Vintage Office Chair Redo

When we moved into a house we were renting a couple of years ago, I found this vintage, solid oak office chair in the basement, left by the previous tenant. The chair, besides cosmetically (the finish was scratched and I am not crazy about orangish oak), was in great condition. It is very comfortable, well-built and it swivels and rocks. When we moved, Mr. Rubbish begrudgingly loaded the chair in the moving truck for me. I knew that someday I would paint it and bring out its true beauty. I just could not pass up a free chair with so much potential. I mean, they sell a near exact replica at Pottery Barn for a whopping $399 if you can believe it?!!

Well.... I finally painted it! I had Mr. Rubbish bring it out of our storage unit last week and I got to work. First, I sanded it with an electric palm sander and then painted on primer. Two coats of cottage white and a bit of distressing later and I have a new shabby chic, office chair! I do want to keep it in case I ever have a home office again, but I think it is going to the shop.

Here is the armless version of the chair in a Pottery Barn ad. They also sell one with arms that looks almost identical to my vintage one.

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Mid-Week Design Inspiration: Outdoor Spaces

Happy Fall!!!!!

Country Living Magazine

With summer just leaving and the crisp, autumn air arriving, I wanted to take a look at all those lovely outdoor spaces that can still be enjoyed a bit longer before winter creeps in.

This patio is just magical with vines growing everywhere and the outdoor fireplace.

Country Home Magazine

I love the cheery colored, paper lanterns hanging from the rustic patio cover.

Lonny Magazine

I think this one is every girl's dream patio complete with the crystal chandy!

Country Home Magazine

How about this for outdoor fine dining? I love all the candlelight and the vintage metal chairs with mismatched cushions.

House and Garden Magazine

This cottage setting is absolutely charming with the bistro table, cobblestones and overflowing window box!

Country Home Magazine

I simply love old farmhouse porches. I don't know why, but this one makes me miss summer the most... or maybe it just makes me miss the simplicity and authenticity of a way of life that rarely exists anymore.

Country Home Magazine

This dramatic buogainvillea covered patio belongs to Suzanne Somers. Lovely!

lesbauxdepalmsprings.com

I hope you can all get out and enjoy your special outdoor spaces and breathe in the fresh fall air!

Paris Apartment Inspired Accessories

Take a look at Betsy Johnson's New York "Paris" apartment courtesy of Apartment Therapy. It is sooo pink! It is a little too much, but it is so girly and I love it. My tween niece, Sophie, is decorating her bedroom in Paris apartment style too and it inspired me to work on some pink and girly home accessories today.

I picked up these weathered brass candlesticks at an attic sale for $1 and they had seen their better days.

I wanted to give them a romantic and feminine makeover. After primering, I painted them the palest pink and rubbed all the edges with antique gold rub 'n buff. I finished each by gluing on a vintage, pearl and gold button cover.





These wooden plaques were 5o cents at a thrift shop and I have held onto them for a while, not sure what would become of them. I painted them with white and pink stripes and then stenciled a black fleur de lis in the center. I sanded the surfaces to distress them and then used dots of glitter paint to accentuate the fleur de lis. Mr. Rubbish screwed on white hooks for me and they are ready to be hung in a Paris apartment style room. I think they will be perfect for Sophie's new bedroom!

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Oil Painting Meets Vintage Frame

My talented brother-in-law painted this amazing tree picture and gave it to us for Christmas a couple of years back. I knew that I could not get just any old frame for this painting and so the quest began...

I went to Michael's first because I had a coupon for 60% off custom framing and thought that meant it would be really cheap. Um.... not quite. In fact, the frame I chose was $160 for an 11 x 14 and that was after the 60% discount! I guess I was clueless about the cost of quality frames and so, the search continued...

I found another beautiful frame at an antique store made of solid wood with a strip of ornate, decorative metal. It was only $50, but the dimensions were a little bit off. Every frame that I came across was either too small or way too expensive. Until...

Finally, I found THE ONE and it only took me a couple of years! I picked up this beautiful, old picture frame at an estate sale for $10. I tried to negotiate, but the woman selling it just gave me a cold stare and asked, in disbelief, "Do you know how much this frame is worth?!!" While, normally, I ignore those comments from sellers, in this case, I got the feeling that she was right (and I loved the frame) so, I told her I would take it.

I love the softly gilted gold and the ornate detailing of the frame combined with the brown and gold tones in the tree painting. It was a perfect match! I was not sure what kind of frame I wanted, but this one is better than any of the frames I had been envisioning. Searching for the precise picture frame was not easy, but it was worth it in the end! I found a frame worthy of this artisitc masterpiece.

Now...

Mr. Rubbish (the resident picture hanger) needs to get around to hanging it in the living room for me. I can't wait!