. . . just like gramma's house . . .

. . . i felt like i was following

 the beverly hillbillies . . .

{cue banjo music}

. . . and then the clampetts 

pulled up and stopped 

in front of my house . . .

. . . with two sofas . . .

. . . two wingback chairs . . .

. . . and a refrigerator . . .

 {tyler, austin, and brent are the buffest/best sports!}

. . . living room before . . .

. . . living room after . . .

back story: about fourteen years ago,  her children talked my dear mother-in-law into moving from her home at the biltmore in phoenix to the east valley, where most of us live. bill found a lovely patio home in val vista lakes, which she snatched right up. then, she asked if i would decorate it for her before she moved in. she asked for a competely different style than her phoenix home, which was sleek and modern and spectacular with lots of chrome and glass and red ~ everything my father-in-law had loved. but, as a widow, she wanted soft and tradititional and feminine and floral and wallpaper and purple in her new digs. her budget was, let's say, verrrrry generous. she wrote me a big check and said, "let me know when it's finished." how fun is that? i had a great time choosing flooring and shutters and bedding and furniture and art and everything. who gets to do that all at once? i had a fabulous time spending her money! fast forward to january of this year, when she passed away. there's a lot of stuff to deal with. who knew we'd end up with the living room furniture i'd chosen for her all those years ago? yes, it's really flowery {and purple isn't my favorite . . .} but i think of her and smile every time i walk past this room. maybe someday we'll reupholster these pieces because heaven knows they'll last forever. {we were also lucky enough to inherit that original oil painting of her. the artist is our good friend, allen garns.}