The 'change my mind' bistro table

I had a rough Friday. My last firetruck of the day didn't go quite as planned (a post on my line of work is HERE) , so after filling up an entire garbage can of destroyed striping, I was ready for an easy weekend. You'd think 20 years in the business would have me a pro at what I do, right? You're never too good to improve it appears. :)

And then Saturday morning arrived. A week's worth of 6:30 am's totally caught up with us leaving us in zombie mode.  I looked over at my zonked out son and decided we'd enjoy a lazy Saturday to recoup. And head to the library to pick up my new weekend read that was on hold. Yipee!

I also took a little time to play with my new toy. This mini metal bistro beauty was at the neighbour's curb a couple days ago. I lurched my truck to a stop with rolling eyed son in tow, giggled and let out a whoopin' "SCORE!" as I heaved it into the back of the truck. Tell me this isn't cute!

I thought of all the fantastical things I could do with it as I silently recouped and read my book on the patio.

"I know... many would repaint you to clean you up. But I rather like the warm white color you are AND your rusty imperfections...." Figures. I can't even seem to MAKE an excuse to paint something these days. Why must I fall in love with everything as is?!?

So I played a little '"What's different about these pictures?" And totally took advantage of that little center shelf.

Hmmm... the fake ivy in a clay pot would be VERY easy to care for... 

Well... then again a little punch of freshly cut purple blooms is pretty too. And add the throw blanket in for good measure. And I'll just remove that bench...

Wait... maybe I ought to be flaunting some ice water instead of coffee...

Ah... right. And my ever present little girl. 'Bout time you showed up.

Oh cool! The sun makes a nice impression to the left...

Done!

The purple (and the cat) won. With the promise of the green stepping in when the purple is a done deal. Or maybe something else will transpire before then. Who knows.

The little bistro table in front of my pallet sofa is perfecto. It's regular table height which makes a great addition to a sitting area for when you wish to bring out a meal.

 As for the 'change my mind' shelf? TOTAL bonus for someone that can't make up her mind. :)

Pallet sofa reveal is HERE

Pallet sofa tutorial is HERE

Pottery Barn Bingo - for SYTYCD Week 2

     A new imposter resides in my house, thanks to

Something I've collected for awhile are antique board games.

So when this week's assignment for SYTYCD was to be catalogue inspired, I knew right then that Pottery Barn's bingo sign would fit in well with my existing decorating theme. But to create wall decor? Something else? I didn't quite know yet. So here's what I did.

The build

and

The reveal

The build

1. Creating the topper

Having NO idea what I was yet doing, I dug in the depths of my wood scraps for the inspiration I needed. If I had it, I could make it, right? ... sure... :)

Leftover pine tongue and groove boards from a previous ceiling project - check!  The boards were cut down to the desired size, then were lightly distressed with a pick object, hammer and nails, creating worm holes and dents.

My first mounting idea was the top right, when I realized a more outside of the box idea would be even cooler. Switching gears, plan B came into effect! 

2. Creating the base

I knew for my new idea I needed a firm base to hold the pine boards intact. And that happened to be an old cabinet door I simply cut down to the right size with a compound miter saw, finishing the cut with a hacksaw, because I don't know how to use my tablesaw and I always cut crooked with my jigsaw. Need I say more?!?

3. Finishing and attaching the topper

A few coats of leftover stain (custom tinted to match my hardwood flooring) were applied to the boards, bringing up all the distressing perfectly. Finishing coat yet to come - satin poly or wood oil, still undecided.

To mount the boards, I had to get creative. I don't know how to use my nail gun yet, (It's on the list.) so when I came across a container of rusty old nails, BAM! Or should I say, BAMBAMBAMBAM. This really added an authentic touch to the piece! No thank-you nail gun. Not today. Proving, some glitches are just better. :)

4. Creating the stencil

After you stop smiling at my yellowed heirloom white dinosaur computer monitor, let's move on to the stencil I needed to create. :)

Grabbing inspiration from the PB version, I changed out a few things to make in more my idea, including some hidden numbers with meaning. A stencil is born! Removing the vinyl pieces that I desired to be black left me with a great stencil to work with.

And the stenciling began. Using black fast drying acrylic craft paint, I used a stipple jabbing motion to stencil on the letters so they wouldn't be perfectly filled in.

5. The finished product

LOVE! The edges lifted up razor sharp. Once the paint was dry, all the black areas recieved a light distressing.

And this would have been the finished product if I had stopped at a simple wall hanging. Sooo... let's push it one step further. The base was beefed up for a reason. :)

The reveal

Some old antique looking wrought iron handles were snagged off an exsisting tray I had in my pile of junk stockroom, and attached to the sides of the board to help create the new identity I had in mind. This is also where the nail heads really got a standing ovation. It was all coming together nicely!

The bingo board became a sturdy productive tray, as well as a custom table top for an old coffee crate with a surface that had seen better days.

The chosen stain and black paint for the tones proved to be the perfect combination for the stamped and woodsy box underneath. Note those great galvanized rusty edge details on that crate. Bliss! :) Plunk a little clay potted PB inspired wonder on top, and let's call it done!

As you can see, the new tray looks right at home in it's rustic eclectic environment. It proved to be the perfect little finishing touch to an already rather 'interesting' side table. Like a new pair of shoes even. :) Yes, I think my new little impostor is here to stay!

Think my antique game boards can live peacefully with an impostor? Ehhh...  an extra brawl shouldn't hurt much. Nothing wrong with a bit more distressing now is there? :)

Thanks for your visit! Now, make sure you go cast your vote for your fav entry. :)

Previous -
Week 1 - Accessories

3rd place / 10

Bingo Board
Week 2 - PB Knockoff
2nd place / 9

Thank-you so much for your votes! I'm truly honored!!!!

 

New way to stack/decorate a side table (furniture line intro)

In preparation for my Christmas Show, I wanted to illustrate different types of finishes to furniture pieces viewed in room settings. I was over the moon delighted to land these two identical adorable round side tables which were the perfect before and after pieces!

Here is one of the tables, with the legs and top finished in a fresh coat of pure white. The mid section received a different treatment for a kick in personality. (tables are people too!)

Mod Podge time! I scavenged inside my piano bench for a music book with slightly age-toned pages. Fun!

I ensured each exposed edge was torn for a softer affect. Mod Podge was applied to one side of a torn area, then to the table, then stuck together, then on top of the paper as well. The area was carefully burnish  to press out excess glue. (make sure it's very wet so you don't rip your paper) After a bit of drying time, I trimmed the edges with an exact knife and scissors and went over the piece edges again with mod podge.

The last photo illustrates what happens if you leave excess glue underneath the paper. I was able to burnish it in time to remove the wrinkle.

I then aged the piece, giving it more dimension with glazing. The edges of the legs and table top edge  got the most. I worked with the piece as if it were a painting, taking note where light would naturally hit the object. You CAN improve on mother nature! Where there would normally be shadow, I left more glaze in those areas to create depth.

Here it sits in position beside my bed in the White Trash Bedroom. Curious on how I placed that plant underneath? Beds of today are incredibly high and older tables are short. So rather than spending big bucks on one tall table...

... I simply stacked them! I thought about finishing the lower one, but I think this tells more of a story for show purposes. Plus, crazy as it sounds, it anchors the room, and actually works with a darker lamp base on top!

The added height is awesome. Your lamp shines a bit brighter when placed higher, as well as the stacked idea allows for a display area AND productive area! You can also watch for two very low rise tables to make this idea work.

When I mentioned furniture line in a previous post, this is sort of the idea I had in mind. Finding certain looks that work on different pieces and expanding the line. This is the 'symphony line'.  Another line is the 'numeric' series, so far both winter white. Or may french vanilla... still sorting some fun titles out. :) Each piece would be developed on a reclaimed find, keeping the technique unique and interesting each and every time produced, to create one of a kind pieces!

I want to thank Miss Mustard Seed for her encouragement in enhancing simple furniture pieces. I've been watching her incredible work and knew she was a superstar early on. Although I'll never achieve where she is in the hand painted realm, I'll slowly develop my own flavor at what I can achieve. And will show you what I come up with along the way for your valuable feedback for me, and inspiration for you!

So, what do you think of this kind of decorating on furniture? Think there's a market for it?

~ This post is shared with ~

Crazy headboard anyone?

You have every right to question the above photo. What on earth is that?!? That my friends, is a part of my new headboard I created for the master bedroom.




Once upon a time, the bedroom was pretty bare bones. New floors and paint, check! But the real fun started when I was tired of no headboard and started snooping around in my own garage.

I had an old 4x8 sign I had salvaged from a neighbouring convenience store. They wanted to throw it out and I simply asked if I could have it. So I've been storing it, waiting for the perfect opportunity to put it to good use.

The sign was full of mold and pretty gungy so I scrubbed it down really well. The lettering on the sign was very aged, dulled to an orange which wasn't my personal thang. So I took some red paint and changed out the lettering, being careful not to go over the edges.




This was the result. But now the sign looked too new. (are we never happy?!?) So I whitewashed overtop the entire sign, calming down the peach background I wasn't thrilled about. I did some extra dabbing wherever lettering exsisted so I didn't fog out the images too much.

Then I went over the works with a wood stain to get a warm aging. The result was great!

I was happy with the sign, but now I needed to tweek things to really make them work. So next, the wall went red. And I made the bed. (no bedskirt yet but one miracle at a time here..)

And I spent a wholloping $10 on pillows and cases from a local thrift to perk things up some.

And I really desired a nightstand with drawers, but instead I used the stool I had beside the bed and jazzed it up some.

As you've noticed, only one wall went red. Four red walls would have totally overpowered the small room so this was all it really needed. The sign and bedding ties in the other wall colour perfectly.

Honestly? I'm sure glad I didn't get the headboard/footboard I had my eye on for a long time. My bedroom would have looked like anyone elses if I had cheated. With a little creativity, I now have something very unique that makes me smile everytime I walk in.

Funky headboards, there's simply no limit. Old gate, doors on their sides stacked high, art, paint, all it takes is a little imagination. Think of something flat and large enough for your particular bed and there you have a good beginning! Then keep playing with the room until it works.

Do you have an interesting headboard of sorts? Feel free to show your direct link in your comment if you do! Think about how you can jazz up yours in a fun way and just do it!
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Life in Grace April 27 2009 edition is having a linky party about painted projects. Go check out her incredible painted kitchen among other cool ideas!

Juila at Hooked on Houses May 1 2009 edition wants to know what you're hooked on!

Kimm at Reinvented June 2 2009 edition is challenging us! Her words, "Today I'd like to challenge you to find something that you'd have never thought to use for home decor, or even something that you might have thrown away... and hang it on a wall." I think my headboard just may qualify..