That’s a lot to cover in one post and it’s a little bit of everything, so stick with me.
I shared this desk in my post about becoming a vendor at Lucketts. It made its way into my possession on the day of the Junque Swap. I could hardly resist taking a piece of furniture. This one had a nice shape and was very sturdy. Like most pieces that follow me home, it just needed some love.
My only fear about it was the dreaded red stain. Those of you who have tried painting a piece with this reddish stain on it knows the agony I went through to get this piece white. It involved two coats of primer, one coat of sealant and three coats of paint. When I was on the third coat, I realized I should have just painted it red. Oh well.
I stripped the top and refinished it with dark walnut stain and wipe on poly. I love the warmth it brought to the piece and it’s also more durable.
It looked perfect in Karen’s space at Lucketts. Well, I guess it’s our space, but I’m kind of a hitchhiker.
Another bit of news from the Junque Swap is the interview I gave to Stephanie for iVillage.
Here it is…
http://widgetiv.ivillage.com/singleclip/singleclip_v1.swf?CXNID=1000004.05004NXC&WID=4772a211f870b9a4&clipID=1262597
I’m a talker, so they had a full feature film worth of me talking. They did a great job editing my ramblings!
I’ve been trying to find a good post to insert some pictures I took of my niece, but it doesn’t flow with DIY and furniture makeovers, so I’m just going to let it come from left field. I’m okay with that.
She had a great time being a model and I had a great time being a stylist and photographer.
Working with kids is a lot of fun, because they’re not self-conscious around a camera like a lot of adults are.
She’s the only girl among the cousins, so I think these photo shoots will be our special time together.
Lastly, I must admit to a failure. I said in my post about being an Accidental Entrepreneur that those would happen. Back in July, I offered up a free consultation as a way for me to test the waters of virtual room makeovers. I selected finalists and asked everyone to vote and a winner was chosen. Elise was the one with the most votes. She had a string of unfortunate events and things took off for me after the Luckett’s Fair in August, so nothing ever came of it. A couple of weeks ago, Elise sent me pictures, measurements and all of the details about her room and wishes. I started working on it and quickly realized that this was not my forte. I needed to be in a space to see how it felt. I needed to run around her house and look at the things she had to work with. I needed to chat with her to hear what she might like, without her verbalizing it. I just couldn’t work the way I usually work over e-mail and I realized it was a bad idea.
I couldn’t just leave Elise hanging. She is, by all accounts, a very sweet and deserving person, so I gave her some ideas, in the hopes they would help.
So, to everyone who asked, “what ever happened to that design consultation thing?” That’s what happened to it. DOA. Dead On Arrival. One failure of many, I’m sure.
No need to wallow in this failure, though, I think there are more than enough success to balance it out! Honestly, I’m relieved that another idea is off my plate, allowing me to focus on what I am good at and what I enjoy.
Thanks, Elise, for being my guinea pig and for being a good sport. I’m sorry we had to learn together that this was not one of my strengths! Some prize, huh?
Today it snowed and I made homemade soup and bread. Tomorrow…purging the basement and getting organized, so I can have an efficient, heated, and (hopefully after a dust collection system is installed) a relatively dust-free workshop. Hooray!
23 Responses
Marian that desk is amazing! I think it's one of my favorite things you've posted:) and your niece is adorable!
I wouldn't call that a mistake. Realizing and admitting where our loves and not-so-loves are and actually fessing up about it so we can turn our focus back to our strengths…that makes you a very powerful person and an even stronger creator. Do what you love and enjoy what you do!
Your niece is cute. Sounds like you have your hands full. Happy 3. Advent.
A very good lesson to hear. It's important to call it a day on some things, so we have room for the things we REALLY want to do. I seem to trip along like this every single day. But it's never a waste of time if we've learned something from it I say.
Fun interview, beautiful little girl and to die for dresser!
Donna
Love the desk. I enjoyed listening to the video, but the picture never came through. Your niece is so cute! I'm glad you realized that you did not like doing decorating services via the internet. I'm with you, I don't think I would like it either. I am too much of a visual person for that. Your soup and bread sounds yummy! Your new work space will sure be nice. Have a nice weekend. Love & blessings from NC!
Where do I begin with this post. First your neice is beautiful! The desk is adorable! I give you so much credit for all of the work you had to put into it!
I can not wait to go watch the interview! That is so cool!
And NO that was not a failure! The fact that you tried was a success! It just wasn't right for you!
Great post!
Hve a pretty day!
Kristin
The desk came out wonderful! I know that stain can be a bear. I had the dreaded bleed through on my round table.
Your niece is a adorable and the pictures came out fantastic. Love that second one.
You know what I love about reading your blog? You are so real and I love that. You work hard and let us know the truth of the situations and I think that's amazing. Take the success with the failures, at least this way your able to focus on what your good at!
Great interview! I'll keep that in mind if I ever find a red stained piece of furniture.
Jody
Love the desk!!! And the interview was wonderful.
Your niece is so adorable Great photo shoot!
Back to the desk…I am trying to see it in red?? Ha! Because I love it white with the dark stained top. I think red would have over powered it.
Hugs
SueAnn
The desk is fabulous, as all of your work is. I know what it's like to be the only girl cousin, my Aunt took me under her wing. I appreciate people that can admit that they're not good at something or can't do something. You tried it, and it didn't work out. But who's to say that you can't get give a try again later? I'm sincerely proud of you, cause you give me plenty of inspiration!
Thank you so much for the inspiration. I sincerely appreciate that you share the good and the good in learning our strengths and weaknesses.
The nice thing about us DIYers is that we like and accept change like waves rushing on the shore.
When things don't go as planned, we, sand, strip (the furniture that is) and re-paint.
We don't have failures, we have new opportunities!!
I love how you use the stained top with the white base on some of your pieces like this desk. I'm going to give that a try. You're niece is so cute 🙂
Wow I used to go to Luckettes every week when I had my shop in Warrenton. I am in Culpeper now. Small world.
Good show!
and no worries….we all bite off more than we can handle at times….smiles.
Beautiful desk and that you for the video…your neice is adorable too!! New follower 🙂
The desk is beautiful! I can't wait to paint my desk now. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hooray -upwards and onwards! if you don't try, and just stand in the sidelines, nothing will happen! You have to try things out to see if they are your thing..so the Eliane thing did not work out- but you can't know this til you do it, right!
Just keep on going!!!
Just want to share a funny thing with you- was featured ( sorry – not furniture related ) and was not told!! Does this happen to you- is this normal ??
I only discovered yesterday I was featured on a blog way back in November..
Link is below by the way.. can you let me know what your experience is here ??
http://theinternetsendsmecake.com/post/1543487962/i-love-that-some-folks-are-following-through-with
love the interview. thanks for sharing!
The desk is BEAUTIFUL. I need one just like that and now when I find it, I'll know exactly what to do!
I totally understand needing to be IN a place to decorate it…I'm the same way.
what a help and inspiration you are to me! I feel like I say that over and over. But I am reading this on the heels of taking these product pics of pieces that I have to admit I DO NOT LIKE TO MAKE. I had just deactivated them from my shop when I came over to read THIS post! Thank you friend, Robin
Marian, since you have so many followers who are creative, why not make a blog post or two showing Elise's room and her sizes, other things, etc. and ask your followers to give advice? I'm sure from that there will be many ideas and suggestions and something will fit for Elise.