One of the questions I am asked most frequently is how I find such wonderful things at ridiculously low prices. Today, I am going to share the secrets of my thrifting success. Unfortunately, I can't help with the most important aspect of finding great things (luck), but I do think you can improve your chances by following some easy tips.1.) A.B.H. - Always be hunting. There are times when I go out … [Read more...]
My Favorites & A Winner!
11/9 2009
I know I've been saying every week how difficult it is to pick my favorites, but this week was crazy! By the time I looked through 6 of the links, I had 4 favorites! Well, I had to pick, so here it goes!Sarah from A Beach Cottage scored the most wonderful vintage First Aid box. I am really drawn to pieces like this that were once utilitarian and are now elevated to display pieces. If you haven't … [Read more...]
Before & Afters (Plus More Shop Pictures)
11/7 2009
Today our new shop opened it's doors at 10:00 am. I wish I could have been there, but I generally don't work in the shop & I had a previous commitment. I was also beat and probably would've been tempted to curl up in the bed for a nap. I have so many pictures to sort through and share with you, so I picked some of my favorites to start with.This bed was an auction find by the woman who owns our … [Read more...]
A Pink Tree & a Pink Bench
11/7 2009
Hello, all! I have been so busy with getting our shop ready to open on Saturday that my poor blog has been a little neglected! I am looking forward to looking through all of the FFF links tomorrow and picking out my favorites. I also want to give a huge shout-out and thank you to Roeshel at the DIY Show Off for a flattering feature about my blog and furniture makeovers. I'm sure all of you have … [Read more...]
Furniture Feature Friday Link Party & Giveaway
11/5 2009
Welcome to my third Furniture Feature Friday link party and giveaway! Make sure you check out the post below to enter my Frog Tape giveaway! It's a great product and this is a chance to get some for free.I have such a special giveaway for the winner of the link party this week. I came across Leslie's blog, The Seasoned Homemaker, a few weeks ago and just fell in love with her work. She makes the … [Read more...]
Craft Experiments & Happy Accidents
11/3 2009
I have been very inspired by the decorating blog community, so I've been working on some "craft projects" for our new shop. Now, when I think of crafting, I think of dolls made out of clothes pins or stenciled duck napkin rings. There is a whole new world of quality and creative crafts out there, now. If you have any doubts, just check out Etsy! I think these people are artists, not crafters. So, … [Read more...]
Lamp Revamp
11/2 2009
If you're interested in my Furniture Feature Friday favorites and the winner, see the post below.I'm ba-ack! After 3 full days of working in the shop, I haven't had a transformation to share with my readers and I finally got to one today. This one is super easy and a great way to transform a dated or blah lamp and shade. This lamp started out at an old brass swing arm lamp that's been sitting in … [Read more...]
Favorites & a Winner!
11/2 2009
There were a lot of wonderful furniture posts last Friday, so it was tough to decide, but I have a feeling it always will be! These are some of my favorites this week.Jen from A Shopoholic Mom's Aqua Coffee Table. I just love the color of it and it looks gorgeous in that room! Well done! Ashley Busy's Refinished Dining Room Table. This table was scratched up by their cats and she really gave it a … [Read more...]
More Store Progress
11/1 2009
The last few days have been a total blur! I've been working like crazy to get things done at the new shop. Because of that, my blog has been a little neglected. Sorry all! I have a few housekeeping things to take care of before I share some pictures of the new shop with you.First of all, I'd like to thank MB from Down Home DIY for "Booing" me. I only recently discovered her blog and if you haven't … [Read more...]
Shop Progress
10/31 2009
I finally got a chance to look through most of the FFF posts and there were some awesome makeovers! I will post my favorites and the winner Sunday or Monday. Thanks to all who participated! This has been my life for 2 days - painting, taping, painting, Chinese food, sick kids, Wal-Mart, painting, washing brushes, measuring, Diet Dr. Pepper, painting, early mornings, pants that are paint … [Read more...]
2nd Furniture Feature Friday – Link Party & Giveaway
10/29 2009
Welcome to my second Furniture Feature Friday link party! This is the place to share your amazing furniture makeovers, favorite furniture finds, great furniture arrangements, or pieces that you have on your wish list. I am a furniture lover and I am ready to be inspired and wowed. I hope this becomes a weekly engagement that you won't miss!I am also excited to introduce you to my very first … [Read more...]
You’ve Got Mail
10/28 2009
For some weird reason I love these old tole painted pieces. Whether it's a hamper, waste bin, a tray, or one of these little...what are these, exactly? Anyone know? Whatever it is, it looked dark and depressing in this state. I pick it up at a thrift store for a couple of bucks. I sprayed it in a periwinkle blue and added decorative painting that lightened it up and clearly stated its new … [Read more...]
The Dresser, the Rack, and the Wardrobe (and more)
10/27 2009
I have some new finds to share with all of you. Before getting sick, I stopped into one of my favorite thrift stores. I rarely walk out of there disappointed and that day was no exception. Some of you might see the vision that I have for these, but the rest of you may need some convincing. I know they're brass and scream 1970's lounge wall art, but just imagine them in a fresh coat of white. I am … [Read more...]
Slipcovered Chair Reveal!
10/26 2009
Well, despite having the flu, I finally got well enough to finish this chair that I started to slipcover last week. Here's how it started. It was a leftover from an auction, so it was free. Can you believe that no one would even pay $1.00 for this? I mean, it's dated, but it's sturdy and the upholstery was in pretty good condition. I guess they didn't see the potential in it. There loss is my … [Read more...]
My Favorites & the Winner!
10/25 2009
I had such a wonderful time looking at all of your furniture makeovers. You are some talented women! And I hate some of you (ahem, Maryanne) for your great dumpster diving luck. It was so hard to pick my favorites. There were a lot of good ones, but these are the ones I picked out...Amy from A Little Busy's Stock Chandelier RedoIs a chandelier a piece of furniture? Sure, why not. And who really … [Read more...]
Vignette Party
10/24 2009
When I heard about the Vignette Party for Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Night Special, I could hardly resist participating. I was really looking forward to running around my house with a camera, playing with all of my things, but I have been bed-bound today. I was pleased to find so many vignette pictures in my album already, so I have plenty to share. Some of these pictures are staged to show … [Read more...]
Award & an ER Visit
10/23 2009
Well, I've been out of commission since late yesterday afternoon with a virus and I just spent the morning in the ER hooked up to an IV. I'm doing better, but, for the first time in years, I am going to spend the day in bed. Unfortunately, we were getting the keys to our new store today, so I missed out on that. And the Pottery Barn inspired nursery mural will have to wait for another day. … [Read more...]
Furniture Feature Friday – First Link Party!
10/22 2009
Welcome to my very first Furniture Feature Friday link party! I cannot wait to see all of the wonderful and creative furniture makeovers you have to share with me, other participants, and readers who just want to be inspired!And here's some great inspiration for you... My girl, Donna, over at Funky Junk Interiors is a talented lady and she proved it with this coffee table makeover. Here's the … [Read more...]
Queen Anne Vanity Becomes a Chalkboard Desk
10/22 2009
Here's the piece I let you peek at a couple of days ago. I am usually a blue & white kind of person, but I also love warm colors like reds and yellows. I was in a red mood the day I painted this and it works so much better than a blue would have. Here's the before. I purchased this vanity (with a very Queen Anne mirror attached) at an estate/yard sale for $20.00. It was sturdy and had functioning … [Read more...]
Stone Fruit & Previews
10/21 2009
A few years ago I was browsing through a new Goodwill near my old home in Virginia. As I snooped through the shelves, I spotted the usual thrift store garb - 1970's dishes, floral vases, enormous brass lamps with dust-covered shades, you know what I'm talking about. I spotted a bin with some plastic fruit in it and thought I'd see if there were any realistic looking pears or lemons that would be … [Read more...]
A Basket, a Sconce, and a Topiary
10/20 2009
The skies have finally cleared, the sun came out, and our temperatures soared into the 60's. So, what's a girl to do? Paint! Due to our much improved weather, I was able to crank out a few small things and I have some larger pieces that are almost ready to share. I just completed this basket today. It was a pretty straight forward makeover...grungy old basket gets a coat of primer, a coat of SW … [Read more...]
Think Outside the Office Supply Store
10/19 2009
I have several projects in the works, but we've had terrible weather and nothing is completed to show you! So, I thought I would share my "new" work desk and some of the unconventional storage accessories I use in my home office. For my work desk, I needed a piece of furniture that was long and narrow. I have been looking for a farm table or waiting for my husband to make me one out of reclaimed … [Read more...]
Lovely Little Lamp
10/18 2009
I saw this lamp at my neighbor's yard sale for $3.00 and had to buy it. I just loved the shape of it and the flower-like shade. (As a side note, I bought an absurd amount of stuff at their yard sale. I bought ironstone platters, 2 ironstone wash sets, pocket watches, crates, cheese crocks, old signs...it was ridiculous. All of the money I made at my yard sale went to their yard sale!) … [Read more...]
Rainy Days & Sneak Peaks
10/16 2009
I took this picture out of my kitchen window and this is what my view has been for 2 days...cold and rainy. Cold and rainy is not good weather for painting. Although I do my spraying in my basement, I have to open my cellar doors for ventilation in my spray booth. So, no painting for me for the past couple of days. I will not leave my readers with nothing, though, so I wanted to give you a sneak … [Read more...]
Furniture Feature Friday – Oh, The Wonderful Things That White Can Do!
10/16 2009
Welcome to my second Furniture Feature Friday! Remember I'll have my very first linky party next week, so get your posts ready!For this week I found a wonderful makeover to inspire you. We all have seen those gargantuan 1970's china cabinets in thrift stores and on Craig's List for next to nothing. I am pretty brave with the furniture I buy to redo, but I've never had the guts to take on one of … [Read more...]
