Quick Fixes

Heres a few examples of some quick projects I completed recently.

I picked this up last week when Kelly and I went impulse junking after work one afternoon. I know its hard to see the fabric, but its a dingy tan and the pattern is circa 1980. When I flipped the chair over, it had some school markings, and the fabric is definitely reminiscent of a school waiting area (20 years ago).

I simply recovered the existing pieces (I didnt even remove the old fabric) with canvas drop cloths from Lowe's that I had bleached. I loved the worn stain on the arms, and really didnt want to tackle stripping that off of all those rounds surfaces, so I had to choose a fabric that would coordinate. It doesnt show in the photo, but the stain is actually pretty red.

No sewing necessary here. All I did was staple the bottom seat, and hot glued the back of the top!

Mom and I found this a few months ago when she was up for my birthday. I loved the screen printed quality, and of course, the subject matter, we just couldnt resist it! The only problem was the blaring red sun that just wasnt going with the other colors.

Look how much better it looks!! Its amazing how that simply fix switched the focus to the appropriate subject (sailboats) rather than the giant sun. And, you can actually notice the bird now! This is hanging on the entry wall, currently. Its patiently waiting its new buffet whose paint is drying as we speak!

Sneak Peak... :)

Remember this....?

Ive had this for quite some time now, and immediately after purchasing it, I painted it white. Well, my motivation stopped there. I just couldnt figure out what to do with it. Last week, I found some awesome heavy weight knobs at Target (10 for $20!!). I thought these dressed it up some. Then, yesterday, I got a crazy streak in me and decided to go to town and start distressing it. The image above doesnt show any of the changes yet-- Im still working on it. But, now I am [finally] very excited about it, and back to working on it! As soon as I finish, Ill post some new pics!

End of Summer and beginning of Hurricane Season

 Here are a few pictures I had taken last summer. Unfortunately, this summer was spent mainly working, so therefore, there was little time for picture taking excursions. As Hurricane Earl blows past us, hopefully these shores will remain intact. :) 

Surf City, NC

Surf City, NC

Surf City, NC

Surf City, NC

Under the Emerald Isle Pier

Under the Surf City Pier

This is where it all started...

This is where it all started. My beloved desk. I found her at the local Goodwill a few months back for $13. I just couldn't turn it down, it was love at first sight! My husband, Blake, was shocked and amazed when I called to tell him he would have to make a pit stop after work to pick it up for me. She was in pretty rough shape, cosmetically speaking. You can see the two- toned paint job, the hardware had tarnished and turned yellow, and sticky labels appeared to have been there for years. Based on her remaining contents, I think her former life was as a school teachers.




I knew immediately what color I wanted to paint her. After purchasing a color that was just too neon, I swapped it out for this perfect shade of teal. Some light sanding, 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of paint, and some finishing wax was all it took for her to shine.



This is the perfect spot for blogging and reading other blogs.. Im in love. xoxo

Nanner Puddin'

There is not much better than some yummy Banana Pudding. Blake is always asking me whats for dessert, and I usually respond with, "nothing". For some reason, I have to be in the mood for something sweet. Well, lucky for him, today I was.

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup flourpinch of salt
3 eggs, separated
2 cups milk
1 tsp whiskey ( I used spiced rum, it was all I had) :)
vanilla wafers
4-5 bananas

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 1/2 cup of the sugar, flour, and salt in the top of a double broiler. Blend in 3 egg yolks and milk. Cook, uncovered, stirring constantly, over boiling water for 10-11 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in liquor.
Spread small amount of custard on the bottom of 2 quart baking dish. Cover with layers of vanilla wafers, then bananas, and then repeat until you have used all your ingredients. (Save some wafers for the top to garnish with! And, the top layer should be custard--before the garnish).

Beat egg whites on high with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the remaining sugar, and beat until stiff peaks form. Spoon onto top of pudding, and bake for roughly 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool slightly, then add your wafers to the top for garnish. ENJOY.

Southern Hospitality

Check out the neat things Rhoda and Layla found at the Nashville Flea Market. So cool!

In Process

Despite it bring 100 degrees outside, and a hurricane heading straight for us, I went junking today with my friend Kelly. It was kind of on a whim, but sometimes those are the best kinds. After Kelly showing me a few new junking locations in town, I found another cool chair.... You might not know this yet, but my Mom and husband sure do: My house is quickly becoming chair hell. But I just cant help it. Acknowledging that I have a problem is the first step, right?More importantly than my chair find today, Kelly found the perfect pub style table for her dining room! A few nicks here and there, and a little repair to the top and she'll be good to go! I cant wait to see what she does with it!




I found this piece for $60 at a huge furniture thrift store. I havent done a thing to it. It has a few superficial dings here and there, but overall its in good shape. Its in our bedroom. I think I may sand down some of the stain and then stain it to match the tops of our new nightstands!




Ok, so this one is actually done. Ill work on getting you a picture. But, theres a matching one, that is reupholstered, but needs the cording on the bottom edge finished up, so technically its still in progress. :) (I think I got both chairs for $17 at Goodwill)




This is one of my very favorite pieces I found. I purchased this from my favorite junking spot, New To You. The salesman actually tried talking me out of buying it because its got some wear and tear. It was designed by Norman Bel Geddes for Simmons furniture back in like the 30s. I just love everything about it-- and it was already teal! It needs nothing more than to find the perfect spot in my house for it. It makes me smile just to look at it.




This is my lucky find today with Kelly. $8 at a local thrift shop. Some new fabric, and it was be cute at my office desk!




I bought this off of lejeuneyardsales.com (a craigslist type site) for like $14 or something ridiculous. It has currently been painted white, and the knobs replaced with brushed steel round ones. (The knobs in the pic are lion heads.. lol)




This was $10 at a fabulous JUNK store in Burgaw. This place was piled high with junk. And I loved every minute of it. This has a skirt on it because of the leg needs replacing... As soon as I con Blake into fixing it, Ill probably just make a slip cover for it. Its eventually for Copper. (Yes, I buy furniture for my dogs) :D




I love this piece! I just bought it for $24 at Goodwill. This one I havent even started on. I want to use it in the dining room or foyer as a buffet. My thought process so far has been white, with the moldings painted a teal or blue. Those moldings stick out almost 2-3inches, they are pretty prominent. Any suggestions??

Eventually I will post about my beloved desk, that started it all.......