I will try to post "before/after" projects as I muddle along and try to figure this all out. I always have something new in the works, but a lot of the "old" projects are fun and interesting....and hopefully inspiring!

Last year I decided I was fed up with my old office....big clunky desk, big clunky dresser, big clunky mess. The problem is, when I first bought this house 13 years ago, my "style" was more traditional...now I am to the point where I want sleek and more "mid century." Honestly, if the only cleaner I had in my house was windex, I would be happy....which might explain why I put glass tops on all my furniture!

Anywho, I was digging my way through a little "junk" shop one day and stumbled upon a desk and a dresser with distinct "mid century" flare. I couldn't get it in my truck fast enough! This led to a complete transformation of my entire home office!!

Once I got the desk home and stripped down the nastiness from the top, I knew I couldn't paint it. Less one little cigarette burn (a reminder of WHY I shouldn't start smoking again) it was beautiful! So I coated it with 4 applications of my favorite tung oil and kilzed and painted the bottom of it. I had the "modern" hardware leftover from my masterbath remodel, so I slapped it on there to save my nails. The desk chair has been in my attic for 13 years...and honestly, I have NO idea where it came from or how long I have had it. But again, after stripping it down, there was no way I was painting it....solid mahogany under all the dirt and grime! So it too got a few coats of tung oil and a new seat cover.

One of the things you will see I do through out my house, is decorate with things I love. The large diploma on the wall (to the left) is my great grandmothers University of Arkansas diploma from 1920. The little bulldog statue on the desk (left corner) is one that sat on my great grandfather's desk umpteen years ago....both worthy of display!

I will feature the dresser, refurbished paddle fan, and the sitting area (including the antique wingback chair I was literally carrying to the street when I decided to experiment on it) in later posts....this room is loaded with "charm" and almost every piece has been refinished, reupholstered, repurposed or reinvented....stay tuned!!!

Still trying to get my cyberlegs....so bare with me while I try to post one of my newest projects. As I get use to this stuff, I will go back and post some older projects. You will see I have a "thing" for chairs and tables...sad really, because I really have no place left to stick them in the house. So many are shipped off to my children's homes where I know they will not be loved and adored like they are here...but whatever.

My Mom told me that when I was a baby (MANY years ago...almost 50) she and Dad found this walnut chair in a field...the wood was bleached white but Dad knew it was walnut...his favorite (and now mine)! So he took it home and refinished it. And for almost 50 years it has been in our family.

Recently I was able to acquire (sneak out in the dead of night) this beautiful chair. It was somewhat nicked and bruised from years of use, and I am not sure what my father was thinking the last time he covered it in the ungodly upholstery and nail heads. But I brought it home, stripped the upholstery and finish and lovingly nourished it with 4 coats of tung oil.

As you will learn if you continue to follow me, I have a "thing" for tung oil. Being new to the "cyber world" I am not sure if I can tell you what BRAND I use, but suffice it to say it is with the stains and such in Lowes and it comes in a GREEN can. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stuff. Dang near impossible to mess up a refinishing job with it. I usually put 3-4 coats, lightly sanding between coats with OOOO steel wool and tack cloth. I have a SERIOUS addiction to Lane Acclain tables, and this is how I refinish them...and now I use it on all my wood furniture.

The reason I love this stuff....super easy to "touch up" scratches and wear. It doesn't create the "plastic" finish of a poly, but it allows the grain of the wood to shine through and if you get a scratch or nick, you just buff it with steel wool and then recoat the affected area with the tung oil. Seriously, LOVE this stuff. And unlike poly, it is next to impossible to mess up the application....but more on that later.

For now, the chair....I have finished refinishing the wood, but haven't been inspired on the upholstery just yet. I am thinking something light...maybe a "white"...since the ONLY corner I have left in the house is in my bedroom...and it will not be subjected to food or grandkids...now the cats, that's another story for another time.

Between the cats, chairs, and tables...oh my.

Anywho....drum roll for my first picture post!!!!! (drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)

Okay, well that didn't go well....the "before" picture is AFTER the "after" pictures....whatever, you get the idea. (fixed it...don't ask me how!)

Now, I just have to find the PERFECT upholstery....and decide between piping or nails...hummmmmm....