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

Time to Shop!

Anyone who is jealous of us having to go to LA on a hot, muggy, summer day to shop for the store, needs to rethink that!  Nevertheless, it was time...and we HAD to  go!  So on a blazing hot Thursday morning, Sarah (our little fashionista) and I, set out on our treasure hunt...

First stop...liquid-gold-in-a-cup...go-juice...the-only-reason-to-wake-up-today-and-leave-air-conditioning...come to mama...

And we're off...
Planned departure time - 8:30am.
Actual departure time - 10:00 am.  Hmmm....

Oooh...LA Fashion District...

akaTijuana...bleh (I'm just NOT a city girl).  

But, I was getting excited at the prospects, anyway.

OK, now to find a parking place...shoot!...I forgot change for the meters...wait a second...I forgot ALL the cash!  OK, find an ATM... (apparently two sleepy girls should NOT be trying to shop today...)  ATM, ATM...where are you ATM?  

and a bathroom, a bathroom and an ATM...dang go-juice!  OK, bathroom first, then an ATM, then a parking place...what time is it?  11:15?!!  ugh... 

Alrighty...accomplished.  Ready to shop.  We have a budget Sarah, ok?...ok!

Let's start in one corner and work our way across...oooh...cute!  Grab a cart!

I think we're doing good on our budget, don't you?  Yeah, this is going to be good.

Let's have him ring up the smaller items first and see where we're at and then we can weed out some of the big ones if we went over budget.  Alrighty, good idea.

0-0   Huh?!  How much?!  Well, THAT budget just went out the window.  (see previous comment where "two sleepy girls should not be...")

OK, so we went a little over budget...alright, A LOT over budget, but we found some great scarves...

...and even greater jewelry

 

...and some beautiful bags!

Best of all, we've honed our shopping skills...and found an ATM...and most importantly...a usable bathroom!  Now, just to work on that budget thing...

Hope to see you soon!

~Mary

(& Sarah)

Secret Sale

25% OFF 

ALL SILK GREENERY & FLORALS

(Mention our Blog for the discount...

because it's a secret!)

Offer expires 8/31/12

"Spring" it up!

Spring has definitely sprung in So Cal!  High 80's today and it's only April 1st!  The Lady Bank's roses on my arbor have absolutely exploded in all their tiny little white rose splendor.  I wish so much I had planted them in the front yard instead of the back so everyone could enjoy them.  They only last for a little while and they bloom all at once, but I anticipate their glory every year.

It's time to put away the flannel sheets and heavy down comforters and bring out those crisp clean linens and lighter blankets...something that's on my agenda for this weekend!  Spring also seems to bring out the desire to spruce up and brighten up the indoors a little, as well.  I guess it's because of the gloomy days of winter, (not that we have too many of those here!), but none-the-less, I'm always anxious for a little something new when Spring rolls around.

Sprucing up could be as simple as a couple new dish towels in a bright fun pattern to liven up the kitchen, or some bright flowery scented votive candles in the bathroom...a welcome change from the spicy cinnamon scents of winter.



      I love adding a little nature to the indoors, too.  It could be as simple as some sea shells to a pretty container you already have.  Try pooling them around a pillar candle or fill an old silver bowl or antique compote dish ~ they don't have to go in the bathroom only!

Sea glass is so pretty used in the same way, as well!

If you've ever stopped by the shop, you know that we always have a plethora of little birdies and birds nests....why? ...because we LOVE them!  They are the perfect little pick up item.  They decorate the tiniest little corner anywhere.  They fit in any room and they make a sweet little gift.  And most of all, the SCREAM spring!  Our birds start at $1.95 (what?!!) yes, $1.95 and our little nests start at $1.75 and go up from there.  That's got to be the cheapest Spring decorating ever!

Laurie's mantel

Kitchen Shelf

 

LOVE the domes!  Everything looks better under them!