I traded...what do you think?

Here is a story.....the other day I was at Ballard's backroom and saw a pretty mirror.  AND all wall decor was 40% off so of course I could not leave it for anyone else to get.  I know you have been there.  I am not sure they have it anymore as I could not find it on line but I think I paid $125.00 or something.  On my way home I stopped at my friend Maria's house to look at her dining room.  She told me she had developed such a hate of the room she was thinking of boarding it up.

Such drama.  But I have to say when I walked in I felt the same way.  Let's go get the plywood.  Nah...just kidding.  But I did agree it was bordering on the 90's when everyone in Atlanta had RED in their DR.  The walls used to be red....which she painted when I clearly told her NOT too.  Uh...huh.....that lasted a couple of years until she admitted I was right.  A different color and then red curtains.....what is it with red dining rooms in the south???

SO...on to the pictures. [hold on...the reason for the mirror is coming]

Heavy right......A lot of wood.  And this girl ain't painting nothin.....no matter what I say.
Every time I suggested painting something she was like a kid that you were trying to feed vegetables too.  She would scrunch up her face and shake her head.  No!  This is where I want to say "then why am I here".....oh....a miracle you say.  Make the room pretty with what I have.  So what I am hearing is that you want me to pull a rabbit out of my ass????  To which I say...one rabbit coming up.
Number one...change out seat covers.  2 yards of fabric and $25.00.  Oh and that is another thing....the budget was the size of a pair of shoes from Payless....almost.
When in doubt...black and white and add some seagrass.
Cream curtains and change out some art.....
Take out a leaf in the table as you could clearly land a plane on this sucker.  Big is NOT always better in some things.  
New chandelier.....sorry these pictures are lame...no staging here...notice the  vacuum  cleaner in the background.  She was getting ready for a luncheon.
And move that honking china cabinet out!  WHAT...."no way" she said.  Bitch.
Now here is where it becomes about ME!!!!
Here is the mirror that I bought at Ballards.  We did a trade, as she did not want the one she had [stole from me at a flea market one day]....which is another whole story in itself.....
So I finally get my mirror back after 10 years.
Isn't she purdy??????
Wood....
She is so glad to get out of that room with so much wood....and to be here where she really shines :)
Maria said she might want it back one day and I just smiled....cause I will cut her if she even lays a hand on my mirror.  You know I will.

Off to the mart today.....can't wait!

Today I am feeling Sha Fabulous!


** I must mention about the pillows that they are $100.00 each with the inserts.  And...Robin is located in North Carolina.  

50 comments

Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

Excellent work Sherry...you changed what you could and it made a huge difference!

Stacey said...

Laughing out loud! The room is really pretty now. Um, I have too much wood. Hate to paint. That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

Kacey @ www.shesnomartha.com said...

looks so much better, but I still want to get rid of that yellow!!

don't worry, the Yankees love their Red dining rooms too...

Love the rabbit out of the ass comment. Felt the same way when a pal asked me to help her train to lose weight. When I suggested she move to 2 cocktails a WEEK versus 2 a night and she said "No Way" -- well, bend over and cue the rabbit.

Stacey said...

I have a question about seagrass rugs. Are they pet friendly? Will a scratching cat tear it up?

Anonymous said...

...ah, the "ole bait and switch"..very clever...I've done that before..amazing how it works...and your friend really needs to learn about storage units...all the items that are outdated go into storage..you get to keep them but they're no longer interfering with the new decorating..and then you go out and buy all new "old" stuff at the flea market...voila...
fabulous redo of the dining room with not having much to work with...
have a great weekend,
maureen

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

Ooo, can't wait to hear about the Mart (write up in ATL Homes and Lifestyles has me itching to go). Now to the mirror-- love, love and it's much more at home with you. Chuckling at your dining room dissection: from model home ick to much bettah!
Happy Friday, Happy Mart-prowling. :)
Heidi @ Show Some Decor

My Interior Life said...

Abracadabra, Sha-ray does her magic again! You mean she wouldn't paint her dining room electric blue like crazy me? I actually used to have a red living room about 8 years ago - with lots of yellow - very French country. The thought of it now makes me sick. Your changes made a huge difference. And don't you hate it when someone snags your find? You got redemption, girl, with mirror switcheroo. Brilliant.

.....Elizabeth..... Polka Dot Skies said...

Love the room and your funny comments! Thanks for making me smile this early in the morning!
We lived in Atlanta in 2000 and had a red dining room!
Elizabeth

The enchanted home said...

This was so entertaining....love love love the mirror and I am sure "shes" much happier in "her" new home! I also love the look of sea grass rugs, so elegant. I agree too much wood can be an overkill...love what you have done!!

Unknown said...

Sherry....first off, you're hilarious- secondly, you saved that room and lastly, your mirror is divine!!!!! So happy you got that pretty back!

a perfect gray said...

you kill me. love that chair seat fabric!

Kathysue said...

Sherry you have me laughing and I have only had two sips of coffee, I usually need 2 cups before I am even coherent. What a difference a Sherry transformation can make!! Love the fresh new look and the mirror is perfection, I agree, don't let her have it back!! Kathysue

My Notting Hill said...

Hysterical!! Love your mirror too and the Ballard one looks great in hers space.

bluehydrangea said...

Sherry,
you make decorating stories so much fun!! And I loved what you pulled out of you ass!

Cassie Stocker said...

Looks great!
-Cassie
www.designstocker.blogspot.com

Jessie said...

I love all your funny comments! And what's with the red dining room in the south, you asked? I used to live in North Carolina for almost 7 years and when we take a stroll in our neighborhood and other nearby neighborhoods, I noticed most of them had red dining rooms. The reason? Red walls in the dining rooms are said to increase appetite! Luckily, I didn't fall into that trap! Red on my dining room? Not going to happen! Instead, I have a beautiful wallpaper on those walls and that's the room I got the most compliments, from my guests to the UPS guy!

The transformation in Maria's dining room is wonderful with such a tiny budget, it looks much more lighter, fresher and prettier now! And your new mirror is beautiful!

Have a wonderful weekend, Sherry!

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

Raina Cox said...

Hilarious and spot on!

P.S. You have the best resources in Atlanta.

Cindy said...

I'm pretty sure i love you...

that was like the most perfectly funny post ever...

Cindy

Karena said...

You have made my day!! Sherry a fab transformation and I adore the mirror!! I have a gorgeous one from Ballard they don't carry anymore!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Do come and enter my new Giveaway, a very special painting!

Brilliant Chic said...

As always...you are too funny! Love both mirrors. Great job on the redesign of the dining room. Much improved!

Karen at Home Sweet Hollywood said...

Chuckling out loud Sherry...you are so funny. Love the changes (never liked red walls!) in the dining room and love your new 10 year old mirror! Gorgeous.

And p.s. ridiculously jealous that you get to "go" to Ballards. All we get is a crummy catalogue.

under spanish moss said...

Love all the changes you made in the space! Not sure why people get so freaked out about painting things. Men really get crazy when you mention painting over wood or brick. Not sure about the red room obsession. But we do see it a lot in the South. It's time to move away from it!

Holly Gruszka said...

Your posts make me laugh and b/c I picture the scenarios playing out in my head - HA!! What a quick and pretty transformation - love the new fabric on the chairs! Nice work.

Unknown said...

GREAT post ... LOVE what you did to her room and what a perfect trade. Thanks, as always for the laughs and the inspiration. Where is that chandelier from???

quintessence said...

You are the queen of quick and reasonable transformations. I think this was a win win win (her, you and "she" - the mirror)!!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Sha-Wonderful!! One rabbit delivered!

Perfect room....on a dime...and a mirror!

Lou Cinda ;)

Interior Design Musings said...

Dang girl, it continues to shock me what a little fabric can do for a room. Love this makeover! Also, love your new mirror for her and the old one for you!! This proves that you can freshen up on a budget!!! M.

Tiffany @ {Living Savvy} said...

Sherry you are H I L A R I O U S! ! ! ! I just hopped over from Carmel's Blog that was featuring your amazing zebra chair and can not stop reading your posts! You have a new follower!

Tiffany {Living Savvy}
www.savvydesignwest.com

Vanessa@decor happy said...

Too funny! The fabric on the chair, the seagrass and cream drapes totally change the vibe of the room for the better. Your mirror is fab too!

a' la mode said...

Why the heck did I not know you when I lived in Atlanta? oh yeah, because all I did was work all of the time. lol. You rock. xoxo shel

Splendid Willow said...

Funny girl!

One step at a time... What you have done so far looks fabulous! Love everything you picked including the new mirror. Bringing in more light colors makes the room much more updated. (But keep working on a potential paint job...)

And the mirror you came home with - I would't give that beauty back again - ever! It belongs with you. Classic, stylish and beautiful.

Happy weekend lovely Sherry.

Mon

AntiqueChase said...

Bon Qui Qui?? LOL!!!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

You're hilarious! And you did an outstanding job!

Homestyling101 said...

Hilarious! Does your client follow your blog?? Just wondering....LOL!

Santi said...

Excellent, this room its perfect ! :)
Great work :)

Santi
santiroyalhome.blogspot.com

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Sherry not sure what I adore more, the room itself or how you told the story? I LOVE your sense of humor. I think this transformation was a win/win for both you ladies.

I hope you are having a very fun weekend?

Cheers my dear x

for the love of a house said...

great mirror!! lucky you- keep an eye on it;)

The Vintique Object said...

Who can resist a gilded mirror? Not me. Now, if you wouldn't mind swinging by my house to decorate my dining room on a Payless shoe store budget...
Camille

Bring Pretty Back said...

Sherry! First of all I give you credit for not walking out! ( :
I would have beenso frustrated if I were you!!!
Now ... this is what I simply DO NOT UNDERSTAND! Ok... , so she hates the dining room so much she wants to board it up.. and she has an AMAZING interior dsigner in her home !! And she does not take full advantage?! She is a silly silly woman!
"cut her" "pull a rabbit out of my ass" you are hilarious!
You did a great job with what you had to work with! And whoo hooo for you on the mirror~!
Have a PRETTY day!
Kristin

Mary said...

I wish I lived in Atlanta. If I did, I would have you over to pull one more rabbit out for me. I bet you'd feel better.
I know I would!!!

Acquired Objects said...

I am so laughing, love your writing and so glad I came over here! You did such a great job on that dining room and I agree with you, the honking china cabinet has got to go! Also the pretty ornate gilded picture has to go, move it to another room it's now to dressy for the dining room. Love your choice of black and white fabric fabulous all the way around!

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

Hahaha! Don't we all have that friend?
I'd say it was a win win for both of you. You got your amazing mirror and she got an amazing new dining room out of the deal. Seriously, it looks like a totally different room. Well done!

rachel @ Just a Touch of Gray said...

Too funny! You did a fab job! And I love your mirror!

So glad to be your newest follower (officially) :).

paula said...

you worked magic! Love the mirror too.

Unknown said...

Oooh love the black and white chair fabric!

Abby M. Interiors said...

Amazing. I feel like the room can finally breathe now! Bravo.

Don't you hate the vegetable face? Especially when you *know* it's the right thing to do!
abby

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Thanks for the entertaining post...the room is MUCH improved. I want your mirror. Janell

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Sherry- You did good! Is that a Ballard Fabric on the chairs? If it's what I think, it's indoor/outdoor good to wipe up stains, right?

I just borrowed a Ballard catalog for the first time from my friend Stacey. I usually say no to catalogs in the mail because I find things I want and then spend too much money! But I need to redo our entry and Ballard has some lovely and inexpensive stuff.

Loretta

Anonymous said...

That china cabinet would blend in better if it were white. But I'm guessing if she's not painting the walls, she ain't gonna paint her china cabinet...

Nice job, though! Love that chandy.

Renae Moore said...

Great job....too funny about her not wanting to paint (as I am up to my ear balls with black paint right now!). You are a miracle worker and dern good at it!

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