The Christmas Tree

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year! I love decorating, and the more lights the better in my opinion! Every year it seems things change up around here.  I don't think my tree has ever looked the same in 30 years.  All that to say I've used & collected glass ornaments for 30 years now so mostly the change is the topper and ribbon.

For years we had Reed & Barton silver bells hanging on the tree that my mother-in law has bought every year for the kids since they born.   To me these are a heirloom my children now treasure.  When they marry you box them up as a gift, Megan had 25 to start on their tree.  I got this idea from my Aunt years ago when she did this for her children. 

I wish I could find the picture when I had over 40 on the tree at one time.  My children now truly appreciate these every year when they hang them on their tree.

I thought I would share through December some decorations I've done this year and in the past.

Artificial tree...I returned

The tree above has a story...after having a real tree the last few years I decided I would look for an artificial tree again.  I sold all of mine when I moved last year.  I found one, brought it home decorated it, and decided I really wanted a real tree again.  So I undecorated it, put it back in box, and returned it. Yep, that's how I roll folks!

Off to the tree stand for a real one....

We picked out this 8' beauty....Frasier Fir.

The topper is antique cut glass which ages over time....It came from Pottery Barn.

Of course every tree has always included our glass First Christmas Together ornament, and the kids First Christmas ornament with their pictures.

and glass ornaments in silver mercury glass, gold, reds....this year I decorated in champagne ribbons and sprays.

It's not a themed tree, or a decorators tree, but a tree full of memories and beautiful ornaments collected over time.

More Christmas decorations to come!  Stay tuned....

Kim

Dining Set & Hutch Makeover

Where oh where did November go? I've been busy doing a dining set & hutch makeover for some friends, and a makeover it was....

This furniture she had bought before they married, and yes it's outdated, but is heavy, sturdy wood.  They love Pottery Barn so we went with a French Country Pottery Barn look.  The handles and glass in the hutch had to go....we replaced the handles, and are ordering clear glass for the doors.

I picked these up at Hobby Lobby, and love the heavy pulls for the drawers and the orb knobs.  I spent several weeks prepping, painting, distressing, and painting the chairs...oh those chairs...all those spindles, hutch, and the table.  She wanted Vintage White, and we decided to leave the top of the bottom, of the hutch the original wood just to have some contrast.  It was in good shape so it did not need to be refinished.  On the hutch I did add some dark wax to highlight some of the moldings.

The table bottom, and chairs were painted, distressed, and finished with a clear wax.  The top of the table was in pretty rough shape, and we refinished the top by sanding it down to bare wood, and added stain & poly.  It turned out beautiful! Greg was a huge help with the table top.

 

table bottom...painted

Table & chairs...after

after

before

After

Hutch....before

Hutch...after

Yes it is a transformation!  I love the fact they wanted to re purpose what they had.

They love it, and have it just in time for the Holidays!


Kim

beach inspired...bedside tables

Those of you who really know me, know I love the beach! I hit a garage sale recently, and couldn't pass up this pair of bedside tables.  Let's just say I got a great deal!!

before bedside tables

These bedside tables are great vintage furniture...as you can see the top had some cigarette burn damages, but other than that, they are in great condition.  They just needed some new life! I love the vintage handles, and choose to keep them.

I did sand these all over, especially the top with a 150 grit sandpaper.  Then I deglossed, and because of the spots on top I used Shellac...I'm not exactly sure what the Shellac does, but it does take away the spots from showing through. I did a couple of coats...it dries very fast.  You especially want to do this when you are using a light color.  

I did use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, but believe me when I say use Shellac, USE SHELLAC! I learned this the hard way on a large piece of furniture.

first coat...Old White

These were purchased before I painted them, and the customer had bought several other pieces of furniture so she wanted something to go with everything else.  So we went for the Weather Country Gray look.

second coat - Country Gray

Country Gray...ASCP

To get the weathered look I take 220 grit sand paper, and lightly sand all over the piece of furniture.  I love the way the Old White comes through, distressed in places to let the wood show through.

after...sanding & distressing

Then I added the AS clear wax...

Weather Country Gray bedside tables

close up...Weathered Country Gray bedside tables

I just love these...I do not want to let them go!

Here are the other pieces of furniture she also purchased...

Paris Gray table with dark wax finish

Weathered Country Gray table

Provence Blue table

Old White desk chair

Country Gray console table with dark wax finish

 That's what I call a great day!

Kim

Console Table Makeover

How many of us have seen these console tables around thrift shops, garage sales etc...

before

I came across this console table recently at a thrift store...as you can see the table has great bones, it also had those ugly brass handles on the front...actually three, but only one drawer.  Very traditional and just needed a little TLC and updating.

Because of the sheen on this piece I did sand the top, and used deglosser over the whole project.  Because the piece only has one drawer I filled in the holes where the handles were, bought a new handle to update and enhance the look of the table.

I painted it Country Gray (ASCP) distressed, and used a dark wax finish. 

 I love this cool brown iron drawer pull...

Country Gray...(ASCP)

I love the finish look of this table!

Needless to say a customer snatched this one up before it was even finished!

Kim

Old White Sideboard...before & after

I have been searching for a sideboard to makeover for a while now.  I came across this antique sideboard in great condition...I knew I wanted to keep the vintage hardware...

before

 

 

It is beautiful just the way it is, but I think it needed just a little updating to really bring out it's personality! I decided to go with a neutral color of Old White Chalk Paint (ASCP). I did do a little sanding on the top, and even though I know Annie Sloan says you don't have to prep I wanted it to have a smooth professional appearance.  

There were a few glass stains on the top, and when applying my paint they did show through so I did put Shellac on top of the paint.  You can then paint again over the Shellac.  It may be my new favorite product. I did a couple more coats of paint on the top.  I sanded the entire sideboard, and did some distressing.  Then a clear wax finish.

after

This beautiful sideboard has found it's new home....

Kim

Charleston Finds & Makeovers

We met friends in Charleston this summer to celebrate Fourth of July.  My friend and I got up very early on Saturday, and headed out to some garage sales.

before

before

before

These are a few of the great finds two side tables, ship wheel, and two large gold frames! Yes I mean large!  The frames I got for a whopping $10....yes I said $10!  I'm planning on making a chalkboard for my dining room with one, and probably will frame a painting, or maybe making another chalkboard to sell.

The after of the tables, and ship wheel...

painted & distressed Florence

 While shopping in Charleston I found a place that sells my favorite paint Annie Sloan Chalk paint, and found out she came out with a new color Florence.  The above table I thought screamed for this color of paint with its shell handle.

painted & distressed Provence

painted & distressed Provence

I absolutely love taking something plain, and not very appealing, and making something beautiful and unique from it!  Tables sold right away, I have a friend who wants this ship wheel, but I just can't let go of it!

Have a great day, and more summer projects to come!.

Kim