After Photos - the Miracle of White

Today, I realized again for the thousandth time just how much of a miracle a fresh coat of paint is. Few other changes have so much impact, especially for the amount of effort and expense required. And when that paint happens to be white...

White is associated with cleanliness, purity, holiness and simplicity. It can be basic and complex at the same time. White is lovely and restful. If you use a variety of whites - cool and warm, dark and light - and a variety of textures - shiny, matte, rough, chippy, weathered, soft, smooth, translucent - an all-white environment will never be boring! 

White allows our eyes to focus on shape, light and shadow. We can see an object without distractions. White reveals details that would ordinarily go unnoticed, yet it can be very forgiving. White slipcovers can be bleached relentlessly. White tile can be scrubbed mercilessly. 

If you look at my previous post, you'll see just how much beauty you can add by spraying or brushing on a coat or two of white paint. The items are made more attractive, more valuable and are more cohesive as a collection than they were before. 

See the bird above? It was chipped brown realistic-ish paint. Now, it's pristine with a couple of coats of Rustoleum gloss white spray paint. The same goes for the little vintage shiny gold 1950's picture frame behind it. 

This little tool box was fine covered in brown stain, but becomes instantly more charming in white. The same goes for the little footed wooden bowl in at the top of the page.

Remember the dark forest green thing that may have been a mirror? It has a new incarnation as a chalkboard with a few coats of Rustoleum Chalk Board Paint and a white frame. 

The lamp pictured here was a project from a previous post that you may recognize. It was formerly a tacky brass thing. Cassie from Primitive & Proper said, "SO much cuter! i think i would have passed that lamp up before!" after it was sprayed white and got a new shade.

A new coat of paint in any color is a refreshing change, but in my humble opinion, white is like a little miracle in a can. 


Word of the Day:


Revelation 7:9

[ The Great Multitude in White Robes ] 


After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.


May we all meet each other there on that day!


-Revi

Before Photos - Little Thrift Store Finds

Thrift store shopping has been a favorite activity since childhood. My mom took us with her on occasion, and though I don't remember LOVING it then, I knew it was an option, and that cool things could be found. 


SO, in college, my friend Vivian and I went to Goodwill shopping for clothing to wear to a Halloween party. (This was in the early 1980's when the preppy look was hotter than usual.) Well, way back when, we found amazing button down shirts, wool sweaters and all sorts of preppy items for pennies! Needless to say, we were hooked. 


We also found items to decorate our apartment - an upholstered armchair I recovered several times, a dark brown ceramic Ginger Jar lamp, some vintage Mexican pottery and other items.


One lovely spring Saturday morning, we went to a thrift store on our bikes, with our backpacks. We ended up finding an amazing stash of vintage linen dresses and pointy-toed pumps! Vivian bought brown alligator ones, and I purchased black and white spectator pumps with spike heels. We were thrilled! We stuffed our backpacks full and rode home happy girls!


The next day, Sunday, we decided to get all gussied up and go to church. Vivian wore a tan linen suit, with a brown alligator belt and pumps. I wore a white suit with a black patent belt and the black & white spectator pumps. We felt so glamorous! 


Well, if you've ever been to an Episcopal church, you know you stand when you sing, sit when you listen and kneel when you pray. There are lovely little kneeling benches you lower - sometimes they're padded and covered with handmade needlepoint, but I am getting distracted here. 


Anyway, here we were, feeling a little like movie stars in our fabulous attire, and all of a sudden while praying, I opened my eyes and noticed the fellow in front of me. He was kneeling and I had a lovely view of the bottom of his shoes. PANIC!  I nudged Vivian and quietly whispered to her, "Our SHOES!" She knew I was referring to the giant red permanent marker written on the soles of our fabulous shoes "$1.00."  We must have looked pretty funny trying to kneel and not show the soles our our shoes!


OK, back to 2011. The photo above shows a pair of chubby ceramic birds - don't ask me what kind. I wish I knew my birds better! These were .50c each last week. The little wooden footed bowl was .87c

The wooden box and vintage mid-century metal picture frame were $1.91 and .57c respectively.

This wooden cup holder was $1.00, and the duck was another gift I got from Vivian when she moved to NYC years ago. It has water stains now, so I'm going to paint it. I think the cup holder might make a nice necklace and bracelet organizer. I love beaded necklaces...

I think this must have been a mirror or it held a sign or something. There's a slot for something to slide into from the top. It's painted a dark forest green. I like the shape, and think it would be a great chalkboard!


Next time, I'll show the AFTER photos.


Word for the Day - (about Jesus - the Transfiguration)


Luke 9:29

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

May today's changes be blessings for you!

-Revi