Monday, July 26, 2010

I wish I had a little girl!!

 My friends at Then and Again brought me a few challenge pieces.  They had been in the store for awhile and had not moved despite several price reductions so they were taking them to Goodwill.  Instead, they gave me a call and said "Rather than taking them to Goodwill and you buying them there, why don't we just go ahead and bring them to you and see if you can do anything with them."  I love a challenge!
Here's the before...

And the "AFTER"


 





I love my two sons.  I wouldn't trade them for the world and I don't want to have another little one to raise.  BUT....  It would be fun to decorate a little girls room. 

By the way... I'm working on a beautiful mirror that will match this desk!  Check back for an update!

Thanks for dropping by!!!

Lori
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Sunday, July 25, 2010

A busy, busy weekend!


 
It's been a fun filled weekend!  I found this wall quote at Hobby Lobby and thought it was a great fit for our family.  I put it up today.  It was VERY easy and everyone loves it.  

I had been planning on making a chandelier cord cord for quite some time but never seem to get to that so when I saw this one a Hobby Lobby 50% off, I decided to grab it.  MUCH easier than sewing and it looks pretty good.  Much better than that chain!

Chandelier Cord Cover
Plate Rack with my Pinhiero Bordallo Morning Glory Plates
and my new rooster plates.  
I had been wondering what to do with the set of 3 
until I found the fourth.
Isn't he the cutest???
And here's the big project of the weekend!  A desk painted for Julia and Mike at Then and Again.  I can't wait for them to see it!
Want to see the "before" version???



I'm working on a mirror that would go with this.  It's almost ready and I'll shoot a picture of it and post it later.

The coffee table under the desk is a project Gerald, my oldest son, is working on.  He has some great ideas.  I'll show you the final version later.

Thanks for stopping by.  
 




Saturday, July 24, 2010

The Walrus Birthday Cake

My friend, Lydia, made my youngest son's birthday cake this year.  
He specifically asked for a walrus cake. 
It turned out GREAT -  don't you think??



Thanks Lydia!  
Awesome job!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Treasure hunting on Hilton Head Island, SC



We just returned from our vacation.  What fun!  It was a our second trip to Hilton Head Island.  This time we stayed at The Disney Resort.  I have developed my thrift store shopping habit since our last visit so I was eager to see if there were any shops on the island.  I couldn't believe the number of great shops I found.  In fact I didn't get to check all of them out but here are the ones I found and a sampling of things I picked up.  I could only buy small items which was a disappointment because I found some great pieces of furniture.  Maybe I should go back with a trailer next time?  LOL

So... here's the haul!

My favorite find of the trip.  Hear not evil, See no evil, Speak no evil BUNNIES!!! 
from the Savannah visitor center gift shop.


"The Litter Box" 
A thrift shop supports the Hilton Head Island Humane Society.

I found these cute little flower pot napkin rings for $2


I love any dishes produced by Bordallo Pinhiero of Portugal.  
I found thee of their red Morning Glory Pattern  for $1 each.  


I love the Arts and Crafts period and I found four of these light fixture globes for $2 each.  



I also found an awesome lamp but let Mom have it for the mountain house.  
Check this out!  $15!



A closer look at the carving.  It still needs a clean up job but will be beautiful when it's shined up a bit.



"The Bargain Box" is the oldest thrift shop on the island.  
Over thrity years, they have raised over $11 million for local charities.  It helps when donors give airplanes, furs, etc!!!  They are only open a few hours on certain days and it is a popular place.  I wish I had made it earlier in the week to see the selection after the weekend. The prices were awesome.  As an example....

This embroidered linen table topper is in perfect condition.  $1


I beautiful wooden box with a nice velvet lined box in perfect condition.  I'm not sure what it was designed for  but thought it would be nice to hold jewelry.



In addition to the thrift shops, there is a HOME GOODS store.  

I found two plates to go with my red transferware collection for $2 each.  I thought they matched a casserole I had found a month or two ago but it's not the same pattern.  Close though!


And STEIN MART where I found this great easel for $19.99.



Other finds... sea shell collection $10 at WalMart


I wish I had had more time and space in the car.  Other great shops I checked out but didn't buy at...
Goodwill
Low Country Cancer Thrift Store.

Monday, July 5, 2010

More Makeovers!


My last post showed a red chair with zebra print seat.  There were two arm chairs that went with that one but I decided to split them up.  Here's a shot of one of the chairs before we started.  Trust me... the other one looked just as bad!


Here's the after.  I used the same concept as I did on two earlier chairs because I had enough of that fabric left and those sold in no time flat.  These have a black lacquer finish.   This pair is headed straight to Then and Again Consignment Shop here in Hendersonville, TN.


Here's a little bamboo magazine rack I found at Goodwill.

And the after version...



I picked up this littel table at Goodwill for $5.  I'm sure it was a really pricey piece in it's day.  Nice details and leather top.  However... the leather has seen better days and it's time for a fresh look.


Since I'm on a white kick I went with white and then added ivory stripes to the leather top and drawer.  New hardware I picked up at Habitat Restore for .25 each were painted nickel and installed.  I'm still trying to decide if I want to paint something freehand on it.  Stay tuned!




Saturday, July 3, 2010

Chair, Chair, Candelabra!

This weekend's projects included a few chairs and other fun items!  The chair below is one of three I picked up at "Then and Again" consignment shop here in Hendersonville, TN.  The chairs had obviously been stored in someone's barn or under a house.  Nasty! 


After lots of cleaning, sanding and quite a bit of work on the seat, the chair was painted cherry red and the seat covered with a black and white zebra print.  Pretty sassy little chair!!

I found another chair this morning at Goodwill for $10.  I thought the shape and details were nice but the seat was really, really dirty and stained. 

Our bedroom linens are a beautiful yellow floral so I decided to go with yellow on this one.  I found a great spray paint that is a buttery yellow ($6.50) and I found the fabric sample at Goodwill for $1.50.  Total material costs for this makeover $18.00.  I'll keep this one for awhile!


The first Saturday of the month at our Goodwill means everything is 50% off!  Besides the chair above, I found the heavy brass candelabra below for $1.50. 

A little satin nickel spray paint later and...

Friday, July 2, 2010

Girly Girl Armoire Transformation

Here's the latest in a run of furniture transformations.  It initially felt like putting make-up on an ugly woman but once the project was completed she was quite a beauty -inside and out!





My son, Gerald, and I found this Lane brand Coffee Table at Goodwill for $16.  I let Gerald redo this one.  He did a great job!