooms of the house)...so here is the reveal! :

TA-DA!!

Sandy also knows how much I like the 'Magnolia Pearl' look and I love how she incorporated that style into the room, too! I'd had the gorgeous vintage drapery panel and she suggested I cut it in two to flank each side of the windows, then layer lace along the valance. I was so happy to have yet another way to display my collection of doilies!

I love the vignettes Sandy created. Later, I found a mirror and hung it behind this display to double the sparkle.

My mother's cherished cocoa pot and thrift store dish and teacup compliment Christie's painting beautifully!

Sandy captured what I had envisioned..a beautiful, soothing. romantic retreat..right in my own home!

I am eternally grateful to her!!

"But when women are moved and lend help, when women, who are by nature calm and controlled, give encouragement and applause, when virtuous and knowledgeable women grace the endeavor with their sweet love, then it is invincible."

~ {Jose Marti}

I am linking up to Met Monday at Between Naps on The Porch