Carved Painted Chairs

Sometimes I have the pleasure of meeting such nice people.

I got a email one day from a woman that found my blog. She was interested in a piece of furniture that I had painted. Love when people see my blog and all my painted pieces and want them!!

Unfortunately, I sold the piece she liked. Fortunately she wanted to see my painted french hutch.
Both she and her husband came to see it. I just love them. She reminds me of us bloggers. I can tell she has the "eye". Her husband made me laugh. He is super tall and can see on top of things that the "normal" person can't. Yes he can see the dust on top of your doors!! He noticed a spot I forgot to paint on the hutch! It didn't bother him, they bought it anyway. It bothered me though so when they left I quickly painted it!

When they came to pick it up I was proud to see it on its way.

They liked it so much they wanted me to paint their dining room set.

It was beautifully carved so I knew the paint would be great on them.

Look at these legs!! So pretty.

They were already so nice. Paint releases all the pretty and makes it stand out. I distressed and painted six of them with Paris Grey and Old White. I dry brushed the details to let the wood shine through the paint.

The paint looks like it has been there forever. The waxes gives it dimension.

I wish you can see it in person. They look even better! Never underestimate the power of paint!!

I can't wait for you to see the dining room table. I took a picture of the hutch in her home when I was there too. I will post soon.

I want to say thanks to them. It is such a compliment when a client likes your things and they come back for more!

And thanks to you my readers for coming back for more! I love having you here!!

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Savvy Southern Style

Plant Stick with Pine Cone Nest

With Mother's Day coming soon I thought this would be a great project for adults or children to make for their moms. It is easy and inexpensive! These are the projects we like!!

A plant stick or pick which ever one you say, is something any mom would enjoy. This is a gift that can be for anyone though.

I have done other pine cone crafts before. I must love them!  Remember my Pine Cone frame? Another good idea for Mother's Day!

I also did an Anthro Knock off with them. 

I have a bunch in my yard I collect to use for crafts. I love 

being able to come up with different ideas for them.

Now if you don't have access to any you can purchase some. I started with a cardboard circle and took apart the pine cone to have separate pieces.

I used hot glue to attach two rows around the cardboard. (face up)

Then two more rows with piece face down. This went real fast.

The finished product looks like a nest. It is fun to do different looking nests. You can add moss and stuff to it but I wanted just the pine cone.

They make pretty flowers too!

Then I copied the pink bird graphic from The GraphicsFairy

I used card stock and cut out the image and mod podged it together. The mod podge forms a protective coating on the card stock. I then glued it to a craft stick.

I then inserted it in the whole of the nest and glued it.

For a nice presentation, I painted a pot from Old Time Pottery and transferred another bird image to the front.

Then when you give it as a gift, all they have to do is lift up the nest and insert it in a plant. Of course you can buy a plant and do the same, it is up to you!! If a child is doing this you can use regular glue.

I love how it can take an ordinary plant and make it look 

super special. 

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Restyling Bookcases {with Inspiration}

My niece was on spring break last week and took a trip to Florida to check out colleges. She is very creative and loves fashion and art. You may have remembered when I was teaching her how to paint. I wrote a post about it because I thought she did a great job.

While she was away, my sister decided to start some projects. That is why I was there painting the antique desk.  I was also deciding on what needs to be done for the design of the living room.

When I finished, I did a quick restyling of my niece's bedroom. We wanted to surprise her when she got home by giving her some newly restyled bookcases.

I wanted to move the shelves out of the living room so we put them in her room. She had a wall that needed some height to it. They worked perfectly. I think I was able to use things that will inspire her and still keep it functional. I even used her painting!

She will lay in her bed and look at the shelves so I wanted there to be special things on it for her to look at everyday. I started with blank shelves.

 I filled the bottom shelves with paperbacks and schoolwork they she needed. I couldn't get a good shot but there is a basket to ho;d some of her things.

Sorry for the blurry picture. This is an art vase I made for her. I filled the bottom with oil paint tubes. I then add a wire piece from a bouquet used in her mom's wedding. Filled the top with painted paint sticks and brushes to mimic "flowers" I added blank canvases to the vignette too.

The next vignette was Marilyn! I used a pretty notebook she had got a pottery dish from my sister's stash and used it as a tray for her colognes. This was a hit!

She was so surprised when she came home. She texted me and said how much she loved how artsy it was. My sister and I had fun rearranging but we were delirious by the end of the night. We finished so late. (Which is my excuse for the bad pics!) I love changing the look of a room with things you already have.

I will have to update with a picture from the whole room when I can take better pictures. Hope you like this little glimpse.

                                                  Have you ever used things from other rooms for a fresh look? 

If not give it a try! It is an affordable way to upgrade your room and be inspired!

Antique Desk Makeover {Turquoise and Grey}

Sometimes I find a piece that has beautiful lines. One that is old and has character. Then I get to paint it. The paint enhances it, the change adds to its personality. Love transformations!
One of my biggest transformations was this roll top desk.

I love painting different styles and with different techniques like this little boys desk.  But now I have an antique desk. Yes I have done a few but this one is one of my favorites.

There are a lot of makeovers going on right now. My son is redoing his upstairs bathroom. I am designing an office space, my sister's living room and my own. On top of all that SNAP and painting, painting, painting!

This antique desk makeover was the start! It will make the perfect addition to the living room. My sister purchased it awhile back. It is very old but sturdy. I will be using it to house her flat screen.

 I love the colors I used. Florence, Provence and French Linen. She wants grey and I suggested a pop of color with the Turquoise.

Like I said before, it started as a great piece. I just made it stand out. This is what I started with.

It is just tired and old.....like someone else I know! lol AND those knobs had to go!!!

Since we were scurrying to get taxes done this weekend, I didn't start painting this til late in the day. That explains the lighting with the pictures!

The painting began...and layering. I wanted the drawers to be a deeper color than the rest of the desk.

Little variations to age the paint. Then dark and clear waxes were added.

Then distressing to give it dimension.

I added silver knobs. To me it updated it and made it current! I also like how the light bounces off of them.

I love everything about the patina!

The living room has this great piece as a starting point now. It is rich and beautiful.
Whose says you need to spend a lot of money for great pieces of furniture? This is so much better than what is in the stores nowadays!

It has a great shelf underneath for storage. I think a great basket could go here!

I then had an HGTV moment. I did a little makeover in my niece's room too while I was there.

 I will show you in my next post.  I am painting a clients table today and have to get started!

See you soon!
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