The key to my heart...

Stuck inside for the third day due to huge ice storm here in North Texas!! We have made a tent, had lunch inside it, read lots of books, started Valentines, and painted lots of beautiful paintings.

But today it was my turn to do a craft! This was my inspiration (not 100% sure where this came from - Jones Design Company?? Please let me know if you know!) Found the source of this image - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia:

For my Restoration Hardware inspired (kids/spare) bathroom:

Here is my version:

 

I purchased the frame from Goodwill for $3 (and was very surprised when I got home to find it had the glass in it - I thought it just had the cardboard backing). I purchased some burlap from Hobby Lobby, the keys came from Urban Farmgirl's Etsy Store and I already had the mounting (probably purchased from Hobby Lobby or Joann). I just stapled the material onto the cardboard and hot glued the key onto the material, put it all back into the frame, and WELLA! All up it probably cost me about $10 to make (if that!). AWESOME :)

Still a few little things to do in there, like line the laundry basket and get one more knob for the cupboard (pretty pink "glass" ones from Hobby Lobby), and maybe a white cabinet to go by the sink for more storage, but so close and it looks lovely :)

Living Room Concept

Finally got a chance to sit down and have a good think about the living room. So far this is what we have:

Interests/ Things We Like:
Hunting {um, very evident from what is on the walls!!}
Outdoors {ditto}
Nature {ditto, ditto}
American Indians {would be great to collect a few pieces to tie in}
Horses {would tie in great with my horse display in kitchen}
Other Cultures
History
Maps {we have an old map of Texas}
Texas {homeland}
Australia {home country - think framed flag would look great - just like you always see framed Union Jacks, or pillow cover - something unexpected}
The "South" {thinking a banjo would be AWESOME!!}
Architecture {nod to the good ole days}
Photography + old cameras {sucker for black & white photography - it could be of anything and I think I would love it!}
Art/ Sculpture/ Pottery {wish my husband would create one of his famous collages for me - maybe if I keep harping on for another 10 years I might get one - they are SO AMAZING. But he is a busy man now.}
Books - art books, history, literature

Functionality of Room:
TV Viewing {kids mainly during the day, husband at night, me - VERY rarely - I never have the time or desire, well, except for HGTV!! :) }
Family Time
Music & Dance Area {for us and the girls on family dance night LOL! - it's a hoot!}
Run around the couch for kids {especially for those cold days - they need to burn off all that energy}
Visitors
Fireplace
Book Storage
Wet Bar
Access to outside/ backyard


Main Focus of the Room:
TV
Fireplace
Music


Style Definition:
Simple
Natural
Artistic

WOW Factor:
better furniture - more interesting pieces
simplicity
unified design

I'm not really changing the layout of the furniture but I would like to change out a few pieces with nicer ones, or something more functional. We really like the darker/cherry wood look for the furniture, and will probably mirror that with the new wood floors. So this is what I have found so far:

From Ballard Design:
Top left chair and side table. I have a bench covered in similar material so I could use this as a highlight material - like for an ottoman for the new couch, and for the old chair I have.
Hanover Modular Bookcase - this would match a little antique cabinet we have that currently houses our CD collection.

From Restoration Hardware:
Cast Iron Hitching Post Horse
1949 French Library Globe
Roman Capital
Gear Objects
Architectural Artwork


From Pottery Barn:
Nest Sentiment Lumbar Pillow
Pen & Ink Calligraphy Pillow
Flower Cafe Pillow
Bird Cafe Pillow

From Crate & Barrel:
Cameron Sofa in Sesame

The above is really for inspiration only - I'm not about to run out and buy everything listed here! I'll be very lucky to convince my husband to buy the bookcase and couch. Instead, I will be watching for copy-cats, sales, sourcing ebay, estate sales, antique malls, etsy, and will try to make some items too (pillow covers, ottoman, framed prints).


Extras:
Framed Australian Flag {already put my order in to my parents :) }
Cowhide rug for floor {already have - move from bedroom}
Old Cameras {from my collection}
St Francis statue {already have}
Old Texas Map {already have framed in wet bar area}

Lots more details to work out, but I think this is a good starting point. I also have some really exciting ideas for our wet bar, but I think that will require its own post!
Wow - that's a lot already! What you do think? Any ideas or suggestions?