dressing up the shop

A couple of years ago, we outgrew our small workspace and decided to build a workshop that sits at the side of our backyard. For a long time it was a bit of an eyesore and pretty boring. I'd still like to paint it a different color, but we did build some shutters and a garden box to add some character. 

...pardon the plastic in the windows :)

While out shopping the other day I spied some fun metal decor at Hobby Lobby that would fit well, and get a nice rusty-patina over time...it's not a huge change, but definitely more homey :)

 Like I said, it's not much...but it's little details like this that make me a happy gal!

French Country Entry Door

I am usually a pretty conservative person, however every once in a while we're allowed to do something a little extravagant right?? My front door was needing a new paint job and frankly,

I was getting a little bored of the brown. . .this door needed a little pop :)

 

 

Here's how it originally looked, and I really liked it. . .but when things

begin to seem a little dull in my life, I pull out the paint and get to work.

                                                                         

    

 

Last week, while strolling through Gardner Village, I spied this

ADORABLE

aqua door that looked very much like mine. . .and I was smitten.

Paint rarely scares me but something about painting my front door this color

made me REALLY nervous!

 

Oh, but it's such a cute door!

 

After holding up a few samples, I decided that blue would compliment

the colors on my house. . .so, I went for it. . .GULP!

 

Here's the color I came up with. . .it's a combination of two colors I had

in my garage and it turned out just the way I wanted.

I love it when that happens :)

 

This door had alot of detail that I decided to do a French Country

Overcoating technique on, which gave it a worn & timeless appeal. . .

 



Next, it recieved an oil glaze rub down to polish off that

old world style I was going for. . .something that looks like it was pulled

right out of a vintage cottage in the french countryside. . .

 

Ahhh, YES!

 



 

Now this door is one that says

WELCOME HOME :)

To view info on our Overcoating tutorial, see here. 

 

 

To view info on our Oil Glazing tutorial, see here.
 



$21 vintage chandelier re-do

About ten years ago, we bought a bronze chandelier to hang over our dining room

table. . . I was really into bronze at the time, which was before I realized

I had a passion for all things vintage. . .

 



 

This is what it originally looked like. . .It was a pretty nice piece still, and

I didn't MIND the bronze, but I had moved on from the rustic look.

 

 

This is actually the chandelier that stole my heart. . .however it was a whopping $500,

and I knew I could do something similar with what I already had.

 

 

I decided to go with a lighter finish. . .one that would compliment the

tones throughout the room.

 

 

After thoroughly dusting my piece with my brush, I placed it upside-down,

and sprayed a light coat of Rust-o-leum Heirloom White.

 

 

I then sprayed a second coat about an hour later, making sure to spray

the cord and chain as well. . .

 

 

After completely dry, I turned it over and did the same process.

Now for the fun part. . .distressing!!

Using a medium grit sanding sponge, I sanded away along areas that

would "naturally" wear and rub over time, exposing the dark bronze from

underneath, which made for a great contrast.

 



 

The main expense was in the mini linen shades, and glass beads,

which I got from Hobby Lobby. The nice thing about Hobby Lobby is if you

find what you want, and are patient, then they will always rotate their 50% off

sales. This is the time to snatch up what you've had your eyes on. . .

in my case it was these beautiful linen shades. . .

 

 

After hanging my lighting, I determined where to place a little bling. . .

 

 

Ahh yes. . .a little here, a little there. . .just enough  to add a bit of sweetness :)

 

 

Not too bad for a grand total of $21, and I LOVE the way it pulls the room together. . .

 

If you want to see more tips, tricks, and ideas, click here to view all our other tutorials. :)

Provincial Farmhouse Table

I had a little problem. . .

The dining set that I absolutely ADORE was just too small for my growing family.

We have five kids, a soon to be daughter-in-law, and two very special girlfriends that

frequently join us for dinner. Eating a meal at our house meant that four of us

could sit around the table, and the rest were scattered around the bar and family room. . .

Since we all know that the kitchen is considered the heart of the home, then the dining

room table should be able to reflect that as well. . .

 

 

After sketching out a design I had seen in a book, we got to work. . .

It needed to be big enough to fit us ALL. . .that was my stipulation :)

I wanted the body to appear as if it was a heirloom piece. . .

One that had been handed down for generations,
with a sense of natural comfort, practicality, and charm.

The final result exceeded my expectations, and I am tickled pink!!
My hubby is a good man.


. . .Time for a nice family meal and a late night game of cards :)

Vintage sewing machine. . .

I have a sewing machine. . .but I don't sew.

This was a $7 thrift store find, and it just kept calling my name. . . true story!

I mean, can you not see the beauty in this?

How many weathered hands have stitched warm quilts, baby clothes,

aprons, linen tablecloths, and petticoats?

I can almost hear the low humming of it now, in the days of yester-year. . .

And think about the lives that have been blessed by the hands that worked this machine.

Of course, it didn't look like this at first. . .but I like to envision one's

potential, searching for it's inner beauty...

 

 

And this is what I saw. . .

Most things I finish to sell. . .but some things I just can't bear to part with.

This lovely little friend has found it's place in my heart. . .

and in my home :)

She greets all our guests in the front entryway. . .with a smile of course :)

"And in the end it's not the years

in your life that count.

It's the life in your years."

                     -Abraham Lincoln

     

Mod podge and old sheet music

A few months ago, I scored some awesome farmhouse finds

and shared some of them with ya'll (see here)

Well, the sweet old farmer who I dearly love was very fond of music,

and from what I understand, was an exceptional pianist as well.
 As I rummaged through his piles of things, I came across some old sheet
music from the 1940's and 50's. . .Yesssss

Honestly. . .how many cool things can you do with old sheet music?

So here was my dilemma. . .I just recently put this farmhouse cupboard

(from the same estate sale) in my family room, and wanted to just keep

it simple and light, but it's been buggin' me and I finally figured

it out today. . .



It needed a little contrast...

So I pulled out my stack of old papers and came across one

that really caught my eye. I also grabbed a vintage frame that I was

originally going to paint, but the dark unkempt wood provided

the perfect contrast. . .

For this particular project I didn't want to have the glare from glass,

so I cut a cardboard piece the same size as the frame, and

mounted the page with a generous amount of mod podge

on the cardboard. . .

After letting it dry, I then applied another generous amount to

the top to offer protection and durability. . .

To get a canvas look, I bunched up a grocery bag and dabbed

the wet mod podge. . .this leaves a great texture :)

 By hanging it low, and slightly overlapped by surrounding

objects, it united all the pieces together. . .

 I love linking the

past with the present!

 Before...

...and after

Oh. . .and that little buggin' feeling is gone now :)

"A hunch is creativity

trying to tell you something."

 

                                   -Frank Capra

 

 

If you want to see more tips, tricks, and ideas, click here to view all our other tutorials. :)

Some things you just don't change...

A couple of months ago, I was able to score some amazing Farmhouse

finds that I posted lots of pictures of here.

Do you remember seeing this cute little cupboard?

I ho-hummed around some different ideas of what to do

with it, but nothing seemed quite right.

It was then that I realized

that I loved it just the way it was. . .this thing caught my eye

the second I looked in the barn. . .white, chippy, and beautiful :)

So I kept it just the way it was. . .

I actually did make a few changes. . .I sanded and sprayed a clear coat

to prevent any possible lead poisoning since it's a very old piece. . .

The other thing is I traded out the hardware with these from

Hobby Lobby, and painted them antique white with

some minor distressing. . .

I have a special place in my heart for the "old farmer" I got this from. . .

he is a dear friend whom I love and respect :)

"How many of us go through our

days parched and empty-

thirsting after happiness...

when we're really standing

knee deep in the river

of abundance?"

                        -Sarah Ban Breathnach

linking up to:

I should be mopping the floor

Embellishing Life

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