Cedar trunk before and after....

I honestly believe the key element to any decor is surrounding yourself with what you truly love. Because in the end, those pieces will become a part of your life rather than just an element of "decor" you will want to get rid of next year! Both are important in design, but you have to maintain a happy balance.

Right now everyone seems to be taking any and every piece of furniture they can find and painting it...which is fine, if that is what the piece needs to ENHANCE it!

But there are some pieces that just need a little TLC. Remove the old mucky yucky and give it a fresh coat of new. Not different...just clean and fresh.

This old cedar chest is a prime example. I know a lot of people would have snatched it up, painted it with a bright funky color or chalk paint...maybe painted the copper straps black. And that would have been cool looking...for a few years. Then it would just be another reminder of a by-gone decor era (like ducks and pastels).

Truth is, the only thing wrong with this old truck was the old varnish. Varnish tends to get "dirty" looking and crackle after a few decades. And of course it gets worn. But it is easy to strip and easy to reapply.

Personally, I like the Formby's brand stripper and tung oil.

It makes stripping old varnish a breeze and it conditions the wood. The tung oil is SUPER easy to apply and unlike poly, it is pretty much fool proof!

I didn't sand the scratches...I didn't strip the old copper straps or nail heads. I didn't do anything but strip the old varnish off and apply 3 coats of tung oil. I know...boring...but I LOVE the wood and the age that shows through the fresh coat of varnish and on the strapping!

I wouldn't fault anyone if they wanted to "jazz" up this piece...to each his own. But while this piece is not yet a family heirloom, I have no doubt it could be in a few generations. As a matter of fact, I have a cedar chest upstairs that has been in my family for who knows how long (and needs a good refinish!). And my daughter has a little cedar chest that my great-grandfather bought from a man during the depression.

So think carefully when redoing old pieces...is it something of value that just needs some freshening up or can you really enhance it by painting it or adding a "rad" design like Chevron?

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Neighbors make a house a home....

My neighbors, Maryann and Kenny, are awesome. They doggy sit Ginger, our black lab, when we go out of town! Ginger thinks they are her second family and when we go down there she just prances right in like she owns the place. They spoil her rotten and we know if we have to leave her or if (God forbid) something were to happen to us, she couldn't be in better hands.

She loves them...and so do we.

So I was so happy when Maryann decided these little chairs were perfect for her....

This was a fun project I featured here . I was a tad worried that no one else would find their whimsey appealing! But she loved them and they look awesome in her dining room!

I live in the best neighborhood, surrounded by great neighbors! Several love to come over and see what I am working on when I have furniture and tools spread all over my driveway! I love sharing what I do, but I love it even more when my hard work and "creations" find their way into the hearts and homes of my neighbors!

One of the hardest things to come to terms with is actually "selling" stuff to friends and neighbors. I am so use to just giving things away, but I really have to remind myself that I do have money and a great deal of time vested in most pieces. Truth is, I still pretty much just sell to cover my actual expenses and rarely cover my "time." But that is okay! My neighbors do for me on many occasions (like taking care of our dog) and I know if I ever need a hand, they (and my kiddos) will be the first ones here to help!

It is true...neighbors really do make a house a home.

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Before and afters and a little about plaster paint....

I'm sure you would loooove to see some before and afters...unfortunately, I still forget to take "before" pictures of a lot of the stuff I do!!! Major annoying!

I went online hoping to find a picture of a maple doll rocker...thought I might "borrow" a picture so you could get an idea of what this little rocker looked like "before." Nope...nada. I couldn't find one picture of anything really similar. So close your eyes and imagine an orangey maple rocker with a broken leg and wobbly arm. Dirty, scratched up, nothing you would dare want your precious baby putting her dolls in! Yep, that's it, which is why I got it for a song at a garage sale.

Most broken wood pieces are fairly easy to fix if you have some wood glue and clamps. AND all the pieces are there. It is a little more difficult when you have to actually manufacture missing pieces...doable with a little more skill than most have.

But when it is just a chair with loose joints or maybe a "fractured" leg, it's fixable!

A good scrubbing, a little glue, a little patience, and some paint.... cute as a bug!

It is difficult to "stage" kid's stuff when you no longer have little kid's stuff around. I am sure there is a stuffed toy or doll somewhere in my attic...but who really wants to crawl up in the attic when it is 100 degrees out just to stage a picture. I have a stuffed panda (Pickles) on my bed, but my grandpuppy ate his nose so he isn't very photogenic. This is a doll's rocker...so let's just pretend there is a doll sitting in it!

I do have a "before and after" of a little welcome sign I did. You can find this stuff for pennies...some of you may not be old enough to remember the "country" style that was all the rage in the 80s and early 90s. Ducks, pastel pinks and blues, Waverly floral wallpaper, little hearts everywhere. Nice.

But you can salvage a few things from that wonderful era ( how I loved that decade....the clothes, big hair, chunky jewelry.... "Dallas" wannabe living at it's finest!)

I just brushed it lightly with a little plaster paint, hit it with some sand paper and then coated it with a light stain with some poly in it to seal it and give it an "aged" look. Easy smeasy.

I think they call this "upcycling."

I also redid this old wooden tool box...very "vintage." I bought it at an auction and it was kind of a hunter green (no "before" picture...grrrr). It hasn't sold so I brought it home and painted it with some homemade plaster paint. Light sanding and a little wax....perfect for a table display.

(Not only do I not have live plants in my house, I have very few "fake" ones...I think this may be all I have. I just got tired of the live plants dying and the fake ones getting all dusty. So this is as close to "staging" displays as I get. Again, pretend there is a beautiful seasonal floral thingy in it!)

Which reminds me...even if it hasn't rained in over a month, don't leave a box of Plaster of Paris sitting outside on your work table. Just in case it does rain.

I now have a chunk of plaster...fit for a door stop, but little else. Kind of like washing your car....leave out your supplies and you can almost bet it is going to rain!

That reminds me as well....I have talked about using the homemade recipe for "chalk/plaster" paint. I have used both the store bought paint and the homemade paint. I'm not sure I notice much difference other than the store bought is mixed and ready to go. And it keeps, whereas the homemade pretty much has to be pitched if it isn't used right away. But I like the homemade for several reasons...one, I can mix it with ANY latex paint I have on hand or find on clearance and it is a bit cheaper.

I use kind of a "pinch of this, fist of that" recipe. (Kind of like my cooking!) My best advice is to Google "homemade chalk paint recipe" and do a little research and experiment....find what works best for you.

But I will give some advise if you are going to make your own. Use the Plaster of Paris recipe...it seems to work the best.

Mix the plaster powder with water FIRST and mix it VERY well...make sure it is smooth with no lumps. I use a big old glass measuring bowl and a rubber spatula. I use about 3ish tablespoons of Plaster of Paris mixed with enough water to make it the consistency of pancake batter, then I add about a cup of latex paint. The little sample pots you buy at Lowe's are about one cup. And if it is too thick, just add a little water! Sometimes it thickens a little more as you paint...just add water and mix well!

Most people who use chalk/plaster paint seal their paint with wax. I am just now experimenting with wax. The thing that bothers me the most about it is if you ever want to repaint the piece in the future, you have to remove all the wax. Whereas, if you just spray it with a clear coat it can easily be painted in the future. Either way, you have to seal your painted piece after using chalk/plaster paint. Of course I recommend sealing any paint with a clear coat!

I'll share more about the wax affect after I have played with it a little more! This week I am tearing a utility room off the back of my manager's house and adding supports for an open porch so I am not accomplishing a lot at home during the week...just to hot and tired when I get home. Again, wasps, spiders and creepy crawlies just love to hide in walls and crevices. You would think I would learn!

Oh, and since this is my third time in as many weeks to have a little run in with a rusty nail, I guess it is time to get a tetanus shot. What a pain...literally!

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Another busy weekend....

Brian and I went to a living estate auction Saturday....nothing exceptional, but it is always fun to spend a day at an auction! I just love it...even if I don't find a "great deal."

But Sunday was a day of getting a few things done. My garage is overflowing with projects...and inspite of the fact that I don't have room for them at my flea booth, I have to get them done! (I did take a break and went with Matt and Kaitlyn to take the dogs to the lake. Last time we took my Lab grandpuppy to the lake, he didn't want to have anything to do with it...but Sunday the "water dog" in him came out!!! Boy that pup can swim!)

Anywho, naturally I failed to take "before" pictures of a few projects....a precious little doll rocking chair that is getting a white and pink paint treatment, a plate shelf painted with plaster paint and a few mirror frames. You would think I would learn, but noooooo.....

But I did remember to take before pictures of a few big pieces...a cedar truck we picked up at an auction last week and a HUGE round coffee table I bought at an auction 2 months ago.

The cedar truck wasn't THAT bad...just old varnish finish that had "crackled" and "muddied" with age. The copper stripping wasn't too bad either. So basically I stripped the old varnish and am applying a new tung oil finish. One more coat and it will be ready for "after" pictures!

The coffee table...now that is another story....

I have no doubt this was originally a very expensive piece...but it's a little "heavy" and ornate for my taste. But I loved the wood inlay design on top and knew I wanted to preserve that! The base is getting a "plaster paint/dark wax" treatment.

But the top...simple strip and refinish...right? WRONG!!! The finish came off just fine...but when I got the stripper on the edge of the top it took the "painted" stain off, revealing good ole' MDF. Holy crud! In case you don't know much about refinishing, MDF doesn't stain like real wood or wood veneer. In the infamous words of Reba....CRAAAAAAP!

Don't ask me how I fixed the problem...I'm still working on it! But I did get the base painted and started the sanding...and it looks pretty awesome. And I think it will be major awesome when I get the dark wax on it.

Little secret here...I have never used furniture wax before...and I have never made "homemade dark wax." But I'm gonna...

And if I don't drop kick the entire project down the street, I will post before and after pictures later this week1

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Cabinet door chalkboards....

I just assume everyone has old cabinet doors laying around...probably a silly assumption! But I see old cabinets all the time at garage sales and thrift stores. If you can find inexpensive old cabinets with decent doors, buy the cabinet and use the doors to make these super cool chalkboards! Or stop by your local Habitat for Humanity...they have TONS of old doors for cheap!

I just happened to have a bunch of cabinet doors stacked up in storage at my apartments...ones I had saved for whatever reason. I decided to put them to good use! (I have no doubt I will need one next week...always happens!)

First remove all the old hardware and fill the holes with wood putty. Some doors have European hinges and those leave big holes...just ignore them! They are on the back...no one will see them!

Next, sand the door with a 110 or 220 grit paper...just enough to knock the shine off the finish...then use TACK CLOTH!!!

I always paint the back or underside of any project first...that way when I flip it to do the top I don't feel too terribly bad if I ding or scratch the back or underside!

You are going to use chalkboard paint in the center of the front, so you only have to paint the back and the frame of the front.

I painted all these cabinet doors different colors since I will be putting them in my flea booth.

I spray painted a few with bright colors, so I primed those with Kilz (sanding and tack cloth between coats!). I used plaster paint (no primer) on a few and sanded the edges.

Regardless of the paint you use, always apply 1-2 coats of clear coat to seal the paint. Do this BEFORE applying the chalkboard paint!

Let the paint and clear coat dry over night and then tape off the frames with painter's tape.

I wanted to try the new Frog tape because I have read really outstanding reviews but I could NOT find the roll I bought last week...it is here somewhere, I just can't find it. So I used good ole' blue painter's tape.

Several months ago I bought a quart of black chalkboard paint at Lowes. I have used it on several projects and it really is outstanding. When Katie wanted "chalkboard" walls, we just used Valspar flat paint since we needed 2 gallons and it has worked great!

I think for this size project, the "real" chalkboard paint is worth the investment.

I used a brush for the corners and edges and then I used a 4" sponge roller. I applied 3 coats.

After all the paint dries, put a hanger on the back. I used cup pulls for the little tray for chalk.

This is a fairly simple and inexpensive project! If you have any old cabinet doors sitting around or stumble across a few at a garage sale or thrift store, give it a shot!

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Outdoor lighting....

I have wanted new exterior lighting for sometime. After all, the existing fixtures have been there for 13 years. It's not that I necessarily "dislike" the fixtures I have. I seriously considered just painting them. Because let's be honest... replacing all 3 fixtures could set me back a tad.

Last Friday I found three pretty ratty fixtures at a garage sale...$5 for all three!!!! Wow...what a deal. And it was exactly what I needed...2 wall mount and a hanging fixture. But they definitely needed some work. So I walked away!

But believe it or not I actually dreamed about the stupid things Saturday morning...so I got up early and went back to the house where they were having the garage sale to see if they were still there....AND THEY WERE!

Of course they were. Seriously, they were pretty ugly.

I think they were originally an antique bronzed finish and someone had sanded the finish off so they were just a grey metal...and seriously dirty. And the glass....major yuk!

I really love the mid century modern style in just about everything. I'm not sure what you would classify these as...not mid-century.... but I really like their "bones." I knew with a little paint, maybe some new glass and a little rewiring, they would be nifty little fixtures!i

The first thing I did was remove all the glass and then removed all the sockets and wiring. They were in pretty bad shape and the worst thing you can do is ignore brittle and charred wiring and electrical sockets. They are easy to replace. Kind of like plumbing,...just take it all to Lowe's and walk around looking stupid...SOMEONE will help you "rebuild" the things you need to replace!

I put all the fixtures in dishwasher....believe it or not it is the easiest way to clean most stuff if it will fit!! After a good cleaning I primed them with auto primer, sanded with steel wool, tack cloth and then painted them with an exterior satin black spray paint!

Then came the challenging part...reinstalling all the electrical elements...sockets, nuts, bolts, wiring....honestly, it wasn't that difficult! Again, just put it all back together just like you took it all apart (taking LOTS of pictures as you dismantle anything is always helpful!)

After it was all back together, it was time to take down the old fixtures and put up the "new."

First rule of any electrical work....MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF!

Let me save you a spill off your ladder. ALWAYS assume there will be wasp, spiders and other undesirable critters lurking in holes and crevices. Light boxes are no exception. I found wasp nests and HUGE spiders in all three light boxes after I removed the fixtures. So remove the existing fixtures carefully and always keep wasp spray and spider spray handy!!! Expect a critter or crawler and you won't fall off the ladder from fear (again, I don't tell you things because I THINK it might happen!)

I initially installed the fixtures without glass...because honestly, I kind of knew what I wanted but didn't know where to get it. I checked out a local stained glass store and found EXACTLY what I wanted. A clear glass with little bubbles in it. Not exactly cheap, but considering I didn't pay much for the actual fixtures, it was worth it.

If you notice, I have fallen in love with the new "Edison bulbs" that are all the rage which is why I wanted something clear to show off the bulbs...this "blown glass" look is exactly what I wanted...clear but with a little character.

These bulbs aren't "mid century" but I think they are just soooo cool looking.

But I warn you...they are expensive! Around $9 each so you would probably want to use them sparingly in special places. And I have no idea how they will hold up outside, exposed to the heat and cold. I guess we will see!

But I like the look...and since I don't have a huge amount of money invested in each fixture (new wiring, paint, glass) I won't feel too badly if I decide to switch them out! Probably in another 13 years...

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FINALLY, a chair before and after!!!

I say FINALLY because as I have mentioned I have "upholstery block." I can pick paint, I can pick stain...but I have the toughest time picking out upholstery. Which is becoming a real problem because I have all these chairs in my garage that need upholstery work!

Anywho, I finally picked an upholstery for these little mid century style slipper chairs....

I was a little hesitant to go with something so "funky." But fact is, I don't think these chairs have a tremendous "value" so it was a perfect opportunity to do something fun with a style I love! When I found a "'50's Paris" themed fabric at Hobby Lobby, I decided to go for it. Who wouldn't love the Eifel Tower, 50's fashion and PINK???!!!

The legs were oak...sturdy but not my favorite, so I didn't have a problem painting them....a little primer and black satin spray paint. I added a little batting but otherwise they were in pretty good shape! And really comfy! The chair didn't originally have any piping, but I added a little black around the base of the seat.

I found a black and white diamond pattern fabric I am going to make little pillows out of of...eventually. I stuck my houndstooth pillow on there just to see how it would look...not so great, but I think the diamond pattern will look awesome!

Personally, I think they are pretty cute...we'll see if they sell...

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Chairs galore!!

My obsession with chairs has crossed a line...I am on serious chair overload!

Right now I have 6 chairs in my garage that need refinishing and reupholstery, 3 wood chairs I need to paint and two upholstered slipper chairs that don't really need any work, but have no home!

INSANITY!!!!

But I feel like I scored major on two walnut mid-century chairs! I found then on Craigslist and getting these made me feel better about the awesome dresser I missed out on!

These chairs are in awesome condition and the cane backing has VERY minimal damage. That is difficult to find.

Most would paint these puppies all "shabby chic" and apply a whimsical fabric...but they are solid walnut and in my opinion, should NEVER be painted!

Due to my not so great photography skills, it may be difficult to see a huge difference before and after refinishing...but there is! I stripped off the old "muddy" finish and applied a dark walnut stain to even and enhance the color...then I applied the tung oil!

Now I just need to do the other and decide whether or not I want to change the upholstery on the cushions! The cushions are zippered and no real harm could be done making new cushion covers and just changing it out!

I love the mid century style which is one of the reasons I picked up these little slipper type chairs at an auction a while back...

My biggest problem with all these projects is the upholstery. I know I can do it because my first major project was a doozy and it turned out pretty nifty! (see here)

I just have a tough time figuring out exactly what upholstery to use on these projects.

I get stuck...it's almost like picking out paint colors...only paint is cheaper and easier to change if you make a mistake.

I painted this wicker chair...not sure if I am crazy about the color but I know I can easily change it! The prep and repair work and priming is all done which is what takes so much time on the wicker furniture!

So the upholstery chairs sit in my garage....the four mid century, an old wing back and a vintage lounge chair...all staring at me and waiting for me to figure out what I need to do to bring them back to life!

Upholstery is a lot of work...hard work...and it can be expensive when you factor in the cost of fabric, backing, padding, etc. (there is a reason it costs so much to have a piece professionally reupholstered)

So it is important to be patient and wait til something speaks to you. EVENTUALLY you will find the perfect fabric!

I'm trying to be patient...

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Hung up on guns....

If you are anti-gun, don't read this post!

Actually, you might like this post...because I managed to "refurbish" a vintage gun in a way that makes it safe and fun!

I know a lot of parents these days "don't like guns!" But your husband or father may have an old shotgun, rifle or pellet gun they hold dear and wish they had a way to display without offending mom's good gun senses! In the south, we cherish our old guns, even if we don't want our kiddos playing with them!

I bought this 1952-1954 (per their website) vintage Crosman 22 at an auction! It was a mess...again, my photography skills are lacking. But trust me, it was a mess. And it was not functioning!

The metal parts on top where actually taped to the stock of the gun! And it wouldn't hold any air pressure! I guess someone could refurbish the gun and make it functional, but I decided to do what I do best and make it functional for my purposes!

Many vintage guns have the most beautiful wood stocks...usually walnut, and very easy to refinish.

IMPORTANT WARNING! This is where I am going to tell you the number one rule of gun safety and handling! ALL GUNS ARE LOADED!!! Even if someone tells you they are not, ASSUME THEY ARE! Check and recheck...and until the gun has been checked and rechecked and disassembled with the barrel facing AWAY from any human or animal or window, just assume it is loaded! Once you are satisfied there are no pellets, bullets or shells lurking in the depths of the gun somewhere should you handle it freely!

After disassembling this air gun, I stripped the finish off the stock with laquer thinner...unfortunately it took the black off the barrel as well! The metal barrel was in pretty bad shape and I was planning on doing something that would render it completely "useless" as a gun, so no biggy. AND once I removed all the bluing (that's the black finish on the gun barrel) I found the model number and the manufacturer's name stamped on pretty brass!

After removing all the old finish, I sanded the stock with 220 grit sand paper. I also sanded the metal parts to remove all the rust spots.

Three coats of tung oil on the wood stock (no stain, that is the natural finish!) and flat black spray paint on the barrel...then I glued the barrel to the gun, glued all the moving parts so the gun is not functioning, added a few little hooks, and....

WHALLA!!

A nifty little hat/coat rack fit for a little cowboy...or cowgirl! Or maybe a hunting cabin!

This is not something you want to do to an heirloom gun...not without permission from the owner! And it is NOT a toy! I plan on putting wall hangers on the back so it can be secured to the wall.

But it is a relatively easy little project and a great way to "disarm" and display old guns lurking in the attic or back of the closet!

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