Welcome Spring!

We are well into the first week of March and these tulips are just so lovely.  Our little cottage by the lake is bright and sundrenched with it's huge windows, a perfect place for these treasures.

Anyone who knows me, knows about my obsession with blue Mason jars!  

This one hangs at an angle on the side of my kitchen cabinet. I wrapped the neck securely with some copper wire, and made a simple loop.  Then, I hung this with a simple screw-in teacup hook.  Super easy and how darling is this!?

I love to put fresh peonies or big pink carnations in there!  :)  

I hope this inspires you to do something similar, sometimes simple is best!

Have a lovely weekend!

_/\_ namaste

Karen

Ugly Brass Chandelier to Pretty Brass Chandelier!

OK I'll admit it.  I'm that mom who will slam on the brakes when I see a "good" pile of junk aside the road.  Much to my children's dismay.  When I saw this poor thing sitting beside a dumpster FOUR YEARS AGO....I couldn't resist.  OK, I could, kind of.  Because I took it home and it sat in my basement storage room for the next four years.

Pretty bad, huh?  It was actually put together, this is what it looked like after I dissected it and wiped it with my (thank you lord for these), Mr Clean Magic Eraser.

I then gave this old girl a squirt of my trusted spray primer and some spray paint, put her back together, added some swagggggg......and she now hangs in our beach house.  I love her. 

This was a quick and simple project!  Really, my kids could do this!  And these poor old, sad fixtures are alll over the place.  While I got this one for free, you can find them in the thrift stores and on Craigslist every day!  Enjoy!

Ugly Cabinet / Pretty Cabinet - An Adventure in Thrift Shop Furniture Refinishing

This cabinet has lived in the shadows of our home for many years, first, in a corner in the basement, where we just piled miscellaneous treasure on top of her, to my daughter's room where she held up my daughter's tv, pop cans, candy wrappers, you get the idea.


In preparation for our big move, I wanted to give this baby a coat of paint and make her gorgeous.  I've always known this cabinet had big potential, but I had no idea it would turn out as good as it did.  I'm just tickled!


So......I dragged it out into my driveway on the first sunny day we had (we're in Michigan, enough said)....and began to remove the cobwebs, dust, and gave her a good once-over.

As you can see, this cabinet is just sad.  The top is scratched, the are gauges all over it, no biggie.  


I removed the handles (they are lovely).....and, because I am LAZY....I didn't even sand it.  I used this magic stuff:  (2 cans)

Covered absolutely EVERYTHING.  You don't need a lot, just make sure every surface is covered.  Now came the fun part.  PAINT.


I chose a color called "Well Water" , I got it at Lowe's, and I chose a semi gloss, just because I adore semi gloss.  




I had these napkins, I think I found them a year or so ago at Party City.  The "well water" (it's Robin's Egg, in my opinion), blue in the napkins perfectly matched the blue on my cabinet.  

SO.  I grabbed a foam brush and my trusty Mod Podge and, in a very short time I had THIS:

Isn't she pretty?  I'm just in love with this cabinet now.  I replaced the original handles, and they just give it that finishing touch.  I will still add about 3 coats of varnish to the Mod Podge part, and one to the overall piece, but I just couldn't wait to share this.  After our move, I will show you an "action shot"....I have big plans for this baby.  LOVE.  


If I recall, we paid $10.00 for this cabinet at a thrift store. :)


To say I am just tickled would be an understatement!


COMING UP NEXT.........Vintage Printer's Tray re-do.  


Have a lovely Friday!