Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Niches, Nichos, Everywhere!

I have to confess that Southwestern style homes are not my favorite.  I dream of living in a bee-you-tee-ful Victorian home with wood floors, moldings, character, and green grass. (actually any grass would be good!) 
But what can I do?  I live in the Southwest, in the middle of the desert, and I have been trying really hard to count my many blessings, (name them one by one:)  and fall in love with my Casa in New Mexico!:)

One cool feature many Southwestern homes have are the Niches.  They are all over the place.  The natives call them nichos, which makes me think of nachos which inturn makes me hungry. I think we are in need of a nacho night girlfriends!!!  Holla!! 
Anywho, I have been having a hard time figuring out what to do with these little recesses in my wall!

The above niche, nicho, nacho, had been that way until I got ahold of some Deep Walnut paint! (Valspar from Lowe's)

             

           Did you know you can blow up your pictures poster size at Sam's Club for 12 bucks? You heard me right my friends.  I have blown up pictures all over my house!  The bigger the better I always say!:)


So now every morning when I am getting ready, I get to see my cute little princesses looking down on me from my Niche!  I think it turned out pretty good, better then before anyway.  The painting did not stop there, I have gone a little crazy with the Deep Walnut.  Hubby is going to be so surprised when he comes home from his week long business trip!  You gotta keep things new and exciting right? I will show you the results soon!

Only 3 more niches to figure out what to do with.  I have searched high and low for the perfect thing to put in these suckers in my courtyard for 2 years!!!  I need your ideas!!!! Till next time mi amigos:)

22 comments:

The Starr Family said...

Love the color you chose.. and those girls are too, too cute!

Outdoor niches need maybe... outdoor urns with a spiral cactus? Kind of like a southwest topiary?

Jamee said...

love your work!! for the outside tall cool vases that add a pop of color?- you will find the perfect thing

Anny said...

That looks great - I love that color! Some type of lighted element for the outside?

southerninspiration said...

Is this an inside courtyard? So maybe you could put a sconce with hurricane and one of those battery candles on a timer? Or an urn with a cactus? I really like the lighting option better, I think.....and love the large photos of the girls!

Suzanne

Lynette @ My Craft Discovery said...

Some kind of cool pot or vase with something growing in it would be cool for outside. Love the style of your home with all the "nachos!" Those sound good by the way!

Jen Kesler said...

I to live in New Mexico and am perplexed by the "nichos!" Thanks for the inspiration. I have two in my house and you've given me some inspiration!!

Guin said...

I love what you did with the niche!!!! Your creativity is astounding!!!

Miss Obara said...

I've got the same problem. tons of these things all over the place. I even have one above my stairs. What? No clue what to do w/these things. They are professionally faux painted from our home being a show home. They all have me stumped! Look forward to what you do!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

How about some pots of bougainvilla.
That what they use with spanish haciendas at least, and your house sort of has that look at least outside anyway. It comes in peach,
hot pinks, red, and white I think
and lite pink.
You did a great job on your bathroom niche, love the chocolate brown and the large pics of your adorable lil
girls. Glad to hear you can have
pics blown up at Sams too. I have
some I think I would like to do that with myself. Thanks for the info. and enjoy your niche. or nachos whatever you call it!! lol
Blessings hon,
Nellie

Shaela said...

Love love love the deep walnut. Great choice. I think it looks perfect.

outside? maybe some bright painted new mexico pottery pots? or I kinda like the light fixture idea too. hmmm what to do?

Janessa said...

Hey! I love to look at your blog and see all the cute ideas you have. I LOVE the way you painted this niche. I am doing some painting and have some niches to work with too. I'm feeling so inspired right now. Thanks a ton!!! I can't wait to see what you end up putting in your courtyard niches. Sorry, I don't have any ideas. I'm sure you'll come up with something amazing though.

Brenna said...

Can hubby wire some electrical into the courtyard niches? If not, solar lights could work. Why not paint those nichos too? Maybe the color of the gate or the hinges? Everyone has given such great ideas.

Painting your bathroom nicho really made it a focal point. Gorgeous job! Hubby is going to be so surprised!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Love what you've done with your nachos....er nichos. I didn't know that Costco will blow up photos for you. My mind is buzzing with ideas! For your outside nachos :) I could see some really large dark colored lanterns hanging.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

I love how you painted your niche that deep brown! I painted mine a different shade of brown than the walls too. I love the way the niche pops!

Hey, thanks for the sweet comment yesterday - you made my day! I think YOU are the cutest, sweetest person. I am so happy to have "met" you through this crazy blogging world! I am sure we would be great friends if we met IRL!

XOXO
Jen

Jennifer said...

What about a neat lantern style light???

underwhelmed said...

Both Carolyn and Ricki have done neat things with their exterior niches. You ought to drive by and take a look.

Jerri-Lea said...

I adore your huge pictures of the girls! How I wish we could get that kind of a deal here in Western Canada, my walls would be filled with my daughters!

2sisters said...

Your "nachos" look great! What darling girls you have. I love the color of your daughters wall too!
teri

Heidi said...

I love the nichos and would love some nachos. Love all the suggestions out there! What a great community!

julie_is_here_now said...

Lanterns, religious statues (if your into that), illuminated house no (if its only 2 no's or more vertically), rattle snake statues.

Amanda said...

Just was introduced to your blog today and I have to say that if I had those little outdoor niches on either side of a beautiful wooden door entryway - I would definitely hang lanterns in them. It would be perfect!!!!!

Love your blog. :)

Danae Farias said...

OMGosh, you have talent! I'm so jealous. That color is almost the exact color we used in our living room=) That is a lot of niches. The first thing I thought of when I saw the ones by the front gate was maybe small(ish) cactus type plants in bright blue ceramic urns. I don't know the size area, I'm just assuming good sized based on the size of the entrance. I can't wait to see what you do.

God Bless!
Danae@Believing Unbeliever
http://www.danaefarias.com