This post contains affiliate links.
Morris & Co. wallpaper, My Tiny Estate and Saving the Manor, as well as, scarves, advent calendars and more.
Happy weekend meanderings friends.
Today I am joining Kim and Juliet for weekend meanderings, our weekly series of all of the things that caught our eye and piqued our interest.
Let’s Meander
This week was a little crazy. As you know we renovated our kitchen and now we are putting the finishing touches on that space.
We have been waiting for the rendering, as well as, the quote for window treatments. Three woven blinds, 6 linen panels and hardware and two roman shades.
To say that I am shocked at the cost quoted is an understatement, my mouth is still hanging open.
Does $16,000 seem a bit excessive to you or am I just out of touch?
I reached out to several designer friends that I have known from years of blogging and they all said the same, the cost of window treatments and fabrication has gone sky high. They were all kind enough to offer alternative places and I am exploring them now.
Other House News
Work on the powder room and guest bath is going forward. The vanity inspiration in the powder room is an antique wash stand. It is simple and small to fit the space. Ideally we would have used the “read deal” but space does not allow.
Wallpaper selection is next. I have never really been a huge fan of wallpaper but I think it is because I have never found the right paper or the right space to use it. I am vacillating between a few, including Pure Acorn by Morris & Co.
Our cabinet maker hopes to fit our powder bath vanity in between other projects and we may see it before the end of the year. As for the guys bath, we are on the schedule for May.
Ok, enjoy about me, let’s move on to other things.
My Tiny House/Saving the Manor
Have you ever dreamed of buying a dilapidated English country estate and refurbishing it? My dream is to live in an English country cottage but I do not think I have what it takes to remodel, refurbish and to bring one back to life. Instagram has allowed me to live vicariosly through the lives of Dean and Borja of My Tiny Estate.
Do you follow My Tiny Estate on Instagram? Since 2019 Dean and Borja have worked tirelessly to restore one building at a time on a 300 year old estate, which I believe has 6 buildings including the main residence.
They started on the gardens and the smaller buildings first, a). because the house had been abandoned for over 10 years and the garden had taken over the house b) to have rental income while they continue the project. Then eventually they will renovate the manor which they will live in themselves. You can read all about how they purchased the easte on the blog.
The good news is that we can now see them in action on their new HGTV show, Saving the Manor.
Scarves and How to Wear Them
Scarves not only keep you warm in the cold but they are one of the easiest ways to transform an outfit. They add color, dimension and style to whatever you are wearing and they elevate your outfit.
I personally love scarves and have amassed a rather large collection over the years, in fact a few of my scarves are over 30 years old. Tartan scarves from trips to Scotland, silk scarves from Paris and Rome, pashminas and blanket scarves all have a home in my wardrobe.
For help tying a scarf I turned to one of my favorite You-tubers, Justine Le Conte, not only does she share techniques of tying a scarf but French fashion, life in Provence and so much more.
Speaking of scarves, if you would like to invest in a collection of scarves that are works of art check out these pieces from Sabina Savage.
Advent Calendars
Ok, I know it is October but I also know that time flies at this time of year and if you want to do any sort of DIY projects for the holidays, this is the time to get started. Or if you want to be sure to get your favorite calendar from the shops you should order now as they are selling out fast.
Advent calendar are one of my favorite things about Christmas. My grandparents used to send us one every Christmas when we lived out of state. My siblings and I took turns opening the little doors each day and counting down the days until Christmas. The little chocolates were the highlight of a cold winter day.
Other years my mom made advent calendars for us or we used out trusty wall pocket calendar. When my grandkids were little I sent them one made of 24 little mittens and each day after school they would countdown the days and much on their own chocolates. These little things create memories that last a lifetime.
I ordered this advent calendar for a few adult family members and they love it. If you love jelly/jam you better order this early because this sells out every year. I was reading a friends blog recently and they mentioned they purchased two because they already started eating the jelly.
You can find beauty calendars, tea calendars, etc. Honestly, some of these are over the top, a few cost $300-500.00, that to me is a gift not an advent calendar.
DIY Advent Calendars
Another great option is a DIY calendar, Pinterest is filled with DIY ideas that you can make with your kids or just make one and surprise them with it on December first. Grab some paper bags, small boxes, and craft items and get to work.
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| Gift Box From Craft & creativity |
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| Random Acts of Kindness from Between You & Me |
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| Tea Advent Calendar from Craft & Creativity |
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| Woodland Advent Calander from Live Laugh Rowe |
24 Books of Christmas Advent Calendar
Over the years I have shared many advent calendars on the blog but the one that I LOVE the most is 24 books of Christmas.
For children this is not only the start of their first library but it is also the gift of time, time spent with you each evening as you sit with your child and read to them or have them read to you.
Adults love this calendar too, I have made one for the last few years for my mom. She opens a book every day and loves seeing what I picked out for her.
Books are the best gift, but they can also be expensive. In the effort of sustainability, I head to my library bookshop, thrift shops and Thrift Books online to find books for my yearly calendar.
Here are 25 christmas books for kids that you might want to add to your list. I love the idea of wrapping 25 Christmas books, placing them in a basket and reading one each night before Christmas.
If you are not feeling creative Anthropologie has some cute calendars that you can use year after year.
Anthropologie Calendars
In case you missed it
Anthropologie is one of my favorite places to shop especially at Christmas, here are a few Cosy Christmas Finds from Anthropologie.
October is breast cancer awareness month. Wednesday I shared my family breast cancer history along with some preventative measure every woman and man can take to stay on top of their breast health, including self exams and mammograms. If you only read one post, please read this one, and share it with all of the women(and men) in your life.
On Friday Favorites I shared three great books, some scrumptious recipes, this sophisticated outfit and of course lots of links that you are going to love.
In other news
Why So Many People Hate Winter
Why are dinner reservations so hard to get?
The core tenants of The Giannettis’ Love Brooke and Steve and this!
Late Country Legend Loretta Lynn Was Also One Hell of a Home Cook
Loretta Lynn chronicled women’s lives, from the new freedoms to defiant songs of survival
Welcome to Fall, The Two Days Between Summer and Winter
UNTIL NEXT TIME
What are your plans for the weekend? We will finishing our yard clean up and then going to a happy hour party. I am making a hummus board and a dessert board with brownies and all sorts of mini chocolates.
I hope that you enjoyed meandering today and that when you leave here you pop over to see all of the things that Kim and Juliet have discovered this week.
If you missed any of the previous Weekend Meandering posts you can find them all here.
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE
Have a wonderful and safe weekend.
This post contains affiliate links, if you purchase something from a link I will earn a small commission. Thank you.
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Great post and thanks for update on the show being on HGTV. Right up our alley.
I’d be the horror book for wimps.
Cindy, I think you will enjoy it. Be sure to follow the Instagram as well, lots of great photos and images of what has already been completes.
Wow, window coverings have always been a major expense, but that seems like a lot … everything costs more now. And takes longer. Sheesh. Hopefully you got some good tips on less expensive alternatives. I remember when Jim and I bought a large, new homes … eons ago … I ordered basic blinds for all the windows (just the blinds, no draperies or finery) and the cost took up the landscaping budget. Sigh. But onto happier expenditures … scarves and advent calendars. Love both. Thanks for tipping us off to Saving the Manor, I’m going to look for it right now. And follow the guys on Instagram. Have a wonderful time cocktailing tonight .. happy weekend! xo
Juliet, I cannot image window treatments eating up the landscape budget. I am looking for an alternative because I have too many other “wants” before I will spend that sort of money for so little return.
Scarves and calendars are a favorite!
Saving the Manor should be interesting and yes do follow them on Instagram. It is really an interesting house, and do take it all on and learn as you go to repair it is quite a feat.
Have a wonderful weekend,
xo Elizabeth
Still a lot of work to be done.
I did this with my kids up until junior high school, reading 25 books, one each night in December. Once in junior high the books came out and I’d let them read them on their own and sometimes, I’d call them around to listen to me read aloud. I’m curious to know which ones you choose for your mom. Do you do picture books? Chapter books? Books for adults? What are a few that you have sent her in the past? When we lived in Tx, my kindergartner learned the song “Must be Santa.” Then in 2011, several years later, a book was made with the tune. She may not remember her class dressed in pajamas and singing the song, but I will. A few others I have are: The Little book of Snowflakes by K. Libbrecht, Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck, and a 236 page book, The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F. Wright.
Elizabeth I hear you on window coverings and that is why I did mine in two phases after our remodel. I just now, three years on, got five Roman shades in a cotton linen that are cordless for the main room, kitchen and my bath area and the cost of that from Smith & Noble including installation and hardware was nearly $6,000 and those were all custom made.. You sound like you have eight windows and two are with curtain hardware.. so that sounds about the same.
When I got the quote for panels and curtain hardware for the dining room doors it was nearly $4,000 just for that, so I passed and got my own panels and hardware to save money on that one window. Seems that the panels and curtain hardware are the most expensive. I found good panels and got hardware online. Another option I did before is Pottery Barn black classic hardware and their panels which are always good.
I hope you’ll share more photos of your house as you go through the stages. Love to see it all!
I am excited to follow these two and their manor and see the show ! Thanks for sharing them.
I know I should get in the Christmas mindset. I’m not there yet, I will peruse the calendars. I used to have a great time getting little socks and candies and small stuffed animals for the boy’s in our little calendar when they were small.
Have a lovely weekend Elizabeth!
Xo
Kim
Kim, thank you for the moral support and suggestions. I won’t lie, I am antsy because I just want to have those two rooms finished. We are onto the next projects with the baths coming up and it would be nice to have widow treatments. I am sure it will all work out.
My tiny house is fascinating, I love watching them work, especially once you find out that they have no formal training!
You need an advent calendar, just for you!
Have an amazing week.
xox
Elizabeth!
Wow! 16k just for the kitchen window coverings does seem excessive! I love a fun advent calendar. My paper bag and chalkboard calendar was my first viral pin when Pinterest was still a baby! haha That’s how long I’ve been at this!
So happy to learn of My Tiny Estate…following!
xo
Advent calendars are fun no matter your age, a great way to celebrate and count down the season. Have a wonderful week Annie!
Glad to hear your renovations are progressing, but yikes, those window treatments! We had custom made linen drapes made when we moved about 8 years ago, I’ll look up their name and send it to you. Good luck with your search!
Thank you Christina! I will check out your fabricator.
Wow! $16,000 for window treatments?!? I’ve had custom woven wood shades done for 6 windows in our family room, and it was nowhere near that amount. I have also had good luck with getting custom woven wood, lined shades from Lowes, at a cost of around $600-$700 for 2 windows. I haven’t had custom drapery panels done, in ages, but I’m sure that there is a less expensive alternative. I have been fortunate to be able to either locate what I want at J C Penney, and have even found my beautiful peacock colored, velvet, and for summer, faux silk drapery panels for my dining room. As far as my drapery hardware, I wanted something unique, clear acrylic & brass, and got exactly what I wanted on Etsy, through LILLYMAXDECOR, out of Houston, Tx. Pricing was good, and she was wonderful to work with.
If I had to spend that on window treatments, I have to say that I would never be able to decorate my home.
It is crazy! We are not going that route and are currently looking at alternatives. Thank you for sharing your sources. I will check them out!