Rocker Glider Re-Do

This is not meant to be a tutorial on re-upholstering because I'm a wing-it kinda girl, but hopefully it will inspire you to do something fun with a hand-me-down!

This particular hand-me-down is on loan, so I couldn't remove the original upholstery. The easiest way would have been to attack it with a seam ripper and use the original pieces as a pattern, so instead I slip covered and left everything underneath in-tact.

I bought 4 yards of 45" duck cloth in the perfect pattern and color my daughter-in-law wanted for the baby's nursery.  It was more than enough for the chair and ottoman and I still have probably 1/2 yard left to use for something else.  Big score for $28!

All the pieces were easily removable, so I just laid them out and traced them with a pencil on the wrong side of the fabric.

I added 1" around and cut out the pieces.  I lined the cut edge up with the smallest measurement on my sewing machine plate as a seam guide - I think it's 3/8" - to allow for the roundness of the cushion.  I stitched twice around on the seat cushions and the ottoman cushion for strength.

I left one edge open, folded that baby up like a taco and stuffed it in!  Perfect fit!   I hand stitched the openings closed with quilting thread for extra strength.

The whole project only took me a couple hours (minus the hand sewing, which I did in front of the TV).  I'm so pleased with how it turned out.  It's going to look so cute in the nursery with it's polka dots, and painted furniture, and other fun fabrics.

I hope this inspired you and makes the task seem less intimidating...go for it!

Until next time,

~Mary

Harlequin Desk

I found this desk quite by surprise at my local Habitat for Humanity Restore.  I was drawn to the curved top but it was missing a drawer front and definitely needed some love.

I was up for the challenge!

The wood wasn't in great condition, but certainly nothing that a little chalk paint couldn't cover!

My husband made a drawer front out of some spare wood from our shed (it didn't take much convincing to get him to play with wood and saws), and I set out to putty up the holes.  The hardware wasn't original and some were missing, so no loss there.

With a little inspiration from Fox Hollow Cottage, I decided to try a harlequin technique for something a little fun and different.  Contrary to the blog, I did NOT find it "a simple DIY technique"...for dummies, you say?...I don't know what that makes me...but it wasn't simple.  So, I did what any determined woman would do...

...passed the task onto my husband!  

He measured and drew...erased...measured again...drew again...sighed...
erased...measured again...drew...and on and on it goes...meanwhile...

I decided on a mixture of my own version of duck egg blue and paris grey chalk paint with a creamy white.
  

Piles of eraser shavings later and a few coats of chalk paint, this is what I ended up with...a little bluer than I imagined but nothing that the dark wax couldn't tone down.

I finished with a little rough sanding...

And the usual coats of paste wax...

Ready for knobs...

Did I mention how cute the inside of the drawers are?  Love the music notes!

Mercury glass knobs...perfectly girly!  I'm happy with the way it turned out.  I think it would make a super cute desk or if you added a mirror, why not a super cute vanity?

You can find it on the sales floor at the shop - $249.95.

Onward to the next project!

Until next time,

~Mary

Country French Side Tables

Okay...I admit again...I forgot to take the before pictures...sorry!

I picked up these 2 side tables with leather tops.  I love the curve of the legs and the fact that they have a drawer and they were good sturdy wood.  However, they had leather tops....really dated leather tops, that were scarred and coming up on the corners.  At first I thought I could salvage them but soon realized I couldn't.

So...once again I searched the internet for a little inspiration.  Voila!  Reloved Rubbish had the answer.

This is the table that inspired the end result of mine...

I painted the tops with a custom mixed graphite color chalk paint.

...and roughed up the edges a bit

The body of tables were painted with a creamy white chalk paint and roughed up a bit, as well.

I finished both pieces off with the usual 3 coats of paste wax...clear, dark, then clear again.

The original lack-lustre hardware was replaced with something a little more up-to-date.  The grey of the new handles plays on the grey in the tops.

I absolutely love the way these tables turned out and if I had room in my house...they would've stayed with me!

The drawers were crummy on the bottom so I decoupaged them with this fabulous paper.

They're going to look great next to someone's sofa or bed.

Next project in the works...stay tuned...hey!  look at that...a before picture...ta-da!


I'll keep you posted!

~Mary

Squared Up End Table

This great little end table had seen better days...but it was super solid, super heavy, and even had a drawer with dovetailed joints...and best of all, the price was right.  So, it went home with me.

Poor little end table...you need some lovin'...

The hardware got a coat of stainless steel look spray paint.

I settled on a blue-y green chalk paint.

Sanded the edges a bit and 3 coats of paste wax (clear, dark, clear).

Simple but I like it.  I'm not sure this is going to make it to the shop.  I'm doing a living room for someone and I have a hunch this would be perfect for them.  (posts to follow)

Until next time...

~Mary

Union Jack Table

I acquired this little Bombay and Co. mahogany half table but wasn't quite sure what personality I wanted to give it...it's original one wasn't doin' much for me.  

Browsing blogs one day it hit me..viola!...and I got inspired by a table done by Loot Vintage - omg these ladies are talented! - and this little half table seemed just right to give it a try.

My usual impatient self gets halfway through a project before I realize that I didn't take "before" pics...I promise I'll get better at that.  Anyway, here's what it originally looked like:

(Thank you Bombay & Co. website)

There's nothing really wrong with it...it just didn't do anything for me looking like this.

I had some leftover grey from the chevron chair project, so I lightened it up a bit.  My husband painstakingly figured out the union jack drawing (insert thank you here) because my geometry days are far behind me and have been replaced by more important things...like what aisle almonds are at Sam's Club and how many carbs are in a handful of Wheat Thins...

Anywho...the taping and painting began, layer by layer...

A little shabby sanding and then 3 coats of paste wax (clear, dark, clear).

I was so excited to share the picture of the finished product that I couldn't wait until the hardware dried!  But seriously...how fantastic is this little table now?!

So fantastic!

So far, this is my favorite.  It makes me happy.  It looks like it could be at Anthropologie...for a whole lot more!  In fact, Bombay & Co. sold it for a whole lot more!

It makes me want a cup of tea...

Until next time...

~Mary

Painting Furniture

I love to paint.  I know that might make you cringe, but it doesn't matter what needs painting, I get excited just at the thought of it.  Nothing perks me up like a freshly painted wall!  In fact, my husband says the only thing holding up the walls in our 20+ year old house is the layers and layers of paint on the walls!

I love picking out the colors and even the random weekend trip to Home Depot has me gravitating to the paint chip display.  Maybe it's a childhood thing...my mom used to hide "rainy day" stuff in the cupboard on top of the refrigerator and there was always a brand new box of Crayolas with the built in sharpener...ooh! I can smell them just thinking about it...there's nothing like a new box of crayons!

So, I don't know if it's Spring that's sparking my creativity again, but I've decided to dedicate some time each week to paint some furniture to sell in the shop.  We had some pieces in the Upland store when we first opened but the day-to-day chores of running a store quickly took precedence and it was hard to find time to paint...let alone scout out the furniture!

First on the list ~ this lonely little chair:

I love the turned legs and the harp on the back.  The seat was a disgusting cream vinyl with so much goo stuck to it, I didn't even want to touch it!

I removed the seat and cleaned the piece with a little TSP.

The color looks a little blue in this photo - sorry!  But it's actually a light dove grey.  I love the look of chalk paint furniture and have been itching to try the technique.  I mixed the color myself and because I'm cheap frugal, I made my own chalk paint, too.

I highlighted the details with some cream colored chalk paint and finished the whole piece off with 3 coats of paste wax (first clear, then dark, then clear).

I upholstered the seat in this super cute chevron print.  I just love the finished product!

The paste wax makes the paint finish feel so great...just like a new crayon ;)

Until next time...

~Mary

The Girls Get Creative

We had so much fun last night!

What did we do...you ask?

Well, we had an idea to get together at the beginning of each season for a little girl time!  Where we could sip a little, munch a little, learn a little and have a lot of fun!  

So, last night we created a Spring cloche.  Participants chose from a variety of nature inspired items to create their very own vignette under glass.  They also took advantage of the storewide 20% discount!

Here's a recap of the night's events...

I mean, really?  What's a girl's night without a little champagne?

Mini parfaits...to die for!

Pound cake, raspberry jam, lemon curd, strawberries & whipped cream..YUM!

Each participant's place was set with their cloche and base, a goody bag to take home and a fun package of creative embellishments...

Ideas were given from the examples we made, but everyone seemed to put their own fun, unique spin on each creation.  Snips and sprigs and ribbons and paper were added.  

The end product was absolutely adorable.  Not a single one cuter than the other.  We just might have to do this one again!  Here's some close up pics...

Happy Spring!

~Mary