I gave you a sneak peek yesterday of the shutters I found. These weren’t the cheapest shutters I’ve bought, but they are the very best (which is saying a lot.)
They are chippy, chalky and this lovely gray color.
The hardware is to die for! I snapped the pictures while they were still in my van, but I’ll haul one up tomorrow to give you a proper picture of them.
You will die.
Well, if you’re like me.
These are the benches I bought for the wedding. I thought they were a pretty good bargain at $35/piece.
Sorry for the picture of them on my cracked sidewalk and brown grass. They shed paint if you look at them, so there was no way I was going to bring them into my house. I’m going to hose them down, sand them a bit and then apply a clear coat of poly to seal the finish.
Fun stuff. I was giddy.
The other thing that brought joy to my heart (materially speaking) is that I just bought a wide angle lens. I’ve been dragging my feet on it, but last week I was shooting a tablescape for HGTV.com and I was squished back in the corner of my dining room and I still couldn’t get the shot I wanted.
Here’s a picture of my living room with my 28-80mm lens. It’s a pretty standard lens and the one I use most. I am taking this picture from the back corner of the dining room, just to give you an idea.
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
This picture is taken with my spankin’ new 10-20mm lens. I am standing in the front of my dining room with the lens at 10mm.
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
You can see the entire room, practically! It does distort the picture a bit when it’s set at 10mm, but that goes away at about 12mm. I was able to take pictures of my dining room table without being squished in a corner. It was glorious!
If you’re curious about my camera equipment, here’s what I have:
Nikon D50 SLR camera
Nikon 28-80 lens
Nikon 70-300 lens (telephoto)
Sigma 10-20mm lens (wide angle)
If you’re planning to splurge on a new lens, here’s a tip. Lenses can be really expensive. This newest lens set me back $500…and that was a cheap one. Buy a protective UV filter when you buy your lens and put it on right away. It protects the lens from dust, scratches and drops. I actually dropped my camera a few months ago and was crushed to see this huge crack along the front of my lens. I was glad the camera body was OK, but it was still rough. When I started to inspect the lens, I realized it was the filter that had cracked. That $20 filter saved my lens. I simply replaced the filter and all was right in the world.
Get a filter for every lens you own.
If you want to get some good photography advice, click here to read my friend Kate’s recent post about digital SLRs and here to read Donna’s advice on getting the most out of a point and shoot. These posts are like gold.
39 Responses
I'm sitting here drooling all over my computer!!!! I am in love with the shutters but those benches, oh my! I would have been doing a happy dance if I ran across those! Lucky you!
Love the wide angle too. I think it's time for a new camera for myself.
hugs
Sissie
Love those shutters! smiles.
Thanks for the camera tips. I was having the same problem and didn't know about wide angle lenses.
Those benches for $35 bucks are a steal! I've been looking for long benches for my outdoor farm table but it's really hard to find something that long (108") for a decent price.
Congrats on tge wide lens. Thanks for the filter advice.
wow. That's amazing!
love the camera lens tip! Also, where do you find your awesome pieces of furniture for redo? I am always in awe – and can never seem to find the right pieces for the right price!
Oh my, I LOVE your chippy shutters and benches! They are definitely "chipping with charm" 😉
Thanks for the info on your camera too. I'm new to blogging and still using my little point and shoot. A new camera is on my "list" for 2011.
I'm a "newer" follower…love your blog and BEAUTIFUL home. Blessings, Laurel@chippingwithcharm
I would love to go junking/shopping with you! The shutters and benches are awesome! Can't wait to see what you do with them! xo
You're right…to die for! The chippiness on both the shutters and benches is perfect!
I so want to be a cameral junkie….just one more thing to invest in and learn about…….gah!
Love the shutters and can't wait to see what you do with them. The camera tip is great. I got a UV filter with my camera and had no idea what it was for. The wide angle lens is the next one that I do want to get. Now after seeing this, I definitely HAVE to get one.
The benches, the benches! They are
amazing!
Jane
Flora Doora
Love shutters and the new lens! I have a Nikon D40. Great idea about the lens filter! I just noticed a hair or scratch on my 50mm-200mm lens and I need to get it cleaned. I never have, so it's due.
Happy 2011~
~michelle~
thanks for the tips…
I have a NIKON D5000
with two lens…
18-55 mm
55-200 mm
can't wait to add another one!
OMG!!! Love the benches!!!
Love the shutters and benches! Omg what a difference a wide lens makes! Awesome shot!
Those benches are such a great find. Love the the shape and curves. What a difference you new lens makes. Have fun with it.
Oh yea! Love it all. Can't wait to see more!
What gorgeous photos! One of these days I am going to invest in a really REALLY good camera!
It makes all the difference!
Lou Cinda
Great shutters and benches! It must be very exciting to be styling a wedding.Thanks for the great camera tips…I need it bad.
This was a difficult post to read. LOL How is it possible to be so envious and so happy for someone at the same time?!? 🙂
I want everything you've listed in today's post. There. I said it. Now I have to go make it happen. Thanks again for the kick!
And the mention. 🙂 Much appreciated! xo
Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Well, now I want SHUTTERS, BENCHES and A BRAND SPANKIN NEW CAMERA
PLUS THIS LENS.
whew…Mr. Sweet already thinks I am HIGH MAINTENANCE. 🙂
Oh nice lens! Or photos with the lens. I'm seriously considering the need for a new camera, so thank you for the post and the links. Those benches are wonderful! And yep, the hardware looks pretty great, too.
Great lens! I just love that you're a Nikon gal, too.
And a big Amen to the UV filter recommendation, I absolutely put one of those babies on each of my lenses.
Great photos as usual!
XOXO,
Anne
What a great lens! Thanks for the tip. And I could say it all day; your living room is fabulous!
Lurve the shutters! And those benches, exactly what I have been looking for forever for my bedroom. You lucky you!
And you are lucky about the lens too. It is still on my wishlist. Ah well maybe this years Christmas gift to myself….
Happy new year. I am excited to see what you will accomplish this year. I am sure it will be an exciting yourney for all of us.
I have been reading your blog for ages now, and I just love it! Congratulations on your 10-20mm! I've had one for several years for my Nikon, and it is by far my favourite lens for landscapes/stormscapes.
Your shutters are beautiful, as is all of your inspirational finds and transformations. Keep it up!! (I keep looking in thrift and antique shops for vintage sheet music!).
Stormy (Australia).
Those benches are a steal compared to prices around here. They are so unique and perfect! LOVE them!
Oh, I need those benches! I've been looking for two benches just like that for over a year. Need them for the entry in my Florida home. Would be perfect. Lucky you!
l-o-v-e it all!
the benches and shutters!! ah-mazing!
why is it that chippy white paint is so magical and beautiful!?
Yummy finds! And yay for the new lens!!
Amy
Looks like you grabbed some great finds. Love the benches!
Mmmmmm! Chippy chalky shutters and rusty hinges = Total Bliss! Thanks for the camera lens tips, too, Marian. I want to start saving some $$ for a new one in 2011 and am soaking up every bit of info I can find. 🙂
xoxo laurie
Thanks for the camera tips. That's amazing!
Sherman Unkefer
Great shutters and benches, I loooove them. It was a pleasure talking with you yesterday,your work is gorgeous, you have so much talent.
I'm planning to come in May,and spend a little time with you. thank you for the beautiful blog, its so encouraging to me,
Martha
Happy New Year and Congratulations! I gave you the Stylish Blogger Award at It's a Lunsford Thing
Lovely! Can't have enough chippy, white & gray shutters here. Beautiful photos.
THANK YOU so much for the camera info! I have been wanting a new digital srl and I have been leaning toward the nikon D series, and the new wide angle lens is sooo awesome!
also, I am a huge fan of the benches!
Oh, yeah! Lovin' those benches!!!! I can see this style upsized for a nice work area.
I am in LOVE with the benches! I have been looking for ones like that forever!! Lucky you!;) If you ever sell them PLEASE let me know!! Hugs,Rachel
French Farmhouse 425