I was recently asked to create a child's wardrobe to accommodate dress-up clothes, tiaras, wands and dress-up shoes. Oh my goodness were the creative juices flowing! I was so excited to get started and was lucky to find the perfect piece at a thrift store as my starting point. These days, thrift stores are literally… Continue reading Fit for a Princess
When I spotted this beauty at an auction, I knew I had to have her. (OK, maybe former beauty, but I could see her potential). I knew exactly what I wanted to do to bring her back to life. And then I got her home. Let's just say things did not go as planned. I… Continue reading Not Exactly as I Planned
Although most of my work (and the majority of my posts) focus on rehabbing furniture, upcycling encompasses so much more. For instance, leftover wood and hardware can be repurposed in many ways. (You should see my scrap wood pile!) A couple of weeks ago I was asked by a friend to create a 30-inch wall… Continue reading A New Challenge
Sorry for the Britney reference. I started refinishing again without taking a before picture!! Ugh! Anyway, I got so excited about this dresser that I couldn't wait to get started. I had the drawers out, hardware off and had already taken the belt sander to the top before I remembered! I think you can still… Continue reading Oops, I Did It Again…
Sometimes upcycling takes the form of reinventing a piece but keeping its original intent. As trends come and go, some very useful pieces of furniture fall out of “style”. For instance, formal wooden chairs for children are not often used anymore. They are adorable, but let's be honest, children tend to gravitate toward something more… Continue reading Time Out!
With the advent of laptops and tablets, formal desks (particularly wooden ones) are not in demand the way they once were. There are tons of these desks at garage sales, flea markets, and auctions. Usually, you can score one pretty cheap. The end goal? A vanity of course! Vanities appeal to girls of all ages.… Continue reading Vanity
Sometimes it's the little things that make a room. That one small detail that evokes a special memory. And sometimes, these details start out as something less that ideal. It happened to me when I spotted this metal art at a flea market for $6 (so cheap I didn't even have the heart to barter… Continue reading The Little Things
I was fortunate enough to have scored this beautiful buffet through a friend. It was in great condition, and I debated just cleaning it up a bit. I was taught at a young age "never paint good wood". Many people still hold that opinion. Now granted, if the item is antique and/or valuable, then there… Continue reading To Paint, or Not to Paint…
Custom lettering and designs are a great way to personalize your home or gifts. You can capture family quotes, mark significant dates or add humor and style to your decor. There are a number of techniques to letter or personalize, but today I want to talk about my two favorites. Stencils are a girl's best… Continue reading Personally Personalizing (nope-that’s not a typo)
