Ugly Duckling Bureau

I'm always on the lookout for vintage pieces that I can refresh.  I know when local thrift store's offer the Tuesday discounts, Thursday discounts or even the senior discounts. Yes, yes I'm in that 55 & younger crowd.; so now you know.  On one of Fats and my weekend jaunts to the beach, specifically Ventura - I came across a dresser bureau that I couldn't resist. It was in the back room of a favorite thrift store in the one main drag town of Santa Paula.  It was that piece I saw with potential, screaming make me pretty again.

                                                       
                                               THE UGLY DUCKLING

What I love about this piece is how large the bottom drawers are; she was a beauty in her day.  The detail around the top drawers and the great hardware.  I'm always on the lookout for the hardware.  The veneer was well worn on the top back and on the sides & a part of the scalloping on the top drawer was missing - those are easy fixes. But the best part of all, the price.  It was marked $79.00 but with it being Sunday and with the discount, I picked it up for $39.00.  I painted her with Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White & French Linen.  So take a look at the beautiful swan & remember not pass up those ugly ducklings.  Toodles!

                                            THE BEAUTIFUL SWAN

 
                                                               ~Karen

Monday Chair #6

So it's Monday & I missed my early morning post; so I decided to do an early evening post on the Monday chair.  There is nothing better than a good read in your Monday chair. If you have been reading my Monday chair post you will know what this is all about.  Now that summer is officially here take time out to sit a spell in your favorite chair - be thankful for Monday as much as we are on Friday.  Since I work outside my home today is my Friday, off for three straight days and I plan on getting a  gorgeous piece waxed tomorrow.  I will post the ugly duckling that was screaming "make me pretty again" tomorrow.  So grab that glass of ice tea, mint water or whatever your choice of beverage is, take 5 & sit a spell - YOU deserve it!.  Take a look at a little inspiration.  Toodles!

                                                                       ~Karen

The Blue Garden

What's your favorite flower?  What's your favorite color for a flower? Are there really blue flower's? Well as you can gather I don't have a favorite flower - now that I think about it, yes I do. It's a peony, such beautiful, elegant flowers that make you happy (remember Mr. Happy from my May 5, 2014 blog). If you check out my Blue Garden on Pinterest you can tell what is my favorite color of flowers - it's blue. But are they really blue, or are they purple or lavender?  To me they are blue and they make me happy.  Check out some of my favorites below or go view all 74 of my pins on Pinterest. Toodles!

~ KAREN

Chippy Library Table

Life since my last post has been a little hectic around here I must say - ever have days or weeks like that? Anyhow after much trial and error with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint, my decision is I LOVE IT! I ended up mixing 3 colors since I mentioned in my last blog that for this particular piece I didn't care for the coastal look.  First coat went on well but when I put on my second coat that's where I was able to see the "chippy" effect.  Just love the look.  So here's my after look - and as Marian says (aka Miss Mustard Seed)  get ready to move mountain's in your home.  Toodles!

The chipping in process

Further chipping

                                                         Finished piece

~KAREN