Friday, June 3, 2011

Blue and White Vintage Cabinet


I am always amazed by how cheap furniture is at yard sales.  I saw this plain, little cabinet at an estate sale recently and the woman told me I could have it for $2!  I did not fall in love with it immediately because it was just so plain and boxy, but who could really pass up a two dollar piece of furniture?!  I did love the vintage knobs with the little drops.  Also, the size makes it versatile as a side table or night stand, with the added bonus of being able to store junk inside.


It sat in my living room for a while, as I decided exactly what to do to it to make it a little more...well, less boring.  I finally decided to paint the edges a different color than the rest of it and to add something to the doors.  I was going to stencil a design on them, but at the last minute I decided to keep the cabinet true to its simplistic design and paint on a basic rectangle in the center of each door.  I think it gives the doors a faux raised panel look and adds some interest and sophistication.


After sanding and primering the cabinet, I painted it with an understated blue called rain washed by Behr.  For the white trim I used swiss coffee.


After taking the doors off, I removed all the hardware and applied a few coats of vanilla spray paint.



I used my sewing straight edge to mark where to lay the tape for my lines on the front of the cabinet doors.


I laid the tape just outside the lines and painted the vertical lines and then the horizontal lines or vice versa.


Very easy!


The rain washed blue with white trim worked like magic; it transformed the once dull cabinet into an airy and graceful piece of furniture.




This post is linked to:






Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Mid-Week Design Inspiration: Classic Garden Urns

www.houzz.com
I love the classic, black urns flanking the front door on this porch.  Isn't that a pretty paint color on the door too?


www.trouvais.com
 These chippy, antique urns holding boxwoods are oh-so-lovely.  


www.elledecor.com
Urns do not have to stay in the garden.  This pair of urns looks right at home in this beautiful dining room.  I love how they brought other elements of the outdoors into the room too, like the french bistro chairs and the branch chandelier.


www.bhg.com
This giant, rusty urn, holding green moss, adds to the casual elegance and natural theme of this striking living room.  


www.inthefunlane.com
I love the simplicity of this vignette with the urn as the focal point atop the antique dresser.  The wire basket light fixtures are wonderful too.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Whitewashed Lamp with Custom Shade


I found this bland lamp at a yard sale for $2.  I am currently on the hunt for lamps because I have so many shades stocked up at home. 


I wanted to whitewash this lamp instead of painting because the finish had such nice texture and I wanted some of that to show through.


 I whitewashed the lamp by thinning some of my white paint with water.  I brushed the mixture on and then wiped it off. I applied a brown glaze after whitewashing and the final color turned out to be a grayish-white.


The owner of Blessings Boutique, Sherry, knows that I like to recover lamp shades and she generously gave me a few of her self-adhesive shades to try.  This was my first time using one of these and it was so much easier than recovering a regular lamp shade.  I didn't even know these existed! I loved how the adhesive held the fabric in place as I wrapped it around the shade.  I still applied a little hot melt glue to the top and bottom edges and then attached a mini-ruffle trim.


Another thing that made this lamp shade easier to recover is that the paper comes off and becomes the pattern for cutting out the fabric.  I usually have to trace the shade onto paper as I roll it along to make my own pattern, like I did here.  The self-adhesive shade saved me sooo much time!  



Here is my finished lamp and shade at the boutique, ready for a new home.



This post is linked to:


  





Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Mid-Week Design Inspiration: Grain Sack Upholstery Love


www.fullbloomcottage.blogspot.com
I love the sense of rustic elegance that grain sacks invoke.  The beautiful texture, timeless simplicity, and durable construction make them appealing fabric for upholstery.

This classic, blue-striped, grain sack complements the worn, gray finish and beautiful lines of this French country chair.

www.veneerdesigns.com

This gorgeous settee is from my favorite boutique in Santa Cruz, Saffron and Genevieve.  Scarlett, the owner, has amazing taste and her shop is full of beautiful antiques and interesting, unique items.  Click on the link above to check out her inspiring shop and if you are ever in the the area, you have to stop by in person.

http://saffronandgenevieve.com/wordpress2/

This room, featuring a chair upholstered in an antique grain sack, is so warm and inviting.

www.countryhome.com

I really like the antique grain sacks with faded, stenciled numbers and letters too.

www.countryliving.com


www.laylagrace.com

www.luxehf.com

Look at the slubby texture of the homespun, linen, grain sack used to upholster this simple side chair.

www.theswedishfurniture.com
Something about the authentic quality of the old, grain sack fabric, makes me feel at home.


LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails