Leah's chest

Leah and Adam's Chest

Yes, we do a lot for our children.  Yes, they tease our passions as they grow up.  Saying...'Mom, you just love gaudy stuff...'  Our definition of 'gaudy' is anything shiny, girly and pretty....

OK, fast forward a few years.  My daughter is now  married with her own home.  Her curtains are metallic taffeta, curtain rods are glass mosaic and she treasures her mirror mosaic lamp from Pier One she convinced her grandmother to buy her for her wedding present.  But, she does not decorate in the 'gaudy'  motif...yea......

 

My daughter and son-in-law have also discovered they love to shop and acquire finds that are extremely discounted that needs a little work...Like this chest....

 

 This is a picture of it 'done'....it didn't come that way.....

 

They got it for a steal since it didn't have a top.  The original broke, but they knew Daddy would be able to make another one for it.  

They also had planned for me to cover the top with stained glass.  

Leah decided on a fleur de lis.  I questioned her color choices, but she proved me wrong.....it was really cute in the end. 

She hounded me for weeks to finish.  I got busy and procrastinated a bit...but once done, I couldn't wait for her to get it home and enjoy.   

Came out pretty cute.  I used the center for my motif.....I guess I liked it as well.  Turquoise and purple.....what a combination.

My Husband's latest find.....

My Husband's latest find.........

I've been doing a little 'soul searching' on how I should proceed with this hobby of mine.  I do have a booth at the best craft show in the area....Southdown.  But, my list of things that I want to do and the space that I have to store and stack my stuff is getting a little conflicted. 

Being the ever supportive husband, I told him my crazy dream to maybe expand a bit......get a booth at an antique mall or such........He's told me many times that he believes I will have my own one day....Yea, how do I fit that in with nursing, managing rentals and doing the books for his business..............

Oh well, I guess his latest find was confirmation that his encouragement is genuine.  I just recently showed him some hall trees made from old doors and.......guess what he brought home!!!!!

So, when he called me to say he was bringing me a surprise, I knew how proud he was to haul these doors to me.  They were being abandoned in a dumpster near a job site........Oh, the horror!!  Thank God he had the equipment trailer with him to haul these beauties.  I see a hall tree, coffee tables, end tables, possible benches.......painted in a lighter color and distressed!!  The possibilities......The leaded glass has a hummingbird inlaid on it.  These pictures do no justice to the piece.....

It's great to have the support of the one you love, it just wouldn't be the same if I had to stand my ground and not have someone to giggle with at my creations.  

Another love of mine is old band instruments.  I have an affection with old band instruments as I was a 'band nerd' most of my school life......lol......I loved my high school band days.  So, when I  found this french horn, I could not resist.  I also have an old flute and an old clarinet I have displayed on my mantle.  This french horn may be a little awkward on the mantle.  On day I'll get a better picture of this horn with my other collection of instruments.  I just had to get a quick shot of this one right when I put it in my car.....and text it to my hubby and sisters.........

  If you are ever in Denham Springs, LA, which is East of Baton Rouge, check out 'The Rusty Rooster'.  This is an antique mall done right!!  It's where I found this horn.  Her antique mall is inspiring, relaxing and just plain lovely!!!!  

 

The Little Medicine Cabinet

The Medicine Cabinet

Look close behind that metal headboard......from a garage sale trip.....that handmade medicine cabinet.

Here it is close up.......cute little thing huh?  Old hardware, stained wood, mirror in great shape.......well, get the paint out!!

The cream paint just lets the old hardware pop!  Some things are just better upcycled, altered, refinished, redone, played with.....whatever you call it.

A little gentle distressing to let the old finish peak through.  Didn't have to do anything with the hardware, it was distressed through time.  Didn't even put new screws in the thing.....loved the look.  

 This piece would look great in either a retro bath, or a shabby decor style bath.....up above a pedestal sink.......

It'll be at Southdown this fall......booth #401... See ya!!

Tuquoise Chair

The Turquoise Chair

My husband spotted these chairs on side of the road during a Sunday drive.   We had to stop and rescue them.  

 

Too funny!!  I can haul some stuff now....couldn't do this with the Charger....

 

These chairs are just great. Lots of potential to turn into accent chairs. 
 

All I can think of was....turquoise!! 

With coral accents.  Aged down to give it a worn, warm look. 

Well, that's one accent chair.  Still thinking what to do with the other one.  Either make a pair, or try something new.  Anyway, it'll be in Southdown......

Picnic anyone?

Picnic Basket

I love the color sage, peaceful and calm.  A little spring color that can blend into any season.  

 A little paint, a  little aging and there you have it....ready for some vintage linen, couple of wine glasses, bottle of wine and flowers......
 

 I'm adding this to the Southdown collection.......See you there!

 

Chairs

Finally, back in my 'groove' for redo-ing furniture.  After upcycling many home decor items for the craft booth, I've finally returned to furniture.  Found a lot of great garage sale goodies as well as roadside goodies. 




This is before and after pics.  On the left is how I bought this beauty, crack in the seat and all!!  It's old with layers of old finish.  With a little turquoise and cream, this high-chair can be used as a decorative piece.  I envision a cool back porch.   




 

Here we go again....found this old oak chair at a flea market.  A little cream paint and waxing brought out the beauty of this piece.  

Hopefully they make it to 'Southdown' in November..........Keep junking....

Apartment redo post #1

Recreating is what I love to do. My hubby and I have this little apartment that we bought from family. It is run down, distressed, and very out of date. However, this little jewel has a lot of potential for an awaiting newlywed couple. So, my very creative and inspiring sister and I are taking on the 'cosmetic' work of this 'diamond in the rough'. We have to save this potential masterpiece, because my contractor perfectionist husband would love nothing more than to gut the thing and start from scratch. He builds from the ground up and does not have the grace for restoration.


Above is a picture of one of the walls. Painted paneling.....yuck!! There is nothing worse than old, warpy painted paneling with nail holes. Putty and paint would not be able to smooth out these over used walls. So, below is the first step of the redo....We plastered the walls with joint compound and a 'special tool' from my sister's stash of wonder toys.


Close up is what the plaster looks like. Texture corrects a lot of imperfections and creates a smooth transition to......loveliness!!!

Can't wait until it's painted......More to come on the other parts of this outdated apartment. Gee, I feel like a make-up artist!!