What’s the best thing about having a phenomenal Interior Designer working with you? Well, besides the daily dose of inspiration and the “which one do you like better?” advice and the access to all kinds of color swatches and fabric samples?

It’s knowing how to solve life’s constant conundrums when it comes to making your house a home. It’s the benefit of not having to learn by trial and error. (That overstuffed teal club chair sure seemed like a good idea at the time. Too bad it never fit the room or matched anything).

This month we’re asking Tina to share her current paint color obsessions.

1) Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore (HC172)

2) Raindance by Benjamin Moore (1572)

3) Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore (HC173)

As an added bonus, her go-to trim color is Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore. She personally loves a high gloss finish but for most people a semi-gloss is perfect.

We’ve made some big decisions over the last few months. Most notably we announced our Interior Design services in yesterday’s blog post.

With all big decisions comes change. In order to focus on our Interior Design clients, we’re closing the consignment shop next door. A blowout sale is happening as we speak and there are some amazing items to be found! You should really be there instead of here right now.

But since you are here, maybe you can help us decide who moves in next door? There’s no shortage of great ideas but there’s one in particular we know fills a huge need (and, let’s face it, one that we really really want). A cafe!

And not just any ol’ cafe. The kind that makes you want to hit the pause button, breath deeply and sink on in. The kind you think about long after you’ve left.

If you’ve got a dream and a plan and a huge desire to do something great, let’s talk. We’re offering a great opportunity to make this dream a reality for the right person. Email us at shop@adodsons.com with your plan and a way to reach you.

Spread the word! Now go check out the deals at our consignment store before it’s gone for good!

We all have a special recipe passed down from one generation to the next. But do you have a magic potion recipe? It’s ok, we play well with others here at A. Dodson’s and we also like to share our toys. And potions.

Alison learned a special technique from her momma, Alice Dodson, for removing water spots or scratches on furniture and hardwood flooring. When we were preparing to open our Home Decor Consignment Shop next door, I caught Alison on her hands and knees with a Ball Jar. And then I saw magic happen right before my very eyes.

Alice’s Wood Cleaning Magic Potion

1/2 Raw Linseed Oil

1/2 Turpentine

Instructions:
Dap the mixture on your stain or scratch
Use #400 Steel Wool and rub with the grain of the wood.
Wipe with a heavy towel then let sit overnight. Heavy stains or scratches may take two rounds.

Alice's Magic Potion

BEFORE

AFTER

Alice learned this trick from Jimmy Winn from Mt. Vernon Antiques in Port Norfolk, VA. When we asked Alice how long she’d been using this technique her answer was “how old am I?”

And now, our dear friends, go forth and show us some of your Before and Afters!

If you’ve shopped at A. Dodson’s, you know we support a charity every month through our Round Up. It’s a program where we match a customer’s donation when they round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. It’s been amazing to see how our combined donations have been able to help animals that are in need, veterans who are disabled, the environment that is polluted and families who care for ill children. The list goes on and on. And while there never seems to be an end to the amount of need, there also never seems to be an end to our customer’s generosity.

But just in case you’re still wondering why we work so hard each month to bring attention to charities who are on the frontline, take a look at this short 3 minute video from Team Riverfront when they came to accept their $450 Round Up check last week.

Here is an inexpensive way to display your favorite jewelry… And it is sooo easy to to do!

Supplies

You will need: a cutting board, hard bound books, an exacto knife, glue, a ruler, some decorative accents, dress maker pins… I found some great hard bound novels at a discount book store for a $1 each!!!

Next you will need to glue the book together. First, glue around the edges of random pages, DON’T OVER THINK IT! Once that is finished, glue the outside of the book together.

You will want to weight down the pages so everything adheres nice and smoothly. Let it dry over night.

Using your ruler lightly trace out the opening. Now you can start cutting, nice and slowly!!! Be sure to hold your exacto knife perpendicular to your book so the edges to the opening are nice and straight!

Now that you have created the opening, the world is your oyster! I used bent pins to hold earrings. You can add a decorative backdrop with paper, glitter or leave it plain! Every book is different so let the beauty of the pages inside you!

Now you are ready to set up your unique jewelry shop!

easter eggs 101…

 Craftgwaker has some absolutely killer examples of really far-out and different ideas to decorate eggs. It never ceases to amaze me how many crafty folks there are out there! I have compiled a few of my favorites below. Click on the image which will link you to the blog… Please send us your examples!!!

Vintage Book Easter Eggs

Glitter Easter Eggs

Lace Tights Easter Eggs

Ombre Eggs

All Natural Dye Easter Eggs

Dyed with Men's Silk Tie

thank you & credit to: Oleander and Palm, Sew and the City, Fab Housewife, Jany Claire & radmegan

We think having a fab motorcycle jacket is one of the best things you can do for yourself! It’s that soft piece of timeless leather in your closet that gives you a sense of comfort. It’s that piece you can pair with almost ANYTHING! A few fashionable New Yorkers gave us inspiration…and here’s how we made these looks achievable with our own version for $69.99.

New York Version

A. Dodson's Version

This bright color pop look is all the rage! We love how she paired sleek stripes with color and made it look effortless. The key pieces: back & wihite striped tee, pop of red, pop of yellow, and motorcycle jacket! Here’s our take…its a little more laid back, so totally achievable any day you want! A. Dodson’s ‘Zip N Go’ jacket {$69.99}, striped tee, tight pencil skirt, a chunky yellow necklace, and the pop of red?…LIPS!

New York Version

A. Dodson's Version

      What BETTER use of your Summer maxi then to toughen it up with a motorcycle jacket?! We paired our ‘Zip N Go’ jacket with a floral maxi in the back of the wardrobe! SO cute. (Underneath are some biker boots & leggings).

A. Dodson's Version

New York Version

We love this “polished rocker” look! The key is pairing a cutesy full ABOVE the knee skirt + a fabulous motorcycle jacket! How we made it work: A. Dodson’s ‘Zip N Go’ jacket, a flouncy leopard skirt (this one was a thrift store find from the 90′s!), leggings, and high heels to complete it!

It’s that time of year, bring on all things green & lucky! Here are some fun ideas for the whole family to enjoy while the leprechauns are on the loose.   Click on each photo for how-tos and recipes!

Leprechaun Elixir Bottles

Leprechaun Trap

Leprechaun Cake

Click me to find craft ideas!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a snapshot is worth a Haiku!

sleeping silently

a february warm rain

greeting us hello