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- Simple Fall Decorating Ideas On A Budget!
Fall is one of my favorite seasons! I love the colors, the scents, and the brisk weather that allows me to take out my cute sweaters! I wanted to add some fall decor to my home, but I still have a couple more weeks of recuperation from my surgery before resuming my regular activities. With that being said, I will not be lifting, toting, and moving things around like I normally do. I still wanted to add some fall decor though, so my husband drove me to Goodwill in hopes that I would find some smaller items I could use. The trip was successful, and I can’t wait to share it with you! These bowls definitely scream fall, and the fact that there are three in various sizes is fun. I had an idea when I saw these bowls and was able to gather everything that I needed to make it happen, which were risers, plants, and moss. Love this, they say fall but in a subtle way. This candle holder has beautiful fall colors. The only thing I need to do is put in LED lights. I needed some fall foliage, so my husband got these out of storage for me. By putting them in this vase, an Autumn vignette is instantly created. Using a different vase in jewel tones, I filled it with the stems, and the result is fantastic! Lastly, I filled a bowl with pinecones. Very simple, but elegant. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.
- Part Two Of Decoupaged Cigar Box: The Inside!
A few weeks ago, I transformed an old cigar box using "Decoupage Queen's" decoupage rice paper. I loved the way it looked and received wonderful feedback on the finished product. Even though I loved the piece, I felt like the inside of the box needed to match the outside. On the original piece, I extended the decoupage paper over the edge by hand painting and blending to create a seamless look. I was pleased with the results and really wanted to try it again. With my newfound courage, I decided to hand paint the beautiful wings of the "Bluebird Queen" on the inside of the box to carry out the theme on the inside. I drew in the wings and mixed acrylic paint colors to try to match what was in the Bluebird Queen decoupage as best I could. Note to self-make enough color to paint both wings. I really struggled here trying to recreate the colors I used on the other side. There was a lot of painting over and trying again, but I eventually got it. I took a break from painting and added feet to the box using dowel caps I had from another project. To create a crown, I ordered this stamp from Amazon which was the scale I wanted. To match the outside, I used script cardstock for the inside background. In hindsight, I should have added the cardstock first then painted the wings on the cardstock. I used wallpaper paste to attach the cardstock then aged it with Annie Sloan Dark Wax. I considered staining the wooden feet on the bottom of the box, but I ended up painting them gold instead. It took a lot of work, but I am so glad I persevered! The finished product! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.
- Antique Buffet Transformation Part Two: The Reveal!
I started working on this buffet a few weeks ago. It took longer than I expected but it was worth the time put in. Let's see how it came out: This is the buffet I transformed with Annie Sloan Oxford Navy Chalk Paint. I repaired missing trim pieces using Amazing Mold Putty and Casting Resin . I sanded the resin pieces then cleaned the piece getting it ready for painting. I was itching to try Annie Sloan Oxford Navy chalk paint and thought this would be the perfect project. It took three coats. When it was dry, I sealed it with Annie Sloan Clear Wax. We had sanded the top before putting it in storage, so the only thing I needed to do was stain it with Waverly Antiquing Wax. It's such a rich color. To get a surprise when you opened the drawer, I added "Decoupage Queen" damask rice paper to the sides. The color of the wood inside the drawers did not match the top of the buffet. To remedy that, I refreshed it with Annie Sloan Honfleur chalk paint and sealed it with polyacrylic to give it a more durable finish. Finished piece I loved it so much I decided to keep it. If you enjoyed this blog, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new blog posts as they are created.
- Refinishing French Chairs With A Faux Wood Finish!
In previous blogs, I have mentioned stripping six French dining chairs and the amount of work it took. I was so burned out by the experience that it took two years to even contemplate refinishing the armchairs that were part of the set. I took them out of storage and had them sitting in my office for a week and knew I still wasn’t ready to go through the whole stripping process again. But I had to do something because I really disliked the color of the wood. I wanted a wood finish without the work, so I turned to chalk paint. I had created a faux wood finish on a half-circle table in the past and decided to give that a try again. As a base I painted the chairs with two coats of Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint and two coats of French Linen Chalk Paint . Once it was dry, I applied a wash of Waverly Antique Wax and water. The combination of the antique wax and the chalk paint underneath created movement like you see in real wood. I let it dry overnight before going to next step. The color is beautiful, but I would like it to look a bit more aged. Always start with clear wax; it makes working with colored wax much easier. The white wax is definitely lightening the color. You can see the difference in the back leg to the front. I am very pleased with the results it definitely looks like real wood. Next on the agenda is picking out fabric to recover them with. If you liked this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe so you can receive new posts as they are created.
- Decorating A Christmas Chandelier!
I tried to do the chandelier last week while my mother-in-law and husband were there. Both of them were watching me while I worked, which is fine with me, but the deafening silence was telling me that they did not like it. To be honest, neither did I! I took it all down and did not touch it again until Tuesday morning at 2:30 am. I couldn’t sleep and decided to decorate the chandelier. It was quiet, and I was by myself. A perfect time to do it. I know, I know, this seems like a repeat of last week! I actually enjoyed the solitude. I was tired the rest of the day, but it was done, and my mother-in-law and spouse gave it a thumbs up! The chandelier The picks I used were long and drapey. I used floral wire to attach them to the chandelier. I wrapped greenery ties around the wire to hide them. Because the greenery was long it was easy to cover each arm. I used only four picks to cover all five arms of the chandelier. I had these beautiful pinecone swags that sparkled and thought they would look great. After adding the pinecones, I wound ribbon all around the arms of the chandelier. Finally adding berries to the top for color. The finished product! I love the simplicity of it! If you enjoyed the post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts.
- Furniture Makeover Using Decoupage Paper: Part One!
This week, I started working on an antique dresser. My plan was to decoupage the front of the dresser and paint the rest with chalk paint. Two things happened to put a kibosh on my plans. The dresser needed more work than I initially thought, and being my first time decoupaging on furniture, I wanted to take my time and not rush it. What I am trying to say is there will not be a reveal this week. So, with that, I will share what I have done so far! I purchased this dresser on Facebook Marketplace a few weeks ago. It is a solid piece with great lines. It just needed a little love. After removing the hardware, I cleaned the dresser with an all-purpose cleaner (all products used will be listed at the end of post). It was so dirty I had to change the water three times before I was finished. It was while I was cleaning that I began to notice just how much “love” it actually going to need. Since the top of the dresser was beyond repair, I sanded it down to prepare it for painting. There were areas where the veneer was peeling and some where it had completely come off. To address this, I carefully applied glue underneath the lifting veneer using a kabob stick and then placed books on top to hold it in place while it dried. For the sections where the veneer was missing entirely, I filled them in with spackle. Additionally, there were pieces of molding that also required regluing I told you it needed a lot of work. With all the prep work done, it was ready for primer not only to give it a good base coat but also to prevent bleed-through. It took longer than I expected, but it is ready for the next step. Decoupage! Here is a sneak peek of the decoupage design I chose. I love this paper! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Be on the lookout for: Decoupage Dresser Makeover Part Two: The reveal! I removed all the hardware. They are gorgeous! My husband sanded the top for me since my allergies were acting up. There were a few pieces of molding that needed to be glued back into place. On the top of the dresser some of the veneer was pulling up. I used a cabob stick to push the glue underneath. Then placed some books on top to keep it in place while it dried. In other areas the veneer was completely off. I filled those spots with spackle. The first thing I did was clean it thoroughly. I had to empty my bucket three times until the water ran clear. After it dried, I reattach loose trim pieces then attempted to secure the peeling veneer on top with glue, but it was unsuccessful. I had to remove the veneer pieces and fill them in with spackle. Next, I sanded everything to achieve a smooth finish. Following that, I applied odor-blocking primer to the entire piece, including the top, which was not in good enough shape for staining. I applied three coats of primer to reduce any odors and prevent bleeding through the paint. I love this Decoupage paper and was really excited (albeit nervous) to try it! To prepare, I watched dozens of YouTube videos demonstrating different techniques for decoupaging furniture. I decided to go with wallpaper paste because it gives you more placement time, which would definitely benefit me. I gathered all my tools: a paintbrush and roller for applying paste, chip brushes to help smooth, an X-Acto knife to remove excess paper and cut seams, and an awl to punch out drawer holes. I was ready to begin. I positioned the decoupage paper with the rose in the center, secured it with painter's tape, and proceeded to apply wallpaper paste before laying down the paper. Realizing I had made a mistake by trying to apply the decoupage paper while the dresser was upright it was impossible to manage and the paper tore. I called my husband (I may have screamed) to help me lay the piece down. We laid it down; I thanked him, and I went back to work. I can be intense when something is going wrong. He is the best husband! After we brought the dresser down, it was much easier to handle. Moving forward, I made some other changes: cutting the decoupage paper, working on each drawer separately, and using the chip brush instead of my hands. Making these changes made the application much better. There were still tears and frustration when trying to get the paper into all the intricate places on the piece. However, I was able to repair the rips using extra paper by placing it and pasting over it, and you could not even tell. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Keep a lookout for "Decoupage Dresser Part Two: The Reveal!
- Decoupage Dresser Part Two: The Reveal!
In my last post my intent was to I start a makeover an antique dresser using decoupage " Furniture Makeover Using Decoupage: Part One! " The plan however was derailed when the furniture piece had more repair work than originally anticipated. So decoupaging was put on hold while I repaired the piece. Let's get see what happened next: A quick recap of the last post: I purchased a dresser that needed more work than I originally thought. To remedy this, I cleaned, repaired, sanded, and finally gave it three coats of primer. All of this took longer than expected, which is why there is a part two. As this was my first attempt at decoupaging a piece of furniture, I watched dozens of YouTube videos in preparation. There were many techniques to choose from, but I went with the one that uses wallpaper paste to attach the paper. It allows more time to move the paper, which I know I will need. With the piece ready to go, I placed the decoupage paper so the rose would be centered on the dresser and assembled all my tools in preparation. A paintbrush and roller for applying wallpaper paste, two chip brushes to smooth out wrinkles, an X-Acto Knife for cutting seams and excess paper, and an awl to punch drawer holes out. I was ready, albeit a little nervous, to begin. Everything was ready to go. I applied the wallpaper paste and started to lay the paper. Right off the bat, I knew I made a mistake trying to put the paper on with the dresser standing up. It was impossible to control, and the paper started to rip. I called for my husband (if I am honest, screamed for him) to come and help me lay the piece down. We laid it down, I thanked him and went back to work. And he was only too happy to go back to what he was doing . I can be intense when something is going wrong. He is the best husband! Once the dresser was lying flat, it was much easier to manage. The ripped areas were repaired using extra paper, wallpaper paste, and a toothpick. I really thought the molding would be difficult to maneuver around, but the chip brush was able to get into the crevices and smooth out any wrinkles. I did change my approach with the drawers by cutting the paper and working on one drawer at a time instead of keeping the paper whole. It worked much better, and the excess paper was easily smoothed out around the drawer area. I took a risk attempting to decoupage a piece that had intricate workings for my first try. But I am so glad I did the detailing adds another level of beauty to the paper itself. I am really proud of the way it came out (I am patting myself on the back right now). I let the decoupage dry overnight and the next day I put three coats of a water-based polyurethane to seal and protect. The next step was painting the dresser base. I chose cocoa color (all products used in this post will be listed at the end) chalk paint. Using a round brush, I went every which way to add some texture. For detail work, I used a small brush, moistening the brush to help the chalk paint go on smoothly. I was extra careful not to get chalk paint on the decoupage around the drawers. To add depth, I used a ragging technique with more cocoa chalk paint, along with green and grey colors. I liked the results, but after it dried, I felt it was too gray for the decoupage paper design. I mixed the darker green color with white chalk paint and water to create a wash. I brushed it on and wiped it off, leaving a pale green glaze that now perfectly complemented the design. I let it dry overnight and added clear and dark wax to seal and age it. Lastly, I added the original hardware that I touched up with antique wax. The finished piece! I can see this piece in a bedroom, foyer, office, garden room, really anywhere. I was able to keep original hardware. I just added a little Rub N Buff. I would call that quite the transformation! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products used: Roman Wallpaper and Border Adhesive Sandrina Rice Paper Decoupage, by Decoupage Queen Annie Sloan Chalk Paints Chateau Grey, and Coco Waverly Chalk Paint in Celery.
- Architectual Salvage Finds In New York And New Jersey, Part Two!
During our trip to New York, my husband and I explored architectural salvage locations. While we visited several places, two particularly caught our attention: Amighini Architectural in Jersey City, NJ, and Old Iron in Brooklyn, NY. Despite their contrasting aesthetics, both places were equally impressive in their own right. Due to the abundance of captivating content from each location, I divided our experience into two separate posts. The first post highlighted our visit to Amighini Architectural -- Architectural Salvage Finds In New York And New Jersey, Part One , while today's post showcases Old Iron in Brooklyn, New York. Salvaging part two: Siegel style The second place we visited was the total opposite of the first. Here we would have to dig for our finds there were no vignettes anywhere to be found. But that was okay because we like to dig! My rules of salvaging: take your time, lift and sift through everything, go through more than once, and think outside the box. Also be realistic about how much work you are willing to put in. A perfect example are these iron newel posts. Refinishing them would take a lot of work. But if you can commit, the end result would be amazing! When I first looked in this area, I saw old sinks but look past the sinks against the wall. Look at this gate! There was no way of getting it home or anywhere to put it at my house, but like the other place, a girl can dream! This looks like trash but there is some good stuff in here. Next to the dresser is a table, on the small rectangular table is a small trunk for storage and in the back is wood and hopefully some decorative trim pieces. I found this antique bed behind some other items. I loved it and purchased it for our guestroom. Here is another diamond in the rough. The table has beautiful details it just needs a glass top. I have been looking for a plant stand for our patio. I love the shape and the rust. I am happy to report that we were able to find architectural trim pieces for the door I am transforming into an antique French mirror. It will take some work to clean up but it all cost $40 instead of $1, 200. It was such a fun trip. I hope we get to do it again soon! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as thy are created.
- How To Dry-Brush A Secretary Desk Part Two!
If you haven't seen the first blog you might want to check that out first. The piece had more damage than I expected, and it was time consuming to repair. But it is completed and is now ready for the next steps. Let's get to it shall we: This is the piece after all the repair work. It is prepped and ready for paint! I settled on a brighter purple-blue paint that will be accented by dry brushing with a softer blue shade (all products used will be listed at the end of the post). I really like the color, and the single knobs are perfect. Next up: dry brushing. I am excited to try this technique; hopefully, it will be as easy as the people on YouTube make it out to be. I ended up putting too much of the lighter blue on initially and panicked, but once I realized I could go back and touch it up with darker blue paint, I felt more at ease. As I was working on the piece, I felt the medallion spoke for itself and only needed to be lightly dry brushed. The technique worked better when I started highlighting the actual shape of the piece. I am pleased with my first try at dry brushing. I opted for a more cautious approach, as I had put a lot of work getting to this point and didn't want to risk having to start all over again. I plan to be more daring in the future. Just when you think the end was near... I had been going back and forth about keeping the inner shelf unit. In the end, I removed it, but it left that behind. Not so pretty. I had some decoupage paper in my stash that I thought would not only cover the back area but also add an unexpected touch. To adhere, I spread wallpaper paste on an area, then placed the decoupage paper using my hands and a brush to smooth it out. Once the paper was dry, I took a sanding brick and removed the edges. To finish, I added dark wax to age it. The final reveal. It really came out great. I tell myself I will never purchase a piece that needed so much work again, but then I see the finished product and think I probably will. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created. Products used: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Napoleonic Blue Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Louie Blue Annie Sloan Clear Wax Annie Sloan Dark Wax Roman Wallpaper Paste Blue Flight Decoupage Paper: Etsy
- The Front Garden Is Finally Finished!
Along with attending to my original gardens: Front Garden, Garden Island, and bushes flanking the front door, I am also starting two more gardens: A Cottage Garden and my Mother-in-Law's Garden. All of this has taken several weeks to complete. I kept pushing myself beyond even my expectations. I would get up around 4:30 in the morning and work for a couple of hours before going to work. Then, when I came home, I would do more, eat dinner, and drag myself to bed, just to repeat it the next day. During these past couple of months, I put my back out several times, pulled muscles in my foot, and every part of my body was sore for weeks! Why push so hard? There are actually two reasons. One is my mother-in-law Audrey is turning 90, and we are having a party for her here. The other reason is I am having surgery and will be out of commission for several weeks and want everything done beforehand. The latter was a must for me. Not having things done and me not being able to do them would have driven me up the wall! Now I don’t have to worry about it, and I will be able to concentrate on healing faster! I am going to start by showing you what I began with and finally revealing the results. This post is about my Front Garden let's see what I did: My front garden was not torn up from the addition/renovation but with all the machinery and work being done, I was not able to tend to them and became severely overgrown. Even the forsythia bush was out of control! I started with the forsythia bush making it easier to get to the actual garden. After weeks of pulling out weeds and taming back the out-of-control groundcover, I asked myself was it worth it? The answer is emphatically. Yes!! I love the way it looks now, and I don’t cringe anymore when I pull into the driveway. M y sister-in-law gave me a beautiful wooden piece of wall art with iron work detailing a few years ago. I absolutely adored it but was never able to find the perfect place. As the garden was taking shape, I knew I would need something to deal with the large utility box. I tried a few things but liked the wall art the best. It needed some more height, so I attached a sign I purchased last year from Michaels. Voila, a one-of-a-kind garden ornament! Since I had to dig up a lot of plants to remove the intertwined ground cover, I took a chance and pulled out the large spirea bush and transplanted it on the other side of the garden. As you can see in this picture it is thriving! A friend of mine gave me this crate a while ago. Even though it had a broken side I thought it was cool and took it hoping I would find a place for it. That day is here ! I needed something behind the sign and immediately an image of the box with flowers in it came to mind. Perfect! After removing the groundcover, I found plants I didn’t even know I had. If you look closely at the lower half of the wrought iron tower there is a climbing vine with purple flowers. I planted that a couple years ago and it is finally showing! If you recognize this perennial, can you leave the name in the comments? I would appreciate it! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a "like" and subscribe to receive new posts as they are created.