Blogging adds to my to-do list

I haven't been blogging lately. I think we all go through spells that just need to take a break so I did. I still find that I'm compelled to read my blog roll daily. I even get excited to see what everyone's doing. But, it does come at a cost! I usually spot things that I mentally filing into my to-do list. So, I thought I'd share that list...

1. Wine barrel planter. Centsational Girl is amazing!!! I don't know where she finds the time to do all the things she does but this one speaks to me! It's probably because I'm a fan of wine and flowers:) Can you believe she made this!

2. I can't really blame a certain blog but I'm going to stencil a back splash in my kitchen. I was going to tile but my husband is convinced that we'll redo our kitchen and layout in the next few years. So, why waste the money but why wait to make this the way you want them. Stenciling is my compromise. I'll use the existing deep tan wall color and then pull another lighter beige for the 2nd color. Here's a preview in blue.

3. Also, I going to stencil my downstairs 1/2 bath. It's a nice neutral that I just painted (it was a green color called thyme which I have upstairs). I'm debating on using a light tan as the second color so it's a soft look or go bold and use a dark brown. I worried about the dark brown because of the size of the bathroom. Here's a preview. I have the same print on my ottoman in the ajoining family room so I thought it'd pull things together. Yes, I'm obsessive!!

4. Ok, this isn't a project but more of a treasure hunt. I have a dining room with a large window and I'm looking for two corner cabinets to flank it. I'll have extra storage - bonus! and it'll help make the room cozy. Miss Mustard Seed has them in her dining room.

5. Beefing up the porch for party time:) I've move our old eat-in kitchen table to the porch and have bought a bench to accompany it. I found these retro cast iron chairs that I was going to sell. But once I painted them red, they're staying! Here's some must haves:

Pottery Barn

Fun chili pepper lights - this was actually my husband's added touch

Outdoor drink/food buffet. This ones from PB has the right look but I'll hopefully find a more rustic, cheaper piece.

So, that's my inspired to-do list. It's fun to have this kind of list! What's on your list?

Vintage vanity turned distressed desk with chair

I completely forgot a before of the chair but it was just boring brown with ugly fabric and now it's fabulous floral:) I like it pairs beautifully with the desk I distressed. The desk was an auction find and has and attachable trifold mirror to serve as a vanity.

Before

Before... I do love that nature distressed look.

After

After of that one side... looked amazing with the paint. Love me some chalk paint! Used old white chalk paint by Anne Sloan and sanded the top and stained it dark walnut. And, of course, clear wax on it all.

After with some dark wax to make the key holes and pulls look well used.

Paired with the chair

The pulls were amazing untouched.

For a finishing touch, I lined the drawers with decorative contact paper. This is in our space and it's looking for a home:)

Second Life Furnishings is open for business!!

It's official! Today, my friend, Deb and I opened our booth at Heritage Antiques on Staples Mill in VA. That's Deb and my daughter, Julia as we set up and tagged/priced all our goods. It's so exciting!!! Now, fingers crossed that we start selling stuff because we actually have enough things to fill a space 3x this size!

Yes, it's a bit cluttered but we have to get it in to sell. Our game plan is to rotate some things if stuffs not moving.

I'm in love with that white wing chair Deb reupholstered! She's amazing!! She's never been taught - just decided one day that she could do it and boy, can she!

I'm the painter. I get a little frustrated with fabric.

Wish us luck:)

Escape to Luckett's

It's been 2 weekends ago that my friend, Deb and I escaped for a night to go to the Luckett's Antiques Fair. It was really amazing to see all the different things that a variety of vendors have to offer. We weren't the only ones excited to go (as I first photo is the line waiting to get in).

We were some of the first to arrive so some vendor were still putting on the finishing touches. Above and below are pictures of Miss Mustard Seed's goods. She is by far my favorite blogger to read and get inspiration from.

After several hours at the fair, we headed to Leesburg for ice cream and hit a couple shops. What a gorgeous little historic town! I'll be back!

Silverware hutch to jewelry chest

Remember months ago I showed you some finds from a furniture consignment store. This silverware hutch was among them.

Before

After

It's right outside our master bath in the hallway to my closet. Perfect stop to add some bling for the day.

It's slightly distressed in the Robin's Egg chalk paint.

I'm lining the drawers with fun fabric (on the to-do-list!).

Another finished piece: distressed hutch

1/2 before: I thought I had taken a before picture but I didn't!! It was the old style brown and had plexiglass behind the top latticed metal doors.

Sorry for the poor display in the garage. But if you squint, can't you see it in a well decorated room!

Amazing distressing with the much talked about chalk paint in off white with clear wax. That stuff is truly cool! It feels so smooth without sanding or priming and only one coat.

Distressed detail. Original hardware was perfect untouched.

I wish I had a place for it in my house.

Finally...some finished pieces to share

Fireside chairs from an auction

The original fabric from 30+ years ago. Screamed for some updating!

Striped the old fabric

Primed

painted black

The finished back of the chair is a striped black/white which was also used as the cording for the front.

The front with Jamestown Toile

finished!

Bows that attach the back cushion.

Adorable!!