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Sunday, July 29, 2012

Annie or Plain Jane? A Chair Makeover...


I realized something about myself today.
I already knew it, I just didn't know how
hard core I am about it. Blogging is so good for that.

I am a Plain Jane. I WANT to be more blingy.
But I just can't do it. It's not me.

Case in point:


I found this great chair for three bucks.
It has nice details - carved legs, 
a lovely arched design on top of the back, 
and the perfect place to put a design.


I started thinking about what I might do
the minute I put her in the car. 


A number? Which one? I already have a 7.
A graphic from the Graphic Fairy?
What kind? A French label? Something
industrial looking? Vintage? Choices, choices.

Then, I had a great idea! 
An ampersand. You know - the "and" sign.
&
I found a lovely font and enlarged it. 
I even looked up the history of the ampersand.
It's quite interesting. And it's French. 
"Perfect," I thought. 

And I even went so far as to name this chair.
Annie. 
Annie would be a new companion to Martha.

It made perfect sense. She has a new 
coat of Annie Sloan Old White on her.
And she'll soon have an ampersand on her back.



So I taped the ampersand on the chair, 
to try and find the perfect placement.
I wanted it visually centered in the space.
When I stepped back to look at the placement,
I hated it.




Well, hate may be too strong a word.
It didn't feel right. So I took it off.

And I gently distressed her
to show off her curves.


Did you notice those legs?


As I sanded, I kept wondering what else I might
put in the center of that virtual blank canvas.

And I drew a blank. 


If not the chair back, 
then what about the seat cover?
A patterned fabric? 
A transfer on canvas?

Nope. Plain old solid drop cloth.


Sorry. 
If I have disappointed any of you
who wanted to see a number or graphic, 
please forgive me.


I just like plain stuff. At least the BIG stuff.
Walls and furniture - I like them plain. 


I don't think I have problems with commitment,
it's just that I like to change things around a lot.
And plain things allow me to do that with the 
least amount of work possible.

Now, pillows or lampshades or artwork...
THAT'S a different story altogether!

But back to the new girl...Annie or Jane?
Martha is just dying to know. Let me know
what name you think I should call her...

Word for the Day:
Philippians 2:8-11
8 And being found in human form, 
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death, even death on a cross. 
9  Therefore God has highly exalted him 
and bestowed on him the name 
that is above every name, 10 so that 
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ 
is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

P.S. About the Ampersand - 

"The shape of the character (&) predates the word ampersand by more than 1,500 years. In the first century, Roman scribes wrote in cursive, so when they wrote the Latin word et which means “and” they linked the e and t. Over time the combined letters came to signify the word “and” in English as well. Certain versions of the ampersand, like that in the font Caslon, clearly reveal the origin of the shape.

The word “ampersand” came many years later when “&” was actually part of the English alphabet. In the early 1800s, school children reciting their ABCs concluded the alphabet with the &. It would have been confusing to say “X, Y, Z, and.” Rather, the students said, “and per se and.” “Per se” means “by itself,” so the students were essentially saying, “X, Y, Z, and by itself and.” Over time, “and per se and” was slurred together into the word we use today: ampersand."

Read more at http://hotword.dictionary.com/ampersand/#Bczt9Jc5JRygUEXh.99


Possibly Linking With:

Sunday

http://my1929charmerblog.com/
Sunday’s Best
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/
Creative Bloggers Party Hop
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://stylishonceagain.blogspot.com/
Restyled Sundays
http://www.sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com/
Sister Sunday
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/
Just something I whipped up
http://www.thesoutherninstitute.com/
Creative Me Link Up
Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Making the World Cuter Monday
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Revival Monday
Masterpiece Monday
Just a party with my peeps!
Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Cowgirl Up!
All Star Block Party
Tuesday’s Treasures
Twice Owned Tuesday
Wednesday
White Wednesday
Primp Your Stuff Wed
Piece of Work Wednesday
Restored it Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Penny Pinching Party
What’s it Wednesday
Thursday
Under $100 Link Party
Suzy's House Party
Transformation Thursday
Thursday Open House Party
Share Awesomeness Thursday
Time Travel Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday
thrift’n on a thursday
Doin’ It Yourself
Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Potpourri Friday
Furniture Feature Friday
Fridays on Remodelaholic
Friday Redoux Link Party
Frugal Friday
Frugalicious Friday
Furniture Friday
Inspiration Friday
Flaunt it Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Rustic Restorations Weekend
Saturday
Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday

http://www.freckledlaundry.com                                    Air Your Laundry Friday



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19 comments:

  1. andrea@townandprairieJuly 29, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    If anything, I'd give her a number 8! Or something more delciate, like an image, but less bold. You did a great job on the chair... I just love old chairs. You can't beat them. None of this mdf stuff for me...give me a girl with turned legs any day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vintage Street DesignsJuly 29, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    I think it looks beautiful just the way it is! You did an great job! Just went to an auction today and brought home another chair...my husband just keeps stacking them up in the garage until I can get to them all. I just can't resist!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Something Nice and PrettyJuly 29, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    I love it just the way it is! The old white looks awesome and the chair looks great next to the # table!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Farmers DaughterJuly 30, 2012 at 3:33 AM

    Your chair looks great! Simple but elegant. I'm your newest follower!

    ReplyDelete
  5. outjunkingJuly 30, 2012 at 6:40 AM

    You made a good choice for this chair. Sometimes less is more and that chair has such wonderful detail already. Good job :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. farmhouse-storyJuly 30, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    she looks like a jane, revi:) and she's lovely as is...your style!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Liz @ Quirky VistasJuly 30, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    Sometimes, like Popeye, you just have to say, I yam what I yam. So you did. It's beautiful in it's own new lovely creamy way.
    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  8. Simply SimplisticatedJuly 31, 2012 at 5:47 AM

    Sometimes less IS more:) I love it in all its simplicity!Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  9. DawnaJuly 31, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    I like Annie, it's simple but classic like the chair. I loved all the history about the ampersand. I am one of your newer followers and enjoy how your quotes relate to your posts and everyday life.

    ReplyDelete
  10. SonnieJuly 31, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    I, too, think it's lovely just the way it is, simple and sweet. Anything else would take away from the chair's curves and legs....great re-do.
    Take care - Sonnie

    ReplyDelete
  11. Michele M./ Finch RestAugust 1, 2012 at 12:54 AM

    I actually LOVE it plain. I am definately of the "less is more" variety too - hated the & symbol there too, so you aren't wrong!

    The one thing I do see as a possibily on the back is maybe gluing burlap cut to that exact back shape? Or possibly gluing/wrapping it around a very thin board then putting it on? That could be some "texture" it needs - but again it looks great plain - nothing a little throw pillow can't make better.

    Well done, it's a beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  12. CourtneyAugust 1, 2012 at 4:32 AM

    My first ever chairs were similar to this and I did them plain too. You may remember them, with the stripes on the seat. I couldn't visualize anything too much for them as I thought they'd end up too busy. Mind you they haven't sold yet!
    Yours is just gorgeous as it is Revi!! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  13. StephanieAugust 1, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    This chair is not plain looking - it is elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Cassie BustamanteAugust 1, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    i love it as is, too- it is simple and sweet and lets the chairs own details really shine.

    ReplyDelete
  15. leah mariAugust 1, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    thats a really cute chair! nice work. i also love the stenciled table :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Stacey@Rendition RoadAugust 3, 2012 at 3:16 AM

    We love what we love & that, in the end, is what makes our homes OURS. Your chair is beautiful just the way she is, you did a wonderful job giving her a makeover. Besides, with her sitting next to that adorable table with the #7, it works so well. Oh, and I'm slightly partial to the name Annie. She just looks like an Annie. Beautiful job!

    ReplyDelete
  17. TammyAugust 5, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    I am like you, I like plain too. I think we really do have a place in this world. I think the chair looks perfect, so I think you should name it, Tammy. Tammy means perfection;) Thank you for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. StaceyAugust 6, 2012 at 2:46 PM

    Beautiful chair - the ampersand would have totally worked though I like it both ways!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownAugust 9, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    I'm a plain & simple girl too. I think the chair looks great. Sometimes less is more. Those gorgeous legs get all of the attention now! Thanks for sharing with air your laundry friday! xo Jami

    ReplyDelete