The Katillac Shack

DESIGN ANGELS TO THE RESCUE: Healing For a Sad Room

Remember all those nice comments we tallied a couple of weeks ago for Colette as she entered her chemotherapy treatments? You helped raise funding for a "Miracle Makeover" for Colette's little room in Michigan simply by leaving kind thoughts and prayers. How is that possible? My mission statement acknowledges that positivity expressed through actions as simple as writing a note or comment are valuable. It moves spiritual energies into forms that help ourselves and others.That is why Design Gives Back provides cash contributions for projects to match your valuable comments. Through that cash-for-kindness premise, I have been with Colette over the last two weeks creating a room for hope and happiness. My team of "Design Angels"--including many generous folks from Colette's hometown-- worked for three days and nights to remake a sad little room into a healing haven. We began by removing dirty gray carpet; a ceiling with holes; dysfunctional closets; ancient peeling wallpaper; and transforming a hospital bed. The room's rental house energy had felt so negative that Colette's sweet dog, Annie, wouldn't even sleep with her mom, in that bed and room.

           

 

As the House and Home Expert for Guideposts Magazine, I am excited to share with you that our New York photographers were there recording the transformation and will feature the project in an upcoming issue! Colette sincerely wanted her story to be shared--so others might be encouraged and inspired. Guideposts reaches eight million readers monthly and is a Top 20 Magazine worldwide. What a heroine Colette is and how many her story will touch! 

So, you will have to wait for the aftershots--just a little while--but, I have included a vignette of some of the fabrics that are included in her mystical cottage. Her favorite colors are amethyst, emerald, and rose quartz pink. Which is perfect for Pink Saturday! Rose Quartz is the universal color and gemstone of love. And, so much love-- by so many-- has made this project possible. All who were team members or donors will be honored in the final story....so stay tuned. Metamorphosis Monday Design Angels--that means you too!

Would you like to leave Colette a word of encouragement today? She has just received her third chemo treatment....

MAKE A MOSAIC POT: Penny Shows Us How & Giveaway!

Welcome to "The Sisterhood of the Shack."  You creative souls who believe in the ability to express style and spirit through a do-it-yourself attitude, not, because of the money in your wallets! Some of you have become "Shacksters" and are featured and given an honorary room here. Today, joining the others, (see the Shackster button on the sidebar) is Penny Carlson. Ever since my first visit to her blog Lavender Hill Studios I have been in awe of her masterful mosaic works of art. Especially, when considering my own-- which look like mud pies-- and hers: The Sistine Chapel! That is why I asked her to tutor us on the finer points of mosaic making. Her lovely work is perfect for Pink Saturday & Met Monday.  

 

Make a Life Mosaic: Sometimes, when things fall apart, there is an opportunity to create something new from the pieces. Brokenness makes us willing to open our minds and hearts to the possibilities. Creative thinking can be the grout that puts us back together. See Penny's tutorial below for the steps to make your own mosaic.   

       

Penny Carlson: "I have been an artist most of my life….Finger paints, play dough, coloring books and crayons. I could never get enough! As a teenager, I had the most amazing art teacher in high school. Her name was Mrs. Lucas. She believed every one of her students had talent. She introduced me to silk screening, pottery and watercolor. I enjoyed it all. As time went on, my attention drifted to antiquing. I found that I love vintage furniture, dishes, buttons, jewelry, quilts and linens. One day about 10 years ago, I saw the most gorgeous vintage dresser. It was painted white, and the top, sides and drawer fronts were covered with broken vintage china! Suddenly, every thing seemed to click. All the art classes and the years spent drifting around antique stores and flea markets just came together in the beautiful world of mosaics. I love repurposing old furniture, teapots, trays, birdhouses, old windows and even guest bath counter tops into beautiful and functional works of art.

 
I work closely with my husband of 30 years. He is my carpenter and electrician as well as loving husband and best friend (professionally he is an engineer). When I bring home a wobbly old piece of furniture, I turn it over to him. He takes it apart, repairs, glues, and makes it as good as new! He also creates all my custom designed mirrors and birdhouses to mosaic. He wires all my mosaic teapots and sugar bowl lamps (my signature pieces).

             How to Make a Mosaic Flower Pot

1) Start with a clay pot you can purchase at any home and garden center and paint it with a coat of primer paint. 

2) Gather some plates that you love.  They don't have to match, use your imagination!

3) Use a wheeled tile nipper to cut the plates, wearing safety glasses, being careful to keep the pattern in tack.

4) Using tile adhesive from a home and garden center, and craft sticks, apply adhesive to the broken china and adhere to the painted clay pot.

5) After 24 hours, apply grout according to the manufacturer's instructions and your mosaic pot is complete!

                               
                     

           GIVEAWAY! Comment to win a mosaic birdhouse... 

          contest open until February 14th, my sweet valentines!

   I am sponsoring Penny to make a custom birdhouse for the winner....how cool is that?

                    WINNER: Elyse @ Tinkered Treasures! Lucky you!

              Penny Carlson has two blogs: The art and mosaic blog, Lavender Hill Studio. And a                

              charming blog about her home, decorating, gardening, cooking  and inspiration.  It is                

              appropriately called The Comforts of Home. 

   

                  THANK-YOU SUSAN FOR METAMORPHOSIS MONDAY    

                        To become a Shackster: First step is to e-mail me!             

  

THRIFTY-NIFTY STYLE: Recycle & Recreate In My Kitchen!Come On In For A Lemonade...Or Lemon Chiffon Pie...

Whether you are city or country – modern or traditional – there’s a room for you at The Katillac Shack! In the last post, I shared a "high-end" showhouse kitchen design on which I collaborated. But, here at my studio, it is more about spending less to create MORE! Using our talents to make joyful and meaningful homes that support our authentic selves: who we are beyond money and status. Even though I sometimes design homes with multi-million dollar budgets, at The Katillac Shack Studio I throw away those rules and experiment with thrifty and NIFTY living.

Come on into the kitchen...and I will show you just what I mean…
PHOTO: © Roy Inman

DESIGN & BELIEVE PROJECTS: On This Video, Kelee Demonstrates DIY Colorful Napkin Curtains, Travel Wallpaper & The Juice King from Grandma Dorothy's Attic!

I am the House & Home expert for Guideposts Magazine. See the story about this kitchen at Kelee's DIY Projects. To visit my website go to www.keleekatillac.com

THANK-YOU CINDY AT SHOW & TELL Fridays... and SUSAN at Metamorphosis Monday.stop by over there!

GIVEAWAYS! PLEASE CHECK THE HOBBY LOBBY GIVEAWAYS TO SEE IF YOU WON! Send me your mailing address if you did....

 Story in reprint.

A KINDER STYLE: Earth-Friendly Decorating Brings Peace

Yesterday, scientists announced they have found a lost world untouched by mankind: where animals live without fear of us. No one has encroached on their Eden, which is inside a volcanic crater in New Guinea. They have everything they need to live in a thriving ecosystem. And so do we! We can live "kinder" in homes that recycle, repurpose and recreate. Its unnecessary to "take and waste" so as to live with style and color. In fact, small budget--and big desire to help the planet--means having healthy creativity. Creativity is to the spirit what the heart is to the body: when it beats we are filled with good, joyful and kind ideas that make our homes beautiful and the earth happy.

At The Katillac Shack we have been in a seven year experiment in spending little or nothing. Buying less to create more! This tablescape I am sharing for Susan's Tablescape Thursday Party is from recycled and repurposed materials. The table top was found in a back alley and fitted with legs. The chairs are thrifty finds. The curtains and slipcover were made from old linen napkins and colored with markers--see the demo here. The fringe is funny plastic fruit! The vase is old McCoy and the plates are Fiesta Harlequin. The faux french shades are made from rolled paper. 

Here you see my DIY Project The Ingredients of Life Jars.  Watch the video on how to make them here. The shelf was found in a thrift store and I applied a distressed finish and added the chalkboard top, nail head trim, and the round picture frame.

Thank-you Susan for sponsoring Tablescape Thursday!

Photo Credits Roy Inman ©

MY 100TH POST: Blog Bliss & Seashell Treasures for You! Help Design a Friendship Room at The Katillac Shack...

The subject of "treasures" is exactly right for a day of appreciating YOU....the real treasure of this blog. The Universe has so many ways of talking with us and to us; sending us Divine and mystical messages everyday, answering our affirmations and prayers. I believe that creative ideas are answers to prayer and that no matter what religion or belief-system you practice or not....creative ideas are the way we manifest what we need in life. Here is a true story that helped you and I–my precious readers –now friends–to be together. And that is also an example of how we are sent signs and messages.

I had been on a book tour. Book tours, you should know, are not all that you might imagine. Sometimes folks show-up and your work feels real and worthwhile. When Oprah's producers call or on great days -like at Hallmark's Kaleidoscope Center -when there is standing room only, things couldn't seem better. But, many times you are alone and doubtful. A snowy day in Des Moines, Iowa comes to mind. There I sat with a stack of books, pen poised to sign them, an empty table, an empty bookstore, and a lonely heart.

Or the time when a book first came out and we had a big auditorium scheduled for me to speak, do a workshop, and sign books. The timing collided with a personal loss. That same week I had concluded that having a baby was going to be out of the question. After a few years of hoping I had decided to surrender. I was very sad. My mind was clouded with grief and things were a mess pre-event. The books didn't arrive on time; the bookstore had tried to charge an outlandish price for a ticket; and there were confused details In a newspaper posting about the event. It should have been canceled. I really wish it had been. I wasn't myself and the small crowd that did attend got the sad Kelee and the lowest presentation of my career. Sometimes, though, these low moments help to guide us on to our highest purpose.

Soon after that failed event, I was on a trip to Florida and had a mystical message delivered to me. I love to awake at sunrise and walk on the beach. I always imagine the scene from City of Angels with Nicholas Cage in which all the angels on earth gather on the beach at sunrise in a spine tingling moment raising their voices in exaltation. As I walked along I picked up seashells here and there, collecting an offering to the sunrise. Just as the sun floated out of the horizon I turned with my little offering cupped in both hands in deep praise and thanks for the life I have been given. As I opened my eyes--just crossing the horizon as it intersects the sun--were two dolphins silhouetted there arching into the sky...and back into the water and again. And then once more they jumped in perfect rhythm together and back into the sea. I wept with joy. And in gratitude for the vision I had been given. Here is how I translated that moment into a new life intention:

To find friends and playmates with which to leap to the sky with the creativity we have been given and to do the best we can with it–for the good of our lives and the world.

The images of seashells, the ocean and the messenger dolphins have been dear to me since. Seashells have come to represent YOU. Each shell–and person–with varying lines and patterns of wear and experience that make you rare and special. The above intention is the main reason I have started this blog and am writing to you now. And is also the reason I am celebrating my 100th Post by joining in Blogging For Bliss at ArtsyMama.

For Today's Thrifty Treasure (Thank-you Southern Hospitality for sponsoring) I am sharing with you some vintage seashell wall plaques I just found in our local thrift mall. All 3 of these handmade works of art for $45.00 total! I am creating a friendship theme room at The Katillac Shack in honor of my experiences and YOU. I need your help in designing the Friendship Room. Please comment and tell me your ideas on friendship: What it is-or an act of friendship you treasure. Your ideas will make you at home here!

Help design the room! Design ideas needed from you:

● What symbols represent friendship to you?
● What stories, words, or ideas about friendship are meaningful to you?
● What colors and types of fabrics do you see with the Seashell Plaques shown?

Answer one of these to be entered to win one of the Seashell Plaques! Great for Cottage, Shabby Chic, or Coastal Styles.....

DOG SCARF PROJECT UPDATE: We are VERY close to reaching our goal!! The new deadline is next week. We will then make a BIG announcement about the video showing the presentation to the shelter for the abandoned pets and your scarves; posting of your photos; our blog party and the rest. Thank-you for your ongoing belief and support!

Photos © Kelee Katillac

HEIRLOOMS AS ART: Modern Ideas for Vintage Glass

Thank-you to Marie at EmmaCallsMeMama Blog for hosting the Heirloom Party for today! What fun! Above you see two heirloom glass vases from "the grandmothers." The orange Italian art glass is from the 1950's and was acquired by Dorothy while living in Los Angeles. Dorothy was a waitress for 45 years and her husband Benny, a bartender (and bookie) in old glamorous Hollywood. To this day Dorothy loves colorful crackle-glass.

The small "wedding band" gold leaf-striped apothecary is from Meme and is believed to be from the 1930's. The scotch-irish family was conservative and made it through the depression. So, their objects were especially treasured. I enjoy submerging yellow zinnias–which are blooming right now in The Katillac Shack garden patch-in it. The feeling is that of a French glass paperweight and the flowers last as long as when above water. The dahlia and blue hydrangea (with rosemary submerged) are also in bloom now in the Shack Patch. I like the modern simplicity of the grouping.

Photos © Kelee Katillac

THRIFTY NIFTY MONDAYS! Love Those Vintage Linens...

I found this color saturated 1950's tablecloth for $5.00 in perfect condition. The hand-embroidered butterfly table runner (top) was just $3.00!!!! Also, a must-see is the Fiesta 'Harlequin' Orange Pitcher shown in the post below.Thank-you Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for sponsoring Monday fun!

Comment in the post below to win a sweet vintage tablecloth!

Photos © Kelee Katillac

GUEST BLOGGER: Kim McCole & Maggie of Daisy CottageGet Their Own Room At The Katillac Shack...Welcome!

If houses have souls – and we know that they do – then The Katillac Shack has found a soulmate. Her name is Daisy Cottage. Now, then, if a house's soul is the creative expression of the person who lives there – then I am The Katillac Shack and Kimberly McCole is Daisy Cottage. Now, stay with me, if the Katillac Shack and Daisy Cottage are soulmates, what does that make Kim and me!!?? It makes us soul-sisters. Lucky me! (Aren't all of us creative bloggers who have spirit, color and design soul sisters?) Kim is a homemaker, wife, mother, daughter, sister, blogger, and a freelance writer for several shelter magazines. Kim has been decorating ever since she was a little girl – just like me – see! And we both adore animals, too. Get this: Oliver Wendell, my handsome basset hound, has fallen madly in love with Kim's sweetie-pie friend, Miss Maggie. Take a look at her, you can't blame him. Wednesday he will publish a love letter to Maggie right here!

After receiving a fresh coat of red paint, a vintage cabinet now serves as our wine buffet. The plastic mirror – formerly gold – was painted white and a lucky Goodwill find.
These $25 vintage chairs were discovered by my daughter, Shannon, at Goodwill! Yes, she is her mother's daughter! I absolutely love them for their whimsy and their color. My sister painted our daisy painting. Here and there, are sweet tokens of friendship from sister bloggers, including a green teapot and a white bird.
Old mantel surrounds are great to decorate with – easily adding a touch of architectural element to a room. I found this blue one at a favorite local shop, Vintage, and simply propped it against the wall. I also love to use and display pretty vintage textiles and appreciate their beauty AND their past. Already painted green and white, this adorable night stand was a yard sale find and I had fun creating this vignette that includes a $1 aqua frame and a $3 red Goodwill lamp!
Formerly white, I painted this inexpensive dresser that I found at Goodwill with Apple Orchard red enamel paint. It has held up beautifully – even in the Florida climate, and I love how it adds a cozy vibe to our front porch. Having seen its better days, we gave our wrought iron garden table a new life with a few cans of aqua blue spray paint.

Kim writes:
"Oh what an honor it is to have a room here at Kelee’s enchanting Katillac Shack! Be still my heart! Thank you so much for the opportunity and thank you for letting me share a little bit about our cottage home and about my blog, Dear Daisy Cottage, with your readers.

We moved into our 1922 humble abode about 3½ years ago. I had always dreamed of living in an old home with a big front porch and thankfully that dream has now come true! I knew when I saw this house that I wanted to bring it back to life with vibrant colors and a punch of whimsy or two.

A vintage girl at heart, with an affinity for discarded thrift store treasures, I immediately began decorating Daisy Cottage – named after the unpretentious flower that blooms anew each day – with my Goodwill and yard sale finds. It has really been so much fun to ignore the decorating rules and play to my hearts content while making this once faded house into a bold and happy cottage home.

I began writing Dear Daisy Cottage after we had lived here just under a year. I knew that I loved gaining inspiration from others and I thought it would be fun to share about my decorating adventures with Daisy Cottage. I really didn’t know if anyone would stop by my blog when I hit the publish button for the first time but happily they did! It has been an honor and a wonderful journey sharing with other like-minded souls in Blogland and I truly believe that my readers are my friends and just as much a part of Daisy Cottage as my family and I are. And of course, Maggie, our very spoiled and much loved dachshund, loves each and every one of them! What I hope for my readers and for all keepers of the nest is that they embrace their homes with their heart and all of the passion that it holds."

KATILLAC SHACK GIVEAWAY!

Leave a comment and be entered to win a:

** Vintage Orange Haeger Dish w/ Original Label
** Robin's Egg Blue Melmac Cup: comes with birdseed cup converter kit!
** Embroidered Linen Table Runner-perfect condition!
** Adorable Vintage Cat Statue
** Ingredients of Life Jar…See post below

Giveaway Winners:

Joanne
Marge
Lady Dorothy
Rhondi
Jackie

Please email us your addresses…congratulations!

KELEE DESIGN TV: Make "Ingredients of Life" Jars!

Spice up your life! At the Katillac Shack, cocoa means Love and cayenne means Courage (because it gives you that extra kick). Who do you believe in? What makes you happy? Like any good meal, you choose what goes into your own personal recipe to cook up a positive life.

PHOTO: © Roy Inman

Whether made out of ceramic, glass or plastic, each jar pairs a value or goal with a tea or spice to create something that’s meaningful for your life. Laughter. Integrity. Belief. Courage. Creativity. Balance. Ingredients of Life Jars to nourish your mind, body and soul.

See this video at Guideposts.com!

Comment and answer a question to receive one of Kelee's signed books-FREE!

Question: What is the most necessary ingredient of your life?

BOOK GIVEAWAY RESULTS! THANK-YOU ALL WHO COMMENTED.
Books will ship this week to those of you who sent us your address.

A MOTHER'S KITCHEN: Thrifty-Nifty Ideas to Warm Her Heart

Moms do it ALL. And, very often without much acknowledgment. In fact, a recent survey revealed that many moms don't even get a card or present on most holidays, even though they give so much to everyone else. With Mother's Day just weeks away, consider giving mom's "studio, the place she makes an art of kindness" – her kitchen – a spruce-up as a gift this Mother's Day.

This kitchen started out gray and barren and received a cheerful makeover. I worked with Jodi (mother of five) and her family to brighten the space and make it symbolic of motherhood. Read more of her story at You: The Design Star. The thrifty and nifty projects included:

A Floral Color Palette: The geranium pink, delphinium blue and daisy yellow for the walls and cabinets were all taken from Jodi's favorite flowers. Paint averages $14 a can – so have a painting day to enliven mom's space.

Salvaged-Tin Backsplash: Recycled turn-of-the-century tin ceiling was used as countertop backsplash and wainscoting. Tin backsplash: $150.

Fireplace Settee: A bricked-over fireplace had a bench added to it to make it functional for the table. Our friend Phyllis Harris gave it a distressed and crackled finish. Materials cost for a paint crackle kit: $75, DIY!

Mom Jodi Learns to Paint Chairs: Denim and white canvas slipcovers were painted by the two of us in Jodi's symbol for family abundance – bountiful fruit. Fabric costs per chair: $45. The slipcovers are machine washable – great for families with kids.

Jodi: On the back of my mom's photo, my grandmother had written “This isn't good enough to show anyone" (a paraphrase)… My mother had always felt bad about that since she was a little girl. I wanted to show-off my mom's beauty and celebrate her by displaying it prominently. Design can help us to heal.








Cabinet Dress-up: We added a set of vintage glass doors to match the 1915 pedigree of the Edwardian Home and a "Feature Door" with photos of Jodi's mother as a child. Door and glass costs: $250/door.

Heirloom Curtains: Hand-embroidered sheets were cut into thrifty and nifty cafe curtains. Sheet for 4 windows: total $90.

ALL PHOTOS: © Roy Inman