It's a quick one!

I picked up this little demilune table for a few dollars. It's nice as is but I wanted to give it a paint wash, similar to the Restoration Hardware dresser pictured below.

The quick rundown:

It took about 15 minutes, tops.

After sanding the top with my orbital sander, I stained it with Minwax Classic Gray stain and sealed it with a wipe-on poly. I love using a wipe-on because I never have streaks that an aerosol or a brush-on can give. While that was drying, I dipped a brush in some diluted Dixie Belle Paint in the color 'Burlap' and just painted it on the legs. 

Since it was watered down, I easily rubbed it off and reapplied until I had the look I wanted. 

Rather than using a gray paint I thought the linen color would blend better with the mahogany stain of the table. I sell this paint line in my shop. 

And now it's perfectly weathered.

Have a great day everyone.

Love,
L




Linking to

The Dedicated House/Before and After Wednesday

Rustic & Refined

Between naps on the porch

DIY Dreamer

Cozy Little House

Ginger Snap Crafts

The Happy Housie

Posed Perfection

Average but Inspired

Craft Dictator

My Sweet Things

Boys' room redo - sneak peek

Inquiring minds want to know about the make-over on the dresser and the boys' room.

How about a little look?

This is the inspiration photo for the mid-century modern piece that I was looking for to go in the boys' bedroom. Although I wanted a 6 drawer, I found a nine-drawer with similar lines for $20.00 on Craigslist. Sold.

from Google Images

So after applying a heavy duty primer,


the dresser was beginning to take shape. The problem was that I liked the wood grain in-between the drawers. The inspiration photo shows they are white. What to do, what to do...
I think I'm going to live with it this way for a while. I can always get back to it. "When in doubt do nothing" my mom would say about things of this nature.
Upon moving in, we found the walls painted with a color called "Petal."

I know that because I found oodles of it in a closet. I don't recommend it. Too green with a yellow cast in a house without a lot of natural light. It came off dingy. The flat paint wasn't helping either.

Sadly, it stayed this way for too long.

Reese wanted a blue room with polka dots - A bright blue room. I'm a believer in letting them have a creative space but that blue was "too creative." I got it anyway thinking I'd work it in somehow. I called it "Painter's tape" blue. And I was hoping to change his mind about the polka dots. I told him to trust me.


He did get some of his bright blue and the polka dots were forgotten when he saw stripes. I strategically placed the blue stripe nearer to the bottom of the wall. It took me painting 2 shades of orange paint before I got it right on the 3rd.

The lamp was a Target donation to Goodwill. $3.99 are you outta your mind?..not me. I scooped up that bad boy knowing it would go right in this room.

The shade was $5.00 on clearance at Wal-mart.

The $2.00 flea market persimmons box is waiting to become a bookshelf mounted to the wall and the pennants will soon be hung.

New curtain fabric, closet door make-over, picture wall and new flooring (that can wait until the fall) will round out completion of this room.

Stay tuned.

Linking to


Between naps on the porch


Dilly dally and flitter


Someday Crafts


The Thrifty Home


Just A girl


The Girl Creative

Committed to thrift shopping - picks of the week

Although the past month has been really busy for us, I can always manage to squeeze in a trip to the thrift shop. I even made it to two local antique malls that I haven't been to in quite some time. Because of the direct competition between booths in an antique mall, you'll find some sellers with really good prices. You may just have to search a little bit harder.

Come along as I share some finds from the day...

This bird planter and owl were cents a piece. Both had finishes that I didn't like and were a little rough. The bird looks like she's gossiping to the owl. He looks less than enthused. "Did you see that Cardinal over there? He thinks he's all that with those red feathers..."

The frame was $2.97 at the Goodwill. I'm thinking a bold color choice here.

The globe was $3.00 at the antique mall. I originally bought it for Reese's room but I put it atop the shelves in the living room so it wouldn't be used as a bowling ball. I think it just might stay there. I bought a great, old one about 10 years ago but it was ruined somehow in our last move.

This little box of vintage type was $2.00. It has all the pieces and even the box is cool. This is one thing that can be used and displayed at the same time. Reese's room is shaping up to be a vintage modern space so it will find its way there.

I loved this tablecloth the minute I saw it and knew it was quality. For $2.50, it came home and I didn't even have a chance to use it before it met its fate with purple nail polish. I'll have to go with plan B for it when I figure out what plan B is...

I just happened to hit the Target and Pottery Barn delivery day at the Goodwill so this mirror and a few more things caught my eye as well. This has a home in my oldest daughter's room.

And just in case you're wondering why all of the thrifting trips?? I am committed to accessorizing and decorating my house on mainly thrifting items and showing that great things don't have to cost a fortune. I call it being "Thrift Store Chic." Do you want to be that way with me?

My mom would go to antique shops all the time and we always had interesting things to look at in our house. By saving money and going the thrifting route, I can afford to invest in other quality pieces and update this old house into this cool house. Just wait and see.

linking to

Remodelaholics

Twee Poppets,

Coastal Charm,

Just a Girl,

House of Hepworths,

Somewhat Simple and

Second Time Around

This week's thrift store picks are a hoot

During my travels around town last week, I was on the lookout for ceramics and I saw this little owl. Although he was cute in his original finish...

high gloss white is more my style.

He sits on my night stand protecting my journal. On a side note, the skeleton key is from our first home we purchased as newly weds and where we welcomed two babies. It's funny how you get emotionally attached to a place and time. We lived in a 106 year-old Victorian farmhouse. I was sad to say good-bye to that house and our friends. Even though I still miss the friends, I would never want to go back. It was perfect the way it was and could never be repeated. The key stands as a little reminder of a wonderful time.

I also found this owl next to the other. His form, color and funky retro style caught my eye. I knew he would fit in somewhere. For now he is hanging out on the bookshelves. I saw on Etsy that there are sellers using this same vintage owl to make a mold and create new owls. They sell between $25-$39.00. The bottom of the owl twists off but I am not sure what it is for. It looks like it could be for a votive but it doesn't seem to be the right size. I thought maybe it was an earring holder at first but the candle would make more sense. Whatever its purpose, I like him.

Again, the owl theme was everywhere. This mama and baby were already white but had a dull finish. A little sprucing up gave them new life. Cute, no? This is for Blair.

And last but not least, what would a trip be without getting some more chairs?
I know, what is it with me and the chairs?
I have a problem I guess.

But seriously, I use them.

Ever since I bought the other 3, I have been thinking about all the others they had. My husband thought I should go back and get a few more. Love him.

So I went back but there weren't many left. Most of them were plastic which didn't interest me. I bought the last 3 of this design and thought they needed a paint job but that is an easy fix.
When I perused my new Country Living magazine, I was happy to see these very same chairs on a page and they had that paint job. Of course I can't find my magazine at the moment or I'd show you.
Think bright red chairs in a really cool playroom.
So now I'm thinking red...if only I had the cool playroom.


And see?? I'm using them here.

Blair's Spring picture 2010

Any good finds this week?

Linking up to Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville

and Domestically Speaking's 14th Power of Paint party , Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Thursday, Fingerprints on the Fridge and Metamorphosis Monday