THE CARD ROOM

To view a larger picture click here or on the picture.


I am very pleased with the way this room turned out. It originally was a screened in porch and we had glass sliding windows put in all around the room and a glass door. I didn't have a clue of how to decorate the room because of all the stucco walls in between all the windows and the door. The room was very choppy and unattractive. I knew that a topper along the top of all the windows would not change the choppy appearance. The room is off of our great room so I had to try to tie the colors in with that room because it is open to the great room by two double french doors that we keep open at all times now. I thought and thought about what to do, but did not come up with any solutions.
To view a larger picture click here or on the picture.

I went on a shopping trip with a friend of mine to JoAnn Fabrics. Now this trip was just to look I told my husband. Ha! That was a statement he knew he could just let go by him. Well, he was right. My friend spotted the striped fabric used for the valance, two side chairs and pillows that was perfect. It had all the colors in it I needed to tie in with the great room. Not knowing what I am going to do in this room, I decided to purchase the whole bolt which had 8 1/4 yards of 54" fabric on it. I proudly presented this bolt of fabric to Lonnie and made another statement that I would wait until we came back from our summer vacation to start on the room. Well, again he knew that was a statement he could just let go by him. Well he was right. I got the fabric home, stewed a while and then set out on another mission for more fabric.
To view a larger picture click here or on the picture.

Lonnie and I went shopping and he picked out the pinkish rose with beige leaves that is on the ottoman and two pillows. He is beginning to get into this room as much as I am by now. I still did not have a clue what I was going to do in this room or where I was going to use the two bolts of fabric that I had already purchased.

Now, by this time, Lonnie new this room was going to be started and completed long before we ever left to go on vacation. He sure does know me like a book!

To view a larger picture click here or on the picture.

By this time I am beginning to get visions of what I need to do in this room to take the choppy areas away and make the room flow. The only problem, I did not have enough of either fabric that was already purchased to do what I had in mind. So again, Lonnie and I go off on another fabric shopping spree. By the way, he just loves these shopping sprees, Ha!! We went to a Decorator Fabric Warehouse and immediately I spotted the fabric I needed to complete the room. I purchased 20 yards of the celery green fabric and I knew I was on my way to days of measuring, cutting and sewing, sewing and some more sewing. I was almost finished with the sewing. You will never guess what happened next. I decided to change the celery green drapes so that meant I had to break the news to Lonnie that I was short fabric and had to go purchase 7 more yards. Ouch!! With that done back to the sewing machine. And finally I completed the sewing of the celery drapes, time to celebrate. Once I had all the fabric, the ideas in my head all began to become a reality and I do believe I accomplished what I set out to do in this room. Well, that is except for the furnishings. That is another story! Haaa!!

We were heading to the store one day and I said I would just like to look in the antique shops on our way. Now mind you, I said just look. Well, we ended up coming home with not only a few groceries but the table with the plant on it and the two side chairs. What a deal, the table opens up and has three 16" leafs that go in it and has small drop leafs at each end. We were quite pleased with our shopping spree. As I was cleaning the table, I discovered it was an Ethan Allan piece. That was even more pleasing. By the next morning, I had the two side chairs covered before Lonnie ever rolled out of bed. LOL!

Now for the final and last addition to the room, the ottoman. I have always wanted to make one but just never got up the nerve to try. Well, I had this pinkish rose and beige fabric that just couldn't go to waste. I had the instructions in a Decorating with Fabric & Wallcovering book so I set out to gather up all the supplies listed. I had a problem getting a button needle but finally a very nice upholstery shop owner trusted me enough to loan me a needle. He also covered my buttons for me, because you need upholstery buttons not the buttons you cover for clothing. He also sold me most of the other supplies I needed also, except for the legs and I purchased them at the hardware store. I nervously started one evening while Lonnie was playing tennis and to my disbelief the ottoman just went together very easily. I was putting the legs on when Lonnie arrived home from tennis about 3 hours later. The ottoman cost me $58 for everything. I don't think I could purchase it for that anywhere.

This was a project that was going to be delayed for a few months, but now that it is completed, we are both very happy with the room. We enjoy reading the morning paper in here, we open the table and play cards and just sit and watch the birds in the bird sanctuary in the backyard. This room has turned from a stucco, screened in porch, into a very pleasant room.



Return to the Sewing Room.

Return to Index



<bgsound src="Zzendles.mid">