The Perfect Hutch Makeover

Before the Makeover

Scott after sanding in the garage...Yikes

Now that our new barn wood table is finished (see earlier post) our 90's honey oak hutch needed a makeover.  So Scott started sanding it down, removed the mirrors and glass from the doors.  His goal was to have it done by Christmas and sure enough, he
made it!

The hutch was sanded, painted with a primer, then painted white with a satin paint.  Turqouise and red paint were painted randomly in splotches.

Elmer's glue was painted in random areas (for crackle effect) and then another coat of white was painted over everything.  Finally, a stain was painted over the entire piece.  The leaded glass panels were removed from the front doors and chicken wire replaced it.  The mirror was also taken out of the back and bead board was painted in the same process as the rest of the hutch and placed in the back of the hutch.

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Antique Lamp Globe Fix

My parents are big antique collectors and have lots of beautiful, BREAKABLE pieces throughout the house.  Several years ago, I was visiting my parents with my dogs and low and behold...the knocked a table and an old globe table lamp fell over and broke..EEK!

Last week I was down visiting them and my Mom pulled out the globe and some paint and wanted me to paint the globe.  She had already done the background color over the entire globe.  

Now...keep in mind, I haven't done this type of painting before, so this was all on a wing and a prayer.  I was very surprised that it didn't take me more than 2 hours and I think it turned out pretty good.  

Suitcase Coffee Table

A month or so ago, Scott and I were out antiquing and going through a suitcase phase.  I found this suitcase for $12 and had to have it.  It was larger than most suitcase we were finding and thought it might work for a coffee table.  We just cleaned it up some and added some wooden legs from a hardware store and it works perfect!

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Lamp...Repainted

OMG...I'm jumping up and down with excitement!  I found this plaster lamp at a thrift store yesterday for $10.00 with the lampshade and all!  It was pretty boring but I jazzed it up a bit today.

1. Painted it with primer. 
2. Painted it with a turquoise satin paint.
3. Painted it with a dark stain and then rubbed it off with a cloth.

That is it...My new turquoise lamp!

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Jazz Up Old Books

On our thrift store hunt for a coffee table to fix up, I found this little gem for $2.49.  It is a vintage book called "The Blue Fairy Book".  I am not sure if this a first edition or not.  It isn't marked with a date but an owner did inscribe on the front cover 1923.

I loved the look of the book but the fairy story is what really sold me on it!
The book is a little beat up so I tied it up with some ribbons to keep the spine from being damaged further.

Here are a few other books I've jazzed up since they were damaged.

Sometimes the covers or spine are so damaged I can't save them so I have taken them off completely.

Coffee Table Redesign

Scott and I enjoy rummaging through thrift stores and antique shops.  We are always looking for that back area that has the "less desirable" things.  Items that need work or could be re-purposed but don't look great right now.     

The way this piece came together was kind of strange because the timing of finding each piece was perfect.

We were in the back room of our favorite antique shop and found this cabinet.  It must have been in a workshop or garage under a built in desk area.  The top and sides were not finished but the underside was.  It was $25 and we loved the huge drawers and handles on it.  Scott looked at me and said..."Well, here is our new coffee table."  ok?  So we struggled to get it in the back seat of the car and brought it home.

We sanded it up and used a furniture wax to darken it and seal it.  We had no idea what we wanted for the top though, so we started throwing around ideas.  Barnwood? Glass? Hum.... 

A day or so after we found the cabinet, I stopped at a garage sale a couple blocks from home.  I found this huge frame for $5.00 so I decided to buy it.  At the time, Scott was obsessed with frames so I was excited to get it home and show him.  He was very excited to see how big it was and then thought...wow...it looks the same size as that cabinet.  He brought it into the living room and laid it on the cabinet and it fit perfectly!

The frame needed a little attention since it was metallic gold.  He painted it dark brown and then used a brillo pad to rub some of it off.  The frame had a picture in it that was printed on cardboard.  We were going to take it out since it was ballerinas in bright colored dresses.  Scott suggested we try to wax over it and see how it happened.  It was beautifully toned down and we kept it in the frame and screwed it down to the cabinet.

Voila...  Our new coffee table!

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Not To Shabby For Me

In my real life, I am the owner of a cleaning company.  I love my job and I love my clients.  Each house has it's own personality and inspires me creatively.  I decided to feature a client's house every once in a while to show how unique each house is through my eyes. The first house to be featured belongs to Monica and Mike.  When I first started at their house, I walked in and instantly thought...OH WOW!  This is such a cool place!  There was so much to see, little details at every turn.  Each time I come, Monica has rearranged, paired up new items and displayed her new finds.  I thoroughly enjoy dusting because I get to ohhh and ahhh at all the new, pretty vintage items.  

Here is a collection of photographs from around their beautiful home.

To the right, Monica has made her snacks a part of her display.  She uses various jars to store her granola bars, tea packets, candy and a wide variety of other yummy treats.

Monica added vintage touches throughout the kitchen.  She used an old scale to display her utensils.  Her many collections are displayed in groupings to make a more visual impact.  Above she has a iron bracket shelf filled with her creamers and pitchers, all in white.

Even Mikes bathroom has unique touches added.  His bathroom is done in a vintage golf theme.

Their bedroom is filled with lots to see.  Front the glass top bedside tray (like a tv tray) filled with their current books to the book shelves filled with collectable vintage books and old clocks, there is something for everyone in here.  They have billowing curtains on the sliding glass door but block peeping eyes from seeing in with a shabby chic wooden screen.  The wall above the bed is a display area for old makeup table mirrors.